^^ ,.T'JF^ (mW I A B B 1 E S S Vr THET OHHJNNG; QiT 'niTE T O W ^ HAL L. ( ♦ iv.^.3%a :-^ V AN ADDRESS THE OPENING TOWN HALL IN BROOKLINE ON TUESDAY, 14 OCTOBER, 1845. ^ ^ BY JOHN PIERCE, D. D. Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Brooliline. " Nothing is constant, but change." ^BOSTON: WHITE & POTTER, PRINTERS. 1846. TtlW U.S.A. ],' Py. After tlie delivery of the following address, the meeting was organized by the choice ot Daniel Sanderson, Esq. as Chairman, and ]Mr. John A. Bird, as iSecretary. On motion of George Griggs, Esq., it was unanimously Voted, That the thanks of tliis meeting be presented to the Rev. John Pierce, D. D., for the able, learned, and highly interesting address delivered this evening, before the citizens of Brookline, at the opening of tbeir new Town Hall, and that a copy of this address be requested of him for pablication, and that a committee of three be appointed to communicate this vote to Dr. Pierce, and, provided he consents to the publication, to superintend the printing thereof On motion of Dea. Joshda C. Clark, it was voted, that the Selectmen of the Town constitute the committee to carry into effect the foregoing vote. Brookline, 14 October, 1845. IRev^. Dr. Pierce, Dear Sir, Immediately after your Address, at the opening of our Town 'Hall^ the subscribers were appointed a committee to apply to you for its publica- ition. We accordingly ask of you a ^3opy for this purpose. DANIEL SANDERSON, MARSHAL STEARNS, JAMES BARTLETT. Bkookline, 8 January, 1846. 'G'ENTLElfiEN, Agreeably to your request, a copy of my Address, on 14 October last, at the opening of our Town Hall, is submitted to your disposal. The copiousiiess of its appendix, requiring so great care, it is hoped will be found generally correct, and also constitute an apology for the tardiness of its .appearaoce, I am yours, with great respect, JOHN PIERCE. Capt. Daniel Sanderson, C Selectmen Mr. Marshal Stearns, .? of Mr. James Bart^ett, ( Brookline. ADDRESS. Friends and Townsmen, I stand before you, at the request of onr Selectmen, to utter such thoughts, as may be obviously suggested, at the first public meeting of all ages and denom.- inations among us, in this new, commodious, and beautifulJ Town Hall.* You will not expect from me an oration ; for then a person would have been selected with more appropriate qualifications. You ask not for a sermon; for I have already delivered and published three Historical Discourses relating to this little Town.f Besides, should my life be spared, and my ministry prolonged, for one more short year and a half, it is my favorite purpose and hope to prepare a Jubilee Discourse, more immediately re- lating to my own people and parochial affairs ; and then to gather up the historical fragments, which remain, in relation to this Town, that nothing be lost. J Wholly foreign is it to my purpose to deal in figures of speech, which have peculiar charms, especially for youthful minds. As, however, it is universally expected of me, on the present occasion, to give a historical sketch of our Town, there is one figure, with which I cannot dispense, and which, I fear, will be employed to satiety. You have anticipated me to mean egotism. This Town has been incorporated § within a few weeks of one hundred and forty years ; and I preached my first sermon- here, on the second day of this present month. So that, for * Appendix i. t Appendix ii. \ The aiitlior was ordained the fifth minister oi the First Parish, in Brookline. 15 March, 1797. § Incorporated, 23 November, O. S., 1705. more than one third of this period, and for more than two thirds of my life, I have lived, and moved, and had my being here. My time has passed so pleasantly, would to God, I could add so profitably, that it requires all my knowledge of dates to con- vince myself, that the period has been so long. I have had my trials ; yet so greatly have these been out-nnmbered and out- weighed by mercies, that, if daring a ministry unusually pro- longed, any bitter things may have been said, or written against me, they have been traced on the sand, which the tide of time has wholly obliterated ; so that, with scarcely an abatement, I can adopt the language of the Apostle, and say, " I joy, and re- joice in you all. " Who is weak, and I am not weak ? Who is offended, and I burn not?"' Forty-three years ago, this last commencement, I heard a graduate of the day, commence his oration, at Cambridge, with this short and pithy sentence, " Nothing is constant, but change." To inexperienced minds this may appear an unim- portant truism. But, in process of time, it will assume a signi- ficant meaning. To me it l.as suggested many solemn thoughts. It grows in interest with the flight of years. Scarcely a day passes without furnishing fresh illustration of its truth. As the burden of my address will relate principally to our fathers, I will premise my remarks with recommending a few standard works, illustrating their efforts, their sufferings, and their characters, with the hope, that our youth may learn duly to estimate them. One of the best authorities is Neal's History of the Puritans. But as this work is in five thick octavo volumes, it may be con- sidered too voluminous for common use.* A good prefatory work is Young's Chronicle of the Pilgrims, in one volume, octavo, entitled, "An Authentic History of the Pilgrim Fathers, from their origin in the Rev. John Robin- son's congregation, in 1G()2, to Jiis death, in 1(325, written by themseives." The most complete account of the Plymouth settlers, origi- nating with the passengers in the May-flower, commonly known as the Pilgrims, who stept on Plymouth rock, on 22 Decem- ber, 1020, is by Nathaiiie Morton, long a Secretary of Ply- mouth Colony, himself one of their number. It is entitled * ]( has, however, beeo abridged by tlio Rev. John O. Choules. " Morton's Memorial." The last edition, enriched with copious notes and illustrations, is by that distinguished son of the Pil- grims, Judge John Davis, who still lives to a venerable old age, to record the heroic deeds, as well as to illustrate the conspicu- ous virtues of the fathers. By far the richest work, recording the deeds, trials, suffer- ings, virtues, and triumphs of the first settlers of Massachusetts proper, is by John Winthrop, Governor of Massachusetts. The work commences, 29 March, 1630, with the voyage of himself and company to these distant shores, and extends to the period of his death, in 1049. This work, not only very full and au- thentic in itself, has the felicity of a revision and republication by the Hon. James Savage, President of the Massachusetts Histo- rical Society ; who, in two volumes, octavo, has enriched it with notes, perhaps more copious, than the text, explaining whatever was obscure, reconciling apparent contradictions, correcting errors, and adding much valuable information, from a store- house, replete with historical facts, and with a capacity singu- larly fitted for such a work. Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts Bay, in two volumes, with Minot's Continuation in one volume, are valuable histo- rical authorities. The late Alden Bradford, Esq., for some years Secretary of State, himself a descendant of a passenger in the Mayflower, the second Governor of Plymouth Colony, has contributed largely to perpetuate the history of his native State by his His- tory of Massachusetts, in three volumes, octavo, which he after- ward reduced to one volume. It is well to make ourselves familiar with the histories of our fathers, not only that we may discern their sterling worth ; but also that we may verify the declaration of the wise man, " The glory of children are their fathers;" may perceive how singu- larly God has blessed them and their descendants; and thus re- fute the slanders, v/hich ignorance or malice has heaped on their memories. I have promised, on this occasion, not to give you a sermon. I will therefore dismiss the consideration of the religious state of the Town with one passing notice, which may strike some with surprise. Forty-nine years ago, this month, there were seventy-two 6 houses ill this Town, and precisely the same number of families^ 01' this whole number but a single family* professed a dilferent faith from the rest; and this worshipped with the Baptist church, in Newton. There were but four Baptist professors of religion then living in this Town, known to the speaker, all fe- males, one of singular piety and benevolence, who, though be- longing to the church of her own denomination, in Newton, held uninterrupted communion with my church, three years and a half, to her dying day. This Town, so beautiful for situation, and so abounding in pleasant scenery, was nevertheless, for seventy-five years from the settlement of Boston, of which, for that portion of time, it formed a part, denominated Muddy-river ; a part, Boston Com- mons; and sometimes Muddy-river Hamlet, from the turbid stream of that name, which forms its Eastern boundary.! It is seldom mentioned by cotemporary writers. Governor Winthrop, in his invaluable Journal, so minute in notices of passing events, cursorily alludes to it but twice, once in 1G32, and again in 1638. On Sewall's farm has stood, till within a few weeks, from time immemorial, an Indian fort, which has long been the resort of antiquaries, but which, for its origin, object, and uses, has per- plexed the most sagacious. In a historical sketch of Brookline, published in the Collec- tions of the Massachusetts Historical Society, II vol., N. S., p. 100, is the following account. "On Sewall's farm, in this town, are plainly discernible the remains of an Indian fort, containing about the eighth of an acre. It is of a square form, surrounded by a ditch, nearly three feet deep, and a parapet, about three feet high. It has an open- ing, or gateway at each side, one of these is directly toward a large swamp, called cedar swamp. Tradition, which has long preserved the memorial of this fort, gives no account by what tribe of Indians, on what occasion, nor why it was erected." I have a theory on the subject, which may, or may not, be the true one. Governor Winthrop, in the first volume of his Journal, p. 88, the earliest printed account known of Muddy- river, under date of 30 August, 1632, mentions, "Notice being " Tli0. t Charlestown. 2 10 that the eddy, flowing always, in our rivers, contrary to the tide in the channel, rather than the meteor, carried their lighter back." Wood, in a book entitled New England's Prospect, ^writes. "The inhabitants of Boston, for their enlargement, have taken to themselves Farm-honses, in a place called Mnddy-river, two miles* from their Town, where is good gronnd, large timber, and store of marsh land and meadow. In this place they keep their swine, and other cattle, in the summer, whilst the corn is on the ground, at Boston; and bring them to Town, in the winter.f The records of the Secretary's office of this Commonwealth abound in provisions for the habitancy and management of this section of country, as well as of other surrounding Towns, pe*r- taining to Boston. So early as 6 August, 1633, by the authority of the Com- monwealth, "it is ordered, that there shall be a sulhcient cart- bridge made in some convenient place over Muddy-river; and another over Stony-river, to be made at the charge of Boston and Roxbury." This is probably the origin of the road in our Punch-bowl village, and of that, near Wait's Mill, in Roxbury. Special privileges were here early granted to the poor. In 1035, "it is ordered, that the poorer sort of inhabitants, such as are members, and likely so to be, and have no cattle, have their proportion of allotments of planting ground, laid out at Muddy- river, by the afore-named five persons; those, that fall between the foot of the hill and the water, to have four acres upon a head; and those farther off to have five.'' This privilege was to continue three years. From the City Clerk's records of Boston, it appears, that fre- quent grants of laud were made here, not merely to the poor, but to others also, to induce a settlement. In 163U, "it was agreed, that five hundred acres be laid out, at Muddy-river, for perpetual commonage to the inhabitants there, and the Town of Boston, before any other allotments are made." But this, like other human ordinances, intended to be perpetual, was destined to be of but temporary continuance. For, from the same source we learn, that it was gradually ap- propriated to successive grantees. * Meaning across Chailes-river Bay. t Appendix iii. 11 The latter part of this year, it appears from records in the Secretary's office, that the boundary line between Boston and Roxbury was amicably adjusted by a committee from each Town; and that, in 1G40, in the same friendly manner, the limits between this place and Cambridge, and what is now Brighton and Newton, were also settled. We can more easily conceive, how our fathers conld conduct their municipal concerns, in connexion with the peninsula of Boston,, than how they could provide together for public wor- ship. The difficulty was, in a degree, obviated by the fact, that, for eighty -four years from the incorporation of Boston, till they had a meeting house in this place, in 1714, the settlers here nnited in worship with the first church, in Roxbury. Thfe inhabitants of Muddy-river formed so considerable a portion of that Parish, that, in 169S, by mutual agreement, they were en- titled to the use of the fifth part of the meeting-house, paying that portion toward the charges of the parish.* It is strongly suspected, that many of the present generation, with all their conveniences for transportation, would esteem it a hardship not to be endured, especially from the upper part of this Town, to go regularly to worship, as far as Roxbury hill. Yet a female ancestor of some of our most respectable inhabit- ants has been known to testify, that it was her habit to rise, early, in the morning of every Lord's day, adjust her head- dress over a pail of water, for want of a glass, and walk five miles to Roxbury meeting. We find no provision for sciioolingf here, though it is not probable, that the children were uneducated, till S Decem- ber, 1686, when, in answer to the petition of the inhabitants of Muddy-river to the parent Town, "it was ordered, that henceforth the said Hamlet be free from Town rates to Boston, they raising a school-house, and maintaining an able reading and writing master," This provision was readily accepted ; for at a full meeting of the inhabitants of Muddy-river, the 19 January following, they voted acceptance of the late grant ; and voted, that for the annual maintenance of the schoolmaster, £12 per annum be raised, and that the remainder necessary to support the charges * See Roxbury and Brookline records. \ Appendix iv. 12 of the master, be laid equally upon the scholars' heads, save any persons, that are poor, to be abated in part, or in whole.* Signed by Thomas Boylston, Town Clerk. He was a phy- sician, and father of the celebrated Dr. Zabdiel Boylston. This is the first entry in the Town Clerk's records of this Town. He was directed to buy a book, and enter all the proceedings of the settlement from time to time. But he dying, before the above vote was carried into effect, the record was made by his successor in office, Josiah Winchester, Clerk, greatgrandfather of the famous preacher, Elhanan Winchester. He lived in a house, in Warren street, near where Mr. John Warren's house now stands. ^ It appears then, that there are no records of this settlement, for the first fifty-six years; though three men,f it seems, were regularly chosen, to manage the concerns of the Hamlet. According to tradition, the principal school of the Town has always been on the hill, where stands the meeting-house of the First Church. To determine, where the centre of the Town would fall, a committee^ was raised, as well to decide, where the first meet- ing-house, as where the school-house should be erected. The result was, they were placed near together. The site of the central school-house has, till of late years, been in the centre of population, as well as of territory. It is a remarkable fact, that by the census of 1820, our numbers were precisely 900. Of these 456 lived above the first parish meeting-house, and 444 below. 'J'he males and females were both 450. Of the 450 males. 225 lived above the meeting-house, and 225 below. The females were not so equally divided ; for of the 450, 231 lived above the meeting-house, and 219 below. I'he school-house immediately preceding the one now em- ployed for our high school, was of brick, a little to the North- west of the First Parish meeting-house, on land given for the purpose by Mr. William Hyslop, built in 1793.§ The present high school house, of stone, first called the Town Hall, was opened with appropriate solemnities, on 1 January, 1825.11 * Appendix v. t Ensign Andrew Gardner, Jolm While Jr., Thomas b'tcdman. t Samuel Aspinwali, John Drucc, I'uter Boylston. § .Appendix vi. IT Appendix vii. 13 The Brookline classical school-house, of stone, hiiilt by a company, who had an act of incorporation from the General Court, was first devoted to its intended use, in the summer of 1S23. After it had been occupied for a few years, it was sold by the proprietors, and has since been converted into a dwelling- house. The present owner and occupant is Dr. Samuel A. Shurtleti'. If we consider the provision, which has been made for our schools, both male and female, for a few years past, we shall find, that few, if any settlements in our land, in proportion to numbers and property, rival the inhabitants of this little village in providing for the education of our rising race.* A handsome Buildingf was completed, in September, 1841, on the site of the old Punch-bowl Tavern, peace to its ashes! under the denomination of Lyceum Hall. It is owned in shares, and fitted for a variety of purposes. Its principal room is fur- nished in a style of unusual elegance, at an expense of more than one thousand dollars. Our fathers enjoyed the sweets of liberty, but a little time, by exemption from taxes to Boston, and by permission to manage their local concerns in their own way, before they aspired to complete independence, as a Town. Accordingly, on 11 March, 1700 — 1, they sent a humble pe- tition to the parent Town, to be a district, or hamlet, separate from the Town, assigning, among other reasons, the remote- ness of their situation.* But Boston, so far from listening favorably to their request, rebuked them sharply for their presumption, reproached them for their ingratitude for past favors; and " voted, that though they had not, for some years, been rated in the Town rate ; yet, for the time to come, the Selectmen should rate them in the Town tax, as the other inhabitants, and as they used to be."J Such language, backed by such measures, were ill adapted to reconcile the petitioners to this treatment of their request. They accordingly resolved to apply to higher powers; and, on the 17 June, 1704, petitioned the General Court, that they might be allowed to be a separate village."t Boston continued strenuously to oppose the measure, till, m * Appendix vni. t Sixty-seven feet by forty. t See records in the Secretary's office, Boston. 14 the autumn of 1705, a petition* was sent from this placS; signed by thirty-two inhabitants, .Samuel Sewall, Jr. Esq. being the writer and first signer, wliich met more favor ; for the prayer of the petition was granted ; and the signature of the Governor, Joseph Dudley, constituting it a Town, by the name of Brook- line, was given, on 13 November, O. S., IZUo.f It might be reasonably supposed, that this Act, so attested, would forever liavc settled the orthography of the town ; espe- cially as the tradition has uniformly been, that it was called Brookline, not Brooklyn, from any other Town ; but because its North-eastern boundary is Smelt-brook, which falls into Charles-river, and its South-eastern boundary was then a small brook or creek, falling into Muddy-river. Still it has, till within a few years past, been variously spelt by those, who might have known better. Judge Samuel Sew- all, a former inhabitant, and large landholder here, called it Brooklin, in his private journal, several years, before its incor- poration. The R.ev. James Allen, first minister of this Town, though distinguished in his day, has spelt the name of the Town, three different ways, in his seven printed discourses extant, namely, Brooklin, Brooklyn, Brookline, and a fourth way in the Church records, Brooklynn. Nor can this seem strange, as in his printed discourses, he has spelt his own name, two different ways, Allin, Allen. My revered predecessor, Jackson, highly celebrated, as he was for accuracy, published a short account of this Town, in the Boston Magazine, for June, 17S8, in which he calls the Town Brooklyn. J It is believed, (hat, for several years past, this Town has not been disgraced by a false orthography by any among us, Avho have enjoyed the advantage of a common school education. Our boundary lines have, for the most part, remained the same, as they were originally and harmoniously settled by committees from this settlement and contiguous Towns, in 1G30, and 1610, except our Eastern boundaries, which separate us from Boston and Iloxbury, which have been repeatedly vnriod. * Appcmlix IX. I Appendix x. } Appendix xi. 15 The Eastern boundary between Brookline and Boston, on what is now called the Western Avenue,* was, till lately. Muddy-river to where it fell into Charles river bay, which passed near by Charles street in Boston. But on the rapid settlement of lands near the Mills, the in- habitants of Brookline were not without apprehension, that the centre of population might, in process of time, fall near the Mills, and require the inhabitants to transact their town business there. Accordingly on ascertaining, that Boston was as ready to ac- cept a part of their territory, as they were to surrender it, for the above, and other reasons, on 1 November, 1824. they unani- mously voted to give a committee instructions to establish the bounds of Boston and Brookline at the centre of the principal western channel, which empties into Muddy-river from Charles river.' "t It is a well ascertained fact, that the line se}»arating us from Roxbury was never, till lately, the principal stream of Muddy- river, where we cross it, on Washington street, but a small brook, or creek, falling into the river, near the Punch-bowl village. Now as the principal stream of Muddy-river seemed to be the most natural boundary, as it has been decided by a late act of our Legislature, it was, for many years, a vexed question, on what principles the old boundary was settled. In ray earliest acquaintance with this Town, it was a common tradition, among even the best informed, that, as Brookline was incorporated, while Governor Dudley, a native of Roxbury, was in the chair, he exerted an undue influence in settling the bound- ary, so as to favor the place of his nativity. But on a careful examination of old DeedsJ of farms, which formerly belonged to Roxbury, but now to Brookline, it was as- certained, that these farms were a part of Roxbury by a bound- ary line, established, even before Governor Dudley Avas born. After many trials by the inhabitants of what has been uni- versally denominated the Punch-bowl village, the Eastern bound- ary, in that direction, is now the principal stream of Muddy- river by an act of our Legislature, signed by Governor Briggs, on 24 February, lS44.j| * Appendix XII. t Appendix siii. tin tiie Ward and Wyman families, jj Appendix siv. 16 As the boundary between Brookline and Roxbiiry is now con- stituted, it is somewhat amusing, that, on entering the Brookline Avenue, toward the Main Dam, within a few rods, we pass al- ternately into Roxbury and Brookline, eight times. The Indian name of this Town is not with certainty known. It might have constituted a part of Shawmut, now Boston. But as the aboriginals were never precise about boundary lines, it might have fallen under the general denomination of Nonantum, by which name they called the lands, higher up the river, both in Watertown and Newton. The probability of this supposition is strengthened by the fact, that there is no distinct Indian name for Cambridge, at first called by the English settlers Newtown. When our Northern boundary is said to be Newtown, you must always understand, what has long since been called Cam- bridge ; for when the Rev. John Harvard, of Charlestown, made his donation to Newtown, for a College, in 1638, it was called Cambridge,* in memory of the place, where many of our fath- ers received their education. The first Representative to the General Court from this Town was Capt. John Winchester, 1709, who lived in the house lately pulled down by Deacon Thomas Griggs. Several of his lineal descendants are still among us. After obtaining the incorporation of the Town, our fathers made it their first object to erect a liouse of worship. After several ineffectual attempts, their first house was raised, on 10 November, 1714. It iUustrates the spirit of the times, that though the inhabit- ants harmoniously agreed, where their house of worship should stand ; yet a committee of the General Court came here to sanc- tion their choice. Such a step would seem strange in our day. At the raising of this house, an event occurred, which at- tracted the notice of successive generations. Two of the young men, after completing their work, to show their agility, are said to have played leap-frog on the ridge-pole ; who lived, one to be 81. t and the other SSJ years of age. Several elderly people * Sec Holmes's History of Cambridge in Mom. of Mass. His. See. Vol vii p. 10. I Dracon Samiinl Clark died,? May, )7GG, aged 81. {Mr. Isaac Gardner died, 11 JMarcl)', I7G7, aged b^i. 17 have told me, that each of tliese men, toward the close of life, used to come to public worship, supported by two staves. One of these men was tiie first, who Avas published in the new Meeting-House; and his dwelling, in the rear of where Mr. Caleb Clark's house now stands, was, for a season, a gar- rison house against the incursions of the savages. The next concern of our fathers, after providing a place of pubHc worship for the living, was to appropriate a Cemetery for the dead. In the early settlement of this village, their inter- ments were probably near where they worshipped, in the burial place of the first church, in Roxbury. On 25 March, 1706, "it was voted,* that there should be a burying-place, on the South side of the hill, on Mr. Cotton's farm, between the two roads, if it can be obtained." By "Mr. Cotton's farm" is here meant the estate, which, not long since,belonged to Capt. Samuel Croft, now to BIr. John Kenrick. This estate, as well as that formerly belonging to Deacon Ebene- zer Davis, now owned by Mr. Moses Andem, was inherited by Rowland and Thomas, heirs of the Rev. John Cotton, second minister of the first church, in Boston, to whom the whole of what afterward constituted these two farms was assigned, at the early settlement of Muddy-river. These farms joined in what is now called Cypress street, but, for more than 120 years, the New Lane. The expression, " between the two roads," means between Sherburne road, now Walnut street, and the road to Brighton, now Washington street. By the " South side of the hill," in Mr. Cotton's farm is doubt- less meant the rise of land, west of Cypress street, nearest to Washington street. The date of these transactions is thirteen years, before the New lane, now Cypress street, was laid out. This was granted, on 11 May, 1719, and "it was orderedf, that it shall run from Watertown road, between the farms of Mr. Rowland Cotton and Mr. Thomas Cotton, all the way in said Thomas Cotton's land, and so into the land belonging to the heirs of Caleb Gardner, into Sherburne road, now Walnut street, for the convenience of the people, in the North part of the Town ill gonig to meeting" * See Town Records. t Town Records. 18 Mr. Caleb Gardner's house stood between the Parsonage of the First Parish and Mr. Jesse Bird's house; and it was from him, West of his own house, that the kind was obtained to erect the first meeting- house, in what is now the garden of the Parsonage. Faihng to obtain a lot for a burial place from the heirs of the Rev. John Cotton,* an agreement was made, on 30 April, 1717, with Mr. Samuel Clark, Jr., for the purchase of half an acre. This is the origin of our present Cemetery, where the remains of so many of our dear friends rest in hope. It is within the memory of most present, that an addition was made, in the Spring of 1840, by purchase from a descendant of the first owner; and the \vhole ground is now in a state of im- provement worthy our highest ambition. As early, as 1 March, 1714, money was raised for keeping school, in three parts of this Town.f On 5 March, 1759, Samuel White, Esq. many of whose) de- scendants are living among us, gave by deed, about a year be- fore his death, twenty acres of woodland, situated in Needham, for the benefit of the ministry in this Town. J On 24 May, 1762, the Town received three hundred and eight half Johannes, valued at £739, 4s, lawful money, the gift of Edward Devotion, for the use of schools. || On the approach of hostilities with our mother country, our fathers took a very feeling and active part. Frequent were their meetings, spirited their resolves, generous their contributions, in aid of the common cause.<§. On 19 April, 1775, the militia of this Town hastened toward Lexington to repel the assaults of British invaders; and Isaac Gardner, Esq. a leading man in the Town, fell a sacrifice to his zeal in his country's cause.H On the subsequent 17 June, his kinsman Col. Thomas Gard- ner, a man of equal eminence, in what is now Brighton, received his death wound, in the Battle of Bunker Hill. * As appears by a letter in the writer'^ possession from Mr. John Cotton, of Hampton, N. II. t Town Records. { Appendix xv. II Appendix XVI. § Appendix xvii II He was a gradnate of Harvard University, in 1747, son of Isaac Gartlner, grandson of Deacon Thomas Gardner, first Deacon of the first Church, in Brook- line. 19 What remains of the fortifications at Sewall's point is a me- morial of our fathers' patriotism, in defence of their country. It cannot but rejoice the heart of every christian patriot, that these tokens of war arc yielding to the milder arts of peace* The propriety of perpetuating the memory of the battle on Bunker's Hill by an expensive monument, erected for that sole object, has, not without reason, been called in question by some scrupulous friends of peace ; yet the inhabitants of Brookline contributed |350.75 towards its completion , $194 by persons liv- ing above the first parish Meeting House, and $156 75 by those below. Not only were great sufferings endured, and heavy expenses incurred by our fathers, in the controversy with our mother country ; but, in our earlier history, the inhabitants here shared in the dangers occasioned by the aboriginals of our land. In King Philip's war, which originated, in 1675, a bloody ac- tion was fought with the Indians, so near as Sudbury, in which Lieutenant Robert Sharp, of this Town, fell a victim. His death, and the battle, which occasioned it, are commemo- rated on a Monument erected in the burial ground of said Town.f In process of time, his son Robert also died, in an expedition against the Indians, in Canada. Allusion to these ancient names and events naturally suggests other notices relating to the early history of this Town. One of the earliest and largest land-holders here was John Hull, who well deserves a passing notice. J When a poor boy, he attracted the notice of his pastor, the Rev. John Wilson, first minister of the first church of Boston, by his extraordiary filial attention to an old and helpless mother. The Rev. Mr- Wilson, at that early period, predicted his future prosperity ; which prediction was observably accomplished. For, on arriving at manhood, he arose, by degrees, to great dis tinction. He married a daughter of Edmund Quincy, Esq. the first of this distinguished family, in this country, by the name of Judith, in memory of whom, point Judith, on the passage * Appendix XVIII. t Appendix xix. t According to the testimony of the late John Goddard, Esq. he lived East of the farm, lately owned by Col. Thomas Aspinwall, deceased. 20 from Providence to New-York, is said to have been named. The device of an Indian with his bow and arrow, on the Mas- sachusetts coat of arms, is ascribed to him. lie is also said to have been instrumental in coining the silver shillings, with the representation of a pine tree, on one side. It is a common tra- dition, that, on the marriage of his only daughter to Samuel, afterwards Chief Justice Sewall, he gave, for a portion, her weight in these silver shillings.* Judge Samuel Sewall, son-in-law of John Hull, Esq. inherited a large landed estate here, and acted a very important part in the early history of this settlement. He also attained to a bad eminence in the State, as one of the Justicesof the Supreme Court, that condemned the witches to be executed. It is however due to his memory, and it redounds greatly to his honor, to relate, tliat, on gaining new light on the subject, he bitterly repented of his agency in the witchcraft delusion, and voluntarily made a very humble confession of his error, in tjie old South' Church, Boston. f A large portion of the lower part of the Town has been long known, as the Sewall farm. A house was raised for Samuel Sewall, Jr. son of the Judge, IS June, 1703, since demolished, near, if not on the very site of the house now occupied by Captains Charles and Marshal Stearns. This may have been the time, when those noble elms, near the house, were planted, one of which, a few years since, was greatly injured by a stroke of lightning. An ancient ElmJ with the house, to which it is attached, be- longing to the Aspin wall estate, is among the greatest curiosities, which this town can furnish. F. in. At five feet from the ground it measures _ _ _ 10.8. At three do. ------- - 20. 0. Close by the surface, - 2G. 0. The age of the venerable house, which it overshadows, may be estimated from the fact, that the late Dr. William Aspinwall, if living, would have been one hundred and two years of age, * Appendix, xx. t Ap|)en(1ix xxi. t Appendix xxii. Jtsgimvnll* wis •'. w^E$ t^Emmis in; Ms otfeF^r,. msii (mi.5r Dan (iamuHiiiit nfeis (fiatinsnTrrr- -^ oiimi. w&i' wtbs ftmnB mi t&s -.-.-.■ ^ ^ ----- ' - ' - ■' i-^ lit-ra: TStnfesimiL. Bte. Kaig^^stiam was djertjgctl ff dl/iw u£ —r TiKET still fife aeeoD m t()i), for and in IicIimH" of the said City, and the Selectmen of the Town of Brookline, in beluilf of said Town, relative to the boundary lines between the said City and Town, shall be, as follows, namely, beginning at a ])oint marked (a) at an angle 1 lo^ from the .Mill Dam, until it strikes the centre of the channel of Charles River, and also running from the said point (a) Southerly, at an angle of \4'.i'- 40', until it strikes tiie centre of the channel of Muddy-river, at a point, where the respective boundaries of Boston, Brookline, and Roxbury, meet each other. Section II. Be it farther enacted, That the boundary lines between the Countirs respectively of Suffolk and Norfolk, so far as they are affected by this Art, shall hereafter conform t<> the said boundary lines between the said City and Town; and the same are declared and established to be the boundary lines be- tween the said Counties respectively, any thing in any former Act to tlie contrary notwithstanding. Provided however, That the .several Laws regulating the erection'of buildings, within the City of Boston, shall not extend to the land hereby tranuferred from the said Town of Brookline to tin; said City. — 22 Fchriuirij, l62o. XIV. p. 15. ACT OF r^I4, CHAPTER XXXVIII. An Act to annex a part of the Town of Roxbury to the Town of Brookline. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court as- sembled, and by the autiiority of the same, as follows. Section I. Jeromiah I.ynn with all the other persons, their polls and estates, and all the lands lying within a line, beginning in the centre of Muddy-brook at the junction thcrrof with another brook, running between Roxbury and Brook- line, across the Mill Dam road, and at a post there s(>t, and running Southerly and Westerly by the centre of said Muddy-brook, through the estate of Henry S. Ward, thence following the centre of said brook through the land of Samuel Wyman, until it meet? a stone-wail dividing said Wymau's land from the land of Joseph Curtis ; thence following said wall, nearly in a North Westerly direction, until it meets the present line of division between Roxbury and Brookline, aa laid down on a ])lan by E. V. Woodward, Esq. dated, 8 February, 1841, are lierehy set oil' from the Town of Roxbury, and annexed to tiie Town of 15rook- line, in the County of Norfolk. Section H. The land herciiiy set off from Roxbury to Brookline, and the per- sons residing ihereoji, shall be liable, and iiolileii to pay tli(;ir just |)ro|iorti(>n of all taxes, which have been assessed on the inhabitants of the s;iid 'J'own of Rox- bury, previous to the passing of this Act, and also their portion of all County and Stale taxes, that may he ■•lsse.^Sl!d on said Town of Rf^xbury |>revions to the taking of the next State valuation ; said proportion to be ascertained and dolijr- niined by the Town valuation of said Roxbury ; and the Town of ISrookline fihnll be liable for the support of all pers(ms, who now do, or hereafter may stand in need of relief, as |)aupers, whose settlement was gained, or derived, within the limits described in the first Section of this Act. .'Iji/irurcd by the Goccrno7-,24 Febriiort/, 1844. 37 XV. p. 18. This woodlanrl is given by deed of Samuel White, Esq., to tlie Selectmen* df the Town of IJrooiiline, for the li?ne being, " to supply liie minister or minis- ters, tli.1t lUiiy be settled in s;iid Town from time to lime." Tiie Deed Was probably written by Jeremiah Gridlcy, an eminent lawyer, who- then lived, in this Town, as he is tlie first witness mentioned ; and as tiie Instru- ment was acknowledged before him. XVI. p. 18. By subsequent accumulation tliis amounted to ^4531.01, loaned to the Town of Brookline for the erection of the Town Hall, in 1845, which contains two convenient School-rooms. This Edward Devotion, who formerly lived on the farm, now owned by Mr. Georije Babcock, died, 7 November, 5744, in a house, in the runch-bowl vil- lage,' formerly owned by Stephen, then VVm. Brewer, Esq. and from which Mr. Lemuel Foster lately removed. XVII. p. 18. The Town Records of this period abound in notices of such meetings, and of the patriotic resolutions unitedly and zealously adopted. XVIII. p. 19. The Railroad to Worcester passes directly through these fortifications at Sew- all's point. XIX. p. 19. The following is the inscription : "Capt. Samuel Wadsworth, of Milton, his Lieut. Sharp, of Brookline, and twenty-six other souldiers, fighting for the defence of their country, were slain by the Indian enemy, and lye buried in this place." XX. p. 20. Robert, the fiither of John Hull, and grandfather of Judge Samuel Sewall, died, 28 July, 1G66,' aged 73, and was buried, in the new burying place, ne.\t tiie Com- mon. Dr. Cotton Mather, in his life of the Rev. John Wilson, p. 28, remarks; " Behoidinj; a young man, extraordinarily dutiful, in all possible ways of be- ing serviceable, unto his aged mother, then weak in body, and poor in estate, he [vTz. R,ev. John Wilson] declared unto some of his family, what he liad be- held ; adding therewithal, I charge you, take notice of what I say. God will certainly bless that young man; John Hull (for that was his name) shall grow rich, and live to do God good service in his generation. It came to pass accord- ingly, that this exemplary person became a very rich, as well as emphatically a good man, and afterwards died a Magistrate of the Colony." John Hull died, 30 September , 1683. Rev. Daniel Gookin, son of the Major General, wr.ite some poetry upon iiis death, entitled " A few shadie meditations occasioned by the death of the deservedly honored John Hull, Esq. who was re- inoverl from "his earthly tabernacle to be an inhabitant of that House, not made with hands, eternal in tlie heavens, 30 Septenilier, 1683." The following notice of his wife's death is supposed to be by Dr. Cotton Mather. " Mrs. Judith Hull, of Boston, N. E. late wife of John Hull, Esq. deceased, a diligent, constant, fruitful reader and hearer of the word of God, rested from iier labors, 22 June, 16'.>5, being the seventh day of the week, a little before sun- set, just about the time she used to begin the Sabbath, aged 6'J. ' XXL p. 20. Judge Sewall's confession, as recorded in his Journal, not dated, but probably, on Fast-day, 14 Jan. 1606-7. 38 '• A copy of tlie Bill I put up on the Fast-day, giving it to Mr. Willard, as he passed by, and standing up at the reading of it, and bowing , when finished, in the afternoon. *' Samuel Sewall, sensible of the reiterated strokes of God upon himself and family ; and being sensible, that as to the guilt contracted, upon the opening of the late commission of ()yor and Terminer, at Salem (to which the order of the day refers) he is, upon many accounts more concerned, than any, that he knows of, desires to take the blame and shame of it, asking pardon of men, and especi- ally desiring prayers, that God, who has an unlimited authority, would pardon that sin, and all other his sins personal and relative; and according to his infinite benignity and sovereignty, not visit the sin of him, or of any other, upon him- self, or any of his, nor ujion tlie land ; but that he would powerfully defend him against all temptations to sin, for the future, and vouchsafe him the efficacious, saving conduct of his word and spirit." No evidence appears, that this was an act of church discipline ; but simply a voluntary confession. Judge Sewall's father Henry died, 16 May, 1700, aged 86. The Judge prepared the following epitaph to his memory, in the burying-yard of the first parish, in Newbury. "Henry Sewall sent by his' father, Henry Sewall, in the Ship Elisabeth and Dorcas, arrived at Boston, 16li4, wintered at Ipswich, helped begin this plantation, 1635, furnishing English servants, neat cattle and provisions. Married Mrs. Jane Dummer, 2.") March, 1G46, and died, 16 May, 1700, aged 86. His fruitful vine, being thus disjoined, fell to the ground, the January following." Judge Samuel Sewall, of H. U. 1671, was Fellow of Harvard University, a number of years, and one of its benefactors. He went to England, in 1688, the year of the glorious Revolution. He was one of the first Counsellors, after the charter of William and Mary. In 169^, he was made Judge of the Superior Court; and, in 1718, Chief Justice. He resigned his seat upon the Bench, 1728, as well as his office, as Judge of Probate, and died, January, 1720, aged 77. XXII. p. 20. In an able article in the North American Review, for July, 1844, it is stated, that the Aspinwall Elm, in Brookline, is known to have been 181 years old, in 1837. According to tliis computation, it must have been set out, in 1656. But the tra- dition of the oldest and best informed inhabitants has uniformly been, that it was planted by Deacon Samuel Clark, great grandfather of the present Deacon Joshua C. Clark, who served his boyhood in the Aspinwall family. He died, 7 May, 1766, aged 81. He was accordingly born in 16.S5, 21t years after the period assigned to the planting of this tree. But as he lived in the Aspinwall family, only in his youth, he probably set out the tree, about 1700, when he was fifteen years of age. XXIII. p. 21. Capt. Samuel Aspinwall died, 6 September, 1727, aged 65. At his family de- votions, that morning, he read the XXVIIth chapter of Proverbs, beginning with «' Boast ni)t thyself of to-morrow ; for thou knowest not, what a day may bring forth." Having business on Muddy-river, which bounded his farm, he was provi- dentially drowned, that very day ! XXIV. p. 21. The following account of Dr. Boylston, with some variations, was published in the Apjiendix of the author's Century Discourse, forty years ago. .■Mter receiving a good private education, the subject of this notice studied physic with Dr. Culh-r an eminent physician and surgeon, in Boston; and, i:i process of tiine, arrived at great distinction in his profcBsion. In 1721, the small pox prevailed, in Boston. Having received information, in a letter from Dr. Cotl o " Sacred to the memory of Dr. Zabdiel Boylston, Esq. P hysician, and 1 • R- S. who first introduced the practice of inoculation into America. Through a life of extensive beneficence, he was always faithful to his word, just in his dealings, affable in his manners , and, after a long sickness, in which he was exemplary for his patience and resignation to his Maker, he quitted this^mortal life, in a just expectation of a happy immortality, 1 March, 1766, aitat. 87." The wish has often been expressed, that a more suitable Monument might be raised to the memory of a man, so highly distinguished in his profession. XXV. p. 22. Tudor, in his life of Otis, claims Mr. Gridley, as a Boston inhabitant, and as- serts, that he died there. i, j- j The Rev. Dr. Eliot, in his New-England Biography also states, that he died at Boston. But it is a well known fact, that he lived a bachelor, for several years, in Brookline ; and, in the record of deaths, in Brookline, it is noted, that he died there, on 10 September, 1767, aged 64. Dr. Eliot justly says of him, that his legal knowledge was unquestionable; and adds, " he died poor, because he despised wealth." XXVI. p. 22. Henry Hulton, Esq. one of the five commissioners, appointed by Parliament to receive and distribute the revenue, accruing from a duty to be paid by the Colo- nists on paper, glass, painters' colors, and teas imported into the Colonies, arrived at Boston, in November, 1767. He resided in the house specified, as his country seat. XXVII. p. 23. Statistical account of the industry and products of the Town of Brookline, during the year, ending 1 April, l."<45. jt.ion-i 2600 pairs of Ladies' yarn hose, valued at . . . * ^or Saddles and harnesses manufactured, . • • • •^'*"* Wagons, sleighs, and other vehicles, . . • • 4000 Cabinet ware manufactured, . . . • • 3400 hides tanned. Value of leather, . . • • Capital employed in Tanneries, 24000 nooo'- Amount carried over, 2662o ** The most virulent of these opponents was Dr. Thomas Douglass from Scot- .and, who betrayed the most ferocious passions, both in conversation and from the press, in a malignant opposition to his more successful competitor. 40 Amount bronght over, 6 ; Merchant of Portsmouth, N IL, in which he was Representative and Senator in their General Court. lie might have been advanced to still iiigher distinctions, had he consented to stand candidate. He died at Portsmouth, 18 December, 182lt, aged 73. 20. 1786. *Elisha Gardner. Born, December, 1766. He died at the South- ward, engaged in mercantile pursuits. 21. 1787. Caleb Child. Bom, in Brookline, 13 March, 1760. He has no relative in this region, who can tell, whether he be alive, or if living, where 22. 1787. *Joseph Jackson, son of tlie fourth minister of Brookline. Born, 27 October, 1767, died at Portsmouth, N. H., 19 August, 1790, while pursu- ing the study of physic. 23. 1804. *William Aspinwall, M. D., son of Dr. William Aspinwall. Born, 1784 ; died a practitioner of medicine, in his native town, 7 April, 1818, aged 34. 24. 1804. Thomas Aspinv/all, A. M. Born 1786 ; lawyer in Boston, Colonel in the army in the last war with England, Consul at London. 25. 1805. *5rt?HKe/ C/«rA-, A. M., son of Deacon Samuel Clark. Born, 1782 : Ordained at Burlington, Vt. 19 April, 1810 ; resigned, on account of ill health ; died there, 2 May, 1827, aged 45. 26. 1805. Isaac Sparhawk Gardner, A. M.,son of General Isaac Sparhawk Gardner. Born, 1785; instructor of youth, in Frankfort, Ky. 27. 1807. Samuel Jackson Gardner, A. M., son of Mr. Caleb Gardner. Born, 1788 ; lawyer, last residing in the city of New York. 28. 1831. John Tappan Fierce, A. M , son of the fifth minister of Brookline. Born, 14 December, 1811. On the 15 September, 1836, he was ordained an evangelist. He now olficiates in a congregational church in Arcadia, Madison county, Missouri. 29. 1830. *William Penniman, son of Mr. Elisha Penniman. Died, 13 February, 1832, while contemplating the study of divinity, aged 22. 30. 1834. ^Nathaniel Bowditch Ingersoll, A. B., son of Nathaniel IngersoU. Died, a youth of promise, 31 May, 1836, aged 22. 31. i838. William Parsons Atkinson, A. M., son of Mr. Amos Atkinson, is an instructor of youth. 32. 1844. Edward Augustus Wild, A. B., sou of Dr. Charles Wild, student of medicine. Graduates at Brown University. 1. 1811. Luther Metcalf Harris, son of Mr. John Harris. Born, 7 May, 1789, Physician in Roxbury. 2. 1824. William Leverett A. M., son of Mr. William Leverett. Born, 25 January, 1800, pastor of the Baptist Church in East-Cambridge. 3. 1832. C Washington Leverett, A. M. Professor in ShurtlefT College, Twins < Upper Alton, Illinois. 4. 1832. ( Warren Leverett, A. M. ; Professor in the same College. 5. 1837. George Griggs, A. M ., L. L. B. Harv., son of Mr. Joshua Griggs, lawyer in Boston, and resident in his native village. 6. 1845. James Jindem, A. B., son of Mr. Moses Andem. Ordained Baptist minister of Dighton, 13 November, 1845. In the annual Catalogue of Brown University for 1845, Ilezekiah Shailer and Augustine ShurtlefT are mentioned, as seniors from Brookline. Graduate of Princeton, N. J. 1. 1762. *Caleb White Died, in Brookline, 16 December, 1770, aged 30. XXXII. p. 84. I. The first of these is the Rev. FJhanan Winchester, son of Dea. Elhanan 44 Winchestpr, born, 19 September, 1751, in the house, best known, as Richards's Hotel, and was baptized in his infancy by the Rev. Jonathan Hyde, Separatist and Pedo-biiptist. His cDurseof life was singularly erratic. On 4 September, 1771, he was ordained as Baptist minister at Rchoboth. Backus, in his History of the Baptists, has traced his course through most of its windings. Mr. VVinchester showed his first deviation from the practice of the church, to which he ministpred, by insisting on open communion. He next became converted to close communion. After experiencing this versatility, his church voted to dispense with bis services. He c.'illed a Council, confessed his imprudence, and was received into the Bap- tist Churtli at Bcllingliam. He tiieu travelled as tar as South Carolina, itinerating over that part of the country. la the beginning of 17S1, he was dismissed from the Baptist Church, in Phila- delphia, as a Universalist. He tlieu spent a year, in New England. He sailed for England, in July, 1787. In London he published his Dialogues, which placed him at the head of a new sect, denominated RestorationLst. He returned to f'osion, July, 1704, and soon removed to Hartford, Conn., where he died, 18 April , 171)7, aged 4G, having published his new doctrines in a num- ber of volumes, and was buried by the Universalists. 2. The otiier Baptist ministfr, mentioned in the Address, is the Rev. Benja- min Niles Harris, son of Mr. John Harris, born, 11) July, 171)2, who has minis- tered to a number of cliurches ol his denominatiuii, and is now at Rockport. The Congregational minister, to vvliicli the Address alludes, is tiie Rev. In- crease Sumner Uavis, sou of iMr. L'benezer Davis, born, in the spring of 1707, and was ordaineJ Congregational minister of the church, in Dorchester, N. H., 9 October, 1828. He is now pastor nf the Congregational church, in VVentworth, N. H. The Hon. Thomas Aspinwall Davis, late Mayor of the city of Boston, was his brother. He was born, 11 December, 171)8, and died, on 22 November, 1845, liicking 19 days of 47 years. He died in Brookline, but had a public funeral in Central Church, Boston, to which he belonged, where an address was delivered by the pastor of his youth, and was printed by vote of the City Council, Boston. XXXI I r. p.Q4. For the following facts, and other statistics in this Address, the author is in- debted to Mr. John Cioddard, born in Brookline, 28 May, O. S. 1730, and who died, 13 April, 1816, aged 86, a man of uncommonly extensive observation, and with a memory proverbially accurate. He had peculiar facilities for a knowl- edge of the facts relating to this little Town. For he was not only a native, but spent a large portion of a long life in the place of his nativity. lie was, more- over, for many years. Selectman, Assessor, and Representative ol this Town to the General Court. He was son of John Goddard, grandson of Joseph Goddard, one of the found- ers of the first Congregational church, in Brookline ; also father of Joseph God- dard, born, 15 April, 1761, now the oldest man in the Town, and grandfather ofAhijali Warren Godda.d. These five generations of men have all cultivated the same farm, and have hcoa members in full communion of the First Congrega- ional church. Owners of Dwelling houses, in Brookline, in 1740. The names in <7fl//r5 des- ignate the then owners of houses, which still remain. 1. Solomon Hill. 2. Capt. John Winchester. 3. Samuel Sewiill. 4. William (ileason. 5. Capl. Robert Sharp. 6. Samuel Clark. 7. Thomas Jispinrcall. 8. Dca. Thnvias Cotton. 9. Mtij. Edward IVhite. 10. .Major Edward White. Ebenezer Kenrick. Natlianicl Hill, negro. John Drucc. Abraham Cliariiberlain. Abraham Woodward. Hugh Scott. James Griggs William Davis. John Harris. Isaac Child. Joshua Child. Timothy Harris. John Harris. Daniel Harris. Samuel iXevvell. Andrew Allard. John Woodicard. Christopher Dyer. Thomas Woodward. Nehcmiah Davis. John Goddard. Henry Winchester. Elhanan Winchester. John Seaver, Jr. Dudley Boylston. 11. Major Edward White. 37. I^. Major Edwad White. 38. i;5. John Ellis. 3'J. 14. Nathaniel Shfpard. 40. l.'j. Capt. Samuel Croft. 41. 16. Major Edward White. 42. 17. Isaac Winchester. 43. 18. Rev. James Allen. 44. 19. Rev. James Allen. 4.5. 20. Dea. Samuel Clark. 46. 21. Nathaniel Gardner. 47. 22. Solomon Gardner. 48. 23. Dr. Zabdiel Boylston 49. 24. Nathaniel Seaver. 50. 25. William Ackers. 51. 26. Isaac Gardner. 52. 27- John Seaver. 53. 28. Samuel White, Esq. 54. 29. Joseph White. 55. 30. Dea. Benjamin While. 56. 31. Benjamin White. 57. 32. Joseph Adams. 58. 33. Nathaniel Stedman. 59. 34. Ebenezer Sargcant. 60. 35. Capt. Benjamin Gardner. 61. 36. Josiiua Stedman. A house formerly stood near Smelt-brook, owned by Amos Gates, who after- wards removed to Worcestisr. The house owned by David Coolidge was built by Nathan Winchester, son of Capt. John Winchester, grandson of John Winchester, (HI.) The other owners have been Thomas Griggs, his son Joshua Griggs, father in law of David Coolidge. A Mr. Ellis, father of John Ellis, who built the old Punch-bowl tavern, lived in a small house, a little beyond George Babcock's. 1. Solomon Hill. His house formerly occupied by Edward and Mary Devo- tion, who gave the school fund before mentioned; William Marshall ; Charles Warren, T ; Rufus Babcock, T ; George Babcock. 2. John Winchester, first Representative to the General Court ; then Capt. John Winchester, his son; ne.\t his son Isaac Winchester; Samuel Griggs; Dea. Thomas Griggs. 3. Samuel Sewall, Esq., son of Judge Samuel Sewall. He raised his house, 18 June, 1703, and moved into it with his father. The present house built by Henry Sewall, son of Samuel Sewall, Jr. ; inher- ited by Mrs. Edward K. Wolcott. Sold to Charles Stearns. 4. William Gleason, father of the Rev. Charles Gleason of Dudley, lived in a house, a little south of the present George Babcock's. 5. Caj)t. Robert Sharp. House built on the site of a house owned by John Sharp, brother of Robert Sharp, the first of the name, who came here fron) Dor- chester with Peter Aspinwall, the first of that name in this town. Martha, the daughter of John Sharp, was the wife of Joseph Buokminster, who afterwards moved to Framingham, the father of Joseph Buckminster, grandfather of the Rev. Joseph Buckminster, of Rutland, great-grandfather of the Rev. Joseph Buckminster, of Portsmouth, N. H., grcat-great-grandfiither of the Rev. Joseph Stevens Buckminster, Braille-square church, Boston. A little south ofNo. 5, stood the house of William Sharp, son of John Sharp, who moved to Ponifret, Conn. 6. Samuel Clark. This estate was afterward purchased by the Sharp family. Stephen Sharp, Esq. built the house now occupied by John F. Edwards, in J 785. For many years he kept one of the principal schools in the Town. He was Selectman, Assessor, Town Clerk, for twenty-nine years, and repeatedly repre- sented the Town in the General Court. He died, 22 July, 1820, aged 72. He led a single life. 46 The late Oliver VVhyte, Esq. was his successor, as Town Clerk, for about the same period. He transcribed a largn portion o( the Town records, and died, highly respected, 6 August, )'^44, aged 7:5. 7. Thomas Jispinwall. House built by Peter Aspinwall, IGGO ; next owned by liis son Samuel ; then by SamueTs son Thomas; then by Thomas's son. Dr. William Aspinwall ; nmv owned by Col. Thomas Aspinwall, Consul to London. The first Aspinwall house stood several rods east of the present, at the foot of a small hill, and near a spring of running water. 8. Dca. Tlwmas Cotton, heir of the Rev. John Cotton, built the present house. He sold it to Dea. Ebenezer Davis, and moved to Pomfret, Conn. It was next owned by his son Ebenezer; then by his son Ebenezer; then by his son Robert Sharp Davis : and sold by the lieirs to Moses AnJem. i). Major Edward White, occupying the spot, where his first ancestors in this Town lived; inherited by the late Thomas White; last occupied by Thomas Somes. 10. Major Edward White owned a house, which stood near the barn of the old Punchbowl tavern. 11. Major Edward White owned a house which stood a little East of the late deaf and dumb Thomas AspinwalTs. 12. Major Edward While owned another house, a little East of the house last mentioned, near the site of the widow Thomas White's 13. John Ellis, who died, 2G December, 177U, aged 80. The house was built by James (joddard for a private house. It was used, as a tavern, before 1740. William Whitney, of Weston, owned it ; then Elenser Baker; Eliphalet Spurr occupied it, for a while; William Laugliton, in If^Ol ; Franklin Gerry, in 1820; Louis lioiitell, in ld2ti; William Jemerson, in Is27. Isaac Thayer bargained for it, took down the old patch-work Tavern, 20 iMay, 18:53, and caused to be erected nine cottage.s, in the immediate nighborhood. On or near the site of the old tavern is the elegant Lyceum Hall, owned by a number of proprietors, built in the autumn of 1841. 14. jYalhanicl Shepard. He was one of the New Lights, so denominated, and moved to Needham. The house was then occupied by Daniel Dana. It is now owned by the Hon. Peter C. Brooks, and occupied by Anna Dana, daughter of Daniel Dana. 15. Capt. Samuel Croft.* The present house raised, 23 April, 1765. At his death, 14 November, 177J, aged 71, it was owned by his son, Capt. Samuel Croft, who died, 'J April, 1814, aged 63. It descended by will to the Croft family, and is now ovvne October, 1777, aged 70. It was formerly owned by I'eter Gardner, who married a sister of Joshua Bovlston's mother. Benjamin W^hite, son of Benjamin, was the next owner, who demolished the old house, and erected the present mansion, some rods west of the former, about 1790. He died, 20 March, 1814, aged 71. The estate, as yet undivided, was next occupied by Benjamin White, son of the last mentioned, wlio died, 7 July, lf'39, aged 55. 32. Joseph Adams. Benjamin Wliite bought it, and pulled it down, about half a mile South-w-est of his residence. 33. iS'athaniel Stedinan. Benjamin White bought this, and pulled it down, a little farther West, on the opposite side of the road. 34. Ebenezer Sai-gctint. He bought it of Nathaniel, brother of Thomas Sted- tnan. Dea. Elhanan Winchester, father of the preacher, next bought it, and sold it to Benjamin Wliite, the owner of three estates aforementioned. 35. Capt. Benjamin Gardner, son of Dea. Thomas Gardner, built this houss, and died, 13 September, 17G2, aged 64. His son Samuel was the next owner, who died, 22 November, 1771, aged 43. Hi.> son, Caleb Gardner, next owner, died, 17 November, 1807, aged 52. Ebenezer Richards purchased the place of the heirs, and soon sold it to John Hunt, who sold it to John Clark, llie present proprietor. 36. Joshua Sledman. Tlis house, best known as Richards's hotel, w'as built by Dea. Elhanan Winchester, assisted by the New-lights so called, on condition, that they might have the use of a room in it for their worship. Capt. Benjamin Gardner bouglit this place of a .Mr. Calef, of Boston, before it was occupied by Dea. Winclitster Ebenezer White next owned it; then Jo- seph While ; Ehene/.tir Rifliards bought it of Joseph White ; it was then sold to Henry Pettes, of Boston, who, after greatly improving it, moved into it, 21 May, 1838; it was then sold to Mark W. Sheafe, of Portsmonth, N, H., vvho moved into if, in 1840. 37. Ebenezer Kenrick, a New-light, vvho left Brookline church, in Mr. Al- len's day. Jonathan Hammond built the present house. It has, lor scve-al \ears tieen owned by Mrs. Jane Coaflbrd, a French Lady. 3^*. Nathaniel Hill, an African. Deacon Ebenezer Craft, of Roxbiiry, bought it. The Rev Jonathan Hyde, of Caiitcrrbury, Conn,, purchased the place, and built a house, in 1751. He died, 4 June, I7r'7, aged 78. His son Thaddeiis Hyde next owned il, who died, 25 July, 1808, aged 69. Arba Hyde, the son of Thaddeus, next owned it. He died, 4 November, 1841, aged 58. It was pulled down by order of the Selectmen, 11 October, 1841. 39. Julin Drucc built this house, probably the latter part of the 17th century, or beginning of the t-th It was next owed bv his son, Obadiah Driice, who died, 3 December, 1765. Dea. Ebenezdr Craft, of Roxbury, bought it, who oied, 1 September, 1791, aged 86. It was then owned by his son, Caleb Craft, who died, 8 January, 1826, aged 84 ; next by his son Samuel Craft, who sold it to Thomas Woodward, the pres- ent owner. 49 40. Abraham Chamberlain. Ilis heirs sold it in sliares to Jolm Harris and Daniel Dana. Caleb (^raft bought it, except ten acres, including the house, which was purchased by Thaddeus JacUson. Joshua Woodward, uncle oi' Thaddeus Jackson's wife, built the present house, who died, 21 November, 1776, aged 46. Thaddeus Jackson, the next occupant, died, 12 October, 1832, aged SO. Phinehas Goodiiough is the present owner. 41. Abraham Woodward built it. His sons Caleb and Joshua next owned it. Abraham Jackson, wiio married Caleb's widow, next occupied it, and died, 1-5 January, 1807, aged 85. His son Tliaddeus bought it, and built the present house for his son Thaddeus, who first inhabited it, in the spring of 1S20. Thaddeus Jackson, Jr. died, 12 July, 1824, aged 42. Phinehas Goodnough now owns and occupies it. 42. Hugh Scott lured it of Samuel Wiiite, Esq. It was next owned by Ca- leb Craft, and by him pulled down. It stood a few rods this side ot Caleb Craft, Jr.'s house. 43. James Griggs. His son George next occupied it. Dea. Ebenezer Craft bought the place. Thomas Kenrick built a liouse on it, and died, 8 February, 1774, aged 33. Jacob Hervey married his widow, and died, 22 June, JS12, aged 63. The house, which stood a few rods south of Caleb Craft Jr.'s was then pulled down ; and the land belongs to the Craft family. 44. William Das'is died, 20 February, 1777, aged 66. His son William tlien occupied it ; and it was soon divided and sold. It was owned successively by Joseph Smith, William Rogers, Maccarty, Thomas Williams, Esq , Elisha Whitney, and Asa Whitney, who died, o March, 1826, aged 44. The liouse, however, which stood a few rods V\'est of tlie South-west school-house, on the opposite side of the way, was demolished, in 1809. 45. John Harris. The house was given to him by Robert Harris, a distant relation. John Harris built the present house and died, 5 JN'ovember, 1788, aged 72. His son John, the next owner, died, 8 December, 1831, aged 81. Now owned by Willard A. Humphrey. 46. Isaac Child died, 10 September, 1765, aged 77. His son Isaac was the next owner; it was then owned by a Mr. Borland; then by Elisha Whitney; next by his son, Maj. Asa Whitney. It is now owned by Samuel Hills. 47. Joshua Child, brother of Isaac, inherited it of his father. He was great- grandfather of Dea. Joshua Child Clark, after whom he was named. The next owner was Daniel Dana, then Eenjamin White, then Thomas White, Amasa Ellis, Benjamin Weld, John Peirce, Samuel H. Walley, Thomas Tilden. The last owner Eunice James. 48. Timothy Harris bought if of Joseph Scott. It was inherited by the wife of the late Elijah Child, and pulled down in 1805. Timothy Harris's widow built the house, now inhabited by Timothy Harris Child. 49. Timothy Harris. His son John was the next owner. See 45. The last John Harris built the present house, in 1601. It is now the property of Al- van Loker. 50. Daniel Harris built the house. His son Daniel next owned it, and sold it to John Harris, Sen. See 45. The house was longsince demolished. 51. Samuel Newell. His son John next owned it; then Gulliver Winches- ter; then Robert Holt, who began the house, several rods East of the old man- sion. This house was completed by Dr. Wm. Spooner, of Boston, who inhabited it, during several summer seasons, and died in Boston, 15 February, 1836, aged 76. It was then purchased by Curtis Travis, a butcher, in 1625, who moved away, and died. It is now said to be owned by John Welch, of Boston. 52. Andrew Allard. William Woodward, brother of Tiiomas and John, and son of Thomas, built the house. It was last inhabited by an old countryman, by the name of Vaughan, who died, at a very advanced age, 27 February, 1775, and the house has been, many years, demolisiied. Samuel Cabot, Esq. is building a house for his tenant, a little East of this place. 53. John Woochcard built it. He died, 15 February, 1770, aged 74. His son Thomas next owned it; then Dea. Joseph White; John Corey, who died, 6 Oc- tober, 1803, aged 44 ; Erastus Champiiey ; John Dunn ; George Goldsmith, the present owner. 7 50 54. Cliristoplier Dyer biiilt tlie house on land given him bj' Samuel White, Esq. Hi»f son, William Dyer then owned it ; afterwards Josepii Woodward, John Deane, John Lucas. Col. Thomas H. Perkins built a house near the site of this, in l^'O'.t, for his tenant. 55. Thomas Woodward built the house, which stood near the mansion of William Applelon, Esq. His son Thomas then owned it ; next, Dea. Joseph White. It was at length owned by Ebenezer Richards, who sold it to Hon. Ste- phen Higginson, who erected the mansion, now owned by Dr. John C. Warren, in 1800. He died, in Boston, '22 November, 18:28, aged 8.'>. 56. A'ehemiak Daris built the present house, about 1732, and died, 5 January, 1785, aged 78. It was ne.vt owned by Captain Joseph Williams; H. Child; Hon. George Cabot, who died, in Boston, 18 April, 1823, aged 71 ; next by Stephen Higginson, Jr., who died, in Cambridge, 2U February, 1834, aged G3 ; next by Capt. Adam BabcocK", who died, in this house, 24 September, 1817, aged 77. Samuel God- dard is the present proprietor. Jo.siah Winchester, grandfather of the famous Elhanan Winchester, Rcstora- tionist, formerly inhabited an old house, which stood near the present John Warren's. 57. John Goddard. The place was first owned by Dorman Alarean ; then by William Rlnrcan. Joseph Goddard, the first of the family, who owned the place, died, 25 July, 1728, aged 73. His son, John Goddard, settled on the patrimonial state, where he lived, till 1745, when he moved to Worcester, leaving his son John on the place, and died there, 26 June 1785, aged 86. John Goddard, of the third generation, built the present house, and moved to No. 22, where he died, 13 April, 1816, aged 86. His son, Samuel Goddard, next occupied the family mansion, where he died, 25 August, 1786, aged 2!>. Capt. Joseph Goddard, the brother of Samuel, next inhabited it, till he built a new house, in the immediate neighborhood, into which he removed. His son, Abijah Warren Goddard, is of the fifth generation, vvlio have lived on the estate of his fathers. 58. Henry Winchester. His son, Joseph Winchester, next owner, died, 28 February, 1781, aged 72. His pon, Nathaniel Winchester, died, 27 December, 1808, aged 60. Old house taken down, 12 December, 1826. Capt. Isaac Cook's cottage stands near the site of the old house. First inhab- ted, ft June, 1827. This place was formerly owned by Col. Joseph Biickminster. See No. 5. His house stood on the opposite side of the road, to where Capt. Cook's cot- tage stands. 59. Elhanan Winchester, grandfather of the preacher of tlic same name built the house. His son, Elhanan, commonly known as Dea. Winchester, next owned it. He died at Harvard, 10 September, 1810, aged iH . Of him it was purchased by John Soaver Jr , who died, 21 October, 1761, aged 66. The property went through the changes mentioned under No. 21, till David Hyslop sold a portion of it to Nathanic;! Murdock, who built a house, near the site of the Winrliesfer house, into which he removed, 8 April, 1800, and died, 1 May, 1837, aged 6;t. 60. Josiih Winrlipster, Jr. built a house South of the present Dea. Joshua C. Clark's. His son Caleb next iniiabited it ; then John Soaver. Nehemiah Davis purchased it, and pulliMl it down. 61. Dudley Boylsi.in purchased the house, formerly built by a Mr. Shepard. His son JiishuaBoylston, next owned it. He died, J November, 1804, aged 79. Dea. Joshua C. Clark, who married the only dausiliter, took down the old house, in IdO'.J, and moved into the present house, 31 May, 1810. 51 XXXIV, p. 25. David Hijslop. John Lucas. John Lucas. William Ackers. Isaac S. Gardner^ Esq. Ebenezer Heath. John Heath. *t Jonathan Jackson .*t Hon. Jonathan Mason. *t Hon. Jonathan Mason. *t Benjamin White.* Benjamin White. Benjamin White. Caleb Gardner. Ebenezer Richards. Jonathan Hammond. Thaddeus Hyde.* Ebenezer Webb. Caleb Craft. Thaddeus Jachson. Abraham Jackson.*t Caleb Craft *t Jacob Hervey.* Elisha Wiiitney.* John Harris. Elisha Whitney. Heirs of Thomas White. Elijah Child.* Widozo Elisabeth Harris. Dr. William Spooncr. John Corey. Joseph Goddard. Nathaniel Winchester.*! Hon. George Cabot. Hon. George Cabot. Joshua Boylston.*t The names in italics represent the houses now standing. The houses with an asterisk (^) are demolished. Those with an obelisk annexed (*t) have oth- ers erected on or near the site of former houses. XXXV. p. 26. "Foferf, that this Town agree to assemble at the meeting- house, at 11 o'clock, A. M. on Saturday, 22 February, 1800, to testify their respect for the memory of the late General George Washington ; and that the Selectmen be a committee to wait on the Rev. John Pierce, and desire him to lead in the ceremonies by prayer, and some appropriate Discourse ; and that the committee be requested to provide suitable badges of mourning for the occasion. Also, that the Rev. John Pierce, Col. Isaac S. Gardner, and Mr. Isaac Allen be a committee to select suitable anthems, psalms, or hymns, to be sung on the occasion. — [Town Records.] XXXVI. p. 26. In his Journal, Judge Samuel Sewall writes, under d: te of 24 April, 1704, "I gave the Vice President, at Cambridge," meaning the Rev Samuel Willard, of the Old South Church, Boston, who officiated, as President at Cambridge, " the first News-Letter, that ever was carried over the river.* This was, it is believed, the first nevvspaper,published in North America. * Meaning Charles-river. 1. Joshua Griggs. 37. 2. William. Marshall. 38. 3. Samuel Griggs. *t 39. 4. Edicard K. Wolcott. 40. 5. 6. Col. Thomas .Bspinicall. Edicard K. Wolcott. 41. 42. 7. 8. 9. Robert Sharp. Stephen Sharp. Dr. Win. Aspinicall. 43. 44. 45. 10. Dr. Wm. .^.ipinipall. 46. 11. Dr. Wm. Aspinwall.* 47. 12. Ebenezer Davis. 48. 13. Benjamin Davis. 49. 14. John Howe. 50. 15. Josiah Jordan. 51. 16. Thomas While. 52. 17. Thomas White. 53. 18. Thomas White. 54. 19. Eleazer Baker. *t 55. 20. Jonathan Dana.*t 56. 21. James Holden. 57. 22. Capt. Cobb.*t 58. 23. Daniel Dana. 59. 24. 25. Ziphion Thayer. Jonas Tolman. 60. 61. 26. 27. 28. Capt. Samuel Croft. Capt. Samuel Croft. John Robinson. 62. 63. 64. 29. Enos Withington. 65. 30. Heirs Btnj. White, Esq. 66. 31. Capt. Timothy Corey *t 67. 32 Edirard K. Wolcott. 68. 33. Samuel Clark. 69. 84. Parsonage of First Parish. 70. 335 6. David Hyslop. John Goddard. 71. 72. 52 XXXVII. p. 26. Mr. Higginson erected a commodious dwelling, surrounded by forest trees, the natural growth of the soil. It commands a very beautiful prospect of the city, of the harbor, and some of its various islands. It is now owned by Dr. John C Warren, of Boston, who has done much to enlarge and beautify the place. A part of the estate, owned by Mr. Higginson, has been sold to Wm. Appieton, Esq., who Iins built, for a summer residence, an elegant house. But it would be an endless task to enumerate the great improvements, which have been made by gentlemen, who have moved into this town, in quick succes- sion, since the commencement of the present century. It is to be wished, that some person, fitted for the task, would prepare a sta- tistical account of this charming little Town, its rapidly increasing population, its elegant, and, in some instances, princely mansions, its agricultural and hor- ticultural improvements, unparalleled, it is believed, for the size of the place, in the United States. XXXVIII. p. 29. Samuel A. Walker, Esq., who has taken a leading part in this last Tem- perance movement, gives me the following account. " The Brookliue Washington Total Abstinence Society was formed, 4 April, 1842. S. A. Walker was chosen President. The first public lecture before the society was delivered by the President. The Hall was thronged. At the conclusion of the address, 171 signed the pledge ; and from tlie formation of the society to the present time, the cause has prospered beyond the most sanguine expectations of its friends. At the formation of the new society, the old society numbered 4:52 members; and, at its annual meeting, 10 January, 1843, it was voted to unite with the Washing- ton Total Abstinence Society, the better to carry forward the glorious cause. At the annual meeting, Q-o February, 1843, the report was of the most pleas- ing character. Within 3 years, 5!)4 had signed the pledge, and with the 432 members of the old society, it presented the grand total of 102G, pledged to Total Abstinence, in the Town of Brookline. The loss from breaking the pledge has been less, than J per cent., while the most favorable estimate from any Town in the State, gives a loss of at least 2^ per cent." LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 077 255 r S^M r^y &w