Uk* "IfgiWikeftMiiojS., 'Ae founding 0f.1L College iri thif Colony' - YALE-¥lMII¥IEI^S2ir¥o 13 Groton Historical Series. A COLLECTfON OF PAPERS RELATING TO THE HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS. BY SAMUEL ABBOTT GREEN, M.D. 1 1 t Vol. II. GROTON 1890. John Wilson and Son, Cambridge. A Second Volume of the Historical Series is now published ; and the Editor hopes, at some future day, to bring out a third volume. He intends to insert anything and everything of an appropriate character, within his reach, which may interest and instruct the residents of the town, or be of value to students of local history. S. A. G. January i, 1890. CONTENTS. No. I. A List of Representatives from the Town of Groton to the General Court, from the Colonial Period to the Present Time, with the Dates of their Election and Terms of Ser vice; INCLUDING ALSO THE NAMES OF CERTAIN OTHER OFFICERS. 1 672- 1 887. # No. II. Revolutionary Items : Battle of Bunker Hill ; Captain Asa Lawrence ; The Tea Tax ; Outlaws. — The Shays Rebellion. — The Lawrence Farm. — Burning of Deacon Lawrence's Barn. — Groton Artillery Company. — Groton Genealogies. — Battle of Bunker Hill and the Shays Rebellion. — Groton Documents. — Gershom Hobart, Jr.'s Release from Captivity. — Dr. Moors's Reminiscences. — Slavery in Gro ton. — Major Willard's Nonacoicus Farm. — Social Life in Groton. — Colonel Prescott. — The Old Taverns and Stage coaches of Groton. — Groton Post-Office. — Epitaph. — Addenda. — Marriages. — Deaths. , No. III. List of the Treasurers of Groton. — Groton Families in Maine. — The Old Taverns and Stage-Coaches of Groton. — The Groton Post-Office. — Rev. Joshua Huntington. — Two Lost Poxds. — A Mistake Corrected. — Parker. — An Agricultural Society. — Groton Public Library. — Dr. Jacob Williams. — The Stone Family. — Old Groton the Ancestral Home of Gov. John Winthrop. vi contents: No. IV. The Earliest Newspaper Printed in Groton. — Dr. Joshua Green. — Frederick A. Eldredge, Dunstable, N. H. — Camp Stevens at Groton. — Pepperell Fever. — Change of Names. — Bridge Carried Away. — The Bar and the Clergy. — The Irish Famine. — William Boynton Wait. — A List of Deputy- Sheriffs who were Residents of Groton. — Prisoners taken at the Battle of Bunker Hill. — Members of the General Court and of the several Constitutional Conventions while Resident in Groton. — Death of Hon. Josiah Kendall Bennett. — Dr. Jacob Williams. — Deaths. No. V. The Population of Groton at different Times. — French and Indian War. — Obituary Notices. No. VI. Rev. Joseph C. Smith. — The Wesson or Weston Family. — An Old Deed. — Col. Abraham Moore. — Narrow Escape from Fire. — Two Double Tragedies. — " Paugus John" Chamber lain. — Groton Bridges. — Transfer of Real Estate. — Addendum. — Obituary Notices. — List ,of Deaths. No. VII. Bibliography of Groton, 1673 to 1888. Maps, Plans, etc. No. VIII. Bi-Centennial Celebration, Oct. 31, 1855. — Instances of Lon gevity. — Railroad Meetings. — Lawrence Academy. A Correction. — Walter Dickson's Family. — The Eldredge Family. — Reflection of Light. — A Baptistery. — A Legal Episode. — Mrs. Bassett's Bequest. — Groton Junction. CONTENTS. No. IX. Mount Wachusett. — A Glance Backward. — The Union Church. — Dr. Oliver Prescott. — James's Brook. — The Nutting Family. — Two Law-Students, and their First Case. — No Thoroughfare. — Stephen Boynton's Petition. — The First Brick House. — Thomas Sackville Tufton. — An Old Pottery. — The Circus and the Show. — History of Dunstable, N. H. — Addenda. No. X. A Record of some Groton Families. No. XI. George F. Farley, Esq. — Walter Dickson's Family. —Obituary Notices. — The Barron Family. — The Groton Will Case. — Groton as a Shire Town. — A Railroad Town. — Benjamin Wheeler Merriam. No. XII. Lawrence Academy.— Capt. James Parker's Writing. — A Free Reading- Room. — Oliver Wentworth. — Hezekiah Sprague's Family. — Two Balloons passing over Groton. — Obituary Notices. — Dr. Norman Smith. — Prince Edward's Visit. — Rev. Samuel Dana. — A Case of Insanity. — Matthias Farns- worth's Captivity. — John Farnsworth's Family. — Height of some Groton Hills. — Verses. — Addenda. — Marriages. No. XIII. Groton Garrisons in 1692. — The Public Well. — Dissolution of Partnership. — Petition for a Turnpike. — The Second Meeting-House of Groton. — Land Bank Company. — List of Subscribers to Important Books, etc. — An Uncloseted Skeleton. — Groton Junction. — Celebration at Groton, July 4, 1808. — Groton Farmers' and Mechanics' Club. — Queen Anne's War. — Mrs. Sarah Brazer Berry. — A Law suit. — Some Indian Names. — Addenda. — List of Deaths. VUl CONTENTS. No. XIV The Groton Fire Department. — Rev. Caleb Trowbridge. — James Ridgway. — The Rev. Dr. Lothrop's Reminiscences. — Celebration at Groton, July 4, 1807. — The Old Taverns and Stage-Coaches of Groton. — Lieut. Amaziah Fassett. — Some Roads and Streets. — Mr. Barstow's Dedication Sermon. — Jonathan Clark Lewis. — William Sullivan. — Marriages. — Obituary Notices. — List of Deaths. No. XV. Rev. Daniel Chaplin, D.D. — Mrs. Sarah C. Rockwood. — Rev. Joshua Huntington. No. XVI. Starch-Factory and Paper-Mills. — Wild Animals. — William Austin, Jr. — Signor Blitz. — Daniel Farnsworth. — Bibli ography of Groton. — Mrs. Sarah Perry. — Slavery in Groton. — Ordination at Groton. — Obituary Notices. INDEXES TO VOLUMES I. AND II. GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1887. Historical Series, Vol. II., No.' I. A LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TOWN OF GROTON TO THE GENERAL COURT, FROM THE COLONIAL PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME, WITH THE DATES OF THEIR ELECTION AND TERMS OF SERVICE; INCLUDING ALSO THE NAMES OF CERTAIN OTHER OFFICERS. 1672-1887. The Assistants of Massachusetts, sometimes called Magis trates, were the forerunners of the Provincial Council and the State Senate. They were few in number, and, in point of dignity and honor, next to the Governor and Deputy-Governor. Major Simon Willard, the only citizen of the town who ever held the office, became a resident in the year 1672, removing here from Lancaster at that time. He was first chosen to the position in 1654, when living at Concord. COURT OF ASSISTANTS. Date of Election. Term of Service. May 3. 1654 . . Major Simon Willard 1672-1676 (Died in office, on April 24, 1676.) SENATE. October 26, 1780 . Honorable James Prescott . 1780-1784,1786 June 1, 1797 . . Honorable Timothy Bigelow . . 1797-1800 May 6, 1805 . . Honorable Samuel Dana . 1805-1812,1817 (Mr. Dana was president of the body during the years 1807, 1811 and 1812.) 2 LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. Date of Election. Term of Service. November 13, 1837 Honorable Stuart James Park . . 1838, 1839 January 9, 1851 . Honorable John Boynton l8Sr November 13, 1854 Honorable Abijah Edwin Hildreth . • 1855 November 5, 1867 Honorable Daniel Needham . . 1868, 1S69 (Of these Senators Colonel Needham is the sole survivor.) There is no reference in the Groton records to the election of any representatives to the General Court, before the year 1693 ; and even then the names are not given, and only by the receipts for their pay and by some allusions to the subject, is it known that any were chosen previously to that date. According to the Colonial records, Captain James Parker served as a deputy, or representative, during the session be ginning November 7, 1683, and it is probable that he was the only one from the town, under the first charter. The following entries comprise every allusion to the sub ject, found in the earliest volume of town-records, which is known as the " Indian Roll " : — Fabruary the 6 1693 the inhabitanc being met togather for to Consider of sum waye for to preuent futar unnessesary charges did by uott declare that they would petishone unto the genaraill Court that ther representetiue might be relesed from atendingthe Seshone any more the same daye the town did by uott declare that they would haue dacon Lawranc for to manidge the portistione for them which the Comithy hath draw up (Page 107.) Groton Aprill 12 1693 Know all peple by thes presenc that Nathanaeill Lawranc senor hath Reseiued full satisfactione by the select men and Constables for sarueing the town as a Representiue at the two first sestione I saye reseiued by me Nathannil laurance Groton April 12 1693 Know all peple by thes presenc that John Page senor doth fully and and [«V] Clearely acquite the town select men and constables for sarfing the town as a representetiue at the first [session] held at boston in ye year 1692 as witness my hand Joh Page seneyer LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. 3 Payed to Nathanail Lawranc se[nior] aight pounds in mony Payed to John Page se[niorJ two pounds sixteen shillins and nine pene in mony (Page 109.) maye 15 1693 the Town being met together ther unto orderlie warned then the town did by uote declare that they would not send nor Choose any parson nor parsons for to Represent them at the great and genaraill Corte or asembley John page senor Jeams Kemp John Stone and William Longley se[nior] desent from this uote John farnworth and Steuen holden The Town Resons is they do not iudg themself layable nether acordind to Law nor Charter as atest William Longley Town Clarck (Page 109.) October 30 1693 at town meeting Legally warned Capt Jeams Parker was chousen to Represent the town at ye great and genaraeell assembly held at boston the eaight day of nouember insuing the date here of (Page no.) It does not appear from the records of the General Court that Captain Parker was present at any meeting of this session. Jenuary 1 169^ the town this daye did ingage to sequer the se- leck men from any harm or dameidg that they shall meett with all in Respect of Decon nathanaell Lawranc in that he doth demand thirty 6 shillins in money for to be his dew for sarfing the said town as a representiue and the town doo Refuse to paye the said money the seleck men being estemed as the rest of the inhabitanc in the mater also the town did by the maier uote chouse Liftenant Jonah Prescot & Jeams parker Ju for to answer in the case if the said Lawranc should truble ye seleck men or town and they did exsept of the choiss and they are to haue their paye for their pains when the said town is able to paye them as wittness William Longley town dark John page se[nior} desents from the aboue mentioned proper- sis tione (Pages in, 112.) 4 LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. at a town meting legelly warned May 9th 1699 : Capt : Prescot was chosen for to atende the genrell Cort : for to sarue as a represintiue (Page 118). James Blanchard Clark May 17 1703 at a town metting legelly warned the town did by uot declare that thay would pay deacon larrance the mony that the deacon demande for saruing the : town as ane represintiue In the year 1693 the town did uote and declare that thay would borrow the mony of thomas Williams for four month and pay for the use of it one shilling James Blanchard Clark (Page 124.) Groton May ye8 1705 then capt prascot was chosen to sarue as a rapresentetife for the yer Insuing Thomas tarbell Clarck (Page 126.) Groton May the aight 1706 At a town meting legally worned to chuse a repreasantiue the fre hooldars and othar inhabitants quala- fied acording to law did by the maior uote couse [choose] Simin Stone for this year 1 706 a represantetiue Jo h Lakin town dark (Page 129.) The paging, as given after these several extracts, refers to the printed edition of " The Early Records of Groton, Mas sachusetts, 1662-1707," from which they are taken. Since the year 1707 in the town-records, and even before that date, there are occasional omissions in the names of representatives, and these gaps I have filled from the Colonial and Provincial records at the State House. In such cases the names are printed within brackets, and the dates given with them refer to the beginning of each session ; and in all other instances in the list, where dates of the sessions have been obtained or inferences drawn from these records, brackets are used. In early times the representative to the General Court was paid by the town that sent him ; and this fact furnishes the LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. 5 reason why the town of Groton, on May 15, 1693, voted not to send one. It was then poor, and staggering under a heavy load in the shape of debts and current expenses. Notwith standing the receipt of Deacon Lawrence given on April 12, 1693, the town was threatened by him with a suit for thirty- six shillings, for his services as a representative, perhaps during a short period after the petition of February 6, 1693, when it was voted that he should be released from attendance. It is not now known whether a suit was ever begun, but, ten years later, as appears by the vote of May 17, 1703, the town agreed to settle the matter by paying the demand, though it was obliged to borrow the money for that purpose, — an in dication of its extreme poverty. During some of these ten years Deacon Lawrence was a resident of that quarter of Cambridge which is now Lexington ; and his absence from Groton may have been, in part, the cause of the long delay in settling the dispute. Neither Deacon Lawrence nor Mr. Page was chosen to the Assembly that convened on May 31, 1693. John Paris was a member of the Council for Safety of the People, which met on May 9, 1689, just after Governor Andros was deposed. It is probable that the town was un represented during the following years 1693 (first session), 1694-1698, 1700-1704, and 1707, as the Provincial records of those dates do not mention any member from Groton. In the following list of representatives I have given the church, civil and military titles, found in the records, inas much as they indicate, approximately, the period when they were acquired. For nearly a century and a half the term of service of each member was during the year of his election. The name of John Sheple, as spelled in the town-records, is written John Shepley in the Provincial records, but the two names refer to the same man ; and the Nathaniel Sawtell of the town-records is identical with the Nathaniel Sartle of the Provincial records. LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Date of Election. [November 7, 1683 .... Captain James Parker.] [May 9, 1689 John Paris.] Under the Charter of William and Mary. [June 8, 1692 Nathaniel Lawrence.] [June 8, 1692 John Page.] [May 31, 1693 (ist session) Probably none chosen.] October 30, 1693 (2d session) Captain James Parker. [May 30, 1694 Probably none chosen.] [May 29, 1695 Probably none chosen.] [May 27, 1696 Probably none chosen.] [May 26, 1697 Probably none chosen.] [May 25, 1698 Probably none chosen.] May 9, 1699 Jonas Prescott. [May 29, 1700 Probably none chosen.] [May 28, 1701 Probably none chosen.] [May 27, 1702 Probably none chosen.] [May 26, 1703 Probably none chosen.] [May 31, 1704 Probably none chosen.] May 8, 1705 Jonas Prescott. May 8, 1706 Simon Stone. [May 28, 1707 Probably none chosen.] [May 26, 1708 John Farnsworth.] May 25, 1709 Ensign John Farnsworth. May 22, 1 710 Ensign John Farnsworth. [May 30, 1711 John Farnsworth.] May 7, 1712 Ensign John Farnsworth. May n, 1713 Ensign John Farnsworth. [May 26, 1714 John Farnsworth.] [May 25, 1715 Thomas Tarbell.] [May 30, 1716 John Shepley.] May 21, 1717 John Sheple. [May 28, 17 18 John Shepley.] [May 27, 1719 John Shepley.] May 6, 1720 Captain Jonas Prescott, Jr. May 22, 172 1 Captain John Sheple. August 8, 1 72 1 Captain John Sheple. LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. f Date of Election. [May 30, 1722 Captain John Sheple.] May 1, 1723 Lieutenant Benjamin Prescott. May 18, 1724 Lieutenant Benjamin Prescott. May 14, 1725 Captain John Sheple. May 19, 1726 Captain John Sheple. May 17, 1727 Benjamin Prescott. May 10, 1728 Captain John Sheple. May 14, 1729 John Longley. May 18, 1730 Deacon John Longley. May 17, 1 73 1 Deacon John Longley. [May 31, 1732 Nathaniel Sartle.] May 21, 1733 Nathaniel Sawtell, Esq. May 8,1734 Benjamin Prescott, Esq. May 19, 1735 Benjamin Prescott, Esq. May 18, 1736 Benjamin Prescott, Esq. May 17, 1737 Colonel Benjamin Prescott. May 15, 1738 Benjamin Prescott, Esq. (died in office, on August 3, 1738.) December 25, 1738 . . . Justice Nathaniel Sawtell, in the place of Benjamin Prescott, Esq., deceased. May 23, 1739 Justice Nathaniel Sawtell. [May 28, 1740 John Longley.] May 25, 1741 Justice Nathaniel Sawtell. May 12, 1742 Nathaniel Sawtell. [May 25, 1743 William Lawrence.] May 14, 1744 Nathaniel Sawtell. May 17, 1745 William Lawrence, Esq. May 18, 1746 William Lawrence, Esq. May 18, 1747 William Lawrence, Esq. May 17, 1748 William Lawrence, Esq. May 22, 1749 William Lawrence, Esq. May 28, 1750 (The town voted not to send.) May 27, 175 1 William Lawrence, Esq. May 14, 1752 William Lawrence, Esq. The district of Shirley was set off from Groton on January S> 1753. and the district of Pepperell, three months later, on April 12 ; and after these dates, until the period of the Revo lution, the two districts were represented in the General Court by the parent town. 8 LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. Date of Election. May 14, 1753 .... William Lawrence, Esq. [May 29, 1754 William Lawrence.] May 13, 1755 Colonel William Lawrence. May 17, 1756 William Lawrence, Esq. May 13, 1757 William Lawrence, Esq. May 17, 1758 William Lawrence, Esq. May 25, 1759 William Lawrence, Esq. May 26, 1760 William Lawrence, Esq. May 15, 1761 William Lawrence, Esq. May 17, 1762 Captain Abel Lawrence. May 16, 1763 Captain Abel Lawrence. May 21, 1764 Captain Abel Lawrence. May 14, 1765 Captain Abel Lawrence. May 12, 1766 Colonel James Prescott. May 18, 1767 Colonel James Prescott. May 10, 1768 Colonel James Prescott. May 23, 1769 Colonel James Prescott. May 21, 1770 Colonel James Prescott. May 20, 1771 Colonel James Prescott. May 18, 1772 Colonel James Prescott. May 17, 1773 Colonel James Prescott. May 9, 1774 Colonel James Prescott. May 22, 1775 Honorable James Prescott. After this date Pepperell and Shirley were each represented in the General Court separately, and not by the parent town. Owing to the political disturbances, a new Assembly was chosen by the Province in the summer of 1775. The precept issued to the town of Groton, with the answer, is found among the Archives (CXXXVIII. 214) at the State House, as follows : — Colony of the Massachusetts Bay. These are to will, and require you forthwith to cause the Free holders, & other Inhabitants of your town that have an Estate of Freehold in land within this Colony or Territory of forty Shillings f! annum at the least, or other Estate to the value of forty Pounds sterling, to assemble at such time, & Place as you shall appoint • then & there to elect, and depute one or more Persons (being freeholders, and resident in the same town) according to a number set, & limited by an Act of the General Court or Assembly, which LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. 9 was conven'd at Watertown on the nineteenth day of July current for the Service of this Colony, and is still in being ; and to cause the Person or Persons so elect, and deputed by the major part of the electors present at such election to be timely notified, & sum moned by one of the constables of your town forthwith to attend the Service of this Province in the said general Court, or Assembly, & during the Session or Sessions of the same. Hereof fail not, and make a Return of this Precept with the name or names of the Person, or Persons so elected, & deputed, with their being summoned into the General Assembly, as soon as may be after such election, & summons shall be made. Dated at Watertown this 31? — day of July A.D. 1775. By order of the House of Representatives Jas : Warren Speaker To the Selectmen of the town of Groton in the County of Middlesex Greeting. Pursuant to the Precept within written the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the town of Groton qualify'd as is therein directed, upon due Warning given, assembled and met together on the Twenty first day of August and then did elect, & depute Capt. Josiah Sartell — to serve for, and represent them in the Session, and Sessions of the great, and general Court or Assembly which was conven'd at Watertown on the nineteenth day of July current for the Service of this Colony the said Person being chosen by a major part of the electors present. Dated in Groton aforesaid the 21- day of August — A.D 1775. Oliver Prescott ") Selectmen Isaac Farnsworth > of The Person chosen as abovesaid Amos Lawrance j Groton notified thereof & summond to attend accordingly by me Constable of Groton Oliver Fletcher [Indorsed] Return from Groton Cap' Josiah Sartell Mr Fowle Please to make out a Precept for the Town of Han cock in the County of Berkshire — according to this Form — [Addressed] To The Selectmen of the Town of Groton. 10 LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. Date of Election. August 21, 1775 .... Captain Josiah Sartell. May 20, 1776 Colonel Josiah Sartell. / Honorable James Prescott. I Deacon Isaac Farnsworth, de- May 26, 1777 < clined, and Colonel Josiah Sar- ( tell chosen in his place. May 18, 1778 Honorable James Prescott. May 17, 1779 Honorable James Prescott. May 15, 1780 Honorable James Prescott. The first General Court of the Commonwealth of Massa chusetts met on Wednesday, October 25, 1780, and the Hon orable James Prescott was the representative from this town. He was chosen to the House on September 4, and a short time later, in order to fill a vacancy in the Senate, he was elected to that body by a convention of both branches on Thursday, October 26, 1780; and subsequently by another similar convention on Friday, October 27, to the Executive Council. At that time the Councillors and Senators were chosen on the same general ticket, without any special desig nation of either office, and then the Legislature selected from the upper body the members of the Council. "The Continental Journal, &c." (Boston), November 2, 1780, gives a list of the members of the General Court, where Mr. Prescott appears not only as a Representative, but also as a Senator and a Councillor ; and in another column of the same newspaper it is announced, as a Resolution of the Legislature, that owing to Mr. Prescott's acceptance of the Senatorship, his office as Sheriff of Middlesex County was rendered vacant, and owing, furthermore, to the lack of time in filling it, agree ably to the new Constitution, the session of the Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize and General Gaol Delivery would stand adjourned for one fortnight. He was also chosen, during the years 1781, 1782, 1783, 1784 and 1786, first to the Senate, and shortly afterward to the Council, where he appears to have served through the respective terms. He had pre viously represented the town in the three Provincial Con gresses of 1774 and 1775 ; and his experience in legislative bodies was large. LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. II Two of the representatives in the following list, namely, the Honorable Timothy Bigelow and the Honorable Luther Law rence, have been Speakers of the House. Mr. Bigelow was first chosen to that position on May 29, 1805, and for eleven years at intervals, he continued to fill the office, — the longest term of service in that capacity ever held by one person, — though during a part of this period he was representing the town of Medford. Mr. Lawrence, a brother-in-law of Mr. Bigelow, was elected to the same office on May 29, 1822, and held it during one year. It is not a little singular that they both were occupants, at different times, of the same dwelling, formerly situated on Main Street, but now moved away ; and both had their law-offices in a building near by, where also Mr. Dana, the President of the Senate, had had his law-office. The coincidence is by no means weakened by the fact that Governor Boutwell, the present owner of the place, was once the democratic candidate for the Speakership, when the Legislature met on January 6, 1847, and he also was a resi dent of the town at that time. It may be worthy of note that another Speaker, the Honorable Timothy Fuller, the father of Margaret, who is known as the Countess d' Ossoli, was a citizen of Groton for some years before his death, which took place on October 1, 1835. Under the Constitution originally the political year began on the last Wednesday of May, but the Senators and the Representatives were chosen at different times. The mem bers of the House were elected, annually, in the month of May, ten days at least before the last Wednesday of that month, and their term of service was during the year of their election. Under the Stale Constitution. Date of Election. September 4, 1780. . . Honorable James Prescott. May 14, 1 78 1 . . . . Deacon Isaac Farnsworth. May 13, 1782 .... Deacon Isaac Farnsworth, declined, and Israel Hobart chosen in his place. 12 LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. Date of Election. May 12, 1783 May 10, 1784 May 9, 1785 May 8, 1786 . . . Israel Hobart. . . . Dr. Benjamin Morse. . . . Ebenezer Champney. (The town voted by one majority not to send.) On March 7, 1787, the General Court passed an order fining the town of Groton twenty-four pounds and ten shil lings for its neglect to send a representative during the pre ceding year. Forty other towns were fined various sums at the same time for a similar neglect ; and among them were Pepperell, Dunstable, Westford, Littleton, Harvard and Lunenburg. Date of Election. May 7, 1787 . . . May 12, 1788 May n, 1789 May 4, 1790 May 9, 1 79 1 May 7, 1792 May 6, 1793 May 12, 1794 May 6, 1795 May 2, 1796 May 1, 1797 May 14, 1 798 May 6, 1799 May 5, 1800 May 4, 1 80 1 May 3, 1802 May 2, 1803 May 7, 1804 May 6, 1805 May 5, 1806 May 4, 1807 May 2, 1808 May 1, 1809 . Dr. Benjamin Morse. . Dr. Benjamin Morse. . Dr. Benjamin Morse. . (The town voted not to send.) . Major Aaron Brown. . Major Aaron Brown. f Major Aaron Brown. • ( Mr. Timothy Bigelow. . Mr. Timothy Bigelow. . Mr. Timothy Bigelow. . Mr. Timothy Bigelow. . Mr. Timothy Bigelow. . Honorable Timothy Bigelow. . Honorable Timothy Bigelow. . Honorable Timothy Bigelow. . Honorable Timothy Bigelow. . Honorable Timothy Bigelow. . Samuel Dana. . Honorable Timothy Bigelow. . Honorable Timothy Bigelow, Speaker. . Honorable Timothy Bigelow, Speaker. . Joseph Moors. . Joseph Moors. j Joseph Moors. ' { Oliver Prescott. LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. 13 Date if Election. May 7, 1810 . May 6, 1811 . May 4, 1812 . May 3, 1813 . May 2, 1814 . May 1. 1815 . May 6, 1816 . May 5, 1817 . May 4, 1818 . May 3, 1819 . May 1, 1820 . May 7, 1821 . May 6, 1822 . May 12, 1823 . May 23, 1824 . May 2, 1825 . May 1, 1826 . May 7, 1827 . May 5. 1828 . . May 4, 1829 . . . May 3. 1830 . . '. May ] 1, 1831 . . . f Oliver Prescott. " \ James Brazer. j Major Joseph Moors. ' \ Major Thomas Gardner. f Joseph Moors. ' \ Luther Lawrence. f Joseph Moors. ' { Luther Lawrence. f Joseph Moors. " ( Luther Lawrence. . Luther Lawrence. . Luther Lawrence. . Luther Lawrence. . Luther Lawrence. . Luther Lawrence. . Luther Lawrence. . Luther Lawrence. . Luther Lawrence, Speaker. . (The town voted not to send.) . Captain Noah Shattuck. . Honorable Samuel Dana. . Honorable Samuel Dana. . Honorable Samuel Dana. . (The town voted not to send.) . Caleb Butler, declined, and William Livermore chosen in his place. f Luther Lawrence. ( William Livermore. . Captain John Boynton. (The town voted not to choose a sec ond representative.) By the tenth Article of Amendment to the Constitution of Massachusetts, adopted by the General Court during two successive sessions and ratified by the people on May 11, 183 1, the beginning of the political year was changed from the last Wednesday in May to the first Wednesday in January, and the day of election changed to the second Monday in Novem ber. In this list hereafter the term of service is during the year following the date of election. H LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. Date of Election. November 12, 1832 November n, 1833 November 10, 1834 November 9, 1835 November 14, 1836 November 13, 1837 November 12, November n, November 9, November 8, November 14, November 13, November n, November 10, November 10, 1838 1839 18401841 1842 1843 1844 18451846 f Captain John Boynton. { Captain John Rockwood. | Captain John Boynton. { Captain John Rockwood. J Captain John Boynton. { Timothy Blood. f Captain John Boynton. \ Timothy Blood. f John Gray Park. \ Dr. Joshua Green. Dr. Joshua Green. (The town voted not to choose a sec ond representative.) f John Gray Park. { Captain Daniel Shattuck. (The town voted not to send.) John Boynton. George Sewall Boutwell. George Sewall Boutwell. George Sewall Boutwell. William Livermore, Jr. William Livermore, Jr. George Sewall Boutwell. Mr. Boutwell was chosen on the third trial by five majority. On the preceding day there had been a tie vote twice between him and Edwin Coburn, the whig candidate. Date of Election. November 8, 1847 November 13, 1848 November 12, 1849 November 11, 1850 November 10, 185 1 November 8, 1852 November 14, 1853 November 13, 1854 November 12, 1855 George Sewall Boutwell. George Sewall Boutwell. George Sewall Boutwell. Phinehas Gilman Prescott. Phinehas Gilman Prescott. William Shattuck. William Shattuck. John Warren Parker. John Warren Parker. By the fifteenth Article of Amendment to the State Con stitution, adopted by the General Court during two successive LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. IS sessions and ratified by the people on May 23, 1855, the day of election was changed to the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November. Date of Election. November 4, 1856 . . Warren Fay Stone. Under Chapter CCCVIIL, Acts of 1857, a new apportion ment of Representatives was made throughout the State, and the town of Groton became, thereby, in connection with the towns of Pepperell, Shirley, Westford and Dunstable, the 26th Middlesex District, with two representatives. Date of Election. November 3, 1857 November 3, 1857 November 7, i860 November 4, 1863 November 8, 1865 Eliel Shumway. Robert Parker Woods. George Henry Brown. George Samuel Gates. Benjamin Franklin Taft. Mr. Shumway's election was contested before the General Court by Allen Cummings, of Dunstable, and a hearing was given by the Committee on Elections ; but the matter was decided in favor of Mr. Shumway. For a full statement of the case, see " Reports of Controverted Elections in the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1853 to 1885 inclusive" (page 41), by Edward P. Loring and Charles Theodore Russell, Jr. (Boston, 1886.) By another apportionment, made under Chapter CIIL, Acts of 1866, Groton and Pepperell became the 31st Middlesex District, and were entitled to one representative. The town of Ayer, on its incorporation, February 14, 1871, except that part which had previously belonged to Shirley, was added to the District. Date of Election. November 7, 1866 . • Daniel Needham. November 4, 1868 . . William Livermore. November 2, 1869 . • Edmund Dana Bancroft. November 5, 1873 . • George Samuel Gates. 1 6 LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. By still another apportionment, under Chapter XV., Acts of 1876, Groton became, in connection with Westford, Dun stable and Pepperell, the 34th Middlesex District, and entitled to one representative. Date of Election. November 8, 1876 . . Asa Stillman Lawrence. November 3, 1880 . . Asa Stillman Lawrence. November 7, 1883 . . Moses Poor Palmer. November 12, 1886 . . George Sumner Graves. Colonel William Lawrence was a member of the General Court during seventeen years, — the longest term of service of any representative from the town ; and after him came the Honorable James Prescott, who served fifteen years. Mr. Boutwell is now the senior surviving member, and, with the exception of Phinehas Gilman Prescott, William Shat tuck, Warren Fay Stone, and George Henry Brown, all his successors are still alive. FREEMEN OF THE COLONY. The following inhabitants of Groton were admitted, by the General Court, to the freedom of the Colony : — May 11, 1670 Mr Sam : Willard W-Lakin Mathyas Farnsworth [and] Tho : Patch. May 15, 1672 Wm Lakinge Mathias Farnsworth Jn° Morse Jo seph Morse Nath: Lawrence Jn°th~ Sautell [and] Jn°th~ Morse. [General Court Records, IV. 648, 685.] It is somewhat doubtful whether the two persons named Matthias Farnsworth were one and the same individual, or father and son. LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. 17 AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF THE REPRESENTATIVES, WITH THE DATES OF THEIR FIRST ELECTION AND THEIR TERMS OF SERVICE. Date of First Election. Term of Service. November 2, 1809 Bancroft, Edmund Dana 1870 May 6, 1793 . . Bigelow, Timothy . 1793-1802,1804-1806 November 10, 1834 Blood, Timothy ^S, 1836 November 8, 1 841 Boutwell, George Sewall 1842-1844,1847-1850 May 11, 183 1 . . Boynton, John 1831,1833-1835 May 7, 1810 . . Brazer, James 1810 May 9, 1791 . . Brown, Aaron 1 791-1793 November 7, i860 Brown, George Henry 1861 May 4, 1829 . . Butler, Caleb, declined. May 9, 1785 . . Champney, Ebenezer 1785 May 2, 1803 . . Dana, Samuel 1803 May 26, 1777 . . Farnsworth, Isaac 1781 May 26, 1708 . . Farnsworth, John 1708-1714 May 6, 181 1 . . Gardner, Thomas 1811 November 4, 1863 Gates, George Samuel .... 1864,1874 November 12, 1886 Graves, George Sumner 1887 November 14, 1836 Green, Joshua I837, 1838 May 13, 1782 . . Hobart, Israel 1782, 1783 May 17, 1762 . . Lawrence, Abel 1762-1765 May 4,1812 . . Lawrence, Luther . . . . 1812-1822,1830 1692 . . Lawrence, Nathaniel 1692 May 25, 1743 . . Lawrence, William 1743, 1745-1749,1751-1761 May 4, 1829 . . Livermore, William 1829, 1830 November 11, 1844 Livermore, William, Jr. . . 1845, 1846, 1869 May 14, 1729 . . ^[ongley, John 1729-1731 May 4, 1807 . . Moors, Joseph . . . 1807-1809,1811-1814 May 10, 1784 . . Morse, Benjamin .... 1784, 1787-1789 November 7, 1866 Needham, Daniel 1867 1692 Page, John 1692 November 7, 1883 Palmer, Moses Poor 1884 1689 Paris, John 1689 18 LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES. Date of First Election. November 12, 1836 1683 November 13, 1854 May 1, 1723 May 12, 1766 May 9, 1699 May 6, 1720 May 1, 1809 November 11, 1850 November 14, 1832 August 21, 1775 . May, 1732 . . . November 12, 1838 May 3, 1824 . . November 8, 1852 May, 1716 . . . November 3, 1857 May 8, 1706 . . November 4, 1856 November 8, 1865 May, 1715 . . . November 3, 1857 Term of Service. Park, John Gray 1837, 1839 Parker, James I683, 1693 Parker, John Warren .... 1855, 1856 Prescott, Benjamin 1723, 1724, 1727, 1734-1738 Prescott, James . . 1766-1775, 1776-1780 Prescott, Jonas 1699,1705 Prescott, Jonas, Jr 1720 Prescott, Oliver, Jr 1809, 1810 Prescott, Phinehas Gilman . . . 185 1, 1852 Rockwood, John J833, ^34 Sartell, Josiah 1775— 1777 Sawtell, Nathaniel 1732, 1733, 1738, 1739, 1741, 1742, 1744 Shattuck, Daniel I&39 Shattuck, Noah 1824 Shattuck, William 1853, 1854 Sheple, John 1716-1719, 1721, 1722, 1725, 1726, 1728 Shumway, Eliel 1858 Stone, Simon 1706 Stone, Warren Fay 1:857 Taft, Benjamin Franklin 1866 Tarbell, Thomas 1715 Woods, Robert Parker 1858 PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, ETC. 19 REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF DEPUTIES. Date of Election. Term of Service. May 9, 1774 . . . Honorable James Prescott .... 1774 SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF DEPUTIES. December 26, 1774 Honorable James Prescott .... 1775 THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF DEPUTIES. May 22, 1775 . . Honorable James Prescott .... 1775 MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF WAR. • October 30, 1776 . Oliver Prescott, declined. November 16, 1776 James Prescott 1776-1779 MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL. May 29, 1777 . . Oliver Prescott X777_I779 According to the records of the General Court, when the Board of War was first chosen on October 30, 1776, "Brig^ Prescot " was elected a member. This referred to Dr. Oliver Prescott, at that time a Brigadier-General, but it does not appear that he ever took his seat with the Board. On No vember 13, the records state that two of the members, whose names are given, had declined, and their places were at once filled ; and on November 16 five more resignations were an nounced, — though no names are mentioned, — and the vacan cies then filled. Dr. Prescott was undoubtedly one of the five who declined at this time. Among those chosen at the second election was " Colonel Prescot," who was James, a brother of Oliver. It is a little singular that their Christian names are not given in the records, as both were well-known men. The Journal of the House, October 30, 1776, prints the name of " James Prescott, Esq ; " as one of the nine original mem bers chosen at that time, but this appears to be an error. Colonel Prescott attended his first meeting with the Board of War on December 18, — according to the manuscript minutes of the Board. 20 VARIOUS OFFICERS. VARIOUS OFFICERS. GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH. Date of Election. Term of Service. January ii, 1851 Honorable George Sewall Boutwell 1851, 1852 SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES TREASURY. (Under President Grant.) March 11, 1869 Honorable George Sewall Boutwell 1869-1873 SENATOR IN CONGRESS. March 12, 1873 Honorable George Sewall Boutwell 1873-1877 REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. November 5, 1810 Honorable William Merchant Rich ardson 1811-1814 November 7, 18 14 Honorable Samuel Dana . . . . 1814,1815 November 4, 1862 Honorable George Sewall Boutwell 1863-1869 MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. October 27, 1780 Honorable James Prescott . 1780-1784,1786 May 28, 1802 . . Honorable Timothy Bigelow .... 1802 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTOR. November 6, 1820 Honorable Samuel Dana j.820 (The Electoral College of Massachusetts cast its vote on De cember 7, 1820, unanimously in favor of James Monroe for President.) DELEGATES TO CONVENTIONS. 21 DELEGATES TO C NSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. Convention for forming the Constitution of Massachusetts, September i, 1779. Date of Election. Term of Service. August 16, 1779 . Honorable James Sullivan . . . 1779, 1780 (Mr. Sullivan was afterward Governor of the Commonwealth, and died on December 10, 1808, while holding the office.) Convention for adopting the Constitution of the United States, January 9, 1788. December 3, 1787 Dr. Benjamin Morse, Joseph Sheple, Esq. 1 788 (Both these delegates opposed the adoption.) Convention for altering the Constitution of Massachusetts, November 15, 1820. A . of Honorable Samuel Dana, ) 00 August 21, 1820 jLuther Lawrence, Esq. \ ' ' • ^20, 1821 Convention for altering the Constitution of Massachusetts, May 4, 1853. March 7, 1853 . John Gray Park, Esq 1853 (Mr. Boutwell, of Groton, represented the town of Berlin, Worcester County, in this Convention.) • 22 JUDGES AND OTHER COURT OFFICERS. JUDGES AND OTHER COURT OFFICERS. CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. Date of Appointment. Term of Service. June 3, 1803 . . Honorable James Prescott, Jr. ... 1803 (By an Act passed on June 21, 1811, the Court of Common Pleas became the Circuit Court of Common Pleas.) CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. October 14, 181 1 . Honorable Samuel Dana . . . 1811-1820 JUSTICE OF COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. December 21, 1782 Honorable James Prescott . . . 1782-1800 JUDGES OF PROBATE. July 1, 1779 . . Honorable Oliver Prescott . . . 17 79-1 804 (Reappointed on March 27, 1781.) February 1, 1805 . Honorable James Prescott, Jr. . 1805-1821 SHERIFF. September 6, 1775 Honorable James Prescott . . . 1775-1780 CLERK OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. May 28, 1783 . . William Swan, Esq 1783-1789 " The Massachusetts Register and United States Calendar for the year of our Lord 1806 " (page 75) gives Ephraim Wood, of Groton, as one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas in Middlesex County, but the place of resi dence is without doubt a mistake. I cannot find that Judge Wood ever lived at Groton. CIVIL OFFICERS. 23 A LIST OF ALL THE CIVIL OFFICERS, RESIDENT OF GROTON, WHO HAVE HELD COMMISSIONS UNDER THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL, FROM THE BE GINNING OF THE REVOLUTION TO THE PRESENT TIME; TAKEN FROM THE RECORDS IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE. Justices ofthe Peace and of the Quorum, Notaries PubHc, Commissioners, Trial Justices, etc. Date of Appointment. August 28, 1775 James Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Oliver Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. December 30, 1780 James Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum throughout the Commonwealth. James Sullivan, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum throughout the Commonwealth. Oliver Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. James Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. James Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Oliver Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. James Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum throughout the Commonwealth. James Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Oliver Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum throughout the Commonwealth. James Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum throughout the Commonwealth. Oliver Prescott, Justice ofthe Peace and of the Quorum throughout the Commonwealth. May 10, 1776 February 16, 1781 March 27, 1781. March 27, 1781. March 14, 1788 March 14^1788 March 26, 1788 February 28, 1795 February 28, 1795 May 26, 1795 March 2, 1797 . 24 December 6, 1797 - January 24, 1800 . June 16, 1802 . . December 10, 1802 January 17, 1803 . March 23, 1804. . March 5, 1805 . . March 5, 1805 . . March 13, 1805 . . March 13, 1805 . . August 28, 1807 October 21, 1807 . February 21, 1808 . February 3, 1812 . February 16, 18 13 . January 30, 18 16 . February 12; 1818 . January 26, 1819 . January 30, 1819 . January 26, 1820 . January 26, 1820 . CIVIL OFFICERS. Oliver Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum throughout the Commonwealth. Timothy Bigelow, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. James Brazer, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Timothy Bigelow, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum throughout the Commonwealth- Oliver Prescott, Commissioner to qualify civil officers. Oliver Prescott, Jr., Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. James Prescott, Commissioner to qualify civil officers. James Brazer, Commissioner to qualify civil officers. Samuel Dana, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum throughout the Commonwealth. James Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Aaron Brown, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Samuel Dana, Attorney for the State. James Brazer, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. James Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Samuel Lawrence, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. James Brazer, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Samuel Dana, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum throughout the Commonwealth. James Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Amos Bancroft, Commissioner to qualify civil officers. Samuel Lawrence, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Luther Lawrence, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. CIVIL OFFICERS. 25 June 11, 182 1 . June 12, 1824 . Caleb Butler, Notary Public. Samuel Dana, Commissioner respecting State House yard. Samuel Dana, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum throughout the Commonwealth. Samuel Dana, Commissioner to run the line be tween Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Caleb Butler, Chairman of Commissioners of Highways. Samuel Lawrence, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Luther Lawrence, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Amos Bancroft, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Samuel Dana, Commissioner under Resolve of February 15, 1827. Caleb Butler, Chairman of County Commis sioners. Caleb Butler, Notary Public. Timothy Fuller, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum throughout the Commonwealth. (Mr. Fuller was a resident of Cambridge at the time of his appointment.) April 11, 1 83 1 . . Caleb Butler, Chairman of County Commis sioners. January 25, 1832 . Samuel Dana, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum throughout the Commonwealth. February 1, 1832 . Caleb Butler, Commissioner to qualify civil officers. December 18, 1833 Amos Bancroft, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Caleb Butler, Chairman of County Commis sioners. Caleb Butler, Notary Public. Timothy Fuller, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum throughout the Commonwealth. Bradford Russell, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. November 24, 1836 Caleb Butler, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. February 8, 1825 May 10, 1825 . July 12, 1826 January 4, 1827 January 4, 1827 January 17, 1827 March 2, 1827 . April 14, 1828 . June 5, 1828 July 3, 1828 . . March 31, 1834 March 28, 1835 March 28, 1835 March 25, 1836 26 April 20, 1838 . . October 1, 1840 October 1, 1840 February 22, 1842 . March 6, 1843 • • May 9, 1845 • • October 12, 1847 . February 15, 1848 . June 7, 1848 . . . February 2, 1849 • August 2, 1849 • • April 15, 1850 . . June 6, 1850 . . November 5, 1850 . July 1, 185 1 . . . July 8, 185 1 . . . December 2, 185 1 . June 29, 1852 . . December 31, 1852 January 6, 1853 January 22, 1853 . July 1, 1853 . . . CIVIL OFFICERS. Stuart James Park, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Amos Bancroft, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Bradford Russell, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Caleb Butler, Notary Public. Bradford Russell, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. George Sewall Boutwell, Railroad Commis sioner under the Act of March 26, 1845. Amos Bancroft, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Benjamin Perkins Dix, Commissioner to qual ify civil officers. George Sewall Boutwell, Commissioner of Flats in Boston Harbor. Caleb Butler, Notary Public. George Sewall Boutwell, Bank Commissioner under the Act of May 2, 1849. Bradford Russell, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Caleb Butler, Trial Justice. George Sewall Boutwell, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Caleb Butler, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Bradford Russell, Commissioner of Insolvency. Daniel Needham, Notary Public. George Frederick Farley, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Walter Shattuck, Commissioner to qualify civil officers. Daniel Needham, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. George Sewall Boutwell, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum throughout the Com monwealth. George Sewall Boutwell, Member of the Board of Education. CIVIL OFFICERS. 27 April 13, 1857 . . January 21, 1858 . February 15, 1858 . April 2, 1858 . . May 7, 1858 . . . September 9, 1858 . December 7, 1858 . February 5, 186 1 . May 6, 1861 . . . July 16, 186 1 . . March 22, 1864. . April 13, 1864 . . May 3, 1864 . . . November 15, 1864 January 17, 1865 . April 5, 1865 . . April 5, 1865 . . March 31, 1868. . April 20, 1869 . . March 22, 187 1 April 12, 1871 . . April 12, 187 1 . . July 22, 1871 . . November 3, 187 1 . January 16, 1872 . Bradford Russell, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Asa Farnsworth Lawrence, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. George Sewall Boutwell, Trustee of the Mas sachusetts School for Idiotic and Feeble minded Youth. Samuel William Rowe, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Samuel William Rowe, Trial Justice. Asa Farnsworth Lawrence, Notary Public. George Sewall Boutwell, Member of the Board of Education. George Sewall Boutwell, Commissioner to Convention at Washington. Samuel William Rowe, Trial Justice. George Sewall Boutwell, Appraiser of Lands on Back Bay. Josiah Kendall Bennett, Notary Public. Bradford Russell, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Samuel William Rowe, Trial Justice. George Sewall Boutwell, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum in all Counties. Asa Farnsworth Lawrence, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Samuel William Rowe, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Samuel William Rowe, Trial Justice. Samuel William Rowe, Trial Justice. Levi Sherwin, Notary Public. Josiah Kendall Bennett, Notary Public. Samuel William Rowe, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Samuel William Rowe, Trial Justice. George Dexter Brigham, Commissioner to qualify civil officers. George Sewall Boutwell, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum in all Counties. Asa Farnsworth Lawrence, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. 28 February 7, 1872 May 15, 1872 . June 14, 1872 . July 31, 1873 . April 23, 1874 . July 27, 1875 . June 29, 1877 . March 26, 1878 February 4, 1879 , April 8, 1879 . . June 24, 1879 . October 29, 1884 . November 1, 1884 , June 15, 1887 . CIVIL OFFICERS. Daniel Needham, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum in all Counties. Josiah Kendall Bennett, Standing Justice, First District Court of Northern Middlesex. Josiah Kendall Bennett, Trial Justice for Ju venile Offenders. George Sewall Boutwell, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum in all Counties. Charles Henry Waters, Trustee of the Mas sachusetts School for Idiotic and Feeble minded Youth. Josiah Kendall Bennett, Trial Justice for Ju venile Offenders. Georgianna Adelia Boutwell, Member of the Advisory Board of Women to the Inspectors of the State House at Tewksbury, etc. Samuel William Rowe, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Daniel Needham, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum in all Counties. George Sewall Boutwell, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum in all Counties. Georgianna Adelia Boutwell, Trustee of State Workhouse. George Sumner Graves, Supervisor of Elec tions. Louis Higginson, Supervisor of Elections. George Samuel Gates, Notary Public. Governor Boutwell is now the senior survivor in this list, having been commissioned more than forty-two years ago. CIVIL OFFICERS. 29 Justices of the Peace. Date of Appointment. August 28, 1775 June 14, 1776 . March 27, 1781 March 27, 1781 January 28, 1785 March 14, 1788 April 8, 1789 . December 2, 1789 December 2, 1789 May 14, 1792 . March 2, 1797 . October 24, 1797 May 11,' 1798 . February 22, 1799 June 16, 1802 . . February 14, 1806 February 21, 1808 (Dr. Bancroft was appointment.) February 21, 1808 June 22, 1808 . July 5, 1809 . . July 5, 1809 . . February 25, 1811 April 24, 1 8 12 . June 15, 1813 . February 8, 1814 February 8, 18 14 January 30, 1816 February 2, 1816 July 3, 1816 July 3, 1816 May 26, 18 1 7 . January 24, 18 18 January 26, 1819 January 12, 182 1 January 29, 182 1 . Oliver Prescott. . Josiah Sartell. . Israel Hobart. . Josiah Sartell. . Ebenezer Champney. . Israel Hobart. . Henry Woods. . Oliver Prescott, Jr. . William Swan. . Aaron Brown. . Oliver Prescott, Jr. . Timothy Bigelow. . Samuel Dana. . Samuel Lawrence. . Thomas Gardner. . Samuel Lawrence. . Amos Bancroft. a resident of Weston at the time of his Thomas Gardner. Luther Lawrence. Joseph Moors. William Merchant Richardson. James Lewis. William Nutting. Abraham Moore. Joseph Mansfield. Caleb Butler. Amos Bancroft. Thomas Gardner. Luther Lawrence. Joseph Moors. Stuart James Park. James Lewis. William Nutting. Caleb Butler. Joseph Mansfield. 3Q CIVIL OFFICERS. January i, 1823 June 10, 1824 . January 7, 1825 January 17, 1825 September 6, 1825 January 5, 1826 January 26, 1826 January 17, 1827 January 2, 1828 January 2, 1828 May 30, 1829 . May 26, 183 1 . December 20, 1831 December 20, 1831 July 2, 1832 . . . December 18, 1832 January 2, 1833 . December 18, 1833 November 22, 1834 December 23, 1834 February 11, 1836 May 11, 1836 . . April 19, 1838 . . April 19, 1838 . . November 23, 1838 December 13, 1839 December 30, 1839 March 11, 1840 December 17, 1842 February 25, 1843 February 25, 1843 March 6, 1843 . March 1, 1845 ¦ March 1, 1845 . October 1, 1845 November 20, 1846 April 21, 1847 . March 29, 1849 January 16, 1850 April 30, 1 85 1 . May 21, 185 1 . Amos Bancroft. Stuart James Park. Noah Shattuck. James Lewis. Buckley Ames. William Nutting. Abel Tarbell. Bradford Russell. Caleb Butler. Joseph Mansfield. Calvin Boynton. Stuart James Park. George Frederick Farley. Noah Shattuck. Buckley Ames. William Nutting. • Abel Tarbell. Bradford Russell. Benjamin Mark Farley. Caleb Butler. Jonathan Stow Adams. Calvin Boynton. John Gray Park. John Boynton. George Frederick Farley. Abel Tarbell. Benjamin Perkins Dix. Henry Woods. Jonathan Stow Adams. Elijah Whiton. Noah Shattuck. Calvin Boynton. John Boynton. Edwin Coburn. George Frederick Farley. Benjamin Perkins Dix. Walter Shattuck. Daniel Needham. Jonathan Stow Adams. Welcome Lothrop. Phinehas Gilman Prescott. CIVIL OFFICERS. 31 May 24, 185 1 . July 1, 1851 . . January 3, 1852 February 25, 1852 March 10, 1852 March 24, 1852 June 29, 1852 . June 29, 1852 . February 1, 1853 May 19, 1853 . May 19, 1853 . November 1, 1853 December 6, 1853 April 20, 1854 . April 21, 1854 . September -2 1, 1854 September 21, 1854 April 26, 1855 . . May 12, 1855 . . May 18, 1855 . . February 11, 1856 February 27, 1856 March 26, 1856 December 26, 1856 April 18, 1857 . . January 21, 1858 . March 5, 1858 . . March 29, 1858 . November 18, 1858 November 18, 1858 November 30, 1858 February 27, 1860 June 9, i860 . . July 17, i860 . . August 30, i860 . December 13, i860 April 10, 1861 . . August 20, 1861 December 7, 1861 . December 19, 1861 January 24, 1862 . Joshua Gilson. Amos Bigelow Bancroft. James Farnsworth. John Boynton. Noah Shattuck. Thomas Hutchins. Calvin Fletcher. Nathan Dane. Andrew Gardner. John Spaulding, Jr. George Stearns. Benjamin Perkins Dix. Samuel William Rowe. Walter Shattuck. John Mason Porter. Charles Butler. George Farnsworth. Edward Albert Kelly. John Warren Parker. Ezra Farnsworth. Abraham Andrews. Josiah Bigelow. Daniel Needham. Jonathan Stow Adams. Abel Prescott. Asa Farnsworth Lawrence. Andrew Jackson Clough. Welcome Lothrop. George Shattuck. Alden Warren. Joshua Gilson. John Mark Hollingsworth. John Spaulding, Jr. Salmon Whitney. John Jackson Graves. Benjamin Perkins Dix. Walter Shattuck. Watson Kendall Barnard. Edmund Dana Bancroft. Levi Wallace. Willard Torrey. 32 CIVIL OFFICERS. May 8, 1862 . . October 21, 1862 February 11, 1863 October 28, 1863 November 4, 1863 April 13, 1864 . April 26, 1864 . February 16, 1865 March 16, 1865 May 2, 1865 . . April 19, 1866 . June 1, 1866 February 8, 1867 April 16, 1867 . June 20, 1867 . June 22, 1868 . December 5, 1868 January 13, 1869 January 22, 1869 July 24, 1869 October 14, 1869 October 25, 1870 December 7, 1870 April 12, 1871 . May 3, 187 1 April 24, 1872 . April 17, 1873 • January 28, 1874 July 30, 1874 . December 24, 1874 January 26, 1875 March 22, 1876 June 30, 1876 . October 10, 1876 April 18, 1878 . February 4, 1879 March 12, 1879 April n, 1879 . April 6, 1880 . July 27, 1880 . January 15, 1881 John Warren Parker. Asa Stillman Lawrence. Abraham Andrews. Benjamin Franklin Taft. John Quincy Adams McCollester. Abel Prescott. Levi Sherwin. Daniel Needham. Welcome Lothrop. George Dexter Brigham. Alden Warren. Andrew Robbins. Benjamin Lincoln Howe. Josiah Kendall Bennett. John Spaulding. Henry Alpheus Woods. Edmund Dana Bancroft. Willard Torrey. Walter Shattuck. Charles Henry Waters. Asa Stillman Lawrence. Benjamin Franklin Taft. Benjamin Perkins Dix. Abel Prescott. Walter Shattuck. George Dexter Brigham. Alden Warren. George Samuel Gates. Andrew Spaulding. Miles Spaulding. George Sumner Graves. Willard Torrey. Charles Henry Waters. Asa Stillman Lawrence. Walter Shattuck. Orange Eddy Mason. Charles Bixby. George Dexter Brigham. Alden Warren. George Sewall Boutwell. George Samuel Gates. CIVIL OFFICERS. 33 February 9, 1881 February 9, 1881 March 30, 1881 April 14, 1 88 1 . October 31, 1883 January 30, 1884 January 30, 1884 February 4, 1885 March 31, 1886 November 10, 1886 November 17, 1886 Charles Jacobs. David Roscoe Steere. Moses Poor Palmer. Francis Marion Boutwell. Appleton Howe Torrey. Charles Woolley, Jr. George Sumner Graves. Asa Stillman Lawrence. George Dexter Brigham. Christian Henry Sampson. John Warren Parker. Colonel Needham is now the senior survivor in this list, having been commissioned more than thirty-eight years ago ; and after him comes Thomas Hutchins, a nonagenarian. 34 A LIST OF RESIDENTS. A LIST OF THE RESIDENTS OF GROTON WHO HELD COMMISSIONS FROM THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL, DURING THE PROVINCIAL PERIOD. Date of Appointment. August 27, 1713 . December 9, 17 15 . December 26, 1727 October 10, 1729 . March 19, 1729-30 July 9, 1 731. . . July 9,1731. . . June 27, 1735 • • January 2, 1735-36 November 10, 1737 December 29, 1739 August 12, 1749 June 21, 1751 . . January 2, 1753 . June 26, 1755 . . November 20, 1761 November 20, 1761 June 8, 1764 . . Captain Jonas Prescott, Justice of the Peace. Captain Jonas Prescott, Justice of the Peace. Benjamin Prescott, Justice of the Peace. Benjamin Prescott, Justice of the Peace. Captain Nathaniel Sartle, Justice of the Peace. Benjamin Prescott, Justice of the Peace. Nathaniel Sartle, Justice of the Peace. Benjamin Prescott, in place of Paul Dudley, a Special Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature. Benjamin Prescott, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. Benjamin Prescott, in place of Paul Dudley, a Special Justice in divers cases. William Lawrence, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. William Lawrence, Special Justice of the In ferior Court of Common Pleas. William Lawrence, Special Justice of the In ferior Court of Common Pleas. James Prescott, Justice of the Peace. William Lawrence, Justice of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, in place of Francis Fulham, resigned. William Lawrence, Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum. James Prescott, Justice of the Peace. Abel Lawrence, Justice of the Peace. CORONERS. 35 CORONERS. The first three names mentioned below are taken from the Council records ; but the others are found in the " Record of Civil Commissions," in the office of the Secretary of State. Under the Constitution coroners were appointed for life, un less sooner removed ; but by an Act passed on April 29, 1862, their tenure of office was limited to seven years, subject to reappointment. By another Act passed on May 9, 1877, the office was abolished, and, so far as related to inquests, the medical examiner was substituted in place of the coroner. Date of Appointment. March 8, 1759 . . November 20, 1761 (These two persons were undoubtedly the same.) July 12, 1769 . . August 28, 1775 September 24, 1778 March 27, 1781 . , March 2, 1790 . . March 2, 1790 . , January 7, 1801 . February 3, 1803 July 4, 1803 . . July 5, 1809 . . February 20, 18 10 , August 20, 181 1 March 2, 18 13 . May 26, 181 7 February 9, 1820 Israel Hubbard [Hobart ?]. Israel Hobart. Isaac Farnsworth. Isaac Farnsworth. Ephraim Russell. Ephraim Russell. Samuel Lawrence. Peter Edes. Samson Woods. William Farwell Brazer. James Lewis, Jr. William Lawrence. Abel Farnsworth. Jacob Lakin Parker. Amos Lawrence. Benjamin Moors. . William Austin Bancroft. (Mr. Bancroft was a resident of Townsend at the time of his appointment.) January 16, 1822 June 29, 1852 . May 15, 1856 . April 2, 1858 April 10, i860 . January 24, 1866 April 16, 1867 . April 30, 1869 . April 30, 1874 . David Childs. Jacob Pollard. John Mason Porter. Eusebius Silsby Clarke. Asa Stillman Lawrence. John Quincy Adams McCollester. Asa Stillman Lawrence. Benjamin Lincoln Howe. Asa Stillman Lawrence. 36 NATIVES OF GROTON, ETC. NATIVES OF GROTON AND RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN, WHO HAVE AFTERWARD FILLED IMPORTANT POSITIONS ELSEWHERE. Honorable John Prescott Bigelow, born at Groton on August 25, 1797, Harvard College, 1815 ; Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1836-1843 ; Member of the Executive Council, 1845-1849; Mayor of Boston, 1849-185 1. Died in Boston on July 4, 1874. Honorable Henry Adams Bullard, born at Groton on September 9, 1788, Harvard College, 1807; Justice of the Sixth District Court of Louisiana, 1 822-1 831 ; Representative in Congress from Alexandria and New Orleans, Louisiana (Twenty-first, Twenty-second and Thirty-first Congresses), 1831-1834, 1850, 1851; Justice ofthe Supreme Court of Louisiana, 1834- 1846, with the exception of a few months in 1839, when he acted as Secretary of State. Died in New Orleans on April 17, 1851. Mr. Bullard's father was the settled minister at Pepperell, but all the printed accounts of his life say that he was born at Groton, which is my authority for the statement. Honorable Willard Hall, born at Westford on December 24, 1780, Harvard College, 1799; studied law with the Hon orable Samuel Dana at Groton; Secretary of the State of Delaware, 1811-1814, 1821 ; Representative in Congress from Wilmington, Delaware (Fifteenth and Sixteenth Congresses), 1817-1821 ; Judge of the United States District Court in Dela ware, 1823-1871. Died in Wilmington on May 10, 1875. NATIVES OF GROTON, ETC. 37 Honorable John Harris, born at Harvard on October 13, 1769, Harvard College, 1791 ; studied law with the Honorable Timothy Bigelow at Groton ; Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature of New Hampshire, 1823-1833. Died at Hop kinton, New Hampshire, on April 23, 1845. Honorable Amos Kendall, born at Dunstable on August 16, 1789, Dartmouth College, 181 1; studied law with the Honorable William Merchant Richardson at Groton ; Post master-General under Presidents Jackson and Van Buren, 1835-1840. Died in Washington, D. C, on June 12, 1869. Honorable Abbott Lawrence, born at Groton on Decem ber 16, 1792 ; Representative in Congress from Boston (Twenty-fourth and Twenty-sixth Congresses), 1835-1837, 1839, 1840; Presidential Elector, 1844; Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Great Britain, 1849-1852. Died in Boston on August 18, 1855. Honorable John Locke, born at Hopkinton, Massachusetts, on February 14, 1764, Harvard College, 1792 ; studied law with the Honorable Timothy Bigelow at Groton ; Represen tative in Congress from Ashby, Massachusetts (Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Twentieth Congresses), 1823-1829; Member of the Executive Council, 1831. Died in Boston on March 29, 1855. Honorable Thomas Rice, born at Pownalborough (now Wis- casset), Maine, on March 30, 1768, Harvard College, 1791 ; studied law with the Honorable Timothy Bigelow at Groton ; Representative in Congress from Augusta, District of Maine, Massachusetts (Fourteenth and Fifteenth Congresses), 1815^ 1819. Died at Winslow, Maine, on August 24, 1854. Honorable William Merchant Richardson, born at Pel ham, New Hampshire, on January 4, 1774, Harvard College, 1797; Preceptor of Groton Academy, 1 799-1 802 ; studied law with the Honorable Samuel Dana at Groton ; Postmaster, 1804-1812 ; Representative in Congress from Groton (Twelfth and Thirteenth Congresses), 1811-1814; removed to Ports- 38 NATIVES OF GROTON, ETC. mouth, New Hampshire, and afterward became Chief -Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature of that State, 1816-1838. Died at Chester, New Hampshire, on March 23, 1838. Honorable Ether Shepley, born at Groton on November 2, 1789, Dartmouth College, 181 1 ; Senator in Congress from Maine, 1833-1836; Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine, 1 836-1 848 ; Chief-Justice ofthe same Court, 1848- 1855. Died in Portland on January 15, 1877. Honorable Samuel Emerson Smith, born at Hollis, New Hampshire, on March 12, 1788, Harvard College, 1808 ; studied law with the Honorable Samuel Dana at Groton ; Justice of the Court of Common Pleas of Maine, 1822-1830; Governor of Maine, 1831-1833 ; Justice of the Court of Com mon Pleas again, 183 5-1 83 7. Died at Wiscasset, Maine, on March 3, i860. Honorable James Sullivan, born at Berwick, Maine, on April 22, 1744; Member of the three Provincial Congresses, from Biddeford, 1774, 1775; resident of Groton, 1 778-1 782 ; Delegate to the Continental Congress, 1782 ; Member of the Executive Council, 1787 ; Judge of Probate, Suffolk County, 1788-1790; Attorney-General, 1 790-1 807; First President of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1791-1806; Governor of the Commonwealth, 1807, 1808. Died in Boston on De cember 10, 1808, while in office. Honorable John Varnum, born at Dracut on June 25, 1778, Harvard College, 1 798 ; studied law with the Honorable Tim othy Bigelow at Groton ; Representative in Congress from Haverhill, Massachusetts (Nineteenth, Twentieth and Twenty- first Congresses), 1825-1831. Died at Niles, Michigan, on July 23, 1836. GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1887. Historical Series, Vol. II., No. II. REVOLUTIONARY ITEMS. BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. The following certificates are printed, with other similar ones, in the "Boston Patriot and Daily Chronicle,1' June 13, 1 8 18, and were given at the instance of General Henry A. S. Dearborn, who had written " An Account of the Battle of Bunker Hill." The Account was first published in " The Port-Folio " (Philadelphia) for March, 1 8 1 8, and was the occa sion of some criticism. For the purpose of answering the strictures the author collected these papers : — " [No. 13.] " Certificate of the Rev. Daniel Chaplin, D.D. of Groton, and the Rev. John Bullard, of Pepperell. This may certify the public, that we whose names we have given, were in the habits of intimacy with Col. W. Prescott, of Pep perell, a man of the strictest integrity," during most of the period after he left the revolutionary army until his death ; that at sundry times in conversation with him about the war, particularly about the battle of Bunker Hill, so called, he uniformly told us, that Maj. General Warren came to the Fort on Breed's Hill which had been formed the night preceding, a little before the British made an attack on the works ; that he, Col. Prescott, said to General War ren, ' I am happy to see you, General,' or using words £0 the same 40 -REVOLUTIONARY ITEMS. effect, 'for you will now take command, and I will obey your orders, and am relieved.' Said General Warren, to him in reply, ' I have no command here, Col. Prescott, I am a volunteer, I came to learn actual service.' Prescott said, ' I wish then you would look at the works we have thrown up, and give your opinion.' Warren replied, ' you are better acquainted, Col. Prescott, with military matters than I am.' After which they immediately parted, and met not again. Col. Prescott further informed us repeatedly, that when a retreat was ordered and commenced, and he was de scending the hill, he met General Putnam, and said to him, ' why did you not support me, General, with your men, as I had reason to expect, according to agreement ? ' Putnam answered, ' I could not drive the dogs up.' Prescott pointedly said to him, ' if you could not drive them up, you might have led them up.' We have good reason to believe further from declarations of some of our parishioners, men of respectability, whose veracity cannot be doubted, who belonged to Col. Prescott's regiment and were pres ent through the whole service, that General Putnam was not on Breed's Hill the night preceding, or on that day, except that just before the attack was made, he might have gone to the fort and ordered the tools to be carried off, that they might not fall into the hands of the enemy in the event of his carrying the works, and holding the ground, and that he and his men, with Col. Gerrish, remained on the side of Bunker Hill towards the neck during the whole action. Signed, Daniel Chaplin, Groton, June 5, 1818. John Bullard. " [No. 14.] " Declaration of Deacon Samuel Lawrence, of Groton. I, Samuel Lawrence, of Groton, Esquire, testify and say, that I was at the battle of Bunker Hill, (so called) in Col. William Pres cott's regiment ;¦— that I marched with the Regiment to the point on Breed's Hill, which was fixed on for a redoubt ; that I assisted in throwing up the breast-work, and in forming a redoubt, under Col. Prescott, who directed the whole of this operation. — The work was begun about nine o'clock in the evening of June 16th, 1775. I was there the whole time, and continued in the redoubt, REVOLUTIONARY ITEMS. 41 or in the little fort, during the whole battle, until the enemy came in and a retreat was ordered. General Putnam was not present either while the works were erecting, not during the battle. I could see distinctly the rail fence and the troops stationed there during the battle, but General Putnam was not present as I saw. After the retreat was ordered, the troops retreated towards Bunker Hill, and continued over and on the side of the hill (I was on the side of the hill) towards Charlestown neck. Just before the battle commenced, General Warren came to the redoubt. He had on a blue coat and white waistcoat, and I think a cocked hat, but of this I am not certain — Col. Prescott advanced to him, said 'he was glad to see him, and hoped he would take the command.' Gen. Warren replied, 'no — he came to see the action but not to take command ; that he was only a volunteer on that day.' Afterwards I saw General Warren shot ; I saw him when the ball struck him, and from that time until he expired. I knew General Warren well by sight, and recollected him perfectly when Col. Prescott offered him the command, and was sorry to see him so dangerously situated, as I knew him to be a distinguished character, and thought he ought not to have risked his life without command on that occasion. No British officer was within forty or fifty rods of him, from the time the ball struck him, until I saw he was dead. I have read General Dearborn's account of the battle, and think it correct, particularly with regard to the occurrences at the gateway of the redoubt. (Signed) Samuel Lawrence. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Middlesex, June 5, 18 18. Personally appeared Samuel Lawrence, Esq. and made oath, that the above declaration by him subscribed, is just and true in all its parts, according to the best of his knowledge and belief. Before me, (Signed) Samuel Dana, Justice of the Peace throughout said Commonwealth. 42 REVOLUTIONARY ITEMS. CAPTAIN ASA LAWRENCE. Asa Lawrence, mentioned below, commanded one of the two companies that marched from Groton to Cambridge on the alarm of April 19, 1775. He was a son of Peleg Law rence, and lived on the farm now known as the Governor Sullivan place. It is situated on the Lowell road and took its name from James Sullivan, who was afterward Governor of the Commonwealth. Sullivan was the Justice of the Peace, who took Lawrence's deposition on February 1, 1779. 0. , , _, To the Honourable the Council and State of the ) _, . . , .- , j. y House of Representatives in general Court assembled. Humbly shewes Asa Lawrence of Groton in the County of Mid dlesex that he was in the Engagement of the 17th of June at Charlestown and there lost goods an account whereof is hereunto annexed — and that at the Battle of Chelsea he risqued his Life at the Command of general Putnam to Burn one of the Enemies armed Vessels and after many attempts he finally effected the same whereby there was an acquisition of twelve peices of Cannon to the Public, and also that he served seven weeks in the late Expedition against Rhode Island as a Volunteer and has never had any reward for said services or Compensation for his said Losses Wherefore he prays that a due allowance may be made him for his services and losses aforesd and he as in duty bound shall ever pray &c Asa Lawrence Groton 28th January 1779 A Grant of ^"ioo to Asa Lawrence for Losses sustained at Bunker Hill May 4 — 1780 — N°7i The State of M Bay to Asa Lawrence Dr for Loss at Bunker Hill 17th June 1775 To 1 Gun & Bayonet 38 To 1 Coat 40/ Blanket 30/ 3 10 Knapsack & Tumline 12/ 12 7 10 REVOLUTIONARY ITEMS. 43 State of ) Masstts Bay j Middlesex ss Feby ist 1779 then the sd Asa Lawrence appeared and made oath to the Truth of the above account before me Ja Sullivan Just Peace Asa Lawrence Petition Mar. 23. 1780 Coll Gerrish Capt Newton Capt Bonney Massachusetts Archives, CLXXXIV. 388. THE TEA TAX. The following " Proceedings " are taken from " The Boston Evening-Post," January 3, 1774. It will be noticed that the meeting was held on the day of the Boston Tea- Party. Proceedings of the Town of Groton. AT a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Groton, assembled at the Public Meeting-House in said Town, on Thursday Dec. 16th, 1773. To Consider what is proper for this Town to do relative to the large quantities of TEA, belonging to the Hon. East-India Com pany, arrived and expected to arrive in this Province, subject to an American Duty. Chose JAMES PRESCOTT, Esq ; Moderator. Then the Committee of Correspondence for said Town laid be fore them a Letter which had been agreed upon by the Committees of several Towns, to be sent to all the Towns in this Province, in order to know their minds at this critical Juncture ; and having read the same, as also the Votes and proceedings of the Town of Boston, at their late Town Meetings in Nov. last : — The Town came into the following Resolves and Votes unanimously, That we highly approve of the Conduct of the Town of Boston at their late Town Meetings aforesaid, and the several Resolves they came into, relative to the TEAS sent by the East-India Com pany to America. — And as we Esteem the late Act of Parliament for the benefit of said India Company as an intollerable Grievance, and a very subtle plan of the Ministry to ensnare and enslave the 44 REVOLUTIONARY ITEMS. Americans, preferring the Public Happiness to our own private advantage, We will readily afford all the assistance in our Power, to the Town of Boston and all other of our opprest American Brethren, and heartily unite with them in every Constitutional method, to oppose this and every other scheme that shall appear to us, to be subversive of American Rights and Liberties, and dis- honorary to his Majesty's Crown and Dignity, at the risque of our Lives and Substance. Voted, That our most Cordial Thanks be presented to the In habitants of the Town of Boston, for their wise, prudent and spirited Conduct at this alarming Crisis, and for their repeated Vigilance and unwearied Endeavours, to recover and preserve the Rights and Liberties of America. Upon a motion made, Voted unanimously, That the Inhabitants of this Town, will not buy, sell, or make use of any TEA, while subject to an American Duty. Voted, That the Committee of Correspondence for this Town, be desired to wait upon the several Shop-keepers and Traders, within this Town, and desire them not to buy, sell or any way dispose of any TEA while subject to an American duty, as they would avoid the odium of the Town. Voted, That the Committee of Correspondence for this Town be desired to forward an attested Copy of the Proceedings of this Meeting, to the Committee of Correspondence in the Town of Boston. Voted, That this meeting be dissolved. — And it was accordingly dissolved. A true Copy, Attested.OLIVER PRESCOTT, Town-Clerk. AT a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Groton; Assembled May 8th, 1773. Voted and Chose, James Prescott Esq; Oliver Prescott Esq ; and Josiah Sawtell Gent, a Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Groton, unanimously. Attest. OLIVER PRESCOTT, Town-Clerk. REVOLUTIONARY ITEMS. 45 OUTLAWS. The following advertisements are found in " The Inde pendent Chronicle, and the Universal Advertiser," February T3» 1783. The outlawry which they declare is not to be taken in a literal sense, but indicates only a severe penalty. Thomas Sackville Tufton was a trader, who is mentioned in the first volume of this Historical Series, No. VII. (page 8), where the year of his death, by a mistake, is given wrong. He died probably in the winter of 1787-8, as letters of admin istration -were taken out on his estate, February 6, 1788. Outlawry. Pursuant to a Writ of Scire facias Utlagatum, bearing Test the 20th Day of January, A.D. 1783, to me directed — I hereby give Notice, unto Thomas Sacville Tufton, of Groton, in the County of Middlesex, Trader, That unless he appear before the Supreme Judicial Court, next to be holden at Concord, within and for the County of Middlesex, on the 2d Tuesday of April next, and maketh Answer to the several Charges specified in three Indictments of a Grand Jury, in the Supreme Judicial Court, of uttering and passing sundry counterfeit Bills and Notes, of the Denomination of Fifty Dollars, and of the Tenor and fabricated in Imitation of the good, lawful and current Bills of Credit of the United States of America, established by the Congress of the said United States of the same Denomination, knowing the said Bills to be counterfeit; and also of having in Possession sundry other counterfeit Bills of the same Denomination, knowingly with an Intent to utter and pay the same to some of the Inhabitants of said United States, as at large set forth in the Indictments aforesaid — and shall abide and perform the Judgment that may be given thereon — he will then and there be declared an OUTLAW. LOAMMI BALDWIN, (Sheriff of Middlesex. Outlawry. Pursuant to a Writ of Scire facias Utlagatum, bearing Test the 20th Day of January, A. D. 1783, to me directed 1 hereby give Notice 46 THE SHAYS REBELLION. unto Nathan Raymond, of Groton, in the County of Middlesex, an Infant, That unless he appear before the Supreme Judicial Court, next to be holden at Concord, within and for the County of Middle sex, on the 2d Tuesday of April next, and maketh Answer to the Charge by the Indictment of a Grand Jury in the Supreme Judicial Court, of uttering and passing one false and counterfeit Note and Bill, of the Denomination of Fifty Dollars, to one Asa Lawrence, for, and as, a good, lawful, current Bill of Credit of the United States of America, knowing the same to be counterfeit and shall abide and perform the Judgment that may be given thereon he will then and there be declared an OUTLAW. LOAMMI BALDWIN, (Sheriff of Middlesex. THE SHAYS REBELLION. Groton 8* JanY 1787 Dear Sir, How is the spirit of Volunteering in your part of the County ? Will your people turn out for the defence of Worcester Court ? I Expect Groton and Pepperrell will furnish two Companies of light Infantry ; one Company to be under the Command of Capt. Scott, the other Major Farnsworth, who are inlisting men for that pur pose ; and I am sure General Brooks will not think proper to send marching orders to this Regiment. Thirty men gave in their names last Saturday; and I Expect a number of good men will ride with me, who cannot bear the fatigues of the Journey in any other mode. I turn out to give Energy to the Service, & hope you will do the same. I shall thank you for Recommending my son [Oliver, Jr.] to Gen1! Brooks in the Surgeon's department, as he has been & still is very alert, and his engaging in the service, induces many others. I hope nothing will be wanting on the part of Government to put an end to the Rebellion. I most seriously wish some of the leaders of the malcontents in the County of Worcester, might be apprehended before the sitting of the Court. If a Warrant should be made out to Scott & Brown, as was before, they could easily find some resolute Cunning men, THE SHAYS REBELLION. 47 who would go in disguise & are perfectly acquainted with the roads, and have no doubt of Success ; they would not wish for more than six or Eight men & be happy to make the Tryal. What do you think of the Experiment ? The Expence would not be great. I think they would be more likely to be apprehended this week, while engaged in raising their forces ; if they find their party too small to oppose Governments they will secrete themselves. If a few men should go from this part of the County on a trading Voyage, & mix with the people, I think it is highly probable they would succeed ; & if you are of the same Opinion, wish you would lay the matter before the Governor & Council ; & if they approve of it, let a Warrant be sent by Express, no time should be lost, & it is not in my power to be at Boston this week to make the Proposition. I shall not omit anything in my power for the publick good. — my best regards to yr Brother, I am, Sir, with great Esteem, yr Hum'f Servant ; Oliver Peescott James Winthrop Esqr [Addressed] James Winthrop Esqr Cambridge [Indorsed] Letter from Gen1 Prescott Jany 8, 1787 Massachusetts Archives, CLXXXIX. 70. For " Groton during Shays's Rebellion," see No. III. of the preceding volume of this Historical Series. Groton 3d March 1787 Sir I beg leave to suggest to your Excellency the propriety of having a Company of Volunteers raised, & stationed in this part of the County of Middlesex for a short time, to apprehend such persons as are disqualified from receiving the pardon, as there are many such, & they ought to be secured soon, as the Spring is opening when they will retire to the woods which is a matter they depend much upon I suppose a company of 50 or 60 men, including non-commissioned Officers & privates would be suffi cient, & if Capt William Scott of Groton & Samson Woods & Jona Bancroft of Pepperell should be appointed for the Commis sioned Officers ; they would be able to enlist the men immediately from the Towns of Groton & Pepperell, & such as have horses 48 THE SHAYS REBELLION. of their own, that upon any particular occasion might be mounted without expence to Government, so that this small company of Infantry would be equal to any service that Government might require — Any delay or relaxation in Government at this time would be extreemly hurtfully. Mf Brown of this Town is a Regimental Quarter Master & under the direction of the Commissary General might in an easy & cheap manner supply the troops — The reason of my propos ing the above persons for Officers, is, their known fidelity, courage & good conduct, as well as having served in the State army, & had commissions, & are likely to give Satisfaction — The bearer, Capt Jo : Savage has for some time past resided in this Town, & can fully inform you of the disposition of the people, — and the necessity of such a company. I have taken the liberty to order George Marston to be com mitted to the Boston Goal, as he is not a Citizen of this Common wealth & no property, but has been very active in the present rebellion, & by his own confession was chosen an Adjutant in Shays's army he was a deserter from the British army, & for more than one year past had residence in the Town of Pepperell — I have the honor to be with the greatest esteem and respect your Excellency's most Ob4 & hume Servant Oliver Prescot The Governor A true Copy Attest John Avery jun Secy [Indorsed] Letter from Oliver Prescott — Groton, March 3d 1787 — Massachusetts Archives, CXC. 405. By an Act passed on February 14, 1781, the Governor and Council were requested to appoint three of the Justices of the Peace in each County, who should have authority to commit to jail any person dangerous to the State. Dr. Oliver Pres cott was one of those for Middlesex County, and in causing the arrest of George Marston, as mentioned in the last para graph of the last letter, he was doubtless acting in this capacity. THE LAWRENCE FARM. 49 THE LAWRENCE FARM. To the Honourable the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts now Convened at Boston — Humbly shews Amos Lawrence of Groton that Captain Samuel Tarbell late of said Groton Deceased — died seized of a Farm con taining about one hundred acres of Land that after his Death the same was divided into nine shares two whereof has been set off to his son Samuel Tarbell now a Refugee in New York that the same two shares have been since taken in execution for a Debt Due to the Government, and your Petitioner having purchased the other shares, it hath become necessary in order to his making a proper improvement of the same that he should have the two shares afore said wherefore he Humbly prays your Honours to take the matter under Consideration and to suffer him to purchase the same the Consideration which he gave for the other shares was sixty pounds silver money for Each and he humbly hopes that your Honours would not demand more of him than the other proprietors he would further observe that the buildings are not fit to Live in & no part can be repaired without the whole that the Fences are decaying and the Land Continually growing the worse and these together with the Rates Constantly arising will render the Interest but of very Little Value in a year or two whereof he hopes for the Interest of the Government as well as for his own inconvenience that he may be allowed to purchase and he will pray &c February 16th 1781 Amos Lawrance This may Certify that the subscribers with some of the other heirs of Captain Samuel Tarbell Deceased sold their shares in said Tarbells Farm in Groton for sixty pounds a share to Captain Amos Lawrence February 16th 1781 Henry Farwell Samuel Reed [Indorsed] Amos Lawrence5 Petition & Report Cap' Mitchell Capt Waterman Mr Lewis Massachusetts Archives, CCXXXI. 452. 50 THE LAWRENCE FARM. Commonwealth of ) In the House of Representatives Massachusetts — \ March 3d 1781. On The Petition of Amos Lawrence of Groton in the County of Middlesex, praying that he may be allowed to purchase Two ninth parts of the Farm in the said Town of Groton which Cap' Samuel Tarbell deceased died seized of, which Two ninths was set of to his son Samuel Tarbell, & has since been taken by Execution for a debt due to this Government Resolved that the Committee who are appointed to sell Confis cated Estates in the County of Middlesex be & hereby are Author ized & impowered to sell at publick or private sale as they shall think most Beneficial for this Commonwealth, the above mentioned Two ninths of the Farm which the above said Cap' Samuel Tarbell Deceased, died seized of, & was set of to his son Samuel Tarbell & make & Execute a good & legal deed or deeds of the same, & they are hereby directed to pay the neat proceeds arising by said sale or sales into the Treasury of this Commonwealth taking dupli cate Receips therefor one of which to be lodged in the Secretary's office Sent up for concurrence Caleb Davis Spe^ In Senate March 3d 1781 — Read & Concurred Jer : Powell — Presvi' Approv'd John Hancock [Indorsed] Recd pge 320 Resolue on the Petition of Amos Law rence empowering the Agents appointed to sell confiscated Estates in the County of Middlesex to sell the Farm mentioned March 3d 1781 Massachusetts Archives, CCXXXI. 451. At this time the Honorable James Prescott, of Groton, was one of a Committee of three, appointed for Middlesex County, to sell forfeited estates. Amos Lawrence, the petitioner, was the father of Deacon Samuel Lawrence ; he died on June 20, 1785, when his son inherited the farm. GROTON ARTILLERY COMPANY. 5 I BURNING OF DEACON LAWRENCE'S BARN. In connection with the item given below see the first vol ume of this Historical ^eries, No. IX. (page 24), and No. XIX. (page 24). We understand that a barn, belonging to Deacon Lawrence, was burnt in Groton on Saturday night last [May 23]. "Lancaster Gazette," May 26, 1829. GROTON ARTILLERY COMPANY. Last Tuesday se'nnight [September 30] the regiment commanded by Col. Henry Woods, and the company of artillery commanded by Capt. [Amos] Farnsworth, met at Groton, for the purpose of dis cipline. Their conduct through the whole day was such, as merited the applause of a numerous body of spectators, and did honor to all those immediately concerned, and clearly demonstrated, they had in view the importance of a well disciplined militia, to a rising nation. "The Independent Chronicle, and the Universal Advertiser," October 9, 1783. The following roster of the Company is found in " The Massachusetts Register" (page 122) for the year 1788. Artillery Company at Groton, 2d Brig. Amos Farnsworth, Captain, Abijah Prescott, Captain Lieutenant, Samuel Rockwood, first lieutenant, Winslow Parker, senior second lieutenant, Elnathan Sartell, junior second lieutenant. 52 GROTON GENEALOGIES. NOTICE is hereby given, to the non-resident proprietors and owners of land in Groton, in the county of Middlesex, that they are taxed in the tax-bill committed to me to collect, in said town, for the years of our Lord 1797 and 1798, viz. The proprietors of ) old Groton ) Year. Town. State &> County. 1797 6 80 I 52 1798 4 3° O 56 And unless said taxes are paid on or before Monday, the 15th day of June next, at 9 o'clock, a. m. so much of said land as will pay the same, and intervening charges, will be sold at public vendue, at the house of Childs and Hall, innholders in said Groton. JOB SHATTUCK, jun. Collector. Groton, May 6, 1807. "Independent Chronicle" (Boston), May 11, 1807. GROTON GENEALOGIES. The following letter was written me by the accomplished antiquary, Henry F. Waters, A.M., of Salem, which, with his permission, I print in this Series. It shows that the maiden name of Matthias Farnsworth's wife was Farr, — a fact hith erto unknown, — and that Nicolas Hutchins, an early settler of Groton, married her sister. Salem, Mass., ii June, 1887. The Hon. Samuel A. Green, M.D. My dear Sir : I send you the following extract from the First Book of Essex Co. Probate Records, pages 3 and 4. The paper itself is not among the Probate Files. Vnto this Honored Court now assembled att Salem. 27.9. 1672 May it please this Honored court to considr ye g positions followinge John ffarr of Lin a single man dyed ye . 29 . Octob' — 1672 and did make noe will- wherfor his mother Elezebeth ffar & he haueinge only two natural bretheren namely Joseph & Ben jamin ffarr he also haueing onely three natural sisters Mary Eleze- GROTON GENEALOGIES. 53 beth and Sarah al of them marryed there husbands y' is to say two of them psonaly & ye third who liueing at Grawton by his rep'sent- itiue being al met together upo ye sixteenth day of this instant haue mutualy & freely agreed as to ye deuideing of ye estate of y" sd Jn° ffarr (as followeth) if this Hono'd court shall see meet to axcept of ye same. Inprs y' Nicholas Hutchin : brother in law to ye sd Jn° ffarr shal haue a pa' of oxen of Johns at p'snt & to be wintred by ye hay of Jn° ffarr if there be hay anough to winter ye whole stock butt if not, when what is, is spent ye sd Nicholas is to g'uide hay at his owne cost & he is also to discount fifty shillings which was giuen his wife by their Fathers will 2 ly. that John Holmes Brother in law to ye said John ffarr shal haue : j£ : ios : [od] fiue pounds of it being already paid him & ye other 50s to be paid unto him at his mothers death . he promising neuer to demaund : 50s: which was giuen to his wife in her ffather ffarrs will 3 ly : Thatt Mary Clarke a motherless child & cozen to ye said Jn° ffarr shal haue fiue pounds of y= said Estate & alsoe fiue pounds giuen her by her unckle Holmes which Tenn pounds is to be paid by the aforesaid Joseph & Benjamin ffarr they haueing ye barne & al ye land & marsh grownd y' was there brother Jn° ffarrs which lands are responsible for ye paym' of ye same when she cometh to age or doth marry but if neither then ye same be Joseph & Benjamins 4 ly . that Joseph & Benjamin ffarr shal haue ye barne and [ ] and marsh of John ffarr theire brother to them theire [ ] assignes for euer after there mothers deceas & she [ ] haue it dureing her life 5 ly Wee all of us aboue written (this being to be und'stood [ j Benjamin ffarr aboue written [ ] unckle Richard Stower him selfe beinge undr age in this whole agreem' 6 ly Wee al of us doe agree that whatt debts may be Chardged to John ffarr he managinge ye whole affairs of ye famyly his Estate onely to pay one 2th gt of ye same except such debts as did arise upon his ptickuler accoumpt touching only ye time of his sicknes & burial this also being to be und'stood y' ye sd Joseph & Ben jamin are to pay al the p'snt debts of Jn° ffarr & also of his mother both Referinge to ye debts inserted in this agreem' & what elce 54 GROTON GENEALOGIES. so euer & in consid'ation therof they are to haue all ye Moueable estate of ye sd John ffarr as in y= Inuentory and what is left is to be to y" mother of ye said John ffarr In wittnes wherof wee haue putt our hands y° day & yeare aboue written this being to be und'stood before Subscribing Thatt Mathias ffarnworth brother in law unto John ffarr shal haue one cow paid him within ye space of two years Elezebeth/^ ffarr Wittns Andrew Mansfield Sen' her \-J mark Heney Silsby Joseph ffarr John Holmes Nicho. J£ Hutchins Mathias ffarnworth : ^= his mark his mark jfl Richard Stower guardian to Benja : ffarr The aboue written proposeals or agreement is alowed . of in Court att Salem ye 27 - 9 - 72 I attest [Hilliard Veren Cler. " The will of Goodman far " " dated the first of July (1662)," wit : by Henery Sillsbey & ffrancis Burrill was proved 26- 9T 1662. He makes bequests to his wife and sons John, Lazerous, Benjamin & Joseph (a minor) and four daughters, Mary, Martha, Elizabeth & Sarah. He wishes Mf Laton, Francis Burrill and Allin Brad, junior, to be overseers. The testator (George Farr) made his mark. An inventory of his estate (amounting to 109^ — 8s — ood ) was taken 24- 9T 1662. The mar. of Willm Clark of Boston to Martha Farr (18 Sept. 1661) I think you will find in the Boston Records. Elizabeth was mar. 4 April, 1666, to Nicholas Hutchins of Lynn. Sarah became the wife of John Holmes, who lived, I think, near the Pickman (Dr. Loring's) farm in Salem. Mary was the name of the wife of Matthias Farnworth of Groton. In Essex Co. Court papers, Vol. x., Fol. 128, appears a power of attorney signed by Matthias Farnworth of " Groatton," weaver, (by mark) 2 April, 1663, constituting his " louing Brother Edward Rich ards " his lawful attorney in a case betwixt the said Farnworth & Samuel Bennett, Senf for neglecting to pay for the cure of William Dillowes hand. BUNKER HILL AND SHAYS REBELLION. 55 There are some records of births, deaths & marriages of Lynn people in the Salem books. I find there the death of Joseph Farnworth, the last of 8 mo. 1674, I suspect that Farnworth lived on N. side of the brook in Mill St. (now I think Boston St.) somewhat E. of Federal St. John Holmes was of the Cambridge family of Holmes. Sincerely yours, Henry F. Waters. BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL AND THE SHAYS REBELLION. The Honorable Claudius Buchanan Farnsworth, of Paw- tucket, has written me the following letter, which is now, with his permission, printed in this Series. Pawtucket, R. I., Nov. 29, 1886. My dear Sir, — I have yours of the 27th inst. When I was about eleven years old, in the fall of 1826, I went to Boston with my grandfather. It was impressed on my memory as the year after the laying of the corner-stone of Bunker Hill Monu ment. He took me to the hill and told me about the ceremonies of laying the corner-stone, and also about the battle. At that time the hill was a grassy pasture, some parts of it perhaps mowed, from a street someways west of the monument away east to the water. The ridge formed by the old breastwork was in some places still visible, and the general course of it easily traced. After look ing over the ground where the monument stands, but on which no work had then been done after the laying of the corner-stone, we went east, following the course of the breastwork towards the water. He walked down that way to show me where he was posted. He said that the night before the battle he and Dea. Samuel Lawrence, with one other, — I think a Bancroft, — were detailed to watch at the extreme end of the line the movement of the English Frigate lying off there, and report to headquarters. Samuel Lawrence and Amos Farnsworth were non-commissioned officers in the some com pany, Lawrence holding the higher rank and being in command ; and Farnsworth was next. My impression is that the Bancroft was 56 BUNKER HILL AND SHAYS REBELLION. the one who lived where Jack Graves afterwards lived for many years, but whose Christian name I have now forgotten ; about this I am not positive. He told me that they remained at the place where they were posted, sending reports to headquarters occasionally, until after daylight, when they were seen from the Frigate and were fired upon, when, as the vessel was plainly visible, their services were no longer needed there, and they rejoined their company. I have always understood that their orders were from Colonel Prescott. Whether you can find any records to verify this or not, I don't know, but should be glad to learn. As to the Shays Rebellion, my grandfather was early appointed an officer of the Artillery, or "Matrosses." In 1783 he was chosen Captain of Matrosses, and his commission, signed by John Hancock, is in my possession. ¦ He had that office during the Shays Rebel lion, and after, for some time, till he was made a Major of Artillery. In 1786, when the rebellion broke out, the cannon belonging to the company were kept in a building near where my grandfather lived, but which has not been in existence for more than fifty years. The first thing done at Groton, as I have been told, was that Job Shat tuck and a party of his men broke open the building in the night, stole the guns, rolled them down to the river, about a hundred rods west of my grandfather's house, and pitched them in over a high bank. No suspicion had existed of any design to seize the guns, and therefore they had not been guarded further than that they were locked up. The loss was known early the next morning, and they were traced to the bank. There they were soon found and got out, I think before the following night. I have had pointed out the place many times where they were thrown in. Guard was kept over the guns after this until the rebellion blew over, which it did in a few months. This seizure of the guns must have been made, I suppose, in the fall of 1786. At any rate, it was in the time of smart frosts, as I have been told that the breaking down of the frosty grass was what enabled the pursuers to find the course taken by the rebels. As you are looking up old Groton matters, I have thought that these traditionary matters might be of interest; and the story respecting your grandfather will, I am confident, have a personal interest for you. Very faithfully yours, C. B. Farnsworth. To Dr. Samuel A. Green. GROTON DOCUMENTS. 57 GROTON DOCUMENTS. The following two documents are now in the possession of Charles Gerrish, of Groton. The letter was written to John Lakin, one of the petitioners for Groton, and an early settler of the town. It gives by implication the name of Lakin's wife, which, excepting her given name, Mary, has hitherto been unknown. It is evident from the letter that she was a Bacon of Woburn. Now Michael Bacon of that town had a daughter Mary; and he died on July 4, 1688, leaving it very certain that he was her father. His second daughter, Sarah, had married Caleb Simonds, of Woburn. Samuel Carter, the writer of the letter, was a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1660, and by turns a preacher and schoolmaster. In 1692 he was settled as the minister of Groton, where he died in the autumn of the next year. The list of names, found on one side of a single sheet, in cludes most of the tax-payers of Groton for the year 1701, and does not appear in the town-records. The names of Davis, Farnsworth, Farwell, Hall, Holden, Hutchins, Longley, Page, Perham, Prescott, Shedd, Stone, and Tarbell, prominent in the history of the town at that time, are not mentioned, but they may have been on another page or sheet. Sir My Respects presented to your self & wife these few lines may let you understand that your Brother & Sister Simonds are in good health and Desire the Remembrance of their kind loue unto you both ; and haue Requested me to signify unto you that things are so circumstanced with respect to those Legacies given by your Father Bacon wherin you are Concerned that its Necessary that you should come downe to them as soon as may be : At the Desire of your Brother & Sister I haue perused some of your ffathers writeings and as things Appear to me I would advise you to come downe as speedily as you can ; Thus Resting your Loveing Friend ffr[om] Woburne Sam1 Carter 2 Jan: i68| [Superscribed] These for Sarg John Lakin At Groaton 58 GROTON DOCUMENTS. Benj Laken oo 05 03 Joseph Laken 00 05 02 James Blanchard 00 07 01 John hoar 00 06 04 Zechriah Satell 00 06 00 daniell mixer 00 06 04 James Robison 00 12 09 Joseph Cade 00 11 07 Ebenezer Robins 00 03 00 Robart Robins Juner 00 04 04 John nuting 00 12 04 Samuell Keempe Jun 00 05 09 Jonathan Keempe 00 05 10 Benj Swallow 00 09 00 Zerubbabell Keempe 00 11 00 John Shatduck 00 07 06 Samuell Shatduck 00 06 07 John Shiply 00 06 05 William Laken 00 08 08 Jonathan Laken 00 06 06 Abraham Laken 00 07 08 Josiah Laken 00 06 00 Joseph Larrance 00 05 03 John Gilson 00 05 07 Enoch Larrance 00 11 00 Nathaniell Larrance Ju 00 04 10 Thomas williames 00 12 06 Joseph parker 00 08 00 James Nutinge 00 09 11 Eliazer parker 00 08 00 Samuell parker 00 12 00 daniell Larrance 00 03 09 Nathaniell Blood 00 04 03 William Green 00 09 03 Eliazer Green 00 09 09 Samuell woods Sener 00 09 00 Nathaniell Larrance Sen 00 10 01 thomas woode 00 09 09 Samuell fiske 00 05 03 Lifte. Larrance 00 1 1 00 thomas Chamberlin 00 04 10 Joseph Bloode 00 04 03 James Robines 00 03 00 Richard warner 00 04 01 Jonathan boydon 00 06 04 Nathaniell woods 00 09 07 to benj Laken constable this rate made by the Selectmen of groton for the cuntrey for the year 1701 with euery mane [name?] and sum to it acording to the tresure warrantie groton October 28th 1701 by order of the Selectmen James Blanchard Clarke "The New-England Historical and Genealogical Register" (XLI. 262, 263) for July, 1887. GERSHOM HOBART, JR.'S RELEASE. 59 GERSHOM HOBART, JR.'S RELEASE FROM CAPTIVITY. The following extract is taken from a letter in the Library of the Massachusetts Historical Society, written by the Rev erend John Cotton to his wife at Plymouth, and dated " Elec tion-night Boston" (May 29, 1695). It is found in the volume marked on the back " Letters & Papers 1 679-1 700 " (page 102), and gives very nearly the day of the release of the Reverend Gershom Hobart's son, who was captured by the Indians at their assault on the town, July 27, 1694. The writer says : some Indians that went upon scoute have brought in 2 scalpes & 3 guns & they conclude that the third gun had an owner whom they sorely wounded or else they should not have found his gun : noe newes of the snow frigat, it is greatly feared it is cast away upon rocks for want of a skilfull pilot : but the choice newes is that all the Easterne sachims but one (at least most of them) are come to Pemaquid, & have brought in eight captives, contest their great evill in fighting against us ; litle Gershom Hobart is one (tell his Aunt Bradford soe) if an Easterly winde come they will be here by to morrow this [hou]re Gershom Hobart, Jr., was born undoubtedly at Groton, though the date of his birth does not appear in the town- records. He was married on February 26, 1713-14, to Lydia Nutting, daughter of James and Lydia Nutting, born on June 3, 1686. He probably was near the same age as his wife, which would have made him a boy eight or ten years old at the time of his capture. For some other facts relating to the lad, see the first volume of this Historical Series, No. XII. (page 6). Joseph Bradford, of Plymouth, was married to Jael Hobart, aunt of Gershom, Jr., and the allusion in the extract given above is to her. 60 DR. MOORS'S REMINISCENCES. DR. MOORS'S REMINISCENCES. The following recollections of the town were given by the Reverend John Farwell Moors, D.D., of Greenfield, a native of Groton and a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1842, in a sermon preached before the First Parish on July 29, 1883. They are now copied from the " Unitarian Record," a monthly publication printed at Chelmsford, for May, 1887. A REMINISCENCE. THE CLOSE OF A SERMON RECENTLY PREACHED IN THE FIRST CHURCH IN GROTON BY A FORMER MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY. There is a legend that many years ago, when monastic life was fresh and filled men's hearts, there was a monastery near where the Rhone pours its cold, blue waters into Lake Geneva. A poor widow lived near whose only son had left her to spend his days in the neighboring cloister. Every day, at the time of morning and evening prayer, this poor widow would go to the monastery that she might hear her son's voice in the choir. She could not see him, for he was cloaked and cowled like the rest, but her quick ear knew the ring of his voice, and she went back to her humble home refreshed and content. At length the son died, and the poor woman mourned that the one consolation of her life was gone. But the Mother Mary or some kindly saint, so the legend goes, had pity on her; and, though the monk was there no more, his voice was still heard mingling in the morning and evening chant, and the mother came and listened as of old, and went home content and praising God. So, pardon me here for saying that many voices of those I see not are heard here, of those who have, in years gone by, poured out their souls in praise and prayer within these venerable walls. Silent elsewhere, they are still heard here ; we but echo their song to-day. It is my delight in hours of weariness or wakefulness to repeople the pews of this church. Not as we see it to-day, in its modern dress, but as it was before the spirit of so-called improvement fell upon it in 1838-9. DR. MOORS'S REMINISCENCES. 6 1 In the days of the old square pews, the three ample porches, the high pulpit, the imposing sounding-board, threatening to be an extinguisher to the preacher in my youthful imagination, the galleries around three sides of the church, the singers' ample gallery, with the venerable Mr. [Calvin] Boynton beating the time with his swinging arm as he led the large choir, in the front seat Mr. Solomon Frost with his bassoon., a wonder to my young eyes. I could tell you what families occupied most of those square pews, and, though I could not tell you much of the sermons or prayers, I could tell with what pleasure I let fall with a bang two of the seats in No. 3 at the close of the long prayer — literally the long prayer. I can see Mr. [Silvester] Jacobs rushing in late, with heavy boots and a stout whip in his hand ; Col. [Abel] Tarbell aroused from involuntary somnolency by peppermints and cloves judiciously administered by his smiling wife ; Mr. [Alpheus] Richardson and his large family, always a trifle behind time ; Margaret Fuller, the wonder of the town for her knowledge and wisdom ; Mrs. [Jonathan] Loring's tall calash ; the venerable heads of Judge Dana, Squire Park and Squire Butler, the paragon of honor and integrity, who occasionally, by virtue of his office as town clerk, varied the monot ony of the service by calling out just before the benediction an intention of marriage. These and many more like pictures are inscribed upon my memory. I have since those days looked upon the dome of St. Peter's in Rome and upon the mosque of Omar in Jerusalem. But neither awakened such emotions of awe and reverence as those felt when I have seen the First Church in Groton. A long pilgrimage I would make to see it as it was 50 or 60 years ago, and to see it peopled with those I then looked up to as the wisest and best of earth. " Peace be within thy walls ; for my brethren and my father's sake I will say, peace be within thee." 62 MAJOR WILLARD'S NONACOICUS FARM. SLAVERY IN GROTON. For an article on this subject, see the preceding volume of this Historical Series, No. XVIII. (pages 18-21). R Ten Dollars Reward. AN AWAY from the Subscriber, Joseph Moors, of Groton, in the County of Middlesex, and Province of Massachusetts- Bay, a Molatto Man Servant, named TITUS, about 20 Years of Age, of a midling Stature, wears short curl'd Hair, has one of his Fore- Teeth broke out, took with him a blue Surdan, a Snuff-coloured Coat, and a Pair of white wash'd Leather Breeches, a Pair of new Cow-Hide Pumps and a Furr'd Hat with large Brims, and sundry other Articles of Wearing Apparel. Whoever will take up said Servant and confine him in any of his Majesty's Goals, so that the Owner may have him again, shall have TEN DOLLARS Reward and all necessary Charges paid, by JOSEPH MOORS. Ijgir All Masters of Vessels and others, are hereby Caution' d against Harbouring, Concealing, or carrying off said Servant, as they would thereby avoid the Penally of the Law. "The Boston-Gazette, and Country Journal," June 13, 1774. MAJOR WILLARD'S NONACOICUS FARM. In the preceding volume of this Historical Series No. XII. (page 18), there is a reference to a plan of Danforth's survey of Major Willard's farm at Nonacoicus, where it is stated that perhaps it was the long-lost one described in " The Boundary Lines of Old Groton" (page 13). Since this statement was made, however, I have had an opportunity to examine the plan of the farm, and find that it is not the one referred to in that book. It is drawn on parchment, and now belongs to Mrs. Sarah Jarie Sophia (Nutting) Bennett, daughter of the late Silas Nutting, and wife of Charles Curtis Bennett, of Ayer. SOCIAL LIFE IN GROTON. 63 SOCIAL LIFE IN GROTON. I have in my possession several old ball-tickets, which indi cate one of the features of social life in Groton, near the beginning of the present century. The earliest one reads as follows : — Admit J[*t QZollLcL rfHilcL, at Union Hall, in Groton, next Tuesday evening, at 6 o'clock. A. PEABODY, ) D. RICHARDSON, \ Managers. T. M. MUNROE, ) Groton, August 14, 1804. The ticket is printed on pasteboard, of the size as repre sented above, with a blank space which is filled out with the name of Mr. David Child, The early hour of meeting is in marked contrast with the custom of the present day. Union Hall was in the upper or third story of Martin Jenison's house, which was built about the year 1803, and now owned and occupied by Charles Gerrish. It is situated on the south corner of Main Street and Broad Meadow Road. The same hall was afterward used by the St. Paul's Lodge of Free Masons. The manager of the ball, named first on the ticket, was Augustus Peabody, a graduate of Dartmouth College in the class of 1803, who was at the time studying law with the Honorable Timothy Bigelow, and afterward a prominent member of the Suffolk County Bar ; the manager named secondly was Daniel Richardson, then studying law with the Honorable Samuel Dana, and later a successful lawyer of Tyngsborough ; and the last one named was probably Tilly M. Munroe, who attended school at Groton Academy in the year 1800, and subsequently went to Maine. 64 SOCIAL LIFE IN GROTON. Another ball-ticket, a few years later, gives the same primi tive hour for assembling, and reads as follows : — ^0^ ASSEMBLE / Admit qMa. ^-lijah @Mt, 'j> W TO THB ASSEMBLY, AT UNION HALL, IN GROTON, g \ ON WEDNESDAY, JAN'y. *#* 1807. & , XT. N. B. To commence at 60 clock. y ^, W.F.BR A^B'S' BELCHER & ARMSTRONG, PRINTERS. The ticket is printed on pasteboard, of the size as repre sented above, with blank spaces for the name and the day of the month, which are written with ink. The manager, named first on the ticket, was John Stuart, then studying law with the Honorable Timothy Bigelow ; the next one was Abraham Moore, a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1806, and at the time studying law also with Mr. Bigelow ; the next, William Farwell Brazer, a son of James Brazer, a prominent merchant of Groton ; and the last one was priliups a Tuns-iimn of Aaron Brown, a former partner of Mr. Brazer's firm. The following notice in the " Independent Chronicle" (Bos ton), January 22, 1807, refers to this very Assembly, and seems to show that it was a select gathering, with subscribers in Boston and its neighborhood. GROTON ASSEMBLY. SUBSCRIBERS are informed, that their next "Groton Assem bly " will be held at Union-Hall, Wednesday the 28th inst. Groton, Jan. 20. COLONEL PRESCOTT. 65 COLONEL PRESCOTT. At a meeting of the Massachusetts Historical Society, held on June 9, 1887, Dr. Green made the following remarks : — In the early part of last month (May 4) I had the pleasure of meeting a kinswoman of Colonel William Prescott, who is probably the only person now living who ever saw the hero of Bunker Hill, and 'certainly the only one who ever knew him or ever talked with him ; and her recollections are interesting. I refer to Mrs. Sarah (Chaplin) Rockwood, a resident of Cortland, Cortland County, New York, who was the youngest daughter of the Rev. Daniel Chaplin, D.D., of Groton, the last minister of the town during the period when it formed but a single parish. Her mother was Susanna, eldest daughter of Judge James Prescott, Colonel Wil liam's elder brother. Mrs. Rockwood was born at Groton on November 8, 1785, and Colonel Prescott, her great-uncle, died on October 13, 1795, — so that she was ten years old at the time of his death. The date of her birth was duly entered in the town- records, and the entry corresponds with that in her family Bible. She describes him as a tall, well-proportioned man, with blue eyes and a large head. He usually wore a skull-cap ; and he parted his hair in the middle, wearing it long behind, braided loosely and tied in a dub with a black ribbon, as was common in those days. He had a pleasant countenance, and was remarkably social and full of fun and anecdote. He was dignified in his manners, and had the bearing of a soldier. I am satisfied that her recollections of that early period are clear and distinct. She shows in many ways that her memory of events long since past is still good, as it is of more recent ones. Although she has entered upon the second year of her second century, she reads the newspapers, and takes more than an ordinary interest in public affairs. 66 GROTON POST-OFFICE. THE OLD TAVERNS AND STAGE-COACHES OF GROTON. The Boston "Independent Chronicle," May ii, 1807, adver tises for proposals to carry the United States mails, twice a week, from Boston through Concord, Littleton, Groton, Town- send, Ashby, New Ipswich (New Hampshire), Jeffray [sic], Marlboro', Keene, and Walpole to Rockingham Bridge. Rockingham is a township in Vermont, bordering on the west bank of the Connecticut River ; and the bridge crosses the river at Bellows Falls, a village in Rockingham. Without doubt, at the time of the advertisement, the mails were carried in stage-coaches. The " Lancaster Gazette," January 20, 1829, advertises an " Accommodation Stage from Lowell to Groton, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, which will make a Daily Line from Lowell to Groton, where seats may be taken for Keene, N. H., every day in the week." The public-house, mentioned in the following paragraph, was known fifty years ago as the Dr. Amos Farnsworth place. It is situated on the easterly side of the Boston road, near the Colonel William Prescott monument. O. W. Brown has opened a public house to be known as the Fletcher House, on Main street, the place formerly occupied by J. B. Sanderson. " The Groton Citizen," September i, 1887. See No. VIII. of the preceding volume of this Historical Series, for an article on "The Old Taverns and Stage-coaches of Groton." GROTON POST-OFFICE. A semi-daily mail was established between Boston and Groton in the year 1849, during the early part of Postmaster Brown's administration ; and a tri-daily mail on Monday, April 18, 1887. The post-office was made a postal-order office on Monday, August 16, 1886. See the preceding volume of this Historical Series, No. VII. (pages 9-18) for other facts relating to the subject. ADDENDA. 67 EPITAPH. Bigelow. — The following epitaph, copied from a marble slab in the Lawrence lot of the cemetery at Groton, has been furnished us by Samuel A. Green, M.D. It supplements the " Inscriptions from the Old Burial Grounds in Worcester, Massachusetts," recently published by the Worcester Society of Antiquity. Here lie the mortal remains of Mrs. ANNA BIGELOW, relict of Col. Timothy Bigelow of Worcester, Mass. She died Aug- 2> 1809, Mt. 63 yrs. "The New-England Historical and Genealogical Register" (XXXIV. 99) for January, 1880. ADDENDA. The " Rev. Mr. Joseph Emerson, Groton," was a subscriber to Joseph Bellamy's " True Religion deliniated" (Boston, 1750). Mr. Emerson was the minister of the West Parish of Groton, now Pepperell. See the preceding volume of this Historical Series, No. XVI. (pages 11-16) for a "List of Groton Subscribers to important books, etc." In the alphabetical list of Representatives, given on page 1 7, insert in its proper place the following : — November 8, 1876 Lawrence, Asa Stillman . . . 1877, 1881 68 MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. MARRIAGES. MARRIED.] Mr. Thomas Swan, of Groton, to Miss Sally Speakman, of Marlborough, Second Daughter to the late Capt. Speakman. " The Boston Evening-Post," August 23, 1773. Married.] Mr. Joseph Adams, Physician, at Town- send, to Miss Lovy Lawrence, eldest Daughter of the Rev. Mr. Lawrence of Lincoln. "The Boston-Gazette and Country Journal," December 19, 1774. MARRIED] In Groton, (Ms.) on the 19th Dec. last, Dr. Jeremy Stimson, of Hopkinton, to Mrs. Abi Richardson, of Groton. "Independent Chronicle" (Boston), January 4, 1808. MARRIED.] — In Groton, the Rev. Stephen Bemis, of Harvard, to Miss Susannah Chaplin, eldest daughter of the Rev. Daniel Chaplin, of the former place. " Independent Chronicle " (Boston), May 9, 1808. DEATHS. DIED.] In Concord, John Ocley Ward, of Groton — while visiting his friends at Concord, he was seized with an inflammation of the brain, which terminated in death, few have fallen asleep, whose virtues have shone with brighter lustre. — As a friend, he was sincere, benevolent and kind ; as a soldier, active, obedient and brave, as a christian, fervent, exemplary and forgiving. "Independent Chronicle" (Boston), June 16, 1808. DIED.] In Groton, Mrs. Deborah Latham, aged 76. "Independent Chronicle " (Boston), July 18, 1808. DIED.] In Groton, 24th inst Col Eben'r Hopkins, aged 38. " Independent Chronicle " (Boston), September 1, 1808. GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1888. Historical Series, Vol. II., No. III. A LIST OF THE TREASURERS OF GROTON, SO FAR AS THEY ARE FOUND IN THE TOWN -RECORDS, WITH THE DATES OF THEIR ELECTION AND TERMS OF SERVICE. Alden Warren served during 24 years, which is the longest term of any treasurer; and next to him, in length of service, was Benjamin Bancroft, who filled the office for 17 years. After him came Calvin Boynton, who served dur ing 16 years, and then Captain Ephraim Sawtell, with a term of 15 years. William Livermore, who was treasurer in 1845, is the senior survivor ; and, with the exception of the broth ers George and Walter Shattuck, all his successors are still alive. Date of Election. [March, ?] 1697 Captain James Parker. March 1, 1709 " Samuill Woods trasewer " March 7, 17 10 Samuel Woods. March 6, 1711 Samuel Woods. March 4, 17 12 Jonathan Boiden. March 3, 1713 Jonathan Boiden. March 2,1714 " Shebuall hobart " March 1, 1715 Shebuel Hobart. March 6,1716 Jonathan Boiden. March 5, 1717 Jonathan Boiden. March 4, 1718 John Longley. March 3, 1719 John Longley. March 1, 1720 John Longley. March 7, 1721 John Longley. March 6, 1722 John Longley. 7o LIST OF TREASURERS. Date of Election. March 5, 1723 Thomas Lawrence. March 3, i724 Thomas Lawrence. March 2, 1725 Thomas Lawrence. March 1, Thomas Lawrence, Senior. March 7, 1727 .... . Thomas Lawrence. March 5, 1728 Thomas Lawrence. March 4, 1729 Samuel Tarbell. March 3, 173° Samuel Tarbell. March 2, J731 Samuel Tarbell. March 7, !732 " Justis Prescott " March 6, r733 Benjamin Prescott, Esq. March 5, 1734 In the list of town officers chosen on this day, the treasurer's name is omitted, probably through an over- sight, but without doubt it was Benjamin Prescott. March 4, 1735 Benjamin Prescott, Esq. March 2, '736 Benjamin Prescott, Esq. March 7, 1737 Benjamin Prescott, Esq. March 6, 1738 " Justice Sawtell " March 4, J739 Nathaniel Sawtell, Esq. 1740 (No record for this year is found.) March 3, i74i Nathaniel Sawtell, Esq. 1742 (No record for this year is found.) March 1, J743 " Deacon Longley " March 6, 1744 Deacon John Longley. March 5, *745 Deacon John Longley. March 3, 1746 Deacon John Longley. March 3, 1747 Deacon John Longley. March 1, 1748 Deacon John Longley. March 6, 1749 Deacon John Longley. March 5, I7SO Captain Ephraim Sawtell. March 5, i75i Captain Ephraim Sawtell. March 3, 1752 Captain Ephraim Sawtell. March 6, 1753 Captain Ephraim Sawtell. March 5, 1754 ... . Captain Ephraim Sawtell. March 4, 1755 Captain Ephraim Sawtell. March 2, 1756 Captain Ephraim Sawtell. March 1, 1757 Captain Ephraim Sawtell. March 7, 1758 Captain Ephraim Sawtell. March 6, i7S9 Captain Ephraim Sawtell. March 4, Captain Ephraim Sawtell. March 3, Captain Ephraim Sawtell. LIST OF TREASURERS. 71 Date of Ele, March 2, March 1, March 6, March 5, March 4, March 3, March 1, March 7, March 6, March 5, March 3, March 2, March 1, March 7, March 5, March 4, March 3, March 2, March 7, March 6, March 5, March 4, March 2, March 1, March 7, March 6, March 4, March 3, March 2, March March MarchMarch MarchMarch March 7, March 6, March 5, March 4, March 3, 1, ,6, ¦5, 1 4,3, 1, ¦ft'o«. 762 Captain Ephraim Sawtell. 763 Captain Ephraim Sawtell. 764 Captain Ephraim Sawtell. 765 Benjamin Bancroft. 766 Benjamin Bancroft. 767 Benjamin Bancroft. 768 Benjamin Bancroft. 769 Benjamin Bancroft. 770 Benjamin Bancroft. 771 Benjamin Bancroft. 772 Benjamin Bancroft. 773 Benjamin Bancroft. 774 Deacon Benjamin Bancroft. 775 Deacon Benjamin Bancroft. 776 Deacon Benjamin Bancroft. 777 Deacon Benjamin Bancroft. 778 Deacon Benjamin Bancroft. 779 Deacon Benjamin Bancroft. 780 Deacon Benjamin Bancroft. 781 Deacon Benjamin Bancroft. 782 Lieutenant Jonathan Keep. 783 Lieutenant Jonathan Keep. 784 Israel Hobart, Esq. 785 Israel Hobart, Esq. 786 Isaiah Edes. 787 Isaiah Edes. 788 Isaiah Edes. 789 Isaiah Edes. 790 Isaiah Edes. 791 Isaiah Edes. 792 Isaiah Edes. 793 Isaiah Edes. 794 Isaiah Edes. 795 Isaiah Edes. 796 Joseph Shed. 797 Joseph Shed. 798 Joseph Shed. 799 Joseph Shed. 800 Joseph Shed. 801 Joseph Shed. 72 LIST OF TREASURERS. Date of Election. March 2 March 1 March 6 March 5 March 4 March 3 March 1 March March 6 March 5 March 3 March 2 April 4 March 7 March 5 March 4. March 3 March 2 March 7 March 6 March 5 March 3 March 2 March 1 March 7 March 6 March 4 March 3 March 2 MarchMarch 6 March 5 March 4 March 3 March 1 March 6 March 6 March 5 March 3 March 2 1802 Joseph Shed. 1803 Joseph Shed. 1804 Solomon Tarbell. 1805 Solomon Tarbell. 1806 Lieutenant Solomon Tarbell. 1807 Lieutenant Solomon Tarbell. 1808 Lieutenant Solomon Tarbell.. 1809 Lieutenant Solomon Tarbell. 1 8 10 Lieutenant Solomon Tarbell. 181 1 Lieutenant Solomon Tarbell. 1812 Lieutenant Solomon Tarbell. 1813 Lieutenant Solomon Tarbell. 1814 Alpheus Richardson. 1815 Alpheus Richardson. 181 6 Calvin Boynton. 18 17 Calvin Boynton. 18 18 Calvin Boynton. 1 819 Calvin Boynton. 1820 Calvin Boynton. 1 82 1 Calvin Boynton. 1822 Calvin Boynton. 1823 Calvin Boynton. 1824 Calvin Boynton. 1825 Calvin Boynton. 1826 Calvin Boynton. 1827 Calvin Boynton. 1828 Calvin Boynton. 1829 Calvin Boynton. 1830 Calvin Boynton. 1831 Calvin Boynton. 1832 John Peabody. 1833 John Peabody. 1834 John Peabody. 1835 John Peabody. 1836 John Peabody. 1837 John Peabody. 1838 John Peabody. 1839 John Peabody. 1840 John Peabody. 1841 John Peabody. Date of Ele, March i March 7 March 5 March 4. March 3 March 2 March 6 March 6 March 5 March 4, March 2 March 1 March 6 March 5 March 3 March 2 March 1 March 7 March 5 March 4, March 3 MarchMarchMarch 6 March March March March March March MarchMarchMarchMarch ¦ 4, • 3, 1. March 6, March 5, March 4, March 3, March 1, March 7, LIST OF TREASURERS. tion. 842 John Peabody. 843 John Peabody. 844 Daniel Shattuck. 845 William Livermore, Jr. 846 George Shattuck. 847 George Shattuck. 848 George Shattuck. 849 Walter Shattuck. 850 Walter Shattuck. 851 Walter Shattuck. 852 Walter Shattuck. 853 Daniel Needham. 854 Daniel Needham. .. 855 Alden Warren. 856 Alden Warren. 857 Alden Warren. 858 Alden Warren. 859 Alden Warren. 860 Alden Warren. 861 Alden Warren. 862 Alden Warren. 863 Alden Warren. 864 Alden Warren. 865 Alden Warren. 866 Alden Warren 867 Alden Warren. 868 Alden Warren. 869 Alden Warren. 870 Alden Warren. 871 Alden Warren. 872 Alden Warren. 873 Alden Warren. 874 Alden Warren. 875 Alden Warren. 876 Alden Warren. 877 Alden Warren. 878 Alden Warren. 879 George Samuel Gates. 880 George Samuel Gates. 881 George Samuel Gates. 73 74 LIST OF TREASURERS. Date of Election. April 3, 1882 George Samuel Gates. April 2, 1883 George Samuel Gates. April 7, 1884 George Samuel Gates. April 6, 1885 .... George Samuel Gates. April 5, 1886 George Samuel Gates. April 4, 1887 George Samuel Gates. AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF THE TREASURERS, WITH THE DATES OF THEIR FIRST ELECTION AND THEIR TERMS OF SERVICE. Date of Election. March 5, 1765 March 4, 17 March 5, 1" March 7. March 3 March 2 March 2 March 5; „ March 5, 1723 March 4, March 4, March 1, ±o^j [March,?] 1697 March 6. tB-" MarchApril , March 5, 1751 March ' MarchMarchMarchMarch 1738 1844 1846 1 6, 1849 1, 1796 March 4, 1729 March 6, 1804 March 5, 1855 March 1, 1709 12 16 1786c879 7«4 :7J4 782723 184S 1718 1853 [697 1832 17321814 Term of Service. Bancroft, Benjamin .... 1765-1781 Boiden, Jonathan . 1712, 1713, 1716, 1717 Boynton, Calvin 181 6-1 831 Edes, Isaiah 1 786-1 795 Gates, George Samuel . . . 1879- Hobart, Israel 1784, 1785 Hobart, Shebuel 1714, 1715 Keep, Jonathan 1782, 1783 Lawrence, Thomas .... 1 723-1728 Livermore, William, Jr 1845 Longley, John . . 1718-1722,1743-1749 Needham, Daniel 1853, 1854 Parker, James 1697 Peabody, John 1832-1843 Prescott, Benjamin .... 1732-1737 Richardson, Alpheus .... 1814, 1815 Sawtell, Ephraim 1 750-1764 Sawtell, Nathaniel . . . 1738,1739,1741 Shattuck, Daniel 1844 Shattuck, George 1 846-1 848 Shattuck, Walter 1849-1852 Shed, Joseph 1 796-1 803 Tarbell, Samuel 1729-17-21 Tarbell, Solomon 1804-1813 Warren, Alden 1855-1878 Woods, Samuel 1 709-1 711 GROTON FAMILIES IN MAINE. J$ GROTON FAMILIES IN MAINE. Among the early settlers of Norridgewock and Canaan, in the State of Maine, were families from Groton and its neigh borhood. They migrated, for the most part, just after the Revolution, although a few went before or during the War. In a History of those towns (Boston, 1849), by tne Reverend John Wesley Hanson, the names of some of these pioneers are given ; and among them are the following : Peter Farns worth, Asa and Zechariah Longley, Abraham and John Moor [Moors ?], Calvin Russell, Amos Shed, Eleazer and William Spaulding, Joseph Tarbell, Josiah Warren, Luke and Wil liam Withee, and Charles and Obadiah Witherell ; John Laughton and William Warren from Pepperell, and John Clark and James Waugh from Townsend. It is also stated in a note, at the bottom of page 122, that the cousins Daniel and Thomas Woods, and John Chamber lain had descendants and relatives who settled in Norridge wock and Canaan. These three men were Groton soldiers in the famous Lovewell's Fight on May 8, 1725, where John Chamberlain distinguished himself by killing Paugus, the Indian leader ; and ever afterward he was known among his neighbors as " Paugus John." See " Groton during the In dian Wars " (pages 134-145), for an account of the skirmish. The following notices of three early settlers of Norridge wock, other than those already mentioned, are found in Mr. Hanson's History : — Moriah Gould was born in Groton, Massachusetts, June 5, 1754. His father was slain by the Indians at the Half-way brook, between Crown Point and Fort Edwards, in the year 1758, when he was about forty-three years of age. He left eight children, including Moriah, and another was added to the family soon after the father's death. He was early in life put out to service, and, as is often the case, he suffered. At the age of twelve years, he was attacked with an ague sore in his knee, which caused him much trouble, and which obliged him to undergo an amputation, many years afterward. September 15, 1773, he left Groton for Boston, and entered on board a coaster, to seek his fortune in the wilds of Maine. He f6 GROTON FAMILIES IN MAINE. arrived at Canaan, and began to work for Capt. Nehemiah Pease. In the spring of 1774, he procured a piece of land in Norridge wock, near the northern village, erected a hut, and cleared four acres of land. In June, 1775, he went to Groton after some clothes, intend ing to return in three weeks, but he was persuaded to enter the American army at Cambridge, in August of the same year. He remained in the army sixteen months, and then returned to Nor- ridgewock. He found a stranger on his farm, who paid him a few dollars for his improvements, but the money was in continental currency, which soon became worthless. He soon after procured other land in the " Glen," nearly opposite the residence of M. M. Gould, Esq., on the southern shore of the river. June 8, 1780, he was married. He continued to labor as long as he could, but his lameness increased, until the amputation spoken of above. He died in' September, 1825, aged seventy-one years, having been for twenty-eight years a professor of religion. He left a large family of highly respectable descendants, many of whom fill prominent places in [the] community. So distinguished did he become for his piety, that he was termed " Saint Gould " for many years previous to his death. His children were Mary, who died an infant ; Joshua, born September, 1785 ; Maria, born November, 1787. married Calvin Healdj Melinda, born May, 1797, married Alden Fuller ; Mary, born January 4, 1792, married Jotham Chase ; Lucy, born Sept. 17, 1783, married W. W. Dinsmore. When Moriah Gould first settled here, he was accustomed to subsist considerably on the fine salmon that filled these waters. Finding the day's labor enough for his strength, and being unwill ing to pass many of the night-hours in fishing, he was accustomed to capture his finny food in the following original manner. His house stood near the water's edge, and after he had set his net, he would tie one end of a line to his wrist and the other to the net, and go to bed ; and as a fish, in endeavoring to dart by, became entangled in the net, the motion would awake him, and springing out of bed, he would secure his prey. Although the Indians had all removed from this region, yet the early settlers were easily alarmed, if any indications of their appear ance were seen. On one occasion Moriah Gould had some busi ness to transact at a distance, and he went on foot through the east part of the town. Passing through a field where the owner was clearing up by burning, he sat down to light his pipe, and was sit- GROTON FAMILIES IN MAINE. 77 ting by a burning heap, smoking, when he was seen by a neighbor, who immediately gave the alarm of " Indians ! " The bad news spread, and soon a terrified knot of people collected together to discuss the matter. Mr. Gould finished smoking, and very soon appeared among those alarmed, and explained the phenomenon to their entire satisfaction. — Mrs. Calvin Heald. (Pages 184- 186.) The children of Nehemiah and Esther Gould, whose births are recorded at Groton, were as follows : — Esther, born December 21, 1738; Nehemiah, born November 28, 1741, and died March 19, 1745. James, born January 28, 1743, and died February 11, 1745. Jonas, born January 26, 1745. Lydia, born January 25, 1746. " Meriah" [Maria?], born February 5, 1748. Jonas, born February 8, 1749. Nehemiah, born January 13, 1752. From the account of Moriah Gould, as given in the His tory of Norridgewock, it appears that he was born on June 5, 1754, which would have brought him next to Nehemiah, in this list. It may be a question whether he is not the same as "Meriah," who was born on February 5, 1748. John Ware, is a name that richly deserves mention in this his tory. He was born in Groton, Massachusetts, and was a son of Dr. [Ephraim] Ware, formerly well known in the vicinity of his sphere of practice. Mr. Ware came here very poor, with nothing but industry, integrity, and a good will as his friends, in the year 1782. He began at his trade as a cooper, and was accustomed to give a great deal of credit for the work he did. It was his custom to trust his work out for a year, and then, for every bushel of grain that was owed to him, to take a note of five pecks. From such humble beginnings he continued in trade until he became the wealthiest person in Somerset county. Some of his customers have complained of him ; but the most that can be said to his dis advantage is, that he was well calculated for a successful merchant. He understood human nature, and especially the nature ot the Indians, who came many miles to deal with him. He bought their furs greatly to his advantage, and sold them as well. He kept a 78 OLD TAVERNS AND STAGE-COACHES OF GROTON. very large store, was a great economist, never imprudent, and always exercised the Yankee's skill after the " main chance," and if those whose wealth helped to swell his own would but blame the avidity with which, in former times, they resorted to the strong drinks which were sold by Mr. Ware, as well as by every other merchant, they would accuse their own folly quite as much as Mr. Ware's keenness at a bargain. His spirit of enterprise is an ex ample to every young man. He died in August, 1829, aged 62 years. (Pages 224, 225.) Abel Ware of Groton, father of John Ware, came here in 1 784, and practised considerably during the few months of his visit. (Page 337.) This statement is slightly inaccurate, as Dr. Ephraim Ware was the father of John, and Abel was the brother. The fa ther is said to have removed to Maine in the year 1790 ; and perhaps the reference is to him, and not to Abel. Dr. Ephraim Ware married, first, at Groton, on July 26, 1764, Martha, daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth Parker, who was born on January 7, 1737. She died on April 4, 1776, and her husband married, secondly, at Cambridge, on October 13, 1785, Mrs. Abigail Gamage. See "The Descendants of Robert Ware of Dedham, Massachusetts " (page 37), by Miss Emma F. Ware, for other facts. David Moore, from Groton, came to Norridgewock first of the merchants, about 1780, and endeavored to dispose of a few goods which he had. A short time after, Mr. John Ware came here, and began to work at his trade as a cooper. He soon went into a part nership with Mr. Moore, and soon after he bought him out, and erected a small building near the site of Mr. J. Baker's. (Page 201.) THE OLD TAVERNS AND STAGE-COACHES OF GROTON. The following advertisement in the " Columbian Centinel " (Boston), September 25, 18 19, shows that the Dearborn tavern OLD TAVERNS AND STAGE-COACHES OF GROTON. 79 was not sold to Joseph Hoar in the year 1818, — as stated in the preceding volume of this Historical Series (No. VIII. page 8), — but in 1819 : — Valuable Real Estate in Groton. FOR sale that noted Tavern, and Stage House, lately occupied by Dearborn Emerson. Said estate is situated on the great road from Boston to Keene, N. H. has three acres of good Land, a very large and convenient House, with a large Hall, two large Stables, Sheds, and out Houses, worthy the attention of the man of business, as it is called the best stand for a Tavern, be tween Boston and Burlington. For further particulars inquire of DANIEL BROOKS, Concord; SIMEON BOYDEN, Boston; OLIVER SHED, Roxbury ; or of DEARBORN EMERSON, Groton. Now for the correction of another error on page 7 of No. VIII. : Captain Jonathan Keep was not followed immediately by the brothers Isaiah and Joseph Fletcher Hall as landlords of the public house at the other end of the village street, as it was kept as early as the year 1805, and perhaps earlier, by Joseph Fletcher Hall and Isaac Child, who continued as part ners until 1809. At this date, doubtless, the two brothers Took charge of the tavern. This hotel is now known as the Central House ; and the following description of it was written by Mrs. Delano A. God dard, in a letter from Groton to the " Worcester Daily Spy " of July 7, 1 8f6, after giving an account of the celebration on the Fourth of July : — I cannot leave Groton without one word for its " Central House," its only tavern ; a long, low building, with a picturesque piazza its whole length, covered with a luxuriant woodbine. It is unique, and is kept by three sisters [the Misses Hoar], who receive their visitors hospitably and serve them themselves ; who, in spite of all their household duties, never seem hurried, are always to be found, always courteous, always ready. They are admirable repre sentatives of the intelligent, capable, attractive New England girls who don't know what shirking is, but who take up the life they find waiting for them, and make of it the best thing they can. 80 THE GROTON POST-OFFICE. Moses Gill, who kept a tavern for so many years at Groton, and was so widely known as a landlord, died in South Boston, on May 23, 1887, at the residence of his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Charles Henry Gill. He was born at Princeton, on March 6, 1800, and a kinsman of Lieutenant-Governor Gill. Barney (or Barna) Pike, who drove a stage-coach to Keene, New Hampshire, died probably near the end of the year 1829. General Thomas Adams Staples, as administrator of his estate, has an advertisement in the " Groton Herald," January 16, 1830. John Carleton, a driver on the same line, died at Groton, on August 24, 1 841. THE GROTON POST-OFFICE. When I wrote the article on " The Groton Post-Office," which appeared in No. VII. of the preceding volume, I said that " Few towns in the Commonwealth can present such an array of distinguished men among their postmasters as that of Groton, including, as it does, the names of Judge Dana, Judge Richardson, Mr. Butler, and Governor Boutwell." At that time I did not know that one of Judge Richardson's assistants was afterward Postmaster-General of the United States, but such is the fact. The Honorable Amos Ken dall studied law in his office, and subsequently became Post master-General under Presidents Jackson and Van Buren, 1835-1840. In Mr. Kendall's "Autobiography" (Boston, 1872), edited by his son-in-law, William Stickney, it is said : — During the residue of the year 1813 Mr. Kendall's studies [at Groton] were much interrupted by the business of the office, which devolved on him as the oldest student. He had charge of the post-office ; received, made up, and despatched the mails, delivered the letters and papers, and made out the accounts. He was fre quently sent on business to the neighboring towns, and employed in collecting office dues. (Page 78.) REV. JOSHUA HUNTINGTON. 8 1 A long list of post roads in New England, established by an Act of Congress, is printed in the " Independent Chroni cle " (Boston), November 19, 1810; and among them is one " From Concord, by Littleton, Groton and Townsend, to Ashby." REV. JOSHUA HUNTINGTON. OBITUARY. Died, on his return from a journey for the restoration of his health, at the house of the Rev. Dr. Chaplin in Groton, on the morning of Saturday, Sept. n, after an illness of a few days, the Rev. Joshua Huntington, pastor of the Old South Church, Bos ton, in the 34th year of his age, and 12th of his ministry. The body was removed the same day from Groton to his late dwell ing house, whence it was entombed on Monday with every mark of deep and unaffected sorrow. The Rev. Mr. Dwight preached the Funeral Sermon. A further notice of this excellent man may be expected hereafter. "The Panoplist, and Missionary Herald" (page 480) for October, 1819. A biographical sketch of Mr. Huntington appears in " The Panoplist, and Missionary Herald" (pages 529-535) for De cember, 1820, from which I gather most of the following facts. Born at Norwich, Connecticut, on January 31, 1786, he graduated at Yale College in the class of 1804, and was ordained as colleague pastor with the Reverend Joseph Eck- ley, D.D., on May 18, 1808. He was a man of delicate consti tution ; and several times, on account of his health, he had been obliged to give up ministerial work for a season ; but usually a short trip restored him to his customary condition. It was after one of these attacks in the spring and summer of 1819, that he left home, July 19, on a journey to Saratoga Springs, Niagara Falls, Montreal and Quebec. He visited all these places, and, while on his return, he was seized so vio lently with a fever that he was obliged, on August 26, to leave 82 REV. JOSHUA HUNTINGTON. the stage-coach at Groton, where he was kindly received by the Reverend Dr. Chaplin and his family. Here he lan guished for sixteen days, when he sunk to his final rest on Saturday, September n, between the hours of 12 and 1 o'clock in the morning. I need not say that he received every attention and alleviation, in the power of Christian be nevolence and medical skill to afford. His wife, a brother, and several members of his church, including Lieutenant- Governor William Phillips, were with him during the latter part of his illness. I am informed by Mrs. Sarah (Chaplin) Rockwood, of Cortland, Cortland County, New York, who is the youngest daughter of the late Reverend Dr. Chaplin, and now in the one hundred and third year of her age, that Dr. Amos Ban croft was the physician in attendance on Mr. Huntington. She remembers distinctly Mr. Huntington's illness and the circumstances of his death. The following account of the funeral is taken from the "Columbian Centinel" (Boston), September 15, 1819: — Funeral of the Rev. Mr. Huntington. We suspended the press on Saturday [September n] to an nounce the unexpected and lamented demise, at Groton, on that morning, of the Rev. JOSHUA HUNTINGTON, Pastor of the Old South Church in this town, in the 34th year of his age, and 12th of his ministry. His remains were brought to town on Sat urday, and entombed on Monday [September 13] by his Society, with every mark of respect and affection. The corpse was carried by sextons from the late mansion of the deceased to the meeting house, preceded by the Committee of Arrangements, and followed by the Relatives, a large number of the Clergy of all denomina tions, and Members of the Church; and placed on a bier in the broad aisle. The solemnities commenced with a funeral anthem from a very numerous choir ; the first prayer was by the Rev. Dr. Porter, Professor of Sacred Rhetoric at Andover ; the sermon by the Rev. Sereno E. Dwight, and the concluding prayer by the Rev. Mr. Lowell, of this town. Two hymns were also sung by the choir. REV. JOSHUA HUNTINGTON. 83 A procession was then formed in the following order . — Committee of the Society. Chairman. Superintendant and Undertakers. Rev. Mr. Lowell. >I Rev. Professor Porter. Q O Rev. Dr. Harris. W Rev. Dr. Morse. WOh Rev. Dr. Porter. c_ Rev. Dr. Freeman. Relatives. Deacons of the Society. Male members of the Church. Female members. Marshals. Male Members of the Congregation. Female members. Reverend Clergy. Associates, and Citizens. Carriages. Upwards of two hundred females and males walked in the pro cession, which was followed by sixteen carriages. The meeting-house was crowded to excess, and was shrouded in black. The principal part of the numerous Church of the Society was in deep mourning; and the whole Society wore suitable badges of respect. We learnt from the sermon, that the amiable widow of the deceased, his brother, and several members of the Church, were present at his decease in Groton ; and that he met his dissolution, and separation from friends so dear, with the firmness of a Man and the resignation of a Christian. His widow, Mrs. Susan Huntington, survived him but a few years, as she died on December 4, 1823. Her Memoirs, prepared by the Reverend Benjamin B. Wisner, pastor of the Old South Church in Boston, were subsequently published, and passed through several editions not only in this country but in Great Britain. Her printed letters tell how she set out from Boston, on Thursday morning, September 2, in a chaise, accompanied by a friend, to join her husband at Groton, and they also give other particulars of his illness. 84 TWO LOST PONDS. TWO LOST PONDS. In the Groton town-records, as early as the year 1670, and in the proprietors' records, occasional reference is made to Way Pond, a name which has now passed entirely out of the public memory. At one time I thought it to be the same as Long Pond, but in this I was doubtless mistaken. It probably lay thirty or forty rods south of the road to the Ridges, a little less than two and a half miles from the First Parish Meeting-house. All that now remains of the pond is a mud hole, covering half an acre, more or less, through which a brook runs, crossing the Boston road near the house of Luther Gilson, — as given on Mr. Butler's Map of Groton, from a survey made in the years 1828 and 1829, — and emptying into Cow Pond. This little stream might well be called Way Pond Brook. Another small sheet of water, which has entirely disap peared, and is now forgotten by the present inhabitants of Groton, is Swan Pond. It lay north of the road from Groton to Forge Village, very near the Westford line, and is now represented by a piece of low land, out of which a brook runs into Forge Pond, in early times called Stony Brook Pond. This little stream was formerly known as Swan Brook, and is referred to in the record of James Knop's land-grant, made by John Morse, town-clerk, on January 3, 1669. See " The Early Records of Groton" (page 165). It is also mentioned by Captain James Parker, William Lakin and James Knop, in a report made by them April 25, 1682, on Jonas Prescott's land lying near his mill {ibid, pages 73, 74). Swan Pond is laid down on a manuscript plan of Sergeant John Parker's farm " on the South of Groaten Towne," which was made by Joseph Danforth, surveyor, in the year 1664. The writing is to be found among the Massachusetts Archives, in the first volume (page 31) of " Ancient Plans Grants &c." The pond undoubtedly took its name from the swan {cygnus ferus), which formerly, at particular seasons, frequented this neighborhood. Thomas Morton, in his " New English Ca naan" (Amsterdam, 1637), writes: — A MISTAKE CORRECTED. 85 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, greate store at the seasons of the yeare. (Page 67.) Akin to this subject, there were two brooks omitted in "The Geography of Groton," which appeared in the preceding volume of this Historical Series (No. XV. pages 11-13); namely, — Gift Brook — in the north part of the town, rises in Gift Meadow, crosses Chicopee Row near James Bennett's house — as laid down on Mr. Butler's Map — and empties into Unquetenassett Brook. Nod Brook — rises near the Soapstone Quarry, crosses the Nod road and runs into the Nashua River. A Mistake Corrected. — Mr. Butler, in his History of Groton (page 449), prints a list of illegitimate births that have occurred in the town before the year 1782, giving the names both of the mothers and the children. It is not claimed that the list is complete, but in one case at least it is incorrect and by implication unjust to the memory of a worthy family. It is there stated that Eleazer, son of Phebe Lawrence, was born " 24d. 12m. 1675 " ; and this is the only instance where the date is given without mentioning specifically the name of the month. The birth does not appear at all in the Groton records, but in the Middlesex County records at East Cambridge it does appear that " Eleazer son of Phebe Laurance [was] born 24. 12. 75." The entry is made with three others, where in each case the name of the father is given, but not that of the mother. The omission to give the father's name was doubtless due to the fact, that Thomas Danforth, Recorder at Cambridge, read the return made at the time by James Fisk, Clerk of the Writs, as Phebe in stead of Peleg, which was the father's name ; and from this fact the confusion has arisen. Mr. Butler probably thought that Phebe was not married, and so 'placed her among the unfortunate women in the list. There is no other record to show that there was a Phebe Lawrence in Groton at that period. Now to the main support of my theory : Eleazer, the third child of Peleg and Elizabeth (Morse) Lawrence, was born on February 28, 86 AN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 1674-5, as appears by another entry in the records made a few years later, which is only four days after the time assigned in the list. Without doubt the two Eleazers were one and the same person. See the Groton Historical Series, Vol. I., No. XIII. (pages 9, 10). S. A. G. Parker. — William Parker, of Groton, married first, on March 30, 1736, Susanna Kemp; and secondly, on January 9, 1755, Mrs. Sarah (Boynton) Richardson, of Pepperell, born in the year 1721. She was the eldest child of Nathaniel and Hannah (Perham) Boyn ton, of Westford, and the widow of Abiel Richardson, a native of Billerica. By the second marriage there were three children, namely : Susanna, who married Samuel Lawrence, of Groton ; Ruth, who married Samuel Taylor, of Dunstable ; and Elizabeth, who married [Simon ?] Rogers, of Concord. If Elizabeth's husband was Simon, she died on October 2, 1794. Widow Sarah (Boynton | Richardson) Parker, after the death of her second husband on February 1, 1761, married thirdly, on July 23, 1767, David Taylor, of Concord. See Volume I. of the Groton Historical Series, No. X. (page 28) ; also No. XIII. (pages 31, 33). S. A. G. "The New-England Historical and Genealogical Register" (XLII. 104) for January, 1888. AN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The following communication in the " Lowell Weekly Jour nal and Courier," January 17, 185 1, may have indirectly prompted the formation of the Groton Farmers' and Me chanics' Club, which was established in the year 1855. For the Journal and Courier. AN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY AT GROTON. It has long been a matter of surprise to us that a town so promi nent as Groton should not have some society for the advancement of agriculture. There is at present scarcely a town of any importance in the Commonwealth, where is not some society, which holds its GROTON PUBLIC LIBRARY. 87 meetings at regular intervals, — the object of which is to promote the agricultural and mechanics arts. Inasmuch as there is but little water-power in Groton, it is quite certain that it never can be a manufacturing town ; and it is equally certain that it is dependent upon improvements in agriculture, as well as the industry of its inhabitants, for its increase of wealth and population. Tilling the land is the principal occupation of the in habitants, and the soil is highly favorable to this branch of indus try. There are within the limits of the town some of the best farms in Middlesex county, and more than that, some of the best farmers. They would compare well with those of any town in the state, still there is room for improvement. Now, if there existed some society, which should meet at stated intervals, and perhaps have an annual cattle-show, in our humble opinion the interests of the farmer would be greatly advanced. By a meeting like this, much mutual assistance might be rendered, — each one relating his success, whether good or bad, and leaving the others to profit by his experience. In this way, one might derive a large fund of practical information, which is much better than twice the amount of theoretical speculation. " An ounce of prac tice is worth a pound of theory." Groton — a town honored by the residence of our governor — should not be behind other agri cultural towns throughout the state. The town would be materially increased by any improvements in any occupation, so closely con nected with a large portion of its worthiest inhabitants. Perhaps it would be better yet, that the society should not be confined to one town, but should embrace several. If this com munication should cause any one to think over the matter seriously, our object will be attained. Farmer. Groton, Jan. 15. GROTON PUBLIC LIBRARY. Augustus Kimball Fletcher, a former resident of Groton, died at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, on January 11, 1887, be queathing $1000 to each of the towns of Groton, Westford and Littleton for the benefit of the public libraries, respectively, in those places. The will was not properly executed and was accordingly declared void, but his widow, Mrs. Mary F. 88 THE STONE FAMILY. Fletcher, has since generously paid these sums out of her own share in the estate. He was a son of Asa and Mary (Priest) Fletcher, of Westford, where he was born on October 12, 1834. The town of Groton received the bequest on July 21, 1887. See the preceding volume of this Historical Series, No. IX. (page 16), for an account of the Public Library. DR. JACOB WILLIAMS. A History of Gilmanton, New Hampshire, by Daniel Lan caster, was published in the year 1845 ; and among the sketches of the physicians is the following: — Dr. Jacob Williams, a native of Groton, Ms., came to Gilman ton Iron Works about the year 1816, and was married in June, 1822, to Irene Locke of Epsom. In 1828, he returned to his native town, where he was in practice for a time, but is now established in Kensington, N. H. (Page 231.) Dr. Williams was a son of Jacob and Hannah (Sheple) Williams, and born on July 16, 1789. Jacob was the son of Jason, and born on August 28, 1755, and died on May 2, 1829 ; his wife, Hannah, was born on August 26, 1761, and died on November 25, 1826. Dr. Williams was married in the year 1832, secondly, to Betsey Wakefield, of Kennebunk, Maine. While practising in Groton he lived on what is now known as Hollis Street, and the site of his house is given on Mr. Butler's Map. He died at Kensington, New Hampshire, and his remains were brought to Groton for burial. THE STONE FAMILY. Before the year 1800 several families by the name of Stone were living at Westminster, Massachusetts, who went from Groton. See the account of the Centennial Celebration of the settlement of that town, on October 6, 1859. (Page 52.) OLD GROTON. 89 The following letter, written by William Clark, of London, was printed in the " Boston Daily Advertiser," July 20, 1885. It is of sufficient interest to Grotonians, to appear in this Historical Series : — OLD GROTON. THE ANCESTRAL HOME OF GOV. JOHN WINTHROP. The Hedgerows of Old England on the Fourth — The Old Win throp Church — Sudbury and Newton — Bury St. Edmunds. [From our London Correspondent.^ London, July 8. — Independence Day was thoroughly American in the brightness of the sky and the heat of the sun's rays ; and the green pastures and still waters of the country seemed, to two persons at any rate, preferable even to Mr. Cyrus Field's sumptuous banquet at the Buckingham Palace Hotel. In company with a Boston friend, I found myself on the morning of the " glorious Fourth " at the old town of Bury St. Edmunds, in the county of Suffolk, dear to all readers of Carlyle's " Past and Present." Hav ing duly secured our apartments at the solid and substantial Angel Hotel, opposite the grand old gateway of the ruined abbey, we de termined to make a pious pilgrimage to the little village of Groton, the ancestral home of Governor John Winthrop. What more suitable way of spending in England the Fourth of July ? But how to get there ? The great Eastern Railway, which monopolizes this part of England, does not touch this little out of the way village which lies in its quiet seclusion among the country roads and winding lanes of pleasant old Suffolk. After consultation of guide book and the county directory, we discovered that the nearest railway station was Sudbury, from which a drive of seven or eight miles would bring us to old Groton. To Sudbury accordingly we journeyed ; an old town, with two or three fine old churches, pleasantly situated among green meadows, through which flows a little winding stream. Sudbury was at one time a parliamentary borough, but its inhabitants, 90 OLD GROTON. sad to say, were much given to political corruption, and, after some very unsavory disclosures, its political career as a separate constituency was ended ; since which, up to the present time, the bulk of its inhabitants have been without the pale of the suffrage. Let us hope that under the new reform bill Sudbury will mend its ways. Many of its population of some 8000 are engaged in the manufacture of matting, while the rest keep shops or till the neigh boring fields. A suitable conveyance was procured at one of the numerous inns of the town, and we were soon spinning rapidly along the country roads. Past, high banks with thick, luxuriant hedges, and variegated with clumps of sweetbriar, whose fragrance filled the summer air. Past old cottages, with honeysuckles twin ing round the door, and little gardens gay with marigold and hearts ease, and with such delicious roses in rich abundance ; geraniums at nearly every cottage window, and sometimes pretty little yellow flowers growing from the thatched roof. Past fields of waving corn, made bright here and there by thick patches of scarlet pop pies, dear to the artistic spirit though frowned upon by the bucolic mind. Here we pass a spacious country house, with a large lawn in front, on which, under the fine old elm and lime trees, are girls playing tennis or swung in a hammock, reading, it may be, a novel of Mr. Howells's. There, again, is an old house with the date of 1655 printed legibly on its walls. There it has stood in quiet, sur rounded by stately old trees since the time of Cromwell. On a sign post we see the words : " Sudbury, Newton," indicating the respec tive directions of these two places. " How strange it seems," says my friend ; " we might be in Massachusetts." But the scenery is more like the western than the eastern part of Massachusetts, albeit less rugged and bearing signs of a rich, ancient civilization, that has stretched back for centuries. We pass through Boxford, an old village through which Winthrop and his ancestors must have paced many a time. A fine old church stands in a kind of square, and then comes the chief village street, mostly of old and humble houses, though one large red brick structure with stone dressings reminds us of the aesthetic revival of our own time. We soon reach ' Groton, the first visible sign of it being an old village inn, the " Fox and Hounds," round which we pass to the churchyard. Here is a little green in front of the gate, with rich lime trees, now in blossom, waving their branches over head. Beside the gate of the churchyard is a low roofed, comfortable old house, the garden rich with roses, the open windows showing large old rooms, OLD GROTON. 91 giving a certain indefinable sense of comfort and ease. A lady sits sewing in a garden chair. It is a scene of perfect peace. Most of the graves in the churchyard have no stone ; only a low green mound marks the resting place of the nameless, lowly dead. In other cases the stone is covered with brown lichens or is de faced or rendered nearly illegible by age. But many comparatively new stones prevent the place from presenting the antique appear ance of Stoke Pogis, for instance, or other churchyards famous in English history. On the south side of the church, by the outside wall, where the nave adjoins the chancel, is a stone monument commemorative of Adam Winthrop, the first of the name, who was lord of the manor of Groton, with the Winthrop arms carved thereon. But we cannot leave without seeing the inside, so we go in search of the sexton, led to his house by a pretty little girl with rosy cheeks and dark eyes. The sexton turns out to be a bright, pleasant man, proud of the connection of his little village with the New England across the Atlantic and an admirer of the old church. He remembered two visits which Mr. Robert C. Winthrop had paid to Groton, and how he and the rector had held much converse to gether. "If you come through my garden," said he, "you can walk to the old mulberry tree which dates from Winthrop's time ; then you can see Groton place, the house where the present lord of the manor lives, and then we will go to the church." The old mulberry tree, standing in a large green field, was soon found; and we lay down on the green turf by its old gnarled trunk, — picturing to our selves the old Puritan hero, in his quaint costume, wrestling with himself on this very spot, — and traversing in thought the inter mediate years with all their wonderful history and thinking of the great busy city, the New England capital, in which stands Win throp's statue to-day. Here was the very seed ground from which had sprung the mighty tree. The house in which Winthrop lived no longer stands, but the great depressions in the ground near the mulberry tree show where its foundations formerly rested. We passed through an old farmyard, which has put on the garment of the weekly Sabbath peace, the carts and wagons all drawn up, the week's work done, and come out on the road in front of Groton place — a beautiful English country house, covered all over with climbing white roses, and from the open windows of which came the sound of a piano. We walked back to the sexton's house, and with him entered the church. It is a simple edifice, with an oak roof, somewhat more lofty than the average of English churches, 92 OLD GROTON. and side aisles. There is no sign of ritualism, nothing to indicate the revival of that high Anglicanism against which John Winthrop strove. At the east end is the beautiful window erected by Mr. Winthrop to the memory of his great ancestor, with two scenes, one from the story of Moses, the other from that of St. Paul, happy blending of law and gospel. The inscription states that the win dow commemorates John Winthrop, first governor of Massachu setts and founder of the city of Boston. Another and smaller window, with two beautiful female figures, on the south side of the .chancel, is erected in memory of the first and second wives of Win throp, who died in successive years — the second in the same year as the death of Shakspere. We left this quiet spot, so dear to all interested in American history, and drove back to Sudbury, through the fields and meadows bathed in light, by the trees in whose branches birds were singing their evening carols, through the summer air laden with the scent of the newmown hay and the perfumes of flowers, and found at the station numbers of excursion ists who were actually waiting for the train to whirl them away from all this wealth of beauty, this quiet repose, to the noise and dirt of London ! We were almost glad to forget that such a mon strosity as the great capital existed ; and, after a short journey, to stroll to our hotel through the quiet streets and by the old houses and ancient churches of Bury St. Edmunds. On the following day, Sunday, after hearing the lesson of the day on the edifying subject of the slaughter of the Amalekites, read by one of the clergy who seemed to take special delight in dwelling with emphasis on every detail of this massacre (although probably a man who would not have wantonly injured a fly), and after hearing a jejune sermon, read in schoolboy fashion by a curate, we thought that some stronger spiritual nutriment than organized present day religion in old Bury could afford us, was needful. So we repaired to the beautiful grounds of the old ruined abbey, and there read Carlyle's intensely dramatic account of brave and just St. Edmund and of the spendthrift Abbot Hugo and of the good Abbot Samson. Near by was one of the great columns of the old abbey church (the name of which was as long as that of St. Paul's Cathedral), close by which had stood the altar of St. Edmund, on which in November, 12 14, Stephen Langton and the barons of England had sworn to demand the charter of their country's freedom. How inextricably inter twined are the roots of English liberty and of the American republic ! C. GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1888. Historical Series, Vol. IL, No. IV. THE EARLIEST NEWSPAPER PRINTED IN GROTON. The Groton Herald, " Devoted to News, Literature, Moral ity, Agriculture, Politics, Arts, Sciences, &c. &c. — James F. Rogers, Editor," was first issued on December 5, 1829, and appeared regularly every Saturday thereafter until September 4, 1830, when it was merged in " The Lowell Weekly Journal." It was published by Stacy and Rogers, and the first number contained the following advertisement : — NEW PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT. STACY & ROGERS, WOULD respectfully inform the inhabitants of Groton and its vicinity, that they have established a new Printing Office in this town and are ready to receive orders for printing, in all its va rious branches. They have furnished their Office with entirely new type, of the most recent cast, suitable for the execution of BOOKS,PAMPHLETS, CATALOGUES, BLANKS, CIRCULARS, SERMONS,POSTING BILLS, SHOP BILLS, BANK CHECKS, CARDS, &c. &c. S. & R. having obtained a good assortment of type, feel assured that they can give satisfaction to all who may favor them with their custom, gal* Orders from a distance will meet with prompt attention. Dec. 5. The Herald was printed " next door to the Post Office," at that time in the north end of the building since known as Gerrish's Block, but which was moved away in July, 1885. 94 THE EARLIEST NEWSPAPER PRINTED IN GROTON. It was a creditable newspaper, and will bear a favorable com parison with the journals of that period. Between December 12, 1829, and July 3, 1830, it contained thirteen chapters of a history of the town, of which Mr. Butler wrote the first eleven, and Mr. Lemuel Shattuck the other two chapters. On June 5 , just six months after the paper was started, Mr. Rogers's name is dropped as editor, though he still kept up his con nection with it, as one of the publishers. In the number for August 21, appears a story entitled " Henry St. Clair," by J. G. Whittier, which is probably one of the earliest literary pro ductions of the Quaker poet. The subscription price was two dollars a year in advance. The "Lancaster Gazette," December 8, 1829, noticed the new journal as follows: — Groton Herald. We received on Saturday last the first num ber of a new paper, printed in Groton, on a fair sheet. It is to be independent in its politicks. All such papers, well conducted, de serve encouragement. We extend to the editors our professional sympathies, and can only wish that the harvest may be abundant for all the labourers. Messrs. Stacy and Rogers were the pioneer printers and publishers in Groton, and as such deserve a passing notice. The senior member of the firm was George Whittemore Stacy, born in Boston, on March 13, 1809, who is still living, hale and hearty, in the town of Milford, Massachusetts. He learned his trade as a printer of Dutton and Wentworth, who conducted a large establishment in Boston. While a resident of this town he was married, on January 18, 1830, to Sarah, daughter of John and Rebecca (Weston) Boit, of Groton ; and here two of their three children were born. She died at Mendon, Mas sachusetts, on May 25, 1834, aged 25 years and 27 days, leaving an infant two or three weeks old. He was married, secondly, on October 16, 1834, to Sarah, daughter of Wing and Mary (Gaskill) Kelley, of Milford, who died on October 14, 1887; and they have been blessed with a large family of children. After leaving Groton Mr. Stacy resided first at Milford, and later at Mendon. Soon afterward he studied for the ministry, and was ordained, on May 4, 1836, at Carlisle, where he was THE EARLIEST NEWSPAPER PRINTED IN GROTON. 95 settled for five years over a Unitarian Society. Subsequently he was minister, for short terms, of liberal societies in Boylston and Gardner. He was an early abolitionist, and has always been an outspoken advocate of temperance and other reforms. With decided views on public matters, he never fails to express them on proper occasions. The junior member of the firm was James Ferguson Rogers, a son of Silas and Rebecca (Ferguson) Rogers, and born at Newburyport on June 6, 18 10. He learned his trade as printer of Ephraim Allen, publisher of " The Newburyport Herald." He was a clever writer, and the editor of the newspaper. He had a decided taste for poetry, and wrote some good verses. His customary signature was " Cleo," though sometimes he used the initials "J. F. R." or "R." alone. After leaving Groton in the autumn of 1830, he worked at his trade. Dur ing this period he was a frequent contributor to the press ; and many of his poetical effusions were printed in the New York Mirror, Philadelphia Album, Philadelphia Gazette, La dies' Magazine, American Monthly Magazine, Literary Mag azine, Essayist and other periodicals. While on his way home to Newburyport he died of cholera in New York on July 5, 1832, after an illness of only a few hours. The "Columbian Centinel," July 9, 1832, under "Deaths" has the following notice of him : — In New York, 5th inst. of the cholera morbus [cholera?], Mr. James Ferguson Rogers, printer, in the 2 2d year of his age. Mr. R. was a native of Newburyport, Mass. and was distinguished for his superior literary attainments, which, together with his unassuming deportment and gentlemanly manners, drew around him a large circle of friends, who deeply lament his sudden and untimely death. It may afford some consolation to know that every attention was paid to him during his short but painful illness. Within a few weeks, through the kindness of Mrs. Rebecca Helen Noble, of Haverhill, a younger sister of Mr. Rogers, I have been enabled to examine a journal kept by him during a short time. It is evident from the entries that he was a keen observer of things, and from the style a writer of considerable merit. If he had lived a few years longer, he would have won 96 THE EARLIEST NEWSPAPER PRINTED IN GROTON. a reputation either as a journalist or a man of letters. The first entry in the diary was made on March 28, 183 1, and the last one on November 14 of the following autumn. It begins thus : — March 28, 1831. The reasons why and wherefore I have con cluded to keep this journal, are simply these : — I consider myself to be a wandering and unsettled being whose life will be made up of events which happen by chance and accident and by keeping an account of the every-day occurrences of my life, I shall be able to judge at any time whether the balance of virtue or vice be on my side. As the established merchant keeps an account of every little transaction in business, so should the "citizen of the world" make his entries of incident, upon the same principle. Knowledge is com modity — and this is what we are daily receiving. Another reason why a journal will be of great utility, is that many things that would otherwise be forgotten will herein be preserved ; — it will be a por trait of the inner man — the d*ay-book of the heart, and a guide by which we can shape our future course more correctly by observing the defects in that road we have just travelled over. In sketching the period of his life passed at Groton, he writes : — The winter of 1829 found me the Editor of a paper in the town of Groton in Massachusetts. Here, although a mere boy, I placed myself in a responsible situation. But I was cheered on by the success of my writings, and, so far as I have knowledge, gave gen eral satisfaction to my readers. Involved in all the difficulties which attend the life of an editor, I pressed forward and got through won derfully. Here I was obliged alternately to be poet, politician, novelist, and everything else that is required in a country paper. Wrote verses for the ladies — praised the crops for the farmers — looked grave with the parson and cunning with the lawyer ; and in fact did everything which a country editor is always obliged to do, even unto folding and carrying papers, sticking type and working at press, and in short becoming a perfect Caleb Quotum in real life. Before the first year had elapsed, the income of the concern being small, and not relishing the manner of the majority of the people, I resolved to relinquish the publication and try my fortune elsewhere. — Accordingly I disposed of the establishment, and again took up my THE EARLIEST NEWSPAPER PRINTED IN GROTON. 97 residence in Boston. But it was not without some gloomy feelings that I left Groton. It is a beautiful spot, and I have left there many warm friends, and a great many cold and indifferent acquaintances. But I am convinced that a person who is born and bred in cities, can never gain popularity among the great body of our country people. There is a difference in the comprehension of things which can be accounted for* only by the limited knowledge of country people and the extensive advantages of those who reside in cities. Here in this place also I was engaged in a small love affair ; but as it did not amount to much it is best to say not much about it. I will just remark, however, that Sarah B proved herself to be a coquette — that I proved myself to be a warm-hearted fool who can love anything upon earth that appears to love me — and it is better the flame, or rather the smoke, was so soon extinguished. About this time a prospect of business called me south ; but when at my journey's end I was disappointed in my plans and I was obliged to journey back again. In the city of New York I was taken sick, but I pushed forward for Boston where I was under the care of a physician two or three months. From the time I resigned my editorship at Groton, I have been a constant contributor to several literary works, and have studied incessantly besides attending to daily business ; for a man, espe cially a novice, must do something more than spin out his brain, in order to get his bread. The following entry in the diary was written presumably at Philadelphia. The name of the article would indicate to a native of the town that the scene of the story was laid at Groton, as it was. Tuesday, May 10 [1831], wrote the "Legend of Gibbet Hill" for the Philadelphia Album. Drew some characters from real life, two young ladies, who were once particular friends of mine. True portraits — expect to get into a scrape — can't help it, I have always been wanting to say something. These extracts from the journal show something of the writer's character. Rogers had a good deal of poetic ardor, and some of his printed verses are full of animation. He held a ready pen, and saw the humorous side of things. See the first volume of this Historical Series, No. V. page 11, for an article on "Groton Newspapers." 98 FREDERICK A. ELDREDGE. DR. JOSHUA GREEN. Dr. Joshua Green, of Groton, Mass., died Saturday night [June 5] at the residence of his son-in-law, Dr. Charles Y. Swan, in Morristown, N. J. Dr. Green was a native of Wendell, in Franklin county, where he was born October 8, 1797. He gradu ated at Harvard College in the class of 18 18, and studied medicine with Dr. John C. Warren of this city. He was appointed apothe cary at the Massachusetts general hospital in 182 1, the first year it was opened for the reception of patients. At that time the apothecary performed the duties of house-physician and house- surgeon. He has been a resident of Groton for about fifty years, although he long since retired from the active practice of his pro fession. He was the father of Dr. Samuel A. Green, city physician of Boston. "Boston Daily Advertiser," June 7, 1875. FREDERICK A. ELDREDGE, DUNSTABLE, N. H. The following communications will explain themselves. Mr. Wright, the author of the note to me, was born at South Canaan, Connecticut, on February 12, 1804, graduated at Yale College in the class of 1826, and died at Medford, on November 22, 1885. Mr. Dickson, the writer of the letter to Mr. Wright, was born at Groton, on August 8, 1809, graduated at Yale College in the class of 1832, and died at Quenemo, Osage County, Kansas, on July 5, 1882. The allusion in the letter is to Frederick Augustus El dredge, of Dunstable, New Hampshire, a member of Mr. Dickson's class, who, after the trouble at New Haven, en tered Dartmouth College, where he graduated in the cor responding class. He was a son of Dr. Micah and Sally (Buttrick) Eldredge, and born at Dunstable, Massachusetts, on March 25, 18 10. He was fitted for college at Groton Academy by Mr. Wright, at that time the head-master of the school, which will account for his interest in the matter. FREDERICK A. ELDREDGE. 99 After leaving New Haven Eldredge was engaged in teaching, and intended to enter the ministry. He died at Dunstable (now Nashua), New Hampshire, on January 13, 1836, less than four years after his graduation. It is needless to add that he belonged to an old New England family of excellent stock ; and the little tempest was caused by his swarthy com plexion. While at college Eldredge roomed with Dickson in Mrs. Mills's house. His father, Dr. Micah Eldredge, practised his profession for many years at Dunstable, living first on one side of the State line and then on the other. It may be noted here that the running of the Provincial boundary between Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the year 1741 nearly bisected the old town of Dunstable, and created two towns of the same, name, adjoining each other, one in each Province. This con dition of affairs' continued until January 1, 1837, when the New Hampshire township, by legislative enactment on De cember 8, 1836, put aside its old name and took that of Nashua. Dr. Eldredge was a representative from Dunstable to the Massachusetts Legislature in the years 1809 and 181 1 ; but, at the writing of the letter, he appears to have been living on the New Hampshire side of the line. He removed to Groton in the year 1826, where he remained for two years, living on what is now Hollis Street, in the house occupied by the Reverend John Todd when Mr. Butler's Map of the town was published. He left Groton early in 1828, and went to Dunstable (now Nashua) ; and he died on July 3, 1849, at Milford, New Hampshire. The honorary degree of M. D. was conferred upon him by Dartmouth College in 1841. Boston, Dec. 20, 1884. Dear Dr. Green, — As you are born Historian, you have a better right to Dickson's letter than I have, so I commit it unre servedly to your hands, to make such use of it as you see fit. Yours truly, Elizur Wright. West Springfield, July 17, 1832. Dear Wright, — I received your letter of inquiries respecting our friend Eldredge, while attending our Senior examination at IOO FREDERICK A. ELDREDGE. New Haven, last week ; and I will endeavour to answer your ques tions as far as I can recollect the circumstances. Though from the time that has elapsed since, and not having laid up the particulars for future use, I can give you only a general outline of the affair. The student's name was Grimke, of South Carolina, son of the celebrated lawyer Grimke. The tutor was Jones. What he said with regard to the complaint at the time I know not. Jones wrote, not to Eldredge's father, but to Mr. Nott, minister in Dunstable, N. Hampshire, where Dr. Eldredge lives. The object of his writing was (as I understood from Jones himself afterwards) not to satisfy himself (Jones), as to Eldredge's being a white man, but, he said, he thought if he could have a letter from some one in Eldredge's place, it would satisfy the scruples of the Hon. Southerner (who, by the way, had no more to brag of as to looks, than Eldredge). All I know of the feeling of the Faculty on the subject, is what I gathered from a conversation with Prof. Goodrich on the subject, when Eldredge took his dismission : the amount of which was that the Faculty thought Eldredge had been badly treated, — that they had done what they could, without making it worse, to remedy the evil, and that he (Goodrich) thought Eldredge had sufficient reason for leaving the College. On the part of the students, there was a good deal of feeling, both for and against Eldredge. Most of the Southerners joined with Grimke, while most of the rest of the class were indignant both at Grimke, and that Jones should take any notice of such a message, otherwise than to spurn it and reprimand the bearer. Eldredge was most shamefully treated after the affair broke out, which was the first or second term Freshman year, and was kept up till the end of Sophomore year, when Eldredge took a dismission. I never would have borne half that he did ; and it would have been much better for him to have left at the beginning, for it had so much effect upon him, that his last year there was little better than lost, as it regarded his studies. It got into the next class, as it was in ours, so that after Grimke and his gang were expelled in our rebellion, Eldredge had no more peace than before. Not unfre quently while about the college yard, he would be insulted by these gentlemen, so sensitive at the idea of negro blood, though I shrewdly suspect but few of them could be found without a spice of the Darkee in their veins. Nor was this all, his windows were broken two or three times Sophomore year, to say nothing of Freshman year. Finally, he left on account of the negro affair, started by CAMP STEVENS AT GROTON. IOI Grimke. It would be no more than fair to state that, probably, Jones would not have noticed the complaint, had it come from almost anyone besides Grimke. G. was a haughty, overbearing fellow, and despised by a great part of the class, though he had Jones completely by the nose, as was manifest even in the recitation room. Eldredge went to Dartmouth College, where he was doing well the last that I heard from him. I have not been in Groton since last fall. Brother Walter has left Groton. Mr. Todd has had a call to go to Salem, Mass. Whether he will go or not, I am un able to say. I made out to stick by old Yale, till I had my name read off in Latin. I shall make them one more visit to get my A. B. ; and, if I do not have too much to do, between this time and that, perhaps I may show them how Massachusetts boys can write Disputes. I have been teaching school in this place about three months. They wish very much to have me continue here, but I shall not, unless they raise their price a good deal. You know that chaps in my circumstances are looking out for money. Have you got a good school for me in Ohio ? Yours, &c, C. Dickson. [Addressed] Prof. Elizur Wright, Hudson, Portage County, Ohio. CAMP STEVENS AT GROTON. During the War of the Rebellion, in the autumn of 1862, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts established a military camp at Groton, on the triangular piece of land situated in the southwesterly part of the town, and bounded by the Peterborough and Shirley Railroad, the Nashua River and the road to Shirley Village. It contained eighteen or twenty acres, more or less, and at that time belonged to Joseph Cutts ; the entrance was near the angle made by the railroad and the highway. The Fifty-third Regiment of Infantry, Massa chusetts Volunteer Militia, while its ranks were recruiting, was encamped on this ground. The regiment was raised from 102 CAMP STEVENS AT GROTON. Groton, and Clinton, Leominster, Fitchburg and other towns in the neighborhood belonging to Worcester County, and was mustered into the public service for nine months. Special Order, No. 916, issued by the Adjutant-General of the Commonwealth, September 19, 1862, contains the following : — A camp of rendezvous is established at Groton Junction, Mid dlesex Co., where barracks are being built, which is designated Camp Stevens. Capt. W. C. Sawyer, 23d Regt. Mass. Vols., is appointed Commandant. Due notice will be given when the bar racks are ready for use. Special Order, No. 955, under the date of September 23, has the following : — Lindsey Tilden [Charles Linzee Tilden], 20th Regt. Mass. Vols., is detailed for Post Adjutant at Camp Stevens, Groton. The camp was so named in memory of General Isaac Ingalls Stevens, a native of Andover and a graduate of West Point, who was killed in the battle of Chantilly, Virginia, on September 6, 1862, only a fortnight before the camp was established. The Commandant was Wesley Caleb Sawyer, born in the adjoining town of Harvard, on August 26, 1839, wn0 gradu ated at Harvard College in the class of 1861. Soon after leaving Cambridge he was commissioned, on October 8, 1861, as a Captain in the Twenty-third Massachusetts Volunteers, and he left the State with that regiment. He was attached to the Burnside expedition, that went to North Carolina ; in the Battle of Newbern, March 14, 1862, he was severely wounded, which resulted in the amputation of his left thigh, and neces sarily prevented him from further participation in an active campaign. The regiment left Camp Stevens, on Saturday, November 29, for New York, where it remained until January 17, 1863, at which time it embarked for New Orleans. Subsequently to the departure of the troops from Groton, the following order was issued : — CAMP STEVENS AT GROTON. 103 Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Head Quarters, Boston, Dec. 20, 1862. Special Order. No. 13 n. The troops which were enlisted and mustered into service at Camp Stevens, Groton Junction, having left the Commonwealth for the seat of war, Capt. Wesley C. Sawyer, Commandant of the Camp, is relieved from further service, and I am directed by His Excellency the Commander in Chief, to thank Capt. Sawyer for the acceptable manner in which he has performed the duties of his post. By order of the Commander in Chief, William Schouler, Adjt. General. Since the war Captain Sawyer has studied at Gottingen, Germany, where he received the degree of Doctor of Philoso phy. He has held the professorship of Philosophy and Rhetoric at Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin, but is now connected, as a professor, with the Normal School at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The barracks and other structures used by the soldiers at Camp Stevens have long since disappeared, and not a trace of the former occupation is to be seen. Years ago some of the buildings were taken down, and the rest were removed, mostly to Ayer. George James Burns, Esq., a lawyer of that town, wrote an interesting article for " The Groton Land mark," June 25, 1887, which traces the history of many of these buildings. In the autumn of 1862, Dr. Edward Jarvis, of Dorchester, was appointed by Surgeon- General Dale to visit the various camps in the State, of which there were ten, and report on their sanitary condition. The result of his labors may be found in two communications printed in " The Boston Medi cal and Surgical Journal" for December 4 and 11, 1862 (LXVII. 364-367 and 381-384, respectively), wherein he makes some criticism on Camp Stevens. According to the " Record of Massachusetts Volunteers, 1861-1865 " (I. 390-392), the following soldiers died in camp at Groton : Henry A. Waters, of Shirley, Co. D, on October 25, 1862 ; Spencer Stockwell, of Athol, Co. E, November 20 ; and Daniel P. Hemenway, of Barre, Co. F, December 1. 104 JONAS LONGLEY PARKER. JONAS LONGLEY PARKER. On the morning of Thursday, March 27, 1845, the town of Manchester, New Hampshire, was thrown into the most in tense excitement by the announcement that Jonas Longley Parker, collector of taxes and a well-known citizen of that town, had been murdered during the previous evening, in a thick clump of pines, just east ofthe village. Robbery was, undoubt edly, the object ofthe atrocious crime, as Parker was wont to carry large sums of money about his person. It is known that the murderer took a pocket-book containing several thousand dollars from a side pocket in his coat, while he overlooked a wallet in his trousers with $1,635. Large rewards were at once offered for the criminal, both by the town and State authorities. Several persons were arrested at different times, on suspicion, but their guilt was not established. A full account of the affair is given in Potter's History of Man chester, New Hampshire (pages 619-624). Jonas L. Parker, the victim, was a native of Groton, and born in the house, near the Cow-Pond meadows, where Mrs. Susanna (Parker) Prescott was cruelly murdered during the night of November 11, 1885. His remains were brought to Groton for interment in the Parker tomb, on the north side of the old Burial Ground. The town-records contain the following entry : — Jonas Longley Parker, son of Jonas L. Parker and Elizabeth, his wife, born in Groton, Feb. 10th, 1810. Murdered and robbed at Manchester, N. H., at about V2 past nine o'clock in the evening of the 26th of March, 1845, aged 35 years. PEPPERELL FEVER. In the article on Pepperell Fever, which appeared in the preceding volume of this Historical Series, No. XVII. pages 16-20, I followed Dr. Samuel Emerson as an authority, and incorrectly stated that the dam, which caused the overflow, JONAS LONGLEY PARKER. 105 was built across the Nissitissett River. The Reverend Dr. Babbidge informs me that the overflowed swamp or meadow belonged to John Shattuck, and was situated near the house of Henry Jewett, a mile southwesterly from the village, — as given on Mr. Butler's Map of Groton, Pepperell and Shirley, at the end of his History. This piece of low land is a long distance from the Nissitissett, and has no close connection with its waters. The following letter will explain itself : — Pepperell, May 28, 1887. Dr. Samuel A. Green. My dear Sir, — I promised you to put a few facts on paper ; and I will now try to fulfil the promise. At my settlement in Pep perell, fifty-four years ago, the glory of Bunker Hill was also the glory of Pepperell. The 1 7th of June was the first and the last " great day of the Feast.'' It was celebrated annually in a manner that would have satisfied John Adams (perhaps it was Sam) who hoped that such an anniversary would be celebrated with bonfires, &c. (a cheap form of fireworks compared with the pyrotechnics of the present day). At that period, I found, among the subjects of my pastoral charge, at least eight or ten men who had borne arms and tested the fragrance of British gunpowder, at Bunker Hill. I have spent many an hour in friendly gossip with these worn-out veterans. Of such of their narratives as I remember, I will give you an ac count at some future day. I mention now a fact that may escape my memory when we meet. The Pepperell company during the fight was detailed to guard the Ferry, probably at the point where Charlestown bridge was afterward built — a post both of peril and importance. Other facts may be remembered hereafter. My Revolutionary acquaintances were known as Tom Seward, Moses Blood, Wright, Jedidiah Jewett, Kemp, and perhaps I may recall additional names. As- to the " Pepperell Fever," and your article concerning the same, it will be better to treat that subject and all similar ones viva voce, rather than calamo currente. I put these facts on paper, because you spoke of calling on me Monday, the 30th. As that is Decoration Day, I shall probably be away from home, and this note will stand as an Orderly at my tent door to give the reason. Very truly yours, Charles Babbidge. 106 CHANGE OF NAMES. CHANGE OF NAMES. In the year 1885, the Secretary of the Commonwealth published a volume entitled " List of Persons whose names have been changed in Massachusetts. 1 780-1 883." The book gives presumably all the changes that have been made in the names of individuals, either by legislative enactment or by decree of the Probate Courts, since the adoption of the State constitution. It is a work that, in many cases, will help the genealogical student to follow certain lines of inquiry, and to connect one branch of a family with another, where without such aid the investigation would be a confused tangle. The following is a list of the persons, who were living at Groton, Pepperell, Shirley, and Ayer, as taken from the vol ume. The figures within parentheses, at the end of each entry, indicate the pages "where the record is found. The asterisks, after the original names, beginning with Louisa Emeline Bixby, are intended to show that the change of name was made by reason of adoption. In the Groton list, near the top, four persons are mentioned from other places, who subsequently became well-known residents of the town ; their names are printed in Italics. GROTON. Date of Act. 1807, February 27 Mark Farley, of Leominster, student at law, son of Benjamin Farley of New Hampshire, to Benjamin Mark Farley (17). 181 1, February 26 William Bancroft, Jun., of Charlestown, to William Austin Bancroft (23). 1820, June 17 . . Asa Lawrence, 4th, to Asa Farnsworth Law rence (39). 1823, June 14 . . George Wells, a member of Harvard Univer sity, to George Wads-worth Wells (46). 1824, February 7 . Hervey Divol, of Winchendon, to Abel Hervey Wilder (47). 1825, June 18 . . John Park, to John Gray Park (50). 1827, March 10 . Ben Dix, to Benjamin Perkins Dix (54). 1827, March 10 . Calvin Dodge, to Ira Thayer (54). CHANGE OF NAMES. 107 Date of Act. 1835, April 8 . 1835, April 8 . 1835, April 8 . 1835, April 8 . 1836, April 16 . 1844, March 16 1844, March 16 1844, March 16 185 1, May 23 . Date of Decree. 1855, September 18 1861, May 28 . . 1864, September 27 1865, November 14 1866, March 13 1866, April 10 . . 1875, September 28 1876, June 13 . . 1882, November 14 Edward Woodcock, to Charles Edward Wes ton (78). David Woodcock, to David Brainard Weston (78). Washington Woodcock, to George Washington Weston (78). Edward Rogers and Edmund Rogers, minors, sons of Willard Rogers, to Edward Rogers Blood, and Edmund Rogers Blood (78). James Francis Smiley, minor, to James Tar bell (81). Sally Prescott, to Phidelia Prescott (105). Patrick Frederick Hewes, to William Frede rick Hewes (105). Barzillai Birdet Williams, to John Birdet Wil liams [colored] (105). Richard Potter, to Richard Bulkley Potter (132)- Original Name. Patrick Driscoll, Louisa Emeline Bixby,* Nellie Hoyt * Lottie Louisa Green,* Florence M. Mansur,* Laura Belle Arnold,* Jessie Anna Brooks, Nancy Jane Cook, John W. McKenney,* Name Decreed. Frederick Driscoll (143). Hattie Alsie Randall (159). Hattie Mills (168). Lottie Louisa Garfield (171). Nellie Florence Whittemore (175). Laura Belle Bartlett (175). Jessie Anna Spaulding (214). Nancy Jane May (218). William Stevens (249). PEPPERELL. Date of Act. 1819, June 19 . . Benjamin Walton, son of John Walton, to Benjamin Allen Walton (37). 1S19, June 19 . . Sumner Walton, son of John Walton, to James Sumner Walton (37). 1822, February 18 Amos Prescott, laborer, of Westford, now resi dent in Pepperell, to Amos Fletcher Pres cott (43). 1823, February 8 . William Parker, son of Jonas Parker, to William Gay Parker (45). 1823, February 8 . Elijah Bingham Wright, house-wright, to Wil liam Otis (45). io8 BRIDGE CARRIED AWAY. Date of Act. 1838, April 25 . 1839, April 9 . 1842, March 3 . Date of Decree. 1869, September 28 1870, June 14 . . 1880, May 18 . . 1881, March 22 Jackson Ames, to Asa Jackson Ames (86). Samuel Parker Shattuck, to Samuel Pepperell Shattuck (89). Dolly Ann Francina Butterfield, minor, to Francina Ann Bolles (98). Original Name. Name Decreed. Edward A. AUbright * Edward Augustus Walton (188). Georgianna Wilson,* Elma Florence Gilson (192). Bessie Maria Knowles,* Bessie Maria Lawrence (238). Eva Maud Williams,* Eva Maud Bolles (243). Date of Act. 182 1, February 14 1828, March n . 1833, March 27 . Date of Decree. 1863, May 26 . . 1870, April 26 SHIRLEY. Phineas James Whitney, son of Thomas Whit ney, Esq., to James Phineas Whitney (41). Sarah Hazen, to Sarah Hazen Parker (57). William Paige, ist, to William Weston Paige (7r)- Original Name. # Flora Ella Chapman,* Name Decreed. Clara Frances Woods (164). Flora Ella Bond (192). Date of Decree. 1875, September 7 AYER. Original Name. Ida Ella Wilson * Name Decreed. Clara Ella Page (214). BRIDGE CARRIED AWAY. ' Fitch's bridge over the Nashua river at Groton, was carried away by the freshet, a day or two since. "Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier," March 7, 1851. THE BAR AND THE CLERGY. 109 THE BAR AND THE CLERGY. Rooms of the Historical Society, Oct. 27, 1887. My dear Dr. Green, — I write down at your request the anecdote of Luther Lawrence which you heard me narrate some time ago. Luther Lawrence was an intimate friend of my father, who esteemed him very highly. I have seen him at my father's house in my early childhood ; and I remember often hearing my father speak of him, after his death, especially of his wisdom and hu manity in his provision for the well-being and moral character of the operatives, during the early days of the cotton manufacture at Lowell. The story is this : Mr. Lawrence, when a young lawyer, lived at Groton. He started one day to go to Boston in a chaise. Mr. Dana, better known as Judge Dana, then also a young lawyer, was his companion. They stopped late in the forenoon at Watertown to bait their horse and get some dinner. There was an ordination, I believe, perhaps a dedication, going on in the town, a great affair in those days. People had come from far and near. The green about the church was filled with carriages, and the church crowded. Dr. Channing was to preach the sermon. Mr. Lawrence observed to Mr. Dana that he would like to hear the sermon, but he supposed it would be impossible to get in. An old chap named Samson Woods, a well-known character of that period and a neighbor of the two lawyers, was in the bar-room. Said he, "You can come with me, I'll get you in." Woods started for the church, and the young men followed with some hesitation. When they came to the middle door, leading to the broad aisle, Woods marched boldly up. The door was guarded by two con stables, who crossed their staves to prevent his entrance. " You have seats reserved here for the clergy, I believe," said Samson. " Yes," hesitatingly replied one of the constables. Woods passed in, and Lawrence and Dana were following when the official staves were again interposed. Woods turned round, with great dignity, " You will admit my deacons, of course." " Yes," said the officer, still more reluctantly. Lawrence and his companion went in, but as they passed, he heard one of the constables say to the other, " There must be a hell of a church somewhere." Geo. F. Hoar. 110 THE IRISH FAMINE. THE IRISH FAMINE. A period of more than forty years has passed since the feelings of all Christendom were stirred to their very depths by the sad tales of hunger and distress that went up from Ireland ; and the heart of every community throbbed in sym pathy with the famished people. Elderly persons now re member the concerted action that was taken in Boston and its neighborhood to relieve the wants of the unfortunate na tion. To this end Congress gave the use of the "Jamestown," a sloop-of-war belonging to the United States Navy, which sailed from Boston, on its errand of mercy, March 28, 1847, freighted with flour, corn, meal, potatoes, fish, and other articles of food. Towns vied with each other to see which should do the most in the work of humanity. Special committees were formed in the various communities in order to canvass the inhabitants in aid of the common object. Within a few weeks, through the courtesy of Colonel Need ham, the Chairman, I have received a copy of the report made at the time by the Groton Committee, which is given below. It shows not only how thoroughly the members performed their duty, but also what the town did on that occasion. It is a remarkable fact that of the seven persons signing the report more than forty years ago, five are still alive, among whom the eldest is Mrs. Sarah (Capell) Gilson, now in the ninety-fifth year of her age. She is apparently as hale and hearty as she was when she acted with the Committee. Per haps such work is conducive to longevity. Samuel C. Wheeler and Mrs. Margaret (Brigham) Smith are the two no longer living. REPORT OF THE RELIEF COMMITTEE, 1847. The committee chosen, at a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Groton, to collect contributions for the relief of the starving poor of Ireland and Scotland, have attended to the duty assigned them, and beg leave to report : — That in as complete a manner as possible they have solicited THE IRISH FAMINE. Ill contributions in their own districts and neighbourhoods ; and in districts where individuals having sufficient interest in the object have been found, sub-committees have been appointed. Your committee are much indebted to the sub-committee for valuable service rendered them in their labours. They would especially call attention to the exertions of Miss M. A. Tarbell, Mrs. Peletiah Fletcher, Mr. Benj. Moors, and Miss A. Hutchins. The committee doubt not the above-named individuals have been amply compensated by the pleasing satisfaction of having laboured and accomplished something for suffering humanity. But they have considered it no more than just that their names should be thus made public, that they themselves should not be awarded more praise than is rightfully due. Few individuals have been called upon who have not generously and freely contributed something. The rich gave from their abun dance ; and the poor cast willingly their mite " upon the waters." The whole amount of money contributed . . $315-49. " " produce and clothing do. 111.00 Gross amount .... $4.26.49 Fifty dollars of this sum were given by St. Paul's Lodge. Your committee have made over four hundred calls. At some houses they have called two, three, and four times. They have expended about thirty minutes in each call, making in time that they have spent — reckoning ten hours as a day — twenty days. They have met with all kinds of objections and all manner of objectors. The most remarkable objection with which they met, and the only one they consider worthy of notice in this report, is that others, who " might have done more, have done so little." Such objectors have invariably refused to do anything. This seems to be a fragile excuse ; and faith cabled to so weak a tenure will hardly avail in that day when it shall be said, " I was hungry, and ye fed me not ; naked, and ye clothed me not." At a time like the present, when a whole nation lies perishing for the staff of life, — when thousands and hundreds of thousands are famishing with hunger, — the Christian and philanthropist should not enquire what others are doing, but from a heart which knows no country but the world and no countrymen but all mankind, give cheerfully to the extent of their ability. Giving, in this case, should be regarded as a privilege as well as 112 THE IRISH FAMINE. a duty ; and those who, from a pleasant experience, know how much better it is to give than to receive, will so regard it. Your committee can say, with the liveliest satisfaction, that the town has nobly done its duty; and that those who have given, have contributed cheerfully, freely, and bountifully. They would say to the donors, You will have your reward. The little starving children of a foreign land will rise up and call you blessed ; Heaven will smile upon you, and your highest satisfaction must ever be that by your timely aid multitudes will be saved from famine, pestilence, and death in its most hideous forms. You have well remembered that your " Neighbour is the suffering man, Tho' at the farthest pole." In closing this report your committee would refer to the generous- hearted ladies and gentlemen who volunteered their services in supporting and giving the concert which has afforded so general satisfaction. Let us not fear that we have done too much, or that too much will be done ; but, heeding the cry of the famishing, let our contri butions go out in ship-loads upon the broad ocean, triumphantly ride to the land of distress, poverty, and starvation, and rejoice the hearts of the perishing millions there. And it will return to us with interest, in sincere thanks from the grateful people who have beep saved and made comfortable by our comparatively trifling exertions. [Signed] Daniel Needham, S. C. Wheeler, G. W. Bancroft, Sarah L. Hall, Sarah Capell, Elmira Rice, Margaret Brigham, ? Committee. Groton, March i, 1847. Whereupon it was by the meeting Voted, That the thanks of the citizens of Groton are due to the committee of relief for their exertions in collecting contributions. WILLIAM BOYNTON WAIT. 113 WILLIAM BOYNTON WAIT. More than four years ago I received a letter from William Boynton Wait, Esq., Vice-President of the Merchants' Na tional Bank of Little Rock, Arkansas, telling me that he was born at Groton in the year 1808, and making inquiries about the town. I at once began a correspondence with him ; and he subsequently wrote me from Little Rock, under the date of March 11, 1884: — My father, Levi Wait, was born at Groton, February 26, 1780, and died in Albany, N. Y., December 22, 1823. He was married to Betsey Jones, of Acton, April 1, 1807. My mother was the daughter of Hannah Jones, whose first husband, Capt. Isaac Davis, was in command of the Acton company at Concord Bridge, where he fell on April 19, 1775. I believe he was the first officer killed in the Revolution. My father moved with his family to Albany in 18 17 ; and in 1824, when I was sixteen years old, I went to Boston consigned by my mother to the care of her old Groton friend, Abraham Moore. He placed me in a grocery store, where I remained until July, 1829, and then I came West to Cincinnati. While in Ohio I was a store or steamboat clerk until December, 1830, when I came here to take a clerkship in a store at the old Post of Arkansas. I have been in trade or business of some kind in Arkansas since the year 1834, most of the time at this point. During the early part of last year I happened to be in Little Rock, when I availed myself of the opportunity to call on Mr. Wait. I found him to be a gentleman of the old school, who well represented the dignity of the town of Groton. The years sit lightly on his shoulders, and he would pass for a much younger man than an octogenarian. He has accumulated a handsome fortune, which he is now enjoying in leisure and with liberality. He told me that he was born on Farmers' Row, in the house occupied by J. K. Bennett, — as laid down on Mr. Butler's Map, — near the road leading to the Red Bridge, but which in my boyhood was known as the Amasa Sanderson place. Mr. Wait has been at Groton but 114 A LIST OF DEPUTY-SHERIFFS. once in seventy years, and that was soon after the late War of the Rebellion, when he came with a son to revisit the scenes of his childhood. He became a resident of Arkansas six years before it was admitted into the Union as a State. A LIST OF DEPUTY-SHERIFFS WHO WERE RESIDENTS OF GROTON. There is no complete list on record of the Deputy-Sheriffs of Middlesex County; and the following tentative one has been compiled from different Massachusetts Registers. The dates following the names represent, for those years, the Registers in which they are found consecutively ; but, where a break occurs in the term of service, a plus sign (+) is added. Captain Asa Stillman Lawrence is now the senior Deputy- Sheriff in Middlesex County. He was first appointed in the year 185 1, with fifteen others, though his term of service has not been a continuous one. Samson Woods was a Deputy-Sheriff from the year 1804 till the time of his death, which occurred on February 8, 1826 ; he was also Crier of the Supreme Judicial Court after 1816, — according to the Registers. William Crosby Lewis was the son of James Lewis, who precedes him in the list. Abijah Prescott, 1782-1788. Jephthah Richardson, 1782-1789. Francis Champney, 1789-1793. Joseph Moors, 1 790-1808. Samson Woods, 1804-1826. Benjamin Farnsworth, 1808. James Lewis, 1809-1813. William Austin Bancroft, 1828-1830. + William Crosby Lewis, 1837-1851. + Asa Stillman Lawrence, 1852. + Eusebius Silsby Clark, 1855-1859. + Andrew Robbins, 1862. + Benjamin Lincoln Howe, 1867. MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL COURT, ETC. 115 PRISONERS TAKEN AT THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. In " The New-England Chronicle : or, The Essex Gazette " (Cambridge), September 14, 1775, is given a list of American prisoners, who had been taken at the Battle of Bunker Hill and confined in Boston jail, with their places of abode. Among the names are the following from Groton and its neighborhood : — Lieut. Col. Parker Chelmsford. Capt. Benjamin Walker .... Chelmsford. Lieut. Amaziah Fassett .... Groton. Oliver Stevens Townsend. Amasa Fisk Pepperell. Archibald M'Intosh Townsend. David Kemp Groton. Stephen Foster Groton. The list comprised thirty-one persons, of whom twenty had died at the date of the newspaper, including all those men tioned above. Captain Walker died on August 15. MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL COURT AND OF THE SEVERAL CONSTITUTIONAL CONVEN TIONS WHILE RESIDENT IN GROTON. It is known that Mr. Tillinghast, the accomplished State Librarian, has been engaged for some time past in gathering certain biographical facts connected with the members of the different branches of the State Government ; and he has kindly placed at my disposal the following memoranda re lating to the members of the Legislature and of the several Constitutional Conventions, who at the time were residents of the town of Groton. The list includes two Governors of the Commonwealth, a President of the Senate, two Speakers of the House, three members of Congress, and four Judges. Il6 MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL COURT, ETC. State Library of Massachusetts, State House, Boston, Jan. 16, 1888. Hon. Samuel A. Green. Dear Sir, — In accordance with your suggestion, I take pleasure in handing you, for such use as you may choose to make of it, a brief record of the residents of the town of Groton who have served in the Executive or Legislative departments of the State Government since the adoption of the Constitution in 1780. Yours respectfully, C. B. Tillinghast. Honorable James Prescott was the first representative chosen for Groton under the State Constitution, though he never served in that capacity but one day. The House met Oct. 25, 1780. Oct. 26 he was chosen by joint Convention to the Senate, and Oct. 27, by a similar Convention, to the Council, and served in that body for the political year. In 1781, 1782, 1783, and 1784, he was chosen by the people to the Senate, and each year, on the second day of the session, he was chosen by joint Convention to the Council. In 1786 he was chosen to the Senate, June 1, by a joint Convention, in place of Ebenezer Bridge, resigned, and this was the only year that he actually served in the Senate. He was the son of Hon. Benjamin and Abigail (Oliver) Pres cott; born in Groton, Jan. 13, 172 1; died Feb'y 15, 1800, at Groton. He was a Colonel of Militia, Sheriff of the County of Middlesex, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and much engaged in public affairs. See Butler's History, p. 291 ; Brad ford's New England Biography, pp. 338, 339 ; Prescott Memorial, p. 56 ; Drake's, Appleton's, and other Biographical Dictionaries. Deacon Isaac Farnsworth, 1781, chosen in 1782, but declined. Son of Isaac and Sarah (Page) Farnsworth; born Nov. 30, 1723, Groton ; farmer ; died, Oct. , 181 2, Groton. Israel Hobart, 1782, 1783. Son of Shebuel and Martha ( ) Hobart; born July 2, 1722, Groton ; farmer. Dr. Benjamin Morse, 1784, 1787, 1788, 1789. Convention, 1788. Son of Dr. Benjamin and Abigail (Dudley) Morse; born March 20, 1740, Sutton; physician; died, May 21, 1833, Groton. See Butler's Groton, p. 418 ; History of Sutton, p. 698 ; Morse Genealogy, p. 121. MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL COURT, ETC. 117 Ebenezer Champney, 1785. Son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Cunningham) Champney; born April 3, 1744, Cambridge; Har vard College, 1762; lawyer; died Sept. 10, 1810, New Ipswich, N. H. See Kidder's New Ipswich, N. H, pp. 345, 346. Major Aaron Brown, 1791, 1792, 1793. Son of Isaac and Mary (Balch) Brown ; born Sept. 16, 1752, Waltham ; merchant ; died Nov. 14, 1811, Groton. See Bond's Watertown, p. 127. Timothy Bigelow, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1801, 1802, 1804, 1805 ; Speaker, 1806; Senate, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800; Council, 1802. Son of Col. Timothy and Anna (Andrews) Bigelow ; born April 30, 1767, Worcester; Harvard College, 1786; lawyer; died May 18, 182 1, Medford. See Brooks's Medford, pp. 308, 309 ; Lin coln's Worcester, pp. 266-268 ; Butler's Groton, p. 296 ; Loring's Hundred Boston Orators, pp. 298-304. Samuel Dana, 1803, 1825, 1826, 1827 ; Senate, 1805, 1806, 1807 (President), 1808, 1809, 1810, 181 1 (President), 1812 (President), 1817 ; Presidential Elector, 1820 ; Convention, 1820 ; Congress, Sept. 22, 1814 — Mar. 3, 1815. Son of Rev. Samuel and Anna (Kendrick) Dana; born June 26, 1767, Groton; lawyer; died Nov. 20, 1835, Charlestown. See Butler's Groton, pp. 265-267. Joseph Moors, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814. Son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Gilson) Moors ; born July 25, 1738, Groton; farmer; died July 25, 1820, Groton. See But ler's Groton, pp. 279, 280. Dr. Oliver PRtecorr, 1809, 1810. Son of Oliver and Lydia (Baldwin) Prescott ; born April 4, 1762, Groton ; Harvard College, 1783; physician; died Sept. 26, 1827, Newburyport. See Prescott Memorial, pp. 77, 78 ; Butler's Groton, pp. 294, 295. Major Thomas Gardner, 181 i. Son of Isaac and Mary (Spar- hawk) Gardner; born Oct. 3, 1765, Brookline ; merchant; died Nov. 20, 1833, Woodstock, Vt. James Brazer, 1810. Son of Benjamin and Alice (Phillips) Brazer ; born, Charlestown ; baptized Nov. 23, 1 760 ; merchant ; died Nov. 10, 1818, Groton. See Wyman's Charlestown, Vol. I. p. 118. Luther Lawrence, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821, 1822 (Speaker), 1829, 1830; Convention, 1820. Son of Samuel and Susanna (Parker) Lawrence ; born Sept. 28, Il8 MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL COURT, ETC. 1778, Groton ; Harvard College, 1801; lawyer; died April 16, 1839, Lowell. See Lowell Old Residents' Contributions, Vol. 1, pp. 139- 142 ; Cowley's Lowell, pp. n 7-1 19 ; Butler's Groton, p. 416. Capt. Noah Shattuck, 1824. Son of Job and Sarah (Hartwell) Shattuck ; born Aug. 30, 1772, Groton ; farmer ; died Sept. 28, 1858, Groton. See Shattuck Memorials, pp. 185, 186. William Livermore, 1829, 1830. Son of Oliver, Jr., and Catha rine (Bond) Livermore; born June 23, 1770, Shirley; farmer and carpenter; died March 2, 1846, Groton. See Chandler's Shirley, p. 516. Capt. John Boynton, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1835, 1836, 1841 ; Senate, 1851. Son of Calvin and Patty (Sawtell) Boynton; born Oct. 27, 1797, Groton; farmer and blacksmith; died Nov. 30, 1854, Groton. Capt. John Rockwood, 1832, 1833, l834- Son of Samuel and Lucy (Hubbard) Rockwood ; born June 29, 1792, Groton ; farmer; died Dec. 24, 1874, Groton. Timothy Blood, 1835, 1836. Son of Caleb and Elizabeth (Farns worth) Blood; born Sept. 28, 1778, Groton; farmer; died Oct 13, 1854, Groton. John Gray Park, 1837, l839 ; Convention, 1853. Son of Stuart James and Nancy (Gray) Park ; born Aug. 31, 180 1, Pelham; merchant; died Sept. 23, 1875, Groton. Dr. Joshua Green, 1837, 1838. Son of Joshua and Mary (Moseley) Green; born Oct. 8, 1797, Wendell ; -Harvard College, 1818; physician; died June 5, 1875, Morristown, N. J. See New Eng. Hist, arid Gen. Register, Vol. XXX. p. 126; Sketch of Percival and Ellen Green, pp. 25, 26. Capt. Daniel Shattuck, 1839. Son of Captain Daniel and Abigail (Sheple) Shattuck; born Feb'y 11, 1802, Groton ; farmer; died July 21, 1850, Groton. See Shattuck Memorials, p. 185. George Sewall Boutwell, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1847, 1848, 1849, 1850; Governor, 1851, 1852; Convention, 1853 (representative) Berlin); Congress, Dec. 7, 1863 — March 11, 1869; Secretary of U. S. Treasury, March 11, 1869 — March 17, 1873 ; U. S. Senator, March 17, 1873 — March 3, 1877. Son of Sewell and Rebecca (Marshall) Boutwell; born Jan. 28, 1818, Brookline; merchant and lawyer; now living in Groton. See Boston Daily Traveller, Jan. 1, 1887. MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL COURT, ETC. 119 William Livermore, Jr., 1845, l846> l869- Son of William and Betsey (Ames) Livermore ; born July 9, 1803, Groton ; farmer ; now living in Groton. See Chandler's Shirley, p. 516. Phinehas Gilman Prescott, 185 1, 1852. Son of Abel and Hannah (Spalding) Prescott ; born Jan. 1, 1803, Groton ; farmer ; died Nov. 1, 1882, Groton. See Prescott Memorial, p. 148. Capt. William Shattuck, 1853, 1854. Son of William and Eunice (Blood) Shattuck; born Dec. 12, 1789, Groton; farmer; died Feb'y 13, 1872, Groton. See Shattuck Memorials, pp. 319, 320. John Warren Parker, 1855, 1856. Son of Eri and Eliza (Whitney) Parker ; born July 29, 1826, Littleton ; merchant ; now living in Groton. Warren Fay Stone, 1857. Son of Joseph and Rachel (Green) Stone; born June 6, 18 16, Watertown ; carpenter; died Feb'y 5, 1858, Groton. Eliel Shumway, 1858. Son of Peter and Sarah (Spaulding) Shumway ; born Sept. 29, 1809, Townshend, Vt. ; farmer ; now living in Groton. Robert Parker Woods, 1858. Son of Robert Parker and Hannah (Warren | Brown) Woods ; born June 20, 1817, Townsend ; carriage manufacturer ; now living at Laporte, Penn. George Henry Brown, 1861. Son of Bartholomew and Betsey (Lazelle) Brown ; born March 29, 1810, East Bridgewater; editor and printer ; died May 3, 1865, Groton. See New Eng. Hist, and Gen. Register, Vol. XX. pp. 84, 85. George Samuel Gates, 1864, 1874. Son of Samuel and Sarah S. (Ferguson) Gates ; born July 23, 1817, Peterboro, N. H. ; baker ; now living in Groton. Benjamin Franklin Taft, 1866. Son of Benjamin and Syrena (Batchelder) Taft; born Aug. 17, 1823, Northbridge ; manufac turer ; now living in Ayer. Col. Daniel Needham, 1867 ; Senate, 1868, 1869. Son of James and Lydia (Breed) Needham ; born May 24, 1822, Salem ; lawyer; now living in Groton. See Biographical Encyclopaedia of Massa chusetts in Nineteenth Century, Vol. II. pp. 390-394 ; also Drake's History of Middlesex County, Vol. I. p. 469. 120 MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL COURT, ETC. Edmund Dana Bancroft, 1870. Son of Luther and Anna (Fletcher) Bancroft; born Sept. 6, 1821, Pepperell; insurance agent ; now living in Ayer. Asa Stillman Lawrence, 1877, 1881. Son of Asa and Betsey (Bennett) Lawrence; born May 10, 1820, Groton ; farmer; now living in Groton. Capt. Moses Poor Palmer, 1884; Senate, 1888. Son of Moses Harriman and Mary Harriman (Hale) Palmer ; born May 1, 1830, Derry, N. H. ; farmer ; now living in Groton. George Sumner Graves, 1887. Son of John Jackson and Lucy (Pollard) Graves; born Nov. 22, 1840, Groton; owner and- trustee of real estate ; now living in Groton. Stuart James Park, Senate, 1838, 1839. Son of John and Jean (Stewart) Park ; born Feb'y 7, 1773, Groton ; contractor for stone work and farmer ; died Aug. 14, 1859, Groton. Abijah Edwin Hildreth, Senate, 1855. Son of Abijah and Susanna (Hildreth) Hildreth; born Oct. 19, 1809, Westford; merchant; died Aug. 25, 1882, Cambridge. See Hodgman's Westford, p. 455. William Merchant Richardson, Congress, Jan. 22, 1812 — April 18, 1814. Son of Capt. Daniel and Sarah (Merchant) Richardson ; born Jan. 4, 1774, Pelham, N. H. ; Harvard Col lege, 1797; lawyer; died March 23, 1838, Chester, N. H. See Life by Charles H. Bell ; Richardson Memorial, pp. 114, 115. James Sullivan, Constitutional Convention, 1779-80. Son of John and Margery (Brown) Sullivan ; born April 22, 1744, Ber wick, Me. ; lawyer ; died Dec. 10, 1808, Boston, while Governor of the Commonwealth. See Life by T. C. Amory ; Willis's Lawyers of Maine, pp. 96, 97 ; Boston, Past and Present, pp. 279-281 ; Biographical Encyclopaedia of Massachusetts in Nineteenth Cen tury, Vol. II. pp. 26-29. Joseph Sheple, Convention, 1788. Son of John and Lydia (Lakin) Sheple ; born May 22, 1721, Groton ; farmer ; died Oct. 16 1795, Groton. See Shattuck Memorials, p. 95. DEATH OF HON. JOSIAH KENDALL BENNETT. 121 DEATH OF HON. JOSIAH KENDALL BENNETT. It is a painful duty for us to record this week the death of this most estimable man. Friday afternoon, Jan. 23, at about a quarter of five o'clock, Judge Bennett breathed his last. Friday preceding his death he attended to his court duties, and Saturday he was prompt at his post at the usual hour of opening of court in the morning. Satur day he was much weaker than on the preceding day, and from that time he grew weaker and weaker until death ended his suffering. For nearly a year previous to the death of the Judge he could not speak above a whisper, which was an indication that the disease of which he died, consumption, had become fairly seated. For a number of years previous to this he had not enjoyed good health. Mr. Bennett was a graduate of the class of 1853, of Harvard College. The junior year of his collegiate studies was spent at Yale College, in New Haven, Conn. While attending to his studies at Harvard College he held the prominent position of Professor of Latin, Mathematics and the Classics at Mystic Seminary, in Medford ; and at the close of his usefulness in this institution of learning, he became Principal of the Hopkins classical school in Cambridge, and taught one year, when it was, by special act of the legislature, discontinued. This classical school was under the supervision of the trustees of Harvard College. During his stay in Cambridge he attended the Law school, and when he closed his law studies he moved to Boston and practised law on Court street, in the office of Lyman Mason. He also had offices at Groton and Groton Junction. He was an excellent scholar and a man possessed of high literary attainments. By his studiousness he became an expert as a trans lator, and could read and translate fourteen or fifteen languages, among them the Sanscrit, Norse and Anglo Saxon. A number of his translations from the German and other languages have been published ; and they were eagerly sought for by the press. He has written for the Bibliotheca Sacra, Congregationalist and other papers, and received the award for the prize article which he wrote for the Bibliotheca Sacra. He has been a valuable contributor to this paper for some time past. He served as one of the Trustees of Lawrence Academy for ten years or more, and held a number of offices. He was a member of 122 DR. JACOB WILLIAMS. the executive committee, committee of finance, examining commit tee, and was secretary of the Board of Trustees, which offices he held at the time of his death. He was a member of the Board of School Committee of Groton, for a number of years, and closed his connection with the Board last fall. A large portion of the school reports were written by him from year to year, extracts from which were frequently incorporated in the report of the Board of Educa tion. In the earlier part of his life he taught school in Groton. He was a member of the Groton Musical Association since 1858. He was a member of the Orthodox church, clerk of the parish a number of years, and had been superintendent of the Sabbath school. He was appointed Judge of the First District Court of Northern Middlesex at Ayer, by Governor Washburn, July, 1872, which posi tion he held since the court has been established. It was a good selection and he was admirably adapted for this post of honor. Owing to his continued ill health, and by the advice of his physi cian, he moved to Ayer with his family about two months ago. His remains were taken to Groton for burial, and the funeral services were held at the Orthodox church. By the request of Mr. Bennett, the Rev. Wm. M. Parker, of West Boylston, formerly the pastor of this church, preached the sermon and his remarks of the de ceased were very appropriate and just. His death has cast a gloom over the entire community. If he had lived till next month he would have been forty-three years of age. He was a gentleman, a scholar, a good citizen, a man of excellent judgment and good common sense. His place cannot be easily filled. Groton and Ayer mourn his loss. We sadly miss him. ["Public Spirit," Ayer, Thursday, January 29, 1874.] Judge Bennett was the son of Josiah Kendall and Lucinda (Nutting) Bennett, and born at Groton, on February 4, 1831. DR. JACOB WILLIAMS. Dr. Jacob Williams, who is mentioned on page 88, died at Kensington, New Hampshire, on July 7, 1857 ; his remains were brought to Groton, and placed in the family tomb on the northerly side of the old Burying Ground. DEATHS. 123 DEATHS. In Groton, nth inst. Mrs. Eliza, wife of Dr. Amos Bancroft, and daughter of the late Isaiah Doane, Esq. merchant, of Boston, 55- "Boston Daily Advertiser," November 14, 1840. 3d inst, of disease of heart, William A. Bancroft, 64, for merly of Groton, Mass. " Daily Evening Transcript " (Boston), January 6, 185 1. Near the crossing of the Yuba River, Sept. 4, William D, Blanchard, of Groton, Mass., 24 [a graduate of Williams College in the Class of 1847]. "Daily Evening Transcript" (Boston), December 10, 1849. At Groton, 18th inst., of consumption, Mr. Peletiah R. Blood, formerly of this city, 59. " Boston Evening Transcript," January 26, 1859. In Groton, 20th inst. Mrs. Mary, wife of Mr. Samuel Bowers, 41, formerly of Lynn. "Boston Daily Advertiser," July 25, 1842. At Matagorda, Texas, 4th inst, Charles Augustus Bullard, formerly of Groton, Mass., 33. "Daily Evening Transcript" (Boston), November 27, 1850. At Savannah, Ga. 19th uit, of consumption, Bradford J. Clark, 20. His remains were brought to Groton, Mass, for in terment. "Daily Evening Transcript" (Boston), February 22, 1853. On Monday [October 27], Mrs. Mary Farnsworth, wife of Doct. Amos Farnsworth, aged 37. "Columbian Centinel" (Boston), October 29, 1828. In Groton, Ms. 5th inst. Miss Mary R, only daughter of Mr. Abel Farnsworth, 18. " Boston Daily Advertiser," May 12, 1840. At Groton, 6th inst., Mrs. Amelia, widow of the late Zachariah Fitch, 83. " Boston Evening Transcript," January 14, 1859. At Groton, after a long and tedious illness, Mr. Nathaniel Gard ner, merchant, aged 41, formerly of this town. "The Columbian Phenix and Boston Review " (page 258) for April, 1800. 1 24 DEATHS. At Groton, Charlotte C, wife of Rev Matthew D. Gordon, and daughter of Hon Samuel Swift, of Middlebury, Vt, 28. " Daily Evening Transcript" (Boston), May 7, 1852. In this city, 19th inst., Lydia, wife of Stephen H. Lunt, formerly of Groton, 56 yrs. 6 mos. " Boston Evening Transcript," June 21, 1859. On Sunday [February 8] Mrs. Mary Frances, wife of Hon John C. Park, and daughter of Col Abraham Moore [late of Groton], 40. "Daily Evening Transcript " (Boston), February 9, 1852. At South Groton, 9th inst., Josephine M., eldest daughter of William Parker, of this city, 17 yrs. 7 mos. "Boston Evening Transcript," January 29, 1859. In Groton, 24th inst., Rev. Dudley Phelps, 50. " The Puritan Recorder," September 27, 1849. At Groton, The Hon. James Prescott, Esq. aged 80. Chief Jus tice of the Court of Common Pleas for Middlesex county. "The Columbian Phenix and Boston Review " (page 128) for February, 1800. In Groton, Feb. 4, Capt. Samuel Shipley,.for many years a ship master out of the ports of Boston and New York. " Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier," February 20, 1852. At Groton, 6th inst, James Lincoln, son of Thomas Delap and Mary A. Smith, of this city, 3 yrs. " Daily Evening Transcript" (Boston), March 9, 1852. GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1888. Historical Series, Vol. IL, No. V. THE POPULATION OF GROTON AT DIFFERENT TIMES, With some Notes on the Provincial Census of 1765. A PAPER READ BEFORE THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY, ON MAY 10, 1888, AND NOW REPRINTED FROM THE PROCEEDINGS. The town of Groton was formerly a much more important place relatively, both in size and influence, than it is at the present time. According to the census of 1790, it was then the second town in Middlesex County, Cambridge alone having a larger population. At that time Groton had' 322 families, numbering 1,840 persons ; and Cambridge, 355 families, num bering 2,115 persons. Charlestown had a population of 1,583 ; and Newton, 1,360. Reading, with 341 families (19 more than Groton), numbered 1,802 persons (38 less than Groton). Woburn then had a population of 1,727; Framingham, 1,598 ; Marlborough, 1,554; and Waltham, 882. Pepperell contained 1,132 inhabitants; Shirley, 677 ; Westford, 1,229; and Little ton, 854. There were at that time in Middlesex County 41 towns, which number has since been increased to 48 towns and 6 cities ; and in the meanwhile Brighton and Charlestown have been merged in the municipality of Boston, and thus have lost their separate existence. Major Aaron Brown, of Groton, and General Henry Woods, of Pepperell, were the marshals who took the census of the county, with the exception of that small portion lying on the further side of the Merrimack River. 126 POPULATION OF GROTON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. The town of Groton was incorporated on May 25, 1655 ; and its territory originally comprised 64 square miles, which was considerably increased by the liberal measurement so common in those days. In a report made on May 23, 1661, by a committee consisting of Mr. Thomas Danforth, a noted surveyor of early times, Captain Edward Johnson, the his torian, and Ephraim Child, it is said that this territory would afford comfortable accommodations for 60 families at least, that might subsist by husbandry. When it is stated that there are now living, within the original limits of Groton Plantation, more than 9,000 inhabitants, it will be seen how vain are human predictions and calculations. A comparison of the population of the town at different periods is somewhat interesting to those familiar with its his tory. John Tinker, in a petition to the General Court, dated October, 1659, f°ur years after the incorporation of the town, says that the Plantation " Continueth vnpeopled." The report of the committee, — of which Thomas Danforth was chair man, — dated May 23, 1661, and already quoted, states that there were four or five families " planted " at that time. In March, 1676, when the town was burned by the Indians, it was estimated by the Rev. William Hubbard, in his Narrative, that there were then 60 families in the place. Another writer of that period puts the number of dwellings destroyed at 66, and says that only 6 houses were left standing. From these estimates it would appear that the population of the town at the time of its destruction was between 300 and 350 inhabi tants. From March, 1676, until the early spring of 1678, the settlement was abandoned and entirely deserted. In March, 1680, there were 40 families in the town, as appears by some statistical returns printed in "The New-England Historical and Genealogical Register" (V. 173) for April, 1851. In March, 1707-8, there were 67 polls (" Collections of the American Statistical Association," p. 146), which would in dicate a population of about 300 persons. At the beginning of the year 1755 there were 14 negro slaves in town — seven men and seven women — who were sixteen years old or upwards. POPULATION OF GROTON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. 127 On June 2, 1763, Governor Francis Bernard sent a message to the General Court, expressing his wish that a census of the Province might be taken ; but that body paid no heed to the suggestion. On January 19, 1764, he renewed the proposi tion, and apparently with better success ; for the Legislature, on February 2, adopted an order carrying out his wishes. The popular heart, however, was not in the work, and no in terest was taken in the measure. The people were suspicious of the rulers in England, and jealous of all political interfer ence ; and it is but natural that the census proceeded slowly. On March 5, 1765, an Act was passed by the General Court to carry into effect an order which had previously been passed for numbering the people within the Province. This action shows that the Governor's pet scheme was not receiving a warm support. With these drawbacks, and under such conditions, the first census of the houses, families, and number of people in the Province of Massachusetts Bay ever taken was finished in the year 1765. Singularly enough, there are now no returns of this enumeration among the Provincial or State archives, where they were undoubtedly placed. How or when they disappeared is a matter of conjecture ; but probably they were lost amid the confusion that naturally prevailed during the Revolutionary period. Fortunately a copy of this census was found by the late Judge Samuel Dana, of Groton, among some papers of a deceased friend, which had then lately come into his possession ; and by him sent to the " Columbian Centinel " newspaper, where it was printed for the first time in the issue of August 17, 1822, more than half a century after the enumer ation was made. From this source is derived all the informa tion concerning the figures of the census of 1765 ; and the printed copy, in the absence of any other, is an authority sec ond in importance only to the original manuscript returns. At that time the town of Groton had 1,408 inhabitants. In his letter to the editor of the Centinel, Judge Dana suggests that the copy — presumably the original document — should be sent, after it was printed, to the Antiquarian Society for preservation in its library. If he meant by this expression 128 POPULATION OF GROTON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. the American Antiquarian Society at Worcester, it appears not to have been done. Within a few weeks a careful search for it has been made by the librarian, but without success ; and no record of the missing document is found among the accessions of that period. After it had been used as " copy " by the printers, it probably was thrown away. In the early days of library management, loose manuscripts and other papers were not guarded with that care which they now receive, and consequently were more liable to loss. I mention this fact, because these missing census returns were once probably in the possession of the Historical Society. Among some gifts made to this library by the Rev. Dr. James Freeman, on April 9, 1 791, is a " List of Inhabitants in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in 1764 and 1765 " (Proceed' ings, vol. i. p. 8), which does not appear in the Society's Cata logue published in the year 181 1 ; nor is there now any clew to it. The Catalogue of 1796 does not give the separate manuscripts. Perhaps this list was taken out from the library by a member at some time between the years 1791 and 181 1, and never returned. Subsequently it may have drifted into Judge Dana's hands, and thus found its way to the public through the columns of the Centinel. Akin to this subject, there is now in the Society's library a memorandum-book of forty-five pages, which contains some interesting facts connected directly or indirectly with the population of the Commonwealth during the Revolutionary period. Mr. Felt, a former librarian, evidently used it in pre paring an article on the population of Massachusetts, which is published in the first volume of the " Collections of the Ameri can Statistical Association" (Boston, 1847). In ms paper Mr. Felt gives nearly all the statistics found in the book, and speaks of it as "a manuscript of credible authority " (p. 157), though without mentioning it more specifically. The number of white persons within the State in the year 1776, and the number of polls in 1778 and 1781, as well as other statistical items, are also given, though it is not known by whom the record was made. According to this authority the population of Groton in the year 1776 was 1,639 > the number of ratable polls in 1778 was 362, and the number in 1781 was 395. POPULATION OF GROTON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. 1 29 In compliance with a resolution of Congress, an Act was passed by the General Court of Massachusetts on July 2, 1784, requiring the assessors of towns to make certain returns, from which it appears that there were at that time 418 polls in Groton. This was the largest number returned by any town in the county, with the single exception of Cambridge, which had 457 polls ; and after Groton came Reading with 399 polls, and Woburn with 395, followed closely by Framingham with 389. At the several decennial dates of the United States census the population of Groton has been as follows : in the year 1790, 1,840; 1800, 1,802; 1810, 1,886; 1820, 1,897; l83°» 1,925; 1840, 2,139; 1850, 2,515; i860, 3.193; 1870,3.584; and 1880, 1,862. The town of Ayer was incorporated on February 14, 1871, and made up almost entirely from the territory of Groton, which accounts for the great diminution in the population between the last two decennial periods, as given above. The new town started on its corporate existence with a population nearly equal to that of the parent town, and, with all the vigor of youth, soon surpassed it in size. The population of Groton, as taken by the State in the quinquennial years, has been as follows: in the year 1855, 2,745; 1865, 3.176; 1875, 1,908; and 1885, 1,987. By all the enumerations, National or State, made during the present century, it will be seen that there has been a steady increase in the population of the town, with the exception of the period between the years i860 and 1865, when there was a slight decrease of 17 inhabitants ; and of the period between 1875 and 1880, when there was a falling off of 46 inhabitants. The loss in the first instance was due, of course, to the disturbing effects of the Civil War. The population of Ayer in the year 1885 was 2,190 ; and if that village had not been separately incorporated, the popula tion of Groton would now be considerably more than 4,000 inhabitants. According to the last State census there were 32 towns or cities in Middlesex County larger than Groton, and 21 towns smaller. The original Groton Plantation, as granted by the General Court on May 25, 1655, has furnished the entire territory of 130 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. Ayer ; the whole of Pepperell, with the exception of a narrow strip lying along its northern boundary, which once'belonged to the West Parish of Dunstable (Hollis) ; the whole of Shir ley, with the exception of a small portion formerly known as " Stow Leg ; " one half of Dunstable ; and has contributed more or less to form five other towns, — namely, Harvard, Littleton, and Westford (including a part of Forge Village), in Massachusetts, besides Nashua and Hollis, in New Hamp shire. The total population of this territory is now between 9,000 and 10,000 inhabitants. SUMMARY. Population of Groton at different Times. Town incorporated on May 25, 1655 > m October, 1659, "vn- peopled;" in May, 1661, four or five families; in March, 1676, about 300 inhabitants; in March, 1680, forty families ; in March, 1708, 67 polls; in March, 1765, 1,408 inhabitants ; in 1776, 1,639 inhabitants; in 1778,362 polls; in 1781, 395 polls; and in 1784, 418 polls. Year. Inhabitants. Year. Inhabitants. 1790 1,840 1855 2,745 1800 1,802 i860 3>*93 1810 i,886 1865 3,176 1820 1,897 1870 3.584 1830 1,925 1875 I>9°8 1840 2,139 1880 1,862 1850 2,515 1885 1,987 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. The following papers, found among the Archives in the State House, relate to Groton soldiers. The petitions in be half of Isaac Woods, David Sartwell, and John Burt are not in the handwriting of Colonel William Lawrence, who was at that time a member of the General Court from Groton, and who, probably in his capacity of a townsman, was acting as their agent or attorney. The name of Sartwell is the same as Sawtell, and some branches of the family still spell it in that FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 131 way. During many years John Burt was an inhabitant of Groton ; and the birth of his children, covering a period from 1727 to 1740, is recorded in the town- records. He lived probably in that quarter of the town, which became a part of Harvard on its incorporation by the General Court, June 29, 1732. province of the ) to his Excelancey thomas Pownell Esqr Com- massachusets Bay 5 mander In cheaff and to the HonbI<": his majes- tys Councell and House of Representiuess assambled Boston In November 1757 the petition of William Lawrance of Groton In the County of Middl. In behalf of Isaac Woods of sd. Town Humbly shews that the sd. Isaac son Jonas Woods a singel man was a soulder In the endended expedetion against Crown pint In the year 1755 and in Capt faills is Companey and on the twenty second day of april 1756 Inlisted agin and actually went In Capt Jonathan Butterfeald Companey and In Co- Gridleys Ridgement and so was Justly Intitled to haue been made up on the s? Cap' Butterfeald muster Rool for half pay as maney others ware but was omitted and the sd Jonas neuer Returned but dyed in the sarvis warefore your petitioner prays In behalf of the saied Isaac Father to the saied Jonas that he may haue the usuall allowance in such Cases as In duty bound shall pray William Lawrance In the House of Rep? Dec' 2. 1757. Read and Ordered That there bee allowed and paid out of the public Treasury to W? Lawrence Esq' for ye use of Isaac Woods the sum of three pounds being the half pay he was intitled to on his reinlisting into ye service on ye last Crown-point Expedition Sent up for Concurrence T. Hubbard Spkr In Council Decern' 30* 1757 Read and Concur'd Thos Clarke Dpty. Secry Consented to T Pownall [Indorsed] the Petition of Isaac Woods & William Lawrance Comitted Accept pay to Lawr. Warr! Advised & Issued Deer 21. 1757 35000 App? Cl C< dld Col? Lawrence Massachusetts Archives, LXXVII. 281. 132 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. Province of the ) To his Excelancey Thomas Pownnall Esqr Cap! Massachusets r Genirol and Commander in Cheaf in and over Bay ) sd province to the Honb- his Majesty Councel and house of Representiuess In Genirol Courte now assambled at Boston June 12 1759 the petition of William Lawrance In behalf of Daued Sartwell of Groton in the County of middl shews that Abel Sartwell son to the sd Dauied went in the Expedition the Last year formed ag' Cannada In the Companey under the Command of Cap' Thomas Lawrance In Co1.1 Nickols Ridgement and so it hapned on the 20- of July Last near half way Brook so Called with an Ingagment with the Enemy the sd Abel was Kild and his Gun tacken by the Enemy and their is a stopeg in the muster Rool oute of his wages of three pounds which your petitioner on behalf of the sd Dauied prays may be tacken off and that he my be allowed to Reeue the sd three pounds for the youse of the sd Dauied as In Duty Bound shall Euer Pray William Lawrance In behalf of Dauid Sartwell In the House of Repues June 15 1759 Read and Ordered that the Stoppage for said Gun be taken off, and He be paid three pounds out of the Treasury accordingly Sent up for concurrence S : White Spkr In Council June 15. 1759 Read & Concur'd Thos Clarke Dp* Secry Consented to T Pownall [Indorsed] the petition of William Lawrance In behalf of Dauied Sartwell June 12 1759 *5* Com'd Copy drawn and dld to Col? Lawrence Massachusetts Archives, LXXVIII. 553. To his Exelency Thomas Pounnal Esqr Captain General & Geoverner in Chief in and over his majesties prov ince of the massachusets bay in New England To the Honourable his majesties Councel & House of Repre sentatives In General Court assemble1! The Petition of Sam1! Shattuck of Groton Humbly sheweth that Benjamin Shattuck son to your Pettinor In listed in to his majesties Service in the Exspedition a Gainst Canada the Last year under the FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 133 Command of Cap1 Thomas Lawrance In Colo.' Nichols? Ridgement & went up to the Lake & there Staid & Performed his Duty untill said Company was Dismis! & In his Return home was Taken Sick of the Camp fevour & wholly unable To Travil any further Home wards then Kingstown [Palmer] at which place he lay sum Days & Sent Down to your Petitiner To Com & See if he Could not Git him home & he went up To s? Kingstown & with Greate Dificalty & Expence Got him Home To Groton afore s? wheare he Lay Exstrao- dinary bad for six weaks under the Hand of Doctor Prentice wheareby He was Put To Grate Exspence for Nursing and attend ance &c — As may appear by the annext account Therefor your Petitinor Humbly Prays your Exelency & Honours will Take the Case into your wise Consideration & make him such allowance as in your Greate Justice & wisdom you shall see fit and your Petitinor as in Duty Bound shall Ever Pray Groton march 12* 1759 Samuel Shattuck In the House of Repues Nov 10 1759 Read and Ordered that the sum of One pound twelve Shillings and One penny be allowed and paid out of the publick Treasury to William Lawrence Esq' for the Use of the Pet' in full concideration for his Sufferings within mentioned Sent up for concurrence S : White SpkT. In Council NovT 10 : 1759 Read and Concurred A Oliver Sec Consented to T Pownall [Indorsed] Sam" Shattuck Petition W' Advised Novr 10 1759 Issued Canada App? Massachusetts Archives, LXXVIII. 648. province of the ) To his Excelancy thomas pownall Esqr Gou- Massachusets Bay. ) ener and Commander In Cheaff In and ouer Sd prouince and to the Honb" his Majestys Council and house of Representiuess assambled at Boston april the sixteenth 1 760 the petition of John Sheple of Groton in the County of Middl. Humbly sheweth that your petitioners Brouther Josiah Sheple now decest: Misted himself a priuet soulder in Company under the Command of Cap' thomas Lawrance in Co'-' Nickels Ridgement In the Expedition then formed against Can[ada] in the year 1758 and so it was after the armey was dismist [that] the saied Josiah before 134 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. he got down [to Green] Bush (so Called) he was tacken sick and sent to your petitioner to Come and fetch him hom haueing no father nor mother Liueing but so it was that I was not able to Go for him myself by Reson of sickness so that I hired a man and hors and when the man Got to Green Buth he found him very poorly with the Camp destemper but he being verey desiros to Git hom the man that I sent Got him aboute thirty mills and Could trauil no further so that he provided for him as well he Could and Left him and aboute a fortnight after I sent for him again but then he was Dead and Buried abute two ours before the man I sent Got their all which put your petiner to Grate Charge and truble as may appear by the acoump' annext and your petitiner Humbley prays your Excelancey and Honnors would macke him such a Considera tion as you In your Grate Wisdom and Goodness shall think fitt as In duty bound shall Euer pray : John Sheple the acoumpt of what the aboue petinor paid for man and hors In Going after his Brouther Josiah Sheple the first time Eleuen Dollors and found one Bushel of ots and Indeion Corn for the Hors prou- ender and the second time I paied for the man parte of a Jornee four Dollors John Sheple The Committee Report i = 1 6 — o to payed Collo' Larance for ye youse of the petition Wm Richardson pr order [Indorsed] Sheple petition Sick & wounded Reported on. Midd' ss april 14^ 1760 John Sheple appeared and made oath that he did actualy pay the fif ten dollors and found the provinder for the hors as within mentioned before me William Lawrance Justice of peace Massachusetts Archives, LXXIX. 100. province of the Massachuset ¦) Bay in newengland ) To his Excelanecy Thomas pownell Esqr Gouenor and Commander in Cheaff In and ouer sd province to the Honnorable his majesty's Council and house of Representiuess Assambled at Boston — April 16 = 1760 the petition of Ebenezer Farnsworth Jun of Groton Hum- FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 1 35 bly shews that he was a priuet soulder the Last year in Cap' Aaron Williards Companey In Brigedear Rugles Ridgement and through a mistack was made up one month short of his wages which mistacke he Humbly prays maybe Rectifyed by your Excelancy and Honnors and your petitinor as In duty Bound shall Euer pray Ebenezer farnsworth Jun In the House of Repuis April 24 1760 Read and Ordered that the Sum of One pound Sixteen Shill^ be paid out of the publick Treasury to Wm Lawrence Esq' for the Use of the Pef in full Sent up for Concurrence S : White Spkr. These Certifie that since the making up of my Roll, I am In formed that the within Particioner was a month Longer in the Service, than he is Born on the Rolls, which Informaticion I Rec? form an officer of the Company being absent myself at the time of his Discharge Aaron Willard Cap' In Council Apr! 25. 1760. Read and Concurred A Oliver Sec Consented to T Pownall [Indorsed] Eben' Farnsworth's petition Lawrance Hartwell Apr. 25. 1760. Capt. Ruggles Massachusetts Archives, LXXIX. 135. } province of the Massachusets Bay to his Honnor Thomas Hutechson Commander In Cheaff in and ouer saied province and to the Honnorable his Majstys Councel and house of Representiuess seting in Boston June 1 760 — the petition of William Lawrance of Groton In behalf of John Burte of Harvard in the County of Woster Yeoman shews that John Burte Jun Son of the aboue sd John Burte did In List himself to Goo in the Exspe- dition formed against Cannade in in [sic] the year 1759 and went in Cap! Aaron Willards Companey and in Brigedear Rugless Ridge ment and did the duty of a Sargant untill Maj' Rogers Raised a Companey to go and destroy Saint fraintway [Francois] wich he did and upon the sd John Burte Jun Return hom aboute three days before he Got in to N? four [Charlestown] dyed he allso Lost a Good Gun which he Caried with him and so it tis that the saied 136 OBITUARY NOTICES. John Burt Jun is made up in sd Cap! Willards Rool moor than one month short in his Wages as may be made to appear their- fore your petitiner In behalf of the first named John Burt prays that your Honnor and Honnors will giue order for such a sum to be drawed oute of the province Tresuree as you in your Grate wisdom shall think to be Just and your petitioner In behalf of the S? Burt shall Euer pray William Lawrance In the House of Repues June 11 1760 Read and Ordered that the Sum of two pounds eleven Shillings and four pence be allowed out of the publick Treasury to William Law rence Esq' for the Use of John Burt who was made up that Sum short as a Sarjent in Cap' Aaron Willard's Muster roll Sent up for concurrence James Otis Speaker In Council June 12. 1760. Read and Concurred A Oliver Sec Consented to T Hutchinson Massachusetts Archives, LXXIX. 176. OBITUARY NOTICES. During the past twenty-five years the New England His toric Genealogical Society have had brief memoirs of their deceased members written, which have appeared in " The New England Historical and Genealogical Register," a quar terly periodical published by that Society. The following sketches have been printed, of persons connected more or less intimately with the town of Groton; and they are here given, arranged alphabetically, with the month and year when they appeared, as well as the volume and page of the Register. George Henry Brown, a resident member, died in Groton, of pneumonia, May 3, 1865. He was born in East Bridgewater, March 29, 18 10. His father, Bartholomew Brown, was born in Danvers, Mass., Sept. 8th, 1772, and practised law in Sterling, and after wards removed to Bridgewater. He m. Betsey Lazelle, dau. of Gen. Sylvanus Lazell, of that town. Geo. H. Brown was married in Sterling, Aug. 17th, 1834, to Harriet Porter, b. Aug. 14th, 18 14. OBITUARY NOTICES. 1 37 The children of Geo. H. and Harriet P. Brown are, Henry Lazell, b. in North Bridgewater, Sept. 13th, 1835 ; m. Martha A. Goulding, of Worcester, April 30th, 1863 ; and now reside in Ilion, N. Y. They have one child, a daughter. George Porter, b. in East Bridgewater, Aug. 6th, 1836 ; m. Mary E. Little, of Shirley, Nov. 29th, i860 ; and now reside in Winchester. They have two children, a son and daughter. Caroline Parker, born in E. Bridgewater, March 23d, 1839 ; m. John W. Knight, of Woburn, June 25th, 1858; and now reside in Woburn. They have had four children, two of whom, a daughter and a son, are now living. Helen Mitchell, b. in E. Bridgewater, Jan. 2d, 1841 ; m. John H. Turner, of Hartford, Ct., Sept. 10th, 1 86 1 ; and now reside in Groton. They have one child, a son. Allina Catherine Gilbert, b. in Groton, Nov. 29th, 1846. Mr. Brown attended school at South Bridgewater and Billerica Academies. On leaving school he was placed in a store in Boston, but having a distaste for the business, he soon left, and edited and published a literary work called the Amaranth, published in East Bridgewater from 1832 to 1835, and issued semi-monthly. It was afterwards merged in the Boston Pearl. He had the best writers in the country as contributors to it. In 1835, m connection with his father, he edited and published a weekly paper in North Bridge- water, called the Bridgewater Patriot and Old Colony Gazette. In 1842 he removed to Groton, wh^ere he remained up to the time of his death. He established a printing office there, and edited and pub lished the following campaign papers : The Log Cabin Patriot, pre ceding the election of Harrison ; Spirit of the Times (Taylor) ; Give 'em Jessie (Fremont); Groton Mercury (Lincoln); and editor of a weekly paper called the Railroad Mercury. He was a frequent contributor to many other periodicals and newspapers. He was post-master in Groton under Taylor, and at Groton Junc tion till his death, under Lincoln. He was well patronized as a lecturer, and delivered the following lectures to large audiences : On Printing, Newspapers, Insects, Music, China and the Chinese. He was a member of the Legislature in 1861, and was appointed on several important committees, one of which was the committee on the Ship Canal. He kept a record of the proceedings of the Groton Centennial Celebration, intending at some future time to publish it. It is the only account preserved. Since his decease, it has been put into the hands of a gentleman who intends preparing it for the press. [See the first volume of this Historical Series, No. XVIII. p. 4.] His health had been so poor for a number of years, 138 OBITUARY NOTICES. that many things he attempted have been left incomplete. He had prepared a genealogical history of the Brown and Porter fami lies, which appears, with very slight additions, ready for the press. His military history of Groton, from the French war up to the pres ent time, including the recent Southern rebellion, has been left in such a state, it is feared, no one will be found to carry it out. His whole heart was engaged in this work, and every moment that health would admit, during the last year of his life, he devoted to it. In his earnestness to complete it, no doubt, he over-exerted himself, thereby hastening his death. He became a member of the Society in 1864. January, 1866 (XX. 84, 85). Addison Weld Champney, a corresponding member, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., May 24, 1839 ; died in Brooklyn, Oct. 22, 1876, aged 37. He was the son of Samuel Trowbridge Champney, of Brooklyn, N. Y., the great-grandson of the Hon. Ebenezer Champney, and also of the Rev. Caleb Trowbridge, minister of Groton, Mass. He was a member of the New York Bar, " a thorough read lawyer, of a clear and critical intellect, and never advocated a wrong cause.'' He was a member of the first Presbyterian Church, and was an earnest and successful worker in the Sunday School. . His pastor, who was familiar with his labors and influences in the congregation and Sunday School of City Park Chapel, Brooklyn, of which he was one of the officers for several years, says of him ; " His work was singularly disinterested in its motive, and abundant in its results for the good of the people. His presence among them was always hailed with pleasure. The greetings of the little folks as he passed them on the streets gave pleasing proof of the place which he occupied in their affections. His warm and generous heart dictated liberal things, and his hands and purse executed cheerfully what his heart conceived. I speak from personal expe rience of his kindness when I say that it gathered about him many friends who deeply mourn his death." Mr. Champney inherited a vigorous constitution and had the prospect before him of a long and useful life, but died after a few days' illness of congestive pneumonia. He was admitted a member, Jan. 19, 1861. July, 1877 (XXXI. 340). OBITUARY NOTICES. 1 39 Samuel Trowbridge Champney, Esq., a corresponding member, chosen Sept. 17, 1859, was born in the town of Groton, Mass., Sept. 10, 1798, and died in Brooklyn, N. Y., Oct. 21, 1885. His father, Francis Champney, was born in New Ipswich, N. H., Jan. 27, 1766, and died in Groton, Mass., Feb. 22, 1837. His mother, Abigail Trowbridge, was born June n, 1765 ; and they were united in marriage Dec. 23, 1786. The father of Francis was the Hon. Ebenezer Champney, who was born in Cambridge, Mass., April 3, 1744, was graduated at Harvard College in 1762, and died Sept. 10, 1810. He received his first commission as Justice of the Peace from Gov. John Han cock, and in 1 795 was appointed Judge of Probate in the county of Hillsborough, N. H., which office he held till his death. The ear liest American ancestor of the subject of this sketch was Richard Champney, who came from Lincolnshire, England, and settled in Cambridge, Mass., in 1634, and died in 1669. In very early life young Champney went to New Ipswich, N. H., where he remained some years, and afterwards went there again to be a clerk in the store of Mr. Samuel Batchelder, for whom he always cherished a great respect and love. He early went into the shipping business in New York, where he acquired property rapidly, but was defrauded by his partner. He then went into the grocery business in Brooklyn, and was very suc cessful. In this business he remained till near the time of his death. His daughter, Mrs. Smitten, says of him : — " He was always known for his kindness of heart and his readiness to assist any one in time of trouble." He was first united in marriage with Mary Turpin Taylor (who was born in Philadelphia, Sept. 16, 1810), Aug. 19, 1827. By this marriage there were eleven children, five sons and six daugh ters. Of these, three daughters and one son are yet living. One of these sons was a lawyer, one a physician, two merchants, and one died in infancy. The lawyer, Addison Champney, was a member of our Society. His first wife died Jan. 7, 1847. He was again married, to Mary Jacobs, of New Hampshire, in September, 1856, and she died in 1861. There were no children by this marriage. " Mr. Champney," says his daughter, " was an ear nest christian, a tender and loving husband, and a most kind and self-sacrificing father." October, 1887 (XLI. 421, 422). 140 OBITUARY NOTICES. Joshua Green, M.D., of Groton, Mass., died June 5, 1875, at the residence of his son-in-law, Dr. Charles Y. Swan, in Morristown, N. J., aged 77. He was a son of Joshua and Mary (Mosley) Green, and was born, in Wendell, Mass., October 8, 1797. He was a de scendant in the 7th generation from Percival1 Green, of Cambridge, through John,2 Joseph,3 Joseph,4 Joshua,5 and Joshua,6 his father. A genealogical account of this family in the Register for April, 186 1 (xv. 105-9), gives further particulars of his ancestors. He fitted for college at New Salem, Westfield and Milton acad emies, and was graduated at Harvard College in the class of 1818. He studied medicine with Dr. John C. Warren, and, immediately after taking his medical degree, in 182 1, was appointed apothecary at the Massachusetts General Hospital, the first year that it was opened for the reception of patients. At that time the apothecary, in addition to his ordinary duties, performed those of house phy sician and house surgeon. He began the practice of medicine in Sunderland, Mass., in 1823, and remained there till 1825, when he removed to Groton. He retired from the active practice of his profession forty years ago. In 1836 and 1837, he represented the town of Groton in the Massachusetts legislature. For many years he was a trustee of the Lawrence Academy and secretary or president of the board. In the summer of 1832 he had an attack of pulmonary hem orrhage, which rendered it necessary for him to pass the succeeding winter in Cuba. The trip seemed to restore him to perfect health. For some years before his death .he suffered from paralysis, from which disease he died. He married, Jan. 5, 1824, Eliza Lawrence, daughter of Major Samuel and Susannah Lawrence, of Groton. See her obituary, ante xxviii. 486, and tabular pedigree of Lawrence, x. 297. They had six children, namely: 1. William Lawrence, d. young ; 2. Wil liam Lawrence, merchant, deceased ; 3. Henry Atkinson, merchant, of Boston ; 4. Samuel Abbott, M. D., city physician of Boston ; 5. Elizabeth Lawrence, m. first, John Kendall (Dart. Coll. 1853); m. second, Charles Young Swan, M. D. ; 6. Joshua, d. young. He was admitted to this society as a corresponding member, August 18, 1849. He was much interested in antiquarian and gen ealogical studies, and was a diligent collector pf books and manu scripts illustrating them. He was a subscriber to the Register from its first publication. January, 1876 (XXX. 126). OBITUARY NOTICES. 141 Kilby Page, Esq., was born in Boston, Mass., Feb. 3, 1797. The court on Hanover st., now known as Wesley Place, was formerly a part of the garden attached to the house where Mr. Page was born. He was the sixth son of Thomas Page and Sarah Cogswell, daugh ter of John Cogswell, of Ipswich. Thomas Page was the son of Edward Page and Sarah Kilby Page, and Edward was one of three brothers who emigrated from England to this country in 1740. Kilby Page, the subject of the present sketch, was married Oct. 30th, 1832, to Rebecca, second daughter of the Hon. Samuel Dana, of Groton, Mass. They had four children, namely : Sarah Ann, born May 30th, 1834, and died May 8th, 1861. Kilby, born May 2d, 1836. Sam uel Dana, born April 30th, 1839, and died Nov. 18th, 1842 ; and Francis Dana, born Feb. 10th, 1844, and died June 18th, 1849. Kilby Page, Jr., was married, June 18th, 1866, to Anna Catharine Hancock, and still survives. He is now a merchant in Boston. Kilby Page, Sen., resided in Boston till 1842, when he built a house in Jamaica Plain, and removed thither. In the early part of his business life he dealt in paper hangings, but gave up that busi ness soon after his removal to Jamaica Plain. He then engaged in commercial enterprises, especially in the building of ships ; but about the beginning of the late war, foreseeing the commercial troubles which would grow out of that contest, disposed of his in terest in the shipping business. From that time he retired from all active business, beyond the care of his property, and died April 24th, 1868, aged 71 years. He was elected a resident member of this Society Aug. 15th, 1862. October, 1868 (XXII. 476, 477). Hon. Amos Adams Lawrence, A.M., brother of William R., men tioned below, life member, admitted to the Society Oct. 15, 1847, was born in Boston, July 31, 1814, and died at Longwood, Brook- line, Aug. 22, 1886. He received his baptismal name from Rev. Amos Adams, pastor of the First Church in Roxbury, 1753-1775. He was the son of Amos Lawrence, of Boston, by his first wife, Sarah Richards, of Dedham. His mother dying in his early life, he was sent in 181 8 to the home of his grandparents in Groton, where he remained till his father's second marriage, when he was taken back to Boston. He was fitted for college at the Putnam Academy, in North An dover, and was graduated at Harvard College in 1835, in a class of 142 OBITUARY NOTICES. 57. Among his classmates were Prof. Geo. J. Abbott, George Bemis, Esq., Prof. Charles Chauncey Shackford, and Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar, LL.D. Very soon after leaving college, he was led naturally by his family connections into business, which grew into large and commanding proportions. His first instruction in this department was in the counting room of Almy and Patterson. But in 1837 he began business for himself as a commission merchant. In a few years the firm was Lawrence & Stone, and later Robert M. Mason was associated with him. In these later years Lawrence & Co., at their store 68 Chauncey Street, were the agents for the sale of the cloths manufactured by the Pacific Mills, the Cocheco Co., and the Salmon Falls Co. In 1841 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Appleton, daughter of Mr. William Appleton. From this marriage there were seven children. In 1848 he and his brother William R. Lawrence bought a tract of land in the town of Brookline, and in 185 1 they established their residence there, giving the name of Longwood to that section of the town. In his father's house, Mr. Lawrence had before him an example of simple and noble living, joined to munificent Christian benevo lence. In the Lawrence Genealogy it is stated, that between the years 1844 and 1854, Mr. Amos Lawrence gave away in wide spread charities more than $600,000, and all this was done in a most quiet way, with an entire absence of ostentation. The qualities of the father descended to the son. The man who has just passed away will be known and remembered as one of Boston's noblest citizens. He was admirable in the grace and simplicity of his manners. The law of goodness and benevolence was in his very look. Every one was at ease in his presence. Yet he was a man of high principle and an earnest defender of the right. His energy in resisting wrong in Kansas in 1856 will be ever kept in remembrance on that soil, by the city which bears his name. April, 1887 (XLI. 229, 230). William Richards Lawrence, M.D., a life member, admitted Jan. 25, 1871, was born in Boston, May 3, 1812, and died in Swamp- scot, Sept. 20, 1885. His father was Amos6 Lawrence, born in Groton, Mass., Apr. 22, 1786, and hi.s mother was Sarah Richards, born in Boston, July 25, 1790. His grandfather was Dea. Samuel,6 of Groton, born Apr. 24, 1754, who was son of Amos,1 of Groton, OBITUARY NOTICES. 143 born Feb. 19, 1715, who was son of John,8 of Groton, born July 29, 1667, who was son of Nathaniel,2 of Groton, born Oct. 15, 1639, who was son of John,1 baptized in England in 1609, and who came to this country and settled in Watertown. His education was extended and thorough. At the age of eight years he was sent to the Groton Academy, where he remained two years. Then he entered the Public Latin School in Boston for a year, thence he went to Dummer Academy, Byfield, where he re mained three years. Afterward he was a year at school in Gardiner, Me. In 1828, at the age of sixteen, he went abroad for a finished European education. He was studying under accomplished teachers in Paris, Versailles, and in Spain for nearly four years. He returned home in July, 1832. He was graduated from the Harvard Medical School in 1845, and as a physician he has been largely engaged in charitable work through public hospitals. His life has thus been made exceedingly useful, and he will be mourned by many who have personally known his kindness, and enjoyed the benefits of his medical knowledge and skill. He was united in marriage in St. Paul's Church, Boston, Dec. 6, 1838, with Susan Coombs Dana, daughter of Rev. Samuel Dana, of Marblehead, Ms. From this marriage there were three sons : Francis William, born at Brookline, Nov. 20, 1839 ; Arthur, born in same place, Aug. 22, 1842 ; and Robert Means, born in Boston, May 14, 1847. April, 1887 (XLI. 229). The Rev. Edward Grenville Russell, A.M., of Cambridge, Mass., a resident member, was born in Groton, Mass., June 2, 1834, and died in Cambridge, Feb. 25, 1880, aged 45. He was the son of Bradford and Mary Ann (Nash) Russell. His father was born in Weston, Mass., and was formerly a prominent member of the Middlesex Bar. The early education of Mr. Russell was at the Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., at the Westford Academy, and Phillips Exeter Academy, N. H. He was a graduate of Harvard College in 1855, and from the "Cambridge Divinity School " in 1858. Since then he has been occupied as a preacher, but was never settled over any parish. For some time he has been preaching at the church at the corner of Third and Thorndike Streets, East Cambridge. In addition to his ministerial duties, Mr. Russell held commis- 144 OBITUARY NOTICES. sions as Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Commissioner to qualify civil officers, and Commissioner of Deeds for Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont. He also published a " Key to Fosse's Spanish Grammar," Sales Edition. Mr. Russell was a member of Mount Olivet Lodge of Free Masons, the Friendship Lodge of I. 0. O. F., and of several tem perance societies. He married Feb. 22, i860, Mary Ann, daughter of Edward Stewart. He was admitted to membership July 3, 1857. July, 1880 (XXXIV. 326). Stephen Shepley, Esq., of Fitchburg, Mass., a resident member, was born in Shirley, Mass., Dec. 29, 1818, and died in Fitchburg, Jan. 18, 1880, aged 61. He was the son of Stephen Shepley, born in Groton, Mass., Aug. 1, 1791, and Amelia Shattuck, of Groton, born Sept. 6, 1791. His paternal grandfather was John Shepley, son of John, both of Groton. His maternal grandfather was Ezekiel Shattuck, son of John, both of Groton. He married Nov. 26, 1846, Martha M., daughter of Jonathan Harvey, by whom he had, Charles H, Francis B., and Alice M., who survive him. Mr. Shepley's early education was in the district school of his native town, with the advantage of a brief period at the Lawrence Academy, Groton. In early manhood he went to Fitchburg. Dur ing the winter of 1844-5 ne there taught school with unusual suc cess. Soon after he entered into partnership in the book-selling business with his brother Charles Shepley. For many years the firm, with its various partners, kept the only bookstore in Fitch burg. Charles Shepley died Jan. 15, 1848, and Stephen continued the business till 1852, when he sold it to H. R. Phelps. The fall of the same year he was chosen to represent the town in the legis lature by a coalition of democrats and free-soilers. In 1853 Mr. Shepley formed a partnership with Rodney Wallace, who removed to Fitchburg, and the new firm purchased the stock and good will of Mr. Phelps, dealing at wholesale and retail in books, stationery, paper and paper stock. The partnership con tinued for twelve years, and from small beginnings the business increased many fold. In addition to his book, stationery and paper business, Mr. Shepley held many offices of public trust, discharging the duties with singular fidelity. In addition to his trust as representing the OBITUARY NOTICES. 1 45 town in the legislature, he was for several years a member of the school committee ; one of the selectmen in 1848-49 ; a trustee of the public library, and one of the officers of the old Athenaeum. He was for twenty-five years one of the trustees of the Fitchburg Savings Bank, a director in the Fitchburg National Bank for twenty- four years, and Fitchburg Gaslight Co. for fifteen years. In agriculture he was also interested ; was a member of the State Board from 1873 to 1876, and president of the Worcester North Agricultural Society in 1873. He was a member of the Republican State Central Committee for several years. From 1873 until his death, he was one of the Board of Water Commissioners. Mr. Shepley was a man of strong social qualities, affable, possess ing acute discernment, decided convictions and a thorough knowl edge of human nature. He was frank, honest and unprejudiced. He was public spirited, an esteemed and valuable citizen. In liter ary matters his business made him conversant with the best authors and their works, and his store always exhibited marks of excellent judgment in selection and arrangement. He had a strong prefer ence for historical and genealogical works, and was himself the best authority on matters pertaining to the local and traditional history of Fitchburg. His membership dates from Dec. 7, 1875. July, 1880 (XXXIV. 324, 325)- Hon. William Warren Tucker, a benefactor and life member, admitted March 19, 1869, was born in Boston, March 18, 1817, and died at Paris, France, Nov. 26, 1885. His father was Alanson Tucker, born in Middleborough, Mass., Jan. 25, 1777, and his mother was Eliza Thom, born in Londonderry, N. H., April 19, 1790. His father and mother were united in marriage May 9, 1809, and the father died June 1, 1863. His grandfather, Nathaniel Tucker, was born in Middleborough, Mass., Oct. 15, 1744, and his great-grand father, Benjamin Tucker, was born in the same town in the year 1705 or 1706. After being fitted for college he entered Dartmouth and was graduated there in 1835. He received the degree of A.M. from Dartmouth in 1838, and from Harvard College in 1861. His class in Dartmouth College consisted of fifty members, among whom were numbered Hon. Amos Tuck, member of congress, Hon. John P. Healy, late City Solicitor of Boston, and Hon. Nathaniel Foster S afford of this city. 146 OBITUARY NOTICES. He was united in marriage, March 30, 1843, with Susan Elizabeth, daughter of William and Susan (Ruggles) Lawrence, of Boston. From this marriage there were two children, William Lawrence, born Nov. 4, 1844, and Allan, born April 20, 1848. He was a trustee of the Lawrence Academy of Groton, an insti tution endowed in part by his father in law, from 1844 to 1852, and in 1878 was a member of the Executive Council under Gov. Rice. At some time before 185 1 he had entered into business arrange ments under the firm name of Upham, Appleton & Co. This continued for a few years, when it was changed into Upham, Tucker & Co., commission merchants, No. 4 Milk Street. Mr. Tucker was the translator or compiler of the following works : His Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Alexis in the United States of America during the Winter of 1871-72. . . . For private distribution. [Compiled by W. W. Tucker.] 8vo. pp. 221. (1). Cambridge, 1872. His Royal Highness Prince Oscar at the National Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of American Independence, held in Philadelphia, U. S. A., July 4, 1876. [Compiled by W. W. Tucker.] 8vo. pp. +119. Boston, 1876. The Republic of San Marino. Translated from the French. Printed for private distribution. i2mo. pp. xiv. 170. Cambridge, 1880. The Neutral Territory of Moresnet. Printed for private distri bution. [Translated from the French.] i2mo. pp. 18. Cambridge, 1882. The Valley of Andorra. Translated from the French, and printed for private distribution. i2mo. pp. 66. Cambridge, 1882. April, 1886 (XL. 219). Charles Woolley, Esq., a resident member, admitted April 7, 1867, was born in Boston, Aug. 4, 1802, and died in Waltham, Oct. 30, 1886. His father was Charles Woolley, born in London, Eng land, Apr. 9, 1768. His mother was Susanna Bentley, youngest daughter of Joshua Bentley, and sister of Rev. William Bentley, of Salem. See Register, xxiii. no. She was born in Boston, Aug. 22, 1774. His grandfather was James Woolley, of Newcastle on the Tyne, north of England, who married Ann Saunders, of London, in Sept., 1760, and resided in London. Their son Charles came to this country in the latter part of the last century, and resided in OBITUARY NOTICES. 147 Newport. His marriage with Miss Bentley took place in 1796. From this marriage there were two children, Ann Saunders and Charles. Charles the father was a sea-faring man, the Commander of the ship Marquis de Saumarez, of Boston, and on a voyage to the West Indies he died at Havana, Sept. 29, 1802, when his son, the subject of this sketch, was not yet two months old. By the subse quent marriage of his mother to Mr. David Childs, the boy in early life was carried to Groton, Mass., where his boyhood and youth were passed. Mr. Woolley had such education, in those early years, as the country school afforded, after which he was trained for a life of business. The Boston Journal, in its issue of Monday, Nov. 1, 1886, has the following : " He was the pioneer in the business of dredging harbors, and for many years the principal owner in the Boston Sub marine Dredging Company. Mr. Woolley was a man of strict in tegrity and highly respected by all who knew him. He had a fondness for antiquarian matters. He was married at Groton on May 6, 1827, to Miss Catharine Elizabeth Colburn, who survives him with six children, four sons and two daughters. He was the father of Charles Woolley, of Groton, and ex-Alderman Woolley, of East Boston." As the years have been passing on, new inventions and new methods have been coming into use, and this business is not so profitable now as it was forty or fifty years ago. Mr. Woolley was a man who had the thorough respect of his fellow men, and he passes away, leaving to his family and the world an excellent name and reputation. January, 1887 (XLI. 105, 106). The following obituary notices are found under the "Deaths," in the Register for January, 1855, and for October, 1856, which was before the time when the more formal sketches were first printed. Butler, Caleb, Esq., Groton, Ms., 7 Oct., 1854, as. 78; a native of Pelham, N. H., grad. D. C, 1800, and soon after was Preceptor of Groton Academy, in which he instructed eleven years. He read law with Hon. Luther Lawrence ; was Postmaster of Groton about 20 years, prior to 1847. He wrote and published an elaborate his tory of Groton. In the private relations of life he was highly es teemed. He was an early member of the N. E. Hist. Gen. Society 3 and was a subscriber to the Register as long as he lived. January, 1855 (IX. 98). 148 OBITUARY NOTICES. Farnsworth, Rev. James Delap, 12 Nov., as. 61 yrs. and 2 mo. He was a native of Groton, grad. H. C, 18 18 ; was settled in the ministry four times, and in four different places ; viz., at Oxford, N. H, Paxton and Boxboro' in this State ; remaining about 10 years at each place. He also preached at N. Chelsea a year or two, and from there went to Scotland, a parish of Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., where he was unanimously settled over the Orthodox Congregational Church in that parish, Sept. 1853. He died very suddenly, of what was supposed to be disease of the heart. J. G. It is remarkble that Mr. Farnsworth preached on the Sabbath day before his death from the text " It is finished," and that subse quently he had meditated upon another, which was " Follow mef for the day on which he died. [Puritan and Recorder. Mr. Farnsworth was an early member of the N. E. Hist. Gen. Soe, and took great interest in its prosperity. He was a subscriber to the Register from its commencement. January, 1855 (IX. 98,99). Wentworth, Oliver,5 Groton, June, 1856, at the homestead of the late Samuel Lawrence, in whose family he had resided from his childhood, aged 94 yrs. and 4 mos. He was born 8th February, 1762. He married in 1815 the widow of Capt. Jonathan Worcester, whose maiden name was Eunice Nutting, born about 1770. She died in 1824, childless. He was son of Moses4 Wentworth, born 3rd Sept. 1726, and who married 3rd Feb. 1747-8, Mindwell Stone, born 10th April 1731, and daughter of John Stone, Jr., and wife Elizabeth, of Groton, Mass. Moses4 died in Harvard, Mass., May 1772, and his widow married (ist) Abram Dinsmore of Temple, N. H., and then (2nd) a Mr. Chaplin of Cavendish, Vt., and died at the house of her son Asa,5 in Alstead, N. H. Moses 4 was an orderly sergeant at the battle of Quebec, under Gen. Wolf ; and was the son of Aaron a Wentworth, whose wife was Elizabeth, who was the son of Paul2 Wentworth, whose wife was Catherine, who was the son of the emigrant settler, William Wentworth, of Dover, N. H., whose wife was Elizabeth. The above Paul2 and Aaron8 are believed to have died in that part of Norwich, Ct., afterwards set off as a new town, under the name of Preston. October, 1856 (X. 368). GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1888. Historical Series, Vol. IL, No. VI. REV. JOSEPH C. SMITH. The following notices of the late Reverend Joseph Crouch Smith, who for some years was settled over the Unitarian Society at Groton, are found, respectively, in the "Daily Evening Traveller" (Boston) of March 19 and 29, 1858. Mr. Smith was born at Waltham, on July 18, 18 19, and graduated at Bowdoin College in the Class of 1838. After his graduation he spent some months in a lawyer's office at Kennebunk, Maine, as a temporary occupation, although he had then determined to follow the ministry ; and subsequently he passed two years at the Andover Theological Seminary. Having been duly approbated at the house of the Reverend George Wadsworth Wells, of Groton, by the North Middlesex Association, on May 4, 1842, he began to preach in the spring of that year. Entering into an engagement to supply for a brief period the pulpit of a new society at Frankfort, Maine, he thought it desirable to seek ordination as an evangelist ; and services appropriate to that rite were held in Portland, on October 11, 1842. Not long after this time his friend, Mr. Wells, of Groton, owing to ill health, needed some relief from his pastoral duties ; and Mr. Smith was called to supply his place. Upon Mr. Wells's death on March 17, 1843, he preached as a candidate, which resulted in his installation over the Groton Parish on July 12, 1843. Here he remained during eight years, working diligently and faithfully in the 150 REV. JOSEPH C. SMITH. cause of his Master, to which he had devoted his life. Finally, the loss of his health compelled him to ask a dismission ; and his relations to the Society ceased in August, 1851. After passing six or seven months in foreign travel and returning home much invigorated, he was called to the Channing Con gregational Church at Newton. Here he preached for four years, when his physical infirmities again compelled him to seek retirement from his cares and labors ; and he sailed for the Sandwich Islands, in the hope that he would still be able to act as an agent of the American Unitarian Association, but in this he was disappointed. After a rapid decline he died at Honolulu, of consumption, on December 29, 1857. Mr. Smith was twice married, first, on August 31, 1843, to Augusta Hepsibah, daughter of Ivory and Louisa (McCul- loch) Lord, born at Kennebunk, Maine, on August 2, 18 19, and died on June 20, 1844; and, secondly, on December 8, 1846, to Margaret Ann, daughter of George and Margaret (Shattuck) Brigham, who with two children survived her husband. She was born at Groton on January 2, 1822, and died in Lowell on March 31, 1864. Death of a well-known Clergyman. — The last mail from California brought the sad intelligence of the death of Rev. Joseph C. Smith, which took place at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, De cember 29th, 1857. Mr. Smith was a graduate of Brunswick col lege, and pursued his theological studies at Andover. He was first settled over the Unitarian Society in Groton, and afterwards became pastor of the Channing Church, in Newton Corner. In consequence of ill health he resigned his charge, and sailed for the Sandwich Islands, where he hoped to be able to labor as agent of the Ameri can Unitarian Association. The disease, however, was too deeply seated ; and after being detained in California by severe illness, he proceeded to the Islands, where, notwithstanding he received every attention, he rapidly declined, and at last peacefully expired, sus tained by the faith and hopes of that Gospel, which by his lips and by his life he had so faithfully expounded. Mr. Smith was thirty- eight years of age ; and while his family mourn the loss of a devoted husband and affectionate father, the church to which he ministered deplores the early departure of their honored and beloved friend and pastor. REV. JOSEPH C. SMITH. 151 The sermon on Mr. Smith's life and character, preached at Newton, by Mr. Miles, and noticed in the Traveller, as given below, was subsequently published. Sermon Commemorative of the Death of Rev. Joseph C. Smith of Newton, at the Sandwich Islands. Yesterday morning, a sermon commemorative of the death of Rev. Joseph C. Smith, former pastor of the Channing (Unitarian) Church, at Newton Corner, and who died Dec. 29 at the Sandwich Islands, whither he had gone for his health, was preached at that Church by Rev. H. A. Miles, D.D., of this city. There was a very large attendance. Mr. Miles announced as his text : " And turneth the shadow of death into the morning." Amos, 5 : 8. After alluding to the splendors of Christian truth which sparkle in the Old Testament like diamonds on a sandy beach, shedding light upon the problem of man's destiny, showing that death has two sides — one black and awful — the other with fresh hopes and golden splendors of the morning, he said that there was something which turns one of these aspects into the other, and then proceeded to consider and answer the query — What is that something ? His answer was that two elements enter into it — an intellectual convic tion and a spiritual experience. After enunciating the evidence in support of the belief, he proceeded to give a brief biographical sketch of the person whom the congregation had known as their pastor and friend, and whose serene and happy departure from earth they had so recently learned. From it we gather the follow ing facts : — He was born in Waltham, in 18 19, but early removed to Kenne bunk, Me., where his childhood was passed. At fourteen he entered Bowdoin College, and graduated in 1838. He was one of the youngest of the class — not remarkable for scholarship, but a fa vorite with all. He then passed a few months in a law office, but had previously chosen the profession of the ministry, and with that in view, his education was continued by a clergyman while at New buryport. In October, 1839, he entered Andover Theological Seminary, though he did not sympathize with the doctrinal views taught by the Faculty, and disliked the dependence of a beneficiary. Though the first year, occupied with preliminaries, passed harmoni ously enough, there is evidence that in doctrinal points he after- 152 REV. JOSEPH C. SMITH. wards disagreed with the Professors. November 13, 1 841, he closed his connection with the institution, and the paper which he received certifies to his high standing, as a scholar, and to his honorable charge. He commenced preaching in 1842, at the house of Rev. George W. Wells, of Groton, having been approved by the North Middlesex Association. He was ordained October 11, 1842, and temporarily filled the pulpit of a new society at Frankfort, Me., for a time. Having sup plied occasionally the desk of his friend, Mr. Wells, at his death, March 17, '42, he preached as a candidate for his successor, and July 12, '43, he was duly installed. While laboring in Groton, he suffered severe family afflictions, but continued his labors till August, 1 85 1, when they ceased, on account of ill health, the germs of the disease which caused his death. He then took a voyage to New Orleans and France, and on his return, after an absence of 7 months, was engaged for two Sabbaths to preach for the Channing Society, just formed ; be was re-engaged, and remained till ill health obliged him to resign in the winter of 1857. His happy relations with the society, and his high character as its pastor were here alluded to in eloquent terms, and numerous extracts given from his sermons preached during the interval. Having decided on a voyage to the Sandwich Islands, on the 4th of February, 1857, he began the voyage of 138 days. The daring battles of his journey were indicated by his journal entries, which leave us to wonder how he held out so long. He arrived at San Francisco prostrated by a hemorrhage of the lungs, and after a short stay there, he removed to Honolulu, where, just out of the town, in a beautiful spot, in a cottage surrounded by the rich vegetation of that far-famed climate, in the house of a refined Christian family, he was placed by the friends of the Uni tarian Association, by whom the mission was established. He only left this retreat three times for short drives, and last Christmas took his bed never to leave it till death. From this lovely spot his spirit took its flight on the afternoon of December 29, 1857. On the last day of the year his funeral obsequies were conducted by an Andover fellow-student, and witnessed by a large circle of loving friends. He paid an earnest and touching tribute to the memory of the deceased and closed by some appropriate remarks directed to the Society. THE WESSON OR WESTON FAMILY. 153 THE WESSON OR WESTON FAMILY. The following letter from General A. Harleigh Hill is printed in the "Daily Eastern Argus" (Portland), May 16, 1888, and gives some interesting facts concerning a Groton family. The mother of the Honorable Melville Weston Ful ler — recently appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, but not yet confirmed — was a grand daughter of Nathan Weston, a native of Groton. " Mother Bancroft," who is mentioned in Weston's letter, was his mother-in-law, as Weston had married a daughter of Samuel Bancroft, of Reading, and a sister of the Reverend Aaron Bancroft, D.D,, of Worcester. " Brother Shattuck " was Samuel Shattuck, of Pepperell, the first white child born in Groton, on the west side of the Nashua River, and who married Elizabeth Wesson. He died at Pepperell, on Septem ber 16, 1805, aged 78 years, 11 months and 21 days; and his widow died on November 10, 1806, aged 78 years. "Sister Hobart " was Keziah (Wesson), the wife of David Hubbard, who was killed in the Revolution at the Battle of White Plains, according to James W. North's History of Augusta, Maine (page 953). In the year 1822 she is said to have been living in Ashley [?], Massachusetts, at the age of 74 years. Without doubt the name of the town was intended to be Ashby. " Brother Nathaniel " owned a large tract of land near the Onondaga Lake, New York, where he lived. He perished, at the age of 84 years, on March 11, 1822, in the burning of his son's house (Dr. Hezekiah Weston), at Pompey, Onondaga County, New York. Nathan Weston, Jr., who graduated at Dartmouth Col lege in the class of 1803, became the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maine, besides filling other judicial posi tions. Dartmouth, Bowdoin and Waterville Colleges conferred upon him the degree of LL.D. 1 54 THE WESSON OR WESTON FAMILY. EIGHTY-FOUR YEARS AGO. Letter from Nathan Wesson, Augusta, to his Brother Ephraim, Vermont. To the Editor of the Argus : In looking over the "war papers" of Captain Ephraim Wesson (" Army Rolls," " Reports of Battles," " Orders of the Day," " Quar termasters' Accounts," " Dispatches," &c, &c, belonging to said Ephraim, who was captain of a company in the " French and Indian war," in Col. Nichols' regiment in 1766 and 8, and who was also my great grandfather), I thought perhaps the following let ter from his brother " Nathan," who was also a private in Captain Ephraim's company, and was enlisted by him in 1725, at " Wil mington," where he then lived, with their father, Stephen Wesson, might be interesting to the descendants who settled in Augusta, the then " Province of Maine." Captain Ephraim Wesson was born in Groton, Mass., in 1721, and died in Vermont in March, 18 14, aged ninety-three years. His brother " Nathan " was born at Groton, Mass., in the year 1740. Captain Ephraim Wesson, at the close of the French and Indian war, moved to Haverhill, New Hampshire, then a frontier town, being one of the first settlers, and was " Committee of Safety," &c, and delegate to " ye Provincial Congress " from New Hampshire to Exeter, and figured conspicuously in the Revolution in 1776. At the close of the Revolution he removed to Groton, Vermont, with his associates, the first settlers, gave the name of his native town, Groton, to the settlement. He settled in the adjoining town of Peacham, where he died as aforesaid. His brother "Nathan" at Augusta, wrote his name "Weston." All the descendants and members of the family of Ephraim continue to this day to write it Wesson. I make this inquiry of " Nathan's " posterity. How near was this young man "Nathan Weston," who had just "graduated" as mentioned in this letter to Capt. Ephraim in 1804, related to "Judge Weston of Augusta," and whose daughter " Catharine " was the mother of " Melville Weston Fuller," now nominated as Chief Justice of the United States. An answer would be gratefully received. A. Harleigh Hill. Kennebunk, Me., May 15, 1888. THE WESSON OR WESTON FAMILY. 1 55 A Voice from " Ye Olden Time." Augusta, March 31, 1804. To Captain Ephraim Weston, Peacham, Vermont : Dear Brother and Sister — I was very happy to hear from you and your family, by your neighbor Hosmer. It is not likely that we shall ever see each other with our natural eyes, but I hope that we shall meet in a better world. Time has advanced upon us both. I am sixty-four years old this month, and you are much older. I have my health as well as I can expect for a man of my years. My wife is a very weakly woman. I have but three chil dren living. My oldest son, Nathan, graduated at Dartmouth Col lege last August, and is now studying law. My second son is now in my store, but he wants to go to sea. If he should go to sea I shall quit business. I have a comfortable living. My third son that is living, James, was born since you was here. He is now a learning Latin almost through. My children are not old enough to know how they will conduct in the world fully as yet. I am glad that you have your children settled around you in so comfortable a manner, and that you are so well provided for, the things of this world. I hope that we shall be prepared for our departure when we are called for to exchange worlds. I know that I am so much taken up with things of this life that I am apt to put far away the evil day, but I hope that I shall be brought more to the sense of my duty, and be better pre pared than I am at this time. I hope that sister enjoys good health, and that you and she have a good hope and a happy mind. I feel a love for your children and grandchildren, though I never see them. I shall always be glad to hear from you and yours at every opportunity. A letter would be gratifying from you, or from any of your children. Brother Caleb Weston and his family was well when I heard from them last. They live where they did when you was here. They have lost all their sons, all but two ! Their son Caleb was struck overboard, coming from Liverpool four years since, and they had two sons drowned in Kennebec river, seven or eight years ago. Their son Nathan went to sea and died in Baltimore. Sister Temple was well in September, [when] I was at Reading. Mother Bancroft was well the last that I heard from her. Brother Shattuck and his family was in a usual measure of health, about the same time, and Sister Hobart. Brother Nathaniel is gone out of my 156 AN OLD DEED. ' " "' hearing, up to Onandago Lake. Our father's posterity is much scattered. Remember me to your daughter Elizabeth, I hear you have her with you. Political matters have taken up the attention of people through the United States. I think our nation affairs appear in a very prosperous way. These matters will not much affect us, but it will our posterity. I have sent you a pamphlet that was wrote by Thomas Arskins, an address to the inhabitants of England. That will show you the origin of the war in Europe. And as to the affairs of the United States, I send you a pamphlet, taken from the official accounts at headquarters, another address to the electors of Massachusetts. These will give you some idea of the public measures of the present administration. I remain your loving brother, till death. Nathan Weston. Mr. Ephraim Weston. AN OLD DEED. Dr. Green, in presenting an old parchment deed, duly signed and sealed, to the Massachusetts Historical Society on June 14, 1888, said: — It was given by Abigail Flint, John Flint and Mary, his wife, to Thomas Wheeler, all of Concord, and dated June 19, 1674. It conveyed 800 acres of land, which is described as lying and being in two parcells in the Wilderness Northerly from the towneship of Grawton at or neare unto a place commonly called by the Indians Aukecunsick : the one parcell being bounded on the South Easterly Side by a River that runs from the Towne of Grawton : and the other parcell lyeing about one hundred Rods distant from the affore mentioned parcell of land on the North Westerly Side thereof : Both which said parcells of Land being bounded out by marked trees : It is evident from the description that both these tracts of land lay on the northwesterly side of the Nashua River, and COL. ABRAHAM MOORE. 1 57 one of them was bounded by that stream. The two parcels come now within the limits of Hollis, New Hampshire, where the name of the original owners is still perpetuated by a Flint's Pond and a Flint's Brook. The Indian word Auke- cunsick seems now to have died out entirely, and I cannot find that it exists in the neighborhood, even in any modified form. These two tracts of land had been granted at the session of the General Court beginning May 22, 1661, to the widow of Thomas Flint and her second son John, in consideration of the public services of her husband and his father, who had been during eleven years a Magistrate of the Colony. Mrs. Flint had been left with a numerous family, " many whereof were in minority;" and the burden of their support had fallen on John, for which reason he was to have an equal interest in the grant with his mother. The return of the survey was made at the session of the General Court beginning May 27 1663, and duly approved by that body. Through the signature of Abigail Flint, the deed furnishes the given name of Thomas's widow. John, the son, married Mary, the daughter of Urian Oakes, the President of Harvard College ; and their signatures, also, are attached to the docu ment. The grantee was afterward known as Captain Thomas Wheeler, the famous Indian fighter, who wrote a " Narrative" of his campaign against the savages. COL. ABRAHAM MOORE. During the year 1887 a book was published by Harper & Brothers, New York, entitled " Retrospections of America, 1797-1811," by John Bernard. The author was an actor of decided brilliancy, who acquired throughout the United States considerable repute in his profession during the early part of the century. In describing a trip from Boston to Canada in the year 18 10, he says : — 158 COL. ABRAHAM MOORE. At Groton we made our first halt in order to pay a visit of a few hours to Mrs. [Mary] Moore (late Mrs. Woodham*), who, with her new husband, a solicitor, had retired from all the cares and allure ments of the world to this secluded village. Pleased as I was to see her happiness, I confess that it surprised me, considering that a few months before all her pleasure had seemed to centre in her pro fession. When once a woman makes her dfbut on " the Boards," from that moment her talents are somehow considered as public property, in which every individual who frequents the theatre con ceives he has a share, and therefore some right of controlling her disposal of them. Thus the gallants of Boston felt themselves aggrieved when this lady quitted the stage, and considering their amusement paramount to her happiness, thought she acted im properly in gratifying one man at the expense of a thousand. I believe this to be a very general feeling in such cases. (Pages 345, 346.) Mrs. Moore's maiden name was Mills ; and Abraham Moore, a lawyer of Groton, was her third husband. She had been married, — first, to a Mr. Barnard, by whom she had a son ; and, secondly, to Mr. Woodham. The son is still remem bered by a few of his schoolmates as giving his name in full as William Barnard Woodham Moore. I have heard it said that he was a scene-painter, and that he died many years ago. Mrs. Moore's mother before her marriage was Susanna Cunningham, and she also had had three husbands, named, respectively, Dalrymple, Mills, and Cunningham, — all Scotch men. An interesting account of these various family ram ifications is found in "The New-England Historical and Genealogical Register" (XXVI., 47) for January, 1872. The late Charles Woolley told me that Mrs. Moore's half- brother, Thomas Cunningham, married Charlotte, daughter of Samuel Tarbell, who died at the house of her brother-in- law. Major William Dalrymple, of Groton. Abraham Moore was a native of Bolton, Massachusetts, * Mr. and Mrs. Woodham were brought to Philadelphia from England, by Wm. Warren, in 1805. The lady was very beautiful and very popular. She played such parts as Volante and the Widow Chervley at the Chestnut Street house, with great success. She was in New York in 1805, and, as Mrs. Moore, first appeared in Boston as Lady Teazle in 1816. COL. ABRAHAM MOORE. 1 59 where he was born on January 5, 1785, and a graduate of Harvard College in the Class of 1806. He studied law with the Honorable Timothy Bigelow, of Groton, and after his ad mission to the bar settled in the town. Mr. Moore was appointed postmaster on January 31, 1812, and acted in that capacity until the summer of 1815, when he removed to Boston. His office was on the site of the north end of Gerrish's block, as it formerly stood ; and the post-office was kept in the same place. During the last war with England Mr. Moore occupied the house built by Dr. Oliver Prescott, at the southerly end of Main Street. At that period it was one of those hospitable mansions where Lieutenant Chase used occasionally to march his recruits in order to refresh the inner man, as mentioned in the first volume of this Historical Series (No. VIII., page 6). Mr. Moore was a man of military tastes and fond of the good things of this life, and took great pleasure in en tertaining his friends. He afterward lived in the dwelling just south of the First Parish Meeting-house, which was bought in the summer of 1836 by the Trustees of Groton Academy. His style of living was beyond his means, and just before leaving the town he made a grand failure. His creditors levied upon the estate, and nothing was saved from the financial wreck. Mrs. Moore went back to the stage and died soon afterward ; she is still remembered by a few of the older inhabitants of the place, who speak of her in terms of great kindness and respect. Colonel William Warland Clapp, in his "Record of the Boston Stage," says: "In 1816, two actresses of merit made their appearance. Mrs. Moore, formerly Mrs. Woodham, who has many descendants, highly respected in society, still living in this city, was an interesting actress, and her Lady Teazle was an admirable impersonation " (page 145). Mr. and Mrs. Moore were blessed with three children, — a son born on May 7, 18 10, who died in early infancy (see Groton Epitaphs, page 135) ; Mary Frances, who married John Cochran Park, and died in Boston on February 8, 1852, aged 40 years, 7 months and 27 days ; and Susan Varnum, who l60 NARROW ESCAPE FROM FIRE. married Granville Mears, and died in Boston on November 15, 1883, aged 68 years. All these children were born at Groton. I do not know the date of Mrs. Moore's death ; but Mr. Moore was married, secondly, on September 19, 1819, in Boston, to Eliza, daughter of Isaac and Eliza Durell, who died on January 19, 1858, aged 65 years. The husband also died in Boston four years previously, on January 30, 1854. NARROW ESCAPE FROM FIRE. The following item is taken from the " Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier," October 8, 1852. Mr. Shattuck's store was then situated at the south corner of Main and Pleasant Streets, but it was moved away in the autumn of 1870, when the new store across the street was built. Wonderful escape. — The store of Milo H. Shattuck, in Groton, narrowly escaped from being burnt, on Monday forenoon [October 4] last. It was discovered that a barrel of camphene was leaking in the cellar, when a person went down with a lamp to ascertain the cause. The air was so thoroughly impregnated with the camphene gas, that the flame was immediately communi cated to the camphene that had leaked out, though the lamp had not been carried within twelve feet of it. Instantly the bottom of the whole cellar was wrapped in flames, which were communicated to two barrels of camphene. It was not till after one of the barrels had been charred in some places, and the metallic faucet had been melted to within half of an inch of the barrel head, that the flame was extinguished. Fortunately, the barrel was standing on one end, as otherwise it would have been impossible to have kept the fire from the inside, when destruction of human life must have ensued. There were several persons in this small cellar striving with all their might, for the space of fifteen minutes, to subdue the fire with water, which at first had no effect whatever on the flames. The damage was trifling. TWO DOUBLE TRAGEDIES. l6l TWO DOUBLE TRAGEDIES. The following accounts of two horrible double tragedies at Groton are given, in order to keep tolerably complete the record of marked events, as they happen within the township. Prentiss Haynes was a son of Peter and Sarah Haynes, and born in Acton ; at the time of his death he was 35 years old. His wife was Emily, daughter of Caleb and Drucilla Titus, and born in " Colbrook," Maine, according to the town-records. This was probably meant for Colebrook, New Hampshire, as there is no such town in the State of Maine. At the time of her death she was 28 years old. Murder and Suicide. On Sunday evening [December 25], a Mr. Haynes, superintendent of the Poor House in Groton in this State, during a temporary fit of insanity, cut his throat with a razor. He then attacked his wife with the same instrument, severing the jugular vein, and causing her death in a short time. Dr. [Peter] Pineo, the Physician of the Poor House, came into the house about the time of the tragedy, and Haynes immediately made an attack upon him with the razor. At the same time a drunken person, who was present, seized the doctor round the waist and held him so firmly that for a while his situation was very critical. He succeeded, however, in releasing himself from the hold of the drunken man, and soon mastered Haynes, who was rapidly growing weak from the loss of blood. Haynes survived but a short time. We learn that a few days since, he made an attack upon Doctor Pineo, though not of so violent a character. " Boston Daily Journal," Tuesday, December 27, 1853. The Groton Murder. Of this horrid tragedy, which was noticed yesterday just as we went to press, we learn the following further particulars : Mr. [Prentiss] Haynes, one of the overseers of the poor of that town, has been supposed to be somewhat deranged for some time past, and was asked by his wife to retire for the night, when he told her that he would sleep up stairs, as he was fearful somebody would shoot him if he slept below, and accordingly the two went 1 62 TWO DOUBLE TRAGEDIES. up stairs. After a while a noise was heard and Mrs. Haynes rushed down stairs, followed by her husband with a razor in his hand, the two running against an old lady present, and around the house and back up stairs again, when Mr. Haynes was heard to bolt the door and say, " You have got to die now, any how." When the door was opened, shortly after, it was found that both the wife's and the husband's throats were cut from ear to ear, causing their death almost instantly ! Prom appearances the husband had attacked his wife and cut a gash on the side of her face before she rushed down stairs — and there was another cut on one of her hands, probably done at the same time. At the second attack he was perfectly successful, it appears. "Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier," December 30, 1853. Charles Messer, one of the victims of the second tragedy, was a son of Cyrus and Mary Messer, and a native of Methuen ; at the time of his death, on September 5, he was aged 56 years, 8 months and 14 days. William Augustus Reed, the other victim, was a son of William and Mary L. Reed, of Groton ; he died on September 7, two days after the affray. The scene of this affair was west of the Groton School, toward the Nashua River, near a wood-lot. A SHOCKING TRAGEDY IN TOWN. A terrible murderous transaction occurred in this town on Thurs day afternoon [September 5] last, resulting in the death of two individuals. It appears that one Augustus Reed, who belongs to Dunstable, was in the employ of Mr. A. H. Fuller, drawing wood from his lot near "Community Village," so called, between the Junction and Groton Centre. Reed was on his return to the wood lot when one Charles Messer asked him for a ride. Reed took him into his cart and they went off. On arriving at the lot, Reed asked Messer to give him a lift and help load the wagon. Messer declined, when Reed insisted, and they soon got involved in a dispute which led to blows. Messer turned to leave, Reed follow ing him, when Messer immediately drew a bowie knife (one belong ing to his son, a returned volunteer) and rushed upon him, stabbing him in three places — near the region of the heart, near the shoulder blade, and in the back. TWO DOUBLE TRAGEDIES. 163 Reed then returned to his cart in a high state of excitement, declaring to an Irishman who was at work with him, that he would finish the devilish rascal ; so snatching up a bludgeon he hurried after Messer, and struck him with such tremendous force as to break his skull, killing him almost instantly. In the mean time- the Irishman, much frightened, had fled for assistance, and soon brought some persons to hand. Reed immediately gave himself up to the authorities, and was taken to the residence of his mother, in a weak state. His wounds being of a dangerous character, he gradually failed and died on the following morning. Reed and Messer, both, had been drinking freely ; so, again we have another shocking fact to record, of two men at the head of families, murdering each other from the most trivial cause, while under the influence of liquor ! "Railroad Mercury" (Groton Junction), Thursday, September 12, 1861. A Double Murder in Groton. A sad affair, resulting in the death of two men, occurred in the town of Groton, in this State, on Thursday last. Charles Messer and Augustus Reed, while occu pied in loading a team with wood, became involved in a dispute which led to blows. Messer was badly beaten by Reed over the head with a club till life was extinct, but, during the fight, Reed received several stabs in the abdomen from Messer, which he did not suppose were serious, for he delivered himself up to the authorities and was placed under watch at his mother's. To-day, however, his wounds terminated fatally. Both men leave families. "Saturday Evening Gazette," Boston, September 7, 1861. Akin to these homicides, and for the same reason that they are mentioned, I will add a very short notice of three other tragedies that have occurred in the town within a few years. A radius of half a mile would describe a circle, which includes the scenes of them all. Mrs. Maria L. Crue was murdered on January 17, 1880, in her house near the Ridges, by Stearns Kendall Abbott, who is now serving in the State Prison a life sentence for the crime. Mrs. Susanna (Blood) Prescott was murdered on Novem ber 11, 1885, in her house near the Ridges, by Mrs. Mary Ann Jane Baker, who is now serving in the Middlesex House of Correction at East Cambridge a life sentence for the deed. 164 "PAUGUS JOHN" CHAMBERLAIN. Henry Winch was killed by Nathan Nutting on May 16, 1887 ; but the grand jury, considering it a case of justifiable homicide, failed to find a bill against him. "PAUGUS JOHN" CHAMBERLAIN. The following extract is taken from a centennial address, delivered at Merrimack, New Hampshire, on April 3, 1846, by the Reverend Stephen Thompson Allen, of that town. It clears up the obscurity that has long hung over the Chamber lain name in connection with the killing of Paugus, the Indian chief, in Lovewell's Fight, at Pequawket, now within the limits of Fryeburg, Maine, on May 8, 1725. "Paugus John" is supposed to have died about the year 1756, though no record of his death is found. The appraisal of his property was made on March 31, 1756, according to papers on file in the Middlesex Probate Office at East Cambridge. See the pre ceding volume of this Historical Series, No. XIX., pages 6 and 7 ; also " Groton during the Indian Wars," pages 144 and 145 : — Capt. John Chamberlain came from Chelmsford, in the year 1734, and built mills at Souhegan Falls. He received three hun dred acres of land from the Brenton proprietors, on condition that he would erect a saw and grist mill. His mills were the first erected in town. It is by many supposed, that this Chamberlain is the same that killed Paugus, the Indian chief, in Lovewell's fight. But such is not the fact. They were cousins ; and from a descend ant of the family I learn, that, to distinguish them from each other, one was called Paugus John, and the other Souhegan John. The descendants of Paugus John are now living in Groton, Mass. ; and the gun with which he shot Paugus is still kept by the family, and may be seen by calling upon them. Souhegan John, as he was called, married a daughter of Lieut. [Josiah] Farwell, who was the only one that escaped of the scouting party killed near Thornton's Ferry, and whose death is mentioned in the narrative of Lovewell's fight [by the Reverend Thomas Symmes]. He died of his wounds on his journey home. (Page 17.) GROTON RIDGES. 165 GROTON RIDGES. The following account of an incident that happened near the Groton Ridges, is taken from the " Philadelphia Album," October 12, 1833. The "Dunstable paper," from which it was originally copied, was either "The Nashua Gazette" or the " New Hampshire Telegraph," which were at that time the only newspapers printed in Dunstable (now Nashua), New Hampshire : — Source of Reflection. — Whether pleasing or not, we leave the reader to judge. To one who has ever passed the Groton Ridge, in Groton, Mass., it is useless to say that it is one of those conveniences which seem expressly calculated by nature to aid man in his labours for improvement. The ridge passes through a bog which otherwise would be impassable, and barely wide enough upon its top for a road, upon either side of which the descent is almost perpendicular for a great number of feet. A man passing this ridge on a moonlight night, discovered a cartwheel, which he thought would afford a little sport and gratify his propensity for mischief, if he could set it a trundling. Accordingly, thinking that whenever the wheel was found, the owner would think it descended without help, when it parted from the axletree ; he with considerable diffi culty poised it, and let it go. It did so in fine style — he laughed at the joke, and after chuckling at the trouble he had caused, till the last echo had died, passed on. Presently he overtook his own team — (which he had permitted to pass along alone), when he dis covered that one end of the axletree was dragging on the ground ; it was his own wheel which had amused him so much. The reader may draw his own moral. Dunstable paper. For a reference to the Ridges, see "The Geography of Groton " in the preceding volume of this Historical Series, No. XV., page 8. Marriage of a Lowell Boy in California. Among the list of marriages in California we notice that of Jonathan P. Flanders, of this city, to Miss Mary Brooks, of South Groton, Mass. " Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier," December 30, 1853. I 66 TRANSFER OF REAL ESTATE. BAPTIST CHURCH AT AYER. Ordination. On Wednesday last [October 6], Mr. J. E. Guild was ordained as pastor of the Baptist church at South Groton [now Ayer]. The order of exercises were as follows : Introductory ser vice by Rev. Mr. Willard, of Harvard ; Sermon by Rev. Daniel C. Eddy, of Lowell ; Ordaining Prayer by Rev. Mr. Allen, of Groton ; Charge to the Candidate by Rev. S. B. Swain, of Worcester ; Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. F. G. Brown, of Townsend ; Address to the Church by Rev. F. E. Cleaves, of Littleton ; Concluding Prayer by Rev. Mr. Sanderson, of Groton j Benediction by the newly made Pastor. Mr. Guild is a Lowell man, having received his early education in our public schools. In August last he graduated at the New Hampton Theological Institution, and is settled in the ministry with the prospect of much usefulness. " Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier," October 8, 1852. gUP Among the passengers in the Hoagley from Boston for San Francisco, are William Miner, Elbridge Newton and William Frost, of Groton. " Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier," January 23, 1852. The clipper ship " Hoogly " sailed from Boston for San Francisco, on Sunday, January 18, 1852. 'J. M. Hollinsworth's extensive and costly paper mills, at Groton Junction [Paper Mill Village ?], are nearly ready to go into operation. Mr. H. intends to manufacture first quality book paper, employing about 35 hands. " Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier," May 20, 1853. TRANSFER OF REAL ESTATE. The following extracts, taken from the printed Journal of the House of Representatives, show a negligence on the part of the average yeoman which prevailed a century and a half TRANSFER OF REAL ESTATE. 1 67 ago in the transfer of lands. During that early period many similar instances are found in the General Court Records. John Ames, mentioned in the first petition, died on July 30, 1743. See Butler's History of Groton (page 384), where a doubt is raised whether this was John the father, or John the son ; but a reference to " Groton during the Indian Wars" (page 132) will solve it, and show that it was John, Jr., who died on that date, as the father was killed by the Indians on July 9, 1724. Captain Jonathan Shepley, — as the surname was generally spelled, — mentioned in the second petition, died on Novem ber 4, 1744. He was town-clerk of Groton during the year 1730, and from March 5, 1734, to the day of his death. He died while in office, and his name should be added to the four other names of town-clerks, as given in the preceding volume of this Historical Series, No. XV., page 19. His widow, Lydia, was probably the youngest child of Joseph and Abigail Lakin, and not the daughter of William and Elizabeth Lakin, — as stated in the Groton Epitaphs (page 14.) See Shattuck Memorials (page 137, note) for other facts concern ing the family. A Petition of Elizabeth Ames of Groton, Administratrix to the Estate of John Ames late of said Groton, deceased, shewing her late Husband became bound to convey a Tract of Land therein mentioned to Caleb Trowbridge of said Groton, but neglected to do it in his Life time, praying she may be enabled to execute the Deed, for the Reasons mentioned. Read and Ordered, That the Prayer of the Petition be granted, and that the said Elizabeth Ames be and hereby is impowred to make a Conveyance of the Lands mentioned in said Petition and Bond, and that such Conveyance shall be deemed as good and valid in Law to all Intents and Purposes as if the same had been made by her late Husband John Ames, in his Life time. Sent up for Concurrence. Journal of the House of Representatives (page 197), March 6, 1745. A Petition of Lydia Shapley and Josiah Sartell, Administrators to the Estate of Capt. Jonathan Shapley late of Groton, deceased, praying they may be enabled to give one Philip Woolrick of said 1 68 OBITUARY NOTICES. Groton, a Deed of one third Part of a twenty Acre Lott which the said Jonathan was obliged to give in his Life time under a Pen alty, but neglected it. Read and Ordered, That the Prayer of the Petition be granted, and the Petitioners in their said Capacity are hereby impowred to give and execute a good Deed of the Land therein mentioned to the said Philip Woolrick accordingly. Sent up for Concurrence. Journal of the House of Representatives (page 237), April 22, 1746. ADDENDUM. (To be inserted in the list of " Natives of Groton and Residents of the Town," etc., page 36.) Honorable Asahel Stearns, born at Lunenburg, June 17, 1774, Harvard College, 1797; Preceptor of Groton Academy during a short period immediately after his graduation ; studied law with the Honorable Timothy Bigelow at Groton ; Repre sentative in Congress from Chelmsford, Massachusetts (Four teenth Congress), 1815-1817 ; University Professor of Law at the Harvard Law School, 18 17-1829. Died in Cambridge on February 5, 1839. OBITUARY NOTICES. In Groton, on Wednesday [November n], Mrs. Eliza Doane, wife of Amos Bancroft, M.D. When the pure in mind, and the virtuous, pass away from earth, some tribute of affection is justly due to their memory ; and those who have known and loved them, should bear testimony to their worth. An appalling suddenness of disease darkened at once, this highly endowed intellect, and mind and memory and life soon passed away ; no recognition of friends, soothed her last hours, nor parting farewells to those who hung around her bed of death ; but she has left to them, the consolation that life's best blessing, is a life well spent. Truly the ways of Heaven are mysteries, and its purposes past finding out, yet hath OBITUARY NOTICES. 1 69 it promised to the humble and to the confiding spirit, consolation under all earth's sorrows and calamities. "Boston Daily Advertiser," Tuesday, November 17, 1840. (gp* Col. Frank A. Brown, daguerreotypist, and a member of the Board of Aldermen of Manchester, N. H, died at Groton, Mass., of erysipelas, on Sunday last [January 30]. "Daily Evening Traveller" (Boston), Tuesday, February t, 1859. Colonel Frank Aaron Brown was the son of Captain Aaron and Sarah (Pierce) Brown, and born at Groton, on July 31, 1822. His father lived between the Ridge Hill tavern and Forge Village, near the Westford line, where he died on August 19, 1832. Death of an Aged Postmaster. Jonathan Clark Lewis died at Buxton Centre, Me., on the 25th inst., aged ninety-two years and nine months. He was born at Groton, Mass., and appointed post master of Buxton under the administration of John Quincy Adams, and, at the time of his death, was probably the oldest incumbent of that office in the United States. A twin sister, a resident of this city, survives him. " Boston Daily Evening Transcript," February 27, 1872. John R. Peters, one of the prominent men of a past generation in New York, died in that city on Saturday last [April 24]. He was the eldest son of Gen. Absalom Peters, of Hebron, Conn., and was born at Wentworth, N. H., in 1783. He commenced his business education in Groton, Mass., in the same establishment with the late Amos and William Lawrence, of Boston ; went from there to Troy, N. Y. — where he carried on a successful business for several years — and removed to New York in 18 14, where he has re sided ever since. As a leading merchant of the latter city, he did much by his enterprise in developing the cotton trade of the South, where he had extensive business connections for many years, and sent — in 181 6 — the first vessel cleared from New York for Mobile. "Daily Evening Traveller," Tuesday, April 27, 1858. 170 LIST OF DEATHS. LIST OF DEATHS. The following list of Deaths is taken from the " Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier," of the respective dates, as enumerated : — In Medford, Dec. 15, Lucy Prescott, relict of the Hon. Timothy Bigelow, and daughter of the late Hon. Oliver Prescott, of Groton, in her 82 d year. December 24, 1852. In Sonora, Cal., July 1, of dysentery, O. L. Bliss, of Groton, Mass., 40. August 20, 1852. In Groton, Aug. 30, Mrs. Margaret Brigham, 58. September 16, 1853. In Groton, May 23, Lucy Maria, daughter of Daniel and Calista Hayden, aged 3 yrs. 10 mos. July 8, 1853. In Groton, Oct. 17th, after a protracted illness, Miss Frances E. King, 21. October 28, 1853. In Groton, May 1, Mary A., only daughter of Rufus and Abigail Moors, 17 yrs. 10 mos. May 13, 1853. In Groton, July 17, Maria A., wife of Dr. Norman Smith, 23 yrs. 10 mos. July 23, 1852. In Ripley, Ohio, Sept. 27, William T. Tarbell, eldest son of the late William Tarbell, of Groton, Mass., 63. December 9, 1853. In Groton, Dec. 2, Harriet A., wife of Alden Warren, and eldest daughter of the late Luther Brooks, Esq., of East Cambridge, 33 yrs. 6 mos. December 9, 1853. LIST OF DEATHS. 171 In Groton, Aug. 1, at the residence of her father, Sarah J., wife of Isaac W. Whittemore, of Lowell, aged 24 years. Although stricken with death at a time when life seemed most dear to her, she murmured not at the will of Providence, and surrounded by her husband, children and weeping relatives, she calmly resigned her spirit into the hands of her Saviour. Vermont papers please copy. August 6, 1852. In Groton, Mr. John Deblois, son of Mr. John C. Brown, of this city, 25. " Boston Daily Advertiser," April 8, 1839. At Portland, Mrs. Marcy [Mary ?] Richards, Mt. 65, widow of the late Mr. Converse R. of Groton. "Columbian Centinel" (Boston), June 23, 1802. This was the widow of Convers Richardson, for many years an innkeeper of Groton. Her given name was Mary. In N. Orleans, Mr. Jacob Woods. ^Et. 27, a native of Groton, (Mass.) "Columbian Centinel" (Boston), September 13, 1809. if^c/ 0^e^Ci/yj\S- for a prof "effing Teople in Time s of great SECURITY AND DEGENERA CY: Delivered ia feveral SERMONS on Solemn, Occaiions : By Mr. Samuel witlard Paftorof the Church of Cfirilr at Groton. E«k.?.i7. Svn of Mm \ I have made thee a Watchman to tbe Houftoflfratl: thtrefwehear tie Word at my motitbt and give them Warning from me. Amos 7« Thus faith ths Lord, Consider yo#r wayes. CAMcBcSJDqS: Trimed by Samuel Green, * 6 7 1 To His'Behoed Friends thelnbabitants of g%j)Toyf\, \H*t it wai nor a defire to appear in public^ but to an- ¦ fwtr your reqitejis,jave light to the enfuing Serm thing itfelf may fpea{; inihe.rs»ding you (hall finde nothing but what was delivered in Preaching, Touching the occafton of %hsml need not advartife you, you may mil enough call tominde the loud votes of fptakfH providences, which forbad me in fuch a day to befilent • 7"befadh4iuki>f God whicj was upon thefoor. bsffetfed Creature, which frociuced that otlM.z6.g. bath founded through this Wildernefi, but you werexye ff&nejfes of it ; the Lord affeSyour hearts ,and give you to ham right eoufmfs. The other, two were alfo. upon fol^nOccafions^the^ hand tf God upon this L*nd, and us in particular, bids Minifiers to cry t£ loud; thfLord"God bath fpoken, who caithxt' J? raphe (ie ? XJt&sw m&nt corruption is. not willing ta beclofily deaTtwiibatv but I hope many of you bjtvt notfo learned Chrift My hearts defire and prayer for yaxfa^ that you may be prepared for flrakingtyries, and "the nearer they approach the more need have" we to be haitened and ro ufed fromour loytering. If thefe poor labours of mine,may help in that great bufinefs, I have my ends fully anfweredt, and my defire for you is, thatthofe afFed^ions may be blown up again in.the;reading which were kindled iuthe preachings J know I have but a while to be among you, if God pleafe 10 maty* me by thefe, or any other weakjndeavours, to be under him infir umeatal of your eternal good, 1 jhall dye with joy ; and fo meet you all at the right hand ef our Ju3ge in that great day, is ths higheft ambifioo of Tour unworthy tJMinifier- A * 5. W. GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1888. Historical Series, Vol. II., No. VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. In this number of the Historical Series I purpose to give a Bibliography of Groton, which is intended to include the titles of all books, pamphlets, broadsides, etc., having any connection with the history of the town, though I have ex cluded from the list such as bear simply Groton imprints. It includes the Histories of all towns in the immediate neigh borhood, so far as they have been written, and even of a few places in other States, when they contain matter concerning persons who went from Groton, as well as the Biographies of individuals who at any time have been residents of the town. All the publications here mentioned, with a few exceptions, are to be found either in the library of Harvard College or in that of the Massachusetts Historical Society. They form a vast storehouse of information concerning the social, religious and political life of the town, and they furnish the threads that have been woven into the fabric of our local history. The titles have been arranged chronologically, and for the most part they follow one another in regular sequence during the years ; but in some cases this was not practicable, as the exact order of their publication is not known. An account of the several newspapers that have been pub lished in the town may be found in the first volume of the Historical Series, No. V., pages 11-14, and on pages 93-97 of this volume. 174 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 1673. Useful Instructions | for a professing People in Times of great | Security and Degeneracy : | Delivered in several | Sermons | on Solemn Occasions : | By Mr. Samuel Willard Pastor of the Church of Christ | at Groton. || Cambridge : Printed by Samuel Green. 1673. 4to. Introduction signed by Urian Oakes and Thomas Shepard (1), and Preface "To his Beloved Friends the Inhabitants of Groton." [signed] Your unworthy Minister S. W. (1) Text pp. 1-80. This is a rare book ; and only three copies are believed to be extant. One copy was in the late George Brinley's library, and was sold in March, 1879, when the first part of that famous collection was scattered ; another is in the Harvard College Library ; and the third belongs to me. See the frontispiece of this number for a facsimile engrav ing of the Titlepage and the Preface. My copy has the following, written in Joseph Green's hand, across the Titlepage : — " Nath!1 Huntting E Dono amici Jos. Green 14 April. 1695." At the date of this writing Green was a senior at Harvard College ; and Hunting, who had graduated two years previ ously, was afterward married to Green's sister Mary. Joseph Green was a son of John and Ruth (Mitchelson) Green, and born at Cambridge, on November 24, 1675. He died on No vember 26, 1 71 5, at Salem Village (now Danvers), where he had been the settled minister for seventeen years. He was my great-great-great-grandfather. 1747- Advice of a Father to a Son engaging in | the Work of the Evan gelical Ministry. | A | Sermon | Preach'd at the Ordination | of the Reverend | Mr. Joseph Emerson, | To the Work of the Ministry, and Pastoral | Office over the second Church of Christ | in Groton, in the Province of the Massa- | chusett's- Bay. N. E. on Wednesday, Feb. | 25th. 1746, 7. | By His Father BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 1 75 [Joseph Emerson], | Pastor of the first Church of Christ in Mai den. || Boston : Printed and Sold by S. Kneeland and T. Green in Queen-Street. 1747. 8vo. pp. 19. The Second Church of Christ in Groton is now the First Church of Christ in Pepperell. Mr. Emerson was the first minister of this Church, which was gathered only a few weeks before his ordination. The Reverend Charles Babbidge, D.D., who was ordained on February 13, 1833, is now, in the order of' settlement, the fourth minister of the Parish. He is a native of Salem, where he was born on October 27, 1806, and a graduate of Harvard College in the Class of 1828. 1775- Rabshakeh's Proposals | Considered, | In a | Sermon, | Delivered at Groton | February 21, 1775. | At the Desire of the Officers of the | Companies of Minute Men in that | Town. | By | Samuel Webster, A.M. | Pastor of the Church at Temple, | in New- Hampshire. || Boston: Printed and Sold by Edes and Gill, in Queen-Street. 1775. 8vo. pp. 30. This sermon is reprinted in Blood's History of Temple, New Hampshire, where it may be found on pages 291-310. 1797. Ignorance and Prejudice shewn to be the only Enemies to Free Masonry ... their Objections considered and answered ... and the True Description of the Society given in a Sermon at the Conse cration of Saint Paul's Lodge in Groton, and the Installation of its Officers in due form, August 9th, A. L. 5797. By the Rev. Brother Thaddeus M. Harris, Chaplain to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Leominster, Mass. Printed by Brother Charles Prentiss. A. L. 5797. 8vo. pp. 28. This Address is reprinted as " Discourse IX. Answer to some popular objections to Free Masonry," in Harris's Dis courses on Free Masonry (Charlestown, 1801), pp. 153-184. 1 801. An Oration, pronounced at Groton, July 4, 1801 ; in Commemora tion of the Anniversary of American Independence. By William 176 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. Merchant Richardson. Published at the request of the Com mittee of Arrangement. Amherst, New-Hampshire : from the press of Samuel Preston. 1801. 8vo. pp. 16. At the time of this Address Mr. Richardson was the pre ceptor of Groton Academy. He was afterward the Chief Justice of the Superior Court of New Hampshire. 1806. Bye Laws of Groton relative to schools ; and Instructions of the School Committee. 1805. Cambridge printed by William Hil- liard. 1806. 8vo. pp. 12, to which are appended the "Com mittee's Instructions," pp. 3. This is the earliest printed document of the town ; and it appears to be in the nature of a report, which was accepted at a town-meeting held on November 18, 1805. The next public document was printed in the year 1828. 1807. An Oration, pronounced at Groton, in the Commonwealth of Massa chusetts, on the Fourth of July, A.D. 1807, in commemoration of the Independence of the United States of America, before the Republican Citizens of the town of Groton, and the vicinity ; but principally the Inhabitants of the towns of Chelmsford, Dun stable, Littleton, Lunenburg, Westford, Harvard, Townsend, Shirley, Pepperell, Ashby and Boxborough. By Samuel Dana. Amherst, N. H. printed by Joseph Cushing. 1807. 8vo. pp. 20. 1814. A Discourse delivered before the Charitable Female Society in Groton Oct. 19, 18 14. By Daniel Chaplin, A.M. Pastor of the Church in Groton. Published at the request of the Society. Andover Flagg and Gould, Printers. 1814. 8vo. pp. 15. 1820. The History of Chelmsford, from its origin in 1653, to the year 1820 — together with an historical Sketch of the Church, and biographical Notices of the four first Pastors. To which is added a Memoir of the Pawtuckett Tribe of Indians. With a BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 1 77 large Appendix. By Wilkes Allen, A.M. Pastor of the Church and Society in Chelmsford. Haverhill : Printed by P. N. Green. 1820. 8vo. pp. 192. 1821. Report of the Trial by Impeachment of James Prescott, Esquire [of Groton], Judge of the Probate of Wills, &c. for the County of Middlesex, for Misconduct and Maladministration in Office, before the Senate of Massachusetts, in the year 182 1. With an Appendix, containing an account of former impeachments in the same state. By Octavius Pickering and William Howard Gardi ner, of the Suffolk Bar. Boston : Published at the office of the Daily Advertiser. 182 1. 8vo. pp. 225(1). Oration, delivered at Groton, at the celebration of the Nativity of St. John, the Baptist, June 25, A.L. 5821, before St. John's R. A. Chapter, Trinity, St. Paul's, Social, and Aurora Lodges. By James [Gordon] Carter. Worcester : Manning & Trumbull, Printers.... July, 182 1. 8vo. pp. 20. 1822. Bye Laws of Groton Work House. Approved May 6, A.D. 1822. Concord, Mass. 1822. 41.0. pp. 8. 1826. Memoirs of the late Mrs. Susan Huntington, of Boston, Mass. Consisting principally of extracts from her Journal and Letters ; with the Sermon occasioned by her death. By Benjamin B. Wisner, Pastor of the Old South Church in Boston. Boston : published by Crocker & Brewster, No. 50, Cornhill. 1826. i2mo. pp. 408. With a portrait. This work passed through several editions not only in Boston but in Great Britain. See page 83 of the present volume of the Historical Series for a brief notice of Mrs. Huntington. Catalogue of the Teachers and Pupils of the Young Ladies' Semi nary, in Groton, Mass. for the year ending November, 1826. Concord : Allen and Atwill, Printers. 12 mo. pp. 7 (1). 178 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 1827. The Exclusive System. A Discourse delivered in Groton, Massa chusetts, at the Installation of Rev. Charles Robinson, Novem ber 1, 1826. By James Walker. Published by request. Boston : Bowles and Dearborn, 72, Washington St. Press of the Chris tian Examiner. Stephen Foster, Printer. 1827. 8vo. pp. 56. Religious Teachers Tested : A Sermon, delivered at the Dedica tion of the Union Meeting House, in Groton, Massachusetts, January 3, 1827. By John Todd. Published by the Union Church. Cambridge: Published by Hilliard and Brown. 1827. 8vo. pp. 46. The Rights of the Congregational Churches of Massachusetts. The Result of an Ecclesiastical Council, convened at Groton, Massachusetts, July 17, 1826. [By Lyman Beecher, D.D.] Boston : T. R. Marvin, Printer, Congress Street. 1827. 8vo. pp. 63. The same. Second edition, pp. 47. The Rights of the Congregational Parishes of Massachusetts. Re view of a Pamphlet entitled " The Rights of the Congregational Churches of Massachusetts. The Result of ah Ecclesiastical Council convened at Groton, Mass. July 17, 1826." From the Christian Examiner, Vol. IV. No. II. [By John Lowell.] Bos ton, Bowles and Dearborn, 72 Washington Street. Isaac R. Butts & Co. Printers. 1827. 8vo. pp. 32. The same. Second edition. Printed by Dutton & Wentworth. i2mo. pp. 36. A Collection of Facts and Documents relating to Ecclesiastical Affairs in Groton, Mass. occasioned by the publication of ' The Result of an Ecclesiastical Council convened at Groton, Massa chusetts, July 17, 1826,' and intended to correct Misstatements made, and supply material Facts suppressed by the Authors of the Result. [By Caleb Butler.J Boston, from the Press of the Christian Examiner. Stephen Foster, Printer. 1827. 8vo. pp. 44. 1828. An Act of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, A.D. 1827. To provide for the Instruction of Youth ; together with the By-Laws BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 179 of the town of Groton, in relation to Schools. Boston : Chris tian Register Office. 1828. 8vo. pp. 22. 1830. The first printing-office at Groton was opened in the autumn of 1829 by Stacy and Rogers, who published the Groton Herald from December 5, 1829, until September 4, 1830 ; and soon afterward their business was discontinued. I have never seen any books or pamphlets bearing their imprint, although they advertised for such work. I am informed by Mr. Stacy, now living at Milford, that they printed a pictorial Primer for Alpheus Richardson, who then kept a bookstore and binder's shop at the corner of Elm and Main Streets. Charles Benjamin Richardson, son of Alpheus, writes me in a note, dated June 6, 1888, that his father published the following books, besides others which he does not now remember : — The New Testament, i6mo. [1846. J An Illustrated Primer, i2mo. [1830.] The Floral Wreath, cloth, small size. This volume described many of the wild-flowers of New England. A Vase of Flowers, cloth, small size. It gave the names and the sentiments of Flowers. Daily Food, cloth, small size. This volume contained short selec tions from the Bible for every day in the year. These little books had a large sale and were widely circulated. A half-century ago Groton was one of the smaller publishing- centres of New England. My father's business in books and stationery extended to many of the towns within fifty miles of Groton, particularly to the northward and westward. See No. XIV. of the first volume of this Historical Series, page 32, for an account of " The New Testament in a Bale of Cotton." The Testament was a copy of Mr. Richardson's edition. 1831. The Confession of Faith, Covenant, and Principles of Discipline and Practice of the Union Church in Groton, Mass. Lancaster : Printed by Carter, Andrews, and Company. 1831. 8vo. pp. 20. 180 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 1832. Collections of the New-Hampshire Historical Society. Volume III. Concord : Printed by Jacob B. Moore. 1832. 8vo. pp. 304. This volume gives (pages 9-23) a Memoir of the Honorable Samuel Dana, for many years the minister of Groton, which was written by the Honorable Charles Humphrey Atherton, of Amherst, New Hampshire. "The Spirit of the Pilgrims" (Boston), February, 1832 (v. 65-77). Memoir of the Rev. Daniel Chaplin, D.D. late of Groton. This was written by the Reverend John Todd, D.D., the colleague and successor of Dr. Chaplin. i835- List of the Proprietors of the Atheneum in Groton, 1835 ; also, List of new pamphlets procured for the Groton Atheneum, for 1835. January, 1835. Broadside. 1836. Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students, of Groton Academy, for the Fall term, 1836. New Ipswich : News Gath erer Office, 1836. i2mo. pp. 8. This was the first printed catalogue of Groton Academy. 1837- Extracts from the Revised Statutes of the Commonwealth of Massa chusetts, Chap. XXIII. Together with the By-Laws of the Town of Groton, in relation to Schools. Lowell Journal Press, 1837. 8vo. pp. 17. Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students, of Groton Academy, for the year ending November, 1837. Concord. . W. F. G. Blanchard — Printer. 1837. i2mo. pp. 11 (1). 1838. Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students, of Groton Academy, for the year ending November 1838 : Thomas L Scates — Printer. Concord — Mass. i2mo. pp. 10 (1). BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. l8l 1839. A Sermon delivered at the South Congregational Church in Lowell, on the Sabbath following the Funeral of the Hon. Luther Law rence, who died April 17, 1839. By Henry A, Miles. Lowell : Leonard Huntress, Printer. 1839. 8vo. pp. 14. An Oration delivered before the Democratic Citizens of the North part of Middlesex County, at Groton, July Fourth, 1839. By John P. Tarbell. Lowell : A. Watson, Publisher. 1839. 8vo. PP- 35- Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students, of Groton Academy, for the year ending Nov. 20, 1839. Worcester : Printed at the Palladium Office, No. n, Central Exchange, by E. W. Bartlett. 12 mo. pp. 12. Life of William M. Richardson, LL.D., late Chief Justice of the Superior Court in New Hampshire. [By Charles Henry Bell.] Concord [N. H.] : Israel S. Boyd and William White. 1839. i2mo. pp. 90. 1840. Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Groton Academy, for the Spring, Summer & Fall terms, 1840. Lowell : Printed by Brown & Newton. 1840. i2mo. pp. 12. 1841. Catalogue of the Officers, Instructors & Students of Groton Acad emy, for the Academical year 1840-41. Lowell. Leonard Hun tress, Printer. 1841. i2mo. pp. 16. 1842. The Annual Report of the School Committee of Groton, Mass., for the School year 1 841-2. Lowell: S. O. Dearborn, Printer. 1842, 8vo. pp. 10. This was the first printed report of the School Committee of the town. It is stated on page 10 : — The Report of the School Committee was read in open town meeting, accepted, and ordered, That the Committee procure a printed copy for each family in town. /\ n-o.;t • J. Boynton, Town Clerk. 1 82 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. Catalogue of the Officers, Instructors & Students of Groton Acad emy, for the Academical year 1841-2. Lowell : Printed by William Schouler. 1842. i2mo. pp. 12. In the year 1842 George Henry Brown removed from East Bridgewater to Groton, where he opened a printing-office over Walter Shattuck's store ; and Mr. Shattuck soon became in terested with him in the business. The building was situated on the east side of Main Street, on the corner just north of the Orthodox Meeting-house, and subsequently burned on November 17, 1874. A short time afterward, on the dissolu tion of the partnership, Mr. Brown removed the printing-office to his own dwelling situated near by, on the other side of the street, where he carried on a considerable business and printed numerous pamphlets. In the autumn of 1853 he transferred the establishment to Groton Junction, now Ayer, where it was conducted until his death, May 3, 1865 ; and since that time it has been managed by his son-in-law John Henry Turner, and by his grandson Huntley Sigourney Turner. 1843. An Address delivered before the First Congregational Society in Groton, at the funeral of their late Pastor, Rev. George W. Wells, March 21, 1843. By Rev- C. A. Bartol. Boston: William Crosby & Co. 118 Washington Street. 1843. 8vo. pp. 12. This Address was first printed in " The Monthly Miscellany of Religion and Letters" (Boston: Vol. VIII. No. V.) for May, 1843, where it appears on pages 297-304. The pam phlet edition was struck off from the Miscellany form. A Discourse preached on Sunday, March 23, 1843, t0 the First Congregational Society in Kennebunk, Me. Occasioned by the Death of Rev. George W. Wells, former Pastor of the Society. By Edward H. Edes, Pastor of the Society. Published by re quest. Kennebunk. 1843. i2mo. pp. 21. I have not seen a copy of this pamphlet, but I take the title from " The Monthly Miscellany of Religion and Letters " for June, 1843 (Vol. VIII. No. V. 371). BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 183 Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Groton Academy, for the Academical year 1842-3. Groton : Press of Shattuck, Brown & Co. 1843. i2mo. pp. 16. 1844. Temperance Celebration, at Groton, April 19th, 1844. [Order of Exercises.] Groton Press. Broadside. This programme contains an ode, by Aaron Perkins, and a song, by George H. Brown, both written for the occasion. Practical Discourses. By George Wadsworth Wells, late Pastor of the Unitarian Church in Groton. With a Memoir [By the Reverend Cyrus Augustus Bartol]. Boston : William Crosby. 1844. i2mo. pp. iv, 290. A Catalogue of the First Parish Library, Groton. Instituted 1841. Lowell: Stearns & Taylor, Printers. 1844. 12 mo. pp. 12. No catalogue of Groton Academy was printed in the year 1844. 1845. List of Orders drawn by the Selectmen of Groton, from February 24, 1844 to February 24, 1845, and a Statement of the Overseers of the Poor. G. H. Brown, Fancy Job Printer, Groton. Broad side. Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of Groton Lodge, Number Seventy- one, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Instituted at Groton, May 28th, 1845. "Amicitia, Amor, Fideo [Fides?]." Boston : Printed by Bro. Alfred Mudge, No. 21 School Street. 1845. i6mo. pp. 38. Constitution of the Groton Artillery Company. Groton : Printed by George H. Brown. 1845. i2mo. pp. 8. Catalogue of the Trustees, Teachers and Students of Groton Acad emy, for the Spring, Summer and Autumn terms 1845. Groton : Printed by George H. Brown. 1845. I2mo- PP- 9- An Order of Exercises at the exhibition of Groton Acad emy on November 18, 1845, was also printed by Mr. Brown, he first one ever used by the school. 1 84 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 1846. Report of the Selectmen of Groton [for the year ending February 28, 1846]. Geo. H. Brown, Printer, Groton. Broadside. History of the Old Township of Dunstable : including Nashua, Nashville, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, and Merrimac, N. H. ; Dunstable and Tyngsborough, Mass. By Charles J. Fox. Nashua: Charles T. Gill, Publisher. 1846. i2mo. pp. xiv, 278. With map and views. Acts of the Legislature incorporating the Peterboro' & Shirley Railroad Company, together with the Report of a Survey from Groton to Townsend, and Statistical Statements of Business and Remarks. Charlestown : Printed at the Office of the Bunker-Hill Aurora April, 1846. 8vo. pp. 20. Constitution and By-Laws of the Groton Invincible Club. Founded 1843. ' Hail-fellows, well met.' Groton, Mass. Published by the Club. 1846. i2mo. pp. 18 (2). Catalogue of the Trustees, Teachers and Students of the Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. 1846. Groton : Printed by George H. Brown. 1846. i2mo. pp. 10. Order of Exercises at exhibition, November 18, 1846. Merriam's Yankee Card Press, Fitchburg. Broadside. The name of Groton Academy was changed by an Act of the Legislature, February 28, 1846, to Lawrence Academy at Groton. 1847. Report of Selectmen of Groton [for the year ending February 28, 1847]. Bense & Morgan . . . Printers . . . No. 3 State Street, (Times Building) Boston. Broadside. An Appeal to the " Voters of Groton." [1847.] Broadside. This Appeal was written by John Q. A. Griffin. Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy. Groton, Mass., 1847. Lowell: James Atkinson, Printer. (Office of the Lowell Journal) 1847. 8vo. pp. 12. A new steel engraving of the Academy appears in this pamphlet. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 185 Order of Exercises at exhibition\ December 8, 1847. Merriam's Yankee Card Press, Fitchburg. \ Broadside. A Genealogical Memoir of the Family of John Lawrence, of Watertown, 1636; with brief notices of others of the name in England and America. [By John Lawrence. Boston :] 1847. 8vo. pp. 64. 1848. Selectmen's Report of the Expenditures of the Town of Groton, for the year ending Feb. 29, 1848. G. H. Brown's Press, Groton. Broadside. Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the year 1847-8. Groton: Printed by Geo. H. Brown, 1848. i2mo. pp. 16. History of the Town of Groton, including Pepperell and Shirley, from the first Grant of Groton Plantation in 1655. With Ap pendices, containing Family Registers, Town and State Officers, Population, and other statistics. By Caleb Butler. Boston : Press of T. R. Marvin, No. 24 Congress Street. 1848. 8vo. pp. xx, 9-499. Maps of the central part of Groton, and of Groton, Shirley and Pepperell. Engraving of the First Parish Meeting-house. Seven hundred and fifty (750) copies of this book were printed. Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Lawrence Academy, from the time of its incorporation. Groton, Mass. 1848. 8vo. pp. 83 (1). Poster for the Whig meeting, October 4, 1848, dated September 30. The Memory of the Just is Blessed. A Sermon preached at the Church in Brattle Square, on the Sunday after the Interment of William Lawrence, Esq. October 22, 1848. By S[amuel] K[irkland] Lothrop, Pastor of the Church. Printed, not Pub lished. Boston : James Munroe and Company. 1848. 8vo. pp. 21. Catalogue of the Officers, Instructors and Students, of Lawrence Academy. Groton, Mass., 1848. Fitchburg: Printed by W. J. Merriam, 1848. 8vo. pp. n (1). 1 86 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. i 1849. Poster concerning Fourth of July Celebration, dated Groton, June 30, 1849. Programme for the Fourth of July Celebration. 1849. Brown's Press, Groton. Broadside. Truth and Character Vindicated : being a Review of Hon. Caleb Butler's History of the Ecclesiastical Affairs of Pepperell. By a Committee of the Church of Christ in that place [Reverend David Andrews and others]. Published by order of the Church. Boston : Press of T. R. Marvin, 24 Congress Street. 1849. 8vo. pp. 49. Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Lawrence Academy. Groton, Mass., 1849. Fitchburg : Printed by W. J. Merriam. 1849. 8vo. pp. 12. History of the Old Towns Norridgewock and Canaan, comprising Norridgewock, Canaan, Starks, Skowhegan, and Bloomfield, from their early settlement to the year 1849 ; including a sketch of the Abnakis Indians. By J. W. Hanson. Boston : Published by the Author. 1849. i2mo. pp. 371 (1). 1850. A poem [16 verses], to the tune of Yankee Doodle, written at Groton Junction by a passenger, who came down in the Nashua cars to take the Fitchburg cars, but arrived one minute too late. [By Aaron Perkins.] Date probably February, 1850. Printed on a slip. A Review reviewed in a Letter to David Andrews, Nehemiah Cutter, Samuel Farrar, Arnold Hutchinson, and Vryling Shattuck, Com mittee of the Church. By Caleb Butler. Boston : Benjamin H. Greene. 1850. 8vo. pp. 36. Expenditures of the Town of Groton, for the year ending February 28, 1850. G. H. Brown's Press, Groton. Broadside. Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for School year 1849-50. Boston : White & Potter, Printers. 1850. i2mo. pp. 24. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 1 87 Catalogue of the Library of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. 1850. Lowell : Printed by S. J. Varney, 82 Central Street, 1850. 8vo. pp. 206 (1). Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students, of Lawrence Academy. Groton, Mass, 1850. Lowell : S. J. Varney, Printer. 1850. i2mo. pp. 21. Order of Exercises at exhibition, July 24, 1850. S. J. Varney, Printer, Lowell Daily Journal Office. 8vo. pp. 2. Class of Alumni of Dartmouth College in 181 1 : Minutes of their Meeting in 1849 ; also, brief Biographical Notices of the Mem bers. Printed by Order of the Class, for their use. Concord, N. H. : Press of Asa McFarland — Main Street. 1850. 8vo. PP- 35- Nine members of this Class were either natives of Groton or at some time residents of the town. More " Alarming Developments. ; " Life and " Times in Groton : " or one way for lawyers and clients to raise the wind. Contain ing a report of a trial in the Supreme Judicial Court, holden at Cambridge, County of Middlesex, and Commonwealth of Massa chusetts, October 23d, 24th, and 25th, 1850. Before his Honor, Judge Fletcher. [By Elijah Whiton.] Groton: Published by the Defendant. 1850. i2mo. pp. 34. 1851. Report of the Selectmen of Groton, for 1850-51. Geo. H. Brown, Printer, Groton, Mass. Broadside. Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for School year 1850-51. Boston : White & Potter, Printers. 1851. i2mo. pp. 16. To the Farmers & Mechanics, Voters of Groton. Importance of a New County. Groton, March 14, 185 1. [George H. Brown, Groton, Printer.] Broadside. The same. Second edition. Influence. A Sermon, first delivered to various Congregations in Massachusetts, and now preached from the Pulpit of print to " the Common People." By David Fosdick, Jr., one of their 1 88 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. " order," and for several years Minister at Large in Massachu setts. Published by Request. Boston: Redding and Co. 8, State Street. 185 1. i2mo. pp. 34. The preface of this Sermon is dated at Groton, April 19, 185 1 ; and the pamphlet may be considered as a part of the Bibliography of the town. Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Lawrence Academy. Groton, Mass., 185 1. Lowell: S. J. Varney, Printer. 185 1. 8vo. pp. 21. 1852. Report of the Selectmen of Groton, for 1851-52. [George H. Brown, Printer.] Broadside. Report of the School Committee, of the Town of Groton, for the School year 1851-2. Groton: Printed by Geo. H. Brown, 1852. i2mo. pp. 12. This Report gives an account of a controversy between the School Board and the Prudential Committee of District, No. 14, which ended in a lawsuit that was gained by the School Board. For further particulars of the case, see an article entitled "A Legal Episode" in the next number of the Historical Series. The Faithful Man : a Sermon preached in the Federal-Street Meet inghouse, on Sunday, May 2, 1852, after the death of Thomas Tarbell, Esq. By Ezra S. Gannett, Pastor of the Church. Bos ton : Printed by John Wilson & Son, 22, School Street. 1852. 8vo. pp. 16. Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Lawrence Academy. Groton, Massachusetts. 1852. Lowell: Press of S. J. Varney, 27 Central Street, Lowell. 1852. 8vo. pp. 23. Memoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli. Boston : Phillips, Sampson and Company. 1852. i2mo. Volume I. pp. 350. Volume II. PP- 352- 1853- Report of the Selectmen of Groton, for 1852-53. Geo. H. Brown's Press, Groton. Broadside. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 1 89 The Report of the School Committee of the town of Groton, for the school year 1852-53, was printed in the " Groton Mer cury," May 14, 1853, and not issued in pamphlet form. Extract from a Sermon delivered at the Bulfinch-Street Church, Boston, Jan. 9, 1853, the Sunday following the Interment of the late Amos Lawrence. By Rev. F[rederick] T[urell] Gray. Boston: John Wilson & Son. 1853. i2mo. pp. 16. A Discourse commemorative of Amos Lawrence, delivered by re quest of the Students, in the Chapel of Williams College, Feb ruary 21, 1853. By Mark Hopkins, D.D. President of the College. Published by the Students. Boston : Press of T. R. Marvin. 1853. 8vo. pp. 36. The Moral Power of Character. A Sermon preached in the Church in Brattle Square, January 9th, 1853, the Sunday after the Fu neral of Amos Lawrence. By the Pastor of that Church, S[am- uel] K[irkland] Lothrop, D.D. Boston : 1853. Eastburn's Press. 8vo. pp. 26. An Address delivered before St. Paul's Lodge, Groton, Mass., at its Fifty-fifth annual communication, October 25, A. L. 5852, By L[ewis] Smith, of Nashua, N. H. " Quamvis velata, Veri tas." Nashville, N. H. Printed by Albin Beard. 1853. 8vo. pp. 29. On June 23, 1842, the town of Nashua was divided by an Act of the New Hampshire Legislature, the part north of the Nashua River taking the name of Nashville, and the part south of the river keeping the old name. On June 27, 1853, the two towns were again united, and have since formed but one municipality, now the city of Nashua, whose charter dates from that time. Some of the Objections against a Division of the Counties of Worcester & Middlesex, stated and subscribed to by the Au thorized Agents of Seventeen of the Twenty-three Towns pro posed to be set off into a New County. Boston : C. C. P. Moody, Printer, 52 Washington Street. 1853. 8vo. pp. 15. Signed by the agents of fourteen towns in Worcester and Middlesex Counties, of whom Daniel Needham, Caleb Butler, and Nathaniel Dane represented Groton. 190 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. Memorials of the Dead in Groton ; containing exact transcripts of Inscriptions on the Sepulchral Monuments in the Burial Grounds in the town of Groton, Mass. With copious historical and bio graphical Notices of many of its early settlers. By Thomas Bridgman. Northampton : Hopkins, Bridgman & Company. 1853. 8vo. pp. 8. This is a very rare pamphlet ; I have seen but one copy, which I own. It was given to me by Charles Henry Guild, now of Newton Highlands, but formerly of Somerville. It once belonged to the late Dr. Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, of Boston.A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., 1853. Andover: Printed by John D. Flagg. 1853. 8vo. pp. 23. 1854. Report of the Selectmen of Groton, for 1853-54. Geo. H. Brown's Press, Groton Junction. Broadside. Report of the School Committee. Groton, March, 1854. Boston: William White, Printer, 4 Spring Lane. 1854. 8vo. pp. 8. Covenant of the First Church, Groton, Mass., as adopted July 23, 1826, with the names of Members at that time and since. Groton : George H. Brown, Printer. [1854.J nmo. pp. 9. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., 1854. Andover : Printed by John D. Flagg. 1854. 8vo. pp. 20. Hymn. [Written by Miss Mary E. Atkinson, and sung July 12, 1854, at the Jubilee of Lawrence Academy.] i2mo. p. 1. Record of Alpheus Richardson's Family. Two sheets. Record of Joel Lawrence's Family. One sheet. These sheets were prepared by a member of Mr. Richard son's family, and printed about the year 1854. Mr. Richard son married a daughter of Joel Lawrence, which explains the connection between the two families. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 191 I855- Report of the Selectmen of Groton, for 1853-54 [54-55]. George H. Brown, Printer, Groton Junction. Broadside. Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, presented to the town, April 2, 1855. Boston : Printed by John Wilson and Son, 22, School Street. 1855. i2mo. pp. 12. Argument of the Hon. Geo. S. Boutwell, of Groton, on the Petitions for the Division of Middlesex and Worcester Counties, before the Legislative Committee, March 25, 1855. J. S. Potter & Co., Printers, 2 Spring Lane, Boston. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 12. The same. Broadside. The Jubilee of Lawrence Academy, at Groton, Mass., July 12, 1854. New-York: Standard Steam Presses, No. n Spruce Street. 1855. 8vo. pp. 76. (Also circular letter of invitation, dated May 25, 1854, and poster dated July 7.) Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Lawrence Academy, from the time of its incorporation. [By Miss Clarissa Butler.] Groton, Mass. 1855. 8vo. pp. 108. Anniversary of the Settlement of Groton ! A poster dated May 19. 1855. Catalogue of the Groton Public Library, with the By-Laws and Regu lations. Groton : Geo. H. Brown, Printer. 1855. 8vo. pp. 26. Extracts from the Diary and Correspondence of the late Amos Lawrence ; with a brief account of some incidents in his life. Edited by his Son, William R. Lawrence, M.D. Not published. Boston: Printed by John Wilson & Son, 22, School Street. 1855. 8vo. pp. xii, 307. With portraits. Extracts from the Diary and Correspondence of the late Amos Lawrence ; with a Brief Account of Some Incidents in his Life. Edited by his Son, William R. Lawrence, M.D. Boston : Pub lished by D. Lothrop & Co. Dover, N. H. : G. T. Day & Co. [1855.] 8vo. pp. 369. With portrait. Sect is Sin ; or, Christ the Foundation. A Sermon preached Sept. 5, 1855, at the dedication of a new Meeting-house belonging to 192 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. The " South-Groton Christian Union," by David Fosdick, Jr. Minister of the Society. With an Appendix, containing the covenant of the Society, and the order of exercises at the dedica tion of the Meeting-house. Published by Request. Boston : Phillips, Sampson, & Company, No. 13, Winter Street. 1855. i2tno. pp. 48. Groton Farmers' Club. By-laws. [Date probably 1855. J Broadside. Annual Exhibition of Lawrence Academy, Groton, on Monday Eve., July 16, 1855. Order of Exercises. Brown's Press, Groton Junction. Broadside. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors & Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., October, 1855. Northampton: Printed by Hopkins, Bridgman & Co. 1855. 8vo. pp. 20. By-Laws of Lawrence Academy. [1855.J 8vo. pp. (2). Bi-Centennial Celebration of the Settlement of Groton. Circular Notice without date. i2mo. p. 1. Bi-Centennial Celebration of the Settlement of Groton. Circular Notice, dated Oct. 15, 1855. i2mo. p. 1. Bi-Centennial Celebration ! Poster signed by J. N. Hoar, dated Groton, Oct. 17, 1855. Poster of the "Jubilee at Groton!" Dated October 25, 1855. (Bicentennial Celebration of the Town.) Brown's Press, Gro ton Junction. Bi-Centennial Celebration of the Settlement of Groton, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 1855. Order of Exercises. Broadside. A Discourse preached at the Funeral of Caleb Butler, who was born at Pelham, N. H., Sept. 13th, 1776, and died at Groton, Mass., Oct. 7th, 1854, aged 78 years; by Crawford Nightingale, Minister of the First Parish, Groton. Published on the day of the Bicentennial Celebration of the town, October 31, 1855. Boston : Printed by C. C. P. Moody, 52 Washington Street. 8vo. pp. 14. A History of the Rockwoods : from the time they first emigrated to this country, to the present time, 1855. [By Samuel Curtis Rockwood. Groton.] 8vo. pp. 8. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 1 93 The author of this pamphlet was a son of Samuel and Anna (Houghton) Rockwood, born at Squannacook (West Groton), on January 4, 1820, and died on July 7, 1888. He told me some years ago that only 25 or 30 copies of the History were printed. Memorials of the Descendants of William Shattuck, the Progenitor of the Families in America that have borne his name ; includ ing an Introduction, and an Appendix containing collateral in formation. By Lemuel Shattuck. Boston : Printed by Dutton and Wentworth for the Family. 1855. 8vo. (5) 414. With portrait. 1856. Report of the Superintending School Committee, of Groton, Mass., for the year 1855-6. Groton Junction : Printed by Geo. H. Brown. 1856. 8vo. pp. 7. Report of a Committee of the Town of Groton, appointed in Novem ber, 1855, to consider the expediency of establishing a High School. Printed by the authority of the town. Boston : William White, Printer to the State. 1856. 8vo. pp. 15. Memoir of the Hon. Abbott Lawrence, prepared for the Massachu setts Historical Society, by Hon. Nathan Appleton. Boston : 1856. J. H. Eastburn's Press. 8vo. pp. 21. By-Laws of the Town of Groton in relation to the Public Schools. Reported to the Town April 7, 1856. Groton Junction : George H. Brown, Printer. 1856. 8vo. pp. 9. Argument of Mr. Boutwell [of Groton] against the Division of Worcester and Middlesex Counties, made before the Joint Special Committee of the Massachusetts Legislature, April 23d, 1856. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 12. Catalogue of the Congregational Library, of the Union Church and Society, Groton. Date uncertain, — but printed before July, 1856. i6mo. pp. 16. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors & Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., October, 1856. Northampton : Printed by Hopkins, Bridgman & Co. 1856. 8vo. pp. 20. 194 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. First Annual Report of the North Middlesex Sunday School Society, presented at the First Annual Meeting of the Society, held at Groton, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1856. By Augustus Woodbury. Printed by Vote of the Society. Lowell : Vox Populi Print, 21 Central Street. 1856. 8vo. pp. 16. Poster for a Democratic Meeting, to be held in Liberty Hall, October 24, 1856, to consider the political questions of the day. From Brown's Printing Establishment, Groton Junction. The principal speakers announced for this meeting were Isaac Davis, of Worcester, and David Fosdick, of Groton. It was during the canvass of 1856 that the Republicans were first organized as a national party. Memoir of the Honorable Abbott Lawrence, prepared for the National Portrait Gallery, by William H. Prescott, Esq. Ex tracted from the work by permission of the publishers. Printed for Private Distribution. 1856. 4to. pp. 51. With portrait. Memoir of William Lawrence. Written for the American Journal of Education, by Samuel Kirkland Lothrop, D.D. Boston: Privately Printed. 1856. 8vo. pp. 33. With a Genealogical Memoir at the end. pp. 6. 1857- Report of the Selectmen of the Town of Groton, for the year ending February 23, 1857. Brown & Son, Printers, Groton Junction. Broadside. Report of the Superintending School Committee, of Groton, Mass., for the year 1856-7. Groton Junction : Printed by Brown & Son. 1857. 8vo. pp. 15. The Genealogy of the Family of John Lawrence, of Wisset, in Suf folk, England, and of Watertown and Groton, Massachusetts. [By John Lawrence.] Boston : Published for the Author by S. K. Whipple and Company, 161, Washington Street. 1857. 8vo. pp. (7) 191. Lawrence Academy. Annual Exhibition. Tuesday, July 21, 1857 ; 9 o'clock a. m. Brown & Son, Printers, Groton Junction. 8vo. pp.4. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 1 95 A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors & Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. October, 1857. Northampton : Printed by Hopkins, Bridgman & Co. 1857. 8vo. pp.. 20. Descriptive and illustrated catalogue of Plows and other agricul tural and horticultural Implements and Machines, manufactured and sold by Nourse, Mason & Co., Quincy Hall, over Quincy Market, Boston, Mass. Manufactories at Worcester and Groton, Mass. Worcester : Printed by Henry J. Howland. Illustrated. 8vo. pp. 149. This pamphlet was copyrighted in 1857, but different edi tions appeared during the next few years, varying mainly in the cover, which was dated with the month and year of the issue. The Poor Boy and Merchant Prince; or, Elements of Success drawn from the Life and Character of the late Amos Lawrence A Book for Youth. By William M. Thayer. Boston : Gould and Lincoln, 59 Washington Street. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman & Co. Cincinnati: George S. Blanchard. 1857. i2mo. pp. 349. 1858. Report of the Expenses of the Selectmen of the Town of Groton, for the year ending Feb. 24, 1858. Brown & Son, Printers, Groton Junction. Broadside. Report of the Superintending School Committee, of the Town of Groton, for the year 1857-8. Groton Junction : Printed by Brown Brothers, 1858. 8vo. pp. 9. A Discourse on the Life and Character of Rev. Joseph C. Smith. Delivered in the Channing Congregational Church, Newton, Sunday, March 28, 1858. By Henry A. Miles. Published by Request. Boston: Crosby, Nichols, and Company, 117, Wash ington Street. 1858. 8vo. pp. 27. History of the Town of Mason, N. H. from the First Grant in 1 749, to the year 1858. By John B. Hill. Boston : Lucius A. Elliot & Co. D. Bugbee & Co., Bangor, 1858. 8vo. pp. 324. Catalogue of books in the Groton Agricultural Library. [1858?] Broadside. 196 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. Lawrence Academy. Annual Exhibition, Tuesday, July 20, 1858 ; 9 o'clock a. m. 8vo. pp. 4. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. October, 1858. Groton Junction : Printed on Brown Brothers Steam Job Press. 1858. 8vo. pp. 20. Boston Compensating Horse Power. Nourse, Mason & Co., Boston, Worcester & South Groton. Groton Junction : Brown Brothers, Steam Job Printers. 1858. i2mo. pp. 16. Willard Memoir ; or, Life and Times of Major Simon Willard : with Notices of three generations of his descendants, and two collateral branches in the United States ; also some Account of the Name and Family in Europe, from an early day. By Joseph Willard. With three engravings. Boston : Phillips, Sampson, and Company, 13, Winter Street. 1858. 8vo. pp. xiii, 470 (1). Major Simon Willard was a large land-owner of Groton, and a resident of the town during some years before its burn ing by the Indians, on March 13, 1676. He was the father of the Reverend Samuel Willard, the second minister. 1859. Life of James Sullivan : with Selections from his Writings. By Thomas C. Amory. Boston : Phillips, Sampson and Company, 13 Winter Street. 1859. i2mo. Volume I. pp. xii, 414. Volume II. pp. v, 424. Governor Sullivan lived at Groton during four years of the Revolutionary period (1778-1 782), and represented the town in the Convention for forming the Constitution of Massachu setts, 1 779-80. His farm was situated on the north side of the Lowell Road, about half a mile from the First Parish Meeting-house. Report of the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, and Liquor Agents, of the Town of Groton, for the year ending March 1, 1859. No imprint. 8vo. pp. 15. Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the year ending April, 1859. Groton Junction : Brown Brothers, Caloric Job Printers. 1859. 8vo. pp. 9. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 1 97 A Sermon preached in the Baptist Church, South Groton, at the funeral of Mrs. Barbara A. Frye, December 29, 1858, by her Pastor Rev. Edwin A. Bulkley, of the Union Church, Groton. Printed for her friends. Groton Junction: Printed by Brown Brothers. 1859. 8vo. pp. 17. A Funeral Sermon occasioned by the death of Frank A. Brown, preached in the Unitarian Church, Manchester, February 2, 1859. By Rev. S. S. Hunting, pastor. Printed by request of the Society. To which is appended a sketch of his life, together with the resolutions passed by the Unitarian Society, the City Council, and the Amoskeag Veterans. Manchester, N. H. : Printed by Charles F. Livingston, Smyth's Block. 1859. 8vo. pp. 19. Lawrence Academy. Annual Exhibition, Tuesday, June 28, 1859 ; at 9 o'clock a. m. 8vo. pp. 4. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. June, 1859. Boston : Printed by John Wilson and Son, 22, School Street. 1859. 8vo. pp. 20. i860. Report of the Selectmen, Overseers of Poor, and Liquor Agents, of the Town of Groton, for the year ending March 1, i860. No imprint. 8vo. pp. 13. Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the year 1859-60. Groton Junction : Brown Brothers, Book & Job Printers, i860. 8vo. pp. 15. Lawrence Academy. Annual Exhibition. At nine o'clock, a. m., Tuesday, July 3d, i860. Franklin Printing House, Worcester, — Edward R. Fiske, Proprietor. 8vo. pp. 3. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. October, i860. Boston: Printed by John Wilson and Son, 22, School Street, i860. 8vo. pp. 19. Rules for students wishing to receive aid from the funds of Law rence Academy. 8vo. p. 1. 1 861. Expenditures of the Town of Groton, for the year ending March 1, 1861. Henry L. Brown, Printer, Groton Junction, Mass. Broadside. 198 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for i860- 61. Boston : Press of T. R. Marvin & Son, 42 Congress Street. 1861. 8vo. pp. 15. Percival and Ellen Green. [Reprinted from " The New- England Historical and Genealogical Register," April, 1861.J No title- page. Svo. pp. 5. Wars and Rumors of Wars. A Sermon preached at the Union Church in Groton, Mass., on Sunday, April 21st., 1861, by the Pastor, Rev. Edwin A. Bulkley. Cambridge : Printed by Miles and Dillingham. 1861. 8vo. pp. 16. This sermon was repeated at South Groton on April 28, 1861, when Co. C, 16th Massachusetts Volunteers, Captain Leander G. King, was present by invitation. A Village Ministry in Massachusetts : a Farewell Sermon preached July 1, i860, in the Meeting-house recently belonging to the " South-Groton Christian Union," by David Fosdick, Jr. Min ister of the Society. With notes and preface. Boston : Crosby, Nichols, Lee, and Company, 117, Washington Street. 1861. 8vo. pp. 30. Lawrence Academy. Anniversary Exhibition, Tuesday, July 2, 1861. 9 1-2 o'clock, a. m. 8vo. pp. 3. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. October, 1861. Boston : Printed by John Wilson and Son, 22, School Street. 1861. 8vo. pp. 22. 1862. Report of the Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Groton, for the year ending March 1, 1862. Groton Junction : Henry L. Brown, Book & Job Printer, 1862. 8vo. pp. 13. Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for 1861- 62. Boston : Press of T. R. Marvin & Son, 42 Congress Street. 1862. 8vo. pp. 12. Lawrence Academy. Anniversary Exhibition, Tuesday, July 1, 1862. 9 o'clock, a. m. L. S. Learned, Printer, Cambridgeport, Mass. 8vo. pp. 3. Poster concerning the Draft of 1862. Groton, August 12, 1862. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 199 A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. November, 1862. Boston : Printed by John Wilson and Son, 5, Water Street. 1862. 8vo. pp. 22. 1863. Annual Report of the Receipts & Expenditures, of the Town of Groton, for the year ending Feb. 28, 1863. Groton Junction : Henry L. Brown, Book & Job Printer 1863. 8vo. pp. 24. Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for 1862- 63. Groton Junction : Henry L. Brown, Book & Job Printer, 1863. 8vo. pp. 12. Henry Lazell Brown, the printer of these pamphlets, was the son of George H. Brown ; he was born at North Bridge- water, now Brockton, on September 13, 1835, and died in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 25, 1881. Groton Junction Post Office. A Statement made by George H. Brown, Postmaster, in regard to his removal and subsequent restoration, dated April 15, 1863. Broadside. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. November, 1863. Boston : Printed by John Wilson and Son, 5, Water Street. 1863. 8vo. pp. 22. Report of Committee to revise and prepare By-Laws [concerning truant children and absentees from school. Accepted in Town Meeting, November 3, 1863]. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 3. 1864. Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, for the year ending March 1, 1864. Groton Junction : Geo. H. Brown, Book and Job Printer. 1864. 8vo. pp. 18. Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for 1863- 64. Boston : Printed by John Wilson and Son, 5, Water Street. 1864. 8vo. pp. 24. Groton Soapstone Quarry and Manufactory. Statement regarding property, location, value, &c, with Reports of Superintendent Daniel McCaine and Professor Charles T. Jackson, and Esti mates of amount, demand, and supply. Boston : Printed by Alfred Mudge & Son, 34 School Street. 1864. 8vo. pp. 16. 200 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. Constitution and By-Laws of the Groton Junction Workingmen's Union. Date uncertain, — but printed before the year 1865. Broadside. Annual Exhibition of Lawrence Academy, June 27th, 1864. Groton Junction : Printed by Geo. H. Brown, 1864. 8vo. pp. 3. Poster concerning the draft of 1864. Groton, August 22, 1864. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. November, 1864. Boston: Printed by John Wilson and Son, 15, Water Street. 1864. 8vo. pp. 22. 1865. Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 1, 1865. Boston : J. E. Farwell and Company, Printers, 37 Congress Street. 1865. 8vo. pp. 23. Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for 1864- 65. Boston : Printed by John Wilson and Son, 15, Water Street. 1865. 8vo. pp. 14. The Stewardship of Wealth, as illustrated in the lives of Amos and Abbott Lawrence. A Lecture delivered before the New York Young Men's Christian Association, January 4th, 1865. By Frank W. Ballard. New York : Clayton & Medole, Trinity Building. 1865. 8vo. pp. 50. The Stewardship of Wealth : A Lecture delivered before the New York Young Men's Christian Association, January 4th, 1865, by Frank W. Ballard. [Second edition.] No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 16. By-Laws of the town of Groton concerning truant children and absentees from school adopted April 3, 1865, and approved by the Justice of the Superior Court at Lowell, April n, 1865; duly attested by the Clerk. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 3. To the Citizens of Groton. Circular of Committee for enforcing the Laws respecting intoxicating liquors. Groton, April 26th, 1865. Broadside. Annual Exhibition of Lawrence Academy, June 30th, 1865. Groton Junction : Printed by J. Henry Turner, 1865. 8vo. pp. 3. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 201 Programme of Exercises for the celebration of the Fourth of July, 1865, Groton, Mass. Printed by J. Henry Turner, Groton Junction, Mass. Broadside. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. November, 1865. Groton Junction : Printed by John H. Turner. 1865. 8vo. pp. 22. 1866. Receipt and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March ist, 1866. Groton Junction : John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1866. 8vo. pp. 16. Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the year 1865-66. Groton Junction : John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1866. 8vo. pp. 23. Annual Exhibition of Lawrence Academy, July 2d, 1866. Groton Junction : John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1866. 8vo. PP- 3- A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. November, 1866. Groton Junction : John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1866. 8vo. pp. 22. Order of Services at the Ordination of George M. Folsom, as Minister of Groton First Parish, Wednesday, Dec. 12th, 1866, at one o'clock, p. m. Groton Junction, Mass. : John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 4to. pp. 3. 1867. Hymns for the Christian Convention, held at Groton Junction, Jan. 16th, 1867. John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer, Groton Junction, Mass. 8vo. pp. 4. Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March ist, 1867. Groton Junction, Mass : John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1867. 8vo. pp. 18. Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the year 1866-67. Groton Junction : John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1867. 8vo. pp. 22. 202 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. Order of Exercises at the Graduation of the Class of '67, Lawrence Academy, Tuesday afternoon, July 2d. Groton Junction : Printed by John H. Turner. 8vo. pp. 3. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Law rence Academy, Groton, Mass. 1867. Groton Junction, Mass. Printed by John H. Turner, 1867. 8vo. pp. 21. 1868. Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 2d, 1868. Groton Junction, Mass. : Printed by John H. Turner. 1868. 8vo. pp. 17. Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the year ending 1867-68. Groton Junction, Mass.: Printed by John H. Turner, Fine Job Printer. 1868. 8vo. pp. 25. Historical Sketch of the Town of Groton, Tompkins County, N. Y., being a Lecture before the Groton Literary Association, by Prof. M[arvin] M[orse] Baldwin, M. A., Principal of Groton Academy, Friday evening, April 10, 1868. Published by the Association. Groton, N. Y. : H. C. Marsh, Printer, Groton Journal Office. 1868. 8vo. pp. 40. The New House of Worship at Groton Junction, Mass. John H. Turner, Fine Job Printer, Groton Junction, Mass. i2mo. pp. 4. Acknowledgment of donations to the Church, dated May 1, 1868. Order of Exercises at the Seventy-fourth Annual Exhibition of Lawrence Academy, Tuesday evening, June 30th, 1868. John H. Turner, Fine Job Printer, Groton Junction, Mass. 8vo. PP-3- A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. 1868. Groton Junction, Mass. Printed by John H. Turner, 1868. 8vo. pp. 21. Memorial soliciting aid in rebuilding Lawrence Academy, Groton, Massachusetts. John H. Turner, Fine Job Printer, Groton, Mass. 8vo. pp. 6. This Memorial was signed by Samuel A. Green, William A. Richardson and Josiah K. Bennett, and dated December, BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 203 1868. It was sent out with a subscription paper to raise money in order to replace the main building of Lawrence Academy, which was burned on July 4, 1868. 1869. Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March ist, 1869. Groton Junction, Mass. : Printed by John H. Turner. 1869. 8vo. pp. 21. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the year 1868-69. Groton Junction : Printed by John H. Turner. 1869. 8vo. pp. 36. Catalogue of Unitarian Sabbath School Library [Groton], March, 1869. Groton Junction: Printed by John H. Turner. 1869. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 16. The Genealogy of the Family of John Lawrence, of Wisset, in Suf folk, England, and of Watertown and Groton, Massachusetts. [By John Lawrence.] Boston : Published for the Author by Nichols and Noyes, 1 1 7, Washington Street. 1869. 8vo. pp. 332. Constitution and By-Laws of the Groton Irish Benevolent Society, Groton Junction, Mass. Groton Junction, Mass. : Printed by John H. Turner. 1869. No titlepage. i2mo. pp. 7 (1). Order of Exercises for the dedication of the renovated and repaired House of Worship of the Congregational Church and Society in Groton, on Wednesday, Sept. 8th, 1869. Broadside. 1870. Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 7th, 1870. Groton Junction, Mass.: Printed by John H. Turner. 1870. 8vo. pp. 24. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the year 1869-70. Groton Junction, Mass. : Printed by John H. Turner. 1870. 8vo. pp. 34. Address on the Life and Character of Thomas Sherwin. By R[obert] C. Waterston, delivered February 16, 1870, before the English High School Association, the Members of the School Board, and 204 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. Teachers of the Public Schools of Boston. [City Seal.] Boston : Alfred Mudge & Son, Printers, 34 School Street. 1870. 8vo. pp. 74. With portrait. The same. With an Appendix by Wm. H. Moriarty, Secretary of the English High School Association. Boston : Printed for the Association. 1870. 8vo. pp. 93. With portrait. The Prescott Memorial : or a Genealogical Memoir of the Prescott Families in America. In two parts. By William Prescott, M.D. Boston : Printed by Henry W. Dutton & Son, Transcript Build ing. 1870. 8vo. pp. xiv, 653. With portraits. Constitution and By-Laws of Col. Needham Engine Company, No. 1, Groton Junction, Mass. Groton Junction, Mass : Printed by John H. Turner, 1870. i2mo. pp. 8. Sabbath School Concert. [Groton, 1870.J Broadside. Supplementary Catalogue of Groton Public Library. 1870. Lyman Rhodes, Printer, 160 Washington Street, Boston. 8vo. pp. 4. 1871. The Confession of Faith, Covenant, General Ecclesiastical Princi ples and Rules of Practice of the Union Church of Christ in Groton, Mass. adopted Sept. 22, 1870. Groton, Mass. John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1871. 8vo. pp. 18. Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, for the year ending Feb. 28th, 1871. Ayer, Mass.: Groton Public Spirit Steam Press. 1871. 8vo. pp. 28. The town of Ayer was incorporated by the General Court on February 14, 1871, and this Report was the first publica tion to bear the new imprint; so I am informed by Mr. Turner. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the School year 1870-71. Printed at Groton Public Spirit Office. 1871. 8vo. pp. 33. Order of Exercises at the Dedication of Lawrence Academy, at Groton, Mass., on Thursday, June 29, 18 71. Services to com mence at n, a. m. 8vo. pp. 2. The Address on this occasion was delivered by the Rev erend Charles Hammond, of Monson, a former Principal of the BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 205 Academy, and printed in the " Public Spirit" (Ayer), January 1, 1874. It was subsequently reprinted in the first volume of this Historical Series, No. VI. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Law rence Academy, Groton, Mass. 187 1. Groton, Mass. John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 187 1. 8vo. pp. 22. 1872. Autobiography of Amos Kendall. Edited by his Son-in-Law, Wil liam Stickney. Boston : Lee and Shepard, Publishers. New York : Lee, Shepard, and Dillingham. 1872. 8vo. pp. ix, 700. With portrait. Mr. Kendall fitted for college at Groton Academy, and studied his profession with the Honorable William M. Rich ardson ; and his Autobiography contains much about the town.Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, for the year ending Feb. 23d, 1872. Ayer, Mass.: Printed at the Public Spirit Office. 1872. 8vo. pp. 23. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the year, 1871-72. Ayer, Mass.: Printed at the Public Spirit Office. 1872. 8vo. pp. 25. Order of Exercises at the Seventy-ninth Anniversary of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. Wednesday and Thursday, June 26 and 27, 1872. Turner Print, Ayer. 8vo. pp. 3. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Law rence Academy, Groton, Mass. Seventy-ninth year. Novem ber, 1872. Ayer, Mass. : Printed at the Public Spirit Office. 1872. 8vo. pp. 20. 1873- Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, for the year ending Feb. 24th, 1873. Ayer, Mass : John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1873. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 19. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the School year, 1872-73. Ayer, Mass: John H. Turner. Book and Job Printer. 1873. 8vo. pp. 24. 206 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. Order of Exercises at the Eightieth Anniversary of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., Wednesday and Thursday, June 25 and 26, 1873. 8vo. pp. 4. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. Eightieth year. November, 1873. Ayer, Mass.: Printed at the Public Spirit Office. 1873. 8vo. pp. 20. 1874. Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statis tical Matter, for the year ending March 2d, 1874. Ayer Junc tion, Mass. : John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1874. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 17. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the School year, 1873-74. Ayer Junction, Mass.: John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1874. 8vo. pp. 24. Reception, by the Town of Groton, of the Old Sixth Mass. Regt. at their Reunion, Saturday, April 18, 1874. Order for the Day. John H. Turner, Fine Job Printer, Ayer Junction, Mass. Broadside. Order of Exercises in the Congregational Church at the Reception of the Old Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, Saturday, April 18th, 1874 [at Groton]. John H. Turner, Fine Job Printer, Ayer Junction, Mass. Broadside. The Eighty-first Anniversary of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., Wednesday and Thursday, June 24 and 25, 1874. Turner Pr., Ayer. 8vo. pp. 4. Dedication of Music Hall, Groton, Sept. 22d, 1874. [Order of Exercises.] 8vo. pp. 3. An Address was delivered on the occasion by General Henry K. Oliver, of Salem, which is printed with a full account of the proceedings in the " Public Spirit " (Ayer), September 24, 1874. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. Eighty-first year. November, 1874. Ayer Junction, Mass. : John H. Turner, Fine Job Printer, 1874. 8vo. pp. 19. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 207 1875- Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 1, 1875. Ayer Junction : John H. Turner, Printer, 1875. 8vo. pp. 23. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the School year, 1874-5. Ayer, Mass. . John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1875. ^vo. PP- 2S- An Open Letter. To the School Committee of Groton : signed by J. M. L. Babcock, and dated Groton, April 19, 1875. Catalogue of the Groton Public Library at Groton, Mass. Ayer. Mass. : John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1875. 8vo. pp. 81. The Eighty-second Anniversary of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., Wednesday & Thursday, June 30 & July 1, 1875. Turner Print. 8vo. pp. 4. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. Eighty-second year. November, 1875. Ayer Junction, Mass. John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1875. 8vo. pp. 20. Exhibition of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., at the Town Hall, Tuesday Eve'g, Nov. 23, 1875, at seven o'clock. 8vo. pp. 3. 1876. Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 6, 1876. Ayer Junction : John H. Turner, Printer, 1876. 8vo. pp. 30. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton for the School year, 1875-76. Ayer Junction, Mass. : John H. Turner, Fine Job Printer. 1876. 8vo. pp. 25. To the Proprietors of Lots in Groton Cemetery. Report of Committee, April 24, 1876, signed by Henry A. Bancroft, Geo. S. Graves, and John Gilson. i2mo. p. 1. John Todd the Story of his Life told mainly by himself Compiled and Edited by John E. Todd New York Harper & Brothers, 208 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. Publishers Franklin Square 1876 8vo. pp. 529. With a por trait and views of Lawrence Academy and the First Congrega tional [Unitarian] Church. An Account of Percival and Ellen Green and of some of their Descendants. By Samuel Abbott Green. Privately Printed. Groton, Massachusetts. 1876. 8vo. pp. 67. Catalogue of Books in the Sunday School Library of the First Baptist Church, Groton, Mass. Ayer Junction : Printed at the office of the Public Spirit. 1876. i2mo. pp. 8. The Genealogy of the Family of John Lawrence, of Wisset, in Suffolk, England, and of Watertown and Groton, Massachu setts. Continued to the present year. [By John Lawrence.] Printed for the author. 1876. 8vo. pp. 74. With an engraving of Lawrence Academy. Journal of a Tour to Niagara Falls in the Year 1805, by Timothy Bigelow. With an Introduction by a Grandson [Abbott Law rence]. Boston : Press of John Wilson and Son. 1876. 8vo. pp. xx, 121. See the preceding volume of this Historical Series, No. XVIL, for a notice of Mr. Bigelow's Journal. Note of Invitation to be present at the Celebration, July 4th, 1876, signed by C. H. Waters, and dated Groton, June 26, 1876. i2mo. p. 1. Centennial Celebration at Groton, Mass., July 4th, 1876, in com memoration of the Destruction of the Town, March, 1676. And the Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776. [Order of Exercises.] Turner Print. 8vo. pp. 4. An Historical Address, Bi-Centennial and Centennial, delivered July 4, 1876, at Groton, Massachusetts, by Request of the Citi zens. By Samuel Abbott Green, a Native of the Town. Groton: 1876. 8vo, pp. 86. An Historical Address, Bi-Centennial and Centennial, delivered at Groton, Massachusetts, July 4, 1876, by Request of the Citizens. By Samuel Abbott Green, a Native of the Town. Second Edi tion. Groton: 1876. 8vo. pp. 89. Proceedings of the Centennial Celebration at Groton, Mass., July 4th, 1876, in Commemoration of the Destruction of the Town, BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 209 March, 1676, and the Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776. With an Oration by Samuel Abbott Green, M.D. Groton: 1876. 8vo. pp.'xi, (1) 89. The Eighty-third Anniversary of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., Wednesday and Thursday, June 28th and 29th, 1876. 8vo. pp. 4. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. Eighty-third year. November, 1876. Ayer Junction, Mass. John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1876. 8vo. pp. 20. Tyngsboro' Centennial Record, published by the Young People's League, Tyngsboro', Mass. 1876. Lowell : Printed at the Office of the Weekly Journal. 1876. 8vo. pp. 24 (2). History of Charlestown, New-Hampshire, the Old No. 4, embracing the part borne by its Inhabitants in the Indian, French and Revolutionary Wars, and the Vermont Controversy. Also Gen ealogies and Sketches of Families, from its settlement to 1876. By Rev. Henry H. Saunderson. Printed for the Town by the Claremont Manufacturing Company, Claremont, N. H. 8vo. pp. viii, 726. With portraits and views. Genealogy of the Gillson and Jillson Family, collected and com piled by David Jillson, South Attleboro, Mass. Central Falls : E. L. Freeman & Co., Book and Job Printers, Union Block. 1876. 8vo. pp. 266. Catalogue of imported and registered Jersey Cows & Heifers the property of James Lawrence, Esq. of Groton, Mass. To be Sold at Auction, without reserve, at the depository of Isburgh & Walker, East Street, Boston, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 1 1 o'clock, a. m. Boston : Alfred Mudge & Son, Printers, 34 School St. 1876. i2mo. pp. 4. Lawrence Farm. Catalogue of Pure Bred Ayrshires, Jerseys, Guernseys, Berkshires and Yorkshires, imported by James ' Lawrence, Groton, Mass. [1876.] No imprint. i2mo. pp. 11. List of New Books [in the Groton Public Library] for 1875 and 1876. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 12. 2IO BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 1877. Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 5th, 1877. Ayer Junction. John H. Turner, Printer. 1877. 8vo. pp. 55. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the School year 1876-7. Nashua, N. H. : Moore & Langley Book and Job Printers. 1877. 8vo. pp. 23. By-Laws adopted by the town of Groton, April 2, 1877, and ap proved by the Justice of the Superior Court at Lowell, April 16 ; duly attested by the Clerk. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 2. Business Directory Sheet of Groton, Mass. including R. R. and Mail Arrangements, Secret Societies, &c. Geo. D. Morse & Co., Printers, Worcester [1877J. Broadside. A History of the Town of Dunstable, Massachusetts, from its earliest Settlement to the year of our Lord 1873. By the Rev. Elias Nason, M.A. Boston : Alfred Mudge & Son, Printers, 34 School Street. 1877. 8vo. pp. 316. With portrait. Memoir of the late Hon. Samuel Dana, by his son, James Dana. Also, Memoirs of the late Capt. Luther Dana, and his sons James Freeman, Samuel Luther, and Nathaniel Giddings Dana, by Mrs. James Freeman Dana. With notes of Recollections of Doct. Samuel L. Dana, by his friend, Doct. A. A. Hayes. Cambridge : Press of John Wilson and Son. 1877. 8vo. pp. 46. The Eighty-fourth Anniversary of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., Wednesday and Thursday, June 27th and 28th, 1877. 8vo. pp. 4. Early Settlers of Harrison, Maine, with an Historical Sketch of the Settlement, progress and present condition of the Town. By Rev. G. T. Ridlon. Skowhegan: Kilby and Woodbury, Printers. 1877. i2mo. pp. 138. This volume gives an account of certain Gilson, Lakin and Perley families in Harrison, which sprang from Groton stock. The Church of Christ in Groton. First Parish. Sentences to be read, alternately, by the Pastor and Congregation, (all standing,) BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 211 on the Reopening of the House of Worship Sunday morning, October 7th, 1877 : selected and arranged by the Pastor Joshua Young. Turner Print, Ayer. Broadside. Circular. To the Occupants of Pews in the Groton First Parish Meeting House, signed by Geo. S. Boutwell, Geo. W. Bancroft, and Henry D. Dix, Parish Committee, and dated Groton, Oct. 8th, 1877. Turner, Fine Job Printer, Ayer. Broadside. New England Academies and Classical Schools, with sketches of Phillips Academy, Andover, Lawrence Academy, Groton, and Monson Academy. By Rev. Charles Hammond, Principal of Monson Academy. From the Twenty-Ninth [Fortieth?] Annual Report of the Massachusetts Board of Education. Boston : Wright & Potter, State Printers. 1877. 8vo. pp. 64. These sketches are taken from a centennial Report on Academies, made by George A. Walton, Agent of the Board of Education, and published in the Appendix to the Fortieth Annual Report of the Board of Education. The preparation of this Report was intrusted originally to Mr. Hammond, but a serious accident happening to him at Medfield, on February 21, 1876, he was prevented from doing it. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. Eighty-fourth year. Ayer Junction. John H. Turner, Printer. 1877. 8vo. pp. 24. 1878. Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 4th, 1878. Ayer Junction. John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1878. 8vo. pp. 35. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton for the School year, 1877-78. Ayer Junction. John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1878. 8vo. pp. 21. Bi-Centennial of Old Dunstable. Address by Hon. S. T. Worcester, October 27, 1873. Also, Colonel Bancroft's Personal Narrative of the Battle of Bunker Hill, and some notices of persons and families of the early times of Dunstable, including Welds, Tyngs, Lovewells, Farwells, Fletchers, Bancrofts, Joneses and Cutlers. 212 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. By John B. Hill. [Compiled by Edward Henry Spalding.] Nashua, N. H. : Published by E. H. Spalding. 1878. 8vo. pp. 189 (1). History of the Town of Townsend, Middlesex County, Massachu setts, from the Grant of Hathorn's Farm, 1676-1878. By Ithamar B. Sawtelle. Published by the Author. Press of Blanchard & Brown, Fitchburg. 1878. 8vo. pp. 455. With a map and portraits. Epitaphs from the Old Burying Ground in Groton, Massachusetts. With Notes and an Appendix. By Samuel A. Green, M.D. Boston: Little, Brown, & Company. 1878. 8vo. pp. xix, (1)271. A Brief Account of some of the Early Settlers of Groton, Massa chusetts. Being the Appendix to " Groton Epitaphs." By Samuel A. Green, M.D. Groton : 1878. 4to. pp. 28. Thirty copies printed in this form. Order of Exercises at the Annual Examination of Lawrence Acad emy, June 19th and 20th, 1878. Turner Print. Ayer, Mass. 8vo. pp. 4. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. Eighty-fifth year. Ayer Junction. John H. Turner, Printer. 1878. 8vo. pp. 24. By-Laws of Groton Cemetery. 1878. No titlepage. i2mo. pp. 8. List of New Books [in the Groton Public Library] for 1877 and 1878. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 15. A Catalogue of Ayrshire and Guernsey cattle, the property of James Lawrence, Lawrence Farm, Groton, Massachusetts. Boston : A. Williams & Co., Booksellers and Publishers, 283 Washington, corner School Street. [1878.] i2mo. pp. 22 (1). 1879. Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter for the year ending March 3, 1879. Ayer Junction: John H. Turner, Pamphlet and Job Printer. 1879. 8vo. pp. 32. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the School year, 1878-1879. Lowell, Mass. : Vox Populi Print : Huse, Goodwin & Co. 1879. 8vo. pp. 22 (2). BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 21 3 History of the Town of Hollis, New Hampshire, from its First Settlement to the Year 1879. With many biographical sketches of its early Settlers their Descendants, and other Residents. Illustrated with Maps and Engravings, by Samuel T. Worcester. Boston: A. Williams & Co., 283 Washington Street. 1879. 8vo. pp. 402. Papers of the Historical Society of Delaware. I. Memorial Ad dress on the Life and Character of Willard Hall by Hon. Daniel M. Bates. The Historical Society of Delaware. ' Wilmington : 1879. 8vo. pp. 60. With portrait. Judge Hall, a descendant of Major Simon Willard, studied law at Groton in the office of Judge Dana. The Town Records of Groton, Massachusetts. 1662-1678. Edited by Samuel A. Green, M.D. Groton : 1879. 8vo. pp. 46. An Account of the Early Land-grants of Groton, Massachusetts. By Samuel A. Green, M.D. Groton: 1879. 8vo. pp. 58 (1). Order of Exercises at the Annual Examination of Lawrence Acad emy, Groton, June 18th and 19th, 1879. Turner, Printer, Ayer. 8vo. pp. 4. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. Eighty-sixth year. John H. Turner, Pamphlet and Job Printer. 1879. 8vo. pp. 20. Reminiscences of James C. Ayer and the Town of Ayer. By Charles Cowley. Third Edition. Printed by the Penhallow Printing Company, No. 12 Middle Street, Lowell, Mass. [1879.] 8vo. pp. 156. 1880. Poster inviting citizens of Groton to take part in exercises on Feb ruary 20, 1880, to commemorate events in the early history of the town, — signed by Daniel Needham, Geo. S. Boutwell and Samuel W. Rowe, and dated February 10, 1880. An Historical Address delivered at Groton, Massachusetts, Febru ary 20, 1880, by Request of the Citizens, at the Dedication of three Monuments erected by the Town. By Samuel Abbott Green, a native of the town. Groton : 1880. 8vo. pp. 56. 214 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March ist, 1880. Ayer, Mass. Printed at the office of John H. Turner. 8vo. pp. 30. Annual Report df the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the School year 1879-80. Lowell, Mass. : Vox Populi Press : Huse, Goodwin & Co., 130 Central St. 1880. 8vo. pp. 20 (3). Memorial Discourse on the Life, Character, and Educational Work of Rev. Charles Hammond, LL.D., delivered before the Massa chusetts Teachers' Association, December 31, 1879, by Elbridge Smith, A.M., Master of Dorchester High School. Printed by Vote of the Association. Hartford : Barnard's Journal of Edu cation, 1880. 8vo. pp. 13-57 (i)- With portrait. Order of Exercises at the Annual Examination of Lawrence Acad emy, Groton, June 16th and 17th, 1880. Turner, Printer, Ayer. 8vo. pp. 4. The Early Records of Groton, Massachusetts. 1662-1707. Edited by Samuel A. Green, M.D. Groton: 1880. 8vo. pp. 200 (1). Trees, Fruit and Ornamental. Essay by Jacob W. Manning, of Reading. Read by Warren H. Manning, Before the Farmers' Institute at Groton, Dec. 29, 1880. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 10. 1881. Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 7th, 1881. Ayer, Mass. Printed at the office of John H.Turner. 8vo. pp. 32. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the School year 1880-81. Lowell, Mass.: Vox Populi Press: Huse, Goodwin & Co. 1881. 8vo. pp. 17 (2). Lawrence Academy, Groton, Graduating Exercises June 23, 1881. Turner, Printer. 8vo. pp. 3. A Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Law rence Academy, Groton, Mass. Eighty -seventh year. 1880- 81. Turner, Printer. [June, 188 1. No catalogue printed in the year 1880.] 8vo. pp. 20. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 21 5 In Memoriam. The Family of John Lawrence (continued.) The Family of Philip Goss, of Lancaster, Mass., and Winchester, N. H. The Family of Selah Pomroy, of Stanstead P., Quebec. By Rev. John Lawrence. Albany, N. Y. : Munsell, Printer, 82 State St. 1881. 8vo. pp. (4) 92. Memoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli. By R[alph] W[aldo] Emer son, W[illiam] H[enry] Channing, and J[ames] F[reeman] Clarke. With a Portrait and an Appendix. Boston : Roberts Brothers. 1881. [Edited by Arthur Buckminster Fuller.] i2mo. Volume I. pp. 390. Volume II. pp. 352. 1882. Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 17th, 1882. Ayer, Mass., Printed at the office of John H. Turner. 8vo. pp. 32. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the School year 1881-82. Ayer, Mass. : Public Spirit Press : John H. Turner. 1882. 8vo. pp. 20. By-Laws of the town of Groton, adopted April 3, 1882, and ap proved by the Justice of the Superior Court at Lowell, April 5 ; duly attested by the Clerk. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 4. Two Chapters in the Early History of Groton, Massachusetts. By Samuel Abbott Green, M.D. Boston : Press of David Clapp & Son. 1882. [Reprinted from "The New-England Historical and Genealogical Register" (xxxvi. 21, 167) for January and April, 1882.] 8vo. pp. 19. Lawrence Academy Groton, Mass. Eighty-ninth Anniversary, Wednesday & Thursday, June 21 & 22, 1882. M. A. Leger, Printer, Leominster, Mass. 8vo. pp. 4. Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy Groton, Mass. for five terms, ending June 22, 1882. Eighty-ninth year. 1881-82. Printed by Moses A. Leger, Leominster, Mass. 8vo. pp. 20. The Early Settlers of Groton in Caledonia County [Vermont]. By Gen. A. Harleigh HiU. From Vol. IV. of the Vermont Histori- 2l6 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. cal Gazetteer. Published by Miss A. M. Hemenway. Mont- pelier, Vt. : Watchman & Journal Press, 1882. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 1145-1168. With portraits. 1883. Annual Report of Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 17th, 1883. Printed at the office of Public Spirit, Ayer, Mass. 8vo. pp. 32. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the School year 1882-83. Ayer> Mass. Printed at the office of John H. Turner. 8vo. pp. 21. History of the Town of Westford, in the County of Middlesex, Massachusetts, 1659-1883. By Rev. Edwin R. Hodgman, A.M. Published by the Westford Town History Association. Lowell, Mass. : Morning Mail Company, Printers. 1883. 8vo. pp. viii, 494 (1). With map, portraits, and views. Memoir of Abbott Lawrence By Hamilton Andrews Hill With an Appendix Boston Printed for Private Distribution 1883 8vo. pp. xiii, 243. With portraits. Groton in the Witchcraft Times. By Samuel A. Green, M.D. Groton, Mass. 1883. 8vo. pp. 29. Proceedings at the Celebration of the Ninetieth Anniversary of the Founding of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Massachusetts, June 21, 1883. Groton: Published by order of the Trustees, 1883. 8vo. pp. 48. Lawrence Academy Groton, Mass. Ninetieth Anniversary, Wednes day & Thursday, June 20 & 21, 1883. M. A. Leger, Printer, Leominster, Mass. 8vo. pp. 4. Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy Groton, Mass. for the year ending June 21, 1883. Ninetieth year. 1882-83. Press of M. A. Leger, Leominster. 8vo. pp. 20. Old Homesteads of Groton, Massachusetts. By Francis Marion Boutwell. Groton: 1883. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 11. Groton during the Indian Wars. By Samuel A. Green, M.D. Groton, Mass. 1883. 8vo. pp. 214. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 217 Famous Women. Margaret Fuller (Marchesa Ossoli). By Julia Ward Howe. Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1883. 121110. pp. x, 298. Margaret Fuller (Marchesa Ossoli). By Julia Ward Howe. Lon don : W. H. Allen & Co., 13 Waterloo Place, S. W. 1883. [Eminent Women Series. Edited by John H. Ingram.] i2mo. pp. x, 229. History of the Town of Shirley, Massachusetts, from its early Set tlement to A. D. 1882. By Seth Chandler. In three parts. Shirley, Mass. Published by the Author. 1883. 8vo. pp. 744. With map, portraits, and views. A Catalogue of Guernsey Cattle, the Property of James Lawrence, Lawrence Farm. Groton, Massachusetts. [1883?] No im print. i2mo. pp. 22 (2). 1884. Annual Report of Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 20th, 1884. Ayer, Mass. John H. Turner, Power Printer. 8vo. pp. 32. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton for the year ending March, 1884. Ayer, Mass. John H. Turner, Power Printer. 8vo. pp. 20. Memoir of Abbott Lawrence By Hamilton Andrews Hill With an Appendix Second Edition Boston Little, Brown, and Company 1884. 8vo. pp. xv, 258. With portrait. Groton School. Circular letter dated Feb. 1884, and signed by Phillips Brooks and others. 8vo. p. 1. Old Highways and Landmarks of Groton, Massachusetts, by Francis Marion Boutwell. Groton : 1884. 8vo. pp. 20. Lawrence Academy. Groton, Mass. Wednesday and Thursday, June 25 and 26, 1884. Geo. C. Herbert Print, Lynn, Mass. 8vo. pp. 4. Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Lawrence Academy Groton, Mass. for the year ending June 26, 1884. Ninety-first year. 1883-4. Geo. C. Herbert's Printing estab lishment, Lynn, Mass. 8vo. pp. 20. 2l8 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. Graduating Exercises [Lawrence Academy] Town Hall, Thursday, June 26th, at 9.30 a. m. 8vo. pp. 2. An Historical Discourse delivered before the First Congregational Society in Harvard, Massachusetts, October 22, 1882, by Seth Chandler. With an Appendix by Samuel A. Greenj M.D. Boston, Mass. : George E. Littlefield, Antiquarian Bookstore, 67 Cornhill, 1884. 8vo. pp. 28. Catalogue of books in the Sunday School Library of the First Baptist Church, Groton, Mass. Ayer : Printed at the office of the Public Spirit. 1884. 12 mo. pp. 12. Constitution and By-Laws of Lawrence Engine Co. No. 1, Groton, Mass. Ayer, Mass. Turner's Public Spirit Press. 1884. i2mo. pp. 8. A Catalogue of Guernsey cattle, the property of James Lawrence, Lawrence Farm, Groton, Massachusetts. No imprint. [1884?] i2mo. pp. 24. Acts of the Legislatures of the States of Massachusetts and New Hampshire in relation to the Worcester and Nashua Railroad Company, the Nashua and Rochester Rail Road and other matters concerning said corporations. Worcester : Press of the Worcester Printing and Publishing Co. 1884. 8vo. pp. 56. This pamphlet contains an Act to incorporate the Groton and Nashua Railroad Corporation, and an Act to unite the Worcester and Nashua Railroad Company and the Groton and Nashua Railroad Corporation. American Men of Letters. Margaret Fuller Ossoli. By Thomas Wentworth Higginson. Boston : Houghton, Mifflin and Com pany. New York : 1 1 East Seventeenth Street. The Riverside Press, Cambridge. 1884. i2mo. pp. (3) 323. With portrait. 1885. Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 20, 1885. Ayer, Mass. : John H. Turner, Power Printer. 8vo. pp. 32. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the year ending March, 1885. Ayer, Mass. : John H. Turner, Power Printer. 8vo. pp. 19. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 219 New Chapter in the History of the Concord Fight: Groton Minute- men at the North Bridge, April 19, 1775. Appendix: 1. Towns engaged in the fighting and movements, losses, etc. 2. Monu ments, memorials, etc., erected to commemorate the events of the day. By Wm. W[illder] Wheildon. Boston: Lee & Shepard, Publishers, No. 10 Milk Street. 1885. 8vo. pp. 32. Historical Discourse relative to the South Groton Christian Union, 1855-1864, and the First Unitarian Parish of Ayer, Mass., 1864- 1885, by Lyman Clark, Minister of the Parish. Ayer, Mass. : John H. Turner, Printer. 8vo. pp. 20 (1). Catalogue of the Groton Public Library at Groton, Mass. Groton : 1885. 8vo. pp. 192. A few copies of the Introduction to the Catalogue, giving a brief account of the Library, were struck off separately. Catalogue of Groton School, Groton, Mass. 1884-1885. Ayer, Mass.: John H. Turner, Printer. i2mo. pp. (n). Ninety-second Anniversary of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., Wednesday and Thursday, June 24 and 25, '85. i2mo. pp. 4. Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., for the year ending June 25, 1885. Ninety-second year. Ayer, Mass., John H. Turner, Printer. 8vo. pp. 20. Dedication. Invitation to the dedication of the Christian Union Chapel at West Groton, dated September 29, 1885. i2mo. p. 1. Notice ! To the Legal Voters of the Town of Groton, Mass., sent out by the Registrars of Voters, calling attention to Section 14, of Chapter 298, of the Laws and Resolves passed by the Legis lature of Massachusetts in 1884. Broadside. Date uncertain. By-Laws of Groton Cemetery. 1885. Turner Print. Ayer. i2ino. pp. 8. By-Laws of the Groton Cemetery, with form of the deed of a lot. 4to. pp. 4. Date uncertain. A Poem, read at the Centennial Celebration in Groton, Mass., July 4, 1876, by John Martin Luther Babcock. Boston: 1885. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 4. Fifty copies printed. 220 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. The Boundary Lines of Old Groton. By Samuel A. Green, M.D. Groton, Mass. 1885. 8vo. pp. 105. Catalogue of the new books, purchased in 1885, for the Groton Public Library. [Supplement No. i.] No titlepage. 8vo.pp. 25. A Catalogue of Guernsey cattle, the property of James Lawrence, Lawrence Farm, Groton, Massachusetts. No titlepage. [1885?] i2mo. pp. 32. 1886. Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 20, 1886. Ayer, Mass. : John H. Turner, Printer. 8vo. pp. 32. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the year 1885-86. Ayer, Mass. : John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 8vo. pp. 16. Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. Ninety-third Anniversary, Wednesday and Thursday, June 23 and 24, 1886. 8vo. pp. 4. Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., for the year ending June 24, 1886. Ninety-third year. Ayer, Mass., John H. Turner, Printer. 8vo. pp. 20. The Geography of Groton, Massachusetts. Prepared for the use of the Members of The Appalachian [Mountain] Club, on a proposed visit to that town, Saturday, September 18, 1886. By Samuel A. Green, M.D. Groton : 1886. 8vo. pp. 20. Catalogue of Groton School, Groton, Mass. 1 885-1 886. Ayer, Mass. : John H. Turner, Printer. 12 mo. pp. (15). 1887. Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 19, 1887. Ayer, Mass. : John H.Turner, Book and Job Printer. 8vo. pp. 48. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the fiscal year ending April 4, 1887. Ayer, Mass. : John H. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 8vo. pp. 33. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 221 Friendship and Wayside Gleanings. By Mrs. Ellen. A. Barrows. Illustrated. Boston : James H. Earle, Publisher, 178 Washing ton Street. 1887. 1 2 mo. pp. no. Mrs. Ellen Augusta Barrows, the writer of these poems, was a daughter of Charles and Betsey (Livermore) Prescott, and born at Groton, on August 18, 1838. The volume con tains some local allusions. [The Groton Murder Case.] Massachusetts. Middlesex ss. . . . Supreme Judicial Court . . . Dec. 16, 1886. Devens and Holmes, JJ. Commonwealth v. George F. Baker and Mary A. J. Baker. Indictment for Murder. Closing Argument of Frederic T. Greenhalge for the prisoners. From Stenographic report. Boston : Frank P. Hill, Publisher, 2 Court Avenue. 1887. i2mo. pp. 76. In Memoriam. Lines on the death of Eliza, wife of James A. Kemp, who died March 17, 1887. Composed by Wm. M. Buzzell, East Ri[n]dge, N. H., and Lines on the death of Emma, daughter of James A. and Eliza Kemp, who died Feb. 2d, 1887. i2mo. p. 1. Supplement, No. 2. [Catalogue] of the Groton Public Library. [1887.] No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 15. Groton Historical Series. A Collection of Papers relating to the History of the Town of Groton, Massachusetts. By Samuel Abbott Green, M.D. Vol. I. Groton : 1887. 8vo. This volume consists of twenty pamphlets on various sub jects, that have been issued at different times during the pre ceding three years. A second volume of the Historical Series has been begun ; and the Bibliography now before you forms No. VII. of that volume. Constitution and By-Laws of Squannacook Engine Co., No. 2, West Groton, Mass. Ayer, Mass.: John H. Turner, Pamphlet and Job Printer, 1887. No titlepage. i2tno. pp. 8. Remarks made by Dr. Green before the Massachusetts Historical Society, June 9, 1887, concerning Mrs. Sarah (Chaplin) Rock wood, a native of Groton, who was more than one hundred years old. 8vo. p. 1. 222 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. Ninety-fourth Anniversary, Wednesday and Thursday, June 22 and 23, 1887. Turner, Power Printer, Ayer. 8vo. pp. 4. Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., for the year ending June 23, 1887. Ninety-fourth year. Fitchburg : Sentinel Printing Company, Printers. 1887. 8vo. pp. 19. Ordination and Installation of Mr. John Barstow, over the Union Congregational Church, Groton, Mass., Wednesday, June 29, 1887. Turner, Printer, Ayer. i2mo. pp. 4. Genealogical Record [of the Gates Family]. [By George Samuel Gates. Groton. 1887.] No titlepage. 41.0. pp. 4. Methodist Episcopal Churches of Ayer and West Groton. Officers for 1887-8. Turner, Power Printer, Ayer. i2tno. pp. 4. Catalogue of Groton School, Groton, Mass. 188 7-1888. Ayer, Mass. : John H. Turner, Printer. i2mo. pp. 16. Manual of the Baptist Church, Groton. Organized December 5th, 1832. Ayer, Mass. : John H. Turner, Pamphlet and Job Printer, 1887. i2mo. pp. 11. The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. Baptist Church, Groton, Mass. Turner, Power Printer, Ayer. No title- page. i2mo. pp. 12. 1888. Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 17, 1888. Ayer, Mass.: John H. Turner, Pamphlet and Job Printer. 8vo. pp. 50. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton, for the fiscal year ending March 17, 1888. Ayer, Mass. : John H. Turner, Pamphlet and Job Printer. 8vo. pp. 12. The Population of Groton at different times, with some Notes on the Provincial Census of 1765. A Paper read before the Massa chusetts Historical Society, on May 10, 1888, and now Reprinted from the Proceedings. By Samuel Abbott Green, M.D. Cam bridge : John Wilson and Son. University Press. 1888. 8vo. pp.8. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 223 Life of Amos A. Lawrence with Extracts from his Diary and Cor respondence By his Son William Lawrence Boston and New York Houghton, Mifflin and Company The Riverside Press, Cambridge 1888 121110. pp. x, 289. With portrait and views. Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. Ninety-fifth Anniversary, Wednesday and Thursday, June 20 and 21, 1888. H. S. Turner, Printer, Ayer. 8vo. pp. 4. Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., for the year ending June 21, 1888. Ninety-fifth year. Fitchburg : Sentinel Printing Company, Printers. 1888. 8vo. pp. 19. Resident and Business Directory of Ayer and Groton Mass. For 1888. Containing a complete Resident, Street and Business Directory, Town Officers, Schools, Societies, Churches, Post Offices, etc. A. E. Foss & Co. Needham: Chronicle Steam Press. 1888. 8vo. pp. 88 (1). Groton Public Library [Catalogue]. Supplement No. 3. 1888. No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 16. Historical Sketches of some members of the Lawrence Family. With an Appendix. By Robert M. Lawrence, M.D. Boston : Rand Avery Company, Printers. 1888. 8vo. pp. 215. ^With views and portraits. 224 MAPS, PLANS, ETC., OF GROTON. MAPS, PLANS, ETC., OF GROTON. On June 26, 1794, a Resolve was passed by the General Court of Massachusetts, " requiring the inhabitants of the several towns and districts in the Commonwealth, to cause to be taken by their Selectmen, or some other suitable persons, accurate plans of their respective towns, and to lodge the same in the Secretary's Office." It may be of interest for local historians to know that this Resolve was carried out, and that these various manuscript plans are still preserved at the State House and open for inspection. In the autumn of 1794, in accordance with the Resolve, a plan of Groton, Pep perell and Shirley was made by Dr. Oliver Prescott, Jr., which is now found, numbered 7, in Volume XIII. of " Town Plans — 1794," in the office of the Secretary of State. The plan itself is about 14 inches by 20 in dimensions, and underneath are given various details, statistics, etc. On the plan are shown the several bridges over the Nashua River, the various saw mills and ponds within the township. Two county roads are also represented, one from Keene to Boston passing through the village of Groton, and the 'other from Fitchburg to Boston, passing through the present village of Ayer. The upper bridge over the Nashua, near the mouth of the Catacoonamug River, is marked Shabakin Bridge. Shabakin is an Indian word, and the name is often applied to the neighborhood. It is another form of Shabbukin, an Indian name of a part of Stow, which township formerly extended to this place. See " Collections of the American Statistical Association " (I. 34). The name should be added to the list of Indian words printed in " Groton during the Indian Wars" (page 188). A duplicate copy of this plan is in the possession of the town. " A Map of the Town of Groton, Middlesex County, Mass. from a Survey made in the years 1828 & 1829 by Caleb Butler, MAPS, PLANS, ETC., OF GROTON. 225 Surveyor," was published in the year 1832. It was litho graphed by William S. Pendleton, of Boston, and its dimen sions are 2 feet 4 inches by 2 feet 6 inches. All the roads, ponds, hills, etc., within the town are laid down, as well as the dwelling-houses with the names of the occupants. The following vote, passed at a town-meeting held on March 6, 1832, refers to- this map. Voted and chose Stuart J. Park, John Boynton and Elijah Whiton a committee to procure three hundred copies of a plan of the Town drawn by Caleb Butler, Esq. A Map of Groton, Pepperell and Shirley, with dimensions of 2 feet 4 inches by 2 feet 8 inches, is found at the end of Mr. Butler's History of Groton. The roads of these towns, as well as the ponds, are also given, with the houses and the names of the occupants, excepting those in the village of Groton, where there was not room to indicate them. This part of the town is represented on a separate map inserted between pages 246 and 247 of the History, and made on a larger scale, — with dimensions of 8^ inches by 10^ inches. Both these maps were made in the year 1847. A Map of Groton appears in the " Official Topographical Atlas of Massachusetts from Astronomical, Trigonometrical & various local surveys ; compiled & corrected by H. F. Walling & O. W. Gray, 102 Chauncy St. Boston. Published by Stedman, Brown & Lyon. 1871." It is found on the recto of the leaf before page 90. In a " County Map of Middlesex Massachusetts. From actual Surveys by and under the Direction of F. W. Beers " (New York, 1875), is given a map of the township with two other maps showing the central village and West Groton (pages 19 and 20). The Paper Mill Village is represented on page 48. In the year 1886 a bird's-eye view of Groton was published by L. R. Burleigh, of Troy, New York. It is supposed to be taken from an elevated point just west of Farmers' Row, and includes the village with Gibbet Hill, the Chestnut Hills, 226 MAPS, PLANS, ETC., OF GROTON. Prospect Hill and Brown Loaf in the background. Its dimen sions are i foot by 2 feet. See John Warner Barber's " Massachusetts Historical Col lections " (page 391) for a wood-cut of the First Parish Meet ing-house and the Academy, as they appeared in the year 1838; also Samuel Adams Drake's History of Middlesex County (I. 464) for a fine steel engraving of the Academy, as it appears now. A fanciful sketch of " A False Alarm, Philip's War," is also given in the same chapter. In John Hayward's "New England Gazetteer" (Boston, 1857), oppo site to page 234, is an engraved cut of the birthplace of Amos and Abbott Lawrence, which illustrates the account of Groton. In the summer of 1828 Dr. Todd writes : " My church have printed my letter to Mr. [John] Peabody. Copies and reports were so numerous that we printed it in self-defense, in a little pamphlet." I have never seen a copy of this publication, but it gave his reasons for declining to officiate at Mrs. Peabody's funeral. An account of the affair is found on page 202 of Dr. Todd's Life. GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1888. Historical Series, Vol. II., No. VIII. BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, OCT. 31, 1855. At the Bi-Centennial Celebration of the Settlement of Groton, on October 31, 1855, Governor Boutwell acted as the President of the day. (See the first volume of this Historical Series, No. XVIIL, for an account of the Proceedings.) After the dinner had been served in the tent, the assemblage was called to order by the President, who made the opening address. Within a few weeks of the present time he has kindly furnished me with a copy of his remarks on that occasion, which are as follows : — We have met to observe and commemorate an important event. The petition of Deane Winthrop and others to the General Court at its May Session in 1655, resulted in the grant of a plantation eight miles square at Petapawag upon the river which runs from Lancaster into the Merrimack. This plantation was called Groton, and its name was thereby associated with the home of Gov. Winthrop and birthplace of Deane Winthrop, one of the original petitioners and chairman of the first board of selectmen. This plantation founded in weakness and as an outpost of civilization still remains ; and two centuries of its municipal existence are now completed. The first century was burdened by great trials and calamities ; the second was fraught with great events and marked by great progress in political and social affairs. It is indeed well as we stand at the threshold of a new century of our municipal life to turn aside from the vo cations of the day and contemplate with mingled sentiments of 228 BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. religion, patriotism, and family affection whatever was noble, self- sacrificing, and pure in the men and generations through whom we trace our blood and name. First of all is this tribute due from those who succeed to the rich inheritance won from the savage and the wilderness by the sacrificing toils of men who built upon one foundation the Public School, an Independent Church and a Free Commonwealth. In behalf of those who retain a portion of the territory and enjoy the name granted by the General Court of 1655, I cordially wel come you all who have come here to-day. I welcome you whether you come to the place of your birth, to the home of your ancestors, or upon a pilgrimage to a spot known to you by an incident of his tory, or endeared by its association with some honored name. History deals with events, and with men as actors and contributors in affairs of public interest and permanent importance. Groton has not been the scene of great events ; and her men have rather exhibited the value of a sound, hardy, progressive, intellectual and religious culture, than startled the world by extraordinary instances of valor, genius, or power. The marked features of our history are the destruction of the settlement by King Philip's allies in 1676, the honorable part we had in the Revolution, and the sympathy and physical force we gave to the Rebellion of 1786. It is indeed doubtful whether the history of America furnishes a parallel for Philip's War. It is certain that Massachusetts, how ever her services and contributions in the Revolution may be pre sented or magnified, has not passed through another period of equal danger and sufferings. The plan of Philip was at once practical and comprehensive ; and its failure was not owing to any want of energy in him or his associates, but it was the common, though in that instance dearly bought, confession of inferiority which barbar ism renders to civilization. Groton shared the fate of Lancaster, Marlborough, Rehoboth, and other frontier towns in Massachusetts and New Plymouth. Had Philip's resources corresponded to his inventive genius and executive power, he would have realized the dream of his youth and the hope of his manhood in the extermina tion of his natural enemies. As it was, the bitter results of his de feat and death recoiled upon his countrymen with a power answering to the purpose and vigor of the war. The public records of Groton from 1765 to 1783 indicate the spirit BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 229 then common in our Massachusetts towns. The Lexington alarm was immediately responded to by one hundred and one minute-men commanded by Capt. Henry Farwell and Capt. Asa Lawrence. The town furnished 537 soldiers for the war whose aggregated terms were probably equal to the continuous service of 88 men. The bounties paid to the soldiers amounted, when reduced to the standard of gold and silver, to more than fourteen thousand dol lars. The town then contained 1639 inhabitants or rather more than one half its present population ; and the proportion of wealth was no doubt much less. But the hardships of the war were not terminated by the treaty of peace. There were not only vast public debts but private debts even more burdensome. For while the private creditor may be grasping and oppressive, the public creditor is compelled to be gracious and condescending in the presence of misery common to all and beyond the power of any. The creditor class were gen erally those who had avoided the personal and in some instances the pecuniary burdens of the war. Hence the first realization of the great blessing of national independence was associated in the minds of many patriots with personal suffering and servitude. Educated as they had been in the principles of liberty, and devoted and self-sacrificing as they were for its preservation, it was not strange that they sought relief from unrelenting creditors in the forcible overthrow of laws and tribunals that for the time seemed to be the allies of wealth and oppression against poverty and virtue. They were for the most part men " With daring aims, irregularly great. Fierce in their native hardiness of soul, True to imagined right, above control ; For e'en the peasant boasts these rights to scan, And learns to venerate himself as man." The necessities of kings and states are often a defence or at least an apology for the usurpations of tyranny ; but the suffer ings of the poor or the ultimate beneficial results of resist ance are not often permitted to plead for the excesses of liberty. Nor was it strange that a bitter contest of ten years followed by a war of seven years' duration, should have obscured the principles which lay at the foundation of the struggle. The legitimate basis of the revolution was the defence of a principle of the British gov- 23O BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. ernment ; the ostensible purpose and in some degree the policy of the war was resistance to those measures which were oppressive to the people. With this recent experience it was not strange that popular hostility to the policy of Great Britain was easily transferred to the measures of this republican, democratic government that the people themselves had established. Groton was a conspicuous actor in the drama of 1786 ; and though we are too near the events to pronounce an impartial judgment we may rest assured that his tory will palliate men the errors of those who estimated the govern ment by measures which were the natural result of its constitutional policy, rather than by the principles on which it was based. The eighth article of a warrant of the selectmen issued June 24th, 1786, expresses the great grievance of the time around which all other grievances clustered. It was in these words : " To see if the town will vote that there be a stop put to all law suits of a civil nature, until there is a greater circulation of money than there is at present." And the seventh article was a commentary upon this : — " To see if the town will vote not to have more than one attorney in a county to draw writs, and that he is paid the same as the state's attorney." This spirit found a more distinct expression in 1787, when the representative, Doct. Benj*. Morse, was instructed to use his influ ence in favor of an act "to regulate and keep in due subordination the conduct of the denomination of men called lawyers." But the value of municipal history is not so much in the aspect presented to the world as in the simple narrative of men of every generation who have illustrated the cardinal virtues of life and religion by the faithful discharge of public and private duties. Marked instances of these qualities may be found in all the old families of Groton, and in some families these instances have been often repeated. But it will be a sad perversion of the proper objects of this day if we devote ourselves exclusively to joyous festivity, or even to calm reflections upon the Past. The Present should use the Past as a guide to the Future. This town now enters upon the third century of its existence and history. We pass from one century to another at a period of unexampled prosperity. This prosperity is attended by corresponding dangers. If our career thus far has been illustrated by instances of individual INSTANCES OF LONGEVITY. 23 1 virtue, of devotion to duty, of sacrifices in the cause of freedom, of valor in war and charity in peace, of liberality in the cause of learn ing, of sincerity and ardor tempered with meekness in the cause of religious liberty and truth, then there are so many examples that we are to imitate and if possible to excel. We may safely cultivate some local attachments ; they are con sistent with the noblest, broadest, purest patriotism. Indeed muni cipal attachments foster fidelity to the state ; and where fidelity to the state is wanting we shall look in vain for that patriotism which embraces the whole country. We will cherish then our local sympathies ; — foster it may be even our local pride, and yet be equally faithful as citizens of the state and country. But identified as we are with the great American family which occupies the breadth and centre of an entire continent, we must yet feel a special interest in those who by birth are connected with the families of this ancient town. Many such there are in all the States of this Republic, useful and honored members of society. This occasion has turned their thoughts and their steps homeward. Once more they tread a genial soil, once more they gaze upon a familiar landscape, once more the heavens arch over them with the kindness and promise of youth. We say to them one as all and all as one, welcome to the sons of Groton, who from other communities and states, now unite with us in commemorating this anniversary ; wherever their lot is cast may they never forget the spot of their nativity — the home of their Fathers. INSTANCES OF LONGEVITY. A Venerable Lady. — Mrs. Rebecca Huse of Harvard, now 106 years old, is probably the oldest person in New England. She was born at Groton, but moved to Harvard at the age of 15, and has no near relative living except a single daughter, having buried a large family of children. This venerable relic of a bygone age still re tains to a remarkable degree of perfection her sense of sight and hearing, being but slightly deaf, and is remarkably active, making her own fire in the morning, and attending through the day to a 232 INSTANCES OF LONGEVITY. large part of her household duties. Till the present year she has kept and cared for a cow, and attended to some gardening. "Daily Evening Traveller," October 27, 1865. Mrs. Huse's maiden name was Parker, but I am unable now to identify her family. She died at Harvard, on September 14, 1869, at the great age of 104 years, 2 months, and 12 days, • — according to the town-records. Her age, as given in the Traveller, is probably wrong. Mrs. Roselle Hazard, wife of Peter Hazard, the Groton col ored centenarian, died at Groton on the 28th of the last month. She never fully recovered from the excitement attending the cele bration of her husband's one hundredth birthday. She was 98 years old, and had been married more than eighty years. " Boston Morning Journal," September 20, 1879. Death of a Centenarian. Peter Hazard, the colored cente narian of Groton, died on Wednesday last [November 10] and was buried on Friday. His one hundredth birthday was celebrated with a good deal of feeling by his friends and neighbors in the summer of 1879. His wife never recovered from the excitement of the occasion, and she died a short time afterward at the age of 98 years. "Uncle Peter," as he was called, was born August 8, 1779, and was consequently more than 101 years old at the time of his death. He lived during many years in the family of the late Dea con Samuel Lawrence, and was supported by some member of this family to the day of his death. " Boston Morning Journal," Monday, November 15, 1880. Mr. William Kemp of Groton died on Monday last [September 28] at an advanced age of ninety-six. Mr. Kemp was born at Groton on May 8, 1789, and began to drum in early boyhood. His first appearance in the public service was during the year 1805, as drummer of the South Company of Groton, commanded by Luther Lawrence, Esq., afterward the Mayor of Lowell. He has been the father of nine children, and has had thirty grandchildren, thirty- three great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. During his boyhood Mr. Kemp knew Major Daniel Simpson, the veteran drummer, who celebrated his ninety-fifth birthday yesterday. " Boston Evening Journal," Wednesday, September 30, 1885. RAILROAD MEETINGS. 233 Mrs. Sarah (Chaplin) Rockwood, a native of Groton, Mass., where she was born on Nov. 8, 1785, celebrated her centennial birthday at Cortland, Cortland County, N. Y. Her father was the Rev. Dr. Daniel Chaplin (H. C. 1772), who was settled over the First Parish in Groton for half a century, and her mother was Susanna, daughter of the Hon. James Prescott, and a niece of Col. William Prescott, the commander of the American forces at the battle of Bunker Hill. Mrs. Rockwood still takes an interest in public affairs and reads the newspapers ; and she can thread her needle without the aid of glasses. S. A. G. "The New-England Historical and Genealogical Register'' (XL. 105) for January, 1886. Mrs. Sarah (Capell) Gilson, a daughter of John and Mary (Perkins) Capell, was born at Groton, on November 22, 1793, and is now living at the advanced age of nearly 95 years. She is still hale and hearty, and as active, both mentally and phys ically, as a person of middle age. She keeps house by her self and does her own work. On April 1, 1856, she married Luther Gilson, who died on April 2, 1859, aged 69 years. Mrs. Gilson attended school at Groton Academy in the year 1808, under the preceptorship of Caleb Butler; and Mrs. Rockwood, who is still living, went to the same school as far back as 1797, when Asahel Stearns was the principal. RAILROAD MEETINGS. The following article is copied from the " Boston Courier," November 19, 1846. The meeting of conference was held at Hoar's tavern) then kept by Daniel Hunt ; and the action there taken determined the site of the "Junction," which has since become the town of Ayer. Railroad Meeting. A meeting was held on Monday [No vember 16], in Groton, of the friends of Stony Brook and Worcester and Nashua Railroads, for mutual conference in relation to the lo- 234 RAILROAD MEETINGS. cation of the roads. Several gentlemen were present from Worces ter, Nashua, Pepperell, and Lowell, among whom was ex-Governor Davis, President of the Nashua and Worcester road. It was con sidered important by the friends of the Stony Brook road, that a junction should be formed with the Nashua and Worcester at a point where that road would cross or intersect with the Fitchburg road, and if possible to avoid the necessity of using the Fitchburg. This desirable object can be obtained by running the Stony Brook up to near School-house No. 12, in Groton. At this point it will also intersect with the Townsend and Peterboro' road, as well as with the Fitchburg. The whole distance from North-Chelmsford to this contemplated junction is about twelve miles, which would be the length of the Stony Brook road. We now hope our citizens will take hold of this enterprize and build the road with as little delay as possible. The whole line of the Worcester and Nashua road is under contract, and it will be all graded by a year from next January. Such, we understand are their terms of contract. If the stock for the Stony Brook is now taken up, we may, in about a year and a half, have a continuous line of railroad from our city to Albany in the West, and Portland in the East, and with several other places which cannot fail to add vastly to our wealth and to the increase of business and popula tion. — [Lowell Courier.] The East Wilton and Groton Railroad, mentioned in the next paragraph, was incorporated by the New Hampshire Legislature, on July 10, 1846, and was to extend from East Wilton to the State Line, where it was to connect with the Groton and East Wilton Railroad, which was incorporated by the Massachusetts Legislature, on March 25, 1845. The railroad, however, was never built, as its importance was considerably modified by the subsequent construction of the Worcester and Nashua road and of the Wilton road from Nashua. East-Wilton and Groton Railroad. At the first meeting of the Grantees and Associates of the East-Wilton and Groton Rail road Company, holden at Smith's Hall, in Brookline [New Hamp shire], on Thursday last, Asa F. Lawrence of Pepperell was chosen President, and I. B. Sawtell, Clerk. Thomas Brown and I. N. LAWRENCE ACADEMY. 235 Worcester of Hollis, Luther Tarbell of Pepperell, Wm. Gilson and Isaac Sawtell of Brookline, Wm. Lovejoy of Milford, and Ephraim Hackett of East- Wilton, were chosen managers for the corporation. " Boston Courier," Friday, October 23, 1846. LAWRENCE ACADEMY. During the early part ofthe year 1792 a voluntary associa tion was formed at Groton, by certain people of the town and neighborhood, in order to establish an Academy where a higher education could be obtained than was given at the district schools of that period. A subscription paper was circulated for the purpose of procuring funds to erect a suitable building. A subscription of five pounds currency was the smallest sum received from any person, and was denominated a share ; ten pounds were called two shares ; and so on. A complete list of the subscribers has never been printed, but a partial one appears in Mr. Butler's History of the town (page 229). On April 27, 1792, the association organized by choosing trustees and the other customary officers ; and from this as a beginning sprang the institution known formerly as Groton Academy, but now as Lawrence Academy. The following is a copy of the original paper that bears the autograph signatures of the subscribers. It belongs now to James Lawrence, of Groton, and was bought at the sale of the library of the late Reverend Andrew Bigelow, D.D., which took place in Boston on July 10-12, 1877. In the sale catalogue it was numbered 321 among the " autographs, on page 49 of the pamphlet. In Order to diffuse useful knowledge and render the means of Instruction & information more general & less expensive to Indi viduals, We agree to raise by Subscription in Shares at five pounds Each, a sum of Money for the purpose of Erecting a Suitable build ing for an Academy in the Town of Groton, within sixty Rods from the Public Meeting house of the first Parish in said Town, and sev- 236 LAWRENCE ACADEMY. erally promise to pay the sums annexed to our respective names, .to such persons as shall be chosen by a Major Vote of the Sub scribers to receive the same, upon a Meeting of the whole being duly warned so soon as Conveniently may be, after Sixty Shares are subscribed — And we further agree, that the Surplusage of the Money Subscribed after Compleating of said building, shall be applyed to the support of a proper Instructor or Instructors of said Academy, furnishing a Suitable Apparatus or whatever Else shall be most Conducive to the promoting of Education — And if the sums subscribed exceed the purposes aforesaid, they shall be dis posed of by a Major Vote of the Subscribers — And it is further agreed that all Matters Relative to said Academy shall be deter mined by a Major Vote of the Subscribers, and the Vote to be taken by Shares And in Case that hereafter said Academy should be disolved each Subscriber or his heirs shall receive his Dividend of the Common property if any should remain in proportion to the sum Subscribed Groton March 26th 1792 Oliver Prescott three shares . . • £is — — Benj? Bancroft three shares . . iS — — Dan! Chaplin one share . . . 5- -0- — 0 Will!! Swan one share . . . 5- 0 — Joseph Rockwood one Share . . . 5" -0 — Nathan Davis Two Shares . 10- -0- -0 Aaron Brown Three Shares . . js- -0 — 0 Jonathan Keep two Shares . . 10- -0- — 0 Sam! Lawrence Two — De . . . 10 ¦ • 0 • • 0 Sam- Rockwood Two — D9 . . . 10 ¦ • 0 ¦ • 0 Samuel Gragg One Share . . 5 0 0 Jephf Richardson two sh — . . 10- -0- — 0 Oliver Prescott Ju' Three Shares . . I5- • 0 • • 0 Thomas Gardner Three Shares is- -0- -0 Francis Champney two shares . . 10- -0 • 0 Samuel Dana two Shares . . 10 • • 0 — Timothy Bigelow three shares . . *S 0 0 James Brazer three shares . . J5 : 0 = = 0 Nehemiah Tarbell one share . 5 : 0 : 0 Isaac Bowers one Share . . . . 5- — 0- — 0 A CORRECTION WS Prescott Levi Kemp W2 Bancroft Joseph Moors Zechariah Fitch Jonas Stone Jonathan Fisk Samson Woods Samuel Hemenway Joseph Sawtell 3rd Wilder Sheple WE Nutting Thomas Bond Henry Woods Peletiah Russell Isaiah Hall Jonathan Farwell Joseph Rockwood Jr John Park Levi Woods EphE Lawrence Jonathan Page Joshuea Longley Wallis Little John Bancroft Phineas Whitney John Bullard Two shares one Share . one Share . Two Shares Two Shares one Share one Share . one Share . one Share . one Share . one Share . one share . two Shairs . one Share one Share . one Share . one Sha one Share . one Share . one Share . one Share . one Share . two Shares one Share . one Share . one share . 237 Richard Sawtell -\ By Order, & in behalf Eben^. Woods [ of the Town of Groton James Prescott ) forty Shares 10 •• o •• o 5:0:0 5:0:0 10 — o — o 10 — o — o 5—0—0 5—0—0 5:0:0 5.0.0 5=0—0 5—0—0 5=0—0 10 — o — o 5—0—0 5= 0=0 5—0 — o 5—0—0 5—0—05—0—0 5—0—0 5 -o-o 5:0:05=0=0 10 •• o •• o 5—0 o 5=0 : o 5—0—0 565 . o . o A CORRECTION. Beverly, July 15, 1888. Dear Doctor Green, — On pp. 91 and 92 of Vol. II. of your Groton Historical Series there are two errors of slight importance and which I correct only because I know your desire to be strictly 238 WALTER DICKSON'S FAMILY. accurate. They occur in the account of a visit to English Groton, taken from the Boston Daily Advertiser of July 20, 1885. On p. 91 is an allusion to " a stone monument commemorative of Adam Winthrop, the first of the name, who was Lord of the Manor of Groton, &c." This monument is really the tomb of the third Adam Winthrop, who died in 1623, and whose only son was the Governor of Massachusetts. The second Adam W., who obtained the manor of Groton after the dissolution of the monasteries, is commemorated by a brass in the chancel ; but of Adam W. " the first of the name " there exists no memorial, nor is it certain that he lived in Groton, tho' he is known to have resided, for some time, at least, in Lavenham, a few miles distant. On p. 92 allusion is made to " the beautiful window erected by Mr. Winthrop to the memory of his great ancestor." This ought to read ' erected by the American Winthrops to the memory of, &c.' My father originally suggested the erection of this window, but he was only one of a number of subscribers to it. Yours very truly, R. C. Winthrop, Jr. Hon. Samuel A. Green. WALTER DICKSON'S FAMILY. On October 10, 1853, Walter and Sarah (Eldredge) Dick son, with one son and three daughters, sailed from Boston for Smyrna, in the bark " John Winthrop." Mr. Dickson was the son of Walter and Anna (Tufts) Dickson, and born at Groton, on March 15, 1799; and his wife was the daughter of Dr. Micah and Sally (Buttrick) Eldredge, and born at Dunstable, on June 1, 1800. They left New England for Palestine in order to work as independent missionaries among the Mahom etans. Their son Phillip Doddridge Dickson and his wife Susan (Mason) Dickson had sailed during the previous year, on July 24, in the bark " L. & A. Hobart," for the same destina tion and with the same purpose in mind. Deeply lamented by all his friends, this son died in the East on April 25, 1853 ; and his widow soon afterward, on July 27, sailed for home in WALTER DICKSON'S FAMILY. 239 the bark " Benj. Adams," reaching Boston on October 21, having passed on the ocean, unknowingly, the family of her father-in-law going in the opposite direction. Mr. Dickson established himself as a farmer near Jaffa, in the belief that an agricultural colony in the Holy Land would be an efficient agency toward converting the people of that country to the doctrines of Christianity. There were already a few families in the neighborhood, some from America and others from Germany, who were inspired by the same motives and working for the same end. They constituted what was known as the American Agricultural Mission ; and they tried to introduce the use of modern farming tools and other recent inventions, but without avail, and success did not seem to crown the labors of the Mission in any direction. In the meantime two of Mr. Dickson's daughters, Almira and Mary E., married, respectively, the brothers John Stein beck and Frederic W. Steinbeck, who belonged to the German part of the small colony. On January 12, 1858, Mr. Dickson's house at Jaffa was at tacked by Arabs, and Mr. Dickson himself severely wounded ; and his son-in-law, Frederic W. Steinbeck, was killed. In September of 1858 he came back to this country with his family/where he died on January 21, i860. Mrs. Dickson subsequently married James Swallow, of Nashua, a native of Dunstable, and died as his widow at Harvard on May 27, 1878. The following particulars of the tragedy are taken from the newspapers of that period : — The correspondent of the London Times, writing from Alexan dria [Egypt] on the 5th of February, says : The U. S. corvette Constellation, after a sojourn here of about ten days, has taken her departure for Messina. It was at one time thought that she would first steer for the coast of Syria, in order to give the support of her presence to the American Consul General, who left for Jaffra a few days ago, for the purpose of making an investigation into the cir cumstances attending an outrage of a most ruffianly nature, of which an American missionary, stationed at Jaffra, and his family, 240 WALTER DICKSON'S FAMILY. have lately been the victims. This gentleman's house was broken into during the night, he himself was stunned by a blow on the head, his son-in-law killed outright, and his wife and daughter sub jected to the grossest indignities at the hands of the assassins. The atrocity has been ascribed to an outbreak of Mahommedan fanati cism, but it seems likely that it was merely an aggravated case of burglary, and Mr. [Edwin] De Leon, the U. S. Consul, will no doubt find the Turkish authorities fully disposed to second him in his efforts to trace out the authors of the crime, without the neces sity of the threat that would be implied by the presence of a ship of war. " Daily Evening Traveller" (Boston), March 8, 1858. The Constantinople correspondent of the Daily News gives the details of a horrible outrage upon the Dickson family, (before re ported,) near Jaffa. The matter had been taken up by Mr. Brown, American Consul and Charge d' Affaires at Constantinople, and the Porte had promised full retribution. " Daily Evening Traveller " (Boston), March 16, 1858. The Jaffa Murder and Outrage. — We learn that the perpe trators of the horrible outrage and murder in the family of Mr. Dick son at Jaffa, in Syria, have been arrested and condemned to death. The American Consul General in Egypt, Mr. [Edwin] De Leon, by his promptness and energy effected the measures which resulted in the seizure of the guilty wretches, and it is hoped that their condign punishment may strike a wholesome terror into the Arab popula tion. Fourteen murders have been perpetrated within two years in the vicinity of Jaffa and Jerusalem, on persons of different nations, and no notice has been taken of them by the government. Our Consul's energy is therefore greatly to be commended, and its good effects will be appreciated. The Dickson agricultural enterprise is broken up, and his son-in- law Steinbeck writes that with the first opportunity the survivors expect to return to America. " New- York Observer," April 1, 1858. The Turkish Government made some slight reparation for these outrages, — but not at all commensurate with the crime, — paying only a little more than $2,000 as damages. The murderers were never convicted. THE ELDREDGE FAMILY. 24I THE ELDREDGE FAMILY. I am indebted to my friend, the Honorable Rodney Met- calf Stimson, Librarian of Marietta College, for some recollec tions of Dr. Micah Eldredge and his son Frederick Augustus Eldredge, as given in the letter below. See page 98 of this volume for a notice of the two, which was reprinted in " The Granite Monthly" for April, 1888. Dr. Micah was the father of Mrs. Sarah (Eldredge) Dickson, wife of Walter Dickson, who is mentioned on page 238 of this number ; he died at Milford, New Hampshire, on July 2, 1849, ar)d was buried in the Hollis Street Cemetery at Nashua. The date of Dr. Eldredge's death is given wrong on page 99. The following is a copy of the inscription on his gravestone : — MICAH ELDREDGE M. D. Born in Ashford. Conn. May 24, 1776 : Commenced Practice of Medicine in Dunstable, Mass. 1798; in 1818 united with the Congregational church in that place ; in 1820 was chosen Deacon; in 1828 moved to Nashua where he was elected to the same office, which he held till his death July 2, 1849. SALLY B. His wife Born May 21, 1779 Died Sept 8, 1866. Marietta, O., April 12, 1888. Hon. Samuel A. Green. Dear Sir, — Taking up "The Granite Monthly," last night, at home, my eye struck your name, so I looked to see what it was about. The wonderful thing of Memory ! I did not recall Fred erick A. Eldredge till I had gone through the paper for the first time, then I turned back and it gradually came vividly to mind. I am quite sure I had never thought of him since I came to Ohio, nearly forty-three years ago. I went to school ( " Select " ) to him, in Milford, 1834-35, when I was a small boy, and sat in the same 242 REFLECTION OF LIGHT. seat with the late Rev. L. J. Livermore, of Cambridge. My first Latin Grammar was at that time. My recollections are that his face was not " swarthy," only a ruddy-dark, not specially noticeable, but his hair was curly and lips thick, after the African type. I now recall the Yale affair. He had a younger brother in the same school with me, who was red-cheeked, and not so marked as to his hair. I think that Frederick A. Eldredge was of gentle manner, " slow to anger," which doubtless accounts for his remaining at Yale so long as he did. His father, Dr. Micah Eldredge, I well remember, as he rode in a " gig," a vehicle I have not seen for many years. He was of sturdy build and had a " swarthy" face. None of us ever for a moment thought of "negro" in the family, except the likeness in some features. Frederick A. Eldredge went into decline, about the time he left the school at Milford, and I think died of consumption. Yours truly, R. M. Stimson. REFLECTION OF LIGHT. The reflection of the electric light in Boston and the sur rounding towns can be seen from certain elevations at a great distance. When the atmospheric conditions are favorable, it is distinctly visible on particular nights, from Indian Hill at Groton, in the neighborhood of Captain Moses Poor Palmer's house, and from other places in the town. A slight haziness in the air is needed in order to receive the reflection. The distance from Boston to Groton in a straight line is about 30 miles, though the illumination is helped by the electric sys tems of Newton and Waltham, which are somewhat nearer. From different points in the village of Groton the reflection of the circuits at Nashua, Lowell, Clinton and Fitchburg is often visible, which places are 12 or 13 miles distant as the crow flies. The illumination of the heavens during the great fire that occurred in Boston, on the night of November 9, 1872, was distinctly seen by various persons in different parts of the town. A BAPTISTERY. — A LEGAL EPISODE. 243 A BAPTISTERY. A Baptist Society was organized at Groton on December 5, 1832, and the Reverend Amasa Sanderson was the first min ister. Captain Josiah Clark, one of the members, generously gave them the use of a commodious hall in the third story of a house, now occupied by Charles Gerrish, at the corner of Main Street and Broad Meadow Road. About this time a baptistery was made by digging out and damming up a small brook, which was used during a few years by the Society for baptismal purposes. It was in the neighborhood of Captain Clark's dwelling, and on his land, situated within five rods of the Break-Neck Road and just south of that highway. The little stream soon crosses Common Street and finds its way into Nod Brook. The use of this place was given up by the Society probably fifty years ago, when they went, as occasion required, to the Nashua River to perform the rite, and until a baptistery was made in their church. The remains of the dam and excavation at this site are distinctly visible, though there is now much undergrowth in the immediate vicinity ; and a good-sized elm marks the spot. A place so hallowed in former years by the affections of a small body of Christians, deserves the record of these few lines. A LEGAL EPISODE. The third edition of a work entitled " The Powers, Duties, and Liabilities of Town and Parish Officers in Massachusetts," by William A. Herrick, was published at Boston in the year 1884. The book gives the various statutes which relate to towns, that are in force throughout the Commonwealth ; and comments have been added in explanation, which are drawn from the decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court. The fol lowing paragraph is taken from Chapter IIL, which is devoted to Town Meetings : — 244 A LEGAL EPISODE. An article in the warrant to "hear the report of any committee heretofore chosen, and pass any vote in relation to the same," is a form of notice on reports of committees of common use and sanc tioned by authority, and it is sufficient to enable the town to grant money upon it, if the subject is one that is likely to require money (page 25). This sentence is connected with a note which refers to "Fuller v. Groton, 11 Gray, 340," where the case is reported somewhat in detail. A generation has passed since the trial was held, and most persons have forgotten the occurrence. The School Committee for the year 1851-52, whose Report gave rise to the suit, were the Reverend John Allen, Willard Torrey and Reuben Lewis ; and the position taken by them in the matter was fully sustained in all particulars by the high est judicial authority ofthe Commonwealth. See page 188 of this volume. The origin of the trouble was this : During the summer of 1 85 1, a school dame of long experience (Miss Abigail Champ ney) was an applicant for the school in District, No. 14, though on the ground of past services she declined to be examined by the School Board. This position was contrary to law, and of course untenable ; and the result was a little tempest in a tea pot, which soon boiled over and involved the whole neighbor hood. For a short time two public schools were kept in the District, the teacher of one being appointed by the Board, and the teacher of the other by the Prudential Committee. The second one, however, was soon given up for the want of funds. The bad blood engendered by this strife continued to show itself at different times, in various ways, until the town-meet ing on March 2, 1857, when the affair received its quietus. In order to keep step with the march of historical events connected with the town, I give the case as found in Gray's " Reports of Cases argued and determined in the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts," as follows : — Aaron [Abel] H. Fuller & others vs. Inhabitants of Groton & others. A town may appropriate money to indemnify its school committee for ex penses incurred in defending an action for an illegal libel contained in a report A LEGAL EPISODE.' 245 made by them in good faith and in which judgment has been rendered in their favor. A warrant for a town meeting " to hear the report of any committee here tofore chosen and pass any vote in relation to the same," is sufficient to enable the meeting to vote sums recommended by a committee appointed at a former meeting, the warrant for which fully set forth the business to be brought be fore it. Petition in equity to restrain the respondents from paying and indemnifying the school committee of Groton for the expenses in curred in defending a suit brought against them for an alleged libel contained in one of their official reports. The facts appear in the opinion. B. F. Butler, for the petitioners. E. A. Kelly, for the respondents. Thomas, J. That towns have power to raise money to indemnify their officers against liabilities incurred or damages sustained in the bona fide discharge of their duties is now well settled. Nelson v. Milford, 7 Pick. 18. Bancroft v. Lynnfield, 18 Pick. 568. Hadsell v. Hancock, 3 Gray, 527. The question before the court is, whether the appropriation by the respondents to indemnify the members of the school committee is, under the facts agreed, within the rule. Some things are plain. It is the power and duty of towns to raise money for the support of schools, and to choose a committee to superintend them. Rev. Sts. c. 15, § 12 ; c. 23, §§ 10, 60. The school committee are required to make annually a detailed report of the condition of the several public schools in their respective cities and towns, and their report is to contain such statements and suggestions in relation to the schools as the committee shall deem necessary and proper to promote the interests of the schools. Sts., 1838, c. 105, § 1 ; 1846, c. 223, § 4. This report is to be deposited in the office of the town or city clerk, and either to be read in open town meeting, or, at the discretion of the committee, printed for the use of the inhabitants. A certified copy of the report is to be sent to the office of the secretary of the Commonwealth. Towns failing to comply with this provision lose their proportion of the school fund. St. 1846, c. 223, § 5. The school committee of the town of Groton for the year 185 1 made their report to the town, the town accepted the report, and it was printed for the use of the inhabitants. For statements made in their report, in relation to transactions in one of the school districts 246 A LEGAL EPISODE. and the course taken by George Shattuck, the prudential committee of the district, the members of the committee were sued by said Shattuck for a libel. The case is reported in 4 Gray, 540. This court held that the plaintiff had no cause of action ; that the ex tracts from the report, set out in the declaration, and made the ground of the suit, were not libellous. For the expenses incurred in the defence of that suit, the town voted to indemnify the com mittee, and appropriated money for that purpose. The petition is brought to enjoin the selectmen and the treasurer from paying the money so appropriated, on the ground that the town had no power to appropriate money for that purpose. In this brief statement of the facts of the case, the legal result is, we think, clearly indicated. For the discharge in good faith of a duty devolved upon them as officers of the town, the committee were subjected to costs and expenses. The vote to indemnify them against the loss so incurred was just in itself, and within the prin ciples settled in the cases already cited. These cases indeed go further, and sustain such a vote when the officers, acting in good faith, exceeded their authority. Bancroft v. Lynnfield, 18 Pick. 568. A further question is made by the petitioners as to the sufficiency of the notice in the warrant under which the money was voted. If this objection is open upon this petition, in which no such objection to the sufficiency of the warrant is taken, we think it is not sound. The article in the first warrant covered whole subject matter. The article in the warrant for the meeting in which the appropria tion was made was " to hear the report of any committee heretofore chosen, and pass any vote in relation to the same." The subject matter of remunerating the school committee had been referred by the town to a committee at this last meeting ; that committee re ported ; the report was accepted ; and a vote passed, authorizing the selectmen to draw a warrant on the town treasury for three hun dred and twenty one dollars, the expenses of the libel suit. The sub jects to be acted on by the town are to be inserted in the warrant for the meeting. Rev. Sts. c. 15, § 21. But it is not necessary to state that the town will be called upon to grant money, if the subject is one which is likely to require money. Blackburn v. Walpole, 9 Pick. 97. This form of notice for action on reports of commit tees is of common use and sanctioned by authority. Alden v. Rounseville, 7 Met. 218. Rand v. Wilder, n Cush. 294. Petition dismissed. MRS. BASSETT'S BEQUEST. 247 MRS. BASSETT'S BEQUEST. Mrs. Mary Ann (Newman) Bassett, mentioned in the paragraph below, was a daughter of Timothy H. and Nancy (Turner) Newman, and born at Groton, on February 3, 1804. Her father was a silversmith, and lived for some years in the old Kilburn house, near the Common. Her grandmother, on the mother's side, was a sister of Dr. Elias Willard, a noted surgeon in the Revolutionary Army. Timothy H. Newman, a son of John, was born at Boston in the year 1778, and died in 1812 ; his wife, Nancy Turner, was born at Harvard, on June 1, 1780, and died on November 8, 1849. They were married on October 15, 1800, and had the following children : — Robert Evans Newman, born at Groton, on July 24, 1801, married to Abigail Davis, of Boston, on October 11, 1835, and died at Harvard, on December 17, 1861. They had two chil dren, a son and daughter, who died quite young in Boston. Harriet Evans Newman, born at Groton, on October 15, 1802, married Martin Black Long, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, at Boston, in July, 1827, and died of apoplexy at Groton, on October g, 1854. There were several children, who all are now dead, except Miss Hannah Willard Long. Their names were Harriet Newman Long, born in July, 1828, and died in 1 88 1 ; Hannah Willard Long, born in October, 1829, and still living; Mary Ann Newman (Long) Beale, born in 1831, and died in 1881 ; and Rufus Black Long, born in 1832, and died . Mary Ann Newman, born at Groton, on February 3, 1804, married Cushman Bassett, in Boston, on June 4, 1838, and died in Boston (No. 1 Bartlett Street, Roxbury), on August 27, 1887, leaving no children. Her husband died in the year 1861. Abigail Davis Newman, born at Groton, on August 23, 1806, married Thomas Jefferson Turner, in Boston, on April 248 MRS. BASSETT'S BEQUEST. 6, 1826, and died in South Boston, on August 2, 1870. There were two children, a son Thomas Jackson Turner, who died in the year 1830, and a daughter Martha Saunders Turner, born in 1829, who married Ashley Parker, and is now living. John Newman, the father of Timothy H., is said to have been a cousin of Robert Newman, the sexton ofthe Old North Church in Salem Street, during Revolutionary times. A GENEROUS ACT. Colby & Rich, publishers of the Banner of Light, hereby ac knowledge with gratitude the receipt from her executor of a dona tion of $500, bequeathed in the will of the late Mrs. Mary A. Bassett for the maintenance of the Public Free Circles, for sending The Banner free to the poor, and for other similar purposes. Of this sum one hundred dollars are for the use and benefit of the Editor-at-Large fund, of which the American Spiritualist Alli ance, New York City, is the representative. Accordingly we for warded a check for the same, the receipt of which has been duly acknowledged by its President, Hon. Nelson Cross. Mrs. Bassett was born in Groton, Mass., in the year 1804 [Febru ary 3], and passed to spirit-life from Boston, in August [27], 1887, at the ripe age of eighty-three years. Her remains were interred at Groton. Her sympathies were quick and generous, and she was ever found ready to bestow aid on those who stood in need. To the transaction of her business affairs she brought a skill in direc tion and a sturdy sense of probity and justice which made her a model worthy of emulation in the present age of keen mercantile competition. She was, from the very advent of Modern Spiritualism, a firm be liever in its revelations, and they proved a source of great consola tion and happiness to her to the last of her mortal pilgrimage. She has now entered the enjoyment of actual participation in the broader conditions and employments which those in the Higher Life so truthfully portrayed for her when on earth. "Banner of Light " (Boston), June 23, 1888. GROTON JUNCTION. 249 GROTON JUNCTION. The following lines, written nearly forty years ago by the late Mrs. James Gordon Carter, of Lancaster and Groton, appeared originally in the " Fitchburg Sentinel," and are now copied from the " Railroad Mercury " (Groton Junction), Janu ary 19, i860. They furnish a good description of the scenes to be witnessed, several times a day, at the noisy and bustling station of Ayer, on the arrival and departure of the various trains. Who, pray, in any age or nation, E'er saw a place like Groton station ? Of men and things, all sorts and sizes, Which this strange place monopolizes. Whether the Muses ever travel O'er ways cast up with sand and gravel, Whirled on as if their famed Pegasus ' Taxed all his strength to reach Parnassus, Remains a question undecided, Which rhymers cannot have decided. But sure I am they would be spreading Their wings, and to that mount be heading ; And also seek the way to shorten, If they should find themselves at Groton ! Just land there in the night, dear reader, (Are you a lady, with no leader?) And say, since language was confounded, If mortal e'er was thus surrounded ? Here come the cars like lightning speeding ! Where do they come from ? As you're reading, A whistle shrieks, as jf creation Had turned to noise, to wake the nation ! The bell is ringing, steam is hissing ! Bipeds pour out — your trunk is missing! " What train is this l tell me, pray ! " " Why, Ma'am, these go to Nashua." And now, upon the platform landing, 250 GROTON JUNCTION. The fibre of your brain disbanding, Squeezed as in nightmare or a witch-hug, In comes the upper train from Fitchburg ! And now some, care and caution scorning, Pour out like bees in a June morning, Pitch over trunks, hustle each other : All scream, and run to make more bother. All while this host of ills you 're summing, " Look out ! the Boston train is coming ! " And now, alas ! the plot so thickens, The heart of the lone maiden sickens ; As if alone, at night, mid-ocean, She looks for Day,1 with great emotion. "This way, Miss," some one cries, — "don't hurry; No use in making such a flurry ! This trunk, these bandboxes your luggage ? " In such a place one needs some courage. " Take care there ! " " Here, that 's my trunk, porter ! " " Look out ! I '11 make you one head shorter ! " " Where do you go, — to Fitchburg ? Worcester ? " " What 's in this basket, John ? " " A rooster ! " " Here, take this box !" The cars are starting, And through the air John's legs are darting. A woman calls, " Hannah, where 's Peter ? " " Munching an apple." " What an eater ! " " There now, the baby 's set to crying ; For mercy's sake ! what 's father buying? " " That 's the wrong car, — get out, Susanna ! " " Don't cry, — where did you hurt you, Hannah ? " " Where 's Mr. Stiles ? 2 such work I never ! I wish he 'd come, he looks so clever. Children, get in ! the bell is ringing ! Why, do hear Mr. Fairbanks singing ! " My Muse, alas ! see her wings flutter ; Panting, one warning word she '11 utter : " Beware," she says without compunction, "Beware, at night, of Groton Junction I" 1 Leonard Day, a conductor on the Fitchburg Railroad. 2 John C. Stiles, a conductor on the Worcester and Nashua Railroad, and afterward a resident of Cambridge. GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1888. Historical Series, Vol. II., No. IX. MOUNT WACHUSETT. The earliest allusion to the Wachusett Mountain is found in Governor John Winthrop's Journal, — usually called his History of New England, — where the writer gives an account of a reconnoitring trip made by himself and some others, on January 27, 163 1-2. The party followed up the banks of the Charles River to a distance of about " eight miles above Watertown," which brought them within the present limits of Waltham. The Governor describes with some minuteness the main features of the country, and mentions the names given by them to several places and points of interest along the way. Beaver Brook in Waltham was christened at that time, and the name has clung to the stream for more than two hundred and fifty years. Mount Feake, standing near the Charles River, then also received the name which it still bears. Winthrop says : — On the west side of Mount Feake, they went up a very high rock, from whence they might see all over Neipnett, and a very high hill due west, about forty miles off, and to the N. W. the high hills by Merrimack, above sixty miles off. Without question the " very high hill " seen from this point was the Wachusett Mountain, the highest elevation in Massachusetts, east ofthe Connecticut River, and at that time not known to the English by any name. " Neipnett " was another form of Nipmuck, which embraced a large territory 252 MOUNT WACHUSETT. lying in the southern part of central Massachusetts, and ex tending even into the present limits of Connecticut. The " Nipmuck country " is an expression often found in the early history of New England, but its boundaries were necessarily very indefinite. " The high hills by Merrimack " were perhaps those, east of the Grand Monadnock, now situated in the townships of New Ipswich, Temple, Peterborough, Lynde- borough and Goffstown, New Hampshire. If seen from a great distance, these separate hills appear to run into one continuous range extending to the Merrimack River. The next reference to the Wachusett Mountain is also found in Winthrop's Journal, under the date of March 7, 1643-4, where the writer speaks of " two sachems near the great hill to the west called Wachusett," showing that 'it was then known to the English by the present name. The word " Wachusett " is of Indian origin, and signifies near the hill or mountain. " Wadchu " in the Indian language means hill or mountain, and the affix " sett " means near or in the neighborhood of. The Indians of course applied the word to the region, but the early settlers soon restricted its mean ing to the mountain itself. The name of the Commonwealth is substantially the same word, with the prefixed adjective " Massa," which means great. In the course of time, with the natural elision of syllables used in speech, the word has become " Massachusetts." The same adjective is found in the composition of " Massapaug," well known in Groton as the name of a pond near its eastern boundary. " Paug " is the Indian word for pond ; so that " Massapaug " in the Indian tongue means great pond; and "Massapaug Pond" is a duplicated expression. The Indians had no written language, and the early settlers took the geographical names of the country, by sound, and wrote them down accordingly, without knowing their meaning. This was phonetic spelling, pure and simple, and explains the diversified orthography of Indian words which is so common. With an unwritten language the Indians themselves had no proper standard of pronunciation ; and their own usage, there fore, in regard to the same words often varied at different A GLANCE BACKWARD. 253 times. A peculiarity of their language was that the geo graphical names, as applied by them to hills, mountains, ponds, rivers, etc., were common nouns and had a meaning, but the same words, when used by the English, in the course of time became proper nouns and lost their significance. In "A Dictionary of Altitudes in the United States" pub lished by the Department of the Interior in the " Bulletin of the United States Geological Survey, No. 5 " (Washington, 1884), page 136, the height of Wachusett Mountain is given, on the authority of Professor Arnold Guyot, as 2,018 feet. A GLANCE BACKWARD. CANAL FROM BOSTON TO THE HUDSON. The schemes and undertakings of one generation are often interesting and suggestive to another, even when they are not carried out or completed. More than sixty years ago Loammi Baldwin, a noted engineer of that period, made a survey for a canal from Boston to the Connecticut River, and proposed, furthermore, an extension from its western terminus to the Hudson River, with a tunnel under the Hoosac Mountain. An engraved plan of the survey was made by Annin & Smith, of Boston, which showed the exact route of the under taking. It is found at the end of a " Report of the Com missioners of the State of Massachusetts, on the routes of canals from Boston Harbour to Connecticut and Hudson Rivers'' (Boston, 1826), and is entitled " Plan of a Survey for a Canal from Boston to Connecticut River, with a sketch of a proposed Route to the Hudson. Made under the direc tion of the Commissioners by L. Baldwin, Engineer." It is interesting to note the fact that the canal followed substantially, as might be expected, the present line of the Fitchburg Railroad. Beginning with Charles River it passed through Cambridge, Watertown, Waltham, Lincoln, Concord, Acton, Littleton, Groton, Shirley, Lunenburg and Fitchburg, 254 A GLANCE BACKWARD. and from this place it went through Ashburnham and Win- chendon and then followed down Miller's River to the Con necticut. Thence it was to pass up the Deerfield River through a tunnel under the Hoosac Mountain, by North Adams, and so down the Hoosac River to the Hudson. Loammi Baldwin was a native of Woburn, and a graduate of Harvard College in the Class of 1800. After leaving Cam bridge he studied law with the Honorable Timothy Bigelow, of Groton, and practised his profession for a few years, when he gave it up to become an engineer. In his new calling he soon attained distinction, and his services were in constant demand throughout the country, particularly in the construc tion of canals. While studying law at Groton, Mr. Baldwin made, in the year 1802, a fire engine, of which the town then stood in great need ; and this small machine is still in active use, after a service of 86 years, and to-day will throw a stream of water over the highest roof in the place. The Canal Commissioners, in their Report (page 57), say: The route, from the Nashua, continues over plains, on quite level land, without any very great impediments, through the south ern part of Groton, to the Cuttecoonemugkeag, the outlet of Sandy Pond ; thence along the southern side of that pond to Spectacle Pond, situated between Groton and Littleton. These ponds can be used as reservoirs. I make this extract, in order to give the name of the outlet to Sandy Pond, as used by the Commissioners. Cuttecoone mugkeag is a word evidently akin to the name of the river in Shirley, but I have never seen it applied before to any stream in Groton. At the present time the outlet to the pond is called Sandy Pond Brook. Mr. Baldwin, in his Report (page 112), says : — From Sandy Pond, in Groton, near the school-house No. n, the water may be turned with great ease, to Spectacle Pond, into which falls Shaker's brook. The stream from Spectacle Pond passes through Forge Pond, in Westford, from which it is called Stony Brook, until it drops into the Merrimack River, in Chelmsford. From information derived from intelligent gentlemen, and from my own observation of part of this section of country, it will be quite THE UNION CHURCH. 255 easy to open a communication through the valleys of these ponds and brooks, to the Middlesex Canal, in Chelmsford. Whether it would be expedient to carry the main line of the proposed canal in that direction ; or whether a branch only should be taken off from it that way, are questions which it may be important to have the means of settling. It will therefore add much to the valuable hydrographic information which these surveys will furnish, to cause a level and examination to be made, between the Nashua at Staples' mills, and the Middlesex canal. School-house, No. 11, mentioned by Mr. Baldwin, was situ ated at the crotch of the roads, a short distance east of Sandy Pond, and is now in Ayer. Shaker's Brook at the present time is called Bennett's Brook, named after an early settler of the neighborhood. See the preceding volume of this Histori cal Series, No. XII. page 19, for an allusion to the stream. Staples's Mills were on the right bank of the Nashua, near the site of William Mitchell's woollen mill in Ayer, which was burned on the afternoon of August 4, 1873. The heights of certain points along the proposed route of the canal are given in the Report, and are counted from low water mark in Boston harbor. I copy from page 1 1 3 those which were then in Groton, but are now in Ayer, as follows : Shaker's Brook, on line between Littleton and Groton Spectacle Pond, in Littleton and Groton, Sandy Pond, Top of under-pinning of school-house, No. 1 1 Stone's saw-mill pond, on Sandy pond brook, Sandy pond and Bear hill brook, Stone at corner of Nutting's barn, Groton, reel. 220.28 212-54 Groton, 226.9O do. 237.64 do. 223.89 do. 2I3.O3 do. 224.95 THE UNION CHURCH. The late Reverend Dr. John Todd, in a letter dated De cember 2, 1826, and printed on page 175 of his Life, gives the origin of the name Union Church, as applied to the Orthodox 256 DR. OLIVER PRESCOTT. Society in Groton, which is now generally forgotten. Few persons of the present day remember the bitter controversy that raged in New England when the Congregational churches were torn asunder by internal dissensions, and the deep sec tarian feeling that followed the division of the parishes. Dr. Todd writes : " The church was consecrated by the name of ' The Union Church of Christ in Groton,' a name of my selec tion, as I hope the two orthodox churches will one day be united." DR. OLIVER PRESCOTT. The following letters, written by Dr. Oliver Prescott, have some historical interest and deserve a place in this Series. The first one is found among the Massachusetts Archives (CCV. 150) at the State House, and the other is now in my possession. [GroIton Octr. 24'.h 1776. Dear Sir, My health is such that I cannot ride to Watertown at present ; have therefore at the repeated request of sundry Gent?, taken the freedom to inclose my Commission and begg the favour of you to get it renewed and send up by the first opportunity, as there is business of Consequence necessary to be Immediately done ; I have not taken out a Commision of the Quorum since my appointment, if that should now be agreeable to the Hon1? Board, it might be of present service to this part of the County. The Representatives for some of the adjacent Towns come up every Week, perhaps m' Sawtell of Shirley may this Week. Soldiers are marching from all the Towns in the upper part of New Hamp shire State for the Reliefe of our army at Ticondaroga 26 men march this Day from the Town of New Ipswich I hope our Army will be Immediately reinforced I am with the greatest Respect y' most Ob! & very hle Ser! Oliver Prescott. Col? Gardner. [Addressed] To The Hon1. Henry Gardner Esqr. In Watertown these. JAMES'S BROOK. 257 Groton Jan? 22* 1787 6° P M Sir I have been attending to the motions of the insurgents, & thought it was my duty to inform you that Cap' John Nutting of Pepperell marched from John Conants in Townshend at one o'clock this afternoon with about Seventy men collected from Groton, Pep perell & Townshend & Seven sleighs with provisions & baggage ; expected to be joined by a party from Lunenburg & Shirley, & I have no doubt will make up as many more, they have rec? Expresses from the Worcester Leaders to raise as many men as possible, they are exerting themselves to the utmost — they propose to march all night & are at present rapid in their movements. The Bearer Capt John Williams is able to acquaint you with the particulars & will inform you of the disposition of the people in this part of the County & their readiness to turn out for the defence of Goverment if needed — I have directed the Express to return as soon as possible & if any thing of importance should be discovered I shall give you in telligence without loss of time. I have the honor to be with the greatest esteem Sir your very humble Serv' Oliver Prescott. Gen1. Lincoln. [Addressed] On public Service The Honb.le Maj^ Gen1. Lincoln Worcestej by Express [Indorsed] Dr. Prescott's letter Jan? 22d 1787 N° 19 JAMES'S BROOK. Mr. Butler, in his History (page 244), says that James's Brook took its name from Captain James Parker, a large land owner along the banks of the stream. His ownership, how ever, was near the upper part of the brook, and did not extend to any great distance below. During the last seventy-five years this explanation of the name has been generally received, and before that period but little thought was given to the subject. Recently my attention has been called to a different view of 258 JAMES'S BROOK. the question by the Honorable Claudius Buchanan Farns worth, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, who is a native of Groton. Mr. Farnsworth belongs to a family that has lived for more than two centuries in the immediate neighborhood of the brook, and he is himself very familiar with the locality and the traditions of the place. Under the date of September 3, 1888, he writes: — When a boy, living near the brook and crossing it very often, I used to hear people say that it was so called after an Indian, named " Jeems," who fished along its banks and finally was found dead in the vicinity. In my boyhood that was the popular talk, and I have heard it many times over. It is called " James his Broke " in the town-records, November 27, 1664, when things could hardly have got so settled that common usage would have given to the brook the Christian name of a proprietor living near by. Mr. Farnsworth's point appears to be well taken, and par ticularly in the light of the fact that there was in very early times an Indian by the name of James, who had some busi ness relations with John Tinker, who was one of the petition ers for Groton and an original settler of the town. Certain papers bearing on these transactions, which covered a period of several years following February 13, 1656, are printed in " Groton during the Indian Wars " (pages 179-181). Like all Indians James was a famous sportsman, for he agreed to fur nish within a given time a large number of beaver skins. He was friendly to the whites, and probably a noted character in his day. In the Indian Roll, — the earliest book of town-records, — there are only twelve references to James's Brook, which all appear to relate to the lower half of the stream, — to the part below Matthias Farnsworth's house. Perhaps the name was first given to the lower part of tbe brook, and then by general consent worked upward to the source of the stream. On page 57 of the printed Records, under the date of June 8, 1680, there is an allusion to "the Brook by the Captains," which evidently means this brook. If the name had been THE NUTTING FAMILY. 259 taken originally from Captain James Parker, in use as early as November, 1664, an-d applied to its whole length, it seems as if it would have been called James's Brook at the time of this entry in June, 1680. THE NUTTING FAMILY. Boston, September 1, 1888. My dear Dr. Green, — I am sorry to say that of the early Nuttings I know much more concerning those who settled in Cambridge, Medford, and Salem, than of those who remained at Groton. John Nutting, my great-great-great-great-grandfather, came to this country not long before 1650. I think he came from County Kent, but cannot make the conjecture a certainty. He was married in Woburn, Aug. 28 (28 of 6 mo.), 1650, to Sarah Eggleton, whom Savage thinks to be a daughter of Stephen Eggleton, who is be lieved to have died on the voyage over, in the ship Castle. In the Woburn town-records there is a further entry : " , son of John Nutting, borne ye 1651-" This first John, the emigrant, was one of the petitioners for the town of Chelmsford, in the spring of 1655. I have not examined the Chelmsford town books, so I cannot give the exact date of his set tling there. But I have seen a record, kept by the Reverend John Fiske, minister of the church in Chelmsford at that time. Accord ing to the record, on the 6 of 5 mo., 1656, " Testimony was given touching John Nutting and his wife, who had propounded them selves to our fellowship ; " and on the 13 of 5 mo., " There was joyned to the church John Nutting, after his relation made and assent manifested to the profession and covenant of the church, [and] John Nutting's wife, her relation being repeated by an officer of the church." Under date 3 of 6 /s6 there is a record of the baptism of their children : — John, 5 years old 25 of 6 mo. /56. James, 3 " " 30 of 4 mo. /56. Mary, 1 year old 10 of 11 mo. /$6. This five-year-old John was evidently the son born at Woburn, in 1651. 260 THE NUTTING FAMILY. There is a hint that the father was zealous for his children's edu cation, as he is entered as having contributed us. ?,d., out of £4 11s. 3d., for the purchase of catechisms, the number of contributors being eight. Under date 9 of 9 mo. /61, John Nutting and others "propounded to the church that having some thought and inclination to a re move, they desired that they may have the church's prayers for a blessing of God upon their undertaking." This move being dis cussed, Brother Nutting assigned as a reason that having several small children both himself and his wife " were much deprived of the ordinances by their present situation ; " he therefore wished to live nearer the Meeting-house. This wish was fulfilled ; for in Groton, whither he went, his house must have been hard by the sanctuary. He seems not to have taken the Freeman's oath until several years after he had joined the church ; for the date is given in the Massachusetts Records as 30 May, 1660. He was one of the proprietors of Groton, and as nearly as I can make out from copies of deeds, etc., had about a hundred acres of land " bounded northerly by Capt. Josiah Parker's, southerly by Baddicook Pond, and easterly by the town common ;" with another tract of about the same extent " over the river," as well as smaller parcels, etc. His house was one of the earliest gar risons of the town. It would be impossible to distinguish between him and his son John altogether; but the tradition of captivity among the Indians refers possibly to the son. In the history of the attack upon Groton in King Philip's War, it is said that the garrisoned houses, five in number, all escaped but one, which was taken, there being of the English one slain and two wounded. It is a matter of history that Nutting's garrison was the one which did not escape, and the family tradition is distinct that he was killed at that time. His wife was, according to the records, a widow at Woburn in 1676. Perhaps they went there naturally, in their extremity; for Ruth Eggleton, a sister of Sarah, was the wife of Samuel Blodgett, of Woburn. In the Woburn town-records is the entry : " To widow Nutting for a wolfe . . . 00-10-00." Perhaps, however, she did not kill the wolf, but one of her wolf-killing sons did. Wolf-killing, together with fighting the Indians, seems to have been the principal diversion in Groton. THE NUTTING FAMILY. 26 1 Beside John and James, who settled in Groton, there were two sons who lived to grow up, Jonathan and Ebenezer ; of these, one settled in Cambridge, the other in Medford. Mary died perhaps unmarried ; she is not mentioned in the settlement of her father's estate, in 1716. Another daughter, Sarah, married John Stone, of Groton ; and a daughter Deborah married and lived in Concord. John, the eldest son of the emigrant, had five sons, — John, Daniel, Ebenezer, Jonathan, and Eleazar. Of these Jonathan was the ancestor of the leading Nutting family in Groton. A son of his, William, was father of William Nutting, Esq., still remembered by aged people as old' Squire Nutting. There is no descendant of his name in Groton now, unless some one has returned there re cently. His farm was situated below the Soapstone Quarry, near the Nashua River. He was an ancestor, however, of the late Dr. Isaiah Hall Nutting, whom you remember; of fhe Professor Rufus Nutting, who " held the even tenor of his way, in an unin terrupted course of classical instruction, in the Academy and the College, for more than forty years ; " and of the Rev. John Keep Nutting. Mary Olivia Nutting, for many years librarian at Mount Holyoke Seminary, is a grand-daughter of this " old Squire Nutting." The scope of this letter will not enable me to enter upon the descendants of John second, as well as Johns third and fourth, with a host of others, in Groton and elsewhere. But I will try to give a little information about the Captain John of whom you were speak ing. James, the second son of the emigrant, had two sons, — Wil liam, who left no children, and James, who was one of the first settlers in Pepperell. I have not the date of birth of this second James; but as William was born in 17 12, after a good number of sisters, there is a presumption that he was born about 17 14, or later. James had three sons in Pepperell, of whom the eldest, John, is described as " an ingenious mechanic, and a captain in the American Revolution." He was with Prescott at the battle of Bunker Hill. Pulsifer mentions him, in his " Account of the Battle of Bunker Hill," p. 1 1 : " Captain Nutting, with some troops, was ordered into Charlestown, near the ferry, by Colonel Prescott, to guard against the enemy's approach on that side." In the "muster roll of Captain John Nutting's Company of minett men in Colonel William Prescott's Regiment, who marched from Pepperrill ye 19* of April, 1775," I have found the names of Josiah, Benjamin, Ebenezer, and Samuel, all Nuttings of Pepperell ; 262 TWO LAW-STUDENTS, AND THEIR FIRST CASE. and on a coat-roll, of those " entitled to a coat for 8 mos. service in 1 7 75,'' beside Captain John, Ebenezer, Corporal, and Samuel, there are Abel, Ezekiel, and Ephraim, of Captain Asa Lawrence's com pany, these last all of Groton. Captain John afterwards led an expedition into Rhode Island in July, August, and September, 1778. I do not know the site of his homestead in Pepperell ; but he owned land near some of Colonel Prescott's, as I judge by a con veyance to a certain Levi Nutting. This land is described as " in the north part of Pepperell, bounded on the north by Colonel Pres cott's land, on the east by Captain John Nutting's land, and on the south and west by a town road," etc. There is a reference to Captain John Nutting in "The Massachu setts Gazette," August 29, 1786. He was chairman of a committee from Pepperell and the neighborhood, who sent a circular letter of remonstrance and appeal to the selectmen of Cambridge and other towns, from whom they received but little sympathy. I have never lighted, to my knowledge, upon any one who claimed this Captain John as ancestor, and so cannot judge how green his memory may be among his descendants ; and I cannot, with such materials as I have at hand, answer your questions as to dates about him. I wish that I were a better helper, and am Yours sincerely, Mary E. Nutting. TWO LAW-STUDENTS, AND THEIR FIRST CASE. James Dana and Thomas Hopkinson were graduates of Harvard College in the Class of 1830; and soon after gradu ation, for a term of one year, they were fellow law-students under the instruction of Judge Samuel Dana, of Groton. His office at that time was in the building just north of Mr. Dix's, and nearly opposite to Mr. Hoar's tavern. It was afterward made into a tenement-house, and subsequently burned on the morning of October 26, 1884. While engaged here in the TWO LAW-STUDENTS, AND THEIR FIRST CASE. 263 pursuit of their chosen profession, these two law-students had their first case in court. General Dana, the survivor, has given me the following account of it ; which will call up in the minds of the older citizens of the town the recollection of Training-day, when the militia companies used to meet on the Common and go through with certain evolutions, then called drilling : — More than half a century ago, two young Harvard graduates were reading law in a quiet country town in this State, when one day in April a notice, of which the following is a copy, was served upon each of them : — Groton, April 15, 1831. To Thomas Hopkinson of said Groton : You being duly enrolled in the Company at Groton, within whose bounds you reside, and commanded by Capt. , are hereby ordered to appear, armed and equipped as the law directs, on the Common in front of the Meeting house in Groton, on the first Tuesday of May next, at one o'clock in the after noon, for inspection, exercise and discipline. Fail not of appearance at your peril. , Clerk. The students at once endeavored to inform themselves upon military law, and found that to be "armed and equipped as the law directs," they must provide themselves with a good musket or fire lock, with a bore sufficient for balls of the eighteenth part of a pound, a bayonet and belt, two spare flints, a priming wire and brush, a knapsack, a cartridge-box to contain not less than twenty-four car tridges suited to the bore of the musket, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball. Unfortunately, although they had been members of the Harvard Washington Corps in college, they did not own the aforesaid im plements of war or any of them, and had not any bank account to draw upon for the "wherewithal." What was to be done ? There seemed no alternative but to " run the gauntlet," and they did ; and failed to obey the summons, and only had the privilege of hearing at a distance the notes of "Yankee Doodle " and " Hail Columbia " from the inspiring drum and fife. They soon heard that those college fellows were to be " put over the road ; " and erelong the constable entered and served a sum mons upon each, as follows : — 264 TWO LAW-STUDENTS, AND THEIR FIRST CASE. Middlesex, ss. To the Sheriff of said County, or either of his Deputies, or either of the Constables of the town of Groton, in the County aforesaid, Greeting : [L. S.] In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to summon Thomas Hopkinson, of Groton, in the County aforesaid, to appear before me, Caleb Butler, Esquire, one of the Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid, at my office in said Groton, on the second Monday of June next, at two o'clock in the afternoon, then and there to show cause, if any he has, why judgment should not be rendered that he has forfeited the sum of four dollars for neglecting and failing to appear at the meeting for inspection, exer cise and discipline of the Company in said town, commanded by Capt. , on the Common in front of the Meeting-house in said Groton, on the first Tuesday of May, inst., at one o'clock in the afternoon. Hereof fail not and make due return of this writ and your doings thereon unto myself, on or before the said hour of the said third day of June. Dated at Groton aforesaid, the sixteenth day of May, A. D. 183 1. Caleb Butler, Justice ofthe Peace. The students decided to stand trial, and act as lawyers for each other ; and they studied the law pretty thoroughly, fearing that they might make a failure on their first attempt in the legal forum. On the day appointed they presented themselves before the Justice ; and soon ten other delinquents, mostly farmer boys, filed in, causing an overflow in the small office ; and the court was ad journed to the hall of the neighboring tavern, which was then kept by Joseph Hoar. As it was noised through the village that those college boys were to be put on their trial before Mr. Justice Butler, and that they were foolish enough to attempt to play the lawyer for each other, there was quite a gathering of the villagers, who came to witness some fun. Bradford Russell, Esquire, a legal light of Groton, appeared as counsel for the complainant, and the proceedings began. The case against Thomas Hopkinson was called. The Court, after ordering him to stand up, read the complaint and inquired : " Thomas Hop kinson, what say you to this complaint ? Do you plead guilty, or not guilty ? " Hopkinson. " Not guilty." " Have you any counsel ? " " Yes, your Honor ; my friend James Dana is to defend me." Court. " Mr. Russell, proceed with your case." " Yes, your Honor ; " and he offered his documentary evidence, and his witnesses in support of the allegations in the complaint, and then said, " We rest our case here." TWO LAW-STUDENTS, AND THEIR FIRST CASE. 265 Mr. Dana, for the defence, then arose and addressed the Court as follows : — " May it please your Honor, our defence will consist of eleven points, some of which we flatter ourselves will be considered an ample defence to the annoying and unjust prosecution of innocent, law-abiding citizens of this ancient town; and we trust that our defence will be such that the complainant and his associates will not have opportunity to gratify their spleen against those college fellows, — a fellowship of which we are in no way ashamed, but justly proud." Mr. Dana then elaborated six of his points, and proceeded: — "We have now presented and argued six of our points. Our seventh point is that although we are liable to be enrolled in the Massachusetts Militia, the law requires that notice of such enrol ment shall be seasonably given to a citizen thus enrolled. The reason for this is obvious ; otherwise a citizen might be dragged away to fight in battles in defence of his country, before he has any information or knowledge that he is a soldier ; and further, such notice affords him time and opportunity to procure a priming wire and brush, twenty-four cartridges, and the numerous other weapons of war required by Massachusetts Militia Law. My client has not received any notice of his enrolment. The learned counsel for com plainant, ingenious as he is, has not offered any evidence of such notice to our client ; and he cannot, for it is not a fact. Without waiving the force and strength of our six points, we confidently assert and maintain that this seventh point is conclusive, and fatal to the maintenance of this prosecution." The Court. " Mr. Dana, you may rest a minute." " Mr. Russell, have you any evidence or proof, or can you produce any, that notice of his enrolment was given to the defendant ? " "I regret to say that I am afraid we don't possess such evidence, and that we can not procure it." The Court. " Then I rule the point well taken, and that it is fatal to the maintenance of the prosecution. Thomas Hopkinson, stand up ! This Court orders that you be discharged ; you may go without day." "The next case is a complaint against James Dana, of Groton, which I will read. James Dana, do you plead guilty, or not guilty ? " " Not guilty, your Honor." " Have you engaged counsel ? " " Yes, your Honor, I have retained my friend Thomas Hopkinson to defend me." 266 TWO LAW-STUDENTS, AND THEIR FIRST CASE. Esquire Russell having finished his case for the prosecution, Mr. Hopkinson for the defence addressed the Court : — " May it please your Honor, our defence is substantially the same as that made by our brother Dana in the prosecution against our- self, which has just been tried before your Honor." The Court: " Mr. Russell, you have not offered any evidence that notice of his enrolment was given to Dana, the defendant. Can you procure or produce any ? " "I fear not, your Honor." "Then the Court orders that you be discharged, and go without day." Mr. Hopkinson. "We thank the Court for the correct ruling." The other ten delinquents, rough-looking country boys, were sit ting in a row, and with strained eyes and wide-open ears had listened to the foregoing. After Hopkinson and Dana were thus summarily discharged, they were all in great glee, for they knew they had not been notified of their enrolment. In their ignorance they had not engaged counsel. They had a consultation in whisper, when one of them, who seemed to act as boss or leader, beckoned Mr. Hopkinson and Mr. Dana into another room. " How much will you charge to defend me and the other nine ? " " Ten dollars, — one dollar a head. What is your name ? " " Hateful W. Parkins." 1 " There is an old rule, and it is a good one, 'Pay as you go.' Go back, collect your money, and pay the coin down." This was done, and the fee pocketed. The Court. " The next case is that of Hateful Parkins." " All ready." " Have you any counsel ? " " Yes, Mr. Hopkinson and ' Mr. Dana, the young lawyers, will defend me and the other nine." The Court. " I will read the complaint ;" which is read. "Hateful Parkins, what say you to this complaint ? Do you plead guilty or not guilty ? " Whereupon Mr. Hopkinson whispered to Parkins, "They have got your name wrong ; don't answer, keep dumb ! " The Court repeated the question, but Parkins kept dumb. Whereupon the Court, under some excitement, said that he would be obliged to commit the defendant for contempt of court, and continued, "Par kins, why don't you answer?" Parkins. "My name ain't Hateful Parkins." "What is it?" "Hateful W. Parkins." Whereupon Mr. Hopkinson moved the Court that the complaint be quashed and dismissed, because of misnomer in the complaint. 1 This name is fictitious. TWO LAW-STUDENTS, AND THEIR FIRST CASE. 267 Mr. Russell then moved for leave to amend the complaint by simply adding the capital letter " W." after the word " Hateful " wher ever it occurs, so that it would read " Hateful W. Parkins " instead of " Hateful Parkins." To this motion Mr. Hopkinson objected that upon every principle of good pleading as stated by the best writers of elementary law, as well in England as in our own country, mis nomer in a criminal complaint is not a matter that can be amended. The complainant takes his risk. For aught we know there may be forty Hateful Parkinses, but this defendant is not one of them. The complainant must be sure and get the right " pig by the ear." Unfortunately for him, he has got the wrong one now, and he must take the consequence. Mr. Russell, in reply, insisted that his pro posed amendment ought to be allowed ; but the Court said that un less he could produce some authority to the contrary, he would not allow the motion to amend. Mr. Russell admitted that he had not any such authority at hand. Whereupon it was ordered that the defendant, Hateful W. Parkins, be discharged. The next case was that of Barnabas Blackwood,1 who pleaded not guilty, and Mr. Russell put in his case. Mr. Hopkinson for the defence then stated that the defence in this case and the eight others was the same as in the cases of Mr. Dana and Mr. Hopkinson ; namely, want of proof of notice of enrol ment. The Court said to Mr. Russell that unless he could furnish such proof in this case and the others, he should be obliged to decide in favor of the defendants. The counsel regretted his inabil ity to furnish the proof. The Court said : " It is of no use to waste time. It is ordered that Barnabas Blackwood and the eight other defendants be discharged, and this Court is adjourned without day." There was a suppressed giggle all along the line of the ten. The complainant and his numerous sympathizers wore long and wry faces. The crowd emerged, when the jolly ten formed in line be fore the tavern, and Parkins called out, "Three cheers for our young lawyers," which were given with a will. Before the next May Training the embryo lawyers had said good-by to the old town of Groton. 1 This name is fictitious. 268 NO THOROUGHFARE. NO THOROUGHFARE. On March 6, 1871, the town by vote shut up the thorough fare leading westerly from the neighborhood of Fitch's Bridge, and at that time for some distance forming the boundary be tween Groton and Pepperell. The extreme western end of this road, which many years ago was the principal thorough fare to Townsend, had previously been shut up by public vote, or fallen into disuse, at a date now unknown to me. A peculiarity of this highway was that the road lay wholly in Groton, while the land abutting on the north side was in Pepperell. The few scattered houses along this road were all on the north side, so that it had been kept open by the town for the accommodation of non-residents. Some surprise has been expressed that it was ever laid out in this manner ; but the explanation of the anomaly goes back to the time when Pepperell was set off, on November 26, 1742, as the West Precinct of Groton. The incorporation of a precinct carried with it only the right to manage their own ecclesiastical affairs, but not the right to lay out roads or to levy taxes for that purpose; so that a precinct was still obliged to share the general expenses of the parent town. In answer to the petition for the West or Second Precinct of Groton, which is dated May 26, 1742, the General Court established the Townsend road as the southern boundary of the precinct, and the northern side of the road was taken rather than the middle. At that time the expense of support ing it came equally on the town and on the new precinct ; and the exact line of division was of no practical importance. When the precinct became the town of Pepperell, the con dition of affairs was altered, but the change does not seem to have been then recognized. The old Townsend road went over Fitch's Bridge, or rather over the bridge in that im mediate neighborhood, which was of an earlier date than the one half a mile below at what is now called Paper Mill Village, though the latter was built very soon afterward. STEPHEN BOYNTON'S PETITION. 269 STEPHEN BOYNTON'S PETITION. Province of The \ To His Exellency William Shirley Esq? Captain Massachutes- I General and Govener in Cheif The Honorable " his majesties Council and house of Represanta- tives in Genral Court asembled at Boston on y= third of Febuary A: D: 1749 The Petition of Stephen Boynton of Groton in the County of midd* Labourer Humbly Sheweth that your Petitioner on ye. twenty ninth of apriel A: D: 1746 went into his majesties service in y°. Room of one James miller Ju' of Charlstown and all tho your Petitioner Engaged in s- saruis on yl 29* of apriel aforesaid yet all- tho your Petitioner attended all the orders & Derictions of his offi cers he Did not Gift Down to Brunsick till ye eleventh Day of June so was not made up in Cap' Benj? Larrabes muster roll whome he was Putt under till yc Eleventh Day of June so that he hes not ben Paid for 42 Days and his Billitt for 3 weeks Part of yf time for which he Prays the Considration of your Exellency and Hon ours to Grant him Such Reliefe as in your Great Wisdom you shall see meet and your Poor Petitioner in Duty Bound shall Ever Pray Stephen Boynton In the House of Repues Feb.? 19. 1747 Read and Ordered that the Treasurer be directed to pay to Maj Lawrence for the Use of the Petr Usual Wages for forty two days ; He being made up short for that time in Cap' Larrabee's Muster roll. Sent up for concurrence T Hutchinson Spkr Six week wages @ 6/3 is 37/6 Last Em[ission.J In Council Feb!' 19. 1747 Read & Concur'd J Willard Secry Consented to W Shirley. [Indorsed] Maj Cushing Maj Hunt Mr Foster Stephen Boynton's Petition Feb? 19 Stephen Boynton on Cap' Benj" Larrabees Roll Entl 11 June dischd 28 Octo. 1746 Attest W° Foye Treasr Stephen Bointon of Groton husbandman was hired to go into the Country Service in the room of James Miller jun' of Charlstown 270 FIRST BRICK HOUSE. — THOMAS SACKVILLE TUFTON. cordwinder who was impressed & accordingly sd Stephen enlisted the twenty ninth of April 1746 before me Wm Brattle July 1746 Massachusetts Archives, LXXIII. 53, 54. THE FIRST BRICK HOUSE. The first brick house in Groton was built by John Park in the year 1791, and is still standing. It is situated on Park Street, in that part of the town which afterward became Ayer, and in 1832 was occupied by Nathaniel Stone, ac cording to Mr. Butler's Map of Groton, then recently pub lished. On the gable, near the eaves, at the southwest corner of the dwelling, is a small slate tablet, with a sundial at one end, and this inscription at the other J. P. 1 791. It is said that the late Asa Tarbell's house at West Groton was the second brick dwelling built within the town. Many years ago this house was partially destroyed by fire, but sub sequently rebuilt. It stands on the banks of the Squannacook River, near the bridge leading to Shirley. THOMAS SACKVILLE TUFTON. Thomas Sackville Tufton was a trader in Groton during the Revolutionary period. For references to him, see the first volume of this Historical Series, No. VII. page 8, and also page 45 of the present volume. According to a Memoir of Captain John Mason, published by the Prince Society (Bos ton, 1887), he was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Gooding) Tufton, of Boston, and a descendant of John Mason, the fa mous founder of New Hampshire. He died probably in the winter of 1787-8, as letters of administration were taken out AN OLD POTTERY. — THE CIRCUS AND THE SHOW. 271 on his estate, February 6, 1788. He was a great-great-great- great-grandson of Captain John Mason, a great-great-grand son of Robert Tufton, who took the surname of Mason, and a grandson of John Tufton, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, who dropped the surname of Mason. The town of Mason, New Hampshire, is so named in honor of Captain John. AN OLD POTTERY. Pawtucket, R. I., Sept. 5, 1888. Dr. S. A. Green : Dear Sir, — Sometime in the last century there was a pottery between the Pollard house and my grandfather's house at Groton, on the north side of the road, near where, as I understand, a new house has been built. It stood, say two hundred yards easterly from where my grandfather last lived. When I was a boy the cellar, a part of the old chimney, and great quantities of brown sherds lay scattered around. Do you know anything about this industry then carried on ? I have forgotten the name of the potter. He was said to have been a relation of ours, but not a Farnsworth by name, and to have moved away somewhere. I don't think I have heard anything about it for fifty years ; but the old fragments were well known to my childhood. Very truly yours, C. B. Farnsworth. THE CIRCUS AND THE SHOW. In modern times the circus and the menagerie have been united, and their exhibitions are now confined to cities and to large towns situated on the line of railroads. Formerly the young folks of Groton, and even children of a larger growth were treated periodically with these attractions, which then always came separately. In my boyhood, nearly every year a circus would put in an appearance in the village, and pitch 272 THE CIRCUS AND THE SHOW. a tent — a small one in comparison with those now in use for such purposes — behind one of the taverns, or on the Com mon just north of the Burying Ground. People would come even from the neighboring towns in considerable numbers, in order to see the remarkable feats which had been duly adver tised. Large posters, put up in the bar-rooms, blacksmith shops, stables, and other public places, set forth the strange sights to be seen. The man of gigantic strength, who could pull against four horses, as well as the one with iron jaws, who could lift a small cannon by means of straps between his teeth, while some one else fired it off, the rider and the acrobat were all there, including the clown with his stale jokes. It was a gala day, and booths and benches were in order for the sale of gingerbread and poor lemonade. Drunkenness was not uncommon, and on the whole a deep impression was made on the youthful mind. Two performances were given, one in the afternoon and the other in the evening; and be fore the audience left their seats the place of the next exhibi tion was announced by the ringmaster. These circuses used to come to Groton from Lowell, Nashua or Fitchburg, or some other town twelve or fifteen miles away, and they entered quietly very early in the morning, and de parted soon after the evening performance. It was always a source of wonder when the actors got their sleep. Large wagons for the transportation of heavy articles, as well as lighter vehicles for the personnel, made up the train ; and there was the usual sprinkling of mottled horses and trick ponies, and of course the inevitable band. The circus came more fre quently than the menagerie, or " show " as it was generally called, though sometimes it was spoken of as the " caravan." The menagerie was the more popular place of amusement, as some people would take their families there who would not allow them to attend the circus. It furnished a kind of object-lesson which taught natural history, and for that reason was sometimes patronized by persons of strict notions. The elephant was always a wonder and a delight to the boys who believed strictly the current report that he never would cross a bridge, but would swim the river, because he would not HISTORY OF DUNSTABLE, N. H. 273 trust himself on the artificial structure. To the youthful mind the monkeys, however, were the particular attraction, and they were looked upon as almost human. If the Dar winian theory had been then in vogue, the youngsters would have become ready converts to its doctrines. In these days of large combinations it is not at all likely that the show business will ever again, to any extent, be at tempted in Groton ; and hereafter it will be a recollection or a tradition, and not a reality. The circus and the show first came to Groton, probably near the beginning of the present century, though at that time they were managed on a very small scale. There are persons now living, whose recollec tion goes back to the year 1810, who tell me that these public amusements were no novelty in their childhood, and of course they precede that date. The last exhibition of this character, within the limits ofthe town, was given at the "Junction," by the Great Oriental Circus and Egyptian Caravan, on June 4, 1870. It was duly advertised in "The Weekly Public Spirit" (Groton Junction), May 26, 1870, and was considered, by comparison with similar exhibitions, a very slim affair. HISTORY OF DUNSTABLE, N. H. Charles James Fox's History of Dunstable, New Hamp shire, which is mentioned on page 184 of this volume, was published originally in separate parts. It consisted of eight numbers of 36 pages each, — with the exception of the last number, which had a few additional ones, — and appeared fortnightly. It was issued with covers, and the publisher had an advertisement on the last page of the cover. After the third number each part had an engraving for a frontispiece, which in the published volume is placed where it properly belongs. I have now in my possession a complete set of these num bers, which is sufficiently rare to justify this bibliographical note. 274 ADDENDA. ADDENDA. The " Rev. Mr. Daniel Chaplin, Groton," was a subscriber to Hannah Adams's " An Alphabetical Compendium of the various Sects " (Boston, 1784), as appears by the list of names printed at the end of the volume. In the year 1791 a second edition of this work was published under the title of " A View of Religions," also with a list of subscribers ; but a third edi tion in 1 801 omitted the names. Among the "Patrons of 'Boston Epitaphs'" (page 12), printed and inserted at the end of Thomas Bridgman's " Me morials of the Dead in Boston " (Boston, 1853), are the names of George S. Boutwell and Samuel A. Green, both of Groton. The first volume of John Langdon Sibley's " Biographical Sketches of Graduates of Harvard University " (Cambridge, 1873), at the end contains a list of the subscribers to that work ; and the name of Dr. Joshua Green, of Groton, a graduate in the Class of 18 18, is there given. See the preceding volume of this Historical Series, No. XVI. pages 11-16, for a "List of Groton Subscribers to important books, etc.," and also page 67 of this volume. GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1889. Historical Series, Vol. II., No. X. Some years ago, while copying from the Groton records the list of out-of-town marriages, — which has since been printed in the preceding volume of this Historical Series (No. XIII. pages 44-58), — I availed myself of the oppor tunity to make a transcript of the births as well as of the parents' names, that are recorded in another part of the same book. In these various entries the families were grouped without any system ; but in this Number, where they are now printed, the families are arranged in alphabetical order, under their respective names. The volume from which they are taken is marked on the back " Births & Deaths ; " and after each family, as printed here, the particular page of the volume is given, in broad-faced type, where the entry is found. The latest record is the birth of William Chauncy Hall Needham, on August 18, 1845 ; and before this date there are but three others during that year, and but five during 1844, although in some instances the records go back twenty years or more. These entries are all in the handwriting of John Boynton, town-clerk during the years 1832 and 1833, and from 1837 to 1845 inclusive, and were made by him during that period, though probably for the most part between the years 1837 an^ 1843. The next volume of town-records containing the births begins with May 18, 1844. These records furnish the basis of the present Number ; but I have added to them many facts from various other sources. I have given, so far as I am able, the mothers' maiden names, 276 A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. the date of marriages as well as of deaths, besides additional births, etc. If no other town is mentioned, the place of marriage is Groton. These facts have been procured in so many different ways that it has not seemed practicable to quote the authorities or to distinguish between them and the original records, although among the " Deaths," near the end of the pamphlet, the interpolations are placed within brackets. If my work in editing these records should help hereafter to lighten the labors of genealogical inquirers, my object will have been attained. RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. Asa and Mary (Adams) Ames. Mary Augusta, born at Groton, March 28, 1837. 49 Mr. Ames, a son of Buckley and Lydia (Prescott) Ames, was born on November 3, 1799, and died on April 14, 1846. John and Eliza J. (Parker) Ames. Married at Pepperell, December 3, 1835. George Henry, born at Groton, October 1, 1836. Eliza Shepley, born at Groton, December 30, 1838. Charles Theodore, born at Pepperell, February 22, 1841. Francis Parker, born at Pepperell, March 25, 1846. Frank Waldo, born at Pepperell, May 13, 1854. 45 Simeon and Sibyl (Blood) Ames. Married November 25, 1830. William Henry, born at Groton, May 19, 1831, and died at Groton. Mary Elizabeth, born at Groton, November 16, 1833 ; married John Blood. Charles Buckley, born at Groton, April 4, 1835 ; now dead. 1 Mr. Ames, a son of Buckley and Lydia (Prescott) Ames, was born on August 14, 1803, and died on February 28, 1874. He was a brother of Asa Ames, previously mentioned on this page. 278 a record of some groton families. Dr. Amos Bigelow and Marietta (Shepley) Bancroft. Married at Pepperell, June 11, 1840. Mary Ann, born at Groton, May 11, 1841. Sarah Parker, born at Groton, April 18, 1843. George Doane, born at Groton, February 28, 1845, an(^ died in Boston, March 7, 1879. 82 Dr. A. B. Bancroft was the son of Dr. Amos and Sarah (Bass) Bancroft, and born at Groton on April 3, 181 1. He graduated at Harvard College in the Class of 1831, taking the degree of M.D. in 1834, and died at Florence, Italy, on November 8, 1879. Mrs. Bancroft was a daughter of Nathan and India (Emerson) Shepley, and born at Pepperell. George Washington and Eveline (Robbins) Bancroft. Married November 28, 1839. Helen Eveline, born at Groton, August 16, 1840; now dead. George Francis, born at Groton, July 20, 1842. Emma Josephine, born at Groton, July 6, 1844 ; married, De cember 30, 1875, Charles Hastings Gerrish. Gertrude Phillips, born at Groton, October 30, 1848 ; married Charles Cotton Robinson, and died at Groton, July 3, 1876. Grace Caroline, born at Groton, March 27, 1852 ; married, September 4, 1879, George Willard Chase, of North Adams. Henry Allston, born at Groton, August 7, 1855, and died November 27, 1855. 51 Mr. Bancroft was a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Gragg) Bancroft, and born in Boston on October 12, 1815. Mrs. Bancroft was born at Harvard on November 16, 1812, and died at Groton on October 30, 1877. Henry Augustus and Caroline (Robbins) Bancroft. Married December 24, 1840. Adelia Caroline, born at Groton, October 3, 1841, and died July 1, 1843. A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. 279 Henry Eugene, born at Groton, July 30, 1843, and died Au gust 8, 1844. Henry Herbert, born at Groton, November 28, 1845, and died August 1, 1846. Arthur Waldo, born at Groton, July 6, 185 1, and died Sep tember 21, 1851. 73 Mr. Bancroft, a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Gragg) Ban croft, was born in Boston on December 24, 18 16, and died at Groton on October 19, 1882. He was a brother of George W., and they married sisters. Daniel N. and Sophia (Stone) Bardeen. Married March 27, 1832. Casindana Sophia, born at Groton, October 5, 1832, and died February 26, 1846. Daniel Nelson, born at Groton, March 21, 1834. Susan Jane, born at Groton, December 11, 1835. Sarah Maria, born at Groton, June 27, 1839. 31 Jacob Foster and Sarah Jane Beals. Foster Ellenborough Lasselles, born at Groton, January 9, 1840. 47 Samuel and Mary Anna (Ames) Beard. Married November 1, 1836. George Henry, born at Groton, November 21, 1839. 53 Abijah and Mary (Green) Bennett. Married April 22, 1824. Mary Elizabeth, born at Groton, November 16, 1824. Abigail Green, born at Groton, December 18, 1825. Henry Abijah, born at Groton, June 26, 1827. Ann Maria, born at Groton, October 29, 1828. George Beady, born at Groton, February 13, 1830. 280 A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. Charles Curtis, born at Groton, June 5, 183 1. Janette Hutchinson, born at Groton, June 6, 1833. Frances Augusta, born at Groton, November 15, 1834. Emily Marcella, born at Groton, September 3, 1836. Lucy Jane, born at Groton, September 24, 1838. 11 Mr. Bennett died on July 24, 1841, aged 55 years. James, 2D, and Mary (Shattuck) Bennett. Married January 5, 1830. James A., born at Groton, November 25, 1830. Samuel, born at Groton, November 14, 1832. John H., born at Groton, July 7, 1835. Sarah Jane, born at Groton, April 12, 1838. 38 Mr. Bennett, a son of Joseph and Sarah (Proctor) Bennett, was born on , 1802, and died in the year 1863. About the year 1840 he removed to Belvidere, Illinois, where other children were born. See "Tyngsboro' Centennial Record" (page 16) for additional facts about this family; also Shattuck Memorials (page 318). Jonathan Smith and Bennett. Thomas Edwin, born at Newton, June 14, 1825. Alvin Seneca, born at Groton, April 5, 1827. Lucretia Jerusha, born at Watertown, June 8, 1828. Abijah Smith, born at Groton, January 5, 1836. Sarah Miranda, born at Groton, May 9, 1837. 16 Josiah Kendall and Lucinda (Nutting) Bennett. Married January 6, 1830. Josiah Kendall, born at Groton, February 4, 1831 ; a graduate of Harvard College in the Class of 1853 ; married Abby A. Torrey, of Groton, and died at Ayer, January 23, 1874. See page 121 of this volume. Emeline Champney, born at Groton, September 22, 1832, and died at Groton, December 12, 1833. A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. 28 1 Rejoice Emily, born at Groton, November 1, 1834. William Parmenter, born at Groton, November 6, 1836 ; a graduate of Williams College in the Class of 1862. 14 For other children of this family, see the "Tyngsboro' Cen tennial Record " (page 16). Mr. Bennett, a son of Joseph and Sarah (Proctor) Bennett, was born on , 1803, and died on February 18, 1881 ; and his wife died on December 15, 1870. He was a brother of James Bennett, mentioned on the preceding page. Alfred and Betsey (Joy) Blood. Jane, born at Groton, August 22, 1833. George Alfred, born at Groton, February 21, 1838. 20 Calvin and Mary Ann (Blood) Blood. Married April 25, 1833. Mary Elizabeth, born at Groton, April 16, 1836. 22 Mr. Blood died on October 19, i860, aged, 54 years. John Ames and Almira Blood. William Ames, born at Groton, November 22, 1842. 113 Mr. Blood was born on October 4, 1810, and died at Holbrook. Joseph Danforth and Parmelia (Sawtell) Blood. Published August 10, 1833. Parmelia Sawtell, born at Groton, September 29, 1834. Mrs. Blood died at Groton on October 16, 1834; and Mr. Blood married, secondly, Laura W. Merriam on October 13, 1835- George Danforth, born at Groton, May 24, 1838. 52 Mr. Blood was a son of Joseph and Nancy (Gray) Blood, and died on July 21, 1874. 282 A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. Peletiah Russell and Mary L. (Sylvester) Blood. Married in Boston, August 29, 1827. George Washington Jackson, born in Boston, April 14, 1830. Alonzo Kendall, born at Groton, November 6, 1832 ; married Martha Fairbanks, of Lancaster. Sarah Ann, born at Groton, May 7, 1834; married Allen P. Boyce, of Boston. Frances, born at Groton, October 9, 1837, and married . Mary Larkin, born at Groton in 1839, an<^ died in Charlestown. Joshua, born at Groton in 1842 or 1843. Henrietta, born at Groton in 1846 or 1847. Melissa, born at Groton, and died an infant. 27 Mr. Blood was the son of Jonathan and Mary (Gragg) Blood, and died at Groton on January 1.8, 1859, aged 59 years. Thomas F. and Caroline (Parker) Blood. Married January 30, 1840. Charles Edwin, born at Groton, April 2, 1842. William Henry, born at Groton, September 21, 1843. 101 George Beckley and Rebekah (Nutting) Brannum. Married in Boston, May 27, 1833. George Henry, born at Townsend, March 30, 1832; married at Groton, on February 8, 1853, Mrs. Fidelia (Kezer) Messer, and died at Groton. He was a member of Co. B, Twenty- sixth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, during the Rebellion. Almira Elizabeth, born at Groton, August 21, 1837; married Granville Parker, of Pepperell, and now living at Ayer. Mary Frances, born at Boston ; married at Pepperell August Bergher, of Winchendon. 66 Mr. Brannum was a son of Stephen and Betsey (Bales) Brannum, and born in Boston on February 14, 1813; he died at Groton on September 18, 1852. See Appendix for other facts concerning his father's family. a record of some groton families. 283 George Dexter and Mary Jane (Kilburn) Brigham. Married April 23, 1837. Betsey Morse, born at Groton, April 30, 1838, and died at Groton, August 3, 1844. Emily, born at Groton, April 22, 1839, and died at Groton, October 2, 1839. Emily Jane, born at Groton, October 12, 1840. Mary Ellen, born at Groton, November 24, 1848. Dexter, }born at Groton, August 24, 1851. Ida Ellsworth, born at Groton, May 26, 1861, and died at Groton, September 28, 1861. William Kilbourn, born at Groton, January 9, 1863. 61 Mr. Brigham was the son of George and Betsey (Morse) Brigham, and born at Groton on May 2, 181 3 ; Mrs. Brigham was born on August 13, 18 18. Mr. Brigham is now the town-clerk of Groton, having filled the position during thirty- four years. Artemas and Mary Brown. Mary Jane, born at Templeton, August 19, 1834. David Walter, born at Templeton, July 19, 1837. Caroline Josephine, born at Groton, July 28, 1839. 40 Mr. Brown kept one of the taverns in the village. See the first volume of this Historical Series (No. VIII. page 8). Elnathan and Sally (Lapham) Brown. Married May 20, 1832. Cordelia Ann, born at Groton, July 17, 1833. Sarah Francis, born at Groton, February 24, 1835. John Elliott, born at Groton, October 2, 1838. William Henry Harrison, born at Groton, July 2, 1840. Elizabeth Rebecca, born at Groton, September 22, 1845. 76 284 A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. William and Mary Burgess. William Henry, born at Groton, November 8, 1822. Abigail Lock, born at Groton, December 24, 1824. Susanna Bryant, born at Groton, March 21, 1827. Mary Adaline, born at Groton, October 11, 1829. Nathan Darius, born at Groton, April 13, 1832. Oliver Baldwin, born at Groton, July 16, 1834. 6 Mr. Burgess died at Groton on Tune 11, 1834, and his widow, on January 7, 1840. John, Jr., and Nancy Poor (Dana) Burrage. Married at Dedham, November 26, 1829. Caroline Ann, born at Braintree, August 12, 1831. John Dana, born at Groton, September 22, 1833, and died at Groton, August 16, 1834. Hamilton, born at Groton, June 6, 1835 ; married, October 2, 1 86 1, Mary How Davis ; now lives in Lowell. John Francis, born at Groton, January 11, 1838. Ellen Roxana, born at Groton, January 1, 1840. George William, born at Groton, April 19, 1842, and died August 13, 1844. George Dana, born at Boston, October 12, 1845 ; married, October 12, 1870, Mary Hall Palmer, of Boston, who died March 6, 1876. 42 Mr. Burrage was a carriage-maker, and came to Groton in the year 1832 ; here he continued to reside until 1844, when he removed to South Boston, where he is now living. His wife died on January 9, 1879. Jesse and Susan (Sawtell) Constantine. Married July 25, 181 1. William, born at Groton, November n, 181 1. Candace, born at Groton, September 15, 1813. David, born at Newport, Maine, November 12, 1815. Abel, born at Newport, Maine, February 5, 1819. A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. 285 Sumner, born at Newport, Maine, August 17, 1822. Abigail, born at Newport, Maine, December 23, 1823. Susan, born at Newport, Maine, October 29, 1826. Joseph, born at Newport, Maine, September 2, 1829. Charles, born at Groton, October 12, 1830. 88 Jesse Constantine came from Lancaster, and he died at Groton on May 10, 1832 ; his widow afterward married Joseph Barden, of Groton, on January 21, 1840, and died on July 26, 1870, aged 76 years. Charles and Mary (Gilson) Cooper. Julia Ann, born at Groton, September 9, 1841. 89 George A. and Almira (Young) Dadmun. Married May 12, 1831. Ann Maria, born at Groton, October 22, 1832. Caroline Almira, born at Groton, March 27, 1836. Henry Harrison, born at Groton, May 17, 1841. Emeline, born at Groton, June 9, 1844, and died June 16, 1844. 117 Charles and Rebecca F. R. (Mills) Dickson. Married August 20, 1835. Charles Howard, born at Groton, August 10, 1839. 55 Mr. Dickson was a son of Walter and Anna (Tufts) Dick son, and born at Groton on August 8, 1809 ; his wife was from New Haven, Connecticut, and she died in Kansas on January 17, 1868. Mr. Dickson afterward married Lydia Ann Herrick. He was a graduate of Yale College in the Class of 1832, and died at Quenemo, Osage County, Kansas, on July 5, 1881. Benjamin Perkins and Caroline (Ward) Dix. Married at Shrewsbury, December 30, 1830. Benjamin Ward, born at Groton, March 16, 1833. Sarah Elizabeth, born at Groton, October 31, 1834. 286 A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. Henry Dana, born at Groton, January 16, 1838. Alfred Perkins, born at Groton, December 12, 1839. Harriet Caroline, born at Groton, September 2, 1842. 32 Mr. Dix was a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Russell) Dix, of Littleton, and died on December 30, 1881, aged 88 years, 4 months and 3 days. See page 106 of this volume for the change of his name from Ben Dix. His wife was a grand daughter of General Artemas Ward of Revolutionary fame : and she died on November 9, 1869, aged 6y years, 9 months and 11 days. Charles and Betsey. (Kemp) Dodge. Charles Luther, born at Groton, June 4, 1839 ; married, Octo ber 2, 1872, Georgiana P. Gleason. 56 Robert and Mary Ann Doldt. Mary Ann, born at Gosport, Virginia, August 30, 1831. John Carroll, born at Groton, December 25, 1833. *6 Mr. Doldt died at Groton on December 3, 1842, aged 42 years. Jeremiah Tuttle and Cynthia E. (Brown) Farnsworth. Married June 9, 1842. George Henry, born at Groton, March 3, 1843. 112 Mrs. Farnsworth died at Lowell in the year 1846. Thomas Treadwell and Lucy Brigham Farnsworth. Lydia Augusta, born at Groton, July 31, 1838. Lucy Jane, born at Groton, July 9, 1840. Thomas Henry, born at Groton, September 4, 1843. 68 Thomas Treadwell and Jeremiah Tuttle, just mentioned, were sons of Samuel Farnsworth. a record of some groton families. 287 Calvin and Harriet (Warner) Fitch. Harriet Maria, born at Groton, April 23, 1843. 123 John, Jr., and Lucy Lawrence (Sawtell) Fitch. Married December 4, 1834. Luther Parker, born at Groton, March 26, 1836; graduated at Beloit College in the Class of i860, and took his medical degree at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York ; now a practising physician at St. Charles City, Iowa. Sarah, born at Groton, died young. William Henry, born at Cherry Valley, Illinois, June , 1843 > graduated at Beloit College in the Class of 1866, and took his medical degree at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York ; now a resident of Rockford, Illinois. Joanna, born at Cherry Valley, Illinois, died young. Amelia Elizabeth, born at Cherry Valley, Illinois, July 23, 1848. 4 Peletiah and Susan (Hamlin) Fletcher. Henry A., born June 11, 1831. Caroline Augusta, born September 16, 1833. Augustus Dana, born December 16, 1835. Cyrus Hamlin, born August 22, 1839. 73 Mr. Fletcher is now living at Pepperell. Solomon and Dorcas (Hopkins) Frost. Married September 24, 1822. Solomon Gilman, born at Groton, January 20, 1823. Ebenezer Hopkins, born at Groton, December 7, 1824, and died at Fitchburg, September 7, 1865. Samuel Bradley, born at Groton, May 20, 1829. Sarah, born at Groton, July 13, 1832 ; married Dr. Norman Smith, September 12, 1853, and died at Fitchburg December 4, 1856. 86 Mr. Frost died at Groton on March 10, 1843, aged 46 years ; and Mrs. Frost died at Fitchburg on November 22, 1881. 288 A record of some groton families. Their son, Ebenezer Hopkins Frost, was the patient on whom the first operation was ever performed while under the influ ence of ether. See the first volume of this Historical Series (No. XIV. page 30). John Anderson and Emma Fullick. Eliza Jane, born in Lowell, November 1, 1833. Mary Ann, born at Groton, March 30, 1836. George Andrew, born at Groton, November 3, 1839. 19 Hiram and Mary P. (Simonds) Gale. Married August 16, 1832. Frederick Alonzo, born at Groton, February 23, 1833, and died October 23, 1833. Warren Pollard, born at Groton, January 6, 1835. Bowman Simonds, born at Groton, March ,1837. 7 Mrs. Gale was a daughter of Jonathan and Abigail Simonds, of Mario w, New Hampshire, and died on February 16, 1888. Timothy and Julia Ann Gay. Eveline, born at Swanzey, New Hampshire, February 23, 1828. Mary Jane, born at Swanzey, New Hampshire, February 26, 1830. Sarah May, born at Swanzey, New Hampshire, October 12, 1831. Charles Sumner, born at Westford, February 16, 1834. Leonard Allen, born at Groton, May 29, 1836. Martha Sophia, born at Harvard, March 25, 1839. Alonzo, born at Groton, April 1, 1841. 89 Asa W. and Sarah Gilson. Henry Asa, born at Groton, March 25, 1837, " on Saturday morning, at 30 minutes past one o'clock." William Benjamin, born at Groton, October 2, 1838, "on Tues day, at % before eleven o'clock, A. M." 120 Mr. Gilson was a son of Solomon and Mercy Gilson, and died on May 12, 1863, aged 52 years. a record of some groton families. 289 Luther and Martha (Blake) Gilson. Married at Westford, February 11, 1822. Alfred, born at Groton, February 8, 1823. George, born at Groton, November 28, 1824, and died at Groton, January 9, 1844. Mosely, born at Groton, May 9, 1826. Malvina, born at Groton, May 8, 1828. Martha, born at Groton, December 23, 1831. 72 Mr. Gilson was a son of Jonas and Abigail (Green) Gilson, and he married, secondly, on April 1, 1856, Sarah Capell ; he died on September 2, 1859, aged 69 years. For a notice of the second Mrs. Gilson, see page 233 of this volume. Phineas H. and Ann Gilson. Sumner, born at Groton, March 24, 1837, and died at Groton, May 29, 1838. Thomas, born at Groton, March 28, 1839. Mary Ann, born at Groton, March 9, 1841. Philena, born at Groton, August 7, 1843. 21 A son of Simeon and Elizabeth Gilson, who died on April 20, 1855, aged 45 years and 4 months. John Jackson and Lucy (Pollard) Graves. Married November 26, 1834. Stuart Park, born at Groton, November 27, 1836, and died August 21, 1863. Lucy Anne, born at Groton, June 30, 1838 ; married, October 6, 1886, George F. Bosher, of Manchester, New Hampshire. George Sumner, born at Groton, November 22, 1840; mar ried, June 20, 1866, Mrs. Anne (Tileston) Hollingsworth, widow of John Mark Hollingsworth. Mary Jane, born at Groton, February 10, 1842 ; married, April 10, 1877, Joseph G. Edgerly, of Fitchburg. Charles Edward, born at Groton, March 14, 1843, and died June 25, 1859. 290 A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. Benjamin Franklin, born at Groton, September 2, 1845, and died October 14, 1878. Samuel Lawrence, born at Groton, July 18, 1847; married De cember 5, 1878, Mary E. Lane, and lives at Fitchburg. He is a graduate of Amherst College in the Class of 1870. An infant born at Groton, June 14, 1849, ar,d died, July 1, 1849. Henry Green, born at Groton, October 18, 1851, and died October 4, 1865. Harriet Maude, born at Groton, June 24, 1853, and died October 11, 1884. John Edwin, born at Groton, July 16, 1855. 2 A son of Asa and Susan (Lawrence) Graves, who died on June 21, 1871, aged 59 years and 1 month. George and Abigail (Fletcher) Green. Married May 25, 1831. Maria, born at Groton, February 14, 1834. Abigail, born at Groton, January 27, 1836. 5 Joseph Fletcher, Jr., and Sarah (Longley) Hall. Married December 26, 1837. Edward Burton, born at Groton, January 7, 1839 ; an officer in the Twenty-sixth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, during the Rebellion. Emily Frances, born at Groton, May 25, 1842. Clara M., born at Groton, ; married, January 26, 1870, George Anson Bruce, a lawyer of Boston. 60 Mr. Hall is a son of Joseph Fletcher and Sally (Moors) Hall, and born at Groton on October 12, 1815. He and his wife are still living. Amasa and Mary P. (Patch) Hartwell. Married at , December 9, 1830. Henry Thomas, born at Groton, May 31, 1832 ; married Elizabeth Reed, October 13, 1861. George Edward, born at Groton, May 7, 1833 ; married Mary J. Dow, February 10, 1858. A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. 29 1 William Bainbridge, born at Groton, September 5, 1834; married Anna M. Vose, April 18, 1857. Albert, born at , December 12, 1840; married, first, Isabel F. Wardwell, 1862, and, secondly, Helen Cummings. 10 Mr. Hartwell was a son of Amasa and Abigail (Blood) Hartwell, and born at Shirley on January 29, 1807. John Holden and Caroline (Shattuck) Hartwell. Married May 12, 1831. Susannah Shattuck, born at Groton, January 4, 1833. John Albro, born at Groton, January 21, 1834. Mary Anna, born at Groton, August 10, 1835 > married, Novem ber 26, 1856, Joseph H. Richardson, born at Westford, De cember 26, 1835. William Chaplin, born at Groton, August 2, 1838, and died October 16, 1839. Samuel Noah, born at Groton, February 21, 1845. 8 Mr. Hartwell was a son of Deacon Samuel and Caroline Matilda (Wright) Hartwell, and born November 11, 1806; Mrs. Hartwell was a daughter of Noah and Anna (Sheple) Shattuck, born at Groton on October 14, 181 1, and died at Germania, Marquette County, Wisconsin, on January 28, 1888. Luther and Betsey Hayden. Daniel, born at Groton, May 9, 1815. Betsey, born at Groton, October 8, 1816. Luther, born at Groton, April 14, 1818. Charles, born at Groton, March 25, 1820. Parasina, born at Groton, April 11, 1822. Almira, born at Groton, August 14, 1824. Stephen, born at Groton, July 3, 1826. Newton, born at Groton, December 5, 1827. Henry, born at Groton, September 19, 1837. 118 Mr. Hayden was born on March 30, 1791, and his wife Betsey, on May 8, 1789. 292 A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. Benjamin and Martha (Burgess) Hazen. Martha Ann, born at Groton, November 6, 1834. Mary Elizabeth, born at Groton, March 19, 1836. Benjamin Franklin, born at Groton, February 2, 1838. Harriet Walker, born at Groton, February 7, 1840. William Henry, born at Groton, February 28, 1842. 81 Mr. Hazen died at Groton on November 10, 1874, aged 64 years, 3 months and 5 days. Joseph Nelson and Eliza Ann (Nelson) Hoar. Married at Lincoln, , 1838. Martha Ann, born at Groton, April 8, 1839; married Henry McAfee, and is now dead. Mrs. Hoar died on , 1840; and Mr. Hoar was married, secondly, on January 20, 1842, to Elizabeth Ann, daughter of Luther and Polly Prescott (Sawtell | Shattuck) Shattuck. Emily A., born at Groton, December 11, 1842; married, No vember 25, 1869, Elmer J. Bean, of Worcester. 98 Mr. Hoar was married, thirdly, to Mrs. Harriet E. (Harris) Mackintire, and now lives in Fitchburg. Abel and Mary Holden. William Milton, born at Winchendon, November 8, 1832. Charles Henry, born at Providence, Rhode Island, June 7, 1834. James Francis, born at Wilmington, August 30, 1836. Mary Ann Elizabeth, born at Groton, January 30, 1839. 48 William and Lucy Holden. William, born at Groton, December 14, 1841. 80 a record of some groton families. 293 Oliver and Lucy (Gerrish) Howe. Married at Townsend, March 6, 1839. Sophia Elizabeth, born at Boylston, March 8, 1840. Pearson Kendall, born at Groton, September 24, 1842. 108 See the "Railroad Mercury" (Groton Junction), January 5 and 12, i860. George and Jerusha (Bennett) Hunt. Anna Maria, born at Groton, May 20, 183 1; married Bartlett. George Francis, born at Groton, February 10, 1833. Mary Elizabeth, born at Groton, December 15, 1834; married Caswell. William Henry, born at Groton, July 9, 1837, and died at Groton, March 17, 1838. Charles Franklin, born at Groton, June 7, 1840, and now lives in Manchester, New Hampshire. Joseph William, born at Groton, May 6, 1842. 43 Mr. Hunt was a son of Joseph and Prudence (Wetherell) Hunt, and born at Westmoreland, New Hampshire, on April 6, 1807. For many years he drove a stage-coach between Groton and Boston ; he died in Manchester, New Hamp shire, perhaps ten or twelve years ago, and his widow some time afterward. His father and mother were originally from Norton, Massachusetts. Asher and Amelia Hildreth (Keep) Jewett. Married April 11, 1839. Harriet Amelia, born at Groton, May 15, 1840; married Avery L. Stearns, of Leominster, and died . George Edward, born at Groton, January 6, 1844, is married, and now with Hersey, Wells & Co., New York. 63 Mr. Jewett was born at Pepperell on November 7, 18 14, and removed from Groton to Lancaster in the year 1876, 294 A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. where his wife died on August 22, 1876. She was born at Pepperell in July, 18 16. He married, secondly, Mary Adeline Muzzey, of Worcester. James B. and Nancy Jane Johnson. James Denmore, born at Groton, October 12, 1842, and died November 28, 1842. 87 Phineas and Julia Ann (Holmes) Johnson. Married April 11, 1843. George H., born at Groton, December 14, 1843. Clara, born at Groton, July 3, 1845. ¦'¦22 John W. and Mary Kemp. Mary Ann, born at Dunstable, December 7, 1827, and died at Groton, October 4, 1843. William Parker, born at Dunstable, August 14, 1829. George Wyman, born at Dunstable, October 18, 1830. Caroline, born at Groton, November 14, 1832. Albert, born at Groton, May 16, 1836. Charles Henry, born at Groton, September 13, 1839. 13 Mr. Kemp was born at Groton on March 10, 1802, and his wife also, on March 11, 1806. Henry Lewis and Martha H. (Leighton) Lawrence. Married at Westford, December 20, 1832. William Henry, born at Groton, October 14, 1834. George Lewis, born at Groton, August 14, 1836. Maria Augusta, born at Groton, January 9, 1839. 84 Mr. Lawrence was a son of Daniel Hall and Keziah (Shat tuck) Lawrence, and born at Pepperell on November 8, 1808. A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. 295 William Crosby and Emeline Augusta (Bellows) Lewis. William Henry Harrison, born at Groton, November 30, 1840. 70 A son of Major James and Lucy (Crosby) Lewis, who died on September 13, 1861. William, Jr., and Harriet (Livermore) Livermore. Married at Boston, September 11, 1832. Sarah Elizabeth, born at Boston, February 28, 1836. William Henry, born at Groton, September 11, 1840. 65 Joseph and Emeline Amelia (Loring) Mansfield. Married October 6, 1832. Henry Adams, born at Groton, December 4, 1833. Emeline Loring, born at Groton, June 8, 1835. 6 Mr. Mansfield, a son of Dr. Joseph and Abi (Hartwell) Mansfield, was born at Groton on February 4, 1806, and died at Opelousas, Louisiana, in March, 1852. Mrs. Mansfield died at Arlington, on May 2, ii Robert and Mellen. Elizabeth Jane, born at Swanzey, New Hampshire, June 30, 1824. John Loring, born at Swanzey, New Hampshire, October 7, 1827. Andrew Jackson, born at Swanzey, New Hampshire, November 4, 1829. Charles Albert, born at Groton, October 2, 1834. Mary Loring, born at Groton, April 2, 1837. 37 296 A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. Charles and Nancy Messer. fborn at Groton, March 6, 1836. Alavander, I Marvin Declermont, born at Groton, February 14, 1838, and died at Groton, November 24, 1840. Ardelia Louisa, born at Groton, May 13, 1840. Charles Henry, born at Groton, April 3, 1842. 84 A son of Cyrus and Mary Messer ; he was born at Methuen, and died on September 5, 1861, aged 56 years, 8 months and 14 days, from the effects of a drunken fight. His antagonist in the affray was William Augustus Reed, a son of William and Mary L. Reed, who died on September 7, 1861, from the same cause. A full account of the double homicide is given on pages 162 and 163 of this volume. Patrick and Mary (Mongovin) Mongovin. Published November 10, 1838. Mary Elizabeth, born at Groton, September 26, 1839. Martha Ann, born at Groton, April 1, 1841, and died at Gro ton, March 5, 1844. Frances Ellen, born at Groton, January 29, 1843. 114 James and Mary (Hunt) Moors. Married at Westmoreland, New Hampshire. Mary Frances, born at Groton, March 25, 1839, and married Caldwell. 62 Mr. Moors died on March 26, 1844, aged 34 years. His wife was a daughter of Joseph and Prudence (Wetherell) Hunt, of Westmoreland, New Hampshire, and a sister of George Hunt, mentioned on page 293. She died on March 22, 1847, aged 32 years. a record of some groton families. 297 Joseph and Mary (Hubbard) Moors. Married November 25, 1839. Emma Maria, born at Groton, July 29, 1841. 116 Daniel and Caroline Augusta (Hall) Needham. Married July 17, 1842. Ellen Maria C, born at Groton, July 18, 1843. William Chauncy Hall, born at Groton, August 18, 1845; married Florence Adele Henking, at Gallipolis, Ohio, October 4, 1870, and died at Columbus, Ohio, on January 12, 1882, while a member of the Senate of that State. 97 Amory and Elizabeth D. Nourse. James Holman, born in Boston, March 3, 1837. Sarah Abigail, born at Groton, July 5, 1839. Oliver Loring, born at Groton, January 16, 1841. Hannah Wells, born at Groton, May 20,- 1843. 44 Joel and Esther (Lawrence) Nutting. Married July 10, 1825. George, born at Groton, February 21, 1826. Esther, born at Groton, August 29, 1827. Joel, born at Groton, January 3, 1829. William S., born at Groton, April 28, 1830. Keziah, born at Groton, April 10, 1832. Augustus, born at Groton, June 28, 1833. Polly Holden, born at Groton, February 24, 1835. Sophia, born at Groton, February 22, 1837. ! Julia Ann, born at Groton, January 30, 1839. 29 Marcena and Philenia (Gilson) Nutting. Married June 28, 1840. Frances Ann, born at Groton, September 25, 1841. 91 A son of David Nutting. 298 A record of some groton families. Silas and Sarah Tenney (Felch) Nutting. Sarah Jane Sophia, born at Groton, March 25, 1842 ; married Charles Curtis Bennett, and now living at Ayer. 83 A son of Phineas Nutting. Abel and Asenath Page. Nelson, born June 18, 183 1. Mary Jane, born June 26, 1833. Abel Dexter, born November 3, 1835. Luther, born September 13, 1837. 125 Luther and Page. Luther Tidd, born at Groton, October 7, 1838. 94 John Gray and Maria (Thayer) Park. Married in Boston, June 4, 1829. Charles Stuart, born at Groton, November 26, 1831. Sarah Maria, born at Groton, April 6, 1833. John Gray, born at Groton, January 3, 1838. 33 Mr. Park was the son of the Honorable Stuart James and Nancy (Gray) Park, and born at Pelham, on August 31, 1801. His name was originally John Park, but by an Act of the Legislature, it was changed on June 18, 1825. (See page 106 of this volume.) He died at Groton on September 23, 1875. His son, John Gray Park, Jr., graduated at Harvard College in the Class of 1858, and took the degree of M.D. in the year 1866. He married Elizabeth Bigelow, daughter of the Honor able Asa Farnsworth and Sarah Jane (Bancroft) Lawrence, of Groton, a graduate of Harvard College in the Class of 1824. Dr. Park is now the Superintendent of the Worcester Lunatic Hospital. A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. 299 Andrew Johnson and Laura (Woods) Parker. Married in Lowell, August 2, 1835. Andrew Farley, born in Lowell July 28, 1836; married Kitty McKellup, and now living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Marietta Melissa, born at Groton, April 2, 1838, and now living at Quincy. Ernest Clifford, born at Groton, April 29, 1840; married Priscilla K. Curtis at Middleton, and now living in Salem. Isadore, born at Groton, April 30, 1842 ; married Josiah Freeman at Charlestown, November 28, 1867, and now living in Albany, New York. Mr. Freeman is a native of Middleborough. 17 Mr. Parker was a son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Farley) Parker, and born at Groton on April 15, 1809. His wife was a daughter of Eber and Nancy (Fletcher) Woods, born at Groton on March 4, 1814, and died on September 16, 1844. Mr. Parker married, secondly, at Lynn, on May 2, 1847, Lucy, daughter of Allacy and Betsey (Tuttle) Faulkner. She was born on December 12, 1804, and died at Charlestown on April 27, 1888. He had by his second marriage a daughter, Emma Ella, who was born at Charlestown on January 3, 1850, and died on September 24, 1850. Mr. Parker was the youngest of thirteen children. Phineas and Rachel (McLain) Parker. Charles Benjamin, born at Groton, June 5, 1837. 35 A son of Benjamin Parker, and his wife was a daughter of James McLain. Sylvester and Lovey Maria (Wright) Patch. Married July 14, 1833. Nathan Harrison, born August 11, 1834. Martha Ann Maria, born July 10, 1838. 125 300 a record of some groton families. Zara and Emily Evans (Shattuck | Fitch) Patch. Married March 10, 1840. William Fitch, born at Groton, November 4, 1840. George Franklin, born at Groton, August 16, 1842. Sarah, born at Groton ; married Henry William Whiting, of Groton. Luther, born at Groton. 69 Mr. Patch married, secondly, Rebecca Bragg, of Nashua, New Hampshire. Rev. Dudley and Lucretia (Farley) Phelps. Married at Hollis, New Hampshire, October 12, 1837. Ann Lucretia, born at Groton, September 14, 1838, and died at Groton, October 26, 1839. Lucy Elizabeth, born at Groton, November 14, 1839. 109 Mr. Phelps was born at Hebron, Connecticut, on January 25, 1798, and graduated at Yale College in the Class of 1823. He was educated in theology at the Andover Seminary, and was settled first over a society in Haverhill. He was installed at Groton, on October 19, 1836, where he remained as pastor of the Union Congregational Church until his death, which took place on September 24, 1849. He was the father. of the late Benjamin Kinsman Phelps (Yale College, 1853), of New York, an only child by the first wife, who was Miss Ann Kinsman, of Portland, Maine. The second wife was a daughter of the Honorable Benjamin Mark and Lucretia (Gardner) Farley, of Hollis, New Hampshire, and of Groton. George and Ann Elizabeth Pierce. Georgianna, born at Groton, September 10, 1843. 92 a record of some groton families. 301 Luther Fitch and Lydia Prescott (Ames) Potter. Married December 26, 1839. Ellen Elizabeth, born at Groton, March 17, 1842. Richard, born at Groton, January 15, 1845 j his name was changed by Act of the Legislature, May 23, 185 1, to Richard Bulkley Potter. 74 Mr. Potter was born at Baldwin, Maine, on December 26, 1810, and died in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 2, 1884. He was a merchant at Groton during a long period, and many years ago removed to the West. His wife, Lydia Prescott Ames, was born at Groton on May 11, 181 1. Charles and Betsey (Livermore) Prescott. Married May 3, 1835. Ellen Augusta, born at Groton, August 18, 1838, and married December, 1859, Gilman Barrows. Betsey Ames, born at Groton, March 22, 1840. 79 Mr. Prescott died at Groton on May 31, 1875, aged 65 years, 6 months and 10 days. He was the son of Abel and Hannah (Spaulding) Prescott, of Groton, and born on November 21, 1809. His wife was the daughter of William and Betsey (Ames) Livermore, and born on August 29, 181 1. Aaron and Emily (Stone) Pressey. Married January 8, 1837. Mary Jane, born at Groton, January 23, 1837, and died at Groton, on February 5, 1839. 28 Elizabeth Pressey, another daughter, died on February 12, 1839, aged 3 months and 21 days. Mrs. Pressey married, secondly, on December 20, 1865, Seth M. Robbins, of Littleton. 302 A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. Andrew and Rebecca B. Remick. Sarah Tucker, born in Boston, August 3, 1834. Mary Abigail, born at Groton, August 7, 1838. Samuel Harrington, born at Groton, July 4, 1841. William Henry Hill, born at Groton, March 19, 1843, and died in Boston, October 23, 1843. 58 Andrew was the son of Samuel H. Remick, of Boston, where he was born on February 23, 1806 ; his wife was born at Parsonsfield, Maine, on July 25, 1805. Oliver and Mitty (Woods) Rice. Married January 5, 1804. Submit Dalrymple, born at Groton, February 1, 1805 ; married, John Holden, Jr., December 7, 1830. He was a native of Dorchester, and died, November 21, 1858, at Quincy, where he was then living. Timothy Woods, born at Groton, January 29, 1807 ; married Sarah Harris, of Castleton, Vermont, where he died some years ago. Elizabeth Phillips, born at Groton, August 8, 1809 ; married Milo Russell. Rebecca, born at Groton, October 18, 1812 ; married James McKean, of Nashua, New Hampshire. Stillman, born at Groton, December 2, 18 14, and died at Groton, September 11, 1819. William Stillman, born at Groton, June 25, 1817 ; married , and died in Nashua, New Hampshire. James Lewis, born at Groton, February 11, 1820 ; married Lucy Willoughby, of Nashua, New Hampshire, and now living in Manchester, New Hampshire. Susan, born at Groton, April 3, 1822 ; married Nahum Woods, and now dead. 104 Mr. Rice was a native of Westmoreland, New Hampshire ; his wife was a daughter of Timothy Woods, of Groton. A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. 303 Lydia Richardson. Eben, son of Lydia, alias Mary Richardson, born at Groton, October 28, 1840. 4 George and Sarah Jane (Lawrence) Richardson. Married December 25, 1839. George Henry, born at Groton, August 11, 1841. 64 Mr. Richardson was the son of Alpheus and Phebe (Mer riam) Richardson, and born at Groton, May 15, 1814 ; Mrs. Richardson was the daughter of Asa and Betsey (Bennett) Lawrence, and born at Groton on May 27, 1818. Andrew and Matilda Spaulding (Eaton) Robbins. Married April 29, 1840. Mary Jane, born at Groton, September 9, 1843. 100 Mrs. Robbins died at Groton on December 3, 1885. Samuel William and Amelia (Fitch) Rowe. Married December 23, 1830. William Edward, born at Groton, January 28, 1832. Mary Amelia, born at Groton, September 24, 1835. 124 Mr. Rowe died at Groton on January 15, 1884. Andrew Jackson and Mary Jane (Blood) Saunderson. Married December 31, 1837. Lucius Edward, born at Groton, October 1, 1838. Maria Ellen, j bom at Grotonj August l8^ Martha Jane, J 304 A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. Zephaniah, | bom at Grotonj December 13, 1844. 67 • Anabia, ) Mr. Saunderson, who was a son of Isaac J. and Mary (Parker) Saunderson, died on March 25, 1875. Abel and Susanna F. Sawtell. Abel Stillman, born at Groton, April 5, 1824. Sarah Jane, born at Groton, February 2, 1826. William Nelson, born at Groton, December 20, 1827, and died at Groton, January 1, 1828. Sophia Ann, born at Groton, April 3, 1829. Mary Ann, born at Groton, June 2, 1833. Edwin Bailey, ) , _, _.. , . , ,__ „ } born at Groton, March 4, 1836. 103 Susan Parmelia, J Susan Parmelia died on March 5, 1838. Ebenezer and Sally (Nutting) Sawtell. Cornelia, born at Weathersfield, Vermont, July 9, 1827. Jose, born at Weathersfield, Vermont, July 12, 1829. Columbus, born at Bloomfield, Vermont, April 1, 1831. Gilman, born at Groton, December 16, 1836. 18 A son of Elnathan and Ruth (Patch) Sawtell, who died on November 30, 1866, aged 68 years. Nathaniel and Frances (Stone) Sawtell. Married April 8, 1835. Mary Frances, born at Groton, October 14, 1835. 99 A son of Deacon Joseph and Lucy (Farnsworth) Sawtell, who died on April 10, 1869, aged 71 years, 5 months and 27 days. a record of some groton families. 305 Andrew and Cynthia (Stone) Shattuck. Married April 24, 1832. Cynthia, born at Groton, March 21, 1833. Ann Augusta, born at Groton, March 6, 1835. Andrew Payson, born at Groton, April 20, 1837. Sarah Baldwin, born at Groton, April 27, 1839. James Fowle Baldwin, born at Groton, February , 1845. 121 Andrew Shattuck was the son of Noah and Anna (Sheple) Shattuck, and born at Groton on December 28, 1805 ; he died at Okolona, Mississippi, on August 9, 1871. George, Noah, Jr., and Walter, heads of families next following in this list, were his brothers. For a full account of the family, see Lemuel Shattuck's " Memorials of the Descendants of William Shat tuck" (page 186). Mrs. Shattuck was a daughter of Joseph and Rachel (Green) Stone, and she died on March 10, 1869, aged 64 years, 10 months and 1 1 days. George and Louisa (Capell) Shattuck. Married August 4, 1835. George Richards, born at Groton, December 20, 1836, and died of consumption at Maiden, May 7, 1881. Elizabeth Matchett, born at Groton, September 12, 1838. Catharine Mary Ann, born at Groton, November 15, 1842. 9 Mr. Shattuck was born on May 1, 1809, and died at Aber deen, Mississippi, on October 24, 1866. Mrs. Shattuck died at Maiden. Noah, Jr., and Prudence (Wright) Shattuck. Married April 27, 1823. Augusta P., born at Groton, December 25, 1824. Noah Gilman, born at Groton, December 28, 1828. George Henry, born at Groton, July 9, 1831, and died at Groton, May 12, 1832. Charles A., born at Groton, January 13, 1834. 105 306 A record of some groton families. Mr. Shattuck was born on September 14, 1799, and died on December 5, 1883. His wife was a daughter of Artemas and Prudence (Corey) Wright, and died on May 14, 1884, aged 78 years, 3 months and 12 days. Walter and Roxana (Fletcher) Shattuck. Married May 28, 1827. Martha Roxana, born at Groton, April 1, 1828. David Walter, born at Groton, February 3, 1830, and died in San Francisco, California, January 3, 185 1. Mary Allen, born at Groton, August 3, 183 1, and died at Groton, November 21, 1835. Susan French, born at Groton, June 12, 1833. Almira Ann, born at Groton, August 1, 1834, and died at Groton, March 20, 1835. Noah Fletcher, born at New Ipswich, New Hampshire, May 25, 1836. George Francis, born at New Ipswich, New Hampshire, July 28, 1838; graduated at the Harvard Medical School in the year 1862. Served with credit as a Captain in the War of the Rebellion. Died at Wilcox, Florida, November 7, 1884. See " Harvard University in the War of 1861-1865 " (page 275)- 41 Mr. Shattuck was born on August 9, 1801, and died on July 8, 1871 ; his widow, on August 5, 1874, aged 69 years. Captain Samuel and Eliza J. ( | Shepley) Shepley. Married February 20, 1839. Caroline Deborah, born at Groton, March 13, 1841. Ellen Maria, born at Groton, January 10, 1843, and died at Groton, September 16, 1843. 57 Captain Shepley married the widow of his brother Dan forth; and after the Captain's death on February 4, 1852, she married still another brother, Asa. A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. 307 Reuben and Jane Simpson. Moses St. Clair, born , February 27, 1836. Sarah Jane, born at Groton, June 4, 1842. 90 Mr. Simpson was a stable-keeper at Groton. Lyman and Ann Smith. Charles Lyman, born at Groton, July 28, 1844. 119 Nathaniel Pierce and Phebe Elizabeth (Bancroft) Smith. Married in Boston, June 18, 1826. Elizabeth Amelia, born in Boston, August n, 1828; married, May 17, 1849, Alvah Augustus Burrage, of Boston. Nathaniel Selwin, born at Boston, August 27, 1832. Helen Josephine, born at Boston, September 20, 1834; mar ried John Q. Henry, who died suddenly in Boston, December 21, 1888. Frederic Bancroft, born at Groton, July 30, 1840. Clarissa Wells, born at Groton, October 2, 1843. 96 Mr. Smith was born at Sterling, on May 7, 1800, and died on May 14, 1884, in Boston, where his widow is now living. She is a daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth (Gragg) Bancroft, and a sister of George Washington and Henry Augustus Bancroft, previously mentioned, and was born in Boston on October 12, 1801. Dr. Norman, and Harriet (Sleeper) Smith. Married at Francestown, New Hampshire, May 3, 1838. Mrs. Smith died at Groton, September 2, 1839. 39 For an account of Dr. Smith and his family, see Appendix to this Number (page 322). 308 a record of some groton families. Albert Decatur and Abby Rosalinda (Shattuck) Spalter. Married November , 1838. Clarence Henry Albert, born at Groton, September 13, 1842, and died in Chelsea, February 18, 1869. Katharine Elizabeth, born at Groton, February 1, 1845 i mar" ried, October 21, 1876, Dwight E. Slater, of Essex, Ver mont. They have a daughter, Donna Marie Alberta Spalter, born October 27, 1877. Abby Maria, born at Groton, February 13, 1848. 110 Mr. Spalter was the son of John and Betsey (Child | Spaulding) Spalter, and born at Groton, on August 24, 181 5 ; now a resident of Rumney, New Hampshire. See the " Rail road Mercury" (Groton Junction), January 12, i860. John Hamilton and Martha Ann (Hildreth) Spalter. Married at Westford, July 15, 1841. Wilton Hamilton, born at Groton, October 5, 1842. Frank Bainbridge, born at Groton, September 3, 1845 > now a lawyer at Winchendon. Clara Martha, born at Groton, October 22, 1848, and died November 23, 1851. 107 Mr. Spalter was the eldest child of John and Betsey (Child | Spaulding) Spalter, and born at Groton on October 28, 181 1 ; now a resident of Keene, New Hampshire. Thomas Adams and Ardelia Louisa (Lawrence) Staples. Married August 30, 1827. Mary Elizabeth, born at Groton, July 3, 1833 ; married, first, March 19, 1855, Joseph O'Brien, Esq., a lawyer of Machias, Maine, who died October 16, 1869, and, secondly, September 22, 1874, John Fisher Harmon, Esq., of Marshfield, Maine. By her first husband she had a daughter Josephine, who mar ried Fred I. Campbell, Esq., of Cherryfield. A record of some groton families. 309 Sarah Jane, born at Groton, October 17, 1835, and now living in Belvidere, Illinois. Josephine Lawrence, born at Groton, August 28, 1837; mar ried, June 16, 1859, Otis Norcross Jones, of Boston, and died April 5, i860. 23 Mr. Staples was born in Boston on July 20, 1 804, and died at Machias, Maine, on November 13, 1880; his wife was a daughter of Asa and Lucy (Hemenway) Lawrence, of Groton, and she was drowned at Machias on November 5, 1861. Abel and Sally Ann (Park) Stone. Abel Augustus, born at Groton, March 5, 1838. 36 Mr. Stone died at Ayer on August 13, 1874, aged 62 years, 8 months and 22 days. James and Harriet (Lawrence) Stone. Married March 12, 1817. James Franklin, born at Groton, January 19, 1818, and died August 17, 1826. Harriet Elizabeth, born at Groton, December 26, 1819, and now lives at Littleton. Hannah Maria, born at Groton, February 22, 1822, and now lives at Littleton. John Ward, born at Groton, February 1, 1824. James Franklin, born at Groton, July 29, 1826. . Augustus Levi, born at Groton, July 12, 1829. Henry Lawrence, born at Groton, July 10, 1831 ; married, September 21, 1866, Juliet R. Bond, and died at Ayer, October 18, 1887. Albert Francis, born at Groton, October 10, 1833 ; married, May 29, 1859, Lucy Augusta Sawyer, daughter of Joel and Dorcas (Foster) Sawyer, of Mason, New Hampshire, and died at Gardner, August 13, 1887. Martha Eldredge, born at Groton, April 13, 1838, and died May 20, 1876. 102 Mr. Stone died on July 14, 1857, agec* 69 years ; and his wife, on April 21, 1846, aged 48 years. 310 a record of some groton families. Levi and Louisa (Burgess) Stone. Married September 4, 1833. Levi Ward, born at Groton, September 5, 1834. Mary Ann, born at Groton, September , 1836. Louisa Allen, born at Groton, October , 1838. George Henry, > born at Groton, February 8, 1843. 85 Mrs. Stone died at Groton on February 8, 1843. Jefferson and Margaret (Bennett) Taylor. Married November, 1825. Margaret Shattuck, born at Dunstable, January 18, 1827, and married, November 5, 185 1, Nathan Russ. Hannah Augusta, born at Groton, June 9, 1828 ; married, May 1, 1851, Ezra T. Blodgett. Sarah Ann, born at Groton, February 20, 1832. Lucretia Maria, born at Groton, August 30, 1833. Mary Frances, born at Groton, March 16, 1837. 3 Mr. Taylor was the son of Jonas and Hannah Taylor, and born at Dunstable on January 11, 1802; his wife was a daughter of Jonathan and Margaret (Shattuck) Bennett, and born on September 2, 1806. See the " Memorials of the Descendants of William Shat tuck" (page 1 86), for other children. Moses and Sophronia (Patch) Titus. Married at Westford, April 28, 1831. Lucinda Morris, born at Chelmsford, May 31, 1836. Albert Warren, born at Chelmsford, October 21, 1838. Richard Orris Ripley, born at Groton, October 11, 1841. Betsey Eldora, born at Groton, September 23, 1845, an(^ died August 1, 1850. Lorinda Augusta, born at Groton, June 18, 1849, and died August 5, 1850. A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. 311 Herman Franklin, born at Pepperell, January 12, 1852 ; now a resident of Newton, where he is settled as pastor over the Newton Corner Baptist Church. Clara Sophronia, born at Pepperell, August 22, 1855, and died November 19, 1855. 106 Mr. Titus was born at Lyman, New Hampshire, on July 6, 1808, and his wife was born at Westford, on December 6, 1808 ; she died at Littleton on June 27, 1884. Levi and Betsey (Fletcher) Tufts. Married April 15, 1834. Betsey Bateman, born at Groton, March 12, 1835. Susan Abba, born at Groton, February 9, 1837. Diana, born at Groton, September 22, 1838. Lucinda, born at Groton, September 26, 1839. 30 Maurice and Nancy Walsh. Thomas, born at Groton, August 1, 1835. Mary Ann, born at Groton, November 3, 1837, and died Feb ruary 20, 1844. 115 Joseph and Sally (Hemenway) Warner. Married July 6, 1796. Bela, born at Townsend, September 25, 1799. Sally, born at Townsend, June 20, 1801. Mary, born at Townsend, July 15, 1805. Lucy, born at Townsend, January 27, 1809. Joseph, born at Townsend, September 24, 18 10. Samuel H., born at Townsend, October 29, 1813. Katharine, born at Townsend, February 7, 1816 ; married at Groton, May 6, 1841, Oliver Hosmer Pratt, of Mason, New Hampshire, and died at Townsend, March 3, i860. Harriet, born at Townsend, March 9, 18 18. Ardelia L., born at Townsend, December 29, 182 1. 71 312 a record of some groton families. Alden and Harriet Adams (Brooks) Warren. Married at Medford, November 25, 1841. Alden, born at Groton, January 6, 1843, an(^ died March 25, 1848. Luther Brooks, born at Groton, February 15, 1846. John Boynton, born at Groton, February 6, 1 849 ; married, in Boston, Rosa Smith, and died at Maiden, April 12, 1875, leaving two daughters, Mabel and Sabra Warren. 93 Mr. Warren was born at Littleton on June 8, 181 2, and his wife was born at Ashburnham on June 19, 1820 ; she died on March 3, 1854. He married, secondly, Susan Dalrymple, on January 1, 1856. Charles Edward and Ann Maria (Shepley) Weston. Married May 2, 1839. Charles Henry, born at Groton, January 25, 1841, and died May 31, 1844. James Elbridge, born at Groton, December 19, 1842. Anna Maria, born at Groton, October 22, 1844. 54 Mr. Weston's name was originally Edward Woodcock, but by an Act ofthe Legislature, it was changed on April 8, 1835. (See page 107 of this volume.) He died at Dunstable in February, 1888. George Washington and Abigail Trull (Wilkins) Weston. Mrs. Weston died at Groton on February 7, 1845 ; and Mr. Weston married, secondly, Jane Winn, of Pepperell. He died at Weymouth on December 13, 1884. His name was originally Washington Woodcock, but by an Act of the Legis lature, it was changed on April 8, 1835. (See page 107 of this volume.) a record of some groton families. 313 Lemuel and Clarissa (Child) Whiting. Married October 24, 1839. Sarah Elizabeth, born at Groton, August 6, 1840, and died January 2, 186 1. Henry William, born at Groton, January 1, 1843 ; married to Sarah Patch. 78 Mr. Whiting was previously married, on January 31, 1832, to Betsey Day, daughter of Isaac and Lucy (Dutton) Day, of Westford, who died on September 11, 1838, aged 26 years, 3 months and 14 days. Josiah and Olive (W ) Williams. Olive Elizabeth, born at Groton, May 4, 1829. Abigail Draper, born at Groton, November 12, 1832. Mrs. Williams died at Groton on November 12, 1833 ; and Mr. Williams married, secondly, on February 25, 1835, Eliza beth M. Mansfield. Edna Maria, born at Groton, February 24, 1836. 24 Mr. Williams was a son of Josiah Sartell and Lydia (Simonds) Williams, and a brother of Rufus, mentioned in the next paragraph. Josiah died, on January 23, 1847, aged 41 years, 8 months and 22 days. Rufus and Margaret Shattuck (Hartwell) Williams. Married May 4, 1834. Sarah Margaret, born at Stetson, Maine, August 8, 1834, and died at Groton, September 14, 1852. George Henry, born at Groton, May 4, 1836, and married Susan A. Eaton, of Framingham, November 20, 1861. En listed in Company E, Thirty-third Massachusetts Volunteers, and killed near Dallas, Georgia, May 25, 1864. Marcia Lena, born at Groton, July 4, 1839, and married Albert F. Parkhurst, April 15, 1862. 314 A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. Adelaide Louise, born at Groton, December 16, 1841, and married David H. Cochrane, of Brookline, New Hampshire, November 26, 1868. Frances Adelia, born at Groton, August 28, 1843, married Abbott Lawrence Blood, March 9, 1865, and died at Groton, July 27, 1867. Asa, born at Groton, August 28, 1845, an^ married Carrie E. Adams, of Townsend. Josiah Sawtell, born at Groton, August 13, 1848, and married Mary E. P. Eaton, of Framingham, September 28, 187 1. 26 Mr. Williams was a son of Josiah Sartell and Lydia (Simonds) Williams, and born at Groton on September 6, 1808, and is still living. His wife was a daughter of Oliver and Rachel (Shattuck) Hartwell, and she died at Groton on September 16, 1878. Isaac and Eliza Woods. Louisa, born at Groton, July 26, 1821. Otis, born at Dunstable, September 21, 1823. Isaac Newton, born at Dunstable, June 3, 1826. George Washington, born at Dunstable, November n, 1828. Sumner, born at Dunstable, October 7, 1831. Augustus Keen, born at Groton, February n, 1834. Albert, born at Groton, April 25, 1837. Harriet, born at Groton, April 17, 1839. Catherine, born at Groton, May 20, 1841. 50 Isaac Woods died at Groton, , 1841. Rufus and Anna (Bennett) Woodward. Married March 2, 1828. Rufus Augustus, born at Groton, November 17, 1829. Ann Maria, born at Groton, September 12, 1832. Mary Jane, born at Groton, August 27, 1833. James Franklin, born at Groton, October 15, 1835. George Washington, born at Groton, June 22, 1837. William Henry, born at Groton, February 16, 1839. 12 a record of some groton families. 3 1 s Charles and Catharine Elizabeth (Colburn) Woolley. Married May 6, 1827. Charles, born at Pepperell, May 24, 1828. William, born at Lynn, November 21, 1830. Susanna Ann, born at Lexington, July 26, 1835. James, born in Boston, July 1, 1838. George, born at Groton, May 23, 1841. 75 Mr. Woolley, the son of Charles and Susanna (Bentley) Woolley, was born in Boston on August 4, 1802, and died in Waltham on October 30, 1886. His mother married for her second husband, David Child, of Groton, where his boyhood and youth were passed. See " The New-England Historical and Genealogical Register" (XLI. 105, 106) for January, 1887, for a biographical sketch, which is copied on pages 146 and 147 of this volume. Mrs. Woolley is a daughter of Calvin and Catharine Sibyl (Lakin) Colburn, and was born in Boston on January 20, 1808. Jesse and Hannah Reed (Crafts) Worcester. Married November 20, 1825. Mary Esther, born at Groton, February 12, 1838. James Kendall, born at Groton, October 16, 1831. Sarah Longley, born at Groton, May 8, 1834. 15 A son of Jonathan and Eunice Worcester ; he died on November 25, 1864, aged 63 years, n months and 17 days. Alvah and Fanny Gilson (Woods) Wright. Married November 25, 1841. Maria Catherine, born at Groton, August 18, 1842. 77 Mr. Wright was a son of Artemas and Prudence (Corey) Wright, and born on July 23, 1816; and his wife was a daughter of Samuel and Catherine Woods, and born on March 10, 1818. Both are now living. 316 A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. Reuben and Sally Wyman. Allen, born at Groton, October 28, 181 7. Reuben, born at Groton, July 9, 1822. William, born at Groton, February 18, 1824. Sarah Jane, born at Groton, November 14, 1826. Betsey, born at Groton, October 20, 1828. Meliss, born at Groton, November 9, 1837. Jackson, born at Groton, May 11, 1839. Ill Mrs. Wyman died at Groton on March 28, 1841. LIST OF DEATHS. 1836-1843. Chester Barden, son of Joseph Barden, died at Groton, Sep tember 14, 1839. Mrs. Barden, wife of Joseph Barden, died at Groton, October 31, 1839. Thomas Benson died May 22, 1839. Mrs. [Hannah F.] Blake, of Boston, died at Groton, May 19, 184 1 [aged 48 years]. Mrs. Blood, relict of Lemuel Blood, died at Groton, August 30, 1840. Mr. Oliver Blood died at Groton, August 6, 1836. A [twin] child [William Minot] of William [Gragg and Nancy Warren (Pitts)] Blood died at Groton, March 4, 1840. Ephraim Brown, son of Joseph Brown, died at Groton, Septem ber 24, 1840. John Brown, of Boston, died at Groton, April 7, 1839. Mrs. Brown, mother of Captain Joseph Brown, died at Groton, May 21, 1839. Mr. John Carlton died at Groton, August 24, 1841. Sally Child died at Groton, February 28, 1838, aged 75 years. Moses Day, Jr., died at Groton, July 30, 1838 [aged 37 years]. Joseph Estes's child died at Groton, April 25, 1841. A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. 3 17 This was Caroline, the daughter of Joseph and Harriet (Whiting) Estes, aged about one year; buried at Grafton, where the mother belonged. Naomi Farwell died at Groton, January 1, 1838, aged 68 years. [See No. XVI. of the preceding volume of the His torical Series (pages 20-22) for an account of this woman.] A child of Moses Fletcher, of Charlestown, died at Groton, November 1, 1839. A child of Deacon David Fosdick died at Groton, September 13, 1838. Miss Allina Gilbert died at Groton, April 25, 1840. Solomon Gilson died at Groton, March 17, 1838, aged 79 years. Mrs. Frances Hall, relict of Isaiah Hall, died January 10, 1842. Jonathan Hartwell died at Groton, February 21, 1843. Mrs. [Lucy (Wheeler)] Hodgman, wife of Mr. John Hodgman, died at Groton, October 2, 1841. [At the time of her marriage Mrs. Hodgman was of Acton.] Charles Homer died at Groton, June 7, 1842. A child [William Henry] of George Hunt died at Groton, March 17, 1838 [aged 8 months and 8 days]. Joseph Jewett died at Groton, September 1, 1839. Mrs. [Sarah J. (McIntire)] Jewett, wife of Daniel P[itman] Jewett, died at Groton, October 21, 1841 [aged 23 years. Her gravestone gives October 20 as the date of death]. Henry Rust Jones, son of Eliphalet Jones, of Boston, died at Groton, July 30, 1838, aged 12 years. Calvin Keep died at Groton, May 15, 1838, aged 43 years and 10 months. Noah Kelley died at Groton, January 18, 1839. Mr. Kelley came to Groton from Northfield, Vermont, and lived with his family in a small house on a lot adjoining the Timothy Fuller estate. In an article entitled " Memorials of Mrs. Margaret Fuller," by her son, Richard Frederick Fuller, which appeared in " The Quarterly Journal of the American Unitarian Association" (VII. 46-60) for October, 1859, tne following allusion is made to Mr. Kelley : — I shall never forget her efforts by the bedside of a large, coarse man, a tenant of ours in Groton, who lived " without God and with- 318 A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. out hope in the world," until he took opium to end his wretched existence. Mother used every exertion to rescue him from death, and stayed by him during the hours of fearful struggle between a powerful frame and the working of the poison. In the early part of it, before his mind entirely wandered, he said, " It will be all in vain ; but you may try all means." The memory of this scene is in one view appalling, as representing a gross and sensual nature meeting the fearful fate itself had invoked ; but, on the other hand, is beautiful as exhibiting one, like an angel, exerting every power to snatch him from his self-elected doom. (Page 54.) A child of Mrs. Noah Kelley died at Groton, July 1, 1841. Mrs. [Hannah Eliza (Barrett)] Kilburn, wife of William Kil burn, Jr., [M.D.] of Wilton, Maine, died at Groton, August 16, 1842, aged 39. Mr. Kilburn, her husband, was a brother of the late Jere miah Kilburn, of Groton, and took his medical degree at Middlebury College in the year 1833. The '' Boston Daily Advertiser," August 20, 1842, gives the date of her death as August 15. John Lakin died at Groton, March 15, 1842. Mrs. Lamb, wife of Joseph Lamb, Esq., died at Groton, February 7, 1842. Mrs. [Sarah (Foster)] Lawrence, mother of Silas Lawrence, died at Groton, aged 90, February 20, 1841. Mr. Franklin Lawrence's child [Franklin] died at Groton, March 23, 1840. [The mother's name before her marriage was Ann Blood, daughter of Timothy Blood.] Mary [F.] Loring, daughter of Mrs. Loring, died at Groton, October 6, 1841. [The mother was a widow, and came from Boylston (I think) to Groton, in order to educate her children at the Academy.] A child of Ezekiel Needham died at Groton, January 29, 1843. Edwin Nelson, of Concord, died at Groton, August 18, 1838. Mr. Noyes, of New Hampshire, died at Groton, Feb ruary 21, 1840. Jacob Nutting died at Groton, May 14, 1841, aged 95 years. Simeon Nutting was drowned in the Nashua River at Groton, October 10, 1840 [aged 40 years]. Thomas Nutting died at Groton, March 23, 1842. A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. 3 19 Mrs. Patch died at Groton, January 9, 1843. Abijah Patch died at Groton, October 22, 1841. Nahum Perry died at Groton, August 29, 1839. Mrs. Robbins, wife of Seth M. Robbins, died at Gro ton, June 24, 1841. Miss Stimson died at Groton, June 7, 1842. Mrs. Stone, wife of Samuel Stone, died at Groton, September 4, 1842. Miss Alice Tarbell died at Groton, May 31, 1836. Mrs. Sibyl Tarbell, relict of Benjamin Tarbell, died at Groton, March 14, 1838, aged 98 years. Mrs. Temple died at the Poor-house in Groton, Sep tember 27, 1839. David Torrey died at Groton, September 25, 1839. Mrs. Caroline, wife of John Townsend, died at Groton, March 5, 1840. Mr. [George B.] Watson died at Groton, September 9, 1840 [aged 22]. The " Boston Daily Advertiser," September 1 1 , gives the date of death as the 7th. Francis C. Wheeler [son of Artemas Wheeler] died at Gro ton, January 29, 1843. Rebecca Wheeler, daughter of Artemas Wheeler, died at Gro ton, February 7, 1839. Mrs. [Betsey (Day)] Whiting, wife of Lemuel Whiting, died at Groton, September 12, 1838. [According to the family Bible she died on the nth.] Mrs. [ (Brown)] Wilder, wife of Dr. A. H. Wilder, died at Groton, February 12, 1843. Mrs. Worcester died at Groton, February 20, 1843. Harriet Wright, daughter of Thomas Reed Wright, died at Groton, May 14, 1836. Mrs. [Sarah] Wyman, wife of Reuben Wyman, died at Groton, March 29, 1841. 320 A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. APPENDIX. The following genealogical items are here printed in order to place them in a somewhat permanent form. They have been derived from various sources, and for the most part the authorities are given with them. John and Mary (Prescott) Blodgett. Married February 17, 1807. John Prescott, born at Westford, October n, 1807, and died at Groton, January 19, 1881. Mary, born at Groton, March 17, 18 12. Submitt, born at Groton, March 19, 1814, and died at Groton, March 4, 1886. Mr. Blodgett was born at Westford on January 12, 1782, and died at Groton on December 23, 1829. Mrs. Blodgett was born at Groton on October 14, 1782, and died at Groton on August 6, 1859. Taken from Mary Blodgett's Bible, November 25, 1887. Stephen and Betsey (Bales) Brannum. Married at Wilton, New Hampshire, March 1, 1809. Stephen Albert, born in Boston, November 26, 1810, and died at Groton, May n, 1826. William Thomas, born in Boston, February 20, 1812, and died in Texas. George Beckley, born in Boston, February 14, 1813, and died at Groton, September 18, 1852. Mary Eliza, born at Medway, January 12, 1815; married at Groton, September 26, 1844, Joseph Estes, who died in South Boston, October 22, 1869, aged 57 years, 9 months and 10 days. He was a son of Samuel and Dorothea Estes, and born at Weare, New Hampshire. A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. 32 1 John Hoffman, born at Medway, September 19, 1817, and died September 25, 1817. Almira Bales, born at Groton, May 26, 1819, and married, Au gust 19, 1842, Davis Shattuck. They had an only child, Eliza beth Sarah, born May 20, 1843 ; married, December 24, 1868, James W. Kenney, of Arlington, and died February 20, 1881. Davis Shattuck was a grandson of Moses Shattuck, of Pep perell, and died at Groton, October 9, 1844. His father dying when he was very young, he took the name of his mother. Mrs. Almira B. Shattuck now lives in Charlestown with her sister, Mrs. Estes. John Hoffman, born at Groton, April 2, 1822, and died April 8, 1823. From facts furnished by Mrs. Shattuck and Mrs. Estes. See page 282. Joshua and Elizabeth (Farley) Parker. Married September 16, 1784. Elizabeth Johnson, born at Groton, April 9, 1785. Lucretia, born at Groton, January 11, 1787. Nehemiah, born at Groton, November 29, 1788. Sophia, born at Groton, March 23, 1791. Samuel Farley, born at Groton, January 15, 1793. Abigail, born at Groton, January 17, 1795. John, born at Groton, January 22, 1797. Mary, born at Groton, January 5, 1799. Harriet, born at Groton, October 9, 1800. Sarah, born at Groton, January 21, 1803. Thomas Jefferson, born at Groton, October 22, 1804. Ruhamah, born at Groton, April 22, 1806. Andrew Johnson, born at Groton, April 15, 1809. Mr. Parker was the son of Ephraim and Azubah (Farns worth) Parker, and born at Groton on May 26, 1 764 ; and Mrs. Parker was born at Andover on August n, 1766. From facts furnished by Andrew J. Parker, of Charlestown. 322 a record of some groton families. Dr. Norman Smith. (See page 307.) Dr. Norman Smith, a son of Jesse and Nabby (Kittredge) Smith, was born at Mount Vernon, New Hampshire, on Octo ber 13, 181 1, and died at Groton on May 24, 1888. He mar ried, first, on May 3, 1838, Harriet, daughter of John and Lydia Sleeper, of Francestown, New Hampshire, who was born on September 7, 18 16, and died at Groton on September 2, 1839; secondly, on November 6, 1843, Mariett Sleeper, a sister of the first wife, who was born on October 9, 1826, and died at Groton on July 6, 1846; thirdly, on September 22, 1847, at Lowell, Maria A., daughter of Ephraim and Sarah (King) Brown, of Wilton, New Hampshire, who was born on August 26, 1828, and died at Groton on July 17, 1852; fourthly, on September 12, 1853, Sarah Young, daughter of Solomon and Dorcas (Hopkins) Frost, of Groton, who was born on July 13, 1832, and died at Fitchburg, on December 4, 1856; and, fifthly and lastly, on September 11, 1866, at Barre, Mrs. Mary Jane (King) Lee, daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Parmenter) King, of Rutland, Massachusetts, who was born on November 5, 1828, and now living as Dr. Smith's widow. children : By the first wife: Henry J , born on August 26, 1839, and died on August 26, 1858. By the third wife : Harriet M , born on November 6, 1848, and died ; Frank K , born on Novem ber 2, 1851, and died on July 27, i860. By the fourth wife : Mariett F , born on September 23, 1855, and died on August 27, 1856. By the fifth wife: Norman Kittredge, born on September 28, 1868; Frederick Lee, born on February 26, 1871, and Laura King, born on October 27, 1872. The first hus band of Mrs. Mary Jane (King | Lee) Smith was George H. Lee, son of David and Adelaide (Pierce) Lee, of Barre ; and the only child by this marriage, Adelaide Louise Lee, mar ried Charles Franklin Kittredge, Esq., a prominent lawyer of Boston. A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. 323 Dr. Smith came to Groton about the year 1837, when he was associated for a time with his cousin Franklin Otis Kit tredge, in the business of making fancy boxes. The firm occupied the store previously kept by William Farwell Brazer, nearly opposite to the Academy. See the first volume of this Historical Series (No. VII. page 4) for a reference to the building. From an early age Dr. Smith had a decided taste for medicine and surgery, and he found it impossible to repress the natural tendency of his desires. In the year 1843 he graduated at the Vermont Medical College, Woodstock, and soon became widely known as a surgeon in this neighborhood. He had a large practice, extending over the northern part of Middlesex County, and over the southern part of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. In April, 1861, at the beginning of the War of the Rebellion, he went out as Surgeon of the Sixth Massachusetts Militia Regiment, and was with that famous organization on its march through Baltimore, and during its first campaign of three months. On June 9, 1875, Dr. Smith sailed for Europe, where he passed several months in visiting hospitals and other medical institutions ; and after his return he settled in Nashua, New Hampshire. Here he re mained until the year 1879, when he came back to Groton and resumed practice, but owing to the condition of his health, which had been broken down by exposure in the army, it was not now extensive. During the last few years of his life he received a pension from the Government for his disabilities. He was a member of the Congregational Union Church, and prominent in all matters connected with the welfare of the town. He died on May 24, 1888, at his farm on Common Street ; and the funeral, on May 28, was conducted under Masonic rites. GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1889. Historical Series, Vol. II. , No. XI. GEORGE F. FARLEY, Esq. George Frederick Farley, for many years a distin guished lawyer of Groton, died in this town on November 8, 1855. He was a son of Benjamin and Lucy (Fletcher) Far ley, of Brookline, New Hampshire, and born at Dunstable, Massachusetts, on April 5, 1793, while his mother was on a visit at her father's house. He fitted for college at Westford Academy, and graduated at Harvard College in the Class of 1816. After leaving Cambridge he began the study of law with his brother, Benjamin Mark Farley, at Brookline, and later with the Honorable Luther Lawrence at Groton. He was admitted to the bar of New Hampshire in the year 1820, and opened an office at New Ipswich, where he practised his profession until 1831, when he removed to Groton. Here he remained till the time of his death, though during the last few years of his life he had an office in Boston, as well as one at home. On August 24, 1836, he was chosen a Trustee of Groton Academy, now known as Lawrence Academy, and on July 18, 1854, was elected President of the Board, which position he held until the date of his death. He was married at Ashby on November 25, 1823, to Lucy, daughter of John and Lucy (Hubbard) Rice. His wife was born at Ashby on March 1, 1799, and died at Groton on September 1, 1854. Mr. Farley was considered one of the most eminent and successful lawyers in Middlesex County, and yet to-day his 326 GEORGE FREDERICK FARLEY. career at the bar is but little more than a faint tradition. Among the students who read law in his office may be men tioned : John Parker Bullard (H. C. 1829), James Dana (H. C. 1830), Frederick Augustus Worcester (H. C. 1831), Eugene Fuller (H. C. 1834), Giles Henry Whitney (H. C. 1837), Edwin Coburn (A. C. 1841), John Quincy Adams Griffin, William Haughton Richards (Y. C. 1850), John Spaulding, and his son-in-law, Edward Albert Kelly. A few weeks ago, at my request, Governor Boutwell kindly furnished me with his recollections of Mr. Farley as a man and a lawyer, which are given in the following paper : — Mr. Farley possessed mental faculties of a high order combined with signal weaknesses, which impaired his influence with his fellow men. His ambition in life did not answer to his abilities. If we have regard only to his intellectual power, we should reach the conclusion that he might easily have commanded a place in the first class of lawyers and statesmen of his times. His knowledge of human nature in other men seemed absolute, and his weakness as to his own nature was quite as remarkable. As a lawyer he had great success, and yet he failed to get recog nition and rank corresponding to his successes. He was called to meet the best practitioners in New Hampshire, and in Massachu setts he often encountered Webster, Franklin Dexter, Choate, and Curtis ; and in his contests with these men he never suffered a defeat which was not inherent in the case. Yet from these suc cesses he never gained a full appreciation of his abilities. There were times when, in conversation, he would rehearse his contests, and upon the theory that he was the equal of his opponents ; but more frequently he spoke of his victories as if they were due to shrewdness and strategy rather than to a higher order of profes sional ability. And in this view of his mode of trying a cause there was something of truth, for he was a master of plausible suggestions and arguments calculated to lead the minds of ordinary men to conclusions favorable to his clients. During the larger part of the period of his practice parties were not allowed to testify, and the field for the imagination of advocates was much larger than it now is. In that field he revelled, and it was not easy for his opponents to follow him through all his windings. When the close in a case fell to him, he was the most dangerous of advocates. I recall a GEORGE FREDERICK FARLEY. 327 trial where he appeared for the plaintiff. The court adjourned for the day when the counsel for the defendant ended his argument. Mr. J. Q. A. Griffin was then a student in Mr. Farley's office. Mr. Farley was unable to write unless he held with one hand the wrist of the other. Mr. Griffin kept the notes of the trial, and when the defendant's counsel closed he had no faith that the case could be saved. In the evening Mr. Farley laid down on paper the plan of his argument, which satisfied Griffin that the case was won, and in that opinion the jury concurred on the following day. A biting sarcasm, and of a sort that did not admit of an answer, was one of his formidable weapons. Upon the passage of the first insolvent law, in 1838, I was ap pointed clerk to Bradford Russell, who, as Master in Chancery, had jurisdiction in insolvent cases. Mr. Farley appeared frequently at the hearings. On one occa sion, and while seated, he indulged in such observations that the suffering object of his sarcasm became so enraged that he seized a chair, and was about to strike Mr. Farley over the head, when the weapon was arrested by a more peaceful member of the bar. He graduated at Harvard College in the Class of 181 6, and when I first knew him he had been in practice about fifteen years. At that time he had but few books in his office, and his reading was limited I think. He had one or two students, and in my calls upon them I saw him frequently. Moreover, it was his habit to call at the store where I was employed, and whenever he found listeners he would retry an old case, or propound his questions or theories in regard to a pending suit. The questions and theories were usually those which he anticipated from the opposite side. The works that he most prized were Byron's Poems and Locke's Essay on the Human Understanding. These works he commended to me ; and the latter, for the purpose of mental training, was not overvalued by Mr. Farley. He was credulous himself, and he came to believe that that qual ity or infirmity was quite general, if not universal. When he was about fifty years of age he visited the city of New York, where he had not been often, if ever before. He there made a test of the credulity of a dealer. He went into a clothing store, where he was an entire stranger, and, without offering any credentials except his own statement of his name and residence, he induced the pro prietor to part with a suit of clothes in exchange for a check on Boston. 328 ' GEORGE FREDERICK FARLEY. First and last he was engaged, professionally, in many important causes. He defended, successfully, the Ursuline Convent rioters, and he was often called to the defence of persons charged with crimes. As a lawyer he had a successful career, but it was less dis tinguished than it might have been. If at an early period in his practice he had gone to a large city, — Boston, perhaps, or, even better, had he settled in New York, — he could have commanded a business which would have yielded a great income, and in that life he might have escaped from the influence of his country notions as to the value of small sums of money. He lived in the days of small fees, and his gains were for the most part in small sums. Ingenuity and logic were his forces in argument, and in his hands they were formidable forces. He gave but little attention to dress ; his appearance as a whole was uncouth, and for effect, apparently, he often indulged himself in the use of country phrases and in a rustic style of pronunciation. Whether these peculiarities helped or harmed his arguments I cannot say ; but they stood the test, — they were interesting to persons not concerned in the cause. In the trial of a cause against a railway he asked Judge Curtis, who appeared for the defendant corporation, for the loan of plans of the scene of the disaster, that he might use them in his opening to the jury. Judge Curtis declined the request. Mr. Farley turned to the jury and said, " Has any gentleman a piece of chalk that I can borrow ? " Having thus secured the loan of a piece of chalk, he dropped upon the floor on one knee and proceeded to make a drawing of the place where the accident occurred. The President of the road, who sat by, said afterwards that from that moment he considered his case hopeless. At the end it may be said of Mr. Farley that he did not know what manner of man he was ; or better, perhaps, it may be said that he did not know what manner of man he might have been. My last interview with him took place a few days before his death, and a remark that he then made may have been an admis sion of the great error of his life. He had then been chosen a delegate to the Republican State Convention for the year 1855, and it was evident that he was looking for some further considera tion from the Republican Party. In that connexion he said : " When I began life I thought the main thing was to get money ; and I have got it, and it is very convenient to have it, but it is not just what I thought it was when I began." WALTER DICKSON'S FAMILY. 329 WALTER DICKSON'S FAMILY. The following accounts of the attack made on Mr. Dickson's family at Jaffa, very early in the morning of January 12, 1858, are found in the " Boston Daily Journal." They supplement the description of the affair that is given on pages 238-240 of this volume. The Outrage on Americans at Jaffa. The following letter, from Rev. Walter Dickson to his son, gives the particulars of the horrid outrage from which he and his family were sufferers, of which we have already had some account. The Steinbecks (Fred erick and John) alluded to in the letter married the daughters of Mr. Dickson : Jaffa, Jan. 15, 1858. Dear Son : With indescribable feeling I am under the necessity of addressing you at this time. An occurrence has taken place with us at which human nature shrinks with horror. On the night of the nth inst, about 10 o'clock, three Arabs called at the front gate and inquired if we had seen a stray cow, saying they had lost one. Son Frederick and I were both at the gate, and told them we had not seen any, neither was there any among our cattle. They pretended to doubt it, but after a short time went away. In about half an hour they came back, and called " Steinbeck," and said : " We have been to see Abdellah (our nearest neighbor's shepherd), and he says the cow is in your yard ; " and demanded admittance to see if it was so. We told them the cow was not here, and should not open the gate, nor let them come in. They scowled and threatened some, but finally said they would sleep outside the wall until morning, and then see if the cow was not here. We ordered them away, but it did no good ; they remained, but said little or nothing. Fred, went into the house and laid down — I remained out. I took a ladder and set it up carefully against the wall, which is about eight feet high, and went up and looked over to see how many there were, and saw five. I then fired off the gun with powder only, that they might know we had fire-arms. This is always our practice when an alarm is made by the dogs (of which we have three) or other wise. I went into the house and retired to bed, but had not lain but a few moments before the dogs commenced barking again 330 WALTER DICKSON'S FAMILY. furiously. I got up immediately and dressed me, and went out to the back gate, where the dogs were barking. The Arabs had broken down the gate, but had not entered. I returned to the house and told Fred., who had arisen and dressed himself. I took down the gun, and we both went out towards the broken-down gate. As we were advancing Fred, said, " Don't fire, father." " No," said I, " you take the gun." He took the gun, and we advanced within three or four feet of the gate, when one who stood outside the wall fired obliquely, and hit Fred, in the lower part of his bowels and groin with a heavy charge of buck shot. He fell, and said " They have hit me ! take the gun ; " which I did, and fired at random through the gateway, not seeing any one, as they fell back behind the wall. I made my retreat into the house as soon as possible. Fred, had hobbled in before I did, and was lying on the floor, bleeding most profusely — your mother and Mary trying to stop the blood with cotton batting. He said, " Father, pray for me, that I may be able to bear it." He said he was faint, and asked me to give him some water, which he drank. I then secured the doors as fast as possible. In a few minutes we heard a noise at the door — they were trying to burst it open with a lever, which they soon did, although I held it as long as I could. As it flew open they retreated for an instant, and then five large, stout men rushed in, armed with guns, sword, pistols, and a large club, six or seven feet long. With this, one of them aimed a blow at my head with all his might. I threw up my right hand to ward off the blow, but he felled me senseless to the floor, cutting my head and wounding my hand. As soon as I recovered I sprang to my feet, and ran out to raise an alarm, but was followed and knocked back into the house. They began plundering, but soon left that, and caught Mary by the arm to drag her out doors. She caught hold of me and I hold of her, but they soon broke our hold by striking me with their gun. She then caught hold of the bedstead, upon which her two little chil dren were sitting, and pulled it down. They succeeded in drag ging her out, and three of them violated her person ! They then caught hold of your mother, dragged her into an adjoining room, and committed the same act. They then demanded my money. I took out my purse, handed it to them, and told them there was all the money I had. They renewed their ransacking in earnest, searching every trunk and box in the house, and strewed the floors with their contents. Not finding any more money, they presented WALTER DICKSON'S FAMILY. 33 I the muzzle of a gun at my breast and demanded more money. I caught the muzzle and held it above my head. They twitched it away and searched again, selecting such articles as they wanted, and tied them up in bundles. One of them caught me by the head, and with a drawn sword made a cut to take it off. I caught the sword with my left hand, which received a deep cut. Having ransacked the first two rooms to their liking, they went out, broke down another door into our store room, searched and pilfered to their satisfaction, and came back and threatened my life by aim ing the gun at my breast, which I threw up as before. This they did six or seven times. They inquired if we had a mule and donkey, and we replied we had. They insisted on my going to show them where they were, but I refused. They caught hold of me to drag me out, but let me go, and asked if we had a lantern. We gave them one, and they went out, looked in every nook and corner, and overturned everything they found. When they had taken everything they wanted they went off, it being nearly daylight. Fred, lived about half an hour after he was shot. He made not the slightest struggle, as we perceived, when he died. After the robbers first came in, he moved partly under the table ; after that, we saw him move no more. They dragged Mary out over his dead or dying body. They robbed us of most of our bedding, carpets, wearing apparel, and all our money, not sparing bread, silver spoons, table knives, (forks being useless to them were not taken,) and, in short, everything they wished ; also ruined the time-piece. As soon as it was daylight I went to our nearest neighbor to request him to come and stay with the family, while I went to notify Henry, who had stayed over night with your sister Mira, as her husband is gone to Jerusalem. I then went to the city to notify the American Vice Consul, and request Mr. Saunders to go to Jerusalem and notify Fred's brother John, and his sister, and Dr. [John Warren] Gorham, the American Consul, and request him to lay the matter before the Pasha. The Vice Consul of Jaffa went with us (with my head, hands, face, and clothes all blood, just as the robbers left me,) to the Governor, and he with his posse, (Vice Consul and others,) repaired to the bloody scene. Our number increased to thirty or forty before we reached home. Fred, and everything lay just as left by the murderers. The perpetrators are not yet discovered. Our farming operations are, for the present, at an end, and we shall move into the city as soon as possible. Thorough measures 332 WALTER DICKSON'S FAMILY. are being taken to bring this matter before the Sultan and our government. All foreigners here are equally interested. What the result will be we must wait and see. From your pilgrim father, Walter Dickson. " Boston Daily Journal," Monday evening, March 8, 1858. The Murdered Missionaries. We learn that the murdered missionaries, an account of whose brutal treatment is published on the last page, were from Groton in this State. Mr. Dickson was a farmer in Groton, and was well known in that vicinity. The brothers Steinbeck were Jews who came to this country and mar ried sisters [daughters] of Mr. Dickson and returned with him. Mrs. Dickson was the daughter of the late Dr. [Micah] Eldredge, of Nashua, N. H. Her mother is still living at an advanced age in Lowell. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson were not far from sixty years of age. They had been in Palestine some five years. They were not connected, so far as we can learn, with any missionary organi zation in this country. Mr. Dickson, before he went, was a be liever in the Advent doctrine, and having lost a son at Joppa, who, before his decease, had written his parents concerning the religious state of the people his father felt it to be his duty to go and labor among them. He has endeavored to introduce American agricultural implements among the natives, but has not been successful. The murdered parties have relatives living in this city. "Boston Daily Journal," Saturday evening, February 27, 1858. Outrage upon a Mission Family in Palestine. We copy from the New York Tribune the following letter detailing a series of outrages upon a mission family in Palestine of the most outrageous nature. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson's relatives reside in Connecticut [Massachusetts] : Joppa, Jan. 17, 1858. On the morning of the 12th inst., Mr. Mured, our Vice Consul, Brother Walter Dickson and his son Henry came to our house. Brother Dickson's face, hands and clothes had much blood upon them. He announced one of the most atrocious deeds that has taken place in this country for a long time. It has cast sadness and gloom over the community. WALTER DICKSON'S FAMILY. 333 Five men came the preceding night to his house and broke open the gate to the yard. Mr. Dickson and Frederick Gross Steinbeck, his son-in-law, went out. They shot Frederick, who fell, but suc ceeded in getting into the house. Mr. D. fastened the door. The men came, broke open the door, and knocked down Mr. D. with a large club ; and while Frederick was dying, (for he lived only about half an hour,) the men dragged his wife out of the house, beat her and violated her person in a manner that would be too shocking to relate. At the same time one of the men remained in the house, with his gun pointed at the breast of Mr. Dickson, as he sat on the floor. Afterward', one of them beat Mrs. Dickson, dragged her out, and abused her in the same shocking manner. They then pillaged the house, took all of his money, silver spoons and what clothing and other things they wished. After Mr. D. had given them all the money that he had, they attempted to cut off his head because he would not give them more. As the man struck, Mr. D. caught the sword in his hand, when his hand was badly cut. During the night they threatened Mr. D.'s life five times. Mrs. Saunders and myself went to Brother Dickson's as soon as we could. The first thing that met our eyes as we entered the door was poor Frederick, lying upon the floor in his blood ; and near by sat his abused and heart-broken wife, with a beautiful little boy in her arms, and a sweet little girl standing by her side ; and there sat Mrs. Dickson — her countenance bespoke her suffering. The whole scene was truly heart-rending, and beggars description, Henry (Mr. Dickson's son) was away that night, staying with his sister (Mrs. J. Steinbeck), about half a mile from Mr. D.'s. I started for Jerusalem about 1 p. m., to notify our Consul (Dr. J. Warren Gorham), and also a brother and sister of the deceased, and Brother Jones. I reached Jerusalem at 10 o'clock, p. m. ; suc ceeded in getting the gate opened after about half an hour. I went to the Consulate; after which I arrived at Brother Jones' about 12 o'clock. The following morning I went with our Consul to see the Prussian Consul, as Frederick was a Prussian, though under American protection. At 12 o'clock, noon, our Consul, the Prussian Consul and myself went to the Pasha, to lay the case be fore him. He promised to do all in his power to arrest the murder ers and bring them to justice. Brother Dickson's family are broken up, and it is thought advis able for them to move into the city. I am truly thankful that our Consul has taken hold of this matter 334 OBITUARY NOTICES. in the most prompt and energetic manner possible; and I trust a salutary lesson will be given to the authorities here, so that life and property may be more secure hereafter. Charles Saunders. " Boston Daily Journal," Saturday evening, February 27, 1858. The Jaffa murder and outrage. The New York Observer learns that the perpetrators of the horrible outrage and murder in the family of Mr. Dickson at Jaffa, in Syria, have been arrested and condemned to death. This result was brought about through the prompt action of the American Consul General in Egypt, Mr. De Leon, and it is hoped will have a salutary effect upon the Arab population. The Dickson agricultural enterprise is broken up, and his son-in-law Steinbeck writes that with the first opportunity the survivors expect to return to America. " Boston Daily Journal," Monday evening, April 5, 1858. OBITUARY NOTICES. The following sketches of Amherst graduates relate to persons connected in one way or another with the town of Groton, and are taken from different numbers of the " Obitu ary Record of Graduates of Amherst College." They are here arranged alphabetically under their names, and not in the order of their graduation, as they appear in the several pamphlets. class of 1823. David Oliver Allen died at Lowell, July 17, 1863, aged 63 years, with congestion of the lungs, occasioned by a cold taken while at tending Commencement here last year. He was the eldest son of Moses and Mehitable Allen of Princeton, and was born in Barre, September 14th, 1799. He entered Williams College in the fall of 1819, and after spending two years there, he came to Amherst, where he with four others constituted the second class which left OBITUARY NOTICES. 335 the Institution. He was, in one respect, the oldest graduate of the College — receiving the first regular diploma. At that time, Am herst College, having obtained no charter, could confer no degrees ; as Allen had engaged to take charge of an academy in the eastern part of the State whose by-laws required in its Principal a regular diploma, he found himself in a most unpleasant dilemma. The Commencement of Union College coming a week earlier than that of Amherst, Allen went there, and after passing through satisfactory examinations, was voted by the Faculty into the Senior Class of Union College — graduated with it, and then returned to Amherst, with his diploma in hand, to the great surprise both of his teachers and fellow Students. After leaving College, he had charge one year of Lawrence Academy, Groton, and in the fall of 1825 he entered the Theological Seminary at Andover. In May, 1827, he was ordained at Westminster as a missionary to India, and immediately sailed for Calcutta. He was first stationed at Bombay and then at Ahmednuggur, spending several years at each place in preaching and establishing schools, after which he was engaged some time in making extensive tours in Western India, preaching, distributing Bibles, tracts, &c, &c. From 1844 to 1853, he had charge of the American Mission Press at Bombay, which employed most of the time over one hundred persons, and printed annually from eight to twelve millions of pages. He was the author of several useful tracts in the Mahratta language, and besides translating portions of the Old Testament, he superin tended a revised and corrected edition of the whole Scriptures in the Mahratta. But these arduous labors, together with the effects of a warm climate, for over twenty-five years, so impaired his con stitution, that he was obliged to leave India. In February, 1853, he sailed for America — making a short stop in Palestine and Eng land — arriving in Boston, June, 1853. In 1854 he received the degree of " D.D." from Amherst College. In 1856 he published a "History of India, Ancient and Modern]' an octavo volume of over six hundred pages, which was very favorably received by the press, both in this country and in England. From 1856 to 1863, he preached at different places ; one year at Westford, and two years at Wenham, and, during intervals when not engaged in preaching, he contributed several articles to the periodical press. No. 2, pages 1, 2. 336 OBITUARY NOTICES. CLASS OF I 84 I. Edwin Coburn was the son of Pascal P. and Lydia (Jones) Co- burn, and was born in Dracut, Mass., Feb. 2, 1819. After gradua tion from college, he studied law with George F. Farley, Esq., of Groton, Mass., and was admitted to the bar there March 14, 1844. He practiced his profession in that town until 1848, and then re moved to Indianapolis, Ind., where he continued in practice about nine years. In 1857, he again removed to Chicago and formed a law-partnership with the late Gen. Mulligan. On the 10th of June, 1862, he enlisted in the 23d regiment Illinois Volunteers, and was immediately promoted to Sergeant-Major, and served in the army until the end of the war. Sept. 1, 1864, he was commissioned First Lieutenant, and afterwards promoted to the rank of Major. With the regiment he was mustered out July 24, 1865, at Rich mond, Va., and discharged at Chicago on the 30th of the same month. He afterwards joined the Fenians, was sent to Ireland on business relating to that organization, was arrested and put in prison. There, after a week's illness he died of lung fever, about the year 1867. Maj. Coburn was a man of brilliant talents and well-read in his profession, but unsuccessful in it through the influ ence of evil habits. He was never married. Second Printed Series, No. 3, pages 63, 64. CLASS OF 1837. Charles Hartwell Cragin, the son of Josiah and Hannah (Hil dreth) Cragin, was born in Alstead, N. H., Sept. 17, 181 7, and was fitted for college at New Ipswich (N. H.) and Groton Acade mies. After graduation he taught a year in Richmond, Va., and two years in Fitchburg, beginning at the same time the study »of medicine with Dr. J. A. Marshall of that place. He continued the study of his profession with Dr. Thomas Sewall of Washington, D. C, and received the degree of M. D. from the Columbian Med ical School in 1844. During this time he also engaged in teaching. After practicing one year in Washington, he removed to George town, D. C, where he passed his life, with the exception of one year which he spent in California. He was four years Police Com missioner of the District of Columbia and for three years Post master at Georgetown. He died in Georgetown of catarrh of the stomach, April 1, 1887. OBITUARY NOTICES. 337 Dr. Cragin was married (i) Oct. 2, 1845, to Mary, daughter of Samuel McKenney of Georgetown, D. C, who died May 21, 1853 ; (2) April 16, 1857, to Henrietta F. McKenney, a sister of his first wife, who died Feb. 2, 1887. Of Dr. Cragin's six children three survive him. Third Printed Series, No. 6, page 164. CLASS OF 1834. Franklin Dodge was born at Groton, Mass., Nov. 9, 1809. He prepared for College at Lawrence Academy (Groton) and at Lei cester. He studied medicine at Dartmouth College, receiving the degree of M. D. there in 1837, and practiced his profession for a time in Boston, under the tuition of Dr. Doane. In 1838 went to Harwich and continued a remarkably successful practice until in terrupted by disease within a few months of his death. He died at Harwich July 8, 1872, of consumption. Dr. Dodge was married Nov. 22, 1839, to Miss Susan Fitch, of Groton. The Yarmouth Gazette of July 13, 1872, speaks in high terms of his excellence as a physician — his modesty and worth winning for him a large circle of friends, and adds : " In his death the poor have lost a warm friend and attentive physician, who never refused to answer their calls, were the amount of their bills never so large, or the prospects of payment never so small. He suffered much in the last stages of his disease, but his patience was remarkable, sustained doubtless by his firm faith in Christ." Second Printed Series, No. 1, page n. CLASS OF 1829. Erasmus Darwin Eldredge, the son of Micah and Sally (Buttrick) Eldredge, was born in Dunstable, Mass., March 10, 1804, and fitted for college at Groton Academy. After graduation, he taught school three years, and then studied theology one year (1832-3) at Ando ver Seminary, and one year (1833-4) with Rev. Mr. Fisher of Harvard, Mass. After that he taught an academy at Pepperell, Mass., three years, was a resident licentiate at Andover Seminary in 1837-8, and April 4, 1838, was ordained, and installed pastor of the Congregational church, Hampton, N. H. From this charge he was dismissed May 7, 1849, and was installed pastor of the church in Salisbury, N. H., June 12th of the same year. This 338 OBITUARY NOTICES. pastorate was terminated Nov. i, 1854, on account of ill health. Removing immediately to Georgia, he resided about seven years in Milledgeville, in that State ; was principal of an academy there four years, and was also engaged in preaching most of the time. In February, 1861, he returned to the North, and was acting pastor of the church in Alton, N. H., until Nov. 24, 1862, and pastor of the church in Kensington, N. H., from June 30, 1864, until Nov. 4, 1875, when failing health again obliged him to seek a warmer climate. He died of an abscess in the left lung, at Athens, Ga., April 18, 1876. Mr. Eldredge was married, April 28, 1834, to Isabella T., daugh ter of John B. Hill of Portsmouth, N. H., who died May 1, 1873. Three children survive him, one of whom, Rev. Henry W. Eldredge, is a member of the class of 187 1, and pastor of a church in Becket, Mass. Second Printed Series, No. 4, page 74. For notices of Mr. Eldredge's family, see pages 98 and 241 of this volume. class of 1855. John Hartwell, the son of Samuel and Polly (Hagar) Hartwell, was born at Lincoln, Mass., December 20, 1827, and pursued his preparatory studies at Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. After spending two years at The Theological Institute of Connecticut, then located at East Windsor Hill, he entered upon the work of the ministry, supplying for seven and a half months the Congrega tional Church in Hartland, Conn., for three months that in New Preston, Conn., and for more than a year various pulpits in and out of the state. September 29, 1859, he was ordained over the Con gregational Church in Leverett, Mass. Dismissed from this charge September 29, 1864, he was, from October, 1864 to October, 1871, acting pastor of the Congregational Church in Becket, Mass., and from October 30, 1872 till the close of his life, pastor of that in Southbury, Conn., serving, during his entire ministerial life, as chairman of the School Committee. He died, of inflammatory rheumatism, December 18, 1878. Mr. Hartwell was married June 20, i860 to Sarah Wetmore, daughter of Giles Southmayd, of Middletown, Conn., who, with three of their four children, survives him. Second Printed Series, No. 7, page 166. OBITUARY NOTICES. 339 CLASS OF 1869. Alvah Baylies Kittredge was born at Westboro', Mass., February 3, 1845. He began his preparation for college at Groton academy, of which he was a member about one year. July 17, 1864, he en listed in the 6th regiment Mass. infantry, which was stationed a short time at Arlington Heights, and for the rest of his term of service at Fort Delaware, in charge of rebel prisoners. He was regularly discharged October 27, 1864, and then completed his preparation for college with the Rev. James Tufts of Monson. Immediately upon his graduation he was appointed Instructor in Gymnastics in Amherst college, a place for which he was well fitted by his service as captain of his class during the whole of the college course. He remained nearly a year in this position, but was com pelled to leave Amherst during the month of June, on account of pulmonary hemorrhage, and died at his father's residence in West boro', Oct. 4, 1870, aged 25 years. The last work he did for the college was the revision of the proof-sheets of the Obituary Record for the year 1870. Printed Series, No. 9, page 12. CLASS OF 1848. Louis Palemon Ledoux, the son of Eugene and C616sie (Pitre) Ledoux, was born in Opelousas, La., June 8, 1822, and fitted for college at Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. After graduation he studied theology at Union Seminary, N. Y., 1848-51 ; and was or dained by the Third Presbytery of New York, June 22, 185 1. He supplied the Presbyterian church at Newport, Ky., in 1852; was pastor at Monroe, Mich., from 1853 to 1855 ; pastor of the Third Presbyterian church, Richmond, Va., from 1855 to 1858, and of the church at Cornwall-on-Hudson, N. Y., from 1858 to 1865. He was then obliged to relinquish the ministry on account of the loss of his voice, and became Principal of an Institute for boys, at Cornwall-on-Hudson, where he remained until his death, from heart disease, Sept. 30, 1885. He was the author of The Hypocrisy of Infidelity; The Conflict between North and South; The Element of Testimony in Preaching, and many other sermons, tracts, and maga zine articles. In 1861 he received the degree of D.D. from the 340 OBITUARY NOTICES. Indiana State University. Dr. Ledoux was married, July 9, 1851, to Katherine C, daughter of Edward Reid, of New York City, who, with two sons, survives him. Third Printed Series, No. 4, page 48. CLASS OF 1834. James Otis Parker, the son of James and Ruth (Harkness) Par ker, was born at Shirley, Mass., June 5, 181 1, and died there, of paralysis, May 2, 1883. His preparation for college was made at Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. Of the seven years immedi ately following his graduation, four were spent in business and teaching in the neighborhood of Shirley, and three in the study of medicine : one in the Marine Hospital, Chelsea, Mass., one with Amos Twitchell, M.D., of Keene, N. H., and one, or more, in hearing lectures, in Boston, and Pittsfield, Mass. Having received the degree of M.D. from Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, in 1841, he at once established himself in his native town of Shirley, where he spent the remainder of his life in the practice of his pro fession, and in farming, save the period from February, 1849 to July, 1852, which was passed in San Francisco, Cal. Dr. Parker was married May 13, 1845 t0 Martha Lincoln, daughter of Calvin Carter, M.D., of Lancaster, Mass. She died April 30, 1847, leav ing one son. January 1, 1863, he married Harriet Morgan, daugh ter of Elijah Addison Gould, of Greenfield, Mass., who died September 14, 1876. Third Printed Series, No. 1, pages 10, 11. CLASS OF 1858. James Edwin Tower died of inflammation of the bowels, at Gro ton, Mass., August 18, 1862, aged 28. He was born in Granby, June 9, 1834, but in 1844 became a resident of North Hadley. He was fitted for College at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H. He studied Theology, at Union and Andover Theological Semina ries. He was preacher to the Union Church, North Brookfield, from March, 1862, until his death, which occurred after an illness of only three days. In March, 1862, he was married to Miss Hattie Eaton, of Groton. No. 1, page 3. THE BARRON FAMILY. 341 The following sketch of Mr. Tower, whose obituary notice appears on the preceding page, is taken from the " Quarter- Centennial Record" of the Class of 1861, at the Andover Theological Seminary : — James Edwin Tower. He was born in Granby, Mass., 1834, June 9, son of Samuel and Mary (Clark) Tower. He was converted at the age of fifteen. He studied at Amherst Academy, and graduated at Amherst College in 1858. For two years he was connected with Union Theological Seminary, then entered the senior class at Andover, and graduated in 1861. He preached acceptably in several pulpits, declined a call to the Pearl Street Church, Nashua, N. H., deeming it too responsible a position for one so inexperienced, and engaged himself for one year with the Union Church in North Brookfield, Mass., beginning 1862, March 1. On the thirteenth day of the same month, he was married to Harriet I. Eaton, daughter of the late J. W. Eaton, Esq., of Stoddard, N. H. His ministry in North Brookfield was begun with every promise of most happy results. Exceedingly modest in his own estimate of his abilities, he yet drew the hearts of the people to him by his own affectionate manners, exemplary conduct and earnestness of life. As a preacher as well as pastor he gave his friends reason to hope that a more than ordinarily useful life was before him. Only five months of happy service had passed when he was stricken down, and in three days his life was closed, 1862, August 18. This occurred during a visit to Groton, Mass. Mr. Tower was never ordained. (Page 55.) THE BARRON FAMILY. Among the original proprietors of Groton were Elias Bar ron, the owner of a fifteen-acre right, and John Barron, the owner of a seven-acre right. The surname was sometimes written Barns or Barnes, and Elias's given name occasion ally appears as Ellis. The family was a very respectable one, 342 THE BARRON FAMILY. but has now entirely disappeared from the town. The expres sions "fifteen-acre right" and "seven-acre right" meant a much larger tract than either fifteen acres or seven acres respectively, as a large part of the land owned by virtue of these acre-rights was undivided, and formed a portion of the common land, so called. See "The Early Records of Groton" (page 134) for a fuller statement of the case. Samuel Barron, who died on June 9, 1771, in the eighty-eighth year of his age, was a member of the family. His memory is still cherished at Groton as the giver of a small sum of money to the Church of Christ, of which the interest is used for the benefit of the poor. John Barron, the original proprietor, had several children, of whom the youngest was Elias, a soldier under Captain John Lovewell in the famous expedition, when the heroic leader lost his life at Pequawket, on May 8, 1725. Elias Barron was wounded in the same action, and, straying away from his comrades, was never afterward heard from, though his " Gun Case" was subsequently found on the other side of Ossipee River. See " Groton during the Indian Wars" (page 134). His family was left in destitute circum stances, as the following petition from the widow abundantly shows : — To the Honourable William Dummer Esqr Lieut Governor and Comander in Chief in & over His Majesties Province of the Massachusetts Bay, and to the Honourable His Majesties Coun cil, & House of Representatives in General Court Assembled at Boston November 1726 The humble Petition of Priscilla Barron of Groton — Widow qf Elias Barron late of the same place Yeoman deceased, and Admin? to his Estate Sheweth That the said Elias Barron being one of Capt Lovels Company received a Wound in the fight with the Indians at Pig- wocket, and never returned home to his Family, but dyed in the woods, as 'tis thought And Your petitioner has three small Chil dren to Maintain the Eldest not being five years old, And in Re gard Your petitioners husbands personal Estate Consists mostly of THE BARRON FAMILY. 343 necessaries for housekeeping being valued at about sixty pounds ; And his land Contains no more than about sixty two Acres lying in Groton, on Dunstable road, on which land Your pet's husband in his lifetime Erected a Frame for a house, which is yet unfinished ; And Your pet' being unable to finish it, & having no Servant to subdue & Improve the land (which is unbroken) for her Childrens Support ; And inasmuch as the deceaseds Estate is Indebted forty pounds due by Bond taken up at Interest; besides about twenty pounds more due by Acco' — Your pet' humbly prays Your Honours will Enable her to sell the sd sixty two Acres of Land with the frame upon it; the produce thereof (after the Debts are paid) to be let out at Interest for the benefit of the Children the better to Enable Your pet' to bring them up And your pet' (as in Duty bound) shall signed pray ev Priscilla X Barron In Council Dec. 20. 1726 : Read & Ordered that the Prayer of this Petition be Granted, & That the Petitioner be & hereby is Impowered to make Sale of the Land & the Frame thereon, mentioned in the Petition, And to give a good & sufficient Deed or Deeds in the Law for the Conveyance of the same, And the Remainder of the Produce (after Paym' of the Decd.s Debts) to be put out to Interest ; One Third of the Interest thereof to be for the Use of the Petitioner during her natural Life, And the remaining Interest for the Support and Education of the Children of the Deel Two Thirds of the Principal to be divided among the Children when they shall come of Age, & the other Third at the Death of their Mother in such Manner as the Law directs ; Provided the Petitioner give Bond with sufficient Sureties to the Judge of the Probate of Wills for the County of Middlesex, for the faithful Performance of the Conditions above mentioned. Sent down for Concurrence J Willard Secry. In the House of Representatives December 21s' 1726 Read and Concur'd. Wf Dudley Sp: Consented to W" Dummer Massachusetts Archives, XVII. 403. 344 THE GROTON WILL CASE. THE GROTON WILL CASE. In the case of John T. Loring, appellant, vs. John C. [G.J Park and another, executors of the will of the late Jonathan Loring of Groton, Judge Bigelow on Monday granted the motion of the counsel for the executors, to set aside the verdict of the jury, as against the weight of evidence, and ordered a new trial. Our readers will recollect that this is an important case, which con sumed some two weeks in the trial at the October term of the Su preme Court at Cambridge, and wherein the jury rendered a verdict setting aside the will. The jury found that the testator was of sound and disposing mind and memory at the time he made the will, but that he was under undue influence. The persons charged with the exercise of this influence were tbe late Caleb Butler, Esq. of Groton, and other gentlemen of that town. Mr. Loring, in his will, made a bequest to the trustees of the Groton Ministerial Fund, after making liberal provision for his wife, and giving legacies of five hundred dollars each to his brothers and sisters, and the appel lant, a nephew of the deceased, alleged that this bequest was ob tained by the undue influence of Mr. Butler and others. The verdict of the jury surprised every one who is familiar with the high character and standing of the parties charged with the ex ercise of this influence and who listened to the evidence at the trial : and the independence of Judge Bigelow in setting aside the verdict, furnishes increased confidence in the wisdom and justice of our Court, in checking and defeating a disposition which sometimes exists in juries, to set aside the will of a testator if he does not happen to have made a disposition of his property agreeable to their sympathies or prejudices. Judge Bigelow in giving his decision, alluded to the fact of the death of Mr. Butler, and the other persons charged with undue in fluence, some six months before the decease of Mr. Loring, as an exceedingly strong circumstance in favor of the validity of the will. If, he said, the testator was under undue influence at the time. of the execution of the will, why, after the death of the persons who are accused of its exercise, did he not make a new will, or cause the present will to be destroyed ? This decision of Judge Bigelow gives general satisfaction to all unprejudiced persons who are familiar with the merits of the case. * " Boston Daily Journal," Wednesday evening, March 3, 1858. GROTON AS A SHIRE TOWN. 345 GROTON AS A SHIRE TOWN. In connection with the following petition, see an article entitled " Groton as a Shire Town," which appeared in the preceding volume of the Historical Series (No. IV.). This petition is supplementary to one there mentioned, and will explain itself. Province of the 1 To his Exceellency Francis Bernard Esq'. Cap- Massachusetts Bay j tain General and Govener in Cheiff in and over his Majestys s? Province and to the Honourable Council and house of Repre- santatives in Gineral Court assembled at Boston February A.D. 1765 Humbly shews — The Subscribers agents for several Towns in the County of middlesex, that they in behalf of their Constituents in February A.D. 1764, Perfered a Petition to the General Court then sitting ; shewing forth the Disadvantages the said Towns and others Laboured under by reason of their Great distance from the several Courts of Justice in the said County of middlesex and other reasons mentioned in said Petition, the Petition was Taken under Consideration at the last may session when the Honourable Court ordered the the [sic] several Towns in the Countys of middlesex, and Worcester should be Notified, which was done in the Publick Prints, that at this Present Session the said Petition was Taken under Consideration and a Com -e Chosen to Examine into yf afair which has been done and as your memorialist are Informed the majorty of the Com,-e agreed and thereupon Reported that y? s? Petition should bee Dismissed which report as your memorialist are Informed is accepted by the Honourable Board (how True we dont know), but if it should so happen, we Pray this Honb- house not to accept of said report, how Ever if we should be so unfourtunate as not to have the Prayer of said Petition Granted we Earnestly Pray that they may at Least be so far releived as that one Inferiour Court may be held in or near the town of Groton in s? County and that the Inhabitants of the northerly part of said County of middlesex may be otherwise releived in regard to the Transacting their Pub- 346 A RAILROAD TOWN. ' lick afairs, as much as Possibley may be and your Petitioners in behalf of themselves and Constituents as in duty Bound shall Ever Pray Abel Lawrence beniamin Brooks James Prescott Jonathan Lawrance Jonas Cutler Eph- Hildreth Oliver Prescott Jonas Prescott W- Prescott In the House of Repues Feby 8 1765 Read and Ordered that the Pet's serve the several Towns con cerned in the event of this Petition with copies thereof that so they shew cause if any they have why the prayer thereof should not be granted Sent up for concurrence James Otis Speak: pro. Tempore In Council Febr? 15. 1765. Read and Nonconcurred. A Oliver Sec' Massachusetts Archives, XLIV. 540. After the year 1858 all the Groton Probate, Courts were held at the "Junction," now Ayer, until they were abolished by the statute of March 30, 1866. A RAILROAD TOWN. The following item appeared in " The Boston Daily Atlas," September 20, 1850, but since then the town of Groton has been largely shorn of its territory. On May 18, 1857, a con siderable slice of the township was set off to Pepperell, and on February 14, 1871, the town of Ayer, made up mostly from Groton, was incorporated ; and the statements contained in the item are now no longer true. At the present time the Fitchburg Railroad does not touch the township, while the Stony Brook Railroad barely grazes the limits ; and the mile age of the Worcester and Nashua Railroad within the township is very much reduced. The road last mentioned, runs about BENJAMIN WHEELER MERRIAM. 347 six miles within the limits of the town, and the Peterborough and Shirley Railroad (from Ayer to Greenville, New Hamp shire) perhaps for five miles more. The Nashua, Acton and Boston Railroad passes through the eastern part of the town for a distance of about three miles. This railroad was opened to the public on July 1, 1873, and is used principally for the transportation of freight. It is leased by the Concord Rail road Company of New Hampshire, and gives that corporation another way to reach Boston. These several roads, with the necessary turn-out tracks, have now an aggregate mileage of at least fifteen miles of railroad tracks within the limits of the township of Groton. dgf3 The town of Groton, Mass., contains within its limits, up wards of twenty-five miles of railroad tracks. The Worcester and Nashua railroad, which enters the south corner of Groton, runs about nine miles within its limits. The Stoney Brook railroad, (from Groton to Lowell) enters at the southeast part of the town and runs about three miles. The Peterboro' and Shirley Railroad (from Groton to Townsend) runs about six miles ; and there is a double track on the Fitchburg Railroad, which runs about three miles within the limits of the town. This makes a total of twenty-four miles. Besides this, there are various turn-out tracks in different parts of the town, which would swell the length to upwards of twenty-five miles. The trains on these different railroads run into the same station, where they are all due at the same time. The up and down trains of the Fitchburg Railroad, and of the Worcester and Nashua, meet at this point ; making six passenger trains, that arrive and depart at the same time. BENJAMIN WHEELER MERRIAM. The following obituary notice is taken from "The New- York Times," Saturday, April 26, 1884. See the preceding volume of this Historical Series (No. VII. page 8), for a reference to Mr. Merriam and his place of business at Groton. He attended school at Groton Academy in the year 1821. 348 BENJAMIN WHEELER MERRIAM. Benjamin W. Merriam, one of the oldest and most widely known merchants of this city, died in his residence, No. 312 Fifth-avenue, early yesterday morning, after being confined to his bed with Bright's disease of the kidneys for four weeks. He leaves four daughters, two of whom are widows, and one son. Mr. Merriam was born in Mason, N. H., on May 6, 1803, and he passed his boy hood days in his native town. In 1823, when 20 years old, he went to Groton, Mass., where he established himself as a dry goods merchant. His business increased, and in 10 [7 ?] years he suc ceeded in amassing a capital which he thought large enough to embark in business with in New-York. He came here in 1830, and began to import mirrors and glass. His first ventures were successful, and the house of which he was the head grew rapidly in importance. His stores were down town, on Chatham-square and Chatham-street, for the first 30 years of his career, but in 1864 the business was removed to No. 577 Broadway, where it still continues. During his 50 years of mercantile life in this city Mr. Merriam devoted a large share of his attention to real estate, making many investments which proved very profitable. He early realized that the tendency of population was up-town, and in 1854 he built the house in which he died yesterday, and where he resided for 30 years. Mr. Merriam was the last of the original founders of the Chatham National Bank, of which he continued to be a Director until his death. He was a member of the New-England and His torical Societies, and belonged to the Madison-Square Presbyterian Church for 25 years. He lived a very quiet and retired life, but was highly esteemed by the large circle of business friends with whom he came in contact. The funeral services will be held at the house on Monday at 10 a. m. GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1889. Historical Series, Vol. II. , No. XII. LAWRENCE ACADEMY. The Jubilee Celebration of Lawrence Academy was held on Wednesday, July 12, 1854, when an address was delivered in the Union Congregational Church, by the Reverend James Means, a former principal of the institution. After the exer cises in the meeting-house a procession was formed, which marched to a large tent, pitched on land then belonging to James Farnsworth, but now owned by Prescott Lawrence, where a bountiful dinner had been provided. A full account of the proceedings on the occasion was published. I am led to make a memorandum of the event, as I find such diversity of opinion in regard to the place where the tent was spread. One old scholar who walked in the proces sion was quite confident that it was east of the railroad ; and others were equally astray. In order to set the matter aright and to establish the fact, I have talked with several persons in a position to know, and I have written to others, who assure me that the spot was just north of Mr. Farnsworth's house, on the slope of the hill, in full view of the village. If a term of thirty-five years can make so much confusion with promi nent events and so blunt the edge of historical accuracy, what may we not expect from a century, where the state ments have sifted down through tradition ! Akin to this matter I would say that, on the occasion of the Bi-centennial Celebration of the town, October 31, 1855, one year after the Jubilee of the Academy, Yale's mammoth tent 350 LAWRENCE ACADEMY. was spread on the Square, near the present site of Milo Henry Shattuck's store. Formerly the Square was somewhat larger than it is now, as part of the land was private property and kept open for the accommodation of the hotel business. The tavern on this Square was given up as a public house in the year 1854, and made into a shoe-factory; but finally it was burned on Wednesday evening, December 19, 1855. I have talked with persons living in Groton at the time of this cele bration, who could not tell where the tent used on the occa sion was pitched. Such is the erosion of memory ! The senior surviving principal of Lawrence Academy now is the Reverend Horace Herrick, a resident of Felchville, Vermont, who was the preceptor from the year 1836 to 1840. He is a native of Peacham in that State, and a graduate of Dartmouth College in the Class of 1834. The next survivor among the principals is the Reverend Moses Hemmenway Wells, of Northfield, who was the master during the year 1844. He is a native of Deerfield, New Hampshire, and a graduate of Dartmouth College in the Class of 1839. The senior surviving scholar of the Academy is Mrs. Sarah (Chaplin) Rockwood, who first attended, the school in the year 1797. She is now living at Cortland, Cortland County, New York, in the one hundred and fourth year of her age. Her parents were the Reverend Dr. Daniel and Susanna (Prescott) Chaplin, of Groton, where she was born on November 8, 1785. Within three days of the present time (January 27) I have heard from Mrs. Rockwood, and she remains in a very com fortable condition of body. Of course she is feeble, but her recollection of events and persons is good. The next survivor among the scholars is Mrs. Sarah (Capell) Gilson, of Groton, who went to the Academy in the year 1808. She is a daughter of John and Mary (Perkins) Capell, and was born on November 22, 1793. She is still hale and hearty, and apparently as vigorous as she was twenty-five years ago. (I am sorry to add that, since the last paragraph was writ ten, Mrs. Gilson has been seriously ill, and she is now very feeble.) CAPT. JAMES PARKER'S WRITING. 35 I The following item from " The Boston Daily Atlas," April 19, 1850, mentions a gift made to the institution forty years ago : — Handsome Donation to Lawrence Academy at Groton, Mass. — In an article on "American Microscopes," in the "Annual of Scientific Discovery," there is the following account of an instru ment, which was exhibited to the American Association at Cam bridge, last summer. "The power of this instrument was about 1300, and it received the most unqualified commendation of the distinguished men there assembled. Professor Agassiz, after a care ful examination of it, made a report, in which he spoke in the highest terms of its excellence. This instrument was purchased by Amos Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, who liberally»presented it to the Academy at Groton, Mass." CAPT. JAMES PARKER'S WRITING. In his History of Groton, between pages 280 and 281, Mr. Butler gives a lithographic fac-simile of a receipt written by Captain James Parker. The handwriting is very bad, and hard to decipher ; and the spelling is not much better. I have been asked to furnish a printed copy of the paper, which is as follows : — the 23 of the ii : 1662 this be to testysfye that i haue Reseued of my brothr wilyam marten ol such bublk douse ase ware doue frome him selfe and frome his sonnse wilyam laken and John laken : and fore his man elexsander Rouse consorneng the bublik [c]harge and for layng out landse and for wot eur else wose doue to me from theme or ethr of them to these prsnt day and i do hear by aquete them and ethr of them as wetnese my hand James Parker 352 OLIVER WENTWORTH. A FREE READING ROOM. A Free Reading Room, under the auspices of the Young Women's Christian Temperance Union, was opened to the public, with appropriate exercises, on Monday evening, January 17, 1887. An account of the proceedings on the occasion is given in "The Groton Landmark," January 22, 1887. The Room is conveniently situated on Main Street, in Mr. Brigham's building, opposite to Dr. Green's place, and has been very successful in attracting readers. OLIVER WENTWORTH. Many of the older residents of Groton will remember "Uncle Oliver" Wentworth, who for a long time was a pen sioner of the Lawrence family. In his younger and more ac tive days he was a shoemaker by trade, and a farmer by turns; and as the infirmities of age crept over him, he was tenderly cared for in the family of Mrs. Woodcock, who lived in a small house on the Lawrence farm. Even when his life spanned more than fourscore years and ten, he would occasionally hold the lapstone and amuse himself for a while at cobbling. I re member well the small maple blocks which he used to slice up in thin sheets, and sharpen on both sides, and then split into fine pegs. In fact he depended entirely on his own skill for these little articles, so essential to his work. Apart from his native ingenuity he was withal quite a musical character, for he used both to sing and play the fiddle. Many a time I have listened with wonder and admiration to the strains of music which he knew so well how to evoke from that instrument ; and I remember, too, how with his foot he used to beat time, as he drew the bow with measured slowness over the squeaking strings. I am reminded anew of the old man by seeing a notice of him and his family in the first volume of " The Wentworth Genealogy" (page 415). From this source I learn that his HEZEKIAH SPRAGUE'S FAMILY. 353 father, Moses, was in active service during the old French War, and that he served as a non-commissioned officer under General James Wolfe at the siege of Quebec, in the autumn of 1759. The father was married on February 3, 1747-8, to Mindwell, daughter of John, Jr., and Elizabeth (Farwell) Stone, and for some years after his marriage he lived at Groton, where the first five of his children, and perhaps others, were born. From here he removed to Harvard, in which town he died sometime during the month of May, 1772. The son, " Uncle Oliver," as he was called in my boyhood, was born at Groton, on February 8, 1762, and died on June 21, 1856. He was married in the year 181 5 to Mrs. Eunice (Nutting) Worcester, widow of Jonathan Worcester, who died sometime during the year 1824. The author of " The Wentworth Genealogy " is wrong in his statement that the town of Harvard, at a period before the Revolution, was ever called Shabakin. There is a part of the township, then as well as now, known by the name of Shab'- akin, or more commonly Shabokin, which is applied to the territory, below Still River village, bordering on the Nashua. It is an old Indian word, said to have been the name of a chief who dwelt in the neighborhood. In the " Collections of the American Statistical Association" (Boston, 1847), it is stated that Shabbukin was one of the Indian names of Stow ; and as this township once included a part of Harvard and even of Shirley lying in the vicinity, it is probable that these three forms are but variations of the same word, and that they are each and all a survival of the name, as applied by the English in early times to the locality near the river. For another notice of Mr. Wentworth, see page 148 of this volume. HEZEKIAH SPRAGUE'S FAMILY. The town of Dedham has recently published, in two volumes, the Record of Births, Baptisms, Marriages and Deaths, which have occurred in that place during a period of more than 354 TW0 BALLOONS PASSING OVER GROTON. two centuries. The work has been carefully edited by Don Gleason Hill, the town-clerk, and may well serve as a copy for others to follow. Ir gives some genealogical facts con cerning a Groton family, namely : — Volume I., page 35. Elizebeth, the daughter of William and Ester Auery, was born May the 29th, 1709. Volume II. page 80. Received into the [First] Church. Jan. 14. 1727-8, Hezekiah Sprague. May 19. 1728, Elizabeth Avery daughter of William Avery. Volume I. page 56. Marryed by ye Rev1? Mr. Sam1-' Dexter. Heze kiah Spragve of Groton and Elizabeth Avery of Dedham, October the 30, 1729. Volume II. page 89. " Dismissions and Recommendations." . Oct. 28. 1733. Hezekiah Sprague & wife to the Church in Groton. Mr. Sprague had five children, — four sons and one daugh ter, — born at Groton ; and he died on April 29, 1740, less than a month before the last child was born. TWO BALLOONS PASSING OVER GROTON. Among my early recollections many years ago is going with my father one afternoon to the north part of the town in order to see whether a balloon, sent up from Nashua on that day, would be visible in Groton ; and I remember my disappoint ment in not having the expected view. Within a short time I have learned that the date of this ascent was August 29, 1838, now more than a half century ago, and that the balloon came down in Windham, New Hampshire. The gas was made on the grounds within an enclosure, and a fee for ad mission was charged. A balloon ascension was made from Lowell, on July 4, 1882, by James Allen, of Providence, Rhode Island, accompanied by Charles L. Knapp, of Lowell, which took a westerly course. TWO BALLOONS PASSING OVER GROTON. 355 The balloon first made its appearance to the Groton villagers, coming over Gibbet Hill, and passed directly over my place, so near that conversation was carried on between the aero nauts and persons below. It continued on its course beyond West Groton and Shirley, and disappeared in that direction. The wind was light and its progress slow. I have seen a letter written by Mr. Knapp, which gives the following particulars of the trip : — Ascension made from North Common, Lowell ; left at 4 : 53, P. M. ; passed directly over North Chelmsford, 5 : 06 ; Groton, 5:32; West Groton, 6 : 02, — and 17 miles from Lowell. Then over Shir ley, Lunenburg, and plumb over Fitchburg at 6 : 45, landing near Gardner depot at 7 : 20, P. M. A balloon ascension was made from Fitchburg on the after noon of July 4, 1888, by Malvern Hill Allen, of Providence, who is a son of James Allen, the veteran aeronaut, mentioned in the preceding paragraph. The ascent was made from the Fair grounds at half-past four o'clock, when the balloon took an easterly direction and sailed away toward Groton. It passed over the Nashua River at a point near Fitch's Bridge, crossed the Great Road a little north of the village of Groton, and then continued in its easterly flight. With numerous other persons I, watched it from James Lawrence's house on Farmers' Row for twenty-five minutes, while it remained in view ; and it was a beautiful sight. I took the bearings of the course, and, after consulting a Map of Middlesex County, ven tured the guess that the balloon would come down in Dracut ; but the descent was made in the adjoining town of Pelham, New Hampshire, after an aerial trip of 50 minutes. At this time the young aeronaut was only nineteen years old, and the ascension from Fitchburg was the third one ever undertaken by him alone and on his own account. His first ascent was made from Ridgway, Elk County, Pennsylvania, on July 3, 1886, and his second from Carlisle in the same State, on October 1, 1887. Mr. Allen, the father, has three sons now engaged in the art of ballooning, his eldest son James K. Allen being in partnership with him ; and he himself has 356 OBITUARY NOTICES. been interested in the science of aeronautics for a period of thirty-five years. See the preceding volume of this Historical Series (No. XVII. pages 10, 1 1) for an account of " Two Balloon Descents in Groton." OBITUARY NOTICES. The following sketches of Dartmouth graduates relate to persons connected in one way or another with the town of Groton, and are taken from different numbers of the " Dart mouth Necrology." They are here arranged alphabetically under their names, and not in the order of their graduation, as they appear in the several pamphlets. class of 1816. Elijah Demond: b. Rutland, Mass., Nov. 1, 1790; principal New Ipswich, N. H., Acad., 1816-7 ; theological student, Andover Sem., 1817-20; pastor Cong. Ch., West Newbury, Mass., 1821-6; do., Lincoln, Mass., 1827-32; do., Holliston, Mass., 1832-6; do., Princeton, Mass., 1836-9; farmer, Grafton, Mass., 1842-54; meanwhile preached 3 years at Northbridge, Mass., 8 months at Douglas, Mass., 1 year at Shrewsbury, Mass., 2 years at Chilmark, Mass., and was agent Doctrinal Tract and Book Soe. over a year ; farmer, Westbbro, Mass., 1854-77 ; meanwhile preached at Mendon, Waquoit, Chilmark and other places in Mass. : — m. Lucy Brown, of Groton, Mass., May 29, 182 1 ; d. Westboro, Mass., July 20, 1877. For 1877-8, page 2. CLASS OF I828. Charles Baker Kittredge, son of Josiah and Mary (Baker) Kit tredge, b. Mt. Vernon, N. H., July 4, 1806. Prin. Boscawen (N. H.) Acad., 1828-9; in And. Theo. Sem., 1829-32, grad. '32. Ord. past. Cong, ch., Groton, Mass., Oct. 16, 1833 ; dism., Aug. 31, 1836 ; past., Westboro, Mass., Feb. 8, 1837, to Oct. 1, 1845 ; Mon son, Mass., Oct. 21, 1846, to May 4, 1853; act. past, Coventry, Ct., 1856-7; Wilbraham, Mass., 1857-9; res- Monson, 1859-63; OBITUARY NOTICES. 357 then at Westboro till decease. Pub. Memoir of Charles Hooper Kittredge, 1835 > God's Hand in Affliction, a funeral sermon, 1846; Harvestings, 1875. M- July 9, 1830, Sarah, dau. Charles and Su sanna (Bayliss) Brigham of Grafton, Mass., who d. Mar. 26, 1871. Of 8 ch., 4 survive. D. Westboro, Mass., Nov. 25, 1884, of con gestion of the lungs. For 1884-5, Page 6. CLASS OF I 8 14. Rufus Nutting; b. Groton, Mass., July 28, 1793; prin. Young Ladies' Seminary, Catskill, N. Y., 1818-21; prin. Orange County Grammar School, Randolph, Vt, 1821-28; ord. an evangelist at Berlin, Vt. ; Prof. Latin and Greek West. Reserve Coll., 1829-40 ; principal Acad. Romeo, Mich. ; do. Lodi, Mich. ; retired, Lodi, Mich., 1862-70; do. Detroit, Mich., 1870-8; pub. Practical Hints to Honest Hearts, 1818; A Practical English Grammar, 1820; Memoirs of Mrs. Emily Edgerton, 1832 ; Outlines of the three Analy ses, 1850; Bible Questions; Memoirs of Mrs. A. N. Chamberlain; — m. (1) Marcia Manning, of Windham, Ct, June 4, 1820; (2) Mrs. Nancy A. (Parsons) Eaman, of Dexter, Mich., Dec. 21, 1857 ; d. Detroit, Mich., July 12, 1878. For 1878-9, page 4. CLASS OF 1865. Edward Liston Pillsbury: b. Fitchburgh, Mass., June 28, 1844; educated at Appleton Acad., New Ipswich, N. H., and Lawrence Acad., Groton, Mass. ; physician, Fitchburgh, Mass., 1865-9 > ^°-> Boston, Mass., 1869-80; — d. New Ipswich, N. H., May 31, 1880, of blood poisoning. For 1879-80, pages 12, 13. CLASS OF 1.8 1 1. Ether Shepley: b. Groton, Mass., Nov. 2, 1789; fitted for Col lege, Lawrence Acad., Groton, Mass. ; law student, South Berwick, Me., and in Mass., 1811-14; lawyer, Saco", Me., from 1814; do., Portland, Me. ; member Mass. Legislature, 1819 ; U. S. Dist. Att'y, Me., 1821-33; U. S. Senator, 1833-6 ; Judge Sup. Ct, Me., 1836- 48; Ch. Just, do., 1848-55 ; — m. Anne Foster, June 10, 1816 ; d. Portland, Me., Jan. 15, 1877. LL.D. Colby Univ. 1842, and Dart. Coll. 1845. For 1876-7, page 1. 358 DR. NORMAN SMITH. CLASS OF 1825. Albert Smith : b. Peterboro, N. H., June 18, 1801 ; fitted for col lege, Groton, Mass.; engaged in business, Peterboro, 1825-9; medical student, Peterboro, Coll. Phys. and Surg., Bowd. Med. Coll. and Dart. Med. Coll., 1829-33 > M- D- Dart 1833 ; physician, Leo minster, Mass., 1833-8; do., Peterboro, 1838-78; Prof. Mat. Med. and Therap., Dart. Med. Coll., 1850-70; do. Emeritus, 1870-8; ¦pub. History of Peterboro, 1876; — m. Fidelia Stearns, of Jaffrey, N. H., Feb. 26, 1828; d. Peterboro, N. H., Feb. 22, 1878. For 1877-8, page 3. CLASS OF 1842. William Wood, son of Eli and Lucy (Rice) Wood, b. Henniker, N. H., Dec. 2, 1818. Fitted at Henniker Acad. Taught at South Wea're, N. H., 1842; Peru, N. Y., 1843. In Union Theo. Sem., 1844-7, grad- '47 ; ord. as miss, of A. B. C. F. M., at Henniker, July 8, 1847 ; miss, to the Marathas, India, stationed at Satara, 1847-72, being in U. S., 1862-4 ; res. No. Branford, Ct, from 1872. M. (1) July 11, 1847, Lucy Maria, dau. Curtis and Lucy (Merriam) Lawrence of Groton, Mass., who d. Aug. 13, 185 1, leaving 2 sons, now deceased ; (2) July 24, 1856, Eliza Maria, dau. Wm. P. and Eunice Elizabeth (Curtis) Howard of Pittsfield, Mass., who d. Nov. 18, 1859, a son dying before; (3) Apr. 10, 1865, Elizabeth Wood- hull, dau. Joseph and Harmony (Squires) Penny of Greenport, N. Y., who survives him, with no ch. D. Hartford, Ct, Feb. 22, 1887, of mental depression. For 1886-7, Page 7- DR. NORMAN SMITH. At my request the Reverend Charles Babbidge, D.D., has kindly furnished me with some of his recollections of Dr. Smith, who went out in the first campaign of the War of the Rebellion, as Surgeon of the Sixth Regiment of Massachu setts Volunteer Militia. It will be remembered that Dr. Bab bidge was the Chaplain of this regiment. See page 322 of this volume for a notice of Dr. Smith. DR. NORMAN SMITH. 359 Pepperell, January 5, 1889. Dear Dr. Green, — I had not forgotten that I promised to furnish such memoranda as I could, of Dr. Smith's share in the experiences of the Sixth Regiment, in their campaign of 1861. This regiment was the first to appear at Washington in an organ ized form, and the talk about any other troops being there before us is all bosh. On that April morning, when the soldiers of North Middlesex came together en route for Lowell, Boston and Washington, their hearts were cheered by the presence, and their souls lifted up by the loud and well-known laugh, of their surgeon. From the very start Dr. Smith was the life of the regiment. Going through Baltimore he and I sat together side by side in the leading car. The rebel taunts and insults, which were showered upon us, broke no windows and inflicted no wounds. We reached the station to ward Washington, and were ordered to remain quiet in our seats ; and a sentinel at the door took care that we did so. The Doctor was full of fight, however, and with a loaded revolver in his lap, seemed impatient to furnish some Baltimore surgeon with a case of gunshot wound, or to provide one for himself ; but, probably, the presence of the chaplain of the regiment, to say nothing of other pacifying influences, kept him quiet. At last we reached Washing ton, and there Dr. Smith's professional labors began, when thirty wounded men of our regiment .required his services. Had he been a classically educated man, he would have burst out with, Hie labor, hoc opus est; but luckily he knew as little of the ancient languages as he did of Sanscrit, and so he uttered no exclamation, but went at once to work among his wounded comrades. Throughout the campaign of nearly four months the same un tiring spirit of a judicious and shrewd aptness manifested itself. In the Capitol at Washington, a short time after our arrival, the Eighth Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, on filing into the rotunda, upset a stack of muskets, and one of them discharging sent a ball through the foot of Lieutenant Herrick, of Beverly. Dr. Smith, with characteristic impetuosity, without stopping to ask what sur geon should be called, had the man taken into his (our) room, — which was one belonging to the judges of the United States Su preme Court, — and almost before Herrick knew it, the foot was cut off. And in three weeks' time the patient was at his home attending to his business. I never can think or speak of Dr. Smith without being moved 360 PRINCE EDWARD'S VISIT. to merriment, as he was himself so much the embodiment of fun and humor ; and this was a providential blessing to his comrades. When all was darkness and gloom about us, the Doctor's boister ous laugh would make everything bright and joyous. On all occa sions he showed a devotion to duty and a readiness in emergencies which were highly to be commended ; and time would now fail to tell one half of what I could say in praise of the surgeon of the Old Sixth. Yours respectfully, Charles Babbidge. PRINCE EDWARD'S VISIT. There is a tradition, familiar to the older inhabitants of the town, that Prince Edward, afterward Duke of Kent and the father of Queen Victoria, in the early part of 1794, passed through Groton on his way from Canada to Boston. He is said to have tarried over night at the old Richardson tavern, which stood on the spot where the Baptist meeting-house now stands, and which in its day was a famous hostelry. Converse Richard son, the landlord, died, according to his tombstone, on March 8, 1 794, which was only three or four days after the Prince's visit ; and this fact tends to confirm the tradition that it was Mrs. Richardson who received the royal guest on his arrival at the inn. A bit of gossip and scandal has come down to the present time, connecting the good name of a Groton maiden with that of the royal traveller, which is hardly proper to be repeated here. In former years I have heard it from so many different sources that I am inclined to think there is some foundation for the story. Prince Edward had been stationed at Quebec, in com mand of a regiment, when he received an appointment to serve in the West Indies, and at once left Canada. He trav elled in some style, accompanied by his aids and body-guard, and crossed Lake Champlain on the ice, where two of his sledges broke through and were lost. He stayed at Burling ton during two or three days, and then left for Boston, where REV. SAMUEL DANA. 36 1 he arrived on February 6, 1794. The " Columbian Centinel," February 8, says : — On Thursday last, Prince Edward, son of his Brittanic Majesty, arrived in this town from Quebec. We are told that his Highness has lately been promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, and is to have a command in the army in the West-Indies. REV. SAMUEL DANA. The following biographical sketch of the Reverend Samuel Dana, minister of Groton from June 3, 1761, to May 15, 1775, is found in Daniel Franklin Secomb's History of Amherst, New Hampshire. It is a condensation of a Memoir, written by the Honorable Charles Humphrey Atherton, that appeared in the third volume of the Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society (pages 9-23). For other facts concerning Mr. Dana, see the preceding volume of this Historical Series (No. XIV. pages 13, 14). Hon. Samuel Dana entered the freshman class of Harvard College at the age of twelve years, and graduated four years later, having for classmates President John Adams, Governor John Went worth, and other noted men. After fitting for the ministry he received and accepted a call to settle in Groton, Mass., where he was ordained and installed 3 June, 1761. There he remained in office until 15 May, 1775, when the affections of many of his parishioners having become alienated from him on account of the course he saw fit to pursue in regard to the controversy between Great Britain and her American colo nies, he voluntarily relinquished his pastoral charge. He however remained in Groton engaged in the cultivation of a small farm, and, for some months, in 1780 and 1781, acted as the minister of a portion of the people, who, not pleased with his removal, had formed a new society. About this time a law library came into his possession, and from a perusal of the volumes he formed a taste for the investigation of legal matters. An attorney who boarded with him furnished him 362 REV. SAMUEL DANA. with some information in his investigations. In 1780 he spent some months in Amherst in the office of Joshua Atherton, Esq., from whom he received further instruction. In the fall of that year he purchased a small tenement of Mr. Atherton, into which he moved with his family in the spring of 1781. In the autumn following he was, on motion of Mr. Atherton, admitted to practice as an attorney in the court of common pleas, and soon came into full practice. In 1782 he purchased the farm and buildings of Samuel Stew art's heirs, at the west end of the Plain, which he occupied through out the remainder of his life. In November, 1782, he was chosen a delegate to the convention which framed the constitution of the state. Shortly after the adop tion of the constitution he was appointed a justice of the inferior court of common pleas, but declined to accept the office. In 1785 he was appointed register of probate for Hillsborough county, and held the office until 9 January, 1789, when he was appointed judge of probate. This office he resigned 21 December, 1792, saying, in the letter conveying his resignation, that " for the support of my family I am obliged to practice as an attorney, and there is danger that I may not always be able to distinguish between -a. fee to the attorney and a bribe to the judge." In 1793 he was chosen to the state senate to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Hon. Joshua Atherton. In this po sition he took an active part in procuring the passage of a law abolishing the courts of general sessions of- the peace. A few years before his death he procured the establishment of a lodge of Free Masons in Amherst, of which he was the first wor shipful master. This lodge held their meetings for some time in his house, where a hall was fitted up for their accommodation. His death, caused by typhus fever, violent in its attack and rapid in its progress, occurred 2 April, 1798, and his remains were en tombed with Masonic honors on the fourth, when Timothy Bigelow, of Groton, delivered a funeral oration. In his person Judge Dana was tall, spare, and very erect, except an inclination of the knees, which never deserted him when he was in a standing position. He had a blemish, occasioned by the small-pox, which had destroyed the sight of one of his eyes. His religious views were of the most liberal kind, and he was a kind friend and supporter of Rev. Mr. Barnard, the minister of the town. A CASE OF INSANITY. 363 His talents as a lawyer were above mediocrity, but many of the habits acquired in the ministry remained through life. A contem porary says, " Could a person have been placed so as to hear Judge Dana while he was addressing a jury, without distinguishing his words, not a shadow of doubt would remain in his mind that the speaker was engaged in devout and earnest prayer." In his will, written in 1795, the usual invocation to the Deity is omitted. No bequest of his soul and body or mention of his re ligious belief is made, the first instance it is believed in the county, says Hon. C. H. Atherton, of the omission of these supposed es sentials to a will. (Pages 876, 877.) A CASE OF INSANITY. Death Caused by Tight Lacing. — At the Lunatic Hospital, on Monday, died Mrs. Susan Gragg, aged 51 years, a native of Groton, Mass. The cause of her death is thus stated by Dr. Sted- man, physician of the Hospital : " Mrs. Gragg died of general de bility supervening on tight lacing and insanity." She had been for many years an inmate of the Poor House and Lunatic Hospital. Her figure was what is called genteel, and her vanity on this point probably led to tight lacing which is in part the cause of her death. Her insanity was of a very harmless character, and if allowed to make and wear head dresses, of extraordinary height, she was easily managed. While wearing these monster head dresses, she imagined that she was the queen of the world. " Daily Evening Traveller " (Boston), May 8, 1850. 364 MATTHIAS FARNSWORTH'S CAPTIVITY. MATTHIAS FARNSWORTH'S CAPTIVITY. Among the Massachusetts Archives (LXXI. 761) at the State House is a list of prisoners held by the French and Indians in Canada on March 5, 1710-11, wherein the name of Matthias Farnsworth appears. There is a reference to this list in " Groton during the Indian Wars " (page 109), where the statement is made that "it is unknown when Matthias Farnsworth was captured, and this entry appears to be the only record of the fact." Within a few days, through the kindness of Miss C. Alice Baker, of Cambridge, I have learned the date of his capture as well as some facts about his family. Miss Baker obtained them from the early parish records of Montreal, and she has placed them at my disposal. The account is as follows : — On January 10, 1706, was baptized Mathias Farnet, born at Groton, New England, in the year 1680 [1690?]. He was a son of Mathias Farnet, weaver, and of his wife Sara Nutting, and was captured in August, 1 704 ; at the time of baptism he was living at the Mission of Notre Dame de Lorette on the island of Montreal. His godfather was Claude de Ramezay, and his godmother was Elizabeth, wife of Charles Le Moyne, Baron of Longueuil. In a list of English and Dutch captives who ask for naturalization papers, dated Quebec, October 30, 1706, the name of " Mathieu Claude farnet " appears. The middle name was taken from the godfather. In another list of English captives who had taken out naturalization papers, dated May, 1710, the name of "Mathias Claude Farnet " is given. By the conditions of the process those who received the papers could not return to live in New England, without permission of the French king. In fact they obtained all the privileges of Canadian-born subjects, — they could inherit prop erty and dispose of it, — but had to be Roman Catholics. This account fays in neatly with the very few facts known about the Matthias Farnsworth family, Matthias, senior, was a weaver, and it seems natural that Matthias, junior, the boy's father, should have learned the same trade. The account gives also the maiden name of the mother, which until now has been MATTHIAS FARNSWORTH'S CAPTIVITY. 365 unknown to the present generation ; while the given name corresponds with that in the town-records. She was the daughter of John and Sarah Nutting, born at Groton on May 29, 1663. I think, however, that there is a mistake in the date of the boy's birth, as a contemporaneous entry in the County records at East Cambridge says that he was born on August 6, 1690, and there is no reason to doubt its accuracy. It would be very easy to confound the figure 9 with an 8. According to the record found in Canada, Matthias was captured in August,. 1704, during the early part of which month the town of Groton suffered somewhat from the depredation of the Indians. Samuel Penhallow, in-" The History ofthe Wars of New-England" (Boston, 1726), thus refers to this attack: — They afterwards fell on Lancaster, and Groaton, where they did some Spoil, but not what they expected, for that these Towns were seasonably strengthened. . . . And yet a little while after they fell on Groaton, and Nashaway [Lancaster], where they kill'd Lieut. Wyler [Wilder], and several more. (Pages 24, 25.) In the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society is a manuscript diary of John Marshall, of Braintree, which has the following entry: — The begining of this month of august [1704] the indians did mischeif at Lancaster Killed 3 or 4 persons burnt their meeting house : and did some harm allso at Groton. the same Week. Killed one or more : about 200 men went out after them who weer gone 20 days under major Taylor, but Returned Without doing any spoill on them. The attack on Lancaster was on July 31, and that on Groton probably within a day or two of the same time. According to John Shepley's petition, printed in "Groton during the Indian Wars " (pages 68, 69), three or four men were either killed or carried away from Groton in the summer of 1704 ; and perhaps Matthias Farnsworth was one of this number. They were in a field at the time, some reaping and others on guard, when they were attacked. The first volume of a Genealogical Dictionary of Canadian Families (in French), by the Abbe Cyprien Tanguay, was 366 JOHN FARNSWORTH'S FAMILY. v published in the year 1871, and since then four other volumes have appeared. This work gives some interesting particulars about many of the captives taken in New England, who after ward were naturalized in Canada ; and it refers by name to Lydia Longley (I. 9, 396) and to Matthias Farneth [Farns worth] (IV. 9), who both were born at Groton. In early times the use of a particular form of a surname, even in the same family, was not always uniform ; and it is easy to see, therefore, how Farnworth, which was the common way of writing the name at the beginning of the last century, should have become Farnet or Farneth in Canada. It is said that Matthias married ;• and if so, there may be now in that Province representatives both of his name and family. His wife without doubt was a French woman. He was a nephew of John Farnsworth, who is mentioned in the next article. Twelve years ago at St. Regis I saw descendants of the two Tarbell boys who were carried off by the Indians on June 20, 1707. These children assimilated in their mode of life with the captors, and afterward married squaws, and when they died they left a large posterity. The physical resemblance between some members of the family that I saw and their collateral kindred at Groton was very marked. JOHN FARNSWORTH'S FAMILY. Hannah Farnsworth, the signer of the following petition found among the Massachusetts Archives (XVII. 549), was the daughter of John and Sarah (Eliot) Aldus or Aldis, of Dedham, where she was born on July 4, 1666. She married, on December 8, 1686, John Farnsworth, — a son of Matthias, who was among the earliest settlers of Groton, — and they had a family of nine children. In his day and generation John was one of the foremost men of the town. He was an ensign in the militia, a constable and selectman for some time, and a representative in the General Court for seven years JOHN FARNSWORTH'S FAMILY. 367 (1708-1714), besides holding the office of deacon in the church. He died at Groton on October 17, 1729. In the old records of the town the name generally ap pears as Farnworth, which is the form used in the petition. It is evident from the articles enumerated in the paper that a century and a half ago five barrels of cider were considered a fair allowance for each adult, and that this New England bev erage was looked upon as a necessity of life. The Council and the House of Representatives failed to take concurrent action on the petition, though it was brought before them during two successive years. To His Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esquire, Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over His Maj esty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, To the Honourable His Majesty's Council, and House of Representatives, in General Court Assembled, at Boston June 7. 1738 Jatfy i' The Humble Petition of Hannah Farnworth Widow of John Farnworth, late of Groton Yeoman, Deceas'd. Sheweth, That their Son Joseph Farnworth of Groton Aforesaid, in and by a certain Bond under his Hand and Seal, bearing Date the 18th. of November r728. Bound himself in the Sum of Three Hundred Pounds to the said John Farnworth in his lifetime, Con ditioned for the said Joseph Farnworth's paying yearly unto his Father and Mother Farnworth as follows, Namely, Ten Barrels of Cider at Cider-Time, and Thirty Bushels of Indian Corn as soon as it is Merchantable, and Ten Bushels of Rie, and One Bushel of Salt before Winter, and Three Bushels of Malt in the Spring, And also to provide for One Horse and Two Cows Winter and Summer, And to Winter Eight Sheep, and also to give leave to get Wood on the Obligor's Ground, to maintain One Fire, during their Natural Lives, And to give them liberty to improve the Hemp Ground, and also to Cloath them both decently aud comfortably during the nat ural lives of them both, and to provide for them in Sickness, and to bear the funeral Charges of them both, And after the Decease of Either, then half so much Corn, and half so much Cider, and the whole of the other things mentioned, until the Decease of them both, 368 JOHN farnsworth's family. As will Appear by the said Bond, to be produced before Your Ex cellency and Honours. But Now, so it happens, May it Please your Excellency and Hon ours, — That yo' Petitioner's Husband, the only Obligee named in the Bond, Died, leaving his Two Sons Daniel and Joseph Farn- worth Executors of his Will — And altho' they did for some time continue to perform the Conditions of the said Bond, in part, Which Yo' Petitr acknowledges — Yet as to that part thereof which relates to providing for yor Petitioner in Sickness, they have been, and still are wholly negligent, and do refuse, in any measure to perform — As also for some time past, they have wholly neglected to perform any part of the said Conditions — So that Yo' Petit' in her great Age, and now in the Time of her Sickness is left under very diffi cult and distressing Circumstances — And not being an Obligee named in the said Bond — She can't put it in Suit against the Ad ministrator of the Obligor who is Deceased, and was One of the Ex ecutors to the Will, And the Other Executor refuses to do any thing in the Affair. — Wherefore Yo' Petitioner Humbly Prays Yo' Excel lency and Honours to Impower her, Or Samuel Corey of Littleton Yeoman, On her behalf, to put the said Bond in Suit against the said Joseph Farnworth's Executors or Administrators, And to Im power the Justices of the Inferiour Court for, and within the County of Middlesex, Or of the Superiour Court respectively to give Judg ment for your Pet- to recover against the said Joseph Farnworth's — Estate for the Provisions and other things mention [ed] in the Condition of the said Bond, which he Oblig[ed] himself to Provide for her, during her Life ; And that your Petit- or her said Attorney may be Authorized and Impowered to Sue for the same, as Fully and Effectually to all Intents and purposes in the Law, As if she had been an Obligee (with her Husband) in the said Bond ; That so she may not be deprived of the benefit thereof by her said Son Joseph Farnworth's Executors or Administrators ; Or that some Other Effectual remedy may be provided for her in this behalf — As to Yor Excellency] and Honours shall seem meet. ' And Yo- Petitioner, as in Duty Bound Shall Pray &c. Hannah Farnworth. height of some groton hills. 369 HEIGHT OF SOME GROTON HILLS. During the summer of 1887 a party of engineers employed by the United States Geological Survey perambulated the town of Groton and its neighborhood, and took the direction of the roads and the elevation of the hills, as a part of the topograph ical survey of the State, which was begun some years previ ously. They also laid down on their charts the brooks and ponds, and even the dwelling-houses along the roads. From time to time the result of their labors has been printed at Washington, on sheets or maps, under the authority of the Department of the Interior, which is conducting the work of the Geological Survey. Each sheet contains a group of towns, though without indicating their boundary lines, and each sheet is named after some central or prominent town in the group. The altitudes are shown by contour intervals of twenty feet, so that the various heights are represented within that distance. The Groton Sheet contains the following towns, which are here given in their geographical order : Leominster, Lancaster, Harvard, Littleton, Lunenburg, Shirley, Ayer, Groton, Town- send, Pepperell, and Dunstable, in Massachusetts, and Mason, Brookline, Hollis, and Nashua, in New Hampshire. Through the courtesy of Marcus Baker, Esq., who is connected with the Division of Geography at Washington, I am enabled to give the exact height of the prominent hills in Groton, as follows : — Chestnut Hills, 544 feet; Indian Hills, 524; Gibbet Hill, 516; Prospect Hill, 503 ; Snake Hill, 497 ; The Throne, 484 ; Brown Loaf, 448 ; Barralock Hill (north of Baddacook Pond), 422 ; a hill south of Wattle's Pond, 412 ; and a hill west of the southerly end of Baddacook Pond, 352 feet. Nonacoicus Hill in Ayer is 393 feet high ; a hill, near Shirley Village, ly ing in a northwesterly direction, 441 feet ; and a hill, perhaps two hundred rods west of Shirley Common, 463 feet. The measurement of these altitudes is taken from mean tide on the coast line. 37° verses. VERSES. The following rhymes were written many years ago by the late Aaron Perkins, of Groton, and were prompted by an in cident that had occurred a short time previously at Doody- ville, — a local name, now disused, — near the Junction. In February, 1850, the lines were printed on a slip for circula tion, and for a while had a certain notoriety in the town. Written at the Groton Junction, by a Passenger who came down in the Nashua Cars to take the Fitchburg Cars, but arrived one minute too late. Tune — " Yankee Doodle." Ten thousand streams of unction, sir, Would scarce redeem the rude man Who built this silly junction, sir, Or he who made the crude plan. If the sloth that comes from Nashua Don't get here quite in season, The Fitchburg hog will dash away, Nor wait to grunt a reason ; And leave poor souls against their will To wear away the hours here, Amid the gloom of Doodyville, With neither fruit nor flowers here. Nor is there gammon-board nor book, Nor swing nor bowling-alley ; Nor pleasant scenes on which to look, — Streams, mountains, lake or valley. But all we see is barren land, And heaps of wood and lumber, And iron rails, and rocks, and sand, And cars in any number. Some sleep, some smoke, and some relate The latest list of crimes, sir ; And one sits thumping his dull pate To thump off duller rhymes, sir. E'en now this place with fame is big ; For, sure as I'm a sinner, It is the spot where once a pig Did steal Squire Tinker's dinner. verses. 371 Some say 't was not exactly so, But, being of a feather, The Squire and pig sat toe to toe, And ate the swill together I And others say the pig ate first, And left the Squire but little, — A piece of mouldy squash-pie crust, And lickings of the kettle. But all agree that when they 'd done, , The Tinker seized pig's collar, And said, " You rascal, for your fun You '11 pay me half a dollar ! " Or I will go straight up to town And call at Lawyer Russell's, And he will send Will. Lewis down To seize your tail and bristles ! " The pig complied, and said, " I will ; So give me a receipt, sir, — Tho' oft I've dined on better swill Alone, to increase my weight, sir.'' The gen'rous Squire, when thus he found His chum was prompt and willing, He took but fifteen on the pound, — He gave him back a shilling ! Now all this hapt before the Squire Had lost his dear commission, Before he 'd felt the direful fire Of Nancy Reed's petition, Which threw the Tinker in the lurch, And sent him off a-meaching, To beg the blessings of the church From whom he steals his preaching. But 't was no use for this profane And wicked man to take on ; His whining prayers were all in vain, — They did not save his bacon. The Legislature — Hark ! the cars have come. 372 ADDENDA. — MARRIAGES. ADDENDA. " Nathaniel Payne, Esq. Groton," was a subscriber to " The Vision of Columbus " (Hartford, 1787), by Joel Barlow. The names of G. E. Abbot, Miss L. M. B. Abbot, and Miss S. B. Abbot, all of Groton, are found in the list of subscribers to William Henry Kilby's " Eastport and Passamaquoddy " (Eastport, Maine, 1888). See the preceding volume of this Historical Series (No. XVI. pages 11-16) for a "List of Subscribers to important books, etc.," and also pages 6y and 274 of this volume. The following names should be appended to the list of Justices of the Peace on page 33: — January 4, 1888, George Samuel Gates. February 15, 1888, Charles Jacobs. February 29, 1888, Frank Lawrence Blood. March 28, 1888, Moses Poor Palmer. March 28, 1888 Francis Marion Boutwell. Insert the following after the list of Senators on page 2 : — November 8, 1887, Honorable Moses Poor Palmer. November 6, 1888, Honorable Moses Poor Palmer. MARRIAGES. Isaac Woods and Eliza Shattuck at Groton, March 26, 1821. (Seepage 314.) Reuben Wyman and Sally Parker at Groton, April 15, 18 17. (See page 316.) GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1889. Historical Series, Vol. II., No. XIII. GROTON GARRISONS IN 1692. The New Hampshire Historical Society has among its manuscripts an original paper of considerable interest to several Massachusetts towns. It is a list of all the garrisons, including the names of the various families, within the town ships of Groton, Chelmsford, Lancaster, and Marlborough, dur ing the spring of 1692. The paper is distinctly written, and indorsed " Settlem? of the Garrisons in the W* Regiment of Midd* March. 169^." Without doubt the list was prepared as an official document, and came into the possession of the Historical Society, probably among the manuscripts of the late John Farmer, the antiquary. Many years ago Lemuel Shattuck examined it, and copied the part relating to Groton, which he published in the "Groton Herald," July 3, 1830, where it appears with some errors and omissions. This list was afterward reprinted in Mr. Butler's History of the town (page 91), though with other inaccuracies. It appears also in "Groton during the Indian Wars" (pages 59-61), taken from Mr. Shattuck's copy in the Herald, as that was the earlier one, and for that reason nearer the original and. pre sumably the more correct. In that book the sites of the various garrisons are given in a general way. The entire paper will appear in the next number (October) of "The New-England Historical and Genealogical Register." The following copy of the part relating to Groton is made from 374 groton garrisons in 1692. the original document, and a comparison with the other copies of this portion will show the variations : — Groton. March. 17th 1694. Ensign. Jn? Lakin and Jn? Paris. Widdow Blood Junf William Sanders Jn° Lakin Nathaniel Blood Jn? Allexander Benjamin Palmer & their familys. Capt, Parker and Samuel Parker James Parker [Jr.] Zac ; Parker ? 10. men William Longley Jn? Nutting Thomas Tarball James Robinson James Nutting, and their familys >¦ 11. men. Enoch Laurence and Lieut' Lakin and 3. sons Joseph Laurence Samuel Walner James Blood Jn? Shadock Samuel Kemp Daniel Barney & their familys William Green and Jn? Laurence Abigail Parker widdow Joshua Wheat 13. men. Samuel Church Joseph Parker Jn° Green Daniel Cade Jn? Page and's sons Samuel Woods sen' Thomas Woods and their familys. >• n. men. Jn? Farmworth and Mathew Farmworth Benjamin Farmworth Samuel Farmworth Widdow Farmworth Simon Stone Jn? Stone Nicholas Huchins & their familys. L! [Jonas] Prescoat Nathaniel Laurence James Knap Elias Barnes r 10. men. Samuel Scripture Ephraim Filbrook Daniel Peirce Jn? Barnes Steven Holding Jn? Perrum Samuel Davis & their familys. GROTON GARRISONS IN 1 692. 375 At M'. Hezekiah Samuel Bennet \ Usher's farm. Bennet and > 5. men. Three Souldiers. ) Widdow Sawtle with y"? Jn? Davis Nicholas Cade Cornelius Church Jn° Cade. Joseph Cade. Joshua Whitting [Whitney] Joshua Whitting Junr [Whitney] Peleg Laurence Jonathan Laurence James Fisk. Samuel Fisk. Robert Robins, and their familys. In all Thirty one men. (91 men) It will be noticed that the order in which these garrisons appear in the list differs somewhat from that given both by Mr. Shattuck and Mr. Butler ; and, moreover, this arrange ment conforms more nearly to their geographical position. The garrisons were places of rendezvous during times of danger, but they could not have well accommodated the whole population of the town, which at that period was probably between 300 and 350 inhabitants. I am not aware that there was then any special exigency, but I suppose that it was ar ranged beforehand where each family was to go when danger threatened, and that this assignment was the result. Many of the families mentioned in this list, afterward suffered severely, at different times, from the attacks of the Indians. James Parker, Jr., and his wife were killed in the assault on the town, July 27, 1694, and "several" of their children taken and carried off ; William Longley and his wife, Deliverance, with five children were also killed in the same attack, and three more of their children carried off in captivity ; Thomas Tarbell had two sons and a daughter taken on June 20, 1707, 376 THE PUBLIC WELL. who were carried to Canada where they remained; Enoch Lawrence was badly wounded, probably during the assault of July 27, 1694 ; Lieutenant William Lakin's house was attacked on July 27, 1694, when the Indians were driven back ; James Blood was killed by the " French and Indian enemy" on October 13, 1692 ; John Shattuck and his eldest son, John, were killed on May 8, 1709; Samuel Woods had two grandchildren killed in Lovewell's Fight at Pequawket, on May 8, 1725 ; Matthew [Matthias] Farnsworth had a son captured in the summer of 1704 and taken to Canada, where he afterward was married to a French woman, and never returned ; John Barnes [Barron] had a son wounded in Lovewell's Fight, and straying away from his comrades perished ; Stephen Houlding [Holden] and two of his sons were taken in the summer of 1697, and held as prisoners for nearly two years ; and John Davis was killed in his own door- yard, on October 25, 1704. THE PUBLIC WELL. The following facts concerning the public well in the village have been furnished mainly by Colonel Daniel Needham, and are of interest. It was through his enterprise and generosity that the well was dug, and for his services in the matter the public owes him a debt of lasting gratitude. The town pump is now so much of a local institution that any details connected with its history are worthy of preservation. The well is situated near the foot of Colonel Needham's lawn, at the junction of Main and Hollis Streets, and was dug during the summer of 1867, a remarkably dry season. The cost of sinking the well, independently of the stone, cover and the stone trough, was more than five hundred dollars ; and of this sum Colonel Needham paid six-tenths, and Ezekiel H. Higgins, Richard Pinckney Joy, Dr. Norman Smith, and William Jewett Boynton each paid one-tenth. Of these men Colonel Needham is now the sole survivor. DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP. 377 The depth ofthe well is twenty-eight feet ; the chamber or reservoir at the bottom is large and irregular, and seems to be in solid rock, although the water drips continually from the sides, showing the existence of numerous seams which are imperceptible to the naked eye. The first eight feet were excavated by picks and spades, and the remaining portion was blasted out with powder. The blasting was done under the supervision of John Simonds, and no accident occurred as the result of this part of the work, although there were on an average three blasts daily during much of the time. When the springs are full, the depth of water measures about twenty feet, but during a drought this is reduced to four feet, more or less. The water is very cold and clear, and excellent for drinking purposes, and is used the year round by many house holds in the neighborhood, who have no other source of supply. In dry seasons more than thirty families are depend ent upon the well for their water. The stone cover and trough were placed at the expense of Colonel Needham. The elm overshadowing the pump, also, has a history which is worth saving. It was set out many years ago by Curtis Shepley, who is still remembered by some of the older people of the town. In November, 1844, a large building was moved from Hollis Street to the corner of Main and Court Streets, and became known as Liberty Hall. During the removal this structure remained one night over the small tree, pressing it to the ground. On the next day, after the building had passed along, the elm righted itself and has stood there ever since, though it still has a marked inclination or list to the westward, as the direct result of the harsh treatment it received forty-five years ago. Hollis Street, where it branches off from Main Street at this point, according to the North Star, runs very nearly north and south. DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP. The following advertisement is found in the "Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier," Npvember 16, 1855, and ex- 378 . PETITION FOR A TURNPIKE. plains itself. Few persons in Groton now remember the existence of such a partnership, but this reminder will call it again to their recollection. The firm carried on the business of making dry hop yeast at the " Community," as the neigh borhood of the Groton School was then called. Mr. Richards claimed to be the original inventor of this domestic article. The industry was subsequently transferred to the Junction, and finally sold out to Abel Prescott. Mr. Richards is now dead, and the two other partners recently were living at the West. DISSOLUTION OF COPARTNERSHIP. nPHE copartnership heretofore existing under the name and style ¦*¦ of J. Richards & Co., at Groton, Massachusetts, is this day dissolved by mutual consent. All debts due the late firm are to be paid to and settled by Joseph Richards, and all outstanding demands against the Company to any and all individuals whatsoever are to be paid by said Joseph Richards. Noah Dutton, A. M. Billings, Joseph Richards. Groton, Mass., Nov. 8th, 1855. NOTICE. HPHE business heretofore carried on by Joseph Richards & Co., at Groton, will be continued by Joseph Richards, under the name of J. Richards & Co. Joseph Richards. Groton, Nov. 8th, 1855. PETITION FOR A TURNPIKE. The following petition and order are found in the " Colum bian Centinel" (Boston), June 22, 1808, and explain them selves. As an outcome of the petition, the General Court, on March 3, 1809, passed an Act establishing the Groton and Pepperrell Turnpike Corporation, for the purpose of laying PETITION FOR A TURNPIKE. 379 out a road from Groton to some point in the State line, most convenient to the meeting-house in Milford. See the preced ing volume of this Historical Series (No. V. page 6) for a copy of the Act. Legislation of this character suggests a con trast between the conveniences of travelling at the beginning of the century and at the present day. Pepperell used to be spelled with two " r's,'' a way of writing the word, which agrees with that of Sir William Pepperrell, after whom the town was named ; but the second " r " has now been dropped for many years. To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the Com monwealth of Massachusetts in General Court assembled, TT UMBLY shew the undersigned, that the road from Groton, in the County of Middlesex, to Milford, in the County of Hillsborough, in New-Hampshire, is circuitous, hilly and rocky, and that to make a direct, and convenient road from one of these towns to the other would be a greater expense than the towns through which it must necessarily pass, would conveniently bear ; and that such road would be of great use and convenience to the public: — Wherefore, your petitioners pray, that they and such other persons as may associate themselves with them, may be made and constituted a body politic, with usual powers and privileges of a Turnpike Corporation, for the purpose of making a Turnpike Road from or near the burying place in Groton to such point in the line of New-Hampshire, as will be in the nearest convenient route from said burying ground, to the meeting-house in said Milford. And as in duty bound will ever pray. OLIVER PRESCOTT and 12 others. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In Senate, June 8, 1808. ON the petition of Oliver Prescott, and others praying that they may be incorporated for the purpose of making and keeping in re pair, a Turnpike Road from the burying place in Groton, to such point in the line of New-Hampshire, as will be in the nearest con venient route from said burying place, to the Meeting-House in Milford, in the county of Hillsborough, in the State of New-Hamp shire, Ordered, that the petitioners cause an attested copy of their petition, with this order thereon, to be published in the Centinel and 380 THE SECOND MEETING-HOUSE OF GROTON. Democrat printed in Boston, three weeks successively, the last pub lication to be thirty days at least, before the third Wednesday of the third session of the present General Court, that all persons in terested may then appear and shew cause (if any they have) why the prayer of said petition should not be granted. And that Silas Holman, of Bolton, Simon Hartwell, of Littleton, and John L. Tut tle, of Concord, Esquires, be a committee, at the expense of the petitioners, to view the route proposed, and all other routes shewn to them. Said committee to give seasonable notice of the time and place of their meeting, and report their doings in the premises to the Legislature as above expressed. Sent down for concurrence, H. G. OTIS, President. In the House of Representatives, June 8, 1808. Read and concurred, TIMOTHY BIGELOW Speaker. A true copy — Attest, N. Coffin, Clerk of Senate. fune 10, 1808. The Committee mentioned in the foregoing Order, will meet at Hall &* Child's Inn, in the said Groton, on Tuesday, the 30th day of August next, at 10 o'clock, A. M., for the purpose of completing the business of their appointment, and all persons interested are requested to govern themselves accordingly. SILAS HOLMAN, per order. " Hall & Child's Inn," mentioned in the last paragraph, is now known as the Central House, and still kept as a tavern. THE SECOND MEETING-HOUSE OF GROTON. On October 9, 1682, the town of Dunstable, according to Fox's History (page 49), voted an appropriation of money " toward the building of a meeting house, which is to be built within one year after the date hereof, according to the dimen sions of the meeting-house at Groton." The vote was passed many years before the new Provincial line was drawn, which divided the township of Dunstable and left a considerable part of its territory in Massachusetts, while a larger portion went to New Hampshire. The site of the Dunstable meeting house, built with this appropriation, comes now within the LAND BANK COMPANY. 38 1 limits of the city of Nashua, and is near the old Burying Ground, situated on the Lowell road, less than a mile north of the State line. At the time of the vote the Groton meeting house, which had been built after the return of the inhabitants subsequent to the destruction of the town by the Indians, was either just finished or nearly so; and it might well have served as a model for another small settlement. Mr. Butler, in his History (page 142), speaks of this house of worship, and says : The site of the second meeting-house is well known. It stood at the northeast corner of what is now called the old common, a few rods northerly of school-house No. 14 [Chaplin]. Within forty years last past [dating back from 184S, when the book was published], the lines upon which the underpinning lay were distinctly visible, so that the length and breadth of the building could have been accu rately measured. But the soil has since been removed, so that no trace remains. Mr. Butler's statement is fully confirmed by the testimony of the late Charles Woolley, who passed his boyhood within a few rods of the place, and remembered well the lines of the foundation ; and by the late Samuel William Rowe, who also passed his childhood near the same spot, and was familiar with the traces of the site. Their early recollections on this point were clear and distinct, and they corroborate the statement. Mr. Woolley was born in Boston on August 4, 1802, and died in Waltham on October 30, 1886 ; and Mr. Rowe was born in Groton on June 13, 1803, and died there on January 15, 1884. LAND BANK COMPANY. In the " Supplement to the Boston Evening-Post. No. 543," January 6, 1746, is a long list of names, comprising 835 per sons who were interested in the Land Bank or Manufactory Scheme, together with the amount of the assessments made on them in order to redeem the bills outstanding at that time. 382 AN UNCLOSETED SKELETON. The following Groton men appear in the list with the several sums set against their names : Isaac Parker ^5 David Gould 3 Benjamin Farnsworth 2 Isaac Farnsworth 2 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS TO IMPORTANT BOOKS, ETC. The names of the Honorable Timothy Bigelow, Samuel Dana, and Samuel J. Prescott, all of Groton, are printed at the end of " Washington's Political Legacies" (Boston, 1800), as subscribers to the work. In the first American edition of Daniel Neal's History of the Puritans, published in five volumes, — of which the first one appeared in the year 1816, and the last in 181 7, — the name of "Mr. James D. Farnsworth, Groton," is given in the list of subscribers at the end of the fifth volume. Mr. Farns worth was then a student at Harvard College, where he grad uated in the Class of 18 18. See the preceding volume of this Historical Series (No. XVI. pages 11-16), and also pages 67, 274, and 372 of this volume, for references to the same subject. AN UNCLOSETED SKELETON. In the "Atlantic Monthly" (LX. 433) for October, 1887, there was published a story entitled " An Uncloseted Skele ton," which was written jointly by Miss Lucretia Peabody Hale and Mr. Edwin Lassetter Bynner. The point of the story turns on these facts : A bundle of letters was found in a chest of drawers bought by one of the editors at the clearing out of an old house in Boylston Place, Boston ; and about the same AN UNCLOSETED SKELETON. 383 time some loose letters were discovered behind a joist in the chimney closet at the dismantling of the Tavern Club, only a stone's throw from Boylston Place, which were given by a member of the Club to the other editor. Soon afterward it was found by chance that these different letters were parts of one and the same correspondence, carried on at intervals dur ing the years 1 832-1 834, and that they belonged together. By their light an old-time family skeleton was exposed. They told of an engagement between two young people, Ralph and Rachel, and how it was broken off at the very foot of the altar when they were about to be married. At this stage of the story, Rachel, prostrated by the shock and threatened with brain fever, retired to Groton, where she had previously visited (page 447). As the name of William Sullivan — whose father at one time was a resident of Groton — is mentioned casually in one ofthe letters (page 434), it occurred' to me that there might be a grain of truth at the bottom of the story, but I am told by Mr. Bynner, one of the writers, that the narrative is pure fiction from beginning to end. Groton Junction. Quite a village is growing up at Groton Junction, where the Fitchburg, Nashua and Worcester railroads in tersect, and where the Peterboro and Shirley and Stony Brook rail roads branch off to Mason and Lowell. A number of houses are built each year, and there are some manufacturing establishments in operation, particularly a large establishment for the manufacture of agricultural implements. A meeting-house has recently been erected in the village, a society having been formed under the preaching of Rev. David Fosdick, Jr., who was formerly settled over the Hollis street church, in Boston. "Bunker-Hill Aurora and Boston Mirror" (Charlestown), July 28, 1855. "A brakeman named Oliver Chapman, was on Monday even ing knocked from the top of a car, on the Peterboro' and Shirley Railroad, as it was passing under a bridge between Groton Junction and West Groton, and was instantly killed. The deceased belonged in Sterling, was 22 years old, and unmarried. " Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier," August 31, 1855. 384 CELEBRATION AT GROTON, JULY 4, 1808. CELEBRATION AT GROTON, JULY 4, 1808. The following account of a Fourth of July celebration is found in the " Columbian Centinel," July 13, 1808. It took place under the auspices of the Federalists, and was perhaps prompted by a similar celebration of the Democrats on July 4, 1807. At that period the two political parties in Groton . were very evenly divided, though with a slight preponderance toward the Federalists, and partisan feeling ran high. Mr- Moore, the orator of the day, was a young lawyer of Groton, and later the postmaster of the town. The address of the preceding year was delivered by the Honorable Samuel Dana, another lawyer of Groton, who -had previously been the postmaster, and it was subsequently printed. See page 176. At GROTON — mass. ' I "HE rising sun was welcomed with the usual salute of 17 guns — a procession was formed, composed of the Rev. Clergy, Civil and Military Officers, the Preceptor and Students of the Academy, and a numerous collection of citizens of Groton, and adjacent towns ; which was escorted to the Meeting-House by the Concord Artillery under Capt. Churchill, a platoon of the Groton Artil lery, under Lt. Carleton, * and a company of Infantry, com manded by Capt. [Luther] Lawrence. The Rev. Mr. Chaplain [sic] made a devout and fervent prayer; several excellent pieces of music were performed ; and an elegant, spirited and patriotic Oration was delivered by Abraham Moore, A. B. At table the following toasts were given, and echoed by discharges of artillery: — 1. The day we celebrate — The monarch may forget he sways a sceptre ; the prisoner that he wears a chain ; but an American will never forget the 4th of July. [Hail Columbia. 2. George Washington — whose memory is embalmed in the hearts of his countrymen. May his principles and example be venerated by his successors. [ Washington' s March. * Capt. [James] Lewis, of the Groton Artillery, (a demo.) tho' cotirteously invited to appear with his company to celebrate the day, which gave our country birth, not only meanly denied Lieut. [Solomon] Carleton and his company the use of the cannon on the occasion, but unsuccessfully endeavored to dissuade many from the celebration. CELEBRATION AT GROTON, JULY 4, 1808. 385 3. The Statesmen and Warriors of our Revolution. Gratitude to the surviving ; to the departed, peace. [Dirge. 4. The Militia of our Country — The palladium of our liberties; alike ambitious to adorn the character of the citizen and soldier. [Soldier's Joy. 5. Massachusetts — Convalescent from a shorty?/ of democratic mania ; of a sound heart and strong constitution ; but a little giddy in the head. [Crazy Jane. 6. Governor Sullivan. — In discharging the functions of his office, may he listen to the advice of his Council. [Oh ! listen then. 7. Commerce — May the oaks of our forests soon be converted into 74's, to protect ii from its worst enemies, the invincible gun-boats. [Here a sheer hulk, 6rc. 8. Agriculture, the twin sister of Commerce — The " unseen hand " that rudely violates the one, despoils the other. [Speed the Plough. 9. The Times — May they open the eyes of the blind. [Devil's Dream. 10. Office seekers — Abundance of bread and fish to all, who sacrifice their principles, for the loaves and fishes. [Nothing but a place. n. The Sun of Federalism — The northern limb just emerged from an eclipse by the moon of Democracy — may we soon behold its whole disk in original splendor. [Lucky Escape. 12. The American Eagle — May he wing his way undisturbed by crowing of the Gallic Cock, or the roaring of the British Lion. \Federal March. 13. The speculations of modem Philosophy — Harmless when plan ning dry docks, and describing salt mountains ; but destructive when contriving embargo laws. [The heavy hours are almost past. 14. Col. Pickering, the Daniel of Massachusetts — He has weighed Belshazzar in a " balance," and verily the King is " found wantino-." [Kick the beam. 15. John Quincy Adams — "Elections are the test of con fidence, and their periodical return a check on its abuse." [/'// set me down and cry. 16. The memory of Col. Wm. PRESCOTT, and the brave officers and soldiers of this vicinity ; who on the heights of Charlestown, first taught British veterans to respect American valor. [Gen. Green's March. 386 GROTON FARMERS' AND MECHANICS' CLUB. 17. The reverend Clergy — May the diffusion of piety and virtue, the object of their care, be the reward of their exertions. [Adams and Liberty. VOLUNTEERS. 1. The Orator of the Day — Our hearty thanks for his oration — elegant in style, glowing in sentiment, dignified in principle. 2. The Officers and Soldiers of the Concord Artillery — Were all our citizens as generous, magnanimous and brave, we should never want cannon to proclaim our festivity, or to repel an invader. 3. The American Seamen — Turned adrift, and tossing on the ocean of distress, without ballast or provisions — may they find safety and succour in the haven of Federalism. 4. The next fourth of July — May it find us free, prosperous, and happy. Harmony in sentiment prevailed, the strictest decorum was ob served, and festive joy gladdened every heart. GROTON FARMERS' AND MECHANICS' CLUB. The following account of the first Annual Fair of the Groton Farmers' and Mechanics' Club is taken from the " Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier,'' October 5, 1855. Mr. Flint, who delivered the address on the occasion, was a graduate of Harvard College in the Class of 1849, ano^ afterward became a prominent writer on agricultural subjects. During many years he furnished for the "Old Farmer's Almanack" the farmer's calendar, so called, which appears under each month of that publication. Mr. Flint was born at Middleton, Mas sachusetts, on May 8, 1824, and died at Hillman, Georgia, where he had gone for his health, on February 26, 1889. See page 86 of this volume for a reference to the formation of an Agricultural Society at Groton. This society held its first annual fair on Friday, Sept. 28. The address was delivered by Charles L. Flint, Esq., secretary of the board of agriculture. Speeches were made on the occasion by ex- Gov. Boutwell, A. A. Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, and Rev. Mr. QUEEN ANNE'S WAR. 387 Babbidge of Pepperell. Good feeling prevailed, and the club sep arated with the conviction that it was good for them that they had thus met together. We are glad to chronicle the growing interest in agriculture, which is all around us manifesting itself. Farmer clubs and associations are capable, if rightly managed, of becoming to the farmer what a properly conducted family circle is, to a family of children. Home inspection, a good degree of emulation, and a determination not to be behind one's neighbor, according to the advantages presented, will make better farmers of all. QUEEN ANNE'S WAR. I am indebted to the courtesy of Robert C. Winthrop, Jr., Esq., for a copy of the following letter, which is preserved among the Winthrop Manuscripts. It was written by the Reverend Dudley Bradstreet, minister of the town, to his kinsman Governor Joseph Dudley, and tells plainly the story of hardships suffered by the inhabitants. The Governor was a great-uncle of the minister. For other details connected with the removal of families near this period, see " Groton during the Indian Wars " (page 102). Groton July uit [last day]. 1706. May it please your Excellency Neither my imploym15 or inclination leads me to intermeddle w* Civill affairs but as I am und' some ingagements at this place, and in all regards wish its prosperity, I could not but think it proper to observe to your Excellency (since no one hath already don it) that the languishing circumstances this people are undr are like to drive many of our principal inhabitants out of Towne to places of more security ; One already drawne off, and more Expected daily to fol low ; which not only tends to the ruin of the Towne, But to ye Damage of the province, in bringing our frontiers nearf to our Cen tre, and to the incouragm' of the Enemy, having given your Excel lency this information I humbly refer this poor place to your farther Care, and protection, and myself particularly to your favour, and am Your Excellencys, most Obed' Serv' D Bradstreet. 388 MRS. SARAH BRAZER BERRY. MRS. SARAH BRAZER BERRY. The following article is taken from " The Evening Star " (Washington, D. C), March 23, 1889, but it is inaccurate in the statement that Mrs. Berry was born at Groton ; and furthermore her father's name was not Charles, as stated, but John. Her remains were buried in New Jersey. See page 64 of this volume for an allusion to her father. MRS. BERRY'S FUNERAL. brief mention of the life of a remarkable woman. Simple funeral service will be held at All Souls' Unitarian church, at 4 o'clock this afternoon, in memory of Mrs. Sarah B. Berry, who died at the Columbia hospital yesterday morning. The last twenty-five years of Mrs. Berry's life were spent in Washing ton. She was of Massachusetts birth, having been born in Groton, seventy years ago, and she has always drawn to her house a com pany of New England people. Her grandfather was the somewhat noted " Squire " Brazer, of Groton, and her father, Charles [John] Stuart, was a brilliant lawyer in his day. Her brother of the same name was the first scholar in Sumner's class in Harvard college. While still under twenty she went to New Orleans, where she mar ried James Sill, an Englishman of means, but was left a widow in a few months. The story of her life from this time is one of adven ture and romance. Her husband left her a large life insurance, but she voluntarily surrendered it to his creditors, leaving herself nearly penniless. During the yellow fever plagues of those years she was one of the bravest and most tireless of nurses. In 1849, with a party of New Orleans people, she made the overland journey to California and was one of the first women to enter San Francisco. Her second husband, whom she had married in a Mexican church during the journey overland, died soon after reaching the coast. She returned to New York just before the war with a considerable fortune, which she had gathered on the slope, but her patriotic con tributions and her charities quickly exhausted this, and in 1865 she came to Washington and took the historic house on G street, which is now occupied by the Riggs house annex. The people whom she drew about her there have always remained her friends, and the same may be said of those who have known her in her more recent SOME INDIAN NAMES. 389 home on L street. Mrs. Berry has few relatives surviving. Among them is Lieutenant-Commander Joseph G. Eaton, of the navy, who was with her at the last and who will carry her body north at the close of the services this afternoon. MARRIAGE. In Groton, the 29th uit. John Stuart, Esq. att'y at law, of New buryport, to Miss Sarah Taylor Brazer, only daughter of James B. Esq. of G. " Columbian Centinel " (Boston), July 1, 1809. A LAWSUIT. The following account of a trial is found in the " Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier," April 28, 1854. The parties interested in the suit were Lafayette Blood and Joseph San derson, and the cause of the litigation was connected with the sale of a farm in the neighborhood of Nod. It was several years before all the disputes growing out of the case were finally settled. Supreme Judicial Court. The action of Blood vs. Sanderson, both of Groton, occupied the Court the whole of Friday, Saturday and Monday, and went to the jury at 6 1-2 o'clock Monday night. The action was for the recovery of a note for $1 700,00. — The de fence was that the note was a forgery. There was a great amount of very hard swearing on both sides. The jury, after being out about five hours, were discharged, not being able to agree. They are reported to have stood 9 for plaintiff and 3 for defendant. J. G. Abbott for plaintiff — G. F. Farley for defendant. SOME INDIAN NAMES. The Reverend John Wilson, first minister of Boston, owned two large tracts of land in what is now Merrimack, New Hampshire, but which then came within the limits of Massachusetts. They contained, both together, one thousand 390 SOME INDIAN NAMES. acres ; and Mr. Wilson's title was confirmed by the General Court, at a session beginning on October 16, 1660. A grant was made to him during the summer of 1639, more than twenty years previously ; but, owing to " seuerall disappoint ments," the land had been neither surveyed nor selected. In the Suffolk Registry of Deeds there is a record of the sale of this land, on December 3, 1660, to Simon Lynde, a merchant of Boston ; and as the description of the property mentions three Indian names, of which two are still in use, I make the following extract from the deed, in order to show their antiquity and to prolong their continued application : — one thousand acres of land bee it more or lesse scittuated lying & being about tenn miles more or lesse from Groatten being laid out in two seuerall places (to witt) three hundred acres of meadow & vpland lying at or vpon pennechuck brooke neere South eggenocke Riuer bounded w"1 the wildernes & a pond lying towards the southwest Cor ner thereof and the bound tree marked wth the Letter L and seuen hundred acres of meadow & vpland and entervaile scittuat lying & being about one mile & halfe Distant from the aforementioned three hundred acres of land vpon Southheaganock Riuer aforesajd the Riuer Runing thr° the Same and the place Called by the Indians Quo= qunna=pussackessa nay-noy bounded vpon the westward wth the land or farme of Cap1 wm Dauis of Boston easterly : (Suffolk Deeds, Liber III. page 449.) Both Pennichuck Pond in Hollis, New Hampshire, and Pennichuck Brook, running from the pond into the Merrimack River and forming the boundary line between the city of Nashua and the town of Merrimack, keep one of these three names familiar to the present generation. " South eggenocke " and " Southheaganock " — different forms of the same word — represent another of these names, which is now known as " Souhegan " and applied to a well-known river in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. The name " Quo=qunna=pussack- essa nay=noy," as given in the deed, is written " quohquima= paskessa=nahnoy " in the General Court records ; and these two forms of an Indian word are sufficiently similar to estab lish their identity. I am not aware that any trace of this name still survives in the geographical nomenclature of the ADDENDA. 39 1 neighborhood. The "pond lying towards the southwest Corner " of the first parcel of land mentioned in the deed, is Pennichuck Pond, and so called in the Colonial records. Geographical names of Indian origin furnish now one of the few links in New England that connect modern times with the prehistoric period. In the absence of any correct standard either of pronunciation or spelling, which always characterizes an unwritten language, these words have been greatly distorted and changed, and thus have lost much of their original meaning, but their root generally remains. As the shards that lie scattered around the sites of old Indian dwellings are eagerly picked up by the archaeologist for criti cal examination, so any fragmentary facts about the Indian names of places are worth saving by the antiquary and scholar for their historical and philological value. Dr. Green's remarks before the Massachusetts Historical Society, May 9, 1889. ADDENDA. In the account of the Bi-centennial Celebration at Groton, on October 31, 1855, given in the preceding volume of this Historical Series (No. XVIII. page 7), it is stated that Joseph Fletcher Hall and Harvey Alpheus Woods were the only two survivors among those acting as Vice-Presidents on that occasion. Since then, however, both these gentlemen have died, — Mr. Hall, at Groton on January 12, 1889, and Mr. Woods, at Ayer on February 8, 1889. Mr. Hall was the son of Joseph Fletcher and Sally (Moors) Hall, and born at Groton, on October 12, 18 15 ; and Mr. Woods was the son of Robert and Hannah (Warren) Woods, and born at Townsend, on September 30, 1806. William Amory, the writer of "Reminiscences of Groton during the years 1823 and 1824," which comprised the first number of Volume I. of this Historical Series, died in Bos ton, on December 8, 1888; and Elizur Wright, the writer of "Reminiscences of Groton during the years 1826 and 1827," which comprised the second number of the same volume, died in Medford, on November 21, 1885. 392 LIST OF DEATHS. LIST OF DEATHS. The following list of Deaths is taken from the " Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier," of the respective dates, as enumerated : — In Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, Nov. 17th, of consumption, G. B. Lawrence, of Groton, Mass. He had been on the island about six weeks. [A son of Asa and Betsey (Bennett) Lawrence, who was born at Groton, on August 17, 1828.] In Groton, Feb. 7, Emeline, daughter of Jeremiah Kilbourn, aged 31. February 17, 1854. In Groton, April 5, Maj. William Dalrymple, aged about 75 years. April 14, 1854. In Groton, July 13, of consumption, Oliver Derby, aged 63 years. [Vermont papers please copy. July 21, 1854. In Groton, Mary, wife of Abel Farnsworth, 70. January 18, 1856. In N. Orleans, Mr. Jacob Woods, Mt. 27, a native of Groton, (Mass.) [A son of Abel and Anna Woods, who was born at Groton, on June 21, 1782.] "Columbian Centinel" (Boston), September 13, 1809. In Harvard, 5th inst. suddenly, Mrs. Susannah Bemis, Mt. 30, wife of the Rev. Mr. Bemis, of H. and daughter of the Rev. Mr. Chaplin, of Groton. "Columbian Centinel" (Boston), October 17, 1810. See page 68 of this volume for a record of Mrs. Bemis's marriage. At Zanesville, Ohio, April 27, Julia A., wife of James Thompson, Esq., formerly of Groton, Mass. " Bunker-Hill Aurora and Boston Mirror" (Charlestown), May 12, 1855. fire-engine "torrent," 1802. GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1889. Historical Series, Vol. II. , No. XIV. THE GROTON FIRE DEPARTMENT. The first fire-engine in Groton was made in the year 1802 by Loammi Baldwin, Jr., then a law-student in the office of the Honorable Timothy Bigelow, but who afterward be came a civil engineer. He was a son of Loammi and Mary (Fowle) Baldwin, and born at Woburn, on May 16, 1780; and after his graduation at Harvard College in the Class of 1800, he came to Groton in order to study the pro fession of law. Like many others he does not seem to have found out at the start his proper calling, as his tastes were naturally for mechanical science and the kindred arts. While following his studies here, a house, situated just south of the Academy grounds, was burned down in the winter time, and there was no fire-engine to stop it. The neighbors had to fight the flames as best they could, with snow as well as water. By this incident he became so impressed with the need of an engine in Groton, that with his own hands he constructed the first one the town ever had. This identical machine, known for a long time as Torrent, No. 1, is still serviceable after a use of more than eighty-seven years, and will throw a stream of water over the highest roof in the town. It was made in Jonathan Loring's shop, then opposite to Mr. Boynton's black smith-shop, where the ironwork was done. The tub is of copper, and bears the date "1802." Mr. Baldwin, soon after this time, gave up the practice of law, and became dis tinguished in his new profession. 394 GROTON FIRE DEPARTMENT. The following description of the engine is found in " The Firemen's Standard " (Boston) for April, 1884 : — The old " machine " has a quaint appearance with its copper tub on which is inscribed its name, Torrent, No. 1, and its ancient tool box which bears the date of its birth, 1802. The said tub is three feet six inches long, two feet two inches wide, and twenty-two inches deep. On its bottom rests an oak plank in which are set the valves and in which stand the brass cylinders and air chamber, the former of which being each, five inches in diameter and sixteen inches high. A gooseneck on the top of the air chamber serves as the outlet for the water and a reel is attached to the hind part of the tub capable of carrying one hundred feet of two-inch hose, the first supply of which was made at the harness shop and sewed with waxed thread (page 4). Among the active members of Torrent Company, nearly fifty years ago, was Elijah Tracy, a deaf-mute, who attended the stated, meetings, and turned out at the fires, with as much regularity as his more favored comrades. At two different times within fifteen years, Torrent, No. 1, has done most excellent service in putting out fires, and it is the testimony of all acquainted with the facts, that on each of these occasions it prevented a serious conflagration. Notably this was so at a fire which took place early on Sunday morn ing, October 26, 1884, when a dwelling-house, owned by An drew Robbins, was burned down. At this time Mr. Dix's buildings, in very close proximity, were in great danger, but they were saved through the efforts of the Fire Department and the use of the old engine, which was worked to good advantage in narrow quarters, where the other engine could not be taken. The other occasion was when Walter Shat tuck's store was burned down on November 17, 1874 ; and by means of this engine the Congregational meeting-house was saved from destruction. Torrent, No. 1, until recently, was housed at the end of a row of horse-sheds, near the First Parish Meeting-house, but in the year 1885 it was transferred to West Groton, for the protection of that part of the town. It was there placed in the charge of a volunteer company of young men ; and on GROTON FIRE DEPARTMENT. 395 April 5, 1886, the town voted to authorize the Board of En gineers to form a permanent company in that village, which was accordingly done, with the volunteer association as a nucleus. The engine has been re-christened, and is now known as the Squannacook. An engine-house, next to the new church on Groton Street, has been built, which was formally opened with appropriate ceremonies, on the evening of December 30, 1887. In the upper story is a hall for public meetings, where on January 6, 1888, the Company gave a ball. A pamphlet was printed (Ayer, 1887, i2mo, pp. 8), entitled " Constitution and By-Laws of Squannacook Engine Co. No. 2, West Groton, Mass.," which sets forth the rules of their government. The Union Engine Company was organized in the spring of 1830, and the immediate occasion of its formation was the series of incendiary fires that occurred during the year 1829. Presumably the name of the Engine Company was taken from the Union Congregational Church in the immediate neighbor hood ; and the engine was housed at the easterly end of the horse-sheds, situated on the northerly side of the Meeting house. For an account of these fires, see the first volume of this Historical Series, No. IX. page 24, and No. XIX. page 24, and also page 5 1 of the present volume. The following notice in the " Groton Herald," May 8, 1830, is addressed to the subscribers for the engine : — TAKE NOTICE. THE Subscribers to the New Engine are hereby requested to meet at Alexander's Hotel, MONDAY the 10th inst. at 6 oclock, P.M. to hear the report of their Committee, chosen for the purpose of purchasing an Engine, and to transact any other business which they may think expedient. ELIJAH WHITON, ) „ J ' y Committee. T. A. STAPLES. ) Groton, May 8, 1830. A Board of Engineers of the Fire Department was origi nally appointed in April, 1875, by the Selectmen, in accord- 396 GROTON FIRE DEPARTMENT. ance with Chapter 35 of the Public Statutes. Their first Report was made in the spring of 1876, and is printed in the Town Report of that year. A new engine, known as the Law rence, was bought in August, 1875, and is kept in the Town House. The following is a list of the Chief Engineers, with the dates of their several appointments, which are made by the Selectmen : — April 10, 1875 April 22, 1876 April 24, 1877 April'22, 1878 April 13, 1879 April 17, 1880 April 20,*i88i April 21, 1882 March 20, 1883 March 29, 1884 March 18, 1885 March 15, 1886 March 26, 1887 April 2, 1888 . April 1, 1889 . George Sumner Graves. Charles Blood. Charles Blood. Charles Blood. Charles Blood. Charles Blood. John Gilson. John Gilson. John Gilson. George Sumner Graves. George Sumner Graves. Charles Woolley. Charles Woolley. Charles Woolley. Charles Woolley. GROTON FIRE CLUB. The Groton Fire Club was formed during the winter of 181 5; and the immediate occasion of its organization was the burning of John Wethered's dwelling on Wednesday evening, February 1, 1815. This house stood at the lower end of Main Street, and some years previously had been owned and occupied by Dr. Oliver Prescott, Senior. Mr. Wethered was from Wilmington, Delaware., and came to Groton from that State. According to tradition, the dwelling was set on fire by a negro in his employment, who had been a slave at the South. On November 7, 18 14, Mr. Wethered bought the place of Dr. Oliver Prescott, Jr. ; and three months later the house was burned, as has been stated. On April 29, 1816, Mr. Wethered GROTON FIRE DEPARTMENT. 397 sold it to Robert C. Ludlow, of Boston, a purser in the United States Navy, who at this time, in connection with Commodore Bainbridge and Charles W. Green, was interested in the ownership of the Lakin farm, where they were then raising sheep. For an account of the enterprise, see the preceding volume of this Historical Series (No. XVII. pages 18, 19). On September 25, 18 17, Purser Ludlow sold it to Joshua Nash, who ten years later became the father-in-law of the late Bradford Russell, Esq., of Groton. The present house on the same site was built about the year 1826 by Miss Susan Prescott, afterward Mrs. John Wright, for the accommodation of her School for girls, a famous institution more than sixty years ago. See the first volume of this Historical Series (No. V. pages 8-1 1) for an account of the School. After Mrs. Wright's occupation of the place it passed into the hands of Dr. Amos Farnsworth, and since that time there have been several owners. The house is now kept as a tavern. The first meeting of the Fire Club was held on February 4, 1 815, when the Honorable James Prescott was chosen presi dent of the association, and Caleb Butler, Esq., secretary. The Club used to meet annually, for the choice of officers, at one of the public houses in the village, when a supper was served ; and sometimes on such occasions members of one of the Engine Companies would be invited to join in the fes tivities. Each member of the Fire Club was required to pro vide two leather buckets and a fire-bag, which were to be always ready for use ; and a failure to take them to a fire was met with a fine. Among some of the descendants of the early members, these articles are now treasured as heirlooms. On March 1, 1875, the town voted to adopt Chapter XXIV., Sections 23-31, of the General Statutes of the Commonwealth, by which action the need of a private organization was largely superseded. The last meeting of the Fire Club, according to the records, was held in November, 1872, no day of the month given. The following preamble, with the list of the original members, is taken from the first two pages of the record- book : — 398 GROTON FIRE DEPARTMENT. The undersigned, Inhabitants of Groton warned by the recent conflagration in this village * and feeling one common interest and duty to be constantly in readiness to act with promptitude and effect on such distressing emergencies, agree to form and procure immediately to organize a society for that purpose, to be called, "Groton Fire Club," and do pledge ourselves to comply with and conform to all such rules and regulations, as the Society may at any time adopt to promote that end. Dated the fourth day of February, A.D. 1815. James Prescott Sam1 Lawrance James Lewis Abr. Moore Walter Dickson Alpheus Richardson David Fletcher Benjamin Moors Thomas T. Cunningham John Rockwood William Farnsworth James Ridgeway Ws Livermore George Brigham Daniel Eaton Joseph F. Hall Josiah Billings Thos. C. Gardner in behalf of my father [Major Thomas Gardner.] Levi Wait Aaron Bancroft Samson Woods Luther Lawrence James Brazer Amos Farnsworth W? Bancroft Caleb Butler Arnos Lawrence Aaron Lewis Joseph Mansfield Asa Tarbell Aaron Lewis 2a Asa Graves Abel Farnsworth Ezra Farnsworth Jon* Loring Asa Lawrence, Jr. Luther Woods John Stebbens Sam! Dana W™ Childs Sam1 Farnsworth EliphaP Wheeler Stuart J. Park On May 6, 1872, the town voted to build five reservoirs, which should hold 4,000 gallons each. They were to be so situated as to give protection to the greatest number of houses in the village with a due regard to a sufficient supply of water. * The Dwelling house of Mr. John Wethered was entirely consumed by fire on the evening of the first day of February, A.D. 181 5. JAMES RIDGWAY. 399 The reservoirs were placed, respectively, near the three Meet ing-houses, the Town House, and the High School; and they are kept full by the water which runs from the roofs of these several buildings. After that vote, a few years later, another reservoir was placed in Court Street. REV. CALEB TROWBRIDGE. The following extract is taken from the Reverend Cotton Mather's manuscript diary, under the date of October 22, 17 18, now in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society. The allusion is to the Reverend Caleb Trowbridge, fifth minister of Groton, who was married on September 18, 1 718, to his second wife, Hannah Walter, a daughter of the Reverend Nehemiah Walter, of Roxbury, and niece of Mr. Mather. The worthy minister of Groton is become now (and by my means) my kinsman. I would endeavour in ways of special kind ness & contrivance, to become useful unto him, & assist him in ye fruitful Discharge of his ministry. JAMES RIDGWAY. James Ridgway was a silversmith and clockmaker at Groton, and during the period of the last War with England carried on a large business in this neighborhood. His shop at one time was situated on Main Street, nearly opposite to the tavern, and later it was in a house, near the Common, which in my boyhood was occupied by Dexter Blanchard. Mr. Ridgway came to Groton from Worcester, where for some years he had been engaged in a similar business. An adver tisement in " Thomas's Massachusetts Spy : or The Worces ter Gazette," August 15, 1793, speaks of him as a " Goldsmith & Jeweller, from Boston." He was living here as early as 400 THE REV. DR. LOTHROP'S REMINISCENCES. the year 1806, — and perhaps earlier than that time, — and remained as late as 1817. Two of his children, each a name sake of the father, lie buried in the old Burying-ground. His wife's given name was Faithey. From Groton Mr. Ridgway removed to Keene, New Hampshire ; and some of his de scendants are now living in Nashua. See the first volume of this Historical Series ("No. XVI. pages 23, 24), for an account of the Town-clock, which was made by him. In former days the custom of having indentured apprentices was common among artisans and mechanics ; and the follow ing notice given by Mr. Ridgway in the " Columbian Centi nel" (Boston), May 3, 1815, is a reminder of the fact : — Take Notice. "D AN AW AY from the Subscriber on the '15th day of February, an ^ indented apprentice by the name of FREDRICK BLOOD. I therefore forbid all persons harboring or trusting him on my ac count, as I shall not pay any debts of his contracting after this date. Whoever will return the said apprentice, shall receive Two Cents Reward, and no charges paid. JAMES RIDGWAY. Groton, May 2, 1815. THE REV. DR. LOTHROP'S REMINISCENCES. During the year 1888 there was privately printed a small edition of a book entitled " Some Reminiscences of the Life of Samuel Kirkland Lothrop," which gives in an easy and graceful style the recollections of the reverend author. Mr. Charles Robinson, who is mentioned in the following extract from the volume, for a short time in 1818 taught a school at Cam bridge, which young Lothrop attended ; and afterward was a settled minister of Groton. I'was sorry to lose Mr. Robinson. He was an excellent teacher, and our little school under him was a good and pleasant one. Two experiences with him afterwards I may as well relate here. He THE REV. DR. LOTHROP'S REMINISCENCES. 401 studied Divinity and was settled at Groton, where he had a suc cessful ministry of fifteen or eighteen years, resigning about 1840. At this time I had been four years at Brattle Street. Our church was invited to the council to install his successor, and I went up with Mr. William Lawrence, a native of Groton, as my delegate. Robinson made the installing prayer, and he made it forty-five minutes long, — spreading before the Lord the whole history of the town and the church, as well as offering at the close some earnest petitions in behalf of the new minister. During the prayer I was in the front pew, standing next to Andrew P. Peabody, then of Portsmouth. He was to preach the sermon (it was shorter than the prayer), and as he was passing me to go up to the pulpit, he said, " If Brother Robinson had begun where he left off, and remembered that it may be taken for granted that God knows some things, he would have done better." After leaving Groton Mr. Robinson was settled at Medfield, and in the summer of 1845 we had some correspondence about an exchange. He proposed one Sunday, which I declined, proposing another, if I had a favorable answer from him. I heard nothing ; but on that Sunday, the moment I entered my own church I saw a head in the pulpit, and on reaching the top of the pulpit stairs found it was Mr. Robinson, who said rather sharply, " How is this, sir ? Why are you not at Medfield ? " " Because I did not hear from you," I answered. " There was nothing said in your note about hearing from me," was his reply. " I think there was," I said ; " at any rate, there is no use in disputing about it now ; the mistake, whosever it is, can't be remedied. I can't get to Medfield or you get back in season to conduct services there. You are here, and we shall be very glad to hear you preach." Mr. William Lawrence invited us all home to dinner. Mrs. Lawrence, a kind-hearted, excellent, hospitable woman, presently said to Mr. Robinson, whom she had known at Groton, " I hope Mrs. Robin son is well, sir. I should have been very glad to have seen her with you." The answer came short, crisp, sharp, " My wife is dead, madam." There was an awful silence, the tone of the answer being such that no one knew what to say. Mrs. Lawrence was the first to recover herself. She said, " I am very sorry, sir ; I had not heard of Mrs. Robinson's death. The children I hope are well ; I wish you had brought one of them with you." Again the answer came in a worse tone than before, " We never had a child, madam ! " (pages 71, 72.) 402 CELEBRATION AT GROTON, JULY 4, 1807. CELEBRATION AT GROTON, JULY 4, 1807. An account of a celebration at Groton by the Federalists, on July 4, 1808, is given on pages 384-386 of this volume ; and a reference is there made to a similar one by the Republicans, on July 4, 1807. In order to treat the two political parties of that period with fairness and impartiality, I give a report of the other celebration, as taken from the " Columbian Centi nel" (Boston), July 8, 1807. I do not understand the statement therein contained, that John Stuart pronounced the oration, as it was subsequently published and bears the name of Samuel Dana as the author ; and the two letters that passed between Mr. Dana and the Committee of Arrangements are given in the pamphlet and leave no doubt on the subject. (See page 176.) Besides, the brief description of the performance, as given by the Centinel, points clearly to the printed address ; and further more a caustic Review, three columns in length, which ap pears in that newspaper of August 29, ascribes it to Mr. Dana. Mr. Stuart, a native of Peterborough, New Hamp shire, was then a layv-student in the office of the Honorable Timothy Bigelow, of Groton, and afterward a member of the Suffolk Bar ; but perhaps, for some reason now unknown, the copy was read by him. He was born on September 5, 1782, and died in the year 1848. See page 388 for a reference to him. AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE. This joyful and glorious anniversary was noticed by the Federal Republicans of Groton, and the towns in its vicinity, with that " feast of reason and flow of soul," which should ever be exhibited at the recollection of the transactions of '76. The morning was welcomed by the usual artillery discharge of seventeen guns. At 10, A. M. a procession was formed, consisting of Clergymen, Civil and Military Officers, the Preceptor of Groton Academy with his pupils, and a numerous and respectable assembly of citizens of that and the towns adjacent, among whom were with pleasure dis tinguished many patriots and veterans, who had toiled to produce CELEBRATION AT GROTON, JULY 4, 1807. 403 the event that occasioned the festivity of the day. The procession was escorted to the Meeting-House by the Concord Artillery, under Capt. [Thomas] Heald, and a company of Infantry, under Capt. [Luther] Lawrence, of Groton. The Throne of Grace was de voutly addressed by the Rev. Mr. [Daniel] Chaplin, of Groton, and a number of admirable pieces of music were performed, after which an Oration was pronounced by John Stuart, A. B. a per formance which displayed the talents of that gentleman by the beauty of its style and diction, his patriotism by the vigor and manliness of his sentiments. — He reviewed the deeds of those sages and heroes who obtained our Independence, and drew tears for the blood of those who fell in the contest ; — he told " the tale of other times," " pleasant and mournful to the soul ; " he pointed out the causes which had operated to the ruin of all other Republics and warned us, lest by listening to the hypocrisy of demagogues, we follow them in the path of destruction. After dinner the following toasts were given, accompanied by responses of artillery : The Day we celebrate. — May its annual return find our beloved country free, prosperous and happy. The memory of our revolutionary martyrs, who generously planted the tree of liberty, and watered it with their blood. The memory of George Washington. — Those must be his truest friends, who were so while he was yet alive. The surviving Officers and Soldiers of the revolutionary army. — May our respect compensate for the penurious reward with which their services were requited. The American People. — May they ever remember that wisdom and virtue are as essential to preserve liberty, as they were to obtain it. The Rising Generation. — > Born free, may they never beget slaves. Our Rights and Liberties. — Incapable of aberration, may they descend, like an estate tail, till time itself shall have no remainder. The President of the United States. — In repelling foreign insult, may he find us all united. The Governor of this Commonwealth. — In the exercise of his constitutional rights, he shall find a cheerful support from those, who did not elect him. The Militia of this Commonwealth. — May they unite the freedom of citizens to the discipline of soldiers. 404 OLD TAVERNS AND STAGE-COACHES OF GROTON. Caleb Strong. — May his private life be as happy, as his public has been meritorious. Agriculture. — May our honest farmers never bow the knee to imposing despotism. Massachusetts. — In the penumbra of democracy, may it not suffer a total eclipse, but soon emerge and regain its pristine splendor. The Reverend Clergy. — As they well deserve, so may they freely receive our cordial attachment and support. The memory of Col. William Prescott, and his Fellow Soldiers from the vicinity, whose gallant deeds on Bunker's hill first taught our enemies to respect American valor. The Fair Sex. — The tyrants of our affections, the only tyrants we will ever obey. The next Fourth of July. — May it find us free, prosperous and happy. VOLUNTEERS. The Officers and Soldiers of the Concord Artillery: G00(l men and true they must have been to have come so far, for so noble and glorious a purpose. The Orator of the Day : Were we all as correct and well in formed, our Country would never have occasion to blush for any of her sons. The performances of the day were conducted with an unusual degree of decorum and propriety, united to a cheerful festivity. The citizens retired at an early hour, in order seasonably to prepare for the approaching day of rest. THE OLD TAVERNS AND STAGE-COACHES OF GROTON. The following biographical facts are supplementary to the article which appeared in No. VIII. of the first volume of this Historical Series. Phinehas Harrington, mentioned on page 18 of that num ber, died at Dracut, on May 23, 1870, at the age of 80 years, 2 months, and 9 days. He was a son of Edward and Susan OLD TAVERNS AND STAGE-COACHES OF GROTON. 405 Harrington, and a native of Concord. Some of his descend ants are still living in Groton. Leonard Williams Cushing (page 19) was a son of Prentice and Eleanor (Taintor) Cushing, and born at Millbury, on December 28, 181 5. He is now living in Charlestown. George Hunt (page 19) died in Manchester, New Hamp shire, on June 23, 1877: He was a son of Joseph and Pru dence (Wetherell) Hunt, and born at Westmoreland, New Hampshire, on April 6, 1807. John Miller Maynard (page 19) died in Lowell, on January 22, 1874. He was a son of Captain Parker and Peggy (Tag- gart) Maynard, and born at Jaffrey, New Hampshire, on May 12, 1801. Henry Lewis Lawrence (page 20) was a son of Daniel Hall and Keziah (Shattuck) Lawrence, and born at Pepperell, on November 8, 1808. He is now a resident of Fitchburg. Barney Pike (page 20) died at Groton, on May 17, 1829. Artemas Brown, the landlord mentioned on page 8, died at Templeton, on August 5, 1857. John Cyrus Stiles (page 250), formerly a conductor on the Worcester and Nashua Railroad, and a stage-driver of this neighborhood, died in Roxbury, on July 12, 1889, at the age of 75 years. He was a native of Boylston. See, also, pages 66 and 78-80 of this volume for other references to the same article. The following extract is taken from Salma Hale's Annals of Keene (1851); and the advertisement, therein referred to, was printed probably in the " New Hampshire Sentinel " : — By an advertisement, dated Dec. 3 [1803], Dearborn Emerson informs the public that he runs a line of stages, on the middle post road from Boston to Walpole, twice a week, passing through Con cord, Groton, New Ipswich, Jaffrey, Marlborough, and Keene to Walpole ; leaving Boston every Wednesday and Saturday morning at 4 o'clock — arriving at New Ipswich at 6 o'clock in the even ing — leaving there at 4 o'clock every Thursday and Monday morn ing, arriving at Keene at noon, and at Walpole at 6 o'clock in the evening. The fare to Keene was $4.50. From a remark in the advertisement that " the road, the most part of the way, is a good 406 LIEUT. AMAZIAH FASSETT. turnpike," it may be inferred that the Third New Hampshire Turn pike was then finished. It is in the recollection of several per sons, that just previous to this time, probably before the turnpike was completed, a stage was run from Boston to Keene, the trip occupying two days, and the night being passed at Groton, and that the fare was then #5.00, and had before been $6.00. Emerson's advertisement further stated that stages run, in connection with his, from Walpole to Hanover. About this time a turnpike was opened from Hanover to Concord. The fare from Keene to Boston was probably reduced, for a time, to meet the competition of that route. Before 1800, nearly all the travel from Hanover, and even from Haverhill, to Boston, passed through Keene (page 91). LIEUT. AMAZIAH FASSETT. In Richard Frothingham's " History of the Siege of Boston," fourth edition, there is a reference to Amos Lawrence (page 347, note), with an allusion to his father, Deacon Samuel Law rence, and to " his uncle," Lieutenant Amaziah Fassett, who fell mortally wounded at the Battle of Bunker Hill, and died, a prisoner in Boston, on July 5, 1775. While years ago I had heard of a relationship between the Lawrence family and the Fassett family, I was unable then to trace the connection ; and this circumstance has led me anew to investigate the subject, which I have done with the following result : — Amaziah Fassett was born in the year 1742 at Westford, where he married Ede Richardson, who was born in 1745 also at Westford. She was a daughter of Abiel and Sarah (Boyn ton) Richardson ; and her mother, after the death of Mr. Richardson, became the second wife of William Parker, of Groton, and the mother of Susanna Parker, who was Deacon Samuel Lawrence's wife. In other words Mrs. Fassett and Mrs. Lawrence had the same mother but different fathers, and were half-sisters. As Samuel and Susanna were not married until July 22, 1777, long after Amaziah's death, the kinship between the two soldiers, at the time of the Battle, was only of a prospective character. SOME ROADS AND STREETS. 407 The first progenitor in this country of the Groton family of Fassetts was Patrick, an inhabitant of Maiden and Billerica, and perhaps an Irishman. According to " The Boston Weekly News-Letter," July 26, 1753, Abiel Richardson, of Groton, was killed on July 18 of that year, by falling from a rafter, while helping to raise the frame of a meeting-house in Dunstable ; and without doubt this man was the father of Mrs. Fassett. See Volume I. of this Historical Series (No. XVIII. page 21) for a copy of the item. The following Resolve, passed by the General Assembly of the State of Massachusetts-Bay, and numbered XCVI. in the official volume, refers to Lieutenant Fassett, but the name is misspelled. Resolve on the Petition of Elisha Rockwood ; passed April 9, 1777. On the petition of Elisha Rockwood, Executor to the last Will and Testament of Amaziah Tesset [Fassett], late of Groton, deceased, Resolved, That the Prayer of the Petition be granted, and that the Petitioner, Elisha Rockwood, be and he hereby is impowered to make Sale of all the Real Estate mentioned in said Petition, for the most it will fetch, and make and execute a good Deed or Deeds to the Purchaser or Purchasers, he observing* the Rules and Directions of the Law relating to the Sale of Real Estates by Executors and Administrators, and giving Bond to the Judge of Probate for the County of Middlesex, that the Proceeds arising from such Sale shall be applied for the Benefit of the Heirs at Law of the said deceased, in the same Proportion as though the same had not been sold. SOME ROADS AND STREETS. The roads in Groton were laid out at first to meet the needs of individual families. The use of them was confined to the inhabitants, as there was no other public to accommodate. The various house-lots had been selected by their owners with reference to convenience for tillage, or some other local advantage ; and these were to be connected by highways. 408 SOME ROADS AND STREETS. The roads originally were of great width, often being four or six rods wide, and the bends and turns in them, for the most part, were owing to good reasons. At the present time even, in some places, the highway still shows the original width of six rods. Perhaps a tree or some other obstruction would make a crook in the road ; and in the course of time the cause might disappear, but the effect would remain. In conse quence of their width, encroachments have often been made by the abutters ; and on various occasions the town has appointed committees to prevent such trespasses, and to prosecute the offenders. The committees, however, generally settled with them by receiving payment for the land. The following Streets were accepted by the town, on the dates given respectively after each one : — Station Avenue January 15, 1849. Willowdale Street .... November 12, 1849. Court Street April 2, 1855. Champney Street November 6, 1888. The westerly end of Pleasant Street, from the junction of Elm Street, was laid out by the County Commissioners on August 20, 1834, and at the same time that part of the Lowell Road which runs on the north side of the First Parish Meeting-house. High Street has never been accepted by the town. The road from the Paper-mill Village to 'Tuity Row was accepted on March 4, 1845. There is in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society a map entitled " The Seat of War, in New England, by an American Volunteer, with the Marches of the Sev eral Corps sent by the Colonies towards Boston, with the Attack on Bunker's Hill." It was made soon after the Battle, and includes the eastern half of Massachusetts, nearly all of Rhode Island, the southern part of New Hampshire, and the eastern border of Connecticut. It gives the various townships as well as the main thoroughfares converging at Boston, and in a rude way it shows troops from various colonies on their march to that neighborhood. The " Road from Stephens Fort MR. BARSTOW'S DEDICATION SERMON. 409 and Crown Pt " which passes through the village of Groton, is represented on the map. Stephen's Fort was situated in Charlestown on the Connecticut River. " Rangers from New Hampshire" are shown along this route, and an " Incamp- ment " is represented at Worcester, with " New York Grena diers," " Virginian Horse," etc., in the neighborhood marching toward Cambridge. Groton Gore in New Hampshire is also represented, and appears under the name of Groton. On April 7, 1873, the town voted that the Selectmen be instructed to establish Street Lamps in the village. Since the time of this vote the number has been gradually increased, and now there are sixty-eight such lamps. At the same meeting it was also voted to build a lock-up for prisoners. As early as the spring of 1861, a similar lock-up was ordered to be built at South Groton (now Ayer). MR. BARSTOW'S DEDICATION SERMON. Extract from a Dedication Sermon, by the Reverend John Barstow, preached in the Union Meeting-house at Groton, Massachusetts, October 7, 1888, and repeated by re quest, October 13, 1888. Previous to the building of this house the church met regularly in the old Academy building. On the twenty-first of November in the year preceding the building of the church, a council was held, and the Union Church of Christ was organized. The members of the old church were present at the meeting, but though they were consulted in reference to all the details of the new church, its creed, its covenant, etc., they did not then unite with the church by reason of certain legal aspects which were then important. Thirty persons — fifteen men and fifteen women — composed the new church, all uniting on profession of their faith in Christ. Of that number one is with us to-day, our good brother Milo Russell. " It is a small church," writes Mr. Todd, " but I trust its foundations 4IO MR. BARSTOW'S DEDICATION SERMON. are strong and pure. I believe it to be built on the Rock Christ Jesus. To him would I give all the glory." The heartiness and zeal which the people manifested in building the house recall the spirit of those who built the Tabernacle in the Wilderness and the first Temple in Jerusalem. For all the other church buildings the money had been raised by vote of the town, and it was made a town matter. Now no money would the town appropriate, and the money must be raised by voluntary contri bution. We can get some idea of the enthusiasm that was mani fested and ofthe sacrifices that were made when we read "that almost all the active women and girls cut off half of the long fringe of their shawls to make a rug for the pulpit." " Many a poor girl offers to give half she is worth for the object," and " one lady said she would rather her husband should sell half his farm than that the undertaking should fail." And it did not fail. At the be ginning of the following year Mr. Todd could write, in addition to all the labor they expended, " In one year my people have raised $8,873." The union of the two churches, which was contemplated at the time when the name was given to this church, was not con summated until the year 1830, when one pastor of the first Ortho dox Church (so called to distinguish it from the present first Parish Church) with several of his flock was formally received into the Union Congregational Church, and the two churches became one in name, as they had been from the first in sympathy and fellowship.1 During the sixty-two years that this house has stood, there have been nine pastors, who have labored with the church for a year or longer, all but two of whom have been regularly installed. The longest pastorates have been those of Reverend Mr. Bulkley, of thirteen years and four months ; Mr. Phelps, twelve years and eleven months ; and Mr. Robie, nine years and eight months. The average term of service has been six years and four months. The church building itself has been remodelled three times. In 1846 the question was agitated about raising the building, but it was finally decided to raise the floor four feet, and the old Vestry was then put in. Before that time the prayer meetings were held in the little room over the church. The greatest change in the audience room was made in 1869, 1 This refers to those members of the First Parish Church who had from the beginning sympathized with the new Society, but who had not as yet dissolved their connection with the old one. — Editor. MR. BARSTOW'S DEDICATION SERMON. 411 when the choir-gallery was lowered, the old-fashioned pulpit taken away, and new and more comfortable seats put in. The change on which we are congratulating ourselves to-day has long been thought desirable, and many of us have cherished the hope that sooner or later it might come about. If any work was ever begun and carried on in prayer, I am sure that this work has been. When the Spirit of God, I be lieve, led me to present the subject to you on the eleventh of last March, he also prepared your hearts to open wide to give, even as the children of Israel, with willing hands for the carrying on of the work. I remember with what hesitancy I entered the old Ves try on the following Saturday, not knowing what would be the result of the meeting, and a little later came out with a light and grateful heart at your generous subscription of #1800. During the following week the sum swelled to over $3000. The movement seemed to be spontaneous ; and whenever any movement in the interests of God's Kingdom or in obedience to his will is thus taken up by his people, he often blesses them far above that they even dared to expect. So has it been with us. We planned for a chapel, without any thought of improving the church, and lo ! we have as beautiful and attractive a vestry as any one could wish. The church building itself has been wonderfully improved externally, and our eyes have already caught the transformations that have taken place within. Who would have dared to hope, six months ago, that all these changes could have been made without incur ring a large debt, and best of all, with hardly the sound of a dis cordant note. And yet this is what God has wrought. And shall I tell you the secret of our marvellous success? In a word, I be lieve it was prayer. Not a meeting of your Committee has been held without first invoking the special guidance of our God, and when we have been unable fully to agree at first, we have fallen on our knees and besought the Lord to direct us, and we have heartily agreed on the work to be done. And more than the Committee even dared to hope has been accomplished. That there are many things that we could improve upon were we to do the work again, is only too true ; that others might have done the work better, we do not doubt : but I do not believe that any work was ever done on a church building or on any public building where there has been more outward harmony and frater nal good-will than has characterized our work ; and to God alone shall be all the praise. 412 JONATHAN CLARK LEWIS. JONATHAN CLARK LEWIS. Jonathan Clark Lewis lived in a long, low house, which stood where Captain Asa Stillman Lawrence's dwelling now stands, near the Town Hall, and situated on a small knoll that was dug away when Dr. Amos B. Bancroft's house was built in the year 1839. He was an Englishman by birth, and a trader by occupation, whose shop was in his house. His father was Jonathan, who married a Miss Clark ; and they came to Boston with four children, namely, Ezekiel, William, Jonathan Clark, and Mary Ann. At the outbreak of the Revolution the two eldest sons, Ezekiel and William, being tories, fled from the country ; and a son of one of them visited Boston in the year 1795. The Honorable Lorenzo Sabine, in his " Loyalists of the American Revolution " (II. 544), says: "William [Lewis], residence unknown, was a grantee of St. John, New Brunswick, in 1783 ; " and he may have been one of Jonathan's sons. It is stated, though perhaps not on the best authority, that Jonathan Clark Lewis, after coming to New England, visited Coleraine, Ireland, and there was married to Mary Ann Fer guson ; and that they had a daughter, Mary Ann, who married Nathaniel Gardner, of Boston ; and furthermore that their daughter (Lewis's granddaughter) married a physician of Lexington, Kentucky, Tannett by name. On page 123 of this volume is a record of the death of Nathaniel Gardner, in April, 1800, at the age of 41 years. After the death of his wife, Mr. Lewis married, secondly, on October 8, 1778, Eunice, daughter of Nathaniel and Eunice (Lakin) Parker, who was born on September 18, 1752. They had twins, Jonathan Clark Lewis, Jr., and Jane Clark Lewis, who were baptized, according to the church records, on September 27, 1778. These children were both attending school at Groton Academy in the year 1794, and they both reached a great age. The son died at Buxton Centre, Maine, on February 25, 1872, and a notice of him appears on page 169 of this volume ; and the daughter died at the same place, on February 15, 1875. WILLIAM SULLIVAN. 413 Mr. Lewis, the father, died at Groton on April 7, 1 781, in the 37th year of his age, and lies buried in the old Burying Ground. See "Groton Epitaphs" (page 86), for a cut of the family coat-of-arms, which appears on his grave-stone. According to a notice in "The Boston Gazette, and the Country Journal," June 4, 1781, Israel Hobart and Isaac Farnsworth were appointed Commissioners, by the Judge of Probate for the County of Middlesex, to examine the claims of the creditors of his estate. Mrs. Lewis, the mother, died at Groton, on April 29, 1834. Mary Ann Lewis, the sole sister of Jonathan Clark Lewis, married William Bant, who died on November 27, 1780, in the 42d year of his age. He had been a resident of the town for eighteen months, which perhaps gives, approximately, the time of their marriage. His widow married, secondly, on August 20, 1783, the Honorable Caleb Davis, of Boston, where she died, on January 12, 1787. See the preceding volume of this Historical Series (No. XIII. pages 60, 61), for notices of her first husband and her second marriage, as well as of her death. William Bant Sullivan, a graduate of Har vard College in the Class of 1801, was Mr. Bant's namesake. See the next page for a reference to Sullivan. WILLIAM SULLIVAN. On page 181 of Benjamin H. Hall's " College Words and Customs " (Cambridge, 1856), the following extract is given from "a manuscript journal " : — Exhibition, 1791. April 20th. This morning Trapier was rusti cated and [William] Sullivan suspended to Groton for nine months, for mingling tartar emetic with our commons on ye morning of April 1 2th. Trapier, here mentioned, was probably a South Carolinian. Sullivan was the second son of Governor James and Hetty 414 MARRIAGES. (Odiorne) Sullivan, familiar with Groton, as he had passed four years of his boyhood in the town, while his father was a resident. At the time of his suspension he was a member of the Junior Class in Harvard College ; and after coming here he lived in the Reverend Dr. Chaplin's family, and re cited his studies to the minister. The venerable Mrs. Rock wood, Dr. Chaplin's daughter, now 104 years of age, informs me that she remembers young Sullivan while he was an in mate of the family, and describes some of his peculiarities. William Sullivan had a younger brother named William Bant Sullivan, who was born at Groton, on March 11, 1781. He graduated at Harvard College in the Class of 1801, and died by his own hand in Boston, on December 4, 1806. He was a young man of good habits, and the coroner's jury found that he was temporarily insane at the time of the act. MARRIAGES. In this city [February 21], by Rev. Mr. Parkman, Bradford Rus sell, Esq. of Groton, to Miss Mary-Ann, eldest daughter of Capt. Joshua Nash, of this city. "Boston Daily Advertiser," February 25, 1828. Mrs. Russell died at Groton on January 7, 1846, aged 40 years and 19 days ; and Mr. Russell was married, secondly, at West Boylston, on March 25, 1847, to P. Maria Prouty, daughter of Joshua and Phebe Prouty. He was a son of Abner and Sarah (Hayward) Russell, and a native of Weston, where he was born on November 17, 1796 ; he died at Clin ton on July 8, 1864. He was a graduate of Harvard College in the Class of 1818, and for many years a lawyer at Groton. Three other members of the same class — the Reverend James Delap Farnsworth, Dr. Joshua Green, and the Rever end Charles Robinson — also lived in the town. According to the town-records, Henry Yeend and Sarah Davis, both of Groton, were married on March 30, 1806. The OBITUARY NOTICES. 415 tradition is that he was a tanner by trade, and carried on the tannery near Mr. Brigham's house. The surname was pro nounced Yand, and it seems now to have disappeared from this neighborhood. OBITUARY NOTICES. About a Fortnight ago [May 25], Deacon [John] Longley of Groton, having eat his Dinner well, rose from the Table, and drop'd down dead. "The Boston Evening-Post," June 11, 1750. Deacon Longley was a son of William, Jr., and Deliverance Longley, and born probably in the year 1683. According to the inscription on the grave-stone, at the time of his death, he was " in the 68th year of his age." For an account of his captivity among the Indians, and the massacre of his father's family on July 27, 1694, see " Groton during the Indian Wars " (pages 73-77). At Groton, Mr. Joseph Morton, of this town, Mt. 82. "Columbian Centinel" (Boston), July 31, 1793. John M. Farrar died at Groton, while on a journey from Boston to New Ipswich, July 4, 1815. From the Town-records. In Richmond, Va. Mr. Benj. Woods, formerly of Groton, Mas. 54. [A son of Abel and Anna Woods, who was born on March 10, 1770. The death of his brother, Jacob, is recorded on page 392.] " New-England Palladium & Commercial Advertiser " (Boston), January 29, 1822. In Groton [January 29], Mrs. Betsey Hale, aged 43, the wife of Mr. Samuel Hale, formerly of Boston, merchant. "New-England Palladium & Commercial Advertiser" (Boston), February 1, 1822. Mrs. Hale was a daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth (Howell) Brown, and born at New Ipswich on December 7, 1778. On August 4, 1799, at Groton, she married Samuel Hale, one of 416 LIST OF DEATHS. her father's partners in business. See the first volume of this Historical Series (No. VII. page 4), for a reference to the firm. Mr. Hale lived on the place now owned by Dr. Samuel A. Green. In Groton, 26th inst. Deacon Joseph Sawtell, 93. During a long life the deceased was a useful citizen and an honest man. " Evening Mercantile Journal" (Boston), December 30, 1844. He was a brother of Elnathan Sawtell, and the father of the late Nathaniel Sawtell and Ephraim Sawtell, well-known and aged citizens of Groton. Thomas Hutchins (mentioned on page 33), a native of Carlisle, and for many years a resident of Groton, died at West Acton, on October 8, 1889, aged 92 years. Curtis Shepley (page 377), a son of Wilder and Phebe (Fletcher) Shepley, was born on June 30, 1790, and died on March 26, 1846. LIST OF DEATHS. The following list of Deaths is taken from the " Columbian Centinel " (Boston), of the respective dates, as enumerated : In Groton, Mass. on Saturday last, after a lingering illness, Mrs. Jane Farnsworth, aged 73 years and 9 months, consort of the late Lieut Jonas F and daughter of the late Capt. James Delap, of Granville, Nova Scotia. May 24, 1826. In Groton, Mary Paine, youngest child of Mr. William Child, merchant of that place, aged 18 months and 10 days. September 9, 1826. In Groton, (drowned on the 13th inst. by the upsetting of a boat on Massaquog pond) Miss Jane Parker, aged 26. September 20, 1826. In Groton, Mrs. Maria Lawrence, aged 65. November 22, 1826. GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1889. Historical Series, Vol. II. , No. XV. REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. " The Spirit of the Pilgrims " was a monthly periodical, published at Boston; and in the number for February, 1832 (Vol. V. No. 2), is a Memoir of the Reverend Daniel Chap lin, D.D., written by his colleague pastor, the Reverend John Todd, D.D. The article is a just tribute to the worth and character of the venerable minister, and contains so much in relation to the town and its ecclesiastical history that I print it in this Historical Series. Some of the statements, however, in regard to the early ministers of Groton, owing to more recent investigations, are now known to be incorrect : such, for instance, is the statement that the Reverend Samuel Willard was the first minister of the town, whereas it was the Reverend John Miller. With the exception of a few inaccura cies of this kind, the Memoir is well worthy of a perusal by those interested in the history of the town. And with the republication I give Mr. Butler's analysis of Dr. Chaplin's character, — as taken from the History of Gro ton, — which is equally just and true, though it differs in some respects from Dr. Todd's estimate. Without doubt Mr. Butler's figures in regard to the number of church members admitted, the number of children bap tized, as well as of marriages solemnized, are more accurate than those given by Dr. Todd. It will be noticed that there is a great discrepancy between the two writers in regard to these statistics. 418 MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D., LATE OF GROTON.1 The first minister of Groton was the Rev. Samuel Willard, a graduate of Harvard College in 1659, who was ordained in 1663. After he had labored here for thirteen years, the meeting house was burnt, and both shepherd and flock driven away by the In dians. Two years afterwards, he was installed over the Old South church in Boston, and became one of the most distinguished men of his day. His mind was of the first order, clear, glowing, pro found and powerful. He was a scholar of the first attainments, and eloquent to an uncommon degree. In nothing, perhaps, did he show his strong judgement more, than in vigorously opposing the infatuation of the community, at the time when they were per secuting for witchcraft. In 1701, he was called to the superin- tendency of Harvard College, and continued to perform the duties of that office till his death, in 1707. His writings are voluminous ; the most important production of his pen is a system of divinity — the first folio volume ever printed in America. It consists of a series of Lectures on the shorter Catechism, which excited great attention at the time of their delivery. Mr. Willard was eminently a pious man, evangelical in his sentiments, and the effects of his labors in this town were felt, long after he ceased from among the living. The second minister was the Rev. Gershom Hobart, who was ordained in 1678, and continued in the ministry till 1704 or 5, when he was dismissed. Of his character, but little is known, and that little is not altogether favorable to his memory. But as he continued in the ministry 26 or 7 years, it is to be hoped he had redeeming qualities which have not been handed down to posterity. The third minister was the Rev. Dudley Bradstreet, who was or dained in 1706, and continued the minister of this people six years, when he was dismissed, as it would seem from very general dis satisfaction. He went directly to England, received episcopal or dination, and died just as he returned to his native shores. The fourth minister was the Rev. Caleb Trowbridge, ordained in 1 Written by the Rev. J. Todd, Pastor of the original church in Groton. MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. 419 1 7 14, and died 1760, aged 69, after having been 46 years the min ister of this people. But one character has ever been given of Mr. Trowbridge. He was sober, discreet, laborious, devoted, and died highly esteemed and universally lamented. The fifth minister, and the immediate predecessor of the subject of this memoir, was the Rev. Samuel Dana, who was ordained in 1 761, and continued the pastor of this flock 13 years. The senti ments of Mr. Dana were Arminian. In mentioning this, I do not mean any reproach to his memory. Those who hold to a lax sys tem of theology will consider it as a proof of enlightened views, and of greatness of mind. For myself, I cannot but consider the settlement of a man of such sentiments as the first step towards a long declension in vital religion. Such a ministry pours a deep sleep over a people, which will be felt for many generations. This first letting out of waters is but the beginning of that flood which bears down and sweeps away the stakes of Zion. Prayer-meetings are unknown, the distinctive marks of the church are obliterated, and the form of godliness is substituted for its power. For more than 60 years, the state of religion (till within three or four years past,) has been exceedingly low in Groton. Some will assign one cause, and some another. I shall have occasion to re fer to these causes in another connexion ; but at the head of them I should place the fact, that a decidedly Arminian minister was called and settled. It is not to be wondered at, that Arminianism should take root here at that time. The life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit was withholden from most of the churches in New Eng land. The valley was full of dry bones, but there was no voice, and no breath of the Almighty breathing upon them. The spirit of Edwards and of Whitefield seemed to slumber with their dust, and the bright light which had been kindled up in these churches during their ministry, which was seen far across the waters, and which gladdened thousands there, was quenched in an awful night of deep darkness. I hope to show that these remarks are not irrelevant. About the year 1638 or 9, eighteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, a number of people came from Rowley, England, and settled in Rowley, Essex county, Mass. At the head of these was the famous Ezekiel Rogers, who had been their pas tor for twenty years before they crossed the waters. Hence we have reason to believe, that most of this little colony were pious people. Among them was a young man by the name of Hugh 420 MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. Chaplin. And although the family of Chaplins have been in this country 190 years, the subject of this memoir was only the third generation from the first who came to America. The Rev. Daniel Chaplin was born at Rowley, December 30, 1743. His parents were Jonathan Chaplin and Sarah Boynton, the former of whom died January 1, 1794 in his 88th year, and the latter February 19, 1784. The father is thus described by his son. " He was small in stature, and at no period of his life robust. Temperance and regularity contributed much to his enjoying an uncommon degree of health, comfort and longevity. He was re markable for modesty of spirit, for calmness and constancy. As a Christian, he never made high professions, but was always steady and persevering in the practice of what he believed to be his duty. He was punctual and devout in attending on all the external duties of religion. It plainly appeared to be a fixed principle in his mind, that no one can be a real disciple of Christ without doing what he hath commanded. To the best of my recollection I never knew him sel down to a regular meal in his family, or in the field, or wherever he labored and ate abroad, though there were but one present to eat with him, without asking a blessing and returning thanks. He was very industrious and economical ; brought up his children with great care and tenderness ; gave them many lessons of wisdom, virtue, and piety ; and always added a good example to his precepts. As he lived, so he died, with serenity, entertaining a good hope of sal vation by Christ." The mother of the late Dr. Chaplin seems also to have been an uncommonly discreet, judicious and devoted Christian. By these parents he was dedicated to Christ in baptism, in infancy. I have not been able to ascertain the manner of his youth, nor even the time when Dr.' Chaplin became the subject of renewing grace. He seems to have spent the early part of his life with his father, prob ably at manual labor. And from some hints among his writings, I should judge he had no thoughts of obtaining a collegiate educa tion till after his conversion, and when he wanted an education as an instrument of usefulness. Nor can I ascertain to a certainty when he made a public profession of religion. In March preced ing the time of entering college, he drew up and signed a very remarkable prayer, or rather covenant, by which he solemnly con secrated himself to God. It was probably done on the day of his making a profession of religion, and in the year in which he was twenty-six years of age. The following is the paper alluded to. MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. 42 1 Infinite Jehovah, Eternal Majesty of all worlds, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three in person, though but one in essence, I do this day, which is March 27, 1769, in a most serious, considerate and solemn man ner, give up myself unto Thee, soul and bpdy, living and dying, for the present momentary state of my earthly existence, dlnd for the future end less state of my being, to be from this time forward wholly at thy wise and gracious disposal. I make choice of thy favor for my portion, es teeming it infinitely preferable to all the enjoyments of sin,' and hoping for it in no other way but through Jesus Christ the mediator. Thy law I look upon as altogether holy, just and good, and will aim to pay con stant and universal obedience to it. If Thou shalt spare my life, I will devote my time and all other talents to thee, to be improved in Thy ser vice, and to Thy glory. I further engage always to resist the suggestions and temptations of Satan, the enemy of God and man, and to attend with diligence and obedience to the teachings of the Holy Spirit in and by the holy Scriptures. I willingly resign earth for heaven, and the applause of man for Thy approbation and that of my own conscience. To Thee, O Lord, I commit my all. And being sensible that I am weak and insuf ficient of myself to do what I have promised, I depend upon the constant and powerful assistance of the Holy Spirit to enable me. May this solemn engagement be ratified in heaven. Daniel Chaplin. Immediately after the above, he subjoins certain resolutions by which to govern his future life. I cannot but think they are writ ten with uncommon precision and power, for a young man who had not yet entered the walls of a college. For the future direction of my life I resolve, 1. That I will make religion my chief concernment. 2. That I will never be afraid or ashamed to speak in defence of religion. 3. That I will make it my daily practice to read some part of the holy Scriptures, that I may become acquainted with the will of God, and be quickened and comforted, and qualified to serve Christ and promote the interests of his kingdom in the world. 4. That I will every day reflect upon death and eternity. 5. That I will daily pray to God in secret. 6. That upon all proper occasions I will reprove vice, and discoun tenance it, and to my utmost encourage virtue and religion. 7. That I will dispute only for light, or to communicate it. 8. That I will receive light wherever and however offered. 9. That I will give up no principle before I am convinced of its ab surdity or bad consequences. 10. That I will never be ashamed to confess a fault to an equal or to an inferior. 422 MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. After leaving college, he made additions to these resolutions from time to time, as he felt their need. I will select only two, though the limits of selection are large. In September 29, 1772, just after leaving college, he resolves, " to keep one day in every month, when my circumstances will ad mit of it, as a day of fasting and prayer, more especially to seek unto God for ministerial gifts and graces, for direction and assist ance in all spiritual life, and for the enlargement of Christ's king dom in the world;" — "to make it a rule to do no action, at any time or place, of which action I should not be willing to be a witness against myself hereafter'' On the back of the paper containing the above, is the following memorandum, dated, "Groton, August 2, 1814. I have great cause of shame and humiliation, that I have adhered no more closely to the forgoing solemn covenant and resolutions ; yet I feel myself under great obligations to acknowledge the mercy and faithfulness of my God and Saviour, in enabling me to be faithful, as I have reason to believe, in a good degree. I have also abundant encour agement to hope and trust that his grace will be sufficient for me in time to come." Dr. Chaplin fitted for college at Dummer's Academy. At that time, as Dr. Fisher, who is still living, remarks, "young Chaplin had a large corporeal system, and a mind no ways inferior." He graduated at Harvard college, (from which also he received the honor of D. D.) in a class of forty-eight, of whom six were minis ters. He was one of the first three scholars in his class. Eight class-mates survive him. From the time of leaving college to his ordination, six years in tervened. A part of this time was spent in the study of theology, at Portsmouth, N. H. under the direction of the Rev. Mr. Chandler. On January 1, 1778, Dr. Chaplin was ordained at Groton, as I believe by a unanimous request of the church and people. The town had just been convulsed by a high political excitement which caused the removal of his predecessor. It required a very uncom mon share of prudence thus to settle, in a community, torn as it were by a hurricane. But God sent a pilot who could calmly hold the helm amid troubled waters. Two years after his settlement, he had an invitation to take charge of the Academy at Exeter, where his prospects of a com fortable support for his family were much more flattering than among his people, in those times of distress. But after much MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. 423 prayer, he concluded that he should probably do more good to remain at the post where he had been stationed ; and he relin quished bright prospects without a murmur. I now propose to give some of the visible results of the ministry of Dr. Chaplin, and then to present some brief notices of his char acter, as a minister, and as a Christian. Before giving these results, .it seems necessary, in order to judge of his labors, to look at the situation of this town when Dr. C. was ordained. Here he labored faithfully, for fifty years, and grew old in trying to lead this people to the Saviour. It has frequently been noticed, that a revival of religion usually follows the settlement of an evangelical minister. No such special revival followed the set tlement of Mr. Chaplin. He found religion in a low state, and so it continued during most of his life ; and there are several reasons why it could not (humanly speaking) have been otherwise. 1. In the first place, the whole society had become leavened with Arminianism — a cause sufficient to obstruct the usefulness and prevent the visible success of his labors. If, during the min istry of one servant of Christ, the lethargy could be shaken off, and the church be brought to action, it would be no small gain. The records of those times, as well as the testimony of many now living, show, that of all machines, a lifeless church is the most inefficient. There could be, and there was, no such thing as a thorough-going discipline. Few pictures are more melancholy than that of some of our churches about two generations ago. 2. The half-way covenant, as it is called, was a palzy upon our churches. With too much conscience, in those days of family instruction, wholly to neglect the forms of religion, men found it delightful to have some mode by which their children could be baptized, their families made respectable, and their consciences put at rest. Almost all the congregation belonged to the church, in this sense of the term. While this practice was continued, which was during the greater part of Dr. Chaplin's ministry, he could do but little for the purity of the church. But, 3. Dr. C. came to this town in the midst of the revolutionary war. The country invaded, the laws almost suspended, the ques tion of the future government or even liberty of the nation was that which swallowed up all others, and engrossed the thoughts and feelings of all. Every man of any respectability or influence was intensely interested respecting the fate of his country, and scarcely any other subject was deemed worthy of notice. So that when 424 MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. Mr. C. came into the ministry, he found active, stirring, and power ful men in his church ; but religion was not that on which they ex pended their activity. The church was carried along with the tide, and patriotism almost of necessity crowded out spiritual life from the bosoms even of real Christians. And after the war had termi nated, it was a great while before our government was organized, courts of justice in full operation, and the heavy embarrassments of the war and the agitation of the public had in any good degree subsided, so that the mind could look at religion in its proper light. That struggle which was the making of this nation most severely shook the pillars of the church of God. Take now the eighteen years, from the death of the good Mr. Trowbridge to the settle ment of Mr. Chaplin, and then add the period of war and commo tion, and a whole generation must have grown up and passed away, before the gospel could have much effect. Is it any wonder then, that he fought like one beating the air, and poured out his labors like water upon a rock ? The church was spell-bound by peculiar circumstances, and it was not in the power of a mortal to control or alter them. It is easy to cultivate a field which has been faith fully managed ; but take one which has long been left to itself, and at the same time be compelled to suffer the fences to be such as to admit your neighbor's cattle when they please, and it' is no easy matter to render that field either productive or beautiful. What a man might do in one situation is but a poor criterion of what he may do in some other. He might push a boat with speed wind and tide favoring, but if both were contrary, he might toil with great assiduity, and yet make but little progress. I may add, too, the customs of society, in days now gone by, had a bad effect upon a minister's usefulness. He was expected to go almost directly from college to his field of labor ; to mingle with what might be thought the more genteel though the more irreli gious part of society ; to share in, or at least connive at, what are called innocent amusements and social hilarity ; in short, to be more of the minister in the pulpit, than during the week. Power ful revivals were not expected, were not prayed for, were not wit nessed. If God suffers the fashions of the world to come in, and bury up the church ; it is a fearful sign that he has no spiritual mercies in store for her. For the last sixty years, too, the use of ardent spirits among all classes had become more and more com mon, so that a human being could neither be born nor die, labor nor rest, see friends at home or abroad, or do business of any MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. 425 kind, without drinking. If the air had been poison, and ardent spirits had been the antidote, they could hardly have been more common. What could a church — what could a minister do, in a community thus destroyed and destroying one another ? As nearly as I can ascertain, the number of members in the church, at the time of the ordination of Mr. C, was 150. The number added during his ministry was 147 ; — nearly three a year on an average. The most ever admitted in one year was in 18 14, being 20, the year in which the half-way covenant was abolished. The number of children baptized during his ministry was 761. The number of marriages 450. I now proceed to mention some traits in the character of Dr. Chaplin which were prominent. 1. He was sound and eminently evangelical in his sentiments. — My acquaintance with Dr..C. did not commence, until he had be gun to fail under the labors of the pulpit. I well recollect the fol lowing to have been the impression which I received ; that he was a most venerable and graceful man, distinguished for his piety, and very clear and evangelical in his views. I believe this would have been the impression which any stranger would be likely to receive. He was not tied up to systems of theology — perhaps not as me thodical in his classification of the doctrines as modern theologians generally; but for clear, definite, scriptural, common-sense views of the government of God, few have been his equal. It has been pretended that in his later years Dr. C. altered his opinions. But this is said without the shadow of a reason. Twenty-three years ago, he preached before the General Conven tion of ministers in Massachusetts. In that sermon, which was published, he says, speaking of the character of a minister: — It is moreover a necessary part of the character of Gospel ministers, that they have an experimental knowledge of the religion which they teach from the word of God. They should be good men in the sense of the Scriptures. They should embrace the truths of revelation with a firm belief and cordial affection. They should be renewed after the image of God, by the Holy Spirit, and conformed to the Gospel in their views and general conduct. Without a rational change of the moral frame of the heart, men cannot be considered as the real friends of Christ, and therefore as qualified to negotiate the treaty of reconciliation between God and their fellow creatures. If they are not reconciled to God themselves, what fit ness can there be in their assuming or receiving the office of reconciling others to him. The teachers of religion are described in the Scriptures 426 MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. as workers together with God in reconciling men to him. But if they be enemies in their hearts to him, what reason is there to expect them to work with him, or according to his will. A man may have great learning, and the powers of eloquence to a distinguished degree ; yet being desti tute of the views, moral habits, and disposition of a Christian, be utterly unfit in his present state of mind to be employed as a messenger of Christ. The faithful preacher will preach and dwell on those doctrines of revelation which appear to have been considered by the sacred writers as fundamental, and of the greatest importance, and which have had the most influence on the minds of men. These doctrines are, — the being and perfections of God, — a trinity in the unjty of the Godhead, — the eternal divinity of the Son and Spirit, — the unchangeable sovereignty of God in all his operations, — the apostacy and ruin of man by sin, — the freedom and accountableness of all the human race, — the mission of the Son of God, — the nature and necessity of regeneration by the influence of the Holy Spirit, — justification by faith fn the blood of Christ, — the new obedience and progressive sanctification of Christians, — the resur rection ofthe dead, — the final judgement, and the everlasting destination both of the righteous and the wicked, according to their respective char acters ; that to the former God will grant an ample salvation, and to the latter he will assign complete and endless destruction. Of this sermon the judicious editor of the Panoplist remarked, — " we read few modern sermons, in which we find more to commend, or less to censure. It is a solid, sententious, seasonable discourse ; worthy of the serious attention of Christians in general; but especially of those who have taken upon themselves the charge oi souls." 2. Dr. Chaplin was uniformly a very decided man. Few men have shared so entirely the confidence of their people as he did. One reason of this was, they always knew where to find him. In coming to a decision, he did not bring his foot down with great vehemence, but when it was down, there was no moving it. It was that kind of decision usually denominated persevering. There was no tiring him out. Cautious and cool in concluding to pursue any given course of conduct, he was inflexible in pursuing it. No obstacles, no difficulties could move or deter him. On one occa sion, he found a poor family sick, and suffering from the cold. He told the woman that she should have a load of wood the next day. During the night a very heavy snow fell, and drifting blocked up the roads. But the next day, the old man, then nearly seventy, was chopping in the woods, while his son was breaking paths out with a few sticks at a load, till the family had received the full load promised ; and then they went and cut it up. By this time it was MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. 427 night ; but he had kept his word and supplied the destitute, at a time when most men would have called it an impossibility. Probably this trait of character was one cause of the peace and tranquillity of the town for so long a period. The temperament of a public man is soon known. If he is fickle, or easily moved, there will always be enough to keep him in trouble, turning to the right hand or to the left, and then complaining of his want of consistency of character. If he is firm and not easily turned, men will soon feel that it is useless to try ; and if he preserves a conscience void of offence, they will suffer him to walk in his own path unmolested. It is not for the peace or the happiness of a people to have a min ister who dares form no opinions, and pursue no course or plans, without first consulting them. 3. Dr. Chaplin was a man of deep and uniform piety. All who have heard him pray, will readily admit this. There was a deep solemnity upon all, when he rose to pray. It was the sympathy of the heart. There was an unction about him, and a fulness of thought and feeling, which is sometimes called appro priateness, but which means, that the heart accompanies the lan guage. He seemed to stand on the top of Pisgah and see all the promised land. From an intimate acquaintance with him I have reason to believe, that through life he adhered to the resolution of his youth to pray daily in secret. Indeed it was impossible for anyone to have so completely obtained the mastery over, himself as he had, without daily and secret communion with God. From some question which he one day put to me, I was led to infer, that for more than 60 years he had daily knelt in his closet. His piety was kindled, nourished, matured in this way. He was a great reader; but the word of God was his chief delight. At morning, noon, and night, during my acquaintance with him, he was found sitting down with the simplicity of a child, and reading the book of God for nourishment to his soul. And very few men understood the mind of the Spirit better than he. Even during his last sickness, he would ask and answer questions concerning the word of God which were original and discriminat ing. While on the very verge of eternity, waiting to receive per mission to cross the river of death, he went back to the testimony of the Prophets and Apostles for light and consolation. Before called away, Dr. C. had many severe trials to pass through. That his parents and aged relatives should go down to the grave before him was not remarkable. But of eight children, whom he 428 MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. saw ripening into maturity, and promising to be his support in old age, he buried five out of his sight. In the furnace of afflictions he was repeatedly and severely tried, but he came out as gold. I shall never forget the impression made upon my mind in seeing him pass the ordeal once. Let me describe it just as it was. This community will not soon forget Dr. James P. Chaplin, late of Cambridgeport — a man highly and universally beloved. He was cut down suddenly in the bloom of life and in the midst of usefulness. His fall was felt far round the spot where his dust sleeps, and his name is embalmed in the sweetest recollections of those who knew him best. He was the child of many prayers, the object of fond expectation, and was all that a father could desire in a son. The affection between the father and the son was recip rocal. The father leaned upon him as upon a staff; and the son repaid the confidence by acts which nothing but the most refined affection could suggest. It might be said, as of Jacob, the old man's heart was bound up in the child. On Friday evening tid ings came, that Dr. J. P. Chaplin was ill ; though no immediate danger was apprehended. On Saturday, the only remaining son went down to see him. On Sabbath evening my Bible Class were assembling — the room was full. I went in and told them I could not be with them, as Dr. Chaplin died that morning at 9 o'clock. A deep, audible groan through the assembly testified how the stroke was felt in his native village. As we were going to the house of the aged father, the son said, ' these are heavy tidings to carry to an old man — to a father almost 90 years of age ! ' It was all that passed between us on the way. In a few moments I was standing in the family parlor. There was the old man, his wife, and two daughters. He was sitting by the stand, reading his little Testa ment. He arose and gave me his hand. His son dared not trust his feelings to come in. ' Have you heard anything from Cam bridge to-day, Sir ? ' ' No ' — he replied with uncommon quick ness. There was a long pause, each dreading to speak. ' Are you prepared, Sir, to receive any tidings which Providence may send?' He started perceptibly — the hectic flush passed over his counte nance — but it was gone in a moment. 'At what hour,' said he, with a calmness that was more than affecting — it was sublime — ' at what hour did the awful event take place ? ' I told him. A burst of agony broke from every one, except the aged Father. As soon as he could speak, he said in a subdued tone of voice, 'I think I can say I am thankful to God for having given me such a MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. 429 son — to give back to him ! ' He then opened his lips, and for an hour, spake with a calmness, a clearness and an eloquence, which showed not only the man, the father, and the minister, but the Christian, who had been baptized by. the Holy Ghost. A let ter which he shortly after wrote to a beloved grandchild, bore am ple testimony that this was not the effect of insensibility to the loss. I trust I may here allude to the divisions among his people, which commenced about five years ago, without exciting disagree able feelings. At a proper time, when health and strength began to fail, Dr. C. more than once respectfully asked the town for as sistance. To these requests no attention *was paid. When his health did actually fail, he procured help for a few Sabbaths, which step gave great offence to those who had refused to pay any atten tion to his requests. When the town acted, it was to take the pul pit out of his hands. I do not say who was right, or who wrong ; but Dr. Chaplin believed he had a legal and ecclesiastical right to his pulpit till regularly dismissed; — he believed that very uncour- teous and disrespectful language was held towards him by the com mittee of the town ; — he believed that a guard was actually provided to keep him out of the pulpit on the Sabbath ; — (I do not assert that it was so, but he lived and died without ever doubting it ; ) he believed that he was threatened to be resisted even "unto blood" — that his support was wrongfully withholden from him — and that much evil was said of him ; — and yet — I never heard him use an angry expression, or make a severe remark against any man ! I never saw him when there seemed to be the least bitterness of feeling ! It seemed hardly possible for any one to pass through what he did, and yet so uniformly and clearly reflect only the image of Christ I do not believe he knew what it was to feel like an enemy towards any man ; and I may add, (what I have never heard asserted respecting any minister of the Gospel) that I do not believe that for many years of his life Dr. C. had a personal enemy on earth. The last sickness of Dr. C. was severe and trying ; but it was borne with the meekness of a child. As death approached, there were no high excitements and raptures ; nor were there any fears. He went down to the valley of death as the full sun of autumn sets, when not a cloud dims its brightness. The eye of faith so clearly gazed upon eternal realities, that the bosom gave not a sigh, nor the eye a tear, nor the heart a throb of fear, as the king of terrors 430 MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN^ D.D. came. It seemed not so much like death, as like the sweet confi dence of the infant falling asleep in the arms of its father. Many men have been more noticed in life, and many will be longer no ticed on earth ; but few, it is believed, have found a nearer passage to the bosom of the Saviour, or will receive a brighter crown of joy in the day of his appearing. The good old man is gone ! He lies in his saintly rest ; And his labors all are done, And the work he loved the best. The,good old man is gone But the dead in the Lord are bless'd. The following extract is taken from pages 198-200 of Mr. Butler's History of the town: — With the exception of the short time between his ordination and the final separation of the Presbyterians from the church and so ciety, he lived in a s.tate of much harmony with the church and people of his charge, during the long period of his ministry. He did not abound in " worldly wealth and riches," by many deemed necessary to contentment and happiness ; but he possessed a calm ness and serenity of mind, a social as well as devotional spirit, which enabled him to pass by the objects that cause cares and troubles, envyings and repinings, to those of a different tempera ment. Though of a serious, sober, and elevated turn of mind, he was affable, sociable and cheerful in his intercourse with his parish ioners, and enjoyed satisfaction in seeing them prosperous and happy in their lawful pursuits and undertakings. He entered not into the political strifes and contentions of his time, but was clear and decided in his views and principles, which were always in accordance with those of Washington and other patriots, who formed and endeavored to perpetuate the federal in stitutions of our country, and he fearlessly expressed them on all proper occasions. He was firm, consistent, stable, conservative, in all his opinions and transactions. His public discourses were didactic and practical, rather than doctrinal ; he taught the great and essential duties of morality MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. 43 1 and Christianity, more than the particular tenets of any sect : all Christians, therefore, could pronounce his teachings orthodox. In associations or ecclesiastical councils, his decisions were always on the side of liberality and true Christian charity, and his opinions were much respected and regarded by the clergy with whom he had intercourse. The course he pursued, after he could no longer perform the ministerial duties, may appear somewhat at variance with his gen eral character here portrayed ; but considering that the rank, power and authority of the clergy at the time of his ordination and during a part of his ministry had been lost by modern innova tions ; and also considering his connections at this time, partly of necessity and partly accidental, there is no mystery in the case ; so that no imputation of voluntary wrong should be imputed to him by those acquainted with all the circumstances and relations, in which he stood. He preached a sermon in the Union meeting-house the first Sab bath in January, 1828, half a century after his ordination. The infirmities of age came gradually upon his venerable form, till the eighth of April, 183 1, when his immortal part left its tab ernacle of clay, and fled to its permanent habitation. The number of church members admitted during Dr. Chaplin's ministry, was two hundred and twenty, viz. seventy males and one hundred and fifty females. Seventy-five owned the baptismal cov enant in order to their children's receiving the rite of baptism ; and one thousand three hundred and sixty-two children were bap tized by him. Five hundred and fifty-five couples took the marriage covenant in his presence. In the year 1876 a book was published at New York en titled "John Todd, the Story of his Life, told mainly by himself," which was compiled and edited by his son, the Rev erend John Edwards Todd. Five Chapters of the volume are devoted to his " Life at Groton," and many facts of interest are there given about Dr. Chaplin's pastorate in the town. In the Reverend Dr. William Buell Sprague's " Annals of the American Pulpit" (II. 148-152), is a long letter dated Pittsfield, May 17, 1856, written by Dr. Todd, which gives reminiscences of his venerable associate. Naturally he repeats many of the facts contained in the Memoir. 432 MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. Daniel Chaplin was a son of Jonathan and Mary (Boyn ton) Chaplin, and born at Rowley on December 30, 1743. He attended school at Dummer Academy, and graduated at Harvard College in the Class of 1772. He studied theology under the instruction of the Reverend Samuel Haven, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and was ordained at Groton, on January 1, 1778, when he became the pastor of the First Parish. He held this relation until the time of his death, on April 8, 1831, and was the last minister settled by the town. The. degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by his Alma Mater in the year 181 7. On June 24, 1779, Dr. Chaplin was married to Susanna, eldest daughter of the Honorable James and Susanna (Lawrence) Prescott, of Groton. After their marriage they lived for a while in the house built by Colonel Lawrence (Mrs. Chaplin's grandfather), and situated at the north corner of Main and Court Streets, formerly the site of Liberty Hall, which was burned on March 31, 1878; and subsequently they removed to the dwelling built by Major William Swan, and situated on School Street, north of the Burying Ground. Their children were Susanna, born March 31, 1780, was married, on April 20, 1808, to the Reverend Stephen Bemis, of Harvard, and died on October 5, 1810, leaving two children, Daniel Chaplin Bemis and William Lawrence Bemis. James Prescott, born on March 27, 1782, and was married on December 10, 1807, to Hannah Gardner, of Brighton. He was the sole graduate of the Harvard Medical School in the Class of 1805, and died at Carnbridgeport, on October 12, 1828. This son was named after his maternal grandfather. Daniel,hom on December 28, 1783, and died on September 3, 1815. Sarah, born on November 8, 1785, was married, on May 1, 1828, to Abel, son of Samuel and Lucy (Hubbard) Rockwood, who died on November 21, 1828. While these pages were passing through the press, Mrs. Rockwood died at Cortland, New York, on November 26, 1889, at the remarkable age of 104 years. See pages 65 and 233, as well as pages 434-436, for references to her. MEMOIR OF THE REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. 433 Matilda, born on August 15, 1787, and died at Groton, on March 23, 1855. Harriet, born on March 3, 1790, and died on October 14, 1808. Eliza Oliver, born on December 17, 1792, and died on March 28, 1807. William Lawrence, born on October 27, 1796, and died at Cort land, New York, on April 28, 1871. This son was named after Mrs. Chaplin's maternal grandfather. Dr. Chaplin was a man of large frame, and, when eighty- four years old, he was described by Dr. Todd, at the baptism of his first child, as " upward of six feet high, silver locks, and the most venerable man I ever saw." There is a pencil sketch of him, now in the possession of a granddaughter, Mrs. Theodosia Chaplin Walton, of Chicago, Illinois. The late Charles Woolley, for many years Dr. Chaplin's neighbor, used to tell me that the aged minister always reminded him of the engraved likenesses of General Washington ; and others have spoken of the same resemblance. A Bibliographical List of Dr. Chaplin' s printed Writings. A Sermon, preached in Bolton, December 30, 1802, at the funeral of Rev. Phineas Wright, Pastor of the Church in that Town. By Moses Adams, A. M. Minister of Acton. To which is added, the Character of the Deceased, by the Rev. Daniel Chaplin, of Groton. Together with a relation of the Circumstances attending the Death of Mr. Wright. Subjoined at the particular Request of the People late of his Charge. Boston : Printed by Manning & Loring, No. 2, Cornhill. 1803. 8vo. pp. 27. A Sermon, delivered May 26, 1808, in Brattle Street Church, Boston, before the Convention of Congregational Ministers, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. By Daniel Chaplin, A. M. Bos ton : Printed by Belcher and Armstrong, Suffolk Buildings. 1808. 8vo. pp. 24. A Discourse delivered before the Charitable Female Society in Groton Oct. 19, 1814. By Daniel Chaplin, A.M. Pastor of the Church in Groton. Published at the request of the Society. Andover Flagg and Gould, printers, 1814. 8vo. pp. 15. 434 MRS. SARAH C. ROCKWOOD. The Dispensations of Divine Providence considered as generally corresponding with the Moral Character of a Nation, and the Morals of New England at the present day briefly compared with the Morals of our Ancestors ; with some Observations on the duty of Electors, to give their Suffrages to men of Christian Character. A Sermon delivered at Groton Jan. 12, 1815, being the day of the " National Fast. By Daniel Chaplin, A.M. Pastor of the Church and Congregation in Groton. Published in compliance with a general request. Cambridge : Printed by Hilliard and Metcalf. 1815. 8vo. pp. 12. By an oversight this title was not given in the " Bibliog raphy of Groton," on page 176, where it properly belongs. A Sermon, delivered in Boston, before the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge ; on the evening of June 1, 1815. By Daniel Chaplin, Pastor of the Church in Groton. Boston : Printed by Nathaniel Willis, at No. 76, State-Street. 1815. 8vo. pp. 32. MRS. SARAH C. ROCKWOOD. While travelling homeward, through the State of New York, from a recent trip to the Southwest, I left the cars at Syracuse, on Thanksgiving Day (November 28), with the intention to call on Mrs. Rockwood ; but on reaching Cort land I found that she had died on November 26. I was thus enabled to attend her funeral on the next day, and to follow her remains to the grave. It was a source of sad satisfaction to pay this last token of respect to the memory of one who had known my mother from her earliest infancy The following account of the venerable lady, with an en graved portrait at the head of the article, is found in the "Cortland Standard," November 28, 1889. In the reprint I have taken the occasion to correct some inaccuracies of statement. MRS. SARAH C. ROCKWOOD. 435 Mrs. Sarah Chaplin Rockwood, whose portrait is published above and who was the oldest person in Cortland County, died Tuesday afternoon, November 26, from pneumonia, at the advanced age of one hundred and four years. She was. conscious nearly to the time of her death. Although up to a year ago Mrs. Rockwood had re tained all her faculties, excepting hearing, to a remarkable degree, during the past few months her eyesight began to be seriously affected. Mrs. Theo. Chaplin Walton, of Chicago, her only near relative, was with her during the last week of her life. To the last Mrs. Rockwood maintained a lively interest in the events of the day, and was an ardent Republican. For a number of years her home had been with Mrs. Samuel Bangs on Groton Avenue, and the funeral will be held there Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. From a notice of Mrs. Rockwood published in the "Standard " at the time she celebrated her one hundred and third birthday, we reprint the following sketch of her life, furnished by Mrs. Walton : — Mrs. Sarah Chaplin Rockwood was born Nov. 8, 1785, in Groton, Mass. Her father, the Rev. Daniel Chaplin, D.D., was a grandson of- the Hugh Chaplin who settled in that part of Rowley which is now Georgetown, Mass., in 1639. Several of the family lived to an advanced age, and Dr. Chaplin himself was eighty-six at the time of his death. On the mother's side, Mrs. Rockwood was related to Col. Prescott of Bunker Hill fame, and her childhood memories took in the scenes and incidents of the Revolution with the same interest and enthusiasm that we have for the days of the Rebellion. There is to-day a large old elm in the yard at the Chaplin home stead in Groton, Mass., set out by Mrs. Rockwood, when a little girl of seven or eight, on a rainy day after a cranberry expedition down in the swamp. She attended Groton Academy, and had as a schoolmate the late Amos Lawrence of Boston, who was a distant cousin. She often related with great animation their particularly good times at the monthly dances that were given at the close of school on the village common, and the " treats " of gingerbread handed around by the young men. She spent different years with her brother, Dr. James Prescott Chaplin, in Cambridgeport, who had the first private retreat for the insane in this country. She became a widow six months after her marriage to Mr. Abel Rock wood, and long after a half century she fondly cherished his memory. She spoke with a great deal of feeling of the visits paid her from time to time by the historian Prescott, who was as charming in manner as he was fine in mind. Advanced in years she came to 436 REV. JOSHUA HUNTINGTON. New York State to be with her youngest brother, William L. Chaplin, who gave his life to the anti-slavery cause. He died in 1871, and is buried in your beautiful cemetery. It was a frequent saying of Mrs. Rockwood's that she belonged to a generation taught to preserve life as long as possible. She certainly put in use the precepts of extreme carefulness in the way of diet, exercise, and methodical habits. She was eminently loyal to the past, and never forgot a friend. She also believed in and loved the present, while she waited the coming of her Lord with a calm and cheerful heart. REV. JOSHUA HUNTINGTON. It was at Dr. Chaplin's house where the Reverend Joshua Huntington, Pastor of the Old South Church, Boston, died on September 11, 1819. While returning homeward from, a trip for his health, he was seized so violently with a fever that he was obliged, on August 26, to leave the stage-coach at Groton, where he was kindly received by the minister and his family. See pages 81-83 0I this volume for an account of Mr. Huntington's last illness and funeral. The following letter, which will explain itself, has been preserved by one of Dr. Chaplin's granddaughters : — Boston, Sep1: 16, 1819. Rev? D? D. Chaplin. Rev? and Dear Sir, — We address you in the name and behalf of our bereaved and afflicted church and society, to thank you for your attention to our deceased pastor. Among the objects that deserve and receive our grattitude, we wish it to be noticed, that we include your amiable daughters the Miss Chaplins, Dr Bancroft the able and friendly physician, and all in your hospitable town who administered to the comfort of this departed man of GOD. But we request you and your family, in particular, to receive our sincere and unfeigned grattitude. When, by the Providence of GOD, he was brought, feeble and sick, to your vicinity, your friendly door was opened to "take him in," and you prepared for him the pillow that was to sooth and mitigate his sufferings ; and you did not REV. JOSHUA HUNTINGTON. 437 cease to watch and labour, and to unite in care and sympathy with his anxious wife and friends, until death removed him beyond your reach. This was Christian kindness, Christian hospitality, which, we doubt not, will receive its reward from yours and our blessed LORD, who has said that "whosoever giveth to drink a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, shall in no wise lose his reward." That he will bless you and your family, church, and town, with all temporal, and especially with all spiritual and heav enly blessings in Christ Jesus, is the prayer of the Old South Church and Congregation. We solicit to be remembered in your prayers in regard to our present bereaved state. We have to request, likewise, that you will accept the enclosed bill of one Hundred Dollars from the treasury of the said church and congregation, as a small compensation for your kindness, &c, on this melancholy occasion. We are, with great respect and regard, Sir, yr. Hble. Serv!, W™ Phillips, \ Deacons Josiah Salisbury, \ ofthe Edward Phillips, ) Old South Church. At a Meeting of the Old South Church, at the Vestry convened, on account of the death of the Rev. J. Huntington, Sept. u, 1819 : Voted, That the thanks of this Church be presented to the Rev? Doct. Chaplin and his Family for the many favours bestowed upon our deceased Pastor during his illness at Groton, and that this Church entertain a grateful sense of obligation for their hospitality and kindness on this melancholy occasion. Voted, That the Deacons be requested to communicate the fore going vote, and that they be requested to pay all expences and make such compensation as to them shall seem proper. Copy. S. T. Armstrong, Clerk. [Addressed.] paid. Rev? DanV Chaplin, D.D., Groton, p mail. County of Middlesex. GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1890. Historical Series, Vol. II. , No. XVI. STARCH-FACTORY AND PAPER-MILLS. In the spring of 1832 the following Act was passed by the General Court of Massachusetts ; and under the authority of the enactment a company was organized at Groton for the manufacture of starch. A mill was built for the purpose on the Groton side of the Squannacook River, three-quarters of a mile above the village of West Groton, but the undertaking did not prove to be a success. It stood on the site of the present paper-mill in that locality ; and the place is shown on Mr. Butler's Map of Groton. It was expected that this new industry in the town would help the farmers of the neighborhood by encouraging the cultivation of potatoes which were to be used in making the article, but the scheme was a failure. CHAP. CXXVII. An Act to incorporate the Dana Manufacturing Company. Sec. 1. BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That Oliver Sheple, Samuel Dana, Samuel Dana, Jr., Oliver Sheple, Jr, James Dana, and Washington Sheple, their associates and assigns be, and they hereby are constituted a corporation and made a body politic, by the name and style of the Dana Manufacturing Com pany, for the purpose of manufacturing cotton and woollen goods, iron wares, and starch from any materials, in the respective towns of Groton and Shirley in the county of Middlesex, and for this purpose shall have all the powers and privileges, and be subject to all the duties and requirements contained in an act passed the twenty third day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand 44° STARCH-FACTORY AND PAPER-MILLS. eight hundred and thirty, entitled " an act defining the general powers and duties of manufacturing corporations." Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That the said corporation may take and hold such real estate, not exceeding in value the sum of two hundred thousand dollars, and such personal estate not exceeding in value two hundred thousand dollars, as may be suitable and convenient for carrying on the business aforesaid. [Approved by the Governor, March 13, 1832.] The building was subsequently used as a paper-mill, and burned many years ago, probably during the summer of 1846. Soon afterward another mill was erected on the same site, which was bought on October 22, 1852, by Lyman Hollings worth of Jephthah Richardson Hartwell. The plant was sold in 1 88 1 by Mr. Hollingsworth to Messrs. Hollingsworth and Vose, of Boston, who still own it. The senior partner of this firm is a nephew of the former owner. The product of the mill is a Manilla paper of high grade, of which about three tons are made daily. On August 7, 1889, I visited the mill when they were making a paper, which is sent to England in boxes, for the manufacture of sand-paper, and very likely to be returned here in that form. In the stock-houses there were two hundred tons of old cordage, more or less, ready to be ground up and used in connection with " wood pulp," which enters largely into the composition of the article. Last year a new dam, a solid granite structure in place of the original one, was built ; though, in times of low water, steam-power is required to turn the machinery. The direct road from the village of West Groton to the paper-mill, — perhaps three quarters of a mile in length, — was laid out by the County Commissioners on April 13, 1838. An attempt was previously made by interested persons, in the spring of 1832, to have the same piece of highway built, but it did not meet with success, as it was then adjudged by the Commissioners to be " not of common convenience and necessity." Of course the road was opened in order to ac commodate the business of the new factory. The paper-mill on the Nashua River, at the Paper Mill Vil lage, was originally a wooden structure, and built in the year 1 841 by Oliver Howe, who owned the saw-mill and grist-mill STARCH-FACTORY AND PAPER-MILLS. 441 in close proximity ; and here the manufacture of Manilla paper was carried on. During more than a century there has been a dam at this place across the river, and in early times there was, also, a ford known as the Stony Fordway or Stony Wading-place. Among the Massachusetts Archives at the State House is a rough plan, made probably about the year 1740, which gives the names of the bridges, etc., in this neigh borhood, at that period. It is found in the volume marked on the back-" Maps and Plans" (XVI. 6), and bears the cata logue number 1482. About the year 1846 the property, on which stood these several mills, was sold to the brothers John Mark and Ly man Hollingsworth; and on September 1, 1851, Lyman sold his share to the other brother, John Mark, who rebuilt the paper-mill, making it of brick, but the building was very soon afterward burned. The following item is taken from the "Boston Daily Journal," Monday, June 7, 1852 : — Paper Mill Burnt. We learn that a paper-mill, dwelling- house and out-buildings adjoining, situated in Groton, and owned by Mr. J. M. Hollingsworth, were totally consumed by fire on Saturday [June 5]. The mill was at once rebuilt, and soon again in operation. HiT J. M. Hollingsworth's extensive and costly paper mills, at Groton Junction [Paper Mill Village], are nearly ready to go into operation. Mr. H. intends to manufacture first quality book paper, employing about 35 hands. " Lowell Weekly Journal and Courier," May 20, 1853. On March 7, 1865, Mr. Hollingsworth, just before his death on April 6 of that year, sold the property to his brother Ly man ; and eleven years later it was burnt for the second time. The "Boston Evening Journal," Friday, May 26, 1876, has the following account of the fire : — Mill Burnt at Groton, Mass. The large paper mill of Lyman Hollingsworth at North [?] Groton was destroyed by fire on Thursday afternoon [May 25]. It gave employment to about fifty workmen and was valued at $140,000. The insurance is placed in the following companies: 442 STARCH-FACTORY AND PAPER-MILLS. Etna, Hartford, and Phcenix of Hartford ; Home of New York ; North British and Mercantile ; Springfield Fire and Marine ; Fire Association of Philadelphia ; Meriden Fire ; Roger Williams of Providence, and Shawmut of Boston. It is divided as follows : On mill, $50,000 ; machinery, $24,000, and on stock, covering the probable loss, $>8,ooo. It is not yet known how the fire occurred. The mill was again rebuilt, this time by Lyman Hollings worth, and the manufacture of book paper continued, now with a daily product of about five tons. On December 13, 1 88 1, the establishment was sold to Messrs. Tileston and Hol lingsworth, of Boston, and in July, 1889, by them transferred to the Tileston and Hollingsworth Company, of Boston, a corpo ration organized under the laws of the Commonwealth.. During the autumn of 1882 Messrs. Tileston and Hollings worth caused a suitable stone to be placed by the wayside, near the mill, bearing the following inscription, which will explain itself : — NEAR THIS SPOT JOHN SHATTUCK, A selectman of groton, and his son john were killed by the indians, May 8, 1709, while crossing stony fordway, just below the present dam, 1882. For many of the facts in this article I am indebted to Charles William Jenks, of Boston, who for a long time was connected with the mill. After graduating at Harvard Col lege in the Class of 1871, he came to Groton and remained ten years, during which time he was engaged in the business of paper-making at this mill. Mr. Jenks writes me, under date of September 28, 1889: — I was at Groton from the year 18 71 to 1881. When I went there we thought two tons a good day's run, but when I came away we had nearly doubled that amount, without any radical change in the mill, being assisted in the increased product by the use of wood pulp. I think the mill now makes about five tons, steam-engines having been put in. WILD ANIMALS. 443 WILD ANIMALS. Certain kinds of animals, common in the early days of Groton, have now become extinct, or nearly so, in the neigh borhood. Some of them, as enemies of mankind, have been stamped out in a relentless manner, while others have been exterminated by the hunter or the trapper. In other words, they have disappeared before the march of civilization. A frequent entry in the early town-records is the payment of money for killing wolves. The bounty at first appears to have been ten shillings a head, but later it was considerably less. On November 13, 1672, an assessment was made by the Selectmen for raising money to pay some debts, among which was the item : " for pay for a woalfes head to John Nutting o 10 o." On February 8, 1680, — "The town Rat beeing truly cast vp by the sellect men to pay for wolues heads the sume is 8 6 4." Again, on December 29, 1683, a payment is charged " too Josiah Parker for 1 wollfs hed and pups o 11," " too Jams Nutin for 2 wolves hed and 3 days 1 1 1," and " too John ffarnworth for 1 wolf hed 3 dys half 1 1 3." Other entries of a similar character are found scattered through the town-records of that century. For sixty years Deer-Reeves were regular officers chosen by the town to protect wild deer. As early as March 1, 1742-3, John Longley, Jr., and Obadiah Parker were elected to the position " to Take Care y' y". Dear be not Destroyed Conterary to y? Law," &c. ; and the office was kept up until the March meeting of 1802. Foxes are still found, though gradually decreasing in num bers. While a lad, at different times I have seen them on Broad Meadow during the winter season, when they were tempted by hunger to visit hen-houses or poultry yards. Six weeks ago, near Snake Hill, I saw unmistakable traces of a bird that had been killed by a fox within a very short time. The late George Sumner Graves, a noted sportsman of Groton, wrote me on November. 13, 1889, only sixteen days before his death, that in his opinion there are not less 444 WILD ANIMALS. than twenty-five foxes killed each year within the limits of the town. More than forty years ago I remember that the late Asa Lewis brought into the Brick Store a piece of wood, as large as a man's arm, that had been gnawed through by beavers. Mr. Lewis lived on Chicopee Row ; and the wood, which I saw at the time, was found in the meadow, near Hawtree Brook. Zara Patch tells me that his grandfather Jacob Patch once pointed out to him, when a boy, the place near the foot of Rocky Hill, in the easterly part of the town, where he had seen when a young man a bear with some cubs, lying down under a projecting bowlder. His grandfather was born on April 5, 1747. Many years ago there was a small sheet of water, called Swan Pond, which has since been drained off. It lay north of the road from Groton to Forge Village, very near the Westford line, and is now represented by a piece of low land. See page 84 of this volume for an account of it. The pond undoubtedly took its name from the swan {Cygnus ferus), which formerly, at particular seasons, frequented this neigh borhood. Thomas Morton, in his "New English Canaan" (Amsterdam, 1637), writes: — 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, greate store at the seasons of the yeare. (Page 67.) In the spring of 1846 the late Eliab Going Bolton gave me the rattle of a rattlesnake, which he had killed some years previously on Snake Hill. Besides a " button " at the end, it had twelve rattles, and is now in the possession of the Boston Natural History Society, where it was given on December 9, 1869. Muskrats are still common in the meadows, and a great pest to all potato patches on low ground. Woodchucks are also occasionally seen in the fields or on the hills, but in time they will disappear, like many other kinds of animals. Within WILLIAM AUSTIN, JR. 445 twenty years I have seen a mink on my father's meadow, and occasionally one is killed in the township. There appeared in the " Boston Evening Record," Novem ber 9, 1889, under the head of " Good Game Stories," an article from which the following extract is taken: — There is good coon country nearer home in Middlesex County. Henry Fletcher of Westford, a great coon and fox hunter, has bagged five coons so far this fall. Other animals besides coons are being killed up in Middlesex. Mr. Carkin, who lives in the village of Graniteville, in Westford, took his gun and went hunting the other day on Snake Hill, close by Sandy pond, in Groton. Snake Hill is a wild, ledgy place, and was once a great resort for rattlesnakes. Mr. Carkin's dog ran an animal into a wall and poked his nose in after him, and pulled it out again quicker than lightning. The dog's nose was full of quills. Mr. Carkin killed the animal, which proved to be a huge hedge-hog. A few days later a Groton hunter killed another hedge-hog on Snake Hill, and he found in the ledges the mouth of a den, which by the "sign " around it seemed to be inhabited by at least 20 of the animals. There are coons in other sections of Middlesex. WILLIAM AUSTIN, JR. William Austin, Jr., whose death is recorded below, was a son of the Honorable William and Charlotte (Williams) Austin, and born at Charlestown, on September 15, 181 1, and died at Groton of typhoid fever, on January 8, 1835, at the house of Mrs. William Farwell Brazer. He graduated at Harvard College in the Class of 1831, and, while yet an un dergraduate, as well as afterwards, he had taught District School, No. 1. For several years he was engaged to a young lady of Groton, who took care of him during his last illness. His father was the author of " Peter Rugg, the Missing Man," a tale of some note, which first appeared in the " Norfolk Republican" (Roxbury), September 8, 1827, and the two succeeding numbers, though it was afterward considerably 446 WILLIAM AUSTIN, JR. enlarged and otherwise changed, and printed in "The Bos ton Book" for the year 1841. It is said that a remark of the son, when a lad, prompted the writing of the story. In Groton, 8th inst Mr William Austin, Jr. of Charlestown, 23, a graduate of Harvard University, of the class of 1831. " Boston Daily Advertiser & Patriot," January 10, 1835. On the 8th inst. Mr. William Austin, Jr. 23. The many friends of Mr Austin will need no recital of the strik ing and interesting traits of his character to quicken their recol lection of all that he was, and no portrait of ideal excellence to enhance the sense of their loss. The world at large, unconscious of his merit, will deem his praise but the customary tribute to the departed, or ascribe it to the partial voice of friendship. But it is imposed as a sacred duty on the witnesses of his mental and moral worth, that they do not permit his virtues to pass with him unac knowledged to his untimely grave. His character was most rare and estimable. Whatever may have been his share of what are generally considered brilliant qualities, he possessed in an uncom mon degree for one so young, those which the well-disposed and thoughtful usually acquire only with increasing years and experi ence. He was most remarkable for the strength of his religious principles, and his constant application of them in all his actions, even the least important. Many may perhaps be found, who would as readily as he avoid injuring the rights or feelings of another ; but he did not stop here ; those who have not witnessed can hardly realize how active was his benevolence, and how constantly he was devising means to confer obligations, as far as in his power, on all with whom he had any connexion. In 183 1, on leaving the University, at which he had been distin guished, he engaged in the office of instruction, for which he was highly qualified, though not by his talents and acquirements alone. His zealous industry had rendered him a very respectable scholar for his years, yet his efforts were not directed wholly, nor princi pally to the acquisition of knowledge, but rather to the formation of a pure and elevated character. He was modest, mild, and en gaging in his manners, and never failed to secure the respect and affection of his pupils, by his kindness to them and becoming re spect for himself. All his qualifications, however, may be inferred from the circumstance that he was recommended and patronized in SIGNOR BLITZ. 447 the undertaking in which he was engaged at the time of his death, by many of the most competent judges in the community. His quiet and serious temper had given the sacred profession in his view more charms than any other. He accordingly joined the Theological School at Cambridge in order to prepare himself for it, but after a short time, being convinced that its duties were incom patible with the bodily complaints to which he was predisposed, he relinquished the cherished object of his hopes with cheerful sub mission, and turned to seek some other path in which to make him self honored and useful to society. Two years since, disease laid a heavy, blighting hand upon him ; but, though his friends were never afterwards wholly free from anxiety on his account, no ap prehensions of his actual immediate danger were entertained by them. His death fell upon them with awful suddenness. It was finally occasioned by a violent fever, which his broken constitution had not strength to resist. It will be long before the numerous friends he had secured wherever it was his lot to be called, will cease to feel and deplore this great loss to themselves and the community; — but the remembrance of his virtues will afford a great and lasting consolation to all, who believe that sincere and unremitted exertions for the attainment of excellence are of any avail. Surely his generous, blameless spirit can have no ill to fear, through whatever untried change of being he may be called to pass. This thought shall hush our grief at being torn from him whose memory is blended with a thousand endearing recollections of the past. May it, as it ought, for the future, encourage us to follow his bright example, and so to incline our hearts to wisdom, that we may hope, " the dread path once trod," to be reunited to him in a better and happier world, to part no more forever. S. " Boston Daily Advertiser & Patriot," January 15, 1835. SIGNOR BLITZ. Signor Antonio Blitz is most pleasantly associated with my early recollections, and in after-life was numbered among my friends. Nearly a half-century ago I first saw him give one of his inimitable exhibitions, so amusing to small chil dren and so wonderful to those of a larger growth; and 448 SIGNOR BLITZ. the impressions then left on my mind have never been ef faced. In later years he passed his summers at Groton, where he made as many friends among the townspeople as he had by his public performances at an earlier period among the young folks, throughout the country. I remember, one afternoon, his telling me that he had on that day put the finishing touches to his book, which has since been published and widely circulated under the title of " Fifty Years in the Magic Circle " (Hartford, 1871). On July 23, 1863, Signor Blitz was married, secondly, to Helen Eliza, daughter of Jonas and Eliza (Adams) Eaton, who was born at Groton, on September 17, 1827. The cere mony was performed at her father's house by the Reverend Henry Martyn Dexter, D.D., at that time the pastor of the Berkeley Street Congregational Church, Boston. In the town-records the entry of the marriage describes the groom as a " thaumaturgist," and the son of Antonio and Amelia Blitz. Mademoiselle Marie Van Zandt, the noted prima donna of the present day, is a granddaughter of Signor Blitz ; and during her girlhood she passed many months at Mr. Eaton's dwelling, and attended school in the town. She is remembered with much interest and pleasure, not to say pride, by many of her former playmates. The following obituary notice is taken from the " Boston Evening Transcript," January 30, 1877: — Signor Blitz, whose death at Philadelphia [on January 28] was announced yesterday, was born in Deal, Kent County, England, on the coast, June 21, 1810. When about the age of twelve he learned something in legerdemain. In September, 1823, his father sent him in the care of a special attendant to Hamburg, where he made his first appearance in public. His first appearance in his native country was in Dover in December, 1825. After travelling through England, Ireland and Scotland, he started for America, leaving Liverpool on the est of August, 1834, and arrived in New York in the early part of September, making his initial bow before an American audience at Niblo's Garden some weeks later. After a visit to Bos ton he went to Philadelphia (which he afterward made his home) and established himself in a. large hall at Eighth and Chestnut DANIEL FARNSWORTH. 449 streets. The Quaker City seemed to suit the artist so well that after making an extended tour of the country he returned, and per manently established himself in the Assembly Buildings, where, during the later years of his life, he performed to large audiences. He was a great favorite, being very affable in his manners, and it will be a long while before the pleasant memories of Signor Blitz, and his wonderful boy " Bobby," are effaced from the minds of the residents of Philadelphia. About fourteen years ago [July 23, 1863], his first wife having died, he married a Miss Eaton, of Groton, Mass. This lady survives him, but the children are those of his first wife. He was the father of the celebrated opera singer Mme. Van Zandt, who is now in England, and also of Mrs. Metz, residing in New York city. During the later years of his life he performed only for the benefit of charitable institutions, having amassed a large fortune for himself and family by his previous efforts. The automaton trumpeter, the never-failing egg-sack, and the Sphinx were the results of his creative fancy. During his life he performed before many of the reigning sovereigns of Europe. DANIEL FARNSWORTH. The following notice taken from " The Continental Journal, and Weekly Advertiser" (Boston), January 2, 1777, shows the want of postal facilities which existed during the Revo lutionary period. At that time there were but few post- offices in New England, and letters for Groton were sent first to the Boston Office, and afterward forwarded through private channels. This explains the statement that "letters are uncertain." To Mr. DANIEL FARNSWORTH, of Groton, in the state of Massachusetts-Bay : SIR, * HTHE privateer you are concerned in has taken and sent a prize •*• to a safe port. 1 take this method to acquaint you of it, as letters are uncertain. When I see you shall be able to give a more particular account about it. From your friend and humble servant, D. R. Providence, December 25, 1776. 45° BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. The following titles are supplementary to the " Biblio graphy of Groton," which constituted No. VII. of the present volume. They were either omitted in that list, or have been printed since the issue of the number. 1809. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. House of Representatives, Feb. 25, 1809. A Report of a Committee, to whom was re ferred " the memorial of Samson Woods, complaining of certain conduct of Samuel Dana, Esquire, in his office of County At torney for the County of Middlesex;'' to which is appended a reply to the complaint, addressed by Mr. Dana "To the Hon orable Justices of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Middlesex, at December Term, 1808," and dated December 27, 1808. No titlepage. 12 mo. pp. n. 1815. The Dispensations of Divine Providence considered as generally corresponding with the Moral Character of a Nation, and the Morals of New England at the present Day briefly compared with the Morals of our Ancestors ; with some Observations on the Duty of Electors, to give their Suffrages to Men of Christian Character. A Sermon delivered at Groton Jan. 12, 1815, be ing the Day of the National Fast. By Daniel Chaplin, A.M. Pastor of the Church and Congregation in Groton. Published in compliance with a general Request Cambridge : Printed by Hilliard and Metcalf. 1815. 8vo. pp. 12. 1826. Memoirs of the late Mrs. Susan Huntington, of Boston, Mass. Con sisting principally of extracts from her Journal and Letters ; with the Sermon occasioned by her death. By Benjamin B. Wisner, Pastor of the Old South Church in Boston. Second Edition. Boston : Published by Crocker & Brewster, No. 47, Washington Street, late 50, Cornhill. 1826. nmo. pp. 392. With a portrait. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 45 I 1830. Minutes of the General Association of Massachusetts, at their meeting in Groton, June 1830, with the Narrative of the State of Religion, and the Pastoral Address. Boston : Printed by Crocker & Brewster, No. 47, Washington Street. 1830. i2mo. 32, (14)- I833- Memoirs of the late Mrs. Susan Huntington, of Boston, Mass. By Benjamin B. Wisner, Pastor of the Old South Church in Boston. Fourth Edition, with an Introductory Essay and an Original Poem, by James Montgomery. Boston : Published by Crocker and Brewster, 47, Washington Street: New York: — Jonathan Leavitt, 182, Broadway. 1833. i2mo. pp. 360. With a portrait. . 1838. Discourse delivered at the Funeral of Hon. William M. Richardson, on the 26th day of March, A. D., 1838. By Rev. Jonathan Clement, Pastor of the Congregational Parish in Chester, N. H. Published by request of the citizens of Chester. Concord, N. H. Printed by Asa M'Farland, opposite the State House. 1838. i2mo. pp. 16. 1847. The Sure and only Foundation, with Historical Notices. A Cen tennial Discourse, delivered before the Church of Christ and Second Parish, in Pepperell, Mass., January 29, 1847. By David Andrews, Pastor of the Church. Boston : Well-spring Press, A. J. Wright, Printer. 1847. 8vo. pp. 48. The Claims of Congregational Churches. A Centennial Address : being a Plea in Vindication of the Rights of the First Church of Christ in Pepperell, Mass. Delivered Feb. 9, 1847. By Charles Babbidge, Minister of the First Parish. Boston : Wm. Crosby and H. P. Nichols, 11 1 Washington Street. 1847. 8vo. pp. 44. 1848. Alarming Developments, connected with our Courts. The Wrong Member of Middlesex Bar, convicted of Perjury, and the means by which it was accomplished Exposed ! By B[enjamin] F[ranklin] Clark, Pastor of the Congregational Church and Society in North Chelmsford, Ms. Boston : Printed by Bense & Morgan, 3 State Street. 1848. 8vo. pp. 38. 452 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 1850. Address at the Dedication of the Shaker Mills, Shirley. [Signed by L[orenzo] D[ow] Grosvenor, South Groton, Mass., 1850]. 4to. pp. (4). A Concise Answer to the Inquiry, who or what are the Shakers ? [Signed by L. D. Grosvenor, South Groton, Mass., 1850]. 4to. pp. (2). 1854. The " Record of Alpheus Richardson's Family " and the " Record of Joel Lawrence's Family," mentioned under this year, were prepared by William Henry Richardson, a son of Alpheus. 1858. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. House of Representatives, February 2, 1858. [A Report of] "The Committee on Elections to whom was referred the Petition of Allen Cummings, of Duns table, claiming to be admitted to a seat as a member of the House from the twenty-sixth district in the County of Middle sex, in the place of Eliel Shumway, of Groton," — [signed by Marcus Morton, Jr. See page 15 of this volume]. No title- page. 8vo. pp. 4. 1859. The True Sabbath. With an Introduction by Walter Dickson. Groton, Feb. 1859. No titlepage. 12 mo. pp. 8. "The Quarterly Journal of the American Unitarian Association.'' [Boston], October, 1859 [VII. No. 1. pp. 46-60]. Memorials of Mrs. Margaret Fuller, by her son, Richard Frederick] Fuller. 1866. Memorial of Abbie Cogswell Waite, by her husband, Josiah K[en- dall] Waite, Pastor of Christ Church, Groton Junction. Boston : Nichols & Noyes. 1866. [John H. Turner, Printer, Groton Junction.] i2mo. pp. 69. With a photograph. 1877. Military Record of Pepperell, Mass. Historical Address given in Prescott Hall, June 18, 1877, by C[harles] P[utnam] Shattuck. Nashua, N. H. : H. R. Wheeler, Steam Book and Job Printer. 1877. 8vo. pp. 38. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. 453 1878. Recollections of " Ye Olden Time," with Biographical Sketches of eminent clergymen, statesmen, merchants, physicians, lawyers, presidents of Colleges, teachers, etc., in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. Illus trated with numerous Steel Plates and Wood-Cuts. By William Mason Cornell,- D.D., LL.D. . . . Boston : Lee and Shepard, Publishers. New York : Charles T. Dillingham. 1878. i2mo. pp. viii (1), 436. On pages 420-429 of this book is given a sketch of Amos Lawrence, illustrated by an engraved likeness on steel. 1887. The History and By-Laws of the First Congregational Church, Ayer, Mass. Compiled by Rev. Alfred S[ereno] Hudson, Pastor. Approved and Published by the Church. 1887. [Wm. M. Sargent, Printer, Ayer, Mass.] i2mo. pp. 135 (1). 1888. Neighborhood Convention Y. P. S. C. E. in the Union Congrega tional Church, Groton, Mass., Rev. John Barstow, Pastor. Sat urday, October 13, 1888. [Order of Exercises.] No imprint. 1 2 mo. pp. [4]. Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. [A Prospectus. November, 1888.] No imprint. 8vo. pp. [7]. Catalogue of Groton School, Groton, Mass. 1888-1889. Ayer, Mass.: Huntley S. Turner, Printer. 12 mo. pp. (16). 1889. Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenditures of the Town of Groton, with other Statistical Matter, for the year ending March 16, 1889. Ayer, Mass. : Huntley S. Turner, Pamphlet and Job Printer. 8vo. pp. 48. Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Groton for the fiscal year ending March 16th, 1889. Ayer, Mass. : Huntley S. Turner, Pamphlet and Job Printer. 8vo. pp. 17. 4S4 MRS. SARAH PERRY. Catalogue of the Congregational S. S. Library, Groton, Mass. [April, 1889.] No titlepage. 8vo. pp. 8. Inauguration of Washington. Centennial Anniversary. First Parish Meeting House, Groton, Mass., Tuesday, April 30, 1889. [Order of Exercises.] i2mo. pp. (4). Centennial Anniversary of Washington's Inauguration. Proceedings in the First Parish Meeting-House, at Groton, Massachusetts, April 30, 1889. Groton : Printed for private distribution. 1889. 8vo. pp. 23. Ninety-sixth Anniversary of Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., Wednesday and Thursday June 26 and 27, 1889. i2mo. pp. 4. Journal kept by Sergeant David Holden of Groton, Mass. during the latter part of the French and Indian War. February 20- November 29, 1760. With Notes and an Introduction by Samuel A. Green, M.D. [From the Proceedings of the Massa chusetts Historical Society, June 13, 1889, Volume IV. second series, pages 384-409.J Cambridge : John Wilson and Son. University Press. 1889. 8vo. pp. 30. Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors and Students of Lawrence Academy Groton, Mass., for the Year Ending June 27th, 1889. Ninety-sixth year. Ayer, Mass. : Huntley S. Turner, Book and Job Printer. 1889. i2mo. pp. 15 (1). Groton Public Library. Supplement No. 4, 1889. No titlepage. i2tno. pp. 32. Catalogue of Groton School, Groton, Mass. 18 89- 1890. Ayer, Mass. : Huntley S. Turner, Printer. i2mo. pp. (16). MRS. SARAH PERRY. Sarah Lawrence was a daughter of Colonel William and Susanna (Prescott) Lawrence, and born at Groton, on March 12, 1732. She was married on October 23, 1755, to the Reverend Joseph Perry, second pastor of East Windsor, Con necticut, a graduate of Harvard College in the Class of 1752. He was born at Sherborn on August 13, 173 1, and died at Windsor on April 21, 1783. Mr. Perry married, secondly, Mrs. Naomi (Ridgely | Gedney) Verstille. The following tribute to Mrs. Perry's memory was printed as a broadside at the time of her death : DIED at EAST- WINDSOR, The 28th of August, 1778, in the 47th Year of her Age, Mrs. SARAH PERRY, The amiable Confort of the Rev. JOSEPH PERRY, Pallor of th e Firft Churc h in that Town. SHE was born in Groton in the Maf- fachufetts-Bay. Her father was the honorable Colonel William Laurence of that place, and her mother belonged to the ancient and honorable Prefcot family. She was married, about twenty-three years ago, to Mr. Perry, with whom me ever after lived in the clofeft mutual friendship, and moft endearing conjugal affection. She was excellently well calculated for the ftation in life, which providence allotted her. The piety and virtue, the great fhare of wifdom and prudence, with which fhe was endued, the remarkably good ce- conomy which fhe obferved in the manage ment of her domeftic affairs, the cheerful- nefs and generality with which fhe ever entertained the many ftrangers and nu merous acquaintance, which the well known hofpitality of the family invited to call upon them, rendered her a crown to her hufband, an honor and blefling to her children, and an object of the efteem of all to whom the was known. Her charity to the poor, and compaffion for the fick, forrowful and diftreffed were a conspicu ous part of her character, which greatly endeared her to the people amongft whom fhe refided, who manifefted their regard for her, in the feafon of her weaknefs and diflrefs, in a manner that was exceeding refreshing and comforting to her and the family, and honorable to themfelves. Her laft ficknefs, which was of long continuance and very diftreffing, it being of the hectic kind, and attended with peculiar difficulties, fhe endured with exemplary chriftian pa tience and fortitude. During the whole of her ficknefs fhe manifefted a firm be lief in the divine perfections, and the all- fufficiency of the power and grace of the Redeemer, and was fupported by a com fortable hope of falvation thro' the atone ment and mediation of Jefus Chrift; though fenfible of her many imperfecti ons, and the great deceitfulnefs of the human heart, .fhe expreffed herfelf with becoming caution, fear and modefty, with refpect to the fincerity of her faith and repentance. But as her diflblution ap proached her doubts diminished ; and for feveral days before fhe died, being in the clear and full exercife of her reafon and underftanding, with which fhe was fa voured from firft to laft, it pleafed God to increafe her faith and hope to fuch a degree of affurance, and ftrong truft and confidence in Him through the Saviour, as not only raifed her above the fear of death, but produced in her an entire willingnefs to leave her neareft earthly friends, who were exceedingly dear to her, in the hands of God, to whom with alacrity fhe commit ted them, and caufed her earneftly to long for the time of her departure. She left to mourn her death, befides a very affec tionate hufband, fix children, and a babe but three weeks old. 45 6 ORDINATION AT GROTON. SLAVERY IN GROTON. The following entry is found in the town-records, and re fers to the last survivor of negro slavery within the limits of the town. The institution was abolished by the adoption of the State Constitution in the year 1780, the courts holding that the Bill of Rights swept away the remnants of involun tary servitude. Phillis Walby, servant to Josiah Sawtell, Jun., deceased, died at Groton, aged 79, February , 182 1. The following extract from the town-records refers to Titus, who is advertised as a run-away in " The Boston-Gazette, and Country Journal," June 13, 1774. The advertiser was a son of Abraham Moors, the owner of the slave mother. See page 62. Titus, a molato boy born of Zebinah, a negro slave to Mf Abra ham Moors, March , 1751. See the first volume (No. XVIII. pages 18-21) of this Historical Series, for other references to the same subject. ORDINATION AT GROTON. Rev. Edward L. Gulick was ordained pastor at the Con gregational church [Groton] Tuesday, Dec. 3. The examina tion by the council convened was held in the forenoon, Rev. Mr. Meredith of Leominster, moderator. At 1.30 o'clock the exercises of the ordination began. Rev. Mr. Meredith offered the ordaining prayer. Rev. Dr. Leeds of Hanover, N. H., delivered the sermon from the text " What shall I do with Jesus, which is called Christ ? " Rev. Mr. Barstow of Glas tonbury, Ct., gave the hand of fellowship, and a royal welcome to his successor, in words that moved the hearts of all his hearers. Rev. Mr. Wolcott of Lawrence gave the charge to the pastor, so complete and comprehensive that nothing could be added as improvement. The service closed with benedic tion by the pastor. Mr. Gulick has accepted the call of the church and society to preach for one year. " The Lowell Weekly Journal," December 6, 1889. OBITUARY NOTICES. 457 OBITUARY NOTICES. The following sketches of Harvard graduates relate to persons who were either natives of Groton or residents of the town. They are arranged alphabetically under their names, and not in the order of their graduation ; and they are taken from Dr. Joseph Palmer's " Necrology of Alumni of Harvard College, 1851-52 to 1862-63" (Boston, 1864). There is also appended, from the same volume, a list of per sons who were more remotely connected with the town. See pages 334-341 for similar sketches of Amherst graduates, and pages 356-358 for sketches of Dartmouth graduates. CLASS of 1 8 16. George Frederick Farley died in Groton, Mass., 8 Novem ber, 1855, aged 62. Hewas son of Benjamin and Lucy (Fletcher) Farley, of Brookline, N. H. ; and was born in Dunstable, Mass., 5 April, 1 793 ; his mother, at the time of his birth, being on a visit at her father's house. He was prepared for college at West ford Academy ; and, on leaving college, began the study of law with his brother, Benjamin Mark Farley (H. C. 1804), in Brookline, N. H. ; afterwards, for a time, studied with Luther Lawrence, of Groton (H. C. 1801), but completed his studies with his afore mentioned brother. He was admitted to the bar in New Hamp shire in 1820, and opened an office in New Ipswich, N. H., where he practised until 183 1 or 1832, when he removed to Groton, Mass., where he resided during the remainder of his life. For the last two or three years previous to his death, he had an office in Boston. He was one of the most eminent and successful lawyers in Middle sex County. (Page 88.) See pages 325-328 of this volume for a notice of Mr. Farley. CLASS of 18 1 8. Rev. James Delap Farnsworth died in Bridgewater, 1 2 Novem ber, 1854, aged 61. He was born in Groton, Mass., n September, 1793 ; was ordained at Orford, N. H., 1 January, 1823 ; dismissed 45 8 OBITUARY NOTICES. 9 April, 1832 ; installed at Paxton, Mass., 30 April, 1835 ; dis missed 1840; installed at North Chelsea; dismissed 1853; in stalled at Bridgewater, 1 September, 1853. In 1853, he was chaplain to the Massachusetts Senate. (Pages 51, 52.) CLASS OF 1820. Rev. William Gragg died in Groton, 19 November, 1852, aged 66. He was son of Thomas [and Eunice (Lakin)] Gragg, of Groton, where he was born* 17 September, 1786; ordained at Windham, Me., 15 October, 1828; after a few years was dismissed, and removed to Carlisle, Mass., thence to Bedford, and finally returned to his native place, Groton, where he passed the re mainder of his life. His wife died 29 November, having survived him but ten days. (Page 18.) CLASS OF 1857. George Hollingsworth died in Groton, Mass., 8 August, 1859, aged 23. He was son of John Mark and Emmeline (Cor nell) Hollingsworth, and was born in Braintree, Mass., 29 July, 1836. He entered the Boston Latin School at the age of ten ; and, after remaining there somewhat over two years, left, upon the re moval of his parents to West Cambridge ; and there he completed his preparatory studies for admission into college, under the in struction of a private tutor. He taught school during the winter of 1857-8, and subsequently was engaged in the paper-manufac turing business with his father in Groton. (Page 336.) CLASS OF 1806. Abraham Moore died in Boston, 30 January, 1854, aged 69. He was born in Bolton, Mass., 5 January, 1785; studied law with Hon. Timothy Bigelow (H. C. 1786) ; and settled as a lawyer in Groton in 1809, where he resided till 18 15, when he removed to Boston. (Page 29.) CLASS OF 1795. Samuel Jackson Prescott died in Brookline, Mass., 7 February, 1857, aged 83. He was son of Dr. Oliver (H. C. 1750) and Lydia (Baldwin) Prescott, and was born in Groton, Mass., 15 March, 1773. OBITUARY NOTICES. 459 He was fitted for college at Phillips Academy in Andover. After graduating, he studied law in the office of Hon. William Prescott (H. C. 1783), and was admitted to the bar ; but soon left the pro fession on account of being affected with deafness, and engaged in mercantile business ; having formed a copartnership with Aaron P. Cleveland, under the style of Prescott and Cleveland. In this pursuit he was unsuccessful, owing to the embargo of 1807, the non-intercourse, and the war with Great Britain which ensued. He then became a magistrate, and for more than twenty years was a notary-public for Suffolk county. He married Margaret Hiller, daughter of Joseph Hiller, Esq., by whom he had five children, — two sons and three daughters ; of whom the sons only survive him. He was a man of strong powers of mind, and held a high rank in his class as a scholar. He had a taste for genealogical and statistical investigations : he compiled the index for the triennial catalogue of Harvard College, which was first published in the triennial in 1830. Later in life, to his physical infirmity of deafness was added that of blindness. His intellectual faculties, too, became clouded ; and he passed his closing years at the residence of one of his sons in Brookline, where he was kindly cared for with all the attention which filial affection could bestow. (Pages 108, 109.) CLASS OF 1 818. Rev. Charles Robinson died in Groton, Mass., 9 April, 1862, aged 68 years. He was the eldest son of Caleb and Judith (Robin son) Robinson, and was born in Exeter, N. H., 25 July, 1793- His father was a native of Exeter; as were also his grandfather and great-grandfather on the paternal side, both of whom bore the Christian name of Caleb. His grandfather was a major or a lieutenant-colonel of the New-Hampshire militia, in the battle of Bunker Hill. He afterwards served as an officer in the continental army during the revolution, and died soon after his return from the war. His mother was born in Gloucester, Mass. Her father's name was John Robinson. He was an Englishman, and followed the sea as a profession. He settled in Gloucester, and married Hannah Lane. They had four children, — all daughters ; and his wife died in giving birth to Robinson's mother. Her husband was then at sea; and, when he returned,. the news of the death of his wife made such an impression upon him, that he sickened, and died a few days afterwards, — leaving four fatherless and motherless chil- 460 OBITUARY NOTICES. dren, who were taken and cared for by their grandmother Lane, until the oldest was married, and removed to Exeter. Robinson's mother, at that time but a child, went with her. His father died at the age of about 32 years, leaving his wife, with four young chil dren, without property : but she was a woman of very extraordi nary physical and mental powers, — of great endurance, industry, and ingenuity, — which enabled her to bring up her family through great hardships, until they were able to help themselves ; and then Robinson and two sisters devoted themselves to the attainment of an education somewhat above the humble condition of their lives. His mother lived to the age of 87 years, almost always enjoying good health. He was fitted for college at Exeter Academy. He held a high rank of scholarship in his class, and graduated with honors. After leaving college, he went to Maryland, where he was president of Washington College for one year. He then returned, and studied theology at the Divinity School in Cambridge. He was ordained over the Unitarian church in Eastport, Me., 30 October, 1822 ; resigned his charge, 1 April, 1825. He was installed at Groton, 1 November, 1826; and resigned in October, 1838; installed at Medfield, 16 October, 1839; resigned 1 September, 1850; in stalled at Peterborough, N. H., 4 December, 1851; resigned 24 June, i860. He then returned to Groton, where he resided until his death. He married, for his first wife, 3 July, 1827, Jane Park, only daughter of Stewart J. Park, of Groton ; and had one child, Jane, — born 17 March, 1828, — who lived only five days. His wife died 23 March, 1828. He married, for his second wife, 1 January, 1830, Diantha Prentiss, daughter of Hon. John Prentiss, of Keene, N. H. She died at Medfield, 18 May, 1843, — no children. He married, for his third wife, 11 September, 1844, Sally May Cotton, daughter of Rev. Ward Cotton (H. C. 1793), of Boylston, Mass., and had by her two children ; viz., Sarah Jane, born 29 July, 1845, — died 8 October, 1847; and Charles Cotton, born 22 May, 1849, — wri° survived him. His wife died 6 June, 1849. He married, for his fourth wife, 1 September, 1850, Elizabeth Jane Burton, daughter of Jonathan Burton, of Wilton, N. H., and had one child; viz., William Burton, born 3 April, 1854; who, with his mother, survived him. (Pages 412-414.) OBITUARY NOTICES. 46 1 CLASS OF 1798. Hon. Richard Sullivan died in Cambridge, 11 December, 1861, aged 82 years. He was the third son of Hon. James and Mehitable (Odiorne) Sullivan, and was born in Groton, Mass., 17 July, 1779. His father was born in Berwick, Me., 22 April, 1744. He was a lawyer by profession, and began practice in Georgetown, Me. ; but soon afterwards removed to Biddeford, Me. In February, 1778, he removed to Groton, Mass. ; and, in 1782, he removed from Groton to Boston. He was a judge of the Supreme Court, and attorney-general of Massachusetts. In 1807, he was chosen governor of the state; was re-elected in 1808, and died while in office, 10 December, 1808. Mr. Sullivan's mother was the daughter of William Odiorne, a ship-builder, of Durham, N. H., where she was born 26 June, 1748; and died in Boston, 26 Jan uary, 1786. Young Sullivan was fitted for college at the Boston Latin School. He was well prepared for pursuing the prescribed studies in the college course, but did not presume so far upon his acquirements as to pass superficially over the assigned tasks. As a scholar, he was among the most distinguished of his class. His character was spotless, his disposition kind and benevolent, his manners polished, without affectation or parade. After leaving col lege, he studied law in the office of his father, and was admitted to the Suffolk bar in 1801, but did not long pursue his profession, as he had an ample competence of worldly goods. In his early man hood, he took much interest in political affairs. He was elected a senator in the state legislature from Suffolk in 1815 and the two following years ; was a member, from Brookline, of the convention for revising the constitution of the state in 1820 ; was a member of the governor's council in 1820 and 1821. In 1823, he was the candidate of the federal party for lieutenant-governor of the state, the Hon. Harrison Gray Otis being the candidate for governor ; but the ticket was defeated. In 1821, he was elected a member of the board of overseers of Harvard College, and held that office until the board was newly constituted by an act of the legislature of Massachusetts in 1852, which was accepted by the corporation and overseers of the college. He was public-spirited and philan thropic ; and the records of several of our most valuable public institutions, founded during the first thirty years of the present century, bear ample testimony to his services in their behalf. It was at a meeting of gentlemen at his house that the project of the Massachusetts General Hospital was first seriously started ; and, 462 OBITUARY NOTICES. among those who aided in rearing that beneficent establishment, the labors of few were more earnest or efficient than those of Mr. Sullivan. Removing into the country, and residing for many years in the neighboring town of Brookline, he was among the first of those, who, nearly half a century ago, gave an impulse to rural tastes and pursuits, to the advancement of agriculture, and to that culture of fruits and flowers, which, now widespread, does so much to embellish and refine life among us. Here, at his beautiful estate in the country, surrounded by his wife and daughters, .he had a home, which, in the dignity and grace that presided over it, in the intellectual and moral refinement that pervaded it, in the holy love and faith that sanctified it, was the model of a Christian home ; and comes up to the thoughts of all who remember it, as being as near an approach to a picture and miniature of heaven as they may ever hope to see on earth. He married, 22 May, 1804, Sarah Russell, a daughter of the eminent and wealthy merchant, Thomas Russell, of Boston ; and shortly after, in company with her, made an extensive tour in Europe. The issue of this marriage was four sons and four daughters, of whom only two sons survived him. His wife died 8 June, 1831. (Pages 388-390.) The following list, as taken from Dr. Palmer's Necrology, comprises those Harvard graduates, mentioned in the book, who pursued either their preparatory or their professional studies at Groton. CLASS OF 1802. Henry Adams, born at Lunenburg, May 13, 1777; attended school at Groton Academy ; and died at Somerville, November 13, 1862. CLASS OF 1829. Reverend Reuben Bates, born at Concord, May 20, 1808 ; at tended school at Groton Academy; and died at Stow, December 1, 1862. CLASS OF 1794. William Crosby, born at Billerica, June 3, 1770; studied law with the Honorable Samuel Dana ; and died at Belfast, Maine, March 31, 1852. OBITUARY NOTICES. 463 CLASS OF 1857. Edward Thomas Damon, born at Wayland, April 19, 1834; attended school at Lawrence Academy ; and died at Cambridge, November 30, 1859. CLASS OF 18 19. Reverend William Farmer, born at Townsend, February 24, 1793; attended school at Groton Academy; and died at Lunen burg, June 24, 1862. CLASS OF 1843. Reverend Arthur Buckminster Fuller, born at Cambridge, August 10, 1822; fitted for college under the instruction of his sister, Margaret Fuller, at Groton ; and was killed in the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 12, 1862. CLASS OF 1834. Eugene Fuller, born at Cambridge, May 14, 1815; studied law with George Frederick Farley, Esq. ; and was drowned at sea, June 21, 1859. CLASS OF 1 82 1. Dr. Jonas Henry Lane, born at Lancaster, January 28, 1800; attended school at Groton Academy ; and died in Boston, Septem ber 5, 1861. CLASS OF 1830. Dr. Henry Lincoln, born at Leominster, August 11, 1804; attended school at Groton Academy ; and died at Lancaster, February 29, i860. CLASS -OF 1792. Honorable John Locke, born at Hopkinton, February 14, 1 764 ; studied law with the Honorable Timothy Bigelow ; and died in Boston, March 29, 1855. CLASS OF 1 80 1. Honorable Stephen Minot, born at Concord, September 28; 1776; studied law with the Honorable Samuel Dana ; and died at Haverhill, April 6, 1861. 464 OBITUARY NOTICES. CLASS OF l8l I. George Morey, born at Walpole, June 12, 1789; studied law with the Honorable Luther Lawrence ; and died in Boston, May 11, 1866. CLASS OF 1 8 14. Jonathan Porter, born at Medford, November 13, 1791 ; studied law with the Honorable Luther Lawrence; and died at Medford, June 11, 1859. CLASS OF 1807. Joshua Prescott, born at Westford, November 15, 1780 ; stud ied law with the Honorable James Prescott ; and died at Reading, January 1, 1859. CLASS OF 1 791. Honorable Thomas Rice, born at Pownalborough (now Wis- casset), Maine, March 30, 1768 ; studied law with the Honorable Timothy Bigelow; and died at Winslow, Maine, August 24, 1854. CLASS OF 1808. Honorable Samuel Emerson Smith, born at Hollis, New Hampshire, March 12, 1788; attended school at Groton Acad emy ; studied law with the Honorable Samuel Dana ; and died at Wiscasset, Maine, March 3, i860. CLASS OF 1 8 16. Augustus Thorndike, born at Beverly, July 8, 1797; during his suspension, continued his college studies under the direction of George Morey, at that time a student-of-law in the office of the Honorable Luther Lawrence; and died in Boston, November 25, 1858. CLASS OF 1 79 1. Dr. John Walton, born at Cambridge, October 29, 1770; studied medicine with Dr. Oliver Prescott ; and died at Pepperell, December 21, 1862. INDEX TO THE VARIOUS HEADINGS. Volume II. Addenda, 67, 168, 274, 372, 391. Agricultural Society, An, 86. Amherst College, 334. Austin, William, Jr., A Notice of, 445- Balloons passing over Groton, Two, 354- Baptist Church at Ayer, 166. Baptistery, A, 243. Bar, The, and the Clergy, 109. Barron Family, The, 341. Barstow, Rev. John, Dedication Sermon of, 409. Bassett, Mrs. Mary Ann, Bequest of, 247. Battle of Bunker Hill and the Shays Rebellion, 55, 115. Bennett, Hon. Josiah Kendall, Death of, 121. Berry, Mrs. Sarah Brazer, Notice of, 388. Bibliography of Groton, 173, 450. Bi-Centennial Celebration, Oct. 31, 1855, 227. Bigelow,' Mrs. Anna, Epitaph on, 67. Blitz, Signor Antonio, A Notice of, 447- Boynton, Stephen, Petition of, 269. Bridge carried away, 108. Brown, Col. Frank A., 169. Camp Stevens, 101. Celebration, July 4, 1807, 402. Celebration, July 4, 1808, 384. Chamberlain, " Paugus John," 164. Change of Names, 106. Chaplin, Rev. Daniel, An Account of, 417. Chapman, Oliver, Death of, 383. Circus, The, and the Show, 271. Civil Officers, A List of, 23. Coroners, 35. Correction, A, 237. Dana, Rev. Samuel, Biographical Sketch of, 361. Dartmouth College, 356. Deaths, 68, 123, 170, 392, 416. Deed, An Old, 156. Deputy-Sheriffs, A List of, 114. Dickson, Walter, Family of, 238, 329- Dissolution of Partnership, 377. Documents, Groton, 57. Double Tragedies, Two, 161. Dunstable, N. H., A History of, 273- Earliest Newspaper printed in Gro ton, 93. Eldredge, Frederick A., Dunstable, N. H., 98. Eldredge Family, The, 241. Families in Maine, Groton, 75. 470 INDEX TO VOLUME II. Farley, George F., An Account of, 325- Farmers' and Mechanics' Club, 386. Farnsworth, Daniel, 449. Farnsworth, John, Family of, 366. Farnsworth, Matthias, Captivity of, 364- Fassett, Lieut. Amaziah, An Ac count of, 406. Fire, Narrow Escape from, 160. Fire Department, Groton, 393. First Brick House, The, 270. Freemen of the Colony, 16. French and Indian War, 130. Garrisons, Groton, in 1692, 373. Genealogies, Groton, 52. Glance Backward, A, 253. Green, Dr. Joshua, 98. Groton in England, 89. Groton Artillery Company, 51. Groton Junction, 249, 383, Groton Junction, Verses written at, 370. Groton Ridges, 165. Harvard College, 457. Height of some Hills, 369. Hobart, Gershom, Jr., Release from Captivity, 59. Huntington, Rev. Joshua, 81, 436. Indian Names, Some, 389. Insanity, A Case of, 363. Irish Famine, The, no. James's Brook, 257. Judges, A List of, 22. Land Bank Company, 381. Lawrence, Dea. Samuel, Burning of his Barn, 51. Lawrence Academy, 235, 349. Lawrence Farm, 49. Law-Students, Two, and their First Case, 262. Lawsuit, A, 389. Legal Episode, A, 243. Lewis, Jonathan Clark, 169, 412. Longevity, Instances of, 231. Lost Ponds, Two, 84. Lothrop, Rev. Samuel K., Reminis cences of, 400. Marriages, 68, 372, 414. Members of the General Court, etc., 115. Merriam, Benjamin Wheeler, No tice of, 347. Mistake Corrected, A, 85. Moore, Col. Abraham, 157. Moors, Rev. John F., Reminiscences of, 60. Natives, who have filled Important Positions elsewhere, 36. New England Historic Genealogi cal Society, 136. No Thoroughfare, 268. Notice to Non-Resident Proprietors and Owners of Land, 52. Nutting Family, The, 259. Obituary Notices, 136, 168, 334, 356, 415. 457- Old Taverns, The, and Stage- Coaches, 66, 78, 404. Ordination at Groton, 456. Parker, Capt. James, Handwriting of, 351- Parker, Jonas Longley, 104. Parker, William, 86. Pepperell Fever, 104. Perry, Mrs. Sarah, A Notice of, 454. Peters, John R., 169. Population of Groton at different Times, 125. Post- Office, Groton, 66, 80. Pottery, An Old, 271. Prescott, Dr. Oliver, 256. Prescott, Col. William, 65. Prince Edward's Visit, 360. Prisoners taken at the Battle of Bunker Hill, 115. Public Library, 87. Queen Anne's War, 387. Railroad Meetings, 233. Railroad Town, A, 346. INDEX TO VOLUME II. 471 Reading Room, A Free, 352. Record of some Groton Families, A, 277. Reflection of Light, 242. Representatives from Groton, A List of, 1. Revolutionary Items, 39. Ridgway, James, An Account of, 399- Roads and Streets, Some, 407. Rockwood, Mrs. Sarah C, 434. Second Meeting-House, The, 380. Shays Rebellion, The, 46, 55. Shire Town, Groton as a, 345. Slavery in Groton, 62, 456. Smith, Rev. Joseph C, Notice of, 149. Smith, Dr. Norman, 358. Social Life in Groton, 63. Sprague, Hezekiah, Family of, 353. Starch-Factory and Paper-Mills, 439- Stone Family, The, 88. Subscribers, List of, to Important Works, etc., 67, 274, 372, 382. Sullivan, William, 413. Town Treasurers, A List of, 69. Transfer of Real Estate, 166. Trowbridge, Rev. Caleb, 399. Tufton, Thomas Sackville, 270. Turnpike, Petition for a, 378. Uncloseted Skeleton, An, 382. Union Church, The, 255. Wachusett, Mount, 251. Wait, William Boynton, 1 13. Well, The Public, 376. Wentworth, Oliver, Notice of, 352. Wesson or Weston Family, The, 153- Wild Animals, 443. Will Case, The Groton, 344. Willard, Maj. Simon, his Nona- coicus Farm, 62. Williams, Dr. Jacob, 88, 122. GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. IL, No. I. A LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TOWN OF GROTON TO THE GENERAL COURT, FROM THE COLONIAL PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME, WITH THE DATES OF THEIR ELECTION AND TERMS OF SER VICE; INCLUDING ALSO THE NAMES OF CERTAIN OTHER OFFICERS. 1672-1887. GROTON, MASS. 1887. GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. II., No. II. REVOLUTIONARY ITEMS. Battle of Bunker Hill. — Captain Asa Lawrence. — The Tea Tax. — Outlaws. THE SHAYS REBELLION. — THE LAWRENCE FARM. — BURNING OF DEACON LAWRENCE'S BARN. — GROTON ARTILLERY COMPANY. — GROTON GENEALOGIES.— BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL AND THE SHAYS REBELLION. — GERSHOM HOBART; JR.'S RELEASE FROM CAPTIVITY. — DR. MOORS'S REMINIS CENCES. — SLAVERY IN GROTON. — MAJOR WILLARD'S NONACOICUS FARM. — SOCIAL LIFE IN GROTON. — COLONEL PRESCOTT. — THE OLD TAVERNS AND STAGE-COACHES OF GROTON. — GROTON POST-OFFICE. — EPITAPH. — ADDENDA. — MARRIAGES. —DEATHS. GROTON, MASS. ' 1887. GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. II., No. III. A LIST OF THE TREASURERS OF GROTON. — GROTON FAMILIES IN MAINE. — THE OLD TAVERNS AND STAGE-COACHES OF GROTON. — THE GROTON POST-OFFICE. — REV. JOSHUA HUNTINGTON. — TWO LOST PONDS. — A MISTAKE COR RECTED.— PARKER.— AN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.— GROTON PUBLIC LIBRARY. — DR. JACOB WILLIAMS. — THE STONE FAMILY. — OLD GROTON THE ANCESTRAL HOME OF GOV. JOHN WINTHROP. GROTON, MASS. 1888. GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. II., No. IV. THE EARLIEST NEWSPAPER PRINTED IN GROTON. — DR. JOSHUA GREEN. — FREDERICK A. ELDREDGE, DUNSTABLE, N. H. — CAMP STEVENS AT GROTON. — PEPPERELL FEVER. — CHANGE OF NAMES. — BRIDGE CARRIED AWAY. — THE BAR AND THE CLERGY. — THE IRISH FAMINE. — WILLIAM BOYNTON WAIT. — A LIST OF DEPUTY-SHERIFFS WHO WERE RESIDENTS OF GROTON. — PRISONERS TAKEN AT THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILI MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL COURT AND OF THE SEVERAL CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS WHILE RESIDENT IN GROTON. — DEATH OF HON. JOSIAH KENDALL BENNETT. — DR. JACOB WILLIAMS. — DEATHS. GROTON, MASS. 1888. GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. IL, No. V. THE POPULATION OF GROTON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. -FRENCH. AND IND*IAN WAR. -OBITUARY NOTICES. GROTON, MASS. 1888. GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. IL, No. VI. REV. JOSEPH C. SMITH. — THE WESSON OR WESTON FAMILY.— AN OLD DEED. — COL. ABRAHAM MOORE. — NARROW ESCAPE. FROM FIRE. — TWO DOUBLE TRAGEDIES. — " PAUGUS JOHN" CHAMBERLAIN. — GROTON RIDGES. — TRANSFER OF REAL ESTATE. — ADDENDUM. — OBITUARY NOTICES. — LIST OF DEATHS. GROTON, MASS. 1888. GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. II, No. VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON, 1673 TO 1888. MAPS, PLANS, Etc. GROTON, MASS. 1888. GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. IL, No. VIII. BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, OCT. 31, 1855. — INSTANCES OF LONGEVITY.— RAILROAD MEETINGS. — LA WRENCE ACADEMY. — A CORRECTION. — WALTER DICKSON'S FAMILY.— THE ELDREDGE FAMILY. — REFLECTION OF LIGHT. — A BAPTISTERY.— A LEGAL EPISODE. — MRS. BASSETT'S BEQUEST. — GROTON JUNCTION. GROTON, MASS. 1888. GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. IL, No. IX. MOUNT WACHUSETT. — A GLANCE BACKWARD. — THE UNION CHURCH. — DR. OLIVER PRESCOTT. — JAMES'S BROOK. — THE NUTTING FAMILY. — TWO LAW-STUDENTS, AND THEIR FIRST CASE. — NO THOROUGHFARE. — STEPHEN BOYNTON'S PETI TION. — THE FIRST BRICK HOUSE. — THOMAS SACKVILLE TUFTON. — AN OLD POTTERY. — THE CIRCUS AND THE SHOW. HISTORY OF DUNSTABLE, N. H. — ADDENDA. GROTON, MASS. 1888. GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. IL, No. X. A RECORD OF SOME GROTON FAMILIES. GROTON, MASS. 1889. GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. IL, No. XL GEORGE F. FARLEY, Esq, WALTER DICKSON'S FAMILY. OBITUARY NOTICES. THE BARRON FAMILY: ' . THE GROTON WILL CASE. GROTON AS A SHIRE TOWN. A RAILROAD TOWN. BENJAMIN WHEELER MERRIAM. GROTON, MASS! : 1889.: ; GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. II, No. XII. LAWRENCE ACADEMY. — CAPT. JAMES' PARKER'S WRITING. — A FREE READING ROOM. — OLIVER WENTWORTH. — HEZEKIAH SPRAGUE'S FAMILY. — TWO BALLOONS PASSING OVER GROTON. — OBITUARY NOTICES. — DR. NORMAN SMITH. — PRINCE EDWARD'S VISIT.— REV. SAMUEL DANA.— A CASE OF INSANITY. — MATTHIAS FARNSWORTH'S CAPTIVITY.— JOHN FARNSWORTH'S FAMILY. — HEIGHT OF SOME GROTON HILLS. — VERSES. — ADDENDA. — MARRIAGES. GROTON, MASS. 1889. GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. II, No. XIII. GROTON GARRISONS IN 1692. — THE PUBLIC WELL. — DISSOLU TION OF PARTNERSHIP. — PETITION FOR A TURNPIKE. — THE SECOND MEETING-HOUSE OF GROTON. — LAND BANK COMPANY. — LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS TO IMPORTANT BOOKS, ETC. — AN UNCLOSETED SKELETON. — GROTON JUNCTION. — CELEBRATION AT GROTON, JULY 4, 1808. — GROTON FARMERS' AND MECHANICS' CLUB. — QUEEN ANNE'S WAR. — MRS. SARAH BRAZER BERRY. — A LAW SUIT. — SOME INDIAN NAMES. — ADDENDA. — LIST OF DEATHS. GROTON, MASS. 1889. GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. II, No. XIV. THE GROTON FIRE DEPARTMENT. — REV. CALEB TROWBRIDGE.— JAMES RIDGWAY. — THE REV. DR. LOTHROP'S REMINIS CENCES. — CELEBRATION AT GROTON, JULY 4, 1807. — THE OLD TAVERNS AND STAGE-COACHES OF GROTON. — LIEUT. AMAZIAH FASSETT. — SOME ROADS AND STREETS. — MR. BARSTOW'S DEDICATION SERMON. — JONATHAN CLARK LEWIS. — WILLIAM SULLIVAN. — MARRIAGES. — OBITUARY NOTICES. — LIST OF DEATHS. GROTON, MASS. 1889. GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. IL, No. XV. REV. DANIEL CHAPLIN, D.D. MRS. SARAH C. ROCKWOOD. REV. JOSHUA HUNTINGTON. GROTON, MASS. 1889. GROTON HISTORICAL SERIES. Vol. II, No. XVI. STARCH-FACTORY AND PAPER-MILLS. — WILD ANIMALS.— WILLIAM AUSTIN, JR. — SIGNOR BLITZ.— DANIEL FARNS WORTH.— BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GROTON. — MRS. SARAH PERRY. — SLAVERY IN GROTON — OBITUARY NOTICES. INDEXES TO VOLUMES I. AND II. , TITLEPAGE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS TO VOL. II. GROTON, MASS. 1890. YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY