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HISTORY

TOWN OF MASON, N. H.

THE FIRST GRANT

IN 1749, TO THE YEAR 1858.

JOHN B. HILL.

. BOSTON:
LUCIUS A. ELLIOT & CO,
P, BTJGBEE Ss CO., BANGOR,
185 8,

V-78
PRINTED BY SAMUEL S. SMITH,
BANGOH, ME,
Cm %i 't l7i i >
.7 '

PREFACE.

It has been my object in the preparation of this work, to
exhibit all the steps in progress, by which a New England
town and church are built up and constituted, from the earli
est beginnings to their full establishment in independent
existence and power. These institutions are, both in church
and state, the purest and most absolute democracies the
world has ever seen. They are the genuine out-growth, the
ripened fruit of the puritan development in England. Their
basis is a perfect equality of rights, without a shadow or
trace of aristocracy. Free use has been made for this pur
pose of whatever has been found in the annals of the pro
prietary, the town and the churches, worthy of note, as illus
trating the incidents, manners, and character of the age and
people. The mode adopted has been as far as practicable,
to exhibit the actors in full life, and let them tell their own
story, in their own words.
The proprietary, the municipal, and the ecclesiastical his
tory of the first half century of their existence, occupy a
large share of the work, both on account of the greater
interest of the incidents, and because the facts of that period
are fast passing away from all living memory, into the region
of dim and shadowy tradition, illuminated only by a few
imperfect records, which, in themselves, are liable by daily
impending accidents, totally to perish. For this part of the
work, the authorities principally relied on, have been the
proprietary, the town and the church records, all of which,
are in good preservation, and more perfect than will in most
cases be found ; and all these records have been carefully
searched and examined, with a view to this work. The

IV PREFACE.
records of deaths, marriages, family registers, and statistical
tables, &c, are sufficiently explained in the chapters in which
they are found. Most of the biographical sketches of per
sons recently deceased, have been furnished by other hands.
The sketches of the village churches, and of the Christian
church, are by the pastors of those churches.
Important aid has been derived from the History of New
Ipswich, Butler's Groton, Shattuck's Concord, and the New
England Genealogical and Historical Register. Dr. Thomas
H. Marshall, and Mr. Charles P. Richardson, of Mason, and
Mr. Frederic Kidder, and Mr. Lucius A. Elliot, of Boston,
have rendered very important aid and encouragement, in the
preparation of this work. My brother, the Rev. Joseph B.
Hill, has contributed much to the value of the work, in the
preparation of statistical tables, and of the list of early
settlers.
J. B. Hill.
Bangor, May 1, 1858.

HISTORY OF MASON.

CHAPTER I.

Captain John Mason ; Grants to Mm of Lands in New Hampshire ; Settle
ments commenced by him ; Controversies with Massachusetts respecting the
title and jurisdiction ; how settled ; Title vested in the Masonian proprietors.
The town of Mason is situated in the county of Hillsbo
rough, in the State of New Hampshire. It lies upon the
southern border of the State, about midway between the
eastern and western extremities of its southern boundary.
On the south it bounds upon Townsend and Ashby, on the
west upon New Ipswich, on the north upon Temple and Wilton
and on the east upon Milford and Brookline. It is in that
portion of the State of New Hampshire which was granted
by the council of Plymouth in 1621 to Capt. John Mason.
As the town derives its name from that gentleman, and the
title to the soil therein is in fact derived and claimed under
this grant to him, and sundry subsequent grants in confirm
ation thereof, and as the State is also indebted to him for its
name, it being derived from that of the county of Hampshire,
in England, of whose principal town, Portsmouth, Mason was
at one time governor, a brief sketch of his life and of the
titles granted to him, and of the various and long-continued
controversies to which the uncertain and indefinite descrip
tions of the boundaries of the original and subsequent grants
gave rise, and of the manner in which they were finally set-
2

6 HISTORY OP MASOtf.
tied, will not be deemed an inappropriate introduction to
these memorials of the place and its people. For the facts
stated, the authority mainly relied on, is Belknap's history of
New Hampshire,
Capt. John Mason was born in Lynn Regis in the county
of Norfolk in England. Of his parentage and early life little
is known. Tlie year of his birth is not stated by the histo
rians. It must have been not far from the year 1570, in the
midst of the stirring times of Queen Elizabeth. His first en
gagement in active life, was as a merchant in London. After
wards he entered the naval service, and served as an officer
in the fleet in the war between Spain and the Dutch republics.
After the peace of 1609, by which the independence of Hol
land was secured, he was appointed Governor of Newfound
land. This island was discovered by Sebastian Cabot in
1497. It was taken possession of, in the name of Queen
Elizabeth, by Sir Humphrey Gilbert, August 5th, 1583. The
fisheries upon the banks became, at an early period, an import
ant business, the tendency of which was to foster and promote
voyages of discovery to the continent. At the time Mason
was appointed its governor, this island was one of the most
valuable English possessions in North America. In this
post he remained long enough to become acquainted with the
country ; and he formed so high an opinion of its future
destiny, as to induce in him a willingness to adventure his
fortune in advancing its settlement. This led him on his
return to England, into a close intimacy with those who were
engaged in discoveries in the new world. He was, after his
return, appointed Governor of the town of Plymouth, in the
county of Hampshire ; and upon a vacancy happening in the
council of Plymouth, he was elected a member of that body,
and was chosen their secretary. He was thus placed in the
front rank of those who were actively engaged in promoting
discoveries and encouraging settlements in North America.
He gave to these enterprises, not only his countenance and
advice, but he was willing to embark his fortunes in the bus-

CAPT. JOHN MASON. 7
iness, and to devote to it his time and means. With that
intent he procured from the council of Plymouth, in March,
1621, a grant of " all the lands from the river Naumkeag,"
now Salem, " round Cape Ann to the river Merrimack, and
up each of those rivers to the farthest heads thereof, then to
cross over from the head of one to the head of the other,
with all the islands lying within three miles of the coast."
This district was called Marianna. This was the first terri
torial grant made by the Plymouth council. It bears date
March 9, 1621. Those to Plymouth colony are dated in 1621
and 1623: that to Massachusetts, March 19, 1627, all sub
sequent to Mason's. Of these last, each was granted to a
company or association, or to an individual in trust for a
company. Mason undertook his enterprise alone and single
handed. Xo individual can be found, who exhibited more
courage and perseverance in the cause, or more confidence in
its ultimate success, or who expended his means with a more
liberal hand, or in larger amount, in promoting the settlement
of the country.
In 1622, another grant was made to Gorges and Mason
jointly, " of all the lands between the rivers Merrimack and
Sagadahock, extending back to the great lakes and river of
Canada," and this was called Laconia. The points of com
mencement of the first of these grants were wholly within
what is now Massachusetts. The territory included is partly
in New Hampshire and" partly in Massachusetts. The second
grant included a large part of New Hampshire, a portion of
Maine and of Canada. The knowledge then possessed of
the country, and of the courses of the rivers, was imperfect
and uncertain, and consequently, these bounderies were found
to be uncertain and indefinite. Settlements were by Mason
attempted to be made, at a place called Little Harbor, in
Portsmouth, where salt works were erected ; and a house
called Mason Hall, was built at Dover. In 1629, he procured
a patent under the common seal of the council of Plymouth,
for the land " from the middle of Piscataqua river, and up the

8 HISTORY OP MASON.
same, to the farthest head thereof, and from thence northward,
until sixty miles from the mouth of the harbor were finished ;
also, through Merrimack river, to the farthest head thereof, and
so forward up into the land westward, until sixty miles were
finished, and from thence to cross over land to the end of
sixty miles, accounted from Piscataqua river, together with all
the islands within five miles of the coast." This tract was
called New Hampshire, a name derived from that of the
county of Hampshire, in England, of whose principal town,
Portsmouth, Mason was governor. Under this charter the
towns of Portsmouth, and Northam, afterwards called Dover,
Hampton, and Exeter were laid out.
The attempts at settlement were not prosperous. The
views of those engaged in the enterprise, were chiefly turned
to the discovery of lakes and mines, the cultivation of grapes
and the advantages of trade and fishery. Little regard was
had to agriculture. They often complained of their expenses,
and might with reason, for they had not only to pay wages to
their colonists, but to supply them with provisions, clothing,
utensils, medicines, articles of trade, implements for building,
husbandry and fishery, and to stock their plantations with
cattle, swine and goats. Bread corn was either brought from
England in meal, or from Virginia in grain, and then sent to
the windmill at Boston to be ground. Yery little improvement
was made on the lands, the lakes were not explored, the vines
planted came to nothing, no mines were found but those of
iron, and those were not wrought; three or four houses only,
were built in the first seven years ; the peltry trade with the
Indians was of some value, and the fishery served towards the
support of the inhabitants, but yielded no profit to the adven
turers, who received but inadequate returns in lumber and
fish. They, seeing their interests sinking and withering away,
grew dispirited, and the greater part of them either abandon
ed the enterprise, or sold their shares to Gorges and Mason,
who were more sanguine than the rest, and who thus became
either by purchase or by tacit consent of the others, the

CAPT. JOHN MASON. 9
principal, if not the sole proprietors. They prosecuted tho
settlement with zeal, but met with many hindrances, amon"-
which were claims made by the Virginia company to have their
charter revoked. Mason finally succeeded in procuring a new
charter in 1635, extending from Naumkeag to Piscataqua,
and sixty miles northward within land. He did not long
survive the issuing of this patent. He died Nov. 16th, 1635.
In his will, he disposed of his immense estate, as follows : To
the corporation of Lynn Regis in Norfolk, the place of his
nativity, he gave two thousand acres of land in New Hamp
shire, subject to the yearly rent of one penny per acre to his
heirs, and two-fifths of all mines royal, on condition that five
families should within five years be settled thereupon. To
his brother-in-law, John Wollaston, three thousand acres, sub
ject to a yearly rent'of one shilling. To his grandchild, Ann
Tufton, ten thousand acres at Sagadahock. To Robert Tuf-
ton, his grandson, he gave his manor of Mason Hall, on con
dition that he should take the surname of Mason. He also
gave his brother Wollaston in trust one thousand acres for
the maintenance of " an honest, godly and religious preacher
of God's word," and one thousand acres more for the sup
port of a grammar school ; each of these estates to be con
veyed to ffeoffees in trust, and their successors, paying an
nually one penny per acre to his heirs. The residue of his
estate in New Hampshire, he gave to his grandson John Tuf
ton, he taking the surname of Mason, and to his lawful issue ;
or, in want thereof, to Dr. Robert Mason, Chancellor of the
Diocese of Winchester, and his lawful issue, and to his own
and other right heirs, forever ; provided that it should not
go out of the name of MasOn. The residuary legatee was
required to pay five hundred pounds out of the estate to his
sister Mary, and all the grandchildren were to relinquish their
right to one thousand pounds due from the estate to their
father, Joseph Tufton. The estate in America was valued in
the inventory, at ten thousand pounds sterling. It is under
this will, that the title to the soil of the town of Mason is

10 HISTORY OP MASON.
derived ; and it is not a little remarkable, that so far as is now
known, this town is the only representative of the name of
Capt. John Mason in the State.
The little legacy of five hundred pounds given by the will
to the sister of John Tufton, would, if put and kept at inter
est and compounded, from the year 1635, when the testator
died, up to the present time, 1858, amount to a greater sum
than the total inventory and valuation of the real and per
sonal property of the whole State of New Hampshire at the
last valuation. Let those who doubt it try the figures, and
let all who are paying interest for money borrowed or sums
due, learn that unless the business or investment in which it
is employed, is yielding more than six per cent, per annum,
they must be sadly going behind hand.
It will be seen that Capt. Mason was particularly solicitous
to perpetuate his name by attaching it to the ownership of
his land in New Hampshire. He bestows it finally upon his
" right heirs forever, provided it shall not go out of the name
of Mason"; but of all his vast estate, it is not probable that
a single acre is now owned by any of his descendants, or that
his name is now connected with any portion of the territory,
except that of this town.
In 1638, after the death of Capt. Mason, his widow and
executrix, Mrs. Anne Mason, sent over Francis Norton as her
" general attorney," to whom she committed the whole man
agement of the estate. But the expense so far exceeded the
income, and the servants grew so impatient for their arrears,
that she was obliged to relinquish the care of the plantation,
and tell the servants they must shift for themselves ; upon
which they shared the goods and cattle. Norton drove above
one hundred oxen to Boston, and there sold them for twenty-
five pounds sterling per head, which it is said was the current
price of the best cattle in New England at that time. These
were of a large breed imported from Denmark, from whence
Mason had also procured a number of men skilled in sawing
plank and making potashes. These Danes were the pioneers

CAPT. JOHN MASON. 11
of the great lumber business, which has engrossed so much
of the capital and enterprise of New Hampshire and Maine.
Having shared the stock and other materials, some of the peo
ple quitted the plantation ; others of them tarried, keeping
possession of the buildings and improvements, which they
claimed as their own. The houses at Newichwannock were
destroyed by fire, and thus Mason's estate was ruined. Tliese
events happened between 1638 and 1644.
Lumber and the fisheries seem to have been the great objects
in view in Mason's enterprise. These branches of business,
though important in connection with other pursuits, form too
narrow a basis for the foundation of a commonwealth. Per
sons who engaged in these employments, in those early times,
did not possess that persevering industry and frugality re
quired for the successful building up of a state. The charac
ter and manners of the fishermen of that day, are most vividly
and happily painted in the following extract from Josselyn's
two voyages, in Thornton's Ancient Pemaquid. The lum
bermen would present a companion picture. Mr. Thornton
says : — "Josselyn, who left Black Point for England in the sum
mer of 1671, describes the people of Maine after several years'
residence among them. He classifies them as " Magistrates,
Husbandmen or Planters, and Fishermen ; of the Magistrates
some be Royalists, the rest perverse Spirits, the like are the
planters and fishers, of which some be planters and fishers
both, others mere fishers ; there are but few handcraftsmen,
and no shopkeepers; English goods being kept by the Massa
chusetts merchants, here and there, on the coast, at a profit of
cent, per cent., in exchange for fish." " They have a custom of
taking Tobacco, sleeping at noon, sitting long at meals, some
times four times in a day, and now and then drinking a dram
of the bottle extraordinarily ; the smoaking of Tobacco, if
moderately used refresheth the weary very much, and so doth
sleep" ! The fisherman of that day he paints to the life. He
says, " to every Shallop belong four fishermen, a Master or
steersman, a midshipman, and a Foremastman, and a shoreman

12 HISTORY OP MASON.
who washes it out of the salt, and dries it upon hurdles pitcht
upon stakes breast high and tends their Cookery ; these often
get in one voyage Eight or Nine pound a man for their shares,
but it doth some of them but little good," for there comes
in "a walking Tavern, a Bark laden with the Legitimate bloud
of the rich grape"; "the conclusion of which is the costly sin
of drunkenness." Thornton's Ancient Pemaquid. See Col.
Maine Hist. Society, Vol. 5. pp. 234, 235.
If such was the character of Mason's planters and servants,
no one can be surprised that his enterprise, though prosecuted
with all his energy and perseverance, should prove to be a
failure. The character and objects and results of Mason's efforts,
are with much truth and pertinency thus summed up in Bar-
stow's History of New Hampshire : — " In the midst of his
fond anticipations of better fortune, Captain Mason was
removed by death. This happened near the close of the
year. (1635.) He had accomplished none of the great pur
poses for which he came to this wilderness world. He em
barked with vast expectations of boundless wealth and gran
deur. * * Golden visions hovered round him to the last,
in spite of the light of experience. He had no religious
views in the purchase and settlement of New Hampshire.
His whole energies were absorbed in the discovery of wealth,
and the aggrandizement of himself and his family. His dar
ling scheme was the introduction of the feudal system into
New Hampshire ; by which his family were to be the lords,
and the people tenants of the soil. For this he labored • for
this he sacrificed his all ; still dreaming of the profits of dis
covery, and the glory of founding a state. But though a
dreamer, he was at the same time a man of action. * *
Nothing daunted him. Nothing deterred him. Though ad
versity might cloud his prospects, it never depressed his spir
its. The frustration of his efforts and the frequent wreck of
his hopes only seemed to display the indestructible vigor of
his mind. Amidst disappointment and discouragement he

CAPT. JOHN MASON. 13
continued to attempt the foundation of a feudal empire, until
death interrupted his toils and left him only a reputation for
attempting impossible things. * * *
Well was it for posterity that the unnatural eyes of
Adventure, alone, could discern mineral wealth in the hills
of New Hampshire. Fortunate was it that the soil was, for
the most part, reserved for men who should settle upon it
with no chimerical and vain hopes of treasure ; but men
viewing human life and society in a true light — not building
the castles of avarice ; but living by their industry — expect
ing only the rain and dew upon the seed they had sown —
hoping for health and competence — and laying the only sure
foundation for a great and flourishing country in intelligence
and public virtue — good schools, good morals, government,
and sober industry. These are the strength of a state."
[Barstow's New Hampshire, pp. 33, — 37.
The inhabitants of these towns finding it difficult to main
tain any stable government, were with their consent, received
into the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, about the years 1641,
'42. The union continued about forty years. This extension
of the colony's jurisdiction could not fail of being noticed
by the heirs of Mason ; but the distractions caused by the
civil wars in England, were invincible bars to any legal
inquiry. The first heir named in Mason's will dying in infancy,
the estate descended after the death of the executrix, to Rob
ert Tufton, who was not of age till 1650. In two years after
this, Joseph Mason came over as agent for the executrix, to
look after the interests of her deceased husband. He found
the land at Newichwannock occupied by Richard Leader,
against whom he brought actions in the county of Norfolk,
a county which then included the northeasterly part of Massa
chusetts and the New Hampshire towns. A dispute arose
whether the lands in question were within the jurisdiction of
Massachusetts, and the court of Norfolk judging the action
not to be within their cognizance, recourse was had to the
general court at Boston, which on this occasion ordered an
3

14 HISTORY OP MASON.
accurate survey of the northern bounds of their patent to be
made. A committee of the general court, attended by John
Sherman and Jonathan Ince, surveyors, and several Indian
guides, went up the river Merrimack, to find the most north
erly part thereof, which the Indians told them was at Acque-
dochtan, the outlet of the lake Winnipiseogee. The latitude
of that place was found to be 43° 40' 12", to which three
miles being added, made the line of the patent, according to
their construction, fall within the lake, in latitude 43° 43' 12".
The same latitude was marked on an island in Casco bay,
and an imaginary line drawn through these points from the
Atlantic ocean to the South-sea, as the Pacific ocean was then
called, was supposed to be the northern boundary of Massa
chusetts. This line included the whole of Mason's claim by
his last patent. The committee of the general court to
establish the line, were Capt. Edward Johnson, author of the
History of New England, and Capt. Simon Willard, after
wards an assistant and a commander of a portion of the
Massachusetts forces, in the Indian war of 1675. The expe
dition took up nineteen days in the months of July and
August, and the whole expense was not less than eighty-four
pounds. The following is a copy of the report of the sur
veyors :
" The answer of John Sherman, Sergeant at Watertown,
and Jonathan Ince, Student at Harvard College in Cam
bridge, to Capt. Simon Willard and Capt. Edward Johnson,
Commissioners of the General Court, held at Boston, May
17, 1652, concerning the latitude of the northernmost part of
Merrimack river.
Whereas we, John Sherman and Jonathan Ince, were pro
cured by the aforesaid Commissioners to take the latitude of
the place above named, our answer is, that at Aquedahcan,
the name of the head of Merrimack, where it issues out of
the lake Winnapusseahit, upon the first of August, one thou
sand six hundred and fifty-two, we observed and by observa
tion found, that the latitude of the place was fourty-three

CAPT. JOHN MASON. 15
degrees fourty minutes and twelve seconds, besides those min
utes that are to be allowed for three miles more north wch run
into the Lake.
In witness whereof, wee have subscribed our names, this
nineteenth of October, one thousand six hundred and fifty-
two. John Sherman,
Jonathan Ince,
Jur. coram me, JOH. ENDECOTT, Gubr."
Having settled this matter, the Court were of the opinion
that some lands by agreement of Gorges, and by purchase
of the Indians, and by possession and improvements, were
properly claimed by Mason, and they ordered a quantity pro
portionable to his disbursements, with a privilege of the river,
to be laid out to his heirs.
The agent, finding it hopeless to prosecute the claim any
farther, left the country. During the Commonwealth and the
Protectorate of Cromwell, there could be no hope of relief;
as the family of Mason had always been attached to the
royal cause. On the restoration of Charles II. Tufton,
who had taken the surname of Mason, petitioned to the king
for restoration of his rights. The petition was referred to
Sir Geoffrey Palmer, the attorney general, who reported, that
"Robert Mason the grandson and heir of Capt. John Mason
had a good and legal title to the province of New Hamp
shire." Nothing effective was done to restore to him his
rights. Edward Randolph who was a kinsman of Mason, was
sent over with the king's letter to the government of Massa
chusetts, requiring them to send over agents within six months,
to answer to the complaints which Mason and the heirs of
Gorges had made, of their usurpation of jurisdiction over
the territory claimed by them : all the answer he could get
from Govenor Leverett and the council, was that " they would
see about it." The matter was pursued in England. Lieut.
Gov. Stoughton and Peter Bulkley, the speaker of the house
of deputies, were sent to England in behalf of Massachusetts.
The subject was referred to the judges. They reported that

16 HISTORY OP MASON.
they could give no opinion as to the right of the soil, the
proper parties not being before them ; that Mason had no
right of government, none having been granted to him with
the soil; and finally, that the four towns Portsmouth, Dover,
Exeter and Hampton, were out of the bounds of Massachu
setts. It was also admitted that the title could only be tried
in the place, there being no court in England that had cogni
zance of it. It became necessary, therefore, to set up a new
jurisdiction before Mason's title could be tried. It was done.
Thus, in consequence of this controversy and claim, New
Hampshire was seperated from Massachusetts, and was again
organized under a distinct and independent jurisdiction.
Randolph was appointed governor. He was greatly and de
servedly unpopular. The whole number of voters in his prov
ince was 209, all in the four towns of Portsmouth, Dover,
Hampton and Exeter. In the first assembly, the whole num
ber of Representatives was eleven : from Portsmouth, Dover
and Hampton, three each, and Exeter two. Mason came
over from England in the latter part of the year 1681. He
had been appointed one of the council, and took his seat as
such. He attempted to enforce his claims in a haughty and
arbitrary manner. He met with a sturdy resistance on the
part of the tenants, and by his hasty and injudicious proceed
ings, lost the countenance and support of the council. The
controversy with the council prevailed to such length, that a
warrant was issued for apprehending him, which he avoided
by making his escape to England. Finding the government,
which he had procured to be erected, was not likely to be
administered in a manner favorable to his views, he made it
his business to bring about a change, and procured Edward
Cranfield to be appointed Lieut. Governor. To provide for
his support, he surrendered one fifth part of his quit rents, to
the king. These, and the fines and forfeitures, were appropri
ated for the governor's support. Not satisfied to rely on
these alone, he took from Mason a mortgage on the whole
province for twenty one years, to secure the payment of one

CAPT. JOHN MASON. 17
hundred and fifty pounds per annum, for seven years. On
this encouragement, Cranfield relinquished a profitable office
at home, with a view of bettering his fortunes by this arrange
ment. His commission gave him almost absolute power. He com
menced his rule in 1682. Mason was named in his commis
sion as one of the council, and seems to have had a great
share in the management of affairs. Suits were brought to
enforce his claims. They were resisted. Nothing effectual
was done to establish his title. When he succeeded in obtain
ing judgment, he was forcibly resisted in his attempts to get
possession. Many of the tenants claimed under Indian deeds,
which were then much regarded ; others shew possession for
from forty to sixty years, uninterrupted by any successful en
forcement of his rights. In 1686 a purchase was made of
the Indians, of a tract on both sides of the Merrimack river,
six miles in breadth, extending from Souhegan river to Win-
nipisseogee lake. The purchasers were Jonathan Tyng, Jo
seph Dudley, Charles Lidgat, John Usher, Edward Randolph,
John Hubbard, Robert Thompson, Samuel Scrimpton, William
Stoughton, Richard Warton, Thomas Hinchman, Thaddeus
Maccarty, Edward Thompson, John Blackwell, Peter Bulkley,
William Blathwayt, Daniel Cox and " three other persons, to
be thereafter named and agreed upon." Mason, by deed, con
firmed this purchase, reserving to himself and his heirs a
yearly rent of ten shillings. This was called the million acre
purchase. About the same time he farmed out to Hezekiah
Usher and his heirs, the mines, minerals and ores within the
limits of New Hampshire, for the term of one thousand years,
reserving to himself one quarter part of the royal ores and
one seventeenth of the baser sorts ; and having put his affairs
in the best order the times would admit, he sailed for England,
to attend to the hearing of a case appealed against him to
the king.
The appeal to the king was decided in his favor, and he
returned in the spring of 1687, full of hope of realizing some-

18 HISTORY OP MASON.
thing out of his claims ; but unexpected obstructions were in
his way. The government, under Andros, was in the hands
of a set of harpies, who could not look on without determin
ing to come in for a share of his success. He succeeded in
getting his case brought before the Supreme Court in Boston,
but before he could get a decision he died at Esopus, N. Y.,
on a journey to Albany, where he had accompanied the
governor, Sir Edmund Andros, leaving his sons, John and Rob
ert, heirs of his claims and controversies. They sold their
claim to Samuel Allen, of London, for seven hundred and fifty
pounds. John Usher married Allen's daughter. He was a
native of Boston, and by profession a stationer ; was rich, was
one of the partners in the million acre purchase, and had san
guine expectations of gain from that quarter ; as also, proba
bly, from the mines he had purchased of Mason. He was ap
pointed lieutenant governor, and administered the affairs of
the province. He resolved to enforce Allen's claims. He
found that Pickering, the defendant's lawyer, had with a com
pany of armed men, taken out of the hands of Chamberlain,
the secretary and clerk, the records and papers relating to
the Mason suits. After having recovered the papers, he seems
to have made no effectual progress with the suits. In 1700,
Allen took the matter in hand himself, but found, when the
records were examined, that twenty-five leaves were missing,
in which it is supposed the judgments recovered by Mason
were recorded. No evidence appeared of his having obtained
possession, and the whole work was to be gone over again.
Suits were commenced anew. The jury found for the defend
ant. Allen claimed an appeal to the king, which the court
would not allow, and he was compelled to apply to the king
by petition, on which his appeal was granted. Allen appoint
ed Usher to act for him in prosecuting his appeal, having pre
viously mortgaged one half the province to him for £1,500.
When the appeal came on for hearing, it appeared that no
proof was produced to show that Mason was ever in possess
ion, and therefore judgment was rendered against him, but

CAPT. JOHN MASON. 19
with the right to commence again in the courts in the prov
ince. New suits were commenced, ending as before, in judg
ment for the defendant and appeal by the plaintiff. Allen was
now old and poor, and proposed a settlement by compromise,
but before it was effected he died. His son, Thomas Allen,
renewed the suits with the same result, judgment for the de
fendants and an appeal to the queen in council. Before the
appeal was ready to be heard, Allen died in 1715. This put
an end to the suit, which his heirs, being minors, did not
renew. When the sale was made by John and Robert Mason to
Samuel Allen, in 1691, it took place in England, and by a
fiction of law, the land was supposed to be in England and
the conveyance was by fine and recovery in the king's bench.
In this process the land was described as being in " New
Hampshire, Maine, Masonia, Laconia, Mason Hall and Mari
ana in New England in America, in the parish of Greenwich;"
a fiction of law by which a parish in England includes within
its limits the principal part of two states of this Union.
John Tufton Mason, the son of Robert Tufton Mason, after
the death of his uncle and father, who were Allen's grantors,
being advised that their conveyance to Allen could give him
only an estate for their own lives, and that the recovery in
the king's bench in England was void for want of jurisdiction,
prepared to assert his claims, but died in Havana in 1718,
where he had gone to procure means to carry on his suit.
His son, John Tufton Mason, came of age about the year
1738. The controversy between the provinces about the
southern boundary of New Hampshire, was at this time re
newed and brought to a crisis. Massachusetts claimed that the
line should run three miles east from the river to a point
three miles north of the junction of the Pemigewasset and the
Winnipisseogee river ; thence due west till it should meet the
boundaries of the other governments. The commissioners
doubted whether this should be the line, or a line commencing
three miles north of the mouth of Merrimack river and run-

20 HISTORY OP MASON.
ning due west till it should meet the other governments, and
they referred the question to the king in council. While this
controversy was pending, negotiations were entered into both
on the part of Massachusetts and New Hampshire for the
purchase of Mason's title. The agent of New Hampshire,
Thomlinson, made an agreement with him for the purchase,
on behalf of that province, of his whole interest, for one
thousand pounds New England currency, but no legal assent
to the purchase was made by the authorities of the province.
The question of boundary was settled not in accordance
with either statement of the commissioners. The reason for
departing from the letter of the grant was, that when it was
made it was supposed, the country not having been explored,
that the course of the Merrimack river was from west to east,
and therefore that the dividing line would run nearly west,
and that so far then, as the course of the river corresponded
with that supposed state of facts, a line three miles north of
it should be the dividing line, and then the line crossing the
river should take a course due west ; and such a line was finally
adopted and established. Thomlinson was the agent for New
Hampshire, and Thomas Hutchinson for Massachusetts. The
line was run by George Mitchell, from the ocean to the
station north of Pawtucket falls, at which point the due west
line was to commence ; and by Richard Hazen from that point
to Connecticut river. They were directed to allow ten de
grees for the westerly variation of the needle. The work
was done in February and March, 1741. "This determina
tion," says Belknap, vol. 1, p. 257, " exceeded the utmost ex
pectation of New Hampshire, as it gave them a country four
teen miles in breadth and above fifty in length, more than
they had ever claimed. It cut off from Massachusetts twenty-
eight new townships, between Merrimack&nd Connecticut riv
ers, besides large tracts of vacant land, which lay intermixed,
and districts from six of their old towns on the north side of
the Merrimack, and if as was then supposed, the due west
line were to extend to twenty miles east of Hudson's river

CAPT. JOHN MASON. 21
the reputed boundary of New York, a vast tract of fertile
country on the western side of Connecticut river was annexed
to New Hampshire, by which an ample scope was given for
landed speculation, and afterwards for cultivation and wealth."
The establishment of this line was undoubtedly a public
benefit. It put to rest doubts and controversies about juris
diction and ownership, which had seriously retarded the set
tlement of the country. But it occasioned in many places
great heartburnings and trouble. It severed the ancient town
of Dunstable into two parts, leaving them in different juris
dictions. The line passed through the town nearly in the
centre, leaving the meeting-house a short distance on 'the New
Hampshire side. This town had been granted by Massachu
setts nearly eighty years, and had been more or less settled
more than one hundred years before this time. It had always
claimed and been considered to be within the limits of Mas
sachusetts. This decision placed their meeting-house, their
minister, their grave-yard, and a large portion of themselves
in another jurisdiction, and threw an air of doubt and distrust
upon the validity of the titles to the lands upon the New
Hampshire side of the line. The effects were most disas
trous upon their interests and institutions, both of town and
church. The church was broken up. The minister withdrew
and left the place. The meeting-house was abandoned, and
for more than half a century the results of this disturbance
of the municipal and church affairs in that place, were appar
ent. Hollis was then a part of Dunstable, a precinct or
parish, and shared in the troubles of the mother town. Most
of Brookline was then included in Hollis, and Pepperell was
a part of Groton, which lost a portion of its territory by the
new line. In Townsend, the complaints of the wrong done,
were long and loud, At a legal town meeting held Oct. 6,
1740, in that town, John Stevens was chosen moderator.
The proceedings of the meeting on this subject are recorded
as follows : " Being informed that by the determination of
his Majesty and Council respecting the controverted bounds
4

22 HISTORY OP MASON.
between the Province of Massachusetts Bay and New Hamp
shire, now part of this township, is excluded from the Prov
ince of Massachusetts Bay, to which they supposed they
always belonged; therefore voted, that a petition be pre
ferred to the King's most excellent majesty, setting forth our
most distressed circumstances, and praying that we may be
annexed to the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, and voted
nemine contradicente, that Thomas Hutchinson, Esquire, of
Boston, be and is hereby fully impowered to prefer a petition
to his majesty, and to appear and fully to act for the proprie
tors and inhabitants in said town, respecting the subject :
Also, voted that the aforesaid agent shall have no demand on
the town of Townsend for charges in petitioning as aforesaid,
scperate from any other town in the Province ; Also, voted,
in case the said Thomas Hutchinson be not chosen by the
major part of the towns, or if chosen, cannot engage in said
affair, then Capt. John Stevens be fully impowered to join
with other the towns of the Province in the choice of another
agent to act in said affair, and that the aforesaid John
Stevens have full power in behalf of said town to prepare
and sign any petition to his majesty concerning said lines, as
shall be necessary, and that he shall have forty shillings
reward for his services in this affair." Town Records Vol. 1,
p. 31. It does not appear that any remedy or recompense
for the wrong done, resulted from these proceedings. But the
good people of Townsend looked for and obtained a remedy
nearer home. The general court granted to the town a tract
of land as a compensation for lands cut off by the New
Hampshire line, and at a town meeting in 1786, the selectmen
were directed to make sale of the lands so granted.
The agreement made by Thomlinson with Mason for the
sale of his title, to the Province of New Hampshire before
mentioned, was lodged in the hands of the governor, and was
by him laid before the house. It lay on their table a long
time without any formal notice. In the meantime Mason had
suffered a fine and recovery in the courts of New Hampshire,

CAPT. JOHN MASON. 23
by which he could convey his interest in fee. He sent in a
memorial, stating that he would wait no longer, but consider
inaction on their part a refusal, and intimations were given
that if the agreement should not be ratified, a sale would be
made to other persons, who stood ready to purchase. At
length a resolution passed the house, that they would comply
with the agreement and pay the price, and that the land should
be granted by the general assembly, to the inhabitants, as they
should think proper. A committee was appointed to com
plete the business with Mason, but he had on the same day,
by a deed of sale for the sum of fifteen hundred pounds, con
veyed his whole interest to twelve persons in fifteen shares.
The purchasers were Theodore Atkinson three fifteenths,
Mark H. Wentworth two fifteenths, Richard Wibird, John
Wentworth, (son of the governor,) George Jaffrey, Nathaniel
Meserve, Thomas Packer, Thomas Wallingford, Jo tham Odi-
orne, Joshua Pierce, Samuel Moore and John Moffatt one fif
teenth each.
When it was found that the conveyance had been made,
there was much dissatisfaction. Some attempts were made
to negotiate with these purchasers for a conveyance to the
Province, but without success. One obstacle in the way was,
that the house would not make the purchase, unless with the
stipulation that the land should be granted by the legislature ;
but the governor and council and the purchasers seem to have
insisted, that it should be granted by the governor and council,
and for that reason principally the negotiation failed.
In 1749 the purchasers took a second deed, comprehending
all the Masonian grant from Naumkeag to Piscataqua ; where
as their former deed, was confined to the lately established
boundaries of New Hampshire. This deed was not recorded
till 1753.
After they had taken the first deed, they began to grant
townships, and continued granting them to petitioners, often
without fees, and always without quit-rents. They quieted the
titles in the towns on the western side of the Merrimack,

24 HISTORY OP MASON.
which had been granted by Massachusetts, before the estab
lishment of the line, so that they could go on peacably with
their settlements. The terms of these grants were, that the
grantees should within a limited time, erect mills and meeting
houses, clear out roads and settle ministers. In every town
ship they reserved one right for the first settled minister,
another for the ministry, and a third for schools. They also
reserved fifteen rights for themselves, and two for their attor-
nies ; all of which were to be free from taxes, until sold or
occupied. By virtue of these grants, many townships were
settled, and the interest of the people became so united with
that of the proprietors, that the prejudices against them
gradually abated. The heirs of Allen menanced them by
advertisements, and warned the people against accepting these
grants. To this fact and claim undoubtedly, reference is had
in that clause in the grant of the township, by which the grant
ors engage " to defend through the law to the King in Coun
cil, if need be, one action that may be brought against them
or any number of them," &c. By these proceedings, a way
was prepared for giving to settlers a valid title to the lands,
which had so long been a subject of doubt and controversy ;
and a grant was made to the proprietors, under which the set
tlement of the town was commenced and proceeded with as
will be detailed in the next chapter.

CHAPTER II.
PROPRIETARY HISTORY.
txroton Grant in 1734, the earliest grant in this part of New-Hampshire. Order
of time of grants in the vicinity. No. 1 granted by the Masonian Proprietors.
First inhabitants. Division among the grantees. Plan of the township.
Proceedings in proprietors' meetings. Boads. Beport of settlements and
improvements, in 1752. Meeting House. Mills. Ministers and preaching.
Call of E. Champney. Two hundred acres added on the north side. Call of
James Parker. Vote for incorporation. Vote giving the Meeting House to
the town. Pinal meeting.
The earliest historical trace of the claim of ownership in '
the territory and soil of the town of Mason, is found in con
nection with the town of Groton. The original grant of the
township of Groton, o% the petition of Dean Winthrop
and others, under date of 23d, 5th m., 1655, was of a tract
" equal to eight miles square." In 1715, a portion of this ter
ritory was annexed to Nashobah and incorporated by the
name of Littleton. There were also included within the
bounds of Groton, as originally surveyed and located, two
farms previously granted to individuals, containing about
thirteen hundred acres, for which no allowance was made in
the survey. In 1734, the inhabitants of Groton petitioned
the General Court "for some of the unappropriated land of
the Province, as an equivalent for the said farms, and the land
so taken off by the line established, dividing between Groton
and Littleton." On this petition a grant was made of "ten
thousand eight hundred acres, in a gore between Townsend
and Dunstable." This tract is undoubtedly the same repre-

26 HISTORY OP MASON.
sented on Douglas' map made in 1748, as " Groton Grant."
According to that map, it embraced a territory extending to
Souhegan river, which would include a large part of Ma
son, and a part of Wilton. See extract from Douglas' map
Hist, of New Ipswich, page 28. Under this grant, the inhab
itants of Groton took possession of, and occupied the terri
tory. It was their custom to cut the hay upon the meadows,
and stack it, and early in the spring to send up their young
cattle to be fed upon the hay, under the care of Boad, the
negro slave. They would cause the woods to be fired, as it
was called, that is, burnt over in the spring ; after which fresh
and succulent herbage springing up, furnished good store
of the finest feed, upon which the cattle would thrive and
fatten through the season. Boad's camp was upon the east
side of the meadow, near the residence of the late Joel
Ames. When the Province line was run in 1741, it "passed
through Groton Gore, leaving a large portion thereof, and a
triangular piece of what was originally Groton, in the state
Of New Hampshire." For the land so lost by the establish
ing of the Province line, on the petition of the inhabitants of
Groton, the General Court in June 1771, granted them
" seven thousand and eight hundred sfcres of unappropriated
lands lying on the western part of the Province." See But
ler's Groton, pp. 58 — 62. To have a distinct understanding
of the state of territorial titles in 1734, the date of the
grant of Groton Gore, it may be necessary to review the
territorial grants previous and subsequent to that date, of
the adjacent and neighboring towns.
Chelmsford and Groton were granted in 1655. Dunstable
in 1673. This town originally comprised the territory now
embraced in Dunstable and Tyngsborough in Massachusetts,
Hudson, Nashua, Hollis, most of Brookline, all of Milford
and Merrimack south of Souhegan river, and most of Litch
field, in New Hampshire. Dunstable was "bounded south by
Chelmsford to Groton line, on the west by Groton and by
countrey land, the line running due north from the bound-

PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 27
ary" [that is the north east angle of Groton] "ten miles
till you come to Souhegan river, at a place called Dram Cup
Hill at a great pine tree nigh ye said river, at a [bound or
corner] of Charlestown scoole farm; bounded by the Souhe
gan river on the north," &c. As "a triangular piece of what
was originally Groton" was by the running of the Province
line in 1741, left within the State of New Hampshire, the
north east angle of Groton must be found in Brookline ten
miles south of Souhegan river, not far from Potanapus pond.
The tradition is that the west line of Dunstable, which must
have commenced at the north east angle of Groton, passed
through this pond. A tract about one mile wide lying on the
east side of Mason, was added to a portion of Hollis, for
merly Dunstable, and incorporated by the name of Raby, af
terwards changed to Brookline. Thus it appears that the
western line of Old Dunstable passed about one mile east of
the eastern line of Mason.
Townsend was incorporated in 1732. A part of this town
also was left by the Province line, in New Hampshire, and is
included within the limits of Mason. New Ipswich *was
granted by Massachusetts in 1735. This grant was vacated
by the establishment of the line ; but it was regranted by the
Masonian proprietors, with a change of boundaries, April 17,
1750. Hollis, the west part of Old Dunstable, was organized
as a parish or precinct, December 28, 1739, and incorporated
as a town, April 20, 1746. The name originally was Holies,
from the family name of the Duke of Newcastle, prime min
ister of Great Britain in the reign of George II. at the time
Louisburg was taken, in 1745, under Sir William Pepperell.
Pepperell, another name commemorating the same event, was
incorporated in 1753, being formerly a precinct or parish of
Groton. Brookline, originally named Raby, was incorpo
rated March 30, 1769. The original charter embraced a part
of the west part of Hollis, two miles wide and the mile slip,
so called, a piece of land a part of the old Groton Gore,
about one mile wide, "lying on the easterly side of Mason."

28 HISTORY OP MASON.
The east line of this mile slip must have been the west line
of Old Dunstable, which bordered on "countrey land," from
Groton to Souhegan river. In 1786, another portion of Hol
lis, three fourths of a mile wide, was added to Brookline.
Wilton was granted by the Masonian proprietors, October 1,
1749. Temple was incorporated about the year 1770. Ash
by in 1767. Thus it appears that the original grant of this
tract to Groton, by Massachusetts, was prior, in point of
time, to that of any adjoining territory, except Townsend.
The title to the township of Mason, except two gores, one
on the north and one on the south side, was granted Novem
ber 1, 1749, by an instrument of that date executed by Col.
Joseph Blanchard, on behalf of the Masonian proprietors, of
which the following is a copy :
[Copy of the Grant.]
Province of New Hampshire.
Pursuant to the power and authority, granted and vested in me by
the Proprietors of lands purchased of John Tufton Mason, Esq. in the
Province of New Hampshire, by their vote passed at the meeting, held
at Portsmouth, in said Province, the 16th day of June, 1749,
I no by these presents, give and grant, all the title and interest,
property and possession of the proprietors aforesaid, unto William
Lawrence, Esq., Peter Powers, Eleazer Blanchard, John GofF, Esq.,
David Adams, Paul March, Philip Olerick, Eleazer Farwell, John
Stevens, Nathaniel Meserve, Jr., Peter Powers, Jr., Joseph Blodgett,
John Butterfield, Jonathan Powers, Jr., Zaccheus Lovewell, Jonathan
Hubbard, John Varnum, Josiah Brown, John Jennison, Joseph Blan
chard, Jr., Elnathan Blood, Mr. Thomas Packer, Jonathan Hubbard,
Jr., Clement March, Robert Fletcher, Jr., Israel Hubbard, Amasa
Parker, Jacob Gould, Benjamin Parker, David Stearns, Thomas Tar-
bell, Samuel Tarbell, Shadrack Whitney, Edward Jewett, all their
[heirs] of in and to all that part of a township or tract of land in the
Province of New Hampshire aforesaid, containing about the contents
of seventy-seven square miles, bounded as follows, beginning at a stake
and stones the southeast corner of the premises, and runs from
thence, north eighty degrees west, five miles and twenty rods by the
Province line to New Ipswich corner, from thence north by the
needle, five miles to a white pine tree marked, from thence east by
the needle, five miles to a hemlock tree marked, from thence south
by the needle, to the first bounds mentioned, which said town
ship is laid out, drawn for, and lots ascertained for each grantee
respectively, with two lots for encouragement of building of mills, &c.
and three shares for public uses, viz : one for the first settled minister,

PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 29
¦one for the ministry, and one for the schools there forever, which
said shares and' lots, to be the same as already drawn and entered
in the schedule and plan hereunto annexed, unto them respectively
and their heirs and assigns. To have and hold on the following
terms, conditions and limitations, and on them only, that is to say,
that a meeting house be built as near the centre of said town, as by the
grantees shall be judged most convenient, and that when such place
shall be agreed on, six acres shall be reserved for public uses ; that the
remaining lands not entered in the schedule and plan aforesaid, speci
fied within the bounds of the township aforesaid, be and hereby are
reserved to and for the use of the Grantors of the premises, their
heirs and assigns forever, free and clear from all charges, tax or
incumbrance of settlement, until their, or any of their parts are
improved by them, or some holding under them.
That the aforementioned grantees, exclusive of the three public
lots, shall carry on, perform and make settlement at their own
expense, in the following manner, viz : that there be all necessary
highways laid out in said town where they will be most convenient,
without any pay or allowance, to those grantors or grantees, through
whose land the same shall go, that the grantees build a convenient
house for the public worship of God, there at or before the last day
of May, 1753, for the use of those who shall then, or afterwards
inhabit there. That there be on some one lot of each of the forty
shares belonging to the grantees, three acres cleared, inclosed and
fitted for mowing or tillage, so far as is profitable, at or before the last
day of November, 1751, and each of the said lots to be cleared as
aforesaid, to be settled with having a house of sixteen feet square, at
the least, and seven feet stud or more, with a chimney and cellar, fin
ished and fitted for a dwelling house, thereon at or before the last day
of May, 1752, and some person or family inhabiting and resident in
said house, and they or some others in each of their steads, continue
residing there until the last day of May, 1755. That the owners of
each of the forty settling shares, have on each of their rights respec
tively, three acres more, in like manner fitted, at or before the last day
of November, 1752, and the like qnantity annually, for two years
then next coming. That the remaining six shares, to wit, the shares
of Jonathan Hubbard, Benjamin Parker, Nathaniel Meserve, Jr.,
Josiah Brown, John Jennison, Eleazer Blanchard, be excused from
the duty of building, improving or settling, until the last day of No
vember, 1755, and then to have the whole duty performed as the
others at that time. That each of the grantees at the executing of this
instrument pay, thirty pounds each old tenor, to defray the necessary
charges, risen or arising in bringing forward the settlement, to be
deposited in the hands of such person as they shall appoint, being a
freeholder and resident in the Province. That the aforesaid grantees ¦
or their assigns assess such further sum, or sums of money equally in
[pro] portion to the right, or the share of each grantee, exclusive of
the three public lots, as may be thought necessary, for carrying on
and completing any of the public matters, in making the settlement
5

30 . HISTORY OP MASON.
and charges, always provided there be no Indian war, within any of
the times aforesaid, for. doing the duty conditioned in this grant, and
in case that should happen, the same time to be allowed for the re
spective matters aforesaid, after such impediment shall be removed.
That all white pine trees fit for masting his Majesties royal navy,
growing on said land, be and here[by] are granted to his Majesty,
his heirs and successors forever.
Lastly, said grantors do hereby promise to the said grantees, their
heirs and assigns, to defend through the law, to the King and
Council if need be, one action that shall and may be brought against
them, or any number of them, by any person or persons whatsoever,
claiming the said land, or any part thereof, by any other title than
of the grantors, or that by which they hold and derive theirs from>
Provided the said grantors are avouched in to defend the same, and
that in case the same shall be recovered against the grantors, the
grantees shall recover nothing over against the grantors for the
said lands and improvements, or expenses of bringing forward the
settlement, and further, that the said grantors will pay the necessary
expenses of time and money, that any other person or persons shall be
put to, by any other suit or suits, that shall be brought against them,.
or any of them, the said grantees for tryal of the title, before one
action shall be fully determined in the law. In witness whereof, I the
said Joseph Blanchard of Dunstable, have hereunto set ray hand and
seal, this first day of November, 1749.
JOSEPH BLANCHARD. [seal.]
This copy is a transcript from the proprietors' records.
The original has not been found. There is undoubtedly a
mistake in the number of square miles in the contents of the
town. It should be twenty seven, not seventy seven.
There is no record or tradition existing which shows when
the first inhabitants began to reside within the limits of the
town. Joseph Herrick was chosen " second deer officer" in
Townsend, at the annual town meeting in March, 1742. In
1745, that town "voted to abate Joseph Herrick's rates,
provided the money was raised after he went out. of town."
Joseph Herrick lived in the south-easterly part of the town
of Mason, near where Elisha Boynton lived. In what part
of Townsend he resided before he "went out of town,"
is not known. He was undoubtedly the pioneer in the settle
ment of that part of Mason. There, probably, his oldest
son, Joseph Herrick was born, Sept. 30, 1751. He may
claim to be the first person of European parentage, born

PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 31
"within the present limits of the town. His only competitor
for this honor, is John Lawrence, son of Enosh Lawrence.
No record of his birth is found. He was the youngest of
the children of Enosh Lawrence and Sarah Stevens, his wife.
The birth of nine of their children is recorded in the town
records of Pepperell, the last of which was April 12, 1748.
There is a tradition that he was born in 1751, and that he
was the first child born in the town ; that is, within the limits
of the original grant. It would seem that Lawrence was
residing in Pepperell in 1 748, and that Herrick removed out
of Townsend in 1745 ; so that the last was probably the
earliest permanent resident within the present limits of the
township. He was a " deer officer," which indicates that he
was a hunter, fond of sylvan pursuits.
A meeting of the " grantees and proprietors" was held at
the house of Capt. Joseph French, in Dunstable, Oct. 16,
1749 ; at which, the township having been divided into lots,
and a list made of the lots, they were drawn for, and entered
to each proprietor his lots, which list is inserted on page 34.
On pages 32 and 33 will be found a plan of the town with the
names of the grantees, &c, of the several lots according to
the said list.

32

HISTORY OP MASON'.
PLAN OF TOWNSHIP

R, 10
20 Eobert Fletcher.

9
J. Peiroe.

8
Jona. Powers, Jr.

7
J. T. Mason.

6
Scollay & March.

10
19 S. Moore.

9
J. Peirce.

8
Jona. Moffatt.

7
Saml Tafbell.

6'
Saml. Tarbell.

10
18 S. Moore.

9
D. Stearns.

8
i Thbs.Tarbell.

7
. Jos. Blanchard.

6
N. Messerve, Jr.
D. Williams.

10
17 J. Odiorne,

9
Maj. J. Hubbard.

8
Wm. iawrehce.

7
Wm. tawrence.

tt
Benj. Parker.
O. Nutting.

10
16 J. Odiorne.

9
Maj. J. Hubbard.

8
Jona. Hubbard.

7
J. Blanchard.

Jona. Hubbard. 6"
J. Baa.
E. % T. Blood.

10
15 N. Messerve.

9
N. Messerve.

8
David Stearns.

7
Benj. Parker1.
H. Jefts.

6-
Joshua Peirce.
E. Fish,

10
14 J. Stevens,

9
J. Stevens.

S
George Marsh.

7
J. Hubbard, Jr.

6
M.H.Wentworth. N. Hall.

10
13 J. Stevens.
J. Barrett.

9
J. Stevens.
Z. Dams.

8
Th: Parker, Esq.
Saml. Lawrence.

7
T. J. Mason.
Saml. Lawrence.

Thos. Parker. 6'
H. Jefts.
J. Baclielder.

10
12 J. Odiorne.

N. Messerve. 9
A. Allen.
Jos. Merriam.

Jos. Jennison. 8
Josiah Wheeler.
H. Warren.

J.Hubbard, Jr. 1
Samuel Hill.
John Blodgett.

6
, Maj. J.Hubbard.
Amos Holden.

10
11 J. Jennison.

9
J. Stevens.

8
J. Stevens.
N. Whipple.

Maj. Lawrence. 7
B. Mann.
S. Ames.

6'
Joseph Blodgett.
Ab. Merriam.

10
10 Josiah Brown.

9
J. Stevens.

8
J. Varnum.
Jos. Merriam.

Maj. Lawrence. 7
J. Jefts. B.Bali.
N. Boynton.

School. 6
Meet'gHouie Lot.
Dr. Win. Barber.

10
9 Maj. J. Hubbard
A. Wheeler.

9
J. Stevens.
E. Lawrence.

8
W. Parker, Esq.
Jona. Searle.

J. Stevens.
N. Barrett.
1 J. Whitaker.

J. Jennison. 6'
S. Abbott.
Bev. E. aa.

10
8 Maj. J. Hubbard.
IA. O. Parker.

9
G. Jaffrey.
T. Bobbins.

8
J.Wentworth,Jr. T. Wheeler.

E. Blanchard. 7
D.Fay. J. Wait,
Jr. J. Flagg.

E. Blanchard. 6
Joshua Wyeth.
E. Wilson.

10
7 M. Livermore.
E. Davis.

9
M. Livermore.
James Wood.

Josiah Brown. 8
Ministry.
Stev . Lawrence.

7
J. "Wentworth, Jr.
i

Jos. Blanchard. 6
D. Blodgett.
John Winship.

10
6 Z. Lovewell.

9
M.H.Wentworth

8
J. Powers, Jr.

7
John'Butterfield. J. Webber, Jr.

Ph. Olericke. 6
W. Cummings.
John Swallow.

10
5 Z. Lovewell.
T, Wheelock.

9
N. Messerve, Jr.
Samuel Woods.

Jos. Farrar. 8
Mill Lot.
E. Sliattuck.

7
John Butterfield.
Seth Bobbins.

6
School.
Zac. Barrett.

10
4 S. Wallingford.
O. Hosmer.

9
N. Messerve, Jr.

8
Geo. Jaffrey.
T. Hodgman.

7
Eich'd Wibird.

6
Wm. Lawrence.
Capt. I. Brown.

10
3 T. Wallingford.

Phil. Olericke. 9
Wm. Cummings.
B. Weston.

8
Josiah Brown.

7
Joseph Blodgett.

6
Wm. Lawrence
Enos Lawrence.

10
2 P. March.
E. Hodgman.

9
D. Adams.
John Barrett.

8.
W. Parker, Esq.

7
Kich'd Wibird.

Wm.Lawrence. 6
Josiah Bobbins.
Dea. J. Webber.

10
1 G. Jaffrey.
J. Hodgman.

9
P. Powers,

8
E. Blanchard.

i
School.

Mark H. Went- 6
worth. JV. Win-
ship. W. Barrett.

The plan of which the above is a copy was found among the papers in the town clerk's office.
It is in the hand writing of John Blodgett, Esq., who was for many years town clerk On the
south side is represented a gore 240 poles wide at the east end, the south line of which runs to
the soutltfwest corner of the town. It is not laid out into lots. The only note or memorandum
on the plan is in these words : "A plan of Mason without any north slip," and on the south
PROPRIETARY HISTORT.

33:

NO 1, OR MASON.

5
Theo. Atkinson.

4
Jona. Lawrence.
J. Hubbard.

3
Jona. Hubbard.

2
Benj. Parker.

IR.
Amasa Parker. 20
J. Jefts.

5
"Wm. Lawrence.

4
Thos. Tarbell.

3
Elnathan Blood.

2
David StcarnB.

1
Thomas Parker. 19

5
Theo'. Atkinson.

4
Jacob Gbuid.

3
Mr. Th: Packer.

2
J. Hubbard, Jr.

1
E. Jewett. 18

5
Wm. Lawrence.

4
Wm. Lawrence.

3
J. Hubbard, Jr.

2
George March.

1
Ministry. 17

0
Jona. Hubbard.

4
. Amasa Parker.
J. Jefts.

3
J. Hubbard, Jr.

2
J. Blanchard-, Jr.

1
J. Blanchard, Jr. 16

5*
John Moffat.

5
Saml Tarbell.

3
Robert Fletcher.

2
Joseph Farrar.
MM Lot.

1
Eleazer Farwell. 15

5
M.H.Wentworth

4
Jacob Gould.

3
Robt. Fletcher.

2
Jos. Blanchard.

1
Scollay & March. 14

5
Scollay& March.

4
Samuel Moore.

3
J. Hubbard, Jr.

2
J. T. Mason.

1
Peter Powers. 13

5
Amasa Parker.
J. Jefts.

4
Peter Powers.

3
Elnathan Blood.

2
Jacob Goitfld.

1
Peter Powers. 12
Wm. Spaulding.

5
Minister.

4
Thos. Tarbell.

3
Elnathan Blood.

2
John Stevens.

Peter Powers. 11
Wm. Spaulding.

5
Minister.
J. Searle.

Peter Powers. 4
John Tarbell.
Joshua Davis.

3
E. Jewett.
T. TarbeU.

2
T. Parker, Esq.
Edm. Tarbell.

1
Th: Parker, Esq. 10
Wm. Spaulding.

5
J. Stevens.
N. Warren^

4
Jona. Blanchard.
Jason Russell.

3
John Moffat.

2
J.Wentworth, Jr

1
M.H.Wentworth 9

John Goff. 5
— Greelej/.
H. Russell.

4
Thos. Taylor.
B. Russell.

3
Theo. Atkinson.

2
Jona. Livermore.
— Bubbard.

1
J. Powers, Jr. 8

5
Ministry.
Joseph Winship.

4
Paul Mareh.
S. Smith.

3
George March.

2
M.H.Wentworth

i ;
Peter Powers. 7

5
Peter Powers5Jr.

Jos; Blodgett. 4
B. Barrett.
B. Bicluxrdson.

3
David1 Adams.

2
Peter Powers.

1
Peter Powers,Jr. 6

5
Peter Powers, Jr.

4
David Adams.
Amos Blood:

3
Ministry.
J. Brown.

2
Phil. Olericke.
— Cummings.

1
Peter Powers. 5

John Yarnum. 5
John Dutton.
John Blood.

John Goff. 4
S. Greeley.
Joseph Blood.

3
Maj. J. Hubbard.

2
W.Parker, Esq.

1
Rich'd Wibird. 4

5
E. Farwell.

i
John Stevens.

3
John Stevens.

2
Wm. Lawrence.

1
Minister. 3

51
T. Wallingford. \ John Stevens.

3
John Stevens.

2
John Goff.
— Powers.

1
M. Livermore. 2

51 4
Paul March. | John Butterfield.
1

3
Shadr. Whitney.

2
Eleazer Farwell.

1
John Varnum. 1

side, "Five miles East5*; on the east, "Five miles North" ; on the north, "Five miles
West"; on the west, "Five miles South". In some instances the name of the original
grantee is not on this plan, and is restored in this copy. The names of the grantees are in Eo-
man letters. The names in Italic in all cases are those of subsequent residents on, or owners of
the lots, and in most eases of original settlers on the lots.

34 HISTOET OF MASON.
RECORD OF THE DRAFT OF LOTS IN TOWNSHIP NO. 1.

NAMES.

Ministry,
School, George Jaffrey,
Peter Powers, *
Eleazer Blanchard,
John Goff, Esq*,
David Adams,f
Paul March,
Phillip Olerike,
Eleazer Farwell^
John Stevens, Esq.,
Thomas Wallingford,
Nathaniel Meserve, Jr.,
Peter Powers, Jr.,
Joseph Blodgett,
John Butterfield, J
Jonathan Powers, Jr.,
Mark Hunking Wentworth,
Thomas Taylor, $
Matthew Livermore,
John Stevens, Esq.,
William Lawrence, Esq.,
William Parker, Esq.,
John Wentworth, Jr.,
Maj. Jona. Hubbard,
Maj. Wm. Lawrence, ||
John Varnum, IT
John Stevens, Esq.,
Josiah Brown,
Richard Wibird, Esq.,
Jotham Odiorn,
Nathl. Meserve, Esq.,
John Gennison,
John Stevens, Esq.,

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NAMES.
John Stevens, Esq.,
Samuel Moore and*
Joseph Farrar t
Minister,Joseph Blanchard, Jr.,
Peter Powers, J
J. P.$
Elnathan Blood,
Thomas Parker, Esq.,
Mr. Thomas Packer,
J. P. ||
John Tufton Mason, Esq.,
George March,
Mark H. Wentworth,
Capt. Eobert Fletcher,
Saml. Scollay and March,
John Moffat, Esq.,
Jonathan Lawrence, [bard,
Mr. Trowbridge, now Hub-
Amasa Parker.
Jona. Hubbard, Jr.,
Jacob Gould,
Wm. Lawrence, Esq.,
Benja. Parker,
Maj. Jona. Hubbard, J. P., IT
Mr. David Stearns,
Capt Thomas Tarbell,
Joseph Blanchard, Esq.,
Theodore Atkinson, Esq.,
Wm. Lawrence. Esq.,
Capt. Saml. Tarbell,
Joshua Pierce,
Shadrack Whitney,
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1
The foreg oing is a True Copy of the Draught and numbers of the lots In the Township No. One,
so called, lying in the Province of New Hampshire, as they was Drawn by the Proprietors of
said Township. A true copy. Examined and Recorded, Pr JOHN STEVENS, Prop's Clerk.
Note. In the original copy, in the margin against the names and figures, are sundry addi*
tions indicated by the references below :
*7.5. * Daniel Pierce.
t MiU Lot.
t8 [in the 6th column should be 3.1
t 7.5.
\ Z. Lovewell.
|| Two lots to this right.
IT J. P.
1J.P.§ Capt. Peter Powers.
[f Jona. Hubbard, Jr.
IT J. P. [above the name.]
At the same meeting, William Lawrence and John Stevens,
Esq., were " directed, at the charge of the grantees and set
tlers of this township, to mark out a highway in said town
ship, from where the road enters into said township, that
leads from Amos Sartell's house in Townshend, to the meet
ing-house place, as marked on the plan of the division of
said township, and from said meeting-house place, to near the
middle of the north line in said township, in the most conve
nient place for a road, and fit for a feasible cart road, the
PROPRIETAEY HISTORY. 35
said highway, as soon as may be, and that Messrs. Benjamin
Parker and Peter Powers, be desired and empowered as
aforesaid, to lay out, and clear, and fit for a feasible cart
road, in the most convenient place, from said meeting-house
place to the town of Hollis." In this extract from the pro
prietors' records, a distinction is made between " grantees
and settlers," which is kept up through the whole period of
the proprietorship, which continued long after the incorpora
tion of the town. Many of the proprietors never resided in
the town ; some of the original proprietors resided in the
town, and several persons, whose names do not appear among
the original proprietors, resided in the town, and attended
proprietors' meetings, and voted and took an active part
therein ; while other persons who resided and owned land in
town, do not appear to have attended the meetings, or to
have been recognized as having any of the rights or powers
of proprietors. What constituted the line of distinction
between the owners of land who had a right, and those who
had not a right to meet and vote in proprietary meetings,
does not appear. The road first above described, is substan
tially the same now travelled from Townsend west village,
leading by the meeting-house northerly, to and beyond Jona
than Bachelders. The other was the road leading from the
meeting-house to Brookline, then a part of Hollis. At an
adjournment of the same meeting, held Nov. 7, 1749, at the
same place, Joseph Blanchard, Jr. was chosen Clerk, Joseph
Blanchard, Esq. Treasurer, Major Jonathan Hubbard, John
Stevens, Esq. and Capt. Samuel Tarbell were chosen a com
mittee " for managing the prudentials of the society." The
mode of calling future meetings was also provided for ; noti
ces for which were to be posted fifteen days beforehand, in
some public place in Dunstable, in Townsend, and in Groton.
It was also " voted to accept of the two mill lots marked on
the plan for that use, and chose a committee to bargain and
indent with some person or persons, to build and finish a
saw mill by the last day of February, 1750, and a corn mill in

36 HISTORY OF MASOJf.
nine months from thatrtime ; that they contract for said mills
to be kept in repair ; also that every of the inhabitants on
bringing suitable timber, have it sawed for half the stuff at
least ; also to dispose of the two mill lots, or so much of
them for that use as they shall agree for ; that Messrs Benja
min Parker, Major Jonathan Hubbard, Capt. John Stevens be
the committee for this purpose."
The plan referred to has not been found ; nor any plan
upon which the mill lots are marked, among the records of
-the proprietors, but in the schedule of the lots drawn to the
different rights against right or " draught," No. 37, are two
lots 2 B. 15, and 8 R. 5, marked in the margin "mill lots," and
in a plan in the hand-writing of John Blodgett, Esq., who
was in 1799, and many years after, town clerk, on file with
the papers in the town clerk's office, these two lots are
each marked "mill lot."
Some question seems to have arisen at this early period as
to the nature and the validity of the title claimed under the
grant, for at this same adjourned meeting, Mr. John Varnum,
Major William Lawrence, and Capt. John Stevens were chosen
a committee " to enquire into, and view the tenor of the
grant, and report their opinion of the safety therein; and
that Capt. Thomas Tarbell be joined to this committee."
Probably the committee were satisfied " of the safety therein,"
for no report has been entered on the records, nor does any
question as to the validity of the title seem ever after to
have been seriously made. This movement, probably, had
reference to Allen's advertisements before mentioned to, cau
tioning persons not to take titles under the Masonian propri
etors. At this same adjourned meeting, it was also voted, that the
committee chosen at the first of this meeting, for markino- out
and clearing highways, be directed to mark out, and open a
road so that horses or cattle may pass from the meeting-house
place, westward, near to the west line of the town." This
was, probably, the road from the meeting-house to New

PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 37
Ipswich, by Obadiah Parker's house. At this early period,
the roads leading from the south to the north, and from the
east to the west borders of the town through the center,
seem to have been provided for.
At an adjournment of the same meeting, holden on the
last Tuesday in Dec. 1749, Capt. Thomas Tarbell was added
to the committee for laying out and clearing the road from
the meeting-house place to Hollis ; also " voted, that John
Stevens, Esq. amend the range line between the sixth and
seventh range, so as equally to divide the quantity of land
between the two ranges, and he to be paid six pounds old
tenor for that service, which he agreed to ;" also " voted, that
Capt. Samuel Tarbell be joined to the committee chosen to
contract with some suitable person to build the mills in this
township, in the room of John Stevens, Esq. ; voted, that
Joseph Blanchard, Esq. take security %f the person who builds
the mills; that John Stevens, Esq. go and look out the mill
places and see on whose lots they fall, and make return to
Joseph Blanchard, Esq. where they are, by the first day of
next March, and if any mistakes should be in his first account
of said lots, that Col. Joseph Blanchard procure the said lots
where the mills are to stand, in behalf of the grantees, they
paying the sum or sums of money which they shall cost." No
report on this subject is entered on the records. If any was
made in writing, it has not been found. The two lots marked
on the plan, were, one in the north east part of the town,
near where Elias Elliot built a mill, and the other in the
south west part, near where the mill of Frederic Jones
stands. It seems that under this vote and instruction, some
change was made, for the mills contracted for by the propri
etors were built on the site of Dakin's mills, in the village.
At this adjourned meeting, it was also " voted, that Mr.
Benjamin Parker run out the two lines that are not already
run, and that he have twelve pounds old tenor for doing said
work, which he agreed to, [and] that he go and lay out two
hundred acres of land lying between the north line of No. 1,
6

38 HISTORY OP MASON.
and the south line of No. 2, in the best manner he can, for
the use of the grantees of No. 1. Voted that the Treasurer
pay him for doing said work, at his returning the plan of said
land, [and] that if anything should happen that he should not
do the work by the middle of January next, that Capt. Peter
Powers be directed to do said work forthwith, on the same
conditions as aforesaid."
By what claim or right the grantees of No. 1 were entitled
"to go and lay out two hundred acres of land" between No.
1 and No. 2, does not appear. A tract or gore of land
between the original lines or boundaries of these townships,
was at some time annexed to No. 1. In the original location
of townships in that part of the state, there was not the pre
cision which has prevailed in the surveys of the public lands
of the United States, or in the more recently settled parts of
New England. No baSfc lines or meridian lines were run.
Each township or tract was run out by itself, and it might
readily happen that different surveyors going into the wilder
ness to run out tracts of land, not knowing what other survey
ors may have done, should not make their lines parallel, or
corners coincident ; so that it is not a matter of surprise,
that gores should be found to exist between tracts, which
were intended and supposed to be bounded by the same line.
Such seems to have been the case in this instance. The orig
inal grant of No. 2, now Wilton, was as follows : In June,
1735, the General Court granted to Samuel King and
others, in consideration of their sufferings in the expedition to
Canada, in the year 1690, the township of Lyndeborough, and
about one third of Wilton, on the north side, under the name
of " Salem Canada." The word " Canada" added to names
of grants, was common at that time. Thus, Ipswich Canada,
New Ipswich, Dorchester Canada, Ashburnham, &c are in
stances. The tracts, with this addition to the names, were
granted to the citizens of the several towns indicated, for
their services in the expedition to Canada in 1690. In 1749,
the Masonian proprietors made a grant of a tract of land

PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 39
adjoining " Salem Canada" on the south, under certain condi
tions, to forty six persons. The grantees had it laid out and
annexed to a part of Salem Canada, and called No. 2 ; which
was afterwards, Jan. 2, 1765, incorporated under the name of
Wilton. A trouble which is apt to be incident to the undertaking of
all new enterprizes requiring the expenditure of money, that
is, the want of promptness on the part of those who are
chargable with the payments, seems to have met the grantees
at an early stage of their proceedings ; and very frequent
aAd repeated references to the same difficulty, even to the
very last stage of their proprietary existence, show that it
was a constant and permanent source of annoyance. The
final proceedings of this first meeting, continued so long by
adjournments, referred to this matter, as follows : "Voted,
that all persons refusing or neglecting to pay the respec
tive sums of money raised on their rights, after the third
Tuesday of January next, [their rights] are hereby forfeited
to the rest of the grantees, they paying the aforesaid sums of
money, to defray the necessary charges in bringing forward
the settlement of the town."
The next meeting of the proprietors, was holden at the
house of William Lawrence, Esq., in said township, on the 3d
day of Dec. 1751. Wm. Lawrence, Esq. was chosen modera
tor. The proceedings were as follows : " Voted to build a
meeting-house in said township, for the public worship of
God, of the following dimensions ; viz : thirty feet in length,
and twenty four or twenty six feet in width, as the committee
chosen for that service shall think fit, and sixteen feet
between joints. Voted and chose for said committee, Wil
liam Lawrence, Jonathan Hubbard, Esq., and Capt. Thomas
Tarbell. Also voted, that the said committee be directed to
inclose said house, lay the under floor, and to build a conven
ient place for the minister to stand to preach in."
"Voted, to choose a committee to let out the mills in
said township. Chose for said committee, Wm. Lawrence

40 HISTORY OP MASON.
and John Stevens, Esq. ; the saw mill to be built and com
pleted, fit for service, by the 25th day of May next, and the
corn mill to be completed, fit to grind by the 25th day of
May, 1753. Also voted, that the committee chosen to build
the meeting-house, be directed to employ the proprietors or
inhabitants both at the meeting-house, and at the highways,
provided they will work as cheap and as well as others."
At a meeting held at the house of Mr. Enos Lawrence, on
the 4th Tuesday of Oct. 1752, a vote was passed to change
the dimensions of the meeting-house to be built, to 40 feet
by 30, and to add Benjamin Parker and John Stevens to the
committee ; that the frame should be set up by the first of
January next, and the house finished as directed by the former
vote, by the first day of November next, which must be
intended November, 1753. At this meeting John Stevens was
chosen proprietors' clerk, the road from the Province line to
the meeting-house place, was accepted as laid out, and "the
meeting was adjourned to Mr. James Lawrence's in Groton
west parish, that day three weeks." At the adjourned meet
ing, "Voted, that if every proprietor, by the twentieth day of
May next, obliged by the charter to settle a lot in said town
ship, have not built a dwelling-house and fenced six acres fit
for plowing or mowing, [he] shall forfeit his land, according
to the charter ; except such proprietors at said time, shall
ease or consider the same ; provided that those persons that
have done nothing on their rights, pay each man two shillings
and eight pence lawful money for the use of said proprietary,
for their past neglects, or else to have no benefit by the
former vote."
And on said adjournment, the committee chosen to view
the lots report, as follows :
THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
" This contains an account of what each man has done in
No. one.
Enos Lawrence has a house, and about eight acres cleared,
and dwells there.

PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 41
Nathan Hall, a house and seven acres of land, six of it
broke up, and dwells there.
Nathan Fish, a small house, about live acres cleared.
Henry Jefts, seven acres cleared, and about three of it
broke up, and a house.
Obadiah Parker, a good house, and about two acres cleared.
Ebenezer Butterfield, a good house, eight acres well cleared
and broke up.
Josiah Robbins, about three acres cleared, and a poor fence.
John Swallow cleared about one acre, and got some timber
for a house.
William Lawrence, a house and barn, and about ten acres
cleared. Samuel Right, [Wright,] a cellar dug, two acres cleared.
James Withee, a cellar dug, and three acres cleared and
broke up.
Simon Green, about two acres cleared and broke up, and a
cellar dug, and a frame.
Ensign Shattuck, one acre cleared on each lot.
Capt. Thomas Tarbell, about three acres cleared.
Capt. Samuel Tarbell, about three acres cleared.
James Lasley, [Leslie,] house up, about three acres cleared.
t George Lasley, [Leslie,] a camp, about one acre cleared.
Reuben Barrett, about three acres cleared, and two of it
broke up.
William Spaulding, a pretty good house, and some land
cleared, and something done to a second lot.
William Elliot, two acres cleared, and a cellar dug, [and]
timber drawn for a house.
Capt. Stevens, about nine acres cleared and fenced, also,
about five acres more.
Samuel Right, [Wright,] two lotts about one acre and a
half cleared, and a camp.
Shadrack Whitney, a house and barn, and about twenty
acres cleared and fenced, and a young orchard.
Signed, William Lawrence, per order."

42 HISTORY OP MASON.
At a meeting at the house of Enos Lawrence in said town
ship, on the 27th of November, 1753, " Col. Lawrence chosen
moderator of said meeting; voted to choose a committee of
three men for the service hereafter mentioned, <fcc. The
committee to send Mr. Bellows a letter, to have the corn
mill done by the first of June next, or else the Treasurer to
put the bonds into execution.
" Voted to allow sixty pounds to pay for preaching between
this and next May, and the inhabitants of said town to
appoint the time and place. Col. Lawrence chosen to get a
minister, and Col. Lawrence chosen Treasurer. Voted that
the papers belonging to the proprietors, be put on public
record, in the Province of New Hampshire so far as the com
mittee shall think fit. The committee for said service to be
the same that takes the bonds."
The delinquent proprietors continued to be a source of dif
ficulty. On page 49 of the proprietors' records is entered at
large the vote first, above referred to. It is as follows:
" Whereas, it appears to this proprietary that some rights in
the said township No. One, that were obliged to settle the
lots according to charter, have neglected to comply with the
same, and in order for as speedy compliance with their duty
as possible, it is necessary that such others should be admit
ted in their room that will comply with the same. Therefore,
"Voted, That Col. Lawrence, Samuel Tarbell and John
Stevens be a committee fully impowered to make a strict en
quiry who are now wholly delinquent, or that was delinquent
on the 4th Tuesday of October, 1752, and to take good secu
rity to the value of one hundred pounds new tenor, that they
will enter upon and perform their duty agreeable to the char
ter, viz : that is to say, to have three acres of land well
cleared and fenced at the least, a house built and inhabit the
same by the first day of May next, and upon the failure of
entering into bond with the aforesaid committee within one
month from this date, to enter upon such delinquent proprie
tors' right and take possession of the same, and dispose of it

proprietary history. 43
to some suitable person, that will immediately enter upon
such right and comply with the duty as abovesaid, and pay
such sum of money for the use of said proprietors as the
said committee and the new grantee shall agree for, or such
old grantee to pay such a sum of money for the use of said
proprietors, to the abovesaid committee for the past neglect,
as the said proprietors shall order at this meeting ; and the
abovesaid committee are further directed to take a bond of
each grantee or settler, that hath not complied with their
duty, for the faithful performance of the condition of their
grants, &c, and to save the proprietors harmless, &c, for
want of the duty being done and taxes paid in season; the
obligation and condition of said bond to be as the abovesaid
committee shall think most just and reasonable and better to
bring forward the settlement of said plantation, <fec. Also,
Voted, That each delinquent proprietor that hath done noth
ing on his right shall pay three pounds, old tenor, to said
committee for the use of said proprietors."
A meeting was called at the house of Enos Lawrence, on
the 16th of July, 1754. A recital in the record of that meet
ing sets forth that William Lawrence, Esq., and others, at a
meeting on the 17th of November, 1753, were appointed a
committee and authorized to enter into and dispose of delin
quent rights, and to take bonds for performance according to
the tenor of said vote, &c, so that it is probable that the &c.
after the word "vote," is one of the pregnant Ac's of Lord
Coke, and embraces and includes the whole vote so entered
as above, and that the whole record commencing with the
word "Whereas," should have been inserted in place of the
&c, but not having been drawn up in proper form till the rest
of the record had been made and entered, it was entered by
itself, without preface or explanation. At the meeting July
16th, 1754, the time for taking bonds by the committee was
extended thirty days from that date, and the time to comply
with the requirements of the charter as to " inhabiting, fenc
ing and clearing," was extended to November next, and

44 HISTORY OF MASON.
Joseph Blanchard, Esq., was desired to apply to the grantors
for an enlargement of the time for compliance with the set
tling duties.
At the same meeting, one hundred pounds of the money
already raised was appropriated for preaching, and Thomas
Tarbell, Enos Lawrence and Reuben Barrett, were chosen a
committee "to provide preaching so far as one hundred
pounds old tenor goes."
At a meeting held at the house of Enos Lawrence, Novem
ber 18, 1754, fifty pounds, old tenor, was allowed out of
money already raised to pay for preaching, and a committee
of nine was appointed "to view for a burying place and make
return to the next meeting." The committee were Enos
Lawrence, Thomas Tarbell, Nehemiah Gould, Obadiah Par
ker, Reuben Barrett, Nathan Hall, Henry Jefts, Eleazer But
terfield and William Eliot, all of whom were probably then
inhabitants, and most of whom remained inhabitants till the
time of their death.
There is no record of any meeting between November 18,
1754, and May 11, 1757, at which last date a meeting was
held at the house of Enos Lawrence. William Lawrence,
Esq., was moderator. A vote was passed to have "ten days'
preaching in said township, as soon as conveniently may be.
Also, to raise ten pounds old tenor New Hampshire bills on
each right liable to settle in said township, or two Spanish
milled dollars to answer the same tax"; by which it would
seem that one pound old tenor New Hampshire bills was
equal to twenty cents. One hundred and fifty pounds was
also appropriated to be worked on the highways, at thirty
shillings per day. Enos Lawrence, Thomas Tarbell and Na
than Hall, were appointed "to have the oversight of working
out the money on the highways." One half was to be worked
out from the meeting house on the east to Pole Hill, one
quarter from Townsend line to the meeting house, and the
other quarter "by Mr. Hall north of the meeting house, and
from said house to Obadiah Parker's house."

PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 45
"Voted, To choose a committee to put Mr. Bellows' bond
in execution for not building the mills, unless he immediately
prevent the same by accommodation." Col. Blanchard, Col.
Lawrence and John Stevens were chosen for this purpose, and
directed if they could not agree with Mr. Bellows "then to
agree with some other person or persons to build one or both
of said mill or mills." " Voted, To add Nathan Hall and
Thomas Tarbell to the committee for finishing the meeting
house according to the former vote."
At a meeting held October 24, 1758, "Voted, That Reuben
Barrett be joined to the committee for laying out highways
in the room of Mr. Goold deceased."
This is the first record of death in the town. It appears
by the journal of Joseph Holt, who resided many years in
Wilton, which has just been published in the tenth volume
of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register,
see page 307, that Corporal Gould of No. 1, was killed in
battle, near lake George, on the 20th of July, 1758. This
was undoubtedly Nehemiah Gould, referred to in this entry
in the proprietors' records. Who of the present inhabitants
ever heard his name, or knows where he resided ? How com
pletely one hundred years had swept him to oblivion, but for
this casual entry in this comparatively unknown and almost
forgotten book. Jacob Gould was one of the grantees of
the town. His lots were No's 4 R. 18, 4 R. 14, and 2 R. 12.
Whether he was a relative of Nehemiah Gould, is not known.
Nehemiah Gould was married to Molly Kemp, at Groton,
March 9, 1773. He may have been a son of Corporal Gould.
An extract from Holt's journal may be found in the Appendix,
A tax of ,£90 was " assessed on the rights liable to pay
charges; to be laid out only for preaching." "Voted that
Enos Lawrence provide a preacher."
A meeting was held January 2, 1759. " Chose Col. Law*
rence, moderator. Voted, That Jonathan Blanchard be a
committee man to supply the place or places of the late Col.
Joseph Blanchard in anything wherein he was concerned for
7

46 HISTORY OF MASON.
said proprietary. Obadiah Parker was chosen collector.
" Voted the sum of forty six dollars, or equal thereto, ac
counting them equal to £276 New Hampshire old tenor, be
raised on this proprietary. Voted, That half a dollar on
each right, or equal thereto, in New Hampshire bills, be
assessed on this proprietary, to be applied for preaching."
In the warrant for the meeting, November 26, 1759, the
5th article was " To see if the proprietors will make up the
depreciation of the New Hampshire bills to Mr. Francis
Worcester." This was undoubtedly Mr. Francis Worcester,
of Hollis, the ancestor of the Rev. Dr. Noah Worcester, of
Brighton, Mass., the Rev. Leonard Worcester, of Peacham,
Vt., the Rev. Thomas Worcester, of Salisbury, N. H., and the
Rev. Dr. Samuel Worcester, of Salem, Mass. The service
for which he had been paid in depreciated bills, was probably
preaching, for that was his vocation. The record of the
meeting does not show specifically what was done with this
claim. No doubt it was allowed among "sundry accounts,
the particulars of which are on file." There is a tradition,
probably well founded, that Mr. Worcester, on one occasion
going to No. 1 to preach,being overtaken by night and darkness
in the forest, in the valley east of the old meeting house near
where the railroad crosses the highway, was pursued by
wolves and driven to take refuge upon the top of one of the
immense bowlders so abundant in that locality, on which he
spent the night, and in the morning went on his way rejoicing.
Another version of the story concludes with stating that by
his shouts he alarmed the neighbors, who, under the lead of
Capt. Thomas Tarbell, went to his assistance and delivered
him from his perilous condition. At this meeting, one dollar
was raised on each right, to be applied for preaching next
April, and Obadiah Parker was chosen a committee to provide
a preacher. In the warrant for a meeting to be held November 25, 1760,
the second article is, "To see if the proprietors will choose
an agent or trustee to succeed Joseph Blanchard, Esq., de-

PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 47
ceased, for the recovery of a certain bond given to him in
that capacity by Benjamin Bellows, Esq., for building mills in
the township aforesaid," &c. At the meeting, Jonathan
Blanchard was chosen trustee in place of Joseph Blanchard,
Esq. One dollar on each right was raised for defraying the
expenses of prosecuting the suit on Bellows' bond, and one
dollar also for further finishing the meeting house, and one
dollar more for highways.
This last record is in Jonathan Blanchard's hand writing,
but is not signed. It is the last entry in his hand writing.
A notice issued by him for a meeting, dated August 16, 1762,
is recorded by Thomas Tarbell, Crerk. All the subsequent
entries are made by Thomas Tarbell, as clerk.
His oath of office as clerk is recorded by him as follows !
" October the 20, 1762. Then Thomas Tarbell parsonely
appeard & maid orth that in the offies of Propts Clerk for
No. one, to which he was chosen, he would act acording to
the beast of his judgment. Sworn before John Hale, Jostes pees."
At the meeting September 14th, 1762, it was "voted that
the remainder of the money not already laid out, that was
raised for the prosicution of Mr. Bellosses Bond, be appro
priated towards paying for preaching. Voted to rais for
dolers for to pay for Preaching ; voted, Capt. Thomas Tar
bell, Mr. Nathan Hall and Enosh Lawrence, be a new meeting
house comeete ; voted Mr. Nathan Hall and Elias Eliot, be
a committee to examin, and see if a good road can be had
from the falls in Souhegon river at William Mansur's, through
part of this Township, to come in by Mr. Hall's, and to make
return at Next meeting." This was undoubtedly the road
leading from the village, by Silas Bullard's and Jonathan
Bachelder's, to the meeting-house. " Voted that Mr. Barrat
and Mr. Robins, Capt. Thomas Tarbell, be comeett to provid
preaching. Voted that ten dollars be paid to Jonathan
Blanchard by the Treashuer as soon as the saim corns into

48 HISTORY OF MASON.
the Tresure, and Treshr be dischargd of that sum accordingly
when paid, for his sarvis as dark, with the ten dolers reed
for the prosecution of Bello ses Bond in full for his sarvis."
In the warrant for the meeting of the proprietors to be held
on the 6th of April, 1763, the second article was, "to see if
the proprietors will give a call to any of the gentlemen who
have preached with them, and choose a committee to present
said call and Incouragement, if any they will give, to said
gentlemen, as shall be agreed on by said propraits." At the
meeting, Obadiah Parker was chosen moderator. " Voted to
give the first seteled ninwter, seven hundred pounds silver
Old tenor as setelment, ana four hundred pounds salary year
ly, and a right of land in said township. Voted to give
Mr. Ebenezer Champney a call to setel in the Gospel;
chose for a comeett to present said call, Thomas Tarbell,
Enosh Lawrence and Whitcomb Powers." There is a tradi
tion, that Champney's reply to the committee who presented
the call, was that it would take more than two such cauls to
make a candle. His tastes inclined him to secular rather
than clerical pursuits. He left preaching and became a law
yer, and was for many years Judge of Probate, which office
he held till he resigned it a short time before his death, Sep
tember 10th, 1810. " Voted to give six months to have the
mills completed." At the meeting, March 29th, 1764, Oliver
Eliot, moderator, "chose Col. James Prescott, Capt. Thomas
Tarbell and Obadiah Parker, a committee to examine the
papers, and accompts belonging to said propts, and put
them in a proper form, and prepare a list of the names of
the paiers as well [as] the original grantees, with the sum of
money that they may be Essesed for. Voted to reserve one
dolar for preaching. Voted to except Left. William Prescott
and others, to come in as proprietors of No. one, upon their
obliging themselves to pay taxes as other propts, and that
they should have a strip of land Ginning No. two." This
Left. William Prescott was the famous Col. William Prescott
of Bunker Hill memory. At a meeting, January 29th, 1765,

PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 49
"Voted to turn the road through Obadiah parker's land from
Wheare it was laid out, to whcare it gose now."
" Voted, that each man have half a dolar a day, [for work
on the highways] said work to be done by the last day of
Agost next."
"At a meeting of the priters of No. one, March 20th, 1765,
at the house of Capt. Thomas Tarbell. Voted and chose
Leftenant William Prescott moderator.
Voted not to chues a new proprts clerk.
Voted not to chues a new Treshurer at present.
Voted to rais too dolers a wright to pay for preaching.
Voted for comeet to hier preaching, Capt. Thomas Tarbell,
En. Enosh Lawrence and En. Whitcomb Powers.
Voted to have the proporters' meetings at the meeting
house in No. one, and their onely for the futer.
Voted that the svears of highways be otherized to setel
with the Treshurer about highway raits," &c.
At the meeting April 23rd, 1766, " chose for svers, John
Swallow, Jonathan Crospy, Ensign Whikomb Powers and
Reuben Barrett.
Voted to Obadiah Parker four dolars for costs that he paid
for being sued on the propts accompt. [interlined, June
16th, 1767, then the above accompt paid to Obadiah Parker.]
Voted that Jonathan Crosbe and Eben Blood be cometee
to lay out a road from Richard Lawrence's, to the road that
comes from Blood's to the meeting-house." This is a part of
the same road which Hall and Elliot were to examine.
In the warrant dated November 5, 1766, for a meeting to
be held December 16, 1766, the 7th article was, "To see if
the proitors will give the Rev'nd James Parker a call to
setel with them in the gospel, and to see what Incouragement
they will 'give him as to setelment and salery, and chose a
comett to present said call."
At the meeting "chose Left. William Prescott moderator.
Voted, To give Mr. James Parker a call to setel with them
in the Gospel. Allso, Voted, To give him, if he setls, as

50 HISTORY OF MASON.
setlment, ninety three pounds six shillings & eight pence,
Lafel money. Allso, Voted, To give as salery Four hundred
pounds silver, old tener, yearly, until there is eighty familys,
and then four hundred and fifty yearly until there is one hun
dred families, and then five hundred pounds yearly. Allso,
chose a comeett to presant said call, Capt. Thomas Tarbell,
Mr. Jona. Crosby, En. Whitcomb Powers."
In the warrant for the meeting March 10, 1767, the 4th ar
ticle was " To see if the proportors will chues a comeettee to
lay out the pew and seat ground in said No. 1 meeting house.
" 5thly. To see if the propts will order in what maner the
pues shall be disposed of.
"6thly. To see if the propiortors will pass a vote that every
man's vot in said meeting shall be according to the taxes he
shall pay in said township."
At the meeting, it was "Voted, Chose Obadiah Parker,
Nathan Hall and Whitcomb Powers comeett to Lay out the
pue ground & seat ground in said meeting houes.
"Voted, That the first setelers & highest payers have the
pew ground, provided they seal the meeting house to the girts
by October next.
"Voted, That every man should not vot according to what
he pays in said township.
"Voted, To except of Mr. Elias Eliot's mills."
At a meeting November 4, 1767 :
"Voted, That the comeet Brais the meetinghouse forthwith.
"Voted & chose a comeett to view the roads to accommo-
dat -Slipton, said comeett, Mr. Joseph Bullard, Mr. Josiah
Robins, Left. Obadiah Parker, Mr. John Swallow, Mr. Nathan
Hall, and if the comeet think the road by Mr. Baret's mills
Will accomodat Slipon, then said comeett to lay out said road."
This was the road leading from Mason Village to Temple.
Slipton was a slip or tract of land north of No. 1, and now
included in Temple and Sharon.
"Voted, To rais one doler on each right for highways, and
to make a bridge over the river at the mils, said mony to be

PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 51
divided as was usal, said comeett, Cornelius Cook, Ruben Bar-
rat, Ins. Whitcomb Powers, Left. Obadiah Parker."
In the warrant for the meeting January 5, 1768, the 6th
article was "To see if the proportors and Inhabitance will
pas a vote to be Incorporated, and if so to chues a man or
more to Goo to Portsmouth & get the same accomplished."
At the meeting it was,
"Voted, for a comatt to make Inquryes how the Township
may be incorporated. Ens. Whitcomb Powers & Capt.
Thomas Tarbell & Leftenant Obadiah Parker. Then ajornd
the meeting four weeks.
"The propts meet at Time & place and voted as followeth,
viz : Voted, To be incorporated. Allso, Voted, That Left.
Obadiah Parker disburst the money, & that he shall have a
hansom reward for the same, & that he get the same Incorpo
rated as soon as may be."
In the warrant for the meeting March 8, 1768, the 3d arti
cle was,
"To see if the propts will dispose of any of the public lots
in No. 1. Namely: Lot No. 5 in 7 Raing, & No. 6 in the 5
raing. No. 1 in 3 raing, & No. 9 in 1 raing."
At the meeting it was,
"Voted, To dispose of two of the school lots, namely: No.
6 in the 5 raing, and 7 in the 1 raing, by a comeett chosen for
that sarvis, sd comeett, En. Whitcomb Powers, Capt. Thomas
Tarbell, Ruben Barrett and Josiah Robens. Voted and chose
for comeet to Rectifie the mistakes in the school [lots], Jo
siah Wheeler, Enosh Lawrence and Thomas Tarbell."
The following is a copy, verbatim and literatim, of the
warrant and record of the meeting, June 22, 1768 :
" Where as aplication hath ben maid to me the subscriber
for calling a propts meeting of the propts of No 1. North of
Townshend in the province of Newhampshier These are
there fore to notifie & warn said propts to asembel & meet
at the meeting house on the 22 Day of this Instant June at
Nine 0 clock in the fore noon to act on the foleing articals :

52 HISTORY OP MASON.
Hy. To chues a modrater to govern said meeting.
2dly To see what the 'propts will chues to have the Town
called. 3dly. To chues a comeett to setel with such parsons as
have ben consarned with the propts money sins the setalment
with Col Lawrence ares.
41y To see what the propts will do consarning Road to Mr
Thos Barts mills
51y To alow accompts to any persons that has don sarvis
[for] said propts If they Think proper.
61y To see if the propts will dispose of the grond of the
two hind seatts to such parsons as they shall think proper,
that shall make aplication
71y To see if the propts will turn the road a few rods
Through Thos. Robens Land that comes from Left Parker to
the meeting house. Test Thos Tarbell, propts Clerk.
June the 7th, 1768.
At a Legual meeting of the propts of No. one held at the
meeting house on the 22 day of June 1768.
Voted & chose Josiah Robens modrator
Voted to have the Town called Sharon.
Voted for comeet to recon with the comeette [and] Tres-
hureyr Joseph Bulard Ruben Baret & Olever Eliot.
Voted, for comeett to view & Lay out the road to Mr
Thomas Baretts mills Obadiah Parker Nathan Whipel & John
Swallow. Voted Capt Thomas Tarbell four Dolers for his sarvis as
propts Clerk To be Drawn out of the Treshery to be in full
for this sarvis to this Day.
Voted not to dispose of the Ground of the two hind seats.
Voted to turn the road a fue rods thrue Thos Roben Land.
Then the meeting dismissed.
A True Intry. Thomas Tarbell, propt Clerk."

PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 53
At the meeting held March 22, 1769, it was,
"Voted, To give the meeting house to the town, except the
privilege of the pucs."
At the meeting held October 18, 1769, it was,
" Voted, To raise two dolors on each right liabel to pay
taxes in Mason, and the comeett to have their pay out of
said money for their being sued for said propty for hiring
preaching." At the meeting held January 6, 1772, it was,
"Voted, To Josiah Robens one doler." [Interlined.
"Robens got the doler March the 30, 1773."]
The following is the record of the last doings of the pro-
prietors :
"Province op New Hampshire — Hillsborough, ss.
"Pursuent to the request of more than five of the propts
of Mason, in the county aforesaid, for calling a propts meet
ing, These are, therefore, To Notifie & warn the propts of
sd Mason to meet at the public meeting house in Mason, afor-
said, on the second Tuesday of January next, at one of the
clock in the afternoon, then and there to act on the fowling
articals, to wit :
Hy. To chues a moderator for the regular carying on
said meeting.
2dly. To hear and examine the accompts and demands of
all persons that have any demands on the proprorts, for past
services as Individuals, and they are desired to bring in the
same, or Else Expect to befor Ever after debarred, <fcc. ; and
to alow such as shall apear Reasonabel, and give order for
payment as the propriorts shall think proper.
3dly. To chuese a commettee to examine into the con
duct of those who have heretofore recevd any of the propts
money, as Tresherer, comats or Trustees, and to enabel them
to give such discharges as they shall think proper, and to
report as soon as may be. Thomas Tarbell, propt's Clerk,
Mason, Dec. 16th, 1772,

54 history of mason.
At a legal meeting of the propts of Mason, hild on the
12th of January, 1773,
Voted and chose Mr. Nathan Hall modrator, and voted to
agorn the meeting to Mr. Samuel Abbots.
Voted for comeetee to Look into the Estait of the Tresh
ery, and to Recon with the Tresherer, or commeetes, or Trus-
tes Last chosen, to sell the Delinquants propts lands, said
comeet Mr. David Bloget, Mr. Reuben Baret, Mr. Oliver
Eliot. Then voted to agorn the meeting to the Last Tues
day of March next, to the meeting-house in Mason, at one o
clock afternoon.
March 30 the propts met acording to the agornment, and
by reason of the comeet making a mistake in reconing with
the Tresherer, agorned to the thirteenth day of Aprial, at
three o clock afternoon, at this place. April the 13 the propts
met at the time and place, and voted to agorn the meeting
to the third Wednsday in May, One o clock afternoon, at this
place. May the 19, then the propts met at the time and
place and agorned to the first tuesday of June Next, att one
oclock afternoon to this place. Test Thomas Tarbell propt
Clerk." Sic exit in fumo, — thus vanish into shadows, the original
proprietors of Mason. This is their last appearance.
Whether the mistake made by the "comeet in reconing with
the Tresherer" was ever rectified, does not appear, and will
never be known by those who at this late day, endeavor to
peer into their doings. They were a worthy body of men,
and deserved well of the town and of their country, for their
indefatigable efforts under circumstances of great embar
rassment, in "carrying on the settlement" of the place.
Undoubtedly, before this apparently last and inconclusive
meeting, all the land, except perhaps the lots reserved for
schools and for the minister and ministry, had become the
property of individuals ; so that there was little if anything
left for the proprietary to concern itself with, The town
was incorporated, and was thus made capable of taking and

PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 55
holding the fee in the said lands, for the uses set forth in the
original grant of the territory. It seems that the "delin
quent propts" lands had been sold, and this last meeting had
been called for the purpose of a general settlement of all
out-standing claims, against the proprietary; which it is
hoped and trusted was satisfactorily made, although it does
not appear of record.

CHAPTER III.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Proceedings and incidents in the Municipal affairs of the town from the year
1768, to 1858.
[Copy of the Charter.]
Province of \ George the Third, by the Grace of God, of
New Hampshire. ) Great Britain, France and Ireland, King,
Defender of the Faith, &c.
To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting:
Whereas, our Loyal Subjects, Inhabitants of a Tract of Land
within our Province of New Hampshire, known by the name of No.
One, and containing about five miles Square,, and bounded as here
after mentioned, have Humbly petitioned and requested us, that they
may be erected and incorporated into a Township, and infranchised
with the same privileges which other towns within out said Province,
have and Enjoy by Law, and it appearing unto us to be conducive to
the General Good of Our said Province, as well as of the said Inhab
itants, in particular, by maintaining good order, and Encouraging
the culture of the Land, that the same should be done ; Know ye,
therefore, that We, of Our Especial Grace, certain Knowledge, and
for the Encouraging and promoting the good purposes and Ends
aforesaid, and with the Advice of our Trusty and Well Beloved* John
Wentworth, Esq., Our Governor and Commander in Chief, and of
Our Council for said Province, Have erected and Ordained, and by
these presents, for us, our Heirs and Successors, Do will and Ordain,
that the Inhabitants of the Tract of Land aforesaid, and others who
shall inhabit and improve therein hereafter, the same being butted
and bounded as follows, viz : Beginning at a stake and stones on the
Province line, thence running on the same line, five miles and twenty
rods, to the S£E corner of New Ipswich, then running north on New
Ipswich line, five miles to a white pine tree, to Wilton corner, then
running east, on the south line of Wilton, five miles to a hemlock
tree, then running south, five miles, by the Needle, to the bounds
first mentioned, be and hereby are declared to be a Town Corporate,
and are hereby erected and incorporated into a Body Politic and Cor
porate, to have continuance forever, by the name of Mason, with all

1768. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 57
the powers & authorities, Privileges, Immunities &, Franchises,
which any other towns in said Province by Law have and Enjoy, to
the said inhabitants, or who shall hereafter inhabit there, and their
successors forever, always reserving to us, our heirs and successors,
all white pine trees, which are or shall be found growing and being
on the said Tract of land, fit for the use of our Royal Navy ; Reserv
ing also to us, our heirs and successors, the power and right of divid
ing the said town when it shall appear necessary and convenient, for
the Inhabitants thereof: Provided, nevertheless, and it is hereby de
clared, that this charter and grant is not intended, nor shall in any
way or manner, be construed to extend to, or affect the private prop
erty of the soil within the limits aforesaid ; and as the several Towns
within our said Province are by the Laws thereof enabled and author
ized, to assemble and by a majority of votes present, to choose all
such officers, and transact such affairs, as in the said Laws are
declared, We do by these presents, nominate and appoint, Obadiah
Parker, Gent., to call the first meeting of said Inhabitants to be held
within said town, at any time within forty days from the date Jiereof,
giving legal notice of the time and design of holding such meeting,
after which the annual meeting of said town shall be had for the
choice of said officers &, the purposes aforesaid, on the second Mon
day of March, annually.
In testimony whereof, we have caused the public seal of our said
Province to be hereunto affixed. Witness John Wentworth, Esquire,
the aforesaid Governor, the twenty-sixth day of August, in the eighth
year of our reign, Anno Domini, 1768. J. Wentworth.
By his Excellence's command, with advice of Council.
T. Atkinson, Jr., Sec'y.
Province of New Hampshire. — Secretary's Office. Recorded in
the Book for recording Charters of Incorporation, Pa. 303, 304.
T. Atkinson, Jr., Secretary.
At the proprietors' meeting, held January 5th, 1768, Oba
diah Parker was chosen "to Goo to Portsmouth" to get the
incorporation, and was authorized to " disburst the money"
therefor. This duty he attended to, and procured the charter,
a copy of which is found on the preceding pages. The origi
nal charter shows the name of the town, first inserted, to
-have been Sharon, according to the vote of the proprietors;
but it was erased, and the name Mason substituted. This
was, undoubtedly, done in compliment to John Mason the
original proprietor, or to John Tufton Mason, who was one
of the grantees of the original township. The above copy
was transcribed from the town records ; it is not certain that

58 HISTORY OF MASON.
it is a true copy of the original Charter. Acts of incorpo
ration in those days, were granted by virtue of the executive
or prerogative power of the Governor and not by legislative
enactment. At that time it was a long and tedious journey
from Mason to Portsmouth. Parker must have performed
it on horse-back, or not unlikely, on foot. His "disburst-
ments and charges for this service," appear by the record of
the town meeting, November 7th, to have been £12 6s. 6d.
3q. Under date of March 21st, 1769, is recorded an order
to pay him £9 4s. lid. Oq., and interest for the charges of the
incorporation. The items of the bill would at this day, be
a matter of great curiosity ; but they cannot be recovered.
Parker was by the charter, authorized to call the first
meeting of the inhabitants, in their corporate capacity, and
he issued his warrant therefor, a copy of which, being the
warrant for the first town meeting of the town, is here
inserted. "Province of New Hampshire. By order of his Excel
lency, John Wentworth, Esquire, and the Honorable
Council, for calling a meeting of the Inhabitants and Free
holders of Mason, in order for the choice of Town officers,
&c. I therefore notify and warn the Inhabitants and all Free
holders and voters by law of the Town of Mason, to meet att
the meeting-house in Mason, on Monday, the nineteenth of
September instant at ten of the clock in the forenoon, and
when assembled and duly mett, then and there to act on the
following articles ; viz :
1st. To chuse a moderator.
21y. To chuse a town clerk, Selectmen, and all other town
officers, as the law directs.
3dly. To see whether the town will except the road lately
laid out by Mr. Thomas Barrett's and Amos Deakin's mills
and build a bridge over the river, now the water is low, and to
act upon any other article, that they shall then think proper
for to bring forward the town.
Mason, Sept. ye 5, 1768. Obadiah Parker."

1768. municipal history. 59
At the meeting, Parker was chosen moderator; Josiah
Wheeler, clerk ; Josiah Wheeler, Obadiah Parker and Joseph
Bullard, selectmen ; Reuben Barrett and John Swallow, consta
bles ; Nathan Hall, treasurer ; John Asten and Jonathan Win
ship, tythingmen; Thomas Barrett, Enosh Lawrence Jr., Lem
uel Spaulding and Josiah Robbins, surveyors of highways ;
Capt. Thomas Tarbell, sealer of weights and measures ; John
Asten, sealer of leather ; Richard Lawrence and Joseph Blood
fence viewers ; Samuel Lawrence and Joseph Lowell, hog con
stable ; Aaron Wheeler and Oliver Elliot, deer officers.
"Voted to except the road as it was latety laid out to Mr.
Thomas Barrett's and Amos Deakin's mills. Voted that all
the roads formerly laid out by the proprietors, and now upon
file, shall stand as town roads. Voted to build a bridge
over the river by said Barrett's and Deakin's mills ; therefore,
voted that Amos Deakin, Thomas Barrett and Aaron Wheeler
be a comtee to effect the same."
Thus the town was fairly set up and provided with officers,
its roads recognized and made valid. How the committee
succeeded in building a bridge without means will in due time
appear. It was also voted that the selectmen should serve
without pay ; a scheme which, although it had a look of econ
omy, did not, in the end, as will appear, work well. Although
everything looked fair, there was trouble ahead. Some of
the officers chosen at the town meeting, refused to take the
oath of office, and "therefore the selectmen appointed a town
meeting in order for a new choice of such officers," &c. The
meeting was called to be held on the 7th of November. In
the warrant for the meeting, among other articles, was
"3dly. To see if the town will raise a sum of money to
pay the charges of incorporation, to hire preaching, to pur
chase the Province laws and town books, and to defray other
necessary town charges.
"4thly. To see if the town will come into any measure for
further finishing the meeting house ; also, to choose comttee
to effect the same."

60 history of mason.
At this meeting most of the recusant officers were rechosen.
The only change was in the highway surveyors. The new
board were Elias Eliot, Ens. Enoch Lawrence, Jonathan Jefts
and Joseph Blood, and in the deer officers, Aaron Wheeler
taking the office alone. The sum of £33 6s. 8d. Oq. lawful
was raised to pay charges of incorporation, to hire preaching
and to defray other charges. At this meeting it was,
" Voted, To except a road laid out two rods wide, from
New Ipswich line, through Amos Deakin's land, beginning at
a heap of stones on a stump and running to a hemlock tree on
the banck of the river, then running as the marks direct to the
bridge," &c.
"A heap of stones on a stump," would not be regarded, in
these days, as a suitable boundary to mark the limits of a
road. Much exactness was not then required in the descrip
tion of the boundaries, angles, courses and distances, in lay
ing out roads. A most remarkable sample of such work, is
found in the records of Townsend. It is as follows, under
date of 1737 : "Voted, a highway from the Pearl Hill brook
to the place where the timber is cut to build a bridge, and
from the said bridge to the Little Goose pond, near where
Horsely and Wallis and Brown and Wyman and Woodbury,
goeth along for their hay, from thence we come down the path
to the hither Goose pond and over the dam thereof, from
thence as marks direct across the plain, and so down the little
footpath till we pass the little brook and into the cartpath
by the knoll, this side of James Stevens' house, from thence
down by said last path till we come to the hollow beyond
Horseley's field, so along Horseley's west line to Deacon
Spaulding's meadow lot, from thence over Rackkoon brook
and across the corner of Manning's land, and from thenoe
across the plain to the corner of the lot Daniel Sartell lives
on, and turning said corner on John Stevens' land, and come
along near the line between the lot Sartell lives on, and Ste
vens' land, to Hartshorn's brook, where the cartway goeth
over, from thence on said Stevens' land between the lot afore-

1769.

MUNICIPAL HISTORY.

61

said and Hartshorn's farm to John Scales' old house place,
from thence to Scales' nor east corner, which we found to be
three miles and one hundred and sixty pole."
At this meeting the town,
"Voted, To allow Obadiah Parker's accompt for geting
the town Incorporated, which sum is <£12 6s. 6d. 3q."
Then follows in the record, a copy of the warrant to "Mr.
John Swallow, one of the constables, &c., commanding him in
his majesty's name, to collect <£17 15s. 6d. 2q." For the
assessment and collection of taxes the town was, from the
first, divided into two districts — the east and the west; two
constables or collectors were chosen, one in each district, to
whom separate warrants were issued for the collection of the
"rates." John Swallow was the constable or collector for
the west side, and Reuben Barrett for the east side. A copy
of the assessments committed to them is here inserted, by
which it will appear who resided and were taxed on each part
of the town, and what was their relative apparent ability to
pay taxes ; each warrant bearing date, January 28th, 1769.
FIRST TAX LIST. WEST SIDE.

Josiah Bobbins,
Ens. Enosh Lawrence,
Samuel Lawrence,
John Swallow,
Isaac Holdin,
William Badcock,
William Barrett,
Nathaniel Barrett,
Jonathan Foster,
Stevens Laurence,
Thomas Robins,
Enosh Lawrence, Jr.,
Aaron Wheeler,
Nathaniel Hosmer3
John Dutton,
Widow Burge,
John Eliot,
Moses Lowell,
Eichard Lawrence,
Joseph Merriam,
David Lowell,

19

10 06
5
13| 8

David Lowell, Jr.,
Nathan Whipple,
John Jefts,
John Asten,
Joseph Barrett,
Nathan Procter,
Lieut. Obadiah Parker,
Joseph Bullard,
Josiah Wheeler,
Zachariah Davis,
Reuben Tucker,
Joseph Tucker,
Capt. Amos Lawrence,
Mr. Will. Lawrence,
Amos Deaken, Barrett,
Edmund Town,
Joseph Lowell,
Cornelius Cook,
Benjamin King",
Dennis McLain,
Sum Total,

17 15 6 2

A similar warrant was issued to "Mr. Reuben Barrett,
Constable for the East side," to collect <£17 10s. 7d. lq.,
as follows : 9

62

HISTORY OP MASON.

FIRST TAX LIST. EAST SIDE.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell,
Elias Eliot,
Jason Russell,
Nathaniel Smith,
Joseph Ross,
Nathaniel Tarbell,
Edmund Tarbell,
Jonathan Williams,
Reuben Barrett,
Hannah Eliot, Widow,
Samuel Scripture,
James Weathee,
Lemuel Spaulding,
Elizabeth Powers, Widow,
Joseph Blood,
Abel Shedd,
George Woodard,
Jabez Kendall,

?; 71

10 10 0
14,11 9 2

19 10 1
1 61
0
10

Oliver Eliot,
Daniel 1'isk,
Mary Jefts, Widow,
Thomas Jefts,
Jonathan Jefts,
Nathan Hall,
James Hall,
Patience Fish, Widow,
Eleazer Fish,
Ebenezer Blood,
Jason Dunster,
Joseph Herrick,
Jonathan Winship,
Samuel Tarbell,
Nathaniel Earrett, Jr.,
John Leornard,
Jonathan Fish,
Sum Total,

17 10 71

An important duty of the selectmen in those days was, to
take due care that the town should not be made chargable for
the support of paupers, whose residence was in other places.
Among the earliest official acts of the first board of select
men, was the issuing of warrants to warn such persons to
remove from the town, by which process they were prevented
from gaining any lawful settlement by residence in the town,
so as to make the town liable to support them, in case they
should become unable to support themselves. As a sample
of the mode in which this provision of a by-gone age was
carried out, a copy of the first such warrant issued by the se
lectmen, and of the return of the officer thereon, is inserted :
WARRANT.
Province op New Hampshire. To Mr. John Swallow, con
stable in Mason, in said Province : Whereas, a person named
Dorothy Stevens hath, for some time, resided in the town of
Mason, in said Province, and [is] likely to become a lawful
inhabitant in said town, unless lawfully prevented, these are,
therefore, in his majestie's name, to will and require you, the
said constable, forthwith to warn the said person to depart
out of said town, within fourteen days, and to remain in said
town no longer. Hereof fail not, as you will answer your
default in the penalty of the law, and make due return of this
warrant and of your doings therein, within fourteen days.

1769. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 63
Given under our hands and seals, at Mason, the 17th day of
January, A. D. 1769, and in the ninth year of his majestie's
reign. Obadiah Parker, ^
Joseph Bullard, > Selectmen.
Josiah Wheeler, )
return.
Province op New Hampshire. Mason, January 20, 1769.
By virtue of this warrant, I have warned the within named
Dorothy Stevens, to depart out of said town, within fourteen
days, and to remain in said town no longer.
John Swallow, Constable in Mason.
Similar warrants and returns are recorded for warning out
Mary Jefts and her b. child, January 26, 1769 ; Elizabeth
Parker, February 25, 1769 ; Samuel Bennett and Sarah Wor-
rer, July 2-1, 1769; Jonathan Cafford, July 27, 1769; Jonas
Perry, February 27, 1770. After which, nothing is recorded
but the names of the parties and dates of the warrants.
At the meeting, March 13, 1769, "Voted, To allow Amos
Dakin and Aaron Wheeler's accompt for building a bridge
over the river by said Dakin's mills, which sum is £8 Os. 9d.
3q. starling money of Great Britain."
March 21, 1769. Treasurer is ordered to pay Josiah
Wheeler £0 lis. 9d. Oq. for town books ; Obadiah Parker
£9 4s. lid. Oq. and interest, for the charges of incorpora
tion ; John Swallow £0 3s. 3d. for warning several persons
out of town ; Obadiah Parker £0 14s. 4d. for boarding Mr,
Coggin; Obadiah Parker £3 12s. Od. Oq. "for to pay Mr.
Jacob Coggin for four days pritching."
The proprietors having voted to give the meeting house to
the town, at their meeting held March 22, 1769, there was an
article in the wart-ant for the town meeting to be held May
9 1769, "To see if the town will except the meeting house,
provided those men that own pews take them for their seats ;
also, to determine whether the town will do anything towards
finishing said house, and how far they will go in finishing it."
At the meeting held May 9, "Voted, That the town excepted

64 history of mason.
the meeting house if the men that own pews take them for
their sets. Voted, To bild the seats and to nail the Bords
on the outside of sd house. * * Voted and chouse Enosh
Lawrence, John Asten, Aaron Wheelear, comete to hier prich-
ing. Voted, and chouse John Asten, John Swallow, Nathan
Whipel, comete to Bild the seats and nail the Bordes on sd
house. Voted, To chuse a comete to see into the steat of
the selectmen, assessors, and into the state of the Tresure.
Aron Wheelear, Ruben Barret, Oliver Alet were chouse
cemete men. * * Voted, The road throu William Bad-
cock's land where it now goes to Josiah Wheeler's and to
New Ipsshed. The sixt articakel not acted on. * * Voted
and chouse a comete to pich upon a place or places for a
grave yard. Enosh Lawrance, Samauel Scripter, Nathan
Hall." At the meeting Sept. 11th, 1769, "Voted to except the
money that two of the 'cool lots was sold for by the proprie
tors last Febuea'ry in lew of the lots that was sold."
January 11th, 1770, the treasurer was ordered to pay
Josiah Wheeler One pound four shillings Lawful money, to pay
Mr. Josiah Willard for one day preaching in the year 1768.
Also to pay Stephen Lawrence six shillings for boarding Mr.
Nathan Bond while preaching in 1769. Also to pay John
Swallow two shillings and eight pence for keeping Mr. Nathan
Bond's horse while preaching in 1769.
The town seems at an early period, to have been troubled
with "idle persons." In the warrant for the annual meeting,
in 1770, the 9th article is, "To see if the town will provide
a work house in order to set Idle persons to work, also, to
appoint an overseer for said house." At the meeting, it was
" Voted that there be a work house provided and that Reuben
Barrett be the overseer and master of said house," a vote
that may have operated in terrorem, and frightened away the
idle persons ; for although no house was provided, yet it is
some years before any new complaints appear, of the preva
lence of idle persons. At the same meeting, " Voted to have

1771. municipal history. 65
but one graveyard. Voted to except of that piece of ground
for a graveyard which the committee, that was appointed to
lay out graveyards have laid out at the west end of lot No.
6, in the ninth range on the west side of the road that goes
to Townshend, running on said road twenty poles from the
south line of said lot, containing two acres."
Aug. [10] 1770. Ordered one pound twelve shillings paid to
Samuel Scripture " for boarding Mr. Bigglow and Mr. Ward
while preaching in Mason." Also, to Obadiah Parker " twelve
shillings seven pence for going after a minister," and same
date to James Withee 4s. lOd. " for paying John Asten for
nine dinners for the ministers Mr. Bigglow and Mr. Ward."
Mr. Asten probably lived at the nearest house to the meet
ing-house, the cellar of which now remains in the north west
corner of the Rev. Mr. Hill's old orchard.
A meeting was called August 27th, 1770, among other
matters, "to see if the town will give Mr. Jonathan Searle
an invitation to settle among them in the Gospel ministry
and what they will offer him as settlement and salary."
"Sthly. To see if the town will raise money to release
Samuel Scripture the difficulty about Mr. Brown's preaching."
At this meeting it was "voted unanimously to give Mr. Searle
a call ; to give him one hundred pounds Lawful, settlement,
half in six and half in twelve months after ordination, sixty
pounds lawful as salary, the first ten years, and at the end of
ten years £66 13s. 4d. as yearly stated salary."
"Voted not to act on the 5th article," so Mr. Scripture
was not "relieved of his difficulty."
1770, December 18th, the treasurer was ordered to pay
James Withee 18s. "for paying Mr. Jona. Searle so much."
"Dec. 24. The Treasurer was ordered " to pay Aaron
Wheeler £8 8s. to pay Mr. Ward for seven days preaching."
1771, Feb. 18. The Treasurer was ordered to pay Thomas
Tarbell £4 4s. "for boarding Mr. Searle 14 weeks."
At the annual meeting 1771, a rate was made for improving
the school lot, to be paid in labor. A man was allowed 2s.

66 HISTORY OF MASON.
8d., and a yoke of oxen, ls. 4d. a day. " Voted to allow the
town Treasurer 2d. 2q. on the pounds for taking [in] and
paying out the towns money." The school lot here referred
to, is the lot on which the meeting-house was built.
1771, March 7th, the treasurer was ordered to pay Ens.
Enosh Lawrence £1 6s. 8d. "for boarding Mr. Searle 4
weeks." Mr. Scripture still being "in trouble about Mr. Brown's
preaching," applied to the town for relief. In the warrant
for the meeting June 3d, 1771, the second article was, "To
see if the town will make Mr. Samuel Scripture any allowance
with respect to the charge and trouble he has been put to
relative to Mr. Brown a late preacher in said town ; he the
said Scripture being the person that employed him for that
business, and he has been sued and put to cost and charge
upon this account, and to say what he shall have allowed him
for the same." The town voted not " to allow him for the
same," for what reason does not appear.
November 18, 1771, "Voted, To hire Mr. Newcum [New-
comb] one month upon probation, in case he will supply us."
Same date, Treasurer ordered to pay Insign Enosh Law
rence £2 7s. 3d. lq. "in part for hoarding ministers the sum
mer past."
January 3, 1772. To the same, 12s. "in part for boarding
ministers the summer past."
April 29, 1772. An order "To pay Thomas Tarbell eight
shillings for providing for a fast we had on account of giv
ing Mr. Searle a call."
At a meeting August 10, 1772, the call to Mr. Searle was
renewed, with the same settlement and salary. This call
was accepted. Of his answer, a copy is inserted on pages 67
and 68, in this chapter.
September 7, 1772. At a meeting called to appoint a day
for the ordination, &c, "Voted, To accept Mr. Searle's
answer, and that the 14 of October be the day of ordination,
and to send to the following nine churches under the pastoral

1772. municipal history. 67
care of their ministers to assist, viz : Hollis, Rev. Daniel Em
erson ; Byefield, Rev. Moses Parsons ; Pepperell, Rev. Joseph
Emerson ; New Rowley, Rev. James Chandler ; Townshend,
Rev. Samuel Dix; Linebrook, Rev. George Leslie; New Ips
wich, Rev. Stephen Farrar ; Old Rowley, Rev. Jedediah Jew
ett; Temple, Rev. Samuel Webster."
"Voted, To give Lieut. Obadiah Parker, eight pounds four
teen shillings and four pence, L. money, to entertain the
council, together with all the other gentlemen of the clergy,
and Mr. Searle's relations and friends, that may attend the
ordination." "Voted, That Mr. Searle may be absent two Sabbaths in a
year yearly, in order to visit his relations, in case it may not
be in his power to provide a supply."
Josiah Wheeler, Amos Dakin and Obadiah Parker were
chosen "A committee to send out letters missive for the ordi
nation. Voted, To choose a committee to prop up the gal
leries in the meeting house, as they shall think proper, before
the ordination." David Blodgett, Jacob Blodgett, Lieut. John
Swallow, Samuel Scripture and Enosh Lawrence Jr., were
chosen a committee for that purpose. "Voted, To chuse a
committee to tend the meeting house doors, and keep the
body seats the men's side for the church, and the women's
side for the council, on ordination day." Edmund Tarbell
Jason Russell, Reuben Hosmer and Nathaniel Hosmer, were
chosen for this purpose.
The call or invitation to Mr. Searle is not recorded, nor
has any copy of it been found. His answer is entered at
length in the records. It is characteristic of the man, and as
it is one of the few memorials of him left, it is here inserted :
"To the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of Mason: Be
loved Friends ; As God, who has the Hearts of all Men in
his hands, has called me, tho' most unworthy, to preach in
several Places, and of late in this Place ; so I Humbly hope,
through Grace, that it has been and is still my real Desire to
hearken to his Voice in Providence, and readily to comply

68 history OP MASON.
with the same. And as you have proceeded according to
the Coppy of your Votes, which the Committee lodged in my
hands, to renew your Call for my Settlement in the work
of the Ministry among you, and that, as I understand, with
much Harmony and good Agreement, I look upon myself
bounden in Duty to encourage the same ; since I trust God
has, by his Spirit, made such an application of his word and
Providence to my mind as leads me to see that I'm called not
only of Man but of God : Accordingly, I do cheerfully give
up myself to God, to serve him by his Grace in the Gospel of
his Son ; and it is my Purpose to give myself to you by the
will of God.
"I take it for granted in your vote respecting my settlement,
you mean to give me One Hundred Pounds, in addition to
and over and above those Lands given by your Charter to the
first minister, and upon that condition give an affirmative
Answer to your request.
"I beg a constant and fervent Remembrance in all your
Addresses at the Throne of Grace, that God would abun
dantly furnish me for the Work of the Ministry, with the
Gifts and Graces of his holy Spirit.
"And now Sirs, may God graciously smile upon and bless
you in all your concerns, particularly respecting your settle
ment in Gospel Order. I do fervently commend you "to God
and to the Word of his Grace which is Able to build you up
and to give you an inheritance among them which are sancti
fied," And Subscribe myself your Servant in our Common
Lord. Jonathan Searle.
"P. S. Whereas my Relations live at some considerable
Distance whom 'tis likely I shall incline to visit once a year,
when it may not be in my Power to provide a Supply, I should
take it very kindly if in your next meeting, you would take
this Matter into Consideration, and give Liberty that I may
be absent two or three Sabbaths in a year, as you may think
proper." This is all that appears upon the town records, in reference

1772. municipal history. 69
to the call and ordination of Mr. Searle. In the History of
the New Hampshire Churches, page 23, it is stated, that Mr.
Searle received a call to settle at Candia, N. H., between
1768 and 1771, which he seems to have declined in favor of
Mason. This connection commenced with favorable auspices,
was not a happy one. Difficulties soon arose, of which the
details will appear in their proper place. The call, it may be
remarked is not in accordance with the principles upon
which congregational churches now claim to be established.
This call proceeded from the town alone. There was at the
date of these proceedings no church. That was not organ
ized or formed until the 13th of October, the day before the
ordination. The " letters missive" were issued by the town.
It is now the prescribed and universal rule, for the letters to
be issued by the church, and for the town or society by their
committee to join with the church in sending out the letters.
The call also should proceed from the church, in the first
instance, as it is from the church alone that it has any eccle
siastical or binding force, as a religious institution or ordi
nance The action of the town is merely subsidiary, and
has reference only to temporalities, such as the salary, settle
ment, use of lands, parsonage, &c. Such rights, towns in
their corporate capacity, continued to exercise, a concurrence
on their part with the church, being requisite for the lawful
settlement of a minister, until the act of the Legislature,
passed July 1st, 1819, took away from towns all such power;
and parishes, or societies came in place of towns, in the con
tracts for •settling ministers. The clergyman, in those days,
was the minister, that is, the servant of the town and people ;
but the pastor, that is the keeper, the shepherd of the church.
Then permanence gave dignity and authority to the office ;
gravity, learning, and a paternal interest and care for the
whole people, made the minister the first and principal man
in the town, whose character, especially if for good, impressed
itself thoroughly and permanently, upon the whole town, and
all its interests and institutions. That he should be right-
10

70 history op mason.
minded, able and faithful, was as important for the prosperity
of the town and people, as such characteristics are in the
husband and father of a family, for the peace, happiness and
prosperity of the domestic circle. What a change a half
century with its new notions, has brought about. The rever
ence paid, and authority yielded to the clergy, is gone, and
with them are gone much of the peace, order, sobriety and
prosperity of our communities, especially in the agricultural
regions. The old-fashioned charity, hospitality and brotherly
kindness have vanished away, and their place has not been
supplied by any gifts or graces, that should cause their loss
not to be noticed and lamented. Possibly, in worldly pros
perity, some show of advance has been made, but in domestic
felicity and neighborly good feelings, the by-gone days may
fearlessly challenge a comparison with the present times.
November 17th, 1772. The treasurer is ordered "To pay
Mr. Jacob Burnap fourteen pounds eight shillings L. money
for preaching and supplying Twelve Sabbaths in Mason."
January 6, 1773. The Treasurer is ordered "To pay In-
sign Enosh Lawrence £3 10s. Od. 3q. L., which sum, withjsdiat
he has already rec'd, amounts to the sum total of his account
for boarding Mr. Steward, Mr. Burnap and Mr. Wioth, while
preaching in Mason.
February 27, 1773. Order "To pay Lieut. Obadiah Par
ker £10 16s. L., which sum he paid Mr. Jonathan Searle, in
part for preaching in the town of Mason, in the year 1770,"
and same date, order to pay Nathan Coburn, three shillings
"for carrying Mr. Jacob Burnap's money to him, which was
due to him for preaching in Mason in the year 1771." Same
date, Mr. Nathan Hall, as treasurer, is charged as " Dr. to
the selectmen £1 ls. 4d., the Rev. Jacob Burnap having
abated so much out of the sum the selectmen ordered the
treasurer to pay him."
March 5, 1773. Order "To pay Abijah Allen £4 6s. 8d for
boarding Mr. Ames seven weeks, when preaching in Mason,
and for boarding the Rev. Mr. Searle seven weeks, while

1773. municipal history. 71
preaching in Mason, before his ordination, and for expenses
to Concord in going after Mr. Ames."
March 24, 1773. Order -To pay Elisha Withington three
pounds for keeping school in Mason two months last winter."
This is the first entry that appears, of money paid for
schools. Mr. Withington continued for many years to be
employed as a school master. There were then no school
districts, or school houses. The whole management of the
schools was under the superintendence of the selectmen.
They employed the teacher and directed when and where the
schools should be kept. The only memorials left, of the
schools and teachers, are to be found in the records of the
orders for the payment of their wages and expenses of wood
and rent of rooms.
May 31, 1773. Order "To pay Lt. Obadiah Parker 8s. 9d.
3q. for his cost in sending for a law book, paying for a juror
box, and paying Esq. Goss, for swearing the selectmen to the
Inventory taken in April last."
May 31, 1773. Order "To pay Lt. Obadiah Parker £2 ls.
5d., which he paid to the Rev. Jonathan Searle in full for his
preaching in the town of Mason, in the year 1770, and like
wise £2 17s. Id., in part for what he preached in the year
1772, before his ordination."
In the warrant for the town meeting, July 12, 1773, one
article was, "To see if the town will provide a work house,
or determine what method they will come into for the sup
port of the poor." Another was, "To see if the town will
give liberty to Mr. Stevens Lawrence to build a house and
horse stable on the school lot, for his own use on Sabbath
days." Another, "To see if the town will accept of a piece
of ground of Capt. Thomas Tarbell, for a graveyard." The
town voted, "That there be a work house provided," that
"Stevens Lawrence, or any other man, may have liberty to
build a house or horse stable on the school lot, for their own
use on Sabbath days." The work house was not built. The
threat to build it probably induced the "idle persons" to

72 HISTORY OP MASON.
withdraw or go to work. The piece of ground for a grave
yard, was that now occupied for that purpose, in the east part
of the town, near where Capt. Thomas Tarbell then lived,
about one mile east of the old meeting house. Under the
liberty to build on the school lot, horse stables and houses
for Sabbath days, two such houses were built, both of two
small rooms, with a fire place in each room — one of them, by
Stevens Lawrence, Jonathan Searle, Aaron Wheeler and John
Swallow, the other by Col. James Wood, Joseph Woods, Oli
ver Hosmer and Timothy Wheeler. A long line of horse
sheds or stables was built, on the west side of the road oppo
site to the meeting house, and another line of stables on the
north side of the meeting house. The earliest built were
stables, in form and fact, being wholly enclosed and shut by a
sliding door. These were fitted only for the accommodation
of horses without carriages. The primitive mode of convey
ance to the public meetings, for worship, was on horse back..
The father of the family with his wife behind him on the pil
lion, each with an infant child in their arms and with their
Sunday dinner of brown bread, nut cakes or dough nuts, and
cheese and apples in their pockets, left the humble cottage
dwelling in the cleared patch, surrounded by the original
forest, accompanied by the other members of the family,
children and hired men, or relatives, inmates of the same, on
foot, the procession wending its way, over the road but
partially cleared of rocks and stumps, proceeded to the rough
boarded, unpretending meeting house. The horse was well
provided for in the close stable, sheltered from wind and
storm. The people resorted to the Sabbath-day house, or as
it was more generally called "noon house," at the season of
intermission, where, by a good, comfortable fire, they enjoyed
their homely but healthy fare of a dinner, with a social drink
of cider, and such friendly and cheerful chat as served to keep
up an intimacy and neighborly intercourse which tended to
preserve personal friendship and good feeling in society.
September 22, 1773. Order "To pay Josiah Wheeler £9

1174. municipal history. 73
12s., for paying Mr. Sylvanus Ames for preaching eight Sab
baths in Mason."
March 14, 1774. Order "To pay Ens. Enosh Lawrence
£5 14s. 8d. 2q., for paying Mr. Wycth for four days' preach
ing, and 16 months interest for the same."
July 15, 1774. At a meeting called expressly for that
purpose, Amos Dakin "was chosen to send to meet the sev
eral towns in the Province at Exeter, on the 21st of July, in
order to choose a committee to join the Congress at Phila
delphia, on the first of September next, in order to consult
what measures may be best to be taken to secure our rights
and privileges." This is the first distinct notice, that appears
on the records of any action of the town in reference to the
great struggle that was then impending, the successful result
of which is destined to work a greater revolution, for the
better, in human affairs, than any other event, that has oc
curred since the introduction of the Christian religion. The
subsequent records show, that thia little community, amidst
poverty and privations, were no* in proportion to th^eir
means, second to any in the land, in their efforts to secure to
themselves and their posterity, the great boon of political
freedom and self-government.
August 22, 1774. Josiah Wheeler was, at his request, ex
cused from further services as town clerk and selectman.
He was a leading and active man in the affairs of the town
and church, from the first organization of each, till this date.
He served in the office of town clerk, to which he was chosen
on the first organization of the town, every year but one, and
as one of the selectmen every year, till he resigned both
offices, as above, probably on account of ill health. By the
record of deaths, it appears that he died October 17, 1774.
His records are very well made, in a plain and distinct hand,
and are now perfectly legible, in that respect comparing favor
ably with any of his successors, and very much superior to
most of them. In what year he came into town has not been
ascertained. His native place was Concord. He was one of

74 HISTORY OF MASON.
the original members of the church, and took an active part
in its proceedings. The birth of his eldest daughter, Lucy,
is recorded January 16, 1765. This was anterior to the
commencement of the town records. The entry is made by
himself, as town clerk. He probably then lived in town. He
lived upon the farm afterwards owned by Hincksman Warren.
His widow continued to live upon the farm till October 25,
1775, when she was married to David Blodgett, who lived on
the farm several years after the marriage, and probably till
it was sold to Warren. In the first assessment of taxes in
the town, he was rated at 7s. 6d. lq. The list contains sev
enty six names. Two or more were non-residents. The
highest rate in the list of residents, that of Josiah Robbins,
was £1 3s. 4d. Oq., the lowest, that of Joseph Tucker, 8d. 2q.
Thirty seven were higher and thirty eight lower than Mr.
Wheeler, showing him to have been placed in that happy state
of mediocrity, in which, alone, the true enjoyment of life
is to be found. Probably none of his descendants reside
in ^he town. No monument shows where he rests from his
labors. The storm of revolutionary troubles now began to wear a
dark and threatening aspect. October 23, 1774, a warrant
was issued, calling a meeting on Monday, the 24th of October,
"To choose a committee to send to Amherst, to meet the ses
sions, and also to act on some other articles, that may be then
thought proper." At the meeting, Lieut. Obadiah Parker
and Mr. Joseph Barrett were chosen a committee to meet the
sessions, and Amos Dakin, Samuel Brown, Abijah Allen,
David Blodgett and Lieut. Obadiah Parker, were chosen a
committee of correspondence for the county. The notice for
this meeting was issued on Sunday, to meet the next day,
thus verifying Mr. Webster's remark in his Baltimore speech,
that "revolutionary times know no Sundays."
Immediately after the record of this meeting, but without
any preface, introduction or explanation, is entered in the

1114. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 75
records, in the hand writing of Benjamin Mann, town clerk,
the following paper, copied verbatim and literatim :
"THE COVENANT OF NON-IMPORTATION AND AGREEMENT, 1774.
"We, the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Town of Mason
in N. H. Having Taken into our Serious Consideration the
Precarious State of the Liberties of N. America, and More
Especially the Present Distressed Condition of our Sister
Colony of Massachusetts Bay, Embarrassed as it is By Sev
eral Acts of the British Parliament tending to the Entire
Subversion of their Natural and Charter Rights, among which
is the Acts for Blocking up the Harbor of Boston ; and Being
Fully Sensible of our Indispensible Duty to Lay Hold on
Every Lawful Means in our Power to Preserve and Recover
the Much Injured Constitution of our Country, and Conscious
at the same [time] of no Alternative between the Horrors of
Slavery, or Carnage and Desolation of Civil War, But a Sus
pension of all Commercial Intercourse with the Island of
Grate Britain, Do, in the Presence of God, Solemly and in
Good Faith covenant and Engage with each other :
"1st. That from Henceforth we will suspend all Commercial
Intercourse with the said Island of Grate Brittain, until the
Parlaiment shall Ceas to Enact Laws Imposing Taxes upon
the Colonies without their consent, or until the Pretended
Rights of Taxing is Dropped, and Boston Port be opened,
and their and our Constitutional Rights and Privileges are
Restored to ye Colonies.
"2dly. That there may be less Temptation to others to
Continue in the said Now Dangerous Commerce, and in order
to Promote Industry, 03conomy, Arts and Manufactures among
ourselves, which are of the Last Importance to the Welfare
and Well-being of a Community, We do in like manner
Solemly Covenant that we will not knowingly Buy, Purchase
or Consume, or suffer any Person by, for or under us, to Pur
chase, nor will we use in our Families In any manner what
soever, any Goods, Wares and Merchandize which shall Arrive
in America, from Grate Britain aforesaid from and after the
last of August Ensuing ; Except only such articles as shall be
Judged absolutely necessary By the majority of the Signers
hereof; and as much as in us Lies to Prevent our Being inter
rupted and Defeated, in this only Peaceble Measure entered
into for the Recovery and Preservation of our Rights and
the rights of our Brethren in our Sister Colonies ; We agree
to Brake off all Trade and Commerce with all Persons, who

76 HISTORY OF MASON.
Preferring their Private Interest to the Salvation of their
now almost Perishing Country, who shall still Continue to
import Goods from Grate Britain, or shall Purchase of those
who import after the said Last Day of August; until the
aforesaid Pretended Right of Taxing the Colonies shall be
Given up or Dropped, Except so much as Christian Duty
Requires Toward them.
" 3dly. As a refusal to come into this or a similar agree
ment, which promises deliverance of our Country from the
Calamities it now feels, and which, like a torrent, are rushing
upon it, with increasing violence, must, in our opinion,
evidence a disposition enimical to, or criminally negligent of
the common safety, it is agreed that all such ought to be con
sidered, and shall by us be esteemed, as encouragers of con
tumacious importers.
" 4thly. We hereby further engage that we will use every
reasonable meathord to encourage and promote the produc
tion of manufactures among ourselves, that this covenant and
engagement may be as little detrimental to ourselves and
fellow countrymen as possible.
"Lastly, we allow ourselves liberty to comply with the
result of the General Congress. Also we agree to make such
alterations as shall be thought suitable by the majority of the
Signers, after [being] notified in a public manner by a com
mittee chosen for that purpose, eight days before said meet
ing." No names are recorded as being signed to this document.
It is without date, except of the year. The original has not
been found, nor any list of the names. Immediately follow
ing the above record, is a notice of a meeting to be held
November 7th, 1774. "To make such alterations in the said
covenant, &c, as shall be thought proper." In the record of
the meeting, it is set forth that " the signers, &c, met and
agreed on the following articles to be exempted that the
above signers may have liberty to purchase, Viz : Arms and
ammunition, also steel sewing needles, pins and awls, and
Doctors drugs that cannot be purchased in this country of
equal value. Voted, That those persons that have not signed
the Covenant of Non-Importation are to do it within a fort
night, or else have their names returned to the other towns.
Benjamin Mann, Town Clerk."
At a meeting, November 21, 1774, it was "Voted, to sell
to Stephen Lawrence, the ministry lot of land that he now

1775. municipal history. 77
lives on, being lot No. 7, Range 8, for £53 6s. 8d.," and the
Rev. Jonathan Searle was to be paid sixteen shillings yearly
for it, which he agreed to take during his ministry, and a
committee was chosen to make the conveyance and take the
acquittance of Mr. Searle. This subject had been before the
town at former times. It seems that it was not settled by
this vote of the town, for a meeting was called January 2nd,
1775, " To see if the town will make further enquiry relative
to the ministerial lands" &c, and to see whether the privilege
of improving said lands belongs to the Rev. Jonathan Searle,
or to the town. Also to see what enquiry should be made,
and whether at the expense of the town." At the meeting, it
was, voted "to make the enquiry, at the expense of the town,
and that David Blodgett, Benjamin Mann and Samuel Smith,
be a committee to draw up articles to send to Squr Varnum,
in order for advice relative to said ministry lands." What
advice was obtained of "Squr Varnum" is not on record.
A meeting of the signers of the covenant, &c, was called
January 12th, 1775, at which it was "Voted, To adopt the
resolves of the Continential Congress." Also, Voted, To
send one committee man to meet at Exeter, January 25, in
order to choose a committee to "joyn the Congress at Phila
delphia," &c. Joseph Barrett was chosen. The committee
chosen October 24th, was continued, and two more added to
the number, to wit : Reuben Barrett and Samuel Smith.
" Voted, That the aforesaid committee, viz : Messrs Amos
Dakin, Samuel Brown, Abijah Allen, David Blodgett, Lieut.
Obadiah Parker, Reuben Barrett and Samuel Smith," be a
committee of inspection to see that "the Resolves of the
Continential Congress is Duely observed."
March 9th, 1775. Order "To pay Amos Dakin 19s. 6d.
for finding hors and expenses to go to Exeter in ye year
1774." At the/annual meeting March 17th, 1775, it was, " Voted To
pass over the 5th article of the warrant, of discontinuing the
Rode that leads from the widow Powerses up by James
11

78 history of mason.
Scriptures and his fathers, which was a request of Ebenezer
Muzzy and others in the warrant, For which James Scripture
declared in the meeting that he would [give] said Ebenezer
Muzzy Free Liberty to Pass and Repass threw His Land to
said Muzzy Land, with said Muzzy's Being Injenias and keep
ing up the bars." It was also, "voted to draw out of the
Treasury" [that is for the town to pay] the town's propor
tion of " the charge of the Continental Congress ye present
year, which sum is £2 8s. Od. Oq." Amos Dakin was chosen
a "Deputy to send to Exeter."
At this period of time, the habits of the people were such
as to render them independent, in a great measure, for the
comfortable supply of the wants of life, of articles not pro
duced in the town. Tea was prohibited by the non-impor
tation agreement. For sugar and molasses, the rock maple
was a reliable resource. Every common article of food and
clothing was produced in the town, or at least in the neigh
borhood. The clothing was made of wool and flax of domes
tic growth, spun and woven by the kitchen fire, by the busy
and industrious hands of the mother and daughters. Native
woods and plants furnished coloring matters suitable and sat
isfactory to their simple tastes and unostentatious habits.
Economy, thrift, and a happy contentment with their lot were
characteristics of the times and people. In point of real inde
pendence, the comparison of their condition with that of their
successors would be much in their favor. But there was one
important article of which there seems to have been very
vivid apprehensions that the supply, by reason of the war,
might fail. That article was salt. This, they had no means
of producing, nor had they any substitute to take its place.
The subject was of so much consequence that it was taken up
as a town matter. At a town meeting, held May 12, 1775,
It was, "Voted, To purchase 30 hogsheads of salt as a town
stock upon the town credit. Voted, That Dea. Amos Dakin,
Lieut. Obadiah Parker, Lt. Eprhraim Sattwell, be a commit
tee to agree with any person or persons who shall appear to

1775. municipal history. 79
bring up the salt, and upon what terms. Voted, That Mr.
David Blodgett should go to Salem to procure said salt, and
to allow him six shillings for his trouble. Voted, To give
two shillings per bushel for bringing up said salt.
"Voted, That there be two companies in said town, and
that the alarm company be separate from the military com
pany. Voted, To choose officers for each company."
This is the first notice of the military affairs of the town.
Who were chosen officers is not stated. The alarm com
pany, or "alarm list," or "elerum list," as it is sometimes
called, was an important institution. It was a body of able
men, practiced in the use of arms, ready to assemble at any
time, on the "alarm " at the beat of the drum, or other signal,
at the shortest possible notice, in battle array, prepared with
arms and equipments, to march to meet the enemy and repel
invasion. This institution of the alarm list was kept up long
after the occasion — the war of the Revolution — that gave
rise to it, was passed. Even within the recollection of the
writer, it was usual, at the annual May training, for the vet
erans, the alarm list, to turn out and assemble with the arms
and equipments that had seen service at Bunker Hill, at Sara
toga, at Ticonderoga, at White Plains, at Rhode Island, and
various other battle fields of the Revolution, and parade in
due form under their old officers, to show the "boys" how
the thing was done. After marching and counter marching,
displaying various intricate evolutions, winding up with that
most wonderful performance, whipping the snake, it was
customary, on retiring from the active duties of the day, to
indulge, often times too freely, with an article then known and
used in the form of toddy and flip, which had much better be
let entirely alone. In happy contrast with those times, it
may now be said that no decent body meddles with the
poison. In May, 1775, a convention of delegates met at Exeter,
for the purpose, in fact, of taking from the hands of the Pro
vincial authorities, the government of the State, and devising

80 history of mason.
a new mode of carrying it on. It continued in session, with
little interruption, till late in November. One hundred and
two towns were represented by one hundred and thirty three
members. Governor Wentworth, after a fruitless effort to
repress the spirit of liberty in the body of the people and in
their representatives, had adjourned the assembly to the 28th
6"f September. But this body met no more. Alarmed by
some demonstrations of popular feeling, he retired to the
Isles of Shoals, and there issued a proclamation, ordering a
further adjournment to the next April. This was the closing
act of his administration. He soon after withdrew to the
British territories, leaving the government of the State in
the hands of the patriots.
The convention appointed a committee of safety, which
exercised the authority of a supreme executive. Theodore
Atkinson, the former secretary, by order of the convention,
delivered up the Province records to a committee, which was
sent to receive them. Ebenezer Thompson was appointed in
his place. George Jaffrey, the former treasurer, delivered up
the public money in his hands, and Nicholas Gilman was ap
pointed in his place. The convention was chosen for six
months only. They made provision to call a representation
of the people, who should be empowered by their constituents
to assume the government, and continue it one year. Every
elector was required to have an estate of twenty pounds
value, and every representative an estate of three hundred
pounds value. Each town of one hundred families was to
have one representative, and one more for each additional
hundred families. Towns with a less number were to be
classed. An enumeration of the people in each county had
been ordered, and it was determined that the number of the
representatives should correspond with that of the people, as
follows :

1775. municipal history. 81

CENSUS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Counties.

Population,

Uepresetitativea.

Rockingham,

37,850

38

Strafford,

12,713

13

Hillsborough,

16,487

17

Cheshire,

11,089

15

Grafton,

4,101

6

82,200 89
This ratio would give one representative for about nine
hundred and twenty three inhabitants. Under this arrange
ment, Mason and Raby, now Brookline, were classed for the
choice of a representative, and these towns continued to be
so classed until 1793, in which year Joseph Merriam was
chosen to represent Mason alone, under a new classification.
Brookline was afterwards classed with Milford. Benjamin
Farley was chosen to represent Raby and Milford in 1796.
The number of inhabitants in Mason, according to an enumer
ation made by the assessors October 30, 1775, was 501.
Males under 16, 148; males from 16 to 50 not gone to the
army, 86 ; all males above 50, 12 ; persons gone in the army,
27; all females, 227; negroes and slaves for life, 1. Total,
501. The number of guns, 48 ; pounds of powder, 14£.
" The number of those that have not guns is 49." This is
the earliest census of the inhabitants of Mason. The enumer
ation was taken, by the assessors, in obedience to the Pro
vincial Congress. At this time, Portsmouth had 4590 inhab
itants; Londonderry, 2590; Exeter, 1741; Dover 1666.
A meeting was called by warrant, dated November 1, 1775,
article third was, "To see what the town will do in regard to
the town stock of salt, wheather it shall remain preserved as
a town stock any longer, or wheather it shall be Disbusted to
every one according [as] he shall need the same, and also in
what" manner it shall be distributed to every one.
"4thly. To see what the town will do in regard to that
cow that the town purchased for the benefit of Mr. Nathaniel
Barrett's family this year, wheather the town will sell said
cow or have her kept this winter."

82 HISTORY OF MASON.
At the meeting, November 6, Samuel Brown was moderator.
"Voted, To pass over the third article." So it seems that
the salt did not get "Disbusted" at this meeting. On the
fourth article, the town directed the cow to be sold at public
vendue. Also, on the fifth, "Voted, that Joseph Barrett be
one of the committee of Inspection for the town in Mr. D.
B  -'s room."
The first warrant for choice of a representative, was issued
by the selectmen, November 23, 1775. It was for a meeting
of the freeholders, &c, of Mason to meet at the meeting
house, on the 11th of December, "To choose a suitable per
son having real estate to the value of two hundred pounds,
Lawful, to represent them in General Congress, to be held
at Exeter the 21st of December next." A like warrant is
recorded, issued by the selectmen of Mason, for a meeting of
the freeholders, &jc, of Raby, at the same time and place, and
for the same purpose.
The record of the meeting is as follows :
"At a legal meeting, held in Mason, at the public meeting
house in said town, December ye 11, 1775, the electors of
Mason and Raby, then present,
"Voted, To act upon the precept sent from the Provintial
Congress to the selectmen of Mason, to notify the legal inhab
itants of the above said towns of Mason and Raby, to meet
and choose a man to represent them at the Provintial Con
gress, to be held at Exeter, the warrant that was put up for
the above said purpose, being blown away by the wind.
" Chose Mr. Samuel Brown moderator.
"Voted, To send one man to represent them, at the Pro
vintial Congress, the year ensuing.
"Voted, That those men that sent their votes, by Joseph
Merriam, to the moderator of said meeting, have the privilege
of putting in their votes, for the choice of the above said
representative, namely : Obadiah Parker, Joseph Ball, Jonas
Fay, Abel Shed, Thomas Robbins, Nathan Wheeler, Seth
Robbins, John Lawrence.

1776. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 83
"Voted, That James Scripture and William and Elias Eliot
have the liberty of putting in a vote for their fathers, accord
ing to their fathers' desire, their fathers being absent, whose
votes were wrote after the meeting began.
"Voted, That the aforesaid Obadiah Parker, Joseph Ball,
Jonas Fay, Abel Shed, Thomas Robbins, Nathan Wheeler,
Seth Robbins and John Lawrence have their votes thrown out.
"The above said electors of Mason and Raby personally
present, chose Amos Dakin, of Mason, to represent them the
year ensuing. Attest : Joseph Barrett, Town Clerk, P. T.
The style of the heading of warrants for town meetings
had been, up to February 26, 1776, "Province of New Hamp
shire, Hillsborough, ss."; but on August 19, 1776, it was
changed to "Colony of New Hampshire, Hillsborough, ss."
Probably the Patriots thought that to use the style of Prov
ince, &c, was, in some sort, to acknowledge the authority of
the kingly government, under which the Province had been
established, and so to avoid even the appearance of longer
submission, they repudiated the name of Province. In the
warrant for the next meeting, the Colony disappears, and the
State assumes its place, the State government having been
established. It seems that dissatisfaction was felt and manifested with
the doings at the meeting of the electors of Mason and Raby,
at which Amos Dakin was elected representative. Whether
it was that the votes sent by Joseph Merriam were received,
or because they were thrown out, or because certain worthy
citizens, in dutiful obedience to the wishes of their absent
fathers, were permitted to write and put in votes for them,
does not appear and cannot now be known. If it arose from
any dislike to the man of their choice, it seems not to have
been of a deep or lasting nature ; or, at least, not to have
been wide spread nor permanent, for the same gentleman
continued, by repeated elections, to represent the same con
stituency most of the time till his death, April 28th, 1789.

84 history of mason.
The difficulty assumed so serious an attitude, that a town
meeting was called, to be held March 7, 1776. In the war
rant, the second article was, "To see if the town will
approve of the proceedings of the electors of this town, that
were present at the last town meeting, that was called for
the choice of a representative for this town and the town
of Raby ; and also to see if the town, after due deliberation
on this matter, will approve of the representative then chosen
to be chosen according to Liberty and Justice, or to be the
free choice of the electors of the town. 3dly. If the town
shall not approve of the above said representative as being
legally chosen, to see what measures the town will take in
regard to the matter."
At the meeting, it was, " Voted That the town look upon
it that the meeting, &c, was not conducted according to Lib
erty and Justice, and that they do not approve of the same.
Voted, to send a man to the General Court to present to the
Hon'ble Court the proceedings of the town meeting held at
Mason, ye 11 of December, 1775, which was called for the
choice of a Representative, &c, and also the proceedings of
the town meeting held at Mason, March 7, 1776, Samuel Low-
el's vote being put by his saying that he never paid taxes in
any place. Voted, To send Joseph Barrett to present the
proceedings of both the above said town meetings to the
General Court. Voted, That if the General Court do not
approve of the proceedings of the town meeting held, &c, in
the choice of a representative, that the above said Joseph
Barrett pray the General Court to set them in some way
agreeable to their pleasure for to the have privilege of repre
sentation." As nothing more appears upon the records, on
this subject, it is probable that the general court did not con
sider these matters of grievance, if they were ever presented,
as showing any valid objection to the right of the member
elect to his seat.
And now the town's salt appears again. January 9, 1776.
Order, "To pay twenty shillings to Joseph Merriam for

1116. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 85
money borrowed for the benefit of the teamsters in bringing
up the town stock of salt," and same date, an order for the
same sum, for the same purpose, to Joseph Barrett. Febru
ary 22. In several distinct orders, the treasurer was directed
to pay

£

s. d. q.

£

s. d. q.

Samuel Smith,

2

14 9 2

Samuel Brown,

2

3 6 0

James Scripture,

2

0 6 0

Nathan Hall, Jr.,

2

2 7 0

Silas Bullard,

0

17 8 0

Obadiah Parker,

1

13 0 0

each, "for his bringing up a part of the town's stock of salt."
Also, to John Larned 10s. 8d. and Jonathan Williams 10s. 8d.
each, "for his oxen in bringing up the town stock of salt."
April 3, 1776. Like order to pay to,
£ s. d. q. £ s. d. q.
Enosh Lawrence, Jr. 1 13 6 0 Joseph Merriam, 1 18 0 0
Aaron Wheeler, 0 12 0 0 Stephen Lawrence, 2 8 0 0
each, "for bringing up a part of the town's stock of salt,"
and John Swallow, for his oxen, twelve shillings.
The salt had arrived, and the salt troubles soon began,
It must be paid for. How shall the money be come at ?
Some of the inhabitants will not pay ; shall they have their
share ? Some of the tax payers are non-residents ; shall they
be compelled to pay for what they do not have, and do not
want ? All these questions came up to trouble the fathers of
the town. Such difficulties will always arise, when municipal
bodies leave their legitimate duties, and undertake business
for which they are not fitted.
March 11th, 1776. At a town meeting it was "Voted, that
a proportion of the money for the salt be made directly, and
the money be collected within four weeks from our annual
meeting ; and at the end of four weeks, the salt be awarded
to every man according to his rate, and every one that shall
neglect, or refuse to pay his proportion of rates by the said
time, " Shall forfeit his Part of thee Salt,"
In the warrant for a meeting May 6th; 1776, the second
12

86 HISTORY OF MASON.
article is, " To see if the town will sell a part of the town's
stock of salt at Public Vendue, or any other way to make
up the Non-Residence part, or proportion which they were
rated for, which sum is £2 lis. Od. Oq." At the meeting it
was "Voted, to sell the Non-Residence part of salt, which
they were rated for, and neglected to pay the money, and
take the salt, which sum was £2 lis. Od. Oq. and sold ten
bushels of salt for £2 12s. 6d. Oq." This would be nearly
eighty seven cents per bushel.
"Voted to have the remainder of the salt divided by the
rate. "Voted, To choose a committee of Inspection for the
Insuing year, Messrs. Joshua Davis, Amos Dakin, Abel Shead,
Nathaniel Tarbell and Joseph Barrett was chosen for the
purpose aforesaid."
August 19th, 1776, a town meeting was called. The second
article was, "To see what instructions the town will give
their Representative, previous to the choice of field officers,
for the regiment we belong to. 3dly. To see if the town
will have a town stock of powder, lead, flints and fire-arms
provided for said town, or Ither of these necessary articles
for our defence. 4thly. To see if the town will recommend
any suitable person to the Great and General Court, for a
Justice of the Peace." At the meeting it was "voted to
refer the choice of field officers to the General Court, to raise
£15 Os. Od. Oq. to be added to £12 Os. Od. Oq. already raised
to purchase a town stock of powder, lead and flints for said
town. Voted to pass over the 4th article." Probably so
many thought themselves fit for the office, that it was difficult
to find a majority for any one.
May 6th, 1776. An order "to pay Capt. Miles Ward £20
ls. Od. Oq., it being to pay Capt. Jonathan Peele for our town's
stock of salt."
At the meeting September 2d, 1776, it was "Voted, That
the bridge by Dea. Dakin's and that by Elias Eliot's [mills],

1716. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 87
and that between Nathaniel Hosmer's and Jonas Fay's, be
maintained by the town."
At the meeting of the town of Mason and Raby, November
18th, 1176, for the choice of Representatives, Dea. Amos
Dakin was chosen representative. It was " Voted, To send
Mr. Samuel Brown to join with the committee of the State of
Massachusetts, in order to Repel the exhorbitance of our
trade, &c. What effect this effort had on the "exhorbitance
of our trade" does not appear.
May 31st, 1776. Order "to pay Amos Dakin £1 ls. 4d.
lq., it being for his going to Exeter at the first Congress on
service of the town."
In the warrant for the annual meeting in 1777, was an arti
cle " to see if the town will raise any sum of money to pur
chase any number of tickets in the Continental Lottery";
which the town declined to do. At the meeting, Obadiah
Parker, Reuben Barrett, Samuel Brown, Abijah Allen and
Benjamin Mann were chosen a committee of inspection. At
an adjournment of this meeting it is recorded that "a peti
tion was laid before the town of a number of paragrafts.
Voted, That the first paragraft be a matter of grievance
Also, voted that the paragraft be a matter of grievance.
Voted, To accept the prayer of said petition, all but the
clause where it respects the forming and regulation of the
militia in this State ; and where it respects the Courts send
ing writs to every town, to send a man to the convention
therein mentioned. Voted Benjamin Mann, Capt. Tarbell
and Lt. Obadiah Parker be the committee aforesaid."
What this petition so full of grievances was, the records do
not show; nor will posterity probably ever know, what "par
agraft" of the petition was, by the town, voted to be "the
second matter of grievance," inasmuch as the clerk has inad
vertantly omitted the number of that unfortunate "paragraft."
At the same meeting it was "voted, to choose a committee to
procure a graveyard, for the use of the town. Dea. Hall,

88 HISTORY OF MASON.
Benjamin Mann and Lt. Blodgett were chosen for the afore
said purpose."
"Voted, That Lt. Swallow and Mr. John Whitaker dig the
graves that are reasonably needed in said town." What pro
vision should be or could be made for graves unreasonably
needed ?
"Voted, To choose a committee to seat the meeting house.
Mr. Samuel Brown, Capt. B. Barrett, Benjamin Mann, Lieut.
Obadiah Parker and Mr. Abel Shead, were chosen the com
mittee aforesaid. Voted, That the inhabitants are seated
according to their age and pay. Voted, To sell the ministry
lots of land. Voted, That the selectmen seat said meeting
house." The "piece de resistance," the standing, unconquerable
difficulty of seating the meeting house, like Mons. Tonson, is
always "coming again," to plague the patriots, even in the
midst of the alarms of war, of troubles of false brethren, to
be looked after by the committee of "Inspection," as well as
of sisters slyly taking a clandestine cup of tea, in violation
of the articles of non-importation, of salt troubles, now
happily at rest by the sale of ten bushels of salt, to raise the
money which the wicked "non-residence " would not pay, and
of the election of a representative made "not according to
Liberty and Justice." How this seating difficulty will be
settled, or, perhaps more properly said, be left unsettled by
the grave committee of five, chosen for that purpose, but
from whom, before they had time to act, by a vote "not
according to Liberty and Justice," the subject, and their
authority to act, was taken away, being referred to the select
men, remains to be seen, and will be faithfully reported, as
soon as it shall appear.
April 1, 1777. A meeting was called. The second article
was, " To assist in some way and manner, as the town shall
see fit, in raising fourteen "affective, able-Bodyed" men, for
the term of three years, or during the war with Great Britain,
as that is our proportion from orders received from Colonel

1777. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 89
Moses Nicoles, [Nichols] pursuant to orders from the council
and general assembly of the State." At the meeting, it was,
"Voted, To raise our proportion of men as a town. Voted,
To raise $1400 as Incoriageement for soldiers to enlist into
the Continental service. Voted, To choose a committee to
estimate the turns. Voted, Lt. Blodgett, Lt. Parker, Capt.
Barrett, Mr. Abijah Allen and David Brown, be the committee
aforesaid. Voted, Not to accept the report the committee
made. Voted, To reconsider the vote concerning the raising
the $1400. Voted, To choose a committee to join the
commissioned officers to make an estimation. Voted, William
Eliot, Dea. A. Dakin, David Blodgett, Joseph Merriam and
Lt. Obadiah Parker, for the committee to estimate each
man's proportion. Then adjourned to the next Friday." At
the adjourned meeting, "Voted, To take in all above sixteen
years old into the estimation. Voted, To approve of what
the town had done as to the estimation of the turns done in
the services and calculation of the three years forward."
The proceedings of this meeting did not seem to accomplish
the business. A meeting was called the 28th of April, 1777,
"To see if the town will come into any other method different
from what hath been already acted, with regard to raising of
a sum of money, for the purpose of hiring soldiers, that is
now called for into the service of the United States of Amer
ica." At this meeting it was, "Voted, To raise $1400, for
the purpose," &c. Also, "To accept the estimation the
committee made with regard to the prices of every campaign."
"Voted, To exempt those who have done their turns from any
cost of procuring said soldiers, until it properly comes to
their turns. Also, chose a committee to hire men, and
appointed a collector to collect the money and pay it to the
committee." May 8, 1777. At an adjournment of the meet
ing, "Voted, That all those men that neglect paying their
proportion for hiring soldiers for the three years' service, as
was levied by a committee chosen for that purpose, are to be
the persons looked upon subject to the first draft when made.

90 HISTORY OF MASON.
Voted, That Benjamin Mann receive the aforesaid propor
tion. Voted, That those persons that were procured by the
committee are to go for the squadrons whom they expected
to go for when they engaged. Voted, To reconsider the first
vote above mentioned. Adjourned to May 12." At the
adjournment, "Voted, To divide the town stock of ammu
nition to individuals, as they need. Voted, That each person
that received ammunition belonging to said town, and don't
give a satisfactory account of said ammunition when properly
requested by said town, each person so neglecting or refusing,
is to pay a fine of twenty shillings, L. money. Voted, That
Samuel Brown procure the aforesaid ammunition. Voted,
To purchase one hundred weight of powder, two hundred
weight of lead, and four hundred flints. Adjourned to May
15." At the adjournment, "Voted, That if said arms are
procured and are needed by individuals, they are to have
them at the cost that said town is at for them. Voted, That
if Mr. Samuel Brown, who is pitched upon to purchase said
arms, does procure them, he is to hire a carriage to transport
them to Merrimac river. Voted, That the selectmen borrow
the money to pay for the powder that is already procured,
that is not paid for. Voted, To sell the meeting house lot
for the sake of accommodating a blacksmith, all save about
fifteen acres, around said meeting house. Voted, To allow
Mr. Abijah [Allen] $12, as a town, for his time and expenses
in going to Ticonderoga, in behalf of said town, in 1777.
Adjourned to May 27." At the adjournment, "Voted, To
reconsider the vote to allow Abijah Allen $12 for going to
Ticonderoga. Voted, That the town stock of powder be
brought to Benjamin Mann's, to be divided the next training
day, which is in three weeks from this day." June 17. It
was, "Voted, To reconsider the vote to divide the ammu
nition. Voted, To allow the three soldiers that enlisted to
go to Portsmouth for one month, twenty shillings for each
man, as a town charge. Voted, Not to make any return in
the valuation to court, of buildings and wild land, and the

1771. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 91
moderator dissolved the meeting." The reader will think it
was time somebody "dissolved the meeting." The record is
given as a sample of the mode in which such matters were
then managed.
May 5, 1777. An order to pay David Blodgett "for making
a coffin for Mr. Nathaniel Barrett." May 8, 1777. An order
"To pay Capt. Miles Ward for 4 molasses Hds. and 1 Dry
cask £0 18s. Od." June 26, 1777. An order, "To pay Wid.
Abigail Barrett twelve shillings, for her taking care of the
meeting house one year, from August, 1775."
Town meeting, August 19, 1777. The second article sets
forth, that the vote formerly passed, "That the soldiers
procured by the committee should go for the squadrons they
expected to go for when they engaged, seems to appear to a
number of the inhabitants very detrimental to the cause." It was
proposed, "To see if the town would supercede that vote."
At the meeting, it was "Voted, To go on as a town, and tax
said town for all the money and cost of raising the three
years' soldiers. Also, voted, that if the money that the town
doth raise for the aforesaid purpose, doth not effect the
purpose, that those men that are now delinqnent in paying,
or procuring the men, shall be the men that shall be subject
to the first draft, and shall go, or procure said delinquent
soldiers for three years, now called for. Voted, To choose
a committee to procure the delinquent three years' soldiers
now called for. Chose Joseph Barrett, Samuel Brown and
Stephen Lawrence."
September 12, 1777. "Voted, That the committee that
was chosen for that purpose at a former meeting, agree with
Mr. Samuel Abbott for a piece of land for a graveyard."
This is the same land referred to on page 68. The land
finally taken and occupied for the graveyard, was a part of
lot No. 6, Range 8, lying next to and adjoining this tract on
the south.
December 15th, 1777, a meeting was called. The second
article in the warrant was as follows: "Whereas, the general

92 HISTORY OF MASON.
Court of said State, of late passed an act, that all said
State's money is to be called in, and State notes on interest
to be given for the same, which appears to many to be a
grievance ; this, therefore, is to see if the said town will con
sult on some measures, that may be thought more agreable,
and petition said Court for redress." It was "voted to send
a petition to the Court, that the said act may be repealed,
and the square money so called, to pass as specified on the
face of said bills, or until the above said bills may be called
in by a tax."
This vote, is the first indication of the difficulties arising
from a deficient, disturbed, inadequate and unsound currency.
The troubles arising from this source, were severely felt,
from this time, through the whole period of the war. There
was, at the commencement of the war, no national mint, or
power to regulate the currency, except under the authority of
each province.
The people having discarded and refused to obey the pro
vincial authorities of New Hampshire, were under the neces
sity of assuming the government of themselves ; and they at
once proceeded to provide, as well as their want of experi
ence in such matters would allow, for the continuance of civil
government. For this purpose, a convention was called,
which met at Exeter, in May, 1775, and continued, with little
interruption, till November, as has been stated on page 80.
During the year, under the authority of the convention,
three emissions of paper bills were made — the first of ten
thousand and fifty pounds, the second of ten thousand pounds,
and the third of twenty thousand pounds. For the amount
of those sums, the treasurer gave his obligation in small
notes, which passed for a time as current money, equal in
value to silver and gold. But as emissions were multiplied,
as the redemption of the bills was put off to distant periods,
and the bills themselves were counterfeited, it was impos
sible for them long to hold their value. In 1776, more paper
bills were issued, to pay the expenses of the war, and

1778. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 93
provision was made for redeeming some of the bills by taxes.
But the depreciation, after it began, proceeded rapidly.
After the year 1777, the State issued no more bills. Those
that had been issued were called in, and exchanged for
treasury notes on interest, in sums not less than five pounds.
It was against this act that the vote of the town, just recited,
was directed. Probably it was feared, that if the "square
money," as the paper money was in common parlance called,
should be withdrawn, there would be nothing left to serve as
money and maintain a currency for exchanges. The conti
nental bills still continued to pass, but were daily and rapidly
depreciating, until, in the spring of 1781, they suddenly, and
by general consent, went out of circulation, and solid coin
succeeded in their place. To show the rapid depreciation of
this paper money, for which the faith of the government was
pledged, but for the redemption of which, no reliable means
or funds were provided, it is sufficient to refer to the scale of
depreciation, which was established and recognized, and
according to which the people endeavored to regulate their
business and payments. The scale commences in January,
1777, at which time £100 of silver was represented by £104
of paper. The same amount of coin was worth in paper, in
December of 1777, by £310; 1778, £620; 1779, £2393;
1780, £7300, and in June, 1781, by £12,000, at which rate no
wonder the currency ceased.
January 5, 1778. The selectmen abated the poll taxes of
Joseph Lowell, Timothy Lowell and Joseph Hodgman, Jr.,
for the year 1776, "they being excepted by the act of the
General Court, from paying any poll tax, by reason of their
engaging in the continental service for the year 1776." At
the town meeting, February 4, the town voted to abate Joshua
Smith's rates for 1776, and Christopher Mann's rates for
1775, probably for a like reason, and February 26, by order
of the selectmen, the poll taxes of Joseph Lowell and of
Jacob Blodgett, for 1775, were abated, "being excused by
vote of Congress." Also, an order was issued, "to pay
13

94 HISTORY OF MASON.
Joseph Hurlbut one pound, being voted to him for going to
Portsmouth one month last May." Also, one pound to Joseph
Hodgman, "for his son Nathan going to Portsmouth, &c,
one month."
At the annual meeting, March 9, 1778, "Chose Samuel
Brown, Lemuel Spalding, David Blodgett, William Eliot and
Zachariah Davis, Committee of Safety."
March 27, 1778. An order issued to pay Samuel Brown
£8 10s. 8d. Oq., "it being for his going to Exeter, for ammu
nition, and time spent in getting the continental men, and
service as treasurer."
April 20, 1778. "Chose David Blodgett, a representative
in the convention for forming a constitution to meet at Con
cord, June 10th."
April 20, 1778. An order "to pay Lt. Obadiah Parker
£1 17s. 8d. Oq., for sugar and rice he sent to our militia that
went on the Elerum at the evacuation of Ticonderoga."
December 8, 1778. Chose Dea. Amos Dakin representa-
tive, and the meeting was adjourned to Tuesday next. "The
meeting at the adjournment not attended by reason of the
badness of the weather, was Naterly disolved."
Town meeting, March 30, 1779. The selectmen were
appointed "a committee to make a proportion of the several
campaigns, and to call all former committees that were chosen
to procure continental soldiers, to account, and take the
money that may be found in said committees' hands. Voted,
That each person that shall neglect or refuse to bring in his
receipts for men hired and turns done, in service and term of
time in actual service, since last estimation, their money and
term of actual service shall be forfeited to the town. Voted,
That the inhabitants shall bring in their invoice in the month
of April, or be doomed."
April 22, 1779. Town meeting. The third article of the
warrant was, "To see what measures the town will pursue to
procure our quoto of men during the present war, now called
for. 5th. To put out Asa Fish, by vendue, to the lowest

1779. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 95
bidder, till he is one and twenty years of age." The meeting
"Voted, To raise 2000 dollars as a State and Continental
bounty, to procure four men to enlist during the war." What
was done with Asa Fish is not stated, but May 7th, an order
passed "to pay James Mann £3 19s. lid., for keeping Asa
Fish 3 weeks," being 22s. 6d. per week, equal to $3,75 a
week for keeping a child about six years old.
July 6th, 1779, at the town meeting, "Voted, to raise our
quoto of continental and Rhode Island men as a town ;" and
further details are recorded of the arrangements made about
"estimating campaigns, hiring men, &c." A meeting was
called August 17th, 1779. Article 2nd, "to see if the town
will approve or disapprove of the bill of rights and plan of
government, formed by a convention chosen for that purpose,
or alter the whole, or any part of said bill of rights, or plan
of government as they may think fit. Voted to approve of
the proceedings of the town of Portsmouth, and appointed
David Blodgett to meet said Portsmouth with other towns at
Concord, to take into consideration our sinking currency."
At an adjournment of this meeting held October 25th, "Voted
and Improved [approved] of the proceedings of the conven
tion at Concord, for stipolating prices, for sundry articles of
the necessaries of life. Voted that Mr. Elias Eliot, Benjamin
Mann, Benjamin Hodgman, Joseph Merriam, Joseph Ball,
David Blodgett, Jacob Blodgett, William Chambers and John
Wood be a committee to "Stipolate" prices among us, seven
of whom are a "eorum."
What was the action of the town on the bill of rights and
plan of government, the record does not show. At the meet
ing, this subject was postponed. The meeting was adjourned
sundry times, through the months of August, September and
October ; the great and absorbing subject before the town,
being the controversy with the Rev. Jonathan Searle. If any
vote was passed upon the subject of the bill of rights, and
plan of government, it was not recorded. A convention was
held in 1779, to propose a plan of government, by which a

96 HISTORY OF MASON.
system of government was drawn up, and submitted to the
people, which was undoubtedly that referred to in this article.
It was so deficient in its principles, and inadequate in its
provisions, that it was by the people, in their town meetings,
rejected. Another convention was appointed. It continued
more than two years, from June 1781, to October 1783. A
system was by this convention submitted to the people, pro
viding for a senate of twelve, and a house of fifty members ;
apportioned twenty to Rockingham, eight to Strafford, ten to
Hillsborough, eight to Cheshire and four to Grafton, to he
chosen in county conventions, consisting of one delegate for
every fifty rateable polls. The plan was printed, and sent to
every town. The inhabitants were requested to state their
objections distinctly, to any particular part, and return them
at a fixed time. The objections were so many and various,
that it was found necessary to alter the form, and send it out
a second time. In the amended form, the representatives
were to be chosen by the towns ; each town of one hundred
and fifty polls, choosing one, and of four hundred and fifty, two.
This plan was generally approved, but it was not laid before
the people in season to be adopted, before the close of the
war. The old form of government having expired with the
war, was, by the order of the people, continued a year longer ;
in the mean time, the new form was perfected, and adopted,
and went into operation in 1784.
It will be recollected, that the town approved of the pro
ceedings of the town of Portsmouth, &c. This was a propo
sal for a convention, to take into consideration "our sinking
currency," or in other words, the financial difficulties of the
times. David Blodgett was chosen a delegate to this conven
tion. He attended, and shared in the labors of the conven
tion, and, what is very remarkable, and perhaps without a
parallel in history, he returned after the close of the conven
tion, and brought the report of their proceedings, and sub
mitted it to the same town meeting by which he was chosen,
it having continued by adjournments till the 25th of October.

1779. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 97
The report of the committee, appointed in pursuance of the
recommendation of this convention "to Stipolate prices," is
not recorded. It was a very common notion in those days,
that the evils of a depreciated currency, could be alleviated,
and perhaps wholly cured, by regulations establishing prices,
which would compel persons in buying and selling, to conform
to the prices established by law, and that thus, the nominal
rates of the currency would be maintained. But the remedy
was never resorted to, until the disease had assumed a des
perate type. Its tendency when applied, was rather to
hasten, than to retard the catastrophe. It is vain by legisla
tion, to attempt to bolster up a paper currency. Its only
value is its credit. When that has no basis, the paper
becomes mere rags. Neither laws, nor regulations can give
it value. As well may the laws require a man to breathe a
corrupted atmosphere, and derive from it health and vigor, as
require a community to use for a currency, an irredeemable
and worthless paper, at its par value, and derive from it the
benefits and efficiency of a sound currency, founded on intrin
sic value. The complaints of a depreciated currency were
general, and the remedy by "Stipulating prices," was generally
resorted to. The town records of Townsend, under date of
Febuary 20th, 1777, show, that after a meeting of the com
mittees of Groton, Lunenburg, Fitchburg and Shirley, on this
subject, "the Selectmen and town of Townsend agreed that
the following articles shall not exceed the following prices.

s.d.

s.

d.

Wheat per bushel,

6 8

Dinner at tavern of boiled

Rye per bushel,

4 4

and roast victuals, 1

0

Corn per bushel,

3 4

Dinner at tavern, for either

Sheep's wool, per pound,

2 0

boiled or roast only,

10

Fresh pork,

4

A mug of West India Phlip,

11

Salt pork,

8

" New. Eng. do.,

9

Salt per bushel,

14 0

But these prices, although "Stipolated" and agreed to,
did not remain firm and unchanged. They rapidly increased,
so that in 1779, August 17, a committee of that town, chosen
98

HISTORY OF MASON.

" to state the price of the several articles necessary for the
support of life and trade in the town," made a report, which
was accepted, in which they established the price of the
following articles, as below :

£

s.

£ s. d.

West India rum, per gallon

,«

11

Beef, per lb.

4 6

New England rum,

4

18

Mutton,

3 6

Molasses,

4

15

Butter,

11 0

Coffee, per lb.,

18

Salt pork,

11 0

Tea,

6

0

Cheese,

5 6

Brown sugar, from 12s. to

15
Oats, per bushel,
1 16 0
Cotton wool,
1
18
Eng. hay, per cwt,
1 15 0
Salt, per bushel,
12
00
Cyder, per bbl.,
5 2 0
German steel, per lb.,
1
17
Sheep's wool,
1 4 0
Refined iron,
10
Flax,
12 0
Wheat, per bushel,
7
13
Men's shoes,
6 0 0
Rye,
5
2
Women's do.,
4 0 0
Corn,
3
14
Shoeing a horse,
4 16 0
Beans,
5
2
Common boards,
18 0 0
Potatoes,
1
0
W. I. Phlip,
15 0
Turnips,
1
0
N. E. Phlip,
12 0
This table shows a pretty rapid appreciation of prices.
In the same town, at this town meeting, the town " Voted,
To give to each soldier, of our quota, of the nine months
continental service, 1000 dollars, or 90 bushels of rye," by
which it appears that rye was worth more than ten dollars a
bushel. No record was made of prices in Mason " stipo
lated" by the committee appointed for that purpose.
October 1, 1779, the town of Townsend voted to "raise
1000 pounds for the support of the Rev. Samuel Dix and
his family, the present year, including his salary." His salary,
by the contract, was £66 13s. 4d. At the town meeting,
March 6, 1780, the town voted that "labor on the highways
be £6 a day till the first of September, after that, £4 10s.,
and July 4, "Voted, £6000 to make up Mr. Dix's salary to
4th of September next." At the town meeting, March 5,
1781, "Voted, That labor on the highway be 40 dollars a
day till the first of September, oxen 30, and carts 10 dollars
a day. These facts show how little success attended the
1781. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 99
stipulating of prices, in that town ; some of the same character
appear in the records of Mason. For example, April 20,
1780, an assessment was made of "the Continental and State
tax for the present year," the amount being £13,948 10s. 9d.
lq. Of this tax, the assessment to Deacon Amos Dakin
was £110 6s. Id. 2q. August 4, 1780, a tax was assessed
"to purchase beef for the continental army" of £15,000.
September 12, 1780, "Voted, To raise £14,000 to pay the
soldiers that were hired in July last, making in all £42,948
10s. 9d. lq. assessed in one year, for State and Continental
purposes. A committee was appointed to purchase the beef.
At a meeting December 6, 1780, Capt. Joseph Barrett, for
that Committee, made a report, that "the prime cost of the
beef which the committee purchased for the town, was
£11,750." February 6, 1781, an order "to pay Nathan
Wood £25 10s. for a pair of overhals delivered to Deacon
Amos Dakin, for one of the soldiers." March 26, 1781, an
order "to pay Oliver Scripture £90 for two sheep delivered
to one of the three months' men, for the year 1780. May
25, 1781, an order to pay "Richard Lawrence £470 for a
cow which he delivered to the selectmen, for the purpose of
paying Abraham Merriam part of his hire for three years'
service." June 8, 1781. In a warrant committing a "rate of
£528 3s. 5d. lq., it being our State tax for the present year,"
are set forth the various currencies then afloat, and the rate of
allowance in each, as follows: "The whole to be paid in bills
of the new Emition, or in notes of ten pounds, or of five
pounds issued by the authority of the State, commonly called
soldiers" bounty notes, which were dated before the last day
of April, 1777, estimating one pound of said notes equal to
one pound of said bills, or in such of the notes issued by the
authority of said [State], commonly called depreciation notes,
as were due on the 31st day of December, 1780, with
compound interest on said bounty and depreciation notes,
estimating one pound of said depreciation notes equal to one
pound sixteen shillings and sixpence of said new bills, pro-

100 HISTORY OF MASON.
vided that the same are paid into the treasury by the last day
of June instant ; or in the old bills emitted by the State or
by Congress, estimating £40 of said bills equal to one pound
of the bills last emitted."
The faster prices were raised, the faster the currency went
down. Here are four kinds of paper money, differing in
value as compared with each other, at rates ranging, from
par, up to forty for one. In short, so worthless was the cur
rency, that it would take a sack full of paper notes, to pay
for a pipe full of tobacco. The .evil became intolerable, and
a resort was had to silver money. September 13th, 1781,
" Voted, To raise £40 silver in lue of £3000, raised at the last
annual meeting, to defray town charges." For State and
Continental taxes, the State treasurer was bound to receive
the paper money at the rates above specified ; but to defray
the town charges with £3000 of that currency, was found
impracticable, and so its place was supplied with the very
modest tax of £40 silver. The bubble burst, and prices
resumed their former moderate and reasonable rates.
December 6th, 1779. At town meeting of Mason and
Raby, Dea. Amos Dakin was chosen representative.
April 10th, 1780. The main purpose of the meeting was,
to procure and forward to the state government, the evidence
of the services, and payments by the town, for services of sol
diers. David Blodgett, Joseph Barrett, and Obadiah Parker,
were chosen a committee "for the matter about the services
of the soldiers, &c. ; and to petition the general court, for
liberty to tax wild land." "Put to vote, to see who would
carry the receipts the continental soldiers gave, to Exeter,
the cheapest, with the accounts of the same ; Mr. Joshua
Davis bid it off, for two hundred dollars." The object in
asking for liberty to tax wild land, probably was, to enable
the town to tax the unimproved lands, of the original grantees
of the town, which, by the terms of the grant, were exempted
from taxation, until improved. For many years, the assess
ments and tax bills after this period, had a list of rates

1781. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 101
headed "Lord's Proprietors," in which these lands were
included. June 27th, 1780. At the town meeting "Voted, To raise
four men towards completing the battalions of this State, in
the continental army, and that the selectmen hire the men on
the town's cost. Appointed Abijah Allen, Capt. Joseph
Barrett and James Scripture a committee to procure our pro
portion of beef, for the army."
" The selectmen of Mason, being called upon to raise and
send forward soldiers immediately, into the public service,
without loss of time, immediately notified the town's people,
to meet at the meeting house on July 3d, 1780."
This is the record in the book, instead of the ordinary
record of the warrant for a town meeting. The record goes
on to say, "Met, and chose a committee to hire six men for
the term of six months, into the public service, and two, to
go to Coos, for six months."
July 11th, 1780. "Voted, to reserve six acres for the
meeting house and common, the form to be square, and the
house near the centre ; and to sell all of the lot east of the
road, and appointed a committee to make the sale, and give
the deed."
October 31st, 1780. "Voted, To allow creditors 90 for
one in the war rate. Voted, To fence the burying ground,
and chose Ens. John Wood, Lt. Swallow and Capt. Benj.
Mann a committee for that purpose." This was the burying
ground on the road from the meeting house, to Townsend.
Seep. 65.
February 6th, 1781. "Voted to raise four men towards
completing the continental army."
May 7th, 1781. Chose Benjamin Mann to represent the
town in the convention at Concord, to form a constitution.
June 9, 1781. It appears from orders given, that Jonathan
Foster, Joseph Wilson, son of Edward Wilson, and Abijah
Eaton, were soldiers.
August 14, 1781. "Voted, To hire preaching, and to raise
14

102 HISTORY OP MASON.
twenty pounds silver for that purpose, and adjourned to the
21st. Then Voted, To reconsider the vote to hire preaching,
and adjourned to the 28th. Then Voted, To hire preaching
and to raise £20, hard money. Voted* To leave it to Mr.
Abijah Allen to pay or not, as he pleases, and chose Deacon
Hall, Joseph Merriam and Ens. John Wood, committee to
hire preaching."
September 13th, 1781. "Voted to raise £40 silver, for
the purpose of clearing and fencing the school lot, that the
meeting house stands on," and a committee was chosen to lay
out the money. It was to be paid in labor, if the payer
chose. " Voted that man's labor be 3s. 4d., and ox labor 2s.
a day." November 1st, 1781. "The selectmen made a rate of £18
ls. 2d. Oq. L. mo. silver, for the purpose of purchasing sixty-
three and a half gallons of West India Rum for the use of
the Continential army."
November 15, 1781. Benjamin Mann was chosen to repre
sent Mason and Raby, at Exeter.
January 2, 1782. "Voted, To direct the committee to
hire preaching, to apply to Mr. Kimball to supply the pulpit
for some further time. Voted, to engage him for three months.
Voted, Not to allow seats for the singers to sit together.
Voted, To choose another querister to assist in setting the
Psalm, and chose Amos Dakin, Jr."
February 12, 1782. Voted, That the selectmen "strain on
the Treasurer amediately."
By orders, given in February and March, 1782, it appears
that Joshua Richardson and Simon Fish were soldiers for the
town in 1779 and 1780; Zebulon Dodge, in 1779, and Jacob
Weatherbee, in 1780.
March 11, 1782. Annual meeting. "Voted, To hear Mr.
Kimball six Sabbaths after the time he is now engaged for.
Voted, to seat the meeting house, and that the committee
have reference to age, and the last year's invoice, in seating
the meeting house."

1182. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 103
By orders, given in March and April, it appears that Joseph
Herrick, Benjamin Maun, Ephraiui Nutting, Ebenezer Blood,
Jr., Asa Blood and Reuben Hosmer, were soldiers in the
service for the town.
April 30, 1782. A meeting was called, "To see whether
the town will concur with the church in giving Mr. True
Kimball an invite to settle in this town as a gospel minister."
At the meeting, "It was put to the town by the moderator,
whether any person had any objection to the town proceeding
in concurrence with the church, to give Mr. True Kimball an
invite to settle in this town for their gospel minister. —
Voted, To give Mr. Kimball an invite as above. Accord
ingly, the moderator called for the votes to be brought in,
yeas or nays ; the votes being called, not one negative vote
appeared." It was also "Voted, To exempt Mr. William
Dodge for his poll paying any tax to the minister rate.
Voted, To give Mr. True Kimball one hundred and eighty
pounds L. mo. as settlement, and to be two years in paying
said settlement. Voted £66 13s. 4d. to be paid yearly, as
salary. William Eliot and Abijah Allen dissented in the face
of the meeting, against the two above votes of settlement
and salary, as a town. Reason, because to go on by way of
a town, and to use coercive measures, obliges persons to help
support a man, that the major part of the people, in any town,
shall see fit to hold as their minister; whereas, the said Eliot
and Allen think the gospel is free, and every person has a
right to hear, where he can be best edified ; if so, then to
choose his own teacher, and to support him and no other."
A committee, Ens. John Wood, Capt. Benjamin Mann and
Capt. Joseph Barrett, were appointed to wait upon Mr. Kim
ball, with a copy of the above vote ; and the meeting was
dissolved. The vote under date of June 9th, 1781, to leave Abijah
Allen to pay or not as he pleases, and this dissent of Wil
liam Eliot and Abijah Allen, are the first indications, upon
the records of the town, of the prevalence of baptist senti-

104 History of mason.
ments in the town. Mr. Eliot was the first minister or elder
of the Baptist church, soon after formed in the town.
"On August ye 18th, 1782, Mr. True Kimball gave his
answer to ye town of Mason (to their calling him to settle
with them in the ministry) in the negative.
"Attest: Wm. Eliot, Town Clerk."
August 28, 1782. Town meeting. Sixth article. "To see
if the town will allow those men that served in the conti
nental army three years, the sum of money that was taken
out of their wages, and the town is now credited for, or do
what the town think proper in the affair." The town "Voted,
To allow Mr. David Fuller the sum of money that was taken
out of his son Ezra's wages, by the court, and the town is
now credited for in the State tax."
December 3, 1782. "Proceeded to take under considera
tion the bill of rights and plan of government. Chose a
committee to revise the abovesaid constitution, and make
what remarks they think proper, and make report to the town
at some future day. Chose Deacon Amos Dakin, David
Blodgett, William Eliot, Ens. John Wood, Joseph Merriam,
Samuel Smith, Joseph Barrett, Abijah Allen and Timothy
Wheeler, for said committee. Voted, to ratify the north
west corner of Mason, according to the agreement of the
selectmen with the selectmen of the other towns. Voted, To
take that part of the State tax, which is over paying the State
treasurer (by reason of a certificate that came from the State
treasurer, on account of the town's paying soldiers' bounty
and wages), to defray town charges. Adj'd to the 16th.
Then Voted, To dismiss William Eliot as clerk, and chose
David Blodgett, town clerk, P. T."
" Voted, Not to accept of the constitution as it now stands.
Voted, To accept of the bill of rights, with the amendment
of the 28th article. Voted, To accept the constitution with
the following amendment, and then the meeting was dis
solved." No paper or record has been found which shows
what these several proposed amendments were.

178S. municipal history. 105
The perambulation of the west line of the town is recorded
as follows :
"On October the 28th, A. D. 1782, the selectmen and com
mittee of the town of New Ipswich and the selectmen of the
town of Mason, met at the north west corner of said Masoni
and after establishing said corner, proceeded to perambulate
the line between said towns, and agreed that the stake and
stones south of Mr. Edmund Town's, about 25 rods, to be a
bound between said towns. Also, that a maple tree is a
bound ; said tree stands south of the road, that leads from
Dea. Dakin's to New Ipswich, from thence to a heap of stones
in Lt. Stratton's pasture, and so on to a heap of stones south
of the road that leads from said Stratton's to said Mason,
then to a stake and stones on the north side of the great
road below Mr. Pierce's, from thence to the road that leads
from Col. Hale's to Prospect, a heap of stories on the south
side of said road, and from thence to the corner of said
towns, viz : the south west corner of Mason and the south
east corner of New Ipswich. Said corner is a heap of stones
on the Province line, with a large hemlock tree marked, fell
down on said stones. Joseph Parker, ) Committee
Benjamin Hoar, > for
Paul Pritchard, j New Ipswich.
William Eliot, ^Selectmen
Samuel Smith, > of
Joseph Merriam, ) Mason.
A true entry, per me,
Wm. Eliot, Town Clerk."
To this perambulation reference is had in the vote "to
ratify the north west corner of Mason," passed December
3, 1182. March 10, 1183. Annual meeting. "Chose Mr. David
Blodgett and Benj. Mann, Esq., to take care of what was blown
off the meeting house, namely : boards, shingles, nails, &c.
Voted, To mend the meeting house, and chose Jacob Blodgett,

106 HISTORY of mason.
James Wood and Thomas Robbins, a committee to mend the
meeting house. Voted, To double board the part that the
wind blew the roof of from."
May 26, 1783. Order "To pay Capt. Wm. Chambers 4s.
L. mo., it being for two mugs of Philp, that the arbitrators
had, that set on the dispute that the town had with Ensign
Joseph Ball, and for two mugs that the Selectmen had when
they vendued the shingles and nails that blew from the
meeting house."
December 9, 1783. Chose Benjamin Mann, Esq., to repre
sent Mason and Raby.
November 3. [No year.] Town meeting. "Voted, To
raise £32 lis. 4d., to pay the cost of building the bridge by
Mr. John Stevens' saw mill." This is probably the mill near
Frederic Jones'.
March, 1784: Annual meeting. "Voted, That £40 be
added to what was raised to hire preaching the ensuing year,
in order to pay the ministers that the town oweth, and that
the selectmen be directed to assess the same as soon as pos
sible, and it shall be called the ministers' rate, and that the
constables be ordered not to take any order for said rates, but
what shall be given by the ministers ; and shall be ordered to
pay the same to the treasurer."
Benjamin Mann was chosen to represent Mason and Raby.
July 19, 1784. Town meeting. The second article was,
" To see what measures the town will pursue to find a candi
date to supply the pulpit, inasmuch as the committee have not
been so happy as to find any. This article was inserted by
request of Enosh Lawrence and otliers. The town voted to
pass it over, probably thinking the committee competent to
their duty.
At this meeting, it was "Voted, To make up to Mr. Samuel
Abbott, for his son Ebenezer's bounty, as good as the State
would [have] paid him if the town had not been credited for
the same ; in State notes, on interest, or other pay, as we
may agree."

1184. municipal history. 107
August 19th, 1784. An order "to pay Capt. W. Chambers
for keeping Mr. Bailey and Mr. Emerson, three Sabbaths."
October 5, 1784. "Voted, To build a meeting house for
the use of said town. Voted, To set the house on Captain
Chambers' hill, above his orchard, if the town and he, the
said Chambers, can agree to exchange lands for that purpose.
Voted, To choose a committee of three men to agree on the
aforesaid exchange. David Blodgett, Benjamin Mann, Esq.,
and Dea. Amos Dakin, were chosen for the aforesaid commit
tee. Then the meeting was adjourned to Monday, the 18th
instant. At the adjournment, Voted, That the meeting house
shall be raised sometime in the month of June, 1786. Voted,
That the said house shall be fifty five feet long and forty five
broad, the height to be in proportion to the bigness. Voted,
To provide boards, shingles, nails and glass, window frames,
and all materials for finishing the outside of said house, by
the time affixed for the raising. Voted, To accept the report
of the committee that was chosen to exchange lands with
Captain Chambers, which was to exchange six or seven acres
off the south west corner of the school lot, for the same
quantity of acres on the top of said Chambers' hill. Voted,
To choose a committee to compute the quantity of stuff it
will take to finish the outside of the house, and the cost of
the same. Chose William Hosmer, Jacob Blodgett, David
Blodgett, Joseph Woods and Benjamin Mann, for said com
mittee." Adjourned to November 10, at which time neither
the moderator aor the warrant could be found, and nothing
more was done.
The site selected for the house, at this meeting, was one
commanding a view hardly to be surpassed in New England,
embracing a great portion of the counties of Middlesex and
Worcester, and including the whole valley of the Nashua river
and its branches. On the north west the Grand Monadnock,
on the south west Watatook and Wachuset, and on the north
the Jo English hill in New Boston, and on the east a long
sweep of the valley of the Merrimack river, formed portions

108 history of mason.
of a landscape worthy of admiration. But it seems difficul
ties arose, and objections were made to the site, and it was
eventually abandoned. At a subsequent meeting, December
16, 1784, it was "Voted, To build a meeting house, and to
set it about twenty feet north of the old one." This was
not satisfactory, for the record proceeds to reconsider that
vote with a proviso, "That there be an article inserted in the
next warrant for the annual meeting, for the town to deter
mine where it shall stand. Chose a committee to provide
stuff for the window frames and sashes; Benjamin Mann,
David Blodgett, and Samuel Smith."
November 1, 1784. An order to pay Capt. Chambers for
entertaining ministers, namely : Messrs. Langdon, Whitman,
Bruce and Dix.
In the History of New Hampshire Churches, it is stated
that Mr. Bruce, who was settled at Mont Vernon, received a
call to settle at Mason. No evidence of that fact appears
upon the records of the town or church. This order shows
that he was employed by the town as a preacher.
March 15, 1785. An order "to pay Capt. Thomas Tarbell
£1 2s., it being for boarding Mr. Bruse and his horse three
weeks in October, 1784. Also, March 21, for monies paid to
Phinehas Wright."
Warrant for the annual meeting, March, 1785. Article 4.
"To see if the town will supersede a vote of a late town
meeting, for setting a meeting house upon Capt. Chambers'
hill, and determine where said meeting housetshall stand.
At the meeting, it was "Voted to supersede a vote of a
late town meeting, which was to set a meeting house upon
Capt. Chambers' hill. Voted, To set the meeting house 16
or 20 feet north of the old one. Voted, To waive the
building of a meeting house till we can agree better." The
record states, that at this meeting, "37 votes for Mr. George
Atkinson, for a president of the State," were given. The
meeting adjourned to March 21, at which time it was "Voted,
To withdraw the vote for senators and proceed to a new

1786. municipal history. 109
choice. There were 61 votes for John Preston, Esq., 60 for
Benjamin Mann, Esq., and one for Matthew Thornton. Voted,
To withdraw the vote for a President and begin again.
There were 44 votes for George Atkinson, Esq., for Presi
dent." Also, "Voted to take the above vote respecting a
meeting house under consideration for debating. Voted, The
above vote for setting the meeting house 16 or 20 feet north
of the old one, shall not stand. Voted, The proposed
meeting house stand about four or five rods south or west of
south [of the present place.] Then, Voted, To raise £300
to build a meeting house with. Voted, To build a bridge over
the brook near Mr. John Stephens' saw mill. Chose Jonas
Fay, Stephen Lawrence and William Hosmer a committee to
build it ;" and thereupon, this somewhat extraordinary meet
ing was adjourned. It would be considered, in these days, a
great stretch of power, for a town to vote to supersede
ballotings, which had taken place at a former meeting, for
governor and senators, and try it over again, which seems to
have been done in this instance, without objection. The
result was, to increase the vote for governor, (then styled
president.) How the original vote stood for senators, is not
recorded ; nor is any clue left for even a conjecture, as to the
reasons of this anomalous proceeding.
June 10th, 1785. An order "to pay Abijah Allen £1
for boarding Mr. David Daniels, while preaching in town."
October 1st, 1785. An order "to pay Jonathan Chandler
10s. in full, for going to Concord after Mr. Whipple, to supply
the pulpit."
September 3d, 1785. At a town meeting, the town
"Voted, that the town will take good merchantable rye, in
Leu of the town and minister tax, to be delivered at Dea.
Amos Dakin's, at any time from the first of November, to
the last of December. Dea. Dakin to take it, at 4s. per
bushel, and give receipts."
March, 1786. Annual meeting, Benjamin Mann chosen
to represent Mason and Raby,
15

HO HISTORY OF MASON.
November 2, 1786. Town meeting. Article 2. "To see
if the town will accept the plan proposed to make paper
money, or point out any other method for the same, as they
shall think proper." On this article, the town "Voted, Not to
make any paper money." The vote so laconically recorded,
would seem to be conclusive of the wishes of the town, but it
was not so, for,
December 4, 1786, another town meeting was called about
paper money. The action of the town is recorded as follows :
"Voted, Not to have paper money on the plan proposed
by the court, No. 17 ; none appearing for said plan. No. 11 ;
not for paper money on any plan. No. 3 ; for said money on
some plan."
The meeting house controversy comes back again. At a
town meeting May 28th, 1787, it was "Voted, to build a
meeting house. Voted to set it just back of the old meeting
house. Then voted to reconsider the last vote, and to choose
a committee to say where it shall stand, chose Maj. Abiel
Abbott, Timothy Farrar and Daniel Emerson, Esqs., and
chose a committee of five to wait on the committee, and
chose for that purpose, the selectmen, Benjamin Mann, Esq.
and Samuel Smith."
September 4th, 1787. At a town meeting "Voted, to
accept the report of the committee, on the place for the
meeting house. Voted, that the selectmen assess the money
raised for that purpose."
"Voted, that the selectmen assess one hundred and fifty
of the three hundred pounds raised heretofore, for the pur
pose of building the meetinghouse, and chose Benjamin Mann,
Esq., Lt. James Scripture, Mr. H. Russell, Elias Eliot and
Joseph Woods a committee to affect the purpose of build
ing a meeting house in the town." The selectmen were
ordered "to furnish the committee a copy of the assessment,
and that the receipt of a majority of the committee, or of
the chairman, shall be sufficient to discount with the consta
bles for each ones tax."

1789. municipal history. Ill
March 30th, 1788. Chose Obadiah Parker to represent
Mason and Raby. It appears by the record of the warrant
for this meeting, that it was issued by the selectmen of Mason,
alone. The record shows their warrant, directed to "the
freeholders, and other inhabitants paying taxes in the town
of Raby, to meet at the meeting house in Mason, for the
choice of a representative."
June 16th, 17SS. '; Voted to build the meeting house on
the plan proposed by the committee.
Voted to let out the west part of the school lot, to Dea.
Amos Dakin for fifteen years, [for] his clearing and fencing
the same with stone wall, 4 ft. 4 inches high." This contract
was not carried out. Dea. Dakin died April 28, 1789.
May 4th, 1789. "Voted, that the Selectmen stake out the
spot for the meeting house. Voted to set the front according
to the three north stakes, set up by the Selectmen.
"Voted to postpone the building of the meeting house,
till the first day of August, providing Mr. Kendall's business
will submit to it."
Mr. Kendall was of Ashby, was a celebrated master
builder, a faithful and a good workman. It seems his busi
ness would not submit to the postponement, for it appears
by the following letter, which is inserted as illustrating the
times and characteristics of the people, that early in Septem
ber of that year, the meeting house was raised. The letter
is directed to Sr.  Hill, Preacher in Ashby. The title, Sir,
was once commonly given to graduates of universities. It
seems to have been the English equivalent of the Latin Domi-
«ius, or Magister ; but was, perhaps, exclusively bestowed on
the clergy; [Seethe Odorherty Papers.] To return to the
letter. The original is in the hand writing of Jonathan
Searle, Esq., and is as follows :
" Much respected Sr. Hill,
We in the Capacity of a Town's Com
mittee for building a meeting House in Mason, take this method
to wait upon you with our sincere Regards for your Person

112 history op mason.
and Wellfare, and with our earnest Desire (as we expect with
the Leave of Providence, next Week on Wednesday to begin
raising the meeting House in this Town) that you would give
us the Pleasure of waiting on you in town next week on
Tuesday at farthest, since it is agreed upon, you should lead
in Prayer early the next Morning. Pray Sr. don't disappoint
us of this our desire, as you will much oblidge your humb.
Servts. ) Chairman
Benjamin Mann, > of Said
) Com'tee.
Mason, August ye 29th, 1789.
The above letter is copied verbatim from the original, pre
serving the orthography, punctuation, abbreviations, and use
of capital letters. It was once a custom with English writers
and printers, to commence every noun with a capital letter,
which rule has, except in a few instances, been observed in
this letter, and the common error of the illiterate, of com
mencing with capital letters other words than nouns, is sedu
lously avoided. The service requested, it is reported, was
performed, in an appropriate manner and with due solemnity.
This letter further brings to mind a distinguishing character
istic of our fathers, a feeling, and a ready public acknowl
edgment of, their dependence on the divine blessing in all
their ways. The letter is one of the earliest documentary
evidences that has been found of the connection of Mr. Hill
with the affairs and interests of the people and town. It
was not, however, his first appearance on public service in
the town, where he preached four or more Sabbaths, com
mencing in April, 1789, but was, at the date of this letter
preaching in Ashby.
The raising of a meeting house in a country town was a
matter of no small moment. As the records of Mason have
preserved no details of the preparations for and of the pro
ceedings on this occasion, resort will be had, as in former
instances, with much profit, for interesting details of vari-
rious matters and proceedings, to the records of Townsend.

1789. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 113
At a town meeting in that town, on May 28, 1770, it was
"Voted, That the commite chosen to take cair for the raising
of the new meeting house, be directed to provid jins and
roaps necessary for the same, and also to choose such hands
to raise the same as they think proper, and make suitable
provision for their entertainment as they think proper at their
discretion ; and also to provide some person that can splise
roaps if they break, all at the town's cost, except their
services in town."
The next proceeding of the town of Mason on record, has
an intimate connection with the subject of the preceding
page. At a meeting, called October 15, 1789, and adjourned to
October 19, the record states as follows : Then the town did
concur with the church, in giving Mr. Ebenr. Hill a call into
the work of the ministry. No negative. Voted, To reserve
"the ministry rite of land in the town, for the use of the
town." Voted, one hundred and fifty pounds settlement to Mr.
Hill, provided he should accept the call of the church and
town ; one half of the above to be paid in money, the other
half in neat stock and farm produce, one half in one year
after his settlement, and the other half in the next year
following. Voted sixty six pounds, thirteen shillings, and four pence
yearly, as salary during his ministry with us. Chose Jona
than Searle, Esq., Lt. Obadiah Parker and Capt. Isaac Brown,
a committee "to wait on Mr. Hill, with the above proceed
ings." In the meantime, without waiting for the result of this
action, the business of building the meeting house went on.
At a town meeting, December 14, 1789, "Voted, To accept a
plan of the body pews, drawn by Lt. Kendall, and of the
wall pews, by Lt. James Wood, and to sell the pews by
vendue ; that the purchaser of a pew below, should pay twelve
shillings, and of a pew in the gallery, six shillings, as a for-

114 HISTORY of mason.
feiture for not paying for the pew. Chose a committee to
give and take security, Jonathan Searle, Benjamin Mann
and Joseph Merriam, and at an adjournment, [apparently after
the sale,] then proceeded to business, to wit, for each man
that purchased a pew, to give in to the town's committee to
build the meeting house, what articles he would procure
against next April, necessary to finish said house."
The following is a copy of the proceedings of the church
in Mason, in making choice of Mr. Hill to become their pas
tor, and in presenting their call to him, to the work of the
ministry with them.
"Oct. 13th, 1789. At a church meeting, Rev. Samuel Dix
of Townshend, was chosen moderator for the said meeting.
After prayer, the church chose Mr. Eben1. Hill for their pas
tor and teacher, and determined to invite him to take the
oversight of them, and the people of this place, as their
minister. "Voted to choose a committee, to wait on Mr. Ebenr. Hill,
and inform him of the above determination of the church ;
chose for that purpose, Deacon Nathan Hall, Mr. Jason Dun-
ster and Mr. Samuel Smith.
"Voted that Deacon Hall, the standing moderator of the
church, communicate to the inhabitants of the town, at their
meeting on thursday next, a copy of our proceedings at this
time, with respect to the choosing, and calling, of Mr. Ebenr.
Hill to settle with us in the ministry of the gospel.
Attest, Samuel Dix, moderator."
On the margin is the state of the vote of the church, as
follows :
"Deacon Nathan Hall, yea. John Russell, yea.
Jason Dunster, yea. Edmund Tarbell, yea.
Samuel Smith, yea. Hubbard Russell, yea."
Also, is added on the margin : " Capt. William Chambers,
John Winship, Hinksman Warren, Jonathan Bachelder, Abel
Adams, Joseph Woods, Timothy Dakin, members of other
churches, expressed their desire that Mr. Ebenr. Hill should

1790. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 115
settle here." These brethren were then resident in the
town, and afterwards united with the church.
February 16, 1790. The town "Voted, To provide thirty
cords of wood yearly, for Mr. Hill, so long as the town can
procure the same without a tax, and if that measure should
ever fail of providing said thirty cords of wood as above,
then the town will add to his salary so much as to make it
seventy five pounds, lawful money, yearly, during his ministry
in said town.
" Voted, To pay Mr. Ebenezer Hill one half of the settle
ment the said town voted him October ye 15th, 1789, in six
months after his ordination in said town, the other half in
eighteen months after said ordination, provided he should be
in necessity for the same.
"Voted, That Mr. Joseph Merriam and Joseph Barrett
wait upon Mr. Hill with the above proceedings of the town."
Mr. Hill had preached several months in Marlborough, N.
H., and been called by the church in that town to become their
pastor, and the town, at a meeting held November 30, 1789,
by their vote, concurred in the action of the church. This
call he had under consideration at the same time as that of
Mason ; after due deliberation, he declined the call of the
church in Marlborough, and accepted the invitation of the
church and people of Mason, to become their pastor and
minister. The following is a copy of his answer :
"To the church of Christ and people in Mason:
"My Christian brethren and Friends, " It hath pleased Almighty
God so to order in his Providence that I have been called to
preach the Gospel of Christ among you, — I have been so
long time with you as to give all an opportunity, who are so
minded, to have personal acquaintance with me, and to be
acquainted with my sentiments, and public performances; as
it is now about 15 months since I first came among you, and
it has pleased you, unworthy as I am, to invite me to settle

116 HISTORY OP MASON.
with you in the work of the Gospel Ministry. It is [a] long
time since I have had your call under consideration, and the
longer perhaps, as I have been so unhappy, as to have another
call, at the same time from another church and people, but I
hope and trust I have made it a matter of serious and
prayerful enquiry, seeking direction from the Father of Lights
— and considered it, as it is, a most solemn and important
undertaking, and who is sufficient for these things ? 0, to
have the charge of Souls is a most awful charge ! Since if
any perish, thro' the carelessness or unfaithfulness of the
Watchman, his blood shall be required at the Watchman's
hands; — and to be guilty of the blood of souls is dreadful!
I hope I am, in some measure, sensible of my insufficiency of
myself, for such an undertaking — that all my own strength is
weakness, and that my sufficiency must be of God, who
chooseth the weak things of the world to confound the wise.
I trust he hath called me to this work, therefore relying on
his mercy and grace, and requesting and depending upon your
prayers for me, that I may have grace to be found faithful,
and be more and more furnished for the work, and depending
upon your assistance as fellow helpers to the truth, I accept
of your invitation, provided there shall arise no matter of
difficulty before any further relation may take place. Again
I request, brethren, pray for me, that I may be willing to
spend and be spent in the service of Christ ; that I may be a
faithful Minister bf the New Testament — and a helper of
your joy. And may the pure religion of Jesus Christ prevail
everywhere, in this town in particular, that God may be glori
fied among us is the prayer of
Your Humbl. Servt. in the Lord, Ebenezer Hill."
This document is without date, but was communicated to
the town, probably, in July or August, 1790.
While these proceedings were in progress, the affairs of the
meeting house were in hand. At a meeting, March 8, 1790, it
was "Voted, To dismiss the committee to build the meeting

1790. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 117
house, and chose in their stead, Joseph Merriam, Hubbert
Russell and Lt. James Wood."
September 23, 1790. In the warrant for the meeting, the
second article was, "To see what time the town will prefix
for the ordination of Mr. Ebenezer Hill into the work of the
Gospel Ministry. 3d. To see what provision the town will
make for said ordination."
At the meeting, "Voted, That Mr. Ebenezer Hill be absent
two Sabbaths in a year, yearly, if it may not be in his power
to procure a supply. Voted, To accept of Mr. Ebenezer
Hill's answer upon the Invitation of the Church and Town to
settle with them in the work of the Gospel Ministry.
" Voted, That Wednesday, the third day of November next,
be the day prefixed for the ordination of Mr. E. Hill into
the work of the Gospel Ministry in this town.
" Voted, To send to seven churches to assist in the solem
nity of the ordination, viz :
To the Church of Christ in
Rindge under the Pastoral care of the Rev. Seth Payson,
Hollis, " " " Daniel Emerson,
New Ipswich, " " " Stephen Farrar,
Pepperell, " " « John Bullard,
Wilton, " " « Theophilus Fiske,
Temple, " " " Noah Miles,
Townsend, " " " Samuel Dix.
"Voted, To pay five dollars down, and the other part of the
one half of the cost for entertaining the council, in money, in
three months ; the other half to be paid in rye, at 4s. per
bushel, and corn at 3s. per bushel, the whole to be paid in
three months from the ordination. Voted, To give Benjamin
Mann, Esq., five pounds for entertaining the council, with all
other gentlemen of the clergy, and Mr. Hill's relatives and
friends, that may attend the ordination. Chose Lt. Obadiah
Parker, Jonathan Searle, Esq., and Dea. Nathan Hall, to send
letters missive to the several churches above mentioned."
16

118 HISTORY OP MASON.
The sum thus to be paid for entertaining the Council, &c,
amounted to $16,66.
These preparations having been made, the ordination was
conducted in due form. The council met on the 2d day of
November, 1790. The following is a copy of their proceed
ings. As such documents are rarely to be found in print,
this will be looked upon by such as feel an interest in the
minutia of the ecclesiastical proceedings of the New England
churches, with a deeper sentiment than that of mere curiosity.
"An Ecclesiastical Council, by virtue of letters missive
from the church of Christ and congn. in Mason, desiring their
advice and assistance in the ordination of Mr. Ebenezer Hill,
to the work of the Gospel Ministry among them, on Wednes
day, the 3d day of November, 1790; consisting of the follow
ing churches of Christ, Viz. : ye chh. of Christ in Hollis, ye
chh. of Christ in New Ipswich, ye chh. of Christ in Towns-
end, ye chh. of Christ in Wilton, ye chh. of Christ in Pep
perell, ye chh. of Christ in Rindge, and ye chh. of Christ in
Temple, met as requested, at the house of Benjamin Mann,
Esq., in said Town, on the evening preceeding said day.
"After some deliberation upon the subject of their meeting,
Voted, To embody, and made choice of Rev'd. Daniel Emer
son as moderator, who led the council in prayer to God for
light and direction upon the important occasion. Then the
council made choice of the Rev'd John Bullard as scribe, and
proceeded to consider the call of the church and people to
Mr. Hill, to the pastoral office among them, and his answer to
said call, and being satisfied as to the regularity of both, they
examined the candidate for ordination as to his qualifications
for the work of the ministry, and his views in undertaking it,
carefully attending to his confession of faith. Then voted to
adjourn till next morning at nine o'clock.
"Wednesday, A. M. Met according to adjournment. After
prayer, the council being satisfied as to the character, senti
ments, qualification and views of Mr. Hill, upon the church
receiving him into their holy fellowship and repeated requests
to have the pastor elect separated to the work to which he

1790. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 119
was called, Voted, Nem. con., to proceed to his ordination,
(and he was ordained accordingly.)
"Mar., Nov. 3d, 1790. John Bullard, Scribe.
"N. B. The solemnity was introduced with prayer, by
Rev. Mr. Fiske ; Rev'd Mr. Payson preached upon 2 Cor. 5 ;
20. Rev'd Mr. Emerson made the ordaining prayer. Rev'd
Mr. Farrar gave the charge, Rev'd Mr. Dix gave the right
hand of fellowship, Rev'd Mr. Bullard made the closing
prayer." Here it may be proper to remark, that these proceedings
were in full accordance with the principles of congregational-
ism ; that is the absolute independency of each church. The
candidate was not ordained, until he became a member of
the church; and being such, was by the church chosen as their
pastor and teacher, and at their request, being one of their
brethren, was by the council, set apart and ordained as their
pastor. This land mark of the order, is not now so carefully
preserved, as it should be. It is apprehended that it will be
found, in many instances, that the pastors of congregational
churches, are not members of their churches. If the notion
prevails, that by being ordained over the churches, they by
that act become members of the churches, it is one that has
no foundation in Congregationalism, and is at total variance
with its fundamental principles and doctrines.
This connection between the pastor and church thus formed,
proved to be a happy one. It continued with the town till
December 19th, 1835 ; when the civil contract with the town,
was, at his request, dissolved. Of the church he remained
pastor, till his decease, May 20th, 1854.
December 2d, 1790. At a town meeting " Voted, To sell
the old meeting house at vendue, exclusive of the sash and
glass. Voted, That the men that built pews in the old meet
ing house, hold them as their property." John Brown became
the purchaser. He was a merchant. He removed it to the
south side of the common, at the foot of the hill on which it
formerly stood ; and placed it at the corner, on the west side

120 HISTORY OP MASON.
of the road leading to Townsend ; where Freeman Elliot's
house now stands. It was occupied as a dwelling house and
store by Mr. Brown, and afterward by Thomas Whiting and
Jabez Prescott, for the same purpose.
It was afterwards occupied by Henry Jefts, and perhaps
some others, as a dwelling house, till it was purchased by
Hollis Amsden of Mr. Parkman, who resided in Charlestown.
Mr. Amsden occupied it for many years as a dwelling house
and turner's shop. He sold it to Abraham Robbins, by whom
it was taken down, removed, and set up again where it now
stands, on the farm formerly occupied by Seth Robbins, a
little way off from the road leading to Townsend.
Up to this period, the town had been but poorly furnished
with school houses. Being provided with a meeting house
and a minister, attention was now directed to the schools,
one of the most important institutions in New England.
At a meeting March 14, 1791, it was "Voted, To raise 180
pounds to build school houses, viz : 20 pounds for each school
district," and a committee was chosen, consisting of Jonathan
Searle, Benjamin Mann, Obadiah Parker, Reuben Barrett,
Samuel Smith, Jotham Webber, Stephen Lawrence, Oliver
Scripture, John Lawrence, James Scripture, Joseph Saunders,
David Hall and Joseph Barrett, to divide the town into
school districts, and fix the place in each for the school house.
Their report was made and accepted, and recorded. The
town was divided into nine districts, the description and
numbers of which will appear in a subsequent chapter.
The next interest which the fathers looked after was, to
put in order the grounds around the new meeting house. At
the meeting March 14, 1791, it was "Voted, That a single
head pay one shilling, and other estates accordingly, towards
wharfing around the meeting house, and making a parade."
It was further " Voted, That it be assessed and put into sepa
rate columns, in the surveyors' lists, and committed to the sur
veyors; the price of work per day and utentials, as for
highway work." Benjamin Mann, Isaac Brown and James

1791. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 121
Wood, were chosen a committee, to direct the surveyors
what work should be done ; and it was further ordered, "that
it be done by the 10th of June next." " The making the
parade," was preparing the ground for a training field.
Now appear the first symptoms of a division in town
affairs, which afterwards was the occasion of much trouble
and heart-burning ; that is the taxing the Baptists for building
the meeting house. If the house had been built solely for
public worship, there would seem to be no good reason to
require those who did not use it for that purpose to pay the
expenses of the erection ; but that rule would apply to some
who did not pretend to be Baptists, but from indifference to all
religious teaching, or for other reasons, absented themselves
from public worship. All these persons were ready enough
to use the house for secular purposes, and in those days,
when town meetings were seldom less than a dozen a year,
the use of the house for that purpose, was almost as impor
tant in itself, and was quite as wearing and destructive to the
building, as its use for religious purposes.
August 22, 1791. In the warrant for the meeting, the
second article was, "To see if the town will direct the
selectmen to order the constables who have demands on the
Baptists in this town, or other towns not belonging to this
State, to make distress immediately on such delinquent
persons, of that denomination, as have not paid their several
taxes to the minister or the meeting house, in the town, or to
see if the town will strike upon measures of an amicable
nature with the Baptists, respecting their said taxes, as they
appear fond of the latter, but entirely averse to paying either
of said taxes, except being obliged by law, unless happily
agreed to by the parties." This article exhibits an amusing
jumble of ideas. The doings of the meeting partook some
what of the same character. It was "Voted, That the
Baptists have the liberty to pay their proportion of the first
assessment of £150, or not to pay anything at all. Voted,
That the non-resident Baptists pay their proportion of the

122 HISTORY OF MASON.
above tax of £150, or be liable to be called upon for the
whole of the tax now assessed against them to said meeting
house. Voted, [That the Baptists in town and out of the
State, be exempted from paying any minister's tax made
against them since the first invoice after they can procure a
certificate that they have joined a sect or denomination of
Baptists." On the 27th of September, at another meeting,
the vote respecting the Baptists out of the State, was recon
sidered, and a vote passed to exempt the Baptists out of the
State from paying anything to the tax for building the meeting
house. The result was, as appears by the records, that those
who had not paid were excused, and those who had paid
received back their money out of the treasury, by orders
drawn in their favor.
The titles to the lands in the town were granted upon the
express condition that the town should, within a specified time,
build a meeting house, and, as is undoubtedly implied in those
terms, should maintain it and rebuild it as often as necessary,
and as the grantors had given valuable lands, for the ministry
and the support of the ministry in the town, the undoubted
intention of which was, that the town should support a minis
ter, and as the town had enjoyed the full benefit of that grant,
and had sold the ministry land and received the money for it,
the town was morally, if not legally bound to maintain a
minister, and continued to be so liable, until the laws of the
State abridged the powers of the towns in this particular.
There can be no doubt, that the conditions of the grants and
the acceptance of the charter by the original grantees, made
their lands chargeable with the burdens of building and main
taining a public meeting house for the town, and that all who
held lands under this grant, or derived their title from the
original grantees, under this charter, held them subject to
those charges. No change had then been made in the law,
with regard to the house ; and it is doubtful if any had been
made concerning the support of the minister which would

1793. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 123
exonerate the owner of lands in town from the payment of
assessments- on their lands for this purpose. Such being the
fact, one knows hardly which most to admire, the confidence
with which the claim, on the part of the Baptists, to be
exempted from the expenses of building the house, were
urged, or the readiness with which the other inhabitants took
upon themselves the whole burden of building and keeping in
repair the meeting house.
March 12, 1792. Annual meeting. Obadiah Parker was
chosen to represent Mason and Raby.
May 20, 1792. "Voted, To sell Dr. Wm. Barber a part of
the parade ground at the rate of 52s. per acre."
At a meeting, this year, an article of the warrant was, "To
see if the town will give leave to introduce the small pox by
inocculation, and to set up a hospital." "Voted, Not to have
the small pox brought into town, by any person. or persons
being inoculated. Voted, not to have a hospital set up in
said town."
March meeting, 1793. Chose Joseph Merriam "To repre
sent the town of Mason." The population of the town had
now become large enough to be entitled to choose a repre
sentative, and to Mr. Merriam belongs the honor of being the
first representative, under this apportionment. No citizen of
Mason was ever more worthy of this mark of the confidence
of his townsmen. Mason, as has already been stated, was
for many years classed with Raby, for the choice of a repre
sentative. In those years in which no mention is made in
Mason records of the choice of a representative, there is no
doubt that the representative chosen was an inhabitant of
Raby and that the choice is recorded in Raby records.
At this meeting, John Brown was chosen collector for the
whole town. He refused or declined to serve, and a meeting
was called July 8, 1793, to choose a collector in his room.
At the meeting, "Voted, Not to excuse Mr. Brown. Voted,
That he pay a fine of 20s. Voted, To accept an order of
20s. upon the town treasurer, from the Rev. Mr. Eben1'. Hill,

124 HISTORY OP MASON.
for said 20s." Such was the law of the land ; persons chosen
into town offices who refused or declined accepting the office,
were liable to be fined, unless excused by the town.
At a meeting in September, the town "Voted, To have two
companies of militia in the town of Mason. Voted, To
have the town divided for that purpose, according to the
tax bills."
At the annual meeting, March 10, 1794, Obadiah Parker
was chosen to represent the town. The ninth article in
the warrant was, "To see if the town will let Benjamin
Mann, Esq., have that old road formerly trod by Mr. Brintnall
Witherell's shop near to the bridge, by Mr. John Brown's
Pirlash, or pay said Mann for the road as now trod on said
Mann's land." The town voted to give him the old road for
the new one. Mr. Brown's pearlashery stood on the south
side of the ..road on the east side of the stream, below .the
bridge, near the present residence of Mr. Ephraim Russell.
March meeting, 1795. Joseph Barrett was chosen repre
sentative. May 18, 1795. "Voted, To each man who shall turn out
as a volunteer in the service of the United States, for the
term of one year, 12s. bounty, and to make up the wages to
$10 per month." This bounty was paid by the town, to the
following persons : Samuel Merriam, Elisha Buss, Ezra New
ell, Aaron Wheeler, Jr., Thomas Robbins, Jr., Joseph Mer
riam, Jr., Capt. James Wood.
October 22, 1795. "Voted, To have the meeting house
dedicated on Thursday, the 26th day of November next, if
agreeable to the Rev. Mr. Hill, and that the selectmen assist
Mr. Hill in making entertainment for the ministers." On the
26th day of November, 1795, in pursuance of this vote, the
meeting house was dedicated. No record has been preserved
of the proceedings on that occasion. In the memoir of the
Rev. Mr. Hill, will be inserted a fac simile of the first page
of his sermon preached at the dedication.

1795.

MUNICIPAL HISTORY.

125

The view of the house, here presented, was drawn from
recollection, many years after the building was taken down ;
but it exhibits the appearance and proportions of the edifice
so truly, that none familiar with its sacred form will fail at
once to recognize it.

FRONT VIEW OF THE OLD MEETING HOUSE.
" Our meeting-house — our meeting-house,
It stood upon a hill,
Where autumn gales and wintry blasts
Piped round it loud and shrill.
No maple tree with leafy shade,
Nor tall, protecting oak,
Stood near to guard the ancient house
When tempests round it broke.
No steeple graced its homely roof, .
With upward-pointing spire ;
Our villagers were much too meek
A steeple to desire.
And never did the welcome tones
Of Sabbath morning bell,
Our humble village worshippers
The hour of worship tell."
These lines, taken from the History of New Ipswich, describe so
happily and perfectly, the Mason meeting house, that it is impossible
to resist the impulse to use them, a liberty which it is hoped the
author of the lines and the editor of the book, will pardon.
17

40

36

42

West Porch.

34

32

30

28

44

26

46

Deacons' Seat.

45

18

10

4

0
20

12

0 6


24

22

Ft. door.

21

23

43

25

41

14 0

13
0
16
8
2
1
7
15
3
9
17
0
5
11
0 19
27
39
37
35
33
31
29
Jlllfllllllllllll
East Porch.
IIIIINIIIIIIII
boOi
w HOo *aOTo
GROUND PLAN OF THE OLD MEETING HOUSE.
1195. MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
GROUND PLAN OF THE GALLERY.

127

3

a
4
GQ
5
22
Ti
21
20
— : Singers
10 11 12 13 14 15
16
19
18
17
NAMES OP PEWHOLDERS.
GROUND PEWS.
No. 1 Benjamin Mann, Esq.
2 Joseph Merriam.
3 James Wood, Esq.
4 John Whitaker.
5 Oliver Hosmer.
6 Dea. Rogers Weston.
7 Captain James Scripture.
8 Stephen Lawrence, Esq.
9 Abel Adams.
10 Timothy Wheelock.
ll Jonas Fay.
12 Dea. Nathan Hall and Jeremiah Boynton.
13 Samuel Smith.
14 Timothy Wheeler.
15 Captain Jesse Barrett.
16 Captain Joseph Barrett.
17 Thomas Tarbell, Jr.
18 Jonathan Searle, Esq.
19 Capt. Benjamin Barrett and Dea. Hezekiah
Richardson.
20 Silas Bullard.
21 Jason Dunster, Jr.
22 Thomas Hodgman.
23 Lieutenant John Swallow.
No.
24 Joseph Woods.
25 Deacon Noah Winship.
26 Captain John Barrett.
27 Samuel Townsend.
28 Jason .Russell and Hollis Amsdem
29 David Brown and James Brown.
30 John Winship.
31 Samuel Merriam, Esq.
32 Edward Wilson and Captain Thomas Wil
son.
33 Ebenezer Shattuck.
34 Jonathan Bachelder,
35 Captain Amos Flagg-.
36 Jonathan Williams,
37 John Swallow, Jr.
38 Hinksman Warren and Samuel Hill.
39 Lieutenant Obadiah Parker.
40 Joseph Tufts and Jason Dunster, Senior.
41 Deacon Timothy Dakin.
42 Doctor William Barber*
43 Hubbard Russell.
44 Elias Elliot.
45 Joel Ames.
46 Reverend Ebenezer Hill.
GALLERY PEWS.
1 Captain Samuel Smith.
2 Amos Holden.
3 Captain Sam Stevens Parker.
4 Joseph Saunders and John Blodgett, Esq.
5 Seth Robbins.
6 Major Abijah Elliot.
7 Nathaniel Boynton.
8 Deacon Timothy Dakin.
9 Amos Russell.
10 Ezra Brown and Capt. Artemas Manning.
11 James Wood, Esq.
12 William Barrett.
13 Captain Ebenezer Hodgman,
14 Lieutenant Joses Bucknam.
15 Josiah Flagg.
16 Joseph Blood.
17 James Withee and Micah Russell.
18 Ezra Merriam and Ephraim Russell.
19 Captain Samuel Withington.
20 Stephen Lawrence, Esq.
21 Lieutenant Ebenezer Gilman.
22 Amos Blood.
128 HISTOEY OP MASON.
The meeting house, a view of which appears on page 125,
was by the vote of the town, to be fifty five feet long, and
forty five feet wide. It was constructed with galleries on
three sides. At each end was a porch, with two doors, one
on the west, and one on the south side in one, and one on the
east, and one on the south side in the other. From each
porch, a door led into the main body of the house below, and
two flights of winding stairs, one from each outer door con
ducted to the second story of the porch, from which a broad
flight of steps in each porch, without a door, led into the
gallery of the house. The accompanying ground plan, will
give a better idea of the division of the house within, than
any length of description. The outside was finished with
very prime clapboards, and painted, the color having a slight
tinge of yellow, making a straw color. The windows were
large, the panes, eight by ten glass. The doors all panelled,
the front double, the porch doors single. The finishing inside
was ceiling, up to the bottom of the windows. The walls
above, and ceiling overhead, of plaster ; the fronts of the
galleries were finished with panelled work, and a heavy cor
nice ; the whole supported by Ionic columns, on which rested
the heavy oaken beams, which furnished the groundwork of
the galleries. These beams were planed and painted, and
not enclosed by the plaster. The posts were very large,
extending the whole height of the house, and projecting into
the house ; towards the top, where they were to receive the
beams, they were enlarged, somewhat like the capital of a
column. They were of the finest white oak timber, and
finished and painted like the gallery beams. The pews were
square, of panel work, with a balustrade of miniature Ionic
columns. The pulpit was finished with panel work, outside
and in, with angles and curves, which would tax the skill of
an artist to describe in words ; surmounted by a sounding
board, octagonal in form, also of panel work, in the highest
style of art of that day. All the work was in the best style,
and of the best material. The following description, taken,

1186. MUNICIPAL HISTdRY. 129
with a few changes, from the description of the old meeting
house in New Ipswich, in the History of New Ipswich, will
present a vivid picture of the inside of the house, and of the
worshippers. The pulpit was lofty ; the ascent to it was by
a flight of stairs outside, with a balustrade of Ionic columns,
of a larger size, but similar in form, to those used in the con
struction of the pews. It had a recess or rostrum, in which
the speaker stood ; behind him, was a curtainless arched win
dow ; above him, the sounding board hung near his head,
suspended from the ceiling by an iron rod, so slender" as to
have excited in many a youthful mind, apprehensions of its
falling, and speculations of the consequences of such a disas
ter ; beneath him, in front of the pulpit, were the deacon's
seats, in a sort of pen, where they sat facing the congrega
tion, with the communion table hanging by hinges, in front of
them. The pews were about six feet square ; a row of hard,
un-cushioned seats, surrounded the interior, and generally,
there was one or more high-backed, flag-bottomed chairs in
the centre, most usually occupied by the grand-mothers of
the family, a shake of whose head, had a wonderful effect in
reducing to instant sobriety, any youngster, attempting any
trespasses upon the solemn decorum of the place. The seats
were hung by hinges, so that they might be turned up as the
congregation rose, at prayer, as was the goodly custom of
our fathers ; and the slam-bang, as they were turned care
lessly down, at the close of the prayers, not unlike a volley
of musketry, was no inconsiderable episode in the ceremonies.
Behold now the congregation, as it assembles on the Sab-
bath. Some of them are mounted on horses; the father,
with his wife or daughter on a pillion behind him, and perhaps
also his little boy astride before him. They ride up to the
stone horse-block and dismount. The young men and maid
ens, when not provided with horses, approach on foot. They
carry in hand a rose or a lilac, a pink, a peony or a pond-lily,
(and this was the whole catalogue of flowers then known) or
what was still more exquisite, a nice bunch of fennel or cara-

130 HISTORY OP MASON.
way seeds. Instead of this, in winter, they bear a tin foot-
stove, containing a little dish of coals which they have care
fully brought from home or filled at some neighboring house
or noon-house ; and this was all the warmth they were to
enjoy during the two long hours of the service. They have
come a long distance on ox-sleds, or perhaps have skimmed
over the deep, untrodden snow on rackets. They enter the
house, stamping the snow from their feet and tramping along
the uncarpeted aisles with their cow-hide boots. Let us
enter with them. The wintry blast howls and shrieks around
the exposed building; the ill-fastened windows clatter; and
the walls re-echo to the thumping of thick boots, as their
wearers endeavor to keep up the circulation in their half
frozen feet, while clouds of vapor issue from their mouths ;
and the man of God, as he raises his hands in prayer, must
needs protect them with shaggy mittens. So comfortless and
cold, it makes one shudder to think of it. In summer, on
the contrary, the sun blazes in, unscreened by blind or cur
tain ; the sturdy farmer, accustomed to labor all day in his
shirt sleeves, takes the liberty to lay aside his coat in like
manner for the more serious employments of the sanctuary;
especially is this the case with the singers, who have real
work to perform.
Every man is in his appropriate place ; for it was little less
than sacrilege, in the days when the Sabbath was kept with
all puritan gravity and severity, to stay away from meeting,
let the weather be What it might.
The prayers are offered ; the sermon begins, and advances
by regular approach up to 8thly, and even to 16thly; the
elderly men, unaccustomed to long sittings, occasionally
standing erect or leaning against the partitions of the pews,
to relieve the fatigue of their position ; Tate and Brady is
lined off, two lines at a time, by a person selected for the
purpose, and sung with good nasal twang and hearty good will
to some good old tune, Wells or St. Martins ; and, finally, the
benediction is pronounced. The congregation still remains

1190. MUNICIPAL HISTOEY. 131
in its place to go out in prescribed order : first the minister
— and as he passes the deacons, they follow — then those in
the front seat below, and at the same time those in the front
gallery seat and those in the pews — then those in the second
seat, and so on in successive order. Would that a like deco
rum in this respect could be substituted for the impatient and
irreverent rush of modern days. They separate for a short
intermission and to dispatch their lunch of dough-nuts or
apples ; in summer they stroll in the graveyard, to hold silent
converse with those who sleep there, and impress the lesson
of their own mortality ; and in winter those from a distance
take refuge before the blazing hearth of some friend in the
village, and are perhaps regaled by a hospitable mug of cider;
and soon all are reassembled for the afternoon service.
After this, they wend their way home, to partake of a
hearty warm dinner, the best of the week, in most instances
too, prefaced by an exhilerating draught of hot toddy; and
finally "to say the Catechism." That Westminster Assem
bly's Catechism ; who that was trained in the early part of
the century will forget it ! Its pictorial alphabet of aphorisms,
In Adam's fall we sinned all ;
My Book and heart shall never part, —
the story of John Bogers, with the picture of the martyr at
the stake, surrounded by the grim officials, and, standing near,
his wife and nine children, certain ; (whether the one at the
breast was one of the nine, or one to be added to that num
ber, was a problem too deep for youthful minds to solve,)
Agur's Prayer ; and Dialogue between Youth, Christ and the
Devil ; — it was the only book beside the Bible and Psalm
Book allowed in the hands of youth on the Sabbath. The
Catechism concluded the religious observance of the day.
Then the children were let loose, and in summer, all the
family walked over the farm to observe the crops and salt
the cattle.
As those who were actors in these almost forgotten scenes
recall them, with a thousand associations which it is impossi-

132 HISTORY OP MASON.
ble to recount, it must seem almost a dream ; and those who
are now in the morning of life would doubtless smile could
these old times and customs be but once presented in reality.
But they were good old times; and the Sabbath and the
sanctuary were then regarded with a strictness and reverence
which we should be glad to see observed in our day.
The meeting house was so far finished that it was used at
the ordination of Mr. Hill, November 3, 1190, and from that
time to the time of the dedication, it continued to be used
for public worship. The date of the year of the erection
of the house appeared in large, gilded figures, 1190, on the
capital of the two columns supporting the gallery, one on
each side of the aisle in front of the pulpit, the position of
which, in pews five and six, is indicated by the mark ° in the
plan, on page 126. It was probably nearly completed at that
time. Why the dedication was deferred till 1195, is not
stated in any record or memorial of the times. This house
continued to be occupied by the church and congregation over
which Mr. Hill was settled as minister, till November, 1837,
when a new society having been formed under the laws of the
State, in connection with the church, and a new house built for
their use in a more convenient and eligible locality, th'ey
removed to it, abandoning the old house. It continued to be
used by the town, as a town house, for town meetings, and
occasionally, by other societies and denominations, as a place
of worship, until the town house was built in 1848, soon after
which, it was sold and removed. It stood upon the top of the
hill where the road leading to Brookline leaves the Wilton
road. The locality, although at first it appeared pleasant and
suitable for a village, proved wholly unfit for such purpose, it
being impossible to dig cellars or wells, by reason of the
ledges cropping out too near the surface. The first plot
occupied in the town for a graveyard, was in the rear of this
house ; and after a few years it was abandoned, for the same
reason. Some of the dead, originally deposited there, were
removed to the burying ground south of the centre of the

1198. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 133
town ; others still rest in their lonely graves. A few monu
ments, the oldest in town, remain to mark their places of
repose. March meeting, 1796. Joseph Barrett was chosen repre
sentative. March meeting, 1197. Joseph Barrett was chosen repre
sentative. "Voted, To make a present to the Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Hill,
of the obligation he gave the selectmen, dated Mar*ch 13,
1793, for $105. Voted, To leave the fixing of the burying
grounds to the selectmen, provided they can have a sufficient
title from Thomas Tarbell, of that burying ground near said
Tarbell's house."
June 23d, 1787, sundry orders "To Capt. Wm. Chambers,
£5 15s. lid. 2q., it being for sundries he let the Rev. Mr. Dix
have, and also for dining the Rev. Mr. Whitman, and keep
ing his horse ; also for answering Mr. Whitman's order upon
the town or selectmen, and for Lt. Parley's rats, that was
abated, and for boarding Mr. Dix."
September 4th, 1787. Capt. Wm. Chambers £2 19s. Id.
it being for boarding several ministers, and finding the com
mittee that was chose to place the meeting house, a dinner,
and for paying the Rev. Mr. Dix for preaching on fast day."
December 11th, 1787. "Joseph Merriam, for boarding Mr.
Jesse Remington, 5s. Od. lq."
April 26th, 1788. "Hubbert Russell 7s. paid Mr. Warren,
and for boarding Mr. Warren 3 weeks and three days, £1 Is."
June 16th, 1788. "Jonathan Searle for keeping school, £1
12s. Od. Oq."
June 21st, 1788. Eleazer Fish, "for a pair of steers 'he
turned in to the town, to pay a debt due to Mr. Whitman for
preaching, £9 5s."
October 9th, 1788. To Wm. Chambers, " for paying a note
to Mr. Jesse Remington, and for paying a debt to Mr. Nahum
Sargent, and for keeping Mr. Aiken's horse and Mr. Reming
ton's horse, £5 6s. 6d."
18

134 HISTORY OP MASON.
December 5th, 1788. Lt. James Wood, in all, £2 8s., "for
boarding Mr. Nathan Church;" another order, "for boarding
Mr. Church, 6s., and for paying him 7s."
February 2d, 1789. Isaac Brown, two orders, in all £2 6s.,
" for a saddle he let the town have, to pay a debt due Mr.
Benjamin Green, for preaching."
February 16th, 1789. William Chambers, 13s., "for drink
for the committee, when they vendued the timber for the
meeting house."
March 17th, 1790. Order, To pay Jonas Fay 3s. 4d.,
"for a pound of tea, he let Mrs. Betty Locke have, towards
her keeping school in 1788."
March 12th, 1791. Aaron Wheeler, "for his meeting house
tax in 1789, 12s. lOd. 3q."
April 28th, 1791. Order to pay Dr. William Barber £2
8s. 9d., "for keeping school in the South District in 1789."
January 31st, 1792. William Eliot, " for his meeting house
tax in 1789, 12s. 2d."
Messrs. Eliot and Wheeler were Baptists, and their taxes
were abated, pursuant to the order of the town. See page
122. 1793. John Brown, "for two palls, or funeral cloths, £2 8s."
1795. The following persons were paid 12s. each, for
bounty, for enlisting as volunteers ; Samuel Merriam, Elisha
Buss, Ezra Newell, Aaron Wheeler, Jr., Thomas Robbins, Jr.,
Joseph Merriam, Jr., Capt. James Wood, James Withee,
according to the vote of the town. See page 124.
1796. Order "to pay Capt. Joseph Barrett $4,19, it being
so much he paid at Hopkinton court in December, 1796, with
his own money, for a lawyer to speak respecting the north
road, to our petition, for entering said petition, and for being
recognized twice at said courts, and for expenses of myself
and horse." It must be admitted, that, for all these items, it
was a very moderate bill. This is the first time the federal
currency appears in the town's accounts.
November 17th, 1797. "The Selectmen, ordered the

1799. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 135
Treasurer, to pay S. M. 25 cents in full, for killing a crow,
the town, by a vote, allowing the same."
A bill for articles furnished for building a school house, by
Timothy Dakin, a merchant in the town, the following prices
appear, of this date. Board nails, 8s. per m ; shingle nails,
2s. 4d. per m ; double tens, 6s. for 500 ; a pair of door hinges,
4s. 6d. ; a bushel of lime, 2s. 6d.
In December, 1798, eleven persons petitioned the select
men to call a town meeting, "To take some measures to
petition Congress in regard to the land tax," the petitioners
"viewing it to be unequal and injurious to the rights of the
people." A meeting was held December 13th, 1798, pursuant
to this petition, and the subject considered, and Dea. Jotham
Webber, John Blodgett, Joseph Tuffts, Dr. Joseph Gray,
and Dea. Rogers Weston, were appointed a committee to
petition to the Court, &c, for redress of grievances, &c,
and the meeting was adjourned four weeks. At the adjourn
ment, "Proceeded to read the report of the committee," &c,
and then "Voted, Not to be so much dissatisfied with the
land tax, so called, as to petition Congress upon the subject."
Most of the persons appointed on this committee, were
leading men in the democratic party in the town. The land
tax, one of the measures of John Adams' administration, was,
with that party, very unpopular. No doubt the design of this
movement was, to encourage and incite opposition to his
administration. The report of the committee, which was
read, is not found in the records, or on file. The manner in
which it was disposed of by the town, at the adjournment of
the meeting, shows that the object of the petitioners was not
favored by the citizens.
April 5, 1798. Orders. Maj. James Wood, $4,17 in full,
for his "procuring and conveying articles for Mr. John
Goddard, such as rum, sugar, raisins, and other necessary
articles when he was sick, and for making and carrying a coffin
to his house for said Goddard."
March 9, 1799. "Benjamin Mann, eight dollars in full, for

136 HISTORY OP MASON.
making a piece of road [near] Mrs. Chambers', and for liquor
at the vendue of Mary Jefts, and doing writing when the
selectmen received a deed of John Smith and for toddy at
the time, and for liquors at the vendue of the town land and'
pound, and the wall round the graveyard, and assisting at
said vendue, and for one cord of wood, delivered at the school
house in the centre district, for 1798." One would think
that for all this, eight dollars was cheap enough.
March 20, 1799. James Withee's taxes abated. "The
town favored him on account of his losing his barn and rye
and hay by fire."
The municipal history is now brought down to the close
of the eighteenth century, also to the close of the first half
century of the proprietary and corporate existence of the
town ; within which time, the forest has been subdued, the
roads have been made, the mills, meeting house, school
houses, and farm houses and barns, have been built, and the
town and church, with all their institutions, put into success
ful operation. In the extracts from the records and com
ments upon them thus far given, the object has been, to let
our fathers, as far as might be, become their own historians ;
therefore, whatever it was judged would exhibit the charac
teristics of the people and of the age, and would illustrate
their manners, habits, customs, and modes of thought, and
way of managing their affairs in church and state, has
been freely used for that purpose. The municipal history of
the next fifty years will occupy much less space. It is, in
itself, less note worthy, less important, and less illustrative
of the manners of the people. To pursue it in as full detail
as has been given to the preceding period, would occupy
space required for other matters, and would swell the book to
a size beyond what was contemplated. Besides, it is but fair
to leave something for the historian of the next one hundred
years. It is a remark worthy of consideration, that those
communities are by no means the happiest which furnish the
greatest amount of materials for the historian's page.

1809. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 137
At a town meeting, November 5, 1804, "Chose Thomas
Wilson and Joseph Winship saxtons."
March 12, 1805. Annual meeting. After the choice of
moderator, "Then chose Col. James Wood and Mr. Joseph
Merriam, a committee to wait upon the Rev. Mr. Ebenr. Hill,
in order to open the meeting with prayer. Then Voted,
That all the voters should take the east side of the meeting
house before they voted, and pass to the other side when
they voted, so as to change sides when they carried in a vote."
This extraordinary measure indicates that a fierce struggle
for party ascendency was impending. This year, for the first
time, a democratic majority was found in the town. The
votes for governor were, for Gilman, federalist, 64; for
Langdon, republican, 64 — a tie. For Senator, J. K. Smith,
republican, 64; for Frederic French, federalist, 63. For
counsellor, Benjamin Pierce, republican, 71 ; for Phillip
Greeley, federalist, 54. "Voted, To add one hundred dollars
to the Rev. Mr. Ebenr. Hill's salary, for this year only." A
similar addition of one hundred dollars to his salary was
voted in 1807 and in 1808. This custom of inviting the min
ister to attend and open the annual meetings with prayer
was observed many years. It may be justified by the same
reasons as the employment of chaplains by legislative bodies.
1809. The law of the state required the towns to make
provision for the feeding of the militia on the field, at the
regimental musters. It was the custom for the selectmen to
make a schedule of the provisions required, and let the fur
nishing by auction, to the lowest bidder. Several of these
schedules are recorded. That of 1809, is copied as a sample.
"Provisions for the soldiers, at the muster at Temple, On
Oct. the 6, 1809, Viz: One hundred weight of good beef, to
be well cooked, that is, either roasted or baked; one bushel
of good wheat, made into good bread, and one bushel of good
rye, made into good bread; twenty five weight of good
cheese ; five gallons of good West India Rum ; five pounds of
good lofe sugar ; one barrel of good new cider ; all to be at

138 HISTORY OP MASON.
the mustering field, at Temple, by the time that the battalions
meet on Friday, the 6th day of Oct., 1809," bid off by Josiah
Russell, at $24,50. Well does the writer, though then but a
lad, remember, on the gathering of the companies around the
cart, upon the parade ground, getting a generous slice of the
beef and bread, and a drink of the cider, and probably of the
rum, for then it was thought to be good for every body, old
or young. A boy's appetite, sharpened by a walk of some
seven or eight miles, on a raw October morning, would
have made an indifferent piece of beef and bread an accept
able oblation to the god of hunger, if such god there be; but
he is ready to testify, even after the lapse of so many years,
that in this instance, the beef and the bread fully came up to
and answered the requirements of the schedule.
September 26, 1815. The town "Voted, To make up to
the soldiers who volunteered [for the defence of Ports
mouth] their wages to $15 a month."
1816. The small pox appeared in the family of Silas
Lawrence. The town was at once in commotion. Several
town meetings were held, in reference to that subject. The
first was January 29th, at which "Chose a committee of five
men, all to consist of such men as have had the small pox, to
advise with the selectmen on means to be taken to prevent
the further spreading of the small pox. Chose Jedediah
Felton, Lt. Joses Bucknam, Ezra Merriam, Joseph Tuffts and
Dea. Jotham Webber. Voted, That the selectmen give leave
that two or more persons, not exceeding five, who have had the
kine pox and have been exposed to taking the small pox, may
be enoculated with the small pox, provided that Mr. Willard
Lawrence is willing to have the enoculated persons go and
remain in his new house until they have gone through [the]
operation, at their own expense." A second meeting was
called, February 5, at which it was "Voted, To send for Dr.
Spaulding, of Amherst, forthwith, to examine Ira Lawrence
and give his opinion whether he had the kine pox or small
pox. Then Voted, The small pox committee cleanse the

1819. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 139
Wid. Abigail Richardson's house, and keep it for the purpose
of putting in any persons who, in the judgment of said com
mittee, hath simtims of the small pox, until it be known
whether they be likely to have the small pox or not. Then
Voted, To have two more added to the snrall pox committee,
and chose Abel Adams and Henry Isaacs." It was the cus
tom then, on the appearance of any contagious disease in a
town, for the selectmen to cause the highways leading by the
house in which the disease was found, to be closed against all
passing, by fences across the same, and to cause to be exhib
ited at the fences a signal, usually a red flag, as a warning to
avoid the place. Such precautions were taken in the present
instance, that the disease did not spread beyond the family
in which it appeared. Silas Lawrence died of the disease ;
also his mother, an aged lady. His son, in whom the disease
first appeared, recovered. The deceased were buried upon
Mr. Lawrence's farm, as interments of persons who died of
contagious diseases, were not then permitted in the public
burying grounds. The funeral services were attended by the
Rev. Mr. Miles of Temple, the only clergyman in the vicin
ity who was qualified, by having had the small pox, to officiate
on such occasions.
January 19th, 1819. In the warrant was an article, "To
see if the town will vote that each religious society in said
town of Mason, shall have the use of the public meeting house
their proportion of Sabbath days, and also at other times."
The result of the vote on this article is, "Voted, Not to give
the Baptist Society their right in Mason meeting house." At
the annual March meeting, the next year, was an article " To
see if the town will rectify a mistake or erroneous vote, by
said town, January 18th, 1819," reciting the vote as thus
recorded. The town "Voted, To rectify the mistake or erro
neous vote, and "instead thereof, that we are willing that
they should have their right in said house."
How they could claim any right, in a house which they had
refused to aid in building, and also, to aid in repairing, is a

140 HISTORY OP MASON.
problem not easily solved upon any principles that should
govern the conduct of men. The more sedate and substantial
men of that society were not in favor of this movement.
But there are, in every community, some unprofitable persons,
whose moving principle of action is, to make mischief and
disturbance. It is only in scenes of confusion and tumult,
that they can shine. A state of peace and quiet, is for
them, a state of insignificance. Although the town had voted
that, "they were willing the Baptists should have their right,"
still, nothing further was done. They never appeared to
claim it. There is no evidence that Elder Eliot or the
leading men in his society took any interest or share in these
movements, or that he had any desire to disturb his old
neighbors and friends in the enjoyment of their rights. They
never made any claim to the use of the house, or to interfere
with its occupation. The effect intended was produced. The
mischief was done. The society, which, under the laws of the
state, had rightfully occupied the house, at the time it was
built, and which no subsequent laws had in any manner
deprived of that right, finding, from this and subsequent move
ments in the same direction, that their peace and quiet were
subject to constant interruption, withdrew from the house,
and built one for their own accommodation, after a fruitless
effort, in accordance with a vote of the town, to secure to
themselves the peaceful and undisturbed occupation of the
house, in pursuance of which vote they expended a large sum
of money in repairing it ; and thus the connection between
the Congregational denomination and the town, which had
existed from the earliest period of its history, was severed,
and each religious denomination was left to manage its own
affairs in its own way.
March 16, 1820. "Sarah Smith's clothing was allowed to
be equal to what it was when Mr. Abraham Robbins took her
to keep on March 19, 1819." The articles are thus minutely
described: "Gowns, 1 good silk one, 5 of calico, 1 cambric,
2 gingham, and 1 woolen; Petticoats, 2 of wool, 1 cotton, 1

1821. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 141
linen, 1 muslin, 1 tow; one good loos coat, 1 green ditto,
middling good; six good shawls, 4£ yds. of woolen cloath
for another, and 1 linen sheet, two good cotton sheets, two
calico aprons and two pairs of shoes that are not very good."
One would think this was a pretty good supply of clothing
for a town pauper. This individual had been maintained by
the town for many years, and continued to be a town charge
until she died, April 19, 1754, at the age of ninety six years.
March, 1820. An order "to pay Benjamin Weatherbee,
Samuel Wardsworth, La Hall, Joseph Saunders, Jr., Josiah
Elliot, Jr., Joseph Woods, Jr., and Elijah Knapp, their bounty
for enlisting," <fcc, in 1814. Also, a subsequent order in favor
of Asa Merriam, John Boynton, Hubbard Amsden, and Elias
Elliot, Jr., drafted to go to Portsmouth in 1814.
March meeting, 1821. This was in politics the "era of
good feelings," indicated by the votes for governor, which
were, for Samuel Bell 16, Josiah Butler 1, David L. Morrill
9, Horace Sawtell 3, Joel Tarbell 1, John Kimball 1; D.
Stewart, county treasurer, 71 ; Isaac Brooks, register, 72 ; for
revising the constitution, yeas 0, nays 71. The people did not
care a fig for the governor, but the keeping of the money and
of records of deeds, were matters of consequence, and these
officers got a full vote. Nor would they have the constitution
meddled with. At this meeting, a vote was passed to pro
hibit all horses, neat cattle, sheep and swine from going at
large in the highways, and from that time the public high
ways have ceased to be used as pastures.
This year, John Blodgett, Esq., declined a re-election to
the office of town clerk. He was first elected to this office
in 1799, and continued in office, with few exceptions, till the
present year, having served nineteen years in all. He also
served as chairman of the board of selectmen during most
of the same period, and as such, was charged with the duties
of town treasurer, and had the oversight of the town's expen
ditures. He was a very careful, prudent and economical
manager of the affairs of the town, and deserved well of the
19

142 HISTORY OP MASON.
community, for his labors and cares in office. A vote of
thanks, for his long and faithful services as an officer of the
town, was offered by the Rev. Mr. Hill, and unanimously passed.
His reply is recorded as follows: "My friends, accept my
grateful acknowledgments for the repeated respects you
have shown me for many years. May it please the Supreme
Ruler to cause his blessing to rest upon this town, that the
olive branch of peace may be planted and nourished in every
breast; may it become like Aaron's rod, ever budding, ever
blossoming, ever bringing forth the fruits of brotherly love
and Christian charity, to the latest generations." He soon
after removed from the town and resided in Dunstable or
Tyngsborough, in Massachusetts, to the close of his life.
He died in extreme old age, having arrived to nearly if not
quite one hundred years of age.
The selectmen of this year seem to have entertained and
acted upon the notion, that when a town takes a pauper to
maintain, they take him cum onere, with all his liabilities, and
become liable therefor, in the same manner as a husband is
liable for the debts of his wife contracted before marriage.
April 11, 1826, is recorded an "Order to pay Aaron Warren,
Esq., $3,71, in full, for a note and account he had against
Elijah Morse, the town's Poor." Also, May 11, an "Order
to pay Amos Herrick $5,93, in full, for a note and account he
had against Elijah Morse in favor of Arrington Gibson, given
to said Gibson previous to said Morse throwing himself upon the
town." ,
July 10, 1826. A meeting was called "To see if the town
will let the Baptists have the use of the meeting house a pro
portion of the time, according to their polls and estates, or
to see what other measures the town will take to satisfy the
Baptists with regard to their claims on said house." The
town "Voted, To pass over the article."
At the annual meeting, March, 1832, the town voted to
purchase a farm, on which to support the poor, and chose a
committee for that purpose, consisting of Timothy Wheeler,

1832. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 143
Jonathan Bachelder, Jr., Elisha Barrett, James Taft and John
Stevens. This committee was authorized to purchase stock,
farming utensils, &c, and to employ a person to take the
charge thereof. ' The committee purchased the farm formerly
owned by Zaccheus Barrett, and then o#ned by his son, Capt.
James Barrett, being lot No. 6, range 5, on the plan. See
page 32. By the report of the committee appointed to settle
with the selectmen and treasurer, dated March 10, 1832, it
appears that the cost of the poor farm, including, probably,
repairs of and additions to the buildings, was $2500, and that
of the stock, utensils, furniture, and improvements, was $863.
This farm has been used for the purposes intended to the
present time, and has furnished a comfortable home for many
of the aged and destitute, who had outlived their friends and
means of support, as well as for many others, dependent,
from various causes, on public charity.
April 18, 1830. A meeting was called, "To see if the
town will vote that each religious denomination in said town,
may occupy the public meeting house in said town, their due
proportion of Sabbaths and other times, in proportion to
their polls and estates." The vote was in the negative.
May 31, 1830. A meeting was called, "To see if the town
will raise a sum of money to repair the meeting house." At
this meeting, the town voted to give the use of the house to
the Congregational church and society, for twenty years, pro
vided they would keep it in good repair, and let the town
have the use of it for a town house, and let those who have
private property in said house, have it to worship in when the
Congregational church and society are not using it. The
selectmen were a committee to carry the vote into effect, and
to take a sufficient bond, &c. That church and society
repaired the house, and occupied it for some time, but it is
believed that, owing to some disagreement about the terms
of the bond, none was given.
At the annual meeting, March, 1832, the town voted to
pass over the article to raise the salary of the Rev. Mr. Hill ;

144 HISTORY OF MASON.
but at a meeting called for that purpose, March 31, the salary
was voted. A meeting was called, April 21, "To see if the
town would dismiss the Rev. Ebenr. Hill from being minis
ter of said town. The vote was in the negative."
December 19th, 18#5. " Voted, To comply with the request
of the Rev. Ebenezer Hill, to dissolve the civil contract
between him and the town of Mason, as minister of said
town, and it is on our part dissolved, after paying his salary,
to the month of March next. Voted, The thanks of the town
be given to the Rev. Ebenezer Hill, for his ministerial labors,
for the space of forty five years." Upon the record is entered
the consent of Mr. Hill to this arrangement, as follows:
" Whereas, the town of Mason, agreably to my request, have
by their vote in legal town meeting, consented on their part,
that the civil contract existing between the town and me as
their minister, should be dissolved, as in said vote is
expressed, which contract was formed in the year 1790, I
hereby express my consent on my part, that said contract be
dissolved in accordance with the vote just passed; and I do
accordingly relinquish all claim for salary, from the town,
after the first of March next. Mason, December 19th, 1835."
November, 1840. Nathaniel Shattuck, Esq., was chosen a
committee to " examine, and report whether any society or
individuals were responsible to keep the town house in repair;
and if none, to proceed to repair the house, and chose
Nathaniel Shattuck, Josiah Russell and Samuel Smith a com
mittee for that purpose." This was the old meeting house.
April, 1843. "Voted, to instruct the Selectmen to repair
the town house, in a proper manner, and also to look after
those who have in any way injured the house, and prosecute
if they think proper and necessary."
Annual meeting, 1848. Article 14th. " To see if the town
will sell or repair the meeting house, or do anything in rela
tion to the same. Voted, to choose a committee of five, to
dispose of the old meeting house. Chose Jonathan Russell,
Jona. Bachelder, Oliver H. Pratt, Willis Johnson, Charles

, 1848. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 145
Scripture and Orlando W. Badger. Voted, To instruct the
committee to proceed legally in disposing of the house.
Voted, That the selectmen call a town meeting to hear a
report of said committee, when said committee is ready to
make their report."
The old meeting house, being no longer occupied for public
worship by any society, was fast falling into decay. It was
exposed to depredations, the windows were broken, the doors
were often found open, exposing the building to the effects of
storms. The location was unsuitable and inconvenient for
town meetings to be held there, and therefore it was con
cluded to dispose of the old house, and build a town house.
May 23d, 1848. A meeting was called, to hear the report
of the committee, to see if the town would build a town
house, to fix its location, and to raise money to build, or pur
chase a town house. At the meeting, Voted, " To accept the
report of the committee. Voted, To build a town house.
Voted, To locate it at the centre of Mason. Voted, To raise
$1000 to build the house. Voted, To appropriate the balance
of the sale of the old meeting house, for the building of the
town house. Voted, That the expense is not to exceed
$1200. Chose Jonathan Bachelder, Charles Scripture,
Willis Johnson, Asher Peabody and Samuel Smith, Jr., a com
mittee for building the town house." The town house was so
far completed, that a town meeting was held in it, November
7th, 1848.
The frame of the old meeting house, was used and worked
up into the frame of the saw and grist mill, built by Mason
mill company, near the centre of the town.
Thus the town is left without a minister, or a meeting
house ; and such is the change in the habits, views and feelings,
that, as a town, they will probably dispense with these once
useful institutions, for all time. There is to be no more a
servant of religion, in whom all feel a common interest;
no more a place where all can assemble on days of public
worship, and meet as townsmen, on common ground ; but the

146 HISTORY OP MASON.
meeting houses are matters of private interest, and although
they are in numbers much multiplied, it may well be doubted,
whether there is in the town, more genuine piety and venera
tion for religion, than in those days, when all assembled in
one place, and listened to the teachings of the town's
minister. 1856. This year will be remembered in the annals of the
town, for the very liberal donation to the town, of the sum of
ten thousand dollars, made by the Hon. John Boynton of
Templeton, Mass., to be invested in stock or other good secu
rities, and the interest to be applied, forever, for the benefit
of the common schools in the town. This gentleman is a
native of Mason. His father, the late Jeremiah Boynton,
became a resident of the town as early as 1789, and contin
ued to be an inhabitant till his decease, October 27, 1839.
He was a farmer, a worthy, industrious man, a good citizen,
and much respected and esteemed. The liberal donor of
this fund, was his eldest son. Having retired from active
business with an ample fortune, acquired by industry, econ
omy, and a successful management of his affairs, he has not
forgotten the place of his nativity ; nor has he left it for the
hand of an executor to carry into effect his generous design;
but while in full health, and vigor of body and mind, has
himself seen to the execution of his purpose, and to securing,
in a proper form, the efficiency and permanency of the aid
thereby given to the great cause of the education, for all
coming time, of the children of this, his native town.
The object of his bouuty is the common schools, to which
he was indebted for all the means of education by himself
enjoyed in early life ; and to which our common country is
more deeply indebted for its intelligence and for the preser
vation of its liberties and free government, than to all other
means of education, or institutions of learning. His purpose
to make this endowment, he made known to some of his
friends, inhabitants of the town, in the summer of 1856.
Desirous, on the one hand, to make the provisions of the

1856. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 147
endowment such, that its benefits should be sacredly secured
to its object, the education of every child in town, and at
the same time to place it under such provisions and safe
guards, that it should never become a source of contention
or party strife, after consultation with a committee of the
citizens, he submitted, for the consideration of the town, a
proposition to make the endowment under certain restric
tions and liinitations, which, with the action of the town,
appears in the following extract from the records of the
doings of a town meeting, called for that purpose :
At a legal town meeting, holden September 17th, 1856,
"Article 2d, it was Voted, To receive of John Boynton, Esq.,
of Templeton, Mass., the sum of ten thousand dollars in
money, or in securities for the payment of money, upon the
following conditions, viz : That the same shall forever be
kept upon interest, and shall forever be known as 'The
Boynton Common School Fund,' and that the interest or
income thereof shall annually forever be applied by said town
of Mason, to the support of district or public schools in said
town, in proportion to the number of scholars in such
districts or schools, between the ages of five and fifteen
years. And whenever the said town shall fail so to apply
the interest or income of said money annually, in addition to
the sum that shall be required to be raised by law by said
town, for the support of district or public schools, the said
town shall repay the same sum of ten thousand dollars
to the said John Boynton, his executors, administrators, or
assigns. "Voted, To choose a committee of three to receive the
said sum of ten thousand dollars in money or securities for
the payment of money, of said John Boynton, Esq., and also
to authorize said committee, for and in behalf of said town,
to execute an agreement, that the said town of Mason shall
repay the said sum of ten thousand dollars, to the said
Boynton, his executors, administrators, or assigns, whenever
the town of Mason shall fail to apply the interest or income

148 HISTORY OP MASON.
of said sum of ten, thousand dollars, in addition to the sum
that shall be required by law to be raised by said town, for
the support of district or public schools in said town of
Mason, and to divide the said income or interest annually
between the several districts or public schools in said town,
in proportion to the number of scholars belonging to said
districts or public schools, between the ages of five and
fifteen years.
"Voted, That the aforesaid committee consist of Doctor
Thomas H. Marshall, Jonathan Russell, 2d, and Charles
Scripture. "Voted, To choose a committee to petition the legislature,
for an act to authorize the town of Mason, to choose five
trustees, who shall, under the direction of the town, have the
care of the Boynton Common School Fund, and to see that
the same is safely invested, and upon interest.
"Chose Dr. Thomas H. Marshall, Jonathan Russell, 2d,
and Charles Scripture for that committee."
On application to the legislature, an act was passed, of
which the following is a copy :
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
An Act authorizing the town of Mason to elect trustees of the
Boynton Common School Fund.
Whereas, John Boynton, Esquire, of Templeton, in the State of
Massachusetts, has given to the town of Mason, the sum of ten
thousand dollars, in trust, the income of which is to be appropriated
for the maintenance of common schools in said town of Mason;
and, whereas, by the provisions of the grant, the said grant is to be
under the control of five trustees, to be elected by said town of
Mason ; therefore,
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Gen
eral Court convened:
Section 1. That said town of Mason shall, on the second Tuesday
of March, A. D. 1858, choose, by ballot and by a major vote, five trus
tees, to be called Trustees of the Boynton Common School Fund,
one of whom shall hold the office for one year, another for two years,
another for three years, another for four years, and the other for five
years, and till some other person is chosen and qualified instead of
each; the term of office of each to be determined by lot at their first
meeting, and a record thereof made in the office of the town clerk

1857. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 149
of said town. One such trustee shall be chosen annually, at the
annual meeting of said town, after said second Tuesday of March,
A. D. 1858, by ballot, and by a major vote, to fill the vacancy which
will annually occur by the expiration of the term of office of one of
the incumbents.
Section 2. The said trustees shall have the entire control and
management of the Boynton Common School Fund, and shall invest
the same in a safe and prudent manner, and shall annually pay to the
treasurer of said town of Mason, in the month of January, the
income of said fund, to be divided among the several districts or
common schools in said town, in proportion to the number of schol
ars, between the ages of five and fifteen years, in said districts or
schools. Section 3. The trustees shall, at each annual meeting of said
town, make a report of the state of the fund, and the income of the
same ; and the town may require of them bonds for the faithful dis
charge of the duties of the office.
Section 4. In case of the death or resignation of either of the
trustees, or in case either of them, by sickness or otherwise, be dis
qualified for the duties of the office, they may, at the annual or at a
special meeting called for that purpose, elect another person for the
unexpired term.
Approved, June 26, 1857.

CHAPTER IV.
CONTROVERSIES WITH THE REV. JONATHAN SEARLE.
No document, record, or entry, has been found, which
shows at what time the troubles and misunderstandings
between the Rev. Jonathan Searle and his church and people,
were first manifested ; nor are the grounds of the controversy
and difficulties anywhere clearly set forth. They are to be
gathered rather by inference, than from any satisfactory or
positive statement. The records of the church, during the
time of the controversy, are exceedingly meagre, and contain
very little information upon the subject. The town records,
however, contain entries which give some insight into the
matter. Probably there is no document or living memory
remaining, which can throw any light upon such parts of the
transactions as are not, by the entries in the town records,
sufficiently set forth to be understood. It will be recollected
that the salary voted to him on his settlement, was £60
lawful, a year, to be increased at the end of ten years to £66
13s. 4d. He was ordained, October 14, 1772. A town
meeting was called, January 5, 1779. Among other articles
was one for inquiring "into the conduct of the Rev. Jonathan
Searle, in his not giving receipts in full for the money he hath
received for his yearly salary, &c, and for increase of his
salary." The record proceeds as follows : "Mr. Searle being
present, Voted, That the moderator ask him whether he
would discharge the town of his salary, if said town would
pay him up the nominal sum from the first settlement, &c.,
and trust the town's generosity for an addition to said salary;

1778. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 151
the question being asked by the moderator, his answer was. in
the affirmative. The moderator called on the constables to
make a settlement with Mr. Searle; the said constables
readily complied with the terms ; the moderator at the same
time wrote a receipt and read it to Mr. Searle, and asked
him whether he would sign such a one. His answer was that
he would, or any one that the town should require. The town
then proceeded to get the money that was his due as salary
from the first of his settlement in said town, until the 14th
day of October, 1778, and pay it to him. Said money being
offered to Mr. Searle by the selectmen, requiring him to
sign said receipt, he utterly refused to sign said receipt, or a
similar one. For which reason, the town voted to assess the
last year's salary, and order it into the treasurer's hands,
there to remain until it should be ordered otherwise. By
said town, Voted, That Lt. Samuel Brown take the money
and make a lawful tender to Mr. Searle, of the whole of his
salary that yet remains unpaid from the first of his settlement
in said town, until the 14th day of October, 1778, and require
him to sign such a receipt as was approved by said town."
Then adjourned to the 8th instant. At the adjournment,
"Voted, To choose a committee to desire the Rev. Jonathan
Searle to attend the meeting by adjournment, in order for
him to make some proposals to the town, on what terms he
would settle with the town, and if he refused to come, for
him to send in writing, by said committee, on what terms he
would settle." Dea. Amos Dakin and Lts. Samuel and Isaac
Brown, were the committee. The town, after transacting
some other business, adjourned to the 12th of January. At
the adjournment, "After hearing the Rev. Jonathan Searle's
letter directed to the moderator read, Voted, That it was
not an acceptable answer, according to the town's request.
Voted, To choose a committee to reason with Searle and
make a report to the town." The committee were Joseph
Barrett, Joseph Merriam, Dea. N. Hall, William Eliot and
David Blodgett. Adjourned to the 20th instant. At the

152 HISTORY OP MASON.
adjournment, "Voted, Not to make any addition to the Rev.
Jonathan Searle's salary, for the time being." The authority
of the committee was continued, and they were directed to
report at the next meeting. Adjourned to February 9. It
was at the adjournment, "Voted, That the Rev. Jonathan
Searle's conduct hath been dissatisfactory to the town, with
regard to what hath been acted on his part, relative to his
falling from his first agreement, as well as at other meet
ings held after adjournment." "Voted, That the town call
upon the Church of Christ in this place to desire the Rev.
Jonathan Searle to join in a mutual council, and have all
matters of aggrievance subsisting between Mr. Searle and this
people brought before said council for their wise deter
mination. Voted, That the town and church are connected
together in paying the cost of said council. Capt. Joseph
Barrett, Dea. Nathan Hall, and Mr. Edmund Tarbell, each
entered their dissent against the proceedings of this meeting,
so far as what is comprehended in the second vote of said
meeting." At the annual meeting, March 8th, 1779. The seventh
article was, " To see if the town will pay the Rev. Jonathan
Searle his salary, for the year 1778." On this article, the
town "Voted, To pay the salary of the Rev. Jonathan Searle,
provided he give a receipt in full, &c."
At a meeting called March 30th, 1779. "Voted, To pass
over the article about the Rev. Jonathan Searle."
At a meeting called April 22d, 1779. "Article 2d. To
see what method the town will pursue, for a settlement with
the Rev. Jonathan Searle, and if a settlement cannot be
effected, to see if the town will vote him a dismission, or dis
continue him as our minister." At the meeting, a committee
was appointed to request the attendance of the Rev. Jonathan
Searle. An addition of £50 was voted to the nominal sum
of his salary for 1778, "provided, he give such a receipt, as
he proffered to the town in January last." "Voted, Not sat
isfied with his conduct, in not securing the town for the money

1779. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 153
paid by the constables for his salary, with other things."
William Chambers, Joseph Merriam and Abijah Allen were
appointed a committee, "to offer him the nominal sum, and
interest, and the addition above voted, and to make a legal
tender, and demand a receipt in full from his first settle
ment." Adjourned to Friday. At the adjournment, "Voted,
That the committee have a record made of the tender to
the Rev. Jonathan Searle, according to law," and adjourned.
July 6th, 1779. A meeting was called, "To see if the
town will join with the church in a council," &c. "The motion
being moved by the Rev. Daniel Emerson, whether the town
would leave it to a reference, previous to other matters being
left to a council, respecting negligence of pay, or fall of
money being made up, or any part thereof, to the Rev. Jona
than Searle ; it passed in the negative," and then the meeting
was adjourned to July 7th; and at that meeting "Voted, To
concur with the vote of the church of Christ in this town, on
the 6th of July, instant, for dismissing the Rev. Jonathan
Searle from his pastoral relation in this town. Voted, The
meeting house doors be kept shut up, during the town's
pleasure. Voted, The selectmen have power to open and
shut the meeting house doors. Chose a committee to make
a tender to the Rev. Jonathan Searle, &c."
A meeting was called, August 17th, 1779. Among other
matters, was this article, "To see if the town will join with
the church to make the following proposal to the Rev. Jona
than Searle ; to leave it to a mutual council, to determine,
whether Mr. Searle is constitutionally dismissed from his pas
toral relations in this place, and if the council result that he
is not dismissed, then, would have the council take under
consideration, the difficulties subsisting between the parties ;
the advice of the council to be accepted by the parties." At
the meeting, "Voted, To concur with the proposals of the
church, to the Rev. Jonathan Searle, and on Mr. Searle's com
pliance therewith, to leave all matters now subsisting between
said parties, to a mutual ecclesiastical council; the town

154 HISTORY OP MASON.
being at the cost of said council." Adjourned to the 31st.
"Chose Benjamin Mann, Joseph Merriam and Abijah Allen a
committee to provide for the ecclesiastical council to sit in
October, 1779. Chose David Blodgett, Wm. Chambers,
Thomas Tarbell, Timothy Wheeler and Reuben Barrett, a
committee to receive complaints from the Rev. Mr. Searle,
against the town, and also to prepare complaints against the
said Rev. Mr. Searle, and also, bring them before the council."
The meeting was adjourned to the fifth and to the sixth of
October ; at which time, Abijah Allen and Joseph Merriam
were added "to the committee, for carrying on the com
plaints against the Rev. Jonathan Searle, before the council."
Adjourned to the seventh and to the eighth. "Voted, That
the committee call on the Rev. Mr. Searle, to make out the
negligence of pay, and that the committee be ready to settle
with him. Voted, That the present committee of the town
be empowered, in behalf of said town, to leave the substance
matter of Mr. Searle's complaint against the town, to refer
ence, and that Esq. Abbott's method be adhered to ;" and
adjourned to one o'clock. Then "Voted and agreed to the
form of an agreement, between Mr. Searle and the town of
Mason, drawn by the Rev. Mr. Farrar." Adjourned to the
9th. Then "Voted, Not to allow any sum of money, for the
negligence of pay to Mr. Searle, from his first settlement, to
October 14th, 1777. Voted, To make a grant of money to
Mr. Searle. Voted, To open the meeting house doors," and
adjourned to Monday, October 25th ; then adjourned to the
26th; then "Voted, To accept of Mr. Searle's acknowledg
ment of his fault, to the town as satisfactory," and then after
accepting some roads the meeting was dissolved.
The following entries in the record are in the hand writing
of Mr. Searle, and were signed by him :
"Mason, Oct'r 9th, 1779. This day received of the town
of Mason, by the hand of the selectmen, one hundred and
twenty pounds, L. money, in full of all my dues and demands
of every name and nature whatsoever, from the first day of

1719. MUNICIPAL HIST0EY. 155
my settlement with said town up to this day. Received per
me, Jonathan Searle.
"Attest: David Blodgett.
Sam'l Brown."
"Mason, Oct'r 26, 1779. That whereas, there was a civil
contract effected between the town of Mason and myself, on
the 14th of Oct'r, 1772, as to my ministerial support, so long
as I should remain their Gospel minister, this is a full and
final cancel, on my part, of said contract ; and in testimony of
this my free act, I hereunto set my hand. Jonathan Searle.
"Attest: David Blodgett.
Samuel Brown."
Thus this town meeting, commenced August 17, and con
tinued by adjournment, to nine different subsequent days, was
concluded. The long battle was fought, and the town won.
Undoubtedly, on the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th days of Octo
ber, there was a council in session ; but as the church records,
then in the hands of Mr. Searle, are silent on the subject, no
means remain of determining who composed the council, or
what were the articles of complaint on the part of the church
or of the town against him, or on his part against them. One
would suppose, judging from the entries in the book above
recited, that all connection between the town and Mr. Searle
was ended, and that there would be no more controversy
between them. But it was not so, as will presently appear.
It is not unfrequently the case, that the expenses of a contro
versy very much exceed the amount of the sum in dispute.
So it was in this case. The sum paid by the town to Mr.
Searle was £120, being two years' salary. The expenses
paid by the town for entertaining the council were £327 19s.,
paid as follows : to William Chambers, £199 10s. ; Abijah
Allen, £66 18s.; Samuel Abbott, £1 16s.; Ephraim Sartell,
£14 12s.; Lieut. Isaac Brown, £16; Jacob Blodgett, £8 8s.;
Jonathan Searle, £23 13., in all, $1092,07, a pretty round
bill for entertaining some half a dozen of the clergy and their

156 HISTORY OP MASON.
attendant lay delegates, one week. Probably the depre
ciation of the currency was an element which had something
to do with the magnitude of this bill, as it was undoubtedly
the foundation, and if not the only origin, one of the sources
of the difficulty. But as no distinction is made as to the cur
rency in which the £120 was paid to Mr. Searle, and that in
which the £327 19s. was paid for entertaining the council,
the matter is left somewhat in the dark. Probably he was
paid in a currency equal to gold and silver, and the bills for
the expenses, were paid in the depreciated currency.
April 10, 1780. At a town meeting, Mr. Searle again
appears. The fourth article was, "To see if the town will
concur with the church and receive the Rev. Jonathan Searle
as their minister, according to an agreement between him and
the church." The town "Voted, To accept the first article
of the agreement that was formed between the church and the
Rev. Jonathan Searle, October 26, 1779, which is as follows:
We agree that there shall be no compulsion about the minis
terial support ; every one in church and town shall be left at
liberty to contribute what sum he pleases, or none at all.
This article proposed by Mr. Searle. Voted, To receive Mr.
Searle upon the above mentioned agreement." How, then,
stood the case ? He had, by his agreement of October 26,
discharged the town from the contract, and by the vote of
April 10, to which he was a party, had agreed that he should
have no claim for support on church or town, except the vol
untary contributions of his friends. Yet it seems he contin
ued to make claims of the town, for at the meeting, October
31, on an article on this subject, the town "Voted, That it is
the mind of the town that the Rev. Jonathan Searle discharge
the town from October 14, 1779, to October 14, 1780, of any
demands he hath or may have against the town."
December 6, 1780. "Voted, To accept of a discharge that
the Rev. Jonathan Searle wrote and sent to the town, which
is as follows : Mason, Dec. 6, 1780. Know all men by these
presents, that I, Jonathan Searle, for and in consideration of

1781. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 157
what my friends, in and out of town, have done for me in the
course of the year past, do fully discharge the town of Mason
from all legal demands in future, respecting my ministerial
support the last year, beginning Oct. the 14, 1779, and ending
Oct. 14, 1780, excepting what is due to me from said town on
special obligation, either of note or bond, which is not and
cannot be supposed to be included in this discharge. As
witness my hand, Jonathan Searle.
."Voted, Not to pay the Rev. Jonathan Searle the note he
has against the town, at present. Voted, To reconsider the
vote not to pay the Rev. Jonathan Searle his note, &c, and
Voted, To pay it, and to make the money as good as when
the note was given, and appointed a committee to go to him
and pay him."
January 18, 1781. The second article was, "To hear the
report of the committee, &c, to wait on Mr. Searle to see
whether he would take the money due him upon his note
given in October, 1779, and if, on hearing the report, they
find he hath not complied with the request, then, 3dly. To
see if they will choose a committee to make a lawful tender.
4thly. To see if the town will make any enquiry into Mr.
Searle's conduct in breaking over the result of council respect
ing that part of the advice of the venerable council, which
was for him to give up all his demands upon the town for his
ministerial support, up to the 14th day of October, 1778,
except the nominal sum, and likewise, in breaking over the
agreement he voluntarily made with the town, in compliance
with the result of council, and likewise said he would give up
all but the nominal sum, to October 14, 1778," &c. At the
meeting, "Voted, Not to make the tender. Voted, Not to
make the Inquiry. Voted, To reconsider the vote not to
make the tender. Voted, To make a tender, and chose a
committee for that purpose, and dissolved."
March 12, 1781. "Voted, To order the selectmen to take
the invoice of the Rev. Jonathan Searle's real and personal
21

158 HISTORY OP MASON.
estate, and tax him to the Continental, State and War tax
accordingly." April 11, 1781. At a town meeting, on an article to that
purport, the town "Voted, To own the Rev. Jonathan Searle
to be their minister. The persons whose names are under
written entered their dissent against the Rev. Jonathan
Searle being any longer their minister : Wm. Eliot, Jonas
Fay, Jonathan Foster, Jr., Andrew Eliot, Silas Bullard,
Abijah Allen, Nathan Whipple, Enosh Lawrence, Joseph
Lowell, Jonathan Chandler, John Adams, John Lawrence,
Joseph Ball, Thomas Blood, Amos Dakin, David Blodgett,
Zaccheus Davis, Simon Ames, Thomas Robbins, Oliver Scrip
ture, Edmund Adams, Stevens Lawrence."
June 21, 1781. "Voted, Not to concur with the church in
their vote passed 4th of May last, to dismiss the Rev. Jona
than Searle from his pastoral relation to said church."
August 14, 1781. The second article was, "To see if the
town would concur with the church in their vote to dismiss
Mr. Searle, 4th of May last." It was "Voted, To concur.
Voted, To hire preaching, and to raise £20, silver, for this
purpose." Adjourned to the 21st of August. Then "Voted,
To reconsider the vote to hire preaching, and adjourned to
the 28th. Then Voted, To hire preaching, and to raise £20,
hard money. Voted, To leave it to Mr. Abijah Allen to pay
or not, if he pleases, and chose Deacon Hall, Joseph Merriam
and Ens. John Wood, committee to hire preaching."
March 11, 1782. "Voted, To direct the selectmen to apply
to Mr. Jonathan Searle, for a settlement of a note that he
has against the town, said note to be liquidated by the scale
to balance his taxes."
August 28, 1782. The seventh article was, "To see what
the town will do with regard to making out a settlement with
Mr. Searle, as he is advised to leave the matter to the gener
osity of the town." " Voted, To make out legal settlement
with Mr. Searle as soon as may be, and chose as a committee,
Benj. Mann, Wm. Eliot and Joseph Merriam, for the purpose."

1788. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 159
February 20th, 1783. At a meeting called for that purpose,
" Voted, That if Mr. Searle will settle a note ho has against
the town, and take the money according to the scale of
depreciation of this state, that for the sake of peace, the
town will abate his rates for the year 1781. Chose a com
mittee to make the settlement, James Withee, Benjamin
Mann, Esq. and Wm. Eliot. It was further Voted, That if
he would not accept the proposition, the town would leave it
to men," &c.
Annual March meeting, 1785. "Article 5th. To see if
the town will desire the church to call upon Mr. Jonathan
Searle, in an ecclesiastical manner, to make satisfaction for
words he has spoken, which is thought to be a scandal upon
said town and church ; and be at the cost of it, should it end
in advice of council." The vote was in the negative.
September 4th, 1787. "Voted, To leave the complaint
which Jonathan Searle, Esq., exhibited against the church and
people, &c, for neglecting to pay him for his support in 1779,
together with a bond and order he had against the town, to
arbitration ; that the Rev. Mr. Payson, of Rindge, be one of
the arbitrators, and act as chairman; and chose Joseph
Merriam, Dea. Amos Dakin, Benjamin Mann, Esq., Hubbert
Russell and Joseph Barrett, a committee to agree with Jona
than Searle, Esq., in choosing the other two arbitrators, and
to conduct the defence before the arbitration."
January 1st, 1788. "Voted, To raise sixty pounds, to pay
Jonathan Searle, Esq., his due, by the award of arbitrators.
Voted, To make the rate to pay Jonathan Searle, Esq., in
two columns."
Thus, a controversy which lasted as long as the Trojan
War, and which exhibited about as many vicissitudes, as did
that memorable contest, was brought to a close. All that
can now be known of the merits and different aspects of the
controversy, has been above exhibited ; and it is left for the
candid minds of readers, to draw their own conclusions.
Soon after these difficulties arose, Mr. Searle ceased to

160 HISTORY OP MASON.
preach. He owned a valuable real estate in the town, on
which he continued to reside, till the close of his life. He
was commissioned as a justice of the peace, and acted in that
capacity many years. He took an active part in the building
of the meeting house, and in the settlement of his successor,
as has already appeared. He was frequently employed in
matters of town business, but from some time near the close
of the last century, he, in a great measure, withdrew from all
active concerns in business affairs, and devoted himself,
almost entirely, to agricultural pursuits. He died, December
7th, 1812, aged sixty eight years.

CHAPTER V.
RECORDS OP MARRIAGES, AND OP DEATHS, AND
FAMILY REGISTERS.
Record of marriages of early residents in Mason and of
some of their ancestors, taken from the town records of
Groton, Pepperell and Townsend :

GROTON.

1666.
June 30. Thomas Tarbell,
1686.
Dec. 1. Thomas Tarbell,
1716-17.
Jan. 1. Thomas Tarhell,
1725.
Dec. 19. Samuel Tarbell,
1729.
Dec. 18. Elias Elliot,
1730.
May 7. Nathan Whipple,
1733-4.
Jan. 29. Enosh Lawrence,
1737.
Nov. 1. Nehemiah Gould,
1741-2.
Jan. 19. Thomas Tarbell, Jr.,
1746.
Oct. 9. Samuel Scripture, Jr.,
1755.
April 16. John Stevens of Townsend,
1758.
March 30. Jonathan Poster,
1762.
Dec. 21. Enosh Lawrence of No. 1,
1766.
March 18. Nathan Whipple,
Dec. 23. John Whitaker, Jr.,

Hannah ¦

Elizabeth Blood.
Abigail Parker.
Lydia Farnsworth.
Ruth Lawrence.
Hannah Boynton.
Sarah Stevens.
Esther Bowers.
Esther Smith.
Mary Green.
Susannah Tarbell.
Betty Hazen.
Esther Woods.
Abigail Bowers.
Thankful Pierce.

PEPPERELL. BY REV. JOSEPH EMERSON.
1748.
July 21. Zachariah Withee, Esther Kemp.
1752.
March 19. William Elliot, Elizabeth Williams.

162

HISTORY OP MASON.

1755.
Nov. 19.
1758.
Jan. 19.
24.
Dec. 27.
1759.
Oct. 18.
1767.
Feb. 3.
1775.
June 26.

John Swallow, No. 1,
Oliver Elliot, No. 1,
Josiah Wright, No. 1,
Jonathan Jefts, No. 1,
Whitcomb Powers, Hollis,
James Hall, No. 1.,
Elias Elliot, Mason,

Sarah Lawrence, No. 1.
Mary Fisk.
Dolly Shattuck.
Lydia Lawrence.
Elizabeth Lawrence.
Sarah Roe.
Sarah Pierce.

1745.
Sept. 3.
1757.
May 30.
1758.
April 21.

1764.
Feb. 21.
1765.
Dec. 29.
1767.
Dec. 1.
1771.
May 3.
1779-
Jan. 28.
June 17.
1781.
Feb. 1.
1782.
May 30.
Dec. 10.
1785.
May 12.
1786.
Dec. 14.
1787.
Feb. 1.
March 30.

TOWNSEND. BY EEV. PHINEHAS HEMENWAY.
Benjamin King, Sarah Taylor.
Samuel Lawrence, No. 1, Mary Avery, Townsend.
Josiah Robbins, Townsend, Sarah Ames, Hollis.
BY REV. SAMUEL DIX.

Josiah Robbins, No. 1,
William Barrett, No. 1,
Benjamin Jefts, No. 1,
Edmund Tarbell, Mason,
Jacob Blodgett, Mason,
Joseph Woods, Townsend,

Mary Campbell, Townsend.
Sarah Robbins, No. 1.
Martha Sloan, Townsend.
Mary Hildreth.
Sarah Taylor, Townsend.
Mary Waugh, Townsend.

Hmcksman Warren, Townsend, Esther Taylor, Townsend.

David Hall, Mason,
Jonathan Jefts, Townsend,
Amos Blood, Pepperell,
Edmund Tarbell, Mason,
Henry Jefts,
William Eliot, Mason,

Margarett Graham, Townsend,
Lydia Horsley, Pepperell.
Sarah Blood, Pepperell.
Buelah Hildreth, Townsend,
Elizabeth Waugh.
Rebecca Hildreth, Townsend.

1772.
Dec. 9. Isaac Flagg,
1773.
June 24,
July 29.
Dec. 9
1774.
Feb. 1
March 15
March 62.
1775.
Feb. 14

MASON. BY REV. JONATHAN SEARLE.

Zachariah Davis,
Zaccheus Barrett,
Randall McDaniels,
John Tarbell,
James Wilson,
Joseph Clough,

Asa Hastings,

Keziah Russell.
Susannah Brown.
Sarah Hodgman.
Martha Russell.
Sarah Eliot.
Hannah Parker.
Mary Scott.
Mary Lowell.

RECORD OP MARRIAGES.

163

1775.
June 15.
Oct. 25.
Dec. 21.
1776.
Aug. 21.
1777.
Jan. 1.
Feb. 5.
Oct. 21.
1778.
July 8.
April 24.
May 27.
June 25.
Sept. 9.
Oct. 20.
Oct. 20.
1779.
April 28.
Sept. 28.
Nov. 24.
Nov 30.
Dec. 8.
1780.
Jan. 25.
Feb. 10.
1781.
July 26.

James Scripture,
David Blodgett,
Daniel Fay,
Amos Child,
Thomas Jefts,
Joseph Hodgman,
Josiah Davis, Jr.,
Thomas Tarbell, Jr.,
Silas Spaulding,
Joseph Pike,
Zachariah Emery,
Isaac Lawrence,
Amos Holden, Jr.,
Eleazer Fish,
Thomas Lawrence,
Benjamin Jefts,
Joseph Osgood,
Jonathan Foster,
Phinehas Parker,
Zebedee Kendall,
Whitcomb Tarbell,
Nathan Wood,

Sibel Shepley.
Lucy Wheeler.
Jemima Scripture.
Sarah Dakin.
Abigail Barrett.
Sarah Lawrence.
Susannah McDaniels.
Sarah Barrett.
Hannah Brown.
Nabby Sartwell.
Mary Lemon.
Anne Hodgman.
Lydia Sloan.
Rachel Goold.
Mehitable HaU.
Juda DeGrett.
Abigail Barrett.
Mercy Towns.
Ehzabeth Swan.
Molly Dakin.
Ruth Dodge.
Susannah Dutton.

1785.
March 15.
March 25.
March 27.
April 12.
Nov. 1.
Nov. 29.
1786.
Feb. 2.
March 9.
June 22.
Oct. 22.
1788.
May 27.
1789.
May 19.
1790.
Sept. 23.
1802.
Nov. 16.

BY JONATHAN SEARLE, J. P.

Abijah Eaton,
Peter Rumrey,
Noah Winship,
Rogers Weston,
Ezra Merriam,
Samuel Eliot,
Solomon Gilson,
Joseph Robens,
John Searle,
Samuel Green,
Joseph Sanders,
Edward Wilson,
William Scott,
Peter Thomas, Concord,

Elizabeth Eliot.
Ruth Parker.
Deborah Swallow.
Deborah Lawrence.
Susannah Eliot.
Sarah Merriam.
Dorothy Wood.
Molly Sloan.
Susannah Lawrence.
Molly Swallow.
Betty HaU.
Lydia Dakin.
Esther Eliot.
Mary Reed, Concord, Mass.

BY REV. STEPHEN FARRAR.
1783.
Dec. 11. Amos Dakin, Mary Kingsley.
1787.
Dec. 6. Jonathan Chandler, Rachel WUson.
1809.
Jan. 29. Mark Safford, Washington, Mercy Barrett.

164

HISTORY OP MASON.

1782.
July 1. Silas BuUard,

BY EEV. MR. JUDSON. Avis Keyes.

BY REV. WILLIAM ELIOT.

1789.
July 1.
1790.
March 16.
1791.
March 29.
1793.
Feb. 2.
June 6.
Nov. 4.
1794.
Jan. 14.
May 17.
1796.
Nov. 20.
1797.
Dec. 24.
1800.
April 8.
June 29.
Nov. 16.
1801.
Feb. 7.
May 19.
1802.
April 8.
Aug. 22.
1803.
March 8.
AprU 5.
Oct. 16.
Dec. 22.
1804.
Jan. 12.
Sept. 1.
Sept. 10.
1805.
Feb. 27.
Oct. 21.
Nov. 24.
Aug. 19.
1806.
Jan. 30.
March 27.
March 27.
June 3.
Sept. 16.
1807.
Nov. 6.
Nov. 16.
Dec. 1.
1809.
July 9.
Oct. 3.
Nov. 3.

John Sloan,
John Squire,
Willard Lawrence,
Richard Hall,
Moses Johnson,
David Brown, Hollis,
Ezra Mansfield,
Asa Hobart, Hollis,
Ephraim Woods, HolUs,
WUliam Butterfield, Jr.,
Quincy Adams,
John Whipple,
WiUiam Butterfield,
Nathan Perry,
Joshua Davis, Hollis,
David Fuller, Temple,
Jona. Rider, [Rideout ?] Hollis, Rebecca Powers, Dunstable.

Sarah Blood.
Sibbel Procter.
Betsey Austin.
Hannah KendaU.
Molly Eliot,
Rhoda Alexander, Dunstable.
Abiah Wood.
Deborah Phelps, HolUs.
Dorcas JeweU, Dunstable.
Ruth Hubbart.
DoUy Eliot.
Hannah Dady.
Esther Hale.
Rebecca Brown.
Sarah TarbeU, Mason.
PoUy Horsley, Temple.

Oliver Eliot,
Amos Brown, New Ipswich,
Thomas Hutchinson, Carlisle,
Joseph HaskeU, Mason,
Abraham Robbins, Concord,
Joseph Brabrook, Acton,

Betsey Hutchinson, MUford.
Sarah Tarbell, New Ipswich.
Sarah Eliot, Mason.
Rebecca Barrett, Mason.
Hannah Eliot, Mason.
Sally Adams, Mason.

Josiah Warren, Norridgewock, Betsey Searles, Mason.
John Adams, New Ipswich, Hannah Leavitt, Milford.
Daniel Jewett, Hollis, Rebecca Jaquith, Hollis.
Capt- Thomas Roby, Dunstable, Wid. Phebe Dresser, Dunstable.
Henry Butterfield, Dunstable, Priscilla Wheeler, Dunstable.
Abiathar Winn, Nottinghamwest.Lucy Gouldsmith, Wilton.
David Wallace, MUford, Polly Farmer, Dunstable.
Thomas Jaquith, HoUis, Lydia Woods, HoUis.
Nathan Brown, New Ipswich, Betsey Gouldsmith, Wilton.
George Farrar WaUis, Lydia Lawrence, Townsend.
Moses Lovejoy, Wilton, Nancy Tarbell, Mason.
Aaron MarshaU, Dunstable, Mrs. Lydia BUlings.
Benj. Wyman, Nottinghamwest. Betsey CampbeU, Nottingham W
John Ulot, [Eliot?] Milford, Abigail Rollins, Milford.
Othni Crosby, Dublin, Anna Davis, Mason.
John Spaulding, Whitingham.Vt. Rebecca Conant, New Ipswicli.

RECORD OP MARRIAGES.

165

1810.
Feb. 25.
Nov. 15.
Nov. 22.
1811.
April 21.
Dec. 10.
1812.
Feb. 27.
Aug. 25.
Oct. 11.
1813.
April 8.
April 11.
Sept. 7.
Sept. 12.
Dec. 24.
1814.
Jan. 25.
July 2.
July 10.
Aug. 7.
Dec. 25.
1815.
Jan. 7.
Nov. 27.
Dec. 12.
1816.
May 23.
June 2.
1817.
Nov. 13.
1820.
Feb. 22.
Nov. 20.
1821.
Jan. 4.
April 19.
1822.
Feb. 28.
Nov. 5.
1823.
Oct. 29.
1824.
Jan. 20.
May 9.
Oct. 10.
Oct. 21.
1825.
Jan. 24.

Joel Blanchard, Belgrade, Me.,
Isaac Longley, Wilton,
Romanus Emerson, Boston,
George Mt. Kendall, Mason,
Ebenezer Adams, Mason,
John Felt, Temple,
John Sargent, Milford,
Joseph Smith, WUton,

Abigail Simons, Wilton.
Hannah Peabody, WUton.
Jemima Burnam, Wilton.
Polly Eliot, Mason.
Jemima Mansur, Wilton.
Sally Bullard, Mason.
Martha Simons, Wilton.
Lucy Adams, Mason.

Jonathan Jefts, Jr., Mason, Nabby Robb, Mason.
Benjamin Wetherbee, Mason, Hannah Wadsworth, Mason.
David Goodwin, MUford, Sarah Putnam, Milford.
Taylor Fay, Mason, [Ipswich, Betsey Sanders, Mason.
William BuUess, [BeUows ?] New AbigaU Wadsworth, N. Ipswich.

Isaac Lovejoy, Wilton,
Levi Wheeler, BerUn,
Samuel Woodbury, Shirley,
John Dickerman, Francestown,
Moses Barrett, Lancaster,
Jacob Rideout, Wilton,
John Parkhurst, New Ipswich,
David Whitney, Ashby,
AVUlard Lawrence, Mason,
Amos Dakin, Mason,
Rev. Benj. J. Lane, WUton,
Rev. John Parkhurst, N.Ipswich,
Moody Lancey, Brookline,
Paul Davis, Mason,
George ElUot, Mason,
Thomas Robins, Mason,
John Robins, Mason,

Rebecca Eliot, Mason.
Olive Colburn, Berlin.
Mary Weethee, Mason.
Sally Dakin, Mason.
Sarah Hill, Mason.
Sally Simons, Wilton.
Lj'dia Burrows, New Ipswich.
Charlotte Blanchard, N. Ipswich.
Lydia Dakin, Mason.
Mrs. Elizabeth Lawrence.
Susan Eliot, Mason.
Celia Burrows, New Ipswich.
Charlotte Kemp, Mason.
Mary KimbaU.
Sally Farnsworth, Sharon.
Hannah Blood, Mason.
Dolly Adams, Mason.

Edward WUson, Troy, N. Y., Betsey Elliot, Mason.

Francis Shepherd,
Eli Nutting, Mason,
Martin Rand,
John Rollins, Mont Vernon,
Ezra Bennett,

Betsey Hutchinson.
Lydia B. Nutting, Mason.
Lucy Cummings.
Mary Smith, MUford.
Harriet Hunt.

1816.

BY JOHN BLODGETT, J. P.

Feb. 14. John H. SarteU, Mason,
1819.
Sept. 10. Levi Barrett, Mason,
1821.
Feb. 1. WiUiam Nutting, Mason,
22

Patty Jefts, Mason.
SaUy Baldwin, Mason.
Cynthia Blood, Mason.

166

HISTORY OP MASON.

BY REV. THOMAS BEDEE
1819.
May 27. Samuel Merriam, Mason,

Huldah Burton, Wilton.

BY TIMOTHY DAKIN, J. P.
1821.
May 17. Moses Dakin, Hope, Me.,
Aug. 9. John Hubbard, Mason.,
Sept. 4. Noah Hale, Dunstable,

Sarah W. Whiting, Mason.
Mary Kennedy, Mason.
Hannah Dakin, Mason.

BY REV. EBENEZER HILL.

179C

i.

Nov.

4.

Dec.

21.

1791

March 17.

May

1.

June

30.

Oct.

13.

Nov.

17.

Dec.

19.

Dec.

29.

1792.

Jan.

12.

u

23.

((

23.

c(

26.

Feb.

16.

March 29.

AprU

19.

Dec.

20.

1793.

Jan.

1.

"

15.

tc

15.

AprU

18.

"

25.

May

1.

a

2.

a

22.

Oct.

21.

<t

22.

1794.

Jan.

7.

.<

8.

Feb.

18.

AprU

14.

July

3.

«

8.

Oct.

23.

Dec.

11.

1795.

Feb.

11.

AprU

16.

u

21.

Aug.

27.

Oct.

17.

Dec.

24,

John Seaver, Raby,
John Russell, Raby,

Esther RusoU, Raby.
Leafee Lawrence.

Jonas Baldwin, Jr., Townsend, Prudence Haven.

Elisha Buss,
Jonathan WUliams,
John Whitaker, Jr.,
Josiah Eliot,
William Shed,
Samuel Farnsworth, Raby,
Samuel Dunster,
Samuel RusseU, Raby,
Jonas CampbeU,
Samuel Douglass, Jr., Raby,
Jonas Tarbell, Groton,
Benjamin Hodgman,
Abner Chickering,
Samuel Smith, Jr.,
OUver Hosmer,
Amos Hodgkins,
WiUiam Parkhurst, Temple,
Jason Dunster, Jr.,
Daniel HU1, Cambridge,
Oliver Eliot, Jr.,
Stephen HaU, Raby,
Amos Croutch, Boxborough,
Oliver Nutting,
Joel Barrett,
Brintnal WithereU,
Josiah Russell,
John Winship, Jr.,
Solomon Bacon, Bedford, Mass..
WiUiam Barrett, Jr.,
John RusseU, Jr.,
Artemas Manning,
John Baldwin, Townsend,

Polly Mann.
Mrs. Anna Stevens.
Dolly Fay.
Polly Weatherbee, Raby.
Patty Jefts.
Azubah Badger, MUe Slip-
Hannah Townsend.
Susannah Campbell.
Elizabeth RusseU, Raby.
Sarah Seaver, Raby.
Abigail Hodgman.
Mrs. Mary Shed, Ashby.
Eunice Dakin.
Phebe Wheelock.
Patty Lawrence.
PrisciUa Smith.
Sally SwaUow, Temple.
PoUy Merriam.
Ehzabeth RusseU.
Rebecca Ross.
Submit Shattuck, Raby.
Lydia Brown, Raby.
Naomi Blood.
Mercy Townsend.
Hannah Searle.
Eunice Saunderson.
PoUy Barrett.
Lucy Barrett.
Hannah Dutton.
Lydia Blood.
Rhoda Wyeth.
SibbeU Barrett.

Samuel Gilbert Sumner, Keene, Susannah Towns.
Ebenezer Emery, Jr., Raby, Abigail Shattuck, Raby.

Jonathan RusseU,
Frederick Smith,
Moody Shattuck, Raby,
Abijah Eliot,

Hannah Flagg, Ashby.
Lucy Kendall.
Eunice Tarbell, Pepperell.
Rachel WiUiams.

RECORD OP MARRIAGES.

167

1796.

June

24.

Aug.

24.

Oct.

5.

"

27.

Nov.

23.

ti

24.

tt

24.

1797.

Jan.

3.

June

8.

July

30.

Oct.

3.

Dec.

17.

1798.

Jan.

9.

Feb.

8.

a

8.

a

17.

a

28.

March 20,

AprU

19.

Oct.

25.

Nov.

28.

Dec.

27.

1799.

Jan.

14.

Feb.

12.

March

. 5.

AprU

25.

June

27.

Sept.

8.

Dec.

18.

ii

26.

1800.

Feb.

27.

March

. 6.

tt

11.

a

16.

July

1.

Oct.

20.

(t

21.

Nov.

11.

it

13.

It

13.

"

23.

Dec.

3.

1801

Feb.

" 5.

a

22.

u

24.

March

1.

June

30.

Nov.

10.

1802

Feb.

4.

Dec.

9.

a

30.

u

30.

Edward Taylor, Townsend,
Jacob Austin, Raby,
John Wait,
Stephen Withington,
PhiUip Farnsworth, Raby,
Clark Brown, Raby,
Amos Herrick,
Samuel Wilson, Troy, N. Y.,
John Austin,. Concord,
Timothy Pratt, Maiden,
Jonathan Smith,
James Mann,
WiUiam Bride,
Reuben Hosmer, Jr.,
Isaac Allen, Andover,
Pearley Saunders, Townsend,
Asa Heywood, Concord, Mass.,
WUUam Miles,
Stephen Prichard, N. Ipswich,
John Barrett, Ashby,
SUas Shed,
Ezra Newell,
Josiah Winship,
Jonathan Blood, Townsend,
Daniel Hodgman,
Reuben Hodgman, Jr.,
Eliphalet Bailey, New Ipswich,
Jason Russell,
Aaron Peabody, Jr., Milford,
Zaccheus Lancy, MUford,
Joseph Stickney, Jr., N. Ipswich,
John Stevens, Alstead,
WiUiam Cutter Blood,
Abraham Boynton, Charlestown,
Aaron Warren, Townsend,
Darius Hudson, i
EU Towne, Temple,
Joshua Blood, Jr., Pepperell,
Rufus Russell,
Amos Robbins,
Hollis Amsden,
Ezra Brown,

SaUy Brooks.
Isabell Mcintosh, Raby.
Lucy Farmer.
Polly Austin, Townsend.
Rhoda Badger, MUford.
Mrs. Sarah Withee.
Wid. Sarah Miles.
Betsey Mann.
Sally Lawrence, Concord.
Ruhamah Russell.
Susannah Barrett.
Mercy Town.
Polly Scripture.
Susanna Whitaker.
Rebecca Dakin.
Sarah Todd, Townsend.
PoUy Lawrence, Concord,
Lydia Townsend.
PoUy Start, New Ipswich.
Lucy Lawrence.
PoUy WiUiams.
Eunice SwaUow.

Sybbel Swallow.
Rachel Squire, Townsend.
Anna Walker.
Hannah Walker.
SaUy Richardson, New Ipswich.
Mrs. Lydia Chambers.
Polly MUes, MUford.
Sally TarbeU.
Anna Hosmer.
Lydia Brown.
SaUy Townsend.
Hannah Jefts.
SaUy Wheeler.
Sibbel Scripture.
Betsey Scripture.
Mary Russell.
Esther TarbeU.
Polly Dudley.
PoUy Chambers.

Thomas Boylston Chambers, DoUy Merriam.
James Scripture, Jr., Lucy Dakin.
Nehemiah Russell, Weston, Vt., Sally Barrett.
John Longley, Norridgewalk, Judith Searle, Norridgewalk.
Ephraim Russell, SaUy Eliot.
John Withington, SaUy Spaulding, Townsend.

John Hodgman, Ashby,
Elijah Towne, New Ipswich,
Dea. Timothy Dakin,
David Boynton, Townsend,

AbigaU Davis.
Mrs. Elizabeth Flagg.
Mary Bowers.
Polly Wheeler.

168

HISTORY OP MASON.

1803.
Feb. 27.
March 1.
" 1.
AprU 10.
May 1.
Nov. 3.
" 17.
" 27.
1804.
Jan. 19.
" 24.
Feb. 21.
April 5.
May 13.
20.
June 6.
Aug. 26.
Sept. 9.
Nov. 27.
1805.
Jan. 8.
" 15.
Feb. 6.
March 5.
Aug. 26.
Nov. 19.
Dec. 15.
1806.

May 4.
June 1.
Aug. 15.
Oct. 1.
" 19.
" 23.
Nov. 13.
29.
1807.
Jan. 1.
" 1.
Feb. 15.
May 29.
" 31.
June 3. 3.3.
7.
Sept. 8.
Dec. 27.
1808.
May 5.
July 13.
1809.
March 9.
23.
May 25.
July 2.
Sept. 3.
Oct. 1.

Isaac Crane, Alstcad, Patty Brown.
WiUiam Whitaker, Polly Russell.
Dr. Samuel Lovejoy, WUton, Betsy Lawrence, Wilton.
David Jefts, Edee Barrett.
Benjamin Locke, Jr., Lexington, Betsy Lawrence.
Abel Fletcher, Betsy Gilman.
Benj. Hutchinson, Jr., Milford, Azubah TarbeU, Milford.
Elisha Barrett, Nabby Russell.

Abraham Merriam,
Thomas WUson,
Elias Eliot, Jr.,
David Jefts, 2d,
Ebenezer Gilman,
Benjamin Russell,
Joseph Woods, Jr.,
Joel Richardson, Boston,
WiUiam Farwell,
David Pierce, New Ipswich,

Mary Lawrence.
Rebecca Merriam.
Rebecca Tufts.
Abigail Barrett.
Hannah Pratt.
Sally Brooks.
Nancy Ditson.
Mrs. Hannah Barrett.
Rebecca Smith.
Hepzibah Davis.

Asa Wilder, Ashby, Rebecca Emerson.
Joel Richards, Tryphena Kemp.
Shebuel Conant, Pepperell, Anna Farley, Hollis.
Benjamin Cummings, Brookline, Lucy Whitaker.
John Brown, Lucy Gray.
Joshua Boutell, Hancock, Hannah Lawrence.
WUliam Russell, PoUy Dakin.
Samuel Nutting, PeppereU, Sarah Weatherbee.
Leonard Badger, Milford, Sally Barrett.
Luther Robbins, Marlboro', Ms., Nabby Champney.
Daniel Brooks, New Ipswich, Beulah Billings, New Ipswich.
Luther W. Wright, Pepperell, Betsey TarbeU.
Eleazer Fish, Sally WUliams.
Sampson Klarter, Westford, Sally GUman.
Joseph Tufts, Jr., Danvers, Ms., Lucy Eliot.

Moses Perry, DubUn,
Samuel Townsend,
Samuel Wesson,
Joshua Blood,
WUUamUpham, Jr., Maiden, M
Benjamin Lawrence, Ashby,
Cyrus Colman, Ashby,
Geo. Martin, Westminster, Ms.
Joseph Bullard,
Benjamin KendaU,
Timothy Weatherbee, Jr.,
James Snow,
Reuben Darling,

Persis Townsend.
Betsey Nutting.
Nancy Wheeler.
Anna Russell.
s, Dorothy Blanchard, WUton.
PoUy Townsend.
Lydia MUes.
ZUpha Townsend.
Sally Woods.
Betsey Weatherbee.
Betsey KendaU.
Esther Heald, Shirley.
Hannah Scripture.

Samuel Gates, Ashburnham, Ruth Lawrence.
Hubbert RusseU, Jr., Polly Woods.
Oliver Wright, Tyngsborough, Hannah Wheeler.
Francis Butterick, Jr., Pepperell, MUlicent Hodgman.
EUjah Knapp, Rhoda SwaUow.
Samuel HiU, Mary Adams.
Joseph Winship, Achsah Richardson.

RECORD OF MARRIAGES.

169

1805

i.

Oct.

3.

<f

17.

Nov.

2.

tf

15.

Dec.

7.

((

21.

18K

1.

Jan.

11.

Feb.

19.

April
May

12.
29.

June

20.

July
Aug.

15.
30.

Dec.

13.

"

23.

1811

Jan.

3.

Cf

31.

Feb.

14.

H

21.

March 10.

ff

24.

May
AprU
Nov.

23.11. 7.

1815

>

Feb.

2.

March 19.

Oct.

26.

Nov.

27.

Dec.

7.

"

17.

"

17.

1813.

Jan.

17.

Feb.

6.

May f t

4.
24.

Oct.

10.

cc

14.

Nov.

25.

1814.

March

. 8.

"

15.

cc

28.

April Oct.

18.
23.

Nov.

1.

Dec.

1.

((

5.

((

22.

1815.

March 9.

AprU Cf

11.
16.

ff

17.

June

8.

"

25.

Jos Barrett,Esq. Bakersfield.Vt., Mary Appleton, New Ipswich.
Josiah Bachelder, Jr., N. Ips'ich, Rebecca Brooks, New Ipswich.
Capt. Isaac Spaulding, Wilton, Mrs. Mary Coburn, Wilton.
WUliam Fay, Esther Tufts.
Thomas Stevens, Enosboro', Yt., Susanna Adams, New Ipswich.
Samuel Stone, Jr., Townsend, Lucy Wheeler.

Asa Farnsworth, New Ipswich,
Jacob Putnam, Peterborough,
Jona. Stow Adams, Leominster,
Timothy Wheeler, Gardner,
Capt. Solomon Davis, N.Ipswich,
Cyrus Davis,
Noah Winship, Jr.,
Jesse Seaver, Townsend,
Samuel Withington,
John Swallow, 3d,
Benjamin FarweU,
Levi Whitaker,
WUliam Webber,
John Hartshorn, Lyndeboro',
True Robbins,
Simeon Cragin, Temple,
Jesse Barrett, Jr.,
George Dakin,
Aaron Wood,
SewaU Woods,
James Wood, Jr.,
James Kennedy, New Ipswich,
Thomas Felt, Temple,
WiUiam DarUng,
WiUiam TarbeU, MUford,
Timothy Wheeler, Jr.,
Thomas Gary, 2d, Leominster,
Joshua Davis,
James Barrett,
Josiah Merriam,
David Saunders,

Nabby Brown, New Ipswich.
Lucy Brooks, New Ipswich.
Betsey Wood.
Polly Wheeler, New Ipswich.
Esther Allen, New Ipswich.
Phebe Hay Bucknam.
Abigail Parker Blood.
Betsey Warren.
Azubah SwaUow.
SaUy Woods.
Sarah Winship.
Eunice Tarbell.
Hanuah Flagg.
Susanna Curtis. Lyndeborough.
Rebecca Hodgman.
Betsey Dakin.
Lucy Scripture.
Ama Wood.
Rebecca Wright.
Anna Whitaker.
Betsey Jones. [Ipswich.
Mrs. Elizabeth Chamberlain, N.
Sibbel Jefts.
PoUy Wood.
Lydia Spaulding, Milford.
PoUy Hill.
Nancy Weethee.
Sarah Richardson, WUton.
Lucinda Knapp.
Sally HiU.
Ama Wheeler.

Caleb CampbeU, New Ipswich, Lucy Taylor, New Ipswich.

Anna Saunders.
Rebecca Merriam.
Sibbel March, Carlisle.

Hubbard Amsden,
Aaron Holden, Wilton,
Samuel Heald, Jr., Carlisle,
Amos Howard, Westminster,
Charles Johnson, Southborough, Prudence Stuart.
Samuel Fish, Sally Eliot.
Samuel TarbeU, Mrs. Rhoda Atherton, Shirley.
Samuel Dakin, Mary GUchrist.
Woodis Lee, Azubah Holt.

Phinehas Allen,
Abel FareweU,
Ephraim RusseU,
Joseph Putnam,
Ebenezer Hodgman, Jr.,
Thomas Kenworthy,

Sally Campbell.
Sally Huston.
MiUy EUott.
Lucy RumrUl.
Ann H. Mitchell.
Mrs. Mary Merriam.

170

HISTORY OF MASON,,

1815.
Dec. 28.28.
1816.
Feb. 27.
AprU 18.
22.
June 23.
Sept. 29.
Oct. 13.
" 24.
Dec. 3.
22.
1817.
March 5.
April 16.
June 2.

July 1 6.
" 17.
Sept. 25.28.
Nov. 20.
" 18.
" 19.
" 25.
" 25.
" 28.
1818.
Feb. 5.
AprU 19.
May 7.
Aug. 29.
Oct. 15.
Dec. 17.
30.
1819.
Feb. 23.
May 27.
Aug. 5.
Oct. 26.
1820.
March 15.
" 15.
April 19.
May 1.
June 18.
Sept. 5.
Dec. 26.
1821.
Feb. 15.
" 20.
" 22.
22.
March 12.
April 10.
" 17.
May 8.
June 5.

Benoni C. Kimball,
Amos Wheeler,
Joel Cutter, Jaffrey,
Asa Merriam,
Francis Humphries,
Ephraim Hildreth,
Cotton Tufts, Jaffrey,
David Shattuck, Ashby,
Jonathan Davis, New Ipswich,
Eleazer Davis, Shirley,
Abel Wilder, Keene,
Samuel Hartshorn, Jr., Wilton,
Lyman Newton, Southborough,
John Bachelder,
John Spaulding, Wilton,
Robert Taylor, Jr., Ashby,
John Webber,
Elijah King,
Luther Nutting,
Zenas Gibbs,
Charles Scripture,
Artemas RoweU,
Amos Holden,
Amos Russel,
Amos Davis, Groton,
David Hobart, Brookline,
WUUam Wright,
Pearly Saunders, Townsend,
Micah Russel,
Jonas KendaU,
Ezra Merriam, Jr.,
Caleb Bucknam,
Isaac Brown, Cambridge,
Zadock Merriam, Washington,
Moses RusseU,
Asher Eliott,
Spaulding EUott, PeppereU,

M?ry Dunster.
Prudence Parker.
Mary S. Jones.
Polly Saunders.
Dorcas SwaUow.
MatUda Hodgman.
Abigail TarbeU.
Hepzibah Shattuck.
Ehzabeth Jones.
Rebecca Robbins.
Lydia Jefts.
Polly TarbeU.
Polly Stewart.
Mary Hartshorn, Wilton.
Eunice S. RusseU.
PoUy Hodgman.
Mary Knapp.
Mrs. Deidama Parker.
Ruthy Adams.
Martha KimbaU.
Nabby Bucknam.
Betsey SwaUow.
Hannah Barrett.
PoUy Brown, Ashby.
Hannah Barrett.
Eunice Wright, Brookline.
Nancy Flinn.
Hannah Robbins.
SaUy Stratton, New Ipswich.
Sarah Seaver, Brookline.
SaUy Scripture.
Deborah Barrett.
Sally Flagg.

Patty EUott.
Betsey Dunster.
Charlotte Flagg.
Mary EUott.

WUliam L. Steele, Wilton, [Vt., Dolly TarbeU.
Jairus Robinson, Weathersfield, Roxana Holt.

Benjamin Edwards,
John RusseU, Jr.,
Abner Holden,
Artemas Wood, Mont Vernon,
Caleb Bucknam, Townsend,
Charles Granger,
Samuel Smith, Jr.,
Capt. Ira Hall,
Amos Eliott,
Charles Scripture,
Francis Wright,
Solomon B. Baldwin,
Loami Chamberlain,
Joseph B. Robbnis,

Lucy Jefts.
Ehzabeth WiUiams.
Eunice Barrett.
Susan Barber.
Loisa Brooks Snow.
Clarissa P. BuUard.
Clarissa Atherton.
Polly Boynton.
Betsey Felton.
Prudence Webber.
Mrs. Lucy Barrett.
Agnes C. Smith.
Eliza Tucker, Brookline.
Hannah Blood.

RECORD OP MARRIAGES.

171

1821.

June

7.

Nov.

18.

fc

29.

Dec.

20.

IC

27.

1822.

Jan.

17.

May

6.

ft

12.

tt

28.

Aug.

25.

Sept.

8.

Oct.

1.

cc

24.

Nov.

28.

Dec.

19.

((

24.

1823.

Jan.

30.

April

6.

ct

28.

May

22.

"

22.

Aug.

21.

Sept.

7.

Oct.

5.

(I

9.

Nov.

16.

ct

20.

Dec.

21.

ff

31.

1824.

Feb.

5.

AprU

30.

May

IS.

tt

26.

June

3.

Aug.

12.

Dec.

9.

CC

25.

1825.

Jan.

13.

Feb.

17.

June

2.

Dec.

29.

1826.

Jan.

26.

March 30.

April

20.

May

23.

July

4.

Sept.

19.

CC

25.

Oct.

26.

Horace Sawtell, Sally Saunders.
Thomas Loring, Rebecca Danforth.
Jonas Brown, Townsend, Phebe Winship.
Benj. WiUiams, 2d, N. Ipswich, Abigail Jefts.
Leonard Read, Hannah Ford Foster.
Thomas Hodgman, Jr., Esther Flagg.
Charles Barrett, Temple, Susanna Seaver, New Ipswich.
Curtis Lawrence, Groton, Lucy Merriam.
[OUver Stearns, Milford, Dolly Wright, MUford.
By Rev. Richard HaU of New Ipswich.]

Benjamin Fletcher,
Jonathan Richardson,
John Boynton, Templeton,
Alexander Lynch,
Edmund Bancroft, Pepperell,
John Jenkins, Townsend,
Ariel Godding, New Ipswich,
Abel Kemp, Brookline,
Calvin Blood,
Joel EUott,
William Carson, Wilton,
Abel Davis, Jr., Concord, Ms.,
Stephen Brooks, Ashby,
Nathan B. Shattuck, Ashby,
William Kesson, New Ipswich,
Abijah Eaton,
Asahel Green, Milford,
Amos Hodgman, PeppereU,
Timothy Farrar,
Ammi Shattuck,
Joseph Merriam, 2d,
Benj. Lane, Jr., Ashbumham,
Andrew EUott,
WiUiam Johnson, Boston,
Samson Mcintosh, Brookline,
Orris Knapp, Ashburnham,
James Frost, Jr., Windham,
Samuel Dix Blood,
David Jewett Stickney, [pie,
Timothy Wheelock Smith, Tem-
Asher TarbeU,
Jesse Saunders, Townsend,
Cyrus Putnam, WUton,
John Kimball, FitzwUliam,
Abraham Wright,
Orlando Cragin,
James Parker, Brookline,
George Betterly, Brookline,
Jonathan RusseU, Jr.,
John R. Jordan, Temple,
WiUiam BaUey, MUford,
WilUam Ward, Newport,
Luke George, Brookline,
John M. Maynard, Jaffrey,

Deidama Austin.
Rebecca HU1.
Nabby Merriam.
Anna Barrett.
EUza Ames, Brookline.
Loisa Brown.
EUza Chickering, New Ipswich.
Mary Dean, Townsend.
Indiana Blood.
Annah Shed.
Dorcas RusseU.
Rebecca Lewis, New Ipswich.
Narcissa Pratt, New Ipswich.
Esther Smith, New Ipswich.
Mary Harding, New Ipswich.
Judith Jefts.
Pamela Scripture.
PoUy Flagg.
SaUy Richardson.
Phebe Hutchinson.
Nancy Davis, Townsend.
AbigaU Walker, New Ipswich.
SaUy Warren,
Deidama Pritchard, New Ips'ich.
EUza Amsden.
MUley Flagg.
Martha F. RusseU, Windham.
Nancy Richardson.
Lydia Amsden.
EUza Austin.
Mary Ann Barber.
Mary Ann Kemp.
Lucinda TarbeU.
Nabby J. HiU.
Lucinda Flagg.
Mehnda G. Cristy.
Deverd Corey, Brookline.
Hannah Lee, BrookUne.
Rebecca Blood, Sharon.
Susan Darling.
Ruthy Austin, Milford.
Rebecca Boynton.
Harriet J. H. Howet, BrookUne.
Harriet K. BuUard.

172

HISTORY OP MASON.

1826

Nov.

Nov.

20.

Dec.

24.

CC

31.

1827

Jan.

2.

May June

22. 19.

July CC

3.5.

Aug.Sept. 1828

16.18.

March

25.

April
May

27. 9.9.

June

18.

Oct.

15.

Nov.

11.

Dec.

25.

1829

.

March 26.

April (C

9.
14.

May
May June

7.
31. 4.

Oct.

20.

Dec.

29.

1830.

May June

27.13.

tt

13.

JulyOct.

1.
26.

1831.

Sept.
Nov.

6.6.

cf

15.

Dec.

1.

U

6.

Ct

20.

1832.

Jan.

26.

March 11.

Cf

20.

cc

22.

AprU tt

10.
26.

May tt

10.
23.

Sept.June

8.

Nov.

1.

tt

1.

.t

8,

Dec.

26,

CC

31

Hubbert Russell, Jr.,
John Boynton, Petersham,
George Hall,
John Flagg,
Calvin Brooks, LoweU,
Jacob Blodgett, New Ipswich,
Nathan Saunders,
Samuel Whiting,
Daniel Bills, Townsend,

Climena Brown.
Chloe Brown.
Abigail Boynton.
Mary Eliott.
Eliza S. Flagg.
Mary Jefts, New Ipswich.
Betsey Shed.
Hannah RusseU.
Lucretia Tucker, Townsend.

Nathaniel H. May, New Ipswich, Maria Nicholas, New Ipswich.
Jesse Matthews, Hancock, Almira Preston, Hancock.

James Weethee,
John Richards,
Jonas Hobart,
Josiah Sawtell, Townsend,
GulUver Wright, Pepperell,
Ebenezer Flagg, Jr.,
John Peabody,
Charles Barrett,

Mrs. Tryphena Richards.
Nancy Farwell.
Louisa Scripture.
Rebecca Barber.
Mary Kemp.
Betsey Eliott.
Fidelia Saunders.
Mary Shattuck.

Elias D. Eliott, Sally Eliott.
Samuel P. Nutting, Lucy S. Barrett.
Thomas Hodgman, Jr., Betsey Burnham, New Ipswich,
Abiel Nutting, New Ipswich, Lucinda Warren.
James Spaulding, Betsey Smith.
Oliver H. Pratt, Maria Hill.
Ebenezer Hodgman, Townsend, Mary Ann Blood.
Abijah Eliott, Jr., Sally Russell.
Charles Nicholas, New Ipswich, Mary Blood, New Ipswich.
Calvin Boynton, Hannah D. Martin.
James Wood, Jr., Mrs. Mary Webber.
Eli R. Torrey, New Ipswich, Mary Bailey, New Ipswich.
Jonathan Bachelder, Elizabeth Russell.

William Warren Whitaker,
Davis Greene, Brewer, Me.,
Calvin Blanchard, New York,
Calvin Eliott,
Nathaniel G. Bailey,
William Sawtell,
Eleazer Kinson,
Hutchinson Rogers, Billerica,
Luke H. Cutter, Peterborough,
Nelson March, Ashby,
Stow A. Verder, Townsend,
Luther Austin,
William Farley,
Stephen Walker, Grafton, Vt.,
Silas Keyes, Jr., Temple,
Franklin Merriam,
Benjamin Merriam,
Frederick Mansfield,
Amos B. Russel,
Edward Richardson,
Azariah Arlin, New Ipswich,

Adalucia Wetherbee, Rindge.
Sophia Daniels, Brookline.
Martha Barrett.
Mary P. Johnson.
Lucy Eliott.
Maria Whitaker.
Eliza Lawrence.
Keziah Coburn, Brookline.
Abigail Ames.
Thirza Mcintosh, Brookline.
Eliza D. Douglass.
Lucy Scripture.
Eliza B. Flagg, New Ipswich.
Loiza Barrett.
Rebecca Pratt, Temple.
Mary Ann Lane.
Irene Knapp.
Hannah Bailey.
Mary Eliott.
Fidelia Barrett.
Betsey Richards, New Ipswich.

RECORD OP MARRIAGES.

173

Dec.

1833.
March 12.
" 14.
May 2. 7.
" 12.
" 14.
Sept. 17.
" 17.
Oct. 8.
Dec. 19.
1834.
Jan. 6.
March 5.
Aug. 13.
Oct. 13.
Nov. 13.
Dec. 11.
1835.
Jan. 13.
Feb. 17.
March 3,
April 14.
May 9.
June 25.
Sept. 3.
Oct. 8.
" 22. 29. 10.
29. 29.
" 31.
1836
AprU 16.
May 1.
1837.
Oct. tt 1839.
AprU 11.
1840.
AprU 28.
" 30. 30.
1841.
April 8.
1842.
March 31.
1843.
Dec. 28.
1844.
Oct. 27.
1846.
Sept. 17.
1848.
Nov. 23.
Dec. 18.
1849.
March 15.

Amos Herrick,
Jonas Richards,
Capt. Thomas Wilson,
Dea. Hezekiah Richardson,
John G. Merriam, Westminster,
Jonas Farmer, Townsend,
Samuel B. Tibbetts, N. Ipswich,
Aaron Blood,
Elon B.Butterfield,Concord,Ms.,
Eliab Going, Jr., Townsend,

Mrs. Mary Barrett, Townsend.
Sarah D. Washburn, N. Ipswich.
Mrs. Lucy Lane.
Mrs. Betsy Farwell, Ashby.
Sarah F. Warren.
Gratia Grant.
Mary Lee, New Ipswich.
Sally Eliott.
Ehzabeth B. Kemp.
Hannah Warren.

Emory BoUes, Springfield, Vt., Lucretia Priest.
 — Mcintosh, BrookUne, Betsey Wright, Brookline.
Calvin Davis, Susan Jones.
Ephraim Gibson, Jr., Fitchburg, Mary Brown.
Nathaniel Brown, Acton, Eliza Robens.
Winslow Ames, Lucy R. Barrett.

Joseph Proctor,
Joseph H. Fletcher, Ashby,
Levi Wyman, Winchendon,
OUver Tenney, Boston,
Waterman Wheeler,
Loring Hazelton,
Luther L. Barrett, [don,
Nahum J. Raymond, Winchen-
PhUemon RusseU, Ashbumham,
Dr. Otis Hoyt,
Capt. EUab Going, Townsend,
Jonathan D. Gibbs, Jaffrey,
Alvah Dodge, Dunstable,
Rufus Coffin, Royalston,

Mrs. Sibbel Baldwin.
Clarissa I. Kennedy.
Helen M. Eliott.
Betsey Cragin.
Rebecca E. Newhall.
Margaret Richards.
EmUy Russell.
Bathsheba Eliott.
Clarissa Smith.
Mary F. King, New Ipswich.
Mrs. Dorcas Humphries.
Sarah H. WUson.
Lydia Eliott.
Rebecca A. Richardson.

WiUiam Pike, New Ipswich, Rebecca Holden.
Elnathan Boynton, Rachel EUott.
David Wallace, Brookline, Sarah Ann Smith, BrookUne.
Josiah Winship, Sarah Hunt.

Capt, Ira HaU,

Mrs. Jerusha Parker, Dunstable.,

Ira B. Foster, Charlestown, Ms., Thirza F. Newhall.
Benjamin A. EUott, Mary Knapp.
George Taft. . Abby H. Flagg.

George W. Rolfe,

Mary S. Barnard.

Jas. P. Hartshorn, Bedford, Ms., Elizabeth C. Kennedy, N. Ips'ich,
Sylvester Putnam, Ehzabeth HiU.
Aaron K. Putnam, WUton, Nancy Wright.
John S. Proctor, Mary Turrell, Nashua.
[den, Me.,
Edwin Ruthven Hodgman, Cam- Martha HU1.

George Eliott, 2d,
WiUiam Wheeler,
Simon T. Smith, 23

Mary Flagg.
Sarah C. Merriam.
Rowena A. Woods,

174

HISTORY OP MASON.

1840.
Dec. 17.
Dec. 24.

BY REV JOSEPH B. HILL.

S. B. Butler,
Timothy Amsden.

Lorinda Ames.
Martha C.Hill.

1841.

MARLBOROUGH. BY REV. JILES LYMAN.

AprU 20. Joseph B. Wilson, Mason,

Melinda Blodgett, Marlborough.

MASON. BY REV. ALBERT G. COMINGS.

1849.
Jan. 23. 23.
May 1.
Nov. 4.
1850.
Jan. 3.

Abel S. FarweU,
Otis Hodgman,
Isaac P. Woods, Dunstable,
Hiram D. Richardson,
Warren E. Shattuck,

Maria L. Hodgman.
Maria White.
Henrietta E. Willey.
Mary Ann Scripture,
Alvira Davis,

In the following list the name of the officiating minister or
magistrate is not recorded :

1851.
Feb. 11.

April 7.
June 5.
Sept. IS.
Nov. 25.
Dec. 8.
" 30.
1852.
Jan. 7.
Feb. 17.
March 11,
1853.
Nov. 17.
1854.
Jan. 12.
Feb. 21.
Dec. 14.27.
1855.
March 5.
31.
AprU 1.
May 14.
July 3.
1856.
Jan. 7.
April 27.
May 28.
1857.
AprU 25.
May 31.

Leonard Jefts,
Asa B. Hodgman,
WiUiam Tarbell,
Albert O. Dimmick,
WiUiam Sawtell,
Albert Taylor,
WiUiam A. Short,
George Barrett,
Charles A. Foster,
WUliam R. Putnam,
Leavitt L. Livingston,
F. R. Marcy,
James O. Fitch,
Isaac RusseU,
Charles P. Richardson,
James R. Kidder,
Ezra F. Baker,
PhUander Eddy,
Francis C. Pope,
Myal Tarbell,
Benjamin Wahace,
John S. Proctor,
Thomas D. Bennett,
Grovenor McClure,
George Hehue,
Joel Elliott, 2d,
Willard D. Hero,
Joseph P. Elliott,
George W. Scripture,

Mary Webber.
Betsey Winship.
Sophronia Eliott.
Adaliza Wright.
Alice L. Heywood.
Sarah J. Barnes.
Mary Jane Whitney.
Zoa Blood.
Clarinda Felch.
Martha Jane A. Hartshorn,
Martha Jane Mcintosh.
Sarah M. Felt.
Betsey J. Burbank.
Mrs. Jane RusseU.
H. Amanda Mansfield.
Caroline M. Barrett.
Sarah H. Cristie.
Maria Lynch.
Emeline R. Searles.
Harriet M. Morse.
Elizabeth J. Eastman.
Julia E. Weston.
Adaline F. Putnam.
Lucy Towne.
Matilda L. Hodgman.
Emily Holden.
Elizabeth Peabody.
Mary E. Dunn.
Maria Wheeler.

RECORD OF MARRIAGES. 175

1857.

June 14.

Edwin R. Farnsworth,

Abby J. Webber.

Sept. 9.

Abel Adams,

Mary Gillman.

" 26.

Edwin L. Nutting,

Mary A. Annis.

Oct. 22.

Francis B. Cragin,

Ruvina Richardson,

22.

Henry A. Cragin,

Susan M. Elliott.

31.

Lucius A. White,

Margaret Lyle.

The list of marriages in Groton and Pepperell is copied from
Butler's History of Groton ; that in Townsend, from the town
records of that town. The parties probably resided in the
several towns in which the marriages are recorded, except in
those cases where it is otherwise stated. The other lists,
except that of Mr. Hill, are taken from the town records of
Mason. In those of Mr. Searle, the residence of the parties
is stated in only one instance. Most of the persons in these
lists resided in Mason. In the list of Mr. Eliot, the resi
dence given in the record is stated in every instance. The
date of the first marriage in this list, that of John Sloan
and Sarah Blood, on the record, is "January 1, 1782." This
cannot be correct, as Mr. Eliot was not ordained till 1786,
and had no authority to officiate, in marrying persons, before
he was ordained. The date 1789 is inserted as the probable
date. On page 165, in a few copies, the following marriage
was accidentally omitted, and should be supplied: "1821.
October 11. Joseph Smith, "Wilton, Lucy Adams, Mason."
The list of marriages by Mr. Hill is copied from his original
record. In this record, the residence of the parties is stated,
in all cases ; but in the list above published, the residence of
parties in Mason is omitted ; that of others is stated. In Mr.
Hill's records, in a few instances, the day of the month is not
inserted. Two marriages by the Eev. Joseph B. Hill, are
copied from his original record. The remainder of the list,
from January 23, 1849, to October 31, 1857, is copied from
the town records; the name of the officiating minister or
magistrate, and the residence of the parties, is given wherever
it is found in these records. It must be apparent that the
record of marriages in the above list, for several of the last
years, is very imperfect.

176

HISTORY OF MASON.

RECORD OF DEATHS.
A record of deaths of the inhabitants and residents of the
town of Mason, commencing July 20, 1758, and ending Janu
ary 1, 1858, gathered from the town records, monuments, and
documentary evidence, for the period from 1758 to November
2, 1790; from that time to the close of the year 1837, taken
from the record of deaths kept by the Rev. Ebenezer Hill,
with a few corrections and additions derived from monuments
and reliable evidence ; for the years 1838 and 1839, no record
having been found, resort was had to monuments, minutes of
burials kept by the sextons, and reliable tradition ; from the
close of that period, use has been made of the record kept
by Dr. Willis Johnson. " Time is a river, deep and wide,
And while along its banks we stray,
We see our loved ones, o'er its tide,
Borne from our sight away, away.' '

A record of deaths previous to November 3, 1790, gathered
from town records, monumeuts, and other sources :

1758.
July 20.
1761.
Sept. 5.
1762.
Jan. 27.
1763.
Feb. 7.

Corporal Nehemiah Gould,
killed in battle near Lake
George.
Grace, d. of Obadiah and
Ruth Parker, 16 days.
Obadiah, s. of the same, 4
years 1 month.
Anne, d. of Richard and
Anna Lawrence, 4 ms. 15
days.
Sarah, w. of John Swallow.
Rebecca, d. of John and
Susannah Dutton, 11 ms.
Simon, s. of Simon and
Sarah Ames, 1 y. 10 ms.
Jonathan, s. of Jonathan
and Lydia Jefts, 1 m.
Mar. 24. Lemuel and Thomas, twin
sons of Lemuel and Sa
rah Spaulding, 12 ds.

Dec. 28.
1764.
Oct. 2.
1763.
July 8.
1766.
Feb. 13.

1766.
July 1.
1767.
Jan. 13.
Aug. 10.
1769.
Nov. 4.

Dec. 23.
1771.
Aug. 1.
1772.
Feb. 11.

Mar.MayNov.

22.

Joseph, s. of Benjamin and
Martha Mann, 1 y. 5 ms.
Joseph, s. of Simon and
Sarah Ames, 6 ms.
John, s. of Aaron and Lucy
Wheeler, 8 ds.
Ruth, d. of Jonathan and
Ruth Williams, 2 ys. 21
days.
Dorcas, d. of Amos aud
Sarah Dakin, 6 ms.
Jonathan, s. of Jonathan
and Ruth Williams, 1 y.
Hepsibath, d. of Lemuel
and Sarah Spaulding, 1
y. 1 m.
Elizabeth, d. of Josiah and
Lucy Wheeler, 2 ys. 7 ms.
John, s. of James and Sarah
Withee, 4 ys. 4 ms.
Anna, w. of David Blodg
ett.

RECORD OP DEATHS.

177

1773.
Sept. 2.
1774.
Oct. 17.
Dec. 3.

1775.
June 17.
Oct. 2.

1776.
AprU 7.
July 24.

Aug. 25.
Sept. 29.
Nov. 18.
1777.
June 30.
Sept. 10.
" 10.
" 14.
Oct. 8.

Amos, s, of Josiah and
Sarah Robens, 23 y.
Mr. Josiah Wheeler.
Eunice, d. of John and
Mary Swallow, 5 m.
Mr. Joseph Herrick.
Joseph Blood, killed in
Bunker HiU battle.
William, s. of John and
Thankful Whitaker, 1 y.
6 m.
Mr. Nathaniel Barrett.
Dorothy, d. of Joshua and
Dorothy Davis, 3 y. 7 m.
Benjamin, s. of Benjamin
and Martha Mann, 13 y.
3 m.
Elizabeth, d. of Lemuel and
Sarah Spaulding, 9 d.
Susannah, d. of John and
Thankful Whitaker, 1 m.
SUas, s. of Richard and
Anna Lawrence, 3 y. 1 m.
Ephraim, s. of John and
Leefe Lawrence, 3 m. 20

29.

Nov.

1778.
Sept. 16.
" 28.
Oct. 10.
1779.
Jan. 6.
Oct. 2.

1781.
Feb. 9.
June 24.

Lucy, d. of Benjamin ahd
Martha Mann, 2 y. 3 m.
John, ». of John and Su
sannah Dutton,ll y. 8 m.
Mason, s. of same, 5 y.
Deborah, d. of Daniel and
Jemima Fay, 11m.
Mary, w. of Henry Jefts,
67 y.
Polly, d. of Benjamin and
Martha Mann, 2 d.
Mr. Benjamin King.
Sarah, daughter of Samuel
and Sarah Wood, 7 m.
Ens. Enosh Lawrence, 68 y.
Amos, s. of Abijah and
Mary Allen, 8 y.
Daniel, s. of James and
Sarah Withee, 9 y. 3 m.
Ebenezer, s. of Samuel and
Sarah Wood, 1 m. 12 d.
Mrs. Foster, w. of Jonathan
Foster.
Josiah, son of Samuel and
Sarah Wood, 6 m.
John EUot, 65 y.

1782.
Aug. 7.
Oct. 5.
1783.
Mar. 13.
June 2.
" 18.
" 25.
July 1.
" 16.
" 20.
" 24.
Aug. 3.
1784.
May 4.
Oct. 15.
1785.
Jan.Feb. 8. 9.
•• 23.
Dec. 19.
1786.
AprU 30.
June 14.
Nov. 1.
1787.
June 3.
July 22.
1789.
AprU 7.
" 16.
" 28.
July 11.

Isaac, s. of WiUiam and
Dorothy Eliot, 4 m.
Abel, son of Joseph and
Sarah Barrett, 4 m.
John, s. of John, Jr., and
Rebecca Swallow, 12 d.
Mr. Daniel Fay.
Alice, d. of Aaron and Lucy
Wheeler, 2 m.
Oliver, s. of William and
Sarah Miles, 3 y. 6 m.
Andrew, s. of Andrew and
Hannah Eliot, 5 m.
Samuel, s. of EUsha and
Mary Withington, 9 m.
10 d.
Sibbel, d. of James and Sib
bel Scripture, 4y. 6 m.
Hannah, d. of Benjamin
and Hannah Barrett, lm.
Isaac, s. of Hubbard and
Sarah RusseU, 23 d.
David Sloan, s. of Amos
and Lydia Holden, 3 y.
8 m. 15 d.
Lydia, d. of Abraham, Jr..
and Hannah Merriam.
Thomas, s. of Thomas and
Sarah Tarbell, 3 y. 5 m.
Thomas, o. of Jason Rus
sell, 7 y. 8 m. 26 d.
Mary, w. of Edmund Tar
bell, 36 y.
Elias Eliot, 78 y.
Ensign John Wood, 69 y
John, s. of Jotham and
Elizabeth Webber, 1 y
3 m.
Dorothy, w. of Wm. Eliot
George, s. of Aaron anc
Lucy Wheeler, 2 y. 5 m
Hannah, w. of Jonathai
Chandler.
Jonas, o. of JoBeph anc
Sarah Barrett, 3 y. 1 m
Polly, d. of Andrew anc
Hannah Eliot, 11m.
Alice, d. of Aaron and Luci
Wheeler, 1 day.
Deacon Amos Dakin, 57 y
Rebecca, d. of Thomas anc
Rebecca Hodgman, 3 y
4 m. 15 d.

178

HISTORY OP MASON.

1789.
Aug. 23. Polly, d. of Jos. and Mary
Woods, 2 y. 2 m. 27 d.
Sept. 25. Sally, d. of Jonas and Dolly
Fay, 1 m.
Dec. 1. Elizabeth, wid. of Ensign
John Wood, 75 y.

1790.
Mar. 14.

Isaac Brown, Jr., 18 y.

1790.
AprU 16.
May 1.
June 24.
Aug. 1.

John, s. of Nathaniel and
Hannah WiUiams.
Jonas, s. of Deacon Amos
Dakin, 18 y.
Rachel, w. of Jonathan
Williams, 58 y.
Anne, d. of Jonas and
Dolly Fay, 7 y. 4 m.

Record of deaths, from November 2, 1796, to December
31, 1837, from the record kept by the Rev. Ebenezer Hill:

1790-
Nov. 2.7.
1791.
Jan.
Feb. 26.
" 27.
Mar. 26.
April 26.
June 2.
Aug. 22.
Sept. 4.
Nov. 15.
" 24.
1792.
Jan. 27.
Feb. 2.
Mar. 3.
8.
June 10.
Oct. 10.
Nov. 2.
Dec. 5.
Dec. 9.
1793.
Jan. 12.
Feb. 7.
AprU 14.
" 14.
June 6.
•' 10.
Nov. 29.
1794.
Feb.Mar. 2.
" 25.

In. d.of Joseph Russell, 5 y.
Betsey, d. of Reuben Ken
dall, 18 y.
In. c. of Reuben Barrett.
Nancy, d. of Wm. Miles.
Wife of Benj. Hodgman.
Elizabeth, d. of Joseph
Merriam, 19 y.
Mr. Eleazer Fish.
Elizabeth, w. of Wm. Shed.
Mary, w. of Joseph Mer
riam, 48 y.
Capt. William Chambers.
Wid. Sarah Elliot.
Lydia, w. of David Whita
ker.
In. c. of Reuben Barrett.
Timothy, s. of Dea. T. Da
kin, 4 m. 22 d.
Joseph Bullard, 73 y.
Billy, s. of Asa Stone.
In. c. of Dr. Joseph Gray.
In. c. of Peter Zuire.
Polly, w. of Dr. WiUiam
Barber, 24 y.
EUsha Withington.
In. c. of Amos Blood.
In. c. of Jeremy Steward.
Daniel Warrer, (negro.)
Dorcas, d. of Samuel HiU,
4 m.
Wife of Reuben Hosmer.
Sally, w. of Artemas Man
ning.
SaUy, d. of John Winship.
Ruth, d. of John Winship.
James, s. of Samuel Woods,
3 m. 9 d.
Polly, w. of Rev. Ebenezer
Hill, 29 y.
Sarah, w. of Capt. Joseph
Barrett, 43 y.

1794.

Aug.

4

Sept

6

*t

6

Nov.

13

tt

28

Dec.

3

tl

17.

tt

19.

tt

23.

1795.

Feb.

Jl.

k

22.

a

24.

AprU 25.

"

26.

June

29.

tt

29.

July

10.

CC

19.

1796.

Jan.

26.

Feb.

9.

Mar.

15.

April

4.

May

4.

tt

27.

June

2.

tt

27.

July

4.

Sept.

13.

Dec.

14.

1797.

Jan.

2.

Feb.

16.

Prudence Crane.
In. c. of Thos. Blood, 4 y.
In. c. of Thomas Blood.
Elizabeth, wid. of Ensign
John Wood, 71 y.
Leafee, d. of Clark Haven,
17 y.
Ruth, wid. of Elias Eliot,
85 y.
Josiah, s. of J. Eliott, 2 y.
AUen Haven, 11 y.
In. c. livmg with Mrs. War
rer.
In. twin children of John
Wait, Jr.
David Weatherbee, 77 y.
Betsey Scripture, 13 y.
Rebecca, d. of Abel Adams.
Patty, d. of Abel Adams.
In. c. of Abel Swallow.
Wid. Mary Marrett, 83 y.
Wife of Benjamin Darling.
In. c. of Jonas Amsden.
Esther, w. of Capt. Thomas
TarbeU.
Capt. Thomas Tarbell, 77.
In. c. of Jonathan Russell.
James Weethee.
Nabby, d. of Joses Buck-'
nam.
Wife of John Wait.
Lucy and Nancy, d. of Jos.
Tufts.
Charles, s. of Dea. T. Da*
kin, 2 m. 16 d.
In. s. of Daniel Hill.
Artemas, s. of Artemas
Manning.
Betsey, d. of Zaccheus Bar
rett.
Abijah Ames, 18 y.
John, s. of Maj. Jas. Wood,
12 y.

RECORD OF DEATHS.

179

1797.

April

3

July

4

CC

12

Aug.

20

CC

25

(C

25

Sep.

1

it

9

tt

17

Nov.

22

tc

26

cc

28

Dec.

10

1798.

Jan.

24

May

17

'<"

20

June

21

July tt

8

Sept.

28

Oct.

15

tt

20

tt

20

Nov.

14

tf

1799.

Mar.

12

Apri

7

May 24.

Oct. 18.
1800.
Jan. 9.
May 11.
June 18.
" 23.
July 20.
Aug. 8.
Sep. 19.
" 29.
tt
Oct. 19.
cc
Nov. 3.
« 17.
" 18.

" 29.

In. c. of John SwaUow, Jr.
Jesse, a. of Silas Bullard,
8 m.
Rebecca, w. of Rev. Eben
ezer Hill, 26 y.
John TarbeU.
In. c. of Stephen Withing
ton.
In. c. of John Baldwin.
Wid. Sarah Lawrence.
Susan, d. of Ezra Merriam.
In. c. of Dea. R. Wesson.
Timothy, s. of Dea. T. D a-
kin, 2 y. 10 m.
Mr. Abraham Merriam.
In. c. of John Eliott.
Mr. John Goddard.
Mr. Abraham Haskell.
In. c. of Joel Parker.
In. c. of SUas BuUard.
Samuel HU1, 66 y.
In. c. of OUver Nutting.
In. c. of Jedediah Felton.
Dr. Enosh Lawrence, 25 y.
10 m. 12 d.
In. c. of Stephen Balcom.
Ehzabeth, w. of Dea. R.
Wesson, 34 y. 11 m. 2 d.
Two in. c. of same.
In. c. of Jonas Mann.
In. c. of Timothy Wheeler.
Wid. Elizabeth Heald, 85 y.
Rebecca, d. of A. Wheeler,
19 y. 10 m.
Elizabeth, w. of Jason Rus
seU, 54 y.
In. c. of R. Hodgman, Jr.
In. c. of Thomas Blood.
Mr. Joseph Russell.
Mrs. Dorothy Fish.
SaUy, d. of Ezra Merriam.
Jonas Fay, Jr., 25 y.
MoUy Jefts.
Artemas, s. of A. Manning.
Reuben Barrett, 71 y.
In. c. of Richard HaU.
In. c. of same.
In. c. of Oliver EUott.
In. c. of John RusseU, Jr.
Capt. Isaac Brown, 55. y.
In. c. of Jer. Stewart;
In. c. of Peter Sanderson.
Two in. c. of same.
Lydia, d. of Samuel HiU,
3y.
Mr. Ebenezer Blood.

1800.

Dec.

7.

In. c. of Eben Stacey.

It

20.

In. c. of Thomas Blood.

1801.

Jan.

5,

Wife of Thomas Blood.

itcc

31,

Wid. Chapman, 97.
In. c. of Daniel WiUiams.

Sep.

6.

In. c. of Josiah Sawtell.

Oct.

8.

John, s. of Captain S. S.
Parker.

tt

12.

James, s. of same.

Dec.

2.

Benjamin, son of Aaron
Wheeler, 24 y.

1802.

Jan.
25.
Mr. Benjamin Hodgman.
Mar.
20.
Jonas Amsden, 53 y.
tt
26.
WUliam Hosmer, 74 y.
"
26.
Wife of WiUiam Blood-I
Apri
22.
Mr. Eben Stacey.
tt
28,
Ehzabeth, w. of Dea. Tim
othy Dakin, 37.
June
13.
Mary, w. of Ohver Eliot.
July
9.
In. c. of Widow Stacey.
Ct
31.
Nancy, d. of WiUiam B,
Flagg, 19 m.
Sep.
16.
PoUy, d. of Th: Hodgman.
"
17.
In. c. of John Lawrence, Jr.
tt
19.
In. d. of Abel Adams.
Oct.
4.
Mr. David Sloan.
tt
14.
Amos, s. of Deacon Timo
thy Dakin, 1 y. 4 m. 25 d.
»
15.
Widow Zuire.
Nov.
13.
In. c. of Nabby Barrett.
Dec.
4.
In. c. of Azubah Swallow,
iy-
Nathaniel Smith, 81 y.
((
18.
Ct
31.
In. c. of Andrew EUott.
1803.
Jan.
9.
Wife of Joel Ames.
tt
29.
WiUiam Saunders, 90 y.
Feb.
19.
Betsey Townsend, 14 y.
Mar.
18.
In. c. of A-mos Dakin.
Apri
2,
WUUam Blood, 83 y.
"
9.
Persis Lawrence, 23 y.
tt
30.
Aaron Wheeler, Jr., 34 y.
Aug.
14.
In. c. of Daniel Hodgman.
Ct
15.
Artemas, s. of Captain John
Barrett, 3 y.
tc
23.
Daniel Hodgman, 27 y.
Sept
5.
Thomas, s. of Abel Adams,
5y-
James, s. of the same.
tt
10.
cc
12.
John Stevens, 16 y.
it
17.
Wife of Joel Richardson.
ct
22.
Noah W., s. of Sam'l Hill,
4 y. 6 m.
tc
28.
Lydia, d. of the same, 3 y.
Oct.
12.
In. c. of Edward TarbeU.
tt
Widow Haskell.
Nov.
20.
Widow Saunders.
n
26.
Haley, w. of Zac. Shattuck.
180

HISTORY OP MASON.

1804.
Feb. 2. Mr. Samuel Green.
" 6. Lucy Kemp.
" 14. In. c. of William Barrett.
" 25. Wife of Joel Richards.
Mar. 1, Wife of Jonathan Lee.
" 5. In. c. of Ruel Richardson.
" B. Franklin, a. of Elijah
Davis.
" In. c. of John Lawrence,
Jr.
In. o. of Ambrose Gould.
Eunice, w. of Abner Chick
ering, 29 y.
Deborah Winship, 17 y.
In. c. of John RusseU, Jr.
In. c. of John Withington.
Susan Amsden, 16 y.
Mr. Thomas Austin.
Rebecca Lawrence, 28 y.
In. c. of Jonathan Blood.
In. c. of John Robbins.
Jason Dunster, 79 y.
Wid. Shattuck, 91 y.
Mr. BUlings.
Hannah Lawrence, 26 y.
Wid. Hildreth.
Benjamin Jefts, 2d, 25 y.
John Waugh, 99 y.
In. c. of WiUiam Newell.
SaUy, d. of R. Wesson,
18 y.
Luther Lawrence, 20 y.
David Ehott, 15„y.
Ammi A., s. of Andrew
Tufts, 4 y.
Benjamin Woods, 25 y.
In. c. of WiUiam Barrett, 1
y. 6 m.
Nov. 6. In. c. of William Bride,
21 d.
" 8. Hannah, w. of Ebenezer
GUman, 24 y.
" 30. Asa, a. of John Whitaker,
22 y,

ft

24

May

7.

tt

26

tt

26

June

6

Oct.

15.

Dec.

19.

tt

21.

Ct

27.

1805.

Jan.

3

Feb.

19

ft

22

tt

28

Mar.

19

AprU 14
May 1
June 16.

tt

26

July

3.

tt

16

Aug. ft

1
10

Sept. tt

8
27

Dec.

22.

In. c. of John Brown, 2 d.

tt

24.

WiUiam HU1, of Bedford,
21 y.

1806.

Jan.

18.

Abraham Merriam, 48 y.

Feb.

16.

Rebecca, widow of Jason
Dunster, 74 y.

Mar.

23.

Lucinda Hodgman, 1 1 y.

tt

27.

In. c. of Joshua Blood, 6 h.

Apri

7.

Joshua, s. of Joshua Blood,
5y-
Amos Holden, 54 y.

tt

16.

tt

17.

John, s. of John RusseU,
Jr., 1 y.

1806.
April 19.

June 1.
Oct. 31.
Nov. 20.
Dec. 3.
1807.
Jan. 2. 3.
" 9.
" 19.
Feb. 27.
AprU 5.
" 7.
May 5.
" 7.
Aug. 13.
Sept. 5.
9.
" 12.
" 20.
Dec. 2.
" 12.
1808.
Jan. 16.
" 18.
Mar. 3.
AprU 23 .
" 30.
May 19.
" 20.
JuneJuly 26.
Aug. 22.
" 28.
Sept. 3.
"#7.
Dec. 13.
" 30.

Mary, w. of Joshua Blood,
28 y.
In. c. of David Withee.
Benjamin Kendall, 56 y.
d. of Josiah Eliott, 7 y.
Alvah, s. of Capt. Jesse
Barrett, 3 y.
Aaron Wheeler, 66 y.
Mr. Knapp, 86 y.
Prescott, s. of A. Wheeler,
12 y.
John Adams, 65 y.
Lydia, w. of Samuel HiU,
37 y.
In. c. of John Robbins,
6 m.
In. c. of Levi Morse.
Benjamin Jefts, 60 y.
In. c. of Silas BuUard, 6 m.
Deacon Nathan HaU, 91 y.
Zaccheus Barrett, Jr., 30 y.
Widow Rebecca Jones, of
Bedford, 53 y.
Rachel, d. of Jere. Boyn
ton, 5 y.
Stephen Robbins, 22 y.
Widow of Abraham Mer
riam, 69 y.
In. s. of Capt. Manning,
iy-
In. c. of Joseph Bullard.
SaUy, w. of Joseph BuUard,
21 y.
Betsy, d. of Jotham Web
ber, 20 y.
Susan, w. of James Snow,
28 y.
Lydia MUes, 7 y.
Susannah, w. of Zachariah
Davis, 57 y.
Amos, s. of Amos Blood,
12 y.
John Shed, 24 y.
Sampson Clator, 24.
Mr. Thomas Jefts.
Juliana, d. of Jason Dun
ster, 5 m.
Lydia Whipple, 28 y.
In. o. of Cyrus Colman 2 d.
Martha, d. of Capt. Jesse
Barrett, 7 y.
In. c. of John Sawtell, 4y.
Sukey Tarbell, (negro,) 34
years.
Sarah, wid. of Samuel HiU,
76 y.

RECORD OP DEATHS.

181

1809.

Feb.

13

tt

27

Apr.

24

Sep.

14

tt

24

Nov.

23

Dec.

10

Ct

11

1810.

Jan.

3

tt

17

Mar.

12

tt

20

ft

21

tt

22

Apr.

22

May

June

1.

cc

15.

ct
tc

19.
25.

July

8.

it

10.

Aug.

Oct.

12.

tt

27.

1811.

April June

15.
28.

Aug.

3.

tt

13.

tt

14.

Sep. 30.
Nov. 7.

Widow Weatherbee, 88 y.
Hannah, widow of Jonas
Amsden, oo y.
Esther Holden, 22 y.
In. c. of Jeremiah Boynton.
Sally Austin, 12 y.
In. c. of EUjah Knapp.
In. c. of  Groves, 7 m.
John Jefts, 70 y.
Lt. Enosh Lawrence, 72 y.
In. c. of Capt. John Barrett.
MiUey Holden, 20 y.
Mr. S. Walker.
In. c. of John Baldwin, 2 y.
Lucy Russell, 21 y.
In. c. of Samuel Townsend.
In. c. of Eleazer Fish.
In. c. of same.
Burley C. Amsden, 2 y. 6
months.
Hannah Barrett, 20 y.
In. u. of WiUiam EUott, 1
y. 3 m.
In. c. of Noah Winship, Jr.
Wheeler, s. of Sam'l Wes
ton, 4 y.
WiUiam Warren Whitaker,
5 y-
Capt. Jas. Scripture, 62 y.
Rebecca, d. of Jason Dun
ster, 5 y.
Timothy J., s. of Rev.
Ebenezer HU1, 2 y. 9 m.
Horatio, s. of A. Manning,
10 y.
Maria, d. of Joseph Mer
riam, Jr., 4 y.
Isaac, s. of A. Manning, 1
month.
Mary, wid. of Dea. Nathan
Hall, 88 y.
Mary, w. of Thomas Ken-
worthy.
Joseph Merriam, Jr., 41 y.
Sarah, wid. of Deacon A.
Dakin, 74 y.
Rebecca, w. of John Swal
low, Jr., 56 y.
Edey, w. of Aaron Wood,
33 y.
William B. Flagg, Jr., 9 y.
In. c. of Samuel Nutting,
21 d.
Jotham, s. of A. Wheeler,
25 y.
Dea. Andrew EUott, 56 y.
Wife of Mitchell Whittier,
25 y. 24

1811.

In. c. of John Blodgett, Esq.,
14 d.
John Smith, 46 y.
Wife of J. Kenworthy,29 y.
Widow Farley, 88 y.
Sarah, w. of Joshua Davis,
58 y.
Asa Reed, 36 y.
In. c. of G. Kimball, 21 d.
Molly,w.of Jonas Fay, 62 y,
Mrs. Ditson, 68 y.
Elijah Davis, 67 y.
In. c. of James Snow.
Mrs. Bachelder, 78 y.
In. c. of SimonHeald,10 m.
Mrs. Wyman.
Miss Wealthy Hayward,
50 y.
Wife of Jonathan Jefts, Jr.
Brintnall Witherell, 46 y.
Jonathan Searle, Esq., 68 y.
In. c. of M. Whittier, 2 y.
Polly Boynton, 18 y.
Eli, s. of Jona. Jefts, 22 y.
Mary, w. of Capt. Samuel
S. Parker, 50 y.
Samuel Hill, 49 y.
George Kimball, 38 y.
 Pritchard, 21 y.
Lucy Russell Barrett, 3 y.
Lucy Sylvania Russell, 3 y.
Stephen, s. of John Rob
bins, 2 y.
Wife of Samuel TarbeU.
Widow of Nathaniel Smith,
83 y.
Patty Holden, 35 y.
Reuel Richardson, 45 y.
In. c. of Jona. Jefts, Jr.
Martin Hayward, 20 y.
George, s. of Wm. Whita
ker, 5 m.
d. of Willard Lawrence, 13
years.
May 9. Sylvester Snow, 10 y.
SaUy, w. of Ephraim Rus
seU, 38 y.
In. u. of  Putnam.
Mary, d. of Hubbert Rus
sell, Jr., ly. 4 m.
Susan, d. of A. Wood, 8 y.
Widow Agnes Waugh,84 y.
Phebe, d. of Josiah Russell,
18 y.
Sep. 10. Mary, d. of Reuel Richard
son, 3 y. 6 m.

Dec. 30.
1812.
Jan. Feb.
Mar. 2.
" 19.
" 22.
April 1.
« 8.
'• 21.
" 21.
" 30.
May 2.
Aug. Sept. 11.

Nov. 20.
Dec. 7.
" 17.
1813.
Feb. 4.
" 8.
" 22.
May 23.
JuneJuly 25.
Aug. 1.
" 7.

1814.
Jan. 4.
" 12.
Feb. 2.

AprU 25.

11.

JuneAug.

11.
31.

182

HISTORY OP MASON.

1814.
Sept. 12.
Oct. 27.
Dec. 1.

" 12.
1815.
Jan. 29.
Feb. 9.
" 17.
" 19.
Mar. 1.
" 13.
" IS.
" 27.
" 30.
April 28.
» 29.
May 3.
" 12.
June 1.
" 29.
July 11.
" 12.

Aug. 13.
" 30.
Oct. 23.
Nov. 1.
" 23.
Dec. 5.

1816.
Jan. 2.5.
" 25.
" 26.
" 29. 30. 1.

Feb.

" 16.
Mar. 18.
April 14.
" 15.
" 19.

Daniel Prentice, 70 y.
In. c. of Woodis Lee, 5 y.
In. c. of Abial Green, 6 m.
s. of Samuel Wadsworth,
14 y.
In. c. of Dan'l White, 4 m.
Ephraim Flagg, 84.
In. c. of Paul Davis, 2 y.
Elizabeth, d. of Jeremiah
Boynton, 23 y.
In. c. of W. B. Flagg, 4 y.
In. c. of Hubbard Amsden,
6 m.
In. c. of Othni Crosby.
John Boynton Wright, 1 8 y.
Mrs. Sawtell, 36 y.
In. c. of Thad's Morse, 2 d.
Rebecca Tarbell, 26 y.
Nathan Adams, 26 y.
Jonas Wheeler of New Ips
wich, 96 y.
Mr. Farwell, 68 y.
Loammi, s. of Deacon H.
Richardson, 2 y. 6 m.
Mr. John Baldwin.
In. c. of Josiah Eliott, 14 d.
Patty Eliott, 22 y.
Hannah, d. of Joseph Mer
riam, Jr., 17 y.
Esther, wid. of Lt. Enosh
Lawrence, 80 y.
In. c. of Eben Hodgman, Jr.
PoUy Bachelder, 29 y.
Israel Eliott, 27 y.
In. c. of Taylor Fay.
Eliab Knapp, 67 y.
Richard Lawrence, 80 y.
Lt. John Swallow, 86 y.
Mary, w. of Amos Dakin,
52 y.
Samuel Smith, 74 y.
Widow Flagg," 82 y.
Fanny Huston, 12 y.
In. e. of Paul Davis, 1 m.
7d.
William Barrett, 90 y.
Betsy Boynton, 23 y.
Wrillard Lawrence, 56 y.
Anna, wid. of Richard
Lawrence.
Rebecca, wid. of Jason
Dunster, 72 y.
Mehitabel, w. of Thomas
Robbins, 68 y.
In. c. of Taylor Fay, 1 y.
In. c. of Oliver Nutting, 3 y.
In. c. of Hollis Amsden, 3
y. 8 m.

1816.
Apr. 19.
Aug. 11.
" 31.
Oct. 5.
" 26.
Dec. 9.

18]
Jan. ft

7. IS,22.

Feb.

tc
Mar.

19. ¦->.
14.

It

1,5.

MayJuly

Aug.

30.

Sept.Oct.

9.

tc

15.

tc

20.

« 20.
1818.
Jan.

ct

Feb.

5.

Mar.

IS.

April

14.

MayJune

25.
15.

July 7.
Aug. 27.
Sept. 7.
" 14.
" 18.
" 22.
Oct. 23.

Benjamin Cragin, Esq.
Jesse Barrett, Jr., 27 y.
Twin children of E. Dex
ter, 1 m,
Lt. Obadiah Parker, 86 y.
In. c. of Jas. Kennedy, 4 y.
Hannah, w. of Samuel
Townsend, 68 y.
In. c. of Jame6 Gardner, 1 y.
In c. of Thomas RusseU, 1
m. 21 d.
In. c. of Ebenezer Hodg
man, .3 m.
In. c. of Jeremiah Preston.
Wife of Paul Davis, 34 y.
Mary, w. of John Blodgett,
Esq., 46 y.
Lydia, d. of Colonel James
Wood, 16 y.
In. c. of WUlard Lawrence.
Lydia, wid. of Amos Hol
den.
Lucy, w. of Samuel Mer
riam, 42 y.
Hubbard Amsden, 27 y.
Lowis, wid. of John Jefts,
71 y.
Ruth, wid. of Joseph Mer
riam, Jr., 45 y.
Lorena, d. of Andrew and
Lydia EUiott, 11m. 20 d.
In. c. of Mr. Read.
In. twin children of Levi
Morse.
Rebecca, w. of Abel Adams,
58 y.
Ruth, wid. of Obadiah Par
ker, 86 y
Sampson Parker, 50 y.
In. c. of Noah Winship, Jr.,
10 m.
George, s. of Isaac and Dei
dama Parker, 8 y.
In. c. of Willard. Lawrence.
Jonathan Jefts, 86 y.
Hannah, w. of WiUiam Bar
rett, 58 y.
Widow Russell.
Anna, wid. of WUUam Hos
mer, 85 y.
In. c. of Lemuel TarbeU,
Joel Richards, 28 y.
Simeon Kemp, Jr., 21 y.
In. c. of Darius Hudson,5y.
c. of same, 11 y.
In. c. of same, 3 y.
In. u. of Jona. Richardson,
7 m.

RECORD OP DEATHS.

183

1818.
Oct. 23.
Nov. 30. 7.
" 11.
•' 15.
" 18.
" 20.
Dec. " 8.
" 11.
" 13.
" 14.
" 21.
" 21.
1819.
Jan. 2.
« 8.
" 18.
" 19.
" 20.
" 22.
" 27.
Feb. 7-

Wife of Jason Dunster, Jr.,
24 y.
s. of William B. Flagg, 9y.
Widow Sarah Osgood, 96 y.
Artemas, s. of Capt. Elijah
Knapp, 5 y. 8 m.
In. iz. of Samuel Withing
ton, 8 d.
In. d. of Daniel Foster, 5 y.
Betsey, d. of Capt. Elijah
Knapp, 3 y. 5 m.
Rebecca, d. of Josiah EUott,
14 y.
In. c. at J. Davis', 3 y.
In. c. of Asa Merriam, 2 y.
d. of Eben'r Gilman, 8 y.
Albert, s. of Captain Amos
Flagg, 5 y. 4 m.
In. c. of Mrs. Lucy Mer
riam.
Emaline, d. of Capt. Amos

PoUy, w. of Amos RusseU,
28 y.
Joseph Warren, s. of Jos.
Sanders, Jr., 2 y. 6 m.
Wilham, s. of David and
Ama Sanders, 4 y. 9 m.
EveUne, d. of Jonas and
SaUy Adams, 4 m.
George E., son of same, 6
months.
Emily, d. of Seth and Phebe
EUiott, 1 y. 3 d.
John Powers, 25 y.
Lydia, d. of Daniel HUl, 7
years.
" Alva Parker, 11 y.
" In. u. of Eben'r Adams.
Mar. 24. Dea. Noah Winship, 55 y.
AprU 1. Charles, s. of Chas. Scrip
ture, 5 m.
" 2. d. of Oliver Nutting, 11 y.
" 5. In. c. of Eben'r WiUiams,
18 m.
" 6. In. c. of OUver Nutting, 3
years.
" 12. SaUy Saunderson, 18 y.
" 15. Dorcas, d. of Oliver Nut
ting, 13 y.
" 19. In. s. of Eben'r WiUiams, 3
years.
" 21. Thirza, d. of Peter Saun
derson, 16 y.
May 19. Mary Ann, d. of Wilham
and PoUy Darling, 4 y.
" In. d. of Jonathan Richard
son, 4 y.

1819.
July 4.

Aug.

1.
8.

tt
Nov. Dec.

25. 27.
23.

" 29.
1820.
Jan. 5.

, t

11,

1 1
Feb.

31. 9.

CC

28.

Mar.

12.

1 1

20.

April
Oct. 1 1

11.

Nov.

2.

C i

12.

tt

13.

tt

15.

Dec.

13.

ct

»

23.

tc

26.

1821.

Jan.

1.

Mar.

18.

ft

23.

tt

31.

June

Apri

9.

ft

28.

May

17.

Oct. 7.

Addison, s. of Samuel Mer
riam, 5 y.
Elisha Withington, 73 y.
Lvilia, w. of John RusseU,
Jr., 51 y.
John Winship, 77 y.
Wife of John Withington,
42 y.
Edward Farwell, 88 y.
In. c. of James Kennedy.
Lucy, d. of Edward Wil
son, 59 y.
In. c. of Sam'l Weston, 4 y.
Deborah, w. of Caleb Buck
nam, 20 y.
Abigail, w. of Chas. Scrip
ture, 21 y.
Betsey Russell, 22 y.
Azubah, d. of Robert and
Azubah Searle, 27 y.
Mary, d. of John and Mary '
Webber, 8 d.
In. o. of David Jefts, 2d, 1
y. 8 m.
In. c. of Abel Adams, Jr.,
6 m.
Polly, w. of WiUiam Bride.
Widow Cragin, 76 y.
Mr. Stratton, 50 y.
Mrs. Rachel Isaacs, 57 y.
WUe of Paul Davis.
Sally, d. of Jeremiah Boyn
ton, 23 y.
Widow of Joseph Bullard,
96 y.
In. c. of Jonathan Jefts.
c. of  Cutler, 8 y.
PhUena, d. of Benjamin
Kendall, 11 years.
Simon Ames, 80 y.
Timothy Wheeler, 68 y.
d. of Benjamin Farwell, 9 y.
Wife of Leonard Read, 36 y.
In. d. of Abel FarweU, 5 y.
Susanna Davis, 47 y.
Jonathan Williams, 85 y.
In. c. of John Sawtell, 1 y.
Jonathan Foster, (died in
Ashby,) 100 y.
Peter Kemp, 16 y.
Wife of John Robbins.
Silvia, (a negro girl), 14 y.
In. c. of Taylor Fay, 6 m.
Widow Goddard, 81 y.
In. c. of Leonard Reed, 8 m.
Polly Loring, 30 y.
Isaac KimbaU, Jr., 6 y. 3 m.

184

HISTORY OP MASON.

1821.
Oct. Ct
Nov. 28.
Dec. » 15.
" 26.
1822.
Jan. 10.
" 23.
" 29.
Feb. 26.
Mar. 29.
AprU 1.
May 21.23.
July » 16.

Aug.

14

Sept.

22.

it

26.

Oct.

5.

tt tt

6. 7.

¦ttt

23. 17.

Nov. it

3.3.

Nov.

10.

Dec.

11.

« 27.
1823.
Mar. 5.

tt
Apri tt

22. 2.
20.

Daniel Withee, 21 y.
In. c. of J. Jefts.
Sarah, w. of John Austin,
53 y.
In. c. of Isaac Russell, 1 to.
14 d.
David Brown, 83 y.
Polly Boynton, d. of Jos.
Merriam, 6 y.
Wife of Enosh Barrett, 22
years.
Widow Barrett, 91 y.
Charles Withee, 14 y.
In. c. of Thomas Loring.
In. c. of Ezekiel Merriam,
21 d.
Samuel Townsend, 88 y.
In. c. of Captain Elijah
Knapp.
In. c. of  Richardson.
In. c. of Joel Tarbell.
WUe of Jonathan Richard
son, 36 y.
Richard HaU, 54 y.
In. c. of Henry Isaacs.
In. c. of Wm. Nutting, 9 m.
Mary, wid. of Lieut. John
SwaUow, 76 y.
Mrs. Ehzabeth CampbeU,
(of Brookline,) 50 y.
Judith, wid. of John Win
ship, 82 y.
d. of Jotham Webber, Jr.,
12 y.
WiUiam, s. of Timothy
Wheeler, 4 y. 10 m.
William Barrett, Jr., 22 y.
Mary, d. of Tim. Wheeler,
2 y. 6 m.
In. c. of Paul Davis, 1 y.
Laura, d. of EUjah Knapp,
4 y. 6 m.
Artemas, a. of same, 3 y.
Lydia, w. of Andrew Eliott,
33 y.
David Green, (of Groton,)
82 y.
Adrian, s. of Noah Win
ship.
Amos Holden, 31 y.
Addison, «. of B. C. Kim
ball, 26 d.
In. c. of B. Farwell, 14 d.
Woodis Lee, 48 y.
Joshua Loring, 30.
Samuel Merriam, Esq., 50
years.

1823.
May Widow of David Brown, 79
years.
Wife of Abijah Eaton.
June 3. William, s. of Dea. Andrew
and Hannah Ehott, 20 y.
Aug. 13. Sarah, wid. of Timothy
Wheeler, 69.
In. c. of Capt. N. C. Searle.
Sept. Widow Hannah Huse, 50 y.
Oct. 24. George Alvin, s. of George
EUott, 3 m. 17 d.
Nov. 10. Rhoda, w. of James Gil
man, 68 y.
In. c. of Luther Nutting.
1824.
Jan. Mr. Amos Cutler.
Feb. 14. Widow Edwards, 81 y.
" 16. Jonas Campbell, 18 y.
Mar. 2. John Webber, 34 y.
" 25. Samuel TarbeU, 65 y.
AprU 18. WUliam KendaU, 72.
" 29. Job Hodgman, 37 y.
May 2. Dea. Jotham Webber, 72.
" 6. Alva Green, 24 y.
" 25. Widow Lois Gould, 84 y.
May 30. Josiah Flagg, 74 y.
July In. c. of David Amsden, 1
y. 9 m.
Aug. In. c . of Phinehas Webster,
" 15. Timothy, a. of Timothy
Wheeler, 2 y. 3 m.
Widow Fletcher.
" 21. Iu. c. of Jonas Kendall, 1
y. 6 m.

«

25.

David Hall, 71 y.

tt-

26.

Mr. Samuel Smith.

Sept.

2.

In. d. of Jonas KendaU, 3
y. 6. m.

"

2.

Lydia, d. of Samuel and
Mary Dakin, 2 y. 5 m.

tt

4.

Stephen Lawrence, Esq.,
80 y.

ii

14.

SamuelDakin, Jr., 9y. 6m.

tt

30.

Mary Ann. d. of B. C. Kim
ball, 4 y. 8 m. 18 d.

Oct.

18.

Widow of William Barrett,
91 y.

Ii

26.

Ebenezer WUliams, 79 y.

Nov.

In. c. of Samuel Dakin, 4 y.

a

In. c. of Martin Rand.

tc

28.

Rhoda, d. of Ehjah Knapp.

1825.

Jan.

2.

In. d. of Benjamin Farwell,
sy-
George Jefts, 14 y.

tt

13.

James Weston, 34 y.
May
16.
Huldah, wid. of Samuel
Merriam, 46 y.
II
27.
Elizabeth Winship, 58 y.
RECORD OP DEATHS.

183

1825.
May 29.
July

Aug.Aug. 17.
" 28.
it
Sept. 2.
ft
Sep. 20.

ff
ff

2020

Nov.

11

Dec. 26
1826.
Mar. 5
" 11

it
tt

11
13

ii

15

Apri tccc
May

252616

Aug. tt

1113

cc

18
27

Sept. 20.

Oct. 28.
" 29.
" 30.
Nov. 6.
Dec. 6.
1827.
Jan. 10.
Feb. 1.

Capt. Horace Sawtell, 26 y.
Nichols, s. of Dea. B. Rob
inson, 3 y.
Jeremy, s. of Samuel Wes
ton, 4 y.
In. c. of WilUam NeweU,
ly. 6m,
In c. of Jonathan Jefts.
Ebenezer, s. of Josiah Mer
riam, 5 y.
WilUam, s. of same, 2 y. 6
months.
Widow Shepherd, 20 y,
PoUy, w. of Hubbert Rus
seU, Jr., 32 y.
Inc. of Sampson Mcintosh.
Adam, s. of John Blodgett,
Esq., 22 y.
Amos Bo3'nton, 23 y.
Jason Russell, 83 y.
Mr. Priest, 62 y.
Mary Snow, 18 y.
Henry, s. of Daniel and
Ruth Felch, 14 y.
In. c. of Joseph Merriam,
2d, 2 d.
Widow Blood, 95 y.
Aaron Haskell 34 y.
Molly, w. of Joseph Rob
bins, 64 y.
In. c. of Ira Hall,
Lucinda, d. of Thomas
Hodgman, Jr., 2 y.
John, s. of Maverick Wy-
man, 8 y. 7 m.
In. c. of James Saunderson.
Abel Adams, 69 y.
Diantha Russell, 16 y.
Jonas Fay, 77.
In. c. of Taylor Fay, 10 m,
Numa Sawtell, 24 y.
Lucy d. of John Warren,
10 months.
Jonathan Barrett, 40 y.
Joseph Addison, s. of Jo
seph B. Robbins, 4 y.
Caroline, d. of Dea. Joseph
Saunders, 19 y.
Harriet Farley, 22 y.
In. c. of Isaac Kimball, 10
months.
Artemas Winship, 18 y.
d. of  Henderson, 10 y.
Joseph Merriam, 82 y.
Capt. Hiram Smith, 25.
Thomas Tarbell, 73 y.
Abigail, w. of George Hall,
27 years.

1827.
" 18. Esther, w. of Capt. Jesse
Barrett, 59 y.
" 26. Zaccheus Barrett, 79 y.
Mar. 14, Lucinda, d. of Thomas and
Esther Hodgman, 2 y.
April 4. Diantha Jefts, 9 y.
Mar. 4. Hinksman Warren, 75 y.
June 21. Ezra Merriam, 67 y.
" 23. WUe of Daniel WiUiams.
July 4. Daniel Williams, 73 y.
" 12. Elizabeth, w. of Daniel Hill,
58 years.
" 13. In. s. of Wm. Russell, 5 y.
Aug. 15. Wid. Elizabeth WiUiams,
82 years.
" 16. SaUy, w. of George Elliot,
30 y.
" 17. In. c. of John Bachelder,
3y-
" 20. c. of John Bachelder, 11 y.
" In. c. of Benjamin Farwell.
" 21. Lucy Ann, d. of Thomas
Wilson, 14 y.
Sept. 7. Capt. Isaac Brown, 47 y.
Oct. 2. Oliver H. s. of Capt. John
Barrett, 17 y.
" 9. Betsey, w. of James Wood,
Jr., 37 y.
Nov. 20. AbigaU, d. of Sam'l Smith,
44 y.
Dec. In. c. of Amos Holden, 4 y.
" 20. Capt. Sam. S. Parker, 64 y.
" Amaziah Blood, 41 y.
Thomas Robbins, 83 y.
1828.
Jan. 18. Wife of Jas. Withee, 66 y.
Feb. 5. In. s. of Jona. W. Elliot,
2y-
" 7. In c. of Capt. Ira Hall.
" 10. Samuel Leander, s. of Wid.
Martha Sloan, 4 y.
Mar. 12. Sarah, w. of Amos Her
rick, 82 y. 6 m.
" 21. Jason Dunster, 65 y.
April 6. Widow Bennett, 81 y.
June 8. Lucretia, d. of Joseph Jefts,
17 y.
" 12. Mary Taft, 22 y.
" 21. Polly, w. of Jona. Bach
elder, 70 y.
July Jotham Webber, 54 y.
" 14. Esther, w. of Thos. Hodg
man, Jr., 33 y.
Aug. John Farrington Walker,
30 y.
Sept. 2. Mr. Ditson, 87 y.
8. Wid. Beatrix Parker, 67 y.
" 17. Mary Jane, d. of Thomas
Pierce, 2 y. 1 m. 3 d.
'< In. c. of Andrew Elliot, 2 y.

186

HISTORY OP MASON.

1828.
Oct. 18.
« 24.
Nov. 12.
Dec. 25.
1829.
Jan. 25.

Feb.

27. 3.
4.

15.

Aug

»

121618

It

Sept. cctt

22
23

C 1

24 31

Oct. tt

1
26

Nov. cccc
Dec.
Dec. 12.
1830.
Jan.

May 11.
June 4.
" 12.
" 13.

Rebecca w. of Eld. WUliam
Eliot, 65 y.
Jonathan Russell, 77 y.
Wife of Ira Hadley, 33 y.
In. c. of Jona. F. RusseU,
3 m.
Elijah Towne, 62 y.
Sarah, w. of Hubbert Rus
sell, 76 y.
John Powers,' 25 y.
In. c. of Mr. Barnard.
Patty, w. of Olivet Hos,-
mer, 60 y.
In. c. of Benjamin Far-
well, 1 y. 4 m.
Elizabeth, w. of Jas. Wood,
Esq., 71 y.
Sarah, wid. of Simon Ames,
86 y.
Rhoda, d. of John Sawtell.
Parker Blood, 15 y.
Joshua Hobart, 26 y.
Sally Russell, 20 y.
In. c. of Caleb E. Bullard,
3 y. 6 m.
In. c of Amos Eliott, 3 y.
Eleazer Fish, 50 y.
Abel Kemp, 87 y.
In. c. of Ebenezer Adams.
In. c. of Dea. B. Robinson,
3y-
Samuel Whiting Esq., 33 y.
Anna, w. of Roger Weston,
Esq., 71 y.
John Whitaker, 85 y.
In. d. of  Henderson, 3
years.
Wid. Richardson, 87 y.
Wife of Joel Tarbell.
Wid. White, alias Green,
85 y.
In. d. of Daniel HUl, Jr., 2
years.
Beulah Austin, 58 y.
In. u. of Asher Peabody.
Hannah, wid. of Jonathan
Searle, Esq., 80 y.
Dea. Joseph Saunders, 65 y.
In. c. of Thomas Loring.
Mr.  Lawrence, 45 y.
In. c. of Joseph Merriam.
John Swallow, 73 y.
Joseph Woods, 76 y.
Rev. WilUam Eliot, 81 y.
Simeon Heald, 66 y.
Sarah, widow of Stephen
Lawrence, 84 y.

1830.

Aug. 15.

Rebecca, w. of Roger W'es-

ton, Esq., 76 y.

Sept.

WUe of  Loring.

Oct.

Benjamin Farwell. 45 y.

Nov. 8.

Polly, w. of T. Dakin,

Esq., 51 y.
1831.
Jan. 16.
Wid. Parker, 89 y.
" 20.
Anna, w. of Dea. H. Rich
ardson, 53 y. 8. m. 18 d.
" 20.
In. u. of David F. Hunt, 4
m. 10 d.
Feb.
Wid. Sarah Elliot, 94 y.
March
Miss Keyes, 70 y.
Elliot Russell, 22 y.
April
 Farley, 70 y.
8.
Rebecca, wife of Thomas
Wilson, 50 y.
May
Wid. of Benjamin Jefts, 72
years.
June
Wife of John Robbins, 52 y.
Aug.
Joseph Winship, 57 y.
Sept. 6.
Thankful, widow of John
Whitaker, 87 y.
6.
Nancy Adelaide, d. of
Henry Clements, 1 m. 21
days.
Widow Sally AUen.
Nov. 18.
Josiah EUott, 68 y.
In. c. of Abel FarweU, 2 y.
" 25.
Zaccheus Davis, 87 y. 10 m.
Dec. 20.
Capt. Joseph Barrett, 86 y.
" 28.
Sally Brown, 35 y.
Feb.
2
Mar.
2
tt
11
AprU
8
tt
25
May
9
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
15.
Hollis Amsden, 54 y.
Timothy Weatherbee, 84 y.
John Pratt, 77 y.
Nancy, w. of Jos. Woods,
Jr., 45 y.
In. c. of Jona. Jefts, 2 d.
In. c. of John Smith, 10 m.
Widow Hannah Holden,
37 y.
Wife of Daniel Lawrence,
72 y. '
David HiU, 24 y.
In. s. of George EUott, 1 y.
6 m.
In. d. of same, 3 y.
In. c. of  Farnsworth,
2y-
In. c. of  Mellen, 2 y.
In. c. of C. Granger.
In. c. of  Nutting.
Leonard Read, 50 y.
Widow Flagg, 90 y.
Rebecca Kendall, 40 y.
In. c. of Joel TarbeU.
John RusseU, 86 y.
RECORD OF DEATHS.

187

1833.
Ian.

Feb. " 24.
tfar. 11.
lune 9.
" 14.
Tuly 14.
«' 16.
L)ct. 18.
Dec. 1S34.
Jan.

12.

Feb.

Mar. 3.9.
iprUMayJune 7.
•' 11.
JulySept. 29.
Oct.Nov.Dee. 1835.
Feb. 21.
Mar. 1.
" 30.
" 31.
April 11.

Anna, wid. of Jona. Wil
liams, 83 y.
In. c. of Charles Scripture,
2 ra.
In. c. of Orlando Cragin.
Joseph B., s. of Timothy
Wheeler, 1 y. 6 m.
Ebenezer H., s. of Oliver
H. Pratt, 2 v. 3 m.
Mary C, d. of Dr. William
and Mary Barber, 40 y.
Sarah, wid. of Joseph iler-
riam, Sly.
James Ford, s. of David F.
Hunt, 9 m. 12 d.
Abraham B. Wright, 72 y.
Patty Flagg, 38 y.
WTidow Hodgman, 86 y.
In. twin children of Mr.
Howard, 4 d.
Emily Stevens, (of Boston)
16 y.
Asher Austin, 21 y.
In. c. of Samuel Dakin, 5
years.
Sibbel, wid. of Capt. James
Scripture, 78 y.
Mary, d. of Jas. and Lucy
Scripture, 17 y.
In. u. of George EUiott, 10
months. ¦
In. c. of E. Wellington, 3 d.
Sarah, wid. of John Pratt,
86 y.
In. c. of James CampbeU, 4
days.
Matilda, w. of Ephraim
HUdreth.
Warren TarbeU, 20 y.
WrUUam NewhaU, 65 y.
Wife of Aaron Blood.
Elizabeth, wid. of Samuel
Smith, 88 y.
In. u. of  Chandler.
Mary, w. of Samuel Dakin.
In. s. of Widow Farrar, 2
y. 6 m.
In. c. of Francis Wright.
Mrs. Felt, 34 y.
Mr. Tarbox, 22 y.
Harriet, w. of James Bald
win, 19 y.
In. c. of Jonathan Russell.
Mr. Gerry, (stranger,) 23 y.
Lt. Joses Bucknam, 75 y.
In. c. of Thaddeus Morse, 3
months.

1835.
May 1 5 .
June 20.
n 21.
" 24.

Aug.

Sept

10

tc tt Cf

11. 1919

Oct.
Dec.

11 8

" 11
1836.
Jan. " 23

Feb.
Mar.

8
15

CC

17

II

18

April

May 1.
Aug. 11.

1.5.

Oct.

Nov. 6.
1837.
Jan.

Feb. 2.
" 22.
Mar. 18.

July 18.
Aug.

Silas Bullard, 83 y.
Widow of Thomas Rob
bins, 80 y.
Sarah, w. of Seth Robbins,,
S2 years.
Thomas Blood, 77 y.
WUe of John Spaulding,
41 years.
Maria, w. of Oliver H.
Pratt, 29 y.
Wife of Mr. Mores, 70 y.
In. c. of Mr. Tibbets.
Anna, d. of Jer. Boynton,
23 years.
Mrs. Crossman, 91 y.
Lucy, wid. of Edw'd WU-
Bon, 97 y.
Mrs. Fry, 30 y.
Catharine Barrett, 14 y.
Sibbel, w. of Josiah Win
ship, 67 y.
Simeon Kemp, 76 y.
Elizabeth, wid. of Dea. Jos
Saunders, 71 y.
Ruth, d. of Stephen Spaul
ding, 16 y.
In. s. of Abijah Eaton, Jr.
5 years.
Avis, wid. of SUas BuUard.
72 years.
Miss Holt, 19 y.
Eunice, w- of Josiah Rus
sell, Esq.,
William Bruce Flagg, 66 y,
Francis Ann, w. of Samuel
E. Howard, 28 y.
Thomas Hodgman, 82 y. 6
months.
WUe of Capt. Ira HaU, 42
years.
Hubbard Russell, 88 y.
In. c. of Mary Ann Bald
win.
Ruhamah, widow of John
Russell, 88 y.
In. c. of  Bailey.
Anna, w. of Nathl. Cum
mings, Esq., 51 y.
James Wood, Jr., 51 y.
Lydia, w. of Roger Weston,
Esq., 81 y.
Widow Chapman.
Oliver Eliot, 102 y. 7 m.
Martha, d. of Asher Pea-
body, 1 y. 1 m.
Wife of Pollard Felt. "
In. c. of John Smith.

188

HISTORY OP MASON.

1837.

Seth Robbins, 92 y.
Mrs. Withee.
Phebe, w. of Jonas Brown,
[60 y.]
Mrs. Kemp, 84 y.

1837.

Miss Tarbox, [75 y.]
Mr. Christie, [35 y.]
Mrs. Knapp, [48 y.]
Widow of Gershom
[75 y.]

Eecord of deaths for the years 1838 and 1839 :

1838.
Feb. 7.
Mar. 6.
" 30.

AprU
MayJulySept.

11.
31.

Aaron Wyeth, 23 y.
Elizabeth, widow of Dea.
Jotham Webber, 82 y.
Aldice, w. of Oliver Bar
rett, 45 y.
Jason Russell, 23 y.
In. c. of Pollard Felt, 8
months.
Jonathan Bachelder, 85 y.
In. c. of WUlis Hall, 1 y.
6 months.
Widow Searle, 77 y.
Col. James Wood, 83 y.
Leonard Ames, 19 y.
In. c. of Mr. MeUen.

1838.

Oct.

25.

Dec.

8.

1839.

May June

7•5.

tt

17

Aug. Sept.

19
20

Oct.

CC

27

Dec.

25

Son of Capt. Flynn, 20 y.
Mary, w. of John Bachel
der, 45 y.
Abel Hunt, 44 y.
Ira Hodgman, 35 y.
Dea. Hez. Richardson, 67
years.
Elizabeth Davis, 63 y.
Jonathan Loring, 81 y.
In. d. of John Flagg, 3 y.
In. d. of Asher Elhot, 3 y.
Jeremiah Boynton, 74 y.
In. s. of Rev. A. G. Com-

Eecord of deaths from January 1, 1840, to December 31,
1858, kept by Dr. Willis Johnson :

In. c. of Freeman Elliott, 1
y. 9d.
Mrs. Putnam, 69 y.
In. c. of Sampson Mcin
tosh, 3 d.
In. c. of Timothy Amsden,
3 m. 14 d.
Widow of Joshua Davis,
80 y.
In. c. of WiUiam Creigh
ton, 15 d.
Martha, d. of David and
Betsey Amsden, 22 y.
Wife of PoUard Felt, 21 y.
Daniel Hill, 78 y.
In. c. of Elisha Withington,
3 m. 3 d.
Deborah, widow of Noah
Winship, 79 y.
Ellen, d. of John SwaUow,
13 y.
Dana Morse, 2 y.
Mary Sylvania, w. of Isaac
Sylvester Russell, 21 y.
In c. of Abraham Moore, 2

1840.

1841.

Jan.

29.

John Blood, 80 y.

AprU 5

Feb.

5.

In. c. of Pollard Felt.

ff

14.

Wilson Swallow, 38 y.

July 24

Mar.

29.

Maria, d. of S. Smith, Jr.,
17 y-

Aug. 3

May

31.

Wid. of Elias ElUott, 88 y.

Sept. 10

July

17.

Charles Otis, 21 y.

Widow Polly Davis.
Oct. 4
(t
27.
Charlotte Beckwith, 17 y.
If
28.
Lt. James Gilman, 88 y.
" 13
Aug.
23.
Betsey, wife of Artemas
Rowell, 54 y.
" 20
tt
27.
Mary Sylvania, d. of Isaac
and Mary Russell, 25 y.
Nov. 7
Sept.
11.
WUe of Aaron Holden, 48
" 10
years.
Dec. 16.
tt
24.
In. c. of J. B. Robbins.
Oct.
3.
J. Horace, s. of John and
Fidelia Peabody, 9 y.
« 25
"
16.
Joshua Davis, 96 y.
1842.
tt
25.
Ephraim Flagg, [50 y.]
Jan. 30
Nov.
6.
Mrs. Walker, 80 y.
Dec.
19.
Amos Blood, 83.
April 1
1841.
" 16.
Jan.
8.
Mary, wid. of Jos. Woods,
81 y.
" 26
Feb.
.5.
Mary Ann Tarbell, 22 y.
Mar.
26.
In. c. of J. Brown, 5 y.
" 9
In. c. of Mr. Taft, 1 y. 4 m.
RECORD OP DEATHS.

189

1842.
April Georgianna, d. of Abraham
Wright, 1 y. 6 m.
May 2. In. c. of Moses Taylor, 1
y. 4 m.
" 2. Samuel E. Howard, 37 y.
" 5. In. c. of Caleb E. BuUard,
5y.
" 9. WUhs, s. of Abner Holden,
8y-
" 9. Amanda, d. of same, 3 y.
« 15. In. u. of Mr. Clark.
" 28. Ira, s. of WiUiam W. Whit
aker. 11 m.
June 17. John Jefts, 69 y.
July 2. In. c. of James Barrett, 2y.
» 10. MarshaU W., s. of W. W.
Whitaker, 3 y. 6 m.
" 16. Hannah, wid .of Jonathan
RusseU, 92 y.
" In. c. of Chas. Prescott, 3 d.
" 8. In. c. of George HaU.
Oct. 14. Sarah, wid. of Thos. Tar
beU, 86 y.
" 17. Mary, wid. of A. B.Wright,
75 y.
" 22. Mr. Keyes, 54 y.
" 29. Amos Dakin, 82 y.
Nov. 27. In. c. of WiUiam Robbins,
2 y. 6 m.

1843.
Jan. 9.

Feb. tt
Mar.

10.
22. 1.
9.
11.

" 15.
April 10.
» 10.
" 11.

May

17.
24. 2.

" 28.
June 19.
July 31.
Sept. 13.
" 21.
Oct. 20.

Dorothy, w. of Dr. Willis
Johnson, 58 y.
Mr. Danielson, [50.]
Samuel D . Blood, 44 y . 8 m.
Wife of John Robbins, 61.
years.
Dea. R. Weston, 85 y.
AbigaU, w. of John Boyn
ton, 41 y.
Henry Scripture, 11 y.
Widow of John Russell,
98 y.
Widow Shed, 90 y.
Mary Ann, wife of Asher
TarbeU, 42 y.
Wife of Amos Robbins, 65
years.
In. c. of  Keyes.
Rachel, d. of OUver Barrett,
17 y-
Susan, d. of same, 19 y.
Rebecca, wid. of Thomas
Hodgman, 82 y. 5m.
Widow of Thomas Blood,
85 y.
In. c. of Lucas Adams, 3 y.
James Snow, Esq., 70 y.
In. c. of  Butler, 7
months.

1843.
Nov. 10.
Dec. 21.
1844.
Jan. 2.8.
Mar. 40.
" 27.
AprU 6.
Mar. 29.
July 20.
Aug. 10.
" 10.
Oct. 7.
8.
Nov. 1.
9.
" 11.
" 23.
« 19.
Dee. 7.

1845.
Jan. 4.

" 27.
Feb. 15.
« 16.
» 19.
» 26.
Mar. 24.
" 31.
AprU 15.
June 21.
July 23.
Aug. 14.
Sept. 5.
" 5.
" 7.
'< 9.
'< 9.
Oct. 6.

In. twin children of Samp
son Mcintosh, 1 d.
Esther, wid. of Hinksman
Warren, 88 y.
Hepzibath Lawrence, 56 y.
Oliver Nutting, 76 y.
Ephraim RusseU, Jr., 40 y.
Josiah RusseU, Esq., 77 y.
In. c. of Daniel Felch, 10
months.
Hannah Reed, 21 y.
Dorothy, wife of Calvin
Amscien, 29 y.
WiUiam Barrett, 84 y.
In. c. of  Taft.
Rev. Alfred L. Mason, 32 y.
John Russell, 76 y.
In. c. of  Bennett, 1 y.
3 m.
AUce Swallow, 52 y.
Capt. Jesse Barrett, 82 y.
Rodney H. Amsden, 28 y.
Susannah, w. of Jonathan
Smith, 76 y.
Jane, d. of Abram and
Julia M. Moore, 7 y. 8
m. 14 d.
WUe of Jedediah Felton,
69 y.
Jedediah Felton, 76 y.
Wealthy M„ d. of Edwin
and Lavinia Hodgman, 3
years.
In. c. of  Haseltine, 6 y,
c. of  Walker, 9 y.
In. c. of Henry Sawin, 14
days.
Daniel Felch, 64 y.
George Walker, 15 y.
WUliam, s. of Dr. WiUiam
and Rachel C. Barber, 42
years.
Miss Blanchard, 17 y.
In. c. of James Davis.
Mary, wid. of John Adams,
87 y.
Luther Robbins, 52 y.
In. c. of Luther L. Barrett,
7d.
Thomas Hodgman, 45 y.
J. Newton KimbaU, 20 y.
Miss Marsh, 22 y.
Phebe, w. of Capt. Samuel
Smith, 78 y.
Nancy, w. of Capt. Samuel
Weston, 58 y.
George Robbins, 21 y.

25

190

HISTORY OP MASON.

1845.
Oct.
Dec. 25.
1846.
Jan. 6.
Mar. 16.
April 11.
" 16.
" 26.
" 29.
July 25.
Aug. 30.
Sept. 6.
Oct. 2.
" 20.
Nov. 5.
" 16.

" 18.
1847.
Jan. 20.
Feb. 21.
Mar. 18.
April 10.
" 20.
July 31.
Aug. 7.
" 15.
Sept. 13.
" 19.
Nov. 29.
Dec. 20.
1848.
Jan. 22,
" 27.
Feb. 20.
Mar. 1.
" 22.
" 26.
" 30.
AprU 13.
May 8.

1848.

Dea. Timothy Dakin, 82 y.

May

21

Mrs. Farley, [78.]

June

16.

Aug

14.

Daniel Chapman.

Chloe, w. of James Brown,
tt
14
83 y.
t f
28.
Lois, wid. of Eliab Knapp,
tt
28.
88 y.
John Frederick, s. of David
Sep.
10.
F. Hunt, 8 m. 14 d.
tt
18
In. c. of Samuel M. Mer
»
30
riam.
Oct.
7.
Ruth, d. of Jona. Williams,
tc
24.
73 y.
Sylvester Putnam, 47 y.
Nov.
8
In. c. of Warren RusseU,
cc
9.
3 y. 10 m.
ff
22.
Wife of Geo. Amsden, 25 y.
fl
23.
Artemas L., s. of Leonard
Dec.
1.
and Deborah FarweU, 1
f f
21.
m. 21 d.
Lucinda, w. of Jos. Hodg
1849.
man, 55 y.
Jan.
11.
HUdreth Dutton, 25 y.
tt
22.
Samuel H. L., s. of Sam'l
B. and Mary Tebbetts, 1
'Feb.
9.
y. 8 m. 12 d.
tt
7.
Samuel Hartshorn, 36 y.
Apr.
26.26.
Sarah Octavia, d. of David
F. Hunt, 3 y. 7 m.
May
21.
Elizabeth Robbins, 17 y.
it
24.
Sarah M. Robbins, 23 y.
Mary, wid. of Elisha With
June
13.
ington, 99 y. 6 m.
In. c. of Amos Scripture,
"
15.
3 y. 7 m. 5 d.
1 1
24.
John Cutter, 2 y. 8 m. 27 d.
July
7.
Caleb Kemp, 25 y.
Aug.
18.
In. c. of Luther A. Tar
bell, 2 y. 1 m.
tt
21.
In. c. of Asa E. Woods, 1
y. 6 m. 13 d.
tt
30.
In. c. of Elnathan E. Boyn
Sept.
2.
ton, 6 y.
Mr. Butler, 65 y.
Ebenezer Flagg, 85 y.
it
6.
13. 13.
Sophronia, wife of Amos
it
Scripture, 39 y.
Mary Cragin, 33 y.
••
14.
Martha, d. of Lucius Ad
ams, 21 y.
Mary Merriam, 60 y.
Nov.
1.
In. c. of Henry Sawin, 2 y.
tt
17.
John Stevens, Esq., 64 y.
it
24.
Wife of Otis Childs, 26 y.
Dec.
1.
Ira Taylor, 19 y.
Susan Merriam, 45 y.
ff
13.
Mary, d. of J. W. EUot,16 y.
Samuel Tarbell, 63 y.
EmUy, d. of WUliam and
Nancy Wright, 17 y.
Emily, w. of J. Lang, 16 y.
SaUy Ames, 75 y.
Harriet JI., d. of Timothy
Wheeler, 1 y. 9 m. 23 d.
In. c. of  Essex, 2 y.
In. d. of Justus Peabody.
In. s. of same, 2 y.
Mary Stevens, 18 y.
Adalucia, wife of WUliam
W. Whitaker, 37 y.
Amos Herrick, 85 y.
In. c. of Daniel Felch.
Mrs. Otis, 58 y.
Mr. Timothy Moore.
Ebenezer Flagg, 53 y.
Esther, w. of Hinksman
Warren, 88 y.
Mr. Ira Hadley.
In. c. of Timothy P. Elliott,
2 d.
Capt. Samuel Smith, 84 y.
 Keyes, 68 y.
Mrs. White, 42.
Elizabeth, w. of Jeremiah
Boynton, 81 y.
Margaret Barrett, 21 y.
In. c. of John Conway, 2
m. 7d.
In. c. of Daniel Dugald, 1
y. 5 m.
Mr. Josiah G. Heald.
John Robbins, 74 y.
George Morse, 26 y.
Lydia, w. of Luther Rob
bins, 55 y.
In. c. of George Elliott, 2
m. 14 d.
Mrs. Hodgman, 50 y.
Edward Melvin, s. of Oli
ver H. and Catharine W.
Pratt, 2 y.
William Bailey, 43 y.
In. c. of Cain flungarn, 9 d.
Julia A. d. of William and
Eliza Farley, 4 y. 9 m.
Frederic T., s. of same, 1
y. 4 m.
In. c. of C. Raflin.
Mary Ann Herd, 17 y.
David Hunt, 83 y.
Elias Elhott, 70 y.
In. c. of Benjamin Living
ston, 5 y.
WiUiam RusseU, 70.
RECORD OP DEATHS.

191

lot,
Jan.

19.

Feb.

6.

Mar.

14.

May

17.

t«

19.

tt

27.

June

1.

f<

7.

July ft

5. 9.

It

25.

Aug. tl

13. 19.

It

28.

tf

26.

Sep. CC

10. 12.

tl

28.

Nov.

12.

tt

14.

i<

19.

1«51.

Jan.

2.

cc

9.

a

21.

tt

10.

it

19.

tt

20.

tt

30.

Feb.

3.

Mar.

30.

May June

3.
4.

tt

9.

tt

29.

July

22.

Aug.

4.

ff

13.

tt

22.

Sept.

23.

tt

23.

11

24.

James Conner, 23 y.
In. s. of Rev. E. R. Hodg
man, 7 d.
In. c. of  Adams.
Sarah, wid. of WiUiam Bar
rett, 82 y.
Harriet C, w. of Charles
Belcher, 33 y.
 Gassett, 68 y.
d. of Albert Taft, 15 y.
Elizabeth, wid. of Amos
Dakin, 85 y. *
Joseph Blood, 96 y.
Wife of Aaron Blood, 54 y.
Asa E. Woods, 33 y.
c. of Freeman Elliott, 8 y.
In. c. of John P. Linson, 4
days.
Charles FarweU, s. of Chas.
Belcher, 3 m. 9 d.
 O'NeU.
Mrs. Warner, 71 y.
Seth Robbins, 65 y.
In. u. of Seneca Lynch, 1
m. 21 d.
George EUiott, 53 y.
Hannah M., d. of Ebenezer
and Betsey Webber, 27
y. 9 m. 13 d.
Mrs. Sparrow.
Mrs. Sally Barrett, 57 y.
Mary H, w. of Isaac Rus
seU, 61 y.
True Robbins, 63 y.
Mary A. HUdreth, 27 y.
Miss Hutchinson, 9 y.
Wife of Isaac Woodbury,
33 y.
Mrs. Fisher, 47 y.
Nancy, d. of John Rich
ards, 5 m.
Theodorea, a. of Asher Pea-
body, 19 y. 2 m.
Maj. Abijah Elliott, 78 y.
Wife of Abel FarweU, 55 y.
Mary Foster, 37 y.
 Center, 52 y.
Lemuel TarbeU, 65 y.
WUe of Noah Winship, Jr.,
21 y.
Susannah, widow of Ezra
Merriam, 86 y.
Nathan Heald, 19 y.
Lucinda, wife of MUo Rob
bins, 23 y.
Oscar, s. of same, 2 m.
Hannah, w. of Jos. B. Rob
bins, 57 y.

1851.

Oct.

9

f f

11

ff

13

Cf

31

Dec.

27

1852,

Jan.

12

ft

17.

Feb.

8

tc

20

Apri

1.

June 11.

Cf

15

July

11

ct

31

Aug.

12

ff

19

tt

26

91.

Sept. 5.
" 22.
Oct. 7.

Oct. tt

10
11

tt
Nov.Dec.

15. 10

" 14.
1853.
Feb. 6
6.

Mar.
April

6.
30. 6.

May June

11. 6.

July 1.
" 12.

Henry Campbell, 58 y.
In. c. of John S. Spaulding,
5 mo. 10 d.
Albert Whitney, 4 m.
Jane Heald, 26 y.
Wifeof Luther Livingston,
52 y.
Luke Newell, Jr., 22 y.
Ransom Fiske, 53 y.
Edward P. Tarbell, 22 y.
Joseph Proctor, 88 y. '
In. c. of Martin L. Blood,
12 d.
Orrin W., s. of Walter
Robbins, 1 y. 8 m.
Esther, wid. of Jas. Snow,
Esq., 82 y.
Dr. William Barber, 85 y.
Noah Winship, Jr., 23 y.
In. c. of Augustus Flagg,
2y.
In. c. of  House.
In. c. of  Moor.
Levi Wyman.
Widow of William Newell,
73 y.
Hervey E., s. of Samuel
Wheeler Weston, 2 y.
11 m.
Joseph Hodgman, 67 y.
In. c. of James Hartshorn,
10 m.
WUe of John Swallow, 64
years.
Abigail, w. of Elisha Bar
rett, 64 y.
WilUam Wheeler, 25 y.
Samuel E., s. of Captain S.
Smith, 19 y.
Oliver Hosmer, 88 y.
WiUiam Putnam, 23 to 27 y.
Lydia, wid. of Jos. Blood,
83 y.
WUe of Abel Adams, 60 y.
Wife of Levi, Morse, 73 y.
Betsey, wid. of David Ams
den, 65 y.
Charlotte Mcintosh, 32 y.
In. c. of Gilman Heath, 8 m.
Charles Weston, 31 y.
Joseph A. TarbeU.
Ezra Walker, 31 y.
Nancy, w. of Wm. Wright,
61 y.
Widow of Wm. B. Flagg,
78 y.
Samuel Heald, 14 y.

192

HISTORY OP MASON.

1853.
July 20.
Aug. 9.
Sept. 14.
Nov. 9.
" 22.
" 24.
Dec. 5.
1854.
Jan. 2-
" 17.
» 21.
Feb. 11.
" 19.
Mar. 11.
April 19.
" 25.
" 26.
May 2.

» 9.
" 12.
" 20.
" 26.
June 5.
July 25.
Aug. 13.

Sept. 14.
Oct. 21.
1855.
Jan. 22.
Feb. 6.
« 17.
Mar. 3.
" 19.
April 5.
" 29.
Mav 3.
" 24.
June 8.
July 18.
" 18.
" 20.
« 29.
Aug. 6.
" 8.

Mary Moor, 17 y.
William Russ, 38 y.
Joel Ames, 82 y. 8 m. 3 d.
Abby B., d. of Ephraim
and Martha Russell, 19 y.
Wife of Walter Weston,
30y._
Loammi Chamberlain, 63 y.
Jeremiah W. Marsh, 58 y.
Azubah, wid. of Woodis
Lee, 84 y.
Rhoda, wid. of Samuel
Tarbell, 86 y.
Timothy Wheeler, 71 y.
Abigail, wid. of Luke H.
Cutter, 45 y.
Josiah Winship, 83 y.
James Brown, 84 y.
SaUy Smith, 96 y.
Mrs. C. Amsden, 35 y.
Charles Robbins, 32 y.
Mrs.  Wheeler, 18 y.
Martha H. w. of Rev. E.
R. Hodgman. (at Lun
enburg,) 37 y.
Stephen Withington, 82 y.
Edward B. Wheeler, 25 y.
In. c. of M. Hurlburt, 23 d.
Rev. Ebenezer HiU, 88 y 3
m. 20 d.
Martha, d. of Rev. E. R.
Hodgman, 1 m.
WUliam Withington, 83 y.
In. c. of Leonard Jefts, 2 y.
In. c. of WUder Reed, 1 y.
8 m.
In. c. of Leonard FarweU.
John TarbeU, 80 y.
Sarah Francis, d. of Dr. T.
H. Marshall, 10 y.
Stephen Corburn, 73 y.
Betsey Wheeler, 76 y.
James Withee, 93 years.
George Newell, 21 years.
Mrs. Mary Hadley, 47 y.
SUas Shed, 80 y.
Mrs. George HaU, 44 y.
John H. Jones, 40 y.
David Blood, 67 y.
Mrs. Betsey Shed, 78.
Wid. of John Blood, 96 y.
Ezra Wood, 42 y.
John Austin, 89 years.
In. u. of Amos Russell, 4 y.
In. c. of  Hartwell.
Anna, w. of Sewall Woods,
68 y.

1855.

Aug.

9.

k

17.

Oct.

22.

Nov.

3.

tt

3.

tt

23.

Dec.

3.

Dec.

24.

tt

27.

1856.

Jan.

19.

Feb.

23.

it

24.

Mar.

3.

it

15.

ff

25.

April

3.

it

12.

June

1.

tt

ft

13.

ti

28.

July

3.

ff

20.

Aug

9.

tt

19.

it

21.

ff

21.

ff

23.

ff

26.

Sept

2.

II

4.

ft

7.

ff

9.

Oct.

1.

tt

10.

»

12.

1757.

Mar

16

June 15.

it

21

July

19

ti

21

ft

31

EUza, wid. of George EUiot,
66 y.
WUliam, s. of Wm. Clag-
gett, 2 y.
Henry CampbeU, 62 y.
Mrs. Betsey RusseU, 78 y.
d. of  McClure, 12 y.
Capt. John Barrett, 79 y.
Mrs. BaUey, 75 y.
Mr. Winn, 87 y.
Mr. McClure, 49 y.
In. i;. of MUton Merriam, 7
months,
WUe of E. Brooks Barrett,
35 y.
In. c. of E. A. Larkin, 1 y.
6 months.
James Taft, Esq., 75 y.'
In. twin chUdren of John
AUinson, 5 m.
Mrs. Tinkham, 48 y.
Louisa Russell, 19 y.
PoUy, w. of WUliam Whit
aker, 71 y. 10 m.
Ammi M. Shattuck, 29 y.
John Warren, 62 y.
Rebecca, wid. of Elias El
liot, 71 y.
Warren Flagg, 29 y.
Matilda, wUe of Ephraim
Hildreth, 69 y.
In. c. of Joel Sawyer, 2 y.
In. c. of John Scripture, 2
months.
Charles Gardner, 34 y.
In. c. of Willard Jefts, 1 y.
Joel Sawyer, 46 y.
George Mansfield, 19 y.
In. c. of Hubbard Amsden,
4 m.
In. c. of Anthony HaUeran,
4y-
In. c. of Dr. Thomas H.
Marshall, 5 y.
In. c. of WiUard Jefts, 3 m.
Mrs. Sawyer, 70 y.
Wife of John Campbell.
James Richardson, 25 y.
In. c. of Anthony HaUeran,
14 m.
In. c. of  Wilson, 2 y.
Jonathan Bachelder, 72 y.
In. c. of Benjamin Dix, 2y.
John Scripture, 28 y.
Mrs. Woodis Lee, 51 y.
EUsha Barrett, 80 y.
Thaddeus Morse, 70 y.

RECORD OP DEATHS. 193

1867.
Aug. 24. Herman Putnam, 51 y.
" 27. In c of Eben'r EUiot, 3 y.
6 m.
" 28. Edward Keyes, 37 y.
" 29. In. c. of Francis Nutting,
3y.
Sept. 14. Sybil, wid. of Joseph Proc
tor, 90 y.

1857.
Sept. 27. In. c. of Stillman* FarweU,
<5y-
Oct. 5. In. c. of Walter'Robbins, 4
years.
" 6. In. c. Stillman Farwell, 3 y.
" 31. Charles Henry Elliot, 19 y.
Nov. 16. EUsha Boynton, 57 y.
" 21. James Scripture, 80 y.

The obituary list for 1836, '37, '38 and '39, is by no means
so reliable and satisfactory as that of the preceding and suc
ceeding years. Mr. Hill, in those years, not being in the
active pastoral charge of the church, and being employed
much of the time in other places, did not keep, in 1836 and
1837, so perfect a record as had been his custom in former
years. His record is all that can be found of those years,
and it is given in form as he left it, except that some names
and dates, made certain by examination, have been added.
For the purposes of this -work, a careful personal examination
has been made of 'every monumental headstone in each of the
two ancient graveyards, and many corrections have been
made in dates and in errors, and omissions of names; and
some names, not found in the original entries, have been added
from memoranda thus made.
For the years 1838 and 1839, no record has been found, but
the want of it has been supplied, as well as can be done, by
reference to the minutes, &c, kept by the several sextons,
and by personal inquiries of individuals. The list is undoubt
edly deficient, and probably may by incorrect as to dates, but
it is given as the best that can now be procured.
It is not improbable, that with all the care that has been
bestowed upon this list, errors and omissions may be found.
It should be borne in mind that, during the whole period
embraced in the obituary record in this volume, there was no
law requiring any returns to be made to any officer, or pro
viding for any record to be kept, of deaths occurring. It is
believed that few towns in New England can show so com
plete an obituary list for the period of one hundred years as
that presented in this volume. In this list, will be found the

194 HISTORY OP MASON.
names of some persons not inhabitants of the town, but tern-
porarily residing therein, at the time of their decease. Also,
of some, inhabitants of the town who died in other places, but
were buried in Mason; and of some, who died in Mason,
but were buried in other places. In Mr. Hill's record, the
death of Mr. Eliab Knapp is entered under date of October
26, 1816. The date on his monument is October 23, 1815.
The date on the monument, although probably erroneous,
is adopted in the list. To this list should also be added
the following : Taylor Fay, died at New Ipswich, in March,
1840, aged 48 years; Mrs. Larkin, died at Manchester, in
January, 1841; and John Sawtell, Jr., aged 32 years, killed
by the bursting of a grindstone at Millbury, Mass., February
14, 1841 ; all natives of Mason and buried there. It is not
improbable that, with all the care that has been bestowed in
preparing this obituary list, there will be found in it errors
in names, dates, and ages. Any such, if discovered, should he
excused, in consideration of the great number of the names,
dates, &c, and the fact that the work was prepared and
printed at the distance of two hundred and fifty miles from
the locality to which it refers.
In the record kept by Mr. Hill, the disease or cause of
death is, in most instances, stated ; but as the principal use
that could be made of such entries is secured in the table of
ages, diseases, &c, to be found in this book, it was thought
that the space required would not be compensated for by the
insertion of these items. In the record of deaths, a few
abbreviations are used, to be explained as follows : In. infant,
c. child, s. son, d. daughter, w. wife, y. m. d., years, months,
days.

FAMILY REGISTERS. 195

FAMILY REGISTERS.

Many of the first settlers in Mason were descendants of
John Lawrence of Watertown, and, therefore, it is thought
expedient to insert so much of the family register of his
family as will show the pedigree of the Mason families,
which compose a portion of his very numerous descendants.
The earliest ancestor of this name, of whom any record has
been preserved, is Sir Robert Lawrence, of Ashton Hall, Lan
cashire, England. He was a companion in arms of Richard I.,
the Lion-hearted King of England ; and accompanied him in
his expedition to Palestine, at the time of the crusades. In
1191, Richard conferred upon him the honor of knighthood,
for his bravery in scaling the walls of Acre. Sir Robert's
son James married Matilda, daughter and heir of John de
Washington, and thus the family of Lawrence became con
nected with that of Washington, and from that family connec
tion Lawrence Washington, the grandfather of General Wash
ington, derives his name. Their son John married Margaret
Chesford; their son John married Elizabeth Holt; their son
Sir Robert married Margaret Holden ; their son Sir Robert
married Amphilbus Longford. From their son Nicholas Law
rence of Agercroft, descended John Lawrence of Suffolk, who
died in 1461. His son Thomas Lawrence of Rumburgh, in Suf
folk, made his will July 17, 1471. His son John died in 1504,
leaving a son Robert. His son John's will is dated June 27,
1556. His son John was buried at Rumburgh, May 21, 1590.
From him descended John Lawrence of Wisset, who was
buried January 16, 1607. His son Henry Lawrence probably
came to New England, in 1630, and settled at Charlestown.
His son John, baptized at Wisset, October 8, 1609, came to
New England about 1630, probably with his father, and set
tled at Watertown, whence he removed to Groton, 1662,
where he died, July 11, 1667, aged 58 years. His first wife
Elizabeth died at Groton, Aug. 29, 1663. His second wife Su
san Bachelder died July 8, 1668. His second son Nathaniel,
born at Watertown, in 1639, was the ancestor of Hon. Abbott

196

HISTORY OP MASON.

Lawrence, and of Amos Lawrence, the eminent Boston mer
chants. His seventh child, Enosh or Enoch, was born at
Watertown, January 1, 1649. His wife was Ruth Shattuck.
Their son Nathaniel was born February 21, 1678. His son
Enosh, born November 15, 1710, removed to Mason about the
year 1749 or 1750, and died there September 28, 1778, aged
68 years. Zachariah, the third son of Enosh Lawrence and
Ruth Shattuck, was born 16th day of the 5th month, 1683.
His wife's name was Abigail. Ruth, their second child, was
born September 3, 1710. She was the wife of Elias Eliot,
married December 18, 1729. They removed to Mason, where
she died, December 3, 1794, aged 84 years. Three of their
sons, William and Oliver, born in Groton, and Elias, born in
Pepperell, settled in Mason, and died there, leaving numerous
descendants. So much of the family register of John Lawrence's family,
as connects the Mason families with him, taken from Butler's
History of Groton, is here inserted; and taken from the same
work are inserted the family registers of the families of Oba
diah Parker, of Samuel Scripture, of John Swallow, ahd of
Thomas Tarbell, all of whom were among the early settlers
in Mason, and left numerous descendants in that town.

John Lawrence, Sen.* and Eliz
abeth, t Susanna Bachelder.J
(Married Susanna, Nov. 2, 1664, at Charlestown.)
John, born 14d. Im. 1635, at
Watertown.
15d. 8m. 1639, do.
30d. 3m. 1643. do.
[died young, do.
16d. 5m. 1645, do.
lOd. 11m. 1647, do.

Nathaniel,Joseph, Jonathan,Mary, Peleg,Enosh, or )
Enoch, )
Samuel,
Isaac, Elizabeth,Jonathan,
Zachariah, Abigail,Susanna,

5d. Im. 1648-9, do
do. do.
May 9, 1655, at Boston.
at Watertown.
9d. Im. 1658, do.
Jan. 11, 1666, of
Susanna, at Groton.
July 3, 1667, do.

*Died at Groton, July 11, 1667.
tDied at Groton, Aug. S9, 1663.
{Died at Charlestown, July 8, 1688.

Enosh Lawrence* and Ruth Shat
tuck..
(Married, March 6, 1676-7.)
Nathaniel, born Feb. 21, 1678.
Daniel, " March 7, 1681.
Zachariah, «¦ 16d. 5m. 1683.
Jeremiah, " May 1, 1686.
*Died, Sept. 28, 1744.

Nathaniel Nathaniel,
James, Anna,
Enosh, Sarah,Martha,
Joseph, Benjamin,
Rebecca,Lois, Eunice,

Lawrence and
Hannah.
born May 13,
" Aug. 26,
" July 8,
" Nov. 15,
" Mar. 15,
" Dec. 7,
" AprU 10,
" Nov. 6,
" April 17,
" Sept. 6,
" July 25,
[died Nov.

Anna or
1702. •
1705.1708. 1710.1713. 1715.1717-18. 1720.
1724. 1726.
1728.
15, 1747.

FAMILY REGISTERS.

197

Zachariah Lawrence and Abigail.
Zachariah, born May 8, 1708.
Ruth, " Sept. 3, 1710.
Jeremiah, «¦ Dec. 7, 1713.
Josiah, " July 4, 1715.
[died Nov. 13, 1717.
AbigaU, " May 16, 1718.
Elizabeth, « July 31, 1720.
JoBiah, " Oct. 11, 1723.
Rachael, (no date.)
Enosh Lawrence and Sarah Stevens.
(Married January 29, 1733-4.)
Samuel, born Sept. 12, 1734.
July 15, 1736.

Richard,
Enosh, Sarah,Lydia,Stephen,
Daniel, Lois,

liel, )
Si 5

July 24, 1738.
Aug. 6, 1740.
July 16, 1742.
Mar. 23, 1744.
Mar. 28, 1746.

[Daniel died Oct. 30,1747.
Hannah, born April 12, 1748.
Elias Elliot and Ruth Lawrence.
(Married, Dec. 18, 1729.)
[Children born in Groton.]
WUliam, born July 22, 1730.
Rachel, " Aug. 10, 1732.
OUver, " Aug. 24, 1734.
Jeremiah, " May 22, 1737.
AbigaU, " March 16, 1740.
Elizabeth, " July 4, 1743.
[Born in Pepperell.]
Ruth, " June 18, 1745.
Mary, " July 13, 1747.
Elias, " June 25, 1750.
Obadiah Parkjer and Hannah.
Abijah, born March 11, 1727.
Hannah, " Oct. 31, 1729.

Obadiah, "

April 19, 1730.

Abigail, "

Jan. 19, 1731-2.

OUver, "

Oct. 15, 1733.

Jacob, "

Oct. 10, 1735.

[died Sept. 18, 1736

Rebekah, "

AprU 4, 1741.

Simeon, "

Feb. 19, 1742-3.

[died Sept. 1, 1758

Ehzabeth, "

Jan. 9, 1745.

Samuel Scripture, Jr., and Mart,*
Elizabeth.
Sarah, born Dec. 16, 1700.
Jemima, " April 19, 1702.
[died Sept. 30, 1723.
Samuel, " April 25, 1705.
[died Sept. 28, 1723.
James,  ; died Sept. 28,1723.
Samuel, " April 27, 1727, of
Elizabeth.
*(Died Sept. 25, 1723.)
Samuel Scripture, Jr., and Mart
Green.
Mary, born May 5, 1747.
James, " Jan. 11, 1749.
Oliver, « Dec. 19, 1750.

John Swallow and Deborah, Sarah
John, born Feb.
Amaziah, " Nov.
Benjamin, " Oct.

Sarah, "
Peter, "
Mary, "
Deborah, "
Elizabeth, "
Hannah, "

Nov.
Oct.
Feb. Feb.
Dec.Jan.

Jonathan, " June

22, 1729-30.
22, 1731-2.
21, 1736, of
Sarah,
25, 1741.
9, 1743.
28, 1746.
9, 1748.
17, 1750.
17, 1754. at
Dunstahle.
22, 1757,atdo.

Thomas Tarbell and Hannah* or
Anna.
(Married June 30, 1666.)
Thomas, born July 6, 1667.
Anna, " June 10, 1670.
William, " Oct. 1, 1672.
Mary, " 2d. 2m. 1675.
*0Med Dec. 29, 1680.)

Thomas Tarbell* and Elizabeth
Blood.
(Married Dec. 1, 1686.)
Thomas, born Sept. 15, 1687.

Samuel Scripture and Elizabeth.
Samuel, born 4d. 8m. 1675.

Mary,
AbigaU,Ruth,Lydia,

Feb. Jan.

7, 1680.
28, 1686-7.

» Feb. 2, 1696.
June 28, 1700.
26

WiUiam,
EUzabeth, "
Sarah, "
John, "
Samuel, "
Zachariah, "
Anna, "
James, "
Eleazer, "

June 10, 1689.
Aug. 19, 1691.
Sept. 29, 1693.
July 6, 1695.
Oct. 14, 1697.
Jan. 25, 1699-1700.
May 28, 1702.
Feb. 13, 1704-5.
AprU 28, 1707.

(*Died Jan. 24,1717.)

198

HISTORY OF MASON.

Thomas Tarbell and Hannah, Abi-

gail Parker.

(Married Abigail, Jan. 1, 1716-17.)

Hannah,

born

July 1, 1702.

Rachael,

tt

Dec. 8, 1704.

Sara,

tt

Nov. 20, 1707.

Thomas,

tt

Feb. 2, 1719, of
AbigaU

Abigail,

«t

June 6, 1722.

Sarah,

tt

Apr. 14, 1726.

Jonathan,

tt

Feb. 27, 1727.

Eunice,

tt

Mar. 7, 1730-1.
[died Nov. 10, 1751

David, born Aug. 21, 1732.
Emma, ¦' June 16, 1734,
[died Nov. 3, 1651.
Solomon, " Mar. 11, 1736-7.
Esther, " May 4, 1739.
Thomas Tarbell, Jb., and Esther.
Sarah, born Jan. 19, 1742.

Nathaniel, Edmund,
John,
Thomas, Jerusha,

Dec. April
June
Oct. Sept.

4, 1744.
4, 1747.
4, 1749.
8, 1751.
25, 1753.

From the records of the towns of Groton, Pepperell and
Shirley, the following items, relating, as is supposed, to early
settlers in Mason, are taken :

GROTON.
Joseph Blood, Jr., and Hannah Blood, married September
9, 1743. Joseph, their first child, born July 29, 1743 ; killed
at Bunker Hill. See page 177.
Ebenezer Blood and Abigail. Ebenezer, their fifth child,
born June 30, 1727, was probably Ebenezer Blood, who died
at Mason, November 29, 1800.
James Blood and Elizabeth Longley, married September 7,
1669. His second wife Abigail. John, their second child,
born March 16, 1689.
John Blood and Joanna Nutting, married July 13, 1712.
John, their first child, born February 18, 1713-14.
John Blood, Jr., and Abigail Parker, married December 8,
1741. John, their seventh child, born April 15, 1761, is
supposed to be John Blood who died at Mason, January 29,
1840. John Holden and Sarah Davis, married November 22,
1715. Amos, their fifth child, born June 16, 1726.
Amos Holden and Prudence Holden, married February 6,
1750-1. Amos, their first child, born at Groton, September
21, 1752, is supposed to be Amos Holden who died at Mason,
April 16, 1806, aged 54 years. Four other children of this

FAMILY REGISTERS.

199

wife were born at Shirley, and eleven children of Sarah, his
second wife, at the latter place.
Samuel Kemp and Sarah. Ebenezer, their seventh child,
born in April, 1729.
Ebenezer Kemp and Mary. Simeon, their sixth child, born
September 28, 1758, is supposed to be Simeon Kemp who
died at Mason, February 8, 1836, aged 76 years, (originally
entered 77 years.)

PEPPERELL.
In the records of Pepperell, is the family register, as fol
lows, of WILLIAM BLOOD and LUCY.

William,

born September 14, 1748.

Amos,

born October

16, 1757

Lucy,

July 13, 1750.

Hannah,

March

31, 1762

Jonas,

September 26, 1754.

Lydia,

April

8, 1768

There is no doubt that the name Jonas is an error in the
record or copy. It should be Joseph. He died in Mason,
July 5, 1850, aged 96 years; Amos died December 19, 1840,
aged 83 years ; Lydia, wife of John Russell, Jr., died July 5,
1819, aged 51 years; Lucy was the wife of Ebenezer Shat
tuck, all of Mason.
Family Registers of the Families of some of the early
Settlers in Mason, copied from the town records :

SAMUEL ABBOTT and BATHSHBBA.
Samuel, born June 20, 1774.
JOHN ADAMS and MABY.
John, born August 24, 1778.
PoUy, August 11, 1780.
Sally, June 11, 1782.
Jonas, August 31, 1784.
Ebenezer, November 15, 1786.
Nathan, February 15, 1789.
Seth, January 21, 1791.
Lucy, July 9, 1793.
Hannah, May 8, 1795.
Ruth, July 14, 1797.
ABIJAH ALLEN and MAEY.
Amos,* born February 8, 1770.

Isaac,Abijah,PoUy, I
SaUy, J

September 6, 1771.
July 16, 1773.
June 19, 1775.

Joseph,
Lucy,

March 22, 1777.
February 27, 1779.

• Died October 10, 1778.

SIMON AMES and SAKAH (MANN).
[Children born at Waltham.]
Simon,* born September 3, 1763.
Joseph,t July 8, 1766.
Thaddeus, May 18, 1768.
Joel, January 11, 1771.
[Children born at Mason.]
SaUy, born May 9, 1773.
Daniel, April 12, 1777.
Abijah.J June 19, 1779.
Hannah, September 19, 1782.
Elijah, February 14, 1785.
Simon, July 21, 1788.
*Died July 8, 1765. t Died January 13, 1767.
{ Died January 7, 1797.

200

HISTORY OP MASON.

JOHN ASTEN and SARAH.
Sarah, born AprU 3, 1767.
John, July 29, 1760.
Mary, June 12, 1761.
Martha, March 1, 1763.
Benjamin, January 19, 1765.
Aaron, July " 29, 1766.
Eldad, AprU 29, 1768.
JOSEPH BALL, born at Waltham, Jan. 5, 1747;
LYDIA, his wife, at Weston, Nov. 14, 1750.
Peter, born September 22, 1771.
PoUy, January 10, 1774.
Lydia, August 1, 1776.
Samuel, October 17, 1778.
Nabby, November 19, 1780.
Rebecca, December 14, 1782.
JOSEPH BARRETT and SARAH, LEAH.
Joseph, born January 25, 1774.
John, August 21, 1775.
Elisha, December 7, 1776.
Sarah, October 12, 1778.
Mercy, August 5, 1780.
Abel,* June 3, 1782.
Hannah, September 13, 1783.
Jonas,t December 31, 1784.
Polly, January 8, 1787.
Rebecca, May ' 26, 1789.
Sarah, wife of Joseph Barrett, died March 25,
1794. Of Leah,
Asa, born April 5, 1800.
Loisa, " September 26, 1803.
*Died October 5, 1782. t Died January 22,
1787. REUBEN BARRETT, 3d, and MARY.
Polly, born May 25, 1775.
Samuel, May 21, 1778.
Sarah, April 6, 1780.
Reuben, June 6, 1782.
BENJAMIN BARRETT and HANNAH.
Hannah,* born June 13, 1783.
Hannah, May 21, 1784.
PoUy, April 18, 1786.
SaUy, February 19, 1788.
Lydia, March 7, 1790.
Benjamin, September 7, 1792.
* Died July 24, 1783.
JOHN BARRETT and SUSANNAH.
Harathusa, born February 3, 1783.
JONATHAN BACHELDER and POLLY.
Jonathan, born December 13, 1784.
Polly, October 22, 1786.
John, December 4, 1789.
Phebe, August 2, 1795.
DAVID BLODGETT and ANNA, LUCY.
Anna, born February 8, 1772.

Anna, his wife, died Nov. 7, 1772. Of Lucy,
Luther, born August 7, 1776.
EBENEZER BLOOD and SARAH.
Ebenezer, born May 14, 1757.
Thomas, March 6, 1759.
Asa, September 28, 1763.
Sarah, December 1, 1766.
Naomi, May 13, 1773,
JOSEPH BLOOD and RUTH [DUNSTER].
Joseph, born June 17, 1769.
SUvanus, May 8, 1771.
WilUam Cutter, March 22, 1773.
Ruth, January 8, 1775,
Mr. Joseph Blood died June 17, 1775.
THOMAS BLOOD and MOLLY.
PoUy, born September 14, 1784.
Ebenezer, June 18, 1786.
Thomas, June 9, 1788.
Josiah, August 17, 1790.
Phebe, August 20, 1797.
ASA BLOOD and PATTY.
Patty, September 24, 1781.
Lucy, April 8, 1793.
AMOS BLOOD and SARAH [BLOOD.]
Married by Rev. S. Dix, May 12, 1785.
David, born, December 19, 1787.
AbigaU, April 4, 1789.
Sarah, February 6, 1791.
Hannah, December 31, 1793.
Amos, May 6, 1796.
Samuel Dix, June 22, 1798.
Inde, December 12, 1801.
SAMUEL BROWN and MARY.
Josiah, born April 15, 1775.
Daniel Emerson, July 4, 1777.
SILAS BULLARD and AVIS [KEYES]. Mar
ried by Rev. Mr. Judson, July 1, 1782.
Joseph, born AprU 2, 1783.
Sampson, October 24, 1784.
Silas, September 5, 1786.
Amasa, July 22, 1788.
Isaac, November 1, 1790.
Sally, February 21, 1793.
Eleazer, November 9, 1794.
Jesse,* November 3, 1796.
Caleb Emerson, August 29, 1799.
Clarissa Page, May 26, 1802.
Abigail Brooks, December 20, 1804.
George, October 26, 1806.
Charles Keyes, February 22, 1807.
Hannah Keyes, December 22, 1808.
"Died July 14, 1793.

FAMILY REGISTERS.

201

ELISHA BUSS and POLLY [MANNJ.
Polly, born July 30, 1791.
Lucy, March 21, 1794.
John, November 14, 1796.
WILLIAM CHAMBERS and LYDIA [LOR
ING].
born March

Mary,

3, 1782.

JONATHAN CHANDLER and HANNAH,
RACHEL.
[Children born at Grafton.]
Hannah, born August 6, 1776.
John, January 12, 1778.
[Children born at Mason.]
Jonathan, born July 21, 1780.
Daniel, November 13, 1782.
BetseyWhitmore, January 26, 1785.
Mary, May 26, 1787.
Hannah, wife of Jonathan Chandler, died June
3, 1787. Jonathan Chandler an* Rachel Wil
son, married by Rev. S. Farrar, December 6,
1787. Of Rachel,
Joseph, born October 14, 1788.

AMOS DAKIN*

and SARAH

[MTNOT].

Sarah,

born

June

9, 1756.

Molly,

AprU

27, 1758.

Amos,

May

13, 1760.

Hannah,

January

20, 1762.

Timothy,

March
27, 1764.
Lydia,
April
11, 1766.
Dorcas ,f
June
Novembe
6, 1768.
Samuel,
r 17, 1770.
Jonas,
March
17, 1773.
Eunice,
March
26, 1775.
Rebecca,
AprU
15, 1777.
Lucy,
May
20, 1779.
*Dea. Amos Dakin died April 28
1789. [Died
December 23
1769.
AMOS DAKIN and MARY [KINGSLEY].
Married by Rev. S. Farrar, December 11, 1783.
Amos, born September 18, 1784.
Dorcas,
January 31, 1786
PoUy,
September 4, 1787
SaUy,
September 4, 1789
Samuel,
May 27, 1791
Jonas,
November 10, 1792
Moses,
May 20, 1794
Leonard,
May 8, 1796
Lydia,
March 20, 1798
Hannah,
May 18, 1800
Sophronia,
February 7, 1803
Cynthia,
January 19, 1805
JOSHUA DAVIS and DOROTHY.
Reuben, born June 26, 1768.
Dorothy,*Timothy,Dorothy, James,Paul, *Died AprU 7, 1776.
September 12, 1773.
November 18, 1775.
April 2, 1778.
March 26, 1780.
February 23, 1782.
ZACHARIAH DAVIS and
[BROWN).
born AprU
SUSANNA
Susanna,
EUzabeth, Cyrus,* Anna,Cyrus,
10, 1774.
May 24, 1776.
February 25, 1778.
February 9, 1785.
March 13, 1789.
*Died March 24, 1788.
JOHN DUTTON and SUSANNA.
Susanna,Mary,
Rebecca,* John,f
Elijah,Rebecca,Royal, Josiah,Mason,Joanna, John Mason,
Benjamin,
born
JanuaryJanuary
November J anuary
JuneJanuaryJanuary
November September
AugustAugust June
5, 1761.
14, 1762.
4, 1763.
27, 1765.
22, 1766.
8, 1768.
30, 1769.
11, 1770.
9, 1772.
1, 1774.
27, 1777.
4, 1780.
* Died October 2, 1764. fDied Sept. 10, 1777.
OLIVER ELIOT and MARY.
Samuel,Mary,
Ehzabeth, Susanna,
Esther, OUver,Abijah, Sarah,
born
July
AugustJanuary
February April July October
August
30, 1758.
15, 1760.
2, 1762.
20, 1765.
2, 1767.
7, 1769.
21, 1771.
23, 1774.
WILLIAM ELIOT and DOROTHY.
Molly,Betty,WiUiam,
Dolly,
Israel,* Sarah,
born AugustMarch
February March
AprUMay
2, 1773.
3, 1775.
3, 1777.
3, 1779.
10, 1781.
29, 1783.
Joshua,
January 12, 1771. ' Jesse,
Dorothy, wife of William Eliot, died June 14,
1786. William Eliot and Rebecca Hildreth,
married by Rev. S. Dix, March 20, 1787. Of
Rebecca,
Israel, born
Joseph,
David,t Seth,
Rebecca, Samuel,Susan,
January 1, 1788-
April 12, 1789*
September 24, 1790-
May 8, 1792-
July 9, 1794.
March 22, 1796.
March 4, 1798.
December 24, 1799.
202

HISTORY OP MASON.

Elsey, born October 20, 1803.
Abel, May 5, 1805.
Addison David, May 18, 1809.
Juliann, January 12, 1811.
Mr. John Eliot died June 24, 1781, aged 65 years.
* Died August 7, 1782. t Died Aug. 1, 1805.
ELIAS ELIOT and SALLY.
Sally, born December 7, 1777.
Elias, February 2, 1779.
Lucy, April 15, 1781.
Joel, July 18, 1783.
Nabby, April 15, 1786.
Pamela, July 24, 1788.
Polly, July 25, 1791.
Patty, AprU 11, 1793.
Dorcas, January 23, 1797.
ANDREW ELIOT and HANNAH.

Andrew,* born
John,Hannah,PoUy.tAndrew,PoUy, Sally,George,
Amos,WUliam,Betsey, * Died July 1, 1783.

JanuaryJune
March MayFebruaryJuneDecemberAprU March
February May t Died April

25, 1783.
18, 1784.
3, 1786.
24, 1788.
10, 1790.
27, 1792.
17, 1794.
24, 1797.
8, 1799.
1, 1804.
18, 1805.
7, 1789.

ABIJAH EATON and ELIZABETH [ELLIOT].
Abigail, born June 4, 1785.
Hallet, June 18, 1789.
Abel, December 24, 1791.
Esther, January 11, 1794.
Betsey, October 30, 1796.
Vearon, December 17, 1798.
Isaac Green, May 14, 1801.
WUliam, July 15, 1803.
SAMUEL ELIOTT and SARAH.
SaUy, born February 2, 1787.
Nabby, June 23, 1789.
Merriam, AprU 30, 1791.
PoUy, November 11, 1793.

Taylor, Nancy,

born October
May

25, 1792.
26, 1795.

JONAS FAY and MOLLY.

Jonas,

born July

John,

February

PoUy,

October

WiUiam,

May

Anna,

March

Betsey,

March

Artemas,

March

SaUv,*

August

SaUy,

May

6, 1776.
26, 1777.
7, 1779.
19, 1781.
29, 1783.
19, 1785.
11, 1787.
17, 1789.
23, 1791.

* Died September 25, 1789.

DANIEL FAY and JEMIMA SCRIPTURE.
Deborah,* born November 21, 1776.
Deborah, February 2, 1778,
Jemima, January 9, 1780.
Lydia, May 29, 1782.
Mr. Daniel Fay died June 2, 1783.
* Died October 8, 1777.
JONATHAN FISH and DOROTHY.
Jonathan, born September 8, 1762.
Ebenezer, March 11, 1765.
Hannah, April 11, 1767.
Levi, March 4, 1769.
Asa, September 14, 1772.
JONATHAN FOSTER and THANKFUL [HAR
RINGTON.]
Jonathan, born November 15, 1759.
Nathan, July 15, 1762.
Richard, November 28, 1764.
Andrew, July 5, 1768.
Betty, March 12, 1771.
Daniel, December 4, 1773.
Samuel, March 18, 1776.
Thankful, wife of Jonathan Foster, died about
January, 1779. Jonathan Foster and Mercy
Towns, married by Rev. Jonathan Searle, No
vember 30, 1779. Of Mercy,
Joseph, May 28, 1780.
Stephen, AprU 27, 1782.
*
SAMUEL GREEN and MOLLY [SWALLOW.]
Samuel, born August 14, 1788.
Abiel, AprU 6, 1791.
Polly, July 26, 1793.
Russell, January 14, 1796.
George, June 30, 1798.
NATHAN HALL, born at Bradford, December
25, 1715; Mary, his wife, born at Boxford,
March 29, 1723.

James,Mary,Nathan,Mehitabel, David,
Daniel,Henry,
Elizabeth,Richard,

born

July
March AugustDecember January
May October
March

25, 1743.
9, 1746.
23, 1748.
24, 1750.
24, 1754.
5, 1756.
26, 1758.
5, 1765.

September 12, 1768.

JAMES HALL and SARAH.

James,
Asa, Sarah,
John,
Mehitabel,

born

January
March MarchAprU
May

28, 1768.
10, 1770.
29, 1772.
30, 1774.
28, 1776.

FAMILY REGISTERS.

203

NATHAN HALL, Jr., and ELEANOR.
Mary, born March 31, 1771.
Nathan, > ,- , ,,„ ,_„.
Eleanor, \ March 28> 17'3'
Jonathan, May 2, 1775.
Betty, September 12, 1777.
JOSEPH HERRICK and LOIS.
Joseph, born September 3, 1751.

Lois, Shadrach,
Amos,

December 12, 1753.
January 26, 1756.
February 21, 1763.

HEZEKIAH HODGKINS and LYDIA.
Pelatiah, born October 12, 1784.
THOMAS HODGMAN and REBECCA.
Hannah, AprU '7, 1784.
Rebecca,* February 26, 1786.
MUley, March 16, 1788.
PoUy, February 16, 1790.
Rebecca, March 6, 1792.
* Died July 11, 1789.
DAVID HODGMAN and HANNAH.
David, born January 26, 1774.
AMOS HODGMAJI and LOIS.
Amos, born November 15, 1775.
AMOS HOLDEN and LYDIA [SLOAN].
Patty, born June 8, 1779.
David Sloan,* August 19, 1780.
Lydia, July 9, 1782.
Prudence, November 12, 1784.
Esther, October 1, 1787.
MoUy, September 7, 1789.
Amos, August 12, 1791.
Aaron, June 28, 1793.
Abner, AprU 19, 1795.
* Died May 4, 1784.
ELIJAH HORTON and HANNAH.
Betsey, born December 16, 1779.
Samuel, May 15, 1782.
NATHANIEL HOSMER and ELIZABETH.
Tabitha, born May 24, 1757.
Anna, November 13, 1759.
Eunice, August 22, 1762.
Nathaniel, August 9, 1765.
Asa, August 10, 1769,
JOHN HULL and MARTHA.
Lucy, born January 6, 1774.
Sophia, August 19, 1779.
Joseph, July 31, 1781.
John, September 11, 1783.
James, October 6, 1785.
Asa, September 21, 1787.

Pattv, born September 17, 1789.
Frank, October 16, 1791.
WilUam, March 16, 1793.
JONATHAN JEFTS and LYDIA.
Jonathan,* born January 16,1766.
Henry, April 29, 1768.
* Died February 13, 1766.
JOHN JEFTS and LOIS.

Jonathan, be

rn June 1, 1767

Hannah, Lawrence,John,
David,

September 15, 1769.
September 13, 1771.
April 27, 1773
June 4, 1776

Daniel,

December 17, 1778

Louis,Lydia,

September 27, 1780
November 2, 1782

Joseph,WUlard,

July 2, 1785
May 8, 1787

Francis,

July 3, 1789

THOMAS JEFTS and ABIGAIL [BARRETT].
Benjamin, born AprU 10, 1777.
Polly, June 19, 1782.
Thomas, June 13, 1784.
Sibbel, June 13, 1787.
Lucy, April 1, 1789.
Lydia, AprU 1, 1792.
Zebulon, May 22, 1796.
David, August 13, 1799.
Abigail, July 26, 1801.
BENJAMIN JEFTS and JUDITH [DE-
GRETT.]
David, born August 7, 1780.
Judith, August 5, 1783.
Henry, August 29, 1788.
WiUiam, July 6, 1790.
MOLLY JEFTS.
Henry Sloan, UL, born May 20, 1768.
Nathan Fish, Ul., Nov. 9, 1770.
EENJAMIN KENDALL and ELIZABETH
[DEANE].
[Children born at Woburn.]
Betsey, born February 8, 1781.
Benjamin, May 16, 1783.
[Children born at Mason.]
Joshua, December 9, 1785.
Susannah, March 26, 1788.
Rebecca, October 11, 1790.
DanYelJ ^ 8' 1793"
Samuel, July 31, 1795.
George, April 9, 1798.
Polly, May 13, 1800.
John Butterfield, May 30,1803.

204

HISTORY OP MASON.

ELIJAH KEYES and GRACE.
Lydia, born November 6, 1779.
EUsha, April 19, 1781.
Bathsheba, July 2, 1783.
BENJAMIN KING ond SARAH.
Ebenezer, born February 22, 1768.
CHARLES KIRK and  .
John, born October 19, 1789.
Thomas, July 28, 1792.
Daniel, May 5, 1795.
BENJAMIN KNOWLTON and ABIGAIL.
AbigaU, born June 22, 1777.
Charlotte, October 13, 1778.
Benjamin, August 10, 1780.
Amos Prichard, January 16,1783.
Lucy, January 13, 1786.
HENRY KNOWLTON and SIBBEL.
Henry, born September 20, 1779.
Sibbel, AprU 18, 1781.
Ruth, January 25, 1783.
Charles, November 13, 1784.
Timothy, July 2, 1788.
John, May 10, 1790.
RICHARD LAWRENCE and ANNA.
Anna,* born September 19, 1762.
SUas,* November 30, 1763.
Willard, May 24, 1766.
Sampson, June 3, 1768.
Anna, June 8, 1770.
Richard, September 11, 1772.
Hannah, October 19, 1775.
Zachariah, August 31, 1777.
Mary, March 25, 1779.
Ruth, , February 18, 1781.
SUas, October 14, 1783.
* Died February 7, 1763. t Died November
18, 1776.
ENOSH LAWRENCE and ESTHER
[WOODS].
Deborah, born November 18, 1763.
Susannah, December 3, 1765.
Esther, October 28, 1767.
Martha, August 25, 1769.
Enosh, November 16, 1772.
Lucy, March 1, 1775.
STEVENS LAWRENCE and SARAH.
Sarah, born March 18, 1769.
Polly, AprU 7, 1771.
Stevens, March 20, 1773.
Betsey, January 16, 1775.
Rebecca, February 8, 1777.
Hannah, December 28, 1778.
Persis, October 20, 1780.

Deidama, born December 22, 1782,
Luther, May 31, 1785.
JOHN LAWRENCE and LEEFE, [RE
LIEF?]
Leefe, born December 21, 1772.
John, August 21, 1775.
Ephraim,* March 10, 1777.
Lucy, March 29, 1778.
Enosh Lawrence, son of Nathaniel Lawrence
and Anna, his wife, was born at Groton, No
vember 15, 1710. Died September 28, 1778.
* Died June 30, 1777.
JOHN LEARNED and MARY.
Daniel, born March 14, 1767.
AbigaU, November 13, 1768.
Mary, February 23, 1772.
Sarah, February 11, 1774.
MOSES LOWELL and SARAH.
Rholand, born February 19, 1767.
Sarah, May 27, 1770.
Abraham, February 21, 1773.
DAVID LOWELL and PHEBE.
Phebe, born January 13, 1770.
MoUy, November 7, 1771.
BENJAMIN MANN and MARTHA [DEANE].
Benjamin,* born AprU 10, 1763.
Joseph.f January 21, 1765,
James, February 15, 1767.
PoUy, January 26, 1769.
[Children born at Mason.]
Jonas, born April 17, 1771.
Betty, April 23, 1773.
Lucy, % June 12,1775.
Patty, § October 31, 1777.
Lucy, November 7, 1778.
[Benjamin, No date.]
*Died July 24, 1776. tDifid July 1, 1766,
X Died Sept. 10, 1777. § Died Nov. 2, 1777.
CHRISTOPHER MANN and ALICE.
Selinda, born May 8, 1782 or '83.
Thomas, February 15, 1784.
JOSEPH MERRIAM and MARY.
Joseph, born July 7, 1770.
Elizabeth, June 7, 1772.
Samuel, October 14, 1773.
Dorothy, October 11, 1778.
Rebecca, July 26, 1781.
Mary, wife of Joseph Merriam, died August
22, 1791.
ABRAHAM MERRIAM, Jr., and HANNAH,
MARY.
jSj b°m December 1,1784.

FAMILY REGISTERS.

205

Hannah, born May 31, 1788.
Enoch, October 19, 1790.
Ephraim, February 2, 1793.
Jesse, February 17, 1796.
Abraham Merriam, Jr., and Mary Lawrence,
married January 19, 1804. Of Mary,
John, born September 25, 1804.
Lydia, daughter of Abraham Merriam, Jr.,
and Hannah, died October 15, 1784.
SILAS MERRIAM and MAEY.
Silas, born February 14, 17S5.
Polly, March 8, 1787.
Cheney, April 13, 1789.
Rebecca, October 16, 1791.
Asa, July 28, 1794.
EZRA MERRIAM and SUSANNA [ELLIOT].
Susanna,* born August 16, 1786.
Ezra, May 17, 1788.
Josiah, April 19, 1790.
Zadock, AprU 16, 1792.
Samuel, March 31, 1794.
SaUy.t November 5, 1796.
Nabby, December 28, 1798.
Benjamin, May 13, 1801.
Susanna, AprU 3, 1803.
Patty, May 5, 1805.
* Died Sept. 9, 1798. j Died June 6, 1799.,
WILLIAM MILES and SARAH.
William, born March 2, 1770.
Sarah, May 21, 1771.
Nancy, March 24, 1773.
PoUy, August 23, 1775.
Betsey, August 27, 1777.
OUver,* December 1, 1779.
Patty, April 12, 1782.
*Died June 25, 1783.
LIEUT. OBADIAH PARKER was born in
[Groton], April 11, 1731; Ruth, his wife,
was born in  , January 5, 1732.
Hannah, born July 18, 1754.
Phinehas, May 11, 1756.
Obadiah,* December 17, 1758.
Grace.f August 19, 1761.
Sam Stevens, October 17, 1763.
Ruth, September 8, 1765.
Sampson, October 11, 1767.
Grace, June 2, 1770.
Obadiah, February 18, 1772.
Joel, July 11, 1775.
* Died Jan. 27, 1763. t Died Sept. 5, 1761.
THOMAS ROBENS and HITTE.
Thomas, born November 29, 1774.
John, February 20, 1777.
James, AprU 22, 1779.
Stephen, June 2, 1785.
Joseph Brown, June 4, 1795.

JASON RUSSELL and ELIZABETH.
Jason, born June 2, 1763.
Jonathan, February 8, 1765.
Josiah, January 13, 1767.
Elizabeth, July 2, 1769.
Samuel, AprU 4, 1772.
Benjamin, August 2, 1775.
Thomas,* October 2, 1777.
WilUam, October 6, 1779.
David, March 6, 1782.
[Thomas.] [*Died February 8, 1785.]
HUBBERT RUSSELL and SARAH [WAR
REN].
Nehemiah, born September 24, 1775.
Sarah, June 13, 1777.
AbigaU, July 30, 1779.
Hubbert, August 1, 1781.
Isaac,* July 11, 1783.
Polly, June 19, 1784.
Isaac, February 17, 17S7.
Lucy, February 28, 1789.
Micah, April 26, 1791.
Moses, December 2, 1793.
Hannah, April 14, 1796.
Betsy Warren, June 16, 1798.
* Died August 3, 1783.
EPHRAIM SARTELL and ABIGAIL.
Ede, born May 18, 1778.
SAMUEL SCRIPTURE and MARY [GREEN] .
[Sarah,] born
Samuel, December 9, 1760.
Hannah, June 3, 1763.
John, September 18, 1765.
[See page 197.]
JAMES SCRIPTURE and SIBBEL [SHEP
LEY].
PoUy, born February 28, 1776.
James, November 10, 1777.
Sibbel,* January 12, 1779.
Betsey, February 10, 1782.
Sibbel, February 20, 1784.
Sally, May 18, 1788.
Ward, July 20, 1790.
Lucy, May 20, 1792.
Charles, May 26, 1794.
Ohver, October 10, 1796.
*Died July 20, 1783.
OLIVER SCRIPTURE and JANE.
Betty, born August 7, 1777.
Sarah, October 5, 1779.
Jane, June 23, 1781.
Oliver, June 16, 1783.
Lucinda, July 24, 1785,

27

206

HISTORY OF MASON.

SAMUEL SCRIPTURE, Jr., and BETSY.
Samuel, born February 8, 1784.
Betsy, March 27, 1786.
JONATHAN SEARLE and HANNAH.

Judith,

born

January

31,

1773

Hannah,

May

16,

1774

Jonathan,

[well,

November

4,

1775

Nathaniel

Coggs-

July

*,

1778

Betsey,

October

19,

1782

Samuel,

AprU

17,

1784

Deborah,

September
27,
1788
PoUy,
August
27,
1793
ABEL SHED and RUTH.
Abel,
born
August
25,
1769
John H.,
March
1,
1771
Samuel,
August
5,
1773
Ebenezer,
November
6,
1776
Henry,
June
16,
1779
WILLIAM SHED and ELIZABETH.
SUas,
born
June
18,
1773
Hannah,
March
23,
1777
Simeon,
March
2,
1779
Abel,
March
8,
1780
Ehzabeth,
October
24,
1781
John,
October
16,
1783
WiUiam Parker, April 25, 1787.
SAMUEL SMITH and ELIZABETH.
Frederick, born AprU 12, 1770.
Abigail Harrington, May 19, 1784.
LEMUEL SPAULDING and SARAH.
Lemuel,*
Thomas,*
. J born
Esther, Sarah,
Hepzibath,t Jerusha,
Lemuel,Elizabeth,! ' Died March 24.
March
MarchApril January
December
January
May
12, 1766.
9, 1767.
3, 1768.
4, 1771.
19, 1772.
28, 1774.
16, 1776.
, 1766. t Died February 11,
1772. X Died August 25, 1776.
SILAS SPAULDING and HANNAH.
(At Ashbumham.)
Mary, born February 22, 1779.
JOHN SWALLOW and SARAH [LAWRENCE],
MARY [HALL].
John, born January 3, 1757.
Sarah, October 2, 1758.
Lydia, October 31, 1760.
Deborah, November 15, 1762.
Sarah, wife of John Swallow, died December
28,1763. Of Mary,
Molly, born December 14, 1766.
Abel,
born
May
31, 1768
Joel,
May
14, 1770
Sibbel,
April
6, 1772
Eunice,*
July
3, 1774
Eunice,
December
1, 1775
Daniel,
July
3, 1778
Azubah,
August
17, 1780
Rhoda,
June
17, 1783
Betsey,
February
18, 1786
Dorcas,
July
2, 1788
* Died December 3
, 1774.
JOHN SWALLOW, Jr., and REBECCA [DUN
STER].
John,*
born
March
1, 1783
John,
February
3, 1785.
Isaiah,
March
29, 1787.
Abel,
November
3, 1789.
Nehemiah,
May
22, 1792.
December 22, 1794.
ay 3, 1799.
Died March 13, 1783.
Ezra,
Rebecca.
EDWARD TARBELL and RACHEL [HIL
DRETH].
born May 8, 1787.
October 25, 1790.
February 12, 1792.
May 31, 1793.
February 10, 1795.
Betsey,
Dolly,James,Joseph,
Rachel, Eda,
November 25, 1796.
NATHANIEL TARBELL and RUTH.
Ruth, bom February 14, 1772.
Ehzabeth, January 7, 1775.
Nathaniel, December 19, 1776.
JOHN TARBELL and SARAH.
John, born January 1, 1775.
AbigaU, January 29, 1778.
Azubah, October 9, 1780.
Sarah, December 12, 1782.
WUliam, February 7, 1786.
THOMAS TARBELL and SARAH [BARRETT].
SaUy, born November 6, 1778.
Esther,Thomas,*Reuben,Lemuel,Thomas,
Eunice, Joel,
Lydia, *Died January, 1786.
SAMUEL TARBELL and ANNA.
Samuel, born October 10, 1784.
Nancy, June 4, 1786.
Rebecca, July 23, 1788.
AugustAugust
17,
1780 1782
JulyFebruary October
19,
14, 19,
17841786 1788
AprUJulyMarch
24, 9,
21,
1791 17931797
FAMILY REGISTERS.

207

Nabby, born March 26, 1791.
PoUy, February 9, 1793.
Dolly, May 3, 1795.
Asher, January 23, 1797.
Lucinda, December 12, 1798.
EDMUND TARBELL and MARY [HILDRETH] .
Polly, born February 19, 1772.
Dolly, December 29, 1773.
Sibbel, March 6, 1775.
fa^'l *»* 25>^-
Lucy, November 21, 1780.
Hannah, March 19, 1782.
Ohver, February 2, 1785.
Mary, wife of Edmund Tarbell, died February
9, 1785.
SAMUEL TOWNSEND and HANNAH [LAW
RENCE].
[Children born at Northborough.]
Hannah, born August 8, 1770.
PoUy, September 4, 1771.
Joshua, November 7, 1773.
Mercy, September 1, 1775.
Sarah, September 1, 1777.
Lydia, June 30, 1780.
[Children born in Mason]
Persis, August 28, 1782.
Samuel, February 9, 1784.
ZUpah, October 28, 1785.
Madamoisella, May 8, 1787.
Betsey, February 27, 1789.
MadamoiseUa, March 19, 1794.

Josiah, )
. 5

born January 6, 1768.

HINKSMAN WARREN and ESTHER [TAY
LOR].
[Jonathan, born in Townsend.]
Seth J Ma? 27'1786"
John, June 12, 1794.

JOTHAM WEBBER and ELIZABETH [RUS
SELL].
Jotham, born December 24, 1778.
Jason, September 24, 1780.
WUliam, July • 18, 1782.
John,* January 13, 1785.
*Died April 20, 1786.
ROGERS WESTON and DEBORAH [LAW
RENCE],
Samuel, born October 4, 1785.
SaUv, April 3, 1787.
Rogers, April 11, 1789.
Jeremiah, November 19, 1791.
James, February 24, 1793.
Lawrence, November 19, 1795.
JOSIAH WHEELER and LUCY.
Lucy, born January 16, 1765.

Mary,
Elizabeth,* August 29, 1779.
Eleanor, AprU 22, 1761.
Elizabeth, July 19, 1773.
Mr. Josiah Wheeler died October 17, 1774.
* Died March 22, 1772.
AARON WHEELER and LUCY.
John* born August 2, 1767.
Aaron, July 9, 1768.
John Brooks, March 11, 1770.
Nathan, December 4, 1771.
Daniel, April 3, 1774.
Lucy, February 16, 1776.
Benjamin, January 14, 1778.
Rebecca, October 25, 1779.
Patty, August 4, 1781.
Alice.t April 20, 1783.
George,! June l:L> 178*-
Jotham, AprU 19, 1786.
Alice,§ April 15, 1789.
Prescott, June 3, 1794.
* Died August 10, 1767 .t Died June 18, 1783.
X Died Nov. 1, 1786. § Died April 16, 1789.

TIMOTHY WHEELER and SARAH [HUB-

BARD].

SaUy,

born March 27, 1777.

Betsey,

January 5, 1779

Polly,

March 14, 1781.

Timothy,

January 16, 1783

Lucy,

December — , 1784

Nancy,

AprU 14, 1787

Hannah,

May 7, 1789

Ebenezer,

July 19, 1791

Amy,

September 18, 1793

Rebecca,

December 6, 1796

NATHAN WHIPPLE and ABIGAIL.
Dorcas, born May 19, 1767.
SaUy, . May 28, 1770.
Hannah, March 1, 1772.
Nathan, September 16, 1774.
JOHN WHITAKER and THANKFUL
[PIERCE].
WUliam,* born April 12, 1774.
Susannah,t August 16, 1776.
* Died October 2, 1775. t Died Sept. 29, 177-.

Hannah,

-*¦ WHITE and -
born March

28, 1769.

JONATHAN WILLIAMS and RUTH.
Ruth,* born October 14, 1767.
Elizabeth, September 25, 1768.
Jonathan)- August 11, 1770.
Ruth, June 5, 1772.
* Died Nov. 4. 1767 or 9. t Died Aug. 1, 1771.

208'

HISTORY OF MASON.

Rachel,PoUy,

born January 13, 1775.
May ' 11, 1777.

NATHANIEL WILLIAMS and HANNAH.
Molly, born September 4, 1787.
Samuel, September 6. 1789.
Joel, August 26, 1791.
John, died AprU 16, 1790.
JONATHAN WINSHIP and ELIZABETH.
Edmund, born October 2, 1765.
Isabel, September 2, 1769.
NOAH WINSHIP and DEBORAH [SWAL
LOW].
Noah, born June 22, 1785.
Deborah, February 9, 1787.
Sarah, February 7, 1793.
[John]. JAMES WITHEE and SARAH.
Daniel,* born September 30, 1760. '
January 18, 1763.
October 5, 1765.
February 2, 1768.
July 2, 1770.
September 24, 1772.
September 4, 1774.
August 13, 1779.
t Died May 6, 1762.
[ELISHA WITHINGTON, son of William With
ington and Sarah Locke, his wife, was born
in Stow, April 1, 1746, married MARY PREN
TICE, daughter of Stephen Prentice and Es
ther, his wife, born in Grafton, September 15,
1748] . Their children were,
Elisha, born May, 11, 1769.
8, 1771.
1, 1773.
28, 1775.
9, 1779.
6, 1782.
8, 1785.
1, 1789.]

James,Nathaniel,John.t WiUiam Parker,
Sarah,
John,
Daniel, *Died Jan. 6, 1779.

William,

March

Stephen,
Mather,

February October

John,

March

Samuel,*

October

[Samuel,
Ebenezer,

December
March

t Died July 16,

1783.

SAMUEL WOODS and SARAH.

Rebecca,

born

December

6,1774

Rhoda,

July

19, 1776

Sarah*

February

22, 1778

Ebenezer,t

August

21, 1779

Josiah.J

August
4, 1780
Ebenezer,
July
3, 1782
Isaac,
September
9, 1784
Dinah,
September
25, 1786
Jonas Brooks,
July
31, 1788
James, §
October
23, 1793
* Died Sept
16, 1778. tDied October 2, 1779
{ Died Feb.
9, 178-
§ Died Feb.
1, 1794.
JOSEPH WOODS and MARY [WAUGH].
Joseph,
born
October
27, 1782.
Sewall,
October
6, 1784
Polly,*
May
27, 1787.
Sally,
AprU
19, 1790
PoUy,
March
7, 1792.
Betsey,
AprU
19, 1798.
* Died August 23, 1789.
JAMES WOOD and ELIZABETH [BUSS],
James,John,*
Betsey,Polly,Artemas,
Amy, Nathan, John, [Lydia.f
born
September 29, 1783,
October 14, 1785,
September 19, 1787.
October
August JulyAprUAprU
21, 1789.
9, 1791,
1, 1793.
[1795].
1,1797. 1801.]
Ensign John Wood died Dec. 19, 1785, aged 69
years ; Ehzabeth, his wife,f died Dec. 1, 1789,
aged 75 years.
* Died Feb. 16, 1797. t Died March 15, 1819.
X The word wife, in this entry, should be sister,
and the age 79 years. Elizabeth, his widow,
died November 13, 1794, aged 71 years, as ap
pears by the tombstones. These errors appeal1
on page 178, and should be corrected.
In the foregoing tables of Family Eegisters are included
all such found in the records before the year 1790. They are
copied from the record with no change but the correction of
manifest errors in orthography. Apparent errors in figures,
are left as found. All additions made to the original record
are included in brackets. None are made except upon evi
dence deemed reliable. The family of Samuel Squire, entered
in Mason records, from a copy certified by the town clerk of
Westford, is not inserted — none of the children having been
born in Mason, or permanently resident there.
FAMILY REGISTERS. 209'
Family register of the family of Edward Wilson, taken
from his family bible, in possession of his son, Capt. Thomas
Wilson, of Mason :
Edward Wilson, born at West Cambridge, July 6, 1734;
Lucy Francis, born at Medford, March 21, 1739, married No
vember, 1757; removed to Mason with his family, in 1780,
and to Troy, New York, in 1804. Edward Wilson died, at
Troy, June 17, 1816, aged 82 years; Lucy, his widow, died
at Mason, December 8, 1835, aged 97 years. Their children,
born at West Cambridge, were :
Joseph, born October 9, 1759.
Lucy, January 12,1761, .died December 23, 1819.
Edward, AprU 4, 1762, died March 7, 1843, at Milton, N. Y.
Ebenezer, August 18, 1763, died July, 1825.
Rachel, February 13, 1765, m. Jona. Chandler, died Oct. 16, 1846..
Samuel, September 16, 1766, died July 31, 1854.
Nathaniel, February 10, 1768, died August 19, 1854.
WUliam, October 25, 1769.
Aaron, March 10, 1771.
Andrew, January 1, 1777, died AprU 23, 1841.
Thomas, October 23, 1778.
Edward, Jr., and Samuel, removed to Troy, N. Y., about
the year 1800, and were, for many years, actively engaged in
business there. The following notice of the death of the
latter, is taken from the New England Historical and Genea
logical Register, vol, 8, p. 277 :
"Samuel Wilson died at Troy, N. Y., July 31, 1844, aged
88 years. It was from him that the United States derived
the name of Uncle Sam. It was in this way. He was a con
tractor for supplying the army in the war of 1812, with a
large amount of beef and pork. He had been long familiarly
known by the name of Uncle Sam, so called to distinguish
him from his brother Edward, who was, by every body, called
Uncle Ned. The brand upon his barrels for the army was
of course U. S. The transition from the United States to
Uncle Sam was so easy, that it was at once made, and the
name of the packer of the United States provisions was im
mediately transferred to the government, and became famil
iar, not only throughout the army but the whole country,"

210 HISTORY OF MASON.
Genealogy of the families of Nathaniel and William Hos
mer, furnished for this work, by the Rev. Edwin R. Hodg
man, of Lynnfield, Mass. ; and family register of the family of
William Hosmer, from the record in the family bible of his
son, Oliver Hosmer :
1 James Hosmer, emigrated from Hockhurst, county of
Kent, England, took the freeman's oath in 1637, settled at
Concord, and died there, February 7, 1685.
2 Stephen, his son, born in 1642, married Abigail Wood,
May 24, 1667.
3 John, their son, born August 1671, married Mary Billings,
May 12, 1699.
* Nathaniel, their son, (marriage not recorded at Concord.)
5 Nathaniel, his son, born November 29, 1731, married Eliz
abeth Heald, July 1, 1756. Removed to Mason. For regis
ter of his family, see page 203. Nathaniel died at Camden,
Me,, August 6, 1814, aged 83 years; Elizabeth, his wife, died
August 23, 1810, aged 77 years.
Tabitha married John Sartell, died March 4, 1841, at Rock
land, Me., aged 84 years.
Anna married Job Hodgman, January 1, 1789, died August
3, 1839, at Camden, Me., aged 79 years.
Eunice married Samuel Russell, March 15, 1787, died De
cember, 1833, aged 71 years.
Nathaniel married (1) Mary Wheeler, January 1, 1789, (2)
Nancy Fay, February 3, 1803, died June 3, 1846, aged 81
years. Asa married Nancy Eaton, October 2, 1795, (?) died Sep
tember 9, 1854, aged 85 years.
William, son of Nathaniel,4 born October 19, 1729, married
Anna Heald, (born 1733,) June 19, 1753, at Concord, by Rev.
Daniel Bliss, removed to Mason, died March 26, 1802, aged
74 years; Anna, his wife, died July 7, 1818, aged 85 years.
Their children were :
Elizabeth, born 1755, married John Stimpson, died at Cam-
den, Me., December 18, 1848, aged 93 years.

FAMILY REGISTERS. 211
William, born 1758, died at Chester, Yt., March 20, 1813.
Amos, born 1760, died January IS, 1831.
Oliver, born 1764, married (1) Martha Lawrence, January 1,
1793 ; Martha died February 4, 1829, aged 60 years ; married
(2) Mrs. Eunice Brown, died at Mason, October 15, 1852,
s. p., aged 88 years.
Polly, born 1766, married (1) Ebenezer Boutwell, (2)
William Hemenway, died 1845, aged 79 years.
Reuben. Lucy, m. Benanuel Pratt, died at Chester, Yt., March, 1819.
Anna, married  Stickney, died at Andover, Yt.
Josiah Flagg, born in Worcester, December 24, 1750, mar
ried (1) Eunice Barber, born in Worcester, 1758, (2) Esther
Weatherbee, born in Lunenburg, December 3, 1763. Josiah
Flagg died May 30, 1824, aged 73 years, 5 months, 6 days;
Eunice, his wife, died December 13, 1785 ; Esther, his widow,
died August 6, 1832. Children of Josiah and Eunice, were:
Elizabeth, born January 29, 1780; Eunice, born October 14,
1781; Mary Ann, born January 14, 1784; Josiah, born De
cember, 1785, all in Worcester.
The above from the record in the family bible of Mrs.
Eunice Hosmer, daughter of Josiah Flagg.
Of Josiah and Esther : Hannah ; Sally, married Isaac
Brown, December 30, 1818; Esther, born 1795; Polly, born
June, 1799.
Jason Dunster, of Mason, was a lineal descendant of Henry
Dunster, first president of Harvard College. The line of
descent is as follows : * Henry, the president, 2 Jonathan,
3 Henry, 4 Jason, 5 Jason, of Mason. His children were :
Ruth, married Joseph Blood, killed in Bunker Hill battle;
Henry ; Rebecca, married John Swallow, Jr. ; Martha, mar
ried Oliver Wright, of Nelson ; Isaiah, married  Davis,
of Roxbury ; Jason, married Polly Merriam, of Mason ; Sam
uel, married (1) Hannah Townsend, removed to Ashbumham
and married (2)  Townsend.

212 HISTORY OP MASON.
List of marriages at Mason, from the records of the Rev.
Joseph B. Hill, not received in season for insertion in their
.proper place. The parties were resident in Mason, unless
otherwise stated :
1840.
Dec. 17. Samuel E. Butler, Lorinda Ames.
" 24. Timothy Amsden. Martha C. Hill.
1841.
May Oliver H. Pratt. Catharine Warner, at Groton, Ms.
1842.
Feb. 9. Sampson Fletcher, N. Ipswich. Mrs. Lavinia Blood.
April 10. William Davis, Betsey Green.
Sept. 22. Henry H. Sawin, Julia Ann Russell.
Nov. Ephraim Forbes,Westboro', Ms., Harriet ChUds.
1843.
April 26. Abel F. Adams, To-wnsend, Ms., Lydia M. NewhaU.
June James Davis, Azubah F. Withington.
July Jonas Morse, [Mass., Mary Ann SawteU.
Oct. George G. Amsden, Springfield, Eliza Ann Kimball.
1844.
May 21. Anson Barrett, Townsend, Mass., Nancy Morse.
Aug. 14. Merrill A. Elliott, Martha E. SawteU.
Sept. 19. Walter Atherton, Towns' d.Mass., Dian K. Felt.
" 19. Otis Childs, Mary Joan Bachelder.
Nov. 14. Leonard Farwell, Deborah B. Barrett.
1845.
Jan. 9. Samuel H. Wheeler, Mary AmeR.
Feb. 13. Lowell Howe, Nashua, Emily M. Felt,
Aug. 26. Seneca Lynch, Ehzabeth Swallow.
Nov. 6. Samuel Weston, [Mass., Hephzibah Fletcher.
" 13. Harrison 0. Lampson,Brookfield, Harriet E. Warren.
" 27. Timothy Wheeler Jr., Ann Maria Harding.
Dec. 25. Calvin Fitch, PeppereU, Mass. Harriet Warner, Pepperell, Mass.
1846.
Jan. 7. Isaac Windship, Henniker, Mary March.
Mar. 1. Charles Robbins, Eunice Windship.
July 12. Sumner J. Weston, Sarah A. Morse.
Aug. Otis F. Larkin, Berlin, Mass. Charlott Pierce.
" 30. Earle S. Smith, New Ipswich, Mary P. FarweU.
Oct Geo. E. Sparrow, Colchester, Ct., Martha A. Crasin.
1847. B
Feb. 11. John .P French, Mary Weston.
Mar. 7. Albert Hodgman, Rosantha L. Rockwood. [trim.
May 20. John R. Gregg, Peterborough, Sarah E. Fletcher, Antrim, at An-
" 23. Frank E. Greisinger, Mary E. Hadley,
Sept. 14. Charles Belcher, Worcester, Sarah G. FarweU.
" 16. Samuel E. Wright, Harriet E. Amsden.
ANTRIM. BY REV. JOHN M. WHITON.
1845.
Aug. 26. Rev. Joseph B. HUl, Mason, Harriet Brown, Antrim.

RECORD OP MARRIAGES.

212a

For a like reason, the following lists, copied from the town
records, are here inserted :

1836.
Nov. 10.
Dec. 1.
9.
1837.
May 28.
Sept. 12.
Oct. 31.
1838.
April 24.
May 30.
Sept. 20.
1839.
Feb. 13.
Sept. 11.
1840.
Feb. 12.

1839.
Feb. 28.
Mar. 31.
May 16.
July 9.
Sept. 26.
Oct.
Dec. 5.
1840.
Feb. 16.
Mar. 22.
Oct. 8.
Nov. 22.
1841.
AprU 20.
Dec. 7.
Oct. 17.
1842.
April 7.
May 18.
June 2.
Oct. 16.
1843.
Feb. 23.
1844.

1848.
June 27.
May. 21.
Sept. 7.
Oct. 1.

MASON. BY REV. ANDREW H. REED.

Samuel Hodge, Francestown,
Charles Day,
Charles W. French,
John H. Jones, Ashby,
Amos H. Hosmer,
Ebenezer Nutting,
Joseph P. Felt,
Calvin Amsden,
Thomas Wetherbee, Rindge,
Elisha Withington,
Winslow Ames,
Josiah Cook, Whitefield,

Mrs. Elizabeth Town.
Martha H. Barrett.
Roxana W. Barrett.
Martha Hildreth.
Abigail Barrett.
Martha Sanders.
Sarah Swallow.
Dorothy D. Horton.
Alroira Whitaker.
Betsey Newell.
Harriet Wood.
Rozetta Sanders.

BY REV. ALFRED L. MASON.
Elijah F. Davis, Hannah Spaulding.

WilUam Mansur,
Edmund F. Jefts,
Elisha F. Davis,
John Felt,
Samuel A. Hartshorn,
Lot Nicols, Sharon,
George Weston,
Lorenzo Woods,

Mrs. Hannah Elliott.
Elizabeth Pierce.
Roxana Jefts, New Ipswich,
Silvia Warren, Stoddard.
Louisa Felt.
Mary Ann Fitch, Temple,
Rebecca Baily.
Mary Dakin.

Edwin J. Hodgman, Levinia Foster.
Charles Smith, LoweU, EmeUne Hodgman.
Arnold KendaU, Mary Felt.
Nehemiah H. Swain, N. Reading, Elmena L. Hodgman.

John Tewksbury, Warner,
Nathaniel Smith,
Hezekiah Burnham,
Thomas Hays,
Solon P . Bingham, Keene,
Mr.  Tinkham, Lunenburg,
Joseph Tucker,

Isabella Nutting, New Ipswich.
Lucy A. Baldwin.
Mrs. Jane A. Kimball.
Lucy A. Robbins.
Harriet E. Adams.
Mrs. Emma W. Blood.
Mary Campbell.

Edmund C. Stanley. Hannah Mason, WUton.
Sylvester Fitch, Providence R.I. , Susan A. Hadley.
BY REV. JOHN WOODBURY.

Cyrus Blanchard, Fitchburg,
Israel Putnam,
George L. Adams.
Frederick M. Greisinger,
27b

Emily Robbins.
Lucy E. Andrews.
Hannah H. Hartshorn,
Elmira B. Darling.

212b HISTORY OP MASON.
BY REV. WILLIAM OLMSTEAD.
April 12. Horace W. Wilson, Amanda M. Rideout,
Nov. 16. Samuel Kimball, Adelia A. Livingston.
" 29. Frankhn Meed, Boxborough, Nancy S. Morse.
BY REV. JOHN P. WHITNEY.
1856.
April 27. Joel Elliott, 2d, Emily Holden.
May 28. Willard D. Hero, Elizabeth Peabody.
BY REV. GEORGE W. CUTTING.
1855.
Nov. 11. Charles Howard, Fitchburg, Mary A. SawteU,
1857.
Sept. 5. Edwin L. Nutting, Mary A. Annis.
Nov. 22. George R. ElUott, Eliza E. Stevens.
Dec. 17. Henry Kirk, Sarah Gardner.
Dec. 31. Kendall N. Davis, Sharon, Lucinda Chamberlin.
1858.
Jan. 4. Edmund Holden, Elizabeth Flagg,
BY REV. SAMUEL J. AUSTIN.
1857.
June 14. Edwin R. Farnsworth, Abby J. Webber.
Oct. 22. Francis B. Cragin, Ruvinia M. Richardson,
" " Henry A. Cragin, Susan M. ElUott,
" 31. Lucius A. White, Margaret Lyle.
RY REV. JOSIAH L. ARMES.
1854.
Dec. 14. PhUander Eddy, Foxborough, Maria Lynch.
1855.
June 24. Jerome Davis, Mary L. Boynton.
Several marriages inserted on pages 174 and 175 have, in
the above list, been re-inserted, with the name of the officiat
ing minister added.
Marriage is the key of domestic life. The far sighted
policy of the Roman church, at an early period, discerned
the importance of possessing this key. Hence, marriage in
that church, is made a sacrament. In all countries where the
Roman church is in the ascendant, no marriage is valid,
unless it be contracted within the rules, and celebrated
according to the forms of that church. All persons living in
the state of matrimony, without the blessing of the priest,
are in a state of mortal sin. Hence, the power of the priest
to determine what is lawful matrimony, and to regulate the

RECORD OP MARRIAGES. 212t<
conjugal and maternal duties of the wife, open to him the
most sacred recesses of the household, and places in his
hands an engine of power, the effects of which, are felt in
every condition of life, from the palace to the cabin.
By the reformation in the church of England, the assump
tion that marriage is a sacrament, being without a shadow of
scriptural foundation, was not recognized ; but still, by the
laws of England, marriage could be celebrated lawfully, only
by a priest of the English church, according to the formu
laries prescribed, and in a church building, or licensed chapel
of that church, except by special license. For many years,
dissenters could be married in England, only according to the
form of that church. Such were the laws, when our ances
tors came to New England. They fled to the wilderness, to
escape from the power and tyranny of the English priesthood.
Of course, the English laws and formularies, would not
answer their needs. Not content with rejecting the power
of the English clergy, they went farther, and would not
allow their own clergy to celebrate marriages. Only the
governor, deputy governor and assistants, had authority for
many years, to celebrate marriages. These magistrates
having exclusive power to celebrate marriages, construed
that power to extend to all cases, and even presumed to
marry themselves. Lt. Gov. Bellingham, was fined for mar
rying himself, so also, was Mr. Joseph Hills of Maiden.
Having regulated the celebration of marriages, the court
next undertook to regulate courtships by law. The act for
this purpose was passed by the general court of Massachu
setts, November 11, 1647. The preamble is as follows:
"Whereas, God hath committed ye care and power into ye
hands of parents, for ye disposing of their children in mar
riage, so yt it is against ye rule to seek to draw away ye affec
tions of yong maydens, under pretence of purpose of mar
riage, before their parents have given way or alowance in y*
respect, and whereas, it is a comon practice, in divers places,
for yong men irregularly and disorderly to watch all advan-

212d HISTORY OP MASON.
tages, for their evil purposes to insinuate into ye affections of
yong maydes, by coming to them in places and seasons,
unknown to their parents, for such ends, whereby much evil
hath grown amongst us to ye dishonor of God and damage of
ye parties, for ye prevention whereof, for time to come, it is
ordered," &c, and making it a penal offence, "to endeavor
directly or indirectly to draw ye affections of any mayden in
this jurisdiction, under pretence of marriage," before liberty
, and allowance therefor by the parents, &c, or in the absence
of such, by the court. The punishment was a fine for the
first and for the second offence, for the third to be put under
bonds, failing to procure which the offender was liable to be
imprisoned at the pleasure of the court. Fancy the trial of
an action in court ! The Commonwealth vs. Richard Roe,
for seeking to draw the affections of Dolly Doe, without the
consent of her parents, &c, first being had.
In 1692, authority was given, by statute, to ordained minis
ters, and also to justices of the peace, to celebrate marriages.
The clergy soon received the monopoly of the marrying busi
ness. None were married by justices except for some pecu
liar reasons. Fifty years ago, the marriage ceremony took
place at the residence of the bride, or at the minister's house,
seldom at the meeting house, although not unfrequently, the
Sabbath was the day, the parties coming sometimes with but
more frequently without attendants, to the minister's house, in
the morning before service or in the evening after the close of
the meetings, left the house with the indestructible knot tied,
and sometimes on foot, sometimes on horseback, the cavalcade
consisting of one or two horses, according to the means or
the taste of the parties, proceeded to their new home, to be
made cheerful and happy by the busy cares and pains taking
of the wife, assuming a station and character, the influence of
which, for the well being of society, is second to none other.
From the venerable pastor of the Mason church, all the mar-
ried couples got a good solid talking to.

CHAPTER VI.
A LIST OP EARLY SETTLERS, AFFAIRS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR,
AND LISTS OF TOWN OFFICERS, AND STATISTICAL TABLES.
An alphabetical list of the names of all persons who appear, by the pro
prietary or town records or tax lists, to have been inhabitants of the
town of Mason, from the earliest settlement, to the year 1790, showing,
as far as is known, the date of commencement of residence, their place
of residence, their service^ in the revolutionary war, and time of decease,
or of removal from town.

Jason RusseU's. R. about 1773.
Dea. Franklin Merriam's. R. after the war.
Jonas Adams'. Died January 9, 1807, 65 y.
Joel Ames'. Died November 15, 1820, 80 y.
Rev. E. Hill's orchard, R.
Son of Samuel Abbot.
East of John Adams. Brother of John Ad
ams — R. to Lincoln.
Ebenezer Shattuck's, afterwards east of Dea.
Wood's. Died March 20, 1802, 53 y.
R. Jedediah Felton's. Died Oct. 25, 1826, 69 y.
R. Son of Simon ; went to Maine.
In the 3d School District.
R. Capt. Jesse Barrett's. Died Sept. 19,1800, 7Iy.
Eli Nutting's. Died November 29, 1800.
SUas BuUard's. Born in Weston ; R. to New
Ipswich about 1743, with his brother Eben
ezer BuUard, and resided with him till his
marriage in 1775. Soon after 1760 he re
moved to Mason. Died March 2, 1792, 73 y.
Rev. Jona. Searle's. R. next year.
Jonathan Smith' 6, near Townsend line. Died
January 26, 1816, 90 y.
John Whitaker's. The father of Zaccheus
Barrett, Nathaniel Barrett, Jr., and Mrs.
John Baldwin. Died about 1775,
R. next year.
Elisha Barrett's. Was an inhabitant before the
incorporation. Died Dec. 30, 1831, 86 y.
Thaddeus Morse's. Killed June 17, 1775, at
Bunker's Hill.
Note. In this table, S. following a name, indicates service in the land or naval forces ; R,
removal from town.
28

1769.

Asten John,

1770.

AUen Abijah,

1771.

Adams John,

S.

Ames Simon,

s.

1772.

Abbot Samuel,

s.

Abbot Ebenezer,
s.
1774.
Adams Edward,
1778.
Amsden Jonas,
Aldridge John,
1782.
Adams Abel,
s.
1785.
Asten Timothy,
1788.
Ames Thaddeus,
1790.
Austin Thomas,
1752.
Butterfield Eleazer,
Barrett Reuben,
1759.
Blood Ebenezer,
s.
1767.
BuUard Joseph,
1769. Badcock WUliam,
Barrett WUUam,
Barrett Nathaniel,
Burge, Widow,
Barrett Joseph,
1769. Blood Joseph,
214

HISTORY OF MASON.

1769. Barrett Nathaniel Jr., S.
Brown David,
1770. Ball Joseph, S.
1771. Barrett Zaccheus,
Barrett Reuben Jr.,
1772. Blodgett David,
Blodgett Jacob, S
Blanchard Abel, S.
1774. Brown Samuel, S.
1775. Blood Ruth, widow,
Barrett Joseph, Jr.,
Barrett Isaac, S.
Barrett Reuben, 3d.
Brooks Job,
1776. Bullard SUas, S.
1778. Brown Lt. Isaac, S.
1779. Burt Oliver,
1780. Burt Capt. James,
1782. Barrett Jesse,
Barrett Benjamin, jr.
Blood Thomas, S.
Blood Asa, S.
Blood Ebenezer, jr. S.
Bullard Eleazer, S.
1782. Barrett John,
Barrett William, jr.
1785. Blodgett John,

BaU Eleazer,
1786. Blood Amos,
1789. Blood Josiah,
Barrett Joel,
Blackington William,
Boynton Jeremiah,
Ball Jonathan,
1790. Buss Elisha,
Barber Dr. WilUam,
•
Bachelder Jonathan,
1766. Crosby Jonathan,
1767. Cook Connelius,
Coburn Josiah,
1769. Coburn Nathan,
1770. Cafford Jonathan,
1772. ChUd Amos,

Luther Robbins'. R. 1772.
Saml. D. Blood's and James Brown's. Died
Dec 1811, 83 y.
Dea. Robinson's. R.
Poor farm. Died Feb. 26, 1827, 79 y.
Capt. Jesse Barrett's. Son of Reuben Barrett.
S. Withington's, formerly John Winship's. —
R. soon after the war.
, H. Warren's. R. soon after the war.
Hired to Jason Russel. R.
Geo. Martin's, formerly Sam.Townsend. Came
from HoUis ; R. soon after the war.
Widow of Joseph Blood who was killed at
Bunker HUl ; daughter of Jason Dunster.
R.
Son of Nathaniel Barrett. R.
West of John Richard's. R. about 1784.
Ephraim Russel's. R.
With his father. Son of Joseph BuUard.
Died May 15, 1835, 83 y.
Knapp's, now Prescott's. In Battle of Bun
ker HiU. Died November 3, 1800, 55 y.
Eben. Nutting's. R. and joined Shakers.
Same. Same.
Capt. Jesse Barrett's. Son of Reuben Bar
rett. Died November 11, 1844, 82 y.
Frank Wright's and E. Richardson's. R. to
Lunenburg.
E. Nutting's. Son of Ebenezer. Died June
24, 1835, 77 y.
E. Nutting's. Son of Ebenezer. R.
Taken prisoner in the Battle of Bunker Bull,
and never returned.
Son of Joseph Bullard.
Son of Captain Joseph Barrett. R. to Ver
mont.
Charles Barrett. Died Aug. 10, 1844, 84 y.
John Bachelder's. Town clerk, selectman,
and representative for many years. His
name first appears as a school master in 1777.
R. from town in 1821 or 1822, to Dunstable,
and died afew years since, aged nearly 100 y.
Amos Robbins'. R.
Saml. D. Blood's. Died Dec. 19, 1840, 83 y.
R. R.
R.
Elnathan Boynton's. Oct. 27, 1839, 74 y.
R. Cabinet maker ; built and resided in the
Joshua Blood house. R. about 1804.
Dr. Barber's, near the old meeting house.
Died July 11, 1852, 85 y.
Jona. Bacheiders'. Died April 9. 1738, 85 y.
TJ
B." C. Kimball's. R.
Ed. Tarbell's. R. to Chelmsford.
School master. R.
R.
Hired man to Dea. Amos Dakin. R.

LIST OP EARLY SETTLERS.

215

]775. Chambers Capt. Wm. S.

1779. Chandler Jonathan,
1780. Crane Benjamin,
1785. Cummings John,
1787. Chatman Oliver,
1778. Chickering Abner,
1789. Campbell John,
Campbell Jonas,
Crossman James,
176S. Dakin Dea. Amos, S.
1769. Dutton John,
Davis Zachariah, S.
Dunster Jason,
Davis Joshua, S.
1770. Davis Elisha,
1772. Darby Samuel,
1774. Dunster Henry, S.
1776. Dodge WUUam,
Davis Ebenezer,
1782. Dodge John, S.
Dakin Amos Jr., S.
Dunster Jason, Jr., S.
Dunster Isaiah, S.
Dodge Zebulon, S.
1785. Dakin Timothy,
1790. Davis Reuben,
1752. Eliot WUUam,
1762. EUotEUas,
1764. EUot OUver, S
1766. Eliot John,
1767. Ehot Rev. WUUam,
1769. Eliot Wid. Hannah.
1770. Emerson Asa. S.
1771. Eliot John, Jr ,
1774. Eliot Elias, Jr.,
1777. Eliot David, S.
1778. Eliot Dea. Andrew, S.
1783. EUot Widow,
1784. Eliot Samuel,
1786. Eaton Abijah, S.
1752. Fish Nathan,
1769. Foster Jonathan, S.

Rev. E. HiU's. Born in Scotland. Lieut, of
a privateer under Com, Manly. Died Sep
tember 4, 1791.
Jedediah Felton's. R.
South of Frank AVright's. R.
R.R.
Abel Adams' in the viUage. R. to N. Ipswich.
R.
R. Died about 1836, not far from 90 y.
Eben. Richardson's. Died Apr. 28, 1789, 57 y.
Calvin Blood's. R.
Micah Russell's. Died Nov. 27, 1831, 88 y.
Benjamin Prescott's. R. to Ashbumham and
returned, and died Feb. 10, 1805, 80 y.
David Jefts and Charles Scripture's. Died Oc
tober 16, 1840, 96 y.
R.
Chapman's. R.
Son of Jason. R.
Luther Nutting's. R.
R.A privateersman. R.
South of Dea. Cragin's. Son of Dea. Amos
Dakin. Died Oct. 29, 1842, 83 y.
B. C. Kimball's. Son of J. Dunster. Died
March 21, 1828, 67 y.
Son of Jason Dunster. R.
R. Dea. S. Cragin's. Son of Deacon Amos Da
kin. Died October, 1845, 84 y.
R. Daniel HiU's. Son of Elias. Died about 1768.
Elias Eliot's. Died Feb. 23, 1785, 78 y.
. Southeast of Capt. S. Shed's. Son of EUas.
Died September, 1836, 102J y.
Andrew Eliot's. Died June 24. 1781, 65 y.
Son of John, and lived with his father. Died
June 4, 1830, 81 y.
Last on tax list, October 14, 1771.
R. Son of John. R.
Son of Elias. Died Nov. 17, 1838, 89 y.
Son of John. R.
Son of John. Died September 30, 1811, 56 y.
Taxed " for her son Josiah." Supposed to be
the widow of WilUam.
R.
Taken prisoner by the Algerines. R. to Win-
hall, Vt., with his family, about 1804.
North of Dea. N. Hall's.
East of Wm. Barrett's, near Townsend line.
His wUe, Thankful, died in 1779, and was
buried at the expense of the town. He was,
in part or wholly, supported by the town
from that time till his death, (at Ashby,)
March 31, 1821, at the age, it is said, of 102
years. He was an able-bodied man, always
enjoying vigorous health, but he had an in
vincible repugnance to work in any form.

216

HISTORY OP MASON.

1769.

Fish Wid. Patience,

Fisk Daniel,

John Russell's. R.

Fish Jonathan,

Eleazer Fish's. Last on tax list Dec. 13,
1769. Died after 1772.

Fish Eleazer,
Capt. Ira HaU's. Died April 26, 1791.
Fish Nathan,
R.
Fish Simon,
S East of Luther Nutting's. R.
1771.
Flagg Isaac,
S. Elijah Davis'. In Bunker Hill battle.
Fessenden Aaron,
R.
Farnsworth Daniel,
R.
1773.
Fuller Silas,
Jonas Fay's. R.
1774.
Fay Jonas,
S. Moses Russell's. Died May 16, 1826, 77 y.
Fay Daniel,
Josiah Flagg's. Died June 2, 1783.
1780.
French John,
R.
Foster Jonathan, Jr.,
S. Son of Jonathan. R.
Foster Nathan,
S. Son of Jonathan. R.
Fuller Ezra,
S. R.
1781.
French WiUiam,
R.
1783.
Fay Jemima, Wid.
Widow of Daniel Fay.
Farley Samuel,
R.
1790.
Farwell Edward,
Capt. S. Weston. Died Aug. 28, 1819, 88 y.
Farnsworth Sampson
, R,
1752.
Green Simon,
R.
1754.
Gould Nehemiah,
KUled in battle near lake George, July 20,
1758.
1771.
Green Nehemiah,
R.
1774.
Gibson John,
R.
1780.
Green Samuel,
East of Ens. Enosh Lawrence's place. R.
1781.
Grace Manuel,
R.
1782.
Gordon James,
S. Said to be a Hessian. R.
1786.
Giles Joseph,
In the 2d school district. R.
1787.
Goddard John,
In the 4th school district. Died Dec. 10, 1797.
1790.
Gray Dr. Joseph,
Vearon Eaton's. R.
Grimes John,
In the 4th school district. R.
1752.
Hall Dea. Nathan,
Capt. Jos. Sanders'. Died May 7, 1807, 91 y.
1757.
Herrick Joseph,
Benjamin Prescott's. Died. Last on tax list
November 30, 1773.
1768.
Hall James,
Abijah Eaton's. Son of Dea. N. HaU. R.
1769.
Hall Nathan, Jr.,
Son of Dea. Nathan HaU. R.
Holden Isaac,
Bachelder's. R. in 1774 or 1775.
Hosmer Nathaniel,
Otis'. R. to Camden, Me.
Hosmer Reuben,
S. East of Walton's. R.
1770.
Hodgman Timothy,
S. R.
1771.
Hodgman David,
S. Oliver Hosmer's. R.
1772.
Hodgman Joseph,
S. Calvin Blood's. R.
Hodgman Reuben,
Moore's. R.
Herrick Joseph, Jr.,
S. Benjamin Prescott's. R. to Brattleboro', Yt.
1773.
Hodgman John,
West of Oliver Hosmer's. R.
1774.
Hodgman Benjamin,
Moore's. R.
1775.
Hodgman Joseph, Jr.
, S. Sewall Wood's.
Herrick Lois, Wid.
Widow of Joseph. R. to Brattleborough, Vt.
1776.
Herrick Shadrack,
R. to do.
1777.
Hurlbert John,
S. R.
1778.
Hodgman Zacheus,
S. Noah Winship's. R.
Holden Amos,
S. Abner Holden's. Died AprU 16, 1806, 54 y.
1779.
Hosmer WUUam,
S. Oliver Hosmer's. Died March 26, 1802, 74 y.
Hart Joseph,
R.
1780.
Hodgman Job,
S. R.
HaU Henry,
S. Tarbell's. R.
Horton Elijah,
Timothy Kemp's. R.
LIST OF EARLY SETTLERS.

217

1780.

Hull John,

S.

1782.

Hall David,

S.

Hodgman Nathan,

S.

Hurlburt Josiah,

s.

Hodgman Thomas,

1783.
1785.
Herrick Amos,
Hodgkins Hezekiah,
Hosmer OUver,
s.
1786.
Hodgman David,
1788.
Haven Clarke,
Hall Richard,
1790.
Haven Nathaniel,
1752.
Jefts Henry,
1765.
Jefts Jonathan,
1769.
Jefts Mary, Widow,
Jefts John,
Jefts Thomas,
Jefts Benjamin,
King Benjamin,
Kendall Jabez,
1774.
Kendall Nathan,
1775.
Knowlton Benjamin,
Jr.,
1778.1780.
1782. 1785.
1751. 1752.
1762. 1769.
KendaU Jabez, Jr.,
Knowlton Henry,
Keyes Elijah,
Kemp Abel,
Kendall Benjamin,
KendaU Reuben.
Lawrence Ens. Enosh,
Leslie James,
LesUe George,
Lawrence WilUam, Esq.,
Lowell Moses,
Lowell David,
Lowell Joseph,
Lowell David, Jr.,
Lowell Simeon,
Lawrence Enosh, Jr.,
Lawrence Samuel,
Lawrence Stevens,
Lawrence Richard,
Lawrence John,
1775. 1778.
1780. 1781.
Leonard John,
Lowell Joseph, Jr.,
Lowell Timothy,
Lakin Ambrose,
Locke Abraham,
Lawrence Isaac,
Below Dr. Barber's. R.
Son of Dea. N. Hall. Died August 25, 1824,
71 years.
Son of Joseph Hodgman. R.
R.T. Hodgman's. Died August 16, 1836, 82J y.
Benj. Prescott's. Son of Joseph. Died Nov.
8, 1848, 85 y.
R. Oliver Hosmer's. Died Oct. 15, 1852, 88 y.
R. 3
R. Son of Dea. Hall. Died July 16, 1822, 54 y.
R. Jona. Batchelder's. R. before incorporation.
Hartshorn's. Died May, 1818, 86 y.
Amos Robbens, Jr. Died Dec. 10, 1809, 70 y.
Thomas Jefts'. Died June, 1808.
Benj. Jefts'. Died April 7, 1807, 60 y.
North part. Last on tax Ust January 27, 1777.
R.
B. C. Kimball's. Son of Benj. Knowlton, of
New Ipswich, born 1753. R. with his father
to New York, about 1807.
R.
Brother of Benjamin Knowlton, Jr., born in
1756. R.
Simeon Kemp's. R.
A. Kemp's Died Sept. 23, 1829, 87 y.
Near John Blodgett's. Killed by lightning at
his brother's house in Dublin, June 1, 1806,
56 years.
R.Eph. HUdreth's. Died Sept. 28, 1778, 68 y.
R.R.
A meeting was held at his house in No. 1, in
1752, but he was not, probably, ever more
than temporarily resident in the town.
R. Last on the tax list November 30, 1773.
Capt. Joseph Barrett's. R. Same.
On the road from R. Lawrence's to Dakin's
mill, near the old brick yard. R.
R. Last on tax list Nov. 30, 1773,
R.
John Jefts. Died Dec. 11, 1809, 71 y.
Son of Ens. Enosh. R. to Townsend.
Edward Merriam's. Died Sept. 4, 1824, 80 y.
A. Dakin's. Died November 1, 1815, 80 y.
Eph. HUdreth's. R to Swanton, Vt., about
1806, and died there.
Between Oliver Eliot's and Reuben Barrett's.
Last on tax list January 30, 1778.
R.
R. R.R.R.
218

HISTORY OP MASON.

1788.1789.
1769.
1771.

1773.
1774.

1775.1778.1780.
1781.

1782. 1784.

Lawrence Sampson,
Lee Jonathan.
Lawrence Willard.
Lawrence Daniel.
Merriam Joseph,
McLain Dennis,
Mann James,

Mann Benjamin,
Mansfield Elijah,
Mann Christopher,

Miles WiUiam,
Munroe Dr. Ephraim,
Muzzy Benjamin,
Merriam Abraham, S

Merriam Ezra,

Mossman Aaron,
Merriam Silas,

1782. 1790.
1779.
1752. 1762.
1769.1770. 1771.1777.1778.1783.1785.

1788.1789.

1752.

S.

s.

1785. Merriam Abraham,Jr. S.

Nutting Ephraim,
Nutting Peter,
Osgood Joseph,

S

Parker Lt. Obadiah,
Powers Whitcomb, S.
Powers Ehzabeth, Wid.,
Proctor Nathan,
Perry Joseph,
Parker Samuel,
Parker OUver, Ens.
Patten Nathaniel,
Parker Phinehas,
Parkhurst Jesse,
Pike William,
Parker Sam Stevens,
Parker Junea,
Parkhurst Andrew,
Parker Sampson,
Patch Asa,
Pratt John,
Robbins Josiah,

Moses Merriam's. Died Nov. 6, 1826, 82 y.
R. Last on tax Ust October 14, 1771.
J. Ames' farm near John Bachelder's. He was
father of Benjamin Mann, came into town
with him, and died about 1780-1.
J. Ames, and Asher Peabody's. R. to Keene
and to Troy, N. Y. Died, 1831, 91 y.
R. J. Ames' orchard. "A free negro man, for
merly slave to James Mann." R. to New
Ipswich and died there.
Died between 1782 and 1796. Amos Herrick
married his widow.
R. next year.
East of James Scripture's. R.
At the corner where the road turns to WUton.
Died November 26, 1797.
Near Pratt's pond, afterwards at his father's.
Son of Abraham Merriam. Died June 21,
1827, 67 y.
R. At Pratt's pond, with Ezra, son of Abraham.
R. to Maine.
Abraham Merriam house. Died January 18,
1806, 48 y.
R.
R. Old orchard, south from Tufts'. Married the
widow of Wm. Barrett. Died before 1790.
Lieut. Parker's. Died Oct. 5, 1816, 86 y.
R.
Last on tax list February 28, 1783.
R.R.R. R. R. Son of Lt. O. Parker, born May 11, 1756. R.
R. Son of Lt. Obadiah Parker, born October 17,
1763, and died December 20, 1827, 64 y.
R.R. Son of Lt. Obadiah Parker, born October 11,
1767, and died March 18, 1818, 50 y.
R.Pratt's pond. Died January 27, 1832, 77 y.
Dea. Webber place. Came from Townsend
with his family, began the farm on the Dea.
Webber place, R. soon after 1774, and died
at Stoddard in 1787. There is a tradition
that his wife died, that he married again,
and died, and that he and his first wUe were
buried in the old grave yard, by the side of
his son Amos. Last on tax list, Oct. 1774.

LIST OP EARLY SETTLERS.

219

1768. Robbins Thomas,
1769. Robbins Seth,
Ross Joseph,
Russell Jason,
1771. Ross Andrew,
1772. Robbins Amos,

Russell Hobart,
1774. Russell John,
1780. Richardson Joshua, S
1787. Russell Samuel,
1789. Reed Thomas,
RusseU Jonathan,
1752. Spaulding WiUiam,
Shattuck Ensign,
Swallow Lt. John,
1761. Shattuck OUver,
1765. Spaulding Thomas,
1769. Spaulding Lemuel, S
Shed Abel,
Smith Samuel, S
Smith Nathaniel,
Scripture Samuel, S
1770. Scripture James, S
1771. Sloan David,
1772. Searle Rev. Jonathan, S
Sloan John,
1773. Sqvure Samuel, S
1774. Stone Jonathan,
1775. Scripture OUver,
Sawtell Lt. Ephraim,
1776. Smith Joshua
1779. SwaUow John, Jr., S
1780. Start George,
1781. Smith Nathaniel, Jr., S
1782. Spaulding Thaddeus,
Stacy WiUiam,
Scripture Samuel, Jr. S
1783. Shed William,
1784. Sloan David, Jr.,
Stevens John,
1786. Searle John,
1786. Sanders Joseph,
Smith Samuel, Jr.,
Stuart Jeremiah,
1787. Saunderson Wilham,
Saunderson Isaac,
Saunderson Solomon,
SarteU Micah,
Shattuck Nehemiah,
Smith John,

T. Robbins' place, near Dea. Wood's. Son of
Josiah Robbins. Died Dec, 1827, 83 y.
Luther Robbins'. Son of Josiah Robbins.
Died July 31, 1837, 93 y.
. East of Dr. Barber's. R.
. Jason Russell's place. Died September 26,
1825, 84 y.
Joseph Tuffts' place. R. to Rindge.
Son of Josiah Robbins. Died Sept. 2, 1773,
and was buried in the old graveyard, in rear
of the old meeting house.
H. Russell place. Died Nov. 6, 1836, 88 y.
Ephraim Russell's. Died Dec. 15, 1832, 86 y.
. Lived with Capt. Isaac Brown. R.
R. R.
West of O. Hosmer's. Died Oct. 24, 1828, 77 y.
R. R.
Josiah Winship. Died Nov. 23, 1815, 86 y.
R. R.
. Lt. E. Gilman's. R.
E. D. Richardson's. R. to Rindge in 1775.
. Capt. Smith's. Died Dec. 6, 1815, 74 y.
H. Russell place, and Thad. Morse's. Died
Dec. 18, 1802, 81 y.
James Scripture's place. R. to Nelson and
died there, about 90 years.
Ward Scripture's. Son of Samuel Scripture.
Died June 19, 1810, 62 y.
Jonathan Batchelder's.
Ebenezer Blood's. Died Dec. 7, 1812, 68 y.
Son of David Sloan.
S. Dix Blood's. Burnt to death in the army.
William Whitaker's. R.
Elnathan Boynton's. Son of Samuel Scrip
ture. R. to New Ipswich.
Widow Amsden's. R.
R.
Calvin Blood's. Son of Lieut. John Swal
low. Died January, 1830, 73 y.
R. to New Ipswich.
East of Amos Robbin's. R.
R.R. R. to Nelson.
R.R.R.
Son of Rev. Jonathan Searle; R.
Dea. Hall's. Died Dec. 12, 1829, 65 y.
Son of Saml. Smith. Died Feb. 2, 1849, 84 y.
R.R.
R. R.R.R.Son of Nathaniel Smith. R.

220

HISTORY OP MASON.

1787
1788.

1789.1790.

1749.1769.
1771.

1778.
17S2.
1783.

1785.

1786.
1752.

1767.
1768. 1769.

1771.

1773. 1774.
1776. 1778.
1779. 1780.

Smith Jonathan,

.Shipley, Jonathan,
Simonds Thomas,
Scott William,
Scripture John,
Swere or Zuire Peter,
Shattuck Ebenezer,
SwaUow Abel,
Spaulding Abel,
Shed WiUiam,
Tarbell Capt. Thomas,
TarbeU Capt. Samuel,

Tarbell Nathaniel,
Tarbell Edward,
Towne Edward,
Tarbell John,

Tarbell Thomas Jr., S
Tarbell Whitcomb,
Townsend Samuel,
Tarbell Samuel
Tarbell Edward,
Tarbox Daniel,
Trask John
Tarbell Benjamin,
Temple John,
Turncliff William,
Whitney Shadrack,
Wright Samuel,
Withee James,
Wheeler Aaron,
Wheeler Josiah,
Whipple Ens. Nathan,
Woodward George,
WUliams Jonathan,
Winship Jonathan,
Wheeler Nathan,
Withington Elisha, S.

Wheeler Timothy,
Whitaker John,
Woods Samuel,
Wheeler Abijah,
Wood Ens. John,
Wait John,
Wood Col. James,

S.

Son of Nathaniel. Married Susannah, daugh
ter of Wm. Barrett, and lived near Towns-
end Une.
R.
R. R.
Son of Samuel Scripture. Went to Canada
and died there.
Died.
E. Shattuck's place. R. to New York.
Son of Lieut. John Swallow. R.
R.
R.
T. TarbeU's place. Died February 9, 1796,
77 yeai'B.
Eli Nutting's. Tory. His estate was confis
cated. He left town, and died in poverty
and wretchedness, at Groton, his native
place.
John Sawtell's. Son of Capt. Thomas. R.
Dutton place. Same. R.
Hartshorn's. R.
Charles Scripture's. Son of Captain Thomas.
He fell dead at the door of the meeting
house on Sunday, August 20, 1797.
T. TarbeU's. Son of Capt. Thomas. Died
July 10, 1827, 73 y.
R. *
Geo. Martin's. Died March 29, 1822, 88 y.
North of T. TarbeU's. Son of Capt. Thomas.
Died March 24, 1824, 65 y.
Near Saml. TarbeU's. Son of Capt. Thos. R.
R. R.R. R.
R.
He had a farm in town, but it is uncertain
whether he ever resided there.
R.
James Withee's. Died April 4, 1796.
West of John Jefts'. Died Dec. 3, 1806, 66 y.
John Warren's. Died Oct. 17, 1774.
Isaac Russell's. R.
Last on tax list, Oct. 22, 1770.
Jonathan WiUiam's place. Died March 18,
1821. 85 y.
Jesse Barrett, 2d's. His house was burned.
R. Last on tax list January 8, 1777.
John Warren's. Brother of Josiah Wheeler.
R. to Temple.
E. Withington's place. Died July 5, 1819,
73 years.
T. Wheeler's. Dec. 13, 1820, 68 y.
W. W. Whitaker's. Died Oct 1, 1829, 85 y.
A. FareweU's. R.
Brother of Josiah. Removed to Temple.
Oliver AUen's. Died Dec. 9, 1785, 69 y.
R.
O. Allen's. Died July 31, 1838, 83 y.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 221
1780, Wood Nathan, Brother of James. Married and R.
Wilson Edward, Capt. Thomas Wilson's. R. to Troy, N. Y.
Died June 17, 1816, 82 y.
Winship John, S. Withington's. Died Aug. 1, 1819, 77 y.
Webber Dea. Jotham, S. Dea. Webber place, formerly Josiah Robbins.
Died May 2, 1824, 72 y.
Weatherbee David, S. Dix Blood's.
Weston Dea. Roger, S. Roger Weston's. Died March 9, 1843, 85£ y.
1781. Wyeth Joshua, Wilsons's Orchard,, opposite the burying
ground. R.
Wait John, Jr., Josiah Flagg's. R.
1782. Woods Joseph, Sewall Wood's. Died May 11, 1830, 76 y.
Wheeler David, R.
Wetherbee Jacob, S. R.
Wetherbee Timothy, S. Centres. Died January 20, 1832, 84 y.
1783. Wilson Edward, Jr., S. Son of Edward. R. to Troy, N. Y.
Wilson Joseph, S. Son of Edward. R to New York.
1784. Withee James, Jr., James Withee's. Died Feb. 17, 1855, 93 y.
1785. White Benjamin,
1786. Wilson Ebenezer, Son of Edward. R. to Troy, N. Y.
Warren Hinksman, Came from Townsend. Died May 4, 1827, 75
years.
Walker Capt. SUas, R.
Winship Dea. Noah, John Winship's. Son of John Winship,
Died March 24, 1819, 55 y.
WiUiams Nathaniel,
1786. Williams Nathaniel, Jr.,
1787. Wright Josiah,
1789. Wheelock Timothy, Otis place. R.
Wellington Benjamin, R.
1790. Winship John, Jr., R. to Vermont.
Withington Elisha, Jr., Son of Ehsha Withington. R.
AFFAIRS OP THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
The foregoing list contains the names of all inhabitants of
the town, appearing by the tax lists to be such, who served
in the war of the revolution. Most of them served for the
town; a few served for other towns, and became inhabitants
afterwards. Some, who did not reside in town, served on
behalf of the town or some of its inhabitants. Their names
appear in the following list, which, added to those marked S,
in the foregoing list, completes the roll of soldiers and ma
rines in the war, residing in town previous to 1790. The
length of time of service of each man cannot, in many
instances, be ascertained. Many served more than one term
or campaign. It appears that the town was, by some arrange
ment among the inhabitants, divided into "squadrons," probably
according to the amount of the inventory, rather than the
number of inhabitants, and the number of soldiers to be fur-
29

222

HISTORY OP MASON.

nished was equally divided among the squadrons, but no
record of the division has been found. Much trouble was
experienced in settling the "averages" and "turns," as they
were called, as appears in the municipal history.
The following persons, whose names do not appear in the
foregoing list, served in the war for the town of Mason :

Fish Nathan or Nathaniel,
Hodgman Abel,
Lampson Joseph,
Harrup Mather,

Mitchell Isaac,
Worthington Matthew Harrup.
Moore James,

Of these, Nathaniel Fish and Abel Hodgman, there is no
doubt resided in the town, but their names were not found
upon the tax lists. Lampson, Mitchell and Moore, were not
resident in the town. Mather Harrup and Matthew Harrup
Worthington, are undoubtedly the same person, although the
names appear on the records, in several places, as those of
different persons.
The following lists are copied from documents and records
in the office of the secretary of state, at Concord :

CAPT. MANN'S COMPANY AT BUNKER HILL.

WUliam Parker,
Sam. Campbell,
John Buxton,
John Adams,
John Thomas,
Robert Worsley,
John Sloan,
Amos Colburn,
Thomas TarbeU,

Sam. Scripture,
Elijah Avery,
Jere. Holt,
Saml. Wright,
Isaac Flagg,
Saml. Abbott,
John Fish,
Simeon Hildreth,
Joseph Hodgman,

Eben'r Carlton,
George Woolson,
John Robbins,
Isaac Barrett,
Zaccheus Hodgman,
Jos. Blood,
Lt. Brewer,
Capt. Mann,
John GUson.

RETURN OE SOLDIERS IN COL. NICHOLS' REGIMENT, ENLISTED 1777.

Reuben Hosmer,
Ebenezer Abbott,
Thomas Blood,
David HaU,
Jona. Foster,
Nathaniel Fish,
Nath'l Smith,
Mather Harrup,
Jos. Ross,
James MitcheU,
James Moore,

April
AprilAprU AprilAprilApril May
Aug.May April

23,
23,
28,29, 30,
30, 8,7,
8,
10.

Scammel's regiment, Frye's company.

CUley

March 10, «•'

Scott's

All these enlisted for three years, except Keuben Hosmer,
who enlisted " for the war."

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 223
GEN. WHIPPLE'S BRIGADE OE VOLUNTEERS TO RHODE ISLAND, 1778 — COL. MOSES
NICHOL'S REGIMENT.
Ninth Co., Capt. Ben- ) Wages. Horse hire. Travel. Subsistence. Charges.
jamin Mann, Mason. J £219 7s. 6d. £500. £366 13s. 4d. £10. £7 16.
The state records show that forty five men were in the
service at Winter Hill, in 1775. An enumeration of the
inhabitants, made in October of that year, by the selectmen,
under oath, shows the number absent in the army, to be twenty
seven. The whole number of inhabitants by that enumera
tion, was 501. The whole number of males; from sixteen to
fifty, not gone in the army, was eighty six, showing that in
the summer nearly one half, and in the autumn nearly one
quarter of all the able-bodied men and boys were in the army.
In 1776, the number reported as in the army, was forty four,
and in 1777, fifty five, but probably not all in the service at
the same time, in those years. These facts show a patriotism
on the part of these poor people, who were wholly dependent
upon their daily labor for the support of themselves and their
families, which has scarcely a parallel in the annals of history,
and which is certainly highly creditable to their spirit of inde
pendence and zeal for the cause of liberty.
The following documents, copied from the town records,
furnish information as to the services of individuals and ex
penditures of the town, and of individuals, in procuring sol
diers to serve in the war :
This may certify that I, James Moor, not an inhabitant of
any town, have inlisted myself with Capt. Will. Scott, Into the
three years' service on behalf of and for Messrs. Stephen
Lawrence, Joseph Ball, Jonas Pay and Daniel Pay, for the
space of three years, in consideration of having Eec'd one
hundred Dollars over the Bounty given for sd service, as wit
ness my hand. his
James x Moor.
Mason, March 14, 1777. mark-
Attest: Isaac Mitchell,
Obadiah Parker.

224 history op mason.
This may certify that I, Isaac Mitchell, not an inhabitant of
any Town, is inlisted into the three years' service, with Capt.
Will. Scott, in the room and for to Do a Turn for the space
of three years in sd service, for the Rev. Mr. Jonathan Searle,
and Mr. Nathan Wheeler and Obadiah Parker, In considera
tion for having had payed me one hundred Dollars over and
above the Bounty Given for sd service, as witness my hand.
his
Isaac x Mitchell.
Mason, March ye 14th, 1777. mark'
Attest: Margrett Spear,
James Moore.
Mason, April 22, 1777. Rec'd of Messrs. John Swallow,
David Blodgett, Daniel Pay, Timothy Wheeler, Reuben Bar
rett ye 3d, John Whitaker, John Jefts, Their proportion
allowed to them by a committee chosen for that purpose, to
hire a man for the term of three years. Also three pounds
for their making fence for me. I say, Rec'd by me.
Samuel Abbott.
Mason, April 22, 1777. Rec'd of Messrs. Benjamin Hodgman,
Jonathan Winship, John Hodgman, Reuben Hodgman, Na
thaniel Hosmer, Joseph Ball and Thomas Robens, their pro
portion allowed to them by a certain committee, chosen for
that purpose, to hire a man during the war with Britton. I
say, Rec'd by me. Reuben Hosmer.
Mason, April ye 30th, 1777. These lines may certify all
persons it may concern, that I have received of Will. Eliot,
Pour pounds, two shillings, L. mo., it Being his Proportion
Towards hiring one to serve for the squadron he belonged to,
to procure a man for ye three years' service. Received by me.
Thomas Blood.
Same date, a similar receipt of John Eliot, of £1 ls. 4d.,
signed Thomas Blood.
Same date, a similar receipt of Ebenezer Blood, of £5
15s., signed by Thomas Blood.

THE revolutionary war. 225
May ye 8th, 1777, a similar receipt of Zachariah Davis, for
£4 lis. 7d., signed by Thomas Blood.
May ye 8th, 1777. This day Rec'd of Abijah Allen, Forty
six Dollres & of a D oiler, as the town bounty. I say Rec'd
by me- David Hall.
May ye 3, 1777. This day Rec'd of Abijah Allen, Twenty
six Doners jDoller, as the Town bounty. I say Rec'd by me.
David Hall.
Mason, April ye 29th, 1777. I this day Rec'd of Joseph
Merriam, Eight Pounds, Four Shillings and six pence, the
Town bounty, it being his proportion, as hath been already
Levied by a com'tte chosen for that purpose. Rec'd by me.
David Hall.
Mason, May ye 12, 1777. This Day Rec'd of Oliver Eliot,
the sum of Eleven Pounds, eighteen [shillings], L. mo., it
being his part of his money for the Town Bounty. I say
Rec'd by me, for the three years' men. hi3
Nathan x Fish.
mark.
May ye 14, 1777. This day Rec'd of Abijah Allen, Eighteen
pounds, two shillings and six pence, as Town's Bounty. I
say Rec'd by me. hi3
Nathan x Fish.
mark.
May ye 8th, 1777. This day received of Abijah Allen,
Thirty Pounds L. mo., as the Town's Bounty. I say Rec'd
by me. Joseph Ross.
Mason, November ye 26, 1777. This day Rec'd of Samuel
Brown, one hundred D oilers, as hire for my ingaging in the
Continental service, for three years, for the town of Mason.
I say Rec'd by me. Ms
Matthew Harrup x Wortington.
mark.
Dunstable, 4th August, 1779. Rec'd of the Selectmen of
Mason, by the hand of Daniel Warner, one hundred and

226 history op mason.
twenty pounds, L. mo., it being for one half a Town's bounty
for a year service in the Continental army, sd service To be
Don for the Towns of Dunstable and Mason. Pr.
Joseph Lamson, Jr.
Memorandum. Paid by the selectmen of Mason, July 13,
1779 : Zebulon Dodge, £300 ; Abijah Eaton, £300. July 19 :
Simeon Pish, £60. July 24: Samuel Squire, £210. Rec'd
an obligation of the town against sd Squire, which was turned
in at as many pounds, £90. August 4 : Joseph Lampson, Jr.,
£30. The above for one year. July 21 : To Abel Hodgman,
as bounty and travel, £40. July 26: To Edmund Farns
worth, £190. For Rhode Island.
This may certify all whom it may concern, that I, Ezra
Puller, have inlisted in the Continental service, during the
three years' campaign, in the room and stead of Amos Dakin,
of Mason. Ezra Fuller.
The foregoing receipts Truly entered my me.
David Blodgett, Town Clerk.
The names of John Elliot and Jonathan Fish, should be
added to the list of soldiers. John Elliot, Jr., removed to
Hudson, and died there. Samuel Squire died April 3, 1780.
The list of residents, commencing this chapter, was com
piled in 1842-3, by Rev. Joseph B. Hill, then resident in
Mason. The place of residence was indicated by the name of
the owner at that date. His list closed with the year 1783.
It has since been brought down to the year 1790, and a few of
the earlier names, and time of decease, age, &c, added, and,
in a few instances, places are described by the name of the
owner residing thereon in 1858.
The evidence of the service in the revolutionary war, is, in
most instances, found in the town records and in the office of
the secretary of state at Concord. No name has been in
serted among the soldiers, without evidence from one or the

THE revolutionary war. 227
other of these records, except in the instance of some whose
services were rendered for other towns before they became
inhabitants of Mason.
The following account, copied from papers in the secretary
of state's office, shows the amount allowed by the state to the
town of Mason, for bounties paid and other expenditures, of
the town, during the war. It will also show the number of
men in the service, in different years :
MASON, FOR BOUNTIES, &c.

£

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

Winter HUl, 45 men in 1775,

252
16
0
Militia, 15 men for the year 1776,
182
8
0
Wyman's reg't, 15 men.
Paid by the town,
150
" " individuals,
22
6
8-
— 172
6
8
Baldwin & Gilman's reg't, 14 men in 1776,
37
16
0
May.
Continental, 10 men in 1777,
30
0
0
C300
{ 23
6
3
Nov.
do. 1 man in 1777,
2
9
June.
Sea Coast, Portsmouth, 3 men in 1777,
5
14
0
Alarm at Tyconda., 17 men in 1777,
15
2
0
Provisions and transporting, 7
2
0-
 22
4
0
July.
Stark's brigade, 16 men in 1777,
68
8
0
Saratoga volunteers, 8 men in 1777,
15
4
0
March.
Peabody's reg't, 1 man in 1778,
15
0
0
Volunteers to Rhode Island, 25 men in 177?
1,
47
10
0
July.
Continental, 5 men in 1779,
1200
0
0
n
7
2
Deducted below,
120
0
0
17
2
Sept.
Sea Coast, Portsmouth, in 1779,
3
12
0
Nichols' reg't, 6 men in 1780,
54
0
0
June.
New levies in 1780, in sUver,
56
13
4
4 men, in paper,
300
0
0-
— 61
18
2
Continental, 5 men in 1781,
370
0
0
Cotninental, 2 " in 1782,
150
0
0
Aug. Continental, Jo. Lampson, in 1779, vid. 'above, 120 0 0
Sept. Reynolds' reg't, 3 men in 1781,
De.
To £120 for state bounty, 2 men in 1779, deducted, repaid £120,
1860 13
7 9
36 0
0 0
0
1904 2
7 17
0
2
1896 4 10
228

history op mason.

PROPRIETARY AND TOWN OFFICERS, AND JUSTICES OP THE PEACE.
List of moderators of the proprietary meetings and of
clerks of the proprietary :

DATE.

MODERATORS.

CLERKS.

October

16,

1749.

Joseph Blanchard, Esq.

Joseph Blanchard, Jr.

December

3,

1751.

William Lawrence, Esq.

Joseph Blanchard, Jr.

October

— ,

1752.

Maj. Jonathan Hubbard.

John Stevens.

November 27,

1753.

Colonel Lawrence.

John Stevens.

July

16,

1754.

Maj. Jonathan Hubbard.

John Stevens.

November 18,

, 1754.

Colonel Lawrence.

John Stevens.

May

H,

1757.

William Lawrence, Esq.

John Stevens.

October

24,

1758.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

Jonathan Blanchard.

January

2,

1759.

Colonel Lawrence.

Jonathan Blanchard.

November 26,

1759.

Capt. Samuel Tarbell,

Jonathan Blanchard.

November 25,

1760.

Col. William Lawrence.

Jonathan Blanchard.

Septembei

' 14,

1762.

Capt. Samuel TarbeU.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

December

14,

1762.

Nathan HaU.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

April

5,

1763.

Obadiah Parker.

Capt. Thomas TarbeU.

March

29,

1764.

Ohver Eliot,

Capt. Thomas TarbeU.

January

29,

1765.

Ens. Whitcomb Powers.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

March

20,

1765.

Lieut. William Prescott.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

April

23,

1766.

Whitcomb Powers.

Capt. Thomas TarbeU.

December

H,

1766.

Lieut. WilUam Prescott.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

March

10,

1767.

Ens. Whitcomb Powers.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

June

2,

1767.

Nathan Hall.

Capt. Thomas TarbeU.

November

4,

1767.

Lieut. Obadiah Parker.

Capt. Thomas TarbeU.

January

5,

1768.

Lieut. Obadiah Parker.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

March

8,

1768.

Ens. Whitcomb Powers.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

June

22,

1768.

Josiah Robbins.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

March

22,

1769.

Lieut. Obadiah Parker.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

August

21,

1769.

Josiah Robbins.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

October

18,

1769.

Nathan Hall.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

March

6,

1770.

Nathan HaU.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

January

6,

1772.

Josiah Robbins.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

January

12,

1773.

Nathan HaU.

Capt. Thomas Tarbell.

The following list contains the names of the moderators at
the annual town meetings, the town clerks, the- selectmen, and
town treasurers, from the year 1768 to the year 1858, inclu
sive, and of representatives from the year 1775 to 1858, in
clusive :

LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS.

Year.

1768.1769. 1770.1771.
1772. 1773.1774.1774.1775.1775.1776.1777.1778.1779.
1780.
1781. 17S2.
w 1783.
O 1784. 17S5.1786.1787. 1788.1789. 1790
1791.1792 1793

MODERATORS.

Obadiah Parker,
Thomas Tarbell,
Josiah Wheeler,
Obadiah Parker,
Josiah Robens,
Samuel Smith,
Joseph Barrett,
August 22.
David Blodgett,
May 29.
Samuel Brown,
Samuel Brown,
Samuel Brown,
John Wood,
John Wood,
Benjamin Mann,
David Blodgett,
Benjamin Mann,
Benjamin Mann,
WUliam Eliot,
Benjamin Mann,
Benjamin Mann,
Benjamin Mann,
Benjamin Mann,
Obadiah Parker,
Obadiah Parker,
Obadiah Parker,
Obadiah Parker,

TOWN CLERKS.

Josiah Wheeler,
John Asten,
Josiah Wheeler,
Josiah Wheeler,
Josiah Wheeler,
Josiah Wheeler,
Josiah Wheeler,
Benjamin Mann,
Benjamin Mann,
Joseph Barrett,
David Blodgett,
Benjamin Mann,
Benjamin Mann,
David Blodgett,
William Eliot,
Jacob Blodgett,
William Eliot,
Elijah Keyes,
David Blodgett,
William Eliot,
William Eliot,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,

" SELECTMEN.

Josiah Wheeler, Obadiah Parker, Joseph Bullard,
Thomas TarbeU, Josiah Wheeler, Obadiah Parker,
Josiah Wheeler, James Withee, Amos Dakin,
Josiah Wheeler, Amos Dakin, James Withee,
Josiah Wheeler, Obadiah Parker, Jonathan Winsliip,
Josiah Wheeler, Obadiah Parker, Jonathan Winship,
Josiah Wheeler, James Withee, Amos Dakin,
Benjamin Mann, in place of J. Wheeler, dismissed at his
own request.
Benjamin Mann, Joseph Merriam, James Withee,
Joseph Barrett, as constituent in B.Mann's stead while
in sd Mann's absence [in tbe army],
David Blodgett, Ephraim Sawtell, Abel Shed,
Benjamin Mann, Abel Shedd, Obadiah Parker,
Benjamin Mann, Joseph Merriam, Reuben Barrett,
David Blodgett, Thomas Tarbell, -William Chambers,
William Eliot, Hubbert Russell, Joseph Merriam,
Jacob Blodgett, Samuel Smith, Timothy Wheeler,
WiUiam Eliot, Samuel Smith, Joseph Merriam,
Elijah Keyes, Joseph Merriam, Amos Dakin,
David Blodgett, Joseph Barrett, Joseph Merriam,
William Eliot, Jotham Webber, Jacob Blodgett,
William Eliot, Jotham Webber, Benjamin Mann,
Joseph Barrett, Hobart RusseU, Joseph Merriam,
Joseph Barrett, Hobart Russell, Obadiah Parker,
Joseph Barrett, Benjamin Mann, Joseph Merriam,
Joseph Barrett, Elias Eliot, Joseph Merriam,
Joseph Barrett, Hubbert Russell , James Wood,
Joseph Barrett, Hubbert Russell, James Wood,
Joseph Barrett, Joseph Merriam, James Wood,

TK.KASURERS.

Nathan Hall,
Nathan Hall,
Nathan Hall,
[Nathan Hall,
Nathan Hall,
Nathan Hall,
Nathan Hall,

Nathan Hall,

Samuel Brown,
Samuel Brown,
Samuel Brown,
Samuel Brown,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Selectmen,William Eliot,
William Eliot,
Jacob Blodgett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,

REPRESENTS.

Amos Dakin.

Amos Dakin.
[No record.]
Amos Dakin.
Amos Dakin.
Joseph Barrett.
Benjamin Mann.
[No record.]
Benjamin Mann.
Benjamin Mann.
[No record.]
Benjamin Mann.
[No record.]
Obadiah Parker.
[No record.]
Obadiah Parker.
[No record.]
Obadiah Parker.
Joseph Merriam.

O

Oa
CO

to
boCO

LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS. — CONTINUED.

toO

Year,

17941795
179617971798 1799 1800
1801 180218031S041805 1806
18071808
1809 1810
1811181218131814
18151816 1817 1818
18191820
1821 18221823 18231824

MODERATORS.

Obadiah Parker,
Obadiah Parker,
Benjamin Mann,
Benjamin Mann,
Benjamin Mann,
Benjamin Mann,
Benjamin Mann,
Timothy Dakin,
Timothy Dakin,
Timothy Dakin,
Joses Bucknam,
Timothy Dakin,
Timothy Dakin,
Timothy Dakin,
Timothy Dakin,
Timothy Dakin,
Timothy Dakin,
Timothy Dakin,
Josiah Russell,
Timothy Dakin,
Hez. Richardson,
Joses Bucknam,
Josiah Russell,
Josiah RusseU,
Samuel Merriam,
Samuel Merriam,
Josiah Russell,
Hez. Richardson,
Josiah Russell,
Hez. Richardson,
From May 5.
Joses Bucknam,

TOWN CLEHKS.

Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
John Blodgett,
Joseph Barrett,
John Blodgett,
John Blodgett,
John Blodgett,
John Blodgett,
John Blodgett,
John Blodgett,
Joses Bucknam,
John Blodgett,
John Blodgett,
John Blodgett,
John Blodgett,
John Blodgett,
John Blodgett,
John Blodgett,
John Blodgett,
John Blodgett,
John Blodgett,
John Blodgett,
Samuel Merriam,
John Blodgett,
Samuel Merriam,
Samuel Merriam,
Samuel Merriam,
Willis Johnson,
Willis Johnson,

SELECTMEN.

Joseph Barrett, Joseph Merriam, Benjamin Mann,
Joseph Barrett, Timothy Wheeler, Timothy Dakin,
Joseph Barrett, Benjamin Mann, Timothy Dakin,
Joseph Barrett, Maj. James Wood, Capt. Benj. Barrett,
Joseph Barrett, Maj. James Wood, Joseph Merriam,
John Blodgett, Joses Bucknam, Joseph Merriam,
Joseph Barrett, John Blodgett, Joses Bucknam,
John Blodgett, Joses Bucknam, Artemas Manning,
John Blodgett, Joses Bucknam, Artemas Manning,
John Blodgett, Joses Bucknam, Sam S. Parker,
John Blodgett, Joses Bucknam, Samuel Smith, Jr.,
John Blodgett, Joses Bucknam, Samuel Smith, Jr.,
John Blodgett, Joses Bucknam, Samuel Smith, Jr ,
Joses Bucknam, Samuel Smith, Jr., Samuel Merriam,
John Blodgett, Joseph Merriam, Joseph Saunders,
John Blodgett, Joses Bucknam, Samuel Smith, Jr.,
John Blodgett, Joses Bucknam,. Samuel Smith, Jr.,
John Blodgett, Joses Bucknam, Samuel Smith, Jr.,
John Blodgett, Joses Bucknam, Samuel Smith, Jr.,
John Blodgett, Joses Bucknaim. Samuel Smith, Jr.,
John Blodgett, Hezekiah Richardson, Jason Dunster,
John Blodgett, Hezekiah Richardson, Jason Dunster,
John Blodgett, Hezekiah Richardson, Jason Dunster,
John Blodgett, Samuel Merriam, Hezekiah Richardson,
John Blodgett, Samuel Merriam, George Dakin,
Samuel Merriam, George Dakin. Josiah Winship,.
John Blodgett, Samuel Merriam, Josiah Winship,
Samuel Merriam, Hezekiah Richardson, Sam S. Parker,
Samuel Merriam, Josiah Winship, Joel Ames,
Samuel Merriam, Josiah Winship.. Joel Ames,
Samuel Smith, in place of Samuel Merriam, deceased.
WUUs Johnson, Samuel Smith, James Taft,.

Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Joseph Barrett,
Selectmen,

TREASURERS.

REPRESENTS.

Obadiah Parker.
Joseph Barrett.
J oseph Barrett.
Joseph Barrett.
Joseph Barrett.
Joseph Merriam.
Col. Jas. Wood.
Col. Jas. Wood.
Col. Jas. Wood.
Col. Jas. Wood.
Col. Jas. Wood.
Dea. R Weston.
Dea. R. Weston.
Dea. R. Weston.
Dea. Ii. Weston.
Jas. Wood, Esq.
Dea. R. Weston.
Joses Bucknam.
John Blodgett.
Joses Bucknam.
John Blodgett.
John Blodgett.
H. Richardson.
H. Richardson.
John Blodgett.
Josiah Winship t
Josiah Winship..
H. Richardson.
Josiah Russell.
Voted to pass the-
article .
Josiah Russell.

WOT>-3O EUKt
o*iS.li
on I;

Year. 182518261827
1828 18291830
1831
1832 1833
1834
18351836 183718381839 1840
1841 1842
18431844 1845
1846 1847 18481849 1850
1851 1852 185318541855 1856
18571858

MODERATORS.

Josiah RusseU,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
John Stevens,
Oliver H. Pratt, .
OUver H. Pratt,
A. T. WUmarth,
Oliver H Pratt,
OUver II. Pratt,
Oliver II. Pratt,
Charles Scripture,
Charles Scripture,
Edwin A. Larkin,
Edwin A. Larkin,
Edwin A. Larkin,

TOWN CLERKS.

Willis Johnson,
Willis Johnson,
Willis Johnson,
WiUis Johnson,
Willis Johnson,
Willis Johnson,
Willis Johnson,
N. F. Cummings,
WiUis Johnson,
N. P. Cummings,
N. P. Cummings,
N. F. Cummings,
N. F. Cummings,
Willis Johnson,
WiUis Johnson,
George Elliott,
George Elliott,
Willis Johnson,
Willis Johnson,
Willis Johnson,
Willis Johnson,
Willis Johnson,
Willis Johnson,
Willis Johnson,
Willis Johnson,
Willis Johnson,
A. G. Comings,
Edwin A. Larkin,
Edwin A. Larkin,
Willis Johnson,
Edwin A. Larkin,
Joseph B. Wilson,
Joseph B. Wilson,
Joseph B. WUson,

SELECTMEN.

Willis Johnson, James Taft, Timothy Wheeler,
Willis Johnson, Joel Ames, Jonathan Bachelder, Jr.,
Willis Johnson, Timothy Wheeler, James Taft,
Willis Johnson, Timothy Wheeler, James Taft,
James Taft, Elisha Barrett, Jonathan Batchelder, Jr.,
James Taft, Elisha Barrett, Jonathan Bachelder, Jr.,
James Taft, Jonathan Bachelder, Jr., Willis John°on,
Jona. Bachelder, Jr., James Spaulding, N. F. Cummings,
James Taft, Timothy Wheeler, Samuel Smith,
Samuel Smith, Jr., Jona. Blanchard, Jr., George Elliott,
Samuel Smith, Jr., Timothy Wheeler, George Elliott,
Samuel Smith, Jr., Tim. Wheeler, Loammi Chamberlain,
John Stevens, Timothy Wheeler, Charles Scripture,
John Stevens, Timothy Wheeler, Charles Scripture,
Samuel Smith, Jr., William Wright, Artemas Rowell,
John Stevens, Charles Scripture, Artemas Rowell,
Charles Scripture, Asher Peabody, Franklin Merriam,
Charles Scripture, WUliam Wright, Jona. Bachelder,
William Wright, Ira HaU, Jonathan RusseU 2d,
OUver H. Pratt, Charles Prescott, Samuel Smith, Jr.,
Oliver H. Pratt, Charles Prescott, Artemas Rowell,
John Stevens, Jonathan Bachelder, Charles Scripture,
John Stevens, Jonathan Bachelder, Charles Scripture,
Oliver H. Pratt, Jonathan Bachelder, Luther L. Barrett,
Samuel Smith, Luther L. Barrett, George Hartshorn,
George Hartshorn, Joseph Saunders, Joseph B. Wilson,
Charles Scripture, Loammi Chamberlain, Benj. Barrett,
Charles Prescott, Frederick Mansfield, S. Wheeler Weston,
Chas. Prescott, S. Wheeler Weston, Jas. L. Chamberlain,
S. Wheeler Weston, Freeman Elliott, Jonathan Russell,
S. Wheeler Weston, Charles Prescott, Amos Scripture,
S. Wheeler Weston, Charles Prescott, Amos Scripture,
Charles Prescott, Amos Scripture, Jacob Rideout,
Amos Scripture, Jacob Rideout, Amos H. Hosmer,

TREASURERS.

Selectmen,

Chas. Scripture,
Chas. Scripture,
Chas. Scripture,
Selectmen,

REI'RESENTAT'S.
Josiah Russell.
John Stevens.
John Stevens.
John Stevens.
John Stevens.
John Stevens.
John Stevens.
John Stevens.
John Stevens.
John Stevens.
William Wright.
William Wright.
WUliam Wright. g
John Stevens. ^
Kev. Eben. Hill. %
Rev. Eben. Hill. 0
John Stevens. *J
Saml. Smith, Jr. 3
Saml. Smith, Jr. g
Oliver II. Pratt. S)
Oliver H. Pratt. r°
Saml. Smith, Esq.
Oliver H. Pratt.
Oliver H. Pratt.
Vot. not to send.
Vot. not to send.
Oliver H. Pratt.
Stephen Smith.
Oliver H. Pratt.
Lucius A.Elliott.
Lucius A.EUiott.
Charles Prescott.
Charles Prescott. «>=
Fred. Mansfield.

Co

232

HISTORY OP MASON.

JUSTICES OE THE PEACE AND OE THE QUORUM.

1783. Benjamin Mann.
1785. Jonathan Searle.
1804. James Wood.
1808. Rogers Weston.
1809. John Blodgett.
1818. Timothy Dakin.
1821. Samuel Merriam.
1823. Samuel Whiting.
1823. WUlis Johnson.
1825. John Stevens, Quorum, 1831.

1831.1833.1835.1836.
1838.1838.1844.1848. 1855.
1855.

Stephen Lawrence.

CORONERS.
James Snow.

Israel Herrick, Quorum, 1836,
Nathaniel F. Cummings.
Nathaniel Shattuck.
WUliam Wright.
Jonathan RusseU.
Samuel Smith.
George Taft.
Thomas H. Marshall.
Charles Scripture.
Joseph B. WUson.

Samuel Merriam.

TRUSTEES OF THE BOYNTON COMMON SCHOOL EUND.
1858. Thomas H. Marshall, Jonathan RusseU, 2d, Charles Scripture, George
Taft, Charles Prescott.
From 1775 to 1793, Mason and Eaby were classed for the
choice of a representative. Dea. Amos Dakin was the repre
sentative in the years 1775— '76— '78— '79 j Joseph Barrett, in
1780-'95-'96-'97-'98; Benjamin Mann, in 1781-'83-'84-'86;
Lieut. Obadiah Parker, in 1788-'90-'92-'94; Joseph Merriam,
1793, 1799. There is no record of the choice in 1777-82-
1785— '87— '89— '91. It may be that in those years the repre
sentative was from Raby. The records of Raby show that
Dea. Amos Dakin was elected representative March, 1787,
and Capt. Campbell March, 1789, for Mason and Raby. Camp
bell was a citizen of Raby.
In the following tables, prepared by the Rev. Jos. B. Hill,
is inserted the number of deaths in the town of Mason, in
each year for 60 years, from January 1, 1791, to Jan. 1, 1851,
taken from the record kept by the Rev. Ebenezer Hill, from
1791 to 1838, and from that kept by Dr. Willis John
son, from 1840 to 1851 ; the years 1838 and 1839 being sup
plied from other sources ; in which appears the number over
70 years of age, and the principal diseases in each year :

STATISTICS OP MORTALITY.

233

TABLE OP DEATHS IN MASON

PROM JANUARY 1, 1791 TO JANUARY 1,

1861

GG
SCD

toeg
P

o u>
O

tort
O

CD
P

o >
o

03scu
t*

to
fj rt
CJ
P

o >
O

QQU

CO
p

ot-~ u
Cy >
O

to

CO
rt
P

o u>
o

[ 02CD

tc
to
p

d
c-- >
O

1791
10
2
1801
6
1
1811
11
1
1821
18
4
1831
19
8
1841
14
4
1792
8
0
1802
19
1
1812
18
2
1822
29
5
1832
20
4
1842
24
4
1793
7
2
1803
19
2
1813
10
0
1823
13
2
1833
11
3
1843! 20
7
1794
12
2
1804
17
0
1814
22
4
1S24
27
9
1S34
21
3
1844
14
6
1795
7
0
1805
20
3
1815
22
5
1825
21
3
1 835
16
8
1845
21
5
1796
10
1
1806
13
1
1816
18
3
1826
20
1
1836
12
4
1846
13
3
1797
15
1
1807
15
2
1817
13
1
1827
26 7
1837
19
8
1847
12
2
1798
10
0
1808
15
1
1818
34
4
1828
22 5
1838
14
4
1848
23
2
1799
6
1
1809
9
3
1819
31
3
1829
29 9
1839
9
3
1849
27
7
1800
19
1
1810
20
1
15
1820
22
201
4
27!
1830
111 5
1840
21
162
7
52
1850
10
184
3
104
101
154
216
50
PROPORTION OP DISEASES, &c,
TO DEATHS IN EACH PERIOD.
a.
d
a.
Decades.
en
-a
J> CO
o
CO
E .
CO bo
CO
COID
> >>
t4-3
a -fl
CO CO
S»
T3
a
u
J-H
o £
Eu
O
o
First decade,
104
1
Ttr
0
tV
1
T
j.
^T
Second decade,
154
i
To
^T
tV
i
X
W
Third decade,
201
2
1 b
1
Iii
2
1 b
1
i
tV
Fourth decade,
216
i
*
1
2¥
1
"S"
i
tVt
Fifth decade,
162
*
1
To"
^V
tV
X
J.
Sixth decade,
184
i
i
tV
*
1
1
For sixty years.
102l| i
i
TT
1
12"
i
*
*
TABLE OF TOTALS,
0, O
CO
so
a
From
*>*
o
S3
Uo
CO
p.
S
6
c
>
Tl
O
H
o
M p
14
20
O 2
1791 to 1801
104
10
0
10
1801 " 1811
154
15
3
14
19
33
13
1811 " 1821
201
27
17
31
32
25
16
1821 « 1831
216
50 23
9
23
22
21
1831 " 1841
162
52
16
6
9
30
34
1841 " 1851
184
43
24
12
29
32
29
1021,
197
73
32
126
162
115
AGES OP THOSE DYING AROVE 70 YEARS.
At trie age of 70 9 At age of 87 6
71 5 ' 88 13
72 8 89 1
73 2 90 6
74 8 91 5
75 9 92
76 11 94
77 8 95
78 3 96
79 5 97
80 11 98
81 9 99
82 11 99J
83 12 100
84 11 102
85 12 102J
86 11
234

HISTORY OP MASON.

TABLE OP DISEASES, OR BILL OP MORTALITY, PROM JANUARY 1, 1791 TO JANUARY
1, 1851, — SIXTY YEARS.

Diseases.

Consumption,
Fever, Old age,
Infantile complaints,
Canker rash or throat distemper,
Dysentery or cholera morbus,
Unknown and sudden,
Dropsy,
Fits, Stillborn,
Quinsy, Chronic,Cancer,Childbirth,
Intemperance or delirium tremens,
Mortification, Whooping cough,
Hydro cephalus,
Palsy, Scrofula,
Measles,Disease of the liver,
Apoplexy, Croup,Atrophy,
Burns and sores,
Diabetes,
Debility, Affection of the heart,
Premature birth,
Drowned,Lightning, Dyspepsia,Inflammation of the bowels,
Inflammation of the brain,
Inflammation of the bladder,
Erysipelas,Killed by falling,
Ulcer on the leg,
Canker,
Asthma, Small pox,
Lethargy, Cholic,
Diseases not classed,

1791 to
1801

180111811 to to
1811 1821

20 14 20
10 10 2 6
11 95
2 23 1
2 1
0 1
00 0 00 0
0 00 11
00 0000 0000000 0
5

2 0
2 03 21
2 000 10 00 0 1
02 1
2 000 0 1
00 10000
13

25 32 16 17
31 75 3 2 6
5 3240 23252
4 2 0 1
1 4 100 02 000 00000 0 1
200

1821 to
1831 222321 23 9
22 15 7 1
2

1831 to
1841

1841 to
1851

301035 16 6796 1 1
004 0 52 25
4 2 0 0

322929 2412 12 3 6
2 0004 1
4 1
0 203 1 11

1791 to
1851
Total. 162 127 116 8382734132 23222113 14 11 14
10 1010
16 98
12 5

4 33333 2
3 23 33 2
2 22 2
45

In each decade, some deaths are recorded by diseases, &c,
not falling into any of the classes of diseases in the tables,
as follows : In the first decade, obstructed stomach, ulcer on
the lungs, cholera dysentery, vomiting, schirrous tumors, one

STATISTICS Of MORTALITY. 235
each ; total 5. In the second decade, rickets, falling from the
bed, eating cherries, shot by accident, overlaid, suffocated by
a bean, salt rheum, complication of diseases, gravel, fracture,
lockjaw, tussis, killed by a falling tree, one each; total 13.
In the third decade, inflammation from a fall, sore mouth,
ulcers, bilious cholic, thrown from a wagon, indigestion, chick
en pox, strangury, one each; total 8. In the fourth decade,
cholera infantum, spina bifida, suicide, fistula, bleeding from a
slight wound, epilepsy, hydro thorax, hernia, diseased kidney,
one each; total 9. In the fifth decade, influenza, fluor albus,
abortion, gangrene of the foot, pleurisy, universal disease, one
each; total 6. In the 6th decade, malformation, diarrhea,
killed in blasting rocks, casualty, one each ; total 4. The
sum total of these is added at the foot of the table, as dis
eases not classed. Infantile complaints include all diseases
of infants not otherwise specified.
In the table of deaths, 197 are recorded as above the age
of 70 years. Of these, 68 were between 70 and 80; 97 be
tween 80 and 90 ; 23 between 90 and 100 ; and 3 above 100.
Of these last, Jonathan Poster, entered in Mr. Hill's record
at 100 years, is entered in the table at 102 years, that being,
probably, his true age. These tables show a degree of lon
gevity, which indicates a healthy region. On comparing the
past with the present, it will be perceived, that the average
length of human life is increasing, and that consumption is
not, as many suppose, more prevalent and fatal now than for
merly. It also appears, by the table of persons residing in
the town on the first day of January, 1857, of the age of 70
years and over, that the ratio of longevity is now fully equal
to that of any former period.
TABLE OP THOSE LIVING 70 YEARS OP AGE AND UPWARDS, JANUARY, 1857.

At the age of

70

7

At the

age

of

77

4

At the age of 84

3

71

7

78
4
85
1
72
4
79
5
87
2
73
8
80
3
88
1
74
2
81
1
91
1
75
6
82
1
93
1
76
4
83
1
Age not specified,
6
236

HISTORY OF MASOtf.

BIRTHS.
Of births, no accurate record has been kept. Mr. Hill
kept a record of births from November 3, 1796, until the
year 1820, but in several of the years it is manifestly imper
fect. There was no law requiring a record of births to be
made. The duties of his office gave the minister much better
means to keep an accurate register of deaths than of births.
As no other record of births was kept, it is thought best to
give the number of births each year, according to Mr. Hill's
record : TABLE OP BIRTHS IN MASON, PROM 1796 TO 1820, INCLUSIVE.

From Nov. 3, 1796 to Nov. 3, 1797, 41
" Nov. 3. 1797 to Dec. 31,1798, 44
" Dec. 31, 1798 to Dec. 31, 1799, 33

31, 1799
31,1800
31, 1801
31,1802
31,180331, 1804
31, 1805
31,1806

31, 1800, 27
31,1801, 32
31, 1802, 29
31, 1803, 32
31, 1804, 33
31, 1805, 29
31, 1806, 36
31, 1807, 25

FromDec. 31, 1807 to Dec. 31, 1808, 23

31

1808 '

' 31,

1809

16

31

1809 '

31,

1810,

33

31,

1810 <

' 31,

1811,

30

31

1811 '

31,

1814,

85

31,

1814 •

' 31,

1817,

56

31,

1817 '

31,

1818,

32

31,

1818 '

' 31,

1820,

62

1750 to 1858, twin births, 40
1750 to 1858, illeg., about 15

Census.
1767.

179018001810

POPULATION.
By Provincial authority :
Unmarried males from 16 to 60 years of age,
Married males from 16 to 60 years of age,

years of age,
60 years of age and above,

Males under 16
Males Male slaves,
Unmarried females,
Married females,
Widows,
Female slaves,
Total,
1775. By order of the Provincial Congress :
Males under 16 years of age,
Males from 16 to 60 years of age, not gone in the army,
Males over 50 years of age,
Males gone in the army,
All Females,
Negroes and slaves for life,
Total,

By the United States census :

922
11791077

18201830

13131403

18401850

204780 10
7947 4
0

148 86 1227
227 1

278

— 501

1275 1626

SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 237
The decrease in numbers from the former census reported
in the census of 1810, was so unexpected and so great, as to
give rise to strong doubts of the correctness of the return.
The subject was taken up at the town meeting, and a commit
tee appointed in each school district, to take a new census.
This was done, and the result confirmed the accuracy of the
return. The decrease was owing to the active emigration,
then tending to the new lands in Vermont and Western New
York. The decrease from 1830 to 1840 was, probably, owing
to a similar emigration to the west and to the manufacturing
towns in the vicinity.
In the Hillsborough County Eecord, published in 1853, the
statistics of the town are stated as follows :
STATISTICS OP THE TOWN OP MASON, IN 1850.

Population,Number of families,
Number of houses,
Number of farms,

1626 346313 168

Value of lands, $262,606
"Value of stock in trade, 17,700
Total value of the inventory, 483,256

POPULATION OP THE STATE OP NEW HAMPSHIRE.

1767 52,700
1775 82,200
1790 141,899

180018101820

183,762
214,360244,161

1830 269,328
1840 284,574
1850 317,976

SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
At the annual town meeting, March 14, 1791, a committee,
consisting of Jonathan Searle, Benjamin Mann, Obadiah Par
ker, Reuben Barrett, Samuel Smith, Jotham Webber, Stephen
Lawrence, Oliver Scripture, John Lawrence, David Hall,
James Scripture, Joseph Saunders and Joseph Barrett, was
appointed to divide the town into school districts, and fix the
place in each for the school houses. Their report made, was
adopted, and is recorded in volume 3, page 153. The town
was divided into nine districts, "bounded by the persons
hereafter named." This document will show who were the
occupants of all the principal farms in the town, at that date.
MIDDLE, OR PIRST DISTRICT.
Dr. Joseph Gray, Abraham Merriam, Jr., Edward Wilson,
Benjamin Mann, Esq., Andrew Ross, Benjamin Kendall, Capt.
William Chambers, John Tarbell, Ezra Merriam, Nathaniel
31

238 HISTORY OP MASON.
Boynton, Edward Wilson, Jr., Simon Ames, Abraham Mer-
riam, Josiah Merriam, Jr., John Whitaker.
SOUTH, OR SECOND DISTRICT.
John Winship, Capt. Isaac Brown, Seth Robins, Nathaniel
Smith, Lt. John Swallow, John Lawrence, Noah Winship,
Nathaniel Smith, Jr., Zacheus Barrett, John Swallow, Jr.,
Joseph Giles, William Barrett, John Wait, Jr., Jotham Web
ber, John Campbell, Reuben Barrett.
SOUTHEAST, OR THIRD DISTRICT.
Daniel Lawrence, Amos and Lois Herrick, Benjamin Bar
rett, Jacob Weatherbee, Samuel Dunster, Elisha Withington,
Amos Blood, Abel Kemp, Daniel Tarbox, William Sanders,
Peter Zwere, Thomas Asten, Thomas Reed, Wid. Miles, Saml.
Green, Jabez Kendall, David Weatherbee, Abel Brown, Ben
jamin Grace. EAST, OR POURTH DISTRICT.
Clark Haven, James Weethee, Jesse Barrett, Hubbert
Russell, John Wait, James Weethee, Jr., Thomas Tarbell, Jr.,
Lt. James Gilman, John Goddard, John Grimes, Edward Tar
bell, Samuel Smith, Lt. James Scripture, Reuben Barrett,
Jason Russell, John Eliott.
NORTHEAST, OR PIPTH DISTRICT.
David Brown, Oliver Eliott, Joseph Sanders, John Russell,
Elias Eliott, Jonathan Williams, Joseph Abbott, Abijah Eaton,
Samuel Tarbell, Jeremiah Boynton, John Cummings, William
Barrett, Jr., Samuel Elliott, Abel Shedd, Simeon Fish, William
Scott. NORTHWEST, OR SIXTH DISTRICT.
Henry Knowlton, Samuel Townsend, Oliver Scripture, Ens.
John Hull, Benjamin Knowlton, Silas Bullard, John Jefts,
Eleazer Fish, William Parkhurst, William Eliott, Ebenezer
Blood, Dea. Nathan Hall, Timothy Dakin, Andrew Eliot,
Thomas Blood, David Hall, Richard Lawrence, John Adams,
Asa Stone, Jonathan Bachelder.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 239
WEST, OR SEVENTH DISTRICT.
Jonathan Searle, Esq., Hinksman Warren, Abel Adams,
Abijah Allen, Joseph Merriam, Joseph Barrett, Ens. Nathan
Whipple, Zachariah Davis, Reuben Kendall, John Blodgett,
Amos Dakin. SECOND WEST, OR EIGHTH DISTRICT.
Obadiah Parker, Stephen Lawrence, Roger Wesson, Sam
Stevens Parker, Thomas Robins, Timothy Wheeler, Aaron
Wheeler, Lt. James Wood, Lt. Enosh Lawrence, Jonas Fay,
Joseph Woods. SOUTHWEST, OR NINTH DISTRICT.
Ebenezer Shattuck, Benjamin Hodgman, Timothy Wheelock,
Thomas Hodgman, Reuben Hodgman, Samuel Wood, Edward
Farwell, Reuben Hosmer, Isaac Flagg, Samuel Russell, Wm.
Hosmer, Jonathan Russell.
The school districts thus arranged, remained, with very
little change, for the next fifty years. The principal change
has been, the arrangement of a district in the village, which
is now much the largest in the town, composed of territory
included in this division in the sixth and seventh districts.

CHAPTER VII.
MASON VILLAGE, AND THE RAILROAD.
The water power on the Souhegan river, at Mason village,
was occupied by mills at an early day. The lots upon which
it is found were not among those selected for mills by the pro
prietors, when they divided the township and assigned the lots
to the several owners, owing to some error or mistake,
which was discovered, and measures were taken to procure
the lots for the purpose of the mills, see Proprietary History,
page 35, and the lots were, undoubtedly, acquired by the
grantees of the township for that purpose, by some negotia
tion or arrangement; for, in 1751, it appears, a committee
was appointed at a proprietors' meeting, to make a contract
for building mills on this privilege, the saw mill to be com
pleted by the 25th of May, 1752, and the corn mill in a year
from that date. The committee made a contract with Col.
Bellows, to build the mills, and took his bond to secure the
performance of the contract. This he failed to do, and a suit
was brought upon the bond, which was pending many years ;
for it seems not to have been settled in 1760, as will be seen
by reference to the Proprietary History, page 47. In the His
tory of New Ipswich, it is stated that Charles Barrett, in con
nection with his brother Thomas Barrett, built the mills, and
that he sold his interest to Amos Dakin and removed to New
Ipswich in 1764. At a proprietors' meeting, November 4,
1767, a committee was appointed "to lay out a road by Mr.
Thomas Barrett's mill," and in the warrant for the first town
meeting, dated September 8, 1768, was an article for accept
ing the road by Mr. Thomas Barrett's and Amos Dakin's

"i^«.^w-

I
I
f

,;»«.**

MASON VILLAGE. 241
mills. Mr. Dakin soon after became the sole proprietor, and
so remained till his death, in 1789. The property passed to
his son, Dea. Timothy Dakin, who rebuilt the mills in a very
substantial manner, and remained the owner till 1814, when
he sold the mills and privilege to Maj. Seth King and John
Stevens, Esq. The first dam above the bridge was built by
Dea. Amos Dakin, about 1788. Below this dam, on the north
side of the stream, a carding and fulling mill was built by
John Everett, about the year 1800. It was occupied by him
and afterwards by Othni Crosby, and subsequently by others,
for that purpose, till about the year 1829, when it was
removed and upon its site was erected the present factory
building, under the direction of Charles Barrett, Esq., agent of
the Columbian Manufacturing Company. It was put into
operation in 1830, and has continued in successful operation,
with few interruptions, till the present time. This- building
was 100 feet long by 43 wide, and contained, when first put in
operation, 64 looms for weaving sheetings and shirtings, with
other machinery and apparatus sufficient to run that number
of looms. It now contains 2946 spindles, and 77 looms, em
ployed in the manufacture of denims, of which the daily
manufacture now is 3100 yards. After Mr. Barrett relin
quished the agency, the mills were run by Messrs. Dakin and
Daniels, under a contract to manufacture for the company by
the yard. The mills were run by the company under Leonard
Dakin, their agent, from 1837 to 1839 ; under John E. Bacon,
agent, from 1839 to 1841. From that time, Mr. Willard
Daniels was agent till his death, in 1843. He was succeeded
by the late Hon. Stephen Smith, who remained agent till his
death, in 1857. He was succeeded by Charles P. Richardson,
the present agent. In 1845, the company purchased the Sou
hegan water privilege near the high bridge in New Ipswich,
and, under the direction of Mr. Smith, their agent, the present
factory was there erected, in length 120 feet, breadth 44 feet,
containing 3328 spindles and 100 looms, employed in the
manufacture of denims, the daily production being about

242 HISTORY OP MASON.
4200 yards. In 1854, the company purchased the old grist and
saw mills, on the site originally occupied by Dakin's mills, and
erected a building thereon for a dye and finishing and packing
house, in length 166 feet, breadth 44 feet, one story high. In
the same year, the company purchased the Mountain mill, for
merly called the Waterloom mill, in New Ipswich, and erected
a new factory, 114 by 40 feet, containing 2190 spindles, and
54 looms, in which the daily manufacture is about 2370 yards
of denims. In the year 1856, the same company erected, on
the site of the old Dakin mills, a factory 100 by 44 feet, four
stories high, and a picking room 20 by 44 feet, two stories
high. This building adjoins the dye and finishing house. In
it are 3456 spindles, and 96 looms, employed in the manufac
ture of denims, of which the daily production is about 3950
yards. The mills at Mason and New Ipswich, above de
scribed, are all upon the Souhegan river, and belong to and
are managed by the same company, under the same agent.
All these last were substantial brick buildings, erected under
the direction of Dea. Stephen Smith, the company's agent.
At the Mason mills' the weekly consumption of cotton is
15,384 pounds ; annual do., 800,000 pounds. Yards of denims
manufactured weekly, 42,120; annual do., 2,190,240. At the
New Ipswich mills, the weekly consumption of cotton is about
13,505 pounds; annual do., 691,860 pounds; number of yards
annually manufactured, 1,909,440. Total yards manufactured,
3,099,680. The yarn for all the mills is dyed at Mason. In
digo used per week, 461 pounds. The cloth from all the
mills is finished and packed at the finishing rooms in Mason
village.
NUMBER OP PERSONS EMPLOYED AND AMOUNT OP MONTHLY PAY ROLL AT THE
MASON AND NEW IPSWICH MILLS.

Males employed at Mason, 121
Females " " " 120
Pay roll monthly " " $4300,00

Males employed at New Ipswich, 86
Females " " " 96
Pay roll monthly " " $3000,00

The stock of this company is principally owned in Boston.
Messrs. Wright & Whitman, of Boston, are the selling agents,
to whom the goods are consigned.

MASON VILLAGE. 243
About 1500 cords of wood are consumed, annually, in all
the mills, drying works, &c. The mills at Mason are driven
by two water wheels, 22£ feet in diameter and 20 feet long,
and estimated at 75 horse power each.
The water power on the south side of the stream, above
the bridge, was first occupied for a blacksmith's shop, in which
was a trip hammer. It was carried on by Ezra Newell, for
the manufacture of scythes and axes, with other blacksmith
work. In this shop, near the commencement of the present
century, was put in operation, a machine for the manufacture
of cut nails. The business did not succeed, and was soon
abandoned. About the year 1813, a wooden building was
erected on the site of the old blacksmith shop, for the spin
ning and weaving of woolen goods, under the direction of
Maj. Seth King. This business not succeeding, it was, after a
few years, abandoned.
About the year 1812, a building of wood was erected on
the site next below the old Dakin mills, and occupied as a
cotton factory, by Roger Chandler and others associated with
him. This company manufactured large quantities of cotton
yarn, which was purchased by the farmers' wives in the vicin
ity, and by them woven into cloth for family use. The com
pany also manufactured cotton cloths for the market. At that
time, all the cotton used in the mills was picked and cleaned
of its seeds by hand, having been sent to the market by the
cotton planters, without having been ginned. This cotton
picking furnished a great amount of employment for the
women and children in the farmers' families. It was deliv
ered out by weight at the mill, and, when returned, the
cleaned cotton and the seeds and dirt were again weighed as
a check against dishonest practices. Many a Mason boy
earned his first money by picking cotton for the factory.
The manufacture of potash was carried on by Dea. Timo
thy Dakin, for many years. His potash works stood upon the
bank of the river in rear of Mr. Richardson's house. The
country was then full of hard wood, the farmers kept up

244 HISTORY OP MASON.
lusty fires, and large quantities of strong ashes were every
year hauled to the potash works.
The first merchant, who kept an extensive stock of goods
for sale at the village, if not the first in point of time, was
Isaiah Kidder, son of Col. Reuben Kidder, of New Ipswich.
He commenced trade at that place, then and for many years
after, called Mason Harbor, in 1799. By his enterprise and
fair dealing, he soon won the confidence of the community,
and as his was then the principal store in Mason, Temple and
Wilton, his trade was extensive and lucrative. On closing
his business at the expiration of six years, he declared that
thirty dollars would cover all Ms losses by bad debts, a fact
which speaks well, both for the people and the merchant.
He returned to New Ipswich and engaged extensively in the
manufacturing business, but was cut off by fever at the early
age of forty one years. His loss was deeply felt by his fellow
citizens of his native town, as well as by his numerous friends
and acquaintances in the neighboring towns. His funeral
sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Hill, of Mason, an
extract from which, shows the estimation in which he was held
by one who knew him well, and who never dealt in indiscrim
inate eulogy :
" The general grief is his best eulogy. It shows that you
are not insensible to the worth of the man, and to the loss
society sustains in his death. Possessed of a strong mind,
cultivated by a good education, and enriched by reading and
observation, his judgment was sound, active, and enterprising.
He was capable of much business, and very extensive useful
ness. Warmly interested in the prosperity of his country,
and vigilant to promote the common welfare, he justly mer
ited the confidence of his fellow citizens."
Dea. Isaac Kimball, for many years carried on the business
of blacksmithing, and the manufacture of axes and other
edged tools. This was without the aid of water power. He
removed to Temple about 1836, and has become one of the
most enterprising and successful farmers in the region.

THE RAILROAD. 245
The pottery business, or manufacture of earthern ware, was
carried on many years by Ruel Richardson, but since his death
in 1814, but little, if anything, has been done in that line.
In 1857, Mr. James H. Chamberlain erected, below the site
of the Dakin mills, one of the most extensive and complete
flouring mills, in the state. The building is of brick, commo
dious, and every way well fitted for the intended use, that is,
the manufacture of flour from western wheat, brought to the
mill by railroad.
The importance of the railroad to the business interests
of the village, renders this a suitable place to introduce the
following account of the
PETERBOROUGH AND SHIRLEY RAILROAD.
This railroad, as its name implies, was originally intended
to connect the Fitchburg railroad at Shirley, Mass., with
Peterborough, N. H, passing through the towns of Towns-
end, Mass., and Mason, New Ipswich and Temple. The New
Hampshire charter was granted in 1846. Soon after this, the
road was built as far as Townsend and went into operation,
from Groton junction to Townsend.
In 1850, the road was completed to a station near the river,
almost a mile below the village, and the cars commenced run
ning on the 11th of November, of that year. In 1852, it was
completed to Mason village, its present terminus. The whole
length of the road in New Hampshire, is nine and one third
miles. More than $35,000 of the cost of constructing this
part of the road was paid by citizens of Mason, in addition to
several thousands of dollars for building the Massachusetts
portion. Owing to the hard times and other causes, the
road became involved in debt, and was finally sold to the
Fitchburg company, for about $50,000, (the sum required to
pay its liabilities,) though the legal transfer has not yet been
made. The stock was a total loss to the subscribers, and
thereby the business prosperity of the town was, for a time,
severely crippled. The road has generally been under the
control of and run by the Fitchburg company.
32

246 HISTORY OP MASON.
That portion of the town through which the road passes,
has been incidentally much benefitted, by the market it has
opened for its lumber and stone. Exhaustless quarries of
granite exist on or near the line of the road, which only wait
a favorable railroad tariff to cause it to be worked and exten
sively exported.
The railroad runs through the most wild and rugged por
tions of the town, yet presents to the traveler, prospects of
rare and peculiar beauty. This is especially true of the four
miles before reaching the village. Far beneath are seen the
Souhegan river, sparkling and sporting itself over its rocky
bed, further on, the high, precipitous banks, the beautifully
rounded hills, crowned with their thrifty farm houses, and the
vision is finally bounded by the lofty circling range of hills
which rise, amphitheatre like, in the north and west.
The railroad bridge, half a mile from its terminus, is "one
of the greatest works of art in New Hampshire, spanning the
long distance from bluff to bluff, high above the swift waters
of the Souhegan." The bridge is about 600 feet in length,
and, where it crosses the stream, about 100 feet in height.
The ends rest on abutments of stone, while at equal distances
between rise two piers of solid stone masonry, to a giddy
height, supporting the latticed framework on which the rails
are laid. The height of the highest pier is about 80 feet.
It rests on piles driven into the sand and gravel in the bed of
the river. The western abutment has a similar foundation.
The other abutment and pier rest on the ledge. The whole
cost of this bridge was about $20,000.
Although the expense of building this road was a burden
that fell heavily upon most of the stockholders, it proving, so
far as any returns or dividends were concerned, a total loss,
yet it is undoubtedly of great benefit to the community, in
the certainty, ease and rapidity of communication which it
affords, and diminution of expense, in which the saving of
time is no inconsiderable item. Forty years ago, a traveler,
leaving Boston for Mason, must take a seat in the mail stage

THE RAILROAD. 247
coach at one of the clock in the morning, and after a weary
ride would arrive at Wheeler's tavern on "the turnpike," at
the line of Mason, near S. Wheeler Weston's, at from five to
six of the clock in the afternoon, then to find his way on foot,
or by some private conveyance, to his place of destination.
Now, he can leave Boston at seven of the clock and arrive at
Mason at ten of the clock in the forenoon, or leave at three
and arrive at seven in the afternoon, at less than half the
expense for fare, and no necessary expenditure on the way.
For more than fifty years after the settlement of the town
Was commenced, the only market for farm produce was to be
sought at Boston, or at Concord and Charlestown, on the way
to Boston. The farmer would, at the close of his day's work,
put dobbin into the stable and give him an extra feed, and be
ready to start, long before day, for the market, with two boxes
of butter, hung in panniers, one on each side, on the back of
his steed, and, perhaps, quarters of veal, chickens, eggs, or
other products of the farm or dairy. So, also, on the near
approach of the great New England anniversary, thanksgiving
day, many a farmer would load his ox cart with farm produce,
and trudge on foot, by the side of his patient team, to the
metropolis, to procure his annual supply of necessaries and
luxuries, for the great feast, and for the approaching season
of winter. Now, by reason of the increased facilities of trans
portation afforded by the railroad, and to the building up of
manufacturing towns and villages, in the vicinity, the farmer
need not leave his own premises to find a ready market at
remunerating prices, for all the surplus produce of his farm.

CHAPTER VIII.
ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The records of this church commence October1 13, 1772,
The first entry in the book, is as follows :
A CHURCH COVENANT,
Consented and subscribed to by the brethren, on *e 13th of October,
1772, when they were, by advice of council, embodied into a dis*
tinct Chh. Society.
We, whose names are hereto subscribed, apprehending ourselves
called of God, (for the advancing of his Son's kingdom, and edifying
ourselves and posterity,) to combine and embody ourselves into a dis
tinct Chh. Society : and being for that end orderly dismissed from
the Churches to which we heretofore belonged, do (as we hope), with
some measure of seriousness and sincerity, take upon us the follow
ing profession and covenant, viz :
As to matters of faith, we cordially adhere to the principles of
Religion (at least the substance of them) contained in the shorter
catechism of the Assembly of Divines, wherewith also the New Eng
land Confession harmonizeth : not as supposing, that there is any
authority, much less any infallibility in these human creeds or forms,
but yet verily believing that these principles are drawn from and
agreeable to the scriptures, which is the fountain and standard of
truth. And we moreover adhere to these principles in the Calvinistical,
which we take to be the genuine, or natural sense, hereby declaring
our utter dislike of the Arminian Principles, vulgarly so called.
In firm belief of the above-mentioned doctrines, from an earnest
desire that we and ours may receive the love of them and be saved,
and with the hope that what we are now doing, may be the means of
so great an happiness, we do now, (under a sense of our utter unwor-
thiness of the honor and privileges of God's covenant people,) in the
most solemn and yet free and cheerful manner, give up ourselves and
offspring to God the Father, to the Son the Mediator, and the Holy

ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 249
Ghost the Instructor, the Sanctifier and Comforter, to be henceforth
the people and servants of this God, to believe in all his revelations,
to accept of his method of redemption, to obey all his commands and
to keep all his ordinances, to look to and depend upon him to do all
for and work all in us, especially relating to our eternal salvation,
being sensible that of ourselves we can do nothing. And it is our
purpose and resolution (by divine assistance,) to discharge the duties
of christian love and brotherly watchfulness towards each other ; to
train up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ; to
join together in setting up and maintaining the public worship of
God among us ; carefully and joyfully to attend upon Christ's sacra
ments and institutions ; to yield all proper obedience and submission
to him or them that shall, from time to time, in an orderly manner,
be made overseers of the flock ; to submit to all the regular adminis
trations and censures of the church, and contribute all in our power
to the regularity and peaceableness of these administrations.
And respecting church discipline, it is our purpose to adhere to
the methods contained in our excellent platform, so called, for the
substance of it, as thinking it a rule, the nearest the scriptures and
most probable to promote and maintain purity, order and peace of
any. And we earnestly pray, that God would be pleased to smile upon
this undertaking for his glory, that whilst we thus subscribe with our
hand to the Lord, and surname ourselves by the name of Israel, we
may, through grace given us, live as become Israelites indeed, in
whom there is no guile; that our hearts may be right with God and
we steadfast in his covenant ; that we who are now combining in a
new church of Jesus Christ, may, by the purity of our faith and
morals, become one of those golden candlesticks, among whom the
Son of God, in way of favor and protection will condescend to walk,
and that every member of it, through imputed righteousness and in
herent grace, may be hereafter found among that happy multitude
whom the glorious head of the church, the heavenly bridegroom,
shall present to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrin
kle, or any such thing.
N. B. By the expression in the above covenant, "for the sub
stance of it," we intend and promise this, to govern ourselves by the
platform so far as that agrees with the only perfect rule, the word of
God. Signed, JONATHAN SEARLE, OBADIAH PARKER,
ENOSH LAWRENCE, NATHAN COBURN,
NATHAN HALL, JOSIAH WHEELER,
JOHN ELIOT, SAMUEL SMITH,
JASON DUNSTER, JOSHUA DAVIS,
AMOS DAKIN, WILLIAM ELIOT.
The above-mentioned brethren, after having signed the cov
enant, and the council expressed their sentiments, that they
are now a visible, distinct church, regularly and scripturally
embodied j the church then unanimously Voted, To receive

250 HISTORY OP MASON.
the hereafter-mentioned sisters as standing in full church
membership with them, viz :
SARAH, wife of ENOSH LAWRENCE. LUCY, wife of JOSIAH WHEELER.
MARY, " NATHAN HALL. ELIZABETH, " SAMUEL SMITH.
SARAH, " JOHN ELIOT. DOROTHY, " JOSHUA DAVIS.
REBECCA, " JASON DUNSTER. ELIZABETH, " JONA. WINSHIP.
SARAH, " AMOS DAKIN.
The proceedings of the town and church, in the call and
ordination of Mr. Jonathan Searle, the first minister of the
Congregational Church in Mason, and his answer to and
acceptance of the call, being found in the town records, are
inserted in the Municipal History. See pages 66 to 68. He
was ordained October 13, 1772. He was dismissed by the
church May 4, 1781, and the town concurred in the action of
the church, at the meeting August 14, 1781. The details
respecting his ordination, his salary, &c, have already ap
peared in the Municipal History of the town.
The Rev. Ebenezer Hill, the second minister of this church,
was ordained, November 3, 1790. His pastoral relation to
the church continued until his decease, which took place May
20, 1854. He was, at his own request, released from his
contract as minister of the town, December 19, 1835. For
the proceedings of the church and town and of the council, in
the call and ordination of Mr. Hill, see Municipal History,
pages 114 to 119.
In June, 1830, a religious society was, under the statute of
July 3, 1827, organized, in connection with the church, and
occupied the old meeting house, until November, 1837, when,
having built a new house of worship for themselves, they
removed to it and have occupied it to the present time.
The Rev. Andrew Reed was installed November 23, 1836,
as colleague pastor. He remained in office till December 11,
1839, when he was, at his own request, dismissed, and Mr.
Hill resumed the sole charge of the church and society, in
which he continued until October 20, 1841, when his son, the
Rev. Joseph B. Hill, was settled with him as colleague pastor.

ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.

251

NEW MEETING HOUSE. FIRST OCCUPIED NOVEMBER, 1817.
He commenced preaching for the church and society, August
1, 1840, and continued till the date of his installation, to
preach as a candidate. During this time, a season of revival
was enjoyed by the church, the result of which was the addi
tion of 83 members by profession to the church in the year
1841. He remained in office until April 22, 1847, when he
was, at his own request, dismissed. After this time, the
church was supplied, about two years, by the Rev. Mr. Har
rington, of Lunenburg, Mass. He did not come to reside at
Mason, but made his home in Lunenburg.
On the 30th of October, 1850, the Rev. Josiah L. Armes,
was installed colleague pastor. He was, at his own request,
dismissed, May 13, 1857, and immediately after, the Rev.
D. Goodwin was employed by the church, as their preacher.

NAMES OP MEMBERS ADMITTED, FROM OCTOBER 13, 1772 TO JANUARY 1, 1800, AND
THE NUMBER OP THOSE ADMITTED, EACH YEAR, PROM 1800 TO 1848.
Note. In this table, the letter w. signifies wife, and 1. by letter.
1772. Clark Brown, of Eaby.
1773. Elias Eliot, Hannah, w. of Rev. Jonathan Searle, Sarah, w. of Lemuel
Spaulding, I. from Pepperell, Elizabeth, w. of Nathaniel Hosmer, 1.
from Concord, Ruth, w. of Abel Shed, 1. from Lancaster, Mary, w.
of Oliver Eliot, Edmund Tarbell and Mary his w., Oliver Eliot.

252 HISTORY OF MASON.
1774. Sarah, w. of Simon Ames, 1. from Woburn, Samuel Brown, 1. from
Holies, Hubbert Russell, and John Russell and Ruhamah his w., 1.
from West Cambridge, Sarah, w. of Hubbert Russell, 1. from Weston.
1776. Thankful, w. of John Whitaker, Sarah, w. of John Tarbell, Dorothy,
w. of William Eliot, Ebenezer Blood and Sarah his w., Eleanor, w.
of Nathan Hall, Jr.
1777. Jonathan Winship.
1783. Jonathan Chandler, 1. from Grafton.
During Mr. Searle's ministry, the following persons were
admitted "to own the covenant":
Joseph Barrett and Sarah his w., Christopher, a negro man, (and baptized,)
David Hodgman and w., Ebenezer Muzzy and w. (of Raby), Timothy Wheeler
and w., Jonas Fay and w., and Daniel Fay and w.
According to the doctrines of the Congregational churches,
the children of "believers" only, were admitted to baptism,
and, by a strict construction, the privilege of bringing their
children to baptism belonged only to members of the church
in full communion. Many serious minded persons were not
prepared to unite with the church, in its communion, but still
were desirous to have their children baptized. Hence, a cus
tom grew up, and was for many years extensively practiced,
to admit such persons "to own the covenant," that is, to
acknowledge, in their own persons, the duties and obligations
of the covenant, although they did not fully assume and
promise to observe its requirements. Having so done, they
were considered as a sort of quasi or half-way members of the
church, and were permitted to receive baptism for themselves
and to bring their children to baptism. This custom proba
bly owes its origin, in part, to the old colonial regulations
of Massachusetts, which restricted the right of voting in all
elections to the members of the churches. On the commence
ment of Mr. Hill's ministry the practice was discontinued.
Under Mr. HiU's pastorship, the following admissions are
recorded: 1790. Jonathan Bachelder and -wife, 1. from Reading, Hinksman Warren and
w. and Joseph Woods and w., 1. from Townsend, Benjamin Knowl
ton, Abel Adams and w., Timothy Dakin and w. and Lydia, w. of
Edward Wilson, Jr., 1. from New Ipswich, John Winship and w. and
Elizabeth, w. of Jotham Webber, 1. from West Cambridge, WiUiam
Chambers and wife, 1. from Lexington, Ebenezer Hill, 1. from Rindge.
1791. Mary, w. of Amos Dakin, Jr., 1. from New Ipswich, Ebenezer Shattuck
and w., and Anna, w. of William Hosmer.

ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.

253

1792. John Russell, Jr.,  , w. of Reuben Kendall, Roger Weston.
1793. Anna, w. of Jonathan Williams, 1. from Wilton.
1794. Samuel Hill, 1. from Williamsburgh, Ehzabeth, w. of Reuben Hosmer,
1. from Acton.
1795. Elijah Davis, 1. from New Ipswich.
1796. Noah Winship and his w., Sarah Brown, of Raby.

Year.

By Profession.

By Letter.

•

By Profession.

By Letter.

Year. 1834

By Profession.

By Letter.

1800

4

1814

3

12

2

1801

7

1

1815

1

1835

20

3

1802

41

3

1816

4

1836
5
1
1803
1
1817
2
1837
6
4
1804
3
1819
1
1838
14
2
1805
1
1820
8
1839
1
1806
1
1822
1
1840
1
1807
2
1826
62
3
1841
83
9
1808
1
1827
17
1842
7
3
1809
1
1828
3
1
1843
4
2
1S10
1
1831
21
1844
3
1812
25
1832
2
1
1846
2
1813
4
,1833
4
1
1848
2
Franklin Merriam, '
Simeon Cragin, "
Oliver H. Pratt, "
Saml. Withington, "
Amos H. Hosmer, "
7, 1828.
1837. 1837.
Aug. 27, 1847.
Aug. 27, 1847. 1855.
DEACONS.
Nathan Hall, chosen Dec. 29,1774. Nathan Wood, chosen Jan.
Amos Dakin, " Dec. 29, 1774.
Timothy Dakin, " March 7, 1791.
Rogers Weston, " Aug. 18, 1794.
Noah Winship, " Nov. 1, 1805.
H. Richardson, Jr., " April 29,1814.
Isaac Kimball, " July —,1827.
Mr. Searle and Mr. Hill carefully recorded all baptisms,
but it is not thought expedient to publish the list.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first religious institutions of the town were of the Con
gregational form and order, and there seems to have been no
disagreement among the proprietors or among the inhabit-
ants, on this point, until after the dismissal of Mr. Searle.
The first intimation of the dissenting views, was on the occa
sion of the call to Mr. True Kimball, in 1782. At the meet
ing called for that purpose, the vote of the town was unani
mous to give Mr. Kimball a call. The town also voted to
give him a settlement of £180, and a yearly salary of £66
13s. 4d. Against these votes "William Eliot and Abijah
Allen dissented in the face of the meeting," for reasons
which are stated in the Municipal History, page 103. In this
protest, and in the vote to excuse William Dodge and Abijah
Allen from paying taxes, found on the same page, are, un>
33
254 • HISTORY OP MASON.
doubtedly, to be discerned the first germs of the Baptist
Church in Mason.
The records of the church commence as follows :
THE PROCEEDINGS OP THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN MASON.
On the 28th day of September, 1786, $Jchh was Irabodied. As
sistance from the chh of Christ at Chelmsford, by their pastor, Abia-
ther Crossman, and two brethren, viz : Dea. Oliver Prescott and
Brother Thomas Hutchins. Likewise from the church at Temple,
by two brethren, viz : Dean John Averett [Everett] and Nathaniel
Ball. Those that Imbodied were, (males,) Ezra Mansfield, William
Eliot and Jonathan Chandler, (females,) Sarah Blood, Anna Law
rence, Hannah Chandler, Sarah Blood ?e 2d, and Molly Ball.
There were added, October 26, by dismission from the church in
Chelmsford, Brs. Joseph Bullard and Aaron Wheeler, and four sisters
likewise were added, viz : the widow Sarah Eliot, Sarah Tarbell,
Rebecca Mansfield and Rebecca Hildreth.
1787. March 8. The confession of the chh at Chelmsford, with
some amendments, was adopted. Br. Bullard was chosen to serve
the table.
June 24. Added by baptism, William Mansur and Willard Law
rence, Sarah Davis, Sarah Bullard, Elizabeth Perry and Elizabeth
Austin. Several of these persons were among the original members
of Mr. Searle's church.
1788. Aug. At a meeting, voted unanimously, that Br. Wm.
Eliot be set apart as an Evangelist, and that we call for assistance
from our sister chhs in the ordination of said Br. Voted to send for
council and help to the Baptist chhs at Salem, Chelmsford, Temple
and Cambridge. The third Wednesday in Oct. was appointed the
time. At a subsequent meeting, the chh at Newton was added. At
a subsequent meeting, [no date] Voted to give Br. Eliot a call to
settle with us in the gospel ministry, and to continue with us so long
as it shall appear it is for the glory of God and our mutual advantage.
To which he gave his consent, and was ordained on ^e third Wednes
day of October, 1788, by the following council :
In consequence of letters missive from the Baptist chh in Mason,
to the Baptist church in Cambridge, the Baptist church in Newton,
the Baptist church in Chelmsford, the Baptist church in New Salem,
the Baptist church in Temple, for the purpose of setting apart Mr.
Wm. Eliot to the office of pastor in said chh in Mason.
First. Elder Thomas Green opened the business by prayer. 2.
Chose Elder Thomas Green Moderator of the council. 3. Chose
Elder Joseph Grafton Clerk of council.
Present :
From the chh in Cambridge — Elder Thomas Green, Dea. Thaddeus
Davis, Dea. Daniel Brooks.

Ecclesiastical affairs. 255
Prom the chh in Chelmsford — Elder Abisha Crossman, Thomas
Hutchins, Samuel Taylor.
From the chh in New Salem — Elder Samuel Fletcher.
From the chh in Temple — Elder John Peckens, Dea. John Everett,
Ebenezer Drury.
From the chh in Newton — Elder Joseph Grafton, Nathan Dana.
The council enquired of the church if they still desired Br. Eliot
to settle with them in the ministry. To which they answered in the
affirmative. *********
The council enquired of Mr. Eliot if he accepts the call of the
chh. Answered in the affirmative.
Mr. Eliot was called upon to give an account of his Christian
experience and his teachings to preach, with which the council voted
they were satisfied.
The council examined the chh respecting their Ideas of supporting
the minister. It appears, by a vote of the chh, that they held it their
duty to support by the rule of equality.
Voted, upon the whole, that the council are unanimous in proceed
ing to the ordination of Mr. Wm. Eliot.
Voted, that Elder Peckens make the introductory prayer. That
Elder Green preach the sermon. That Elder Crossman Pray at the
imposition of hands. That Elder Fletcher give the charge. That
Elder Grafton give the right hand of fellowship, and make the con-
concluding prayer.
As the chh, in their letters to the chhs, desired assistance [in] set
ting apart one of their brethren as a Deacon in the chh, Voted, that
there is a propriety in their request, and [we] are satisfied with the
conduct of the chh respecting this affair.
Voted, that the council, after examining the character and abilities
of Mr. Ezra Mansfield, as Deacon, they are free to ordain him as
such. Voted, That the council proceed to set apart Brother Ezra Mans
field to the office of Deacon, in the following manner :
First — Prayer with imposition of hands, with a charge and right
hand of fellowship.
Voted, that Elder Peckens pray at the imposition of hands at the
ordination of the Deacon. That Elder Green give the charge, and
Elder Crossman give the right hand of fellowship.
Voted, that the council adjourn till after divine service.
The council met according to adjournment. Voted, to dissolve
the council. (Signed,) Thos. Green, Moderator.
Joseph Grafton, Clerk.
1788. Sept. Rachel Chandler was received, being baptized
before. In 1790, the additions were 2 ; in 1791, 11 ; in 1792, 6 ; in
1794, 1; in 1795, 3; in 1796, 1; in 1799, 1; in 1800,4; in
1801,34; in 1802, 15; in 1803, 9; in 1804,6; in 1805,3;

256 history of mason.
of these numbers, 56 are judged to have been inhabitants of
other towns.
The whole number of members reported in 1805, was 98;
in 1806, 101; in 1807, 106; in 1808, 105; in 1809, 79; in
1810,87; in 1811,92; in 1812, 94; in 1813, 93; in 1814, 92;
in 1815, 73; in 1816, 74. In no other years, is the whole
number of members entered. During these years, this church
embraced members residing in New Ipswich, Temple, Wilton,
Milford, Lyndeborough, Brookline, Hollis, Dunstable, Towns-
end, Society Land, and perhaps other towns. In 1809, the
Milford church was organized, which reduced the number from
105 to 79. In 1815, the list was revised and corrected, and
the number reduced from 92 to 73.
The peace of this church seems to have been but little dis
turbed by cases of discipline, but it was not wholly free from
such trials. Brother Aaron Wheeler thought he had a call to
preach, and "The church agreed to hear Br. Wheeler's gift
till we have gained satisfaction respecting his call to preach."
His "gift" seems not to have approved itself to the brethren,
for, presently after, it is recorded that " The church called
upon Brother Wheeler and Brother Chandler to give in their
reasons for withdrawing from the chh at the Lord's Table,
and not fellowshiping the chh, and setting up a meeting by
themselves." They gave their reasons as follows : "1st. Be
cause there is not a oneness in the chh. 2d. Because the chh
don't hold to that liberty in improving of gifts in the chh that
they agreed to when they Imbodyed." The church took these
reasons into consideration, and voted that they were not suffi
cient to justify them in their conduct. The aggrieved breth
ren, at an adjourned meeting, set forth the reasons of their
withdrawal more fully and specifically, the principal one of
which was, the "not allowing the improvement of Brother
Wheeler's gift." The church voted that these reasons, thus
newly assigned and set forth, were not sufficient. The matter
was, in some way, adjusted ; how, the record does not show-
The date of these disturbances was 1787. In 1789, Brother

ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 257
Chandler received a letter of dismission to the church in
Stoddard. Brother Wheeler subsequently withdrew from the
meetings of this society, and, for many years previous to his
death, was a constant attendant on the meetings of Mr. Hill's
society. He kept up a careful watch against any departure
from orthodox doctrines.
Under the ministration and watch and care of their worthy
elder, this church enjoyed a long season of peace and prosper
ity, their numbers gradually increasing, until, in process of
time, assuming the office and duties of a mother church, they
established, from members of their own body, new and inde
pendent churches in the neighboring towns, all of which con
tinued to be, in some measure, under the watch and care of
the venerable Elder Eliot so long as he was able to journey
from place to place, and exercise his ministry among them.
In 1802, it was "Voted, That Dea. Webber, Br. John
Adams and Br. Dakin be a committee to admonish those bap
tized persons who have joined Mr. Hill's chh, and report to
the chh."
In 1803, "Voted, unanimously, against bearing arms and
taking oaths, and to communicate these sentiments to the
association." The place of worship of this society was, at first, the school
house near the residence of their elder. Afterwards, a house
for worship was erected about one fourth of a mile on the
north of the Congregational meeting house. It was a one
story building, but it was never finished, inside or out. It
was built principally by individuals, with some aid from the
society. There is no entry in the church records of the pro
ceedings in the building of this house, but there is a vote
recorded, November 9, 1812, the house having been sold,
directing "that the money for the old meeting house be dis
tributed among those that built the house," and on the 10th
of June, 1817, it was "Voted, That Dea. Webber give a deed
to Joshua Blood of the meeting house lot." The house was
taken down about the year 1812, after which the society

258 HISTORY OP MASON.
continued their meetings at the school house until the brick
house was erected in the village, in the year 1827, after
which, but, it is supposed, under a new organization, that
house became and continued the place of worship of the
church and society.
Dea. Jotham Webber and Dea. Andrew Elliot served in the
office of deacon in this church for many years, and each until
his death. Dea. Joseph Saunders was elected to the office of
deacon, and served as such for several years. Benjamin Eob-
inson was afterwards set apart to fill that office, by the
church. In 1827, the brick meeting house was built in the village,
and a new Baptist church was organized in 1828. At this
time, Eld. Eliot was so burdened with the infirmities of age as
to be, in a great measure, cut off from active duties. He died
June 4, 1830. After his decease, this church kept up its organ
ization for some years, but most of its members having united
with the new church organized at the village, it soon ceased to
hold public meetings for worship, and its existence may, per
haps, be considered as merged in that of the new church.
THE VILLAGE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The original Baptist Church in Mason, being, for many
years, composed of members, many of whom resided in ad
joining and some in more distant towns, found no inconven
ience in holding their meetings at their place of worship near
the residence of the elder, or at their meeting house near the
centre of the town, but as from time to time churches were
formed in the adjoining towns, leaving most of the members
remaining in this church resident in town, and as the popu
lation, business and importance of the village were, from year
to year, advancing, and yet in it there was no place of wor
ship, of any denomination, it was found to be in accordance
with the views of a majority of the church to remove their
place of worship to that locality. Accordingly, measures
were taken to insure the erection of a meeting house for this
church, which was so far completed in 1827 as to be ready to

ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.

259

be occupied. In 1828, a new Baptist church was constituted
at the village, consisting of 24 members — ten brethren and
14 sisters. The pastors' names, time of commencement and
close of the labors and the additions to the church during the
term of each, are as follows :
NAMES OF PASTORS, TIME OP COMMENCEMENT, AND CLOSE OP THEIR LABORS, AND
THE ADDITIONS TO THE CHURCH, FROM 182S TO 1858.

Names of Pastors.

Time of commencement.

Close of labors.

Ad 14

Eev. Bela Wilcox,

December 24, 1828,

March 4, 1831,

" John Woodbury,

June 19, 1831,

November 19, 1833,

54

" Joel Wheeler,

January 24, 1834, (or

-

dained June 11, 1834)

January 10, 1835,

21

" Benjamin Knight,

June 16, 1835.

September 18, 1836,

1

" Alfred L. Mason,

Ord. Nov. 27, 1836,

Died October 7, 1844,

73

" D.P.Richardson,

June 21, 1845,

April 1, 1848,

16

•¦ John Woodbury,

April 23, 1848,

April 21, 1849,

5

" Isaac Woodbury,

April 25, 1849,

December 31, 1850,

21

" Daniel P. French,

January 5, 1851,

January 18, 1852,

10

" A. H. House,

April 18, 1852,

June 19, 1854,

13

" Geo. W. Cutting,

May 8, 1855,

Mr. Cutting remains pastor to this time. A manufacturing
is much more fluctuating than an agricultural population, and,
in consequence of that fact, the present number of members
of the church is much less than would be indicated by the
additions above reported. No list of removals that can be
relied on as accurate, has been kept, so that it has not been
possible, from time to time, to state, in this account, the
actual number of members. It is, however, stated by the
pastor to be 63, in March, 1858. The church edifice is a well
built structure of brick. It was thoroughly repaired in 1854,
at an expense of about $900, and is now made commodious
and perfectly comfortable for all seasons of the year. This
church adopted, at an early date, the resolution to pay their
minister his salary quarterly, and have adhered to this plan
with honest punctuality. It is now in a state of prosperity;
its members are united in christian fellowship and effort, and
looking for richer displays of the power and grace of God in
their increased spirituality and enlargement.
The deacons of this church are : Abel Adams, chosen in
1830; Amos Elliot, chosen December 4, 1830, dismissed at
260 HISTORY OF MASON.
his own request January 9, 1835; Jonas Adams, chosen No
vember 5, 1831 ; James Barrett, chosen September 2, 1833,
dismissed on his removal from town April, 1835; Adams B.
Winn, chosen March 6, 1840, died May 31, 1842; Samuel
Hartshorn and Calvin Boynton, chosen January 17, 1843.
Dea. Boynton was dismissed from the church, July 15, 1855.
Deacons Abel Adams, Jonas Adams and Samuel Hartshorn
remain in office. THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The place of meeting for the public worship of the Con
gregational church, was first established at the centre of the
town, and notwithstanding the business and population of the
village had increased at a much greater ratio than that of the
other parts of the town, the Sabbath ministrations of that
church and society had continued to be held at the meeting
house at that place until 1847. At a public meeting held at
the village, February 1, 1847, a resolution was offered, and,
after a full discussion, adopted, "that the time has come,
when the spiritual interests of this community and the cause
of religion require that a Congregational church be estab
lished at this place." The reasons justifying and requir
ing this step were, the large numbers of the Congregational
church, who would be better accommodated at the village than
at the centre. In furtherance of these proceedings, measures
were taken to call an ecclesiastical council, which was con
vened June 3, 1847, and in pursuance of the advice of this
council, a new church, composed of eight members, was organ
ized, under the name of the "Second Congregational Church
of Mason." On the 20th of June, 1847, 58 members were
received by letters of dismission from the old church.
On the 11th of April, 1849, the Rev. William Olmstead,
was ordained pastor of this church. His labors were blessed
in the conversion of souls to Christ. During the winter pre
vious to his ordination, a season of religious interest was
enjoyed, which continued into the summer following, the fruits
of which were the addition of 33 members by profession.

ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 261
Thirteen were added also by letter. The early death of their
young pastor, was deeply felt by this church, and by many
others in the community. By it, each member of the congre
gation lost a personal friend, and the church a spiritual and
devoted pastor. He died while on a visit to his friends in
Connecticut, so suddenly that the news of his illness pre
ceded that of his death but a few hours. It was his dying
request that his mortal remains should rest in the cemetery,
into which his congregation would, in God's due time, be
gathered, with them to rest till the final resurrection, and his
dying wishes were complied with, and there he was buried.
His successor in office was the Bev. E. M. Kellogg, installed
May 20, 1852, and on account of ill health, dismissed at his
request, December 26, 1855. The Bev. Samuel J. Austin
was ordained pastor of the church February 25, 1857.
On the 9th of September, 1847, Simeon Cragin, Stephen
Smith, Nathan Wood and Franklin Merriam were elected
deacons of this church. Deacons Merriam and Wood soon
after removed from town. Deacon Smith died in 1857, and
Merrill C. Dodge was elected to fill the vacancy.
The society occupied a commodious hall in Dea. Cragin's
house, until accommodated with a house of their own. A
house of worship was erected, by individual subscriptions, for
this church and society; and was dedicated to the Triune God
on Sabbath, December 16, 1849; sermon by the pastor, the
Rev. Mr. Olmstead. The building is of wood, 70 by 43 feet.
It contains 64 slips, and in all about 400 sittings. The cost
was between $4000 and $5000. Four sons of Dea. Cragin,
on the completion of the house, presented to the society an
excellent church bell. The basement is finished into an
ample vestry.
The salary of the two first pastors, payable quarterly, was
$600 a year; that of the present pastor is $700.
Owing to the fluctuating nature of the population of a man
ufacturing village, the burthen of supporting religious institu
tions falls, in a great measure, upon a few, but it is to the
34

262 HISTORY OP MASON.
credit and praise of this society, that all its engagements have
been promptly met, notwithstanding the severe losses of many
of its members by the railroad and by the depression of
business. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
This church, in Mason, had its origin in the following man
ner : Some few brethren, who were not united with any
denomination, were desirous of hearing preaching from some
ministers of the Christian faith, to learn what were their
views of bible doctrine. Accordingly, an invitation was given
to some ministers in Boston and other places, to make them a
visit, and permission was given, by the selectmen of the town,
to hold a meeting at the old meeting house, when the people
came together and heard them gladly. This was in or about
1831. In 1832, Elder .Henry Plummer visited them, and
preached in different parts of the town, in school houses,
where he had an opportunity, but mostly in the northeast part
of the town, where there was a good interest in religion, and
the largest portion of believers. On the 15th of July of that
year, Elder Plummer baptized three individuals, viz : Doctor
Willis Johnson, William Wright and John Peabody. The
first two named are still living, and members of the church.
September 23, seven others, two males and five females, were
baptized by Elder Plummer. November 4, eight others, two
males and six females, were baptized.
There were baptized on the 7th of April, 1833, three indi
viduals, and May 19, one, making in all, twenty two. On the
23d of May, a meeting was attended by several ministers,
among whom were E. Shaw, J. C. Blodget and H. Plummer,
at which time the church was organized, composed of the
twenty two above mentioned baptized persons, who unani
mously agreed to acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Head
and Leader, and the New Testament as their rule of faith
and practice, and to acknowledge no name but that of
"Christian." Of the twenty two who composed the number
at the organization, ten are still living, and members of the

ECCLESIASTICAL' AFFAIRS.

263

church. William Wright was chosen the first deacon, and
David Blood, clerk. During the year, nine other individuals
were received into fellowship, eight of them by baptism.
In 1834, twenty nine were added to the church by baptism,
and one by letter, who afterwards became a minister. One
young lady was baptized June 1, and deceased July 18, of
this year.

THE CHRISTIAN CHAPEL, ERECTED IN 1816.
In 1835, thirteen were added to their numbers, who were
baptized by different ministers, who visited the place and
preached to the church and people.
Only five were added to the church during the year 1836,
three by baptism and two by letter. Elder Plummer, though
not living in the town, had been the pastor up to this time.
In 1837, Elder A. G. Comings became the pastor, and the
church was still in a prosperous condition, but one member
out of eighty one, up to this time, had been excluded. From
August 6 to December 31, the ordinance of baptism was ad
ministered, seven times, and twenty were added to the church.
On the 4th of October, Mr. Joseph Elliott, a member of the
church, was ordained to the work of the ministry, by recom
mendation of the church and ministry.

264 HISTORY OF MASON.
During the year 1868, but few were added, and some trials
were endured, and labor was engaged in to enforce good disci
pline. One member received the approbation of the church
to labor in public as a minister of the gospel.
In the two succeeding years, Eld. C. W. Martin had the pas
toral care, and thirteen were added, eight of them by baptism.
Some trials were also endured. From 1841 to 1843, inclu
sive, Eld. H. Burnham had the care of the church, and during
his ministry, over sixty were added to the church, fifty two by
baptism, but many of these soon fell away, and' were of no
permanent benefit to the church. % •
The church had now existed ten years, and were in an unu
sually prosperous state, with but little labor required to
enforce good discipline. About one hundred and eighty per
sons had been members of the church. From this time the
church passed through a series of trials, and for a number of
years no additions were made, but, on the contrary, a number
were dismissed, by their own request, to unite with other
churches, and some withdrew under the excitement of 1844,
to "get out of Babylon," and some were excluded. During
this season of declension, Eld. J. Goodwin, Jr., labored with
the church two years, after which they were supplied with
preaching, without any regular pastor, by several ministers,
until 1849, when Eld. A. G. Comings again took the pastoral
charge, and remained nearly six years. But the trials did not
cease when the pastor was settled over them, and but few
were added to the church.
In 1854, Eld. L. Phillips became the pastor, but remained
only one year, during which time nine persons were added to
the church. In this year, the society purchased a neat and
convenient parsonage, for the minister. The house is situ
ated within about thirty rods of the chapel.
In the spring of 1855, Eld. J. F. Whitney took the pastoral
care of the church, and labored with them until the autumn of
1857, when he closed his pastoral relation with it. During
his pastorate, ten were added to the church by baptism.

ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. 265
In December, 1857, Eld. W. H. Nason became the pastor,
by the request of the church, and is now pleasantly situated
with them, as their spiritual leader under Christ.
This church has now existed over twenty four years, and
has maintained the worship of God the greater part of the
time, by sustaining preaching, and other meetings of worship.
It has had eight pastors, including the present one. There
have been two hundred and twelve members in all, who have
united with the church, sixty six males and one hundred and
forty six females. One hundred and six persons now remain
members, twenty four males and eighty two females.
There is no other church of the same denomination within
thirty five miles of Mason, and it seems rather strange that
there should have been one here, isolated as they are from
the body of the denomination, and yet maintaining all the
distinctive features of the body as to doctrine and practice.
And amidst all the severe trials through which they have
passed, they have clung to that word which, at the beginning
of their history, they took for their only rule of faith and
practice, and the distinctive principles, which underlie the
Christian structure, are still dear to the hearts of all its
devoted members.

CHAPTER IX.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF NATIVES AND CITIZENS
OP MASON.
Dr. John Bachelder, son of John Bachelder and Mary
Hartshorn, his wife, was born in Mason, March 23, 1818. He
graduated at Dartmouth College, July, 1841, and commenced
the practice of his profession at the village called Monument,
in Sandwich, Mass., in 1844, and received his medical diploma
from the Massachusetts Medical Society, January 29, 1845.
He was married to Martha Swift Keene, of Sandwich, Sep
tember 30, 1846.
Dr. William Barber, was born in Worcester, Mass., in
1767. His father's dwelling was burnt, by accidental fire,
when he was an infant, by which his life was exposed to immi
nent danger, from which he was saved by the courage and
presence of mind of his elder sister, afterwards the wife of
Mr. Josiah Flagg. He pursued his professional studies at
Worcester, with Dr. Greene. He came to Mason in Novem
ber, 1790, and commenced the practice of physic and surgery,
which he continued until disabled by the infirmities of age.
He married (1) Mary Campbell, of Berlin, Conn. She died
November 2, 1792. (2) Rachel Cutter, of New Ipswich, who
survives him. He died July 11, 1852, aged 85 years.
Capt. Joseph Barrett, was a descendant of Humphrey
Barrett, who came from England, and settled in Concord,
Mass., about 1640. He was born in Concord in 1745. His
wife was Sarah [Brooks ?], born in Concord in 1751. She

biographical sketches. 267
died March 29, 1794, aged 43 years. He came to Mason
before the town was incorporated, and settled on the farm
lately owned by his son Elisha Barrett, and now owned by
his grandson, Elisha Brooks Barrett. He was a frugal, indus
trious farmer, and well esteemed by his fellow citizens.
Their confidence in him is shown by the many important
offices to which he was elected by their suffrages. He was
town clerk fourteen years, first selectman fourteen years,
second selectman one year, town treasurer twelve years, rep
resentative four years, and was frequently chosen a member
of conventions, and on committees in public business. The
records made by him as town clerk, fill the principal part of
several volumes, made up in a very neat and uniform hand,
but in the somewhat uncertain and wandering orthography of
those days. He died December 30, 1831, aged 86 years.
Rev. Charles Emerson Blood, son of Reuben Foster
Blood and Relief Whiting, his wife, was born in Mason,
March 1, 1810, joined the Congregational church at Rindge,
in October, 1828, pursued his preparatory studies at New
Ipswich Academy and in Jacksonville, 111., graduated at Illi
nois College in Jacksonville, in 1837, and at the Theological
Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1840. He was ordained
pastor of the Presbyterian church in Collinsville, 111., Novem
ber, 1840. He married Miss Mary B. Coffin, formerly of
Wiscasset, Me. For three years previous to 1858, he has
been and is now a home missionary in Kansas. He has
organized a church of twenty eight members, of which he has
the pastoral charge, at Manhatten, K. T., where he resides.
Rev. Lorenzo Whiting Blood, brother of Charles E.,
born in Mason, April 13, 1812, pursued his studies prepara
tory for college at Wilbraham, Mass., graduated at the Wes
leyan University, Middletown, Conn. He was ordained a
deacon of the Methodist Episcopal church, by Bishop Hed-
ding, at Providence, R. I., June 13, 1841, and elder by the
same, at Warren, R. I., June 11, 1843, and is (January, 1858,)

268

HISTORY OP MASON.

a member of the Providence Conference, and stationed at
West Killingly, Conn.

RESIDENCE OF LOAMJJI CHAMBERIAIN,
Loammi Chamberlain, son of Captain Isaac Chamberlain,
was born at Chelmsford, Mass., June 6, 1791. At an early
age, he gave evidence of a predilection for the mechanic arts,
and was apprenticed to Salathiel Manning, a machinist of his
native town, to learn that trade. Mr. Maiming afterwards
removed to New Ipswich, where Mr. Chamberlain graduated
a "Master of Arts," in a noble sense, in 1812.
Soon after, he took a contract for building the cards for
the Mason Cotton Mill Company, doing the work at the shop
of his late master, in New Ipswich. Having finished this
engagement, he came to Mason village, and put the carding
and spinning machinery into operation. For two or three
years subsequently, he appears to have been engaged, much
of the time, in setting up machinery and "starting on" mills,
in New Ipswich, Milford, and various other places.
About the year 1815, in company with Roger Chandler and
Eleazer Rhoades, he bought a small mill in New Ipswich, near

J.ith.'byl. Grozellr?rrB oston..

y? CV^ y /

(^y~>

biographical sketches. 269
the present residence of Col. Gibson, fitted it up, and for two
or three years was concerned in manufacturing cotton yarn.
In 1818, he bargained for water power of the Mason
Cotton Mill Company, and built a machine shop, which is
still standing. In 1821, Mr. Chamberlain made a contract
with the Mason Cotton Mill Company, "to build, make and
put in complete operation, sixteen power looms, equal, in
every respect, to those in the Waltham Factory," and, if neces
sary, "to buy a loom of the Waltham Factory for a pattern,
then the said company are to advance the money for the
same," &c. About this period, he made a valuable improve
ment on the power looms then in use. This added greatly
to his reputation as a machinist, and gave him employment in
business from most of the adjoining states. For several
years, he carried on, quite extensively, the manufacture of
woolen and cotton machinery, machine tools, &c, employing,
at times, thirty or forty workmen. In 1846, he sold his
machine tools, and engaged wholly in other pursuits. For
several years he carried on blacksmithing.
About the year 1840, in company with Thomas Pierce, he
fitted up the lower cotton mill, which had stood idle since
the failure of the Mason Cotton Mill Company, and manu
factured, for a short time, satinets, and other woolen fabrics.
About this time, also, he built a saw mill on the river, below
the village, upon the new road leading to Wilton. For sev
eral years previous to his death, he was chiefly employed in
superintending his saw mill and farm.
Mr. Chamberlain possessed strong powers of observation,
good inventive talent, and mechanical skill in a high degree.
Among his apprentices, may be reckoned some of the best
mechanics in the country. By his workmen he was generally
beloved, and some were dismissed, when he closed his shop,
who had become old in his employ. Few men have done
more for the material prosperity of Mason village than Mr,
Chamberlain. He never courted public distinction, but filled
some offices in the town, with honor and ability. As a neigh-
35

270

HISTORY OF MASON.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 271
bor and citizen, he was highly esteemed. He was eminently
a domestic man, and it was in the bosom of his family and in
the circle of his intimate friends, that his virtues were best
known and his excellencies most fully appreciated.
In 1821, he married Eliza S. Tucker, of Brookline, who is
still living. His son and only child, James Langdon Cham
berlain, was born February 16, 1824, and married Mary A.
Prescott, of Mason, February 16, 1854. He now carries on
successfully the extensive business left by his father.
Mr. Chamberlain was subject to periods of melancholy and
great depression of spirits, which sometimes continued for
many months, or even years, unfitting him for business or
social enjoyment. He died of disease of the heart, resulting
in dropsy, November 24, 1853, aged 62 years. Having been
a member of the order of Odd Fellows, and also a Free
Mason, his funeral was conducted in conformity to the burial
rites of those orders, and attended by a large concourse of
citizens. Upon the water privilege, occupied by the old cotton mills,
referred to on page 243, owned by Mr. Chamberlain at the
time of his decease, but upon the other side of the river, his
son has, during the last year, 1857, erected one of the most
extensive and complete flouring mills in the state. The
buildings, a view of which is presented on the opposite page,
are of brick, constructed in the most substantial manner, with
window and door sills and caps of granite, and, in all respects,
as nearly fire proof as buildings of that kind can be made.
They are 34 by 42 feet, and two stories high. In their con
struction 180,000 of bricks were laid up. The bridge shown
in the view, is a substantial structure of granite, the length
is 168 feet, the height from the river bed to the top of the wall
36 feet, the span of the arch 37 feet, the arch being a half
circle. The expense was about $4600, paid by the town.
It is a fine piece of masonry, a noble structure, as lasting as
time.

272

HISTORY OP MASON.

Dea. Simeon Cragin, is the son of Benjamin Cragin, Esq.,
formerly of Temple, who died at Mason, April 19, 1816. He
was born in Temple, January 4, 1787, and was the youngest
son of his parents. In 1806, he commenced the shoemaking
business at Mason village, and continued it two and a half
years. He then returned to Temple, and took his father's
farm, and carried it on and supported his parents through life.
He married Elizabeth, the only daughter of Dea. Timothy
Dakin, May 23, 1811. In 1816, he purchased of Dea. Dakin,
his father-in-law, the farm where he now lives, and removed
to Mason, and devoted his attention wholly to agriculture.

'H 'i;.!!'!, B I Ills' ,i| jl
1 981

RESIDENCE OF DEA. SlBlEON CRAGIN.

The Cragin family in this country, it is said, are the descend
ants of John Cragon, a Scotchman, who, with other prisoners
taken at the battle of Dunbar, Sept. 3, 1650, by Cromwell,
was, by order of the English government, shipped to Massa
chusetts, and sold for a term of years, to pay the expenses of
the transport. His name appears in the list of two hundred
and seventy three "passengers in the John and Sarah, of
London, John Greene, mr., bound for New England," under

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 273
date of November 8, 1651. Of the poor prisoners thus taken
forcibly from their homes and carried into exile, the Rev.
John Cotton, of Boston, in a letter addressed to "the Lord
General Cromwell," under date at "Boston in N. E., 28 of
5th, 1651," respecting some who had arrived in a previous
vessel, says :
"The Scots, whom God delivered into your hands at Dunbarre,
and whereof sundry were sent hither, we have been desirous (as we
could) to make their yoke easy. Such as were sick of the scurvy or
other diseases have not wanted physick and chyrurgery. They have
not been sold for slaves to perpetual servitude, but for 6 or 7 or 8
yeares, as we do our owne ; and he that bought the most of them (I
heare) buildeth houses for them, for every four an house, layeth some
acres of ground thereto, which he giveth them as their owne, requir
ing 3 dayes in the weeke to worke for him (by turnes) and 4 dayes
for them themselves, and promiseth, as soone as they can repay him
the money he layed out for them, he will set them at liberty." See
New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 1, p. 380.
About four thousand were killed in the battle and about ten
thousand taken prisoners. A romantic incident is related of
John Cragon:
"The scurvy broke out on board during the voyage, and Cragon
being supposed at the point of death, was about to be thrown over
board, but was spared at the intercession of a young woman, by
whose assiduous attentions he was restored, and whom he afterwards
married, and settled in Woburn." See Hist, of New Ipswich, p. 354.
Capt. Abner Chickering, was a descendant of Thomas
Chickering, who, in the reign of Henry the Till., resided in
Wymondham, in the county of Norfolk. Stephen, his eldest
Son, lived in Wicklewood, a village adjoining Wymondham.
He died in 1576. Henry, his eldest son, removed to Kings-
field, in the county of Norfolk. He died in 1627. Henry,
his eldest son, and his brother Francis and his nephew,
Nathaniel, emigrated to New England, about the year 1635,
and settled at Dedham, Mass. Henry held important offices,
and was several years a representative in the general court.
He died in 1671. His only son, Dr. John Chickering, of
Charlestown, was heir to his large estates. From him, Capt.
Abner Chickering is a descendant, in the fourth generation.

274 HISTORY OF MASON.
He was born in Holden, Mass., in 1767. He came to
Mason about 1788. He was a blacksmith by trade, and
carried on that business at the village and at the centre. His
first wife was Eunice, daughter of Dea. Amos Dakin. They
were married April 19, 1792. She died May 7, 1804. He
built and resided in the house in the village now owned by
Dea. Abel Adams. Here most of his children were born.
He removed to New Ipswich, where he resided on what was
called the Knowlton place. He was a good farmer, and a
good citizen. He died in 1841, aged 74 years.
Jonas Chickering, son of Capt. Abner, was born in Mason,
in the year 1798. He removed with his father's family to
New Ipswich. He had a world-wide celebrity for his taste in
music, and for the excellence of the pianos by him manufac
tured. He established a manufactory of pianos in Boston,
in which instruments were produced that have never been sur
passed. He died at Boston, December 8, 1854, suddenly, in
the midst of his enterprises, his usefulness, and his fame,
in the 57th year of his age.
Dea. Amos Dakin, was the son of Capt. Samuel Dakin,
who was born in Concord. He was a descendant of Thomas
Dakin, who was resident in Concord before 1650, and died
October 21, 1708. His son, Dea. Joseph, was the father of
Capt. Samuel Dakin. Amos Dakin, his son, was born January
29, 1732. His mother died when he was an infant, for his
father married his second wife, Mercy Minot, December 13,
1732. His father, Capt. Samuel Dakin, lived in Sudbury,
He was a Captain in the French war, and was slain in battle
with the French and Indians, at Halfway Brook, near lake
George, July 20, 1758. His wife was Sarah Thankful Minot,
daughter of Dea. Samuel Minot, of Concord. She was born
March 4, 1737. Her mother, Sarah Prescott, of Westford,
died March 22, 1737, when she was less than three weeks old.
They were married before they removed to Mason, and lived,
it is said, in Lincoln. The date of the birth of their first

biographical sketches. 275
child, is June 9, $1756. Thomas Barrett, Jr., married one
sister, and his brother Charles Barrett married another sister
of Dea. Dakin's wife, and it seems that it was in some con
nection in business and ownership with them, that he came to
Mason to live, and became a part owner with them at first,
and finally sole owner, of the mills and water power and farm,
at the village. It was, at least, as early as 1768, that he
began there, for in a warrant for a town meeting in Septem
ber of that year, Thomas Barrett and Amos Dakin's mills are
mentioned. See Municipal History, p. 59, also tax list p. 60.
He was one of the most useful and enterprising citizens of
the town, as will appear by referring to the Municipal His
tory, in which it will be found, that he was constantly called on
by his fellow citizens to act for them in all important concerns
of the town, as delegate to the Provincial Congress, to Con
ventions, as representative in the legislature, and on import
ant committees during the time of the revolutionary war, and
in all matters of importance in affairs of the town, church,
and state. He was one of the original members of the
church when it was first gathered, and was chosen one of the
two deacons at the first election of those officers, and in this
office served till his decease, which was April 2.1, 1789, in the
midst of life and usefulness, at the age of 57 years.
Dea. Timotht Dakin, son of Dea. Amos Dakin, was born in
Lincoln, Mass., March 17, 1764. He succeeded his father as
owner of the mills and farm at the village. He was elected
deacon by the church in place of his father, deceased. He
was a man of action, always full of business, in which he
engaged as a farmer, a merchant, mill owner, manufacturer of
and dealer in lumber, manufacturer of potash, and contractor
for building roads, bridges, school houses, meeting houses, &c.
He built the house in whieh the widow of Samuel Hill lives,
in which he lived many years. It was adjoining his father's,
which stood where Mr. Richardson's house is. He also built
the house in which Dea. Cragin lives. About 1821, having

276 HISTORY OF MASON.
disposed of his mills and real estate, he l^moved to western
New York, and there engaged extensively in the lumber
business and other enterprises, in which he was not successful.
Having lost his property, he returned to Mason, and a few
years after died, in October, 1845, aged 81 years.
Samuel Dakin, son of Dea. Amos Dakin, was born in
Mason, November 17, 1770. He graduated at Dartmouth
College in 1797, was an attorney and counsellor at law many
years in Jaffrey. He married a daughter of the Rev. Stephen
Farrar, of New Ipswich. While residing at Jaffrey, he
engaged in the manufacture of crockery ware, using for this
purpose a clay found in that town, which, it was thought,
would make a good article, but the enterprise was not suc
cessful. He removed to western New York, and died at
Hartford, N. Y., about the year 1843-44.
Dr. Moses Dakin, son of Amos Dakin, Jr., was born in
Mason, May 20, 1794. He adopted the medical profession,
and settled in Hope, Me. His wife was Sarah W. Whiting,
of Mason. They were married May 17, 1821.
George Elliot, was descended, by both his parents, from
early settlers in the town. His father was Dea. Andrew
Eliot, a son of John Eliot, and brother of Eld. William Eliot.
His mother, Hannah Dakin, was a daughter of Dea. Amos
Dakin. He was born in Mason, April 24, 1797. He was but
fourteen years old when his father died; after which he
labored several years at farm work, a part of the time on
the homestead, for his elder brother, Andrew, and, at other
times, for farmers in the neighboring towns. His education
was obtained in the short terms of the. district schools of his
own neighborhood.
When near twenty one years of age, he and his brother
Amos, carrying their bundles, traveled on foot in search of
employment, to Troy, N. Y. After driving coach a short time,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

277

RESIDENCE OF GEORGE ELLIOT,

he engaged in school teaching at Castleton, Vt., at which place
and in Greenbush, N. Y., he spent two or three years teaching
schools, returning home once or twice in the meantime, walk
ing both ways.
In the fall of 1820, he came home, and taught a term of
the district school. Early in the following year, he bought a
stock of goods of Dea. T. Dakin, and commenced trade in
the village. On the 19th of April, 1821, he married Sally
Farnsworth, of Sharon. She died August 17, 1827. By this
marriage, he had two children. One died in infancy. The
other, Lucius Alva, born October 25, 1825, is now a merchant
in Boston. On the 2d of September, 1828, he married Eliza
Cumings, of New Ipswich, who survived him a few years, and
died August 9, 1855. By this marriage, he had several chil
dren, all of whom died in infancy.
Mr. Elliot was a large sufferer by fire. In 1823, his store,
with all its contents, was burned. It was rebuilt, and the
second story occupied as a dwelling. This shared the same
fate about two years after. Nothing was saved. His wife,
with an infant child in her arms, followed by the nurse, barely
36

278 HISTORY OF MASON.
escaped over the burning stairs. Absent at the time, Mr.
Elliot 'returned only to find his property in ashes, and his
little family without shelter, food, or clothing, except as fur
nished by neighbors. Yet his heart failed not. He was lib
erally aided by his fellow citizens, and the present building was
erected on the old site, and he was soon again in successful
business. He afterwards lost two or three other buildings
by fire, on none of which was there any insurance. Insurance
against losses by fire had not then become common. He
continued trade at the old stand, till his death, nearly thirty
years. His son was associated with him in business for a
year or two before he died, and afterwards he sold the stock
of goods to William Claggett, who still occupies the store.
Mr. Elliot was remarkable for his industry, frugality and
perseverence. He not only prosecuted his own business with
energy and success, but took an active part in the affairs of
the village and town. He was public spirited and liberal, the
friend of morality, good order, and general education. In
private life, he displayed many excellencies of character. His
sympathies were quick and active, and his manners bland
and deferential. He was a regular attendant on public
worship, and contributed generously for the support of the
Baptist society, to which his ancestors and relatives generally
belonged. When the Peterborough and Shirley Railroad was pro
jected, he engaged heartily in the enterprise, and subscribed
liberally to its stock. He was chosen one of its directors,
and also one of the executive committee for superintending
the building of the road. The financial difficulties in which
the road became involved, induced him, and others of the
board, to pledge their private securities to carry on the
undertaking. In the midst of such labors and perplexities,
he was seized with the typhoid fever, which terminated fatally
on the 15th of November, 1850. His age was 53 years. His
memory is cherished by his numerous friends, as that of one
by whom the duties of life were faithfully fulfilled.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 279
Rev. William Eliot, was the son of John and Sarah Eliot.
He was born in Bradford, Mass., December 1, 1748, 0. S.
About the year 1766, his father purchased a lot of land in
the northwesterly part of Mason. William was his second
son. He then being but eighteen years old, with the assist
ance of his younger brothers, David and Andrew, commenced
the preparation for a farm and residence upon the lot, being-
then an unbroken wilderness, and built a house and made
arrangements for the comfort of the family, before Ms father
removed from Bradford. His father is rated in the first tax
assessed in the town, in the year 1769, and was probably then
a resident. William continued to live in town, and on the
same farm, with his father. His first wife was Dorothy, the
daughter of the Rev. Mr. Merrill, of Nottinghamwest, now
Hudson. They were married in September, 1772. They had
six children, two sons and four daughters. His wife Dorothy
died June 14, 1785. His second wife was Rebecca Hildreth,
daughter of Mr. Oliver Hildreth, of Townsend. They were
married by the Rev. Mr. Dix, of Townsend, March 20, 1787.
Their children were twelve, eight sons and four daughters.
She died October 18, 1828, aged 65 years. He died June 4,
1830, aged 81 years, and nearly six months.
His advantages for education were limited, having no other
means to that end, than the ordinary country schools of that
day, which furnished very poor and indifferent means for the
acquisition of learning. But he possessed naturally a very
strong and vigorous mind and a sound judgment, which are of
more value in the conduct of life than all the teachings of all
the schools, where these are wanting. But he was by no
means deficient in education, according to the standard of
that day, in his state in life. This is evidenced by the fact,
that he was for many years employed as a school teacher, and
took a very active and important part in the management of
the affairs of the town, especially through nearly the whole
period of the revolutionary war, often serving during that
period, on important committees, in town business. He

280 HISTORY OP MASON.
served as town clerk and first selectman in the years 1780,
1782— '85— '86 ; was moderator of the annual meeting in 1785,
and town treasurer in 1783 and 1784. His records remain
ing in the town books are well made up, and his handwriting,
although possessing no claims to elegance, is perfectly plain
and legible. In those days of trouble and disturbance with
the people of this town, both in church and state, town meet
ings were very frequent. A great number and great variety
of taxes were raised and assessed, the whole labor, probably,
of assessing, certainly of recording which, fell to him. Of
course, the records made by him occupy more space than those
of many more times the same number of peaceful years.
He became a member of Mr. Farrar's church in New Ips
wich in 1772, and afterwards, on the formation of the Con
gregational church in Mason, October 13, 1772, he was one of
the original members. His father and mother became mem
bers of that church at the same time, and his wife Dorothy in
the year 1776. In the unhappy contentions between the Rev.
Jonathan Searle, their first minister, and the church and
people, he was, with few exceptions, upon all the committees
on behalf of the town, for conducting their cause. The
records of the church, during this time, contain no allusion to
the controversy, but he was, undoubtedly, as active in his
sphere in the affairs of the church, as of the town.
But the most important view of his life, is his character
and services as a preacher of the gospel. It has been stated,
that, early in life, he became a member of the Congregational
church. It was the church of his fathers. No other denom
ination was then known, especially in the country places in
New England. All serious minded persons united with the
church in their towns. The clergy and the church then pos
sessed a power and authority little dreamed of in these days
of license and misrule. But all was peace and harmony. No
one thought of or inquired for any other or better way. But,
with the war of the revolution, and with the establishment of
independent governments in the former colonies, came juster

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 281
notions of civil rights, and, as a necessary concomitant, more
freedom of inquiry and of religious opinion. The Baptist
denomination, soon after the close of the war, began to make
itself felt in New England, as an element of religious life.
The subject became, with Mr. Eliot, a matter of the most
serious consideration and the gravest examination, which ulti
mately resulted in a settled conviction, in his mind, that the
Baptist views of the ordinance of baptism, were the only
scriptural views. He accordingly adopted them, fully and
heartily, and devoted the remainder of his life to a zealous
and unwavering support of the principles and practices of
that order. It is stated, in the sketch of the history of the
Baptist church, that he made these views known, by a protest
against a vote to raise money to pay for preaching, in town
meeting, in 1782. He was one of the three original male
members of the church "imbodyed" September 28, 1786.
He seems to have devoted himself from that time, to the work
of preaching and exhortation, with such acceptance on the
part of the church, that in August, 1788, the church, at a
meeting, voted unanimously, that he be set apart as an evan
gelist ; and arrangements were made for a council to meet to
ordain him. At a subsequent meeting, the church voted to
give him "a call to settle with them in the gospel ministry,
and to continue so long as it shall appear it is for the glory of
God and our mutual advantage." He accepted the invitation,
and was ordained on the third Wednesday of October, 1788,
and continued to be the minister of the church till his death,
June 4, 1830, a period of 41 years and 8 months.
The bible was his book, almost his only book. With its
contents, he was thoroughly and intimately acquainted. With
its spirit, his temper and heart were imbued. From the time
he began to preach, he gave up all active participation in the
affairs of public, political, and municipal life, and seldom, if
ever, attended a town meeting, or cast a vote for any officer,
of town, state, or nation. Indeed, his labors were abundant.
He not only had charge of the interests of his denomination

282 HISTORY OE MASON.
in his own town, but, for many years, in all the neighboring
towns and a large region around. The Baptist churches in
New Ipswich, Wilton, Jaffrey, Milford, Hollis and Townsend,
owe their origin and early growth, in a great measure, to his
self-sacrificing and almost, in an earthly sense, unrewarded
toils. He secured for three of his sons advantages of education
very much superior to what he had himself enjoyed, and had
the happiness to see them all Walking in his footsteps in the
service of his and their Lord and Master. Israel graduated
at the University of Vermont in 1813. He was drowned in
Boston harbor, August 29, 1815. Joseph was ordained at
Hinsdale, in June, 1809, at which place and afterwards, in
many other important churches of the Baptist denomination,
he ministered with much acceptance and success, until recently,
he has removed to Elliota, Minnesota, the residence of his
son, Mr. J. W. Elliot. His son Jesse graduated at the Liter
ary and Theological Seminary, at Hamilton, N. Y., in 1826,
was ordained the same year, and is now the pastor of the
Baptist church in Mayville, N. Y.
Notwithstanding the irreconcilable differences of opinion
upon many subjects of doctrine, ordinances and discipline, the
two pastors of the Congregational and Baptist churches, Mr.
Hill and Mr. Eliot lived in great peace and harmony with each
other, mutually entertaining a high esteem and regard, each
for the other, manifested by many instances of christian sym
pathy and brotherly kindness, in seasons of affliction, with
which both were severely visited ; and in view of this fact,
perhaps no more appropriate close can be made of this sketch
of the life of Mr. Eliot, than the following extract from a
sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Hill, in his own pulpit, on the
Sunday, while the remains of his departed friend lay unburied,
awaiting the last sad and solemn ceremony of committing
"earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust."
The text of this discourse was these words : " Thanks be
to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 283
Christ." 1 Cor., 15:57. After opening and explaining the
subject, he proceeds to say :
I have been led to call your attention to this subject more particu
larly at this time, on account of the death of the aged and Rev.
William Eliot, whose corpse now lies unburied. Mr. Eliot, we
believe to have been a sincere christian, a true believer on the Son of
God. And we have as full and satisfactory evidence, as we can have,
perhaps, in any case, that to him is given the victory over death and
the grave, and that he possessed this victory for a long time before
his departure.
Mr. Eliot was not favored, in early life, with more than ordinary
means of education. Had his strong mind and sound judgment been
cultivated in early life, no doubt he would have been distinguished
above many. His constitutional temperament was rather grave and
serious than otherwise, and inclined to serious contemplation, and
from his habits of contemplation and a disposition to embrace oppor
tunities for improving his mind, he acquired what was, in those days,
called a good education. He was, for many years, employed in the
public business of this town. It was not, however, till after he had
lived some years in this town in a family state, as I have learned from
his own mouth, that he was made the subject, as he trusted, of experi
mental religion. I speak now merely from recollection of conversa
tions in times past. He was, for a time, a subject of some serious
impressions, and became very careful of his walk, and attentive to
the duties of religion, and indulged the hope that he was a christian.
But he was at length led to see that he was resting on his own righte
ousness — his foundation was sand — Christ, in him, was not his hope
of glory. What were the leading steps that brought him to the dis
covery of his self-deception and groundless hopes, I do not now recol
lect, but for a time he was under deep and pungent conviction of sin,
until, at length, he was brought to discover, in the once crucified but
now exalted Jesus, all that he needed for salvation ; and, as he
trusted, and we also trust, he was brought to bow to Him as the Lord
our salvation, and to be willing to be in His hands, and be saved by his
merits alone. The gospel scheme of salvation by grace through faith, -
and not by works of righteousness which we have done, appeared
glorious to him, and so continued to the last. His own particular
experience greatly qualified him to deal with self-exalted or deeply
wounded spirits. He at length was persuaded in his own mind, that
he was called to preach the gospel to his fellow dying men, and was
ordained a minister over the Baptist church, and, for more than forty
years, continued to preach Christ as the only name whereby we must
be saved, and faith in Him as the only way, the necessity of regener
ation by the spirit of God, and the fruit of repentance, as the only
evidence of grace in the heart. His general system of doctrine was
what is called evangelical, and was drawn from the bible. This book
he studied much, and, being favored with a retentive memory, he
could quote it with much readiness. And, we have reason to hope,

284 HISTORY OP MASON.
that he has been an instrument, in the hands of God, of good to
many souls. In his numerous family, he was a kind husband and a
tender father, and very exemplary in his walk before his house, and
among his fellow men. Although his particular views of gospel order
did not permit him to hold visible fellowship in some parts of the
christian walk with other denominations of christians, yet he loved
and enjoyed the society of all those, of whom he had evidence, that
they loved the Lord Jesus Christ.
But in his long continued and grievous sickness, the evidence and
the fruits of religion shone, perhaps, with the greatest brightness.
In all this time, his mind was clear, and though his sufferings were
frequently severe, and pain excrutiating, he bore them with patience,
not a word escaped from him as if God dealt hardly with him, but
his language was that of praise to God, for unmerited mercies and
light afflictions. Almost uniformly his evidence was bright, his faith
strong, and when frequently brought, as he thought, to the very close
of his trials, and just ready to launch forth beyond the reign of sin
and suffering, he seemed quietly to submit to be borne back upon the
troubled ocean, and to wait and suffer what more his Heavenly
Father saw fit. And when, at last, the hour had come for his dis
missal from trial, his mind was clear, as I am informed, and he could
view the king of terrors approaching without the least dismay. As
far as is possible for man to judge, he had a glorious victory over
death and the grave — his end was peace.
This example is invaluable for the interesting lesson it affords.
What strong proof of the truth of God's word! How should it ani
mate the believer to run the race set before him. How should it
excite all .professors to see whether they are indeed following the
Lamb of God. Happy, happy soul is he who is as a servant waiting
for the coming of his Lord, prepared to receive him. Then though
he go down through the valley of the shadow of death, he need fear
no evil, for Christ will be with him and his rod and staff shall
support him.
Israel Elliot, son of the Rev. William Eliot, was born in
"Mason, January 1, 1788, graduated at the University of Ver
mont in 1813. After graduating, he taught school at Caven
dish and Chester, Vt. He was drowned in Boston harbor, in
1815. Rev. Joseph Elliot, son of the Rev. William Eliot, born
in Mason, April 12, 1789, was an eminent Baptist minister.
He was ordained at Hinsdale in 1809, at which place and in
many other important churches of his denomination in New
England and in the west, he ministered with much acceptance

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 285
and success, until recently, when, suffering under the infirmi
ties of age, he has removed to Elliota, M. T., the residence of
his son, Mr. J. W. Elliot.
Jesse Elliot, son of the Rev. William Elliot, was born in
Mason, December 24, 1799. He graduated at the Literary
and Theological Seminary, at Hamilton, N. Y., in 1826, and
was ordained a minister of the Baptist church the same year,
and is now pastor of the Baptist church at Mayville, Cha-
tauque county, N. Y.
Joxas Fay, Jr., Son of Jonas and Dolly Fay, was born in
Mason, July 6, 1775. He was a member of Harvard College,
but died when an undergraduate, June 23, 1800, aged 25 years.
Dr. Joseph Gray, was a physician. He came into town in
1790, and settled on the farm now owned by Vearon Eaton,
and removed from town about 1806.
Dr. Henry Gray, son of Dr. Joseph Gray, surgeon and
physician, was born in Mason. He practiced in Mason a short
time, and then removed to Cavendish, Vt.
Dea. Nathan Hall, was born in Bradford, Mass., Decem
ber 25, 1715. Mary, his wife, was born in Boxford, March
29, 1723. He removed to Mason, then called No. 1, about
1751. He bore his full share in the labors, trials and priva
tions attending the settlement of the new town. He began
upon the farm on which Capt. Joseph Saunders now resides.
In 1752, in the report made by the committee, at the propri
etors' meeting, of "what each man has done in No. 1," he is
entered as follows : "Nathan Hall, a house and seven acres of
land, six of it broke up, and dwells there." See Proprietary
History, p. 41. He was frequently appointed on committees
in the business of the Proprietary, and after the incorporation
of the town, he was elected town treasurer, which office he
37

286

HISTORY OF MASON.

held eight years in succession. He was one of the original
members of the Congregational church, and elected a deacon
at the first election of those officers, and held the office till
his death. He died May 7, 1807, aged 91 years, leaving
behind him a reputation for spotless integrity and a useful
and blameless life, which his posterity may cherish as the best
legacy he could leave for them.

RESIDENCE OF RET. EBENEZER HILL.
Rev. Ebenezer Hill, was born in Cambridge, Mass., Jan-
ury 31, 1766, graduated at Harvard College in 1786, and was
ordained pastor of the church and minister of the town of
Mason, November 3, 1790. He died May 20, 1854, in the
89th year of his age, and the 64th of his ministry. For a
more extended account of his life and labors, see the Memoir
published at the same time with this volume.

Rev. Joseph B. Hill, son of Rev. Ebenezer Hill, was born
in Mason, November 25, 1796. He graduated at Harvard
College in 1821. Ordained an elder of the Cumberland Pres
byterian church in Tennessee, he was, for many years, an itin-

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 287
erant minister of that church in Tennessee, Alabama, Missis
sippi and Kentucky. He returned to New England in 1840,
and was settled as colleague pastor, with his father Rev. E.
Hill, of the Congregational church in Mason, in 1841. This
connection continued until 1847. Since that- time, he has
resided most of the time in Colebrook and Stewartstown in
New Hampshire, employed in the duties of his calling.
Rev. Timothy Hill, youngest son of the Rev. Ebenezer
Hill, was born in Mason, June 30, 1819. He graduated at
Dartmouth College in 1842, and at the Union Theological
Seminary in New York city in 1845. He preached as a mis
sionary, under the direction of the Home Missionary Society,
for several years, in Missouri, and is now pastor of a Presby
terian church in Saint Louis, Mo.
Dr. Otis Hoyt, came to Mason in the spring of 1835, and
commenced practice as a physician and surgeon, at Mason
village. He was a pupil of his uncle, Dr. Enos Hoyt, of Sand-
bornton. His first wife was a daughter of Maj. Seth Kirig, of
New Ipswich. In September, 1837, he removed to Framing-
ham, Mass., where his wife died. His second wife was also a
daughter of Maj. King. In 1838, he received the degree of
M. D., at Dartmouth College. At the commencement of the
Mexican war, he joined the army as a surgeon, served to the
end of the war, then returned to the United States and estab
lished his residence in Wisconsin, and was appointed receiver
in the land office at Hudson, in that state.
Rev. Nehemiah Hunt, son of David Hunt, was born in
Mason, in the month of September, 1812. He joined the
Congregational church in September, 1833, and in 1834 was a
student in the Oberlin Institute in Ohio, from which he went
to the Mission Institute in Quincy, Illinois, at which and at
the Lane Seminary in Ohio, he pursued his studies for the
period of eight years, and completed his academical and theo-

288

HISTORY OP MASON.

logical education. He was licensed to preach in 1845, and
has resided in Illinois since that time, engaged in preaching,
and, most of the time, also, teaching high schools. He now
resides in Bethel, Bond county, Illinois, where he has been
pastor of a church for the last seven years.

RESIDENCE OF DR. WILLIS JOHNSON.
Dr. Willis Johnson, was born in Sturbridge, Mass., Dec.
21, 1786. He studied medicine with Dr. Ephraim Carroll, of
Woodstock, Conn., two years, and with Dr. Ferdinand Leth-
bridge of South Brimfield, Mass., one and a half years. He
married (1) Dorothy Flinn of Woodstock, Conn., March 30,
1806. She was born January 16, 1785. He first commenced
the practice of his profession at Jaffrey, in August, 1807, and
removed to Peterborough in January, 1808, where he remained
till 1814, in July of which year he removed to Mason, where
he now resides. Dorothy, his wife, died January 2, 1843.
He married (2) Sarah Ann Robbins, daughter of Mr. Luther
Robbins, of Mason, August 4, 1844.
Dr. Johnson was elected town clerk of Mason, May 5, 1823,
to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Samuel Mer
riam, Esq., and he was re-elected to that office at the annual

. y

Inihiyl tirozeliei'BostoiL.

(f^ey^ //4^y

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 289
town meetings between 1823 and 1854, twenty one times, so
that he served in the office of town clerk twenty two years
in all, a longer time than the office has been held by any other
person. He also served five years as chairman of the board
of selectmen. He was appointed a justice of the peace in
1823, and still holds that office.
Dr. Enosh Lawrence, was the son of Lieut. Enosh Law
rence, and grandson of Ens. Enosh Lawrence. He studied
medicine, and had just commenced the practice when he was
cut down by disease. He died a victim of consumption, Sep
tember 28, 1798, at the age of 25 years, 10 months, 12 days.
Benjamin Mann, Esq., removed with his family from
Woburn, to Mason, about 1771. His father and mothe^
James Mann and his wife, and his brother-in-law, Simon
Ames, removed to Mason about the same time. Mr. Ames'
wife was Mr. Mann's sister. These three families settled on
the farm lately owned by Joel Ames. One of their dwelling
houses was in the field north of the road and east of the
John Bachelder house, the other was near the large willow
tree by the road side south of and near the residence of S.
H. Wheeler. Benjamin Kendall, whose wife was a sister of
B. Mann's wife, came from Woburn about 1785, and built the
house where Mr. White now lives; and about 1780, Abraham
Merriam, whose wife was an aunt of Benj. Mann, came also
from Woburn, and settled on the Wilton road, on the lot east
of Mr. Mann's. James Mann and his wife both died about
the year 1781.
Benjamin Mann was, soon after he came into town, employed
in public offices in town. He was moderator of the annual
town meetings twelve years, town clerk four years, one of the
selectmen six years, representative four years, and was chosen
several times a delegate to conventions, a member of the
committee of safety, and on many other important commit
tees in business relating to the revolutionary war. He com-

290 HISTORY OP MASON.
manded a company in the battle of Bunker Hill, also in the
army in Rhode Island. He built the house in the centre
village, now owned by Asher Peabody, and kept a tavern
there, and also a small store of goods. That village is also
indebted to him for the noble elm trees which adorn the com
mon. These he planted on the day of the ordination of Mr.
Hill. Also, for the venerable willow planted about the same
time, which has attained a circumference of about fifteen feet.
Mr. Mann was the first person appointed a justice of the
peace in town. About the year 1800, he sold his estate in
Mason, and removed to Keene, and from that place to Troy,
N. Y., where he died in 1831, aged about 91 years.
Dr. Thomas Hastings Marshall, son of William Mar
shall, was born in Jaffrey, December 2, 1806. His father
William, the son of Thomas, was born in Tewksbury, Mass.
He removed to Jaffrey during the time of the revolutionary
war, and commenced a farm upon a new lot of land in the
west part of that town, on which he resided until his death,
in 1828. His mother was Sarah Cutter, born in New Ipswich.
Her first husband's name was Kimball. Dea. Isaac Kimball,
of Temple, John Kimball, of Fitzwilliam, and Benoni C.
Kimball, of Mason, are her sons. Mr. Marshall was her
second husband. Dr. Marshall and one sister are the only
children of this marriage. He worked upon the farm with his
father until he was 21 years of age, about which time his
father died. His early education was obtained in the district
schools of his native town. After studying two or three
terms at New Ipswich Academy, and keeping school a few
winters, he commenced the study of medical science, in 1832,
with Dr. Luke Howe, of Jaffrey, a physician and surgeon of
good reputation. He graduated M. D., at Dartmouth College,
in 1834, having attended medical lectures at Bowdoin College,
at Dartmouth College, and at Harvard University. He com
menced his professional life at Fitzwilliam, in 1835. His wife
is Abigail Sophia Hawkes, of Templeton, Mass. They were

biographical sketches.

291

RESIDENCE OF DR. THOMAS H. MARSHALL.
married December 1, 1836. He removed to Mason village in
September, 1837, and has there continued in practice as a
physician and surgeon to the present time.
Joseph Merriam, was born in Concord, in which place his
ancestors have lived from its earliest settlement, and so many
of them of his name that it is difficult to trace out his line
age. He settled in Mason about the year 1769. He was an
industrious farmer, a good manager, and acquired a good
estate. He enjoyed through his long life a large share of the
confidence and esteem of his townsmen, shown by their elect
ing him to important offices. He had not the gift of speech
making, but he possessed a sound judgment and an honest
heart — qualities more useful in life than the most full and
flowing eloquence without them. He was one of the select
men fourteen years, and was the first representative elected
after the town ceased to be classed with Raby. He lived
many years on the farm now owned by Capt. Moses Merriam.
About the year 1800, he built the large house near where Mr.
Abijah Allen lived. Here he died, November 6, 1826, aged
82 years.

292

HISTORY of mason.

Samuel Merriam, Esq., was the son of Joseph Merriam,
born at Mason, October 14, 1773. His first wife was Lucy,
daughter of Aaron Wheeler. He served many years in town
offices, as moderator, town clerk and selectman, was a justice
of the peace and coroner, and was much respected for intel
ligence, integrity and business capacity. Lucy, his wife, died
August 30, 1817. He lived on the farm now owned by his
son, Capt. Moses Merriam, where he died, April 20, 1823, at
the age of 50 years. His second wife was Huldah Burton, of
Wilton, who survived him.

cVw , ¦s~yy.*Wmbz>7r -~i3lll|

HJaMSK

RESIDENCE OF MOSES MERRIAM.
Rev. Alfred L. Mason, was the son of Daniel and Martha
Mason, and was born at Andover, Mass., in February, 1812.
At the age of fifteen years, he united with the Congregational
church at Andover. With the design of engaging in the min
istry, he commenced a course of study at the Teacher's Sem
inary, in Andovcr. After a brief term at that institution, he
was, for a time, obliged to relinquish effort in that direction.
Returning again as soon as circumstances permitted him to
do so, he applied himself with the utmost earnestness, to pre
paration for the great work which he had chosen. His means

»

lifluhyl Grozcliep,"BQStrai.

~ir>^s

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 293
were limited to the earnings of his own hands, and very few
students contend with greater difficulties than those which
encompassed his path. He was generally obliged to labor
until late at night in the manufacturing of shoes, to procure
the means of continuing his studies, and his constitution was,
naturally, by no means strong.
In 1830, he united with the Baptist church at Methuen,
Mass. On the organization of a Baptist church at Andover,
he removed his membership thither. By this church, he was
licensed to preach, and was soon called to the pastorate of
the church at Mason village. This call was accepted, and his
ordination took place on the 20th of June, 1836.
On the 15th of November, 1837, he was married, by Prof.
Emerson, of Andover Theological Seminary, to Miss Mary
Town, of Andover. Of this marriage, were three children,
Mary, Judson and Daniel, all of whom, with their mother,
still survive, and reside at East Cambridge, Mass.
Mr. Mason's constitution, delicate always, and doubtless
greatly impaired by efforts while in his academical studies,
gradually gave way under the earnest labors of his charge,
until the autumn of 1843, when a severe attack of hemor
rhage of the lungs laid him aside from his public duties.
Somewhat recovering, after a time, he renewed his labors, but
was soon again attacked as before, and continued to decline
until his decease, which took place October 7, 1844.
Of the characteristics of Mr. Mason, the following is an
extract from an extended obituary notice of him, in one of the
papers of the Baptist denomination : "His character was pecu
liarly amiable and lovely. He was distinguished for equanim
ity, cheerfulness, affability and kindness. His piety, more
over, was not more simple and unaffected, than it was fervent
and sincere. He manifested piety at home. As a preacher,
his style was correct and impressive. His simple exhibition
of truth and earnest appeals to the conscience, delivered in
an affectionate manner, produced powerful and lasting impres
sions on many of his hearers. As a pastor, he felt deeply
38

294 HISTORY OF MASON.
for the spiritual advancement of his charge, was laborious
and eminently successful."
Charles Tilden Otis, pursued his preparatory studies at
New Ipswich Academy, and entered Yale College in 1839.
He was a good scholar, an amiable, promising youth, but was
cut off by disease while a member of the college. He died,
July 17, 1840, aged 21 years. His grave, in the village grave
yard, is marked by a headstone, but on it no mention is made
of his literary life. His father, who resided on the farm for
merly occupied by Timothy Wheelock, removed out of town
soon after his decease.
Lieut. Obadiah Parker, may well be considered one of
the fathers of the town. He was born in Groton, his wife, it
is supposed, in Chelmsford, Mass. He began his farm on lot
No. 8, R. 10, on which he built his house within a few rods of
the line of New Ipswich. It is probably owing to this fact,
that, in the History of New Ipswich, he is placed in the num
ber of the early inhabitants of that town. The same is the
case with Aaron Wheeler, whose lot was next north of Lieut.
Parker's, and his house near New Ipswich line. Lieut. Parker
began to improve his lot in 1751. In the report made by the
committee, at the Proprietors' meeting, in 1752, is entered:
" Obadiah Parker, a good house and about two acres of land
cleared." When he removed his wife into town, there were
but three women in the place, and he used often to remark, in
after years, that when his wife "was young, she was the hand
somest woman in town, except three." Lawrence, Hall and
Tarbell, were the three who settled prior to Parker. It will
be noticed, that Lieut. Parker's name appears on almost
every page of the early history of the town, that he was a
leading and active man in all affairs of church, town and state,
on committees to hire preaching, and to seat the meeting
house, &c, under the Proprietary, and was sent to Portsmouth
to get the incorporation, and was directed, by a vote of the

biographical sketches. 295
Proprietary, to "disburst the money" for that purpose. He
was moderator, selectman and representative under the town
organization. Possessing at all times through life the confi
dence and respect of his fellow citizens, he passed through the
changes of life to extreme old agp, and died October 5, 1816,
aged 86 years. Without sickness or pain, in the quiet of
night, without a struggle, from the repose of natural slumber,
he fell into that deeper sleep that knows no waking.
Obadiah Parker, son of Lieut. Obadiah Parker, was born
in Mason, February 18, 1772. He graduated at Harvard Col
lege in 1799. He never entered upon any professional life,
but gave his attention to teaching in private schools. He
had, for several years, a popular school at Lexington, Mass.
Afterwards, he removed to the state of New York, pursuing
the same business, at various places, and finally, in the city of
New York, in which place or in that vicinity, he died, about
the year 1830.
Jason Russell, John Russell and Hubbard Russell, were
brothers, and their sister, Elizabeth Webber, wife of Dea.
Jotham Webber, were born in West Cambridge, then called
Menotomy. They all settled in Mason, Jason in 1769, Hub
bard in 1772, John in 1774, and Dea. Webber in 1780. Each
brought up a numerous family, and lived to old age, Jason to
84, John 86, Hubbard 88 years, and Mrs. Webber 82 years.
Hubbard Russell served as selectman several years.
Richard Russell was, undoubtedly, the ancestor of this fam
ily. He was born in Hereford, county of Hereford, England,
in 1611. He came to New England, and settled at Charles
town, in 1640. He was a representative from Charlestown
thirteen years, was several times elected speaker of the house,
was treasurer, and one of the assistants. He was an eminent
merchant, and several of his descendants have been distin
guished for their success in mercantile business. John Rus
sell was appointed, 1645, "clerk of the writs at Cambridge."

296 HISTORY OF MASON.
Rev. Jonathan Searle, was born at Rowley, Mass., in 1744.
He graduated at Harvard College, in 1764. He preached in
Mason, as a candidate, in 1770, and received an invitation
from the people to settle as their minister. In 1772, he
accepted the invitation, astisted in organizing a church, of
which he was one of the original members, and was, on the
13th of October, of that year, ordained pastor of the church
and minister of the town. As the first settled minister, he
was entitled to a right of land in the town. This he owned
in fee simple. A part he disposed of early, and a part he
continued to own till near the close of his life. He purchased
the valuable farm now owned by Ebenezer Blood, and built
on it a very good house, which is yet standing in good condi
tion, and in it he resided till his death. It has already been
related in this work, how difficulties arose between him and
his people, which resulted in his dismissal, in 1781. He was
commissioned as a justice of the peace, in 1785, and held that
office until his decease. Soon after his dismissal, he ceased
to officiate as a minister, and devoted his attention to his
farm, on which he brought up, in a very respectable style, his
numerous family. He died December 7, 1812, aged 68 years.
Stephen Smith, was born at Kingston, R. I., August 31,
1807. At the age of fourteen years, he entered the employ of
Bradford Sparrow, of Killingly, Conn., a cotton manufacturer.
With him, he remained several years, and acquired a good
practical knowledge of that business. His next engagement
was with a manufacturing company in Sutton, Mass., by the
failure of which, in 1829, he lost all his savings, several
hundred dollars, and was left in debt, even for his board.
In the spring of 1830, he returned to Killingly, and engaged
in the employ of Jedediah Leavins, with whom an intimate
friendship sprung up as lasting as life. In the year 1831, he
united with the Presbyterian church in Killingly. In 1832,
he married Marcia G. Leavins, a sister of his employer. In
1834, he went to Norwich Falls, Conn., and there he buried

Ii£h~byl G cozener Uos ton.

71^-^y^L

biographical sketches. 297
all his family, a wife and two infant daughters. In 1837, he
married Maria Ellis, of Attlebof ough, Mass. ' Their only child,
Erwin L., was born November 6, 1839.
The financial crisis of 1837 having thrown him out of
employment, he, with another, undertook to operate a small
mill in East Haddam, Conn. Disappointed as to the pecu
niary ability of his partner, and by the failure of the man
who contracted to stock the mill, the enterprise, after a few
months, was abandoned, leaving him once more stripped of all
his hard earnings, and plunged in debt. Under these circum
stances, his health became impaired, his spirits depressed, and
partial derangement ensued. He returned to Killingly, and,
at the genial home of his brother-in-law, Leavins, gradually
regained his wonted strength and cheerfulness.
In the spring of 1839, he removed to Uncasville, a small
manufacturing village in the town of Montville, Conn. While
residing here, he removed his church relations to Montville,
and was elected deacon.
In 1843, he was invited by the Columbian Manufacturing
Company, to take charge of their mill at Mason village, to
which place he soon after removed his family. The company
having had full proof of his integrity and capacity for busi
ness, increased their operations, and, in 1845, rebuilt the High
Bridge mill, in New Ipswich, now No. 2. In 1855, having pur
chased the old saw and grist mill in the village, then owned
by William Durgin, the company commenced building, upon
its site, the new or No. 4 mill. About the same time, the old
Water Loom mill in New Ipswich, now No. 3, was bought, and
underwent thorough repair. The planning, drafting, contract
ing for, and supervision of, all this business, was done by Mr.
Smith. In the midst of these multiplied labors and cares, his
health again failed, and his mental equilibrium was once
more overcome. In January, 1857, he relinquished business,
and in April, by advice of eminent physicians, he was placed
at the McLean Asylum, in Somerville, Mass., where he died,
August 13, aged 50 years.

298

HISTORY OF MASON.

Stephen Smith was a self-made man. In youth, he was
bashful and retiring, almost shunning society, which he after
wards highly valued and enjoyed. His educational advantages
were little more than those of the common schools, but doubt
less well improved. He wrote a fine hand, composed readily
and correctly, and was an effective public speaker. His
private residence and corporation improvements, are nionu-

RESIDENCE OF HON. STEPHEN SMITH.
ments of his refinement and taste. He united a good degree
of mechanical ingenuity with what may be termed executive
ability, and great energy in the prosecution of business.
Mr. Smith held the office of a justice of the peace through
out the state, was once elected representative of Mason to
the legislature, and served two years as one of the executive
council. He was always foremost in good works, and espec
ially generous in his contributions to aid the cause of educa
tion, temperance and anti-slavery. Every good cause had his
sympathy, and every one he regarded bad, his fearless oppo
sition. But it is as a philanthropist and a christian that his mem
ory breathes the choicest fragrance. His was an earnest life,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 299
guided by principle. He evidenced his sincerity by his sacri
fices. As an illustration of his character and the spirit of the
times, the following incident is given: While at Norwich
Falls, he opened an anti-slavery prayer meeting at his house,
which was threatened with mob violence unless discontinued.
But the faith within was too strong for the force without.
The little band prayed on unmolested.
Dea. Smith was one of the principal founders and support
ers of the Congregational church, formed at Mason village, in
1847, also one of its officers, and for many years the efficient
superintendent of its Sabbath school. With children, he was
always popular, enjoying with them innocent hilarity and
cheerful recreations, with the keenest relish.
The prominent traits of his character were, a vigorous will,
generous impulses, strong sympathy with suffering, and a prac
tical zeal for reform of the social, political and religious evils
of our day.
His funeral took place at Mason village, Sabbath, August
16 — a large concourse of people testifying by their presence
and sadness, that a friend and public benefactor had fallen.
Rev. John Spaulding, son of Hezekiah and Sally Spauld
ing, was born in Mason, November 30, 1800, graduated at
Middlebury College, in 1825, completed his theological studies
at Andover Theological Seminary, in 1828, and was ordained
a missionary to the valley of the Mississippi, September 25,
1828. He was installed pastor of the Presbyterian church at
Athens, Ohio, April 23, 1829, and of the Main-street Presby
terian church at Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 1838; was Secretary
of the Western Education Society at Cincinnati, Ohio, four
years and a half, and Corresponding Secretary of the Sea
man's Friend Society, New York city, sixteen years. He was
a successful and popular school teacher, having before and
during his college life, taught school four successive winters,
in all one and a half years. During his pastorate of eight
years, were admitted to his churches mostly on examination

300

HISTORY OF MASON.

and profession of faith, 177 persons. Of one of his bible
classes, in number 87, all but nine became professors of reli
gion ; of these, twenty one entered the ministry, two of whom
were missionaries in foreign countries. Of the ladies of the
class, five or six married ministers.

RESIDENCE OF JOHN STEVENS, ESO..
John Stevens, was born at Wilton, N.H., July 21, 1783. His
parents removed from Chelmsford, Mass., and were among
the early settlers of that town. He had several sisters, but
no brother who attained mature age. The rural sports of
childhood, and the laKors of the farm, contributed to give
him a fine physical development, a heritage to be coveted by
every youth, whatever may be his future employment.
In addition to the advantages of the district school, the
subject of this sketch attended, for a time, a private school,
kept by the Rev. Mr. Beede, the clergyman of that town, to
whom Wilton is much indebted for the high character, her
common schools have so long held.
When about eighteen years of age, he commenced school
teaching, an employment in which he soon attained great

liiuuiy I (in z eh er'Bo st(» t

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 301
celebrity. The "hard schools" particularly, sought his ser
vices ; and, what moral suasion and kind treatment could not
effect, his powerful arm was prompt to accomplish, the entire
submission of the most refractory scholars. For more than
twenty years, his winters were chiefly devoted to this busi
ness. June 6th, 1807, he married Hannah Lovejoy, of Wilton,
and settled upon the homestead farm, ministering to the
wants of his parents, while they lived. His mother, from an
accidental injury, was almost helpless for many years.
In January, 1824, he removed to Mason village, and was
employed as clerk and treasurer of the Mason Cotton Mill
Co., till the failure of that company.
He soon afterwards, built the family residence where his
widow still resides, with her son-in-law, Mr. Albert Taft.
From this period till his death, when not engaged in pub
lic business, he was chiefly employed in his work-shop, or
upon his farm.
Mr. Stevens, in person, was tall and commanding. His
countenance was strongly marked, indicating talent and exec
utive power. In manners, he combined a judge-like gravity,
with politeness and affability of deportment.
His strong intellect was early stimulated into active exer
cise, by high aspirations. Self culture, and the mental train
ing which a want of educational helps imposes, fitted him to
"act well his part," in those public stations, he was after
wards called to fill.
His dignity, urbanity and tact, made him a good presiding
officer. He was, consequently, frequently chosen to preside
in town meetings, or on other public occasions. As select
man, he did much service. As representative in the state
legislature, either of Wilton or Mason, he served more than
twenty years. The office of justice of the peace he long held,
and in it transacted much business. His papers were charac
terized by good penmanship, minute accuracy, and business-
like execution. 39

302 HISTORY OP MASON.
In politics, he was a whig, and hence, though the choice of
his party, the higher offices of the county and state were
closed against him.
As a citizen and a man, he always stood in his lot, meeting
the wants of society, with a liberal spirit and a generous
hand. He was a kind husband, a tender father, and an oblig
ing neighbor. He died of an affection of the heart, March
25, 1848, aged sixty-four years.
Dr. Oliver Scripture, a physician and surgeon, the son of
Oliver Scripture and Jane, his wife, was born in Mason, June
16, 1783. He married Eliza, the youngest daughter of the
Hon. Timothy Farrar. He settled in Hollis, N. H., where he
now resides. It was in his family that Judge Farrar passed
the closing years of his life, and there he died, February 21,
1849, aged 101 years, 7 months and 12 days.
Lieut. John Swallow, was the eldest son of John Swallow
and Deborah, his first wife. He was born in Groton, Febru
ary 22, 1729-30. His father removed to Dunstable, Mass.,
about the year 1750. While residing in his father's family, at
Dunstable, he commenced clearing up his farm. His lot was
No. 6, R. 6, now owned and occupied by his son-in-law, Dea.
S. Withington, and his grandson, Luke Newell. Here he com
menced his farm, probably in 1751. In 1752, he is reported
as follows : "John Swallow, cleared about one acre, and got
some timber for a house." At that time, there was no road
from Dunstable to No. 1. He would start on Monday morn
ing, from his father's, with a pack load of provisions on his
back, and, finding his way by marked trees to his clearing,
he would fill the forest echoes with lusty blows of his ax, from
sun to sun, till his stock of provisions was exhausted, and
then starting a few hours before sun set, he would wend his
solitary way through the forest, twenty 'two miles to his Dun
stable home, to replenish his stock, and, after a brief resting,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 303
would again renew his journey and his labors. Thus he sub
dued the forest, built his log cabin, and set up his household.
In this log cabin, a house of one small room, he lived till after
the birth of his eleventh child, when he removed into the
two story framed house now standing, in which he spent the
remainder of his life, extended to the good old age of 86
years. He never knew what it was to be sick, or ever tasted
of any thing called medicine, until past his 75th year. His
death was occasioned by a fall and broken bone, the pain of
which wore out his life, November 23, 1815. He was twice
married. His first wife was Sarah, daughter of Ens. Enosh
Lawrence, the second, Mary, daughter of Dea. Nathan Hall.
Dea. Rogers Weston, was born in Billerica, Mass., Sep
tember 30, 1757. His father was Samuel Weston, born in
Reading, Mass., in 1722. He was a descendant of John
Weston, who was married to Sarah Fitch, April 18, 1653.
Dea. Weston was an inhabitant of Mason as early as 1780.
He began his farm on the lot where his son Rogers Weston
now lives. He married, (1) Deborah Lawrence, daughter of
Ens. Enosh Lawrence, April 12, 1785. She died, October 20,
1798. (2) Anna Frost, of West Cambridge, Mass., Decem
ber, 1799. She died September 30, 1829. (3) Rebecca
Keyes, of Townsend, in 1830. She died August 15, 1830.
(4) Mrs. Lydia Buttrick, of Pepperell, in 1831. She died
March 13, 1837. (5) Mrs. Betsey Wright, of Brookline,
who survived him. He died March 9, 1843, aged 85 years, 5
months, 9 days. Dea. Weston was an industrious, frugal and
successful farmer. He was an active and ardent politician,
and for many years the leader of the democratic, or, as it was
then called, the republican party in the town, a firm supporter
of the policy and administrations of Jefferson and Madison,
and, as such, was elected to represent his town five years in
the legislature. He was appointed a justice of the peace in
1808, and held the office till his death.

304

HISTORY OF MASON.

Timothy Wheeler, was born in Concord, Mass., in 1752.
He was the son of Timothy Wheeler, a native of Concord.
Mr. Wheeler came to Mason to reside about the year 1773,
He selected a fine lot of land upon which he made a good
farm. He built and resided in the house seen on the right of
the view here presented. He died, December 13, 1820, aged
68 years.

RESIDENCES OF TIMOTHY WHEELER AND TIMOTHY WHEELER, JR.

Timothy Wheeler, Jr., son of Timothy Wheeler and Sarah,
his wife, was born in Mason, January 16, 1783. He built and
resided in the house seen on the left. He died, January 21,
1854, aged 71 years. Both were good farmers, and each
served several years in the office of selectmen of the town.
The persons of this name in Concord, are so numerous,
that it is difficult to trace the families. George, Joseph and
Obadiah, were among the first settlers in that town. Ephraim;
Thomas and Timothy, came to Concord in 1639. All of these
were heads of families. The birth of six bearing the name of
John Wheeler, is recorded between 1650 and 1670.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 305
In 1643, they, with some of their neighbors, petitioned the
court for a grant of land. The action of the court, entered
on the records, is as follows :
" Oct. 17, 1643. Wee think some quantity of land may bee
granted the Wheelers, of Concord, and the rest in that petition, pto^
vided, that within two years they make some good improvement
Timothy Wheeler was an officer in the troops raised to
protect the frontier in the Indian wars, as the following
entry shows :
" May 6, 1646. It is ordered, that Lieft. Wilerd shall be Capt. of
the Company at Concord, and Tymo: Wheeler to be their Ensign
there." October 13, 1675, the court ordered ten pounds to be paid
to Capt. Thomas Wheeler for his present supply ; and October
17, 1676:
" In answer to the petitiou of Capt. Thomas Wheeler and his sonn,
it is ordered, that they be payd their whole wages, from the time they
entered upon the service until their return to their own houses, &c,
he being wounded in his country's service.''
The service here referred to was in the command of a
company in the King Phillip war, in the year 1675.
Aaron Wheeler, who came to Mason to reside in 1767, was
also one of the descendants of the "Wheelers of Concord."
He is the ancestor of the Rev. John Wheeler, president of
the University of Vermont, at Burlington, and of the Hon.
David E. Wheeler, of the city of New York. They are sons
of John B. Wheeler, born* in Mason, March 11, 1770. He
removed to Vermont, was. an eminent merchant, and acquired
a great estate. Josiah Wheeler, who was the first town clerk
of Mason, and who died October 17, 1774, see page 73, and
his brother Nathan, who resided several years in Mason, were
also natives of Concord. Jonas Wheeler, of New Ipswich,
who died in Mason, April 28, 1815, aged 96 years, was a
descendant of Capt. Thomas Wheeler, of Concord.

306

HISTORY OP MASON.

Col. James Wood, became a resident in Mason, about the
year 1780. His father, Ens. John Wood, removed to Mason,
with his family, in 1778. Their ancestor, William Wood, was
born in England, in 1582. He settled at Concord, Mass., in
1638, where he died, May 4, 1671, at the age of 89 years.
Ens. John Wood was born in Concord. He died at Mason,
December 9, 1785. Col. James Wood, came from Leominster,
Mass., to Mason. He was a cabinet maker by trade, and
worked at that business through life. He built the house
where Oliver Allen now lives, a view of which is here pre
sented. He was of a generous, liberal disposition, his hand

RESIDENCE OF COL. JAMES WOOD.

and heart were always open to th'e call of friendship, or to
the claims of the indigent and distressed; always ready, to
the full measure of his ability, to aid in every good word and
work, he was popular in his manners and well esteemed by
all his fellow citizens. He was, in politics, a federalist of the
old school, and, for many years, the leading man of his party
in town. He was the representative of the town five years
in succession, commencing in the year 1800, and was again

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 307
elected in 1809, making, in all, six years. He served as
one of the selectmen seven years. He had a taste for mili
tary affairs, in which he held office from the lowest grade up
to that of colonel. He was, also, in office for many years as
a justice of the peace. His character, as a townsman, a
neighbor, a christian and a public officer, was without blemish.
No man ever lived in the towii who was more universally and
more deservedly beloved. He died, July 31, 1838, at the age
of 83 years.
Rev. William Olmsted, was born at Westchester, a parish
or society in Colchester, Conn., January 5, 1821. His parents
were Zachariah and Elizabeth Olmsted. They were both
pious, and earnestly desired that William, the youngest of
eight children, might be a minister. His father dying when he
was eleven years old, he was left to the guardianship of his
elder brothers. He is represented as a slender, quiet, home
loving boy, who preferred the society of his sisters, to the
harsh, out-door amusements, boys generally love. His early
youth was chiefly spent at school. At the age of sixteen
years, he was placed as clerk in a store at East Haddam.
It was at this place, during a revival of religion, that he was
converted and united with the church. Here he probably
remained till he was of age. He next engaged as a clerk in
a dry goods store at Hartford. Being taken sick shortly
after, he changed his plans for future life, and resolved on pre
paring for the ministry. Everything afterwards was made
subsidiary to this purpose. When sufficiently recovered, he
entered Williston Seminary, where he remained till August,
1844. During vacation, he was examined and admitted a
member of Yale College. But his health being delicate, by
advice of friends, he abandoned the idea of a college course
and commenced at once theological studies. His first year
was passed at East Windsor, the two last at Union Theolog
ical Seminary, at New York. He graduated in 1847. A soci
ety in Brooklyn, N. Y., secured his services for one year, and

308 HISTORY OF MASON.
wished to retain him longer. Thinking his health might be
better in the country, he came to Mason village in the fall of
1848, and was ordained there, April 11, 1849. In May, 1852,
with health slightly impaired, he left his people to attend the
anniversaries at New York. On his return, he stopped for a
few days with his friends in Connecticut, fell sick and died
in his native town, and among his kindred, June 6, 1852.
Agreeably to his dying request, "bury me among my beloved
people," his remains were interred in the graveyard at Mason
village. The marble which marks his resting place bears this
inscription, indicated by himself: "I shall be satisfied when I
awake in thy likeness."
To speak of Mr. Olmsted as he still lives in the hearts of
his "little flock," might be thought flattery. But the mem
ory of the good should be blessed ; fragrance should exhale
from the tomb of earth's benefactors. In person, he was
tall and slender, seeming to want that muscular propor
tion and physical symmetry so necessary to active endurance,
and which, in many cases, early out-door exercise and bodily
labor only can impart. His eye was dark and penetrating,
the whole countenance intellectual and benignent in expres
sion. Alas, that so many of earth's gifted ones should perish
ere they are ripe, from this unequal development — this dis
proportion between the brain and its animal machinery ! His
style, as a writer, was chaste and graphic, and his manner of
speaking was peculiarly his own, animated, impressive and
winning. His power, as a public speaker, seemed to be
derived mainly from his knowledge of human character and
his sympathy with and ready adaptation to the wants and the
minds of men. An intimate friend and room mate thus
speaks of him : "For his age, he had the best knowledge of
human nature of any one I have ever met. He had a faculty
of keen and close observation of the thoughts and motives of
men, which was truly wonderful. He saw at a glance, he
moved instantly, he made it plain to all. His end was the
ministry, and he carried the direct aim of all true business

H^#^^^^

M.dM

W.HmWAM 1111^11

m

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 309
life into his studies. The study of Latin and Greek classics
had no charm for him; it seemed like drudgery; but he
trained himself by a thorough course of mental philosophy,
and delighted in the investigation of every question which
bore upon his great object. He was eminently conscientious.
In all my acquaintance with him, I cannot recall a single
word or act, which could throw the least discredit upon his
Christian character."
Mr. Olmsted was social in his habits, decided in his opin
ions, and bold and fearless in their advocacy. He took a
deep interest in public improvements, and whatever promoted
the general welfare. The erection, during his ministry, of
the church edifice for the Congregational society in the village,
was greatly aided by his influence and example. A sermon
from Jeremiah 7:18, "The children gather wood, and the
fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to
make cakes to the queen of heaven," was preached by him in
promotion of this object, and was a happy specimen of the
writer's tact and genius. His brief life with his people,
abounds with pleasant reminiscences.
James Taft, was born in Uxbridge, Mass., June 13, 1780.
In 1796, he commenced his services as an apprentice to learn
the tanner's trade, at Petersham. In 1802, he established
himself at New Ipswich, in the business of a tanner. His
tan yard was that commenced in 1787, by Jeremiah Pritchard,
at the foot of the hill south of the old burying ground. He
built the house lately occupied by Mrs. Clary. He commenced
business in company with Roger Chandler and Henry Isaacs,
in 1812, and removed to Mason village. This company built
the first cotton factories in the village, and for several years
made the spinning of cotton yarn their principal business,
and some years after they introduced machinery for weaving
cotton cloths. In the spring of 1837, he commenced busi
ness as a merchant, and continued in it until his death, March

3, 1856.

40

310

HISTORY OF MASON.

RESIDENCE OF JAMES TAFT.
In 1805, Mr. Taft married Hannah Proctor. His only
daughter, Mary, died June, 1828, aged 22 years. His three
sons, Albert, George and James, survive him, and all reside in
the village. He served many years as one of the selectmen.

RESIDENCE OF GEORGE TAFT, ESQ.,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 311
Capt. Thomas Tarbell, was one of the original proprie
tors of No. 1, and named as such in the grant of the Masonian
proprietors. He was one of the first settlers, was clerk of
the proprietary, first chosen in 1762, and continued in office
till the last meeting of that body, in 1773, and was one of
the most active and leading men in all affairs of the township
prior to the incorporation. Six of his sons settled on farms
near him. He was a native of Groton. Thomas Tarbell, his
ancestor, was one of the original proprietors of Groton in
1661. In the list are the names of Thomas Tarbell, Sen. and
Thomas Tarbell, Jr. There were so many of the name of
Thomas, that it is difficult to trace them all to Thomas, Sen.,
from whom, undoubtedly, they all descended. One Thomas
was town clerk in Groton in 1704-'5, another from 1731 to
1733, another from 1745 to 1756, inclusive. The extracts
from Capt. TarbeU's records, as clerk of the proprietors, on
pages from 47 to 54, show that his notions of orthography
were peculiar and unique. The following specimen, from a
record of his ancestor, Thomas Tarbell, town clerk of Groton,
will show that he could plead ancestral example in excuse for
the liberties he took with the syllables of the language :
grotton march 8 1704
at a legul townmeeting the town did yot that they wul met for the
futur to chus town offesurs the fust tusday of march annuelly
thomas tarbell dark
The name of Tarbell is very rare in this country. It does
not appear in the long list of those who took the freeman's
oath before 1669, nor does Farmer, in his Genealogical Reg
ister mention any of the name except Thomas, Sen., and
Thomas, Jr. It is from these that all of the name in Massa
chusetts and New Hampshire are descended. There is one
romantic incident in the history of the family thus related in
Butler's Groton, page 96, in the chapter relating to the Buffer*
ings of that town in the Indian wars. He says :
Besides these instances of alarm, attack and suffering from a
savage foe, others are known to have occurred, of which there is

312 HISTORY OF MASON.
more or less authentic evidence. Onej of which the tradition is
undoubtedly nearly correct, is that of two lads, John Tarbell and
Zachariah Tarbell, brothers, and sons of Thomas Tarbell, who
were taken and carried to Canada. The story runs thus. One
evening, a little after sunsetting, the Indians came suddenly upon
the inmates of a garrisoned house, which stood where the Rev. Mr.
Sanderson's house now stands, or near1 that spot. They all escaped
and got safely into the garrison, except these boys, who being on a
cherry tree, had not sufficient time to descend and save themselves
from captivity. The precise time of this event is not known, but it
is said Zachariah was so young, that he entirely lost his native lan
guage, and the records of Groton show, that John was born July 6,
1695, and Zachariah January 25, 1700. So it was probably
between 1704 and 1708. Some years after, they both came to
Groton on a visit, but having become accustomed to savage life, no
persuasion prevailed on them to return and live with their friends
and relatives. The present inhabitants of that name are their
collateral kindred. Their descendants are still among the Indians
in Canada.

APPENDIX,

NOTE TO PAGE 45.

EXTRACT FROM A JOURNAL OF JOSEPH HOLT, OS WILTON, N. H., "0* THE MARCH
OE CAPT. EBEN'R JONES' COMPANY, IN THE EXPEDITION TO CANADA," IN 1758.
Joseph Holt, probably of Andover, Mass., and who resided
many years at Wilton, N. H, was a soldier in the French War
of 1758. He kept a journal, from day to day, from the time
he left home, May 24, 1758, to October 24. This journal was
recently found in the possession of a gentleman in the city of
New York, and copied and forwarded for publication in the
New England Historical and Genealogical Register, by Fred
eric Kidder, Esq., a gentleman to whom all who feel any
interest in the past history of New Ipswich and its vicinity
are greatly indebted. It is published in full, in vol. 10, pp.
307-310 of the Register. The following extract from this
journal will be of interest to many in the town of Mason and
the vicinity :
July 20. A terrible day as ever I saw. Early in the morning, as
a party often men were comeing down from ye Lake, the eriemy
fired upon them, and killed & took all but one; sundry officers and
men, to the number of about thirty, sallied to the assistance of the
scout, & many others directly followed ; the enemy exceeding oUr
number, they run upon us and beat us off, & killed 6 commissioned
officers, & took and killed many others, a list of which follows :
Captains Samuel Dakin of Sudbury, Ebenezer Jones of Wilmington,
Thomas Lawrence of Groton, all killed : Lieutenants Samuel Curtis
of Sudbury, of Capt. Dakin's company — Simon Godfrey of Billerica,
of Capt Jones' Co. ; Ensign Daniel Davis of Methuen, of Capt.
Foster's Co. ; Sergant Peter Russell of Concord, of Capt. Fletcher's
Co — all killed. Sergant Wright of Westford, of Capt. Lawrence's

314 APPENDIX.
Co., missing. John Bateman of Concord, Abner Keys of BilleriCa;
Bill Eaton of do., all of Capt. Fletcher's Co., killed. Corporal Gould
of No. 1, [now Mason, N. H.], Eleazer Ames of Groton, Abel Saw*
telle & Stephen Foster of do., Simon Wheeler and Joel Crosby of
Westford, all belonging to Capt. Lawrence's Co., killed. Joshua
Newton of South Berwick, missing. Isaac Little of Dedham,
William Grout of Sudbury, Jonathan Patterson & Nathaniel MouU
ton of do., belonging to Capt. Dakin's Co., missing. David Payson
of Rowley, killed. Caleb Kimball of Ipswich, Moses Hagget of
Andover, killed. William Coggin of Wilmington, wounded. Abra«
ham Harding of Pennycook, of Capt. Foster's Co., killed. 21st. We
Went out with a party of 200 men to reconnoitre the woods and
ground where our yesterday's battle was, and to seek for missing
men; we found 4 dead, and also the enemy's lurking place; P. M.,
I went up to the lake to take care of the sick we left there; Moses
Hagget died of his wounds. NOTE TO PAGE 42.
For many years after the settlement of Mason was coim
menced, the inhabitants were dependent upon the neighboring
clergy for such religious services as their exigencies required,
except as they were, from time to time, temporarily supplied
by candidates and preachers hired for short terms. This
state of things continued for twenty years or more. The
neighboring clergy, at that time, were the Rev. Caleb Trow
bridge, of Groton, H. C, 1710, ordained at Groton, March 2,
1714-15, died September 9, 1760; the Rev. Phinehas Hemen*
way, of Townsend, H. C, 1730, ordained at Townsend, Octo
ber, 1734, died May, 1760; the Rev. Daniel Emerson, of Hoi'
lis, H. C, 1739, ordained at Hollis, April 20, 1743, died Sep
tember 30, 1801 ; the Rev. Jos. Emerson, of Pepperell, H. C.j
1743, ordained at Pepperell, February 26, 1746-47, died Oct.
29, 1775, and the Rev. Stephen Farrar, H. C, 1755, ordained
at New Ipswich, October 22, 1760, died June 23, 1809. Of
these, the nearest, in point of distance, was the Rev. Mr.
Hemenway. He received a call to settle in Townsend in 1734;
His acceptance is dated July 22, 1734. The time for his
ordination was, by vote of the town, the third Wednesday of
October. Under date of July 12, 1734, is recorded the vote
of the town, that Mr. Hemenway's " stated annual salary shall

APPENDIX. 315
altar in proportion as the valle of silver shall alter with
the goldsmiths and merchants in Boston, as silver money at
25s. per ounce." His stated salary was £60, half yearly. In
1740, the town raised £200 for Mr. Hemenway's salary, in
1741, £140 16s. 8d., in 1742, £180. For subsequent years
till 1753, no entry is made. Probably the salary of £120
remained unchanged. In that year, the town, May 28,
Voted, To raise one hundred pounds, old tenor, for Mr. Hemen-
way, this present year, it being for his great sickness and lameness
the year past, and for the great Cearcity of provisions the present
year. Voted, That the money be paid in labor, grain, meat, butter, cheese,
wool, flax, &,c, or else in cash, before the last day of January next.
Mr. Hemenway died in May, 1760. On the 2d day of June
the town
Voted, To pay all the charges that has already arisen for the Rev.
Mr. Hemenway's funeral, which sum is ,£102 16s. 8d., old tenor.
September 16, 1760, the town
Voted. That the Rev. Mr. Hemenway's salary shall run on six
weeks after his decease, provided Madam Hemenway will give the
town the boarding of the bearers the six days they preached, and all
the board at the fast, and be entirely easy with the same.
It was the custom of that age for the town to pay the
expenses of the funeral of the minister, the amount of which,
in some instances, might now be thought extravagant. The
neighboring ministers officiated as pall bearers, and it was the
rule for each of the bearers to give one Sunday's preaching
and services to the bereaved parish and church, and it is to
this custom that allusion is made in this condition of the
town's vote to continue Mr. Hemenway's salary six weeks
after his decease.
In October following, the town "chose Mr. Samuel Dix to
be their pastor and gospel minister, by a unanimous voat," at
a salary of £66 13s. 4d. Mrs. Hemenway did not remain
long in widowhood, for in the record of marriages by Mr. Dix,

316 APPENDIX.
under date of October 20, 1761, is the marriage of Mr. David
Taylor, of Concord, and Mrs. Sarah Hemenway.
NOTE TO PAGE 102.
Congregational singing, that is, the singing of psalms and
hymns in metre, by the congregation in the public worship,
was a custom revived in the churches, at the time of the
reformation, it having been banished by the Romanists from
their worship. This service was highly prized by our pilgrim
ancestors. But among the singers, although their purpose
was to cultivate harmony of voices, there was not always
found harmony of temper. Sometimes bitter heartburnings
and controversies arose among them. This was especially the
case, when attempts were made to introduce new modes, new
music and instruments. The organ was looked upon as a box
of whistles, the violin as a profane and ungodly instrument,
and even the solid base viol was regarded as no better than
one of the bulls of Bashan. One of the most amusing cases
illustrating this characteristic of our fathers, is found in the
memorial of Joseph Hawley, presented to the general assem-
bly of Connecticut, in 1725, literally copied as below, from
the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol.
10, p. 311:
To the Honourable ye General Assembly at hartford ye 18th of may
1725.
the memorial of Joseph Hawley one of ye house of Representa
tives humbly sheweth your Memorialist his father and Grandfather &
ye whole Church & people of farmingtown have used to worship God
by singing psalms to his praise In y' mode called ye Old way.
however t'other Day Jonathan Smith & one Stanly Got a book &
pretended to sing more regularly & so made Great disturbance In
ye worship of God for ye people could not follow ye mode of sing
ing, at Length t'was moved to ye church whither to admit ye new
way or no, who agreed to suspend it at least for a year.
yet Deacon hart ye Chorister one Sabbath day In setting ye psalm
attempted to sing Bella tune — and yor memorialist being used to ye
old way as aforesd did not know bellum tune from pax tune, and sup
posed ye deacon had aimed at Cambridge short tune, and set it wrong,
whereupon yr petitioner Raised his Voice in ye sa short tune & ye

APPENDIX.

317

people followed him, except y° sa Smith & Stanly, & y° few who
Sangallowd In bella tune ; & so there was an unhappy Discord in
ve R \SIS' &S ^ h3S f6" bl" Si,,ce r new si"/^ «et up, and
^ Blame was all Imputed to yo- poor petion[er]. a°nd J„» Hooker,
E«f assistant seat for h,m, & fined him y° 19th of feb-y L.st fo
breach of Sabbath and so yor poor petition' is Layed under a very
heav.e Scandal & Reproach & Rendered vile & prophane for what
he did in y« fear of God, & ,„ ye mode he had bin well educated in
and was then y> seiled manner of Singing by ye agreem* of ye Church.
Now ytf PetitionMhinks y« Judgment is erroneous, first, because
y tact it as wicked as mr hooker supposd Comes under ye head of
disturbing God's worship, & not ye statute of prophaning ye Sabbath •
secondly, because no member of a Lawful! Church Society can be
punished for worshipping God in ye modes & formes, agreed upon &
fixed by ye Society, thirdly because tis errors, when ye Civil] author
ity sodenly Interpose between partyes y' differ about modes of wor
ship, & force one party to Submitt to ye other, till all milder methods
have bin used to Convince mens Consciences, fourthly because tis
error to make a Gent of yor petition1' carracter a Scandalous offender
upon Record, for nothing but a present mistake at most, when no
morral evil is Intended.
Wherefore yor poor petioner prayes you to set aside ye sd Jud, or
by what means yo~ honrs please, to save youv poor petition1' from ye
Imputation of ye heinous Crime Laid to him, & yor poor petion1' as
in duty &c shall ever pray. Joseph Hauly.
In order that the play upon words in the latin terms used
in the petition may bo understood, it is well to add that bella
is wars ; bellum, war ; pax, peace.

NOTE TO PAGE 124.
In anticipation that a large armed force might be required
to put down the "Whisky rebellion" in Pennsylvania, Con
gress, on the 9th of May, 1794, passed an act authorizing the
president to make requisitions on the executives of the sev
eral states for troops. The whole number provided for was
80,000. Of tliese, the number required from New Hampshire
was 3,544. It was under this act that the volunteers ten
dered their services, and were paid the bounty by the town.
This insurrection, which, at one time, assumed a threatening
and formidable attitude, was quelled by the forces under Gen.
Lee, without bloodshed, and the troops from New Hampshire
were not called for. 41

318 APPENDIX.
NOTE TO PAGE 82.
When the government of Massachusetts was established
under the first charter, none could vote at any elections of
magistrates or officers, except those who had been admitted
to take, and who had taken, the freeman's oath. For some
years, the elections were all held at one place, generally at
Boston. All the freemen were required to attend personally
at the stated time and place. While they all thus lived in
the vicinity of Boston, no great inconvenience to the voters
or danger to the community was experienced by the compli
ance with this rule. But as the settlements were extended
to considerable distances from Boston, and as the people
began to be under alarm of sudden attack by their Indian
enemies, it was found necessary to provide for some modifica
tion of the law, which was done by the two acts of the gen
eral court, copies of which are here given :
1635-6. March 3. Further, it is ordered, that the Gen'all Court
to be holden in May next, for elec'on of magistrates, &c, shall be
holden at Boston, that the townes of Ipswich, Neweberry, Salem,
Saugus, Waymouthe and Hingham, shall have libertie to stay soe
many of their ffreemen att home, for the safty of their towne, as they
iudge needeful, and that the said ffreemen that are appoyneted by the
towne to stay att home shall have liberty for this court to send their
voices by pr'x'y.
1736-7. March 9. This court takeing into serious consideration
the greate danger and damage that may accrue to the state by all the
ffreemen's leaveing their plantations, to come to the place of elec
tions, have therefore ordered it, that it shal bee free and lawfull for
all freemen to send their votes for elections by proxie, the next Gen-
e'all courte in May, and so for hereafter, whh shall bee done in this
manner : The deputies whh shall bee chosen shall cause the freemen
of their townes to bee assembled, and then to take such freemen's
votes as please to send by pr'xie for every magistrate, and seale them
vp, severally subscribing the magistrate's name on the back side, and
soe to bring them to the court sealed, with an open roule of the
names of the ffreemen that so send by pr'xie.
Some dim tradition of these laws having come down to
their times, probably furnished the foundation of the claim of
Obadiah Parker, Joseph Ball and others, to send their votes
for representative, to the town meeting by Joseph Merriam.

APPENDIX. 319
NOTE TO PAGE 247.
No national festival was ever kept with more heart-felt
pleasure than the old-fashioned New England thanksgiving.
Our fathers regarded the christmas festival as a remnant of
popery, or, at least, as one of the superstitious observances
of the church of -England, from whose tyranny they had fled
into the wilderness, and tfiey at once instituted the thanks
giving festival in its place. For them, it had all the charms
of the old Christmas festival, without any of its objectionable
features. It was first introduced in 1633, by the following
order of the general court :
1633. Sept. 3. In regard of the many and extraordinary mercys
wch the Lord hath beene pleased to vouchsafe, of late, to this planta-
con, viz : a plentiful harvest, ships safely arrived with p'sons of spe-
tiall use and quality, &c, it is ordered, that Wednesday, the I Oth
day of this present month shall be kept as a day of publique thanks-
giveing through the sev'ral plantacons.
The custom finally prevailed for the governor, with advice
of council, to appoint the day, and give notice thereof by
special proclamation. For many years the observance of this
festival was peculiar to New England, but it is now becoming
the practice in most of the states, for the governor to appoint
a day of thanksgiving, to be observed at the close of the har
vest. The time generally selected is some one of the Thurs
days in the two last weeks of November or the first week of
December. Not content with establishing thanksgiving, in
opposition to christmas, our fathers went further, and actually
prohibited the keeping of christmas, under a penalty, by the
following law :
For preventing disorders arising in several places within this jurisdic
tion, by reason of some still observing such festivals as were super
stitiously kept in other countries, to the great dishonor of God,
and offence of others :
It is therefore Ordered by this Court and the authority thereof,
That whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas,
or the like, either by forbearing labor, feasting, or any other way
upon any such account as aforesaid, every such person so offending
shall pay for every such offence five shillings, as a fine to the Country.

320

APPENDIX.

In a report upon the revision of the laws in 1681, this,
among others, having been objected to by the attorney gen
eral and solicitor general in England, it was disposed of as
follows : " 8th. The law against keeping Christmas to be left
out." DEPTH OF SNOWS.
No record has been kept, in Mason, of the state of the
Weather, depth of snows, &c, for any considerable length of
time. The following table, kept by Mr. Luther Nutting, in
the northerly part of the town, of the depth of snow each
year, commencing in the fall of 1843 and ending in the spring
of 1857, he having carefully measured and recorded every fall
of snow, may be relied on as accurate :
TABLE OF DEPTH OP SNOWS, IN MASON, FROM 1843 TO 1857, INCLUSIVE.

ft. in.

ft; in.

ft. in.

ft. in.
1843-44,
13 6
1847-48,
7 2
1851-52,
10 11
1855-56,
7 3
1844-45,
6 7
1848-49,
5 8
1852-53,
7 00
1856-57,
7 9
1845-46,
5 11
1849-50,
8 8
1853-54,
6 3
1846-47,
6 9
1850-51,
7 9
1854-55,
9 10
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS.
Page 277, after Dr. Moses Dakin, add M. D. Bowdoin College, 1828.
Page 285, Dr Joseph Gray was born in Providence, R. I., in 1751, took an
active part in the war of the revolution, studied physic with Dr. Mann, of
Rhode Island, attended the medical lectures of Dr. Rush, was one of the earli
est regularly educated physicians in the county of Hillsborough. Ho com
menced practice in Nottinghumwest. He married Lucy, daughter of Dea.
Satn'l Bancroft, of Reading, Mass. In 1790, he removed to Mason, and resided
there till 1809, in which year he removed with his family from the town.
Dr. Henry Gray, was born in Noltinghamwest, in 1783, removed from
Mason to Londonderry, Vt., where he now resides.
John Gray, son of Dr. Joseph Gray, studied law, was established in pros
perous business in Kentucky, but died at an early age. Two of his sons are
lawyers in Kentucky.
Page 161, line 19, for 1758, March 30, read 1759, April 11, and Tot Betty
Hazen, r. Thankful Harrington, of Pepperell.
Page 178, 1. 6 and 7, for wife, r. sister, and for 75, r. 79 years.
Page 179, 1. 29, for Elizabeth, r. Deborah.
Page 210, after 1. 18, insert, their children were; 1. 26, for June 3, r. June
17: 1. 35, for 1755, r. January 7, 1756.
Page 211, 1. 10, after Lucy, insert, born March 6, 1762, and in the same line,
for 1819, r. 1849 ; 1. 11, before Stickney, insert Joseph.
Page 215, 1. 8, for 1778, t. 1788.
Page 220, 1. 21, for Edward, r. Edmund.
Page 250, 1. 32, for Andrew Reed, r. Andrew H. Reed.
Page 260 and 261, for Olmstead, r. Olmsted.
INDEX.

AcQUEDAHCAX, 14.
Alarm list, 79.
Allen, sale to, 18, not valid, 19, heirs
of threaten suits, 24.
Allen's advertisement, 36.
Ammunition, 90.
Ancient customs, of marketing, 247.
Arms purchased, 90.

Bachelder, Dr. John, 266.
Baptist church, 253, in village, 258.
Barber, Dr. William, 123, 266, school
master, 134.
Barrett, Capt. Joseph, 266.
Battle of Halfway Brook, 313.
Beef for the army, 101.
Bill of rights, 95', 104.
Biographical sketches, 266-312.
Births, 236.
Blodgett, John, 141.
Blood, Eben, James, John, Joseph,
William, 198, 199.
Blood, Rev. Charles E., 267.
Blood, Rev. Lorenzo W., 267.
Boad, 26.
Bounty to volunteers, 124, 134.
Bounty, to soldiers, 89, 141, for killing
a crow, 135.
Boynton common school fund, 146.
Bovnton, Hon. John, 146.
Bridges, 59, 63, 86, 106.
Brookline, 5, 27.
Bruce, Rev. John, 108.
Burnap, Rev. Jacob, 70.

Cabot, Sebastian, 6.
Canada, 38.
Certilicates of soldiers sent to Exeter,
100.
Changing sides, 137.
Chamberlain, Loammi, 268.
Chamberlain, James H., 27 J.
Champney, Ebenezer, 48.
Character and habits, 78.
Chickering, Abner, 273.
Chickering, Jonas, 274.

Christian church, 262.
Christmas, law prohibiting* 3lS.
Churches, 248-265.
Clergy, character and influence of 69.
Collector fined, 123.
Colony of New Hampshire, 83.
Committee of correspondence, 74, 77.
Committee of inspection, 82, 86, 87.
Committee of safety, 94.
Committee on exorbitance of trade, 87.
Completing the continental army, 101.
Congregational church, 248, in village,
260.
Congregational singing, 316.
Constitution, vote on accepting, 104>
Convention, at Exeter, 17*74, 73, 79, at
Amherst, 74, to form constitution,
94, on currency at Portsmouth, 95,
at Concord, 101.
Cotton picking, by hand, 243.
Cotton, Rev. John, 273.
Covenant of non-importation, 75.
Covenant, signers adopt resolves, 77;
Cragin, Dea. Simeon, 272.
Cranfield, Governor, 16.
Cromwell, Lord General, 273.
Cut nails, machine for making, 243.

Dakin, Amos, goes to Exeter, 73.
Dakin, Dea. Amos, 274.
Dakin, Dea. Timothy, 275.
Dakin, Samuel, Esq , 276.
Dakin, Dr. Moses, 276.
Davis, Joshua, goes to Exeter, 100.
Deaths, record of, from 1758 to 1858,
176-193.
Delinquent proprietors, 39, 40, 42, 43.
Dissent of Eliot and Allen, 103.
Doings detrimental to the cause, 91.
Douglass' map, 26.
Dram Cup Hill, 27.
Dunstable, 21, 26, 27.
Dunster, Jason, 211.

Early settlers, list of, 213-221.
Earthen ware, 245.

322

INDEX.

Ecclesiastical affairs, 248-265.
Elerum list, 79, at Ticonderoga, 94.
Elias Eliot, 197.
Eliot, Rev. William, 279.
Elliot, George, 276.
Elliot, Israel, 284.
Elliot, Rev. Jesse, 285.
Elliot, Rev. Joseph, 284.
Elm trees, 290.
Endecott, John, 15.
Era of good feeling, 141.
Pamily registers, 195-211.
Fast, Capt. Tarbell paid for a, 66.
Pay. Jonas, Jr., 285.
Federal currency, 134.
Fish, Asa, at vendue, 94.
Flagg, Josiah, 211.
Flouring mills, 245, 271.
Forfeiture of rights, 39, 40.
French, Capt. Joseph, 31.

Gilbert, Sir Humphrey, 6.
Gould, Nehemiah, 44, 45, 314.
Government, new established, 80, 95.
Grantees and settlers, 35.
Graveyards, 44, 64, 65, 71, 91, 101,
132, 133.
Graves, reasonably needed, to be dug,
88.
Gray, Dr. Joseph, 285, 320.
Gray, Dr. Henry, 285, 320.
Gray, John, 320.

Habits and custom of worshipers, 72,
130,132.
Hall, Dea. Nathan, 285.
Harrington, Rev. Mr., 251.
Hawley, Joseph's petition, 316.
Hemenway, Rev. Phinehas, 314.
Herrick, Joseph, 30.
Highways, 34, 36, 40, 44, 47, 49, 50,
52, 59, 60, 77.
Hill, Rev. Ebenezer, 286, donation of
town to, 133, addition to salary of,
137.
Hill, Rev. Joseph B. 286.
Hill, Rev. Timothy, 287.
Hillsborough county, 5. ,
Holden, Amos, John, 198.
Holland, 6.
Hollis, 27.
Holt's journal in the French war of
1758, 313.
Horse stables, 71.
Hosmer family, 210'.'
Hoyt, Dr. Otis, 287.

Hunt, Rev. Nehemiah, 287.
Hutchinson, Thomas, 20, 22.

Idle persons, see paupers.
Improvements, report upon, 41.
Ince, Jonathan, 14, 15.
incorporation, 51, charges of, 63.

Justices of the peace, 232.
Johnson, Dr. WiUis, 288.

Kemp, Ebenezer, Samuel, 199.
Kendall, Lieut., builds meeting house,
111, 113.
Kidder, Isaiah, 244.
Kimball, Isaac, 244.
Kimball, Rev. True, called, 103.

Land tax, 135.
Law book, Parker paid for sending for,
71.
Lawrence, Enosh, 31.
Lawrence family, 196, 197,
Lawrence, Dr. Enosh, 289.
Lawrence, John, 30.
Leader, Rich'd, resists Mason's title, 13.
Letters missive, 69.
Leverett, Governor, 15.
List of early settlers, 213.
Littleton, 25.
Locke, Mrs. Betty, pound of tea for, 134.
Lottery, continental, 87.

Mann, Benjamin, Esq., 289.
Manufactures, 241.
Marianna, 7.
Marshall, Dr. Thomas H., 290.
Marketing, 247.
Marriages, records of, in Groton, Pep
pereU and Townsend, 161, in Mason,
162-174, 212-2126, remarks on mar
riage laws and customs, 2126-212d.
Mason, town of, situation, 5, grant, 28,
plan and draft of lots, 32, 34, 200
acres added on north, 38, charter,
56, name 57.
Mason, Capt. John, birth and early
life, 5, 6, grants to and settlements
by, 7, objects and results, 8, 10, 11,
12, death and will, 9.
Mason Hall, 7.
Mason, Mrs. Anne, executrix, aban
dons the estate, 10.
Mason, Joseph, her agent brings suits,
13.

INDEX.

323

Mason, Robert Tufton, 13, attorney
general reports in his favor, 15, he
brings new suits, 16, mortgages to
Cranfield, 16, sells the million acre
tract, 17. dies, IS.
Mason, John and Robert, sell to Allen,
18, sale not valid, 19.
Mason, Robert Tufton, dies, 19.
Mason, Robert Tufton, his son, comes
of age, 19, offers to sell to the Prov
ince, 20, 22, sells to Masonian pro
prietors, 23.
Masonian proprietors, who, 23, quiet
titles, 23.
Mason, proprietors of, first meeting,
and choice of officprs, 31, 35.
Mason, Rev. Alfred L., 292.
Massachusetts, 7, takes jurisdiction,
13, surveys north line, 14, 15, juris
diction set aside, 16, Province line,
settled, 19, 20.
Merrimack river, 7.
Meeting houses, 39, 40, 45, 47, 50, 53,
59, 63, 64, 67, going to meeting, 72,
seated, 88, six acres around it re
served, 101, boards blown off, 105,
vote to build. 107, site of, 107-110,
raising of, 111-113, plan of pews, 113,
sale of pews, 113, 114, old house
sold, 119, wharfing round, 120, Bap
tists refuse to pay taxes for building,
121, dedicated, 124, view and de
scription of, 125, plan of pews in,
126, 127, tax of Eliot and Wheeler
abated, 134, Baptist society claim
rights in, 139, 142, 143, use of voted
to Congregational society, 143, com
mittee to inquire about rights in,
144, new buUt, 132, vote to seU, 145.
Merriam, Joseph, 291, first representa
tive, 123.
Merriam, Samuel, Esq., 292.
Mile Slip, 27.
Miles, Rev. Noah, buries the victims
of small pox, 139.
Milford, 5.
Military affairs, 79, 86, 87, 124, rations
for muster, 137.
Million acre purchase, 17.
Mills and mill lots, 35, 36, 37, 42, 45,
47, Eliot's accepted, 50.
Ministers and preaching, 42, 44, 46, 47,
call to Champney, 48, call to Parker,
49,-53, 63, 64, call to Searle, 65,
66, ordination of Searle, 67, 70, 71,
73, money raised for, 102, Kimball
called, 102, 103, 106, 109, 110, 111,
Hill called, 113, accepts, 115, ordi
nation of, 117, 118, 133, 134, salary
not voted, 144, Mr. HiU resigns, 144,

J. Searle, controversy with, 151-160,
power of towns to 6ettle, 69.
Ministry land sold, 77.
Mortality, statistics of, 233-235.

Nashobah, 25.
Naumkeag, 7.
Newcastle, Duke of, 27.
Newell, Ezra, 243.
Newfoundland, 7.
New Ipswich, 5.
New Ipsshed, 64.
Noon houses, 72.
Northwest corner ratified, 104.

Olmsted, Rev. William, 307.
Otis, Charles Tilden, 294.

Paper money, 92, 93, 110.
Parade made, 120.
Paragrafts, 87.
Parker, Rev. James, 49.
Parker, Lieut. Obadiah, 294.
Parker, Obadiah, 197, 295.
Paupers and idle persons, 62, 63, 64,
71, 95, 140, 142.
Pemaquid, 11.
Pepperell, 27.
Perambulation, 105.
Petition to Congress about land tax,
135.
Plan of government, 95.
Plymouth, council of, 6, 7, town of, 6.
Poor farm purchased, 143.
Population, 81, 236, 237-
Portsmouth, 5, 7, 8, 16, 51.
Potash manufactory, 243.
Powder, purchased, 86, divided, 90.
Prayers at town meetings, 137.
Prescott, Lieut. William, 48.
Prices, extraordinary, 95-100, stipo-
lated, 97, 98, of nails, hinges, &e.,
135.
Proprietary officers, 228.

Querister chosen, 102.

Railroad, 245.
Reed, Rev. A. H., 250.
Registers, family, 195-211.
Report on improvements, 40.
Representation, 81.
Representative, chosen, 82, new meet
ing, doings at, 84.
Representatives, list of, 229-232.

324

INDEX.

Revolution, first appearance of, 73, in
government of the state, 80.
Revolutionary troubles, 74.
Revolutionary war, 221-227.
Rum for the continential army, 102.
RusseU, Jason, 295.
Russell, John, 295.
Russell, Hubbard, 295.
Rye, tax paid in, 109.

Salt purchased, 78, disbusted, bills,
&c, Sl-86.
School, districts, 237, fund,146,trustees
of. 148,232, houses, 120, lands fenced,
102, leased to Dea. Dakin, 111, sold,
51, 64, 65, to Dr. Barber, 123.
Schools, 71.
Scotch prisoners, sold, 272.
Scripture, Samuel, 197.
Scripture, Samuel, difficulties about
Mr. Brown's preaching, 65, 66.
Scripture, Dr. Oliver. 302.
Scythes and axes, 243.
Searles, Rev. Jonathan, 296, call, 65,
renewed, 66, answer, 67, ordination,
67, 68, call to Candia, 69, payments
to, 70, 71, noon house, 72, lands,
77, 113, pew, 127, keeps school, 133,
on committee to wait on Mr. HiU,
113.
Settlers and grantees, 35.
Sextons, 88, 137.
Sharon, name voted, 52, 57.
Sherman, John, 15, 16.
Sinking currency, 95.
Sir equivalent to dominus 111.
Slipton, 50.
Small pox, 123, 138, 139.
Smith Sarah, clothing, 140.
Smith, Stephen, Esq., 296.
Snows, depth of, 320.
Soldiers, raised, 88, 89, 91, 101, taxes
of abated, 93, bounties paid to, 89.
91, 94, 95, for Rhode Island, 95,
certificates of sent to Exeter, 100,
allowance to, 104.
Spaulding. Rev. John, 299.
Square money, 92.
Squr Varnum, 77.
Br. Hill, 111.
Statistics of mortality, 233-235.
Stevens, John, Esq., 300.

Stones on a stump, 60.
SwaUow, Lieut. John, 197, 302.

Taft, James, 309.
TarbeU, Thomas, 197, 311.
Tarbell boys, Indian prisoners, 312.
Taxes, paid in rye, 109, J. Withee's
abated, 130.
Taxing the Baptists, 121.
Tax land, petition against, 135. .
Tax list, first, 61, 62.
Tea, pound of to Betty Locke, 134.
Temple, 5, incorporated, 28.
Thanksgiving, origin of, 319.
Town house built, J 45 .
Town officers, list of, 229-231.
Town stock of powder purchased and
divided, 86, 90.
Townsend, 5, divided by Province line,
21, petition for redress, 22, incorpo
rated, 27, 60.
ThomUnson, 20, 22.
Three years' men, 88, 91.
Uncle Sam, 209.
ViUage, 241-245.
Warning out, 63.
Warrant, for proprietors's meeting, 51,
for last meeting, 53, for first town
meeting, 58, Taxes, 61, paupers' ,.62,
blown away, 82.
Weston, Dea. Roger, 303.
Wheeler, Josiah, resigns, 73, character
of, 74.
Wheeler, Timothy, 304.
Wheeler, Timothy, Jr., 304.
Wheeler, Aaron, 305.
Wilton, grant of, 38.
Wilson, Edward, 209.
Wilson, Samuel, anecdote of, 209.
Winnipissiogee, 14.
Winthrop, Dean, 25.
Withee, James, taxes abated, barn
burnt, 136.
Withiugton, Elisha, schoolmaster, 71.
Wood, Col. James, 306.
Wolves, 46.
Worcester. Francis, 46.
Work house, 64, 71.