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HISTORY

TOWN OF CONCOE^D;
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS,
FROM ITS EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO 1832; 'i
AND or THE ADJOINING TOWNS,
BEDFORD, ACTON, LINCOLN, AND CARLISLE;
CONTAINING
VARIOUS NOTICES OF COUNTY AND STATE HISTORY
NOT BEFORE PUBLISHED.

BY LEMUEL SHATTUCK,
MEMBEB. OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETT.

Nobler records of patriotism eiist nowhere. — Nowhere can there be found higher proofs of a
spirit that was ready to hazard all, to pledge all, to sacrifice all, in the cause of their country, than
in the New England towns. Webster.
The local historian is sure of obtaining the gratitude of posterity, if he perform his task with
faithful diligence. — His work would have a great and increasing value within the narrow sphere
of its subject, even if confined to that sphere ; but must be very imperfectly exeputed, if it does
not contain some matter of illustration for the national annals, for tiie history of manners, for
literature, philology, natural history, and various other departments of knowledge. G,UABTERLY ReTIEW.

BOSTON :
RUSSELL, ODIORNE, AND COMPANY.
CONCORD:
JOHN STACY
1835.

Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1835,
by Lemuel Shattuck,
in the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

i" vL

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CAMBRIDGE:
CHARLES FOLSOM, PRINTER.

PREFACE.

The author of the following History, having had occasion several
years since to consult some of the earlier town records in Concord,
discovered many important facts and documents which were wholly
unknown to the public, and very imperfectly to the inhabitants of
the town itself; and it occurred to him that a series of communi
cations in a periodical work, embracing them, would be interesting
and valuable, and he immediately began to collect materials for
this purpose. But, in the progress of his investigation, the quantity
of interesting matter increased so much, that it was thought best it
should be published in some other form than that originally intend
ed. The result of his inquiries appears in the following volume.
It has been compiled at such intervals of time as could be con
veniently abstracted from the almost constant engagements of
business. Those only, who have been engaged in similar works, can be
aware of the great labor required to collect the materials for a
volume like this, and arrange them for the press. And the diffi
culty and labor have been much increased in this instance by
the imperfections of the town and church records. The first
volume of the records of the town, containing its proceedings
prior to 1696, about sixty years after its first settlement, is lost ;
and likewise the proceedings of the church prior to 1738, more
than one hundred years after its organization. There is however
in the clerk's office an old volume, containing an imperfect record
of several grants of land, and a few unconnected proceedings of
the town ; with an incomplete list of marriages, births, and deaths,
prior to 1696. This renders the early history of the town, less
perfect than it would have been, had the records been preserved,
though from other sources much important information has been

iv PREFACE.
obtained. The early records and documents in the offices of the
Secretary of the Commonwealth and of the county of Middlesex,
and the private papers of individuals, and various other scattered
fragments of traditionary, manuscript, and printed history have,
with great labor and no little expense, been consulted, which,
though they do not furnish a complete history, have been found
interesting and important, and in some respects supply the place
of town records. Traditions, however, are often contradictory,
tending to embarrass rather than to elucidate. They should be
depended upon only as leading the investigator towards the
truth, which, on further inquiry and comparison of different tra
ditions with records, may be discovered. I have seldom been
willing to state a fact positively, unless verified in this way. A
tradition has prevailed in Concord, that the early records of the
town were burnt ; and this is said to have taken place when part of
the first settlers removed to Connecticut. If this were true, it
could not apply to the town records from 1650 to 1696, nor to any
part of the church records prior to 1738. This tradition is undoubt
edly incorrect. The town records were destroyed in some other way,
and, if burnt, it must have occurred subsequently to 1696. The
loss of the church records was probably occasioned by the difficulty
in the church detailed in the following History.
Few places have so many interesting incidents associated with
their history as Concord. From its local situation, it has been the
centre of many of the important operations in the county of Mid
dlesex, and of some of the most interesting in the Commonwealth.
Being the first inland town settled above tide waters, it endured
great hardships in the commencement of its history. The pro
gress of the settlement, the exertions to civilize the Indians the
warlike operations in the town as a military post during Philip's
war, the distinguished part it took in the Revolution and in other
peculiar eras in the history of Massachusetts, are but imperfectly,
if at all, known ; but fortunately many important facts have been
preserved in manuscript. — The ecclesiastical history also has been
¦considered of unusual importance, and especially during Whit-

l^REFACE. y
field's time. This work, besides the minute details of civil and
ecclesiastical history, interesting to readers generally, as well as
to the citizens of this town in particular, contains the Natural
History, Topography, Statistics, Notices of Early Families and
Distinguished Men, and other subjects of general or local interest,
which may be appropriately embraced in such a history. — The
towns of Bedford, Acton, Lincoln, and Carlisle were incorporated
principally within the original limits of Concord ; and, as th^r
history is intimately blended with that of Concord, it was thought
expedient to embrace within the work the history of each of those
towns since its separate incorporation.
In arranging facts on such a great variety of subjects as are
embraced in a town history, it is difficult to present them in such
a manner as will be entirely satisfactory. I have adopted
that mode which appeared most intelligible and interesting to my
own mind. To present a work like this free from errors cannot
be expected. Some may appear in this History ; yet the author is
conscious of having taken unusual care to avoid them. Those
who are competent to detect them will, it is hoped, make all due
allowance, should they be found.
The volume is submitted to the public with diffidence. The
author lays no claim to the qualifications, which such an undertaking
would seem to require. His object has not been to make an at
tempt at fine writing, (had it been possible for him to have succeeded,
or had he deemed it proper in a town history,) but to relate, in as
plain, simple, and intehigible a manner as was within his power,
such facts as he deemed most worthy of preservation. The object
of local history is to furnish the first elements t)f general his
tory, to record facts rather than deductions from facts. In these
municipalities, — these separate incorporations, — are to be found
many of the first moving causes which operate on, and revolution
ize public opinion. Many facts, minute in themselves, are in this
view important. The details, which it is the appropriate prov
ince of the local historian to spread before the public, are not so
much history itself as materials for history. It is the work of the

vi PREFACE.
general historian, who has before him all the particulars of each
portion of the great natural and political landscape, to exhibit the
connexion of the several parts, and to show how they depend,
one upon another, in bringing about the great changes, which
have been taking place and affecting the condition of society.
Strong inducements to take such an enlarged and philosophical
view of the facts which have been detailed, and to submit the
ideas that arose in my own mind from such a view, have been often
presented. But it would increase the size of a volume already
enlarged far, very far, beyond its original design.
To trace the history of our ancestors, and transmit a record of their
deeds to posterity, is a duty we owe to the past and the future.
Such a record must be preserved as invaluable by the immediate
descendants and kindred of those, who once Hved and acted where
they now do, and whose ashes repose beneath their soil. And it
cannot be without interest to those who have gone out from their
kindred to dwell in other parts of the country, nor to those who
have come to dwell in the habitations made vacant by the removal
or death of the original occupants. What this town once was, who
originally occupied it, and by what means and by whom it has
become what it now is, are questions which can be answered only
by minute topographical history. If the work shall satisfy the
public, and contribute to the gratification of those for whom it is
more particularly designed, the author will feel himself compen
sated for the labor and expense, in preparing and publishino- it.
To the Hon. Abiel Hey wood, town clerk of Concord, to the
town clerks of the several surrounding towns, to the Secretary of
the Commonwealth, to John Farmer, Esq. of Concord, N. H. and
to various others, who have aided by the use of manuscripts, by the
communication of facts, and by various services rendered him the
author feels under special obligations.
L S
Boston, August, 1835.

CONTENTS.

Chapter I. — Indian Tribes. — Muskelaquid Indians. — Local Situation.—
Settlement projected. —Act of Incorporation. —Purchase from the Indians.
— Depositions. —First Settlers. — Johnson's Account. — Additional Grants.
— Suflferings of the Inhabitants. —Wet Meadows. — Petition to the Gen
eral Court. — Condition of the Town. — Chronological Items. - - 1
Chapter II. — Efforts to civilize the Indians. — Eliot begins the Work. —
Eifects at Nonantum and at Concord. — Laws for the Indians. — Opposition.
— Eliot's Labors and Petition. — Nashobah. — Notices of several Indians.
— Account of the Praying Indians. — Nashobah sold. - - - - 19
Chapter III. — Division of the Town. — Records. — Additional Grants. —
Indian Deeds. — Iron Works built. — Town Farm. — Town of Stow granted.
— Chronological Items. '- - - - - - - • - -83
Chapter IV. — Philip's War. — State of the Country. — Garrison Houses.
— Expedition to Brookfield. — Proceedings of Government; and of the
Town. — Lancaster burnt. — Christian Indians in Concord. — Feelings to
wards the Indians. — Abraham and Isaac Shepherd killed  Grotou burnt.
— People remove to Concord. — Proceedings of Government. — Sudbury
Fight. — Henchman's Letters. — Soldiers at Concord. — Christian Indian
Soldiers. — War Taxes-. - ....... 46
Chapter V. — Year 1684 important. — Blood's farms annexed to Concord; —
The Fifty subsequent Years. — Lovewell's fight. — Cuba Expedition. —
French War. — Notices of various Services in the War, — Divisions in the
Town and Incorporation of new Towns. — Emigration to other places. - 64
Chapter VI. — American Revolution. — Proceedings of the Town. — Act
respecting Tea. — Non-consumption Covenant. — Sentiments of the People.
— County Convention. — People march to Cambridge. — Courts stopped.
— Treatment of the Tories. — Proceedings of the Town. — Provi ncial Con
gress meets. — Public Stores. — New Town Covenant, — Minute Compa
nies formed. — Mr. Emerson preaches. — Expedition of the British Spies.
 Provincial Congress. — Public Stores. — Excitement. • - - 76
Chapter VII. — Battle of Concord, April 19th, 1775.
Chapter VIII. — State of feeling on ihe 20th of April. — Tories. — College
removed to Concord. — Committees of Correspondence. — Proceedings in
Relation to the Monopoly Acts. — Revolutionary Soldiers, — Table of Dif
ferent Campaigns. — Public pecuniary Sacrifices. — Taxes. — Constitution
adopted. - - - "

100

118

viii CONTENTS.
Chapter IX. — State of Feeling subsequent to the Revolution. — Proceed
ings of fhe County and of the Town. — Mr. Avery's Letter. — Armed Men
assemble at Concord. — Courts stopped. — Notice of the Insurgents. — Pro
ceedings of the Town. — The War of 1812. — County Courts and Shire
Towns regulated. — Proceedings of the Town on this Subject. - - -129
Chapter X. — Ecclesiastical History. — Organization of the Church. —
Insfallafion of fhe Rev. Mr. Bulkeley and Mr. Jones.- Church Covenant.
— Proceedings of the Church. — Notice of the Rev. Mr. Jones. — Letters
of the Rev. Mr. Bulkeley, and Notice of his life and Writings. — Rev. Ed
ward Bulkeley.- Rev. Joseph Esfabrook. —Rev. John Whiting. - - 148
Chapter XI. — Ordination of Mr. Bliss. — State of the Church. — Revivals.
Proceedings of different Ecclesiastical Councils and of the Church: — Divis
ions in the Parish and Church. — Death of Mr. Bliss. — Ordination of Mr.
Emerson. — Proceedings of the Church. — Notice of the Rev. Mr. Emerson.
Ordination of Mr. Ripley. — Proceedings of the Church. — Covenants. —
Funds. — Ordination of Mr. Goodwin. — Succession of Deacons. — Trinita
rian Church. ......------ 166
Chapter XII. — Natural History. — Climate. — Geology. — Botany. —
Ponds. — Rivers. — Brooks. — Fish. — Quadrupeds. — Birds. - - = 196
Chapter XII[. — Topographical History. — Boundaries. — Roads. —
Bridges. — Stages. — Post-Office. — Public Buildings. — Printing Office. —
Burying-grounds. ........... 204
Chapter XIV. — Statistical History. — Population. — Valuation. — Fi
nances. — Employment. — Maintenance of the Poor. — Education. — Bill of
Mortality.  .- .._. 210
Chapter XV. — Social and Official History. — Military Companies. —
Various Associations. — Concord Bank. — Agricultural Society. — Insurance
Company. — Official History. — Town-Officers. — Representatives. — Sena
tors. — County OfScers. — Attorneys and Counsellors at Law. — Physicians. 227
Chapter XVI. — Biographical Notices of College Graduates and other Indi
viduals belonging to Concord. .-... ... 240
Chapter XVII. — History of Bedford. — General History. — Ecclesias
tical History. — Description. — Miscellaneous Notices. - - . _ 255
Chapter XVIII. — History of Acton, — General History. — Ecclesiastical
History. — Description. — Miscellaneous IVotices. . . -274
Chapter XIX. — History of Lincoln. — General History. — Ecclesias
tical History. — Description. — Statistics. — Biographical Notices. - - 294
Chapter XX. — History op Carlisle. — General History. — Miscellane
ous Notices. — Ecclesiastical History. - - . . . 320
Appendix. — No. I. Historical View of the Evidence relating to the Events
of the 19th April, 1775. ... 333
No. II. NoUces of Military Services performed by the People of
Concord in the Revolution. . . . 352
No. III. Notices of Early Families and DisUnguished Men. . 360
No. IV. Old and New Style  . 39Q
No. V. Notice of the Rev. Samuel Stearns. - - 39^
^No. VI. Votes for Governor. - . . . gg™

HISTORY OF CONCORD.

CHAPTER I.
Indian Tribes. — Musketaqnid, Indians. — Local Situation. — Settlement project
ed. — Act of Incorporation. — Purchase from the Indians. — Depositions. 
First Settlers. — Johnson's Account. — Additional Grants. — Sufferings of the
Inhabitants. — Wet Meadows. — Petition to the General Court. — Condition of
the Town. — Chronological Items.
When the English settlements first commenced in New Eng
land, that part of its territory, which lies south of New Hamp
shire, was inhabited by five principal nations of Indians : — the
Pequots, who lived in Connecticut ; the Narragansets, in Rhode
Island ; the Pawkunnawkuts, or Womponoags, east of the Nar
ragansets and to the north as far as Charles river ; ^ the Massa
chusetts, north of Charles river and west of Massachusetts Bay ;
and the Pawtuckets, north of the Massachusetts. The bounda
ries and rights of these nations appear not to have been sufficiently
definite to be now clearly known. They had within their juris
diction many subordinate tribes, governed by sachems, or saga-
1 1 have supposed that the Indians living south of Charles river did not be
long to the Massachusetts tribe. Chickatabot, sachem of Neponset, and Oba-
tinuat acknowledged submission to Massasoit in 3621, and were at enmity
with Squaw Sachem. No instance within my knowledge is recorded of
a petty sachem going to war with his own tribe. It is also worthy of
remark, that these sachems and their descendants executed deeds of lands
within Massasoit's territories, but never in the Massachusetts territories.
As the country became settled by the English, and the jealousies between
different tribes were forgotten, all the Indians living within the Massachu
setts patent were rather erroneously classed among the Massachusetts In
dians. Hence the statements of Winthrop, Gookin, and other historians,
See Prince, Annals, 1621.
1

2 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1635.
mores, subject, in some respects, to the principal sachem. At
the commencement of the seventeenth century, they were able to
bring into the field more than 18,000 warriors ; but about the year
1612, they were visited with a pestilential disease, whose horrible
ravages reduced their number to about 1800.^ Some of their vil
lages were entirely depopulated. This great mortality was viewed
by the first Pilgrims, as the accomphshment of one of the purposes
of Divine Providence, by making room for the settlement of civ
ilized man, and by preparing a peaceful asylum for the persecuted
Christians of the old worid. In what light soever the event may
be viewed, it no doubt greatly facilitated the settlements, and ren
dered them less hazardous.
MusJcetaquid, the original Indian name of Concord and Con
cord River, for a long time before it was settled by our fathers,
had been one of the principal villages of the Massachusetts tribe.
Nanepashemet was the great king or sachem of these Indians.
His principal place of residence was in Medford, near Mystic
pond. " His house was built on a large scaffold six feet high,
and on the top of a hill. Not far off, he built a fort with palisa-
does 30 or 40 feet high, having but one entrance, over a bridge.
This also served as the place of his burial, he having been killed
about the year 1619, by the Tarrantines, a warlike tribe of
eastern Indians, at another fort which he had built about a mile
off." He left a widow — Squaw Sachem, and five children.
Squaw Sachem succeeded to all the power and influence of her
husband, as the great queen of the tribe. Her power was so
much dreaded, when she was first visited by the Plymouth people
in 1621, that her enemies, the sachems of Boston and Neponset,
desired protection against her, as one condition of submission to the
English. She married Wibbacowitts, " the powwaw, priest, witch,
sorcerer, or chirurgeon " of the tribe. This officer was highest in
esteem next to the sachem ; and he claimed as a right the hand
of a vfidowed sachem in marriage ; and by this connexion became
a king in the right of his wife, clothed with such authority as was
possessed by her squawship.^ Both assented to the sale of Mus-
ketaquid, though Tahattawan, hereafter to be noticed, was the
principal sachem of the place. This tribe was once powerful.
Before the great sickness already mentioned, it could number
1 Mass. Hist. Coll. vol. i. 2 Letchford.

1635.] GENERAL HISTORY. 3
3,000 warriors. That calamity, and the small-pox, which prevailed
among them with great mortality in 1633, reduced it to neariy
one tenth of that number. The Musketaquid Indians suffered
in common wit;h the brethren of their tribe elsewhere. When
first visited by the English, their number was comparatively very
small. Their manners, customs, and character form a subject
for general rather than town history. Such notices, as are par
ticularly applicable to this place or vicinity, will be given in
a. separate chapter. The place where the principal sachem
lived was near Nahshawtuck (Lee's) hill. Other lodges were
south of the Great Meadows, above the South Bridge, and in
various places along the borders of the rivers, where planting,
hunting, or fishing ground was most easily obtained. From
these sources the Indians derived their subsistence; and few
places produced a supply more easily than Musketaquid. South
of Mr. Samuel Dennis's are now seen large quantities of clam
shells, which are supposed to have been collected by the Indi
ans, as they feasted on that then much frequented spot. Across
the vale, south of Capt, Anthony Wright's, a long mound, or
breast-work, is now visible, which might have been built to aid
the hunter, though its object is unknown. Many hatchets, pipes,
chisels, arrow-heads, and other rude specimens of their art, curi
ously wrought from stone, are still frequently discovered near
these spots, an evideijce of the existence and skill of the origi
nal inhabitants.
The situation of the place, though then considered far in the
interior and accessible only with great difficulty, held out strong
inducements to form an English settlement, and early attracted
the attention of the adventurous Pilgrims. Extensive meadows,
bordering on rivers and lying adjacent to upland plains, have
ever been favorite spots to new settlers ; and this was peculiarly
the character of Musketaquid. The Great Fields, extending from
the Great Meadows on the north to the Boston road south, and
down the river considerably into the present limits of Bedford,
and up the river beyond Deacon Hubbard's, and the extensive
tract between the two rivers, contained large quantities of open
land, which bore some resemblance to the prairies of the western
country. These plains were annually burned or dug over, for
the purposes of hunting or the rude culture of corn. Forest

4 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1635.
trees or small shrubbery rarely opposed the immediate and easy
culture of the soil. And the open meadows, scattered along the
borders of the small streams, as well as the great rivers, and m
the solitary glens, then producing, it is said, even larger crops
and of better quahty, than they now do, promised abundant sup
port for all the necessary stock of the farm-yard. These advan
tages were early made known to the English emigrants.
Traditionary authority asserts that the settlement was first
projected in England. It is not improbable that this may have
been partially true, and that William Wood, the author of " New
England's Prospect," and the first who mentions the original name
of the river or place, might have come here in 1633, and pro
moted its settlement by his representations after his return to
England. It must have been effected, however, in conjunction
with others who were residents in the colony. The plan of the
settlement was formed on a large scale, and under the most san
guine anticipations of success. Nearly all the first settlers were
emigrants directly from England j and a greater number of origi
nal inhabitants removed, during the first fifteen years after the
settlement, to other towns in the colony, than permanently re
mained here. This sufficiently characterizes it as one of the
" mother towns." It was the first town settled in New England
3.bove tide waters ; and was in fact, as it was then represented
to be, " away up in the woods," being bounded on all ¦ sides by
Indian lands, and having the then remote towns of Cambridge
and Watertown for its nearest neighbours.
The uniform custom of the eariy settlers of the Massachusetts
colony was first to obtain liberty of the government to commence
a new settlement, and afterwards to acquire a full title to the
soil by purchase of the Indians. This title was never obtained
by conquest. The first undertakers, as a preliminary step to
wards the settlement, had this town granted to them by the
General Court, at its session at New-Town (Cambridge) Sept. 2
1635, under the following Act of Incorporation :
" It is ordere4 that there shall be a plantation att Musketaquid
and th9,t there shall be 6 myles of land square to belonge to it ';
and that th« inhabitants thereof shall have three yeares fmunities
from all public charges except trainings. Further that, when any
that shall plant there, shall have occasion of carrying of goods

1635.] GENERAL HISTORY. 5
thither, they shall repair to two of the nexte majistrates, where
the teams are, whoe shall have power for a yeare to press
draughts att reasonable rates, to be paid by the owners of the
goods, to transport their goods'thither at seasonable tymes ; and
the name of the place is changed and here after to be called
Concord." ^
Governor Winthrop^ says this grant was made " to Mr. Buck-
ly and  merchant, and about twelve more families, to
begin a town." This was undoubtedly the Rev. Peter Bulkeley ;
and the merchant intended, Maj. Simon Willard, two distinguish
ed individuals, who will be more particularly noticed in the
sequel. The loss of early records renders it impossible to ascer
tain who the twelve other families were. Their names may,
however, be inferred from an account of early families, to be
given in this history. Others were soon after added ; and on
the 6th of October, the Rev. John Jones, and a large number
of settlers, destined for the plantation, arrived in Boston.
The time from which the town should he free from immunities
or public charges, mentioned in the act of incorporation, was
calculated from the October following. In 1636 the order to
press- carts was renewed for three years more. These peculiar
privileges were' probably granted to the first settlers, as an en
couragement in their hazardous enterprise. That legal authority
should be given to compel any person, at any time, to cany
goods through a wilderness untrodden by ,civilized man, appears
singular to us, but was probably necessary then, as it would have
1 The late Samuel Davis, Esq., of Plymouth, supposed (MS. letter), that
the original name was " formed of two Indian . words, moskeht, signifying
' grass,' and ohkeit, signifying ' ground ' ; and unitedly ' grass-ground.'
Musketaquid, as nearly resembling this word as the Indian dialect would
permit, was probably applied to the land near the river, as indicating its
character, or to the river itself, in which case it would mean ' grassy brook'
or ' meadow brook.' " Concord, the present name, is said by tradition to have
been given on account of the peaceable manner in which it was obtained
from the Indians. This opinion, however, is not' supported. Johnson,
(2. Hist. Coll. vol. iii. p. 155.) says, it was named Concord " from the occasion
of the present time, as you shall after hear," but does not tell us any thing
further about it. It probably received its name from the Christian union
and concord, subsisting among the first company, at the commenceinent
of the settlement. "'"-,,^
2 Journal, vol. i. 2.

6 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1636.
been difficult, if not impossible, to hire them " at reasonable
rates." Though some privileges were granted to Concord, from
its pecuhariy remote situation, which were withheld from other
towns, it did not entirely escape censure. Being required to per
form mihtary duty, it was, in 1638, fined bs. for want of a pair
of stocks, and a watch-house. In June, 1639, it had a similar
fine imposed, and another for " not giving in a transcrip of their
lands." In 1641 it was again fined " lOs. for neglecting a watch
and for non-appearance." ^ Such fines were imposed on several
towns by the General Court, pursuant to an act, passed June 7,
1636, providing that every town should keep a military watch
and be well supplied with ammunition, as a guard against the in
cursions of unfriendly Indians.
It does not appear from any sources of information extant, that
all the land, included in the incorporated limits, was purchased
of the Indians till some time after the settlement had begun,
though a part of it might have been. Till May, 1637, no order
on the subject appears. The court at that time gave " Concord
liberty to purchase lande within their Limits of the Indians ; to
wit: Attawan and Squaw Sachem." The land was accordingly
fairly purchased, and satisfactory compensation made ; and Aug. 5,
1637, the Indian deed was deposited in the Secretary's office
in Boston. The Colony Records give the following account of
this transaction. " 5th. 6mo. 1637. Wibbacowett ; Squaw Sa
chem ; Tahattawants ; Natanquatick, alias Old man ; Carte, alias
Goodmand ; did express their consent to the sale of the Weire
at Concord over against the town: and all the planting-ground
which hath been formerly planted by the Indians, to the inhabi
tants of Concord ; of which there was a writing, with their marks
subscribed given into court, expressing the price." ^ Whether
this transaction related to the whole town is uncertain.
A tradition has been handed down that the purchase took
• place under a large oak, which was standing in front of the Mid
dlesex 'Hotel within the memory of our oldest inhabitants, and
called, after one of the original settlers, " Jethro's tree " ; and
which is said to have been used in early times as a belfry on
which the town bell was hung.

1 Colony Records. ^Ibid.

1636.] GENERAL HISTORY. 7
I have sought in vain for the Indian deed. It was probably
lost very eariy, since measures were taken in 1684, when the
colony charter was declared to be void, and the claims oT Rob
ert Mason to large portions of the country were asserted, to estab
lish the lawful title, which the inhabitants of Concord had in
their soil. The original petition was also lost. The following
depositions, relating to the subject, were taken, and are inserted
in the Middlesex Records, aiid in the Town Records, to answer
the purpose of the original deed.
" The Testimony of William Buttrick, aged sixty-eight years,
or thereabouts, sheweth ; — That about the year one thousand
six hundred and thirty-six, there was an agreement made by
some undertakers for the town since called Concord, with some
Indians, that had right unto the land then purchased of them for
the township. The Indians' names were Squaw Sachem, Ta
hattawan, sagamore, Nuttunkurta, and some other Indians that
lived and were then present at that place, and at that time ; the
tract of land being six miles square, the centre being about the
place where the meeting-house now standeth. The bargain was
made and confirmed between the English undertakers and the
Indians then present and concerned, to their good satisfaction on
all hands."— "7: 8: 84 [7th. Oct. 1684]. Sworn in court,
Thomas Danforth. Entered in Register at Cambridge, Liber 9.
page 1,05, by Thomas Danforth."
" The testimony of Richard Rice, aged 74 years," like William
Buttrick's, is recorded in full immediately after it, and attested
in the same manner.
" The Deposition of Jehojakin, alias Mantatukwet, a Chris
tian Indian of Natick, aged 70 years or thereabouts.
" This Deponent testifieth and saith, that about 50 years since
he lived within the bounds of that place which is now called
Concord, at the foot of an hill, named Nahshawtuck [Lee's], now
in the possession of Mr. Henry Woodis, and that he was present
at a bargain made at the house of Mr. Peter , Bulkeley (now
Capt. Timothy Wheeler's) ^ between Mr. Simon Willard,
Mr. John Jones, Mr. Spencer, and several others, in behalfe
of the Englishmen who were settling upon the said town of

1 This was between the houses of Daniel Shattuck, Esq. and Capt. Jolin
Stacy.

8 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1636.
Concord, and Squaw Sachem, Tahattawan, and Nimrod, Indi
ans, which said Indians (according to their particular rights and
interest) then sold a tract of land containing six miles square
(the said house being accounted about the centre) to the said
English for a place to settle a town in ; and he the said depo
nent saw said Willard and Spencer pay a parcell of Wampum-
peage,^ hatchets, hoes, knives', cotton cloth, and shirts, to the
said Indians for the said tract of land. And in particular per
fectly remembers that Wibbacowet, husband to Squaw Sachem,
received a suit of cotton cloth, an hat, a white linen band, shoes,
stockings, and a great coat, upon account of said bargain. And
in the conclusion, the said Indians declared themselves satisfied,
and told the Englishmen, they were welcome. There were pres
ent also at the said bargain Waban, Merchant ; Thomas, his
brother-in-law ; Notawquatuchquaw ; Tantumous, now called Je-
thro. — Taken upon oath the 20th of October 1684, before
Daniel Gookin, sen. Assistant, Thomas Danforth, Dep. Gov. En
tered in the Register at Cambridge, Lib. 9. page 100, 101 ; 20 :
8 : 84 [20th Oct. 1684] by Thomas Danforth, Rec'r. "
" The Deposition of Jethro, a Christian Indian of Natick, aged
70 years or thereabouts :
" This Deponent testifieth and saith, that about 50 years since,
he dwelt at Nashobah, near unto the place now called by the
English Concord ; and that coming to said Concord was present
at the making a bargain (which was done at the house of Mr.
Peter Bulkeley, which now Capt. Timothy Wheeler liveth in)
between several Englishmen (in behalfe of such as were settling
said place) viz. Mr. Simon Willard, Mr. John Jones, Mr. Spen
cer, and others, on the one party ; and Squaw Sachem, Tahatta
wan, and Nimrod, Indians,, on the other party ; and that the said
Indians (according to their several rights) did then sell to the said
English a certain tract of land containing six miles square (the
said house being accounted about the centre) to plant a town in •
and that the said deponent did see the said Willard and Spencer
pay to the said Indians for the said tract of land a parcell of
Wampumpeage, [like Jehojakin's testimony as far as " said bar-

1 Indian money curiously made of shells strung on strings and valued
by the fathom at 5s.

1636.] GENERAL HISTORY. 9
gain"]; and that after, the bargain was concluded, Mr. Simon
Willard, pointing to.the four quarters of the worid, declared that
they had bought three miles from that place, east, west, north;
and south ; and the said Indians manifested their free consent
thereunto. There were present at the making of the said
bargain, amongst other Indians, Waban, merchant ; Thomas, his
brother-in-law; Natawquatuckquaw ; Jehojakin, who is yet- living
and deposeth in like manner as above." ^
This was sworn to, attested, and recorded, Hke the preceding.
The first settlement commenced in the fall of 1635, fifteen
years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, and five after the
settlement of Boston. The first houses were built on the south
side of the hill from the public square to Merriam's corner ; and
the farm lots laid out, extending back from the road across the
Great Fields and Great Meadows, and in front across the mead
ows on Mill Brook. This spot was probably selected because it
contained land of easy tillage, and because it afforded the great
est facilities in constructing such temporary dwellings, as would
shelter the inhabitants from the inclemency of storms and winter.
These huts were built by digging into the bank, driving posts into
the ground, and placing on them a covering of bark, brush-wood,
or earth. The second year, houses were erected as far as where
the south and north bridges now stand. This plantation, how
ever, like others in the colony, was limited in its extent. In
1635, the General Court ordered that " no new building should
be built more than half a mile from the meeting-house in
any new plantation." This order was probably passed for
greater safety against the Indians, and appears to have been
enforced in Concord about eight years, after which the settlement
began to be much more extended.
Many of the first settlers were men of acknowledged wealth,
enterprise, talents, and education, in their native country. Seve
ral were of noble families. The Rev, Peter Bulkeley brought
more than 6,000 pounds sterling, the Hon. Thomas Flint 4,000, and
iThe town received its name in 1635, and not, as here stated, " since "
1636. If the purchase took place before the act of incorporation, Mr. Jones
could not have been present ; if in 1636, he was. These errors in the
depositions, not materially afifecting their importance, probably arose from
their being given from memory.
2

10 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1636.
Others had very respectable estates. Many of them were men of
literary attainments. Mr. Bulkeley became an author of distin
guished celebrity. William Wood, if, as is probable, he was the au
thor of " New England's Prospect," was a man of considerable intel
ligence and sagacity. But they were eminently a religious people
partaking largely of the spirit which governed the companies that
first landed at Plymouth, Salem, and Boston. Having been per
secuted in their native country, and deprived of the liberty of wor
shipping God, and enjoying His ordinances, agreeably to their
views of Scripture and duty, they accounted no temporary suffering
or sacrifices too great to be endured, in order to be restored \o their
natural rights, and to freedom from religious oppression. Though
some were men of fortune and eminence, and from their infancy
had been unaccustomed to hardship, they cheerfully gave up all
their personal comforts, crossed the ocean, and planted themselves
in this lonely wilderness to endure suffering, for which no pecuni
ary compensation would have been adequate. No purpose of
worldly gain could have prompted so hazardous and expensive an
enterprise. It was emphatically a religious community seeking a
quiet resting-place for their religious enjoyments and religious
hopes. The remark, in reference to the whole colony, that
" God sifted a whole nation that he might send choice grain over
into this wilderness," ^ might, with propriety, be applied to the
resolute and pious fathers of this town. Though they came fi-om
various parts of England, they were united, and had high hopes of
happiness and religious prosperity, and emphatically lived in
Concord. Nothing but the unexpected hardships, peculiar to
their situation, could have produced contrary, but almost necessary
results. The following extract is from Johnson's "Wonder-working
Providence." » Being an inhabitant of Woburn, and often asso
ciated with the citizens of Concord in public business, the author
had good opportunity to become familiariy acquainted with its
eariy history. This account may, therefore, be received with
more implicit faith, than some of that author's statements of facts ;
and, for its curiosity and information, is worthy of insertion in this'
connexion.

1 Lt. Governor Stoughton's Election Sermon.
2 2 Mass. Hist. Coll. vol. iii. pp. 156-159. Written about 1650.

1636.] GENERAL HISTORY. n
" Upon some inquiry of the Indians, who lived to the North
West of the Bay, one Captaine Simon Willard, being acquainted
with them, by reason of his trade, became a chiefe instrument in
erecting this towne. The land they purchase of the Indians, and
with much difficulties travelling through unknowne woods, and
through watery swamps, they discover the fitnesse of the place ;
sometimes passing through the thickets, ^-^vhere their hands are
forced to make way for their bodies passage, and their feete clam
bering over the crossed trees, which when they missed they sunke
into an uncertaine bottome in water, and wade up tp their knees,
tumbling sometimes higher and sometimes lower. Wearied with
this toile, they at end of this meete with a scorching plaine, yet not
so plaine, but that the ragged bushes scratch their legs fouly, even
to wearing their stockings to their bare skin in two or three hours.
If they be not otherwise well defended with bootes or buskings,
their flesh will be tome. Some of them being forced to passe on
without further provision, have had the bloud trickle downe at
every step. And in time of summer, the sun casts such a reflect
ing heate from the sweet feme, whose scent is very strong, that
some herewith have beene very nere fainting, although very able
bodies to undergoe much travel. And this not to be indured for
one day, but for many ; and verily did not the Lord incourage
their natural parts (with hopes of a new and strange discovery,
expecting every houre to see some rare sight never seen before),
they were never able to hold out and breake through." * * *
" After some dayes spent in search, toyling in the day time as for
merly said, like true Jacob, they rest them on the rocks where
the night takes them. Their short repast is some small pittance
of bread, if it hold out ; but as for drinke they have plenty, the
countrey being well watered in all places that are yet found out.
Their further hardship is to travell sometimes they know not
whither, bewildred indeed without sight of snn, their compasse
miscarrying in crouding through the bushes. They sadly search
up and down for a known way, the Indian paths being not above
one foot broad, so that a man may travell many dayes and never
find one." * * * "This intricate worke no whit daunted
these resolved servants of Christ ,to go on with the worke in hand ;
but lying in the open aire, while the watery clouds poure down
all the night season, and sometimes the driving snow dissolving on

jg HISTORY OF CONCORD. ' [1636.
their backs, they keep their wet cloathes wanne with a continued
fire, till the renewed morning give fresh opportuiiity of further
travell. After they have thus found out a place of aboad, they
burrow themselves in the earth for their first shelter under some
hill-side, casting the earth aloft upon timber, they make a smoaky
fire against the earth at the highest side. And thus these poore
servants of Christ provide shelter for themselves, their wives and
little ones, keeping off the short showers from their lodgings, but
the long raines penetrate through to their great disturbance in the
night season. Yet in these poor wigwams they sing psalmes,
pray and praise their God, till they can provide them houses,
which ordinarily was not wont to be with many till the earth, by
the Lord's blessing, brought forth bread to feed them, their wives
and little ones, which with sore labours they attain ; every one
that can lift a hoe to strike it into the earth, standing stoutly to
their labours, and tear up the rootes and bushes, which the first
yeare bears them a very thin crop, till the soard of the earth be
rotten, and therefore they have been forced to cut their bread very
thin for a long season. But the Lord is pleased to provide for
them great store of fish in the spring time, and especially Ale-
wives about the bignesse of a Herring. Many thousands of these '
they used to put under their Indian come, which they plant in
hills five foote asunder, and assuredly when the Lord created this
corn, he had a speciall eye to supply these his people's wants with
it, for ordinarily five or six grains doth produce six hundred. Ap-
for flesh they looked not for any in those times (although now
they have plenty) unlesse they could barter with the Indians for
venison or rockoons, whose flesh is not much inferiour unto lambe.
The toil of a new plantation being like the labours of Hercules
never at an end, yet are none so barbarously bent (under the
Mattacusets especially) but with a new plantation they ordinarily
gather into church fellowship, so that pastors and people suffer the
inconveniences together, which is a great means to season the sore
labours they undergoe. And verily the edge of their appetite
was greater to spiritual] duties at their first coming in time of
wahts, than afterward. Many in new plantations have been
forced to go barefoot, and bareleg, till these latter dayes, and
some in time of frost and snow ; yet were they then very healthy
more than now they are. In this wildernesse worke men of es-

1638.] GENERAL HISTORY.

13

tates speed no better than others, and some much worse for want
of being inured to such hard labour, having laid out their estate
upon cattell at five and twenty pound a cow, when they came to
winter them with in-land hay, and feed upon such wild fother as
was never cut before, they could not hold out the winter, but or
dinarily the first or second yeare after their coming up to a new
plantation, many of their cattell died, especially if they wanted
salt-marshes. And also those, who supposed they should feed
upon swines flesh were cut short, the wolves commonly feasting
themselves before them, who never leave neither flesh nor bones,
if they be not scared away before they have made an end of their
meale. As for those who laid out their estate upon sheepe, they
speed worst of any at the beginning (although some have sped
the best of any now) for untill the land be often fed by other cat
tell, sheepe cannot live, and therefore they never thrived till these
latter days. Horse had then no better successe, which made
many an honest gentleman travell a foot for a long time, and some
have teven perished with extreme heate in their travells. As also
the want of English graine, wheate, barley, and rie, proved a sore
affliction to some stomacks, who could not live upon Indian bread
and water, yet were they compelled to it till cattell increased, and
the plowes could but goe. Instead of apples and pears, they had
pomkins and squashes of divers kinds. Their lonesome condition
was very grievous to some, which was much aggravated by con-
tinuall feare of the Indians approach, whose cruelties were much
spoken of, and more especially during the time of the Pequot
wars. Thus this poore people populate this howling desert,
marching manfully on (the Lord assisting) through the greatest
difficulties, and sorest labours that ever any ^vith such weak
means have done."
Additional grants of land were occasionally made, adjoin
ing Concord, after the first purchase. On the 2nd of May,
1638, Governor Winthrop had 1,200, and Thomas Dudley 1,000
acres granted them below Concord. When they came up to
view it, " going down the river about four miles, they made choice
of a place for one thousand acres for each of them. They offered
each other the first choice, but because the deputy's was first
granted, and himself had store of land already, the governor
yielded him the choice. So, at the place where the deputy's

j4 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1642.
land was to begin, there were two great stones, which they called
the Two Brothers, in remembrance that they were brothers by
their children's marriage, and did so brotherly agree, and for that
a little creek near those stones was to part their lands. At the
court, in the 4th month after, two hundred acres were added to
the governor's part." ^ The governor's lot lay southerly, and the
deputy governor's northerly of those rocks, and they were divided
by a little brook, which may now be seen a short distance below
Carlisle bridge. Governor Winthrop selected (judiciously, I think)
a lot in Concord, which "he intended to build upon," near where
Captain Humphrey Hunt now fives. The changes, which took
place in his property and family, probably prevented him from
putting his plan into execution.
In Nov. 1639, 500 acres of land were granted to Increase Now-
ell Esq. " on the north side of the bounds of Concord beyond the
river against the governor's 1200 ; " and 500 acres to the Rev.
Thomas Allen of Charlestown, on the north side of Mr. Nowell's ;
and, Oct. 7. 1640, to the Rev. Thomas Weld of Roxbury 533
acres, next to Mr. Allen's.^ Another tract of 400 acres was also
granted to Mr. Atherton Hough. All these lands were sold about
1650 to John and Robert Blood, and comprised what was after
wards known as the Bloods' Farms, which became a part of Con
cord, and which will be hereafter noticed.
About this time the Rev. Peter Bulkeley had 300 acres granted
him towards Cambridge ; and Mr. William Spencer 300 acres,
" beyond Concord by the Alwife River."
It appears that the inhabitants were not well satisfied with their
situation ; and that other places, either adjoining the town or at
a distance from it, were sought, to which they might remove.
In a petition on this subject to the General Court, it is said :  ¦
'' Whereas your humble petitioners came into this country about
4 years agoe, and have since then Hved at Concord, where we
were forced to buy what now we have, or the most of it, the con
venience of the town being before given out : your petitioners
having been brought up in husbandry, of children, finding the
lands about the town very barren, and the meadows very wet
1 Winthrop's Journal, vol. i. p. 264. The Colony Records give a more
particular description of this and the subsequent grants
a Col. Rec.

1644.] GENERAL HISTORY. 1 5
and unuseful, especially those we now have interest in ; and
knowing it is your desire the lands might be subdued, have taken
pains to search out a place on the north west of our town, where
we do desire some reasonable quantitie of land may be granted
unto us, which we hope may in time be joined to the farms al
ready laid out there to make a village. And so desiring God to
guide you in this and all other your weighty occasions, we rest
your humble petitioners." This petition is signed by Thomas
Wheeler, Timothy Wheeler, Ephraim Wheeler, Thomas Wheel
er, Jr., Roger Draper, and Richard Lettin; is dated Sept. 7.
1643; and endorsed by the court— "We think some quantitie
of land may be granted them provided that within two years
they make some good improvement of it."
The uplands, which the first planters selected for cultivation,
proved to be of a poor quality ; and the meadows were unexpect
edly much overflowed with water. All the fish and other ma
nure which were applied to enrich the sand hills east of the
village were useless. These were causes of great disappoint
ment and suffering. Among other projects to make the mead
ows dry, one was formed and then considered practicable, to
deepen the channel of Concord river at the falls " to drain the
water off." A petition was presented to the court, the first year
after the incorporation of the town, which produced the following
order, dated Sept. 8, 1636. " Whereas the inhabitants of Con
cord are purposed to abate the Falls in the river upon which their
towne standeth, whereby such townes as shall hereafter be planted
above ] them upon the said River shall receive benefit by reason
of their charge and labour: It is therefore ordered that such towns
or farms as shall be planted above them shall contribute to the
inhabitants of Concord proportional both to their charge and ad
vantage." This subject continued to be agitated for several years. Nov. 13,
1644, Herbert Pelham, Esq., of Cambridge, Mr. Thomas Flint -
and Lt. Simon WiHard of Concord, and Mr. Peter Noyes of Sud
bury, were appointed commissioners " to set some order which may
conduce to the better surveying, improving, and draining of the
meadows, and saving and preserving of the hay there gotten,
either, by draining the same, or otherwise, and to proportion the
charges layed out about it as equally and justly (only upon them

16 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1644.
that own land) as they in their wisdom shall see meete." All
their efforts, however, were unavailing. Johnson says " the
rocky falles causeth their meadowes to be much covered with
water, the which these people, together with their neighbour
towne [Sudbury] here several times essayed to cut through but
cannot, yet it may be turned another way with an hundred pound
charge." A canal across to Watertown or Cambridge was then
considered practicable at a " hundred pound charge ! "
'"' In addition to these difficulties, it is intimated by Mather, au
thor of the Magnaha, that others arose between the ministers and
the people, which were settled by calling a council after the
abdication of one of them. Some refused to bear their proportion
of the public charges ; and the town continued to decrease in
population. Some families returned to England, others removed
to older, and others to newer settlements. In 1644, a large num
ber went to Connecticut with the Rev. John Jones. The griev
ances of the people were set forth in a petition to the General
Court. "To the Wor:ll Governor, Deputy Governor, with the rest
of the Assistants and Deputies of the Court now assembled. The
humble petition of the Inhabitants of Concord sheweth :
" That whereas we have lived most of us at Concord since our
coming over into these parts, and are not conscious unto ourselves
that we have been grosly negligent to imploy that talent God hath
put into our hands to our best understanding ; Neither have wee
found any special hand of God gone out against us, only the pov-
ertie and meannesse of the place we hve in not answering the
labour bestowed on it, together with the badness and weetnes of
the meadowes, hath consumed most of the estates of those who
have hitherto borne the burden of charges amongst us, and there
with the bodily abilities of maney. This being soe eminent
above what hath befallen other plantations, hath occasioned many
at severall times to depart from us, and this last summer, in the
end of it, a 7th or 8th part of the Towne weijt to the southward
with Mr. Jones [the Rev. John Jones] and many more resolved to
goe after them, so that maney houses in the Towne stand voyde
of Inhabitants, and more are likely to be ; and we are confident
that if conscience had not restrained, fearing the dissolution of
the Towne by their removeall, very many had departed to one

1645.] GENERAL HISTORY. I7
place or other where Providence should have hopefully promised
a livelihood. " This our condition we thought it our duty to informe you of,
fearing least if more go from us we shall neither remayne as a
congregation nor a towne, and then such as are most unwilling
to depart, whiles there remayne any hopes of ordinance amongst
us, will be enforced to leave the place, which if it should come to
pass, wee desire this may testify on the behalf of such, it was
not a rnynd unsatisfyed with what was convenient, which occa
sioned them to depart, but meerly to attaine a subsistence for
themselves and such as depend on them, and to enjoy ordinances.
If it be sayd, wee may go to other places and meete with as many
difficulties as here, experience herein satisfies us against many
reasons. Such as hardly subsisted with us, and were none of the
ablest amongst us, either for labour or ordering their occasions,
have much thriven in other places they have removed unto. Our
humble request is you would be" pleased to consider how unable
we are to beare with our brethren the common charges, the prem
ises considered. Richard Griffin Robert Fletcher
Joseph Wheeler Walter Edmonds
Timothy Wheeler WiUiam Hunt
George Wheeler William Wood
John Smedley James Blood
Thomas Bateman Joseph Middlebrooke
These in the name of the rest."
This petition was presented 14 May, 1645, and is attested by
the proper authorities. It is endorsed ; — " We conceive the peti
tioners of Concord should (in consideration of the reasons alledged
in this petition) be considered in their rates ; but how much, wee
leave to those that are appoynted to assess the several towns when
any levie is to be made." ^ )

1 A colony tax of £1,200 was assessed in 1640,

£800 in 1642, £616 in

1645, and another tax in 1676. The following table shows the relative pro

portions which a few of the towns paid

.

Toions. 1640, '42, '45, '76.

Toions.

1640, '42, '45, '76.

Boston, £179 120 100 300

Watertown,

£90 55 41 45

Cambridge, 100 67 45 42

Concord,

50 25 15 34

Charlestown, 90 60 55 180
3

Sadbury,

¦ — 15 11 20

18 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1645.
These difficulties hastened the settlement of other towns.
About half of the original petitioners of Chelmsford were citizens
of Concord. All of them, however, did not remove thither.
Groton, Lancaster, and other towns, received some of the early
inhabitants when they were settled. To restrain this spirit of
emigration, the General Court passed the following order in 1645 :
" In regard of the great danger that Concord, Sudbury, and
Dedham will be exposed unto, being inland Townes and but thinly
peopled, it is ordered that no man now inhabiting & settled in any
of the s'd Townes (whether married or single) shall remove to any
other Towne without the allowance of the majistrates or the se
lect men of the towns, untill they shall obtain leave to settle
again, or such other way of safety to the s'd townes whereupon
this Court or the Council of this Commonwealth shall sett the In
habitants of such s'd towns at their former liberty." ^
Concord was probably less populous from 1645 to 1650 than at
any other period. Johnson had that time in view, when speaking
of the statistics of this town. " This Towne," says he, " was
more populated once than now it is. Some faint-hearted souldiers
among them,-fearing the Land would prove barren, sold their pos
sessions for little, and removed to a new plantation, which have
most commonly a great prize set on them. The number of fam
ilies at present are about 50. Their, buildings are cqnveniently
placed, chiefly in one straite street under a sunny-banke in a low
levell. Their herd of great cattell are about 300 ; the church of
Christ here consists of about 70 soules ; their teaching elders
were Mr. Buckly, and Mr. Jones, who removed from them with
that part of the people, who went away, so that onely the reverend
grave and godly Mr. Buckly remaines." ^
The following chronological items, collected from the colony
records and other sources, are given as matters worthy of preser
vation here, and as showing the care exercised by the General
Court over the towns. November 2, 1637, Robert Fletcher was
chosen constable of Concord. Thomas Brooks was in the same
office the next year. March 12, 1638, Lt. Willard was allowed
" to sell wme and strong water " ; and at the same Court an order

1 Colony Piles. a g Mass. Hist. Coll. rql. III. p. 154.

1645.] GENERAL HISTORY. I9
passed, that " the fi:'eemen of Concord, and those that were not
free, which had hand in the undue election of Mr. Flint, should
be fined 6s. 8d. a piece." In 1639, Mr. Flint, Lt. Willard, and
Richard Griffin, were appointed "to have the ending of small
matters this year." They were reappointed the two next years.
June 4, 1639, William Fuller, " who kept the mill built by Mr.
Bulkeley by the ' Mill-dam ' was fined three pounds for gross abuse
in over-tolling." In 1640, Lt. Willard, Thomas Brooks, and
William Wood, were appointed, under a law, " for valuing horses,
mares, cows, oxen, goats, and hoggs," in Concord. The town
paid its taxes this year in such property.* The same year, Thomas
Flint was allowed to many in Concord and Sudbury. In 1641,
George Fowle was appointed " for the breading of Salt-petre in
some out-houses used for poultry and the like," under penalty of
12s. A company was incorporated this year "to carry on the
beaver trade," of which Simon Willard was appointed superin
tendent. Mr. John Bulkeley was paid 40s. for services as a
soldier.^ " At Concord a bullock was killed, which had in his maw a ten
shilling piece of English gold, and yet it could not be known that
any had lost it." ^ In April, 1641, a house and child were burnt in
Concord ; fire having been put into a stack of hay standing near, by
another child, while the people were at meeting on the Sabbath.^
Cattle then ran at large on " commons," as they were called ;
and each town was required^ by an act of the General Court, to
have a mark placed upon its respective cattle.

CHAPTER n.

Efforts to civilize the Indians. — Eliot begins the Work. — Effects at Nonantum
and at Concord. — Laws for the Indians. — Opposition, — Eliot's Labors and
Petition. — Nashobah — Notices of several Indians. — Account of the Pray
ing Indians. — Nashobah sold.
It would be inconsistent with my -design to portray at length
the general character of the Indians, or give a full view of the
1 Colony Records. 2 Winthrop, vol. II. p. 310. 3 2 Hist. Coll.

20 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1645.
eariy efforts to civilize and Christianize them. This is properiy
the province of the historian of the State or Country. So far,
however, as they were made within our own territory, or in con
nexion with the native inhabitants, it will be proper that the local
historian should describe them ; and, more especially, since erro
neous statements have been promulgated by writers whose au
thority is received with implicit faith.
One of the objects of the original settlers of the colony, as ex
pressed in their charter, was to " win the Indians, nadves of the
country, to the knowledge and obedience of the only true God
and Saviour of mankind, and the Christian faith." When they
were actually surrounded by the natives, this object was not for
gotten, though nothing effectual was done till nearly sixteen years
after their arrival.
Squaw Sachem, at Concord, Kutshamikin, sachem at Dorchester,
Musconomok, sachem at Ipswich, and Nashacowin and Wassa-
mug, ^ two sachems near Wachusett, made a formal submission to
the Enghsh government on the 8th of March, 1644, and put
themselves and their subjects under its protection. In their exam
ination, as to their moral and religious views, they express their
desire, " as opportunity will serve and English live among them,"
to learn " to read God's word, to know God aright, and to worship
him in his own way." Two sachems (Pumham and Soconono-
cho), near Providence, the preceding June, and PassaconaWay,
sachem at Merrimack, and his sons, on the 20th of the succeeding
June, submitted in like manner. Though the motives of these
Indians might have been selfish, these were considered encourag
ing circumstances by the friends of their civilization. And the
government, 13 Nov., 1644, ordered the county courts " to take
care of the Indians residing within their several shires, to have
thera civilized, and to take order from time to time to have them
instructed in the knowledge of God." ^
These movements, and the disposition shown by particular In
dians,' led some individuals specially to prepare themselves to
instruct them. The Rev. John Eliot of Roxbury was the first

1 The Rev. Samuel Danforth, in his Almanack for 1647, spells these
names as follows: Cutchamakin, Mascanomet, Wassamegen, Nathawanon.
^ ^°'' ^^'^^ ^ See "New England's First Fruits."

1646.] GENERAL HISTORY. 2j
and most distinguished in these Christian labors. He has justly
been^styled the " Apostle, not a whit behind the chiefest Apos
tles." He preached his first sermon Oct. 28, 1646, on the high
grounds east of Newton corner, afterwards cahed Nonantum,—
" a place of rejoicing," where he was joyfully received by Waban
and several other Indians, who assembled to hear him. Four
other meetings took place there, the llth and 26th of November,
and the 4th and 9th of December.
The Rev. Thomas Shepard of Cambridge, in his " Clear Sun
shine of the Gospel," informs us, that "the awakening of these
Indians raised a great noyse amongst all the rest round about us,
especially about Concord ^ side, where the Sachem [Tahattawan],
as I remember, and one or two more of his men, hearing of these
things, and of the preaching of the Word, and how it wrought
among them here, came tlierefore hither to Noonanetum to the
Indian Lecture ; and what the Lord spake to his heart wee know
not, only it seems he was so farre affected, as that he desired to
become more like to the English, and to cast off those Indian,
wild, and sinfull courses they formerly lived in ; but when divers
of his men perceived their sachem's mind, they secretly opposed
him herein : which opposition being known, he therefore called
together his chiefe men about him, and made a speech to this ef
fect unto them, viz. ' That they had no reason at all to oppose
those courses the English were now taking for their good, for
(saith he) all the time you have lived after the Indian fashion un
der the power and protection of higher Indian sachems, what did
they care for you ? They only sought their owne ends out of you,
and therefore would exact upon you, and take away your skins and
yopr kettles, and your wampum from you at their own pleasure,
and this was all that they regarded : but you may evidently see
that the English mind no such things, care for none of your goods,
but only seeke your good and welfare, and instead of taking away,
are ready to give to you : ' with many other things I now forget,
' The Rev. Dr. Holmes, in his valuable " Annals," Vol. I. p 284, errs
in saying " the Indians at the place afterwards called Concord," &c. Con
cord was incorported and named eleven years before. Another expression
" near to the place where Concord now stands " is equally erroneous. It
was then in Concord.

22 HISTORY OF concord; [1646.
which were related to me by an eminent man [Rev. P. Bulkeley ?]
of that town. What the effect of this speech was, we can tell no
otherwise than as the effects shewed it : the first thing was, the
making of certain laws for their more religious and civill govern
ment and behaviour, to the making of which they craved the as
sistance of one of the chief Indians in Noonanetum [Waban ?], a
very active Indian, to bring in others to the knowledge of God ;
desiring withall an able and faithful man in Concord [Simon
Willard] to record and keep in writing what they had generally
agreed upon. Another effect was, their desire of Mr. Eliot's
coming up to them to preach, as he could find time, among them :
and the last effect was, their desire of having a town given them
within the bounds of Concord near unto the English. This latter,
when it was propounded by the sachem of the place [Tahattawan],
he was demanded why he desired a tovrae so neare, whereas
there was more roome for them up in the country. To which the
sachem replyed, that he therefore desired it because he knew that
if the Indians dwelt far from the English, that they would not so
much care to pray, nor could they be so ready to heare the word
of God, but they would be all one Indians still ; but, dwelling
neare the English, he hoped it might be otherwise with them then.
The towne therefore was granted them."
The following are the orders agreed on at Concord, which Mr.
Shepard assures us were drawn up by " two faithful witnesses,"
and " their own copy with their own hands to it."
" Conclusions and orders made and agreed upon by divers Sa
chems and other principal men amongst the Indians at Concord in
the end of the eleventh Month (called January) An. 1646.
" 1. That every one that shall abuse themselves with wine or
strong liquors, shall pay, for every time so abusing themselves,
twenty shillings.
" 2. That there shall be no more Powwawing amongst the In
dians. And if any shall hereafter powwaw, both he that shall
powwaw,- and he that shall procure him to powwaw, shall pay
twenty shillings a piece.
" 3. They do desire that they may be stirred up to seek after
God. " 4. They desire they may understand the wiles of Satan, and
grow out of love with his suggestions and temtations.

1646.] GENERAL HISTORY. 23
" 5. That they may fall upon some better course to improve
their time than formerly.
" 6. That they may be brought to the sight of the sinne of ly
ing, and whosoever shall be found faulty herein, shall pay for the
first offence five shillings, and the second ten shiflings, and the
third twenty shillings.
" 7. Whosoever shall steal any thing from another shall return
fourfold. " 8. They desire that no Indian heveafter.shall have any more
but one wife.
" 9. They desire to prevent falling out of Indians one with an
other, and that they may live quietly by one another.
" 10. That they may labour after humilitie and not be proud.
"11. That when Indians doe wrong one to another, they may
be lyable to censure, or fine, or the like, as the English are.
" 12. That they pay their debts to the English.
" 13. That they do observe the Lord's ,day, and whosoever
shall prophane it shall pay twenty shillings.
" 14. That there shall not be allowance to pick lice as for
merly, and eat them, and whosoever shall offend in this case shall
pay for every louse a penny.
" 15. They will weare their haire comely as the English do,
and whosoever shall offend herein shall pay four shillings.
" 16. They intend to reform themselves in their former greas
ing themselves, under the penalty of five shillings for every de
fault. " 17. They do resolve to set up praying in their wigwams, and
to seek to God both before and after meate.
" 18. If any commit the sinne of fornication, being single per
sons, the man shall pay twenty shillings, and the woman ten
shillings. " 19. * * * *
" 20. Whosoever shall play at their former games shall pay ten
shillings. "21. Whosoever shall commit adultery shall be put to death.
" 22. Wilful murder shall be punished with death.
" 23. They shall not disguise themselves in their mournings as
formerly, nor shall they keep a great noyse by howling.
" 24. The old ceremony of the maide walking alone and liv
ing apart so many days twenty shillings.

24 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1646.
" 25. No Indian shall take an English man's canooe without
leave under penaltie of five shillings.
" 26. No Indian shall come into an English man's house ex
cept he first knock : and this they may expect from the English.
" 27. Whosoever beats his wife shall pay twenty shillings.
" 28. If any Indian shall fall out with and beat another Indian,
he shall pay twenty shillings.
" 29. They desire they may be a towne, and either dwell on
this side of Beaver Swamp,i ^j. ^^ ^j^q E^gt gjde of Mr. Flint's
Pond. " Immediately after these things were agreed upon, most of the
Indians of these parts setup prayer morning and evening in their
families, and before and after meate. They also generally cut
their haire short, and were more civil in their carriage to the
English than formerly. And they do manifest a great willingness
to conforme themselves to the civil fashions of the English. The
Lord's day they keepe a day of rest, and minister what edification
they can to one another. These former orders were put into this
forme by Captaine Simon Willard of Concord, whom the Indians,
with unanimous consent, intreated to bee their Recorder, being
very solicitous that what they did agree upon myght be faithfully
preserved without alteration.
"Thomas Flint. Simon Willard."
I have not been able to find, after a careful examination of the
Colony Records, that land was then definitely granted, either to the
Concord Indians or to those at Newton ; and I have been led to
doubt whether any grants were made, as has been mentioned by
many writers. The first order was passed 26 May, 1647, four
months after the Concord Indians had adopted their code of laws,
and seven months after Eliot first preached to Waban ; and this
did not relate to grants of land, but to the civil regulations of the
Indians generally, " where they assembled to hear the word of
God." It is probable they lived by sufferance on lands claimed
by the English, prior to their gathering at Natick.^

1 This was ia the Southerly part of Lincoln.
2 Historians speak rather indefinitely, as appears to me, on this subject.
Mention is frequently made of the Natick Indians as a distinct tribe,
whereas none were known by that name till a place was settled in 165o]
and then named Natick, granted like other tracts of land in which to form'

1647.] GENERAL HISTORY. 25
As has been already intimated, these benevolent efforts were
opposed by some of the natives. This opposition arose princi
pally from the powwaws or priests. The Indians universally be-
heved in " the existence and agency " of invisible spirits. " They
worshipped Kitan, their good God, or Hobbamocco, their evil god."
Johnson speaks of them generafly, as being " in very great sub
jection to the Divel," and of the powwaws, as " more conversant
with him than any other." As his agents they pretended to per
form cures by enchantment and witchcraft. So long as the pecu
har sanctHty of their office was recognised by their brethren, their
influence was very great ; and, to say the least, they were " back
friends to religion." Whenever civihzation and Christianity were
introduced, these erroneous notions were corrected, and their
power ceased. Of this they seemed to be aware.
In the discussions produced by the occurrences that have been
described, Wibbacowitts, already mentioned, took an active
part. He asked the English, why some of them had been
twenty-seven years in the land, and never taught them to know
God till then. " Had you done it sooner," said he, " wee might
have known much of God by this time, and much sin might have
been prevented ; but now some of us are grown old in sin, Sic."
To whom the English answered, " We doe repent that we did not
long agoe, as now we doe. Yet withal," they added, " we told
them that they were never willing to hear till now, and that seeing
God hath turned their hearts to be willing to hear, we are desirous
to take all pains we can to teach them."
This opposition prevented their immediate settlement in civil
order, and was considered, says Shepard, " a special finger of Sa
tan resisting these budding beginnings ; " though it did not prevent
the gradual progress of Christianity. The influence of the Rev.
Mr. Bulkeley and other citizens of Concord, as well as of the native

a civil community. The Christian Indians, gathered there from various
tribes, were afterwards called Natick Indians, as the inhabitants of a town
are called by the name of the town. And in regard to Indian titles, when the
claims of Mason were asserted, and the charter forfeited in 1684, the set
tlers in various places endeavoured to get confirmatory deeds and titles to
their land; and obtained such deeds from the Christian Indians, not
because they were in all cases legal heirs, but probably because they could
give as good titles as any in their power to obtain.
4

26 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1650.
Indians, hereafter to be noticed, was great in this Christian enter
prise. Eliot preached about three years at Nonantum and Neponset ;
and also occasionally at Concord and other places. About the
beginning of the year 1648, he " went with Mr. Flint, and Capt.
Willard of Concord, and sundry others, towards Merimack river
unto the Indian sachem Passaconaway, that old witch and powwaw,
who, together with both his sons, fled the presence of the hght for
fear of being killed." In 1651, he made another visit there with
considerable success. In 1650, a township was granted to the
Indians, and called Natick, to which those in the vicinity were
gathered, and denominated Praying Indians. Many of these
were originally inhabitants of Concord, and had taken up a tem
porary residence at Nonantum and other places.
Those who had endeavoured to unite in civil order at Concord
had been frequently disturbed in the places where they settled, as
will appear from the foflowing petition to the General Court.
" The humble petition of John Eliot of Roxbury, in behalfe of
some Indians,. sheweth, — That whereas the Praying Indians have
their dwelhngs in sundry places, and in many respects cannot be
aU brought to any one place, and, in particular, not to that of Na-
tik ; it seemeth therefore very necessary to further theire civile
cohabitation, in sundry fitting places, that so the Saboths may be
sanctified by them, and other poynts of religion and civility may
be promoted among them. And wheras there hath bene and is
much trouble by some of theire shtings downe upon such lands as
are, some way or other, taken into the bounds of grants made to
the English by the honord Gen : Court : These desire as much
as may bee, to fix themselves in such places, as (so far as we
know) are free from any just challenge of any English interest.
" First, therefore, the inhabitants of Nashoba, living 7 or 8 miles
west of Concord, desire to have liberty to make a towne iri y'
place, with due accommodations thereunto. And though Con
cord have some conditional grant of lands y' way, yet I under
stand, that we shall have a loving and Christian agreement betwixt
them and the Indians.
_ " Secondly, the inhabitants of Ogkauhquoukanus [Marlborough],
hvmg about 7 or 8 miles west of Sudbury, where no English have
yet desired any land, desire to have liberty to make a towne in y
place, vidth due accommodations thereunto.

1654.] GENERAL HISTORY. ^1
"Thirdly, the inhabitants - of Hasnemesuhkoh [Graftou], hving
about 16 miles west of Sudbury, desire the like liberty.
"And, they comiting this honord Court, and all the weighty
affaires thereof unto the mercy and goodnesse of the Ld., I rest
your unworthy petitioner
Boston this 4th of the 3d : 54. John Eliot."
This petition was granted, " provided it doe not prejudice any
former grant ; nor that they shall dispose of it without leave
first had and obtayned from this Court." Nashobah, lying near
Nagog Pond, partly in Littleton and partly in Acton, as now
bounded, accordingly became an Indian town ; and here a part of
the Praying Indians in Concord, with others in the vicinity, gath
ered, and adopted civil and religious order, and had a Ruler
and other municipal officers, though no church was formed.
Such as were entitled to Christian ordinances probably went to
Natick to celebrate the communion, after a church was organized
there in 1660.
Nashobah, however, was not a very prosperous community.
Certain rights of its inhabitants to lands granted to Concord in
1655, were sold to Concord in 1660 ; but in 1665, the Court
granted them 2,000 acres more. In consequence of the war,
which was carried on between the Maquas or "Inland Indians,"
and the neighbouring tribes, from 1665 to 1670, this town suffered
severely, and was entirely deserted. Some of the principal men
were killed. After the peace in 1670 it was repeopled, and was
thus described by Gookin in 1674. "The inhabitants are about
ten families, and consequently about fifty souls. The dimensions of
this village is four miles square. The land is fertile, and well
stored with meadows and woods. It hath good ponds for fish ad
joining it. The people live here, as in other Indian villages, upon
planting corn, fishing, hunting, and sometimes labouring with the
Ens;lish. Their ruler of late years was John Ahattawance [Ta
hattawan], a pious man. Since his disease, Pennakennit is the
chief. Their teacher is named John Thomas, a sober and pious
man. His father was murthered by the Maquas in a secret man
ner, as he was fishing for eels at his wear, some years since during
the war. He was a pious and useful person ; and that place sus
tained a great loss in him. In this -village as well as in other old

gg HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1674.
Indian plantations, they have orchards of apples, whereof they
make cider ; which some of them have not the wisdom and grace
to use for their comfort, but are prone to abuse unto drunkenness.
And although the laws be strict to suppress this sin, and some of
their own rulers are very careful and zealous in the execution of
them ; yet such is the madness and folly of man naturally, that
he doth eagerly pursue after that which tendeth to his own de
struction." ^
This gives but a sorry picture of a civilized community;
but it is far from being applicable generally to this, or the other
Indian towns. There were in them some examples of the
Christian character, which would have been honorable in any
community. Some of the most distinguished were of the Muske
taquid Indians.
Tahattawan (sometimes written Tahattawants, Attawan, At-
tawance, and Ahatawance) was a sagamore, or " sachem of the
blood, or chief of the royal line," of Musketaquid ; and appears to
have possessed rights in the soil equal if not superior to Squaw
Sachem ; and hke her to have consented to its sale. What the
connexion between him and Squaw Sachem was,, does not fully
appear. He had a powerful influence over his subjects ; and
was one of those who early attended the preaching of Eliot at
Newton, and spoke, as already mentioned, in favor of forming
a civil community in this town. He was a worthy, upright In
dian. The following members of his family embraced Christi
anity ; and they and their descendants were always among the
most persevering, influential, and exemplary persons at Natick
and Nashobah, — the places to which the different individuals
removed after they left Concord.
-1. Waban married Tasunsquaw, eldest daughter of Tahatta
wan, sachem of Concord. From documents given in this history,
and others in my possession, it appears that he originally lived in
Concord, where he was probably born. He is called " mer
chant "in the records, probably on account of his occupation.
He was not a sachem by birth, as some have asserted, but acquir
ed rights in the soil and assented to its sale, by virtue of his
marriage into the " royal family." After the English settled
' 1 Hist. Coll. vol. i.p. 188.

1674.] GENERAL HISTORY. gg
Concord, he removed to Newton, where, in 1646, as already
mentioned, he became the first convert to Christianity under
the instruction of Eliot. It is said by Shepard that Indians gave
" names to their children, usually according to appearances of
providences; and the most active Indian for stirring up other
Indians to seek after the knowledge of God in these parts is
Waban, which signifies wind; although they never dremt of this,
that this their Waban should breath such spirit of life and incour-
agement into the rest of the Indians, as he hath endeavoured in
all parts of the country both at Concord, Merrimack, and else
where." He assisted in gathering the society and church at
Natick, of which he was chosen chief ruler during his hfe. He
is represented as a man of great prudence, piety, and usefulness.
His confession, or account of his religious exercises of mind, was
published in 1653, and also an exhortation, made in 1653." He
died in the full exercise of the Christian faith in 1674, aged 70.
" His last words immediately before he expired were, I give my
soul to" thee, O my Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Pardon all my
sins, and deliver me from hell. Help me against death, and
then I am willing to die ; and when I die, O help me and relieve
me." 2
His widow was living at Natick in 1684. His son Weegram-
momenet, alias Thomas Waban, received a tolerable education,
and was many years town clerk of Natick.^ His name frequently
appears in Indian deeds, granting rights to the English, which he
acquired rather indefinitely from his father, and like many others
as an associate of the Praying Indians.
2. John Tahattawan, son of Tahattawan, removed to Nasho
bah. He was chief ruler of the Praying Indians gathered there,
and is said to have been a pious, good man. He died about 1670.
He married Sarah, daughter of John, Sagamore of Patucket, who
after her husband's death married again Onamog, one of the rulers
of the Praying Indians at Mariborough, with whom she hved a
short rime only. She was hving at Patucket, as a widow, in Nov.
1675, when she was wounded by some unfriendly whites, and
her, only son by Tahattawan was slain.*
1 Tears of Repentance, p. 8. ^ i Hist. Coll. vol. v. p. 264.
3 Biglow's Hist. Natick. * -Gookin's MS.

30 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1674.
Tahattawan's- sole heir was Kehonowsqua, alias Sarah; and
is first mentioned in the deed of Nashobah given to the Hon. Peter
Bulkeley in 1686, hereafter to be noticed.
3. Naanishcow, alias John Thomas, married Naanashquaw,
alias Rebeckah, another daughter of Tahattawan. His father
had been a leading man at Nashobah, but was murdered by the
Maquas Indians, as has been mentioned. He was teacher at that
place till it was abandoned, when he removed to Natick, where
he died, Jan. 17, 1727, at the great age of 110 years. He
was exemplary through life, and had his reason and speech
till within a few hours of his death. His eldest son was Solomon
Thomas, alias Naashiomenett, who became influential at Natick.
Pennahannit, alias Captain Josiah, who was marshal-general
or high-sheriff to all the Praying-Indian towns, and attended the
chief courts held at Natick and elsewhere, dwelt at Nashobah,
and was chief ruler of that place after the death of John Tahatta
wan. Jethro, alias Tantamous, was present at the first purchase of
Concord. He embraced Christianity and removed to Natick.
In 1674, he was appointed missionary to the Indians at Wesha-
kim [Sterling], but continued there only a short time.
Notices of other Indians, whose names occasionally occur in
connexion with the affairs of Concord, might be given ; but these
are the most prominent.
The missionary labors of Eliot and his associates were attended
with considerable success. At Natick was a kind of theological
seminary, where the natives were educated and sent forth to be
rulers and teachers in other places. The Bible and several other
books were translated and printed in their language, which re
quires the word, Kummogkodonattoottummoootiteaongannunnon-
ash, to express in English " our question." This was indeed a
Herculean task. In 1674, Eliot had organized two churches and
fourteen towns, containing 1100 inhabitants Mvho had ostensibly
embraced Christianity. A part of them only, however, appear
to have been influenced by Christian principles. During Phihp's
war, this number was very much reduced. Many of them be
came treacherous, and were among the worst enemies of the En-

1 1 Hist. CoU. vol. i. p. 195.

1674.] GENERAL HISTORY. 31
glish. Some of them suffered death for their defection.^ The
remainder were gathered in English towns, behaved like exem
plary Christians, and were of essential service to the Enghsh in
Phihp's war. The whole number, on the 10th Nov. 1676, was
567 only, of which 117 were men and 450 women and children.
The Nashobah or Concord Praying Indians, who remained friend
ly to the English, were 10 men and 50 women and children ;
and they then lived in Concord under the inspection of the com
mittee of militia, and the selectmen of the town. The other places
where .the Praying Indians met on the Sabbath for religious wor
ship at this time, were Medfield, Andrew Devens's Garrison
(near Natick), Lower Falls, Nonantum, and Dunstable.^
Some other notices of the Nashobah Indians, while resident
in Concord, will be given when the events of Philip's war are
treated of. After this time, they appear to have nearly abandoned
their plantation, and to have removed to Natick. May 19,
1680, twenty-three inhabitants of Concord petitioned the General
Court that the lands, belonging to those Indians, might be grant
ed to them, but it was refused ; because there were " debts due
from the country which might be provided for by the sale of the
land, if the Indians have no right or have deserted the place."
In reply the petitioners say, " There never were any lands pur
chased of the country for townships." The petition was inef
fectually renewed in 1691. It appears, however, that the Hon.
Peter Bulkeley of Concord, and Maj. Thomas Henchman of
Chelmsford, on the 15th of June, 1686, bought the easterly half
of the Nashobah plantation for £70 sterling. The Indian gran
tors were as follows, " Kehonowsquaw, alias Sarah, the daugh
ter and sole heiress of John Tahattawan, sachem, and late of
Nashobah, diseased ; Naanishcow, alias John Thomas ; Naanas-
quaw, alias Rebeckah, wife to the said Naanishcow ; Naashkino-
menet, alias Solomon, eldest son of said Naanishcow, and Naan-
asquaw, sister to the aforesaid Tahattawan ; Weegrammominet, ,
alias Thomas Waban ; Nackcominewock, relict, of Crooked Rob-

1 Mattoonus, constable at Pakachoog, was executed.
2 I have communicated to the American Antiquarian Society for pub
lication, among other papers, a document in the hand-writing of Major
Gookin, giving a particular account of the disposition of all the Praying
Indians at this time, from which the above facts are taken.

32 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1714.
in ; and Wunnuhhew, alias Sarah, wife to Neepanum, alias Tom
Doublet;" This tract of land was bounded " by Chelmsford plan
tation (about three miles and three quarters) on the eastedy side,
by Concord Village land southward about two miles and three
quarters ; northward it is bounded by land sold by the aforesaid
Indians to Robert Robbins and Peleg Lawrence, both of Gro
ton towne, which land is part of the aforesaid Na.shobah planta
tion, and this line is exactly two miles in length and runs east
three degrees northerly, or west three degrees southerly, and the
south end runs parallel with this line ; on the westeriy side it is
bounded by the remainder of said Nashobah planta_tion, and that
we,st line runs south seven degrees and thirty minutes east, four
miles and one quarter. The northeast corner is about four or
five poles southward of a very great rock that lieth in the line
between the said Nashobah and Chelmsford plantation." ^ The
remaining history of Nashobah properly belongs to Littleton. It
may be well, however, to remark, that in 1714, when that town
was incorporated, 500 acres of land were reserved for the Indian
proprietors. Sarah Doublet, an Indian, was the only heir to it
in 1734, being then old and blind, and committed to the care of
Samuel Jones of Concord. She then petitioned for liberty to
sell it to pay her maintenance ; and it was granted for that pur
pose to Elnathan Jones, and Mr. Tenney. One comer was
near the southeast part of Nagog Pond ; and the south fine ran
279 rods to a point 90 rods south of Fort Pond, then across
the pond, north ten degrees west, 133 rods north of said pond
to a point, and then making a right angle, it ran 286 rods, and
then across Nagog Pond to the first place mentioned.

1 Reg. of Deeds, vol.x. p. 117.

1654.] GENERAL HISTORY-

CHAPTERill,

33

Division of the Town. — Records. — Additional Grants. — Indian Deeds. — Iron
Works built. — Town Farm. — Town of Stow granted. — Chronological Items.
We shall now recur to the civil history of the town from the
time to which it was brought up in the fisst chapter. As the
lands became more cleared, the meadows were somewhat dryer,
and ceased to be a subject of frequent complaint. The inhabi
tants sought other spots for cultivation, more productive than the
sandy ones on which they first settled ; and those that remained
became more contented with their situation. Their numbers
soon after began to increase. Some additional land was granted
to the town ; and parts of the old settlement had become vacant
by the removal of the original inhabitants, A second division of
lands now took place.
The town met several times to consider in what manner this
division should be made. On the 2d of Jan. 1654, it was voted
to divide the town into three parts or quarters, and to have the
lands first divided in the quarters ; but this was no* entirely sat
isfactory to the inhabitants. " Much weariness about these things,"
say the Records, took place before the system was matured. On
the 8th of March, 1654, " at a publique training," nine men were
chosen, " three out of each quarter, empowered by the town to
hear and end former debat, according to their best light, and dis-
cresion, and conscience ; only eight of the nine must agree to
what is determined, or else nothing to be of force ; and none
voted to the contrarie, but Georg Wheeler, Henry Woodies,
Joshua Edmands, William Buttrick, and Thomas Stow." The
labors of this committee resulted in the following agreement : —
" We whose names are under written conclude that 20 acres
of meadow shall be resarved for a minister in the Hogepen-walke
about Annursnake, and 20 acres of plowland out of the south
quarter, and 20 acres of woodland in the east quarter. We
agree also that 20 acres of woodland shall be resarved for the
public good of the towne, lying neer the old hogepen, at each
sid of the townes bounds fine. — That some particular persons
shaU have some inlargement, whoe are short in lands, paying
\2d. per acre, as others have don, and 6d. per acre, if the towne
5

34 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1654.
consent thereto : — the persons are as follow ; Georg Wheeler
20 acres ; Obadiah Wheeler 20 acres ; Michel Wood 12 acres ;
Thomas Daken 10 acres; Thomas Batman 15 acres; Bapties
Smedly 14 acres. These to have second divition as others have
had. That all pooremen in the towne that have not commons
to the number of four, shall be allowed so many as amounts to
foure with what they have already, till they be able to purchase
for themselves, or untill the townsmen shall see cause to take it
firom them, and bestow it on others that want : and we mean
those poore men, that at the present are householders. And
upon these conditions and those that folow, the Hogepen-walke
is resigned up to the north quarter.
" The divitions of the heighwaies are as foloweth ; The
north quarter are to keepe and maintaine all there heighwaies,
and bridges, over the great river in there quarter ; and in respect
of their greatness of charg thareabout, and in regard of the ease
of the east quarter above the rest in there, highwayes, they are
to alow the north quarter three pounds. — The east quarter are
to keepe and maintain ah there heighwayes, and the bridge over
the north rivsr [Darby's bridge] and the heighway there to the
heighland, by estimation 3 or 4 rods, where the commissioners of
Concord and Lanchaster being chosen by there townes to lay
out there hejghwayes did appoint it. — The south quarter are
to keepe and maintaine all there heighwayes and bridges over
the south river, except that at the north river before expressed
that is laid on the east quarter ; the south river bridge being to
be set where the aforesaid comisoners appointed it, as there
agreement declares : and all these heighwayes and bridges are
to be maintained for ever by the quarters on whom they are now
cast. — And it is further concluded that if any damiag shall com
to the towne by the neglect of any part of the towne in any part
of there wayes, that part of the towne so neglecting either bridges
or wayes, shall beare the damage and secure the rest of the towne.
"The limits of ech quarter as foloweth ; — The north quarter
by there familyes are from the north part of the training place
to the great river and aU on to the north sid thereof,— The east
quarter by there familyes, are from Henry Farweles all east
wards with Thomas Brooke, Ensign Wheeler, Robert Meriam,
Georg Meriam, John Adaines, Richard Rice. — The south quar-

1654.] GENERAL HISTORY. 35
ter by there familyes are all on the south and southwest side of
the mill brooke except those before acsprest, with Luke Potter
Georg Heaward, Mihel Wood, and Thomas Dane.
" We doe choose overseeres in ech quarter for the faithful per
formance of there duty in that case in all particulers, so far as
may conduce for the profit and good of there quarters, as to
make rates to pay workmen and to see that all persons come in
seasonable time and keepe them, to there bisiness faithfully, and
keep accounts, and so see the worke suffisiently done ; and they
are impoured to call fitt men and cattle in there quarter to the
worke and pay them there wages ; and if any shall refeuse to
attend these nesery workes there names shall be returned to the
selectmen of the towne, who shah impose find.es according to
law upon all such ofenders in that case. Also the overseeres
as aforesaid shall keep an exact account of there owne time ex
pended, and shall have suffislent satisfaction for the same. The
names of the overseeres as follow ; — for the east quarter. En
sign Wheeler, and WilhamHartwell ; for the north quarter; John
Smedly, and Thomas Batman ; for the south quarter Georg
Wheeler, James Hosmer, Georg Heaward, and sargent Buss.
" This company doe for the present joyne to make rats in
way as foloweth ; — the east end 2d. ^a*te for all menes estates
according as Mr. Bulkeley last rate was mad ; the north quarter
2d. parts ; and the south quarter 4d. parts.
Witness our hands this 7th of the 1st mo. 1654.
' It is further agreed by the Simon Willard
nine men aforesaid, that there Robert Meriam
shall be a parcell of wood lying Thomas Brooks
on the north of the way that go- Joseph Wheler
eth to Lancaster to the number James Blood
of 5 acres, the most whereof is Georg Wheler
pines to be set out to Ensigne Georg Heaward
Wheeler, John Smedly and Thomas Batman
Georg Heaward for the use of ' John Smedlt."
the north bridge.'
Regulations were established in each quarter, similar to those
in wards of a city. Each chose its own officers, kept its own
records, made its taxes, fee. The records of the south quarter (fii'st
commencing in 1654, in the hand-writing of Simon Willard, first

36

HISTORY. OF concord; [1663.
quarter-clerk) are the only ones now extant. The second divis
ion of lands was made in the quarters, and afterwards recorded
in the town book, in which the first and second divisions are
particulariy described. These municipal regulations were con
tinued in force about 50 years ; and the distinction which was
then given to the different parts of the town, is stiU preserved.
To the oldest book of records in the clerk's office in Concord
is prefixed an account of the proceedings of the town in relation
to recording the individual titles to lands, from which it appears,
that " the latter grants of land to particular persons were only
written on paper books [?] as granted, and not in a register booke."
The selectmen were desired to consider the expediency of obtain
ing " a new booke to record them and all other land that men
now doe hold ; " and " the thing jtending to pece and preven
ting of strife," they desired " the help herein" of their/' Rever
end pastor Mr. Edward Bulkeley, Thomas Brooks, and liff. Jo
seph Wheeler, which company sett about it the 25th of Jan.
1663, and at the end of the day, concluded to call a meeting
on the 29th of the aforesaid month, to come to a conclusion
about transcribing every man's land in a new booke so that it
might be for the comfort and peace of ourselves, and posterity
after us." When the town was assembled, it was agreed, that
a new book should be procured, — that "what is in the old
bpoke that is useful shall be transcribed into the new, with
all lands which men now hold ; " — " that every man that hath
not his proportion of lands laid out too him, that is due to him,
shall gitt it laid out by an artis " before 1665 ; — and that each
one should give to the town clerk a description of then- lands,
approvd at a meeting of the inhabitants of the quarter m which
he lives, and certified by the quarter-clerk.^
From these Records I have compiled the following table,
which gives the greater part, though not all of the names of the
proprietors of the town, at that time. The places of their resi
dence, when known, are indicated by the names under which
they now pass.
1 For all the facts thus far in this chapter I am indebted to the the Town
Records. The committee to divide the S. Quarter were William Wood
George Hayward, George Wheeler, William Buss, and John Miles, e'
stands for east quarter ; N, for north quarter ; and S, for south quarter in
the table on the opposite page.

1666.]

GENERAL HISTORY.

37

1
4

Proprietors. JVo. lots. Acres.
Grace Bulkeley, 1 750
Thomas Wheeler, sen. 16 373 E.
Francis Fletcher, , 17 437 E.
Richard Rice, ' 3 189 E.
Widow Heald, 6 161 N.
John Heald, 4 86 N.
William Buttrick, 12 215 N.
John Fhnt, 9 534 N.
James Blood, sen. "> -.^ „^„ ^
James Blood, jun. 3
John Smedly, 17 668 N.
Thomas Bateman, 7 246 N.
Baptise Smedley, 10 186 N.
Humphrey Barret, 11 316 N.
Richard Temple, 5 291 N.
George Meriam, 16 259 E.
John Blood,
Robert Blood,
John Jones,
Joshua Brooks,
Caleb Brooks,
Eliphalet Fox,
Thomas Pehet,
Joseph Dean,
Thomas Pellet, )
Joseph Dean, ^
John Meriam,
William Hartwell,
John Hartwefl,
Nathaniel Ball,
William Taylor,
John Farwell,
Joseph Wheeler,
Wifliam Baker,
Wifliam Buss,
Moses Wheat,
Luke Potter,
Robert Meriam,

Residence. Tax in 1666.
Jotham Wheeler's, 

61 N
169 N,
9 351 N.
11 195 E.
12 150 E.
14 106 E,
1 14
1 22 S.

Joshua Buttrick's,
north of the above,
Jonas Buttrick's,
John Flint's,
Rev. Dr. Ripley's,
south of J. Jones's,
near R. French's,
Ephraim Brown's,
Abel B. Heywood's,
Barrett's Mills,
near Alms-house,
near T. Blood's, do.
James Jones's,
Isaac Brooks's,
Bedford Road,
William Heyden's,

7 244

Virginia road,
Bedford road, do.
do.do.

8 262 E.
20 241 E,
3 17 E
11 137 E,
14 117 E
18 280 E
29 357
5 43 E
19 319 S.
22 339 E,
2t 249 S.
16 595 E. Eb. Hubbard's,

Elijah Wood's, £ 5 IS 2
Bedford road, 
2 10 0

38

HISTORY OF CONCORD.

[1666.

John Heywood,
George Hayward,
Daniel Dean, )
Thomas Gobble, 5
Henry Woodhouse,
Joshua Wheeler,
Boaz Brown,
Thomas Brown,
Nathaniel Bihings, sen.
Nathl. Billings, jun.
John Billings,
John Wheeler,
George Wheeler,
Edward Bulkeley,
Samuel Straiten,
Edmund Wigley,
John Miles,
Thomas Dakin,
James Ht)smer,
Samuel Wheeler,
James Smedley,
John Scctchford,
Michael Wood,
Samuel Hunt,
Ephraim Flint,

13 285 S.
10 505 S.
1 600 S. Jones's tavern

1
11 6

360 S.
77 S.
86 N
14 186 N
4 51 S.
7 196 S.
6 185 S.
1 67 S.
24 434
11 183
6 254
4 31

Joseph Barrett's,
John Vose's,
, The Dakin house,
. Reuben French's
Amos Baker's,

SSS S.
23 459 S. Josiah Davis's,

87 S.
164 S.
21 S.
287 S.
S.

10 120
13 230
13 277

near Cyrus Stow's,
Samuel Dennis's,

750 E. in Lincoln.

1 15 0
3 6 10
1 10 18
2 2 0
5 16
1 19 9

1 6 8
1 13 6
1 1 1

near James Adams's
new Meeting-house,
Alms-house,

1 19 1
3 17 2
1 12 10
1 8 7

1 14 2
4 3 4

It has already been intimated that additional grants of land were
made to Concord about 1652. The following details relate to
these and other grants.
" To the Honored Generall Court assembled at Boston. The
returne of the nommber of acres of land granted as an addition
to the Towne of Concord according to the order of the General
Court in 1654.
" Whereas the Court was pleased to grannt to our Towne a
village some fouer years since upon condition they should im
prove it before others, but neglecting theire opportunity, the plan
tation of Chelmsford have taken a good parte of the same, also
Nattatawants [Tahattawan] having a plaftation granted him which
takes up a good some also, we whose names are subscribed have
taken a survey of 'the rest remayning, and wee finde about seven

1654.] GENERAL HISTORY.

39

thousand acres left out, of which Major WiHard hath two thousand
acres, except a httle part of one end of his farme which lyes in
the place or parcell of vacant land, that was since given to Shaw-
shine, this tract of land being by the last Court granted to our
Towne on this condition that at this Court we should acquaint
the Court of the quantitye of what wee have.
" This is a true copie com- Tho. Brooks
pared with original on file, as it Timothy Wheeler
was exhibited to the GeneraH Joseph Wheeler
Court may 1655 as attest. George Wheeler
George Heaward
Edward Rawson, Secretary. John Jones."
At the same Court, on the 23d, May 1655 " Five thousand
acres of Land were granted to the Inhabitants of Concord for feed
ing, according to their petition, provided it hinder not any former
grants." This was all the tKact of land described in the above
return, excepting the farms belonging to Major Willard. When his
farms were granted I have not been able to find out. One of them
lay in the southeast part of the tract, and the other at the northeast.
This distinguished individual had several subsequent grants. On the
6th of May, 1657, he had, " for services to the colony, 500 acres
of land in any place. where he can find it according to law ; " and
21st May, 1658, he had 500 acres more " on the south side of
a river that runneth from Nashua to Merimack, between Lancas
ter and Groton, and is in satisfaction of a debt of £44 " due
from John, sagamore of Patucket. His execution to be given
up. This farm was laid out in May, 1659, by Thomas Noyes.
The Praying Indians claimed some right to the land granted
to Concord "for an enlargement to the towne;" in consid
eration of which, " the town of Concord doth give to them, the
planters of Nashoba, fifteen pounds at six a penny, which giveth
them full satisfaction. In witness whereof they doe set to their
hands this 20 of the 10 mo. 1660." This agreement was signed
by " Nassquaw, marchant Thomas [Thomas Waban], Wabatut,
great James Natototos — a blind man, Pompant^ and Gomgos,"
by their marks ; and John Thomas, and John Tahattawan, by '
their names ; and witnessed by Joseph Wheeler, John Shepard,
and John Jones.^

I* Town Records. The compensation, mentioned in this agreement,

40

HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1667.

"At a Generall Court held at Boston the llth of October,
1665. In answer to the peticion of Concord for an enlargement
of their bounds, this court doe grant them a tract of land con-
teyned in a plott returned to this court under the hand of En
signe Noyes, by estimation the whole being about five thousand
acres, whereof the court reserveth two thousaad acres to be layd
out to either Indians or English, as this court shall see meete
hereafter to dispose and grant, and the remaynder, being about
three thousand acres, this court grant to Concord so as the same
doe not abridge any former grant made by this court ; and doe
order Leift. Beers and Leift. Thomas Noyes to lay out the same
and to make returne thereof to the next Court of Election.
A true copie. Attest, Edw. Rawson. Seer."
The following is a copy of the return made 25 May, 1667,
and approved by the proper authorities. " We, Richard Beers
of Watertown and Thomas Noyes of Sudbury, being appointed
to lay out and measure to the inhabitants of Concord a tract or
tracts of land next adjoining to their first grant ; in order to
which, we the above said, did lay out and measure unto the in
habitants of Concord their second grant, being five thousand acres
of land granted in the year 1655; as also their grant of three thou
sand acres granted in the year 1665, next adjoining to their first
grant, beginning at the southwest angle of their old bounds [near
Maj. Hayw^rd's], extending their said southerly line upon a
riorwest point, four degrees northerly (according to the Meridian
compas) two miles and 280 rods ; there making a right angle on
a bare hill, and from thence a line upon a northeast point 4 de
grees easterly, two miles one half and fifty rods, there meeting
¦with Nashoba plantation line, running the line of the said planta
tion to their angle one mile one quarter and 60 rods, nearest
hand upon an easterly point, there making a right angle, running
a line, being the line of the Indian plantation, two miles one quar
ter and 60 rods, there being bounded by Chelmsford line and
Bilrica line as is more plainly described by a plott ; in which
plott is contained nine thousand and eight hundred acres of land,
was paid by Lt. Joseph Wheeler, for which the town granted him in 1660
a tract of land "lying between Chelmsford line and the line of Nashoba
township, and joining to the further corner of the great pond." Nagog
Pond appears to have been the southeast corner bound of this township.

1684.] GENERAL HISTORY. 41
one thousand and eight hundred acres being formerly granted to
Major Williard, the other eight thousand being granted to the
inhabitants of Concord, and laid out the 5th May, 1666. Given_
under our hands. Richard Beers, ) <> „
Thomas Notes, \ Surveyors.
The town agreed 20th Jan. 1668, that these additional grants of
land " shall lay for a free comon to the present householders of
Concord, and such as shall hereafter be approved and allowed to
be inhabitants ; except such parts of it as shall be thought mete
to make farmes for the use and benefit of the towne." A full title
was then acquired from the' Indians, though it was thought proper
in 1684, for reasons already mentioned, to obtain the following
confirmatory deeds.
" To all people to whom these presents may come, greeting ;
Know ye that we, Mary Neepanaum, John Speen and Sarah
Speen, Dorothy Winnetow, Peter Muckquamuck, of Natick, and
James Speen, and Ehzaheth Speen, his wife of Waymeset, In
dians, fbr and in consideration of a valuable sum of money to
us in hand payd by Capt. Timothy Wheeler, Henry Wooddis,
James Blood, and John Flint, the receipt whereof we do by these
presents acknowledge, and therewith to be fully satisfied and
contented, have sold and by these presents do sell, alien, enfeofe,
and confirm unto the said Capt. Timothy Wheeler, &;c.^ of Con
cord in the .county of Middlesex in y° Massachusetts Colony,
in New England, for the use and behoof of themselves and the
rest of the proprietors of the s'd town of Concord a certain tract
or parcell of land_ conteyning by estimation a thousand acres, be
the same more or less, and is situate, lying, and being within the
last grant of land by the Generall Court to y° s'd town of Con
cord, and is bounded south-east by Sudbury, and the land of
Stow alias Pompasitticutt, and norwest by the s'd Stow, running
by them upon that line about a mile and a quarter, near to the
hill by the Indians called Naauuhpavil ; and from thence , by a
streight line to the North River at the old bounds of y" s'd town
of Concord, unto them the said Timothy Wheeler, &tc. Sic. to

1 Where " &c." occurs the parties and expressions are repeated.
6

42 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1634.
them, their heirs and successors for ever. And we the said Mary
Neepanaum, &c. do hereby covenant and promise to and with the
foresaid Timothy Wheeler, fee. &c. that we are the true pro
prietors of, and have good right and full power to grant, bargain,
and sell, the above granted and bargained premises unto the said
Timothy, &c. &c. and that the said Timothy, &ic. &c. shall and
may at all times and from time to time for ever hereafter have,
hold, occupy, possess, and enjoy the above granted premises in
full, be the same more or less, without any let, denial, or contra
diction of us the said Mary Neepanaum, &c. or any of us or any.
of our heirs, or any other person or persons whatever, lawfully
claiming or having any right, title, or interest therein, or to or in
any part or parcell thereof. In acknowledgement of this our act
and deed, we have hereto put our hands and seals this fifth day
of May in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty
and four."
All the abovenamed Indians signed this deed — James
Speen by writing his name, and the others by their marks, in
presence of Moses Parker, Noah Brooks, Samuel Wheeler jr.,
Benjamin Bohow and Sarah Bohow (the two last of whom were
Indians), and acknowledged " before Pet: Bulkeley, Assistant."
The foregoing deed applied to the south part of the tract. The
same individuals, in behalf of Concord, bought of " John Thomas,
and Naanoushqua, his wife ; Tasunsquaw, the rehct of Waban,
diseased, and eldest daughter to Tahattawan, Sagamore, diseas
ed ; Thomas Waban, her son ; Solomon Thomas ; John Nasqua ;
James Casumpal, sen., and Sarah, his wife ; and Sarah, the rel
ict widow of Peter Conaway, Indians," for £21 ; by estimation,
8000 acres, lying in " the last grants of land by the General Court
to the town of Concord, and is bounded southeast by the old
bounds of the said town of Concord, easterly partly by Bilrerca,
partly by a farm formeriy layd out by Major Willard for himself,
and partly by Chelmsford, till it meet with Nashoba line, and
then westeriy by the said Nashoba to the southeast corner of the
said Nashoba, then northeriy by the said Nashoba till it meets
with Stow, and so bounded norwest by the said Stow, till it comes
near to a hill by the Indians called Naaccuhpavil, and then run
ning upon a straight line to the North River, at the old bounds
of the said town of Concord." This deed was executed and ac-

1668.] ' GENERAL HISTORY. 43
knowledgedin the same form as the preceding, on the 13th of Aug.
1684 ; and witnessed by Ebenezer Engoldsbey, Joseph Wooley,
Joseph Shambery," and Andrew Pittemey.
These several grants were afterwards known as the " Town's
New Grant," — the " Enlargement of the Town by the General
Court," — and generafly "Concord Vihage"; tiU after about
seventy-five years they were in great part separated from Con
cord and incorporated as the town of Acton.
A company was incorporated, on the 5th March, 1658, " to erect
one or more iron-works in Concord." These were built near the
present Cotton Factory ; and operations were commenced in
1660. The " zinder holes and plates " were cast at Oliver
Purchis's iron-works at Lynn, and put in by Joseph Jenks.
The company had permission, 30th May, 1660, " to digg iron
ore without molestation in any land now in the Court's posses
sion." The southern grant to Major Willard, above mentioned,
was subsequently sold to this company, and became known as
the " Iron-work Farm." It lay partly in Concord, in Acton, and
in Sudbury, as they are now bounded. Nathaniel Oliver, John
Eyre, and Joseph Parsons, of Boston, sold one half of the whole
property of this company, on the 23d May, 1684, then consisting
of the iron-works and 1668 acres of land, to the Hon. Peter Bulke
ley of Concord, and James Russell of Charlestown, for £300.
In 1668 the town leased to Capt. Thomas Wheeler, for 20
years, 200 acres of upland near Mr. Silas Holden's present resi
dence, and 60 acres of meadow lying in several parcels on Nash
obah brook, on condition that he should keep, " except 12 Sab
bath days yearly," a herd of 50 cattle for Is. per head for the
inhabitants, to be paid " one third part in wheat, one third part
in rie or pease, and the other third part in Indian corn." They
were to be constantly watched by a " herdsman," and kept in
a yard at night to protect them from the wild beasts. Capt.
Wheeler agreed to build a house " 40 feet by IS, and 12 stud,"
covered with shingles, and to have a " pair of chimneys " ; and
a barn 40 by 24, and 12 high, to be left for the use of the town
after the ex-piration of the lease.
Lieutenant Joseph Wheeler, by trading with the Nashobah
Indians, became their creditor, aud petitioned the General Court,
in 1 662, for a grant of 200 acres of land at the southeriy part of

44 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1668.
their plantation as payment for his debt ; but it was refused. In
1669, he, with several inhabitants of Concord, petitioned for a
tract of land at Pompasitticutt ; and the Court appointed him,
with John Haynes of Sudbury, William Keriey of Mariborough,
James Parker of Groton, and John Moore of Lancaster, a com
mittee to view it and report at their next session. This report
was made May 11, 1670; and it was found "to contain 10,000
acres of country land, whereof about 500 is meadow. The greater
part of it is very mean land, but we judge there will be planting
ground enough to accommodate 20 families. Also there is about
4000 acres more of land that is taken up in farmes, whereof
about 500 acres is meadow. There is also the Indian plantation of
Nashobah, that doth border on one side of this tract of land, that
is exceedingly well meadowed, and they do make but little or no
use of it." George Hayward, Joseph Wheeler, Thomas Wheeler,
John Hayward, William Buttrick, Sydrach Hapgood, Stephen
Hall, Edmund Wigley of Concord, and Joseph Newton and
Richard Holdridge, petitioned for this tract of land; and it
was granted to them " to make a village, provided the place be
setteled with not less than ten famyles within three years, and that
a pious, an able, and orthodox minister be maintained there."
Daniel Gookin, Thomas Danforth, and Joseph Cook, were appoint
ed " to order the settlement of the village in all respects ; " and
the various proceedings in relation to it resulted in the incor
poration of the town of Stow, May 16, 1683;^ which 'has since
been found able to accommodate more than twenty families !
1 Twelve " foundation lots," containing 50 acres of upland and 15 of
meadow, were at first granted in the following order: — to the Minister,
Boaz Brown, Gershom Heald, John Buttrick, Ephraim Hildreth, Thomas
Stevens, Stephen Hall, Samuel Buttrick, Joseph Freeman, Joseph Darby,
Thomas Gates, and Skadrach Hapgood. Others were afterwards granted.
John Wetherby, Dec. 18, 1679. Richard Whitney,jr. do.
Richard Whitney, sen. June 3, 1680. Jabez Rutter, do.
James Wheeler, April 8, 1681. Thomas Steevens, jr. June 17 1684.
Moses Whitney, do. Boaz Brown, jr. do.
Henry Rand, Jan. 1.3, 1682. Samuel Hall, do.
Isaac Heald, Jan. do. Thomas Darby, June 17, 1684.
Israel Heald, March 13, 1682. Mark Perkins, Jan. 1, 1685.
Benj. Bosworth, Aug. 7, 1682. Richard Burke, sen. March 1, 1686
Thomas Ward, Oct. 24, 1682. Roger Willis, do.

1668.] GENERAL HISTORY. 45
In 1653, Concord subscribed £5 a year for 7 years, for Harvard
CoUege. — Thomas Brooks was appointed in 1654, to earry the
law to prevent drunkenness among the Indians into effect. — The
selectmen petitioned to the County Court, in 1660, that sargeant
Buss might keep an " ordinary " or tavern in Concord, they hav
ing " found much difficulty in procuring such an one as we could
rest wefl satisfied in." — The town agreed in 1668, "thataU
the waste land should pay 2s 6d for every 100 acres for
public charges." In 1672, seventeen articles of instruction were
given to the selectmen by a committee, consisting of Nehemiah
Hunt, John Flint, John Miles, William Hartwell, Thomas
Wheeler, Joshua Brooks, Joseph Haywood, Gershom Brooks,
Humphrey Barret, and John Billings ; from which the 'following
items are extracted : — "3. That care be taken of the Books of
Marters and other bookes, that belong to the Towne, that they be
kept from abusive usage, and not be lent to persons more than
one month at one time." — " 7. To take order that all come fields
be sufficiently fenced in season, the crane field and brickil field
especially. — 8. That incorigment be given for the destroying of
blackbirds and jaies.'-' — " 11. To make a record of all the habi
tations that are priviledged with liberty at commons." — " 14.
To take care that undesirable persons be not entertained ; so as
to become inhabitants. — 15. To take care that persons do not
overcharge their commons with cattle. — 16. That ah persons^
that have taken the oath of fidelity be recorded."
Concord was presented in 1660 for not having a common
house of entertainment, and ordered to get one before next Court
under penalty of 2s 6d. Richard Temple recovered 20s dam
age of John Gobble for calling him a " Lying rascal."
Benj. Crane, Dec. 23, 1682. Thomas Williams, do.
Joseph Wheeler, April 19, 1683. Stephen Handell, March 10, 1686.
Jabez Brown, Jiine 15, 1683. Benj. Crane.
These were the original inhabitants of Stow. Those in Italics went
from Concord.

46 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1675.

CHAPTER IV.
Philip's Wak.- State of the Country. - Garrison Houses. -Expedition to
Brookfield. -Proceedings of Government; and of the Town. — Lancaster
burnt. -Christian Indians in Concord. - Feelings towards the Indians. -
Abraham and Isaac Shepherd killed. - Groton burnt. - People remove to
Concord. -Proceedings of Government. - Sudbury Fight. - Henchman s
Letters. — Soldiers at Concord. — Christian Indian Soldiers. — War Taxes.
We are now to record the events of a most interesting period in
the history of New England, remarkable for the occurrence of the
most distressing Indian war that ever desolated the country.
Though Concord suffered little in comparison with many other
towns, yet the part her citizens took in this war is deserving of
particular notice.
At this time the number of warriors in the five nations of Indians
in the immediate vicinity of the English settlements, as has been
noticed in the commencement of this history, was estimated at
about 1800 ; the whole number of English inhabitants in New
England at 120,000; and the effective military force of the four
United Colonies at 16,000 ; of which Massachusetts had nearly
three fourths. She had twelve troops of cavalry of 60 men each.
The county of Middlesex then contained 17 incorporated towns,^
and its militia was embraced in one regiment. A majority of
these towns were but recently settled by inhabitants living remote
from each other, without even tolerably good roads to facilitate
their intercourse.
Concord then contained a foot, and part of a horse company.^
In 1654, an expedition had been undertaken by the United Colo-
1 Charlestown, Watertown, Medford, Cambridge, Concord, Sudbury,
Woburn, Reading, Maiden, Lancaster, Chelmsford, Billerica, Groton, Marl
borough, Dunstable, Mendon, and Sherburne. Worcester County was not
incorporated till 1731.
2 The former was organized in 1636, when Sergeant Willard was ap
pointed to exercise it. He was appointed Captain in 1646, and promoted to
be Major in 1654. In 1662, the County Court made the following appoint
ments in this company. Timothy Wheeler, Captain ; Joseph Wheeler,
Lieut ; Wilham' Buss, Ensign; Richard Rice, Thomas Bateman, and
Thomas Wheeler, sen. Sergeants ; William Buttrick, Samuel Stratten, and
John Scotchford, Corporals. The Horse Company was organized Oct. 13,
1669, embracing some soldiers in the adjoining towns. Thomas Wheeler

1675.] GENERAL HISTORY. 47
nies against Ninigret, principal Sachem of the Naraganset Indians,
when 250 foot and 40 horsemen were raised and " sent - fourth
under the Christian and courageous Major Willard of Concord as
commander in chief." ^ Several of the Concord troops accompa
nied him ; and this was the first time that our early settlers were
engaged in war.
At Wamesit (Lowell), Nashobah (easterly part of Littleton),
Okommokamesit (Marlborough), and several other places near the
frontier English settlements were incorporated Indian towns, contain
ing in 1676 about 500 inhabitants, including women and children,
who had ostensibly embraced Christianity, and were friendly to the
whites. At length jealousies arose among the unfriendly Indians
against these and against the English ; and Philip, the bold chief of
the Wampanoags at Mount Hope, determined to destroy their infant
settlements, and exterminate the inhabitants. To aid him in this
barbarous conspiracy, be endeavoured to obtain the alliance of all
the neighbouring tribes ; and in most instances he effected his
designs. The government ordered that garrison-houses should be erected
in the several towns, or that dwelling-houses already built should be
fortified, which were to serve as a kind of fortress into which the
inhabitants, by districts or companies, might collect at night, or in
case of an attack. Houses were also erected for the accommoda
tion of military watches, which were maintained in each town to
perform patrol duty, and forewarn the inhabitants of danger.
We have no other means than tradition to ascertain the number
or situation pf the garrison-houses in Concord. The house now
occupied by Dr. Hurd was originally one ; another stood near
John Flint's ; another near Meriam's comer ; two others within the
present limits of Bedford ; another near John Hosmer's ; and
another near Silas Holden's. An Indian fort was built near Nash
obah Hill in Littleton, then in Concord. These were not all.
The number and situation varied, at different times, for the subse
quent twenty years.
was appointed first Captain ; Thomas Henchman, Lieut. ; and Henry Wood-
house, Quarter Master. This was the second and western horse company
in the county, and from it the present Concord Light Infantry descended.
1 Mather's Relation, p. 69. See Hoyt, Antiquarian Researches, p. 70.

48 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1675.
Though several acts of hostility had been committed in Ply
mouth Colony, the Nipmuck Indians, residing near the centre of
the present limits of Worcester county, had not fully united with
Philip in his blood-thirsty designs of extermination. And since
some of these were Praying Indians, the government flattered them
selves that they might be reclaimed and enlisted permanently on
their side. Having professed friendship and promised fidelity to
the Enghsh, a mission was sent forth to meet these Indians at
Quabaug (Brookfield). Capt. Edward Hutchinson was commis
sioned to negotiate a treaty ; and Capt. Thomas Wheeler of
Concord, with 20 or 25 of his company, was ordered to go with
him, as a guard, and to assist in the objects of the expedition.
Two* sons of old Robin Petuhanit of Grafton, Sampson and Jo-
seph,i and George Memecho, three Christian Indians, accompa
nied them as guides and interpreters. They marched from Cam
bridge to Sudbury, 28th July, 1675 ; and arrived at Brookfield
1st August, when they found the Indians were assembled about 10
miles distant. Four messengers were sent to acquaint them with
the intentions of the English, but an alarm was raised, and the
Indians assumed a warlike attitude. The messengers endeavoured
to convince the Sachems of their peaceful intentions ; and they
promised to meet the English the next morning a short distance
from Brookfield. They doubted whether to proceed ; yet, being
urged to go by the inhabitants of Brookfield, they marched to the
place assigned for holding the treaty. Finding no Indians there,
the company continued their march, contrary to the advice of their
guides, four or five miles further near to a swamp, when they were
suddenly attacked by 200 or 300 Indians. Eight were killed by
the first fire, and three wounded, among whom were Capt. Hutchin
son and Capt. Wheeler. Capt. Wheeler had two horses shot under
him, and received a ball through his body. Seeing this, his son,
whose arm was then fractured by a ball, dismounted, and placed his
wounded father upon his own horse; and himself mounting another
whose rider had been killed, they both escaped. The surviving
1 Sampson was afterwards killed near Wachusett. Joseph was taken
and sold as a slave to go to the West Indies. His wife and two children
taken captive with him, were redeemed by the Rev. Mr. Eliot ; and she was
employed two years after to teach a school among the Indians at Concord
She IS represented as being a very sober. Christian woman. Gookin's Ms'

1675.] GENERAL HISTORY. 49
English retreated to Brookfield, and had scarcely entered the town,
before it was set on fire in various places by the pursuing enemy.
All the houses (20) were consumed excepting one, in which the
inhabitants and the company were gathered. In this distressing
situation, Capt. Wheeler appointed Lt. Simon Davis of Concord
and two others to take the command, being disabled himself; and
gave orders to Ephraim Curtis of Sudbury, and Henry Young of
Concord, to proceed to Boston to give information of these lament
able occurrences to the. Council. After two unsuccessful attempts to
proceed, in which they were driven back by the Indians and Young
was killed, Curtis escaped. On his arrival at Marlborough, he
met Major Simon Willard and Capt. James Parker of Groton with
46 men, who had been despatched to scout between Marlborough,
Lancaster, and Groton. On hearing of the sufferings of the people
at Brookfield, he altered his course, and rushed on immediately to
their relief. He arrived late in the evening of the 4th of August,
just in time to save the lives of a few of the English, who still
survived ; when the engagement was renewed with vigor, and
continued most of the night. Towards the morning of the 5th,
the Indians were compelled to retreat. They lost 80 men killed
and wounded. The inhabitants of Brookfield suffered the total
loss of their houses and property. Twelve or fifteen of the English
fell in this hard-fought battle, of whom Samuel Smeadly, Henry
Young, and some others, belonged to Concord.^
A part of the company remained there on account of their
wounds nearly a month ; the remainder came away about a fortnight
after the battle. " The 21st of October, 1675, was kept in Con
cord, by Capt. Wheeler and those who returned with him, as a day
of praise and thanksgiving to God for their remarkable and safe re-
1 The assertion first published by Rev. Mr. Fiske, and by many writers
since, and recently with additions by the author of the History of Plymouth
Colony, in relation to the conduct of Major Willard at Brookfield, in Aug.
1675, is entirely destitute of truth. He was in commission, in February
and March, 1676, and in a letter from the secretary of the colony now be
fore me, dated Feb. II, 1676, he was requested " to be in a readiness if he
should have a full command over the forces to be sent forth from this colony."
He also received, just before his death in April, the highest number of
votes but two in the choice of eighteen gentlemen for magistrates. These
honors would not have been conferred, had the other assertion, resting en
tirely on tradition, been true. t
7

50 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1675.
turn, when the Rev. Edward Bulkeley preached a sermon to them
from Psalm cxvi. 12 : ' What shall I render to the Lord for all his
benefits towards me ? ' " ^
Though important services had been rendered to the country by
the Praying Indians, yet such a great and indiscriminate prejudice
had arisen among the common people against aU natives, that the
very name of Indian had become hateful. Under these circum
stances the government passed an order, 30th August, 1675,
to confine ah the Praying Indians to five towns ; and none were
allowed to go a mile from any town under forfeiture of their lives.
The same day, 15 of the Christian Indians were unjustly seized
at Mariborough, and carried to Boston, bound neck to neck.
They were confined in prison neariy a month before their trial,
which resulted in their honorable acquittal. This was done by a
captain without authority, but was a most unfortunate occur
rence for the country, and the cause of much of the subsequent
trouble.^ In October, 1675, the government ordered that the militia of
Suffolk and Middlesex be "'put in a posture of war ; and be ready
to march at a minute's warning to prevent danger ; " and at the
same time authority was given to Capt. Timothy Wheeler " to
impress an able gunsmith to repair to Concord to be resident there
for the fixing up of arms from time to time during the war for this
and the towns adjacent." " Committees of militia," somewhat
resembling the committees of safety in the revolution of 1775, were
appointed in the several towns. The Hon. Peter Bulkeley was
chairrhan of that committee in Concord. He and Joseph Dudley
were appointed in November to " attend the forces that are now to
go forth against the enemy, and to be ministers unto them."
About the last of November, the Nashobah Indians removed to
Concord ; and December 13th, Major WiHard, the Rev. Mr. Eliot,
and Major Gookin, were appointed to order their settlement. They
1 A narrative of this expedition, written hy Capt. U'heeler, was publish
ed, from which the foregoing facts aje principally taken. It was reprinted,
with notes, by John Farmer, Esq. in Vol. II. of the N. Harap. Hist. Coll. from
the original edition in the library of the Essex Historical Society, where
may also be found a copy of Mr. Bulkeley's Sermon above alluded to.
2 The assertion of many writers, that these Indians were suspected of
treachery, does not appear true after reading Gookin's MS. account of this
affair.

1675.] GENERAL HISTORY. 51
were placed under the care and superintendence of Mr. John
Hoar, "the only man in Concord," says Gookin, "who was
wHling to do it. He was compensated by being exempted from
impressment and taxation. They had pitched their wigwams on
his ground near his house. This man was very loving to them,
and very diligent and careful to promote their good, and to secure
the English from any fear or danger by thera." ^ The excitement
generally was so great, that the Natick Indians had been previously
carried to Deer Island for fear of being attacked by the English.
From this time depredations continued to be frequently commit
ted by the unfriendly Indians on the frontier settlements ; and not
withstanding the precautions of the government, the friendly Indians
occasionally suffered unjustly from the enmity of the whites.
Companies of soldiers were often sent for the relief of these suffer
ing towns, in which Concord was usually represented.^
On the first of February, 1676, the Indians burnt the house of
Thomas Fames of Framingham, and £330 12s. worth of property,
and either killed or carried into captivity his wife and nine chil
dren. The next day orders were given to Major Willard to raise
a party of troops to scour the country between Groton, Lancaster,
and Marlborough. Similar orders were given to Major Gookin in
relation to the country between Marlborough and Medfield. In
telligence was brought to Major Gookin, Feb. 9th, at 10 o'clock
(evening), by Job Kettenanet, one of the Christian Indians who
had been sent out as spies, that 400 of the enemy were at Mene-
mese, and had already marched forth intending to burn Lancaster the
next day. He immediately sent orders to Marlborough, Concord,
and Lancaster, mustering forces for the defence of Lancaster forth-
i Gookin's MS.
2 Soldiers often volunteered on these occasions. When they could not
be obtained in this manner, they were impressed into the service. Precepts
were Issued by the committees of militia in the several towns to the con
stable ; and none were freed from his arbitrary will, except by a special act
of the government. Nathaniel Pierce, with several others, of Concord,
were pressed in September, 1675, went to Springfield, and continued in the
service nearly a year, till they were thus liberated. Daniel Adams belong
ed to a party which went from Concord to Groton when that town was de
stroyed. He fired from Willard's garrison and killed an Indian. It is
impossible, however, to ascertain the names of all those who were engaged
in this bloody war; but it is said that nearly all the able-bodied men bore
arms in defence of their homes, at some time during this conflict.

52 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1676.
with ; and 40 soldiers were collected and marched from Marlborough
under Capt. Wadsworth by break of day. But notwithstanding they
succeeded in getting possession of one of the garrisons, they could
not prevent the Indians from carrying their threats into execution.
Lancaster then contained about 50 families, out of which the Indi
ans killed and captured forty persons. Among the latter were Mrs.
Rowlandson and her children, the family of the minister. By
the bold and successful exertions of Mr. John Hoar of Concord,
in connexion with Tom Doublet, and Peter Conaway, Christian
Indians of Concord, they were subsequently redeemed from cap
tivity. Hubbard says the Indians burnt a house and murdered
three persons in Concord, on the 19th of February, but who they
were I know not.
About the 21st of Feb., says Gookin in the manuscript before
quoted, " there befel another great trouble to the Christian Indi
ans of Nashobah, who sojourned in Concord. The Council had
by several orders empowered a committee, who, with consent of
the selectmen of Concord, settled those Indians at that town,
under the government and tuition of Mr. John Hoar. The
number of those Indians was about 58 of all sorts, whereof were
not above 12 able men, the rest were women and children.
These Indians lived very soberly and quietly "and industriously,
and were all unarmed, neither could any of them be charged
with any unfaithfulness to the English interest. In pursuance of
this settlement, Mr. Hoar had begun to build a large and conven
ient work-house for the Indians, near his own dwelling, which
stood about the midst of the town, and very nigh the town watch-
house. This house was made, not only to secure those Indians
under lock and key by night, but to imploy them and set them
to work by day, whereby they earned their own bread ; and in an
ordinary way (with God's blessing) would have lived well in a
short time. But some of the inhabitants of the town, being in
fluenced with a spirit of animosity and distaste against all Indians,
disrelished this settlement, and therefore privately sent to a cap
tain of the army [probably Capt. Mosely], that quartered his com
pany not far off at that time, of whom they had experience that
he would not be backward to put in execution any thing that ten
ded to distress the Praying Indians. For this was the same man
that had formeriy without order seized upon divers of the Pray-

1676.] GENERAL HISTORY. 53
ing Indians at Marlborough, which brought much trouble, and
disquiet to the country of the Indians, and was a great occasion
of their defection. This captain accordingly came to Concord with
a party of his men upon the Sabbath day into the meeting-house,
where the people were convened in the worship of God. And
after the exercise was ended, he spake openly to the congrega
tion to this effect, " that he understood, there were some heathen
in the town committed to one Hoar, which, he was informed,
were a trouble and disquiet to them ; therefore if they desired it
he would remove them to Boston." To which speech of his,
most of the people being sHent, except two or three that encour
aged him, he took, as it seems, the silence of the rest for consent,
and immediately after the assembly were dismissed, he went with
three or four files of men, and a hundred or two of the people,
men, women, and children at their heals, and marched away to
Mr. Hoar's house ; and there demanded of him to see the Indi
ans under his care. Hoar opened the door and showed them
to him, and they were ah numbered and found there. The cap
tain then said to Mr. Hoar, that he would have a corporal and
soldiers to secure them ; but Mr. Hoar answered there was no
need of that for they were already secured, and were committed
to him by order of the Council, and he would keep and secure them.
But yet the captain left his corporal and soldiers there, who were
abusive enough to the poor Indians by ill language. The next
morning the captain came again to take the Indians, and send
them to Boston. But Mr. Hoar refused to dehver them unless
he showed an order of the Council ; but the captain could show
him no other but his commission to kill and destroy the enemy.
Mr. Hoar said these were friends and under order ; but the
captain would not be satisfied with his answer, but commanded
his corporal forthwith to break open the door, and take the Indi
ans all away, which was done accordingly ; and some of the sol
diers plundered the poor creatures of their shirts, shoes, dishes,
and such other things as they could lay their hands upon^ though
the captain commanded the contrary. They were all brought
to Charlestown with a guard of twenty men. And the captain
wrote a letter to the General Court, then sitting, giving them an
account of his action. This thing was very offensive to the Coun
cil, that a private captain should (without commission or some

54 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1676.
express order) do an act so contradictory to their former orders,
and the governor and several others spake of it at a conference
with the deputies at (he General Court, manifesting their dissatisfac
tion at this great irregularity in setting up a m Hilary power in op
position to the chief authority of the country, declaring of what
evH consequence such a precedent was, instancing the evH effects
of like practices in England in later times, urging that due testi
mony might be borne against the same, by the whole court. The
deputies seemed generally to agree to the reason of the magis
trates in this matter, yet, notwithstanding, the captain (who ap
peared in the Court shortly after upon another occasion) met with
no rebuke for this high irregularity and arbitrary action. To con
clude this matter, those poor Indians, about 58 of them of all
sorts, were sent down to Deer Island, there to pass into the fur
nace of affliction with their brethren and countrymen. But all
their corn and other provision, sufficient to maintain them for 6
months, was lost at Concord, and all their other necessaries except
what the soldiers had plundered. And the poor Indians got very
little or nothing of what they lost, but it was squandered away,
lost by the removal of Mr. Hoar, and other means, so that they
were necessitated to live upon clams as the others did, with some
little corn provided at the charge of the Honorable Corporation
for the Indians, residing in London. Besides, Mr. Hoar lost aH
his building and other cost, which he had provided for the enter
tainment and employment of those Indians, which was consid
erable." It appears from a manuscript letter of Mr. Hoar in my posses
sion, that the Enghsh were very insolent to the Indians, and
threatened to destroy them. One of the Lancaster soldiers, sta
tioned at Concord, snapped his gun three rimes at -one of them
whHe standing at Mr. Hoar's door. It is beheved, however, that
this prejudice existed rather among the soldiers, who had witnessed
the horrid barbarities of the Indians in other places, and who did
not distinguish justly between the friends and enemies of the Eng
lish, than among the citizens generally. By the influence of this
class of men, the unfortunate occurrences detailed above were
brought about.
About the middle of February, Abraham and Isaac Shepherd
were killed near Nashobah in Concord village, while threshing

1676.] GENERAL HISTORY. 55
grain m their barn. Apprehensive of danger, says tradition, they
placed their sister Mary, a giri about fifteen years old, on a hiH a
httle distance off to watch and forewarn them of the approach of an
enemy. She was, however, suddenly surprised and captured, and
her brothers were slain. She was carried captive into the Indian
settlements, but with great heroism made her escape. While the
Indians were asleep in the night, probably under the influence of
spirituous liquors, she seized a horse, which they had a few days
before stolen at Lancaster, took a saddle from under the head of
her Indian keeper, mounted, swam across the Nashua river, and
rode through the forest to her home.^
On the 15th of February, a party attacl^ed Joseph Parker of
Chelmsford with his friends, who had been to visit Major WHlard.
The latter part of this month they burnt Medfield, and killed 20
of the inhabitants; and on the 13th of March neariy aH of Groton
was reduced to ashes. Major WiHard was engaged in this battle.^
A company from Concord, and another from Watertown were also
there. March 10th, says Hubbard, a man going after hay was
kdled in Concord.
March 14th, the Council ordered "that the committees of mili
tia of Concord and Sudbury, doe forthwith impress so many carts
as may bee sufficient to bring off the goods and provisions be
longing to the people left at Lancaster, unto Concord or any other
towne, they desire to come unto ; and for guarding the said carts
it is ordered that Sargant Lamson, commander of the garrison
soldiers at Lancaster, do send two files of soldiers, to guard the
said carts up and down." Besides the inhabitants of Lancaster,
several of Groton and other frontier towns resided in Concord till
after the peace. The proprietors of Groton held a meeting here,
Dec. 12, 1677, when many of them bound themselves to rebuHd
the town. They commenced the next year.
The government of the colony, justly apprehensive of the dan
gerous condition of the frontier towns, appointed a committee on
1 Hubbard. Foster's Century t:ermon, p. 25.
a Major Willard and his company remained there several days. They
were ordered, on the 16th, if they had " issued that business of Groaten, at
least done what you can, and no likelihood of your reaching or eng.ageing
the enemy, that you with your forces thereabout keep so scouting or rang
ing towards Marlborough, as may seasonably give present relief and fur
ther prevent what increase may be." Colony Files.

56 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1676.
the 15th of March, consisting of Capt. Hugh Mason of Watertown,
Jonathan Danforth of Cambridge, and Richard Lowdon, to con
sider the best means to be provided for their safety. After con
sulting " the several towns in the county of Middlesex with refer
ence to the best means for the preservation of our out-towns, re
mote houses, and farms," they submitted the following propositions,
March 28th, which were approved.
" 1. That the towns of Sudbury, Concord, and Chelmsford be
strengthened with forty men a piece, which said men are to be
improved in scouting between town and town, who are to be com
manded by men of prudence, courage, and interest in the said
townes : and the parties in each towne are to be ordered to keep
together in some place comodious in the said towns, and not in
garison houses : and these men to bee upon the charge of the
country. " 2. That for the security of BiHerica there be a garrison of a
number competent at Waymesett [Lowell], who may raise a thou
sand bushels of corn upon the land of the Indians in that place ;
and may be improved daily in .scouting and ranging the woods be
tween Waymesett and Andover, and on the west of Concord river
on the east and north of Chelmsford, which wiH discover the ene
my before he comes to the towns, and prevent lurking Indians
about our towns. Also they shall be in readiness to the sucor of
any of the three towns at any time when in distress ; also shall be
ready to joine with others to follow the enemie upon a sudden
after their appearing.
" 3. That such towns as Lancaster, Groton, and Marlborough,
that are forced to remove ; and have not some advantage of settle
ment (peculiar) in the Bay, be ordered to settle at the frontier
towns that remain for their strengthening : and the people of the
said towns to which they are appointed are to see to their accom
odations in the- said towns.
" 4. That the said towns have their own men returned, that are
abroad, and their men freed from impress during their present
state. " 5. That there be appointed a select number- of persons in
each town of Middlesex, who are, upon any information of the
distress of any town, forthwith to repair to the relief thereof; and
that such information may be seasonable, the towns are to dispatch

1676.] GENERAL HISTORY. 57
posts, each town to the next, tiU notice be conveyed over the
whole country, if need be."
Another subject is embraced in the report from which the above
is extracted. The committee were instructed to consider the pro
priety of erecting a " line of stockadoes or stone worke " across
the county, to include Chelmsford, Concord, Sudbury, and the
other most populous places ; but they deemed this inexpedient, on
account of the length of way to be fortified, the difficulty of cross
ing ponds and rivers, the peculiar season of the year, and the
scarcity of laborers. For these and several other reasons the pro
ject was abandoned. It would indeed have been a work of no
small magnitude to erect such a barrier as would have been effect
ual against the incursion of savages. A line of garrison-houses
was, however, erected on the frontiers of all these towns ; and it
is probable that in fixing upon the location of the Christian Indian
towns before the war, reference might have been had to the safety
of the English in case of danger. They served, says Gookin, as a
" wall of defence."
The month of April witnessed other horrible events to this
county. Having destroyed most of the remote towns, the Indians
looked to those remaining, and formed a determination to destroy
them also. At this time they collected in great numbers, and ap
proached nearest to Boston ; and the colonists were called upon to
make the most vigorous defence. On the 21st of April an alarm
was spread abroad that a large number of Indians, said to be 1500,
were about to attack Sudbury. They had already burned several
houses,! ^jj(j the day before kUled Thomas Plympton, and a Mr.
Boon and his son, returning from the west part of the town, where
the former had been to bring the two latter to a garrison-house.*
A company from Watertown, aided by several of the citizens, had
attacked them on the east side of Concord river ; where a severe
battle was fought, and they were compeHed to retreat across it. At
this time several of the citizens of Concord immediately went to
their relief. Arriving near the garrison-house of WaUer Haynes,'
they observed several squaws, who, as they drew near, danced,
shouted, pow.wawed, and used every method to amuse and decoy
them. Eleven of the English pursued and attacked them, but

1 Gookin's MS. 2 Tradition. ^ Ibid.
8

58 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1676
found themselves, too late, in an ambuscade, from which a large
number of Indians rushed upon and attacked them with great fury.
Notwithstanding they made a bold resistance, it was desperate,
and ten of them were slain. The other escaped to the garrison,
where the neighbouring inhabitants had fled for security, which
was bravely defended.^ Of those who were kiUed at this time
belonging to Concord, I have been able to ascertain the names of
five only, — James Hosmer, Samuel Potter, John Barnes, Daniel
Comy, and Joseph Buttrick.
Capt. Samuel Wadsworth of MHton was then at Marlborough,
having been left there to strengthen the frontiers on the return of
the army from the interior. Understanding the situation of Sud
bury, he marched with 32 soldiers to its rehef. Capt. Brocle-
bank, whose quarters had been at Marlborough, also accompanied
him as a conyoy to Boston, where he was intending to go to com
municate with the CouncH. They marched in the night, and feH
into an ambuscade early in the morning, when all but a few, who
escaped to a mill, were slain. These unfortunate soldiers were
buried the next day, principally by a company of Christian Indi
ans, who had been organized and sent out the day before by direc
tion of the English under Capt. Hunting from Charlestown. Four
dead Indians only were found. ^
1 Tradition.
2 It will be perceived that these statements diifer somewhat from Hub
bard, and particularly in the date. He places it on the 18th, while Gookin
in the MS. from which I have extracted, says it was the 21st. I had been
led to adopt the same date previous to seeing that MS. Judge Sewall's JUS.
Journal says: "Friday about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, April 21, 1676,
Capt. Wadsworth, and Capt. Broclebank fall — about 50 men slain 3 miles
off Sudbury — the said town burnt — except ganison-houses." The Mid
dlesex Records, in speaking of the settlement of James Hosmer's estate,
have this expression: "Being slayene in the engagement with the Indians
at Sudbury on the 2fst of the second month [April] in the year 1676." The
order of the Council on the 22d of April afibrds presumptive evidence that
the unfortunate loss cf the Concord party was on the same day, though
Hubbard does not positively assert it. The Roxbury Records say : « Sam
uel Gardner, John Roberts, Nathaniel Seaver, Thomas Hawley, sen., Wm.
Cheaver, Joseph Pepper, John Sharp, Thomas Hopkins, Lieut. Samuel
Gardner, slain by the Indians at Sudbury under command of Samuel Wads
worth, April 27, 1676. This was probably the day of entry, or a mistake
for 2l8t. >

1676.] GENERAL HISTORY. 59
From this time, which was more propitious to the Indians than
any other, their success gradually diminished. This battle was
the turning point. The principal body of the Indians, however,
tarried in the vicinity of Groton, Lancaster, and Marlborough,
whence they could easily make incursions to annoy the English.
On the 22d of AprH, the Council ordered 40 troopers out of Suf
folk, under command of Cornet Jacob Eliot ; and the same num
ber from Middlesex under Major Gookin, to march forthwith to
Sudbury to make discovery, whether " the motion of the enemy
be either toward Concord or Medfield," by visiting the hounds of
those towns, and scouting through the woods. An attack on Con
cord had been expected,^ and this was one of the effectual means
which were promptly taken to prevent it.
On the 26th, six cart-loads of provisions were sent by the gov
ernment to Concord, and John Flint was appointed commissary to
take charge of them. The commander-in-chief engaged to be
there the next day, making that his place of rendezvous. The fol
lowing original letter addressed to Gov. Leverett is deemed wor
thy of publication. " Concord, April 29, 1676.
" Hon'd Sir. — By reason that I had not a guide to go with
me, it was yesterday in the forenoon ere I reached this place,
where I found a few men ; but ere night, all the commanders,
and most of the soldiers that yet appeare, were come up with
the provision. This day we rendezvoused and find a great
defect, an account of which is here inclosed. Upon receipt of
the Hon. Major Gen.'l's letter, I have by advice of the com
manders, as well for the ease of this town as the securing of as
many as we can at present, ordered Capt. SHI to Chelmsford,
Capt. Haughthorn to Bilrica, and Capt. Holbrook to abide here,
1 Tradition has handed down the following anecdote. A considtation
among the Indian chiefs took place about this time on the high lands in
Stow, and, as they cast their eyes toward Sudbury and Concord, a ques
tion arose which they should attack first. The decision was made to at
tack the former. One of the principal chiefs said — " We no prosper, if we
go to Concord — the Great Spirit love that people — the evil spirit tell us
not to go — they have a great man there — he great pray ! " The Rev.
Edward Bulkeley was then minister of the town, and his name and distin
guished character were known even to the red men of the forest.

go HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1676.
and proportioned the horse accordingly ; and am going myself to
Chelmsford about some Indians to be ready in order to what
is in my instructions, and shall wait for further orders as comman
der. I have not yet taken any of our provision, supposing it to be
for us when in motion ; but it is expected by the inhabitants that
we should spend thereof. I crave directions herein. Some things
is much wanting and desired by the captains to be sent for, viz.
flynts, tobacco, liquor, pipes. There is but 29 that appear-
eth of my troop, and not above 7 carbines among them. I de
sire there may be a supply thereof; as also a saddle and case of
pistols for myself; having here borrowed a saddle and left the
tree and skinn that was pressed for me. Colours wanting also
for the troop and one company, and a trumpeter. Not any
appearance of the 30 Norfolkmen. It is desired that some more
of the Indians may be sent to us, hearing them at Chemsford are
fortifying about a fishing-place there. A chyrurgeon with med
icaments is much expected also a minister ; the which I hope may
be procured here. All the commanders, officers, and souldiers,
express much cheerfullness, and have hopes that the defects wiU
be made up ; that we may be in a better capacity to serve the
country. I shall not further inlarge, but to begg your honors
prayers for us. Remaining, Hon. S'r. your, humble servant.
D. Henchman."
May 5th, the court addressed a letter to the Indians, request
ing them to meet the English at Concord or Boston, to find out
their wishes, and try to effect a peace. Concoi"d was now a dis
tinguished mHitary post, and the centre of many of the opera
tions against the enemy .^
The detachments of soldiers for the relief of the frontier towns
were frequent and heavy in May. Early in that month 80 from
the troops of Essex, Suffolk, and Middlesex, were ordered to
repair to Concord for the country service. On the 20th,
270 garrison soldiers from the same counties, were ordered to
be stationed at the foHowing " frontier towns for the better secu-
1 " May 12th, goodwife Devens, and goodwife Kether, upon ransom
being paid, came into Concord ; and upon like ransom presented, John
Morse of Groton, and Left. Carter of Lancaster were set at liberty ; and
more without ransom, as goodman Emery, and his little boy."
Rev. Mr. Cobbet's letter in the Mather papers.

1676.] GENERAL HISTORY. gj
rity of them from the incursions of the enemy." Concord 20
budbury 30, Chelmsford 20, BiHerica 20, Andover 20, HaverhiH
20, Bradford 10, Exeter 20, Medfield 30, Dedham 20, MHton
10, Bramtree 15, Weymouth 15, Hingham 20. These soldiers
were to be maintained at the cost of the several towns, and to
be under the direction of the committees of militia.
Maj. Daniel Gookin succeeded Major Willard after his death
in April, in command of the mHitary forces in Middlesex ; Thom
as Clark was commander in Suffolk, an^ Daniel Denison in Es
sex ; all of whom were in Concord, May 30th. The following
letter was addressed to Gov. Leverett. " Concord, June 2, 1676.
" Hon. Sir, — I did hope with this to send up aH the returns
but have yet received only Capt. Pools here enclosed. The
Major Gen'l was even wearied out about them ; and two Capts.
beside myself stiH labouring under the toHe. My Lt. gave his,
as he tells me, to the Maj : Gen : the rest I shaH dispatch. The
reason of our stay here for two days Mr. Clark who is now going
to Boston will make known, and what is now in hand, being
by the unanimous advice of a council of war, and hopefull. Capt.
Holbrook's return, received while writing, is also inclosed by
S'r Y'r Hon.'s humble servant,
D. Henchman."
Capt. Joseph SHI ^ commanded one of the companies which
were at Concord several months, and was frequently sent out on
scouts. His list was returned with those stated in the above
letter. Letter from the CouncH to Capt. Henchman, dated June 10,
1676. " Capt. Henchman, — The bearer, John Hunter, with ten In
dians was intended a scout for Concord, but, through his much
importunity and our persuasion of his capacity and intention upon
the service, he is dispatched to the enemy, and in lieu of him and
his party we send ten Indians to Concord, for the scout service, and
if possible to attempt something upon PhHip. In marching upward
with him are several sachems, but few fighting men, and having
1 This ofiicer was afterwards sent to the Eastward against the Indians.
See Belknap, Hist. N. H. vol. i. p. 75.

62 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1676.
planted at Pacacheog and Quabadge, they will scarce depart
thence. Deal kindly with Hunter, and as much as may be satis
fy him. His spleen seems to be such against PhHip, that we are
persuaded of his resolution against him."
About this time Capt. Henchman and his company left Con
cord. In a letter to the CouncH, dated Marlborough, llth June,
he says, " Some Indian scouts sent out this day have brought in
Capt. Thom, his daughter, and two chHdren, being found about
ten mHes to the soudest of this place. There was more of them,
viz : two that were gone a fishing, so not lighted of. This com
pany with some others at other places, of which James Prenter ^
is one, did as they say leave the enemy by times in the spring
with an intent to come in to the English, but dare not for fear
of our scouts. These prisoners say that many of the enemy
hereing that there was like to be a treaty with Samuel did intend
to go in to him. Mr. Scott also coming from Concord yesterday
informs me, that one of the old squaws there doth not question
but that if shee may have hberty to go to Samuel, he and his
company will come in to the English."
There had been a company of 80 Christian Indians, friends
to the English, who had acted as spies, messengers, scouts, and
soldiers during the war, whose officers were Capt. Andrew Pitti-
mee, one of the owners of Concord Village ; Quanahpohkit, alias
James Rumney Marsh ; John Magus ; and James Speen. On
the 1st of June, they petitioned for the release of " Capt Thom,
his son Nehemiah, his wife and two chHdren, John Uktuck, his
wife and chHdren, Waanum and her chHd," who were prisoners of
war. The women and chHdren were released, but the others
were executed. " Capt. Thom," say the minutes of their trial,
" was not only an instigator to others, over whom he was made
a captain, but also was actually present and an actor in the de
vastations of some of our plantations." ^ Companies were sent
1 Is he not the same who is mentioned by Thomas, in his History of Prin
ting ?
2 Strict regard was paid to the rights of friendly Indians by the govern
ment. On the 6thof August, 3 squaws, and 3 children, were killed while
picking whortleberries on a hill in Watertown, now in Lincoln. Two
persons were executed for this murder.
" Sept. 21, 1671, Stephen Gobble of Concord was executed for the mur
der of Indians. Three Indians for firing Eame's house and murder. Th«

1676.] GENERAL HISTORY. 53
fi-om this town towards Connecticut river in pursuit of PhHip ;
and after traversing the country in various directions for nearly
two months without finding him, they proceeded towards Rhode
Island, where, with the assistance of some other troops who join
ed them, they killed and captured 150 Indians.^ These and
other instances of success encourged the English, and calmed
the fury of the savages. After a year's absence Philip, reduced
to a miserable condition, returned to his native place, near which
he was kHled, Aug. 12, 1676. One of his own men, whom
he had offended, and who had deserted to the English, shot him
through the heart. His death put an end to this most horrid
and distressing war.
About 3000 warriors were combined for the destruction of
New England, and the war terminated with their entire defeat,
and almost total extinction. About 600 of the English inhabi
tants, the greatest part of whom were the flower and strength of
the country, either fell in battie or were murdered by the ene
my. Twelve or thirteen towns were destroyed and about 600
houses burned.^
A tax was made this year for the support of the war from
which the following items are extracted.^ In consequence of
the losses su,stained by Concord and Sudbury, their taxes were
abated, Concord having £50 abated in May, 1676, and Sudbury
£40.

Boston

£ 300 0 0

Lancaster

£11 16 0

Charlestown

180 0 0

Woburn

25 18 1

Watertown

45 0 0

Marlborough

17 13 0

Cambridge

42 2 0

Chelmsford

14 18 0

Concord

33 19 1

BiHerica

14 7 0

Sudbury

20 0 0

Groton

11 10 0

weather was cloudy and rawly cold, though little or no rain. Mr. Mighil
prayed. 4 others set on the the gallows — two men and 2 impudent wo
men ; one o.f which laughed on the gallows, as many testified."
" Sept. 26, 1676, Sagamore Sam goes, and Daniel Gobble is drawn in a
cart upon bed-clothes to execution. One-ey'd John, Maliompe, Sagamore
of Quaboag, gen'l at Lancaster &c. Jethro (the father) walked to the gal
lows. One-ey'd John accuses Sag. John to have fired the first gun at
Quaboag and killed Capt. Hutchinson." Sewall's MS. Journal.
1 Hubbard. 2 Trumbull, vol.i. p. 350 ; Holmes's, Annals of America,
i. 384. ^ Colony Records.

64

HISTORY OF CONCORD.

[1684.

On the 22d of Jan. 1677, the government made allowance to
the people distressed by the war in Massachusetts ; and allot
ted to the selectmen of the several towns in proportion to their
losses, out of the "Irish Charity," in "meal, oatmeal, wheat,
mak at 18s. per baH, butter 6d. and cheese 4d. per pound." In
the list accompanying this order the following towns appear. ^

Towns. Families.

Persons.

Amount.

Towns.

Families.

Persons.

Amount.

Chariestown 29

102

£15 6

Sudbury

12

48

£7 8

Watertown 19

76

11 8

Woburn

8

43

6 9

Cambridge 14

61

9 3

Billerica

1

4

0 12

Concord 18

72

10 16

Boston

125

432

66 6

CHAPTER V.
Year 1684 important. — Bloods' Farms annexed to Concord. — The Ffty subse
quent Years. — Lovewell's Figfit. — Cuba Expedition. — French War. — No
tices of various Services in the War. — Divisions in the Town and Incorpo
ration of new Towns. — Emigration to other Places.
The events just detaHed reduced the number of the Indians,
and prepared the way for the more safe and peaceable settlement
of remote towns. Most of the temporary residents in Concord
removed to other places, but some became permahent settlers
here ; and the population had increased. The Prescots, Lees,
Minots, Whittemores, Wilsons, &;c. who settled here between
1675 and 1700, were subsequently distinguished in the town.
The year 1684 was a time of great distress in the colony.
The people were told that the titles to their lands were forfeited
with their charter, and now belonged to the king. Under this
pretence they were called upon to take out new patents for their
lands, subject to such fines as should be imposed ; and writs of
ejectment were brought against such as refused to put them out
of their possession. This was tyranny with a witness ! ^ — Un
der these circumstances the depositions and deeds from the Indi
ans already given, were obtained.'

1 The whole list is published in the N. H. Hist. Coll. vol. iii. pp. 102, 103.
2 Murray vol. i. p. 144. 3 gee page. 7, 8, 41, 42.

1684.] GENERAL HISTORY. 65
Some difficulties having arisen between the town of Concord
and Robert Blood, sen. respecting the payment of civH and ec
clesiastical dues, an agreement was made, on the 17th of March,
1685, between him and the Hon. Peter Bulkeley, Henry Wood-
house, and John Smeadly, sen. in behalf of the town, by which
Bloods' Farms, now comprising a large part of the present town
of Carlisle, were annexed to Concord. This agreement, an ex
tract of which is given below, was assented to by Robert Blood,
jun. and Simon Blood, sons of Robert Blood. It specifies: —
" 1. That the said Robert, his heirs and assignes, living within
any peculiar, shaH be from time to time freed and exempted
from all town offices, and also from town rates (except Vhat con
cerns the repairing of the meeting-house or buHding opon that
account) provided the said Robert, his heirs and assignes,\have no
benefit or profit accruing to them from the said town rates\
" 2. That in rates for the ministry the said Robert, his heirs and
assignes, living within any peculiar (as aforesaid) shall bee exemp
ted from the duty laid on waste land, and that in other respects
the said Robert, his heirs and assignes, shall pay to the ministry
according to the rule and custom of the said town.
" 3. That the said Robert, his heirs and assignes, shall (at the
charge of the said town) as occasion doth require, have high
ways according to law laid out for them in order to their conven
ient passing to and from the said town.
" 4. That the said Robert, his heirs and assignes, shaH have meet
places assigned to them in the meeting-house of the said town."
These proceedings distinguish the period from 1684 to 1686
as very important in the history of the town. From this
time its jurisdiction extended over a large territory, including
the original purchase, the " ViHage, or New Grant," part of
Littleton, and Bloods' and Willard's farms ; which was continu
ed till the incorporation of other towns in which parts of this
territory were included.
During the fifty subsequent years few important events mark the
history of the town. The generation who first emigrated from
England had nearly all departed, and others taken their places ;
but with habits and education somewhat different from their fath
ers and peculiar to their own period. Compelled to labor hard to
supply their own necessities, parents had little time or abihty to edu-
9

66 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1711.
cate their chHdren, and the people generally were, in consequence,
less enlightened than the first settlers. More signed legal instru
ments by their marks at this than at an y other period. Their history
(and such is the history of the country generally) exhibits this as
the dark age of New England. Superstition and supposed witchcraft
now prevaHed. Concord, however, was not a bewitched town ; it
never took a part in that horrible delusion. The increase in num
bers, wealth, and intellectual improvement of the people, was
subsequently slow, but progressive.
The government was under the direction of the arbitrary Sir
Edmund Andros from 1687 to 1689. He became so unpopular,
however, that the people, assembling in Boston in April, 1689,
seized and confined him. A company went from Concord under
Lieut. John Heald. In this state of affairs the wishes of the
people, in relation to the government, were solicited, and Con-
cprd voted. May 22, " for the old authority chosen and sworn
in the year 1686, with the deputies then chosen and sent to
the Court to resume their places." The new province charter
was soon after obtained.
A large number of men from Concord took a part in the wars of
William and-Mary and of Queen Anne, and in the various expedi
tions against the Indians from 1688 to 1740 ; and many died.
But our printed and manuscript histories of those times are so
imperfect, that I am unable to state the extent of the services they
rendered, or the names of many of the sufferers. i
Capt. Joseph Bulkeley with a company of 51 soldiers, chiefly
from Concord, was engaged at Groton, Lancaster, and other fron
tier towns in 1704. Penhallow remarks that " Capt. Prescott,
Bulkeley, and WHlard, with their companies, were so vigorous in
pursuing the enemy that they put them aH to flight." The ac
count of Jirovisions furnished to this company mentions among
others the names of " Mr. Choat, Dr. Simon Davis," and several
Indians. Dunstable, Groton, Lancaster, and other frontier towns, were
often attacked by the Indians from 1694 to 1712, and many of
the inhabitants were killed or carried into captivity. Sometimes they
extended their incursions to Chelmsford and Sudbury. Maj.
Tyng was wounded by them in 1711 between Groton and Con
cord, and came to the latter town, where he died. It was ne-

17 25.] GENERAL HISTORY. 67
cess ary at aH times to maintain scouts, garrison-houses, and forts
to protect the inhabitants. Some of the citizens of Concord were
constanriy employed in this manner. Nothing, however, is known
to have occurred of much interest to the inhabitants tiH 1725.
One of the most fierce and obstinate hatties in the annals of
Indian warfare was fought May 8, 1725, at Pigwacket, near
Fryeburg, on Saco river. The Indians in that vicinity had be
come troublesome.; and rewards were offered for their scalps.
Capt. Lovewell with a company of men had kHled 10 of them,
and received at Boston £100 each for their scalps. Encourag
ed by this success, he organized another company of 47 men to
attack the viHages of Pigwacket. They marched from Dunsta
ble, AprH 16th. After proceeding to Ossipee pond, they built a
fort. Benjamin Kidder, being taken sick, was left there, and also
WiHiam Ayer, surgeon of the company, Nathaniel Woods, Zach-
ariah Parker, John Goffe, Isaac Whitney, Obadiah Asten, and
some others ; and were not in the battle. Thirty-three proceeded
on ; and when they arrived near a point of land extending into Saco
pond, they were attacked ; and during a most desperate battle 15 of
them were klHed, or mortally wounded ; 9 others were wounded,
but were able to riiarch. Paugus, the bold Indian chief, was killed
by John Chamberlain under circumstances of bravery, which have
consigned their names, to the lasting rememberance of posterity.
The following are the names of this company.^ From Dunsta
ble, Capt. * John Lovewell ; Lieutenants, f Josiah Farwell and
* Jonathan Robbins ; Ensign, * John Harwood ; Sergeants, J Noah
Johnson, * Robert Usher, and J Samuel Whiting. — From Ando
ver, f Jonathan Frye, Chaplain. — From Weston, Sergeant * Jacob
Fullam. — From Nuffield, Corporal Edward Lynnfield. — From
Woburn, Ensign Seth Wyman, Thomas Richardson, | Timothy
Richardson, * Ichabod Johnson, J Josiah Johnson. — From Con
cord, X Eleazer Davis, * Josiah Davis, J Josiah Jones, David Mel-
vin, Eleazer Melvin, * Jacob Farrar, and Joseph Farrar. — From
Billerica, * Jonathan Kittridge and | Solomon Kies. — From Gro
ton, * John Jefts, * Daniel Woods, * Thomas Woods, X John Cham
berlain, t Elias Barron, J Isaac Lakin, and Joseph Gilsom. —
And from Haverhill, Ebenezer Ayer and Abiel Asten.

1 I have prefixed an * to those who were killed on the spot ; a f to the
wounded and lost on the way; and a t to the other wounded.

gg HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1725.
A remnant of the company returned by the fort and arrived
in Dunstable, May 15th. Four others, Davis, Jones, Fry, and
Farwell, were left behind to endure the most excruciating suffer
ing. After waiting several days, expecting that some one would
return to their assistance, they proceeded on, though their
wounds had become putrid and offensive, and they themselves
nearly exhausted by hunger. After travelling several mHes Fry was
left and lost. FarweH was also lost a few mHes from the fort.
Eleazer Davis, after being out 14 days, came in to Berwick. He
was wounded in the abdomen, and the baH lodged in his 'body.
He also had his right hand shot off. A tradition says, that arriv
ing at a pond with Lieut. FarweH, Davis pulled off one of his moc
casins, cut it in strings on which he fastened a hook, caught some
fish, fried, and ate them. They refreshed him, but were injuri
ous to FarweH, who died soon after. Josiah Jones, another of
the four, was wounded with a ball, which lodged in his body.
After being out 14 days, in houriy expectation of perishing, he
arrived at Saco, " emaciated and almost dead from the loss of
blood, the putrefaction of his wounds, and the want of food.
He had subsisted on the spontaneous vegetabjes of the forest ;
and cranberries, which he had eaten, came out of jvounds he had
received in his body." ^ This is said to have been the case with
Davis. He recovered, but became a cripple. Davis, Jones, John
son, and several others of the unfortunate sufferers in this com
pany, and their widows, were pensioners on the Province many
years ; and the Journals of the General Court show that they
were treated with liberality. The township of Pembroke, N. H.,
originally Suncook, was granted them for their services, on the
petition of David Melvin and 30 others, in 1729.^
War was declared by Great Britain against Spain in Oct. 23, 1739,
and the next year the expedition against Cuba was undertaken.
The inhabitants of the colonies were invited to embark in it. In
presenting the subject to the General Court, and urging prepara
tions to be made for 1000 men. Gov. Belcher said, " it would open
1 Smith's Journal, pp. 141, 142.
2 Some of these facts, beautifully dressed up in fiction, in which Cham
berlain is erroneously said to be from New Hampshire, were published in
the Philadelphia " Album," in 1828. Another paper, describing the enmity
of young Paugus towards Chamberlain, was published in " "The Atlantic

1740.] GENERAL HISTORY. 69
a more extensive, rich, and beneficial trade for ourselves in the
West Indies than we have yet enjoyed." This, and the promise
of booty, and lands in Cuba, as bounties to individual soldiers, and
expectations of being settled there, were the most plausible rea
sons for engaging in this most unfortunate enterprise. Though the
General Court treated the wishes of the governor rather coolly,
yet five companies of 100 men each were raised, and put under
the command of Captains John Prescott of Concord, David Goffe,
Thomas Phillips, George Stuart, and John Winslow. The governor
himself paid the expenses of one company, and Winslow paid that
of his own. They embarked Sept. 23, 1740. Hon. Wm. Gouch
of Virginia was Colonel of the regiment ; Hon. Henry Cope, Lt.
Colonel ; Wm. Blakeley, Adj. General. Gen. Thomas Went
worth commanded the land forces at Cuba ; and Admiral Edward
Vernon,^ the fleet. The whole expedition was under Lord Cath-
cart. After arriving at Cuba, several unsuccessful attempts to accom
plish the objects of the expedition were made. Many of the
Americans were taken sick and died. They were placed on board
Souvenir," in 1829. From the former I extract an account of the interview
between Chamberlain and Paugus, which is substantially confirmed by
tradition. In the engagement their guns had become foul. While wash
ing his out, Chamberlain discovered Paugus, whom he personally knew,
engaged in the same act.
"They slowly and with equal movements cleansed their guns, and took
their stations on the outer border qf the beach. ' Now Paugus,' said
Chamberlain, 'I '11 have you ;' and with the quickness and steadiness of an
old hunter sprung to loading his rifle. 'Na — na — me have you,' re
plied Paugus, and he handled his gun with a dexterity, that made the bold
heart of Chamberlain beat quick, and he almost raised his eye to take his
last look upon the sun. They rammed their cartridges, and each at the
same instant cast his ramrod upon the sand. ' I '11 have you, Paugus,' shout
ed Chamberlain, as in his desperation he almost resolved to rush upon the
savage, with the breech of his rifle, lest he should receive his bullets be-
' fore he could load. The woods across the pbnd echoed back the shout.
Paugus trembled as he applied his powder-horn to the priming ; Chamber
lain heard the grains of his powder rattle lightly upon the leaves beneath
his feet. Chamberlain struck his gun breech violently upon the ground —
the rifle primed herself; he aimed, and his bullets whistled through the
heart of Paugus. He fell, and as he went down, the bullet from the mouth
of his ascending rifle touched the hair upon the crown of Chamberlain,
and passed off without avenging the death of its dreadful master."
1 Mount Vernon, Washington's residence, was named for him.

70 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1740.
Vernon's fleet, and received such treatment as called forth fre--
quent complaints. They were separated into different vessels and
compelled to saH among the West India islands ; 468 were on
board July 6, 1742. It was not long before the remnant, who
had not faHen a sacrifice to the climate and other hardships, re
turned to this country, without accomplishing any of their original
intentions. They were paid off and dismissed, Oct. 24, 1742.
The expedition cost the province £37,500 currency, equal to
£7,000 steriing.i Of the 500 men from Massachusetts, 50 only
returned. Fifteen, beside Capt. Prescott, went from Concord ;
three only returned, — Jonathan Heywood, Eben. Lampson, and
Henry Yours. Tradition says that Thomas Barnes, Zachariah
Blood, Nathaniel Monroe, Sergeant Benjamin Pollard, Aaron
Lyon, and Darius Wheeler, were among those who died there.
The period from 1744 to 1760, was remarkable for the large
drafts of men and money from the town to carry on that series of
wars, which then took place between the Indians and French on
one part, and the English and Americans on the other. Col. John
Fhnt had commanded the regiment of mHitia in which Concord
was included ; and was succeeded by Col. Buckminster of Framing-
ham about 1735. The Hon. James Minott was Lieut. Colonel, and
succeeded to the command in 1756. Most of the orders for men
passed through his hands. There were three foot companies and
a troop in Concord ; and all the able-bodied men from 16 to 60 years
of age were enrolled. They, as well as their arms, were pressed into
the service when required. Sometimes whole companies were call
ed upon to perform actual service at once ; and few escaped the call
at some time, either to go themselves, or furnish a substitute, in
those troublesome wars. What precise amount of service was
rendered by Concord, it is impossible now to ascertain ; and the
insulated facts about to be given present a very imperfect view of
the subject.
Massachusetts furnished 3,250 men in 1745 for the reduction of
Louisburg. David Melvin of Concord commanded a company
1 Vernon's Letters. Holmes's Annals. The other members of Capt.
Prescott's company were enlisted from the neighbouring towns. Twelve
went from Hopkinton ; 1 Mass. Hist. Coll. vol. iv. p. 16, where the year is
erroneously stated to be 1746. See a further notice of Prescott under the
head of College Graduates.

1748.] GENERAL HISTORY. 71
there, and received a wound, of which he died Nov. 18, 1745, in
his 57th year, after his return home. Benjamin Prescott, son of
Dr. Jonathan Prescott, was kiHed there in the May previous.
Amos Row was also kiHed, and Samuel Wood was sick, and be
came disabled. Eleazer Melvin, a brother of the above, was a
lieutenant there, and engaged as captain in several subsequent cam
paigns. During a year from Oct. 1746, he was out, and marched
on an " intended expedition to Canada " with a considerable num
ber of soldiers from Concord. Joseph Buttrick was clerk of the
company. After one of their marches, called the long march, in
which he went to Canada, he returned, and with 25 men went to
Lunenburg for the protection of that town, some persons having
been taken by the Indians there a short time before. From March
to September, 1747, he was stationed at Northfield. Humphrey
Hobbs was his lieutenant, and Thomas Fletcher of Concord, en
sign ; Benjamin Hoar, Benjamin Kidder, and Alexander Heald, ser
geants. Capt. Melvin, with a party of 26 men, went out through the
woods in May as far as Crown Point, where he kiHed several In
dians ; and on his return home, at the head of West river, about
35 mHes from Northfield, he was surprised and attacked by a party
of Indians, who killed six of his men (John Hayward, John Dodd,
Daniel Mann, Isaac Taylor, Joseph Petty, and Samuel Severance.)
The others escaped.^ John Hoar was captured in an engagement at
Fort Dummer July 14, 1748, and remained with the Indians three
months. Mark Perkins was also carried into captivity. Mr. Melvin
died October IS, 1754, aged 52. He was son of John Melvin,
who died 1724, aged 74. GrandchHdren of his are now hving.
On the 23d of September, 1746, a company of 50 men were
detached and marched to Boston on an alarm, on account of an
expected attack from the French fleet under the Duke D'AnviHe.
They returned in ten days. Joseph Hubbard was captain ; Joshua
Brooks, lieutenant ; Jonathan BHlings, ensign; Stephen Wesson,
Amos Heald, Hezekiah Stratten, and Stephen Hosmer, sergeants ;
John Miles and i^benezer Meriam, clerks ; Nathaniel Colburn,
Jonas Heywood, Henry Gould, and Nathan Miles, corporals.
The following names of individuals from Concord, in tlie expedi
tion to Nova Scotia in May, 1755, appear in Winslow's Army Rec-

Doolittle's Narrative, p. 17. Journal of the General Court.

72 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1756.
ol-ds. Charies Bulkeley and Timothy Wheeler, 1st and 2d lieuten
ants in Capt. Osgood's company; and James Fletcher, Samuel
Brown, Thomas Brown, Wm. Wilson, Wm. Stephens, Joseph
Blanchard, John Knowlton, Nathaniel Carter, Wm. Barker, Jona
than Conant, Nicholas Brown, and William Corey, privates.
Ephraim Jones then commanded a company of 92 men. Jacob
Melvin, Nathan Melvin, and Ezekiel Brown were sergeants ; Samuel
Chandler, corporal; and Deliverance Davis, drummer. Nine pri
vates besides in this company were from Concord. Peter Prescott
-also commanded a company there. Daniel Brooks was taken cap
tive near the Bay of Fundy, April 26, 1756.
Capt. Stephen Hosmer commanded a company at Fort Edward.
He left Concord in September, and returned in December, 1755.
Jonathan Hoar, one of the native graduates, was a major in this ex
pedition. Col. James Minott was also there. The Rev. Mr. Bowes,
who had been minister of Bedford, was chaplain of the regiment. The
journal of Capt. Hosmer is before me. While at Fort Edward, he
says: "Nov. 1st. — Sat in a court of enquiry on the complaint of
Maj. Hoar against Col. Gilbert." " Nov. 9. — Sabbath ; Rev. Mr.
Bowes preached." "Nov. 23d. — Col. Minott and the rest of the
commissioners arrived." "Nov. 27th. — Maj. Richardson died at
evening." A company from Acton, under Capt. Gershom Davis,
was mustered with one of the Concord companies in this town,
September, 1755, and soon after marched for Fort Edward.
Jonathan Hoar was lieutenant-colonel in the expedition to Crown
Point in 1756, and aid to Maj. Geft. Winslow. Capt. Peter Pres
cott was there, and was left at Lake George to take care of the sick.
Capt. Jonathan Brooks, with 30 men from this town, marched
on alarm for the relief of Fort WiHiam Henry, Aug. 17, 1757.
They went only to Palmer, and returned in ten days. Oliver
Mileswas out there three months, being wounded, taken prisoner,
stripped naked, and treated in a very cruel manner. Robert Easta-
brook, Jonathan Harris, jr., Joseph Wheeler, and several others
were taken at Fort Edward. The Journal of the General Court
gives 'the following names of "sick and wounded soldiers" in
the Crown Point expedition from this town, who received aid from
government: Amos Parlin, Daniel Brown, drummer, Stephen
Hosmer, Wm. Richardson, John Barker, Samuel Brewer, Sam
uel Wheeler, Samuel Buttrick, Jonathan Buttrick, Amos Hos-

1758.] GENERAL HISTORY. 73
mer, Thomas Billings, Ephraim Brooks, Ephraim Stow, Samtier
Eastabrook, John Robbins, Boaz Brown, Daniel Brewer, Solomon
Whitney, Peter Prescott, Timothy Barrett, Consider Soper, Wm.
Pool, John Savage.
Dr. John Cuming, a Lieut. Colonel in the northern expedition, in
1758, was wounded, and taken prisoner. Daniel Fletcher, a cap
tain from Acton, was also treated in like manner. Capt. Samuel
Dakin, grandfather toDea. Dakin of Sudbury, was killed near Half
way Brook, July 20, 1758. James Hosmer, brother to the late
Elijah Hosmer, was killed at Fort Miller. Phineas Wheeler of Ac
ton, son of Samuel Wheeler, Boaz Brown, and Timothy Heald of
Concord were killed in Major RogSrs's fight, 1758. Abel Farrar
died, Nov; 4. 1758, at Lake George. He had been taken pris
oner at Fort Miller, April 9th. Abel Marshal died at Albany,
Sept. 20, 1758.
The following " sick and wounded soldiers," says the Journal of
the General Court, received aid from the government. Danforth
Howard, John Barker, James Dudley, Zachariah Davis, Reuben
Hosmer, Francis Wheeler, John Barnes, John Darby, John Cragin,
and Wm. Eaton. Jonathan Harris died at Crown Point, Nov.
8, 1761. Thomas Brown and John Flagg died in the public
service, in 1762 ; and John Savage died abroad of the small-pox.
Jonathan Hoar was Lieut. Colonel in the expedition to Nova
Scotia, in 1760. He sailed for that place from Boston, May 10,
1762, as Colonel, with 500 men, 16 of whom were from Concord.
During the period under review in this chapter several divisions
were made in the town. Littleton, Bedford, Acton, and Lincoln
were incorporated. The proceedings in relation to several of
these towns will be given in their respective histories. Some
facts, however, may be properly stated here.
Littleton, about half of which had belonged to Concord, was in
corporated, Dec. 3, 1715, sixty years after it-was first granted to the
Indians and to the English. The first minister was ordained, Dec.
25; 1717, when it is probable thechurch was organized. March 4,
1717, "four families living on the farms called Nashobah, namely,
Walter Powers, John Powers, David Russell, and John Meriam,
were dismissed from the minister's rates in Concord for three years
In May, 1720, they were freed seven years longer.
10

74 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1746.
Twenty-two of the inhabitants of Concord and Chelmsford peti
tioned the General Court, May, 1721, to be annexed to Littleton.
A simHar petition was made, in 1725, and granted, so far as relates
to Concord ; the six families belonging to Chelmsford to con
tinue in the west parish of that town.
When a new town was proposed to be erected, it was customary
first to obtain liberty of the town from which it was to be taken, and
afterwards of the General Court. When leave could not be thus
obtained, a petition was presented directly to the Court. Bedford
was incorporated, Sept. 23, 1729, and Acton, July 3, 1735, after
having belonged to Concord about 100 years, whhout opposition
from the mother town. Thirty-one persons petitioned, Feb. 6, 1738,
to have aH the land lying northwesterly of the North river set off
as a separate township. Fifteen remonstrated, and the petition was
not granted. It was renewed in March, " there being 80 families
north of the river, and able to buHd a meeting-house ; " but it again
met with a like fate.
After repeatedly petitioning the town and the General Court, the
southeasterly part became a precinct, in 1746, and a town, called
Lincoln, April 19, 1754. The north part of the town was incor
porated, in 1754, as the District of Carlisle ; but, the inhabitants not
being able to agree where to place the meeting-house, it was set
back again after three years. Several of the opposers of the Rev.
Mr. Bliss lived in the southwest part of the town, and a petition
was presented, Jan. 4, 1750, for liberty to set up public worship
among themselves, but it was not granted.
The ostensible reason of those, who had endeavoured to be sepa
rated from the main society, was their remoteness from public wor
ship. This was true in some cases, but not always. The cause is
rather to be found in the internal divisions, which wHl be more par
ticularly described in the Ecclesiastical History.
Another peculiar feature of the period under review is seen in the
spirit of emigration which was excited. The discoveries made by
those, who had been engaged in the pul:|Jic mHitary service, as was
the case in the revolutionary and in the last war, induced many to
seek other places, than their native soil, to obtain subsistence and
wealth. Hence we find that an unusual number of new towns were
setded about that time. Many of the worthy sons of Concord left
their native homes ; and many towns in Worcester County and

1746.] GENERAL HISTORY. 75
other places westerly in Massachusetts, in New Hampshire, in Ver
mont, and in Maine, now give evidence that they and their de
scendants were a hardy and industrious race of men.
June, 1723, Thomas Howe and 64 others of Marlborough, Stow,
and Concord, petitioned for a township of land west of Rutland.
The August succeeding, Gershom Rice and 65 others, part of whom
were from Concord,- petitioned for land between " Turkey Hills and
Rutland, including Wachusett." In the same year James Watson,
Samuel Hill, Zerubabel. Eager, and 32 others, inhabitants of Con
cord, Sudbury, Marlborough, and Stow, petitioned for, liberty to
purchase land of the Indians at Hassanamisco (Grafton) .^ Samuel
Chandler of Concord renewed the petition, June 3, 1726. Turkey
Hills, now comprising part of Townsend, Ashby, Fitchburg, and
Lunenburg, were granted principally to the Concord petitioners.
Narraganset township. No. 6, lying west of Pembroke, N. H.,was
granted in 1733 to Concord and 13 other towns, for services ren
dered in Phihp's war, in 1676. Dec. 3, 1735, a township of land
" on the east side of Connecticut river below the great falls," was
granted to John Flint and others of Concord, Groton, and Little
ton. This might have been Keene, since the proprietors of that
town held several early meetings in Concord, and Samuel Hey
wood of Concord was proprietor's clerk. Ephraim Jones and
Daniel Adams of Concord, in 1737, cut out a road from Town-
send to Ashuelot river, and asked the General Court to pay for it.
Refused. Dec. 6, 1737, a township, " eastward of Monadnock
hills on the southern branch of Contoocook river," was granted to
Samuel Heywood, Joseph Wheeler, Joseph Barrett, and sundry
other inhabitants of Concord. Jonathan Prescott, one of the
grantees, called the first meeting. This township might have been
Peterborough, which was afterwards principally owned, and was
named, by Peter Prescott of Concord. Dr. John Cuming, Charles
Prescott, and Joseph Hayward had township No. 5, now includ
ing Cummington and Plainfield, granted them in 1762,
These are a few of many instances in which the enterprising
citizens of Concord were interested in the grants and settlements of
new townships in the then remote wHderness.
1 Christopher C. Baldwin, Esq. has kindly furnished me with a list of the
proprietors of Grafton in 1 728 ; of whom the following were from Concord :
John Flint, Benjamin Barrett, Ebenezer Wheeler, Joseph Barrett, Eleazer
Flagg, Joseph Meriam, Jacob Taylor, Samuel Chandler, John Hunt, and
Joseph Taylor.

76 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1767.
CHAPTER VI.
American Revolution. — Proceedings of the Town. — Act, respecting Tea. —
Non-consumption Covenant. — Sentiments of the People. — County Conven
tion.— People march to Cambridge. — Courts stopped. — Treatment of the
Tories. — Proceedings of the Town. — Provincial Congress meets — Public
Stores.- New Town Covenant. — Minute Companies formed. — Mr. Emer
son preaches. — Expedition of the British Spies. — Provincial Congress. —
Public Stores. — Excitement.
The most interesting period in the history of the United States
is undoubtedly that in which they shook off their allegiance to
Great Britain, and assumed the right of governing themselves.
Much of the spirit of those times may be known from a general
survey of the country, and especially the state of Massachusetts ;
but the main springs of that great revolution, the feelings and acts
of the people, are best understood from the minute histories of the
towns. All, however, are not equally interesting. Some from
their locality, accidental occurrences, or pecuhar patriotism, were
more distinguished than others ; and such, from some of these
circumstances, is Concord. The events of the 19th of AprH,
1775, the proceedings of various state and county conventions
held here, and especially the proceedings of the town, would
afford matter for an interesting volume ; and give to the history
of Concord more than ordinary value. Though I shall draw libe
rally from all my sources of information, this history can con
tain a small part only of the important productions of those
eventful times.
From the commencement of the controversy between England
and the colonies, the citizens of Concord took a rational but de
cided stand in favor of liberty. They watched with interest the
progress of this controversy, and did not fail to express their dis
approbation of the obnoxious acts of the British Parliament. As
early as October, 1767, the town instructed their representative
to oppose the operation of the stamp act, and to unite in all con
stitutional measures, that might be taken to obtain its repeal. In
Dec. 1767, the selectmen were chosen a committee to consider
and report on those measures, " which threaten the country with
poverty and ruin." After accepting their report, the town voted,
"to encourage industry, economy, frugality, and manufactures,

1772.] GENERAL HISTORY. 77
at home and abroad, and to prevent purchasing so much as we
have done of foreign commodities." Capt. James Barrett was
chosen a delegate to the conventioii held in Boston, Sept. 22,
1768, " to consult on the best measures for the good of the prov
ince in this critical day." The spirit of liberty was thus early
and effectually kindled in Concord.
The address of the citizens of Boston, of the 20th of Nov.
1772, relating to the distressed state of the Province, was laid
before this town, Dec. 20th foHowing ; and a committee, consist
ing of Mr. Joseph Lee, Charles Prescott Esq., John Cuming,
Esq., Daniel Bliss Esq., Mr. John Flint, Dea. Thomas Barrett,
Capt. Stephen Hosmer, Capt. James Barrett, and Mr. Ephraim
Wood, jr., was chosen to prepare an answer, and instructions to
the representative of the town. Their reports, made at an ad
journed meeting, Jan. 11, 1773, "after being several times read,
and very coolly and deliberately debated upon," were unanimously
accepted in full town-meeting. They appear at length on the town
records, and express " firm attachment and ardent love to our Most
Gracious Sovereign, King George, in defenceof whose -person and
dignity we are always ready, not only to spend our fortunes
but our hves, while we are in the enjoyment of our inestimable
privileges, granted to us by royal charter : " but specify at the
same time several ways in which these privHeges have been cur
tailed and the charter violated. " As men," they said, " we
have a -right to life, liberty, and property ; as Christians, we, in
this land, (blessed be God for it) have a right to worship God
according to the dictates of our own consciences ; and as sub
jects, we have a right to personal security, personal liberty, and
private property. These principal rights we have as subjects of
Great Britain ; and no power on earth can, agreeably to our con
stitution, take them from us, or any part of them without our
consent." They denied the power of Parliament to tax them
without their consent, and expressed their firm determination,
" never tamely to submit" to any infringement of their liberties.
Several other meetings were held during this year.
The act of Parliament in relation to exporting tea into the
colonies, was laid before the town, 20th of Jan. 1774, and refer
red to a committee. Their report, made at an adjourned meet
ing, held four days afterwards, was, after full discussion, unani-

78 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1774.
mously accepted. It breathes a tone of ardent patriotism and
fearless independence, worthy of the age in which it was produced.
" This town, at this and a former meeting, taking into serious
consideration the present alarming situation of our public affairs,
in consequence of the advice received from the united committees
of correspondence in the vicinity of Boston, communicated to us,
do, expressive of our gratitude to them, freely and cheerfully
give our sentiments thereon.
" We cannot possibly view with indifference the past and pres
ent obstinate and unwearied endeavours of the enemies of this, as
well as the mother country, to rob us of our inestimable rights, that
are the distinguishing glory and felicity of this land ; — Rights that
we are obhged to no power under heaven for the enjoyment of,
as they are primarily the sole purchase, and glorious product of
the heroic enterprises of the first settlers of these American col
onies, under the smHes of Heaven. And though we cannot but
be alarmed at the great majority in the British Parliament, for
the imposition of unconstitutional taxes upon the colonies, yet
it gives life and strength to every attempt in opposing such des
potic measures, that not only the people of this but the neigh
bouring provinces (a few only excepted) are remarkably united
in the important and interesting opposition, which, as it succeeded
before in some measure, by the blessing of Heaven, so we can
not but hope wiH be attended with stiH greater success for the
future. Animated with such a prospect, we cheerfully come
into the following resolves.
" Resolved, 1. That these colonies have been, and are stiH, ihe-
gally and unconstitutionally taxed by the British Pariiament, as
they, are not really or virtuaHy represented therein.
^' 2. That purchasing commodities subject to such illegal taxa
tion is an implicit, though an impious and sordid, resignation of
the liberties and privHeges of this free and happy people.
" 3. That as the British Pariiament, in addition to repeated in-
croachments on our liberties, have empowered the East India
Company to export their tea into America, subject to a duty for
the sole purpose of raising a revenue, which we view as a new
invention, inadvertenUy to catch us in those chains of slavery,
that have long been forged for that purpose, therefore, — We, to
render such vile designs abortive, absolutely and determinately
resolve.

1774.] GENERAL HISTORY. 79,
" 4. That we wHl not, either by ourselves or any from or under
us, buy, seH, or use any of the East India Company's tea, im
ported from Great Britain ; or any other tea, while there is a
duty thereon, affixed by act of Pariiament for raising a revenue
in America ; neither will we suffer any such tea to be made use
of in any of our families. Also resolved, that aH such persons
as shall purchase, or seH, or use any such tea, shall be for the
future deemed unfriendly, and inimical to the happy constitution
of this country.
" 5. That we will, in conjunction with our brethren in America,
risk our fortunes, and even our lives, in defence of his Majesty,
King George the Third, his person, crown, and dignity ; and
will also, with the same resolution, as his free-born subjects in
this country, to the utmost of our power and abHity, defend all
our charter rights, that they may be transmitted inviolate to the
latest posterity.
" 6. That if any person or persons whatsoever, inhabitants of
this province, shall for the future, so long as there is a duty on
tea, import any from the India House in England, or shall be
factors for the East India Company, we will treat them as enemies
to their country, and with contempt and detestation.
" 7. That we think it our duty, at this critical time of our public
affairs, to return our hearty thanks to the town of Boston, for
every rational measure they have taken for the preservation or
recovery of our invaluable rights and liberties. And, should the
state of our public affairs require it, we hope they will still remain
watchful, vigHant, and persevering, with a steady zeal, to espy
out every thing that shall have a tendency to subvert our happy
constitution.
Ephraim Wood, Jb. )
John Flint \ Committee^
Timothy Wheelee, Jr. )
Concord, Jan, 24, 1774."
. Another similar document, showing the peculiar feelings of
those times, was the non-consumption covenant. This was con
sidered and adopted at a town-meeting, June 27, 1774; and was
signed by more than 300 voters.

,80 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1774.
" We the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Concord, hav
ing taken into our serious consideration the precarious state of the
liberties of North America, and more especially the present dis
tressed condition of this insulted province, embarrassed as it is by
several acts of the British Parliament, tending to the entire sub
version of our natural and charter rights ; among which is the act
for blocking up the harbour of Boston : And fully sensible of
our indispensable duty to lay hold on every means in our power,
to preserve and recover the much injured constitution of our coun-
,try; and conscious at the same time of no alternative between
the horrors of slavery, and the carnage and desolation of a civil war,
but a suspension of all commercial intercourse with the Island of
Great Britain : do in the presence of God, solemnly, and in good
faith, covenant and engage with each other : —
" 1. That from henceforth we will suspend all commercial inter
course with the Island of Great Britain, until the said act for
blocking up the said harbour be repealed, and a restoration of
our charter rights be obtained.
" 2. That there may be the less temptation to others to con
tinue in the said now dangerous commerce, we do in like manner,
¦solemnly covenant that we will not buy, purchase, or consume, or
¦suffer any person by, for, or under us to buy, purchase, or con
sume, in any manner whatsoever, any goods, wares, or merchan
dise, which shall arrive in America from Great Britain from and
after the last day of August next ensuing. And in order, as
much as in us lies, to prevent our being interrupted and defeated
in this^ only peaceable measure, entered into for the recovery and
preservation of our rights, we agree to break off all trade, com
merce, and dealings whatsoever with all persons, who, preferring
their own private interest to the salvation of their now perishing
country, shall still continue to import goods from Great Britain,
or shall purchase of those who shall import : arms, ammunition,
and medicines for the sick only excepted.
" 3. That such persons may not have h in their power to impose
upon us by any pretence whatever, we further agree to purchase
no article of merchandise from them, or any of them, who shall
not have signed this, or a simHar covenant, or will not produce an
oath, certified by a magistrate, to be by them taken to the following
purport ; viz. ' I,  of  , in the county of  ¦, do solemn-

1774,] GENERAL HISTORY, 81
ly swear, that the goods I have now on hand and propose for
sale, have not, to the best of my knowledge, been imported from
Great Britain into any part of America since the last of August,
1774 ; and that I wHl not, contrary to the spirit of an agreement
entered into through this province, import, or purchase of any per
son so importing, any goods a^. aforesaid, until the port or harbour
of Boston shaU be opened, and we are restored to the freedom
of our constitution and charter rights.'
" 4. We agree that after this or a simHar covenant has been
pffered to any persons, and they refuse to sign it or produce the
oath aforesaid, we will consider them as contumacious importers,
and withdraw all commercial connexion with them, so far as not
to purchase any article whatever of merchandise imported from
Great Britain.
" Provided nevertheless ; notwithstanding the obligations which
we have laid ourselves under by the above instrument, should
there be a congress of the provinces on the continent, or the
major part of them, to consult and advise suitable measures to
be taken in this difficult and alarming day, which is already be
gun by the late House of Representatives, and the example is
likely to be followed by the neighbouring governments : — should
said body, when convened, adopt measures, after deliberation,
which they shall judge more salutary and safe for the whole
community ; then what has been signed above we hereby reserve
liberty to disannul, and make void this present covenant upon
our acceptance thereof. As witness our hands this 24th of June
1774." This covenant, copied partly from one sent from Boston, was
scrupulously regarded. It may well be supposed, that where pro
ceedings like these were had, the attention of the people would
be greatly awakened. If there were any " enemies of liberty,"
they might be easily detected. In a careful review of that period,
however, I am astonished that so few arrayed themselves on the
side of England in opposition to the wishes of the colonies. The
whole town, excepting two or three individuals, was a united fami
ly of "sons of liberty." The excitement, or rather the opposi
tion to British oppression, graduaUy increased ; and its progress
from the year 1773 was uncommonly rapid. Petitions having
been presented in vain for a redress of their grievances, the people
11

82 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1774.
began seriously to think of asserting their rights by an appeal to
arms, should other means to accomplish their object fail. Such
a crisis seemed then to be approaching : for England had already
assumed a hostHe attitude ; large numbers of soldiers and muni
tions of war had arrived in Boston ; and the people had every
indication that they were to be compelled into submission by mili
tary force.
In July the " Act for the better regulation of the government
of Massachusetts Bay " was received in Boston ; in conformity to
which the Mandamus Council and many other officers were ap
pointed. This produced great excitement in the community,
and evil consequences were anticipated. The people seemed
determined not to submit to an act so unconstitutional and oppres
sive. During this commotion an individual went secretly to
Cambridge, on the 1st of August, contrary to the unanimous wish
of his fellow citizens, to inform some of the members of the .Coun
cil of the state of public feeling, and to put them on their guard
against an attack fi:om thp people, which he 1,hought likely to take
place. In August frequent meetings were held in Concord to consult
on the proper measures to be pursued in those gloomy times.
A county convention was also recommended, and it was invited
to meet here on the last of the month. This convention, consist
ing of 150 delegates, from every town in the county, held a ses
sion in Concord on the 30th and 31st of August. Messrs. Ephraim
Wood, jr., John Flint, and Nathan Meriam were delegates from
Concord ; Mr. Samuel Farrar, Capt. Abijah Pierce, and Capt.
Eleazer Brooks, from Lincoln ; Messrs. Francis Faulkner, John
Hayward, and Ephraim Hapgood, from Acton ; Messrs. Stephen
Davis, John Reed, John Moore, and John Webber, from Bedford ;
and from other towns an able delegation. The Hon. James
Prescott of Groton was chairman, and Mr. Ebenezer Bridge,
clerk. The objects of the convention were brought forward, arjd
discussed with great energy, talent, and most ardent patriotism ;
and a committee of nine were chosen to take them into conside
ration. They reported as follows :
" It is evident to every attentive mind, that this Province is
in a very dangerous and alarming situation. We are obliged to
say, 'however painful it may be to us, that the question now is.

1774.] GENERAL HISTORY. 83
whether, by a submission to some late Acts of the Parliament of
Great Britain, we are contented to be the most abject slaves, and
entaU that slavery on posterity after us, or, by a manly, joint, and
virtuous opposition, assert and support our freedom. There is
a mode of conduct, which, in our very critical circumstances,
we would wish to adopt, — a conduct, on the one hand, never
tamely submissive to tyranny and oppression, on the other never
degenerating into rage, passion, and confusion. This is a spirit
which we revere, as we find it exhibited in former ages, and
which will command applause to the latest posterity. The late
Acts of Parliament pervade the whole system of jurisprudence,
by which means we think the fountains of justice are fatally cor
rupted. Our defence must therefore be immediate in proportion
to the suddenness of the attack, and vigorous in proportion to
the danger. We must now exert ourselves, or all those efforts,
which for ten years past have brightened the annals of this coun
try, will be totaUy frustrated. Life and Death, or what is
more. Freedom and Slavery, are in a pecuhar sense now be
fore us ; and the choice and success, under God, depend greatly
on ourselves. We are therefore bound, as struggling not only
for ourselves, but for future generations, to express our sentiments
in the following resolves ; — sentunents, which we think are found
ed in truth and justice, and therefore sentiments we are de
termined to abide by.
" Resolved, 1. That as true and loyal subjects of our gracious
Sovereign, George the Third, King of Great Britain, Sic. we by
no means intend to withdraw our allegiance from him ; but,
while permitted the free exercise of our natural and charter
rights, are "resolved to expend life and treasure in his service.
" 2. That when our ancestors emigrated from Great Britain,
charters and solemn stipulations expressed the conditions, and
what particular rights they yielded ; what each party had to do and
perform ; and what each of the contracting parties were equally
bound by.
" 3. That we know of no instance in which this province has
transgressed the rules on their part, or any ways forfeited their
natural and charter rights to any power on earth.
" 4. That the Parliament of Great Britain has exercised a pow
er contrary to the abovementioned charter by passing acts, which

84 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1774.
hold up their absolute supremacy over the colonists ; by another
act blocking up the harbour of Boston, and by two kte acts,
the one entitled; " an Act for the better regulating the government
of the province of Massachusetts Bay ; " the other entitled " an Act
for the more impartial administration of justice in said province ; "
and by enforcing all these iniquitous acts with a large armed force
to dragoon and enslave us.
" 5. That the late act of Parliament, entitled " an Act for the
better regulating the government of the province of Massachu
setts Bay," expressly acknowledges the authority of the charter
granted by their Majesties, King William and Queen Mary, to
Said province , and that the only reasons, Suggested in the pre
amble to said act) which is intended to deprive us of the privile
ges confirmed to us by said charter, are the inexpediency of con
tinuing those privHeges, and a charge of their having been for
feited, to which charge the province has had no opportunity of
answering. " 6. That a debtor may as justiy refuse to pay his debts, because
it is inexpedient for him, as the Parliament of Great Britain de
prive us of our charter privileges, because it is inexpedient to a
Corrupt administration for us to enjoy thera.
" 7. That in all free states there must be an equihbrium in the
legislative body, without which constitutional check they cannot
be said to be a free people.
" 8. That the late act, which ordains a councH to be appointed
by his Majesty, his heirs and successors from time to time, by
Warrant under his or their signet or sign manual, and which or
dains that the said counsellors shall hold their offices respective
ly during the pleasure of his Majesty, effectually alters the con
stitutional equHibrium, renders the council absolute tools and
Creatures, and entirely destroys the importance of the represen
tative body.
" 9. That no state can long exist free and happy, where the
Course of justice is obstructed ; and that when trials by juries.
Which are the grand bulwarks of life and property, are destroyed
or weakened, a people fall immediately under arbitrary power.
" 10. That the late act, which gives the governor of this prov
ince a power of appointing judges of the superior and inferior
courts, commissioners of oyer and terminer, the attorney general,

1774.] GENERAL HISTORY. 85
provosts, marshalls, and justices of the peace, and to remove all
of them (the judges of the superior court excepted) without con
sent of the council, entirely subverts a free administration of jus
tice ; as the fatal experience of mankind in all ages has testified,
that there is no greater species of corruption, than when judicial
and executive officers depend for their existence and support on
a power independent of the people.
"11. That by ordaining jurors to be summoned by the sheriff
only, which sheriff is to be appointed by the governor without con
sent of council, that security which results from a trial by our peers
is rendered altogether precarious ; and is not only an evident in
fraction upon our charter, but a subversion of our common rights
as Englishmen.
" 12. That every people have an absolute right of meeting
together to consult upon common grievances, and to petition, re
monstrate, and use every legal method for their removal.
" 13. That the act which prohibits these constitutional meetings
cuts away the scaffolding of English freedom, and reduces us to
a most abject state of vassalage and slavery.
" 14. That it is our opinion these late acts, if quietly submitted
to, will annihilate the last vestiges of liberty in this province, and,
therefore, we must be justified by God and the world in never
submitting to them.
" 15. That it is the opinion of this body, that the present act,
respecting the government of the province, is an artful, deep-laid'
plan of oppression and despotism, that it requires great skill and
wisdom to counteract it. This wisdom we have endeavoured to
collect from the united sentiments of the county. And although
we are grieved that we are obliged to mention any thing, that
may be attended with such very important consequences as may
now ensue, yet a sense of our duty as men, as freemen, as Chris
tian freemen, united in the firmest bonds, obliges us to' resolve,
that every civil officer now in commission in this province, and
acting in conformity to the late act of Parliament, is not an officer
agreeable to our charter, therefore unconstitutional, and ought
to be opposed in the manner hereafter recommended.
" 16. That we wHl obey all such civil officers now in commis
sion, whose commissions were issued before the first day of July,
1774, and support them in the execution of their offices accord-

86 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1774.
ing to the manner usual before the late attempt to alter the con
stitution of this province : nay, even although the Governor
should attempt to revoke their commissions. But that if any
of said officers shall accept a commisssion under the present plan
of arbitrary government, or, in any way or manner whatever,
assist the Governor or administration in the assault now making
on our rights and liberties, we will consider them as having for
feited their commissions, and yield them no obedience.
" 17. That whereas the Hon. Samuel Danforth and Joseph Lee,
Esqrs, two of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas
for this county, have accepted commissions under the new act
by being sworn members of his Majesty's Council, appointed by
said act : we therefore look upon them utterly incapable of hold
ing any office whatever. And whereas a venire on the late act
of Parliament has issued from the Court of Sessions, signed by the
clerk, we think they come under a preceding resolve of acting
in conformity to the new act : we therefore resolve that a sub
mission to courts thus acting and under these disqualifications, is
a submission to the act itself, and of consequence, as we are re
solved never to submit one iota to the act, we wHl not submit
to courts thus constituted, and thus acting in conformity to said
act. " 18. That as, in consequence of the former resolve, all business
at the Inferior Court of Common Pleas and Court of General Ses
sions of the Peace next to be holden at Concord must cease, to
prevent the many inconveniences that may arise therefrom : we
resolve that aH actions, writs, suits, &;c. brought to said court,
ought to remain in the same condition as at present (unless set
tled by consent of parties), till we know the result of a provincial
and continental congress. And we resolve that no plaintiff, in
any case, action, or writ aforesaid, ought to enter said action in
said court thus declared to be unconstitutional. And we resolve,
if the court shall sit in defiance to the. voice of the county, and
default actions, and issue executions accordingly, no officer ought
to serve such process. And we are also determined to support
aU constables, jurors, and other officers, who from these consti
tutional principles shall refuse obedience to courts which we have
resolved are founded on the destruction of our charter.

1744.] GENERAL HISTORY. 87
" 19. That it is the opinion of this body of delegates, that a
provincial congress is absolutely necessary in our present unhappy
situation. " These are sentiments which we are obliged to express, as these
acts are intended immediately to take place. We must now either
oppose them, or tamely give up all we have been struggling for.
It is this that has forced us so soon on these very important re
solves. However, we do it with humble deference to the provin
cial and continental congress, by whose resolutions we are deter
mined to abide ; and to whom, and the world, we cheerfully ap- ,
peal for the uprightness of our conduct. On the whole, these are
' great and profound questions.' We are grieved to find pur-
selves reduced to the necessity of entering into the discussion of
them. But we deprecate a state of slavery. Our fathers left
a fair inheritance to us, purchased by a waste of blood and
treasure. This we are resolved to transmit equally fair to our
children after us. No danger shall affright, no difficulties intimi
date us. And if in support of our rights we are called to encoun
ter even death, we are yet undaunted, sensible that he can never
die too soon, who lays down his life in support of the laws and
liberties of his country."
The causes of the oppostion to the mother country, and the then
state of the controversy, are clearly brought to view in these impor
tant proceedings. They were not mere paper resolves, to remain
a dead letter, but were to be rules of action : and they were ex
ecuted 1 The question on their acceptance, after being " maturely
deliberated," was taken by yeas and nays ; 146 were in favor,
and 4 in opposition. An additional vote, recommending a " pro
vincial meeting " to assemble in Concord, on the first Tuesday of
October, was passed ; and another, to transmit these proceedings
to the several towns and to the Continental Congress. On the
same day, a county convention was held in Worcester, and, nine
days after, one in Suffolk, for similar objects. ^
On the last week in August, some of the British troops had
taken from Cambridge two brass field-pieces, and from Charlestown
several barrels of powder. These hostile proceedings alarmed the
1 Some historians have asserted that the Suffolk convention was the first
one held ; but this is undoubtedly erroneous. Middlesex took the lead in
those important proceedings.

88 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1744.
people, and some hundreds from this and the neighbouring towns,
met here, on the 2d. of Sept. and proceeded to Cambridge, a part
of whom were under arms. Their object appeared to be to learn
the cause of those unfriendly movements of the British soldiers,
and to demand the resignation of those officers who had accepted,
commissions under the new law. No violence was committed, nor
was any intended, unless they were violentiy opposed. " Finding
no armed force to combat, they laid aside their muskets, and went
to the houses of several individuals, who had taken part on the
side of government, and compeHed them to recant, and forswear
all concern in any offices under the law for altering the charter."
Ephraim Wood was one of the committee chosen to wait upon
them. They afterwards returned peaceably to their homes.
September was fruitful in interesting events. Informal vol
untary meetings of the people were frequent. The Court of
Sessions and Court of Common Pleas for the county were to hold
their sessions in Concord, on the 13th of September. On that
day, great numbers of the inhabitants of this and the neighbouring
towns assembled on the public common. They expressed their wil
lingness that the court should sit, if it proceeded on in the old way ;
but if under the new organization, they were determined to prevent
it, agreeably to the recommendation of the late convention. A
committee from each town then represented was chosen to take
such measures as would prevent the opening of the courts, who
voted it " as their opinion, that the Court of General Sessions of
the Peace ought not to be opened or sit at this time," and chose
a sub-committee of five to wait on the justices of the court, and
inform them of the wishes of the assembly. After some little time
the court produced a written declaration, which was read before the
multitude, by whom it was pronounced satisfactory, and afterwards
published, declaring it inexpedient to open the court, " lest it
should be construed that we act in consequence of the late uncon
stitutional act of parliament " ; and publicly promising, that they
would " not open nor in any way proceed to the business of said
court." This declaration was signed by Thaddeus Mason, Jo
seph Haven, Josiah Johnson, William Stickney, Henry Gardner,
Abraham FuUer, Jonathan Dix, Daniel Bliss, and Samuel Ban
croft, — all the justices then present.

-1774,] GENERAL HISTORY. gg
In consequence of these occurrences, and the determined dis
position of the people, the Court of Common Pleas was adjourned
to the 3d Tuesday of October. Public notice of this was drawn
up by David Phipps, sheriff of the county, by order of the unpop
ular judges, and given to the criers, Antill Gallap, and WHliam
How, who made proclamation of the same at the court-house
door. This was so displeasing that they were taken before the
people, and obhged to make public ' confession that they were
" heartily sorry for what they had done " ; and to promise " not
to make any return on said proclamation, nor in any way be
aiding or assisting in bringing on the unconstitutional plan of gov
ernment." A simHar confession was published by Charies Pres
cott, Esq. " for signing in favor cf the late governor, Hutchinson."
Another was made by Daniel Heald, a, deputy sheriff, for posting
the notice of the adjournment of the court on the court-house
door. These declarations were signed by the respective individu
als, read to the multitude, and published in the newspapers of
those times. The people voted that such declarations were sat
isfactory ; and then adjourned to the 3d Tuesday of October,
agreeably to the adjournment of the court.
The people did not long remain quiet. Another large meeting
took place on the Common the next week. A committee was
chosen, of which Robert Chafin of Acton was chairman, and Wil
liam Burrows ^ clerk, before whom every person suspected of
being a tory was compelled to pass the ordeal of a trial. ' If found
guHty, he was compelled to endure such punishment as an excited
multitude might inflict, which they called " humbling the tories."
Several suffered in this manner. Dr. Joseph Lee was most scru
pulously examined and severely treated. To satisfy their minds,
he subscribed the following declaration, which was read and pub
lished. " Whereas I, Joseph Lee of Concord, physician, on the evening
of the first ultimo, did rashly and without consideration make a
private and precipitate journey from Concord to Cambridge, to
inform Judge Lee, that the country was assembling to come down,

1 Mr. Burrows died a few years since in New Ipswich, N. H., over 100
years of age. 12

90 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1774.
(and on no other business,) that he and others concerned might
prepare themselves for the event, and with an avowed intention to
deceive the people ; by which the parties assembling might have
been exposed to the brutal rage of the soldiery, who had timely
notice to have waylaid the roads, and fired on them while unarmed
and defenceless in the dark : by which imprudent conduct I
might have prevented the salutary designs of my countrymen,
whose innocent intentions were only to request certain gentlemen,
sworn into office on the new system of government, to resign their
offices, in order to prevent the operation of that (so much detest
ed) act of the British Parliament for regulating the government of
the Massachusetts Bay : by all which I have justly drawn upon
me the displeasure of my countrymen :
" When I cooHy reflect on my own imprudence, it fills my mind
with the deepest anxiety. I deprecate the resentment of my
injured country, humbly confess my errors, and implore the for
giveness of a generous and free people, solemnly declaring that for
the future I will never convey any intelligence to any of the court
party, neither directiy nor indirectly, by which the designs of the
people may be frustrated, in opposing the barbarous policy of an
arbitrary, wicked, and corrupt administration.
" Concord, Sept. 19, 1774. Joseph Lee."
This is selected from many similar facts to show the highly ex
cited state of public feeling -^ and this excitement continued to
increase. The covenant of the town, already given, was scrupu
lously regarded, and aH those who refused obedience to it were in
reality " treated as enemies." The meetings hhherto this month
took place without much formal invitation. They were the " sud
den assembly of the day." The people felt that they had evHs
heaped upon them, and they feared others. They were deter
mined resolutely, but rationally, to have them removed. Though
their object appeared as yet to be to obtain a' peaceable redress of
their grievances, yet evH consequences were anticipated from the
frequency of the meetings, unless placed under proper legal
restraint. To effect this,' a special toivn meeting was called, Sept.
26th, when the " whole town resolved itself into a committee of
safety to suppress all riots, tumults, and disorders in the town ;
and to aid aH untainted magistrates, who had not been aiding and

1774.] GENERAL HISTORY. 9]
assisting m bringing on a new mode of government in this province,
in the execution of the laws against all offenders." 1 At the same
time it was also voted to raise one or more companies to march at
a minute's warning in case of alarm, to pay them reasonable wages
when caHed for out of town, and to allow thera to choose their
own officers ; to buy 420 pounds of powder and 500 pounds of
ball in addition to the town stock of ammunition, and a chest of
good fire-arms, " that those who are unable to purchase them
themselves may have the advantage of thera if necessity calls for
it." At this meeting also ]Mr. Samuel Whitney, Capt. Jonas
Heywood, Mr. Ephraim Wood, jr., Mr. Joseph Hosmer, En.sign
James Chandler, and Mr. James Barrett, were chosen a committee
of correspondence to hold intercourse with similar committees in
other towns. The selectmen had hitherto acted in that capacity.
Delegates were also chosen to the proposed Provincial Congress.
The Provincial Congress met here, Oct. llth, which was an
important event. The delegates from Concord were Capt. James
Barrett, Mr. Samuel Whitney, and Mr. Ephraim Wood, jr. ; from
Bedford, Mr. Joseph Ballard, and John Reed, Esq. ; frora Acton,
Messrs. Josiah Hayward, Francis Faulkner, and Ephraim Hap
good ; and from Lincoln, Capt. Eleazer Brooks, Mr. Samuel
Farrar, and Capt. Abijah Pierce. The whole number of mem
bers was 288 ; and it was in all respects a most important assem
bly. The Hon. John Hancock of Boston was chosen president,
and Mr. Benjamin Lincoln, Secretary. The meeting was first held
in the old court-house, but that being too smaH to convene so large
an assembly, it was adjourned to the meeting-house. The Rev.
WHliam Emerson, by invitation of the Congress, officiated as
chaplain. Two sessions, one at nine, and the other at three
o'clock, were held each day. The state of public affairs was taken
into consideration, and an address to Gov. Gage agreed upon ;
but it was unavailing, and did not accomplish its intended object.
After remaining in session tHl the 15th, the Congress adjourned
1 It is said to be characteristic of the people of Concord to act with great
deliberation, but when they do act, to act effectually. This may be seer
in the proceedings just described. From the beginning of the controversy,
they were opposed to taking any unconstitutional measures to recover their
lost privileges.

92 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1774.
to Cambridge, probably for a more easy communication with the
capital.^ The presence of the Provincial Congress tended to animate the
citizens of Concord, and inspire them with increasing confidence
in the cause of liberty and patriotic action. They approved the
recommendations of that body. Several cannpn were purchased
and brought here, Oct. 13th. On the 24th, the town directed
the selectmen to mount them, and to purchase 100 pounds of four-
pound cannon ball, 200 pounds of grape-shot, and 392 pounds
of powder; and raised £120 to pay the expense.
About this time a liberty-pole was erected, on which the peo
ple's flag was first hoisted here. The occasion brought together
a large concourse of people, and was haHed as an auspk;ious event.
November 21st, the town authorized the constables to pay the
money in their hands, belonging to the province, to Henry Gard
ner, Esq. of Stow, who had been appointed by Congress " Re
ceiver General " ; and at the same time voted to annul the non-
consumption covenant, which, as already noticed, was entered into
on the 27th of June. The articles of association, as agreed upon
by the Continental Congress, were adopted in its stead. A com
mittee of inspection, composed of Col. James Barrett, Mr. Joseph
Hosmer, Capt. Jonas Heywood, Mr. Abijah Bond, and Capt.
David Brown, was chosen " to see to the punctual and particular
observance of the said association agreement." A preamble —
" we, whose names are underwritten, promise for ourselves and
1 The records in the Secretary's office give the following account of the
different Congresses : — IHrst Congress.
Convened at Salem, Oct. 7, 1774 ; adjourned the same day.
Convened at Concord, Tues. Oct. 11 ; adjourned Sat.. 15th, same month.
Convened at Cambridge, Mond. Oct. 17 ; adjourned Sat. 29th do.
Convened at do. Wed. Nov. 23 ; dissolved Sat. Dec. 10th.
Second Congress,
Convened at Cambridge, Wed. Feb. 1, 1775; adjourned Thursd. 16th do.
Convened at Concord, Tues. March 22 ; adjourned Sat. 15th April.
Convened at do. Sat. April 22 ; adjourned same day.
Convened at Watertown, Mond. April 24 ; dissolved May 29th.
Third Congress.
Convened at Watertown, May 31, 1775 ; dissolved July 19th.

1775.] GENERAL HISTORY. 93
those under us, that we will stricdy adhere to the Continental
Congress Association, which is hereunto annexed, in aU its parts
and clauses;" — was adopted Jan. 25, 1775; and a copy fur
nished to each inhabitant for his signature, by a committee
chosen for the purpose, consisting of Ensign James Barrett, Mr.
Ephraim Wood, jr., Mr. Samuel Whitney, and Mr. John Green.
One of these original papers I find to be signed by seventy-two
men and two single women. Stephen Hosmer excepted " tea for
his wife only," — all the others were unconditional.
The organization and compensation of the minute companies
was brought before the town in December, and referred to a com
mittee, who reported, Jan. 9, 1775, the following regulations :
" 1. We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, wHl, to the
utmost of our power, defend his Majesty, King George the Third,
his person, crown, and dignity.
" 2. We will at the same time, to the utmost of our power and
abilities, defend all and every of our charter rights, liberties, and
privileges ; and wHl hold ourselves in readiness at a minute's warn
ing with, arms and ammunition thus to do.
" 3. We will at all times and in all places obey our officers
chosen by us, and our superior officers, in ordering and disciplining
us, when and where said officers shall think proper."
The town agreed to pay each minute man for three hours on
two half days in each week. Is. dd. for each half day, and a
" cartouch-box " ; ^ for ten months, unless otherwise ordered by
the town. On the Thursday following a meeting was held to enlist
the men, when the Rev. William Emerson preached from Psalm
Ixiii. 2. About sixty enlisted, including many who were either
too young or too old to be required by law to do military duty.
The number was subsequently increased to 100, and divided into
two companies. Mr. Samuel Whitney was muster-master. On
the 27th, a committee, chosen to examine them then exercising,
reported that fifteen in the company were unable to furnish them
selves with guns. These were supphed by the town. One of the
companies was called the Alarm Company, and directed to take
1 The pay was increased in February as follows : To each captain,
2s. id. ; 1st lieutenant, Is. 8d. ; 2d lieutenant. Is. 4d. ; sergeant, Wd. ;
corporal, 8d. ; and private, id.

94 HISTORY OF CONCORD. ' [1775.
care and learn the exercise of the cannon. Much mihtary enthu
siasm prevailed. >
During the month of February the town used the greatest cau
tion to have the articles of association observed. Several meetings
were held ; and such measures, as the state of the times required,
adopted. Capt. Timothy Wheeler, Mr. Andrew Conant, Mr.
Samuel Whitney, Capt. John Greene, Mr. Josiah Merriam, Mr.
Ephraim Wood, jr., Mr. WiHiam Parkman, and Capt. Thomas
Davis, were added to the committee of inspection, and directed to
return the names of those who dechned signing the articles of asso
ciation. Such were to be treated with neglect and detestation.'
Three only were returned.
On Monday, 13th of March, 1775, there was a review of all
the military companies in the town. They went into the meeting
house, accompanied by a large concourse of spectators, and the
Rev. Mr. Emerson preached from 2 Chronicles, xiii. 12; " Be
hold God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with
sounding trumpets, to cry alarm against you. O children of
Israel, fight ye not against the Lord God of your fathers ; for ye
shall not prosper." These' religious services were a powerful
appeal to the feelings and understanding of his audience, and to
Heaven for the justness of their cause. They were repeated be
fore the companies in Acton the week after. The Thursday
foHowing was kept as a solemn fast, on account of the gloomy
state of public affairs, when the Rev. Mr. Emerson again preach
ed. His text was Micah, vii. 1 — 7.
The Provincial Congress, in February, ordered, that large quan
tities of provisions and mHitary stores, sufficient to furnish 15,000
men, should be collected and deposited in Concord and AVorcester,
principally at the former place. ^ In the October preceding, Messrs.
Hancock, Orne, Heath, White, Palmer, Watson, Devens, and
Pigeon had been chosen by Congress a committee of safety ; and
Messrs. Cheever, Lincoln, Lee, Gerry, and GHl, a committee of

1 This vote remained in force till May 14, 1778, when the town annulled
it, " so far as respects any persons who reside among us, and no farther."
2 WiUiam Lincoln, Esq., to whose kindness the author is indebted for
many favors, says, that 20 barrels of pork were all the public stores depos
ited at Worcester.

1775.] GENERAL HISTORY. 95
supplies. These committees usually met together. November 2d,
they voted to procure and deposit at Concord 200 barrels of pork,
400 barrels of flour, 50 tierces of rice, and 150 bushels of pease.
February 13th, they requested Col. Robinson to send four brass
field-pieces and two mortars to Concord, and voted to procure
15,000 canteens ; February 21st, 100 bell-tents for arms, 1000
field-tents, 10 tons of lead baHs, cartridges for 15,000 men, 30
rounds each ; 300 bushels of pease and beans, 20 hogsheads of
molasses, 150 quintals of fish, and two chests of carpenter's tools.
February 23d, they ordered 20 hogsheads of rum to be sent
here ; and the next day 1000 pounds of candles, 100 hogsheads
of salt, wooden spoons, two barrels of oil, six casks of Malaga
wine, nine casks of Lisbon wine, 20 casks of raisins, 20 bushels
of oatmeal, 1500 yards of Russia hnen, and 15 chests of medi
cine. Col. James Barrett, who had been appointed hy Congress to
have the care of all the military stores, was directed on the 15th
of March .by John Pigeon, " clerk of the committee of safety," to
get a sufficient number of faithful men, " to act constantly as a
guard every night over the magazines of stores"; and "to
engage a number of teams to be in readiness on the shortest
notice, by day or night, sufficient to carry off the stores, on a
courier's informing him of attempts being ready to be made on the
magazine ; and on a courier's informing him of danger, he Was to
alarm the neighbouring towns." On the 17th, Mr. Cheever sent
from Charlestown John Austin and several other men, to be con
stantly employed in carrying on the military preparations. He
directed Col. Barrett to provide them all necessary provisions,
and a house to work in retired from company, " as our operations
depend upon secrecy." Guards were stationed at the old south
and north bridges, on the Boston road, and in the middle of the
town, for the safe keeping of the stores, and to alarm the surround
ing country, should occasion require. Every teamster, suspected
of carrying any article to the British, was carefully examined.
Concord now became, as it had been a hundred years before, a
distinguished military post.
British spies were often sent in disguise into the country, to
learn its geography, the state of public feehng, the quantity and
condition of the provincial stores, &;c. Two of these, Capt.

96 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1775,
f "^T^
Brown and Ensign D'Bernicre, of the British army, went to
Worcester in February ; and on the 20th of March visited Con
cord. They went up through Weston and Sudbury, and entered
the town over the south bridge. In a narrative of this expedition
D'Bernicre says, "The town of Concord lies between two hills that
command it entirely. There is a river runs through it with two
bridges over it. In summer it is pretty dry. The town is large,
and contains a church, gaol, and court-house, but the houses are
not close together, but in litde groups. We were informed that
they had fourteen pieces of cannon (ten iron and four brass), and
two cohorns. They were mounted, but in so bad a manner that
they could not elevate them more than they were, that is, they
were fixed to one elevation ; their iron cannon they kept in a
house in town ; their brass they had concealed in some place be
hind the town in a wood. They had also a store of flour, fish,
salt, and rice ; and a magazine of powder and cartridges. They
fired their morning gun, and mounted a guard of ten men at night.
We dined at the house of Mr. Bliss [Daniel Bliss, Esq.], a friend
of government ; they had sent him word they should not let him
go out of town alive that morning ; however, we told him if he
would come with us, we would take care of him, as we were
three, and aH weH armed. He consented, and told us he would
show us another road, caHed the Lexington road. We set out,
and of consequence left the town on the contrary side of the river
to what we entered it." * * * "In the town of Concord a
woman directed us to the house of Mr. Bliss ; a little after she
came in crying, and told us, they swore if she did not leave the
town, they would tar and feather her for directing tories on their
road." ' The British officers remarked to Mr. Bliss, that the peo
ple would not fight. He urged a different opinion, and pointing
to his brother, Thomas Theodore, just then passing in sight, said,
" There goes a man who wHl fight you in blood up to his knees 1 "
This brother was opposed to him in politics ; and was subsequently
a brave, though unfortunate officer in the American army.^
On the 22d of March the Provincial Congress met again in
Concord. There was reason to expect, from intelligence received
from Boston, that attempts would be made to talce away the stores
1 2 Mass. Hist. Coll. vol. iv. pp. 214, 215. 2 Willard's Address, p. 66.

1775.] GENERAL HISTORY. 97
here collected ; and to prevent, as far as possible, the mihtia arm
ing in self-defence. " It was the great object of Congress at this
meeting to support the committee of safety in the measures they
had adopted for protection ; and to urge the people to prepare for
a firm and united resistance, should the crisis require it. They
particularly recommended to the companies of minute-men to im
prove themselves in mHitary discipline ; and ordered several com
panies of artiHery to be immediately organized. A system of
rules and regulations for a constitutional army was adopted, should
one be raised. And they earnestly solicited the selectmen of the
several towns to provide for the speedy collection of all public
taxes ; and to raise money by loans of any individuals able and
disposed to furnish it." * * * "On the 8th of April it was
voted to raise an army with all possible despatch, for the defence
of the province against any attack which should be made by the
British troops, which , had a short time before been much increas
ed." ^ When Congress adjourned, on the 15th of April, it agreed
to meet again on the 10th of May ; but gave authority to the
committee of safety, and the members in this neighbourhood, to
call an earlier meeting, if necessary.
Meantime the committees of correspondence, in conjunction with
the citizens, were actively making the mHitary preparations neces
sary for defence. From a manuscript " account of the provincial
stores sent to Colonel Barrett of Concord, partly in his own cus
tody, and partly elsewhere, all under his care," found among his
papers, the following facts are obtained. These stores were prin
cipally brought here in March by the citizens of the town.
There were received from Mr. David Cheever of Charlestown,
one of the committee of supplies, 20 loads of stores, containing
about 20,000 pounds of musket-balls and cartridges, 50 reams of
cartridge-paper, 206 tents, 113 iron spades, 51 wood axes, 201 bill
hooks, 19 sets of harness, 24 boxes of candles, 14 chests of medi
cine, 27 hogsheads of wooden ware, 1 hogshead of matches, cords,
irons, and balls, 20 bushels of oatmeal, 5 iron worms for cannon,
rammers, Sic. These were stored at Captain Elnathan Jones's,
Joshua Bond's, WHloughby Prescott's, Jonas Heywood's, Colonel
Barrett's, and the town-house.
1 Bradford, vol. i. pp. 367—369.
12

98 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1775.
From Moses GHl of Boston, 11 loads, containing 150 tents,
axes, pickaxes, hatchets, spades, wooden spoons and dishes, and
canteens, stored at Captain Thomas Hubbard's, Ephraim Wheel
er's, WHloughby Prescott's, and Ephraim Potter's. Also received
from R. Pierpont 47 firkins and 2 barrels of butter, stored at
Colonel James and Mr. Humphrey Barrett's ; and 55 barrels of
beef, stored at Thomas and Elisha Jones's, and 25 barrels at Dan
iel Cray's.
From Colonel Jeremiah Lee of Marblehead, 6 hogsheads, con
taining 35 half-barrels of powder, 6 of which were stored at Colo
nel Barrett's, 5 at James Chandler's, 6 at James Barrett's, jun.,
6 at Ephraim Wood's, 6 at Joseph Hosmer's, and 6 at Jonas
Heywood's. This was received in December, and in the accom
panying letter. Colonel Lee writes, " Don't so much as mention
the name of] powder, lest our enemies should take advantage of
it." Eight hogsheads more were soon received from Colonel Lee,
6 of which were sent the last of March to Leicester. He also sent
to Concord another load, containing tents, poles, axes, and hatchets,
stored at Abishai Brown's ; and also 318 barrels of flour, 68 of
which were stored at Ebenezer Hubbard's (which was partly de
stroyed on the 19th of April), 66 at Captain Timothy Wheeler's,
56 at Samuel Jones's, 23 at Isaac Hubbard's, 16 at Jonas Hey
wood's, 82 at Samuel Whitney's, and 7 at Jonathan Heywood's.
From Elbridge Gerry of Marblehead, 7 loads of salt fish, con
taining about 17,000 pounds, stored at Elisha Jones's ; 18 casks of
wine, 20 casks of raisins, and a quantity of oil, (which were carri
ed to Stow ;) and 47 hogsheads and 50 barrels of salt, which were
stored in 15 different places in town ; 4 loads of tents, tow-cloth,
and canteens, stored at Ephraim Potter's ; 1 bundle of sheet-lead,
several hogsheads of molasses, and a quantity of linen.
From Salem 46 and from Boston 12 tierces of rice, estimated
to contain about 35,000 pounds ; 20 stored at Ebenezer Hubbard's,
6 at Thomas Hosmer's, 3 at Thomas Davis's, 7 at Stephen
Blood's, 7 at Edward Richardson's, 5 at Deacon George Minott's,
and the remainder in the town-house.
All the stores brought to the town are not mentioned in the
above account. Many articles were afterwards brought, and many
were prepared here. Firearms, gun-carriages, &c. were manu
factured at Barrett's mHls ; cartouch-boxes, holsters, belts, and

1775.] GENERAL HISTORY. 99
Other articles of sadlery, by Mr. Reuben Brown ; saltpetre, by
Josiah Melvin ; oatmeal, by Captain Timothy Wheeler ; wooden
plates, spoons, and various other articles used in the camp and the
field, by other individuals. Large quantities of beef and pork were
put up here for the public service. These military operations
continued more than a year afterwards. A part of the building
owned by Daniel Shattuck, Esq. was erected at this time for a
public store-house.
On the 29th of March a report was circulated that the British
troops were coming to Concord, which produced considerable
alarm. The Provincial Committee of Safety met here on the 1st,
5th, 14th, and 17th of AprH. At the last date they directed
Colonel Barrett to mount two cannon, and raise an artillery com
pany, and to send four cannon to Groton and two to Acton. They
met at Mr. Wetherbee's in West Cambridge the next day, and
gave orders for the removal of some of the stores from Concord.
These were -ordered to be deposited in 9 different towns ; 50 bar
rels of beef, 100 of flour, 20 casks of rice, 15 hogsheads of mo
lasses, 10 hogsheads of rum, and 500 pounds of candles were
ordered to Sudbury ; 15,000 canteens, 1500 iron pots, the spades,
pickaxes, bill-hooks, axes, hatchets, brows, wheelbarrows, and
several other articles, were to be divided, — one third to remain in
Concord, one-third to be sent to Sudbury, and one third to Stow ;
1000 iron pots to be sent to Worcester.
Meantime the minute companies were often out for mHitary ex
ercise. The excitement was so great that some carried their guns
with them at all times, even whHe attending public worship on
the Sabbath. The committee of correspondence met daily with
other distinguished citizens in town. Though very indefinite ideas
prevailed, respecting the objects of the enemy, yet all the people
were daily discussing in groups the great crisis, which seemed near
at hand. What that crisis might be was yet doubtful.

100 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
CHAPTER VII.
BATTLE OF CONCORD.
" Some future historian will relate with pleasure, and the latest posterity will
read with wonder and admiration, how three hundred intrepid rural sons of free
dom drove before them more than five times their number of regular, well-
appointed troops, and forced thera to take shelter behind their own bulwarks." —
Article entitled " The Mural Heroes; or the Battle of Concord," Boston Newpa-
per for May, 1775.
At length came the 19th of April, a day destined to live in
the annals of Concord and of the world, as long as freemen exist.
The preceding winter had been one of great mHdness.^ The
spring vegetation was uncommonly forward. Fruit trees were in
blossom, winter grain had grown several inches out of the ground,
and other indications equally propitious were observed on that
memorable day. And on the morning of the 19th the weather
was as delightful, as if Providence intended thus to mark with
peculiar favor the commencement of a series of glorious events,
Miich happily resulted in the establishment of an independent
republic. The exclamation of Adams on that morning, " O What
an ever gloribus morning is this ! " was doubtless true, whether
applied to the weather or the occasion.
¦ At this time there were stationed in Bostpn ten large regiments
of British troops, of seven companies each, the 4th or King's own
regiment, 5th, 10th, 23d, or Royal Welch Fusileers, 38th, 43d,
47th, 57th, and 59th, and a battahon of marines of six companies.
A detachment of 800 of these troops, consisting of grenadiers,
light infantry, and marines, had been takeri off duty on Saturday
the 15th, under pretence of learning a new exercise ; and about
1 In a journal kept by the Rev. Thomas Smith at Falmouth, Maine, where
the weather is colder than here, are the following entries ; " January 23,
1775, very moderate weather; 27th, a summer day, 28th, wonderful
weather. February 7th, there has been no snow and but little rain since
the 29th of December ; wonderful weather, we saw two robins ; llth, warm
day; 18th, cold; 20th snow, incomparable sledding ; 21st, a summer day;
23d, a great snow-storm. March 7tli, the frost seems out of the ground in
the streets ; 15th, we have wonderful njoderate weather ; 28th, it has been
a wonder of a winter ; so moderate and unfreezing."

1775.] BATTLE OF CONCORD. jqj
10 o'clock on Tuesday evening, the 18th, embarked from Boston,
under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Smhh, of the 10th
fegiment, and Major John Pitcairn, commander of the marines ;
and landed at Lechmere Point. After having received a day's
provisions and thirty-six rounds of cartridges ; they began their
march about 12 o'clock, in silence and under cover of night,
towards Concord. The object of this expedition was to destroy
the mHitary stores deposited here, and to apprehend Messrs. Han
cock, Adams, Barrett, and other distinguished patriots, who had
become obnoxious to the British government. To facHitate the
accomplishment of their object, officers were despatched during
the day and evening of the 18th, to intercept any messengers who
might be sent by the friends of liberty, and thus to prevent the dis
covery of their approach. Happily for the provincials it could not
be concealed. The first movement of the British troops in Bos
ton was known ; and no sooner known, than messengers were
immediately despatched towards their intended destiu-ation. Paul
Revere left Charlestown about 11 o'clock, passed through Med
ford, awoke the captain of the minute company there, and alarmed
almost everyTainily on his way to Lexington. Nearly at the same
time William Dawes set out for the same destination and passed
throtlgh Roxbury. Havitig arrived at the Rev. Mr. Clark's in Lex
ington, RevCre found Hancock and Adams, who had tarried there
on their way from Concord, after the adjournment of the Provin
cial Congress, to whom he related what he knew of the intended
expedition. They also received similaf intelligence from the
fcommittee of safety then in session at West Cambridge. After he
had stayed there a short time^ Dawes' arrived, and both proceeded
together towards Concord. They had not travelled far before
they were overtaken by Dr. Samuel Prescott of Concord, who
had spent the evening at LexingtoUj at the house of Mr. Mulhken,
to whose daughter he was paying his addresses ; and having been
alairmed. Was hastening his return home. All rode on together,
spreading the alarm at every house. When they arrived near Mr.
-Hartwell's tavern in the lower bounds of Lincoln, they were attack
ed by four British officers, who belotjged to the scouting party sent
otit the preceding evening, aud Revere and Dawes were taken.
Prescott was also attacked, and had the reins of his bridle cut ; but
fortunately succeeded in making his escape by jumping his horse

102 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1775.
over the wall; and, taking a circuitous route through Lincoln, he
proceeded with aH possible expedition to Concord. 'Elijah Saun-
derson, Solomon Brown, and Jonathan Loring of Lexington, who
had been sent out to watch the movement of the British officers,
and several others passing on the road, were taken prisoners a
short time before 10 o'clock by another party. After detaining
them till 2 o'clock, and asking many questions about the magazines
at Concord, whether any guards were posted there, and whether
the bridges were up, they conducted them back to Lexington,
where they were released. Hancock and Adams, having re
mained at the Rev. Mr. Clark's, around whose house a guard
had been placed, after consultation now proceeded towards Wo
burn. Between 12 and 1 o'clock the same night, information was brought
from the Hon. Joseph Warren, that the king's troops were march
ing to Lexington, and soon after the militia were alarmed and or
dered to assemble. An express was sent to Cambridge, and return
ed between three and four o'clock, without obtaining any inteUi-
gence of the movements of the enemy, upon which the mHitia were
dismissed for a short time. The commanding officer, however,
thought best soon to call them together again, "not," says the Rev.
Mr. Clark, " with the design of opposing so superior a force, much
less commencing hostHities ; but only with a view to determine
what to do, when and where to meet, and to dismiss and disperse."
" Accordingly, about half an hour after four o'clock, alarm guns
were fired, and the drums beat to arms ; and the militia were
collecting together. — Some, to the number of fifty or sixty, or
possibly more, were on the parade, others were coming towards
it. — In the mean time the troops, having thus stolen a march
upon us, and to prevent any intelligence of their approach, having
seized and held prisoners several persons, whom they met un
armed upon the road, seemed to come determined for murder and
bloodshed ; and that whether provoked to it or not ! When within
about half a quarter of a mHe of the meeting-house, they halted,
and command was given to prime and load ; which' being done,
they marched on till they came up to the east end of said meet
ing-house, in sight of our mHitia (collecting as aforesaid) who
were about twelve or thirteen rods distant. Immediately on their
appearing so suddenly, and so nigh, Captain Parker, who com-

1775.] BATTLE OF CONOID. 103
manded the militia company, ordered the men to disperse and take
care of themselves and not to fire. Upon this our men dispersed ;
but many of them not so speedHy, as they might have done, not
having the most distant idea of such brutal barbarity and more
than savage cruelty, from the troops of a British king, as they
immediately experienced. For no sooner did they come in sight
of our company, but one of them, supposed to be an officer of
rank, was heard to say to the troops, ' Damn them ; we will have
them 1 ' Upon which the troops shouted aloud, huzza'd, and
rushed furiously towards our men. About the same time, three
officers (supposed to be Colonel Smith, Major Pitcairn, and another
officer) advanced on horseback to the front of the body, and com
ing within five or six rods of the militia, one of them cried out,
' Ye viHains, ye rebels, disperse ; damn you, disperse ! ' or words
to this effect. One of them said, ' Lay down your arms ; damn
you, why don't you lay down your arms ! ' The second of these
officers, about this time fired a pistol towards the militia as they
were dispersing. The foremost, who was within a few yards of
our men, brandishing his sword, and then pointing towards them,
with a loud voice, said to the troops, ' Fire 1 by God, fire ! '
which was instantly followed by a discharge of arms from the said
troops, succeeded by a very heavy and close fire upon our party
dispersing, so long as any of them were within reach ^ Eight were
left dead upon the ground ; ten were wounded." ^
The British troops then passed on without molestation to Con
cord, six miles further. In the mean time Prescott had arrived
there ; and the guard, the committee of safety, the military officers,
and principal citizens, had been alarmed. The church bell rung a
little before three o'clock. Major John Buttrick requested Mr.
Reuben Brown to proceed towards Lexington, obtain what in
formation he could, and return. Another messenger was sent to
Watertown on the same errand. Mr. Brown arrived at Lexington
just before the British tropps fired on the devoted Lexington mili
tia, and immediately returned to Concord, without waiting to ascer
tain what effect their firing had produced. On his arrival Major
Buttrick inquired if they fired buHets. " I do not know, but think
1 " Plain and faithful Narrative of Facts," by the Rev. Jonas Clark, min
ister of Lexington, published as an appendix to his Sermon, preached at
the anniversary of these events in 1776. — See Appendix.

104 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1775,
it probable," was the answer. It was supposed at that time, that
they fired nothing but powder, merely to intimidate the people,
though various reports were circulated of a different character.
The provincials were unwilling to be the aggressor^ and could not
then believe the mother country was in earnest, and intended to
murder the inhabitants of her colonies. The object was conceived
to be, to destroy the public stores. The people, however, wished
to be prepared for any event. Mr. Brown proceeded by the
direction of Colonel Barrett to Hopkinton to alarm the people in
that direction. Other messengers Were sent at the same time to
other towns with the intelligence ; and the alarm spread like
electric fire from a thousand sources, and produced a shock that
roused all to action.
The committee of safety in Concord had been engaged the pre
ceding day, according to the direction of the provincial committee,
in removing some of the mihtary stores to the adjoining towns, and
immediately gave directions for removing and securing such as yet
remained. This occupied the attention of Colonel Barrett and a
large number of citizens a considerable portion of the morning.
Four cannon were carried to Stow, six to the outer parts of the
town, and some others covered with hay, straw, manure, &lc.
Loads pf stores of various kinds were carried to Acton, and other
towns, and many others were concealed in private, buildings and in
the woods. The utmost activity prevailed in preparing for the
approaching crisis.
The road from Lexington to Concord enters the town from the
southeast along the side of a hill, which commences on the right
about a mile below the village, rising abruptly from thirty to fifty
feet above the road, and terminating at the northeasterly part of
the public square. The top is plain land, commanding a pleasant
view of the vHlage and vicinity. Here, in the rear of Reuben
Brown's, stood the pole oti which the flag of liberty was first un
furled. The meeting-house stood in its present situation ; the court
house was near the county-house, now occupied by the jaHer; Cap
tain Timothy Wheeler's store-house was near Mr. Stow's. There
was no house between Elisha Tolman's and Abel B. Heywood's.
The main branch of Concord river flow^ sluggishly in a serpentine
direction on the westeriy and northeriy side of the village about
half a mile from the principal houses. This river was then passed

1775.] BATTLE OF CONCORD. 105
by two bridges-, one by Deacon Cyrus Hosmer's, caHed the " old
South Bridge," the other near the Rev. Dr. Ripley's, called the
North Bridge, about half a mile from the meeting-house. The
river, which before ran easterly, turns at this place and runs
northerly. The road, just beyond Dr. Ripley's, turned nearly at
right angles, and passing over the bridge went parallel with the
river over wet ground below the house then owned by Captain
David Brown, and by Humphrey Hunt's, to Colonel Barrett's, who
lived about two mHes from town. This road was entered by an
other, about thirty rods above the bridge nearly at right angles,
leading from the high lands at Colonel Jonas Buttrick's, also about
fifty rods direct from the bridge, on which the main body of the
provincial mHitia paraded. This bridge was taken up in 1793, and
two others, one above and the other below the old site, were erected.
Guards were stationed at the north and south bridges, below
Dr. Heywood's, and in the centre of the viHage. Jonathan Farrar
was then commander of the guard. In case of an alarm, it was
agreed to meet at Wright's tavern, now Deacon Jarvis's. A part
of the company under Captain Brown paraded about break of
day ; and being uncertain whether the enemy was coming, they were
dismissed, to be called together by the beat of drum. Soon after
ward the minute-men and mHitia, who had assembled, paraded on
the common ; and after furnishing themselves with ammunition at
the court-house, marched down below the village in view of the
Lexington road. About the same time a part of the minute com
pany from Lincoln, who had been alarmed by Dr. Prescott, came
into town, and paraded in like manner. The number of armed men,
who had now assembled, was about one hundred. The morning
had advanced to about seven o'clock ; and the British army were
soon seen approaching the town on the Lexington road. The sun
shone with peculiar splendor. The glittering arms of eight hun
dred soldiers, " the flower of the British army," were full in view.
It was a novel, imposing, alarming sight. What was to be done ?
At first it was thought best that they should face the enemy, as
few as they were, and abide the consequences. Of this opinion,
among others, was the Rev. WiHiam Emerson, the clergyman of
the town, who had turned out amongst the first in the morning to
animate and encourage his people by his counsel and patriotic ex
ample. " Let us stand our ground," said he ; " if we die, let us
14

106 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1775.
die here ! " Eleazer Brooks of Lincoln was then on the hHl.
" Let us go and meet them," said one to him. " No," he an-
' swered, " it wHl not do for us to begin the war." They did not
then know what had happened at Lexington. Their number was,
however, very small in comparison with the enemy, and it was
concluded best to retire a short distance, and wait for reinforce
ments. They consequently marched to the northern declivity of
the burying-ground hill, near the present site of the court-house.
They did not, however, leave their station till the British hght
infantry had arrived within a few rods' distance.
Major Buttrick went to one of the companies then under com
mand of Lieutenant Joseph Hosmer, the other officers not then be
ing at their posts, and requested him to act as adjutant. He remon
strated by telling him " his company would be left alone if he
did." " It must be so then," said Buttrick; " you must go." He
accordingly left his company, and officiated as adjutant the remain
ing part of the morning. About the same time Colonel James
Barrett, who was commander of the regiment of militia, and who
had been almost incessantiy engaged that morning in securing the
stores, rode up. Individuals were frequently arriving, bringing dif
ferent reports. Some exaggerated the number of British troops;
some said that they had, and others that they had not kHled some
Lexington militia men. It was difficult to obtain correct information.
Under these circumstances he ordered the men there paraded, being
about one hundred and fifty, to march over the north bridge, near
the present residence of Colonel Jonas Buttrick, and there wait for
reinforcements. " This shows," says Murray, " that they did not
intend to begin hostHities at this time, otherwise they would have
disputed the ground with the light infantry."
In the mean time the British troops entered the town. The
six companies of light infantry were ordered to enter on the hiU,
and disperse the minute men whom they had seen paraded there.
The grenadiers came up the main road, and halted on the com
mon. Unfortunately for the people's cause, the British officers
had already been made somewhat acquainted, through their spies,
and the tories, with the topography of the town, and the situation
of many of the mHitary stores. On their arrival they examined
as well as they could, by the help of spyglasses from a post of
observation on the burying-ground hHl, the appearance of the

1775.] BATTLE OF CONCORD. 107
town, condition of the provincials, &c. It was found that the pro
vincials were assembling, and that no time was to be lost. The first
object of the British was to gain possession of the north and south
bridges to prevent any mihtia from entering over them. Accord
ingly, whHe Colonel Smith remained in the centre of the town, he
detached six companies of light infantry, under command of Capt.
Lawrence Parsons of his own regiment, to take possession of the
north bridge, and proceed thence to places where stores were de
posited. Ensign D'Bernicre, already mentioned, was ordered to
direct his way. It is also intimated that tories were active in
guiding the regulars. Captain Beeman of Petersham was one.
On their arrival there, three companies under comraand of Cap
tain Lawrie of the 43d regiment were left to protect the bridge ;
one of those, commanded by Lieutenant Edward Thornton Gould,
paraded at the bridge, the other, of the 4th and 10th regiments, fell
back in the rear towards the hill. Captain Parsons with three
companies proceeded to Colonel Barrett's to destroy the Stores
there deposited. At the same time Captain Mundey Pole of the
10th regiment was ordered to take possession of the south bridge,
and destroy such public property as he could find in that direction.
The grenadiers and marines, under Smith and Pitcairn, remained
in the centre of the town, where all means in their power were
used to accomplish the destruction of military stores.
By the great exertions of the provincials the principal part of
the public stores had been secreted, and many others were pro
tected by the innocent artifice of individuals. In the centre of the
town the grenadiers broke open about sixty barrels of flour, nearly
one half of which was afterwards saved ; knocked off the trunnions
of three iron twenty-four pound cannon, and burnt sixteen new
carriage-wheels, and a few barrels of wooden trenchers and spoons.
The liberty-pole on the hill was cut down, and suffered the same
fate. About five hundred pounds of balls were thrown into the
mill-pond and into wells. " The shrewd and successful address of
Captain Timothy Wheeler on this occasion deserves notice. He
had the charge of a large quantity of provincial flour, which,
together with some casks of his own, was stored in his barn. A
British officer demanding entrance, he readily took his key and
gave him admission. The officer expressed his pleasure at the
discovery ; but Captain Wheeler with much affected simplicity,

108 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1775.
said to him, putting his hand on a barrel ; ' This is my flour. I
am a miller. Sir. Yonder stands my mill. I get my living by it.
In the winter I grind a great deal of grain, and get it ready for
market in the spring. This,' pointing to one barrel, * is the flour of
wheat ; this,' pointing to another, ' is the flour of corn ; this is
the flour of rye ; this,' putting his hand on his own casks, ' is my
flour ; this is my wheat; this is my rye; this is mine.' 'WeH,'
said the officer, ' we do not injure private property ' ; and with
drew leaving this important depository untouched." ^
Captain Ephraim Jones kept the tavern now owned by Hart
wefl Bigelow, and had the care of the jaH near by. Henry Gard
ner, Esq., the province treasurer, had boarded with him during the
session of the Congress, and had left in his custody a chest contain
ing some money and other important articles. Captain Jones was
taken by the British, and placed under a guard of five men with
their bayonets fixed and pointing towards him. After being thus
detained a short time he was released to furnish refreshment at his
bar. In the mean time they entered his house in search of public
stores, and went to the chamber where Mr. Gardner's chest was
deposited. Being about to enter, Hannah Barns, who lived in the
family, remonstrated, telhng them it was her apartment, and con
tained her property. After considerable parleying, they left her
and the chamber unmolested.
The court-house was set on fire, but was extinguished by Mrs.
Martha Moulton, a near resident, assisted by a servant of Dr.
Minott. They remonstrated, saying to the British, " The top of
the house is filled with powder, and if you do not put the fire out,
you will all be killed." On this they lent their aid. They
seized and abused several unarmed inhabitants who remained in
the village.
The party at the south bridge entered seve.ral adjacent houses,
where at their request mHk, potatoes, meat, and other refresh
ments, as a breakfast, were provided. They entered the house of
Ephraim Wood, Esq. and endeavoured to take him prisoner. He
was town clerk and a distinguished patriot. Being actively en
gaged in directing the important events of the day, and assisting
in removing the stores, he was not at home and escaped detec-
1 Holmes's Annals, vol. ii. p. 326.

1775.] BATTLE OF CONCORD. 109
tion. At Mr. Amos Wood's they paid a guinea apiece to each of
the female attendants to compensate- them for their trouble. They
searched the house ; and an officer observing one room fastened,
significantly inquired of Mrs. Wood, " whether there were not
some females locked up there ? " By her evasive answer he was
led to believe it was so, and immediately said, " I forbid any one
entering this room ! " — and a room filled with mHitary stores was
thus fortunately preserved. This party remained here till they
heard the firing at the north bridge, when they recrossed the river,
took up the planks of the bridge to render it impassable, and has
tened to join the main body in the middle ctfthe town.
After Colonel Barrett had ordered the militia to march over the
bridge, he rode home to give some directions respecting the stores
at his house. He set out on his return to the mHitia companies
just before the party of British troops arrived. They said to Mrs.
Barrett, " Our orders are to search your house and your brother's
from top to bottom." Leave was granted. The soldiers here, as
at other places in town, requested and were provided with refresh
ments. One of the sergeants asked for spirit, but it was refused ;
and the commanding officer forbid it, as it might render him
unfit for duty, saying, " We shall have bloody work to day, — we
have kiHe^ men at Lexington." The officers offered to pay Mrs.
Barrett, but she refused, saying, " We are commanded to feed
our enemies." They then threw' some money into her lap. Hesi
tating some time, she accepted it with the remark, — " This is the
price of blood." They assured her of good treatment, but said
they must execute their orders. Mrs. Barrett had concealed some
musket-balls, cartridges, flints, &c., in casks in the garret, and
had put over them a quantity of feathers, which prevented dis
covery. They however took fifty dollars in money from one of
the roonis. On seeing Stephen, a son of Colonel Barrett, the offi
cer demanded his name. Being answered " Barrett," they called
him a rebel, and taking hold of him said, " You must go tq Bos
ton with us, and be sent to England for your trial." Upon Mrs.
.Barret saying, " He is my son, and not the master of the house,"
they released him. They coHected some gun-carriages in order
to burn them ; but before they executed their intention the firing
at the bridge was heard, and they immediately retreated.
WhHe the British were thus engaged, our citizens and part of

110 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1775.
our military men, having secured what articles of public property
they could, were assembling under arms. Beside the minute-men
and militia of Concord, the mHitary companies from the adjoining
towns began to assemble ; and the number had increased to about
two hundred and fifty or three hundred.
There were at this time in this vicinity, under rather imperfect
organization, a regiment of militia, and a regiment of minute-men.
The officers cf the militia were James Barrett, colonel ; Eze
kiel How of Sudbury, lieutenant-colonel ; Nathan Barrett and
George Minott of Concord, Joseph Robbins of Acton, John
Moore of Bedford, Samuel Farrar of Lincoln, and Moses Stone
and Aaron Haynes of Sudbury, captains. The officers of the
minute-men were Abijah Pierce of Lincoln, colonel ; Thomas
Nixon of Framingham, lieutenant-colonel ; John Buttrick of Con
cord, major ; Jacob Miller of Holliston, 2d major ; Thomas Hurd
of East Sudbury, adjutant ; David Brown, and Charles MHes of
Concord, Isaac Davis of Acton, William Smith of Lincoln, Jon
athan Wilson of Bedford, John Nixon of Sudbury, captains.
There were also two small companies of 'horse, one in Concord,
and one in Sudbury ; but they were out among the foot companies
at this time. Joseph Hosmer, David Wheeler, Francis Wheeler,
and James Russell of Concord ; John Hayward, Simon Hunt, and
John Heald of Acton ; Samuel Hoar of Lincoln ; Moses Abbott
of Bedford ; and Jonathan Rice, David Moore, Asahel Wheeler,
and Jabez Puffer of Sudbury, were lieutenants. All these, how
ever, were not present at the engagement at the North Bridge.^
1 It has been customary in giving notice of deceased revolutionary sol
diers, who met the British at any time on that day, or marched to meet
them, to say they were present at the North Bridge. This in many in
stances is doubtless incorrect. Scarcely any, except those from Concord
and the towns immediately adjoining, were or could be present, though
troops came with celerity and bravery from a greater distance, and were
in the engagement on the retreat. Two companies from Sudbury, under
How, Nixon, and Haynes, came to Concord ; and having received orders
from a person stationed at the entrance of the town for the purpose of
a guide, to proceed to the north instead of the south bridge, arrived near
Colonel Barrett's just before the British soldiers retreated. They halted
in sight, and Colonel How observed, " If any blood has been shed, not one
of the rascals shall escape ; " and disguising himself rode on to ascertain
the truth. Before proceeding far, the firing began at thebridge, and the
Sudbury companies pursued the retreating British.

1775.} BATTLE OF CONCORD. HI
The officers of the minute companies had no commissions. Their
authority was derived solely from the suffrages of their companies.
Nor were any of the companies formed in regular order. John
Robinson of Westford, a Lieutenant-Colonel in a regiment of
minute-men under Colonel William Prescott, and other men of
distinction had already assembled. The hostile acts and formida
ble array of the enemy, and the burning of the articles they had
collected in the vHlage, led them to anticipate a general destruc
tion. Joseph Hosmer, acting as adjutant, formed the soldiers as they
arrived singly or in squads, on the field westerly of Colonel Jonas
Buttrick's present residence ; the minute companies on the right
and the militia on the left, facing the town. He then, observing
an unusual smoke arising from the centre of the town, went to the
officers and citizens in consultation on the high ground near by,
and inquired earnestiy, " Will you let them burn the town down ? "
They then, with those exciting scenes before them deliberately
with noble patriotism and firmness " resolved to march into the
middle of the town to defend their homes, or die in the attempt ; "
and at the same time they resolved, not to fire unless first fired
upon. " They acted upon principle and in the fear of God." ^
Colonel Barrett immediately gave orders to march by wheeling
from the right. Major Buttrick requested Lieutenant-Colonel
Robinson to accompany him, and led them in double file to the
scene of action. When they came to the road leading from Cap
tain Brown's to the bridge, a part of the Acton minute company
under Captain Davis passed by in front, marched towards the
bridge a short distance, and halted. Being in files of two abreast,
the Concord minute company, under Captain Brown, being before
at the head, marched up the north side, tiH they came equally in
front. The precise position, however, of each company cannot now
be fully ascertained. This road was subject to inundations, and a
wall was built with large stones on the upper side, in which posts
were placed, connected together at their tops with poles to aid
foot-passengers in passing over in times of high water.
The British, observing their motions, immediately formed on the
east side of the river, and soon began to take up the planks of the

1 " History of the Fight at Concord," by the Rev. Dr. Ripley.

112 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1775.
bridge. Against this Major Buttrick remonstrated in an elevated
tone, and ordered a quicker step of his soldiers. The British
desisted. At that moment two or three guns were fired in quick
succession into the river, which the provincials considered as alarm-
guns and not aimed at them. They had arrived within ten or
fifteen rods of the bridge, when a single gun was fired by a British
soldier, the ball from which passing under Colonel Robinson's arm
slightiy wounded the side of Luther Blanchard, a fifer in the Acton
company, and Jonas Brown, one of the Concord minute men. This
gun was instantly followed by a volley by which Captain Isaac
Davis and Abner Hosmer, both belonging to Acton, were kiHed,
a ball passing through the body of the former, and another through
the head of the latter. On seeing this. Major Buttrick instantly
leaped from the ground, and partly turning to his men, exclaimed,
" Fire, fellow-soldiers, for God's sake, fire " ; discharging his own
gun almost in the same instant. His order was instantly obeyed ;
and a general discharge from the whole line of the provincial ranks
took place. Firing on both sides continued a few minutes.
Three British soldiers were kHled ; and Lieutenants Sunderland,
Kelley, and Gould, a sergeant, and four privates were wounded.
The British immediately retreated about halfway to the meeting
house, and were met by two companies of grenadiers, who had
been drawn thither by " the noise of battle."
Two of the soldiers kHled at the bridge were left on the ground,
where they were afterwards buried by Zachariah Brown and
Thomas Davis, Jun., and the spot deserves to be marked by an
ever-enduring monument, as the place where the first British blood
was spHt, — where the hfe of the first British soldier was taken, in
a contest which resulted in a revolution the most mighty in its
consequences in the annals of mankind.
Most of the provincials pursued them across the bridge, though
a few returned to Buttrick's with their dead.^ About one hun
dred and fifty went immediately across the Great Field to intercept
the ememy on their retreat at Merriam's corner. From this time

1 Luther Blanchard went to Mrs. Barrett's, who, after examining his
wound, mournfully remarked, " A little more and you'd been killed."
" Yes," said Blanchard, " and a little more and 't wouldn't have touched
me ; " — and immediately joined the pursuers.

1775.] BATTLE OF CONCORD. 113
through the day, httle or no military order was preserved. Every
man chose his own time and mode of attack.
It was between 10 and 11 o'clock when the firing at the bridge
took place ; and a short time after Captain Parsons and his party
returned unmolested from Colonel Barrett's. They might have
been attacked and taken, had the party that went across the Great
Fields remained, and had strict mHitary order been preserved ; but
it was probably feared, that, if this had been done, the grenadiers
would have burnt the vHlage, or committed some other act of re
taliation, which it would have been impossible for the number of
Americans then assembled to prevent. War, too, at this time was
not declared. Though some may suppose the provincials here
made a mistake, and neglected the advantages they possessed, yet
no one who views all the circumstances correctly, will hesitate
to consider this, as one of the most fortunate events, or be dissatis
fied with what the provincials did on that memorable day.
By this time the provincials had considerably increased, and
were constantly arriving from the neighbouring towns. The Brit
ish had but partially accomplished the objects of their expedition ;
the quantity of public stores destroyed being very small in com
parison with what remained untouched. They observed, how
ever, with no little anxiety and astonishment, the celerity with
which the provincials were assembling, and the determined reso
lution with which they were opposed. Hitherto their superior
numbers had giveii them an advantage over such companies as had
assembled ; but they now began to feel that they were in danger,
and resolved, from necessity, on an immediate retreat. They col
lected together their scattered parties, and made some hasty pro
vision for the wounded.
Several were taken into Dr. Minott's (now the Middlesex Hotel),
-where their wounds were dressed. One of the officers left his
gold watch, which was discovered after he had gone out, by an
old black servant. She, with honest simplicity, called out " Hollo,
sir, you have left your watch," and restored it without fee or
reward. At Wright's tavern, Pitcairn caHed for a glass of brandy,
and stirred it up with his bloody finger, remarking, " He hoped he
should stir the damned yankee blood so before night." ^ One of

1 Major Pitcairn was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17th.
15

114 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1775.
the wounded died and was buried where Mr. Keyes' house stands.
A chaise was taken from Reuben Brown,^ and another from John
Beaton, which were furnished with bedding, piHaged as were
many other articles from the neighbouring houses, in which they
placed some of their wounded ; and began a hasty retreat a littie
before 12 o'clock. Several were left behind. About the same
time they fired at Mr. Abel Prescott,® whom they saw returning
from an excursion to alarm the neighbouring towns ; but, though
slightly wounded in his side, he secreted himself in Mrs. Hey
wood's house and escaped.
The designs of the enemy were now fully developed ; and the
indignation of the provincials was highly excited. Many of them
were determined to be revenged for the wanton cruelties which
had been committed. They had followed the retreating party
between the bridge and the village, and fired single-handed from
the high ground, or from behind such shelter as came in their way ;
and thus began a mode of warfare which cost many a one his life.
The king's troops retreated in the same order as they entered
town, the infantry on the hill and the grenadiers in the road, but
with flanking parties more numerous and farther from the main
body. On arriving at Merriam's Corner they were attacked by the
provincials who had proceeded across the Great Fields, in conjunc
tion with a company from Reading, under command of the late
Governor Brooks. Several of the British were kHled, and several
wounded; among the latter was Ensign Lester. None of the pro
vincials were injured. From this time the road was literally lined
with provincials, whose accurate aim generally produced the desired
effect. Guns were fired from every house, barn, wall, or covert.
1 Lieutenant Joseph Hayward, who had been in the French war, took
these two chaises in Cambridge, and brought them to Concord, having
killed a man in each. A little before, observing a gun pointed out of the
window of a house by a British soldier, he seized it, and in attempting to
enter the house found it fastened. He burst open the door, attacked and
killed by himself two of the enemy in the room, and took a third prisoner.
One of their guns is still owned by his son, from whom I received this
anecdote. 2 He was brother of Samuel Prescott, who brought the intelligence from
Lexington in the morning. Samuel was taken prisoner on board a priva
teer afterwards, and carried to Halifax, where he died in jail. Abel died
of the dysentery in Concord, September 3, 1775, aged 35.

1775.] BATTLE OF CONCORD. 115
After they had waylaid the enemy and fired upon them from one
position, they fell back from the road, ran forward, and came up
again to perform a similar manoeuvre. The Sudbury company
attacked them near Hardy's hill on the south ; and below the
Brooks tavern, on the old road north of the school-house, a
severe battle was fought. Some were killed in the woods, and
others in or near Mr. Hartwell's barn, close by. It was here
that Captain Jonathan WHson of Bedford, Nathaniel Wyman of
Billerica, and Daniel Thompson of Woburn were killed. Eight
of the British, who fell here and were left on the ground, were
buried in the Lincoln burying-ground the next day, one of whom,
from his dress, was supposed to have been an officer. Several
were killed near where VHes's tavern now is ; and at Fisk's hiH,
a little below. Lieutenant Colonel Smith was wounded in his
leg, in a severe engagement. At the house at the bottom of this
hHl a rencontre between James Hayward of Acton and a British
soldier took place. Hayward, on going round the house for a
draught of water, perceived his antagonist coming through the
house on the same errand. The Briton drew up his gun, remark
ing, it is said, " You are a dead man " ; " And so are you," an
swered Hayward. Both fired and both fell ; the former dead,
and the latter mortally wounded. He died the next day. All
the way the. enemy were compelled to pass through ranks of men
they had injured, and who were armed and eager to avenge the
blood of their slaughtered fellow citizens.
An express was sent from Lexington in the morning to General
Gage to inform him of what had happened there ; and about 9
o'clock a brigade of about 1100 men marched out under the com
mand of the Right Honorable Httgh Earl Percy ,^ a brigadier-gene
ral ; consisting of the marines, the Welch Fusiliers, the 4th, 47th,
and 38th regiments, and two field-pieces. This reinforcement
arrived at Lexington about 2 o'clock, placed the field-pieces on
the high ground below Monroe's tavern, and checked for about
half an hour the eager pursuit of the provincials. During this
time they burnt the house, barn, and other out-buildings of Deacon
1 " Providence, May 10, 1777. On Monday General Percy, the hero
of Lexington (weary of the American war, though covered with laurels),
sailed from Newport for England in a ship mounting 14 guns only. The
command has devolved on General Prescott." — Boston Gazette.

116 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1775.
Joseph Loring, the house, barn, and shop of Mi-s. Lydia Mulli-
ken,' and the house and shop of Mr. Joshua Bond. By the aid
of this reinforcement they were able to eifect their retreat to
Charlestown, though not without sustaining continual losses on the
way. They arrived about 7 o'clock, having, during a day un
usually hot for the season, marched upwards of 36 mHes, and
endured almost incredible suffering. All the provisions they had
had" were obtained by purchase or plunder from the people ; their
provision-wagons having been taken by the Americans. Some of
thera " were so much exhausted with fatigue, that they were
obliged to 'lie down on the ground, their tongues hanging out of
their mouths like dogs after the chase." ^ Our mHitia and minute-
men pursued them to Charlestown Neck, many of whom remained
there during the night ; others returned home. The damage
to private property by fire, robbery, and destruction, was estimated
at £274 16s. Id. in Concord ; £1761 Is. 5d. in Lexington ; and
£1202 8s. Id. in Cambridge.®
Of the provincials 49 were killed, 36 wounded, and 5 missing.
Captain Charles Miles, Captain Nathan Barrett, Jonas Brown,
and Abel Prescott, jr., of Concord, were wounded. Captain Isaac
Davis, Abner Hosmer, and James Hayward, of Acton, were kiHed,
and Luther Blanchard, wounded. Captain Jonathan Wilson, of
Bedford, was kiUed, and Job Lane wounded.
Of the British, 73 were kiHed, 172 wounded, and 26 missing ;
among whom were 18 officers, 10 sergeants, 2 dmmmers, and
240 rank and file. Among the wounded were Lieutenant Colonels
Francis Smith and Benjamin Bernard. Lieutenant Edward HaU
was wounded at the north bridge, and taken prisoner on the re
treat. He died the next day, and his remains were delivered up
to General Gage. Lieutenant Edward Thornton Gould was also
wounded at the bridge, and taken prisoner on the retreat. He
was confined and treated with kindness at Medford tiU May 28th,
when he was exchanged for Josiah Breed, of Lynn. He had a
1 Holmes's Annals, vol. ii. p. 206.
3 Files of the Provincial Congress. Another paper in the Secretary's
office, dated 1782, gives the amount of loss to Lexington £2576 2s. Id., cur
rency ; — real estate £615 10s., and personal £1960 12s. Id. And the Se
lectmen say in this paper, " As it is almost eight years since the 19th of
April, 1775, some considertible part of the loss and damage sustained by
the town cannot be ascertained at this time."

1775.] BATTLE OF CONCORD. 117
fortune of £1900 per annum, and is said to have offered £2000
for his ransom. Lieutenant Isaac Potter, of the marines, was
taken prisoner, and confined some time at Reuben Brown's.
Colonel Barrett was directed, AprH 22d, to give him liberty to
walk round the house, but to keep a constant guard of three men,
day and night, to prevent his being, insulted or making his escape.
Eight of the wounded received medical attendance from Dr. Cum
ing, at the house then standing near Captain Stacy's. One of
them, John Bateman, died and was buried on the hill ; and none of
them were known to return to the British. Samuel Lee was
taken prisoner early in the morning, between Lexington and
Concord, and afterwards lived in Concord tiH his death. He
always stated that he was the first prisoner taken on that day.
Fourteen prisoners were confined in the jail in Concord during the
year, and a number of others were permitted to go out to work.
Fifteen were ordered to Worcester, April 26th. Sergeant Cooper,
one of the party who went to Colonel Barrett's, married a woman
who lived with Dr. Cuming.
Such is an imperfect sketch of the occurrences of the 19th of
AprH, 1775, " the greatest of that age." " Concord," says the
late President Dwight, " will be long remembered as having been,
partially, the scene of the first mHitary action in the revolutionary
war, and the object of an expedition, the first in that chain of
events, which terminated in the separation of the British colonies
from their mother country. A traveller on this spot, particularly
an American traveller, will insensibly call to his mind an event of
this magnitude, and cannot faU of being deeply affected by a com
parison of so small a beginning with so mighty an issue. In
other circumstances, the expedition to Concord, and the interest
which ensued, would have been merely little tales of wonder and
of woe, chiefly recited by the parents of the neighbourhood to
their circles at the fireside ; commanding a momentary attention of
chHdhood ; and calling forth the tear of sorrow from the eyes of
those who were intimately connected with the sufferers. Now
the same events preface the history of a nation and the beginning
of an empire, and are themes of disquisition and astonishment to
the civihzed world. From the plains of Concord wHl henceforth
be dated a change in human affairs, an alteration in the balance
of human power, and a new direction to the course of human im-

118 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1775.
provement. Man, from the events which have occurred here,
will, in some respects, assume a new character, and experience,
in some respects, a new destiny."

CHAPTER Vni.

State of Feeling on the 20th of April. — Tories. — College removed to Concord.
Committees of Correspondence. — Proceedings in Relation to the Monopoly
Acts. — Revolutionary Soldiers. — Table of Different Campaigns. — Public
pecuniary Sacrifices. — Taxes. — Constitution adopted.
The events just described spread terror over the minds of
some, indignation over others, and gloom over all ; and predis
posed them to new alarms. The death of several fellow citizens,
in defence of their rights against British soldiers. Was indeed' a
novel sight of fearful interest. The next day, April 20th, a mes
senger brought a report into town by way of Lincoln, that the
regulars were again on their march to Concord. For a while this
was believed, and the most active preparations were made for
their reception, by removing the women and chHdren from the
village, and concealing them in the remote parts of the town, and
in the woods, the men parading under arms, determined to defend
themselves or perish. After a few hours the report was contra
dicted, and the inhabitants returned to their homes.
Meantime the patriot-soldiers were continually marching to
Concord from remote towns. On the 21st, 700 of them went
into the meeting-house, where prayers were offered up by the Rev.
Mr. Emerson, and an address made by the Rev. Mr. Webster of
Salem. In the afternoon Mr. Emerson and several others went
to Cambridge. Great commotion prevaHed. The next day the
town was again alarmed. The minute companies paraded and
marched to Cambridge ; but, finding no enemy, they returned.
The Provincial Congress met here on the 22d, and orders were
given to raise an army forthwith.
These occurrences brought out the friends and opposers of
liberty. Two or three individuals in town were yet inclined to
toryism. It was not strange it should be so. It was a tremen-

1775.] GENERAL HISTORY. 119
dous step to take up arms against the mother country ; and, to
say the least, the issue of the contest was doubtful. Men honest
ly differed in opinion as to the propriety of the measures of Eng
land, and others as to the proper course to be taken to obtain
redress. Some had sworn allegiance to the king, and were afraid
they should break their oath. While entertaining such opinions
they did not enter warmly into the popular cause. They were,
however, sure to receive the unwelcome notice of the people.
One individual, who had been a selectman, was heard to say,
" For myself I think I shall be neutral in these times ; " and his
name was immediately taken from the jury-box. The govern
ment was dictated by the force of public opinion. The town
assumed, in some respects, the authority of an individual commu
nity, — an independent republic. Its committee of correspon
dence met daily, and acted in a legislative, executive, and judicial
capacity. All suspicious persons were brought before it for trial,
and, if found guilty, were condemned. The people supported
them in their decisions. The following is a copy of one of these
sentences, and most remarkably shows the peculiar spirit of those
times. " We the subscribers, committee of correspondence for the town
of Concord, having taken into consideration the conduct of Dr.
Lee of said town of late, are fully of the opinion, that he be con
fined to the farm his family now hves upon ; and that, if he
should presume to go beyond the bounds and should be killed,
his blood be upon his own head. And we recommend to the in
habitants of the town, that, upon his conducting well for the
future, and keeping his bounds, they by no means molest, insult,
or disturb him, in carrying on his common affairs on said farm.
Jonas Heywood,
Ephkaim Wood, Jk.
James Barrett, Jr.
Joseph Hosmer,
Samuel Whitney.
« Concord, April 26, 1775."
Dr. Lee was not set at liberty tiH June 4, 1776. His house
was fired at several times by soldiers who passed through town ;
and so strong was the feehng against all called tories, that he would
probably have been kHled, had he gone beyond his bounds. All

Committee
Correspondence.

120 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1775.
his privHeges were, however, restored to him.^ The estate of one
individual only in Concord, that of Daniel Bliss, Esq., was con
fiscated and sold by government.
The citizens of Boston, called by a notice published in the
newspapers, held their town meeting in Concord, July 18, 1775,
when they elected a representative, and transacted other town
business. At this time that town was occupied by the British
troops, and many of its inhabitants removed to Concord.
The Provincial Congress ordered that the probate records,
" supposed to be at Mr. Danforth's and Dr. Kneeland's houses,
and the other records of the county at Mr. Foxcroft's, should be
removed to Dr. Minott's in Concord."
The buildings of Harvard College were occupied as barracks
for the American army, whHe stationed at Cambridge, and the
students were dispersed. The college was removed to Concord,
and commenced its operations on the first of October, 1775. Presi
dent Langdon lived at Dr. Minott's (now the Middlesex Hotel) ;
Professor Sewall lived at James Jones's ; Professor Wigglesworth
at the Bates place on the Bedford road ; and Professor Winthrop
at Darius Merriam's, near which was the library and philosophical
apparatus ; and other officers in different parts of the town.
Twelve of the students boarded in the house now owned by
Joseph Barrett, Esq., and others in many different places. The
recitations were at the court-house and meeting-house. Prayers
were attended at the latter place. The following proceedings of
the government of the college were communicated to the town
when it was about to be removed to Cambridge.
" Concord, June 12, 1776. At a meeting of the President,
Professors, and Tutors of Harvard College, voted, that the follow
ing address of thanks be presented by the president to the select
men, the gentlemen of the committee, and other gentlemen and
inhabitants of the town of Concord, who have favored the coHege
with their encouragement and assistance, in its removal to this
town, by providing accommodations.
"Gentlemen, — The assistance you have afforded us in ob
taining accommodations for this society here, when Cambridge
was fiHed with the glorious army of freemen, which was assem-
1 Dr. Lee's son, Jonas, was a warm friend of liberty, and for his son's
sake many were restrained from committing outrages upon him.

1775 - 1783.] GENERAL HISTORY. 121
bled to hazard their lives in their country's cause, and our removal
from thence became necessary, demands our grateful acknowledg
ments. " We have observed with pleasure the many tokens of your
friendship to the college ; and particularly thank you for the use
of your public buildings. We hope the scholars while here have
not dishonored themselves and the society by any incivilities or
indecencies of behaviour, or that you will readily forgive any
errors which may be attributed to the inadvertence of youth.
" May God reward you with all his blessings, grant us a quiet
re-settlement in our ancient seat to which we are now returning,
preserve America from slavery, and establish and continue re
ligion, learning, liberty, peace, and the happiest government in
these American colonies to the end of the world.
Samuel Langdon, President.
Per order."
The committee of correspondence, &c., chosen March, 1776,
were John Cuming, Esq., Ephraim Wood, Jr., Esq., Captain Jo
nas Heywood, Captain Joseph Hosmer, James Barrett, Esq.,
Captain David Brown, and Captain George Minott. In 1777,
Colonel John Buttrick, Josiah Merriam, Isaac Hubbard, Captain
Abishai Brown, Captain David Wheeler, Mr. Ephraim Potter,
and Lieutenant Nathan Stow. In 1778, John Cuming, Esq.,
Colonel John Buttrick, Ephraim Wood, Jr., Esq., Jonas Hey
wood, Esq., James Barrett, Esq., Captain David Brown, and
Mr. Josiah Merriam. These were reelected in '79, '80, '81,
and '82, In 1783, James Barrett, Esq. Jonas Heywood, Esq.,
Ephraim Wood, Jr., Esq., Captain David Brown, and Lieutenant
Joseph Hayward. This committee was not chosen afterwards.
A convention of about 100 members of committees of corre
spondence from 32 towns in the county, called by the members
in Concord, was held here August 20, 1776, and passed some
spirited resolutions in relation to the duties of committees, and
guarding against any efforts of the enemies of liberty. Ephraim
Wood, Jonas Heywood, and James Barrett, Esquires, were chosen
a county committee to call other meetings.
Efforts were often made during the revolution to regulate the
prices of labor and merchandise. In 1777, a committee, chosen
16

122 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1779.
by the town for the purpose, reported the prices of various kinds of
" common labor, carpenters', cordwainers', blacksmiths', women's
labor, firewood, charcoal, live swine, horse-hire, chaise-hire, upper
leather, saddlery, entertainment at public houses, flax, spirits,
milk, clothiers' work," Sic. &c. AU who varied from the estab-
hshed prices were prosecuted and treated as enemies. Colonel
John Buttrick was chosen to collect evidence against such as might
be brought to trial. It does not appear, however, that any prose
cutions took place in Concord.
A state convention met in Concord, July 14, 1779. The dele
gates from this town were John Cuming, Esq., Jonas Heywood,
Esq., James Barrett, Esq., Colonel John Buttrick, Ephraim
Wood, Jr., Esq., Captain David Brown, and Mr. Josiah Merriam ;
from Bedford, Mr. John Merriam ; frora Acton, Captain Joseph
Robbins, Mr. Seth Brooks, and Mr. Thomas Noyes ; and from
Lincoln, Capt. Samuel Farrar and Abijah Pierce, Esq. The
whole number was 174. The object of this convention was to
establish a state price-current, and to adopt other means to pre
vent monopoly, extortion, and unfair dealing. The meetuig was
opened and closed with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Ripley. The
Hon. Azor Orne, of Marblehead, was Chairman, and Samuel
Ruggles, Secretary. After passing some very spirited resolutions,
fixing the prices of several articles of merchandise, and agreeing
upon an address to the people, the convention adjourned on the
17th, recommending another similar one to meet again in October.
Their proceedings were laid before the town, July 30th, when
they were approved, and a committee of thirteen chosen, " more
fully to regulate the prices of articles of produce among us."
This committee reported, August 9th, when another, of six,
was chosen, in conjunction with the committee of correspondence,
" to keep a watchful eye over the people, and proceed against
any who should dare transgress the regulated prices of arti
cles enumerated, either in or out of town, by taking more than
they are set in the report ; and to treat them as enemies to their
country." The town voted also " to support their committee in
every regular method they shall take to punish those that violate
them." Another convention, having simHar objects in view, of dele
gates from Concord, Billerica, Lexington, Westford, Stow, Bed-

1779.] GENERAL HISTORY. 123
ford, Acton, and Lincoln, was held here, August 5th, which re
vised previous price-currents, and endeavoured to make one which
should be uniform through the towns represented. John Cuming,
Esq. was Chairman, and Ephraim Wood, Jr., Secretary.
A state convention met in Concord again, October 6th, and
continued in session seven days. Colonel Cuming and Captain
David Brown were delegates from Concord. A revised edition
of the state price-current, several new spirited resolutions, re
lating to trade, currency, &c., and an address to the people, were
adopted and pubhshed. County, town, and district meetings
were recommended to carry these resolutions into effect. They
were laid before this town, November 1st, and a committee of four
teen chosen, to fix the prices of such articles as were not therein
enumerated. They reported, the next week, " that, as the
regulations agreed upon by the late convention had been broken
over by the inhabitants of Boston and many other places, they
thought it not proper to proceed in the business assigned them,
but to postpone the matter." Thus ended the proceedings re
lating to this difficult subject. It was indeed a fruitless attempt
to enforce a system of uniform prices of merchandise, while the
currency was constantly depreciating in value. And it is believed,
that the attempts just noticed were means to increase private
property, more than to promote the public good. The value of
money was regulated monthly. January 1st, 1777, ^100 in sHver
was worth f 105 currency ; in 1778, $'328 ; in 1779, $742 ; in
1780, $2934; and in February, 1781, $7500. Such a rapid
depreciation introduced great embarrassment and distress into all
commercial transactions, which no body of men could remove by
resolutions, addresses, price-currents, or prosecutions.
The number of men furnished by Concord for actual service in
the war of the revolution was very great in proportion to her
population ; but how great cannot now be fully estimated. From
the commencement of the war tiH May, 1778, unless voluntary
enhstments could be procured, the militia officers were called
upon to make drafts. These drafts were often made on the
property, and sometimes included females and persons ordinarily
exempted from military duty, who were obliged to hire a man.
These were hired in or out of town, as was most convenient.
From that time the town by its committees, or in classes, procured

124

HISTORY OF CONCORD.

[1780.

men. On the 10th of May, 1777, the 9th of December,
1778, and the 4th of April, 1780, estimates were made by the
town of the " several services done in the war, 3 years' men
excepted, by the town, classes, or individuals," and an average
of the same made and assessed upon the inhabitants, and called
average or war taxes. The amount of the first average was
£2161 Os. 3d. ; the 2d, £5192 ; and the 3d, (in sHver), £1295 4s.
lid. The following table, compiled with labor and care from these
estimates and other authentic sources of information, exhibits,
though imperfectly, the number of men from Concord, the date
of the resolve of the Council, or General Court, when they were
required, at what place they were employed, and the bounties paid
by the town. In this abstract are not included many who enlisted
voluntarily, or marched on a sudden alarm for a short period, or
were procured in classes, or where it is doubtful to what campaign
they belonged. This would swell the list very much. In some
instances they were not exclusively stationed as mentioned in the
table, but marched to other places.

1
2
S 4
5
6
7
89
10 11
12
131415 16 17
18
1920
21
22
23

When required.
Jan. 1, 1775
April 20, 1775
Dec.], 1775
Jan. 20, 1776
March 1, 1776
April 9, 1776
June, 1776
June 25, 1776
Sept. 12, 1776
1776
Nov. 21, 1776
Dec. 1, 1776
Dec. 1776
Jan. 26, 1777
April 12, 1777
 30,1777
July, 1777
Aug. 9, 1777
Sept. 22, 1777
Nov. 28, 1777
March 3, 1778
April 12, 1778
 20, 1778

Men.100 56 1836
145 31 19
48
23 7
34 8
6
4411 5
2916
46 2322 11
10

[Time. 8 mo.
2 —
2 —
10 dys.
9 mo.
12 —
6 —
3 —
3 mo.

3yrs,6 mo.
5 mo.
41 dys.
5 mo.
3 —

Where employed.
Minute Men.
Cambridge.
Cambridge.Cambridge.
Dorchester Heights.
Near Boston.
New York.
Ticonderoga. White Plains.
Dorchester. New York.
Boston.
Rhode Island.
Continental Army.
Rhode Island.
Continental Army.
Rhode Island.
Northward.
Taking of Burgoyne.
Guard at Cambridge.
Do.
Rhode Island.
Continental Army.

Bounty. Amount.
£ 58
£ 5i— 308
Ii 27

1*

10 98
10

20 6 8
10
35 16 9
10 18
130

63f

551
190*
432 184

340

880 66 40
290 560640
207 220 198
1.300

1780.]

GENERAL HISTORY.

125

When required.

Men.

Time.

24

April 20, 1778

9

8 mo.

25

June 23, 1778

8

6 —

26

 27, 1778

26

6 wks.

27

Sept. 6, 1778

7

4 mo.

28

 19, 1778

46

.. _

29

April 27, 1779

5

6 wks.

30

June 8, 1779

8

9 mo.

31

 , 1779

4

6 —

32

Aug. 9, 1779

9

33

Sept., 1779

4

34

 1, 1779

20

2 mo.

35

June 5, 1780

19

6 —

36

 22, 1780

19

3 —

37

Dec. 2, 1780

16

3yrs.

38

Dec. 28, 1780

10

9 mo.

39

June 15, 1781

3

5 —

40

 30, 1781

14

4 —

41

March 1, 1782

—

3yrs.

15
30 73J
^ 3

12

Amount. 900 120
780 5144
$ 138
3248 48

1000

1600017090
Hired in Classes.

Hired in Classes.

Where employed. Bounty.
Guard at North River. 100
Guard at Cambridge,
Rhode Island.
Do.
To march to Boston.
Rhode Island.
Continental Army,
Rhode Island.
Rhode Island.
Works at Boston.
Rhode Island.
Continental Army.
Rhode Island.
Continental Army.
Do. at Fishkill.
Rhode Island.
Continental Army.
Continental Army.
Some particulars respecting each of these campaigns wHl be
given in the Appendix.
The pecuniary sacrifices made by Concord on account of the
revolution were also very great ; but how great, it is impossible
fully to estimate. I have gathered the following facts on the
subject. Whilst Boston was occupied with the British troops, in 1775,
the poor endured great sufferings. In January and February £70
in money, 225 bushels of grain, and a quantity of meat and wood
were, at different times, contributed by Concord for their relief.
May 1st, the provincial Congress ordered that they should be sup
ported by the country towns ; 66 were assigned to Concord, 32 to
Acton, 29 to Bedford, and 29 to Lincoln. It appears, however,
that 21 famHies, containing 82 persons, were supported here.
£80 was paid for them between May 13th and October. In
the winter of 1775 and 1776, the town carried to Cambridge, for
the use of the army, 210 cords of wood, 5 tons of hay, and some
other articles, for which it paid £150. In July, 1775, the town
was required to furnish " 37 pairs of shirts, breeches, and stock
ings, and 75 coats." In January, 1776, Concord provided 20
blankets, Bedford 12, Acton 10, and Lincoln 14. In November,
1777, and at several other times, the town voted to provide for
the families of those engaged in the continental army. £1214

126 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1780.
was paid for this purpose before September, 1779. The town
voted, in March, 1778, to procure, at an expense of £285, " shirts,
shoes, and stockings, equal to the number of soldiers in the conti
nental army, or the seventh part of the male inhabitants of the
town over 16 years of age : " 60 were assigned to Concord, 19 to
Bedford, 28 to Acton, and 28 to Lincoln. Captain Joseph Hos
mer was the receiver for the whole county. From October,
1780, to the July following, 42,779 lbs. of beef were furnished by
the town for the army. Every aid, whether in men, money,
'clothing, or provisions, required for the public service during the
war, was readily fuynished.
As a specimen of the enormous expenses of the town at this
period, I select, from its records, the taxes actually assessed and
collected during 1780 and 1781. In 1779 the taxes amounted,
in sHver, to $6,281-88, in 1782 to $9,544-98, and in 1783 to
$5,208-69. When it is recollected that the town then contained
about 1300 inhabitants only, their sacrifices will appear stHl
greater. The annual taxes, principally for the public benefit, were
then double what they have been for some time past with a
population more than one third greater. The currency having
been fluctuating, I have reduced the several sums to their real
value in sHver at the time they were assessed, according to the
authorized tables of depreciation.

When assessed.

For what ohject.

Currency.

In Silver.

Feb. 2,

1780

Continental tax. ;

£12,433 4s.0rf.=

=$1,412 54

April 4,

3d town " average or war tax."

1,295 4 11

115 56

 22,

Half of the minister's salary.

3,438 15 0

286 56

Highway tax.
To hire continental soldiers.
1,800 0 0
16,921 12 6
150 00
818 92
June 14,
 30,

To pay drafted militia.
17,090 5 6
837 75
July 14,
State tax to call in bills of
credit.
26,8.52 18 0
1,297 24
Sept. 2,
—¦ —
do. do. in silver.
346 18 0
1,156 33
Oct. 25,
To purchase 11,520 lbs. of beef 18,731 2 0
879 39
)
County tax.
1,158 10 0
54 39
Town charges.
15,495 11 0
727 49
Dec. 21,
To hire soldiers for 6 and 3
months.
40,801 3 0
1,837 89
Half of the minister's salary.
State tax to call in bills of
7,101 3 0
319 81
28,
credit.
26,880 0 0
1,210 81
Total amount of tlie assessments in 1780 $11,104 68
1780.] GENERAL HISTORY. 127

When assessed.

For what object.

March 1, 1781

To purchase 22,125 lbs. of

beef 3

July

State tax to be paid in silver.

To pay town debts.

Sept. 15, 

Half of the minister's salary.

 18, 

To purchase clothing for soldiers.

Nov.

To purchase beef

Dec. 30, 

Continental tax.

Currency.

In Silver.

33,259 8

0

1,478 19

692 2

9

2,307 12

239 10

8

765 12

85 9

2

268 20

s. 57 10

9

191 79

216 0

1

720 01

1,369 9

9

4,564 96
$10,295 39

Total amount of the assessments in 1781
In addition to these oppressive taxes, large sums were raised in
classes to hire soldiers, and by individuals who were drafted
and compelled to go into actual service, or hire a substitute. It
is as impossible to estimate the exact amount paid by the citi
zens of Concord to purchase our independence, as it is too much
to admire their exalted patriotism.
On the first of October, 1776, the town was called upon to act
on the question, " whether it would give its consent that the
House of Representatives with the CouncH should enact a con
stitution or form of governraent for this state." The subject
was referred to a coramittee, consisting of Ephraim Wood, Jr.,
Nathan Bond, Colonel James Barrett, Colonel John Buttrick,
and James Barrett, Esq., who reported the following resolves,
which were unanimously accepted by the town.
"Resolved, 1. That this state being at present destitute of a
properly established form of government, it is absolutely necessa-
sary that one should be immediately formed and established.
" 2. That the supreme legislature, in their proper capacity, are
by no means a body proper to form and establish a constitution
or form of governraent, for reasons following, viz. 1. Because we
conceive that a constitution, in its proper sense, intends a system
of principles established to secure the subject in the possession
and enjoyment of the rights and privileges against any encroach
ments of the governing party. 2. Because the same body that
forms a constitution have of consequence a.^ power to alter it.
3. Because a constitution alterable by the supreme legislature is
no security at all to the subject against the encroachments of the
governing party on any or all their rights and privileges.

128 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1780.
" 3. That it appears to this town highly expedient, that a con
vention or congress be immediately chosen to form and establish
a constitution, by the inhabitants of the respective towns in the
state, being free and twenty-one years of age and upwards, in
proportion as the representatives of the state were formerly chosen :
the convention or congress not to consist of a greater number, than
the House of Assembly in this state heretofore might consist of, ex
cept that each town and district shall have liberty to send one
representative or otherwise, as shall appear meet to the inhabitants
of this state iii general.
" 4. That when the convention or congress have formed a con
stitution, they adjourn for a short time, and publish their proposed
constitution for the inspection and remarks of the people of the
state. " 5. That the House of Assembly of this state be desired to
recommend to the inhabitants to proceed to choose a convention
or congress, for the purpose above mentioned, as soon as possible."
Notwithstanding these wholesome instructions, a constitution
was made by the General Court and sent to this town ; but it
refused, June 15, 1778, unaniraously, by 111 votes, to accept it,
for reasons above mentioned.
A convention, to which John Cuming and Ephraim Wood, Jr.,
Esqrs., were delegates from Concord, met in Cambridge in the fall of
1779, and formed a constitution, which was submitted to the town.
May 27, 1780. The bill of rights was approved with the follow
ing exceptions. The 2d article had 2 votes against it ; the 3d, 8 ;
the 9th, 3 ; and to the 29th, one desired to add the words " no
longer." The 1st, 2d, 4th, 5th, and 6th chapters were unani
mously adopted with the following exceptions. The 1st and
2d article of the 2d section, 1st chapter, had 3 votes against it ;
the 8th article in the same section, 8 ; the 3d and 6th articles of
the 3d section, in the same chapter, had 1 vote each against
them. The 2d article, 1st section, 2d chapter, was proposed to
be amended by inserting the word " Protestant " ; and the 13th
of the same section, by having the " salary of the governor," Sic.
stated yearly. The word " Protestant " was also proposed to be
inserted in the 1st article in the 6th chapter.* The first town
* The votes on the constitution, as revised, in 1820, were as follows.
The first article 46 yeas and 77 nays ; the 2d, 46 yeas, 81 nays ; the 3d,

1786.] GENERAL HISTORY. 129
meeting under the new constitution was held, August 23, 1780,
when 121 votes were given for governor, all for John Hancock.

CHAPTER IX.
State of Feeling subsequent to the Revolution. — Proceedings of the County
and of the Town. — Mr. Avery's Letter. — Armed Men assemble at Concord.
— Courts stopped. — Notice of the Insurgents. — Proceedings of the Town. —
The War of 1812. — County Courts and Shire Towns regulated. — Proceed
ings of the Town on this Subject.
CoNCORB, from its central situation and importance in the
county, was also the theatre of many interesting events during the
insurrection of 1786, known as " Shays's Insurrection." In
common with other towns, it felt, with great severity, the pressure
of the times immediately succeeding the revolutionary war. The
large drafts on the town for men and money to carry on that
war, the scarcity of money, and the depreciation in value of that
received for public service, the decay of business, the increase of
public and private debts, and the numerous law-suits arising
therefrom, the introduction of profligate manners, and the want
of confidence in government, with other existing evHs, were
grievances (as they were then generally called), which produced
great public and private embarrassment. There were a few persons
in this, and many in other towns in the county, who were in
clined to join in such an appeal to arms as would, in their opin
ion, compel the government to grant relief. A great majority
of the inhabitants of Concord lamented the existing evHs, but their
proceedings were constitutional, concHiatory, and highly com
mendable. Interesting and able instructions, given to the repre
sentatives in 1782, 1784, and 1786, express the sentiments of
76 yeas, 49 nays; the 4th, ,59 yeas, 68 nays; the 5th, 55 yeas, 72 nays;
the 6th, 78 yeas, 50 nays ; the 7th, 69 yeas, 58 nays ; the 8th, 67 yeas,
60 nays ;¦ the 9th, 62 yeas, 65 nays ; the 10th, .58 yeas, 68 nays ; the llth,
78 yeas, 48 nays ; the 12th, 68 yeas, 58 nays ; the ISth, 81 yeas, 44 nays ;
and the 14th, 49 yeas, 69 nays.
17

130 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1786.
the town on the subjects which then agitated the community, and
are found in the town records.
A convention of delegates from a majority of the towns in the
county of Middlesex was held in Concord, August 23, 1786,
" to consult on matters of public grievance under which the people
labor." This convention was called by Captain John Nutting,, of
Pepperell, chairman of a convention of committees from Groton,
Pepperell, Shirley, Townsend, and Ashby, which had met at
Groton the 29th of the previous June. Concord was represented
in the convention by Messrs. Isaac Hubbard, David Brown, Jonas
Lee, Joseph Chandler, and Samuel Bartlett ; and, to guard them
against any rash proceedings, the town instructed them " to op
pose every unconstitutional measure that may be proposed by
said convention, strictly to adhere to the rules prescribed by the
constitution of this commonwealth ; in particular, to oppose any
instructions in favor of paper money being emitted ; and that they
endeavour to take every measure to encourage industry, frugality,
and good economy through the country." John Merriam and
Timothy Jones were delegates from Bedford ; Simon Tuttle and
Thomas Noyes, from Acton ; Samuel Farrar and Samuel Hoar,
frora Lincoln ; and Thomas Hutchins and Asa Parlin, from Car
lisle. After the objects of the meeting had been considered, ten
articles of grievance voted, and an address to the public adopted
and ordered to be published, the convention adjourned to meet
again on the first Tuesday in October. There were several in this
convention who took an active part in the subsequent opposition
to government. ,
These proceedings did not meet the entire approbation of
the people of Concord. They were aware that some of these
sentiments were highly improper, and, if carried into effect,
would lead to open rebellion. On the 22d of August, con
ventions had been held in the counties of Hampshire and Berk
shire, whose proceedings were similar to those in Middlesex ;
and about 1500 men had actually assembled under arms at North
ampton, and prevented the sitting of the court there. The Court
of Common Pleas, which was to sit in Concord on the 12th of
September foHowing, had been mentioned, by the Middlesex con
vention, as one of the pubhc grievances. And though there was
good ground to believe the people of this county were more

1786.] GENERAL HISTORY. ]31
averse to rebelhon than some others, yet disturbance was antici
pated. September 8th, the Governor ordered that the artHlery compa
nies of Roxbury and Dorchester be called upon to march to Con
cord " to support the court on Tuesday next, to be under the
command of General Brooks." Such other companies as the
exigencies might require were to be ordered from the county of
Suffolk. At this critical period, a special town meeting was called on
Saturday the 9th, when the riotous measures, which had taken
place in other counties to suppress courts of justice, were " se
riously and deliberately " discussed. The town voted that they
were " alarming," and " declared their utter abhorrence of such
riotous conduct." A committee, consisting of the Hon. Joseph
Hosmer, Rev. Ezra Ripley, Mr. Samuel Bartlett, , Jonas Hey
wood, Esq., and Captain David Brown, was chosen to prepare
a circular letter to other towns in the county, " inviting, their
cooperation in acting as mediators between the government and
the opposition, and in using their utmost endeavours to calm the
people's minds," should they meet the next week to prevent the
session of the court. After an adjournment of half an hour, the
committee reported the following address, which was several
times read, and unanimously adopted. " To the Town of 
"Gentlemen, — Alarmed at the threatening aspect of our
public affairs, this town has this day held a meeting, and declared,
unanimously, their utter disapprobation of the disorderly proceed
ings of a number of persons in the counties of Hampshire and
Worcester, in preventing the sitting of the courts there. And
apprehending the like may be attempted in this county, and
probably attended with very dangerous consequences, we have
thought it advisable to endeavour, in conjunction with as many of
the neighbouring towns, as we can give seasonable information to,
by lenient measures, to dissuade from such rash conduct as may
involve the state in anarchy and confusion, and the deprecated
horrors of civH war. We conceive the present uneasiness of the
people to be not altogether groundless ; and although many de
signing men, enemies to the present government, may wish and
actually are fomenting uneasiness among the people, yet we are

132 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1786.
fully persuaded, that the views of by far the greater part are to
obtain redress of what they conceive to be real grievances. And
since the method they have taken cannot fail of meeting the
hearty disapprobation of every friend of peace and good order,
we cannot but hope, from what we know of the strenuous ex
ertions which have been made by the towns around us, and in
which those disorders above mentioned now exist, to purchase at
the expense of blood our independence, and the great unanimity
with which they have established our present government ; and
from what we know of the real grounds of their complaints ; were
lenient measures used, and a number of towns united to endeavour,
by every rational argument, to dissuade those who may seem re
fractory from measures which tend immediately to destroy the
fair fabric of our government, and to join in legal ' and constitu
tional measures to obtain redress of what may be found to be real
grievances ; they would be attended with happy effects. We have
therefore chosen a committee to act in concert with the neigh
bouring towns, for the purpose of mediating between opposing
parties, should they meet. And we cannot but hope, our united
endeavours to support the dignity of government and prevent the
effusion of blood, will meet with general approbation, and be at
tended with happy consequences.
" If the above should meet with your approbation, we request
you to choose some persons to meet a committee of this town,
chosen for that purpose, at the house of Captain Oliver Brown,
innholder in Concord, on Monday evening or Tuesday morning
next, that we may confer together, and adopt measures which
may be thought best calculated for the attainment of the ends
above proposed. We are, gentlemen, with great esteem and
friendship, your humble servants. Joseph Hosmer, Chairman,
in behalf of the Town's Committee.
" Concord, September 9, 1786."
Copies of this address were immediately sent to the several
towns in the county, and, notwithstanding the short notice, twenty-
four were represented in the convention. Captain Duncan In-
graham, of Concord, was chosen to present the address to the
Governor for his approbation. This vi(as done the next day (Sun-

1786.] GENERAL HISTORY. I33
day), when, on account of the critical state of public affairs,
a special sessiCn of the council was convened in Boston. The
proceedings of Concord were highly approved, and the address
was copied, by order of the Executive, and sent to Bristol county,
with an urgent request that simHar measures might be adopted
there. In consequence of these timely proceedings, the orders to
General Brooks for calling out the militia were countermanded ;
and much good was anticipated from the proposed mediation.
The foHowing letter to the Honorable Joseph Hosmer from the
Secretary of the State, in relation to the proceedings of Concord,
is deemed worthy of preservation. " Boston, September 10, 1786.
" Dear Sir, — The address of the town of Concord, to the
several towns in the county of Middlesex, does the town great
honor ; and I cannot but think, that the measures you have
adopted wHl have a happy tendency to conciliate the minds of
the people, and be productive of great good. Your address came
in a critical moment, which his ExceHency communicated to the
judges of the Supreme Judicial Court, and several gentlemen of
the Senate and of the House of Representatives, who were as
sembled, by the desire of the Governor, to consult on measures
necessary to be adopted at this very alarming crisis of our affairs,
who expressed their approbation, in the warmest terms, respecting
the proceedings of your town. And be assured, that the measures
that were taken in consequence thereof gave me the highest
satisfaction ; and as a convincing proof, I have set myself down
this evening to express it to my good friend Major Hosmer,
whose goodness of heart I have long been acquainted with through
very perilous times."
[Here follows a copy of the counter order to General Brooks
above noticed.]
" It is the greatest grief to me to see people, who might be
the happiest in the world, adopt measures to sap the very founda
tion of our excellent constitution. I am sensible that we are
under great embarrassments and there are grievances, but in my
humble opinion they are most of them reaUy imaginary. If a
little more industry and economy were practised by the community
at large, they would be very happy ; but there are some idle
people going from county to county, inflaming the minds of many.

134 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1786.
filling their heads with stories of the most improbable nature,
sowing sedition, and making every attempt to overthrow our ex-
ceHent constitution. The stopping of the Courts of Common
Pleas, in the several counties, is but a small part of their infernal
plan, which many worthy good people, who join these persons, are
little aware of, but sooner or later they will be acquainted with it.
" I have not time to add further, except wishing that the gen-
tiemen, who shaH meet at Concord on Tuesday next, upon the
subject matter of your address, may have divine direction in their
dehberations. " I am, Sir, with respect, your friend and humble servant.
John Avert.
" Hon. Joseph Hosmer, Esq."
Notwithstanding these precautionary measures, about 100 men
under arms from Groton and its neighbourhood, commanded by
Captains Job Shattuck, of Groton, and Nathan Smith and Syl-
vanus Smith, of Shirley, assembled at Concord, about 5 o'clock
on Monday afternoon, September 12. They lodged that night in
the court-house, barns, and such temporary shelter as they could
obtain, and on Tuesday took possession of the ground in front of
the court-house, marked out their lines, and formed in columns
around it, to prevent any but their own party from entering.
About 2 o'clock, P. M. one of the party, acting as a sergeant,
with two drums and fifes, went some distance, and in about half
an hour returned at the head of about 90 men, armed and on
horseback, frora the counties of Hampshire and Worcester, led by
one Wheeler of Hubbardstown, and Converse of Hardwick, and
joined the other party, which had increased to about 200.
The convention, invited by Concord, convened at the meeting
house on Tuesday morning, and was organized by choosing Isaac
Steams, of Billerica, chairman, and Samuel Bartiett, of Concord,
secretary. It was opened with prayer by the Reverend Ezra Rip
ley. A committee was appointed to confer with the people under
arms, to know the purpose of their assembling ; and another to
wait on the justices of the courts to inform them of the objects
of the convention and of the insurgents. In this manner, comrau-
cation was opened between the different parties. The com
mittee to confer with the armed men were unsuccessful in con
vincing them of the impropriety of their conduct. About one
o'clock they received the following note.

1786.] GENERAL HISTORY. 135
" To the Honorable Justices of the Court of General Sessions
of the Peace and Court of Common Pleas for the county of Mid
dlesex, Stc.
" The voice of the people of this county is, that the Court of
General Sessions of the Peace and Court of Common Pleas shall
not enter this court-house untH such time as the people shall have
a redress of a number of grievances they labor under at present,
which will be set forth in a petition, or remonstrance, to the next
General Court. Job Shattuck.
" Concord, September 12, 1786."
After the reception of this paper the committee used further
arguments to dissuade from violence, and to be contented with
the opening and adjournment of the courts, which finaHy pro
duced the following endorsement. " Half past 3 o'clock.
" Since writing the within, it is agreed that the Court of Ses
sions may open and adjourn to the last Tuesday of November
next without going into the court-house. Job Shattuck."
The committee laid these communications before the justices
of the courts, and stated the particulars of their conference with
the insurgents ; and it was recommended that they should sus
pend their session. While this subject was under consideration,
the insurgents became impatient. Smith beat round for volun
teers, and addressed the people, declaring that " any person who
did not follow his drum and join his standard, should be drove
out of town at the point of the bayonet, let thera be court, town
committee, or what else." " I am going," said he, " to give the
court four hours to agree to our terms, and if they do not, I and
my party wHl compel them to it. I will lay down my life to
suppress the government from all triannical oppression, and you,
who are willing to join us in this here affair, may fall into our
ranks." Few, however, joined his standard. His language was
offensive even to his own party.
Two companies, one on horseback, and another on foot,
marched to Jones's tavern, where the court was assembled, and
halted and faced about towards the house in a menacing manner.
They were informed that neither court would be opened ; and
the party marched off to the main body. The court soon after

136 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1786.
left town ; and the convention separated, after choosing a com
mittee to lay their proceedings before the Governor, and adopt
ing the foHowing expression of their sentiments. '
" This body cannot forbear to express their disagreeable and
painful sensations, that their endeavours to dissuade from rash
and unlawful measures have proved so ineffectual. They declare
their utter abhorrence of the measures adopted by the body in
arms, and are fully sensible of the high criminality of such oppo
sition to established authority, which, if not speedHy prevented,
must unavoidably involve the commonwealth in calamities innu
merable and inexpressible."
The insurgents increased during the day to about 300, nearly
200 of whom were armed with guns, and the remainder with
swords, clubs, &c. They generally looked wretchedly. " Almost
all the muskets," says a cotempora'ry writer, " were rendered
useless by the rain, and the men by New-England rum, so that
probably, if occasion required, not above 30 or 40 men would
have been procured capable of opposing any governmental meas
ures." They dispersed late on Tuesday night '; and it was several
weeks from that time before , any new exertions were made in
Concord in opposition to government. The discontented turned
their attention to other counties. These events, however, pro
duced great excitement among the people. All classes arranged
themselves with, or in opposition to the government. Even the
boys in the streets were seen with their hats labelled with " gov
ernment," or " opposition." It was indeed a day of great
anxiety. . The county convention, which met here, as already noticed,
on the 23d of August, met again by adjournment on the 3d of
October. Eighteen towns were represented. The following pe
tition to the general court was drawn up, and signed by Samuel
Reed, chairman, praying relief for seventeen specified articles of
grievance. The first ten were the same as voted at the first
meeting of the convention, on the 23d of August. It specifies,
" That your petitioners, being chosen by their respective towns
for the purpose of collecting the sentiments of those towns which
they represent respecting their present grievances, and to seek
relief in a peaceable, orderly, and constitutional way ; viewing,
with the greatest abhorrence and detestation, the late riotous pro-

1786.] GENERAL HISTORY. 137
ceedings of a rash and inconsiderate body of people, in opposing
the sitting of the courts of justice, notwithstanding their leaders
did falsely pretend to signify the ' voice of the people ' in this
county in so doing ; and, having collected the sentiments of the
several towns, which we here represent, do point out the foHow
ing particulars as grievances, and pray the honorable court for re
dress, viz.
" 1st. The sitting of the General Court in the town of Boston,
which, for reasons we trust obvious to the honorable Court, is by
no means adapted to expedite public business.^
" 2d. That the Court of Common Pleas is so burthensome by
reason of the extraordinary expense arising therefrom, without any
considerable advantage to the people.
" 3d. That lawyers are permitted to exact such exorbitant fees,
to the great injury of many in the community.
" 4th. That the salaries of several public officers are greater
than the abilities of the people will admit of.
" 5th. The want of a circulating medium has so stagnated busi
ness, that, unless speedily remedied, it wHI involve the greater part
of the community in a state of bankruptcy.
" 6th. The taking of men's bodies, and confining them in jaU for
debt, when they have property sufficient to answer the demands
of their creditors.
" 7th. That the accounts of the United States are not settled, by
which means we apprehend ourselves disproportionably burthened.
" 8th. That greater duties, or imposts, are not laid on superflui
ties, imported from foreign nations.
" 9th. The manner of electing jurors, as to their qualifications
and pay. Serving as jurors has been esteemed as a burthen on
the subject, which has been the means of fiUing our boxes with
many men entirely unqualified for that "business.
" 10th. That such heavy taxes are laid on lands, and no en
couragements given to agriculture and our own manufactures.
" llth. That our unappropriated lands are not disposad of to
wards the discharge of our domestic debt.
1 The people wished the General Court should sit in the country ; and
Concord was, for several yeais about this time, talked of as the place of
meeting. 18

138 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1786.
" 12th. That the moneys arising from the imposts and excise are
not appropriated towards the discharge of our foreign debt.
" 13th. That the registering of deeds, under the present estab
lishment, is far more expensive than is necessary, as the same
might be done in the several towns.
" 14th. That the duties on writs and executions should be ex
acted of the debtors.
" 15th. The present fee, table, as it now stands, being higher,
in some instances, than is necessary.
" 16th. The present method of collecting excise, as the same
might be collected in the several towns at much less expense to
govetnment. " 17th. That the thirtieth article in the bHl of rights in the
Constitution is not more strictly attended to, — in admitting per
sons to hold seats in our legislature to enact laws, and rft the same
time hold and exercise the judicial powers ' of government, as
thereby our government becomes a government of men and not
of laws. " Your petitioners humbly beg your honors' attention to these
our grievances, and pray for a speedy redress, and, as in duty
bound, will ever pray. By order of the committee, Samuel Reed, Chairman."
The proceedings of thi.** convention were taken into considera
tion by the town of Concord at a meeting held October 9th, when,
after long deliberation, it was voted not to approve of them. A
committee was chosen to draw up instructions to their representa
tive, who reported, at great length and with great ability, the
reasons which governed them.
On the 31st of October the Supreme Court met at Cambridge,
and it was anticipated that efforts would be made to oppose its
proceedings ; and about 3000 of the militia marched thither for its
protection. They were shortly dismissed. The chief justice, in
his charge to the grand jury, spoke of the riotous proceedings of
the insurgents in strong terms of disapprobation.
On the 28th of November the Court of Common Pleas was to
sit in Cambridge ; and though the leading insurgent of the 12th
of September had been persuaded not to take any measure in op
position to government, his agreement was overruled in secret

1786.] GENERAL HISTORY. I39
councU with the leaders in Worcester county. On the 27th a
party, headed by Oliver Parker, marched into Concord, intending
to proceed to Cambridge. Job Shattuck came in a secret man
ner ; and, after his arrival, went under cover of night " to Weston
to get intelligence of the Worcester forces ; but though they had
begun their march, they did not appear ; and frora want of coope
ration the whole plan fell through. The insurgents at Concord,
growing disheartened, scattered before any force could reach
them." Warrants were, issued for apprehending the leading insurgents
in Middlesex, and were committed to the sheriff. A military
force volunteered to assist him, leaving Boston the 29th of No
vember, and proceeding immediately to Concord. The mHitia of
this town stood ready to afford any assistance. A party of horse
was despatched to secure the subjects of the warrants, and re
turned at night with Page and Parker prisoners. Not having
succeeded in apprehending Shattuck, the principal leader, they
proceeded to his house in Groton, and on their arrival found he
had taken the alarm and fled to the woods. A search was made,
and after considerable exertion he was taken, about 10 o'clock, A. M.
November 30th. He received several wounds from his pursuers
during his arrest, some of which were very dangerous, — a treat
ment which was generally censured. He was taken to Boston
the next day and confined in prison, where he received medical
aid, but never entirely recovered the use of his limbs. In the fol
lowing May he was tried at Concord, and condemned to be
hanged. But the government treated him with lenity, as they
did all those who unfortunately acted, as he did, from mistaken
views, and gave him a full pardon, September 20, 1787.^
Ephraim Wood, Esq. obtained this pardon from government.
1 Captain Job Shattuck died in Groton, January 13, 1819,, aged 84. He
had been a brave and successful officer in the French and revolutionary
wars, and often affirmed, that he looked on no act of his life with more
satisfaction than that to which I have adverted ; though he is said to have
felt grateful for the pardon at the time, and remarked, he "would always
be a good subject afterwards." Whatever the object of those acts
might originally have been, the ultimate results were undoubtedly good.
The people were thereby taught the necessity of a general union of the
states, and of the speedy adoption of the federal constitution. They were
induced to take such measures as gave the people confidence in the gov
ernment, and promoted the general prosperity.

140 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1786.
After the apprehension of the opposing leaders in Middlesex,
the insurrection was confined to other counties. Detachments of
soldiers were made in January to suppress it. One from Con
cord marched to Worcester, Springfield, Hadley, Amherst, Pe
tersham, back to Amherst, Hadley, Northampton, Westhampton,
Pittsfield, Farmington, Loudon, Sandersfield, Southwick, West-
Springfield, back to Worcester and home. The officers of this
company were Roger Brown, Captain ; Amos Barrett, Lieutenant ;
and Jonas Heald, of Acton, Ensign ; and were attached to the
regiment commanded by Colonel Henry Woods, of PeppereU, and
Lieutenant Colonel WiHiam Monroe, of Lexington. They left
Concord, January 19th, and returned February 26th. On the
27th of January the town voted " to provide the families of
those soldiers, that were gone, with the necessaries of life, while
absent, if asked for." A bounty was paid by subscription. All
the militia marched as far as Marlborough ; but, before they had
been long absent, they were ordered back again. The people of
this town took no further part in the insurrection.^
From the following instructions, given to the representative in
May, 1787, it wiH be perceived that the town had not forgotten
the critical state of the times. As it was the last time the
town instructed its representative, it is thought proper to present
them entire.
" To Mr. Isaac Hubbard,
" Sir, — The critical period, in which you are appointed to
represent this town in the General Court, points out to us the
importance of a strict adherence to the principles of our constitu
tion, while we express our sentiments on those measures we sup
pose necessary to be adopted. With real sorrow we have seen,
in the course of the year past, an attempt made by wicked and
unreasonable men to destroy that constitution we have so lately
established, and to interrupt the execution of those laws, without
which our lives, property, atid every thing dear and sacred, would
be insecure. We should be wanting in gratitude should we neg
lect, pn this occasion, to express our hearty approbation of the

1 General Daniel Shays, the leader in this insurrection, died at Sparta,
New York, September 29, 1825, aged 84. Notwithstanding his conduct in
this affair, he was pardoned, and was afterwards a pensioner on gpvern-
ment.

1787.] GENERAL HISTORY. 141
vrise and spirited measures, adopted by the legislature, for pre
venting the calamities which of late threatened this common
wealth, and for supporting the dignity and autiiority of our gov
ernment, and for the effects which have happHy followed those
measures. We conceive it to be highly expedient, that a simHar
line of conduct should still be preserved in order to perfect peace
and tranquillity among us.
" The happy privilege enjoyed by us of choosing annually our
rulers, men from among ourselves, who must share equally with
their brethren the weight and burthen which may be necessarily
laid, and who are responsible to their constituents for the faithful
discharge of their duty, must greatly aggravate the folly and mad
ness of those, who, under pretence of procuring a redress of
grievances, have drawn the sword against their own govern
ment and laws ; especially as our representatives, if they are
men of ability and integrity, may remove every real grievance
complained of. Many causes concur to render our present situa
tion critical and distressing. The debts contracted in the late
war, public and private ; the decay of public faith and credit ;
the want of public and private virtue ; the shameful neglect of
economy, frugality, and industry ; an unbounded fondness for
foreign luxuries, fashions, and manners, with a restless, impatient,
and unreasonable jealousy of our rulers, are the causes of our
present unhappiness ; to remove which we conceive no effectual
remedy can be applied, unless as a people we tread back the steps
that have led us to our present unhappy situation.
" The want of confidence in public promises requires, that
every exertion should be made, when promises are made by
public bodies, that they should be held sacred and inviolable.
To restore public and private virtue, those in higher stations
(whose manners are readHy copied by the lower classes of men)
should set the example ; and all orders endeavour to revive and
practise that honesty and simplicity of manners, that have hitherto
been the characteristic of the inhabitants of this state.
" There is certainly need of economy and prudence in the
expense of government, as far as it consists with the preserva
tion of the same ; that every encouragement be given to our own
manufactures, and that such further duties be laid on foreign
luxuries as shall tend to stop their importation. And that our

142 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1787.
government may be preserved and respected, it is necessary that
the laws should be punctually executed." To provide some way
for raising some supphes for the public expenses, which shaH be
less burdensome on the landed interest, is an object we particu
lariy recommend to you. And we especially instruct you to op
pose the emission of'paper money. When any matter of impor
tance is to be transacted, respecting which the mind of your con
stituents is not known, you will have recourse to them for direc
tion. And at the close of the session, or at the end of the year,
in order that your constituents may have the fullest information of
the doings of the legislature, as well as the reasons therefor, that
you be ready to satisfy them. And .in every respect, that you
make the constitution of this commonwealth, your rule, and the
happiness and prosperity of this and the United States the end, in
all measures adopted. By order of the committee,
" Concord, May 28, 1787. Ephraim Wood, Chairman."
These instructions were drawn up by a committee, consisting of
Messrs. Ephraim Wood, James Barrett, Samuel Bartlett, Jonas
Lee, and Asa Brooks, and were attributed to the pen of Mr.
Bartiett.^ From this time to 1812, no events of great importance took
place in town, excepting such as will hereafter be mentioned in
the miscellaneous history. June 6, 1794, there were detached
41 persons, under command of Captain William Jones, and com
posed part of the " Oxford Army."
In the war, declared in 1812, Concord furnished several en
listed and several drafted soldiers. The Honorable John L.
Tuttle, a Colonel tiH his death,^ and Frederick Hildreth, a
1 Samuel Bartlett, Esq. was son of Roger Bartlett and Anna Hurd, and
born in Boston, November 17, 1752. He was bred a goldsmith, and soon
after commencing business removed to Concord in 1775, and was married
the next year. While resident here he was an influential and useful man.
In 1795 he was chosen register of deeds, and removed to Cambridge,
where he d'led, September 29, 1821, aged 69 ; having held that office till
his death. Of three sons, all born in Concord, Samuel was bred a me
chanic ; John, born May 23, 1784, gradilated at Harvard College, in 1805,
and is now minister at Marblehead ; and Benjamin Dixon, born September
12, 1789, graduated at Harvard College in 1810, and is now settled as a
physician in Maine.
2 He will be noticed among the professional men.

1812.] GENERAL HISTORY. 143
Lieutenant a short time, were the only commissioned officers in
the regular service. Lieutenant Sullivan Burbank was stationed,
as a recruiting officer, in the house now owned by the Honorable
Samuel Hoar.
The militia were called upon several times. The town voted,
in May, 1812, to aHow $3 each, in addition to their wages, to aH
who should be detached under the United States law. Early in
September, 1814, orders were issued for calling out the militia of
the state for the defence of the sea-coast. The Light Infantry
and Artillery companies of Concord, and the Acton Blues, marched
September 10th. Neheraiah Flint was Captain, John Brown,
Lieutenant, and Arteraas Wheeler, Ensign, of the Concord Infan
try ; and Reuben Brown, Captain, Francis Wheeler, First Lieuten
ant, and Cyrus Wheeler, Second Lieutenant, of the ArtiHery.
The Infantry were attached to the first regiraent, under the com
mand of Col. Joseph Valentine. Ehab W. Metcalf was Adjutant,
and the Reverend Nathaniel How, Chaplain. These companies
were stationed at South Boston, and returned home, October 31.
MHitary affairs then much engaged the attention of the people.
A company of exempts was organized here, September 13, 1814,
and Colonel Roger Brown was chosen Captain, Colonel John
Buttrick, Lieutenant, and Major James Barrett, Ensign. At a
parade, October 3d, a standard was presented by the ladies, with
appropriate ceremonies.
In 1813 several British naval officers, prisoners of war, resided
in Concord on parole, some of whom were taken in the Guerriere.
A number left here, November 23d, but their places were sup
plied by others the next day. Some of them were of distinguished
famHies, and scattered their wealth with liberal hands.
In regard to the political sentiments of the town at this period,
it will be sufficient to remark generally, that they partook of the
excitement of the times. For many years the vote of the two
parties was nearly equal, and in one instance a sick man was
carried to the poll, and turned the scale. Many of the political
conventions of the county were held here ; and some of them
were distinguished for the high party zeal with which they were
managed. The political history of those times is, however, marked
with no peculiar feature in this town, and is therefore omitted.^
I For a list of votes for governor, from 1780 to 1829, see Appendix.

144 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1S12.
In 1814 efforts to establish Concord as the principal shire town,
where the county records should be kept, were made for the last
time. And it may not be amiss in this place to give a brief his
tory of these efforts.-^
The county of Worcester was incorporated April 2, 1731 ; and
in the following winter a convention of delegates, from several
towns in Middlesex, was held in Concord ; and, by adjournment,
May 26, 1732, when it was agreed to petition the General Court
to have the towns of Concord, Sudbury, Framingham, Marlbo-
 •  — ¦
' During the colony charter, the county courts were held alternately at
Cambridge and Charlestown. After the second charter, a new organiza
tion of the courts took place. In 1692 the Inferior Court of Common
Pleas, and the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, were established,
and ordered to sit at Cambridge on the 2d Tuesday of September ; at
Charlestown, on the 2d Tuesday of December and March ; and at Concord
on the 2d Tuesday of June. In 1742, at Cambridge, 3d Tuesday of May ;
at Charlestown, 2d Tuesday of December and March ; and at Concord,
last Tuesday of August. In 1751 the session at Concord was altered to
the 1st Tuesday of September. In 1765, at Charlestown on the 1st Tues
day of March and last Tuesday of November ; at Cambridge, 3d Tuesday
of May ; and at Concord, 2d Tuesday of September. In 1770, at Cambridge,
3d Tuesday of May ; at Charlestown, 2d Tuesday of March and last Tuesday
of November ; and at Concord, 1st Tuesday of September. November 9,
1775, both the sessions, before held at Charlestown, were ordered to be
held at Concord at the same time. In 1778, a session was ordered at
Groton, 3d Tuesday of May, and at Cambridge last Tuesday of November.
In 1790, at Concord 3d Tuesday of March and 2d Tuesday of September,
and at Cambridge last Tuesday of November. In 1795, an additional
session at Concord, 3d Tuesday of May. In 1796 all the sessions were
altered from Tuesday to Monday. In 1797, at Cambridge, the Monday
next preceding the last Tuesday of November, and at Concord the Mon
day next preceding the 3d Tuesday of March, 1st Tuesday of June, and
2d Tuesday of September, and at Cambridge 3d Tuesday of December.
In 1812 and since, at Concord 2d Monday of March, 2d of June, and 2d of
September, and at Cambridge 2d of December.
The Supreme Court was first held in Concord on the 2d Tuesday of
April, 1776, having before been annually held in Charlestown at the same
time. In 1783, at Concord 2d Tuesday of April, and at Cambridge last
Tuesday of October. In 1800, at Cambridge 4th Tuesday of October,
and, in 1805, 1st Tuesday of November. In 1816, at Concord 1st Tues
day of April. In 1820, the 2d after the 4th Tuesday of September at
Cambridge, and at Concord the 4th Monday of March. In 1826, on the
2d Tuesday of April, and at Cambridge on the 3d after the 4th Tuesday in
October. ,

1812.] GENERAL HISTORY. 145
rough, Groton, Chelmsford, Billerica, Stow, Littieton, Bedford,
Dunstable, Westford, Dracut, and North Town [?], incorporated
into a separate county, of which Concord was to be the shire town.
Me.ssrs. Benjamin Whitteraore and John Fox were chosen, by
Concord, to aid the object. It does not appear, however, that
any definite measures were taken.
In 1763 petitions were again presented from several towns,
and the agents had a hearing in January, 1764. Captain Abel
Lawrence and several others, of Groton and the adjacent towns,
renewed the petition, at the following June session, to have the
western part of Middlesex, and the northern part of Worcester,
erected into a separate county. These petitions were continued
under agitation till 1766. Remonstrances were sent in by the
town of Concord, and others more easterly ; and also petitions
for Concord to become the only shire town in the county. Sev
eral towns were very anxious that the last project should be car
ried into effect. The whole subject, however, was finally aban
doned after several orders of notice had been issued, and several
different committees of the General Court had had it under con
sideration. In May, 1791, Duncan Ingraham of Concord, Aaron Brown of
Groton, Zaccheus Wright of Westford, Charles Whitman of Stow,
Jonas Brooks of Acton, and John Minott of Chelmsford, the
representatives from those towns, petitioned the legislature to
have Concord made the only shire town in the county ; and that
accommodations for the safe keeping of the public records be
made in the new court-house proposed to be erected there by
the county. An order of notice passed on this petition, May 9,
1792, but here ended the proceedings on this subject.
The county buildings at Cambridge had become so much out
of repair, that the authorities began, in 1812, to consider the
subject of erecting new ones. This was a favorable time to at
tempt again to have the county offices removed to Concord.
January 16, 1812, the town chose Samuel Hoar, Jr., Joseph
Barrett, and Jonas Lee, Esquires, to draft a petition to the legis
lature for this object. The following was reported and accepted ;
and the same committee, with the addition of Messrs. Tilly Mer
rick, Isaac Hurd, Jonas Buttrick, Francis Jarvis, and Benjamin
Prescott, Jr., were chosen to sign and present it to the legislature.
19

146 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1812.
" To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
" The inhabitants of the town of Concord, in the county of
Middlesex, humbly show, that the existing laws, requiring some
of the sessions of the courts for said county to be holden in said
Concord, and others in Cambridge in said county, are in their
execution attended with many inconveniences. The clerk of said
courts is required to transport a large number of dockets and other
papers from his office in Cambridge to Concord, when the courts
are to hold a session in the latter place ; delays are often pro
duced in the trial of causes by the unforeseen demand of papers,
in the public offices,, at a distance from the place of trial ; a large
bHl of costs is annually created to said county by the transporta
tion of prisoners, frora one of those towns to the other, for trial ;
parties, jurors, and witnesses, when the courts sit at Cambridge,
are drawn to one extremity of the county to attend the trial of
causes ; much useless expense to said county is created, not only
in building, but in the frequent repairing two court-houses and
two jaHs. The court-house and jail in Cambridge are now old
and decayed, and unfit to answer the purposes for which they
were buHt ; and others, if the courts are hereafter to be holden
there, must soon be erected.
" Your memorialists further represent, that said Cpncord is
nearly in the centre of said county, and that a court-house and
jail in said town have recently been erected at a considerable
expense, which are commodious and sufficient for the use of said
county ; that in the court-house in Concord, convenient rooms for
all public offices for said county may be fitted up at a trifling
expense, in which the public records may be deposited more
safely than in their present situation.
" Wherefore your memorialists pray, that said Concord may be
made the shire town of said county, and that aH the courts for
said county may in future be h6lden in said town of Concord.
And as in duty bound will ever pray."
Orders of notice were passed on this petition, and sent to all
the towns in the county. Twelve towns in the lower part of the
county, containing 19,559 inhabitants, voted in favor of Cam
bridge ; and thirty-two towns, containing 23,233 inhabitants, in
favor of Concord ; and petitioned the legislature accordingly.

1813.] . GENERAL HISTORY. 147
AH these efforts, however, were unavaHing, and the Court of Ses
sions finally determined to buHd at Cambridge. It then became a
question of great interest to each party, i whether these buHdings
should be at Old Cambridge or Lechmere Point. The agents for
each of those places appeared before the Court of Sessions, and
made public offers of the encouragement they would afford, in
case their wishes should be prefei:red ; and several times bid upon
each other. At length Messrs. Craigie, Otis, and Coolidge,
agents for Lechmere Point, made a private, written proposition,
which was not disclosed in open court, agreeing to give the land
and ^24,000 in money ; and it was determined in their favor at
an adjourned session, October 19, 1813. The agents for the
town of Cambridge preferred a petition to the legislature, in
which they state at length the arguments for preferring Old Cam
bridge to the Point, and praying the interference of the legisla
ture in their favor. An order of notice passed January 18, 1814.
They had offered the land and 5,000. At the same session,
Messrs. Joseph Hosmer, Jonas Lee, and Tilly Merrick, agents
for the town of Concord, petitioned again in "favor of that town.
But these petitions were in vain ; the legislature did not interfere
definitely and the decision of the Court of Sessions in favor of the
Point was adhered to ; subjecting the inhabitants to have the
greater part of the business transacted at one extremity, instead
of the centre of the county.

148 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1636.
CHAPTER X.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Organization of the Church. — Installation of the Rev. 'Mr. Bulkeley and Mr.
Jones. — Church Covenant. — Proceedings of the Church. — Notice of the
Rev. Mr. Jones. — Letters of the Rev. Mr. Bulkeley, and Notice of his Life
and Writings. — Rev. Edward Bulkeley. — Rev. Joseph Estabrook. — Rev.
John Whiting.
Embarrassment attends any attempt to prepare the early
history of the church in Concord. No records are preserved
during the first hundred years of its existence ; and such facts
only can be given, during this long and interesting period, as can
be gleaned from early historians, ancient manuscripts, and family
records. By careful and laborious researches, I am fortunately
enabled to supply some important information.
This church was organized at Cambridge, July 5, 1636 ; and
was the thirteenth established in the colony .^ The meeting was
called by the Rev. Peter Bulkeley,^ and the Rev. John Jones,
who, with others, had previously begun the settlement at Con
cord. The governor and deputy-governor were invited to be
present on the occasion, but, because they supposed there was an
informality in the invitation, at variance with their over-precise
notions of etiquette, they did not attend. " They sent word, three
days before, to the governor and deputy, to desire their presence ;
but they took it in HI part, and thought not fit to go, because they
had not come to them before, as they ought to have done and as
others had done before, to acquaint them with their purpose." ,
On the 6th of April, 1637, the church " kept a day of hu
miliation " at Cambridge, preparatory to the ordination, or installa
tion, of Mr. Bulkeley, whom they chose teacher, and of Mr. Jones,
whom they chose pastor. Delegates were present from most of
-the churches in the colony to assist in this ordination ; but, says
Winthrop, " the governor, and Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Wheelwright,
and the two ruling elders of Boston, and the rest of that church
which were of any note, did none of theui come to this meeting.
The reason was conceived to be, because they counted these as
1 Winthrop, vol. i. p. 95. See also pp. 189 and 217.
2 This name is also spelt Bulkley, Bulkly, and Buckly. The Rev.
Peter and his family wrote it Bulkeley, which orthography I have followed.

1637.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 149
legal preachers, and therefore would not give approbation to their
ordination." One of the delegates from Salem proposed a ques
tion which led to the adoption of the following opinions. Such
as had been clergyraen in England, and received ordination in
the established church by the bishop, were to be respected as
having there legally sustained the office of ministers by the call of
the people ; and such ordination was considered valid here. But
for receiving this ordination by the bishop they ought to humble
themselves, acknowledge their sin, and repent. Having come to
this country, they should not consider themselves regular minis
ters until called by another church. When thus elected, they
were to be considered as ministers even before ordination.^
No man had a greater aversion to Episcopacy than Mr. Bulke
ley, as his writings most fully show. There was, however, some
difference in opinion between him and some of the leading men
in the colony. He was supposed to attach too much importance
to good works, though from his letters and treatise on the Covenant
the supposition appears to be without foundation. The ostensible
reason assigned for not giving approbation to his ordination was, that
he was considered a legal preacher, — one who was for a covenant
of works instead of a covenant of grace, or one who held to the
doctrines of the law in distinction from the doctrines of grace.
The former were denominated Legahsts, and the latter Antino-
mians. The discussion of this question produced great excitement
1 Some historians, for whose opinion I have great respect, have asserted,
that the first settlers of Massachusetts were jEpiscopalians. But this, as
it seems to me, if true at all, can be so only in a very limited sense. The
colonists regarded Episcopacy with abhorrence, and looked with jealousy
on the least appearance of propagating it in this American wilderness.
They came here to get rid of Episcopacy ; and if they did not cease to
be Episcopalians when they refused to conform to the ceremonies of the
" mother church," when, it may be asked, did they cease to be Bpisco-j
palians ? They lived Non-conformists in England, and were Congregation^
alists on their arrival in America. They acknowledged a respect to the
church of England as their mother, but being free children they set up foi;
themselves in ways of their own choosing, — pure Congregationalists.
Their ministers even considered it a sin, to have received their ordination
from such a mother. It might be equally proper to call a Congregation-
alist, who had chosen to adopt the peculiar ceremonies of the Baptist
church, a Congregationalist after he was really a Baptist ; and in the same
manner of any other change from one denomination to another.

150 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1636.
and alienation ; and all classes of society joined in it.^ It probably
influenced the gentlemen- invited to this ordination. I have a long
letter before me, written by Mr. Bulkeley before his ordination,
to the Rev. Mr. Cotton, of Boston, in which this subject is dis
cussed in his usual logical style. Its great length prevents its inser
tion here. In a postscript he says, " I should have acquainted
you yesterday, that the ordination of the elders of the church qf
Concord is to be on Wednesday come sevenight. It is to be here
at New-Town. I pray take notice of it. If it be necessary to
give any other notice to other persons, or in any other way, we
would not be wanting therein for avoiding of offence. And I
have spoken also to Mr. Wilson." / The distinguished reputation
of Mr. Bulkeley, of noble family, a man of wealth, a scholar and
divine, might have excited the envy of his fellow clergymen. He
however received their approbation ; and, on the 30th of the fol
lowing August, was chosen one of the moderators of the first great
ecclesiastical council, or synod, of the colony, which was then
held in Cambridge. Winthrop mentions the Rev. Mr. Hooker
as also a moderator. This assembly was attended by nearly
all the clergy and magistrates, and many other distinguished lay
men of the colony. It continued in session twenty-four days,
and examined and condemned eighty-two opinions which had
crept into the churches, " some blasphemous, others .erroneous,
and all unsafe." )
Among other old family papers, transmitted from an early mem
ber of the church, is the following, endorsed " Concord Church
Covenant, which was adopted by them." Though without signa
tures or date, it has internal evidence of authenticity, and of being
the first church covenant. The orthography only is altered.
" Considering the instability and inconstancy of our hearts in
cleaving to the Lord in that which is good, we do bind ourselves
one with another this day before the Lord, that we wHl endeavour,
by the grace of God assisting us, henceforward to walk as be-
cometh the people of God, according to the gospel of our Lord
1 Neal, in his " History of New England," informs us, that this question
was agitated even by the soldiers composing the army sent against the
Pequots, in 1636 ; and that they had to stop in the wilderness and settle
the question, whether they were in a covenant of works, or a covenant of
grace, before they could proceed !

1637.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 151
Jesus Christ. And more particularly we do promise and cove
nant before the Lord, that, whereas he hath of his great goodness
brought us from under the yoke and burdening of men's traditions
to the precious liberty of his ordinances, which we now do enjoy,
we will, according to our places and callings, stand for the main
tenance of this hberty to our utmost endeavour, and not return to
any human ordinances from which we are escaped. And we
further covenant to subject ourselves to every ordinance of Christ,
,which he shall please to make known to us to be his will. Also
we do take him to be our only Priest to instruct us, our only
High Priest to make peace with the Father for us ; so we will set
him up as our King and Sovereign to comraand us, to rule in us
and reign over us by the help of his word and Spirit. And that
we may the better be kept in an holy subjection to him and his
will, we will watch over each other in the Lord, admonishing one
another, both to prevent the evils into which we might fall, and
to recover ourselves out of those that we have been overtaken
with, not suffering any raging pollution or spiritual uncleanness
amongst us, but labor to cast it forth by the power which Christ
hath given to his church. And further, considering that we are
members one of another, and have civil respect, and are liable to
be oppressed and devoured one of another ; and considering also
the increase of this evil, daHy getting strength through the abound
ing of self-love so mightily prevaihng in us ; we do therefore here
solemnly promise before the Lord, that we will carefully avoid
all oppression, griping, and hard dealing, and walk in peace, love,
mercy, and equity, towards each other, doing to others as we
would they should do to us. And in testimony of our willing
assent to this covenant we have hereunto subscribed our names."
" Letchford's Plain Dealing" mentions the churclT in Concord
as the first one in the colony which had adopted the practice of
catechizing chHdren. Mather says, this was one of the constant
exercises of the Sabbath. All the unmarried people were required
to answer questions, after which expositions and applications were
made by Mr. Bulkeley to the whole congregation. This exer
cise was, however, soon after adopted in other churches.
, The church was numerous soon after its organization, and con-
tinned some time in harmony.^ But the unexpected pecuniary
1 One case of discipline is mentioned by the Hon. James Savage, in his

152 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1644.
difficulties of the town, occasioned by its peculiar local situation and
its condition at that time, induced many to remove, which rendered
it difficult for the remainder to support two ministers ; Mr. Bulke
ley's salary as teacher being £70 per annum. Some difficul
ties arose in the church on this account. The subject of a sepa
ration was often discussed ; and on the 28th of July, 1642, " some
of the elders went to Concord, being sent for by the church there
to advise with them about the maintenance of their elders, he.
They found them wavering about removal, not finding their plan-
valuable notes on Winthrop (vol. i. p. 289), of Ambrose Martin, who was
fined £10, " and counselled to go to Mr. Mather to be instructed by him,"
for calling the church covenant " a stinking carrion and a human inven
tion," and uttering some other impudent expressions. The following
petition, containing the original signatures of the first two pastors and
several members of the church, relates to him.
"To the Honoured Court. The Petition of the church of Concord in
behalfe of our brother Mr. Ambrose Martin.
" Your humble Petitioners do intreate, that whereas some years ago
our said brother Mr. Martin was fined by the Court for some unadvised
speeches uttered against the church-covenant, for which he was fined
£10, and had to the value of £20 by distress taken from him, of which
£20 there is one halfe remayning in the hands of the country to this day,
which £10 he cannot be persuaded to accept of, unless he may have the
whole restored to him (which we doe impute unto his infirmitye and weak
ness.) We now considering the great decay of his estate, and the ne-
cessityes (if not extremityes) which the familye is come unto, we entreat
that this honored Court would please to pittye his necessitous condition,
and remit unto hira the whole fine which was layd upon him, without
which he cannot be perswaded to receive that which is due to him.
Wherein if this honoured Court shall please to grant this our petition,
we shall be bound to prayse God for your tender compassion toward this
our poor brother. Peter Bulkeley, Luke Potter,
John Jones, Joseph Wheeler,
Richard Grifiin, Thomas Foxe,
Simon Willard, William Busse,
Robert Merriam, Henry Farwell,
Thomas Wheeler, James Hosmer,
George Wheeler, John Graves."
Robert Fletcher,
" The 5th of the ith month, 1644. The case appears to the mages-
treates to be now past help through his own obstinacye ; but for the
overplus upon sale of the distresse he or his wife may have it when they
will call for it. Jo : Ended ott, Gov."

1644.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 153
tation answerable to their expectation, and the maintenance of
two elders too heavy a burden for them. The elders' advice
was, that they should continue and wait upon God, and be help
ful to their elders in labor and what they could, and aU to be
ordered by the deacons, (whose office had not fonmerly been im-
,proved this way amongst them,) and that the elders should be
content with what means the church was able at present to afford
them, and if either of them should be called to some other place,
then to advise with other churches about their removal." ^ )
The advice of this councH was followed a short time; but
about October, 1644, a separation took place, and Mr. Jones
removed to Fairfield, Connecticut. Mather gives the following
account of this affair in his own peculiar style. Upon Mr. Bulke
ley " pressing a piece of charity, disagreeable to the will of the
ruling elder, there was occasioned an unhappy discord in the
church of Concord ; which was at last healed by their calling in
the help of a councH, and the ruling elder's [Mr. Jones] abdica-
tion.^> Of the temptations which occurred on these occasions,
Mr. Bulkeley would say, ' he thereby came, 1. To know more
of God. 2. To know more of himself. 3. To know more of men.*
Peace being thus restored, the small things in the church there
increased in the hands of their faithful Bulkeley, until he was
translated into the regions which afford nothing but concord and
glory ; leaving his well-fed flock in the wHderness under the pas
toral fcare of his worthy son Mr. Edward Bulkeley."
The Rev. John Jones was born, educated, and regularly or
dained as a preacher of the gospel, in England ; but at what
place is not known. He arrived in New England, October 2,
1635,^ with the Rev. Mr. Shepard, afterwards of Cambridge, and
the Rev. John Wilson of Boston. After remaining as the col
league pastor of the church in Concord about eight years, he re
moved with part of his society to Fairfield, and there undertook
the charge of a newly organized church, where he spent the re
mainder of his life. He attained an age exceeding " three score
and ten," and died about 1664. Few records are preserved con
cerning this early, devoted friend to the cause of Christian liberty,
or concerning his famHy. Tradition gives him a highly respectable
1 Winthrop, vol. ii. p. 73. 3 Shepard's Journal.
20

154 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1644.
character. He left six chHdren. John was graduated at Harvard
College in 1643 ; and Eliphalet, another son born in this town,
January 9, 1640, studied divinity, and was the first minister of
Huntington, L. I., where he died about 100 years old.
After the removal of Mr. Jones, the sole care of the church
devolved on Mr. Bulkeley for the remaining fourteen years, of bis-
life. At this time, according to Johnson, it contained about
seventy communicants ; but hone of its proceedings have been
transmitted to us. The following letters of Mr. Bulkeley are
deemed worthy of publication.
" To his dear and loving friend, Mr. Shepard, Pastor of the
Church att Cambridge.
" Dear Sr. — I hear the Lord hath so far strengthened you, as
that you were the last Lord's day at the assembly. The L.
go on with the work of his goodness towards you. Being that
now the Lord hath enabled you thus far, I desire a word or two
from you, what you judge concerning the teacher in a congre
gation, whether the administration of discipline and sacraments
doe equaHy belong unto him with the pastor, and whether he ought
therein equally to interest himself. I would also desire you to
add a word more concerning this, viz. what you mean by the
execution of discipline, when you distinguish it from the power.
We have had speech sometimes concerning the churches' power
in matters of discipline, wherein you seemed to put the power
itself into the hands of the church, but to reserve the execution
to the eldership. Here also I would see what you comprehend
under the word execution. I would gladly hear how the com
mon affairs of the churches stand with you. I am here shut up,
and do neither see nor hear.^ Write me what you know. Let
me alsoe understand which way Mr. Phillips doth incline, whether
towards you or otherwise ; and which way Mr. Rogers is like to
turn, whether to stay in these parts or goe into Coniticote [Con
necticut]. I wrote to you not long agoe advising you to consider
quid valent humeri. I know not whether you received that let-
1 Mr. Bulkeley oflen laments his situation. In a letter to the Rev. Mr.
Cotton, dated December 17, 1640, he says " I lose much in this retired wil
derness in which I live ; but the Lord will at last lighten my candle.' In
the mean while, help us with some of that which God hath imparted unto
you."

1644.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 155
ter. The Lord in mercy bless aU our labours to his churches'
good. Remember my love to Mrs, Shepard with Mrs. Heriak-
enden. Grace be with you all.
" Yours in Christ Jesus, P. Bulkeley.
" Febr. 12, 1639."
" To his reverend and loving friend Mr. Cotton, Teacher of
the Church at Boston.
" Reverend in the L. — These are to desire you to convey
this letter inclosed in one of your -own to Boston. I do the
rather send it to you, because I suppose those you commit your
letters to, will be careful of the delivery, and this letter concerns
matters of some moment, in regard whereof I desire you to take
the more notice of it, and convey it by a safe hand. If the
business concerning Virginia be finished, I desire to know how it
stands ; or if not finished, what is intended or thought upon. My
wife hath bin ill ever since our coming home, but now, I thank
the Lord, begins to recover. This day she began to go down
into the house. Remeniber her in your prayers, and us all. And
so with both our loves to yourself and Mrs. Cotton, I leave you
with all yours to the Lord's rich goodness and grace, resting yours
ever in him.
« Sept. 26, 1642. Pet : Bulkeley."
" To the Reverend his honoured friend Mr. Cotton, Teacher
of the Church at Boston, give these.
" Reverend in the Lord,
Tr ^P ^r 'Tr -)P
" Some other things I am full of, but wHl not write with paper
and ink ; only in a word I bless God for what I hear, how the
Lord doth fill your ministry with abundance of grace, life, and
power, to the exceeding joy of those that are true-hearted to
wards the Lord. But withall I stand amazed and wonder att
God's forbearance, considering what I hear in another kind ;
which I doe also believe to be true in some parts ; true I mean,
as done and spoken by some, though untrue, in respect of any
cause given on your part. Truly, Sir, it is to me a wonder, that
the earth swa:llows not up such wretches, or that fire comes not
..downe from heaven to consume them. The L. hath a number

156 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1650.
of holy and humble ones here amongst us [in the country gen
erally], for whose sakes he doth spare, and will spare long ; but
were it not for such a remnant, we should see the L. would
make quick work amongst us. Shall I tell you what I think to
be the ground of all this insolency which discovers itself in the
speach of men ? Truly I cannot ascribe it so much to any out
ward thing, as to the putting of too much liberty and power into
the hands of the multitude, which they are too weak to manage,
many growing conceited, proud, arrogant, self-sufficient, as want
ing nothing. And I am pSisuaded, that except there be some
means used to change the course of things in this point, our
churches will grow more corrupt day by day ; and tumult will
arise hardly to be stilled. Remember the former days which you
had in old Boston, where though (through the Lord's blessing
upon your labours) there was an increase daHy added to your
church, yet the number of professors is far more here, than it was
there. But answer me, which place was better governed ? Where
matters were swayed there by your wisdom and counsel, matters
went on with strength and power for good. But here, where the
heady or headless multitude have gotten the power into their
hands, there is insolency and confusion. And I know not how
it can be avoided in this way, unless we should make the doors of
the church narrower. This we have warrant for from the word ;
which course, if it should be taken, would bring its inconveniency
also in another kind. But of these things no more. Only I pray
•the L. to heal the evils of the places and times we live in, and
remove that woful contempt of his gospel which doth abound.
O what mischief doth one proud, lofty spirit that is in reputation
for understanding, amongst a number of others that are weak ; and
some of both such there are in every place. But our comfort is,
God's end and work shall go forward. Some shall be converted,
some hardened. The God of mercy carry on his work in our
hearts and hands to the glorifying of his rich grace in Christ
Jesus. I pray remember my harty love to good Mrs. Cotton,
thanking her for her kind remembrance of my little ones. I pray
God give us both to see his grace increasing in those that he hath
continued towards us. Farewell, dearly beloved and honoured
in the Lord, comfort yourself in him, who is most ready to be
found in time of need. In him I rest. Yours ever,
" April 4, 1650. Pet : Bulkeley.

1650.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 157
" I could wish you would write to Mr. Goodwin to deal with
those that are in place of authority in England, to take care that
the Scripture may be printed more truly. I have a bible, printed
1648, which hath (littie and great) -above an 100 faults in the
printing of it. And I have an old Bible, printed 1581, which
hath but one or two, and those very small ones. I intend to
write to my nephew, St. John, about it. A' word from yourself
to Mi:. Goodwin, who is a man of so much respect there, would
do much good."
/ The Rev. Peter Bulkeley, B. D., was of horiorable and
noble descent. He was of the tenth generation from Robert
Bulkeley, Esq., one of the English Barons, who, in the reign of
king John (who died in 1216), was lord manor of Bulkeley in
the county palatine of Chester.^ He was born at Woodhill, in
Bedfordshire, January 31, 1583. His father, the Rev. Edward
Bulkeley, D. D., was a faithful minister of the gospel, under
whose direction his son received a learned and religious education,
suited to his distinguished rank. About the age of sixteen he was
admitted a member of St. John's College at Cambridge, of which
he was afterwards chosen fellow, and from which he received the
degree of Bachelor of Divinity. He succeeded his father in the
ministry in his native town, and enjoyed his rich benefice and
estate ; where he was a zealous preacher of evangelical truth
about twenty years, and, for the most part of the time, lived an
1 The names of the lineal descendants from Robert, furnished me by
Charles Bulkeley, Esq., of New London, a great grandson of Gershom,
were, 1. William ; 2. Robert ; 3. Peter, who married Nicholaus Bird, of
Haughton; 4. John, who married Andtyne, daughter and heir to John
Colley, of Ward, and died 1450 ; 5. Hugh, who married Hellen Wilbriham,
of Woodley ; 6. Humphrey, who married Cyle, daughter and heir of John
Mutton ; 7. William, who married Be.itryce, daughter and heir to William,
of Bulausdale ; 8. Thomas, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Randelle
Grovenor ; 9. Edward, D. D., of Woodhill, who married Olive Irlby, of
Lincolnshire; 10. Peter, of Concord. He had two brothers, Nathaniel .
and Paul. The latter died fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge. From
William, a brother of Peter, of the third generation, were also many enno
bled descendants ; among whom are recorded, in the Irish Peerage, seven
Viscounts in succession. Other branches have been much distinguished.
The motto adopted in the family coat of arms was, " JVec temere, nee ti-
mide," — " Neither rashly nor timidly " ; and contains a beautiful sentiment,
characteristic of the eminent father of the American family.

158 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1659.
unmolested non-conformist. At length, his preaching meeting with
distinguished success, and his church being very much increased,
complaints were entered against him by Archbishop Laud,, and he
was silenced for his non-conformity to the requirements of the Eng
hsh church. This circumstance induced him to emigrate to New
England, where he might enjoy liberty of conscience. He arrived
in Cambridge in 1 634 or 1635,^ and was the leader of those reso
lute men and self-denying Christians, who soon after " went
further up into the woods and settled on the plantation at Muske
taquid." Here he expended most of his estate for the benefit of.
his people ; and after a laborious and useful life, died March 9,
1659, in his 77th year.
Mr. Bulkeley was remarkable for his benevolence. He had
many servants, on whom, after they had lived with him several
years, he bestowed farms, and then received others to be treated
in a like benevolent manner. By great familiarity of manners he
drew around him persons of all ages ; and his easy address, great
learning, and eminent piety, rendered his society pleasing and
profitable to all. Persons seldom separated from his company,
without having heard some remark calculated to impress the mind
with the importance of religion. Though sometimes suffering
under bodily infirmities, he was distinguished for the holiness of
his life, and a most scrupulous observance of the duties of the
Christian ministry. He avoided all novelties in dress, and wore
his hair short. Being strict in his own virtues, he was occasion
ally severe in censuring the follies of others. He was considered
as the father of his people, and " addressed as father, prophet,
or counsellor, by them and all the ministers of the country."
Had the scene of Mr. Bulkeley's labors been in Boston, or its
immediate vicinity, and not, as he expresses it, " shut up " in this
remote spot, then of difficult access, his name would have ap
peared more conspicuously in the published annals of the country..
He was a thorough scholar ; an eleyated, devotional Christian ;
laborious in his profession ; and, as a preacher, evangelical, faith
ful, and of remarkably energetic, powerful, and persuasive elo
quence. .
1 The Rev. Edward Bulkeley was admitted freeman. May 6, 1635 ; and
from the Cambridge Records it seems probable that Mr. Bulkeley came ta
America in 1634

1659.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 159
He often wrote a series of sermons on a particular book or pas
sage of Scripture. One of these series, on Zachariah ix. 11, was
published as " the first-born of New England," and passed through
several editions. The edition before me bears the following
title. " The Gospel Covenant, or the Covenant of Grace opened ;
wherein are explained, L. The difference between the covenant
of grace and covenant of works. 2. The different administration
of the covenant before and since Christ. 3. The benefits and
blessings of it. 4. The conditions. 5. The properties of it.
Preached at Concord, in New England, by Peter Bulkeley, some
time fellow of Saint John's College in Cambridge. [Here follow
quotations. Genesis xvii. 1—7, and Isaiah Iv. 3.] The second
edition, much enlarged and corrected by the author. And the
chiefe heads of things (which was omitted in the former) dis
tinguished into chapters. London, printed by Mathew- Simmins,
dwelhng in Aldersgate-street, next door to the Golden Lion,
1651." pp. xvi. and 442, quarto. It was dedicated "to the
church and congregation at Concord " ; and to his nephew, " the
Rt. Hon. Oliver St. John, Lord Embassador extraordinary from
the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England to the High and
Mighty Lords, the States General of the United Provinces in the
Netherlands ; and Lord Chief Justice at the Comraon Pleas."
It is a work of great merit for that age, and considering that it was
" preached in the remote ends of the earth." , " The church of
God," says the Rev. Mr. Shepard, of Cambridge, " is bound to
bless God for the holy, judicious, and learned labours of this aged,
experienced, and precious servant of Christ." After reading this
book. President Stiles observes, " He was a masterly reasoner in
theology, and equal to the first characters in all Christendom
and in aH ages."
, ' Two of Mr. Bulkeley's manuscripts are preserved in the library
of the American Antiquarian Society. One contains answers to
several theological questions, and is addressed to the Rev. Mr.
Phillips of Watertown. The other is on the character and gov
ernment of the church. } The foHowing analysis is given at the
close of this work. Parti. " The visible church is, 1. For the
efficient cause, called of God. 2. For the material cause, a num
ber of visible saints and believers in the judgment of men. 3. For
the formal cause, union by an explicate and implicate ' covenant

160 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1659.
together. 4. For the final cause, to set oat God's praises."
Part II. " The churches' governraent, 1. Is originaHy in the
people's hands. 2. Which people are to elect their own officers, —
teachers, elders, and deacons. 3. By which officers they are to
rule and 'govern, — by admitting fit members, and by watching
over, admonishing, and casting out those that be bad." This
is a most able defence of Congregationalism in opposition to
Episcopacy ; and touches, with the author's pecuhar power and
clearness, the ecclesiastical questions in discussion at that period.
I can scarcely resist an inclination to extract some passages. Its
publication entire is recommended to the Society to whom it
belongs. Mr. Bulkeley married, for his first wife, Jane, daughter of Sir
Thomas Allen, of Goldiugton, whose nephew was Lord Mayor of
London. By her he had nine sons and two daughters. Edward,
Thomas (who married a daughter of the Rev. John Jones, re
moved to Fairfield, and died about 1652), John, Joseph, WiHiam,
and Richard, are all the names I have seen mentioned. He lived
eight years a widower, and then married Grace, daughter of Sir
Richard Chitwood, by whom he had three sons and one daughter,
— Gershom, Eleazer, Peter, and Dorothy. His wife survived
him, and removed to Connecticut a few years after his death.
His will', dated February 26, 1659, appears in the Middlesex
Records, in which he specifies legacies in books to his sons, Ed
ward, John, and Joseph, his cousin Samuel Hough, and his
nephew Oliver St. John, " as a thankful acknowledgment of his
kindness and bounty towards me ; his liberality having been a
great help and support unto me in these my lonely times and my
struggles." Legacies are also made to the widow of his son
Thomas, deceased, and to his three youngest chHdren, Eleazer,
Peter, and Dorothy ; " and in case any of my children before
named by me in this my wiH, to whom I have bequeathed the
legacies named, shall prove disobedient to their mother, or other
wise vicious and wicked (which God in his mercy prevent), then
I will that the legacy before bequeathed to any of them so proving
disobedient and wicked, shall be wholly in the power of my said
wife, their mother, to deal with them therein, as she herself in
Christian wisdom shall think meet, either to give their legacy, or
to keep it to herself." He aHudes to his " wasted estate, which

1659.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 161
is now very little in comparison of what it was when I came first
to these places," having made great sacrifices in " the beginning
of these plantations," and " having httie to leave to the chHdren
God hath given me, and to my precious wife, whose unfeigned
piety and singular grace of God shining in her, doth deserve more
than I can do for her." The inventory of his estate amounted to
£1302, of which £123 was in books. He had previously given
a part of his hbrary, and some other donations, to Harvard College.
The Rev. Edward Bulkeley succeeded his father in the minis
terial care of the church with an annual salary of £80. The
duties of his office increasing with the growth of the town, assis
tance was judged necessary, and the Rev. Joseph Estabrook
was ordained £|,s his colleague in 1667. His salary was also £80,
of which £40 was to be paid in money, and £40 in grain, —
wheat to be estimated at 5s., rye at 4s., and corn at 3s. per bushel.
March 12, 1681, the town voted, " that every householder
that hath a teame, greater or lesser, shall carry yearly one load of
wood to the minister ; and every other householder or votable
person shall cut wood one day for the minister ; and that the
wood be equaHy divided to the ministers as the selectmen shall
appoint." The arrangement, which the following vote specifies,
was made March 5, 1694. " Whereas the Rev. pastor, Mr. Ed
ward Bulkeley, is under such infirmities of body, by reason of
great age, that he is not capable of attending the work of the
ministry as in times past ; being also sensible of the obligations
the town is under to afford him a comfortable maintenance during
the term of his natural life ; that thereby the people may testifie
their gratitude for his former services in the gospel, they do hereby
oblige the town to pay Mr. Bulkeley yearly, during his natural
life, the sum of £30 in lieu of his former salary." This propo
sition was assented to by Mr. Bulkeley, on condition that he
should have liberty to preach or not as he should choose.
The Rev. Edward Bulkeley was the eldest son of the Rev,
Peter Bulkeley, and bom and chiefly educated in England.
He emigrated to this country, and was admitted a member of the
First Church in Boston in 1634. Having acquired a professional
education under the instruction of his father, he was hcensed to
preach the gospel, and ordained at Marshfleld in 1642 or 1643.
On the death of his father in 1659, he was dismissed and in-
21

162 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1696-1711.
Stalled over the church in Concord. He died at a great age, in
the 53d year of his ministry, at Chelmsford, January 2, 1696,
probably on a visit to his grandson, and was buried in Concord.
Few records are preserved concerning his ministry or himself.
He is represented by tradition to have been lame, and of a feeble
constitution. - He was, however, greatiy respected for his talents,
acquirements, irreproachable character, and piety. He preached
an Election Sermon in 1680, from 1 Sam. ii. 30 ; and one before
the Ancient and Honorable ArtHlery Company in 1679, from
1 Peter u. 11. His only printed work, that I have seen, is that
noticed in our general history, under date of 1676, preached in
commemoration of the safe return of Captain Thoinas Wheeler
»and his associates, after the battie at Brookfield. . j
I -have not learned-,wl:iflm Mr. Bulkeley marriecL' His chil
dren were John, Peter, Jane (who married Ephraim Flint), and
Ehzabeth, who married, in 1665, the Rev. Joseph Emerson, great
grandfather of the Rev. William Emerson, hereafter to be noticed,
and after Mr. Emerson's death (which took place in Concord,
January 3, 1680), for a second husband, John Brown, Esq., of
Reading. She was the only chHd of Mr. Bulkeley, it is supposed,
who had issue. ^i^J visM ?n,--y -^.f ifj,y ''¦\,,,ha-,-' V''--
The Rev. Joseph Estabrook died September 16, 1711,' aged
71. He was born in Enfield, England, and, after receiving a pre
paratory education, emigrated to this country, entered Harvard Col
lege, and was graduated in 1664. The following obituary notice,
dated September 18th, appeared in the " Boston News Letter."
" This day was interred in Concord the Rev. Mr. Joseph Esta
brook, minister of the gospel in said town for about ferty-four years
(and for many of them' was colleage with the famoys Mr. Bulkeley.)
He was eminent for his skHl in the Hebrew language ; and a most
orthodox, learned, and worthy divine, of exceUent principles in re-
- ligion, indefatigably laborious in the ministry, and of holy life and
.conversation." He was a man of great worth, and eminently fitted
for his office. In his preaching he was plain, practical, and per
suasive ; and in his intercourse with his people, grave, affectionate,
communicative, and concHiatory, earnestiy desiring their happi
ness and religious welfare. His appearance carried with it so
1 The Rev. Dr. Ripley [Half Century Sermon, p. 28.] says, 23c{ May.
But all other authorities concur in the 16th of September.

1711.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 163
much patriarchal dignity, that people were induced to love him as
a friend, and reverence him as a father. These distinguished
traits in his character obtained for him, in the latter part of his
life, the name- of The Apostle. His judgment was much re
spected, and his advice sought for in all the neighbouring churches.
He was much admired wherever he preached ; and was invited to
remove from Concord ; for, said his admirers, " He was too bright
a star to be muffled up in the woods amongst the Indians, and
ought to come to Boston where he could do more good." ^ His
only printed work, which has come down to us, is an Election
Sermon preached in 1705.®
Mr. Estabrook married Mary, daughter of Captain Hugh Ma
son, of Watertown, May 20, 1668 ; and had 6 chHdren. 1. Jo
seph, bom 1669, lived several years in Hingham, but settled
in Lexington, where he died September 24, 1733, aged 65,
having been a deacon 17 years (he was grandfather to the Rev.
Joseph Estabrook, late of Athol) ; 2. Benjamin ; 3. Mary, married
Jonathan Green of Newton ; 4. Samuel ; 5. Daniel, born 1676,
married Abigail Flint of Concord, and settled first in Cam
bridge, but removed to Sudbury, where he died; and 6. Ann,
married Joshua Haynes of Sudbury. Benjamin and Samuel wiH
be noticed among the college graduates.'
After the death of Mr. Estabrook, a committee of the town,
consisting of Deacon John Heywood, Mr. Benjamin Whitteraore,
and Lieutenant William Wilson, was chosen to " procure preach
ing." The Rev. Edward Holyoke, afterwards president of Harvard
College, the Rev. Benjamin Prescott, one of our native graduates,
and the Rev. John Whiting, were employed as candidates for
1 MSS. of the late Rev. Joseph Estabrook of Athol, and Dr. Joseph Lee.
2 It is entitled, " Abraham, the Passenger, his Privilege and Duty, de
scribed in an Election Sermon at Boston, N. E., May 30, 1705. By Joseph
Estabrooks, A. M. and Pastor of the Church at Concord. [Here follow
quotations from John viii. .39, and Gal. iii. 29 ; and also a Latin one from
Calvin.] Boston. Printed by Bartholomew Green ; sold by Benjamin Eliot,
at Jiis shop under the west end of the Town House, 1705." pp. 24. quarta
Text, Gen. xii. 2.
3 Thomas Estabrook, a brother of the Rev. Joseph, married Sarah Tem
ple, May 3, 1683, and had a son Thomas, born 1685, who had sons, —
Samuel, Thomas, and Abraham, born 1710, '13, and '17 ; and from whom
most of the name in Concord were descended.

164 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1711-36.
six Sabbaths. A liberal settlement was offered the town by Mr.
Prescott's father, should he be chosen, but the proposition was
not accepted. The church gave Mr. Whiting a call, in which
the town concurred by 110 votes in his favor, Novernber 19,
1711. December 7th foHowing, it was agreed by 84 to 37 " paper
votes," to give him £100 as a settiement, and £100 as an annual
salary, and pay the expenses of his ordination, which took place
May 14, 1712.
Judge SewaH, one of the delegates, makes the following entry
in his journal on that day. " I go to Concord in Austin's calash ;
set, out frora home at 5 a. m., got to Mr. Whiting's at 10. Exer
cises began about half an hour past eleven, ended about a quarter
past one. Great assembly. Mr. Whiting prayed, and preached
from 1 Tim. iii. 1. Mr. Nehemiah Hobart asked if any had to
object, 1. Of the church; 2. Of the congregation ; 3. Of all the
present assembly. Declared that the elders and messengers of
churches had appointed him to give the charge ; Mr. Angler,
..Brattle, and Hancock, to join in laying on hands. Mr. Hobart
prayed excellently, and so gave the charge. One word in it was
diligence or labour, or to that purpose ; prayed again. Declared
that Mr. Angier was to give the right hand of fellowship, which
he did. Sung the 47th psalm. Mr. Whiting blessed the people.
Went and dined at young Mr. Prescott's. Set out to come
down about half an hour after three."
Fifteen pounds were subsequently granted to provide Mr. Whit
ing with fire-wood ; and, in addition to his stated salary, special
contributions and grants were frequently made. From 1728, he
received £150; in 1734, £180 ; and in 1735, £190. These
grants were probably owing to the depreciation in value of the pub
lic currency. During this period Mr. Timothy Minott occasionally
assisted Mr. Whiting, and was compensated by contributions or
town assessments. In 1732 the town raised £20 for this pur
pose.^ Some objections were brought against Mr. Whiting in the lat
ter part of his ministry ; and several councHs were called to inves-
1 I have in my possession "A Sermon, preached at Concord, Dec. 29,
1737 [by the Rev. Israel Loring of Sudbury], at the request of two religious
societies of young men there," who used to " meet for the exercises of
religion on the evenings of the Lord's day and at other times."

1736.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 165
tigate tliem. In March, 1737, the deacons were chosen a com
mittee " to treat with the Rev. Mr. Whiting, to see whether he
would join with the town in calling another minister." He ap
proved of this proposition. On presenting their report, on the
16th of May following, the town voted, 41 to 33, " to caH and
settle another minister with Mr. Whiting." On the 18th of Oc
tober, an ecclesiastical councH was convened here, of which the
Rev. John Hancock, of Lexington, was moderator, which, after
a public examination of the charges, advised the church to dismiss
Mr. Whhing.^ The result was read on the 21st, and the chui'ch
accepted it, 83 yeas, and 11 nays; and voted, that the pastoral
relation it held to Mr. Whiting, should be dissolved. The town
concurred on the 6th of March following, " nemine contradicente."^
The Rev. John Whiting died May 4, 1752, aged 71. He
was the son of the Rev. Joseph Whiting, who was graduated at Har
vard College in 1661, and was afterwards minister of Southamp
ton, Long Island. His mother, I suppose, was daughter of the
Hon. Thomas Danforth of Cambridge, deputy governor of Massa
chusetts colony ; and as he died without issue, perhaps a good
portion of his estate descended to Mr. Whiting. His grandfather
was the Rev. Samuel Whiting of Lynn, whose last wife was
Elizabeth St. John, daughter of the Right Honorable Oliver St.
John, nephew to the Rev. Peter Bulkeley, and mentioned in the
history of England. The father of the Rev, Samuel was John
Whiting, mayor of the city of Boston, Lincolnshire. The Rev.
John, of Concord, was the sixth son of the Rev. Joseph Whiting,
the five preceding him having died in infancy. He was born at
Lynn, June 20, 1681.® He was graduated at Harvard CoHege in
1700, and was subsequently chosen a tutor and feHow of that in
stitution. He was pastor of the church in Concord about twenty-
six years. After his dismission he resided in this town principally
as a private citizen. He was a man of wealth, learning, influence,
and talents ; and, as his modest epitaph informs us, " a gentleman
of singular hospitality and generosity, who never detracted from
the character of any man, and was a universal lover of mankind."
He married Mary, daughter of the Rev. John Cotton, of Hamp
ton, N. H., granddaughter of the Rev. Seaborn Cotton, great
1 The Rev. Joseph Sewall's MS. Journal. He was one of the delegates.
2 MS. Biographical and Genealogical Dictionary, by John Farmer, Esq.

166 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1738.
granddaughter of the Rev. John Cotton, of Boston, and Gover
nor Simon Bradstreet, and great great granddaughter of Governor
Thomas Dudley ; and had four sons and four daughters ; — Mary,
who married the Rev. Daniel Rogers, of Littleton ; John, of
Royalston ; Thomas, Esq., of Concord ; Stephen, of Boston ;
Elizabeth, who married the Rev. Sarauel Webster, of Salisbury ;
and three others, who died in infancy or unmarried. She died
May 29, 1731. He married for a second wife the widow of Dr.
Jonathan Prescott.

CHAPTER XI.
Ordination of Mr. Bliss. — State of the Church —Revivals. — Proceedings of
different Ecclesiastical Councils and of the Church. — Divisions in the Parish
and Church. — Death of Mr. Bliss. — Ordination of Mr. Emerson. — Proceed
ings of the Church. — Notice of the Rev. Mr. Emerson, — Ordination of Mr.
Ripley. — Proceedings of the Church. — Covenants. — Funds. — Ordination
of Mr. Goodwin. — Succession of Deacons. — Trinitarian Church.
The dismission of Mr. Whiting left the church again destitute
of a minister. It did not, however, long remain so. The Rev.
Daniel Bliss was chosen by the church, August 22, 1738, in which
act the town concurred, 14th September, 70 to 32. October
19, it was voted, 63 to 12, to give him £500 as a settlement, and
£200 as a salary, in the old-tenor province bills of credit. The
settiement was subsequentiy paid by the sale of town lands.
February 14, 1739, was appointed for his ordination, when a
councH of seven churches, of which the Rev. John Hancock was
moderator, convened for the purpose ; but some difficulties having
arisen, it adjourned, and met again on the 6th of March, with two
additional churches, called by the church, and three by the dis
satisfied, members. By the decision of this council it was agreed
to abide. The charges brought against Mr. Bliss were principally
personal. But the council, after a full examination, came to a
result in his favor on the 7th of March, when his ordination took
place. On this occasion, the Rev. John Barnard, of Marblehead, made
the introductory prayer ; the Rev. WiHiam Williams, of Weston,

1740.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 167
preached from Acts xxvi. 17, 18 ; the Rev. Ebenezer Hancock,
Sen., of Lexington, gave the charge ; and the Rev. John Gardner,
of Stow, the right hand of feHowship. The church, at this time,
consisted of 85 members, 35 males and 50 females.
This was an important era in the ecclesiastical history of New
England. Much of the zeal which had characterized the churches
at an early period had subsided ; the sernjons from the desk had
become cold and formal ; and spiritual lethargy and indifference
ensued. About this time a powerful revival of religion com
menced in many churches in the colony. These remarks will be
true, whethei: applied to the general history of the country, or the
particular history of Concord.
Mr. Bliss was one of the most distinguished of the clergy, who,
at that day, were denominated by their opposers new lights.
He introduced a new style of preaching, — bold, zealous, im
passioned, and enthusiastic, forming a striking contrast to that the
church had previously enjoyed. The truths of diyine revelation,
which people from infancy had been taught to regard with rever
ence, were now exhibited in a raanner new and surprising. And
it had a powerful effect. The attention of the people generally
was soon greatly awakened, and their feelings were excited on the
subject of rehgion.
On the 13th of October, 1741, the celebrated Whitfield first
visited Concord. " About noon," says his Journal, " I reached
Concord. Here I preached to some thousands in the open air ;
and comfortable preaching it was. The hearers were sweetly
melted down. About £45 was collected for the orphans. The
minister of the town being, I believe, a true child of God, I chose
to stay all night at his house, that we might rejoice together.
The Lord was with us. The Spirit of the Lord came upon me,
and God gave me to wrestle with him for my friends, especially
those then with me. They felt his power. Brother B**s, the
minister, broke into floods of tears, and we had reason to cry out
it was good for us to be here. O blessed be thy name, O God,
for the sweet refreshing in our way towards the heavenly Canaan."
The preaching of Whitfield, though somewhat resembling that
of Mr. Bliss, tended to keep alive and increase these powerful
religious feelings. The number of those who publicly professed
religion, and joined the church in full communion, was unusually

168 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1740.
large. Fifty joined in 1741, and sixty-five in 1742. Eighteen
in one day. The feeling pervading society was such, that re
ligious meetings were held every day in the week ; hundreds
sought advice from their pastor ; and persons might often be seen,
apparently suffering under extreme agony from a sense of their
guilt, or in an extasy of joy under the consolations of rehgion. This
revival, though attended with much enthusiasm in feelings and
action, and extravagant pretensions to religious influences, pro
duced the most salutary effects on many individuals. As is ever
the case when the attention of the people is called to think se
riously on the subject, the number of those who were reformed
and became reaHy pious, is stated to have been very great.
But though productive of much good, many evils resulted from
the pi;oceedings of those times. Much controversy and division
in towns took place, which hardly find a parallel in modern
times, and in which most of the leading clergymen of the colony
were engaged as partisans or counsellors. Concord partook large
ly in these troubles. An unhappy controversy was here gene
rated, which continued many years, and produced some important
revolutions in the town. This controversy involved so many prin
ciples of importance to the church generally, and to this town in
particular, that I trust I shall be excused for minuteness of detail.
The dismission of Mr. Whiting was not approved by every in
habitant ; and, as has been shown, there was not entire unanimity
in settiing Mr. Bliss. Under these circumstances, his character
and preaching were likely to be carefully examined, and all his
errors exposed. As early as July, 1740, several brethren "made
application to the church for redress " ; and Messrs. Timothy
Minott, James Minott, Sarauel Heywood, Samuel Merriam, and
Nathaniel Whitteraore, were chosen a committee " to hold a Chris
tian conference with them, and to receive and report their particu
lar grievances to the church." At the same time, Messrs. Timo
thy Wheeler, Jonathan Ball, and John Jones, were chosen a com
mittee to obtain frora others the reason for absenting themselves
from the communion. It does not appear that reports were made
tHl the following year. Not being satisfied, the aggrieved brethren
requested the church to join with them in calling in a council, but
it was refused.

1743.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 169
At length an ex parte councH was convened, before whom fifteen
articles of complaint were examined. This councH, consisting of
the Rev. Messrs. John Barnard of Marblehead, moderator, John
•Prentice of Lancaster, Samuel Ruggles of BHlericaj WHliam
Cook of East Sudbury, Thomas Parker of Dracut, Oliver Pea-
body of Natick, Willard Hall of Westford, and delegates frora
their respective churches, met here first in June, 1742, and during
the following year, by several adjournments.
The charges submitted to this council were referred to the
church, before whom they were examined ; and the vindication of
the accused was made, and voted to be satisfactory. After this
examination (August 26, 1742), four of the brethren were sus
pended from the privileges of the church.
In consequence of the dissatisfaction that prevailed, the church
had also called in the aid of a council, of which the Rev. Samuel
Moody, of York, was moderator, and which met here, June 21,
1743, " to hear and consider these proceedings, and inform them,
if in any thing they have deviated from the rules of the gospel."
Messrs. Deacon Dakin, Nathaniel BHlings, John Dakin, Daniel
Adams, David Whitaker, Nathaniel Ball, David Melvin, Nathaniel
Whitteraore, and Timothy Wheeler, were chosen on various com
mittees to confer with the council on different subjects.
Both of these councHs were in session in Concord at the same
time. That called by the disaffected brethren had requested
Mr. Bhss to appear before it, to refute any charges which might
be brought against him ; but he refused to recognise them as the
proper tribunal, before whom he or his church ought to appear.
The church's councH were then invited to unite, and boith to sit
together as a mutual council. This was also refused. And they
came to a result, June 24, 1743, in which they state that the
cgmplaints of the aggrieved brethren were well founded, and ad
vise them to secede frora the ministry of Mr. Bliss, and support
public worship amoiig themselves, unless proper acknowledgments
and reformation, agreeably to their views, took place.
The other councH, after examining all the proceedings of the
church, from December, 1741, to that day, and the charges of the
aggrieved brethren, adjourned without coming to a result, only
advising the church to consult with the aggrieved brethren,
and invite an additional number of churches to join them at their
22

170 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1743.
adjourned meeting, and then to sit as a mutual councU. This was
consented to by both parties ; and a councH, consisting of ministers
and delegates from fourteen churches, met here September 13,
1743. The ministers were the Rev. Nathaniel Rogers and Samuel
Wigglesworth, of the first and third churches in Ipswich ; Samuel
Moody, of the first church in York ; Israel Loring, of Sudbury ; WH
liam Williams, of Weston; Peter Thatcher, of Middleborough; John
Cotton, of Newton; Nathaniel Appleton, of Cambridge; Joshua
Gee, of Boston ; Wareham WiUiams, of Waltham ; Joseph Parsons,
of Bradford ; Ebenezer Turell, of Medford ; David Hall, of Sutton ;
and Solomon Prentice, of Grafton. John Cotton was moderator,
and Joshua Gee and Nathaniel Rogers, scribes. It continued in
session six days. Ten of these fourteen ministers, with the Rev.
Mr. Bliss, were part of the hundred and sixteen who had fully
approved the existing revivals, " as the glorious work of God,"
and given in their attestation at the meeting in Boston on the 7th
of the preceding July.^
Twenty-two articles of grievance, containing " exceptions against
the doctrines, discipline, and conduct of the reverend pastor of
the church," obtained a full and impartial examination. These
charges involved some of the points of theology most disputed at
that time. The following extracts from the complaints, Mr.
Bliss's defence, and the result of councU, are given as exam
ples." Complaint 5th. — " His asserting that every person that was
converted must know it ; and afterwards denied the same."
Defence. — •" That all persons converted, when adult, must re
ceive a change so great that they wUl necessarily be acquainted
therewith, is what I believe ; but at the same time, that they shall
as certainly know this to be true and real conversion to God, is
what I deny."
Result of Council. — " We judge that many who are converted
do know it, and that it is the duty of Christians to give all dili
gence to make their calling aqd election sure ; yet the doctrine
that Mr. Bliss hath taught, namely, that every person that is con
verted must know it, is what we apprehend to be unsound ; but
1 Christian History, Emerson's History of the First JChurch, page 190,
Trumbull's Connecticut, Chauncy's Seasonable Thoughts, and Edwards's
and Whitfield's Works, may be consulted fbr a history of those times.

1743.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 171
in what he offered to the councU he expressed himself more cau
tiously to our satisfaction."
Complaint 6th. — ^"Mr. Bliss hath asserted that the main
reason any man cannot enter in at the strait gate, is because
they are not elected."
Defence. — "The truth of what you object against, I think
clear from the word of God in many places, particularly Romans
xi. 5 — 8. The originating cause of the salvation of any of the
chUdren of onen, I believe to be the electing goodness and grace
of God ; and of consequence the main cause why others are not
saved as much as those that be, is because they were not elected ;
but with the same breath desire to have it well remembered, this
is no excuse for us continuing in unbelief."
Result. — The charge "was fully proved. We judge Mr.
Bliss's expressions very improper, tending to make an ill improve
ment of the important Scriptural doctrine of election."
Complaint 8th. — " In mentioning that text, ' He that be-
lieveth not is condemned already,' he said, 'But I say he is
damned alr^dy ; every person that hath not a true saving faith
is in a state of damnation ; you believe, and so doth the devil ;
but your faith is a cursed, damned faith.' "
Defence. — "I hold that every man that believeth not is
damned according to the sense and meaning of John ui. 18 ; that
he is kept out of hell by mere unpromised, uncovenanted mercy
and goodness ; that all faith which produceth not good fruits
working by love, &;c., is accursed and soul-destroying, I have said,
and purpose still to say it, though some may be offended."
Result. — " Voted that the expressions are very unsuitable and
improper." Complaint 10th. — " Mr. Bliss said in a sermon that it was
as great a sin for a man to get an estate by honest labor, if he
had not a single aim at the glory of God, as to get it by gaming
at cards or dice."
Defence. — " I am suspicious whether you have done me jus
tice ; because I can find no such expressions in my written sermon
on 1 Cor. X. 31. The nearest thereto is this : ' If husbandmen
plow and sow that they may be rich, and live in the pleasures of
this world, and appear grand among men, they are as far from
true religion in their plowing, sowing, he., as men are, that game

172 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1743.
for the same purpose.' If I had the same expression which you
mention, I suppose it to be true in this sense only ; that they are
both enemies to God, self-lovers, self-seekers, and idolaters. That
the one doth not take more sinful ways in carrying on his de
signs against God, I never thought of affirming."
Result. — " Voted, that the expressions are unwarrantable and
of dangerous tendency ; and therefore ought to be carefully guard
ed against. But Mr. Bliss, in his vindication, declared he was
not apprehensive of his ever having delivered himself as testified
by the witnesses."
Complaint 12th. — "In preaching- from that text, 'He that
came down from heaven is above all,' he said a person might go
on in sins, in drunkenness, in Sabbath-breaking even to rioting ;
but I must tell you for your comfort, if you belong to the election
of grace, Christ will bring you home."
Defence. — "1 did not encourage sin, in preaching upon John
iii. 31, in saying that persons might go on in sin, &;c. By the
word might, I had not the intention to give them liberty. But if
they were so perverse, that they would for some time longer con
tinue in sin and increase iniquity ; yet if they belonged to the
election of grace they should be brought home by faith and re
pentance ; which affords comfortable thoughts, but such, I think,
as must most certainly reprove and reproach such as yield them
selves to sin with hopes of after repentance."
Result. — " We judge these words are a very ill and unwarrant
able use of the doctrine of election, and of very dangerous ten
dency." Complaint 14th. — "We are uneasy with his wandering from
town to town to the disturbance of towns and churches, and neg
lecting his own church at home."
Defence. — "I have never preached in other churches without
the consent of their pastors, nor in other towns without invitation,
which I suppose a privilege granted in the gospel to the ministers
of Christ, that I propose by the grace of God never to part with.
If you will instance to me any criminal neglect of my own church,
I shall endeavour to be suitably thankful to you, and, by the Lord's
help, amend for the future."
Result. — " Voted, that we, having reason to fear that Mr. Bliss
hath been incautious in his compliance with invitations to preach

1743.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 173
in some other ministers' parishes, exhort him for the future care
fully to observe the testimony and advice of the late convention
which he hath signed. But we do not find he hath neglected his
own charge,''but on the contrary his faithfulness and diligence were
testified by many."
Mr. Bliss had been almost incessantly occupied in attending
religious meetings, and also, says the result, in attending " the
multitude of souls that have flocked to him for his advice and
direction." His sermons, generally extemporaneous, had been
produced without much previous study, and contained many hasty
expressions and mistakes, which more mature reflection would
have prevented. This was one of the main causes of difficulty
on his part. The council also state, that " principles contrary to
the doctrines of grace have been espoused by some persons in this
place, which hath occasioned their stumbling at some truths which
had been delivered to them." ^ This, and the spirit of opposition
and prejudice on the part of the people, caused them to " over
look," in the language of the councH, " the zeal, faithfulness, and
love of souls, with which, we are persuaded, he hath rainistered
to his people." WhHe the councH disapproved of the incautious
and improper manner in which Mr. Bliss had treated some of the
doctrines of the Bible, it bore testimony to his usefulness as " the
instrument of God in carrying on his remarkable gracious work
in this town." Both parties were admonished, and advised to
mutual confession and reconciliation. Mr. Bliss made a confession
in presence of the council, satisfactory to them and the church, a
large majority of which was always in his favor.^
1 Christopher C. Baldwin,' Esq., the Librarian of the American Antiqua
rian Society, has furnished me with extracts from the Rev. David Hall's
MS. Journal. Under March 7, 1742, he says, "Was at Concord last
week. Discoursed with some of Mr. Bliss's opposers. I find they are
rank Arminians. Was at several houses. Mr. Beaton made me a present
of Shepard's ' Sound Believer ' ; and it is indeed a valuable present."
Mr. Hall was an admirer of Mr. Bliss and Mr. Whitfield. In several
places in his journal he speaks of the afiairs of Concord, and generally in
favor of Mr. Bliss.
2 In the Boston Evening Post, of March 14, 1743, is published a letter
from a " gentleman of unquestionable veracity in Hopkinton," giving an
account of a sermon preached there by Mr. Bliss, in which it is said, " He
began in a low, moderate strain, and went on for some time in the same
manner ; but towards the close of his sermon, he began to raise his voice,

174 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1745.
The proceedings of this council, like many other similar at
tempts to settle difficulties, did not allay pubhc excitement, nor
heal the divisions in the town. New instances of withdrawal took
place, notwithstanding the efforts of different committees, chosen
- by the church, to treat with the disaffected.
September 4, 1744, the town voted, not to hear " the result of
the last venerable councU that sat " ; not to free those persons
who had separated from Mr. Bliss from their proportion of the
ministerial tax ; and not to allow them the privilege of holding
public worship in the town-house. But a petition of 47 inhabi
tants, " who have, by the advice of two councils, separated frotn
the ministry of Mr. Bliss," was presented to the General Court,
October 17 ; and they were exempted, by an act passed January
19, 1745, from all ministerial charges since (June, 1743,) they
had maintained or shall maintain public worship among them
selves. They petitioned the town several times afterwards for as
sistance to build a meeting-house, but were unsuccessful.
On the 12th of December, 1745, twenty male communicants
subscribed a covenant, and organized the West Church. Among
them were some of the most wealthy, respectable, influential, and
pious men in town. Others soon after united with them, and, in
conjunction >vith some who were not communicants, they were ac
customed to hold public worship regularly in a house which stood
near the present residence of the Hon. Nathan Brooks.^
From this time there were two incorporated religious societies
in Concord. Individuals living in the easterly part of the town
had also several times petitioned to be set off into a separate pre
cinct or parish ; and they were successful in 1746. In that year,
what is now Concord was incorporated as the first precinct or
parish, and what is now Lincoln, as the second. In the latter
precinct, many of the aggrieved brethren united with others, and
formed the third church in the town.
and to use many extravagant gestures, and then began a considerable
groaning amongst the auditors, which as soon as he perceived, he raised
his voice still higher, and then the congregation were in the utmost con
fusion. Some crying out in the most doleful accents, some howling,
some laughing, and others singing, and Mr. Bliss still roaring to them
to come to Christ, — they answering, — ' I will, I mil, I'm coming, I'm
coming.' "
1 This was a public house. The sign had a black horse painted on it.
Hence this church was called, by way of derision, the black-horse church.

1747.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 175
The first meeting of the first parish was held September 19,
1746, at which the parish officers were chosen. The two socie
ties in this parish continued to hold separate meetings. Another
councU was caUed by the disaffected brethren, whose proceedings
I have not been able to find. Additional charges were also laid
before the church, February 20, 1746, and at eight subsequent
meetings examined. Mr. Bliss's defence, June 6th, appears at
length on the church records, but the charges are not found there.
As far as appears from the defence, they related principally to his
preaching in the parishes of other ministers, or encouraging lay
preachers in his own, or to alleged personal indiscretions. Mr.
Bliss had preached to the separatists in Boston, at Springfield,
and at Worcester, where he had been " earnestly requested by a
multitude of souls." Mr. Cotton, of Newton, excluded him from
his pulpit.
At length, the difficulties continuing to increase, a parish com
mittee was chosen. May, 1747, to consider what measures should.
be taken to promote peace and unanimity between the two so
cieties. This committee recomraended that five persons, not in
habitants, be chosen to give their advice. Three of these being
selected, the parish could not agree on the others, and the project
faUed. After several unsuccessful attempts, however, to adjust the
difficulties, it was voted, at a meeting of the parish, March 1,
1748, " That a committee of seven ministers be chosen, and be
desired to hear and examine into the difficulty the parish labors
under ; particularly to take into their consideration the result of
the venerable council called by the church ; and also^he result of
the last council called by those who lately separated and formed
into a church state ; and also to hear and examine into any mat
ters of grievance which have arisen since the result of said coun
cils ; and to give their advice, in order to be laid before the
churches in this parish for their consideration, for an accommoda
tion and union of both churches, if it can be found practicable."
This council was composed of the Rev. Dr. Joseph SewaU,
moderator, and John Webb of Boston ; Hull Abbot of Charles
town ; WHliam Hobby of Reading ; and Nathan Stone of South-
borough. Two others were invited, but did not attend. They
met the 16th of May at Mr. Ebenezer Hubbard's, and came to
a result on the 20th. The charges brought against Mr. BUss,

176 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1748.
before this council, related to his encouraging Ehsha Payne and
Jhe Rev. Mr. Dutton in preaching and selling books in his parish ;
to his hasty suspension of several brethren of the church ; to his
preaching in other ministers' parishes without their consent, and
contrary .to advice of former councHs and his own promise, &;c.,
and were generally supported, as appears from the result. ^This was
laid before the church and accepted ; and the pastor made such
acknowledgments as the councH had pointed out, which were
voted to be satisfactory. At the same time the vote by which
the church suspended several members was reconsidered.
The West Congregation had voted, May 27th, " to adhere to
the results of the venerable councils called by them, and the in
dulgence obtained frora the. Great and General Court." ^ The
proceedings of the above councU were laid before it, August 15 ;
but for reasons ably drawn up, the advice they contained was not
complied with. They were advised to unite with the other
church, and settle a colleague with Mr. Bliss. This they could
not do; for, being a minority, they had no hopes of obtaining a
person of their choice. " We came out from Mr. Bliss and his
church," say they, " not on account of any sudden transport of
passion, but with mature consideration, with true principles of
Christianity, and with the best of advice." They also stated,
1 On the I8th of February, 1748, the Hon. James Minott and several
others, a committee of the West Congregation in Concord, petitioned the
General Court, praying that they may be enabled to settle an orthodox
minister among themselves at the joint charge of the inhabitants of the
first precinct in said town, and to erect a suitable house for public worship.
A similar one had been presented to the town, May 15, 1745, but not
granted. Orders of notice passed on this petition. Committees were ap
pointed to take it into consideration at several successive meetings of the
Legislature, before whom the remonstrances of the precinct, the first
church, and Mr. Bliss, were made. The Legislative Journal says, April
12, 1749, "Whereas the petition of the West Society in Concord has
been continued over to this time, that the parties therein concerned might
agree their differences among themselves, but there being no prospect of
such agreement," voted, that a committee be appointed "to take said
petition, and answers thereto, and all other papers in the case, under
their consideration, hear the parties now attending, and report what they
judge proper for the Court to do thereon." Reported April 21, and again
referred to the next session, and " the parties recommended to compro
mise their difficulties in the mean time." How it was finally disposed of,
I have not learned.

1749. J ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 177
that Mr. Bliss was not on terms of fellowship with many neigh
bouring churches ; and, should a reunion be effected, they were
desirous of having this restored. The following documents relate
to this subject. The first appears on the church records; and
the second was among the papers laid before the General Court.
The following vote of the church was passed February 9, 1749.
"1. We have not any certain intelligence given, that any
churches are not in charity with us, as is thought and supposed
by our brethren that have withdrawn from us.
" 2. The ground mentioned by them of this their surmise is,
' that this church hath passed many votes in vindication, of Mr.
Bliss, before and since the sitting of the church's council, which
have' been reversed by the said council, and the committee of
reverend ministers lately with us.' This we look upon to be
insufficient to give dissatisfaction to amy church whatsoever, if it
be remembered that this church accepted and complied with the
ad\nce' given by both the councUs and' committees aforesaid.
" 3. Whereas our brethren point us to the churches whereof
the council was formed, that advised to their withdrawal from' Mr;
Bliss', which they conceive to be among the dissatisfied ; let it be
observed, that as this church had nothing to do in calling or laying
any matters before that counGil, so we apprehend that for this
church to make apphcation to those churches to give them satis
faction, would be a contradiction to that which we have said
before the late venerable committee was with us, and hath not
been reversed by complying with the result, which hath this pas
sage, viz. ; ' Yet we cannot think that this wHl justify your with
drawal, or that of any others frora the church, and embodying in
a new church state without asking a dismission from the church ; '
which passage, if our brethren would own to be just, we appre
hend they would no more say any thing concerning our making
satisfaction to the churches whereof that council consisted, which
advised to their withdrawal from us. And indeed we apprehend it
to be sufficient to give satisfaction to any church or churches,
when we shall be properly informed by them of their uneasiness
together with the reason thereof. Further we think it needless
to reply ; but on the whole would say, that, this church having
accepted the result of the late venerable committee of reverend
ministers, viz. Messrs. Joseph Sewall, moderator, John Webb,
23

178 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1749.
Hull Abbot, WHliam Hobby, and Nathan Stone, which was
chosen by the first parish in Concord, it must not be expected
by any that this church wiU go into any measures contradictory
to said result. Daniel Bliss, Pastor."
" This may certify all whom it may concern, that we have
seen and heard so much proved (as we apprehend) against Mr.
Bliss of Concord, especially with respect to his notorkius prevari
cations and wronging the truth ; and the meanness and mistakes
in his public performances, and what has passed thereupon in
councils ; that we cannot comfortably hold communion with him,
nor those that abet hira. The confessions drawn by him, or for
hira, are far from being satisfactory. The withdrawal of the West
Church wUl therefore be justified by knowing, impartial judges.
The proposals for union offered last year by the reverend minis
ters seem to them impracticable, until Mr. Bliss and church have
sought to obtain the charity of neighbouring churches, which they
have neglected or refused, under pretence they knew of none
that are not in charity with them, as they have represented.
Whereupon it don't appear to us practicable for the West Church
in Concord to return to the First Church ; nor can it serve any
I interest of religion till the outstanding difficulties above mentioned
be removed, with their other apparent aversions to all our Chris
tian proposals. Nor can we look upon ourselves bound by the
laws of Christ, and the order of these churches, to hold further
communion with them. Upon which we humbly offer on their
behalf, that their distressed condition may find relief by this hon
orable Court, that their hands may be strengthened to buUd upon
that fovmdation this Court hath laid for them. All which we
humbly submit and pray.
John Hancock, Oliver Peabody, Thomas I^arker,
John Barnard, John Gardner, WHham Cook.
" The First Church in Lancaster as having received no satis
faction. Timothy Harrington, Pastor.
Daniel Rogers, [of Littieton.]
" May 8, 1749."
In the mean time several meetings of the parish were held, at
which measures were taken to reconcile the two societies, and

1750.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 179
effect. a union; but being unsuccessful, the following proceedings
were had, February 13, 1750.
" The votes of both churches having been read ; and it appear
ing that the First Church has agreed to accept of and comply
with the advice of the late venerable committee of ministers,
called by the parish to give their Christian advice ; and are very
unwilling to come into any measures contradictory to, or incon
sistent with, the said advice ; and the Second Church, having re
fused to comply with said advice, have made other proposals,
which have been considered and answered by the First Church in
the parish as being not satisfactory to them ; and inasrauch as a
reconciliation and union seem at present difficult and almost im
practicable ; therefore voted, that nothing further be done at this
time towards calling and settiing a colleague with Mr. Bliss."
Another council, consisting of the Rev. Messrs. Israel Loring
of Sudbury, John Gardner of Stow, and William Cook, invited
by the West Church, met here, October 8, 1750, to consult on
the propriety of their proceedings, and advised the members not to
unite with the other church. From this time, however, the con
troversy principally ceased. Many, disaffected with the First
Church, found an asylum in the church at Lincoln, after the in
corporation of that town in 1754 ; others had become reconciled]
by mutual concessions. A few only remained separate tUl the'
death of Mr. Bliss.
The West Church existed about fourteen years, and supported
public worship the most part of the time, though no minister was
settled. The Rev. Messrs. John Whiting,'John Gardner, Eben
ezer Winchester, Benjamin Stevens, and  Marsh, and probably
others, were preachers ; Samuel Miles and Jonathan Buttrick,
deacons ; and Josiah Hosmer and Ezekiel Miles, " choristers to
set the tune for the congregation." ^ The Rev. Mr. Loring ad
ministered the sacrament, March 25, 1750, and at several other
times. 1 The prudential affairs of the society were managed by a clerk,
treasurer, or committee of three, and two collectors. Captain Stephen
Hosmer was clerk (whose papers have furnished me with many facts),
and Nathaniel Colburn and Charles Prescott, Esq., at different times,
treasurers. The Hon. James Minott was a leading member. Three hun
dred pounds currency were raised to support preaching, in the same

180 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1750.
The secession from Mr. Bliss was not made, hke most others
in New England,^ because the pastor vs^as not zealous enough in
promoting the religious excitement of the times, but on account
of his supposed or real errors in his preaching and pastoral con
duct. Some thought he was too zealous and too enthusiastic ; and,
though wishing the spread of tme religion, they thought Mr. Bliss
took improper measures to promote /a revival. It cannot be
denied that the influence of the clergy was very great in pro
moting and confirming the unhappy divisions in this town, though
acting conscientiously in opposition to Mr. Bliss. The troubles
in Concord were the cause of great disturbance in the neighbour
ing churches ; some individuals espousing the cause of Mr. Bliss,
and some that of his opponents. A division took place in the
Rev. Mr. Loring's society ; and several councUs were called to
settle them. Similar effects were produced elsewhere.
These facts give but an imperfect idea of the condition of the
town in this irapprtant period of its history. Did the limits of
this work permit, a more full account of the ecclesiastical docu
ments, which have accidentally fallen into my hands (a part only
of which are in the church records), would be given; but the
details already made lead us to view this controversy too impor
tant to be passed over without a particular notice. Though min
gled with much personal feeling and altercation, producmg division
among ministers, in societies and families, between husbaiids
and wives, parents and children, which scarcely finds a parallel
even in modern sectarianism, and the detaUs of which it might be
well to bury in oblif^ion ; yet it involved many important prmci-
ples in theology and church disciphne, and teaches the inefficiency
of ecclesiastical councUs to settie personal difficulties. To its
results may be traced the introduction of those more liberal feel-
iaags and sentiments, which lead people to think and judge for
themselves, and not to depend too exclusively on the opinions of
the clergy.
In AprH, 1741, Timothy Minott, Deacons Dakin and Heywood,
and Timothy Wheeler, were appointed a committee to assist the
pastor in preparing a new covenant. One was reported, and pub-
proportion as other taxes, in 1747 ; £500 in 1748 ; and £800 in 1749. The
collectors were vested with the same authority as in towns.
1 See Trumbull's History of Connecticut, Vol. II.

1764.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. igj
lidy signed, May 11, 1749, by ninety-two male members of the
church. The Rev. Thomas Prince, of Boston, preached on this
solemn and interesting occasion.
The genuine principles of religion obtained little influence during
the progress of the controversies in town. Great apathy prevaHed.
In 1748 one person only united with the First Church ; and for
some years before and after that period a comparatively small
number. After these troubles subsided, special attention to the
subject again prevailed. In 1763 thirty individuals united with
the church. Less enthusiasm and more lasting benefit, it is said,
attended this revival than that of 1741 and 1742.
Mr- Whitfield visited Concord again, March 10, 1764. The
next day being Sabbath, Mr. Bliss, at the special request of Mr.
Whitfield, preached in the morning, and Mr. Whitfield in the after
noon. This was one of Mr. Bliss's most powerful efforts, and
made such an impression on Mr. Whitfield as led him to remark,
" If I had studied my whole life, I could not have produced such
a sermon." ISut it was the last time Mr. Bliss ever appeared in
the pulpit. He was soon after taken sick with a consumption,
in which he languished till his death. A special fast, on his
account, was held in Concord, May 4. The Rev. Daniel Emer
son, of Hollis, prayed ; and the Rev. William Lawrence preached,
from Psalm ciii. 3, in the morning ; and the Rev. Mr. Clark
prayed, and the Rev. Jonathan Loring preached from Psalm
Ixv. 2, in the afternoon. All difficulties between Mr. Bliss
and the neighbouring ministers were happily settled at this meet
ing. He died about 12 o'clock at noon, just a week after. He
was buried on the 16th. His bearers were the Rev. Messrs.
Martin, Stone, Swift, Bridge, Lawrence, Emerson, Clark, and
Loring. During the ministry of Mr. Bliss, 290 persons were admitted
to the church in full communion, 328 owned the covenant, and
1424 were baptized.
The Rev. Daniel Bliss was son of Mr. Thomas Bhss, and
born at Springfield, in January, 1715. His grandfather, Samuel,
one of ten children, five sons and five daughters, who removed with
his mother, Mrs. Margaret Bliss, to that town in 1646 (her hus
band's name not being known), married Mary, daughter of John
Leonard, in 1664, and died in 1720. Thomas was born in 1667,

182 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1764.
and died in 1733. The Rev. Daniel was graduated at Yale Col
lege in 1732. While at College he imbibed those principles of
thought and action for which he was distinguished in after life.
Some time after he left College he received an invitation to settle
at Guilford in Connecticut, but was not ordained. The follow
ing long epitaph appears on his monument in the Hill Burying-
Ground. "Here lies .Interred the Remains of the Rev. Mr. Daniel Bhss,
Pastor of the Church of Christ in Concord, who Deceased the
llth day of May, Anno Dora : 1764, iEtatis sues 50.
" Of this beloved Disciple and Minister of Jesus Christ 't is
justly observable, that, in addition to his natural and acquired
abilities, he was distinguishedly favoured with those erainent
Graces of the Holy Spirit (Meakness, HumUity, and Zeal),
which rendered him peculiarly fit for and enabled him to go
thro' the great and arduous work of the Gospel Ministry, upon
which he entered in the 25th year of his age. The Duties of
the various Characters he sustained in Life, were performed with
great stricteness and fidelity. As a private Christian he was a
bright Exaraple of Holiness in Life and Purity in Conversation.
But in the execution of y^ ministerial office he shone with Pe
culiar Lustre, — a spirit of Devotion animated all his perfor
mances : ' — his Doctrine drop'd as y" Rain and his lips distilled
like the Dew : — his Preaching was powerful and Searching ; —
and he who blessed him with an uncommon Talent in a particular
Application to y* Consciences of men, crowned his skilful En
deavours wth great success. As y"* work of the Ministry was
his great Delight, so he continued fervent and dUigent in y«
Performance of it, tiH his Divine Lord called him from his Service
on Earth to the Glorious Recompense of Reward in Heaven ;
where as one who has turned many unto Righteousness he shines
as a star for ever and ever.
" ' His soul was of y" Angelic Frame,
The Same Ingredients, and the mould ye same.
Whom y Creator makes a Minister of Fame.'
Watts."
Mr. Bliss married Phebe Walker, of Strafford, Connecticut,
in 1738. She died July 2, 1797, aged 84, having had 9 children.
1. Daniel, who will be noticed among the college graduates ;

1765.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 183
2. Phebe, who married the two ministers who were successors
of her father ; 3. John, who died young ; 4. Thomas Theodore,
who lived at Brimfield, held a commission, in the army of the
American Revolution, and was a brave, but unfortunate officer.
He was taken prisoner at the first campaign in Canada, at the
Three Rivers, with all his company, and retained as a hostage
during the war. He died at Cambridge in 1802. 5. Hannah,
who was drowned at Springfield; 6. John; 7. Samuel, who was
an officer in the British aririy, during the revolution, in New York
and New Jersey. He had an island in the Bay of Fundy
granted to hira. 8. Martha, who raarried Isaac Hoar. 9. Jo
seph, who died at Plyraouth, New Hampshire. It is somewhat
remarkable, that two of Mr. Bliss's sons should have been ardent
tories, and two ardent whigs.'^
May 23, 1764, Deacon Samuel Minott was chosen standing
moderator, the Rev. Daniel Emerson, of Hollis, New Hampshire,
" moderator extraordinary," and Messrs. Simon Hunt, John Cum
ing, Jonathan Puffer, Ephraim Brown, and James Barrett, a
committee " to assist the moderator in hearing and preparing any
matters to be laid before the church." Early in June a day of
fasting and prayer was kept in the church ; and the Rev. Messrs.
HaU of Sutton, Hutchinson of Grafton, Searls of Stoneham, and
Bridge of Framingham, assisted in the public religious exercises
on the occasion. On the llth of October, 1765, the church
voted, though not unanimously, to receive into its communion
members of the late West Church, who chose to offer themselves.
Some had already united ; and some others were disposed to do
so. That all difficulties might be settled before the ordination of
1 Mr. Loring preached on the next Sabbath two funeral sermons ; in
the morning, from Zach. i. 5, and, in the afternoon, from Job xix. 25. 26, 27.
Ebenezer Hartshorn made Mr. Bliss's coffin. "Five hundred broad-
headed coffin- nails and five hundred small white tacks were put on the
cover." "White ones used to be' used, but lately they use them that are
jappaned black." Gloves and rings were given at the funeral. The late
Thomas Clark, Esq., of Boston, had in his possession a, ring, given to his
grandfather the Rev. Jonas Clark, as one of the pall-holders. His funeral
expenses, paid by the town, were £66 T3s. 4d.
Mr. Bliss published the following work : " The Gospel hidden to
them that are lost. Being the substance of two sermons preached. Pub
lished at the repeated request, and free cost, of some who heard them.
1755."

184 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [ll&J.
another minister, a council was called, consisting of the Second
church in Cambridge, and the churches in Grafton, WUmington,
Framingham, and Marlborough ; and met here, November 26,
1765. Their proceedings are not recorded.
On the 18th of February, 1765, the church chose WHliam
Emerson to be their pastor ; and in this vote the town concurred,
in March, 128 to 62. The only other candidate mentioned was Mr.
Samuel Williams. It was agreed to give him £200 as a settiement,
and £100 as an annual salary. He was ordained January 1, 1766.
The council, on the occasion, was composed of ministers and dele
gates from the First and Second churches in Sudbury, the Second
in Cambridge, the Second in WeHs, the Second in Reading, and
the churches in Maiden, Stow, Littleton, Acton, Chelmsford, Tops-
field, Lexington, Hollis, Pepperell, Lincoln, Bedford, and BUle-
rica. The Rev. John Gardner, of Stow, was moderator. The
Rev. Daniel Rogers, of Littleton, made the introductory prayer ;
the Rev. Joseph Emerson, of Maiden, preached from 1 Chron.
xxix. 1 ; the Rev. John Gardner gave the charge ; the Rev.
WiUiam Cook, of East Sudbury, made the last prayer ; and the
Rev. John Swift, of Acton, gave the right hand of fellowship.
When Mr. Emerson began his ministry, some of those feelings,.
which had > been fostered in the previous controversies, were still
existing. But though he came into office under these disadvan
tageous circumstances, his piety, talents, and popular manner, as a
preacher, secured the affection and support of a great majority of
the church and'town. The subsequent difficulties in his church
arose principally from the rejection of an individual who offered
himself as a candidate for admission. When the church was
called upon to act on his .admission, it was well known that ob
jections existed in the minds of some of the communicants against
him ; and Deacon Simon Hunt arose, after the question was put,
and before the vote was declared, and requested it to be made
certain. Considering this as an unjustifiable act, the candidate
immediately withdrew. This happened in 1767 ; and nine of the
members of the church, uniting with some who were not pro
fessors of religion, and considering its proceedings improper and
arbitrary, and" Mr. Emerson as partial for approving them, es
poused the cause of the rejected individual, and composed the
principal opposition, and were known as the aggrieved brethren.

1772.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 185
In the progress of the controversy, many frivolous complaints
were brought forward, and much personal feeling vi^as excited ; but
few important principles in doctrine or discipline were discussed
or settled. The records concerning these transactions are very
imperfect. A mutual councU sat here, April 11, 1769, whose result was
favorable to the church, but was not accepted by the aggrieved
brethren. After repeated " hearings," the candidate was still
excluded ; and notwithstanding frequent efforts of the church
to promote peace and harmony, the difficulties remained unset
tled. Under these circumstances, an ex parte councH met at Mr.
Ebenezer Hubbard's, August 28, 1770, consisting of the Rev.
Messrs. Gad Hitchcock of Pembroke, moderator, Jacob Cushing
of Waltham, Samuel Woodward of Weston, Jonas Clark of Lex
ington, Jonas Merriam of Newton, Ehas Smith of Middleton,
Phineas Whitney of Shirley, Zabdiel Adams of Lunenburg, and
delegates fi'om their respective churches. On the second day of
their session they addressed a letter to the church, requesting the
members to adjust the difficulties aipong themselves, or join in
calling a mutual council. To effect the first object, five members
of each party were chosen to agree, but they were unsuccessful.
The church not complying with the other request, the councU met
again, October 23, with five additional churches, — those of the
Rev. Messrs. John Mellen of Lancaster, Daniel Shute of Hingham,
Joseph Jackson of Brookline, Phillips Payson of Chelsea, and Jason
Haven of Dedham. It again adjourned, and met November 13.
Eleven articles of grievance against the church, five against the
pastor, and eight against particular members, were examined.
The result was unfavorable to the church, and in favor of the
aggrieved, as might have been anticipated. This being published
in the Boston Gazette, and industriously circulated, tended by no
means to allay public excitement. At length, after several more
unsuccessful attempts towards an accommodation, another mutual
council was called, June, 1772, consisting of the First and Second
churches in Rowley, the First in Hingham, the First in Newbury,
the First in Stoughton, the First in Portsmouth, the Second in
Shrewsbury, and the churches in Weymouth, Byfield, Groton,
MHton, Upton, HaverhHl, Newbury, and Newton. The pastor.
Deacon Hunt, John Fhnt, James Barrett, Jr., Deacon Brown,
24

186 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1776.
and Amos Wood were chosen a committee to lay matters before
the council. A public examination was had in the meeting-house.
The result was generally acceptable. After this period littie was
said on the subject ; and, the more immediate author of these
difficulties having become unpopular with the friends of liberty,
aU was settied, on July 1, 1774, when the foHowing vote was
passed by the church :
" That inasmuch as our aggrieved brethren, Benjamin Wheeler
and others, have for some considerable time withdrawn from our
communion, on account chiefly of the non-admission of Mr. Jo
seph Lee into full comraunion, a draft of a confession was made,
and several times read in church meeting, which, if the said Jo
seph Lee' consented to by signing his name to the said confession,
the church voted that it should be satisfactory to them, so as that
they could receive him into their communion and fellowship.
The aggrieved brethren, being informed that the church had
passed the above mentioned vote, signified in church meeting that
the difficulty in their minds was hereby removed, as to the
church's former refusal of JMr. Joseph Lee's admission into full
communion, so as that they could return to their duty, if there
was no objection in the minds of the brethren on any other ac
count. Upon which it was agreed on all sides, that, as it had
been a day of temptation, there should be a mutual confession of
our faults one to another, and that the brethren aggrieved should
return to the communion and fellowship of the church, without
any thing further being said or done."
The llth of July, 1776, was set apart as a day of fasting and
prayer, when the covenant was renewed and signed by 62 ¦'male
communicants. On this occasion the Rev. Mr. Bridge preached
in the forenoon, and the Rev. Mr. Penniman of Bedford in the
afternoon. This covenant, somewhat resembling the one entered
into in 1749, proposed to take the Assembly's Catechism as " an
exceUent compendium " of the Bible. During Mr. Emerson's
ministry 66 persons were admitted to full communion, 135 owned
the covenant, and 506 were baptized.
The Rev. William Emerson, son of the Rev. Joseph Emer
son, of Maiden, was born May 21, 1743, and graduated at Har
vard CoHege in 1761. His father was the son of Edward Emer
son of Chelmsford, and grandson of the Rev. Joseph Emerson of

1776.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 187
Mendon, who married a daughter of the Rev. Edward Bulkeley,
and died in Concord, January 3, 1680. His mother was a
daughter of the Rev. Samuel Moody of York. The Rev. Jo
seph Emerson of Pepperell, and John Emerson of Conway, were
his brothers. The Rev. William Emerson was pastor of the
church in Concord about ten years. His ardent love for his
country, as a " high son of liberty," prevailed on him to con
tribute, by his intellectual and personal services at home and
abroad, in the great conflict of the American revolution. On the
16th of August, 1776, he left his people with their consent, his
«hurch, his frierrds, and all the endearments of domestic life, to
join the army at Ticonderoga as chaplain. He continued in
office till advised by his physicians to resign on account of ill
health, and was discharged by General Gates, September 18.
He commenced his return home, but, his disease increasing, he
could not proceed. He stopped at the Rev. Benajah Roots's, of
Rutland, on Otter Creek, where he remained, suffering under a
severe bHious fever, till his death, which took place at 5 o'clock
on Sunday raorning, October 20, at the age of 33. He was in
terred there with the honors of war by a detachment from Colonel
Vandyke's regiment, commanded by Major Shepard. His last
sickness was borne with great composure, resignation, and Chris
tian fortitude. He often spoke of the endearing kindness of his
people toward him, and the pleasure he should enjoy, if it were
the will of God to give him opportunity, to show his gratitude by
exerting himself more vigorously for their good. When the hour
of dissolution .seemed to be near, he appeared like one waiting
" to depart and be with Christ." The regret, apparent in all ex
isting records, that he should be prematurely cut off in his promis
ing career of usefulness, evinces the esteem of the society of
which he was pastor. Mr. Emerson's personal appearance was
pleasing and prepossessing ; his manners familiar and gentlemanly ;
his conversation communicative and facetious, though not inconsis
tent with his ministerial character ; in his preaching he was popular,
eloquent, persuasive, and devotional, adapting himself, with re
markable ease, to all circumstances and occasions ; and his doc
trine was evangelical. " Fervency of spirit," ardent zeal, love of
his profession and his people, characterized all his performances.
A monument was erected by the town to his memory in 1826, on

188 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1776.
whiph his character is delineated as " enthusiastic, eloquent, af
fectionate, and pious ; he loved his family, his people, his God,
and his country. And to this last he yielded the cheerful sacri
fice of his life."
Mr. Emerson married Phebe, daughter of the Rev. Daniel
Bliss, August 21, 1766, by whom he had William (noticed among
the coHege graduates), Hannah Bliss, Phebe, Mary Moody, and
Rebecca. His widow married the Rev. Ezra Ripley, November
16, 1780, and died, February 16, 1825, aged 83, having had by
him two sons and a daughter.^
Deacon Simon Hunt was moderator of the church, from the
death of Mr. Emerson to the ordination of his successor. Com
mittees of the church and town were chosen to supply the pulpit,
as had been the case at similar times before ; and a day of fasting
and prayer was kept, September 14, 1777, in commemoration of
the death of their late pastor, and preparatory to the choice of
another. On the llth of May, 1778, Mr. Ezra Ripley was
unanimously chosen pastor on the part of the church, in which
the. town concurred on the 1st of June following, 94 to 1. He
was ordained, November 11, 1778. In the rehgious services on
the occasion, the Rev. Josiah Bridge of E. Sudbury made the first
prayer ; the Rev. Jason Haven of Dedham preached from
2 Timothy ii. 2 ; the Rev. Josiah Dana of Barre " prayed after
sermon " ; the Rev. Ebenezer Bridge of Chelmsford " prayed
before and gave the charge " ; and the Rev. Jonas Clark of
Lexington gave the right hand of fellowship. The councH was
composed of these gentlemen, and delegates from their respective
churches ; and also the churches of the Rev. Eli Forbes of Glou
cester, the Rev. Peter Thacher of Maiden, the Rev. Jonathan
Newell of Stow, and the Rev. Moses Adams of Acton.
The town agreed to give Mr. Ripley £550 currency as a set
tlement, and £100 as an annual salary, founded on the prices

1 The Rev. Ralph Waldo Emerson of Boston kindly loaned me a concise
private journal, kept by his grandfather, from January, 177.5, to August,
1776 ; and several letters to his wife written at Cambridge and at the
Northward ; which, beside detailing some important historical facts, are
remarkable for their easy, sprightly style. The Rev. Mr. Roots addressed
a letter to the church, giving an account of his last sickness. A notice of
his character appeared in the Boston Gazette, i?Jovember 4, 1776.

1795.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 189
of articles of produce, — rye at 4s. per bushel, com at 3s., beef
at 2^d. per pound, and pork at 4d. ; the salary to rise and fall
according to the variation in the prices of these articles. He was
also to enjoy all the ministerial perquisites, and to be provided
with 30 cords of firewood. A salary thus established was found
to be attended with much uncertainty ; and some years to fall
short of £100. This was the occasion of much embarrassment.
The town ascertained that the real value of the £550, when
paid, was but £40, and the first year's salary £41 ; and in 1785,
£200 were specially granted to make up the deficiency. In 1793,
£100 were also granted. In 1812 the contract was very properly
altered ; and instead of this uncertain income it was agreed to
give him $750 as his permanent salary, which, with his firewood,
estimated at $100, and the perquisites $15, gave him the annual
salary of $865. At the ordination of his coUeague, in 1830, he
relinquished $250 of his salary and 10 cords of wood.
From time imraemorial it has been the custom of the church
to administer the ordinance of baptism to such adults and their
chHdren, as " owned the covenant," without joining the church
in full communion. This covenant was the same as that which
admitted to full communion, with the exception of the clause
which referred to the comraunion, and was used for both cases till
1795, when the following was adopted to be subscribed by the
individuals who " own it." Three hundred and two have signed
it since 1795.
" I do now seriously profess my belief in one God, who is over
all and blessed for ever more.
" I believe the Holy Scriptures were given by inspiration of
God, and are able to make wise unto salvation, through faith,
which is in Christ Jesus ; and I wHl endeavour to observe them as
the rale of my life in faith and practice.
" I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God ; and that God
so loved the world as to give his only Son to die, the just for the
unjust, that whosoever believeth in him might not perish, but have
everlasting life.
" I believe that repentance towards God and faith in Jesus
Christ are the gospel conditions of salvation, and therefore, peni
tently confessing all my sins to God, I look for salvation through
Christ alone.

190 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1795.
" I believe that baptism is a Christian ordinance, a sign of
visible discipleship to Christ, and an act of dedication to God,
and that the proper subjects of it are bBlievers in the Christian
religion, and their offspring and charge. And I now promise that
I will endeavour, by the grace of God assisting, to educate my
children and charge according to the Christian religion.
" In testimony of this my belief and promise I hereunto sub
scribe my name."
The covenant for admission into fuU communion, used by Mr.
Emerson, was taken with, hira into the army and lost, no copy
being in the records. In 1779 a new one was prepared, and used
till 1795, when the following, now in use, was substituted.
" Professing a firm belief of revealed religion, and that the
Holy Scriptures, which contain it, are given by inspiration of God,
and resolving to take them for your rule of faith and practice, you
do now, as far as *you know your own heart, sincerely avouch
and choose the one only living and true God to be your God and
portion ; the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Mediator and Saviour ;
the Holy Ghost to be your sanctifier and guide ; giving up your
self unto God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to be his and
his only for ever."^
" Sensible that in many things you have offended, and that
your sufficiency is of God,, you do now, with penitence for your
sins, humbly implore the divine aid to enable you henceforth to
walk before God in love, and in all holy conversation and godli
ness. " Convinced of the importance of early instruction in virtue
and piety, you now proraise, that you will conscientiously en
deavour to' educate all such as are, or may be, committed to your
care, agreeably to the prescriptions of God's holy word.
" You do also covenant with this church of Christ and promise,
that you will walk with us as a member of our body ; that you
wUl attend on the adrainistration of the word and ordinances
among us, and submit to the Christian watch, discipline, and
regulations of this church, so long as God shaU continue your
life and abode with us.
1 The expression, " the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost," was stricken out
in 1826.

1795.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 191
" All this you profess and promise in the presence of the all-
seeing God, and by the help of his spirit and grace wiH live
agreeably to the same.
" I do, therefore, as a minister of Jesus Christ, and as pastor
of this church, acknowledge you a member, and receive you into
fellowship ; and we declare, that we do and wHl look upon you
as a member of the same body with ourselves, and will treat you
with that affection and watchfulness which your relation to us
now calls for ; watching over you not for your halting, but for
your edification ; praying God, now and ever, to build up you,
and us, and all his saints, a spiritual building, an holy house, a
living temple unto himself the Lord our God. Araen."
At the adoption of this covenant, some alterations in the
customs of the church were made. The practice of giving rela
tions of religious exercises of mind before admission to the com
munion, of " making public confession of particular crimes com
mitted previously to any voluntary engagement and profession of
religion," and of calling for a vote on the admission of members,
was discontinued. Members are now adraitted before the church
on examination of the pastor only, after having been publicly
propounded, and no objection appearing. Since 1828, they have
remained in their pews when the covenant is read to them.
During the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Ripley, to the ordination
of his colleague, 383 persons were admitted to the church in
fitll communion, 449 owned the covenant, 1541 were baptized,
101 were regularly dismissed, and one was excommunicated. At
the death of Mr. Emerson the number of communicants was esti
mated at 150. January 1, 1815, the church contained 156, —
54 males and 102 females. The number now is about 138.
The funds of the church amount to $350. John Cuming,
Esq. gave $111 for the benefit of poor communicants. The
"Minott Fund," of $132, was begun in 1778, by Mrs. Bulah
Minott and other members of the church, for the purchase of the
elements and other purposes, at the discretion of the minister
and deacons. Miss AbigaU Dudley, in 1813, bequeathed a
legacy to the church, which was set apart for a singing fund.
One of the communion vessels was given by Margaret Bridges, of
Ireland, April 6, 1676 ; another by Thomas Brown, Sen. (the
town clerk several years from 1689) ; another by the wife of

] 92 HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1830.
Duncan Ingraham, Esq. ; four were purchased by the treasurer
of the church in 1714 ; eight with a donation from John Cuming,
Esq. of $222-22 for that purpose ; and the baptismal basin from
a part of the Minott fund.
The version of Psalms and Hymns, by Sternhold and Hopkins,
was used in the church prior to 1766, each line of which was
read separately by the deacons when sung. On the 18th of
February of that year, it was voted " to sing Tate and Brady's
version three months on trial." In June following, Watts's ver
sion was introduced, and used tiH June 1, 1828, when the Cam
bridge collection was substituted. Singers were first seated about
1774, when the custom of giving out the line by the deacons was
discontinued ; and the church then voted, that Deacon Wheeler
should lead in singing one half of the time, and the singers in
the congregation the other half. In 1779 it took into considera
tion " the melancholy decay of singing in public worship, and
chose 20 persons, who should sit together in the body seats
below, and take the lead in singing." The women to sit sepa
rate from the men. They removed into the gallery soon after
the repair of the house in 1792. Under various leaders the
church music has improved conformably to the spirit of the times.
The Rev. Ezra Ripley, D. D., was born at Woodstock,
Connecticut, May 1, 1751. He was graduated at Harvard Col
lege in 1 776, and has received the honorary degree of Doctor of
Divinity from the same institution. He was invited early in the
spring to Concord, and was ordained November 7, 1778. During
a long and useful ministry few things have occurred to interrupt
the uncommon harmony which prevailed in the church and town
at his ordination. In one instance only has the advice of neigh
bouring ministers been called to settle difficulties, and this did
not relate to the pastor. It was in 1784, and terminated happiiy.
It is a remarkable fact, that, for 40 years of his ministry, not a
single individual paid a ministerial tax to any other society, and
that for 190 years, tiU 1825, excepting in Mr. Bliss's day as already
noticed, the whole town were united in one society. The llth of
November, 1828, was the 50th anniversary of his ordination, and
on that occasion he delivered his half-century sermon, which was
published. In this he informs us he had written more than 2500
sermons. By perseverance in a constant and systematic exercise

1830.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 193
of his corporeal and mental powers, his great natural energy of
character has been preserved, his life and usefulness lengthened,
and he is now (June, 1833) able to perform with remarkable
ease the duties of the ministerial office.
In August, 1829, the Rev. Dr. Ripley made a formal request
to his people for assistance in his rainisterial labors. A committee
was chosen, a town meeting was called, and other preliminary
measures were taken to effect this object. Mr. Goodwin, after
having preached several Sabbaths, was invited by the town, Janua
ry 3, 1830, (the church having voted not to act on the subject in a
separate capacity,) to settle as his colleague, with an annual salary
of $700 during the life of Dr. Ripley, and $900 afterwards, and
25 cords of wood. He accepted the invitation, and was ordained
February 17, 1830. The introductory prayer, on the occasion,
was made by the Rev. Convers Francis of Watertown ; reading
of the Scriptures by the Rev. Jonathan Cole of Kingston ; sermon
by the Rev. James Kendall, D. D., of Plymouth, (which was
printed) ; consecrating prayer by the Rev. Samuel Ripley of
Waltham ; charge by the Rev. Joseph Field of Weston ; fellow
ship of the churches by the Rev. Ralph Waldo Emerson of Bos
ton ; address to the people bv the Rev. John White of. Dedham ;
and concluding prayer by the Rev. Nathaniel Whitman of Bille
rica. These and the Rev. Messrs. George Ripley of Boston,
John B. Wight of East Sudbury, WiHiam H. Whhe of Littieton,
Thomas B. Gannet of Cambridge Port, Caleb Stetson of Medford,
Frederick H. Hedge of West Cambridge, Daniel Austin of Brigh
ton, WHkes Allen of Chelmsford, and delegates from their respec
tive churches, composed the councH, of which the Rev. Dr. Kendall
was moderator, and Thomas B. Gannett scribe. The church in
Harvard College, the Twelfth church in Boston, the Second in
Waltham, the- First in Cambridge, and the churches in Stow and
Sudbury, were'' also represented in the council by a delegate, the
pastors being engaged at the same time in an ordination at Natick,
The Rjjv. Hersey Bradford Goodwin was born at Plyraouth,
August_18, 1805, graduated at Harvard CoHege in 1826, and
at the Theological School in Cambridge in 1829. The first chHd
he baptized bears his name. He married Lucretia, daughter of
Benjamin M. Watson, Esq. of Plymouth, June 1, 1830. She died '
greatly lamented, November 11, 1831, aged 23, leaving one son.
25

194

HISTORY OF CONCORD.

[1830.

SaCCESSSION OF THE DeACONS.

Names.
I. Richard Griffin.
2. Robert Merriam.
3. Luke Potter.
4. James Blood.
5. Humphrey Barrett.
6. John Heywood.
7. John Wheeler.
8. Edward Wheeler.
9. Joseph Dakin.
10. Samuel Heywood.
II. Samuel Merriam.
12. Samuel Miles.i
13. Samuel Minott. ¦
14. Ephraim Brown.
15. Amos Heald.2
16. Thomas Barrett.
17. David Wheeler.
18. Simon Hunt.
19. George Minott.
20. John White.3
21. William Parkman.4
22. Joseph Chandler.5
23. Thomas Hubbard.
24. Francis Jarvis.
25. Reuben Brown, Jr.
26. Cyrus Hosmer.

Tims of Birth.

Election.
About 1630.

April 8, 1662.
July 17, 1669.

July 25, 1681.
March 14, 1681.
March 25, 1706,
Nov. 7, 1710.
May 23, 1708.
Oct. 2, 1707.
Dec. 27, 1707.
Sept. 3, 1704.
Oct. 22, 1741.
Aug. 23, 1749.
May 5, 1748.

About 1717.
About 1717.
About 1719.
About 1736.
About 1734.
May 30, 1744.
May 30, 1744.
Oct. 24, 1751.
Feb. 18, 1666.
June 16, 1766.
June 16, 1766.
Aug. 3, 1779.
Dec. 6, 1784.
Dec. 20, 1788.
June 30, 1791.
April 30, 1812,
April 30, 1812.
May 3, 1827.
May 3, 1827.

Decease. Age.
April 5, 1661.
Feb. 15, 1681.
Oct. 13, 1697.
Nov. 26, 1692.
Jan. 3, 1716.
Jan. 2, 1719.
Dec. 1,1736.
Feb. 17, 1734.
March 13, 1744. 75
Oct. 28, 1750. 63
June 1, 1764.
Oct. 11, 1758.

72

57

65

8377

March 17, 1766. 60
Oct. 9, 1788.
Jan. 4, 1775.
June 20, 1779.
March 24, 1784.
Dec. 13, 1790.
April 13, 1808.
Jan. 9, 1830.
Feb. 5, 1832.
Jan. 19, 1813.

78 67 72 77 8765 80
9164

The Trinitarian Church, then consisting of 16 members, —
5 male and 11 female, was organized, June 5, 1826, by a coun
cU, consisting of tho Rev. Dr. Beecher, moderator, Messrs.
Samuel Green and Asa Rand of Boston, Paul Litchfield of Car
lisle, Samuel Stearns of Bedford, Warren Fay of Charlestown,
 s 
1 He seceded from the church under Mr. Bliss, and was deacon of the
West Church.
9 He was dismissed from the church in Lincoln, September 27, 1772,
and removed to Townsend, where he died. He is said to have been a
deacon in three churches, — Concord, Lincoln, and Townsend.
3 He was dismissed at his request, January 7, 1827, and united with the
Trinitarian Church.
¦* He was excused from active services on account of age and infirmi
ties, January 1, 1826.
5 He resigned on account of ill health, December 4, 1811.

1830.] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 195
Sewall Harding of Waltham, George Fisher of Harvard, and dele
gates from their respective churches. • Mr. Green made the first
prayer, and gave the fellowship of the churches ; Dr. Beecher
preached ; Mr. Fay read the confession of faith and covenant
(which has since been published with collateral references to
Scripture for proof) ; and Mr. Fisher made the concluding prayer.
A corner-stone of a meeting-house had been laid on the 22d of
May previous, which was completed and dedicated on the 6th of
December following. On this occasion, the Rev. Samuel Green
preached a sermon, which was printed. During this time the
pulpit was principaUy supphed by the Rev. Mr. Rand. Mr.
Southmayd preached his first sermon here January 21, 1827, and
on the 19th of February received the unanimous invitation of the
church to become their pastor, with an annual salary of $600,
to which he gave an affirmative answer on the 30th of March.-
He was ordained April 25th. The Rev. Edward Beecher of Bos
ton made the first prayer ; James Murdock, D. D., of Andover
preached ; the Rev. Samuel Stearns made the consecrating prayer ;
the Rev. Lyman Beecher gave the charge ; the Rev. John Todd
of Groton presented the right hand of fellowship ; the Rev. Ben
jamin B. Wisner of Boston addressed the church and people ; and
the Rev. George Fisher made the concluding prayer. These
gentiemen and the Rev. Messrs. Paul Litchfield, Sewall Harding,
and Asa Rand were members of the councU, of which the Rev.
Dr. Murdock was moderator.
The Rev. Daniel S. Southmayd was born at Castleton, Ver
mont, February 11, 1802, graduated at Middlebury College in
1822, and at the Theological Seminary at Andover in 1826.
After sustaining the pastoral office a little over five years, he
asked for a dismission, June 8, 1832, which was granted by the
church, and confirmed by a council on the 151^, consisting of the
Rev. Samuel Stearns of Bedford, moderator, the Rev. Elijah
Demond of Lincoln, scribe, the Rev. Sewall Harding of Wal
tham, the Rev. Leonard Luce of Westford, and delegates from
their respective churches. From the time the church was organ
ized to Mr. Southmayd's ordination, 6 members were added to
the church, and during his ministry 77, (53 by original pro
fession, and 30 by letter from other churches,) and 30 were
males and 53 females ; 4 have been dismissed, 2 excommuni-

196 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
cated, and 5 have died ; present number of members 88, of whom
30 are males. Several, however, have removed from town. Mr.
Southmayd administered 46 baptisms, and married 26 couples.
He now lives at Lowell.
John Vose, chosen Deacon June 1, 1827; excused firom active
duty, March, 1832, and died in 1833.
Moses Davis, chosen June 1, 1827 ; removed to Lowell, Sep
tember, 1831.
Francis Hunt and Samuel A. Thurston, chosen March 30,
1832. Deacon John White bequeathed to this church $700, and Miss
Sarah Thoreau $50, which has been vested as a fund for its use.

CHAPTER XII.
NATURAL HISTORY.
Climate. — Geology. — Botany. — Ponds.. — Rivers. — Brooks. — Fish. — Quad
rupeds. — Birds.
In several of its divisions the Natural History of Concord does
not essentially differ from that of the surrounding county and state.
Situated but sixteen mHes from Boston, and nearly in the same
latitude, in its climate it does not vary essentially from that city. It
was said by Mr. John Josselyn, who visited this country in 1673,
that " this place [Concord] is subject to bitter storms." '^ Though
it is not easy to see how the remark is particularly applicable to
Concord, yet local circumstances have been supposed to have
some influence in the changes of its atmosphere. The evaporation
from a sluggish river and extensive meadows sometimes produces
here, at night, a damp atmosphere ; but the waters are pure ; and
the sun's rays, reflected from a loose soU, soon dry and purify it.
Few places are more healthy, or exhibit a higher average term
of human life. The extremes of heat and cold are, however,
probably greater than in many places, though the average tempe
rature may not be so low. Two instances are recorded, one in
1755,* and the other in Jijly, 1825, when the heat was so great
1 Voyages, p. 170. ^ Minott's Continuation, Vol. L p. 107.

NATURAL HISTORY. 197
that fish died in the river. Probably others have occurred. At
the latter period the thermometer rose to 105 degrees of Fahren
heit in the shade, and continued nearly as high for several days.
Snow does not usually fall quite so deep here as in the adjoining
towns, and frequently goes off earlier. The cold is, however, some
times felt in great intensity ; and the thermometer often sinks to 8,
10, and sometimes 12 degrees below zero. It stood at this last
point on Tuesday, February 1,1814, noted as the cold Tuesday.
Geology. — The geology of Concord, though it has not been
very thoroughly explored, exhibits considerable variety and some
peculiarity. The situation is low and the surface generally level,
not giving to the streams of water sufficient current to afford many
sites for manufacturing purposes. A few small hills only appear
to beautify the scene and relieve the eye from a uniform pros
pect. Among these may be mentioned Ponkawtassett, or Bar
rett's, in the northeast ; Annursnuck, in the northwest ; Naws-
hawtuct, or Lee's, near the centre ; Fairhaven, in the south ; and
Rocky Hills, near Walden Pond, partly in Lincoln. There is
also a sandy hill, apparently of secondary formation, extending
about a mile in length, easterly of the village. The uneven soil
at the north and northeastern, and the south and southwestern
parts of the town, appears to be of primary formation, and is com
posed chiefly of a thin, gravelly loam, mixed with various com
binations of sand, clay, decayed vegetable matter, and rocks.
Though not uniformly well calculated for agricultural purposes, it
contains some highly productive farms. A large section, lying on
the borders of the rivers, and extending from the southwest to the
northeastern parts of the town, and through the centre, appears
to be principally either secondary formation or alluvial deposits,
and fi:ee from stones. The meadows and some parts of the up
land contain a dark, rich, fruitful soil ; and others a loose, sandy
one, easily affected by .drought, and hardly worth cultivation.^
Clay is rare. It is sometimes found in its usual beds, and
sometimes in peculiar strata between others of sand. It has been
wrought into bricks in several places. Marl is found, though not
abundantly. Peat, fibrous and compact, is found in great abun
dance, composing extensive meadows, and affording an inexhaust-
1 The chapter on the Statistical History gives the number of acres of
each kind.

198 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
ible supply of fuel and manure, for wljich purposes it is used by
the inhabitants. It is formed of the vegetables which have grown
or been deposited where it exists. In some instances it seems to
rest on the surface of water, and when cut in sections for roads or
other purposes, the included parts, if heavily loaded, have been
known to sink.
Geologists divide all rocks into three classes, — primary, sec
ondary, and trap. The rocks in Concord are principally of the
primary class, and varieties of granite, sienite, and mica-slate.
Granite, suitable for buHding material, is not very common in
Concord, but is found in abundance in Acton, Carhsle, and
Lincoln. The following minerals, some of which are rare, are found in
Concord : Several species of lime-stone in the north part of the
town ; formerly manufactured into lime. Calcareous Spar, a sub
species of the carbonate of lime, composed of lime and carbonic
acid, is common. Garnet in beautiful crystals. Cinnamon-stone, a
very rare mineral, is found in the north part of the town. Sev
eral varieties of quartz generally distributed. Mica, in large
laminae and in several varieties. The lamellar hornblende, actyn-
olite, and pargasite, sub-species and varieties of hornblende, fre
quent. Feldspar is found in great variety ; the cream-colored is
the most beautiful. Also, argUlite, or clay-slate, novaculite, and
scapolite. Sahlite, a variety of augite, or pyroxene of a greenish
greyi, occurs massive and crystaUized.^ Sulphate of iron, or cop
peras, occurs with a vein of sulphuret of iron, or pyrites in green
stone. Sulphate of iron is also disseminated' in clay-slate. (Rob
inson.) Lead ore has been found in various places. Iron ore
is found in several places disseminated in rocks and other minerals.
Bog iron ore is found in abundance. As early as 1660, it was
smelted and wrought in bars for the customary purposes of life,
by a company at the present site of the cotton-factory. The
works were, however, abandoned after about 50 years, the pro-
1 Prof. John W. Webster informs me, that he found all the minerals
mentioned above, in this town. The late Samuel Davis, Esq. of Ply
mouth conjectured, that Annursnak, the Indian name of one of our hills,
has the same meaning as Quunosnuck, signifj'ing a pestle, from the cir
cumstance that rocks, out of which the natives made 'their mortars and
pestles, were to be found there. Porphyry, of which the Indians used to
make their arrow-heads, is also found there.

NATURAL HISTORY. 199
prietors having found that a better quality of iron could be im
ported af less expense. Several tons of this ore have recently
been carried in boats from this town to the furnace in Chelmsford,
and it is said to produce good castings. I have no doubt that other
minerals might be found, if the town were more thoroughly ex
plored. Botany. — Wood grows here with great rapidity; and it is
supposed there is as much now as there was twenty years ago.
Walden woods at the south, and other lots towards the southwest
parts of the town, are the most extensive, covering several hun
dred acres of light-soU land. Much of the fuel, which is con
sumed, is, however, brought from the neighbouring -towns. The
most common trees are the oak, pine, maple, elm, white birch,
chestnut, walnut, he. he. Hemlock and spruce are yery rare.
The ornamental trees transplanted, in this as in most other towns,
do not appear to have been placed with much regularity ; but as
they are, they contribute much to the comfort and beauty of the
town. The elm, buttonwood, horse-chestnut, and fruit trees have
very properly taken the place of sickly poplars, in ornamenting
the dweUings. The large elm in front of the court-house, — the
pride of the comraon, — is almost unrivalled in beauty. It is
about " three score and ten," but is stHl growing with youthful
vigor and uniform rapidity.
Dr. Jarvis, who is familiar with the botany of Concord, informs
me, that " most of the plants found in the middle parts of the
state grow here, excepting the alpine flowers. The extensive
low laiids produce abundantly the natural families of the aroideae,
typhee, cyperoideee, graminese, junci, corymbiferae, and urabel-
liferae. These genera especially abound. There are also found,
the juncus militaris (bayonet rush), on the borders of Fairhaven
pond; cornus florida ; lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower), abun
dant on the borders of the river ; polygala cruciata, in the east
parts of the town ; nyssa villosa (swamp hornbeam), at the foot
of Fairhaven hill." The cicuta Americana (hemlock) grows
abundant on the intervals. Every person should know and shun
it for its poisonous qualities.
There are many excellent and well cultivated farms in the town,
which produce winter rye, corn, potatoes, and the usual produc
tions of the vicinity. Garden seeds have been extensively raised.

200 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Teasels and the culture of silk have recentiy been introduced.
Considerable attention has of late been paid to the cultivation of
fruit trees, grape vines, and other horticultural productions, and,
though a too long neglected branch of agriculture in this town,
there is no doubt that nature has done enough for the soU to en
sure great success.
Ponds. — White Pond lies in the southwest part of the town,
and receives its name from the purity of its waters. It has no
visible outlet, and contains 43 acres.^ Fairhaven Pond forms a
kind of bay in Concord river which passes through it, containing
about 73 acres. Walden Pond lies in the south part of the town
easterly of Fairhaven, and contains 65 acres. This pond also has
no visible outiet. It is said no fish were caught in 'it, tiU they
were transplanted there from other waters. Pickerel and other
fish are now plenty there. Goose Pond, lying easterly of Walden
Pond, is one of a number of small ponds, in a tract of land pe
culiarly broken into ridges and vales, which in some seasons are
neariy dry. Bateman's Pond lies east of Mr. Daniel Wood's,
and contains 30 acres.
Rivers. — Concord River ^ is the largest stream of water.
One branch of it rises in the south part of Hopkinton ; and another
from a pond and a large cedar-swamp in Westborough, and run
ning into Hopkinton forms the boundary line between that town
and Southborough. Thence in a northerly direction it passes
through Framingham, and forms the boundary line between Sud
bury and East Sudbury (where it is sometimes called Sudbury
River), and enters Concord at the south part of the town. After
passing through it in a diagonal direction, it receives the North
River, and, going out at the northeast part between Bedford and
Carlisle and through Billerica, empties into the Merrimack at
LoWell. It is remarkable for the gentleness of its current, which
is scarcely perceptible by the eye. 'At low water mark it is from
4 to 15 feet deep, and from 100 to 300 feet wide. Where it
enters Concord it is 200 feet, and where it leaves it 330. At
1 The estimates of the number of acres in these ponds, and the width
of the rivers, is from a survey made by Judge Wood in 1794, and re
turned to the Secretary's office in Boston, agreeably to an order of the
General Court.
^ Sometimes called Great River and Soulh River.

NATURAL HISTORY. 201
the former place it is 114 feet above low-water mark in Boston.^
In times when the river is highest, it overflows its banks, and is in
many places more than a mile wide. Great inconvenience has
resulted to the town from this circumstance. Commissioners were
appointed at various times, for the first hundred years after its
settlement, to clear it out and drain the water off; and contribu
tions were made by this and some other towns on the river to
pay the expense. At other times grants were made by govern
ment. In 1722, Jonas Bond, Francis Fullam, and Francis Bow
man were the commissioners, and Samuel Heywood, receiver,
who paid £18 13s. for work done by the inhabitants of Concord.
As early as 1710, measures were taken to erect mills in BUle-
rica, and remonstrances were sent to the General Court from this
town against thera ; but though they delayed, they did not finally
prevent, the accomplishment of the project. Boats frequently
pass frora Boston, through the Middlesex canal and this river, to
this town and to Sudbury ; and with little expense, it is thought,
there might be a profitable inland navigation.
The North or Assabeth River ^ has its source in Grafton, and
receiving most of the waters of that town, Westborough, Shrews
bury, Northborough, and Bolton, passes through Marlborough,
Stow, and a corner of Acton, and unites with the Concord about
half a mile northwest of the meeting-house. It is not so large
as the Concord, being at the confluence about 130 feet wide. It
falls 30 feet from Sherman's mUl-pond to its confluence with
Concord river, and has some sites for mill privileges, the principal
of which is occupied by a cotton factory. In its course through
this town it receives several tributary streams, among which are
Fort Pond Brook and Spencer Brook.
Fort Pond Brook, or Law's Brook, takes its rise in Fort Pond
and the vicinity in Littleton, and, after running in a southeasterly
direction through Acton, flows into the North River, near Mr.
Loring's. This brook receives the tributary stream of Nashobah
Brook, one branch of which rises in Nagog Pond, and another
called Wright's Brook, in Westford, and, passing through Acton
in a southeasterly direction, unites with Fort Pond Brook soon
1 Canal Report, p. 113.
2 This river is sometimes called Elzebeth, Elzebett, Elizabeth, and Asa-
bet. See Worcester Hist. Mag. Vol. II.
26

202 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
after it enters Concord. Near this place a saw-mill was erected
soon after the town was first settled.
Spencer Brook, or Fifty Acre Brook, has its source in Car
lisle, and, running southerly, flows into the North River, having
Barrett's saw-mill and grist-miU near its mouth.
Mill Brook, arising in Lincoln, flows through the centre of
this town, and empties into the Concord river north of the vil
lage. The waters of this brook were used, about 190 years since,
to turn the first grist-mill ever buHt in the town ; but since 1826
they have been very properly suffered to flow through their ac
customed channel undisturbed.
Saw-Mill Brook, or Ralph's Brook,- lises in Cariisle, and run
ning a southerly course empties into the Concord river near Bed
ford hue.
Nut-Meadow Brook rises in Nut-Meadow, and enters the Con
cord river below James Miles's.
Zoology. — The fish formerly most abundant in Concord were
salmon, shad, alewives, pike or pickerel, dace (cyprinus leucis-
cus, a small fish resembling the roach), and some others. Be
side affording to the inhabitants an important article of food, for
several years after the town was settled they were used as manure
for agricultural purposes. They produced a luxuriant growth for
one season, but tended to impoverish the land. Some diminution
of their numbers took place when the dams were erected across
the river in BHlerica in 1712; and unsuccessful petitions were
presented to the General Court to have these obstructions re
moved, on account of the fisheries. They were notwithstanding
the source of considerable revenue to the town from sales which
were made to people living in other towns. At certain seasons
of the year, the fish-officers of Concord went to the dams in Bil
lerica to see that the sluice-ways were properly opened to permit
the fish to pass. The exclusive right to the fisheries was sold by
the town in 1732, for five years, at £5 per year ; and the pur
chaser had the privilege of erecting a wier across the river to aid
hira in taking the fish, a plan which was practised by the In
dians before the town was settied by the English. This right
continued to be sold in that manner, and for nearly the same
amount, till about 1800. There were six principal fishing-places,
viz., south of Mr. Dennis's, west of Deacon Hubbard's, neariy

NATURAL HISTORY. 203
opposite Lee's hill in Mr. Merrick's pasture, against the Brown
farm, and down the river near Ball's hill. Since the interruption
by the Middlesex canal, and the factories at LoweH, those
once welcome visiters in our waters, salmon, shad, and alewives,
have taken up their suramer residence in waters more easHy ac
cessible, and have totally deserted these peaceful shores. The
principal fish, which now inhabit these waters, are pike, perch,
lamprey and common eel, pout, and several other smaller fish.
The principal quadrupeds found here, at the first settlement
of the town, were the bear, moose, wolf, deer, fox, otter, beaver,
muskrat or musquash (mus zibethicus), marten, &c. &;c. Wolves
were many years very troublesome in kUling calves and sheep,
and rewards were offered for destroying them. The fur-trade
here was oiice very important. As early as 1641, a company
was formed in the colony, of which Major Willard of Concord was
superintendent, and had the exclusive right to trade with the
Indians in furs and other articles J and for this right they were
obliged to pay into the public treasury one twentieth of all the
furs they obtained.^ The right to the fur-trade, in particular dis
tricts, was afterwards sold by commissioners of the General Court.
Captain Thomas Brooks bought the right in Concord, in 1657, for
£5. The solitary ponds, rivers, and meadows in Concord, were
peculiarly the favorite resorts of the beaver and other amphibious
animals, and now contain remarkable evidence of their former
existence. The larger animals have long since emigrated to other
regions beyond the extension of civilization , and few only of the
smaller ones remain unattacked by the sportsman.
The Birds have no peculiar locality in this town. Those most
troublesome to the inhabitants have been the black bird, which
frequent the low meadows in great numbers, the crow, and the
jay. Rewards were paid for the heads of the two latter kinds.
As late as 1792, the town voted to give for destroying " those pests
to cornfields, called crows," the following rates ; " for each old
crow Is., for each young crow 6d., and for each crow's egg, that
is found in said town and taken out of the nest, 3d."
1 Colony Records.

204 HISTORY OF CONCORD.

CHAPTER XIII.
TOPOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Boundaries. — Roads. — Bridges. — Stages. — Post-OfSce. — Public Buildings. —
Printing-office. — Burying- Grounds.
The Court-House in Concord lies, north 58i° west, dislant 15
miles 285 rods in a straight line from the City Hall in Boston, 16m.
40r. by the turnpike, 17m. 212r. through Lexington, and 20m.
188r. through Waltham. Bedford bears from Concord north 62°
east, distant 3m. 276r. in a straight line, and 5m. 32?-. by the
road; Lexington, south 78° east, 5ot. 296r., and by the road 6m.
163r. ; Lincoln, 4m. llr. by the road ; East Sudbury, south 12io
west, 6m. 201r., and by the road 8m. 201r. ; Harvard College,
south 56f° east, 12m. 207r., and East-Cambridge court-house,
14m. 250r.^ Concord lies about 13 mUes from Lowell, 18 from
Groton, and 30 from Worcester.
Concord is bounded on the southwest by Sudbury, by a line
running from " bound rock," near Concord river, north 55° west,
1178r. to Acton comer, near Joseph Hayward's ; thence wes
terly on Acton by a straight line, running north 35° east, 1656r]
to Carlisle corner, near Paul Dudley's ; thence northerly on Car
lisle by a line having 28 angles. Southerly it is bounded on
Lincoln, by a line beginning at bound rock before mentioned, and
running with the river to the mouth of Well Meadow Brook, and
thence by a line having fourteen angles to Bedford line ; thence
on Bedford by a line having thirteen angles to Concord river, and
by Concord river to Carlisle bounds. These lines, giving to the
town an exceedingly irregular shape, were surveyed in 1829, and
stone bounds put up at all the angles.
The principal road to Boston, before the Chariestown bridge
was built, went south through Lincoln, Waltham, and Watertown.
That now most traveHed is the great county road from Boston,
through Lexington and Concord, to Groton and to New Hampshire.
The Concord and Union Turnpike from Bolton to Boston, laid
out in 1802, passes through this town, but, being hiHy, is not
' Hale's Survey of Boston and its Vicinity, pp. 69 - 71.

TOPOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 205
much travelled. It was made a free road in 1829. From $1000
to $1,500 is annually expended in repairing the high ways.
The first bridge was built across the Concord river, from the
point of land below Joseph Barrett's, Esq., to Lee's hill. In
1665 it was washed away, and another built the next year,
where the present south bridge stands. Six or seven new bridges
have since been buHt on the same spot. In 1660 there were
three new bridges in the town, the north bridge (which the events
of the 19th of April, 1775, have made memorable), the great
south bridge, and one where Darby's bridge now stands. A few
years previous to that time, the town had been allowed £20 by
the county towards maintaining these bridges. An effort was
then made to have the whole expense borne by the county, but
the town could obtain but £30 annually for that purpose. When
they were first supported entirely by the town, is uncertain.
They have been often swept away by the floods ; and large sums
of money are annually raised to keep them in repair, which has
very much increased the expenses of the town. The bridge by
Captain Hunt's was first built about 1792, that by the Rev. Dr.
Ripley's in 1793, those on the turnpike in 1802, and that be
yond Deacon Hubbard's in 1802. There are now eight bridges
entirely supported by the town. i
Public Stages were first run out of Boston into the country
through Concord, uil791, by Messrs. John Vose &; Co. There
are now (1833), on an average, 40 stages which arrive and de
part weekly, employing 60 horses between Boston and Groton,
and carrying about 350 passengers ; 150 have passed in one day.
The Post-Office was first estabhshed in this town, February 20,
1795. Six maUs then arrived and departed weekly. Sixteen
now arrive and depart. Since 1813, the net proceeds of the
office to government have been about $3,000, varying from $30
to $70 per quarter. The following account of the post-masters
was furnished me by the Post-Master General.
1. WiUiam Parkman, Esq., P. M., fi-om February 20, 1795, to
December 31, 1810, resigned.
2. Hon. John L. Tuttle, P. M., from January 1, 1811, to
February 14, 1813, resigned.
3. Hon. John Keyes, P. M., from February 15, 1813, at pres
ent in office.

206 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Public Buildings. — Meeting-houses. — To provide suitable ac
commodations for public religious worship, was one of the first
acts of the town after its incorporation. And hence we find it
recorded in a fragment of the proceedings of the town in 1635 —
" Ordered that the meeting-house stande on the hill near the brook
on the easte of Goodman Judgson's lott." Tradition informs us,
that this was on the hill some distance easterly from the common.
This house served as a place of worship about 30 years.
In 1667, a new meeting-house was ordered to be buHt, to
stand between the present house and Deacon Jarvis's. It was
nearly square and had a gallery. The lower floor had a few
pews on the out side ; and the remainder was filled with seats.
The roof was square and ornamented with four projections on the
sides, resembling luthern windows or gable ends, having a window
in each. In the centre was a " turret," or cupola, in which the
bell was hung.^ On the spire was a vane in which was cut
" 1673," the date of the completion of the house.
Arrangements were made in 1710, after several meetings and
considerable discussion, for building another house. It was 60
feet long, 50 wide, and 28 " stud " ; had no pews till some time
after it was buUt, and then only by special vote of the town, as
a favor to distinguished individuals ; two galleries ; no porches
nor turret ; and was completed in 1712 at an expense of £608.
This house was several times repaired. In 1749 pews were
built around the lower floor, and some in the lower gallery.
January 31, 1791, the town voted to enlarge and repair the
house in its present form. It is 72 feet long, 50 wide, and 28
high ; and has three porches, a spire 90 feet high, and square
pews on the lower floor, and by the walls in the gallery. Build
ers, Abner Wheeler and Reuljen Bryant; expense, £924. It
was dedicated January 24, 1792, when the Rev. Dr. Ripley
preached a sermon, which was printed.
The Trinitarian meeting-house, built in 1826, is 60 feet long,
58 wide, and 22 high, with a spire of 63 feet. The entrance is at
one end, and it has narrow pews facing and descending towards the
pulpit, and a gaUery at one end. BuHding committee, Moses
Davis, John Vose, and Ebenezer Hubbard; builder, Thomas
Benjamin; expense (including a beH weighing 1125 lbs.), be-
1 Dr. Lee's MSS.

TOPOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 207
tween $5,000 and $6,000. It was dedicated December 6,
1826, when the Rev. Mr. Green of Boston preached a sermon,
afterwards printed.
A town bell was procured very early, but at what time does
not appear. At first it was hung on a tree, and its tones are said
to have been terrible to the neighbouring Indians. About 1696
it was broken, and sent to England to be recast. In 1700 it was
" hanged on the meeting house in the turret," where it remained
till the court-house was built, on which it was placed tUl 1791,
when it was removed to the meeting-house. A new bell was
procured, in 1784, fi-om Hanover, weighing 500 lbs., but being
broken, another was ordered from England in 1789, which con
tinued till 1826, when the present one, weighing 1572 lbs., was
obtained. The clock in the front gallery of the meeting-house
was given to the town in 1793, by Mr. John Minott ; and that
in the belfry was procured by subscription, in 1827, for $450.
No subject seems to have excited greater interest, or required
the exercise of greater talents, than " seating the meeting-house."
Large committees were accordingly chosen almost every year prior
to the erection of pews, and as late as 1784, to tell the people
where to" sit when attending public worship. Few were able to
perform such duties and escape censure. Singers were first seated
in 1774. Court-Houses. — The first house for the accommodation of the
courts and town-meetings, was buUt in 1719, principally of mate
rials in the old meeting-house, and stood near the present site
of the county-house occupied by the jaHor. It was 34 feet long,
26 wide, and 14 high, with a cupola in the centre, on which was
placed the vane of the meeting-house, dated " 1673." The ex
pense, excepting £30 was paid by the town. The new court
house is a commodious' wooden building, 70 feet long, 50 wide,
and 28 high. In the centre of the roof an octagon cupola rises
60 feet from the ground. It was built in 1794, by Daniel Davis
of Acton. The whole expense was $4,583, of which the town
paid £100, and gave the land on which it stands, and has the
right to use it for public meetings.
The first Jail was built in 1754 in the rear of Dr. Heywood's
old house. Prior to that time, prisoners were confined in Cam
bridge snd Chariestown. In 1770 it was removed to the west

208 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
end of the burying-ground, near Mr. Bigelow's tavern. The pres
ent jail was built of stone in 1788, and received its first tenants in
the April following. It is 65 feet long, 32 wide, '3 stories high, and
has 18 apartments, 7 of wliich are for criminals. It cost £3,084.
The Academy, buih in 1822, is 40 feet long, 30 wide, and
2 stories high. The grammar schoolhouse is of the same size,
the lower story being occupied as a school-room, and the upper
one as a masjEJnic hall. It was built in place of one burnt De
cember 31, 1819, and dedicated, with two other new ones, for
primary schools, September 7, 1820. In 1799, seven new school-
houses, one in each district, including the centre, were buHt at
an expense to the town of about $4,000.
A Printing- Office was opened in this town by Nathaniel Cov-
eriy in 1794, but it was continued but a short time. AprH 20,
1816, Messrs. Bettes and Peters issued the first newspaper, en
titled the Middlesex Gazette, and it has since been continued,
under various names and proprietors, till the present time.
Burying- Grounds were laid out at an early period, but the
date is unknown. The monument on the HHl Burying-Ground,
containing the inscription, " JOSEPH MERRIAM, AGED 47
YEARS, DIED THE 20 OF APRIL, 1677," is the oldest
in town. The oldest in the West Burying-Ground is that of
Thomas Hartshorn, who died November 17, 1697. No other one
appears there tUl 1713. The first person buried in the New
Burying-Ground was Mrs. Anna Robbins, who died July 13,
1823, and the fact is properly noted on her monument. Beside
these, tradition reports that the ground first used for interring the
dead was on the hill easterly of the present one ; but no traces of
it can be discovered, if indeed one was ever there. Some of the <.
epitaphs, which have marks of originahty, are annexed. Others
appear elsewhere in this work. " In Memory of
Capt. JOHN STONE,
the Architect of that Modern
and justly Celebrated Piece of
Architecture, Charles River Bridge.
He was a man of good Natural abilities,
which seemed to be adorned with Moral
Virtues and Christian Graces.
He departed this life in the year of
our Lord, 1791, in the 63 year of his age."

TOPOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. --_., 209
There is much beauty in the following concise epitaph :
" Vivens,
Dilectissima
ORPAH BRYANT.

born December 24, 1797.
died October 1, 1798.

She was the joy of her father.
And the delight of her mother.
Mortua, Lachrymabillima."
On the only upright white stone, then in the HUl Burying-
Ground, the subjoined appears, relating to the donor of the singing-
fund. " This stone is designed
by its durability
to perpetuate the memory,
and by its colour
to signify the moral character,
of
Miss ABIGAIL DUDLEY,
who died Jan. 4, 1812,
aged 73."
Few grave-yards within my knowledge have so many monu
ments, on which character is drawn, as ours. These inscriptions
have considerable similarity, but discover the peculiar taste of the
age in which they were written. The character in the subjoined
is drawn with peculiar force. " In Memory of
Mrs. REBECCA HUNT, consort of
Lieut. Reuben Hunt, who died
June 28, 1790, aged 47.
Her virtues,
social, conjugal, parental, and Christian,
commanded respect and rejoiced acquaintance,
sweetened life, consoled in sickness,
made a friend of death, and confirmed
the hope of celestial glory.
This stone
perpetuates her memory
and invites
imitation.
' Frail man give ear ;
The dearest joys of earth resign,
Secure those joys that are divine.' "
27

210 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
The following, generaUy attributed to the pen of Daniel Bliss,
Esq., has often been published and admired.
" God wills us free ; —man wills us slaves.
I will as God wills ; God's will he done.
Here lies the body of
JOHN JACK,
A native of Africa, who died
March, 1773, aged about sixty years.
Though born in a land of slavery.
He was born free.
Though he lived in a land of liberty.
He lived a slave ;
Till by his honest, though stolen labours.
He acquired the source of slavery.
Which gave him his freedom :
Though not long before
Death, the grand tyrant.
Gave him his final emancipation.
And put him on a footing with kings.
Though a slave to vice,
He practised those virtues.
Without which kings are but slaves."

CHAPTER XIV,

STATISTICAL HISTORY.

Population. — Valuation. — Finances. — Employment. — Maintenance of the
Poor. — Education. — Bill of Mortality.
Population. — Concord possesses few of those advantages of
water-power, peculiar to many manufacturing towns, which favor
a rapid growth. It is dependent on the industry of its inhabitants,
its improvements in agriculture and the mechanic arts, and the
general advancement of the surrounding county, for it^ increase in
wealth and population. The incorporation of other towns, prin
cipaUy within its original limits, has, at various times, reduced its
population and resources, and renders it difficult to estimate its
growth with accuracy. In 1706 the polls were 230, nearly half
as many as they now are ; but they were scattered throughout
six now incorporated towns. In 1753, just before the incor-

STATISTICAL HISTORY. 211
poration of Lincoln, the polls were 442, greater than at any other
period in our history prior to 1820; and it is probable the popu
lation and wealth of the town was proportionably great. The
population in 1764, including part of Carlisle, then belonging to
Concord, was 1584, of whom 736 were white males, 821 white fe
males, and 27 negroes. There were 6 slaves in 1725 ; 21 in 1741 ;
and 19 in 1754. September 1, 1783, three years after the town
was reduced to its present territorial limits, it contained 1321 inhabi
tants, of whom 15 were blacks. In 1790, there were 1590. The
following table ^ves the number at three different periods since.

1800
Male.

Fem.

Male.

1810

Fem.

Male.

1820

Fem.

Under 10 years
From lU to 16
From 16 to 26
From 26 to 45
45 and upwards

202 -f
121
142159 158

195
126
189
172 177

207 115153
162150

+

195
101168
175 179

210 117184
186150

+

207 138165
205 192

Blacks

782 +

859 38

787

+

818 28

847

+

907 34

Total 1679 1633 1788
In 1820 there were 9 foreigners not naturalized, 262 en
gaged in agriculture, 16 in commerce, and 140 in manufactures.
From the above statement and a subsequent one on the val-
uatioti, it wHl appear that the towrt, frora 1800 to the close of
the war in 1815, remained nearly stationary. Since that time it
has had a slow but gradual increase. The proportion of births to
the deaths is estimated at about 3 to 1, producing a large redun
dant population, which is scattered in every state in the union.
The associations with " Old Concord " are dear to many in dis
tant lands, who owe their ancestral origin to its inhabitants.
The foHowing is the census taken by authority of the United
States, June 1, 1830. Male.
Under 5 years 151
Of 5 and under 10 119
OflOand under 15 104
Of 15 and under 20 116
Of20 and under 30 192
Of 30 and under 40 124 1001+992=1993
Free persons of color, of whom 15 are males and 13 females, 28
Total 2021

Fem.

Tot.

Male.

Fem.

Tot.

126

277

Of40 and under 50

80

82

162

116

2.35

Of 50 and under 60

48

63

111

115

219

Of60 and under 70

30

46

76

89

205

Of 70 and under 80

26

27

53

195

387

Of 80 and under 90

11

11

22

130

244

Of 90 and under 100

0

2

2

212 HISTORY OF CONCORD
Valuation. — From the returns of the assessors in the offices
of the secretary of the Commonwealth and the town clerk, I haVe
compiled the foHowing tables, which wiH afford interesting infor
mation, Ulustrative of the wealth of the town at different periods.
The only articles mentioned in the valuations of personal property,
taken under the province charter, were horses, oxen, cows, sheep,
swine, slaves, and faculty. The total valuation of personal and
real estate, in 1706, as reduced to our present currency neariy
according to the received tables ^ of depreciation, was $9,898,
and for several subsequent periods, was as follows. -

Year.

Polls. Horses. Oxen.

Cows.

Sheep

Swine. Tot. Value.

1719

310 272 454

704

814

422 $12-695

1725

375 326 562

975

1371

551 12-071

1740

359 278 474

866

550 7-623

1753

442 298 542

1024

1166

510 50-002

1760

335 268 301

813

627

418 44-306

1771

371 216 422

951

706

375 44-940

Since the

revolution i^w state-valuations

have been taken.

once in ten

years, and that after the taking

of the census. In

J The emissions of paper money were at par when first issued, but con
stantly depreciated in value from 1700 to 1750. The value of " old tenor,"
and the currency mentioned in this and other histories of those times, may
be known from the following table. It was compiled by Captain Stephen .
Hosmer, one of the most accurate men of thjit day, and found among his
papers; and is deemed "worthy of publication. The first column contains
the date, the four next the price of silver, in shillings, in the spring,
summer, fall, and winter of that year ; and the four last the rate of dis
count on Bills of Credit in the same seasons. In this table it is said, " the
price of silver from 1706 to 1714 was 8«. 6d. per ounce," lawful money ;
and the Bills of Credit at 50 per cent, discount.

Date.

Sp.

Su.

F. W.

Sp.

Su. F. W.

Date. Sp.

Su.

F.

W.

Sp. Su. F. W.

1714

8 l-2s. per ounce

50 per cent.

1737 —

26 1-2





 400 

1715



9 2-12

— —

—

70 — ¦ ^

1738 —

27





 400 —

1717



12

— —

—

125  —

1740 28 1-2 28





 440 450

1721



13

— —

— -

130 — —

1741 28

28

— .

_ /

 450 

1722

—

14

— —

—

160 — 

1742 28

27 1-2 28

27 1

-2  450  460

1725



16

— —

—

180  —

1743 —



29 1-3 30

470 475 

1726



15 1-2

— —

—

240 

1744 30

32

33
 500 
X730

18
— —
— -

1745 36

 600 650
1731

19
— —
—
250 — 
1746 36
38
40
42
700 725 775 800
1733

21
— —
275
 300 325
1747 52

60
58
850 900 850 950
1734
24
25
27 27
350
 430
1748 55
56
57 1-2 —
900 925 900 950
On the 31st of March, 1750, the bills of the " old tenor " were redeemed
in specie at the rate of 6*. for 45 ; and of the " new tenor " and " middle
tenor," at 6s. for lis. 3d. ; and from that time ceased to pass. (Colony
Laws, pp. 768, 771.) The fluctuation in the value of this currency was the
source of great general embarrassment ; and this was an important era in
the history of the province.
STATISTICAL HISTORY.

213

these valuations various articles of personal property are required
to be enumerated and described, not however uniformly alike.
In the following table some of the principal only are mentioned.

Articles of Property.

In 1781.

In 1791.

In 1801.

In 1811.

In 1821.

In 1831.

Polls . . . .

.326

340

390

390

425

489

Dwelling Houses

. 193

188

227

224

235

253

Barns . ' .

174

142

184

183

203

225

Other Buildings

64

79

265

125

Acres of Tillage Land .

1188

1063

1112

1156

11.37

1098

" English Mowing

. 753

721

840

992

1205

1279

" Meadow

2089

1827

2236

2131

2153

2111

" Pasturing

. 3099

4398

3800

2982

3852

4059

"• Woodland .

3878

4436

'3635

3386

3262

2048

" Unimproved

1282
1732
1392
2833
" Unimprovable

384
395
612
« Used for Roads
348
286
« Water
515
695
Barrels of Cider
. 882
799
1376
1767
1079
Tons of English Hay .
731
848
880
836
" Meadow Hay .
1434
1453
1270
1370
Bushels of Rye
4738
2942
3183
2.327
" Com
10505
10052
11375
11424
" Oats
1388
1463
2372
41-29
Horses
. 1.37
146
182
179
145
177
Oxen ....
324
288
374
326
337
418
Cows
. 916
775
934
831
743
725
Swine ....
137
308
290
269
294
408
The tital valuation, in
1801, was $20,322, in 1811, $24,554, in 1821,
$25,860, and in 1831, $36,
681-29.
Finances. — In the early ages of the town, several lots of land
were reserved for the " public good," and donations were made
by individuals for the same purpose. Most of them, however,
were disposed of without producing much permanent benefit, or
accomplishing the wishes of the donor. Captain Timothy Whee
ler,^ in 1687, bequeathed to the Rev. Edward Bulkeley and the
1 Captain Timothy Wheeler died July 10, 1687, aged 86. He came
to Concord in 1638, and, as tradition says, from Wales. Besides holding,
at different times, most of the important trusts in various town aifairs, he
was captain of a military company, and represented the town eighteen years
in the General Court, between 1653 and 1672. In all stations he appears
to have conducted himself with great propriety. At his death he was pos
sessed of a very respectable estate. His will, which is recorded in the Suf
folk Probate Records, was dated the 1st of March next before his death.
214 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Rev. Joseph Estabrook, who were then the ministers of the
town, 20s. apiece ; and to the town about three acres of land,
with a house standing on the same, to be improved, aU but half
an acre (which was " laid out to the training-place " at the
northwesterly end of the public common), "for the furtherance of
learning and the support of a school in the said town." This
lot was that on which the grammar school-house now stands, and
then embraced neariy aH which would be included in a line drawn
from the north side of the house recently buHt by Ephraim Mer
riam, to the brook, and by the brook round to the Middlesex
Hotel and the comraon. These premises were several years leased
and the rents applied according to the wishes of the donor ; but
piece after piece was unfortunately sold, tiH the school-house lot
was contracted to its present highly inconvenient dimensions.
Captain Wheeler also bequeathed to the town 40 acres of wood
land, " to be improved from time to time for the use and benefit
of the ministers of the said town." This was the present minis
terial lot ; and the people were long accustomed to hold a bee,
when a sufficient quantity of wood for the minister's annual con
sumption was drawn from this lot to his door.
The town directed, April 1, 1811, that the wood on this lot,
and on one in Carlisle, should be cut off and sold ; and that pews
should be erected on some vacant floor in the meeting-house,
and also sold ; and that the proceeds should be vested in the
hands of trustees, as a ministerial fund. Their first report was
made November 7, 1814, and shows the following results.
Proceeds of sales of wood on the ministerial wood-lot ^2,566-13
Proceeds of sales of wood on a lot in Carlisle . 364-27
Proceeds of sales of pews in the meeting-house . 1,365-55
Total on interest from January 1st, 1814 $4,295-95
The first trustees were John White, Francis Jarvis, and John
L. Tuttle ; and they and their successors were incorporated by
an act passed February 27, 1813, as " The Trustees of the Con
gregational Ministerial Fund ui Concord." This fund has since
His second wife was Mary, daughter of Captain Thomas Brooks. They
had no male issue. One of his daughters, Elizabeth, married Ebenezer
Prout, some time clerk of the House of Representatives ; and another,
Rebecca, married James Minott, Esq., and was the ancestor of many
distinguished individuals.

STATISTICAL HISTORY. 215
been accumulating ; and it received the additional legacy of Hum
phrey Barrett,! in 1829, of ^500. No appropriations were made
from it tiH 1830 ; and on the first of January, 1S31, it amounted
to $11,431-45.
In 1732, a committee was appointed, consisting of the Rev.
Mr. Whiting, James Minott, Jr.,- John Fox, and Samuel Hey
wood, to make sale of the common and ministerial land in the town,
and vest the proceeds in other real estate. A " ministerial pas
ture and plow land " was accordingly bought west of the alms
house, and some time used as a " perquisite " lot. During the
Rev. Mr. Emerson's ministry, it was sold for £75, or $250, and
the annual interest, $15, appHed for the benefit of the minister.
In consequence of losses sustained during the revolution, it be
came reduced to $100 nearly. In 1819, the town voted that the
minister should receive $15, the original perquisite; and the
balance $9, has been annually raised by a tax.
Mr. Hugh Cargill ^ bequeathed to the town the " Stratton
Farm," so caUed, which was valued, in 1800, at $1,360, " to be
improved as a poor-house, and the land to be improved by, and
for the benefit of the poor, and to be under the special direction
of the town of Concord, for the time being, for the purpose afore-
1 Humphrey Barrett was son of Lieutenant Humphrey Barrett, and
died without issue, March 1.3,^827, aged 75. Abel B. Heywood inherited,
and lives on, his real estate.
2 Mr. Cargill's history is better described in the subjoined epitaph
on his grave-stone, than by any other source of information I possess.
He came to this country in connexion with the British army ; but ac
quired his estate as a trader in Boston.
" Here lyes interred the remains of Mr. Hugh Cargill, late of Boston,
who died in Concord January 12, 1799, in the 60th year of his age. Mr.
Cargill was born in Bellyshannon in Ireland, came to this country in the
year 1774, destitute of the comforts of life ; but by his industry and good
economy he acquired a good estate ; and, having no children, he at his
death devised his estate to his wife, Mrs. Rebecca Cargill, and to a num
ber of his friends and relations by marriage, and especially a large and
generous donation to the town of Concord for benevolent and charitable
purposes. " How strange, O God, who reigns on high,
That I should come so far to die ;
And leave my friends, where I was bred.
To lay my bones with strangers dead.
But I have hopes when I arise
To dwell with thee in yonder skies."

216 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
said for ever." This is now used for the pauper establishment.
He also gave several other parcels of real estate, valued at $372,
the income of which " to be solely applied for the support of the
poor." Another class of donations has been made to the town for the
relief of the silent poor, — those individuals who are needy, but
do not wish to throw themselves on the town for support. They
are as foUows ; from
Peter Wright 1 $277-42 Abel Barrett' $500-00
John Cuming ^ 833-33 Jonathan Wheeler ^ 500-00
The annual income of these donations is distributed by the min
ister and selectmen according to the direction of the donors. The
town voted, December 5, 1759, that coHections should be taken
in the meeting-house on Thanksgiving and Fast days, annually,
for the same object. The custora has since been continued ; and
from $50 to $100 is distributed, obtained in this manner.
The town has, also, a fund of $833-33, given by John Cum
ing, Esq., for the benefit of the " private schools," in the lan
guage of his will, which has been distributed in all the districts
but the centre one. Another donation, now amounting to $744-92,
was given by John Beaton, Esq.,^ for the support of schools and
1 Peter Wright was a weaver, son of Captain Edward Wright, and
died January 15, 1718, aged 53. He bequeathed all his real estate, after
the death of his wife and Cousin Elizabeth Hartwell, to the poor of Con
cord, to be under the direction of the selectmen, and of the minister, who is
" to have a double vote to any of the selectmen." What belonged to the
town was sold, in 1731, for £500 currency.
2 John Cuming. See notice in the Biographical History in the sequel.
3 Abel Barrett was brother to Humphrey just mentioned. He com
menced the mercantile business in Concord, but afterwards removed to
Boston. He died in Liverpool, England, January 12, 1803.
4 Jonathan Wheeler was son of Ephraim Wheeler, and was succes
sively a merchant in Concord, Boston, Baltimore, and England. He died,
September 4, 1811, in the city of New York, ten days after his arrival
from Europe.
5 John Beaton, Esq. was a native of Scotland, and emigrated to this
town, where he acquired a respectable estate as a merchant. He was
remarkable for his honesty, integrity, and Christian virtues, and had the
unlimited confidence of his fellow citizens. " As honest as John Beaton,"
was long a current saying, expressive of the character of a strictly honest
man. He was town treasurer 17 years fi-om 1754, and appointed justice
of the peace, by the crown, June 6, 1765. He died without issue, June 9,
1776, aged 47.

STATISTICAL HISTORY. 217
the poor. The income of these donations for the sUent poor and
for schools, annually distributed, is about $221. They are man
aged by the trustees of the ministerial fund, and are loaned to
individuals in the town.
These donations, being for specific objects, do not essentially
affect the general expenses of the town. In consequence of
having to maintain eight bridges, and the liberal appropriations
for schools and other objects, the taxes in Concord are supposed
to be higher, in proportion to its wealth, than in many towns,
amounting to about $3 on every inhabitant. In 1803, the roads
and bridges, independent of a highway tax of $1000, cost
$1,244; in 1805, $967; in 1807, $1,290; and on an average,
for the last 40 years, about one eighth of all the town expenses.
The following table will exhibit the appropriations for several
periods since.

Year.

State Tax.

County Tax.

Minister.

Incidental.

Toul.

1785

£7116«.4rf.

£25 3s.3rf.

. £100 10j.9rf. £748 8s. Irf.

£1585 8«.5flt.

1790

128 9 4

32 16 6

113 19 6

596 12 11

871 18 3

1795

$613-33

$233-16

$646-66

$2,327-15

$3,820.31

1800

611-33

161-56

567-26

2,763-52

4,103-67

1810

662-14

398-92

63305

3,01 047

4,704-58

1820

568-94

331-13

794-17

4,243-92

5,938-16

1830

222-00

417-17

709-00

4,072-01

4,781-01

Th

le amount

of debts

due from

the town, in 1825, was

$3,284-04, and in 1831, $5,228-65.
Employment. — Agriculture is the greatest source of wealth to
the town. Manufactures are next in rank. Three farmers in the
town own about 1000 sheep, the value of whose wool was esti
mated, in 1831, at $1500. • There were raised 884,000 teasles.
The oldest cottori-mill now in this state was commenced in this
town in 1805, arid the manufacture of cotton soon after began by
Messrs. Hartwell and Brown, and has since been carried on by
Ephraim H. Bellows through the various fluctuations of the busi
ness. The proprietors were incorporated in 1832. The mill con
tains 1100 spindles, 20 looms, employs 9 men, 3 boys, and 30
girls, works 50,000 lbs. of cotton, and makes 188,000 yards of
cloth annually, valued at $17,900. David Loring commenced the
manufacture of lead pipes in 1819, and of sheet lead in 1831. He
employs 6 men, and upwards of 300,000 lbs. of lead are annually
wrought, valued, when ready for sale, at about 20,000. In the
28

218 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
extensive establishments for the raanufacture of chaises, harness,
and carriages, owned by Colonel William Whiting and the Messrs.
Robbins, the value of the articles manufactured last year was esti
mated at $14,000. The smithery, where the iron work is made,
used upwards of 100,000 lbs. of iron, and 4,000 of steel, in 1831.
Henry H. Merrill, the proprietor, erected, in 1832, a steam-en
gine, and has otherwise enlarged his works. Ehjah Wood com
menced the manufacture of boots and shoes in 1812, and makes,
annually, about $6,000 worth. Nehemiah Ball began the same
business in 1832. From 3000 to 6000 gross of black lead
pencils and points are annually made in town. William Mon
roe commenced the manufacture of these in 1812 ; and his method
of making them he regards as his own invention, having, he in
forms me, had no instruction from any one in relation to the sub
ject. " The lead for the first pencil was ground with the head
of a hamraer, was mixed in a common spoon, and the pencil sold
to Benjamin Andrews in Boston." In 1814 he made 1212 gross,
which he sold for $5,946. He has since made about 35,000 gross ;
in some years 4,000 gross of pencils, and 1,000 of points. John
Thoreau and others in the town have also carried on the business ex
tensively, but the profits are now very much reduced. Mr. Thoreau
also makes red lead pencils and glass paper. There were also
made, in 1831, 50 brass time-pieces, 1,300 hats, 562 dozen heUows,
100 guns, 300,000 bricks, 500 barrels, 20,000 lbs. bar soap, 5,000
nail-kegs, and cabinet ware, the value of which was estimated, at
$14,860. This is what is generally termed wholesale business,
and includes very little custom work ; the articles manufactured
being principally sold abroad. There are 6 warehouses and stores ;
1 bookstore and bindery ; two saw-mills ; and two grist-mills, at
which it was estimated that 12,000 bushels of grain were ground
the last year. The manufacturing and mechanical business of
the town is increasing, and promises to be a great source of
wealth. Maintenance of the Poor. — This has long been an important
item in the expenses of the town. From the earliest town records
it appears that they were supported by subscription, or by several
individuals voluntarily agreeing to keep them, in rotation. The
first poor-rate, £10, was raised in 1721. About 1753, a smaU
alms-house was built, principally by subscription, where Dr. Bart-

STATISTICAL HISTORY. 219
lett now lives, and where part of the poor were kept for nearly
50 years. Five years prior to 1800 they were let out collectively
by contract. They cost £185 in 1791, $936-50 in 1796, and
$900 in 1801. In 1800, the selectmen were directed to put
them out to the lowest bidder, " either altogether, in lots, or
singly." This auction usually took place immediately after the
town meeting in May. This practice continued till 1821, when a
contract was made to keep the poor together for $1,450 ; in 1824,
for $1,200; and in 1827 for $1,150. Since then they have
been supported in the pauper estabhshment belonging to the town.
The rent of the CargUl farm, after it came into possession of the
town, was vested as a fund for the erection of an alms-house.
In 1816 this fund amounted to $2,359, and the town raised
the additional sum of $650, and commenced the erection of the
proposed buHding. Just before it was completed, October 28,
1817, it was burnt. In 1827, the buildings on the farm were en
larged and repaired in their present form.
For all genuine objects of charity, the people of Concord have
ever been ready to bestow their aid with generosity. In 1819
the town gave $200, and individuals $110 more, to the Lunatic
Asylum, in connexion with the Massachusetts General Hospital.*
This is one of many similar acts of benevolence, which might be
mentioned. Education. — Many of the original inh-abitants of Concord
were well educated in their native country ; and, " to the end
that learning be not buried in the graves of the forefathers,"
schools were provided at an early period for the instruction of
their children. In 1647, towns of 50 famHies were required to have
1 After acknowledging, in very complimentary terms, the receipt of
this donation, James Prince, Esq., the treasurer, remarks, in a letter
dated June 29, 1819; — "This act of liberality and compassion, the first
which has been displayed towards the Asylum from our citizens in their
corporate relation, afibrds additional pleasure from the circumstance, that it
emanated from a town, whose citizens were enrolled in the front ranks
of patriotism and valor, at a most interesting period of our national his
tory ; and the trustees cannot but hope, that the influence of their bright
example will now, as it did then, stimulate to wise imitation other
towns within the state, and thus essentially subserve those principles of
philanthropy and charity which led to the establishment, and which must
be continued to secure the continuance, of this interesting institution."

220 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
a common school, and of 100 famHies, a grammar school. Con
cord had the latter before 1680. An order was sent to this town,
requiring " a list of the names of those young persons within
the bounds of the town, and adjacent farms, who hve from under
family government, who do not serve their parents or masters, as
children, apprentices, hired servants, or journeymen ought to do,
and usually did in our native country " ; agreeably to a law, that
" all children and youth, under family government, be taught to
read perfectly the English tongue, have knowledge in the capital
laws, and be taught some orthodox catechism, and that they be
brought up to some honest employment." On the back of this
order is this return : " I have made dillygent inquiry according to
this warrant, and find no defects to return. Simon Davis, Con
stable. March 31, 1680." During the 30 years subsequent to
this period, which I have denominated the dark age in Massa
chusetts, few towns escaped a fine for neglecting the wholesome
laws for the promotion of education. Though it does not appear
that Concord was fined, a committee was appointed in 1692, to
petition the General Court " to ease us in the law relating to the
grammar school-master," or to procure one " with prudence for
the benefit of learning, and saving the town from fine." From
that time, however, this school was constantly maintained. For
several years subsequent to 1700, no appropriations were made
to any other school. In 1701, grammar scholars paid 4d. and
reading scholars 2d. per week towards its support ; and from that
time to 1712, from £20 to £30 were annually raised. In 1715, it
was kept one quarter, in different parts of the town, for £40.
The next year £50 were raised for schools ; £35 for the centre,
and £5 for each of the other three divisions. In 1722, Timothy
Minott agreed to keep the school, for 10 years, at £45 per year.
In 1732, £50 were raised for the centre, and £30 for the " out-
schools " ; and each schoolmaster was obliged to teach the schol
ars to read, write, and cipher, — all to be free. In 1740, £40
for the centre, and £80 for the others. These grants were in
the currency of the times. In 1754, £40 lawful money were
granted, £25 of which were for the centre. Teachers in the
out-schools usually received Is. per day for their services. The
grammar-school was substituted for aU others in 1767, and kept
12 weeks in the centre, and 6 weeks each, in 6 other parts, or

STATISTICAL HISTORY. 221
" school societies " of the town. There were then 6 school-
houses, 2 of which were in the present limits of Carlisle, and the
others near where Nos. 1, 2, 4, and 6, now stand. This system
of a moving school, as it was termed, was not, however, continued
many years. In 1774 the school-money was first divided in pro
portion to the poUs and estates.
The districts were regulated, in 1781, nearly as they now are.
The town raised £120, in 1784, for the.support of schools, and
voted, that " one sixteenth part of the money the several societies
in the out-parts of the town pay towards this sum, should be taken
and added to the pay of the middle society for the support of the
grammar-school ; and the out-parts to have the remainder to be
spent in schools only." This method of dividing the school-
money was continued till 1817, when the town voted, that it
should be distributed to each district, including the centre, ac
cording to its proportion of the town taxes.
The appropriations for schools from 1781 to 1783, was £100 ;
from 1784 to 1792, £125 ; 1793, £145 ; 1794 and 1795, £200 ;
1796 to 1801, £250; 1802 to 1806, $1,000; 1807 to 1810,
$1,300; 1811, $1,600; 1812 to 1816, $1,300 ; 1817 and since,
$1,400. There are 7 districts, among which the money, in
cluding the Cuming's donation, has been divided, at different pe
riods, as follows. The last column contains the new division as
permanently fixed in 1831. The tovra then determined the
amount that should be annually paid to each district, in the foHow
ing proportions. The whole school-money being divided into 100
parts, district, No. 1, is to have 52i of those parts, or $761-25 out
of $1,550 ; district, , No. 2, 7| parts ; district, No. 3, 8i parts ; dis
trict. No. 4, 8f parts ; district. No. 5, 8i parts ; district. No. 6,
71 parts ; district. No. 7, 7|- parts ; and to individuals who pay their
money in Lincoln and Acton, i a part.

District. Old Names.

1801.

1811.

1821.

1830.

1832.

No. 1. Central

$382-92

$791-48

g646-15

$789-18

$761-25

« 2. East

95-28

155-45

- 160-26

109-69

110-56i

« 3. Corner

68-49

135-fe

142-48

117-00

119-62i

« 4. Darby

70-53

130-69

123-10

138-23

125-06i

« S.Barrett

107-29

163-51

145-89

125-11

11«-62J

« 6; Groton Road

64-63

105-41

93-55

79-16

103-31J

« 7. Buttrick

67-64

126-68

114-16

84-77

10331i

Individuals

27-22

41-30

24-41

6-86

7-25

$884-00 1,650-00 1,450-00 1,450-00 1,450-00

222

HISTORY OF CONCORD.

At the erection of new school-houses in 1799, the first school
committee was chosen, consisting of the Rev. Ezra Ripley, Abiel
Heywood, Esq., Deacon John White, Dr. Joseph Hunt, and
Deacon George Minott. On their recommendation, the town adopt
ed a uniform system of school regulations, which are distinguished
for enlightened views of education, and which, by being generaUy
followed since, under some modification, have rendered our schools
among our greatest blessings.
The amount paid for private schools, including the Academy,
was estimated, in 1830, at $600, making the annual expenditure
for education $2,050. Few tov/ns provide more ample means
for acquiring a 'cheap and competent education. I have sub
joined the names of the teachers of the grammar-school since
the revolution, — the year usually beginning in September. 1812, 1 yr.
1813, 1814,
1815, 1815,

Nathaniel Bridge
Joseph Hunt i
William A. Barron
Amos Bancroft
Heber Chase
William Jones
Samuel Thatcher
James Temple
Thomas O. Selfridge
Thomas Whiting
Levi Frisbie
Silas Warren
Wyman Richardson
Ralph Sanger
Benjamin Willard
Elijah F. Paige
Simeon Putnam

1785,

9

mo.

Isaac Warren

1786,

24

yr-

John Brown

1788,

3

(t

Oliver Patten

1791,

11

Stevens Everett

1792,

a

Silas Holman

1793,

il

George F. Farley

1794,

it
James Howe
1795,
a
Samuel Barrett
1797,
((
Benjamin Barrett
1798,
a
Abner Forbes
1802,
"
Othniel Dinsmore
1803,
ii
James Furbish
1807,
u
Edward Jarvis
1808,
a
Horatio Wood
1809,
a
David J. Merrill
1810,
(t
John Graham
1811,
ii
John Brown
1816. 1817.i8ia1819; 1820,
1822,1825,1826 182Z
1828,'
1829: 1831.
yr.
The Concord Academy was established, in 1822, by several
gentlemen, who were desirous of providing means for educating
their own children and others more thoroughly than they could be
at the grammar-school (attended, as it usually is, by a large num
ber of scholars) or by sending them abroad. A neat, comraodious
building was erected, in a pleasant part of the town, by the pro
prietors, consisting of the Hon. Samuel Hoar, the Hon. Abiel
Heywood, and Mr. Josiah Davis, who own a quarter each, and
the Hon. Nathan Brooks and Colonel WiUiam Whiting, who own
an eighth each. Their intention has always been to make the
school equal to any other simHar one. It was opened in Sep
tember, 1823, under the instruction of Mr. George Folsom, who
1 Those in small capitals were natives of Concord.
STATISTICAL HISTORY.

223

kept it two years. He was succeeded by Mr. Josiah Barnes and
Mr. Richard Hildreth, each one year.
Mr. Phineas Allen, son of Mr. Phineas Allen of Medfield, who
was born October 15, 1801, and graduated at Harvard CoHege in
1825, has been the preceptor since September, 1827.
Bill of Mortality. — Few subjects are more interesting than
accurate bills of mortahty. They are the raost authentic evidence
of the influence of chmate and local circumstances on health and
human life ; and teach a lesson, admonishing us of the destiny
that awaits all mankind, and warning us " to live prepared to die."
These considerations wHl be a sufficient reason for the minuteness
of the following details.
The following table is compiled from a private record of the
second town-clerk, and will afford some interesting statistical in
formation, relative to the condition of the town at an early period.

Date.

Marriages.

Births.

Deaths.

Date.

Marriages,

Births.

Death

1656

3

11

—

1667

8

15

6

1657

3

11

3

1668

4

21

5

1658

3

6

3

1669

4

24

5

16.59

2

10

4

1670

2

21

2

1660

6

11

3

1671

6

22

7

1661

2

12

6

1672

5

20

3

1662

4

14

4

1673

6

29

6

1663

5

14

4

1674

3

20

5

1664

' 4

11

2

1675

5

21

11

1665

7

13

6

1676

4

13

13

1666

2

22

6

1677

11

22

6

This table gives 99 marriages, 110 deaths, and 363 births.
Several died in 1675, and 6 in consequence of the Indian wars.
The town has seldom been specially visited with disease.
Thomas Brown, then a town-clerk, however, recorded, January
20, 1718, that " the hand of God has of late come forth against
the inhabitants of Concord in a very awful manner, in sending a
very malignant and mortal distemper amongst us, whereby there
hath been a considerable number of persons of men, women, and
chHdren, of all qualities, ages, and sects, attacked, and hath been
removed from amongst us by death, most of whom has been very
sudden and unexpected, so that from the last of November last
past unto the day of the date above written, hath been removed
not less than 27 persons." A catalogue of their names is an
nexed to this record. What this disease was, I cannot learn.

224 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
The small-pox prevaHed in the town in 1703 ; but it does not
appear that any died of the disease. In 1792 it was introduced
by inoculatioii. A hospital was fitted up where Mr. Augustus
Tuttle now lives ; and 130 persons went there, at several times,
to be inoculated under the care of the three physicians of the
town. From some cause the disease spread. It appeared at
Amos Wright's (Deacon Jarvis's), at Cyrus Hosmer's, at Deacon
Chandler's, and at Ephraim Potter's. At the last place a new
hospital was fitted up where the sick were taken, and near which
a small burying-ground and grave-stone now mark the melancholy
ravages of this disease. Ten persons were its victims, — 2 by
inoculation and 8 by contagion, — and were buried by themselves ;
it being considered improper to inter them in the usual ground.
Happily for mankind, the terrors which the appearance of this
disease once inspired, are much mitigated by kine-pock inocu
lation. The following table, exhibiting the number of deaths between
several specified ages, the number each year, the aggregate
amount of their ages, average age, &z;c. he. during the 50 years
commencing January 1, 1779, and ending December 31, 1828,
was compiled from records carefully kept by the Rev. Dr. Ripley.
Great labor has been expended to make it correct and intelligible.

Year.

Under

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

Total.

Aggre.

Average

1

5

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Am. Age.

Age.

1779

2

0

0

1

2

0

0

0

2

4

1

0

12

578

48

1780

1

2

1

1

0

0

1

1

3

0

0

0

10-

307

30

1781

3

1

0

1

0

2

0

1

1

2

1

3

15

721

48

1782

1

2

1

0

1

2

0

1

1

5

3

1

18

933

52

1783

5

2

1

0

4

2

3

1

2

3

1

0

24

811

34

1784

4

1

1

2

2

0

0

1

1

2

1

2

17

607

35

1785

2

0

1

0

3

2

2

3

2

2

0

0

17

672

39

1786

4

1

0

4

3

1

1

0

1

2

1

1

19

590

31

1787

2

2

0

0

]

2

1

1

2

0

1

0

12

416

35

1788

2

0

2

0

2

2

2

1

2

3

3

0

19

877

46

1789

3

1

0

1

2

3

0

1

1

4

I

0

17

694

41

1790

2

5

2

2

2

0

3

0

3

4

3

0

26

970

37

1791

3

1

0

0

0

1

2

1

3

3

3

0

17

841

49

1792

5

0

0

1

4

3

1

6

2

2

1

1

26

1021

39

1793

1

0

3

0

1

2

2

4

1

3

0

2

19,

894

47

1794

1

1

1

0

4

3

0

1

5

1

3

1

21

1018

49

1795

0

2

0

4

3

4

1

1

2

2

2

0

21

824

39

1796

1

8

2

0

2

2

2

2

1

6

1

0

27

926

34

STATISTICAL HISTORY. 225

Year.

Under

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

to

Total.

Aggro.

Average

1

5

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Am. Ago.

Age.

1797

3

1

1

1

2

1

4

1

1

3

3

0

21

893

43

1798

4

3

0

2

2

0

1'

0

1

5

2

1

21

831

39

1799

0

1

0

1

4

0

2

3

4

4

1

0

20

1006

50

1800

3

7

0

0

0

4

1

2

1

4

2

1

25

926

37

1801

3

3

2

6

3

0

2

2

3

4

4

0

32

1197

.37

1802

2

4

1

3

2

2

1

3

1

6

2

0

27

1067

39

1803

2

7

2

3

4

9

3

0

3

2

2

1

38

1194

31

1804

4

4

0

3

3

1

3

3

1

4

2

1

29

1037

39

1805

12

1

0

3

6

2

0

2

2

2

5

0

35

1132

32

1806

5

4

0

1

6

2

1

3

4

1

4

1

32

1201

39

1807

7

1

0

2

6

2

3

1

3

4

2

1

32

1182

37

1808

1

5

1

0

0

1

3

2

4

0

2

0

19

722

38

1809

2

3

0

0

2

I

3

1

2

2

2

1

19

821

43

1810

5

1

1

3

3

4

4

3

6

4

3

1

38

1626

45

1811

1

2

2

0

4

1

1

2

4

2

2

0

21

881

42

1812

3

6

2

1

1

5

2

2

3

3

3

1

32

1131

36

1813

3

2

1

2

4

2

3

3

1

4

2

0

27

1094

40

1814

2

0

0

0

4

4

4

1

3

0

2

2

22

1012

46

1815

4

2

4

5

4

5

3

4

5

4

6

1

47-

1910

41

1816

6

1

0

1

2

0

1

3

2

4

1

0

21

802

38

1817

' 3

4

2

2

4

0

5

1

1

0

0

0

21

495

28

1818

2

I

0

2

1

4

1

3

3

2

1

0

20

825

41

1819

2

2

1

4

0

3

3

4

2

4

1

1

27

1006

37

1820

2

3

0

0

2

3

2

5

0

5

6

0

28

1374

49

1821

3

5

0

2

0

1

3

3

2

10

4

0

33

1582

48

1822

2

10

1

3

5

2

2

3

2

4

2

2

38

1285

34

1823

5

3

1

1

2

1

3

3

2

1

3

1

26

970

37

1824

4

3

0

1

1

2

4

4

3

5

2

0

29

1244

43

1825

3

7

1

1

2

2

5

6

4

6

3

0

40

1645

41

1826

8

6

4

0

3

2

8

4

1

5

2

0

43

1387

32

1827

2

2

0

0

1

3

1

2

1

4

3

0

19

893

44

1828

4

4

0

0

0

1

3

1

2

5

1

2

23

1020

48

It is impossible to specify the diseases by which the several
persons died. As far as they can be ascertained from the Rev.
Dr. Ripley's records, it appears that about one seventh of the
whole number died of consumption, one fifth of fevers of various
kinds, one twelfth of old age, one sixteenth of canker-rash, one
nineteenth of the dropsy, one twenty-fifth of paralytic affections,
and nearly the same number each of dysentery and casualties.
By adding the columns in the above table, we shall find that
the whole number, who died during the 50 years, was 1242 ; of
29

226 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
whom 153 died under 1 year of age ; 137 of 1 and under 5 ; 42
of 5 and under 10 ; 70 of 10 and under 20 ; 119 of 20 and under
30; 101 of 30 and under 40; 106 of 40 and under 50; 106 of 50
and under 60 ; 112 of 60 and under 70 ; 161 of 70 and under
80 ; 106 of 80 and under 90 ; 28 of 90 and under 100 ; and a
native black of 105. Of these 107 died in January, 111 in
February, 118 in March, 103 in AprH, 88 in May, 81 in June,
88 in July, 95 in August, 115 in September, 121 in October,
121 in November, and 94 in December. These proportions
generally hold good in particular years, more deaths occurring in
the spring and autumn than at other seasons of the year. Of
those who hved 80 years and over, 54 were males and 81 fe
males ; 90 and over, 8 were males and 21 feraales ; 95 and over,
3 were males and 4 females. The year when the least number
of deaths occurred was 1780, and when the greatest, 1815. The
yearly average is 25 nearly. The least average age was in 1817,
the greatest average in 1812. The aggregate amount of all the
ages for 50 years, is 49,192, and the mean average age nearly 40.
Estimating our population, during this period, at an average of
1665, which is nearly correct, as will appear on reference to
our account of the population, we shall find that 1 in 66 dies an
nually. 153 or 1 in 8 1-8 died under 1 year.
218 or 1 in 5 2-3 " under 2 years.
255 or 1 in 4 8-9 " under 3 years.
270 or 1 in 4 3-5 " under 4 years.
290 or 1 in 4 1-3 " under 5 years.
304 or 1 in 4 1-11 " under 6 years.
332 or 1 in 3 3-4 " under 10 years.
a58orlin3 1-2 " under 15 years.
402 or 1 in 3 1-1 1 " under 20 years.
472 or 1 in 2 3-5 " under 25 years.
521 or 1 in 2 2-5 « under 30 years.
571 or 1 in 2 1-3 " under 35 years.
622 or 1 in 2 " under 40 years.

620 or 1 in 2 lived 40 and upwards.'
570 or 1 in 2 1-3 " 45 and upwards.
514 or 1 in 2 2-5 " 50 and upwards.
463 or 1 in 2 3-5 " 55 and upwards.
408 or 1 in 3 1-1 1 " 60 and upwards.
354 or 1 in 3 1-2 " 65 and upwards.
296 or 1 in 4 1-5 " 70 and upwards.
209 or 1 in 5 1-17 " 75 and upwards.
i:!5 or 1 in 9 1-5 " 80 and upwards.
69 or 1 in 18 " 85 and upwards.
29 or 1 in 42 5-6 " 90 and upwards.
7 or 1 in 177 3-7 « 95 and upwards.
2 lived to 99, and 1 to 105.
In these calculations minute fractions are omitted. They ex
hibit results highly favorable to the health of the town. Few
towns are so healthy;'

1 In France, 1 in 31 arrives to the age of 70 ; in London 1 in 10 ; in
Philadelphia, 1 in 15 ; and in Connecticut 1 in 8. In Salem, 1 in 48 dies
annually ; in Philadelphia, 1 in 45 ; in Boston, 1 in 41 ; in London, 1 in
40 ; in Paris, 1 in 32 ; and in Vienna, 1 in 22. — See History of Ded
ham and .American Quarterly Review, Vol. VIII. p. 396.

SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY. 227
CHAPTER XV.
SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY.
MiUtary Companies. — Various Associations. — Concord Bank. — Agricultural
Society. — Insurance Company. — Official History. — Town-Officers. — Repre
sentatives. — Senators. — County Officers. — Attorneys and Counsellors at
Law. — Physicians.
- Great respect appears to have been paid to military titles in
the early history of the town. Captain was a greater mark of dis
tinction than deacon, doctor, and many other offices. A vote of
the town in 1700 is thus recorded : " Propounded whether Lieu
tenant Prescott, Sergeant French, Corporal Fox, Corporal Wood,
and Samuel Jones be a committee to examine " &;c. Such a
record of titles is not uncommon. Officers also held their com
missions much longer than in these days of degenerate military
honors. Colonel James Minott and some others did duty under a
commission more than thirty years. All between the ages of 16
and 60 were required by law to do military duty, and were after
wards requested to enroU themselves in alarm lists. Instances are
not uncommon, where men of 80 and even 90 years of age have
borne arms. There are now three military companies in the
town, the Infantry, ArtHlery, and Standing Company ; in all of
v?hich, in 1827, there were 238 enrolled.
The Concord Light Infantry is believed to be the oldest com
pany in the Commonwealth, excepting the Ancient and Honorable
Artillery. It was incorporated October 13, 1669, as " the Second
Troop of Horse in Middlesex." Twenty-two of the original pe
titioners belonged to Concord, and 14 others to Billerica, Chelms
ford, Groton, Lancaster, and Sudbury. AprH 30, 1777, the char
ter was altered, and it was incorporated as the Concord Light
Infantry, and consisted of 39 members with liberty to increase the
number to 45. In 1822 liberty was granted to enlist 64. The
Captains, since 1777, have successively been, Joseph Hosmer,
Samuel Jones, Roger Brown, James Colburn, Issac Hoar, John
Buttrick, Jonas Buttrick, Nathan Wood, John Hayward, Jonathan
Buttrick, WUham Brown, Nehemiah Flint, John Brown, Artemas
Wheeler, Cyrus Hubbard, Edward Flint, Neheraiah Hunt, Fran-

228 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
cis Jarvis, Jr., Nathan Barrett, and Asa Brooks. Of these, James
Colburn was promoted to the office of General in the Brigade,
Roger Brown, John Buttrick, and Jonas Buttrick to Colonel,
and John Hayward to Major. ,
The Concord Artillery was incorporated, on the petition of
Charles Hammond and others, February 28, 1804; and held its
first public parade on the 4th of July following. The charter
says, " Whereas Major John Buttrick and Captain Isaac Davis;
with a party of the armed yeomanry, did, on the birth-day of our
revolution, attack and defeat a superior number of the invaders of
our country, who were most advantageously posted at the north
bridge of Concord," it is ordered that the prayer of the petition
be granted, and that two brass field-pieces, with proper apparatus,
be provided for said company, with suitable engravings, " to com
memorate and render honor to the action which led to the victo
ry of the day, and to perpetuate the names of the gallant But
trick and Davis, and also to animate in future the ardour and
bravery of the defenders of our country." The inscription is as
follows : " The Legislature of Massachusetts consecrate the
names of Major John Buttrick and Captain Isaac Davis, whose
valour and example excited their fellow-citizens to a successful
resistance of a superior number of British troops at Concord
Bridge, the 19th of April, 1775, which was the beginning of a
contest in arms that ended in American Independence." The
Captains have successively been, Thomas Heald, Jesse Churchill,
Henry Saunderson, Reuben Brown, Jr., Francis Wheeler, Cyrus
Wheeler, Elisha Wheeler, Eli Brown, WiHiam Whiting, John
Stacy, Joshua Buttrick, and Abel B. Heywood. Cyrus Wheeler
and William Whiting were promoted to the office of Colonel.
The Social Circle, probably originating in the Committee of
Safety, was formed about 1778, for free discussion and familiar
conversation on such subjects as are connected with the interest
and improvements of the town. Twenty-five members only can
belong to the society at once ; and the meetings are held every
Tuesday evening, from October to March, at the members' houses
in rotation ; and these meetings, as the constitution expresses,
tend " to strengthen the social affections, and disseminate useful
comraunications among its members." Many improvements in
the town originated in this useful society.

SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY. 229
The Corinthian Lodge of Free Masons was organized July 5,
1797, and publicly installed June 25, 1798. The Discourse,
delivered on the occasion by the Rev. Dr. Morse, was printed.
The Concord Chapter of Royal Arch Masons was formed in
the spring of 1826, and its officers were publicly installed on the
6th of September following.
A Library Company was formed February 23, 1786. Whether
there had previously been a library in town, and if any, how long
it continued, and its number of volumes, is not known. A " Char
itable Library Society " was- formed May 25, 1795, depending
chiefly on the voluntary donations of its members for support.
Jonathan Fay, Esq., Jonas Minott, Esq., and the Rev. Ezra Ripley
were successively presidents of this society. Its members united
with others and composed the " Proprietors of the Concord Social
Library," and were incorporated in 1821. The presiding officers
since have been the Rev. Ezra Ripley, the Hon. Samuel Hoar,
the Hon. John Keyes, and the Hon. Abiel Heywood. The li
brary, divided into 50 shares, contains about 900 volumes, and
constantly increases by the addition of new publications.
The Middlesex Bar commenced the formation of a law library
in 1815, which now contains a very valuable collection of pro
fessional works. It is kept by the County Treasurer.
The Concord Lyceum was formed December 31, 1828, and
the Debating Society, which had existed from 1822, was united
with it. The officers of this useful association, for several years,
have been the Rev. Ezra Ripley, D. D., President, the Rev.
Daniel S. Southmayd and the Rev. Hersey B. Goodwin, Vice-
Presidents, Lemuel Shattuck, Recording Secretary, Mr. Phineas
Allen, Corresponding Secretary, Mr. Phineas How, Treasurer,
and Dr. Josiah Bartlett, Mr. Nehemiah Ball, and Colonel WHliam
Whiting, Curators.
JuvenUe Libraries were established, in 1827, in each of the re
ligious societies, in connexion with the Sabbath schools.
Provision against Fire. — The Fire Society was organized
May 5, 1794, and holds its annual meetings on the 2d Monday
in January. The Presidents have been, Jonathan Fay, Esq.,
Dr. Joseph Hunt, Tilly Merrick, Esq., Dr. Isaac Hurd, Deacon
Francis Jarvis, the Hon. Samuel Hoar, and Joseph Barrett, Esq.
The Engine Company was formed, and the first engine procured,
in 1794. A new engine was obtained in 1818.

230 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
A Volunteer Engine Company was organized in 1827, who
procured by subscription a new engine in 1831.'
The Concdrd Harmonic Society was formed about 1800, for
the purpose of improvement in sacred music. For several years
past it has not been under regular organization. May 17, 1832,
the Concord Mozart Society was formed, and takes place of the
other. Ephraim Willey was chosen President, Elijah Wood and
Francis Hunt, Vice-Presidents, and Phineas Allen, Secretary.
The Concord Female Charitable Society was formed in 1814
for " relieving distress, encouraging industry, and promoting virtue
and happiness among the female part of the community." Two
meetings are held annually for transacting the public business, and
others monthly to prepare clothing, and to devise other means to
relieve distress.
A society for the suppression of intemperance was organized
January 6, 1814. Nathan Brooks, Esq. delivered the first ad
dress before it the following December.
AuxHiary Missionary, Tract, and Temperance Societies exist
in the town, besides many other less public associations.
The Concord Bank was incorporated March 3, 1832, with a
capital of ^100,000. Daniel Shattuck, Esq.^ President, John M.
Cheney, Esq., Cashier, and the President, Abiel Heywood, John
Keyes, Nathan Brooks, Abel Moore, and Phineas How, of Con
cord, Rufus Hosmer of Stow, George F. Farley of Groton, John
Merriam of Bedford, Benjamin Muzzy of Lexington, and Timo
thy Prescott of Littleton, Directors. A neat and appropriate
1 The losses by fire in Concord have not been very great. Some memo
randums of a few of them have been preserved. April 17, 1784, Samuel
Heald's house was burnt, in which himself, son, and grandson perished.
November 3, 1797, Mrs. Hartshorn's house and Richard Barber's shop were
burnt. June, 1808, Widow Colburn's house was consumed by fire. Octo
ber 24, 1810, Gains Proctor's house was burnt; loss, $800. October 28,
1817, the alms-house was burnt; loss estimated at $3,500. May 28, 1818,
Deacon White's house took fire, but was extinguished. December 11,
1818, Mrs. Woodward's store took fire, and was extinguished with great
difiiculty. December 12, 1819, the jail took fire, but was extinguished.
December 31, 1819, the centre school-house was burnt. March 10, 1823,
William Whiting's shop and part of his dwolling-house were burnt ; loss
estimated at $3,000. March, 1829, Samuel Burr's new house was burnt;
loss $1,500.

SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY. 231
building was erected for its own accommodation and that of the
Middlesex Mutual Fire Insurance Company, in 1832.
Agricultural Society. — This, though properly a county society,
is so connected with Concord, as to deserve to be noticed in its
history. The members of the Massachusetts Agricultural So
ciety, living in the westerly parts of the county, met at Chelras-
ford, January 6, 1794, and forraed a society for the "proraotion of
useful improvements in agriculture," and were incorporated, Feb
ruary 28, 1803, as " The Western Society of Middlesex Hus
bandmen." It did not include Concord, nor the other towns in
the easterly part of the county. Meetings were held semi-annu-
aUy, alternately at Westford and Littleton, but no public exhi
bitions took place. The following gentlemen were successively
elected Presidents ; the Rev. Jonathan NeweU of Stow, the Rev.
Phineas Whitney of Shirley, the Rev. Edmund Foster of Little
ton, Ebenezer Bridge of Chelmsford, Dr. Oliver Prescott of
Groton, Colonel Benjamin Osgood of Westford, Wallis Tuttle,
Esq., of Littleton, and the Hon. Samuel Dana of Groton.
An act was passed, February 20, 1819, authorizing any agri
cultural society, possessing $'1,000 in funds, to draw $200 from
the state treasury, and in the same proportion for a larger sum.
This society accordingly voted, in the following September, to
extend its operation throughout the county, and to raise funds that
it might avail itself of the grant of the state. An act passed,
January 24, 1824, incorporating it as " The Society of Middle
sex Husbandmen and Manufacturers " ; and it was agreed to have
annual shows in Concord. The first was held here October 11,
1820 ; and they have since been annually repeated. The sub
joined table exhibits the names of the presidents, orators, and
amount of premiums awarded. The names of those orators, whose
addresses have been published, are printed in italics.

Date.

Presidents.

Orators. Premiums.

1820

Cyrus Baldwin, Esq.

No Address.

$244

1821

Cyrus Baldwin, Esq.

Rufus Hosmer, Esq.

277

1822

David Lawrence, Esq.

Thomas G. Fessenden, Esq.

245

1823

Colonel Joseph Valentine.

Josiah Mams, Esq.

259

1824

Colonel Joseph Valentine.

Hon. Luke Fiske.

359

1825

Rufus Hosmer, Esq.

Rev. Charles Briggs.

540

1826

Benjamin Dix, Esq.

Rev. Ezekiel L. Bascom.

491

1827

Josiah Adams, Esq.

Hon. Edward Everett.

492

232 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
1828 Hon. Luke Fiske. Rev. Bernard Whitman. 496
1829 Hon. Luke Fiske. John P. Robinson, Esq. 521
1830 Joseph Barrett, Esq. Elias Phinney, Esq. 541
1831 Elias Phinney, Esq. John M. Cheney. 510
The Middlesex Mutual Fire Insurance Company was incorpo
rated March 3, and organized March 2^, 1826. The Hon. Abiel
Heywood was chosen President," and the Hon. Nathan Brooks,
Secretary and Treasurer, who, with John Keyes, Daniel Shat
tuck, Elias Phinney of Lexington, and Daniel Richardson of
Tyngshorough, have since been Directors. The other directors
have been Samuel Burr, 1826 to 1830 ; Josiah Davis from 1830 ;
Micah M. Rutter of East Sudbury, 1826 to 1828 ; Joshua Page
of Bedford, 1826 to 1829; Rufus Hosmer of Stow, from 1829;
and Charles Merriam of Weston, from 1830. The first policy
was issued May 17, 1826 ; and the foHowing table wHl show the
amount of business in this excellent institution since that time.

oar End.

Policies.

Am't Insured.

Premium Notes.

Losses.

1827

440

$801,247

$41,276-41

$ 650-00

1828

226

387,871

22,177-47

100-00

1829

406

645,673

37,774-13

857-74

1830

590

857,700

53,173-80

2,924-50

1831

499

646,279

39,954-01

1,452-53

1832 508 708,064 45,184-85 3,150-75
Official History. — Municipal Officers. — The Town Clerk,
in ad^dition to his ordinary duties, in early times, was generally
authorized to issue suraraonses and writs of attachment, triable
before a justice of the peace. There were also three officers,
sometimes chosen by the town, and sometimes appointed by the
County Court, called " Commissioners for the ending of small
matters," whose powers were similar to those of justices of the
peace. This Court somewhat resembled a city Police Court.
At first 7 men were chosen " to manage the prudential affairs of
the town," subsequenriy caHed Selectmen. About 1680 the num
ber was reduced to 5, and in 1770 to 3. They have acted as
Overseers of the Poor and as Assessors, excepting from 1714 to
1725, when 5 overseers of the poor were chosen. Assessors
were chosen separately in 1822, and 1825 to 1831. The office
of Constable was considered very important in early times. Dis
tinguished men in the town were chosen, and then obliged to serve

SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY. 233
or pay heavy penalties ; and they received a regular salary from
the town. Prior to 1720, two were annuaHy chosen, and three
since then, with the exception of a few years. It was the custom
till 1789, for them to perforra the duty of collectors, which, at that
time was made a separate office, and which, since 1792, has been
filled by one person only, and that one generaHy, who agrees to
collect the assessments at the lowest rate. The Treasurer's was a
distinct office tUl 1824, when it was united with the coHector's.
Fence-Viewers, or Surveyors of Fences have been chosen from
before the commencement of the last century; the number vary
ing from 3 to 7. In 1697, seven Surveyors of Highways and
Bridges were chosen ; in 1733, nine ; in 1750, twelve ; in 1755,
five ; recently eleven till 1831, when one only was chosen. The
number of Tythingmen, considered, particularly in early times, an
important office, has varied frora 9 to 3 ; of Field-Drivers, or
Haywards, from 2 to 6. One Sealer of Weights and Measures
has always been chosen; and from 1 to 3 Sealers of Leather till
1793, when the office ceased. Froni'2 to 3 Horse- Officers, or
" persons to look after horses going at large on the common during
Concord Court," were chosen from 1710 to 1802. Frora 1715
every man married in town during the year was chosen " to observe
the law relating to swine," or to be Hog-reeves, as they were first'
called in 1721. Two to five Clerks of the Market were chosen
from 1732 to 1800 ; two Surveyors of Flax from 1735 to 1737 ;
two Deer-reeves, or deer-officers, frora 1740 to 1797. CuUep of
Staves and Shingles, or Surveyors of Lumber, were first chosen
in 1752. Wardens, officers similar to Tythingmen, were chosen
from 1761 to 1791. One Surveyor of Wheat and Flour from
1763 to 1767; four Fish-Officers since 1784; three or four
Measurers of Wood since 1793 ; from 3 to 8 Firewards since
1797 ; one Pound-Keeper since 1800 ; a Cow-Pock Committee
since 1812; and a School- Committee since 1800.
Toum Clerks from the First Settlement of ihe Toum.
Simon Willard 1635—1653 Thomas Brown 1704 — 1709
Robert Merriam 1654—1667 William Wilson 1710—1718
John Scotihford 1668 — 1679 John Flint , 1719 — 1730
-John Flint 1680—1688 Samuel Heywood 1731 — 1748
Thomas Brown 1689 — 1700 Ephraim Jones 1749 — 1754
Abraham Wood 1701 — 1703 Jonas Heywood 1755 — 1759
30

234

HISTORY OF CONCORD.

Benjamin Brown
Jonas Heywood

Jonathan Hubbard
John Heywood
Samuel Jones
Samuel Chandler
Samuel Merriam
Joseph Barrett
Ebenezer Hubbard

1760, 1761
1762—1770

Ephraim Wood
Abiel Heywood

Town Treasurers since 1700.

¦ 1700 — 1708
1709 — 1714
1715 — 1722
1723 — 1727
1728 — 17.33
17.34-1739
1740 — 1753

John Beaton
Abijah Bond
Timothy Minott
Elnathan Jones
Humphrey Barrett
Samuel Jones
John Buttrick

1771-1796-

1754- 1771-
1782-
1786-
1792- 1796-1811-

1795

-1770-1781-1785¦1791-1795-1810¦1824

Selectmen chosen since 1700.

Thomas Brown 1696 — 1709
Abraham Wood 1700 — 1704
Joseph French 1700-1703
Stephen Hosmer 1700, 3, 29
William Wilson 1700 — 17, 22
John Jones 1702, 4 — 6
Samuel Buttrick 1702
Noah Brooks 1702, 4, 9
John Wheeler 1703, 1704
Jonathan Hubbard 1703
John Heywood 1705 — 1708
Samuel Fletcher 1705 — 7,9 — 13
Benj. Whitteraore 1707 — 24,
[27 — 29
Thomas Wheeler 1708
Jonathan Prescott 1709
Wm. Wheeler 1710 — 13, 15, 18,
[19, 25, 26

Joseph Dakin
John Heald
Richard Parks
Simon Dakin
John Fassett
"John Flint

1710, 15 — 17
1711 — 1715
17141714
1714,20 — 24
1716-29,41,42,59

Daniel Brooks 171 6 — 19, 25 — 29
Samuel Chandler 1718 — 24, 30 —
[36, 39
Samuel Heywood

George Farrar
John Barker
James Minott, Jr.

1720 — 23,27,
[28, .30 — 48
1723-1726 1725,1726
1727, 28, 35, 36,
[40,47—49

Samuel Merriam 1727, 29, 35, 36, 59
John Jones 1730 — 33, 35, 36, 39 —
[55,60,61,65,66

Hugh Brooks
Ephraim Brown
Ephraim Jones
Nathaniel Ball
Joshua Brooks
Joseph Wright
David Melvin
Daniel Adams
Chambers Russell
Nathaniel Whittemore
Joshua Hubbard
Samuel Minott
Ephraim Wood
Simon Hunt
Abishai Brown
Ephraim Hartwell
Thomas Brooks
Stephen Hosmer, Jr.
Samuel Farrar

17.30 — 1733
J 730 — 1733
1734,43 — 54
1734, 37, 38
1734, 49, .50
1736— 1746
1736 — 38,40,43
1736 — 1738
1739
1743 — 46,
[49, 50, 54
1741
1747-1749 1749, 1750
1749, 50, 54, 55,
[63 — 66
1752, 1753
1752, 1753
1752, 1753
1752 — 17.591754

James Barrett
Thomas Jones
Charles Prescott

Thomas Barrett
Jonas Heywood
Samuel Minott
James Chandler 1759
Benjamin Brown

1754,55,60,61,66 1756 — 1758
1756 — 58,62,
[65, 66
1756—58,62
1755 — 59,62,70
1756 — 58^62
61,67—70
.1760, 1761

SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY.

235

Andrew Conant 1760,
Thomas .Davis
John Cuming 1763 —
Jonas Minott 1767 —
David Brown 1767 —
Humphrey Barrett 1767 —
Ephraim Wood 1771 —
John Flint 1771 —
Timothy Wheeler 1771 —
Nathan Merriam 1774 —
Nehemiah Hunt 1775 —
John Buttrick 1779 —
George Minott 1779 —
Asa Brooks 1785 -
James Barrett 1785,
Joseph Chandler 1787,

1761 Jacob Brown
1762 Abiel Heywood
1766 Roger Brown
1770 Reuben Hunt
1770 Thomas Hubbard
1770 Stephen Barrett
1795 Nathan Wood
1774 James Barrett
1773 Nathan Barrett
1778 Thomas Wheeler
1778 Isaac Lee
1784 Jonathan Hildreth
1784 Cyrus Hubbard
1795 Cyrus Stow
1786 Daniel Clark
1796 Elisha Wheeler

1788
1796 —
1796 —
1797 —
1801 —
1802 —
1804 —
1808 —
1811-
1811 —
1816 —
1822 —
1823 —
1830,1830- 1830,

— 1795

18001801
1S03 18071810
181018211815
1821
1&29

Deputies and Representatives from the first Settlement of the Town.

7th December.
1636 Simon Willard.
.april, 17th May, 'Xth Sept., 2rf JVov.
1637 Simon Willard.
Qd May, 6th Sept., 22rf May.
-1638, 1639 \ ^.^""l' ^1'"':
i Simon Willard.
ith Sept., ISth May.
-1639, 1640 i T^°™^^ ^""*'

Richard Griffin.
7th Oct., 2d June, 7lh Oct.
1640, 1641 5 '^'^""^^ ^""*'

1642,

164416441645, 1646
1647, 1648
1649, 1650

1651
1652, 1653
1654
1655 — 1658

Simon Willard.
8a Sept., IQth May.
1643 Thomas Brooks.
7ih March.
Simon Willard.
29th May.
Thomas Brooks.
Simon Willard.
Richard GriiBn.
Simon Willard.
5 Richard Griffin,
( Simon Willard.
Simon Willard.
5 Simon Willard,
( Thomas Brooks.
Robert Merriam.

1659 — 1662
1663 — 1666
1667
1668, 1669
1670
1671, 1672
1673 — 1676
1677
1678 — 1680
1681
16821683, 1684
1685 16861687, 1688

Thomas Brooks.
Timothy Wheeler.
John Smeadly.
Timothy Wheeler.
John Smeadly.
Timothy Wheeler.
Peter Bulkeley.
Thomas Brattle.
< John Flint, '
\ Thomas Brattle.
Thomas Brattle.
John Flint. -
Edward Oakes.
Henry Woodhouse.
Edward Oakes. '
(Andross' usurpation.^

1689

9th May, 5th June, 5th JVov., 3d Dec.,
12th Feb.
( Simon Davis,
I Ebenezer Prout.
28th May.
1690 Simon Davis.
8th Oct., lOlh Dec, 3d Feb., Uth .Sprit.
1690, 1691 Henry Woodhouse.
2Qth May.
1691 James Blood,
Uth Oct., Sth Dec.
1691 Humphrey Barrett.

236

HISTORY OF CONCORD.

1692

ith May.
Simon Davis.

1776

Sth June, under the new charter.

lV'/7-

-1780

1692

S Jonathan Prescott,
i Henry Woodhouse.

1781

1782
1693-
-1695
Jonathan Prescott.
1783-
-1785
1696
Ephraim Flint.
1786
1697-
-1699
Jonathan Prescott.
1787
1700,
1701
James Minott.
1788-
-1791
1702
William Wilson.
1792-
-1796
1703,
1704
John Wheeler.
1797,
1798
1705
Simon Davis.
1799-
-1805
1706-
-1708
William Wilson.
1806
1709-
-1711
Benj. Whittemore.
1712,
1713
Jonathan Prescott.
1807
1714
Benj. Whittemore.
1808
1715-
-1718
William Wilson.
1719,
1720
Benj. Whittemore.
1809,
1810
1721
William Wilson.
1811
17-22-
-1724
Benj. Whittemore.
1725
William Wilson.
1812
1726-
-1728
John Flint.
17-29-
-1736
Samuel Chandler.
1813
1737,
1738
James Minott.
1814
1739
Samuel Chandler.
1815
1740
Chambers Russell.
1816
1741-
-1744
James Minott.
1817
1745-
-1749
Ephraim Jones.
1818-
-1820
1750
5 Ephraim Jones,
I Chambers Russell.
1821,
1822
1823-
-1825
1751,
1752
Chambers Russell.
1826
1753 1754,
1755
Ephraim Jones.
Simon Hunt.
1827-
-1829
1756,
1757
James Barrett.
1830
1758-
-1763
Charles Prescott.
1764
James Barrett.
1831
1765-
-1767
Charles Prescott.
1832
1768 ¦
-1775
James Barrett.
< Joseph Hosmer,
< John Cuming.
Joseph Hosmer.
David Brown.
James Barrett.
Joseph Barrett.
James Barrett.
Isaac Hubbard.
Duncan Ingraham.
Jonathan Fay.
Ephraim Wood.
Joseph Chandler.
< Jonas Lee,
( Joseph Chandler.
Joseph Chandler.
5 Joseph Chandler,
( Jonas Lee.
Tilly Merrick.
5 Joseph Chandler,
i Stephen Barrett.
5 John White,
< Benjamin Prescott.
Tilly Merrick.
Jonas Lee.
Tilly Merrrick.
Not represented.
Francis Jarvis.
Thomas Wheeler.
John Keyes.
Nathan Brooks.
Not represented.
< Reuben Brown, Jr.,
I Samuel Burr.
5 Reuben Brown, Jr.,
t Daniel Shattuck.
Joseph Barrett.
< Joseph Barrett,
( John Keyes.
Peter Bulkeley.
James Minott.
.Assistants and Counsellors.
1642 — 1655 Thomas Flint. 1677 — 1685
1654 — 1676 Simon Willard. 1746 — 1759
Senators.
1785 — 1793 Joseph Hosmer. 1823 — 1828 John Keyes.
1808 — 181 2 John L. Tuttle. 1 825 — 1832 Samuel Hoar, Jr.
Nathan Brooks was of the Council in 1829 and 1830, and of the Senate
in 1831.
SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY. 337
County Officers.
The Hon. Joseph Hosmer was sheriff from March, 1794, to
1808. Gen. WiHiam HHdreth was sheriff from May 10, 1808, to
1813. He died September 5, 1813,
Samuel Bartlett, Esq. was chosen Register of Deeds in 1794,
and removed to Cambridge.
The Hon. John L. Tuttle was chosen County Treasurer from
1808 to 1813 inclusive ; and the Hon. John Keyes since that
time. The Hon. Chambers Russell was judge of the Court of Com
mon Pleas and of the Court of Vice-Admiralty, from 1747 to
1752. Ephraim Wood, Esq., was appointed special judge of the
Court of Common Pleas, March 12, 1785, and judge of the
same court in 1797 ; and held the office till the new organiza
tion of that court in 1811.
The Hon. Abiel Heywood sustained the office of justice of
the Court of Sessions, under its different modifications, frora 1801
till the law organizing the Court of County Commissioners was
passed; The Hon. Nathan Brooks was appointed Master in Chancery
for Middlesex June 29, 1827.
Attorneys and Counsellors at Law.
John Hoar, from 1660 to 1670. See notices of early families.
Peter Bulkeley. See Biographical Notices of Native Graduates.
Daniel Bliss, son of the Rev. Daniel Bliss, noticed among the
college graduates.
Jonathan Fay, son of Captain Jonathan Fay of Westborough, who
was graduated at Harvard College in 1773, settled in Concord soon
after, married Lucy Prescott, and died June 1, 1811, aged 59.
WiUiam Jones, frora 1798 to 1801. See Native Graduates.
John Merrick, from 1789 to 1794. See Native Graduates.
Thomas Heald was born in New Ipswich, New Hampshire,,
March 31, 1768, and graduated at Dartmouth CoHege in 1797.
He read law with Jonathan Fay, Esq., was admitted to practice
in .Concord in 1800, and removed from Concord in 1813. He
died at Blakeley, Alabama, in the summer of 1821, while holding
the office of judge of one of the courts there.

238 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
John Leighton Tuttle was born in Littleton, graduated at Har
vard College in 1796, and commenced practice in Concord after
the usual term of professional reading. WhHe resident here he
was Post-Master, County Treasurer, and Senator. He was ap
pointed, in 1812, Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the 9th
regiment of Continental Infantry, and died at Watertown, near
Sacket's Harbour, New York, July 23, 1813.
Samuel Hoar, Jr., has practised with distinguished success in
the town since 1807. See College Graduates of Lincoln.
John Keyes was born in Westford, graduated at Dartmouth
College in 1809, and admitted to the bar, in this county, in Sep
tember, 1812. H^ has been Post-Master and County Treasurer
since 1813, was a delegate to the convention for amending the
Constitution in 1820, and since a representative and senator in
the General Court.
Nathan Brooks, since 1813. See CoHege Graduates of Lincoln.
Elisha Fuller, son of the Rev. Timothy Fuller of Princeton,
was graduated at Harvard College in 1815, admitted to the bar
in 1823, and immediately after commenced practice in Concord.
He removed to LoweH in June, 1831.
John M. Cheney opened an office in Concord in June, 1831.
See Native Graduates. Physicians.
Philip Reed died May 10, 1696. Little is known of him but
his title.
Simon Davis, son of Lieutenant Simon Davis, born October 12,
1661, married Ehzabeth Woodhouse, 1689, and lived where
Mr. Hutchinson now lives in Carlisle. His practice was princi
pally in surgery. His son John, who died November 16, 1762,
aged 73, practised in the same profession.
James Minott came to Concord about 1 680, and died September
20, 1735, aged 83. See Genealogy.
Jonathan Prescott, born AprU 5, 1677, died October 28, 1729,
aged 54. See Genealogy.
Joseph Lee, son of Joseph Lee, born in Concord October 16,
1680, died October 5, 1736, aged 56. He lived where Joseph
Barrett, Esq., now lives. His son Joseph, who was bom June
6, 1716, and died AprU 10, 1797, practised physic in the early
part of his life, though his attention seems not to have been ex
clusively devoted to it.

SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY. 239
Alexander Cuming came to Concord about .1726.
Edward Carrington. The records say, he was " bom at Bar-
badoes, came to Virginia, thence to Boston and Concord," where
he died July 22, 1737, aged 24.
Ebenezer Hartshorn, probably son of Thomas Hartshorn, who
was here before 1690, died January 29, 1781, aged 92.
John Prescott, went to Cuba. See Native Graduates and
General History.
Abel Prescott, son of Dr. Jonathan Prescott, and brother of
the preceding, was born April 7, 1718, and died October 24, 1805,
aged 88. During a long period he enjoyed a raost extensive
professional patronage. His practice extended to nearly all the
towns in the county. He lived in the house now owned by
Captain Moore, just below the village. His son Benjarain studied
physic, and commenced practice in Carlisle, but soon relinquished
the profession.
John Cuming, died July 3, 1788, aged 60. See separate Bio
graphical Notices.
Timothy Minott, died July 25, 1804, aged 78. See Native
Graduates. Joseph Hunt, died May 27, 1812, aged 63. See Native
Graduates. Isaac Hurd, son of Benjarain Hurd of Charlestown, born July
27, 1756, and graduated at Harvard CoHege in 1776. He
commenced practice in BHlerica in 1778, and came from thence
to this town in 1789. His Address before the Humane Society,
June 11, 1799, was published.
Abishai Brown, having acquired some skill whUe in the revo
lutionary army, had considerable practice as a surgeon after his
return. Abiel Heywood commenced practice in Concord in 1790.
See Native Graduates.
Benjamin D. Bartlett, son of Samuel Bartlett, Esq., bom in
Concord, graduated at Harvard CoHege in 1810, came to Con
cord in 1813, and reraoved to Bath, Maine, in 1816.
Josiah Bartlett, son of Dr. Josiah Bartlett, of Charlestown,
born November 20, 1796, and graduated at Harvard College in
1816, and at the Medical School in 1819 ; came to Concord
June 1, 1820.

240 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Dudley Smith, son of Dudley Smith, born at GHsum, New
Hampshire, September 15, 1799. He studied with Dr. Charies
G. Adams of Keene, and Dr. Warren of Boston, was graduated
at the Medical School, Dartmouth College, in 1825, and com
menced practice in Concord the same year. He removed to
LoweH in 1832.

CHAPTER XVI.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF COLLEGE GRADUATES AND OTHER
INDIVIDUALS BELONGING TO CONCORD.
[Considerable labor has been expended in compiling the following notes. It
was intended that the list should be complete; but it is presumed that the
College Catalogue contains other names of persons who were natives of Concord,
but for want of authentic information they are not here given. Where no Col
lege is named, Harvard College is to be understood.]
1. John Bulkeley, son of the Rev. Peter Bulkeley, was in
the first class of graduates in 1642. He returned to England, and
settled in the ministry at Fordham, hut was ejected in 1662. He
afterwards lived at Wapping in London, where he practised
physic with good success. He died in 1689, aged 70.
2. John Jones, son of the Rev. John Jones, was graduated in
1643, and admitted freeman in 1645. By an erroneous punctua
tion of Johnson [History of New England, p. 165], this person
has been considered as having; returned to England ; but from the
same author it appears, that he was " employed in the western
parts of Nevis, one of the Summer Islands." This appears fi'om
the verses on his father, in which the author says,
" Leading thy son to land, yet more remote.
To feed his flock upon this Western wast:
Exhort him then Christ's kingdom to promote ;
That he with thee of lasting joyes may tast." i
3. Samuel Stow was son of Thomas Stow, one of the early
settlers of Concord, and was graduated in 1645. He emigrated
to Middleton, Connecticut, with two of his brothers, about 1650,
> MS. Letter of John Farmer, Esq.

COLLEGE GRADUATES. 241
where he was a preacher about 10 years, though it does not ap
pear that he was ever ordained. He subsequently relinquished
the profession, and lived a private but highly respected citizen
there till his death. He gave a lot of land to the town for the
benefit of education, which stUl beays his name.
4. Gershom Bulkeley, son of the Rev. Peter Bulkeley, was
born in Concord in 1636, and graduated in 1655. He was or
dained at New London about 1660, from whence he removed,
and was installed at Weathersfield in 1668. In 1676 he was dis
missed on account of ill health, and afterwards became one of the
most distinguished physicians and surgeons of his time. He was
wounded in a battle with the Indians near Wachusett, whHe in the
army as a surgeon, in 1676. To him the epithet great was ap
plied on account of his eminent character. He died at Weathers-
field, Deceraber 2, 1713, aged 77. On his monument is in
scribed, — " He was honorable in his descent, of rare abilities,
extraordinary industry, excellent in learning, master of many lan
guages ; exquisite in his skill in divinity, physic, and law, and
of a most exemplary and Christian life.
In certam spem beatss resurrectionis repositus."
He married Sarah, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Chauncy, Presi
dent of Harvard College, October 26, 1659, and had 4 sons.
1. Peter, lost at sea; 2. Charles of New London ; 3. Edward,
who married Dorothy Prescott of Concord, and died at Weathers-
field ; and 4. John, who was graduated at Harvard College in
1699, and was the first minister of Colchester, Connecticut,
father of the Hon. John Bulkeley, a physician and judge of the
Supreme Court. ' The nuraerous and respectable famihes, bearing
the name in Connecticut and New York, have all descended from
Edward and John^^Stephen Bulkeley, Esq., one of the grand
sons of Edward, acquired a fortune in Charleston, South Carolina,
and has recently purchased the estate in Hartford, on which the ir^.wr''^-^
celebrated " charter oak " is situated. C-(\tO.'?'
5. Samuel Willard, one of the most eminent ministers in
New England, was son of Major Simon WiHard, and was born in
Concord January 31, 1640. He was graduated in 1659, and or
dained at Groton in 1662, from whence he removed to Boston
when that town was destroyed ' by the Indians in March 1676,
and was installed, as colleague pastor with the Rev. Mr. Thacher,

242 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
over the Old South Church, AprU 10, 1678. He officiated as
Vice-President of Harvard CoHege, from September 6, 1701, riU
his death. He died September 12, 1707, aged 67. His son was
Secretary of the province 39 years, and his grandson, Joseph
WHlard, D. D., LL. D., was President of Harvard CoHege. The
notices in Farmer's "Register," Allen's "Biog. Diet." Wis-
ner's " History of the Old South Church," and other works,
are so copious, that any further account here is unnecessary.
6. Peter Bulkeley, the youngest son of the Rev. -Peter
Bulkeley, was born August 12, 1643, and graduated in 1660.
He settled in Concord, and, in 1673 and the four subsequent
years, represented the town in the General Court. In February,
1676, he was chosen Speaker of the House of Deputies ; and in
August of the same year was appointed, with the Hon. WiHiam
Stoughton, agent to England on the complaints of Gorges and
Mason, and reappointed in 1682. They sailed on the first mis
sion October 30, 1676. On the 27th of February, 1679, he was
reappointed, by King Charles the Second, with Stoughton, as
agent to England respecting the Narraganset country. They re
turned December 23, 1679. In 1677 he was chosen one of the
Judges, or Court of Assistants, and re-elected eight years. He
was also one of the Commissioners of the United Colonies the
greater part of that time. On the 8th of October, 1685, he was
appointed by King James the Second one of the 'Council, of
which Joseph Dudley, Esq., was President, which constituted
the government of the colonies after the charter was forfeited. In
1680 the mHitia in the county was divided into two regiments, and
Major Peter Bulkeley appointed to comraand one of them. This
was an office in those- days of great distinction. In all these and
other important offices, he acquitted himself with honor and gene
ral acceptance. He was one of 20 who, in 1683, made the
" million purchase " in New Hampshire, and had several special
grants of land for public services. He died May 24, 1688,
aged 44 ; and " was buried," says Judge SewaH, " the 27th,
because he could not be kept, word of which was sent to Bos
ton the same day to prevent any going in vain to his funeral."
He married Rebecca, only daughter of Lieutenant Joseph Wheel
er, AprU 16, 1661', and had Edward, Joseph, John, and Rebecca ;
the 1st and 3d died young. His widow married Jonathan Pres-

COLLEGE GRADUATES. 243
cott, and his daughter Jonathan Prescott, Jr. Joseph, born Sep
tember 7, 1670, held a captain's coraraission, and was engaged in
the public service. He married widow Rebecca Minott, daughter
of John Jones, 1696. She died July 17, 1712; leaving by him
Rebecca, who married Joseph Hubbard, grandfather to Deacon
Thomas Hubbard ; 2. Dorothy, who married Samuel Hunt ;
3. John, who held a Colonel's commission, and died in Groton,
in December, 1772, aged 69, father to John, who was graduated
at Harvard College in 1769, who was a lawyer, and died in
Groton December 16, 1774, aged 26. Captain Joseph Bulke
ley married for a second wife SHence Jeffrey, in 1713, and had Jo
seph, Peter, Charles (whose descendants live in Littleton), and
perhaps other chHdren.
7. Benjamin Estabrook, son of the Rev. Joseph Estabrook, was
born February 24, 1671, and graduated in 1690. He was invited,
in 1692, to preach at Lexington, and was ordained first minister of
that town October 21, 1696. He died July 22, 1697, aged 26.
He married Abigail, daughter of the "Rev. Samuel WHlard.
8. Joseph Smith was graduated in 1695, ordained in Middle-
town, Connecticut, first minister of the " Upper Houses," Janu
ary 5, 1715, and died September 8, 1736, aged 62. His father's
name was Thomas. «
9. Samuel Estabrook, 3d son of the Rev. Joseph Estabrook,
was born January 7, 1674, and graduated in 1696. He taught
the grammar-school in Concord frora 1706 to 1710, and assisted
his father in the ministry. He was ordained at Canterbury, Con
necticut, June 13, 1711, where he died June 26, 1727, aged 53.
10. Benjamin Prescott, son of Captain Jonathan Prescott,
was born September 16, 1687, and graduated in 1709. He was
ordained at Salem ViUage (Danvers), September 23, 1713. " In
this office," says a biographical notice in the Boston Gazette of
1777, " he continued about 45 years, discharging its duties with ¦
such capacity and fidelity as gave him an extensive reputation.
When he thought himself called in Providence to resign his pas
toral charge, he was introduced into the magistracy, which he
supported with honor to himself and usefulness to the public ;
always appearing the same man, and exhibiting an uniform piety
and virtue in every station. He ' had great poHtical as well as
theological knowledge. He well understood the laws, the rights,

244 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
and the interest of his country ; and defended them with great
strength of reason as well as generous warmth of heart. In this
service his pen was frequently and largely employed, more es
pecially at the commencement of the important controversy of the
revolution, though his name was concealed ; and the clearness,
the consistency, the force and vivacity with which he would support
a long train of argument, even when he had entered his 90th
year, was truly surprising. Few, very few attained so great an
age as he did with so much comfort to themselves and their
friends, and so much usefulness. Besides employing himself in
some writings which he left unfinished, but enough to show the
remaining vigor of his mind, he transacted considerable business
as a magistrate till within a week of his death. After he was
seized with the violent fever that soon put an end to his hfe, he
could speak but little ; but he satisfactorily evinced, that he had
those inward consolations and supports, which are the genuine
result of that blessed rehgion which he had so long professed,
preached, and practised." He died May 28, 1777, in his 90th
year. He married three times. 1. Elizabeth Higginson of Salem, by
whom he had 2 sons and 3 daughters. Benjarain, the eldest,
was graduated at Harvard College in 1736, married Rebecca,
daughter of the Hon. James Minott in 1741, lived in Salem, and
had S children. Rebecca, the eldest, married the Hon. Roger
Sherman of New Haven. Her brothers, James and Benjamin,
also hved there ; the former married Rebecca Barrett of Concord.
The Rev. Benjamin married, the second time, Mercy, daughter
of the Rev. Henry Gibbs of Watertown, by whom he had Henry,
who died at New Castle September 10, 1816, father to Benjamin,
Henry, and WHliam PeppereU of that town, and George Washing
ton. His 3d wife was Mary, widow of the Rev. Benjamin
Coleman, daughter of Sir William PeppereU.
11. Timothy Minott was born June 18, 1692, a son of
James Minott, Esq., and graduated in 1718. He studied divinity,
and was licensed to, preach the gospel, and in that capacity was
accustomed to officiate for the Rev. Messrs. Whiting, Bliss, and
Emerson, in Concord, and in many neighbouring churches. He
was never ordained, but spent most of his long life in the more
humble, but not less important office of a teacher of youth. His

COLLEGE GRADUATES. 245
first introduction to this employment was in 1712, before he left
college, in the public grammar-school in Concord. He was then
engaged at the rate of £20 per year, on condition, say the town
records, " if any thing should exceed his abilities his father should
assist him." He taught occasionally tiH 1721, and from that
time constantly for above 40 years. According to the town
records, for many years, it appears as a condition on which money
should be raised to support the grammar-school, that " Mr. Timo
thy Minott undertake the work." This vote of the town shows
that his services were held in high estimation, an opinion which
is fully confirmed by tradition. His occupation gave him the
title of Master Minott, and enabled him to be a very useful
man. He was more distinguished, however, for the excellence
of his principles and character as a man, and for his faculties as a
schoolmaster, than for any peculiar force or elegance as a preacher.
He died November 30, 1778, aged 86.
12. Jonathan Miles, son of John MHes, was born February
13, 1701, and graduated in 1727. He died in Concord in Feb
ruary, 1775, aged 74.
13. John Prescott, son of Dr. Jonathan Prescott, was born
May 8, 1707, and graduated in 1727. He was a physician in
Concord, and highly esteemed for his professional skill and excel
lent character. When the unfortunate expedition to Cuba was
proposed, he entered readily into the views of the government,
and enlisted a company of 100 men from this neighbourhood. He
sailed from Boston, as commander of this company, September
23, 1740, and was off " Don Maria Bay " in the following Feb
ruary. After the melancholy failure of the expedition, he re
turned to this country in 1743, and not long after went to Eng
land, at the request of the government, where he was treated
with great respect. He died in London, of the small-pox, De
cember 30, 1743, aged 35,
He married Ann, the 8th child of Nathaniel Lynde, Esq. She
died May 12, 1795, aged 88. Her sister married Joseph Wil
lard of Rutland, who was killed by the Indians in 1723. Her
mother was Susannah WiHoughby, and her father son of Simon
and Hannah Newdigate, who came from London. In testi
mony of the esteem in which Captain Prescott's services were
held, his widow received a pension from the British government

246 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
during her life. She had 5 children, Ann, Rebecca, 2 sons,
who died young, and WiHoughby, who died in Concord AprU
15, 1808, aged 65.
14. Peter Prescott, a brother of the foregoing, was born
April 17, 1709, and graduated in 1730. He studied law, and
resided here and in Boston. He dealt largely in wild lands. Pe
terborough, in New Hampshire, derived its name from him. He
was out several times in the French war, and commanded a com
pany at Crown Point in 1758. Some time before the revolution,
he removed to Nova Scotia, where he was appointed clerk of one
of the courts, and died in 1784.^
15. Nathaniel Whitaker, son of David Whitaker, was grad
uated in 1730. After being some time employed as a minister at
Norwich in Connecticut, he went to England in 1765 or 1766,
accompanied by Sampson Occura, the first Indian educated by the
Rev. Mr. Wheelock, afterwards President of Dartraouth College,
to solicit donations for the support of Mr. Wheelock's school " for
the education of Indian youth, to be missionaries and school
masters for the natives of America." He was installed July 28,
1769, over the 3d church in Salem. In 1774 his meeting-house
was burnt, and a division in his society took place. He and his
friends erected a new house, and called it the Tabernacle Church
in 1776 ; but, difficulties having arisen, he was dismissed in 1783,
and installed at Canaan, Maine, September 10, 1784. He was
again dismissed in 1789, and removed to Virginia, where he died.
*^ 16. Ephraim Flint, son of Colonel John Flint, was born
March 4, 1714, and graduated in 1733. He settled in Lincoln,
and inherited the valuable estate of his uncle Edward, and great
uncle Ephraim, who had successively owned and lived on the
" Flint Farm " ; both having died without issue. He was
the first town clerk of "Lincoln, and died December 26, 1762,
aged 48.
17. Aaron Whittemore, son of Benjamin Whittemore, was
born December 13, 1711, and graduated in 1734. He was or
dained at Pembroke, New Hampshire, March 1, 1737, and died
November 16, 1767, aged ^5.
1 Benjamin Prescott, a brother probably of Peter, entered College in
1744, but was not graduated. He was killed by the Indians.

COLLEGE GRADUATES. 247
18. Jonathan Hoar, son of Lieutenant Daniel Hoar, was
graduated in 1740. He was an officer in the provincial service
during the war from 1744 to 1763. In 1755 he went as Major
to Fort Edward, and the next year was a Lieutenant-Colonel in
Nova Scotia, and aid to Major General Winslow at Crown Point.
After the peace of 1763, he went to England, and was appointed
Governor of Newfoundland and the neighbouring provinces, but
died on his passage thither in 1771, aged 52.^
19. Timothy Minott, son of Timothy Minott, teacher of the
grammar-school, was born April 8, 1726, and graduated in 1747.
He was a physician in Concord, where he died, July 25, 1804, '
aged 78.
20. Israel Cheever, son of Daniel Cheever, was born Sep
tember 22, 1722, and graduated in 1749. He was ordained at
New Bedford, but was dismissed in 1759, and installed at Liver
pool, Nova Scotia, v/here he died, in June, 1812, aged 90.
21. Oliver Merriam was born June 5, 1722, son of Ebene
zer Merriam, and graduated in 1749. He died in Concord, while
a student in divinity, on the 29th of May,' 1751, aged 29.
22. Samuel Brooks, son of John Brooks, was born March 16,
1729, and graduated in 1749. He hved at Exeter, New Hamp
shire, was a Register of deeds, justice of the peace, and a worthy
man. He died in March, 1807, aged 78.
23. Stephen Minott, a brother of Dr. Timothy Minott, was
born June 30, 1732, and graduated in 1751. After obtaining a
theological education, he was invited to the care of a church in
Portland, Maine, but died before ordination, September 3, 1759,
aged 27. " The gentleman, scholar, and the Christian," says
his epitaph, " were so conspicuous in his life, that he was greatly
respected whHe living, and at his death generally and sincerely
lamented." 24. George Farrar, son of George Farrar, was born Novem
ber 23, 1730, graduated in 1751, and ordained at Easton, March
26, 1755. He died September 17th, 1756, aged 25, and was
interred at Lincoln.
25. John Monroe, son of Thomas Monroe, was born March 4,
1733, and graduated in 1751. He studied divinity, hut was
1 Daniel Hoar, a brother of Jonathan Hoar, entered College in 1730, but
was not graduated.

248 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
never ordained. He taught a school several years in Concord and
Harvard, whither he reraoved in 1772. He died there about
1796. His sister is now living, aged 97.
26. William Willard Wheeler, son of WiHiam Wheeler,
was born December 24, 1734, and graduated in 1755. He was
the Episcopalian minister of St. Andrew's Church in Scituate, and
succeeded the Rev. Mr. Thompson, whose daughter he married.
He died January 14, 1810, aged 75.
27. Joseph Wheeler was graduated in 1757, ordained at
Harvard, December 12, 1759, and dismissed on account of iU
health, July 28, 1768. He subsequently relinquished the pro
fession, and resided at Worcester, where he was representative,
justice of the peace, and register of probate, from 1775 to bis
death, February 10, 1793, at the age of 58.
28. Daniel Bliss, son of the Rev. Daniel Bliss, was born
March 18, 1740, and graduated in 1760. He read law with Abel
WiHard, Esq., of Lancaster, and was admitted to the bar in Wor
cester county in May, 1765, and soon after commenced practice
in Rutland. He removed to Concord in 1772. He married a
daughter of Colonel Murray of Rutland, and, in imitation of his
father-in-law, embraced principles opposed by the " sons of liber
ty." In March, 1775, he left Concord, and was afterwards com
missary in the British army at Quebec. He subsequently set
tled in Fredericktown, New Brunswick, where he was a counsel
lor at law, and afterwards chief justice of the Court of Common
Pleas. He died in 1806, aged 66. His was the only estate in
Concord confiscated by government. He was a man of great
talents, popular manners, and energy of character.
29. Joseph Lee, son of Joseph Lee, was born May 12, 1742,
and graduated in 1765. He was ordained at Royalston October
19, 1768, and died February 16, 1819, aged 77.
30. Joseph Hunt, youngest son of Deacon Simon Hunt, was
born March 1, 1749, and graduated in 1770. He was a physi
cian at Dracut and Concord, and several years Secretary of the
Massachusetts Medical Society. He died May 27, 1812, aged 63.
31. Nathan Bond, son of Abijah Bond, was born March 31,
1752, and graduated in 1772. He was a merchant in Boston,
and died there January 5, 1816, aged 64. His remains were in
terred, at his request, by the side of his mother in Concord.

COLLEGE GRADUATES. 249
32. Tilly Merrick, son of TiUy Merrick, was born January
29, 1752, graduated in 1773, and now resides in Concord, the
oldest native living graduate.
33. Thomas Whiting, grandson of the Rev. John Whiting by
his son Thomas Whiting, Esq., was born October 3, 1748, and
graduated in 1775. He taught the grammar-school in Concord
several years, and was afterwards a merchant here. He died
September 28, 1820, aged 72.
34. Samuel Lee, brother of the Rev. Joseph Lee, ,was bom
March 28, 1756, and graduated in 1776. During the revolution
he was a merchant at Castine, and after the peace at Tracadache in
Canada, and Ristigouche in New Brunswick on Bay Chaleur.
He held various offices, civU and military, under the government
of that province, and died March 3, 1805, aged 56, at Shediac,
on his return frora Halifax to Ristigouche.
35. Peter Clark, son of Benjarain Clark, was graduated in
-1777, was a lawyer in Southborough, and died in July, 1792,
aged 36.
36. Ebenezer Hubbard, son of Ebenezer Hubbard, was grad
uated in 1777, ordained at Marblehead, January 1, 1783, and
died December 15, 1800, aged 43.
37. Abiel Heywood, son of Jonathan Heywood, was born
December 9, 1759, and graduated in 1781. He studied physic,
whh Dr. Spring of .Watertown, and commenced practice in Con
cord in 1790. In 1796 he was chosen town clerk and first se
lectman, and has since been reelected. He was appointed jus
tice of the peace October 24, 1797, special judge of the Court of
Common Pleas February 25, 1802, and an associate justice of
the Court of Sessions frora 1802 to the organization of the County
Commissioners' Court, and has also held other important offices.
38. Timothy Swan, son of Samuel Swan, was graduated in
1781, was a physician, and died at Washington, North Carolina.
39. Ezra Conant, son of Ezra Conant, was born September
18, 1763, graduated in 1784, ordained at Winchester, New Hamp
shire, February 19, 1788, and dismissed October 13, 1806.
40. Silas Lee, brother to Joseph and Samuel before men
tioned, was born July 3, 1760, and graduated in 1784. He set
tled as an attorney at Pownalborough, now Wiscasset, Maine, and
in 1800 and 1801 represented the district of Lincoln and Ken-
32

250 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
nebec in the 6th Congress of the United States. In January,
1802, he was appointed United States Attorney for Maine, and
in 1807, Judge of Probate for the county of Lincoln, and held
these offices tiH his death, March 1, 1814, aged 54.
41. John Merrick, brother of Tilly Merrick, was born Feb
ruary 7, 1761, and graduated in 1784. He read law and prac
tised in Concord, where he died. The following epitaph, 'at his
request, was inscribed on his grave-stone.
" John Merrick
died 15 August, 1797, aged 36,
and here, here he lies ! "
42. William Emerson, onfy son of the Rev. WiUiam Emer
son, was born May 6, 1769, and graduated in 1789. He was
ordained at Harvard May 23, 1792, but was dismissed on being
called to a greater field of usefulness, and was installed over the
First church in Boston October 16, 1799, where he obtained a
distinguished reputation for talents, literary acquirements, and pie
ty. He died May 11 , 1811, aged 42. His History of his Church,
a posthumous publication, and the Massachusetts Historical Col
lections, Vol. I. p. 256, (Second Series) contain full notices of
his character, to which the reader is referred. Four of his sons,
William, Ralph Waldo, Edward Bhss, and Charles Chauncy,
were graduated at Harvard College with distinguished rank.
43. William Jones, only son of Samuel Jones, was bom Sep
tember 15, 1772, and graduated in 1793. He read law with
Jonathan Fay, Esq., and commenced practice in this town, but
removed to Norridgewock, Maine, about 1801. He was appoint
ed, June 29, 1809, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the
county of Somerset, and on the 23d of AprU, 1812, clerk of
aU the courts in that county, and June 22, 1809, Judge of Pro
bate. While resident in Concord he delivered an oration on the
4th of July, 1795, which was published. May 12th of that
year he was appointed Captain of a company of cavalry, and
April 17, 1799, Major in the 15th regiment of the United States'
array stationed at Oxford. On the 27th of March, 1806, after
his removal to Maine, he received a commission of Lieutenant-
Colonel, and February 21, 1810, of Brigadier-General, in the mHitia
of that state. He died at Norridgewock January 10, 1813,. aged
40. His remains were removed, and interred in Concord. i

COLLEGE GRADUATES. 251
44. James Temple, son of Benjamin Temple, was born Sep
tember 20, 1766, and graduated at Dartmouth CoHege in 1794.
He^ taught the grammar-school in Concord in 1795 and 1796,
and read law with Jonathan Fay, Esq. He commenced pro
fessional business in Cambridge, but died March 10, 1802, aged 35.
45. Samuel Phillips Prescott Fay, son of Jonathan Fay,
Esq., was born January 10, 1778, graduated in 1798, was admitted
to the bar in 1803, and settled at Cambridge Port. He was ap
pointed Judge of Probate May 1, 1821, and has since fiHed the
office with distinguished ability.
46. Rupus Hosmer, son of the Hon. Joseph Hosmer, was
bom March 18, 1778, and graduated in 1800. He was admitted
to the bar in Essex in 1803, and soon after removed to Stow,
where he has since resided as a counsellor at law.
47. Stephen Minott, son of Captain Jonas Minott, was born
September 28, 1776, graduated in 1801, and settled as a lawyer
in Haverhill. He was appointed a judge of the Circuit Court of
Common Pleas, and held the office till 1820, when the law which
created that Court was repealed. In 1824 he was appointed
County Attorney for Essex, which office he resigned in 1830.
48. Samuel Ripley, son of the Rev. Ezra Ripley, D. D.,
was born March 11, 1783, graduated in 1804, and was ordained'
over the first religious society in Waltham November 22, 1809,
where he stHl resides.
49. Daniel Bliss Ripley, brother of the preceding, was
graduated in 1805. He was an attorney, and died at St. Stephens,
Alabama, April 30, 1825, aged 37.
50. Benjamin Warren Hildreth, son of Jonathan HHdreth,
was born March 29, 1784, graduated in 1805, and settled as a
physician in Marlborough.
' 51. John White, son of Deacon John White, was born De
cember 2, 1787, graduated in 1805, and was ordained over the
third parish in Dedham AprH 20, 1814.
52. Jonas Wheeler, son of Jotham Wheeler, was born Feb
ruary 9, 1789, and graduated in 1810. He read law with Eras-
tus Root, Esq., of Camden, Maine, and settled in the profession
in that town. He was justice of the peace. Colonel in the' mi
litia, delegate to form the constitution, a representative and a
member of the Senate of Maine, of which he was President the
two last years of his life. He died May 1, 1826, aged 37.

252 ' HISTORY OF CONCORD.
53. John Barrett, son of John Barrett, Jr., was born Sep
tember 30, 1781, and graduated at WiUiams College in 1810.
After obtaining a theological education he was employed by the
Evangelical Society, and went to Ohio. He was ordained at
Mesopotamia, TrurabuU county, Ohio, February 22, 1827.
54. Joshua Barrett, brother to the preceding, was gradu-'
ated at Dartmouth College in 1810. He studied divinity, and
was employed as a preacher aud missionary tUl he was ordained,
January 11, 1826, over the Second church in Plymouth near the
Manomet Ponds.
55. John Brown, son of Samuel Brown, was graduated in
1813. He studied physic, but relinquished the profession, and
is now a merchant near Buffalo, New York.
56. Ephraim Buttrick, son of Samuel Buttrick, was gradu
ated in 1819, admitted to the bar in September, 1823, and settled
at East Cambridge.
57. Benjamin Barrett, son of Peter Barrett, was born Feb
ruary 2, 1796, graduated in 1819 and at the Cambridge Medical
School in course, and settled in Northampton.
58. Charles Jarvis, son of Deacon Francis Jarvis, was bom
November 27, 1800, and graduated in 1821. He studied medi
cine with Doctors Hurd and Bartlett of Concord, and Shattuck
of Boston, and received his medical degree in 1825. He set
tled in South Bridgwater, where he soon obtamed a respectable
practice. But in the following July he was attacked with a fatal
disease, removed to his father's house, and died February 23,
1826, aged 25.
59. John Milton Cheney, son of Hezekiah Cheney, was
graduated in 1821. He settled as a lawyer in Concord, and
was appointed Cashier of the Concord Bank in April, 1832.
60. George Washington Hosmer, son of Cyrus Hosmer,
was graduated in 1826, and at the Cambridge Theological School
in 1829. He was ordained at Northfield June 9, 1830.
61. Edward Jarvis, son of Deacon Francis Jarvis, was
graduated in 1826. He studied physic and practised at North-
field, but removed to Concord in 1832.
62. Reuben Bates, son of Captain John Bates, was born
March 20, 1808, graduated in 1829, and at the Theological
School in 1832.

COLLEGE GRADUATES. 253
63. Jonathan Thomas Davis, son of Jonathan H. Davis, was
graduated in 1829.
64. Horatio Cook Merriam, was graduated in 1829, and
is now in the practice of law at Lowell.
65. William Mackay Prichard, son of Moses Prichard,
was graduated in 1833.
66. William Whiting, son of Colonel WiHiam Whiting, was
graduated in 1833.
Undergraduates. — George Moore, son of Captain Abel Moore ;
Hiram Barrett Dennis, son of Samuel Dennis ; Ebenezer Rock-
wood Hoar, son of the Hon. Samuel Hoar, members of Harvard
University ; Marshall Merriam, and Gardner Davis, son of Josiah
Davis, of Yale, and Josiah Dudley, of Union College, New York.

John Cuming, was born March 1, 1728. His father, Mr.
Robert Cuming, was a distinguished Scotchman who emigrated
to this country during the rebellion, about 1715, and, after re
siding a short time in Boston, reraoved to this town about 1722,
where he spent the remainder of his life in agricultural pursuits.
John inherited a large part of his father's estate. After acquiring
a good academical education, and going through a regular course
of medical studies, he embarked for Europe, where he com
pleted his professional education, and afterwards returned to his
native town. He received the honorary degree of Master of
Arts at Harvard College in 1749. During the wars which pre
vaHed in America from 1745 to 1763, he was several times
called to take an active part. In one of these engagements he
was wounded by a ball that lodged in his hip (where it re
mained tUl his death), captured by the Indians, and carried
into Canada. The Indians at first treated him with severity ;
but after his remaining with them some time they became friendly,
and by the influence of a French gentleman he obtained his lib- .
erty. He was out in 1758 and 1759, as Lieutenant-Colonel
under Colonel Nichols, and was distinguished for the ability with
which he discharged his duty. After the close of the war he
acquired an extensive professional practice, in which he continued
during hfe. He was early entrusted with important town affairs,
and was often chosen representative in the General Court. At
ninety of the town-meetings, from 1763 to 1788, he presided

254 HISTORY OF CONCORD.
as moderator. When the great work of the American revolution
comraenced, he was one of its firmest advocates. He was chair
man of the committee of correspondence, inspection, and safety,
almost every year during the war. He received the commission
of justice of the peace from the crown, and was one of the first
appointed by the Provincial Congress, and was president of the
county Court of Sessions about twenty years. By his extensive
professional business in this and the neighbouring towns, he ac
quired a considerable estate which enabled him to make hberal
donations to this church and town. Harvard College, and other
objects. To the poor he was remarkably benevolent. He regu
lated his whole hfe by the precepts of religion, of which he was
an exemplary professor about forty-five years, and, it is said,
never charged for professional services rendered on the Sabbath.
He died suddenly, while on a visit in Chelmsford, July 3, 1788,
aged 60.
His benevolent and liberal disposition was manifest in the ju
dicious disposition of his estate. Beside many other legacies, he
bequeathed " for the use of the town of Concord three hundred
pounds sterling, one moiety thereof to be equally distributed for
the benefit of the private schools in the town of Concord, and
to be especially under the direction of the selectmen for the time
being ; the other moiety thereof to be annually disposed of among
the poor of said town, at the discretion of the minister and
selectmen of the town of Concord for the time being, — the use
of the above sum of money to be for the above purposes and for
no other under any pretence whatever." He also made it the
residuary legatee of one quarter of his real estate undisposed of at
the death of his wife. The whole amounted to £500 lawful
money, or $1,666-66. He gave " to the church in Concord fifty
pounds sterling, to be laid out in silver vessels to furnish the
communion-table " ; and also " twenty-five pounds sterling, to be
for ever kept as a fund " to be disposed of by the minister and
deacons for the benefit " of the poor communicants " ; and also
£20 to the Rev. Dr. Ripley. He bequeathed " to the University
in Cambridge three hundred pounds sterling, the income of the
same to be appropriated for a professor of physic," and also made
it a residuary legatee in the same manner as he did the town
of Concord.

CHAPTER XVII.
HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
General History. — Ecclesiastical History. — Description. — Miscellaneous No
tices.
Bedford lies northeasterly from Concord, and, as has already
been stated, belonged originaHy in part to that town. The inhabi
tants of the Winthrop Farms, which were included in this territory,
with others in BHlerica, petitioned the General Court, in 1725,
to be erected into a separate parish or town. An order of notice
passed on this petition, but being opposed by BiHerica it was
unsuccessful. The following petition fuHy explains the motives
which originated it, and met with more success.
" To the gentlemen the selectmen, and other inhabitants, of
Concord in lawful meeting assembled ; the petition of sundry of
the inhabitants of the northeasterly part of the town of Concord
humbly sheweth.
" That we your humble petitioners, having, in conjunction
with the southerly part of Billerica, not without good advice,
and we hope upon religious principles, assembled in the winter
past, and supported the preaching of the gospel among us, cheer
fully paying in the mean time our proportion to the ministry in
our towns, have very unanimously agreed to address our respec
tive towns to dismiss us, and set us off to be a distinct township
or district, if the Great and General Court or Assembly shall
favor such our constitution.
" We therefore the subscribers hereunto, and your humble pe
titioners, do first apply to you to lead us and set us forward in so
good a work, which we trust may be much for the glory of Christ
and the spiritual benefit of ourselves and our posterity. Our dis
tance from your place of public worship is so great^ that we labor
under insupportable difficulties in attending constantly there as
we desired to do. In the extreme difficult seasons of heat and
cold we were ready to say of the Sabbath, Behold what a wea
riness is it. The extraordinary expenses we are at in transport
ing and refreshing ourselves and families on the Sabbath has

256 HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
added to our burdens. This we have endured from year to year
with as much patience as the nature of the case would bear ;
but our increasing numbers now seem to plead an exemption;
and as it is in your power, so we hope it wHl be in your grace to
relieve us.
" Gentlemen, if our seeking to draw off proceed from any dis
affection to our present Rev. Pastor, or the Christian Society with
whom we have taken such sweet counsel together, and walked
unto the house of God in company, then hear us not this day.
But we greatly desire, 'if God please, to be eased of our burdens
on the Sabbath, the travel and fatigue thereof, that the word of
God may be nigh to us, near to our houses, and in our hearts,
that we and our little ones may serve the Lord. We hope that
God, who stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to set forward temple
work, has stirred us up to ask, and will stir you up to grant, the
prayer of our petition ; so shaH your humble petitioners ever pray,
as in duty bound, &c.
" We humbly desire our limits may be extended from Mr. Ste
phen Davis's to Mr. Richard Wheeler's and to the river, the
line to extend so as to include those two families."
This petition was dated Concord, May 1, 1728, and signed by
Joseph French, Joseph Dean, John Fassett, Samuel Merriam,
Stephen Davis, Daniel Cheever, Thomas WooUey, Joseph Bacon,
Benjamin Colburn, Nathaniel Merriam, Zachariah Stearns, An
drew Wadkins, Jonathan French, David Taylor, Daniel Davis,
Richard Wheeler, and James Wheeler ; all belonging to Concord.
Concord gave them liberty to be set off; and the General
¦Court passed an act, September 23, 1729, incorporating them as
a town by the name of Bedford. The boundaries of the town, as
described in this act, were nearly the same as they are at present,
excepting the farm of Edward Stearns, which was set off from
Billerica and annexed to Bedford by a special act, passed in
1766. The first town-meeting took place October '6, 1729. The
first town officers were, Sarauel Fitch, Town Clerk ; Jonathan
Bacon, Samuel Fitch, Nathaniel Merriam, Nathaniel Page, and
Daniel Davis, Selectmen ; Israel Putnam and Stephen Davis,
Constables ; John Fassett, Town Treasurer ; Job Lane and Samuel
Merriam, Surveyors ; Daniel Cheever and Josiah Fassett, Tithing-

GENERAL HISTORY. 257
men ; Obed Abbot and Benjamin Colburn, Fence-viewers ; James
Wheeler and Jonathan Bacon, Hog-reeves ; John Lane, Sealer
of Weights; and Thomas WooHy and John Whipple, Field-
drivers.^ After the first organization of the town, there is nothing of pe
culiar interest to distinguish its civH history anterior to the revo
lution. It furnished its share of men and money in the inter
vening French and Indian wars ; but the particulars I am unable
to obtain. Several of its inhabitants held commissions.
Many facts in relation to the part Bedford acted in the revolu
tion have already been detailed in the history of Concord. Such
others as more immediately relate to the proceedings of the
town, wiH now be given.
In March, 1768, the town voted " to encourage the produce
and manufactures of this province, and to lessen the use of super
fluities." A town meeting was held March 1, 1773, to take
" into our most serious consideration the melancholy state of the
British colonies in North America in general, and this province
in particular," when, " after solemn prayer to God for direction,"
the subject was referred to a committee, consisting of Deacon
Stephen Davis, John Reed, Esq., John Webber, Doctor Joseph
Ballard, Mr. John Moore, Mr. Joseph HartweU, and Mr. Hugh
Maxwell. At an adjourned meeting, 23d May, they made a
long report, which was unaniraously accepted, expressing senti
ments simHar to those given in the History of Concord.
1 The following were the taxable inhabitants in Bedford in 1748.
South Inst. — Samuel Bacon, Stephen Davis, James Dodson, Joseph Fitch,
Zachariah Fitch, Peter Fasset, John Fasset, Benjamin Fasset, Stephen
Hartwell, Joseph Hartwell, Henry Harrington, William Hastings, James
Houston, John Merriam, Amos Merriam, Samuel Merriam, Nathaniel
Merriam, John Moore, Joseph Meeds, Walter Powers, Paul Raymond,
William Raymond, Edward Stearns, James Rankin, David Taylor, Thomas
Woolly, Jonathan Woolly, Thomas Woolly, Jr., Richard Wheeler, Samuel
Whitaker. JVorth List. — Obed Abbot, Josiah Bacon, Josiah Bacon, Jr., Benjamin
Bacon, Michael Bacon, John Bacon, Thomas Bacon, Jonas Bowman, James
Chambers, John Corbet, Samuel Dutton, Benjamin Danforth, Cornelius
Dandley, Benjamin Fitch, Jeremiah Pitch, Josiah Fasset, Jonathan Grimes,
' Benjamin Hutchinson, Timothy Hartwell, Benjamin Kidder, Deacon Job
Lane, Colonel John Lane, Captain James Lane, John Lane, Jr., Job Lane, _
Jr., John Lane, 3d, Timothy Lane.
33 ;,

258 HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
In March, 1774, it was voted not to use any tea tiU the duty
was taken off; and' on the 30th of June following the inhabitants
of the town entered into a solemn covenant " to suspend all
commercial intercourse with Great Britain tUl the said act should
be repealed," — not to " buy, purchase, or consume, or suffer
any person by, for, or under us, to purchase or consume, in any
manner whatever, any goods, wares, or merchandise, which shall
arrive in America from Great Britain," and to break off all
" trade, commerce, or dealings " with those who do it, and to
consider them as enemies to their country. This covenant was
offered to all the inhabitants of the town for their signatures.
Those who did not sign it were to be treated as enemies. At
this meeting the first coraraittee of correspondence was chosen,
consisting of Deacon Stephen Davis, John Reed, Esq., Mr. Jo
seph Hartwell, John Webber, and John Moore.
A minute-company being formed, the town voted, 6th March,
1775, to allow 25 men " one shilling per week till the first of
May, they exercising four hours in a week, and two shillings to
be allowed to officers, they to equip themselves according to the
advice of Congress." Jonathan Wilson was Captain of this com
pany, and was killed on the retreat of the British from Concord
on the 19th of AprH, in the 41st year of his age. He was a
brave and meritorious officer.
The town voted, June 17, 1776, that " we will solemnly en
gage with our lives and fortunes , to support the colonies in de
claring themselves independent of Great Britain."
Bedford, like the neighbouring towns, contributed " her lives
and fortunes " to obtain the independence of America. Though
I cannot give a full view of what was actually done, a few facts
taken from the town records, in addition to what has already been
given in the History of Concord, will present the most favorable
view of her patriotism.
November 24, 1777, the town raised £377 3s. 3d. to pay the
following bounties to soldiers for services performed that year,
as reported by a committee.
For the Continental soldiers' hire . . £236 10s. Od.
For the bounty to the Rhode Island men 22 10 0
For' the bounty to the men who went to Bennington 48 0 0
For one man to guard the Continental stores 6 0 0

24 0

0

4 11

0

35 12

3

GENERAL HISTORY. 259
For three 30 day men to join the Continental army
For allowance for hiring the Continental men
For fire-arms, lead, and flints for a town stock £377 3 3
November 16, 1778, the town allowed the accounts of the
military officers and committee for hiring soldiers, amounting to
£1746 16s. 3d. The following bounties for services the year
previous were also allowed.
3 men, 2 months to Rhode Island, May 1, 1777, no bounty
8 men, 3^ months to Bennington, August 21, 1777,
each £15 . . . £120 Os. Od.
8 men, 30 days, " to take and guard the troops,"
September, 1777, £2 . . 16 0 0
5 men, 3 months, " to Boston with Captain Farmer,"
Febmary 1778, £12 . . . 60 0 0
8 men, 3 months, " to Cambridge with Captain
Moore," AprU 1, 1778, £11 . 88 0 0
John Reed, to Rhode Island . . 9 0 0
The next year, in November, 1779, the following bounties
were allowed.
1st tour of duty to Rhode Island, 2 men, £39 each £78 Os. Od.
2d to Rhode Island, 2 men, 48 bushels of corn,
£9 per bushel each . . 864 0 0
3d tp North River, 3 men, 2 of whom to have
£300 each . . . . 600 0 0
The other to have £138 in cash, and 51 bushels
of com at £9 per bushel . 587 0 0
4th to Boston, 2 men, £22, 10 each . 45 0 0
Sth to Claverick, 6 men 1-J month, £80 per month 640 0 0
In September, 1780, the town raised £550 to pay for hiring
soldiers in the United States' service for the two last campaigns.
In June previous, seven men, John Johnson, Rufus Johnson,
Nathan Merrill, Jonas Bacon, Cambridge Moore, Jonas Duren,
Cesar Prescott, had been hired to go to the North River 6
months for a bounty of 120 bushels of corn each ; and 8 men, Joshua
Holt, John Webber, Ebenezer Hardy, Amos Bemis, Jonathan
Wilson, Andrew Hall, Isaac Simonds, and Israel Mead Blood,
were hired for 3 months to Rhode Island for 90 bushels of corn
each.

260 HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
By the resolve of December 2, 1780, Bedford was required
to furnish 8 men. One was hired by the town for ^200 in
silver ; and the town was divided into 7 classes to procure the
others. Captain John Moore was chairman of the first class,
Moses Abbot of the second, Thaddeus Dean of the third, Chris
topher Page of the fourth, John Reed of the fifth, WHliam Page
of the sixth, and Stephen Davis of the seventh. The first five
classes paid " 20 head of horned cattle at 3 y«ars old each," as
a bounty ; the 6th paid $250, and the 7th $220, in sHver 1
Daniel Hartwell Blood went to Rhode Island in June, 1781,
and received £19 10s. in silver; and Nehemiah Wyman, Moses
Abbot, Stephen Syms, Timothy Crosby, Joseph Merriam, and
Israel Mead Blood went to join General Washington's army at
West Point, and received £19 16s. each. The town was di
vided again in March, 1782, into three classes to hire 3 men for
the war.
When it is recollected that the town then contained only about
470 inhabitants, it is truly wonderful that they could submit to
so frequent and so heavy burdens of pecuniary and personal
service. In September, 1776, the town veted, that the General Court
might form a constitution, but they must furnish a copy to the
town before it was enacted. In May, 1779, voted, 34 to 1, not
to have a new constitution formed at this tinie. The constitution
formed that year was approved by the town, after considering it
at three successive meetings, by 25 to 1. In 1820, the town
unanimously voted to instruct their representative to vote in favor
of calling a state convention to revise the constitution. On the
question of adopting the new constitution, articles 2d, 3d, 6th,
7th, 8th, llth, 13th, and 14th, had no votes against them ; the
1st had 3 ; the 4th, 5 ; the 5th, 30 ; the 9th, 14 ; the 10th, 55
(aU that were cast) ; and the 12th, 13.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
The people began to erect a meeting-house before the town
was incorporated ; but it was not completed tHl 1730. In Octo
ber, 1729, £460 was raised to pay the expense. Committees

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. Qgl
were chosen the next and many subsequent years " to seat the
meeting-house," and were instructed, among other things, " to have
respect to them that are 50 years of age and upward " ; those
under this age " to be seated according to their pay," — " the
front seat in the gallery to be equal to the third seat in the body-
seats below." Thirteen pews were buHt in 1733, and eight more
in 1754. A bell was procured in 1753, weighing about 600 lbs.
and the town " voted (by poUing the assembly) to hang the bell
about two rods and a half northward of the school-house, and as
near to Mr. Benjamin Kidder's wall as can be with conveniency ;
and to build a house, not less than 12 feet nor more than 16
feet square, and so high as to hang the mouth of the bell 16 feet
high." A new meeting-house was erected in 1817. It is 58 feet long,
53 wide, and 30 feet posts, with a projection of 34 by 8 feet,
and a spire. David Reed, Michael Crosby, John Merriam,
Joshua Page, and Simeon Blodget, were the buHding coraraittee ;
and Joshua Page and Levi WHson, the builders. Cost estimated
at ^^jlOl. The lower floor has 56 pews, and the gallery 16,
which were sold for $7,110-50, after reserving one for the min
ister. It was dedicated July 8, ,1817 ; and the sermon, preached
by the Rev. Mr. Steams on the occasion, was printed. A time
piece was presented to the town by Mr. Jeremiah Fitch of Boston,
and placed in the front gallery; and a new bell was procured
from England, weighing 993 lbs.
Measures were taken soon after the incorporation of the town to
obtain the regular enjoyment of public religious worship and or
dinances, and William Hartwell and Job Lane chosen to carry
these measures into effect. A candidate was employed ; and
January. 22, 1730, was observed as a day of solemn fasting and
prayer to God for direction in the choice of a minister, when the
Rev. Messrs. John Hancock of Lexington, Samuel Ruggles of
Billerica, and John Whiting of Concord were present to conduct
the religious services. Feb. llth, the town chose Mr. Nicholas
Bowes, by 43 votes, to be their minister ; and at the subsequent
March meeting agreed to give him £90 the first year, and £100
and 25 cords of wood annually afterwards as a salary, so long as^
he should sustaui the pastoral office ; the money to be paid semi
annually, and always to be in proportion to the then value of

262 HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
sHver, which was 18 shHlings per ounce. He was subsequently
presented with 16 acres of land. These propositions were ac
cepted, and he was ordained, July 15, 1730, when the church
was organized. The churches in Lexington, Concord, Billerica,
and Cambridge, by " their elders and messengers," composed the
council, of which the Rev. John Hancock w.as moderator. In
the public religious exercises, the Rev. Mr. Appleton of Cam
bridge made the introductory prayer ; the Rev. John Hancock
preached frora 2 Cor. xi. 28, and gave the charge ; the Rev.
John Whiting gave the right hand of fellowship ; and the Rev.
Samuel Ruggles made the last prayer.
WhUe the church was making arrangements preliminary to
its organization, it was agreed by a vote of 14 to 9, that " every
person admitted to the church should give in a confession of their
faith to be read in public " ; and, by a vote of 15 to 7, not to
call for a " handy vote " on their admission. The original cove
nant which follows, was adopted and signed by 24 individuals, —
all the male members of the church at its formation.
" We, whose names are underwritten, sensibly acknowledging
our. un worthiness of such a favor and unfitness for such a business,
yet apprehending ourselves to be called of God in a way of
church communion, and to seek the settlement of all the gospel
institutions among us, do therefore, in order thereto and for the
better promotion thereof as much as in us lies, knowing how
prone we are to backslide, abjuring all confidence in ourselves,
and relying on the Lord Jesus Christ alone for help, covenant as
follows. " We beheve the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to
be given by inspiration of God, and promise by the help of the
Divine Spirit, to govern ourselves both as to faith and practice
according to that perfect rule ; and we also engage to walk to
gether .as a church of Christ, according to all those holy rules of
the gospel respecting a particular church of Christ, so far as God
hath or shall reveal his mind to us in that respect.
" We do accordingly recognise the covenant of grace, in which
we professedly acknowledge ourselves devoted to the fear and
service of the only true God, our Supreme Lord, and the Lord
Jesus Christ, the High Piiest, Prophet, and King of his church,
unto whose conduct we submit ourselves, on whom alone we wait

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 263
and hope for grace and glory, to whom we bind ourselves in an
everlasting covenant never to be broken.
" We likewise give ourselves up one to another in the Lord,
resolving by his help to treat each the other as fellow members
of one body in brotherly love and holy watchfulness over one
another for mutual edification ; and tO' subject ourselves to all the
holy administrations, appointed by him who is the Head of his
church, dispensed according to the rules of the gospel, and to
give our constant attendance on all the public ordinances of
Christ's institution, walking orderly as becomes saints.
" We do likewise acknowledge our posterity to be included
with us in the gospel covenant ; and, blessing God for such a
favor, do promise to bring thera up in the nurture and admonition
of the Lord with the greatest care, and to acknowledge thera in
the .covenant relation, according to the rules of the gospel.
" Furthermore we promise to be careful to our uttermost to
procure the settlement and continuance of all the offices and
officers appointed by Christ, the chief Shepherd for his church's
edification, and accordingly do our duty faithfully for their main
tenance and encouragement, and to carry it towards them as
becometh us.
" Finally we acknowledge and do promise to preserve commu
nion with the faithful churches of Christ for the giving and re
ceiving mutual council and assistance in all cases wherein it shall
be needful.
" Now the good Lord be merciful unto us, and, as he hath put
it into our hearts thus to devote ourselves to him, let him pity and
pardon our fraUties, humble us out of all carnal confidence, and
keep it for ever upon our hearts to himself and to one another for
his praise, and our eternal comfort, for Christ's sake, to whom be
glory for ever. Amen. — Nicholas Bowes, *Joseph French,
*William Hartwell, Jonathan Bacon, *John Hartwell, *Nathaniel
Merriam, Israel Putnam, Benjamin Kidder, *Daniel Davis, Samuel
Fitch, Job Lane, *Josiah Fassett, John Lane, *Stephen Davis,
*Richard Wheeler, Jacob Kendall, Christopher Page, *Daniel
Cheever, Obed Abbot, Nathaniel Page, *David Taylor, *James
Wheeler, *Eleazer Davis, Thomas Dinsraore." ^
1 Those marked with an asterisk were from Concord, the others probably
mostly from Billerica. The church and town records of those towns give
their genealogy.

264 HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
The sacrament was first administered September 6, 1730, and
every two months afterwards, at which times coHections were
taken for the use of the church. November 12, 1730, being
public thanksgiving, £7 were contributed. " A short time after,
the good people of Concord contributed for the use of the church
in Bedford £6." Mr. Isaac Stearns, widows Sarah Bateman,
and Eunice Taylor gave 10 shiHings each. The last left a
legacy of £5 more, and Deacon Merriam one of £6.
Among the peculiar customs which prevailed in the church
from its first formation to the ordination of Mr. Stearns, was that
of making public confession of particular offences committed by the
members. These were drawn up in writing and read by the
minister before the congregation. Frequent notices under differ
ent dates are specified in the church records, such as " the con
fession of  for the sin of intemperance," " for the breach
of the seventh commandment," or other sins as the case might be,
" was read before the congregation." This custom, though par
ticularly revolting at the present day, was not peculiar to the
church in Bedford. It prevailed to some extent in most of
the colonial churches. But that a detail of one's own crimes,
given in minute particulars before the public, even if publicly
known, tends to reform the heart of the confessor, or promote
the good morals of the people, is a proposition to which few will
now assent.
It does not appear that any special attention to religion pre
vaHed during the ministry of Mr. Bowes, as was then the case in
Concord and some other places ; though the church received consid
erable yearly additions,- and was in a flourishing state. Anterior
to 1754, 161 individuals had belonged to the church; and allow
ing the orignal members to have been 50, the admissions would
be 111. To this time there ha& been 83 marriages, 350 bap
tisms, and 173 deaths.
The Rev. Nicholas Bowes is said to have been born in Eng
land. He was graduated at Harvard CoHege in 1725. After sus
taining the pastoral office about 24 years, some circumstances
occurred which induced him to consider his usefulness at an end,
and to ask a dismission. This was granted by the church August
22, 1754, and by the town, September 2d. In 1755 he went as
a chaplain in the Northern army at Fort Edward ; but died at

ECCLESIASTICAL l|rSTORY. 1 265

Brookfield on his returh home. He i| represented to have been
'" a man respectable for .his abilities aad learning, and ybf sound
evangelical sentiments." I Mr. Bowes married Lucy, sjfffcif of the
Siev^. Jonas Clark of LexHigtOTi, and ajjBi of Governor Hancock,
and had WHliam, Lucy, Nicholas, Elizabeth, Dorcas, Thomas,
and Mary, one of whom married the Rev. Samuel Cook of West
Cambridge. The town voted, September 29, 1755, " that the church
should proceed to the choice of a gospel minister " ; and on the
17th of November, " to concur in the choice of Mr. Nathaniel
Sherman by 38 yeas," and agreed to give him £113 6s. 8d.
as a settlement, and £53 6s. 8d. and 20 cords of wood as an
annual salary. He was ordained February 18, 1756.
Some years after the settlement of the Rev. Mr. Sherman, a
controversy arose concerning admitting persons to the privHeges
of baptism only, without admission to the communion, by assent
ing to the " half-way covenant." November 6, 1765, the regu
lations for the admission of members were revised, and a vote was
passed, " that there should be but one church covenant." Can
didates for admission to the communion were to be examined
before the pastor only, who propounded them several days before
admission, when he informed the church of " their knowledge,
experience, and belief of religion." Faith in Christ, repentance
for sin, holiness, and a behef in the Assembly's Catechism, were
required of all candidates. If no objections were made, they were
to be admitted without the vote of the church. The covenant
was revised and adopted in a different forra, principally effected
by the influence of the pastor. Some of the alterations were un
popular with a majority of the church. In consequence of this
controversy the affections of his people were alienated from Mr.
Sherman. An ecclesiastical councH was caHed December 5,
1766, who advised his dismission, which was accepted by the
church, and concurred in by the town December 17th.
The Rev. Nathaniel Sherman was born at Newton, March 5,
1724. His father, WiUiam Sherman, was son of Joseph, and
¦ grandson of Captain John Sherman, who came from Dedham,
England, to Watertown, in 1634 or 1635. His brothers were
William Sherpian, Esq. of New Milford, the Hon. Roger Sher
man of New Haven, Connecticut, and the Jlev. Josiah Sherman
34

266

HISTORY OF BEDFORD.

of Woburn. He was graduated at Nassau HaU in 1753. During
his ministry of about twelve years, 46 were admitted to the church.
In the unhappy controversy, which resulted in Mr. Sherman's
dismission, nothing occurred that affected his rehgious character.
After leaving Bedford he was installed at Mount Carmel, New
Haven, Connecticut, where he preached many years, and then
took a dismission, and removed to East Windsor, where he died
July 18, 1797, aged 73 years. He married Lydia, daughter of
Deacon Merriam of Bedford, March 1, 1759.
After Mr. Sherman's dismission several meetings were held to
agree on the terms of communion. April 4, 1768, it was votSd,
" that this church vsrill have but one covenant, and therefore
require the same qualifications in aU ; yet if any person can desire
to enter into covenant and receive baptism for himself or chHdren,
and yet fears to approach the Lord's table at present, he shaH
be received, he promising, (though he come not immediately to
the Lord's table) that he wHl submit himself to the watch and
discipline of this church." The other regulations of the church,
though revised, were not materially varied from those already
noticed. During the interval tiH the ordination of Mr. Sher
man's successor, 28 persons were baptized, and 7 joined the
church in full communion.
On the 7th of September, 1767, the church chose the Rev.
Josiah Thacher, a graduate of Nassau Hall in 1760, to be their
minister, and the town agreed to give him £120 settlement, and
£60 as his annual salary. But before the application could be
regularly made to him, he received and accepted a call at Gorham.
February 18, 1768, the church made a second attempt to settle
a minister, and chose unanimously (by 22 votes) the Rev. Joseph
\YHlard. The town concurred, and voted the same salary as to
Mr. Thacher, excepting that when he should be unable to supply
the pulpit, he was to receive but £30. Before the terms of his
settlement were finally agreed upon, he declined being considered
a candidate.^ In the next attempt the church did not proceed with much
harmony. A majority were in favor of Mr. John Emerson of
1 The Rev. Joseph Willard was a native of Grafton, was graduated at
Harvard College in 1765, ordained at Mendon, April 19, 1769, dismissed
December 14, 1783, and installed at Boxborough, November 2, 1785. He
died in September, 1828, aged 86.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 267
Maiden, but " for peace sake," Mr. Asa Dunbar, " a young can
didate newly begun to preach," was employed for a month. At
length, August 22, 1769, the church chose Mr. Emerson by 18
votes, and the town concurred, and voted hira £133 settle
ment, and £66 13s. 4d. salary. " But there was such an
opposition in the town against Mr. Emerson settling here (though
without any charge against his character either in doctrine or
morals), that he was constrained to give the church and town a
denial." -The next trial succeeded. Mr. Joseph Penniman was chosen,
January 15, 1771, by 29 out of 31 votes, and the choice con
curred in by the town. His salary was the same as was
voted to Mr. Emerson. He was ordained May 22, 1771. The
councH consisted of the second church in Braintree, the second
in Cambridge, the first in Woburn, and the churches in Billerica,
Lincoln, Lexington, and Concord. The Rev. Mr. Sherman of
Woburn raade the first prayer ; the Rev. Mr. Weld of Braintree
preached from 2 Tim. u. 2 ; the Rev. Mr. Cook of West Cara-
bridge gave the charge ; the Rev. Mr. Clark of Lexington made
the last prayer ; and the Rev. Mr. Lawrence gave the right hand
of feHowship. The town voted, " that the day should be re
ligiously observed agreeably to the solemnity of the occasion, that
they were determined, as much as in them lay, to prevent all
levity, profaneness, music, dancing, frolicking, and all other dis
orders." After about twenty years, during which 42 persons were ad
mitted to full comraunion, and 190 baptized, objections were
brought against Mr. Penniman, and referred to a council, consist
ing of the churches in Waltham, Chelsea, East Sudbury, BHlerica,
Weston, and Charlestown. It met October 29, 1793, and, after
three days' session, advised a separation. This was complied
with by the church and town ; and he was dismissed November 1,
1793. The Rev. Joseph Penniman was bom in Braintree, and gradu
ated at Harvard College in 1765. After his dismission he re
moved to Harvard, where he died. Though possessed of respect
able talents, he was very eccentric in his manners and public per
formances. His prayers were more like a famHiar conversation
with a fellow being than an address to Deity. Many of his ex-

268 HISTORY OF BEDFORD
pressions, more marked than the following, are still recollected
by his people. On a certain occasion, when a plentiful rain had
come after a drought, he said, " We prayed, O Lord, for rain, but
we do not wish thou shouldest leave the bottles of heaven un
stopped." Soon after the 19th of April, 1775, he is said to
have used the expression, — " We pray thee to send the British
soldiers where they will do some good ; for thou knowest, O Lord,
that we have no use for them about here 1 "
December 5, 1793, was kept as a fast by the church and town.
The Rev. Messrs. Litchfield, Cummings, Ripley, Marrett, and
Clark assisted in the public rehgious services on tha occasion.
The Rev. Samuel Stearns was chosen December 17, 1795, by
the church, and December 28th by the town ; having preached
his first sermon in Bedford the 13th of the previous September.
He was ordained April 27, 1796. The churches in Lexington,
BiHerica, second in Woburn, Concord, Lincoln, Carhsle, second
in Andover, Epping, Chelmsford, and the Rev. Drs. WiHard
and Tappan of Cambridge, composed the council. The Rev.
Mr. Stearns of Lincoln made the first prayer ; the Rev. Mr.
French of Andover preached from Isaiah xhx. 5 ; the Rev. Mr.
Marrett of Woburn made the ordaining prayer ; the Rev. Mr.
Clark of Lexington gave the charge ; the Rev. Mr. Cummings of
BHlerica gave the right hand of fellowship ; and the Rev. Dr.
Tappan made the closing prayer. The town agreed to give the
Rev. Mr. Stearns $850 setUement, and $333-33 salary to be
stated on the following articles : — com 666 miHs, and rye 833
mUls per bushel ; beef $4-166 per hundred weight, and pork 55
mHls per pound ; one quarter of the salary in each of the above
articles. In 1811 a new contract was made, and the salary fixed
at $560 and 20 cords of wood annually.
The confession of faith and the covenant were revised in 1798,
and printed in 1821. The church then contained 105 members,
of whom 40 were males and 65 females. In 1829 there were
140. The Rev. Samuel Stearns, son of the Rev. Josiah Stearns,
was born at Epping, New Hampshire, April 8, 1770, and gradu
ated at Harvard CoHege in 1794. His ministry has generaHy
been remarkably peaceful and happy. It is only within the last
two years that the town gave any decided indications towards a

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

269

division of the religious society, after the example of many of her
neighbours. In 1832 this division was made, and a new meeting
house erected for Mr. Stearns.

Succession or the Deacons.

Names.
Israel Putnam,
Nathaniel Merriam
Job Lane,
Benjamin Bacon,
Stephen Davis,
James Wright,

Time of Birth.

Election.
Aug. 4, 1730.
Aug. 4, 1730.
Feb. 11, 1739.
Feb. 19, 1759.
Dec. 29, 1760.
, Sept. 1, 1785.
May 16, 1796.
June 10, 1805.
.July 1.5, 18I7.
. Jan. 1826.
Nov. 21, 1826.

Death.
Nov. 12, 1760.
Dec. 11, 17.38.
Aug. 9, 1762.
Oct. 1, 1791.
July 23, 1787.
Dec. 24, 1818.
removed from (
Oct. 12, 1825.

Age. 62
66 7478
7273

, Dec. 10, 1672.
June 20, 1689.
Dec. 6. 1713.
Nov. 6, 1715.
born in Woburn,

Moses Fitch,
•Michael Crosby,
Zebedee Simonds,
Amos HartweU,

March 3, 1775.
born in Billerica
born in Woburn,

71

Sept. 20, 1826.

40

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.
Bedford is not very well situated for an agricultural town.
About half of it is meadow land, unimproved and partly incapable
of improvement. It contains, however, several very good farms,
and nearly all the varieties of soil. Among the peculiarities of
its geology is found a substance which has been used for painting,
resembling yellow ochre, and commonly known as Bedford Yel
low. It has not, however, been much used of late years. Lead
has been found here.
The Shawsheen is the only considerable stream of water. It
rises in Lincoln, and runs through Bedford in a northerly direction,
receiving Elm Brook, which arises in Concord, Farley Brook,
which arises in Lexington, and another which arises in Burling
ton. On the Shawsheen is a mill which was built before Philip's
war in 1676, and was then owned by Michael Bacon, who
was allowed to have two garrison soldiers stationed there for his
safety. Bedford is bounded westerly by Concord River, which sepa
rates it from Concord and Carlisle ; southerly by Lincoln and
Lexington ; easterly by Lexington and Burlington ; and northeriy
by BHlerica. The lines are very irregular, and contain many
angles.

270 HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
In 1765 it contained 67 houses, 72 families, and 457 inhabi
tants, of whom 201 were males, 240 females, and 16 negroes.
In 1800 it contained 538 inhabitants ; in 1810, 592 ; in 1820,
648 ; and in 1830, 635.
The town contained in 1831, according to the return of the
assessors, 8,593 acres of land. There were then 194 polls, 20 of
whom were not taxed, 101 dwelling-houses, 3 shops adjoining,
16 other shops, 101 barns, 51 out-buildings, 295 acres of tillage
land, 374 English mowing, 1405 fresh meadow, 2228 pasture,
784 wood land, 2,375 unimproved. There were raised 5,025
bushels of corn, 308 of rye, 50 of oats, 20 of bariey, 364 tons of
English hay, 689 of meadow ; 486 cows.
Appropriations made by the Town at different Periods.
1740 1750 1760 1770 1780 1790 1800 1810 1820 1830
Schools £10 £20 — £20 — £40 $300 $400 $400 $300
Incidental 65 12 31 100 1000 — 300 300 500 900
Highways 60 15 30 20 1000 50 467 800 500 652
Price of Labor 6s. 2s. id. 2s. 2s. £4 10s. 3s. 1 1 1 1
The Page Fund, for the support of the gospel ministry and
sacred music, was constituted as follows : Anna Page, widow of
Thomas Page, gave $663-93, WiHiam Page, $500, and Samuel
HartweU, $300. It is to be increased by adding one sixth of
the income to the principal annually, and now amounts to upwards
of $1,700.Schools. — The first school was opened in 1733, and £5,
equal to about 3 dollars, granted for its support. A committee
was chosen the next year to hire a master to " settle a moving
school." For several years one school only was kept, sometimes
in the centre and sometimes in different parts of the town. A
school-house was first buHt in 1743. In 1744 a part of the
money was divided into four quarters, to be expended for the use
of schools by " school dames." In 1758 a writing-school was
kept four months in the centre of the town, and " a woman's
teaching school six months in the quarters of the town ; " in
1781 . three months' writing-school in the middle of the town,
and six weeks' women's school in each of the quarters. In 1790
the town voted to hire a master four months, and should " he have
a very fuH school, he shall principaUy attend to those who write
and cypher." In 1792 the town was divided into five districts.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 271
Centre, East, West, North, and South, and in 1799 a school-house
was erected in each district. In 1818 the town voted, that the
money raised for the support of schools should be divided as fol
lows. In proportion to $7,307, the Centre district shaH draw
$1,640, the East $1,550, the North $1,420, the South $1,400,
and the West $1,297. This method has since been continued.
A building for a town-house and Centre school-house was
erected in 1828 at an expense of $2,216-43. A fire-engine,
which cost $482-32, was procured about that time.
Fmployment. — Agriculture is the employment of a large por
tion of the people. The manufacture of shoes 'for the Boston
market was begun here in 1805 by John Hosmer and Jonathan
Bacon, and has been increasing since under their management and
that of others. The principal establishments in 1832 were owned
by Reuben Bacon, Esq. and Mr. Chamberlain, in which were
employed 60 men and 80 women. About 90,000 pairs of shoes,
estimated to be worth $50,000, are made annually. This busi
ness has been the source of considerable wealth to the town.
No shoes are in better credit than those made in Bedford.
About 4,000 sets of " Bacon's Patent Lever Blind Fasteners "
were made in Bedford in 1832, and it is the most approved article
of the kind with which I am acquainted.
Individuals who have received a Public Education.
1. David Lane, son of James Lane, was graduated in 1753,
and went into the French war, in which he died.
2. Job Lane, son of Job Lane, Jr., was graduated at Yale
College in 1764. The foHowing epitaph appears on the stone
over his remains in New Haven. " Siste Viator.
Hie juxta situs est
D. Job Lane, A. M. Col. Yal. Tutor,
Vir ingenio, modestia, Uteris, atque pietate
prfficlarus.
Ilium Bedfordi natum Massachus™. An. 1741
Lilerarum a puero avidissimum fuisse ;
Studiis academicis prse caeteris eminuisse ;
Evangelium studiose triennium praedicasse,
Tutorisque officio biennium fideliter funotum ;
Parentibus vixisse charissimum,
Amicis, omnibusque pietatis fautoribus dilectum.

272 HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
Discipulisque vere honoratum ;
Et omnibus maxime defletum ;
e vita migrasse Sept^ 16. An". 1768 ;
Hie tumulus brevi interiturus
tibi declarat."
3. Oliver Wellington Lane, son of Captain James Lane,
was graduated in 1772, and was a distinguished schoolmaster in
Boston where he died.
4. James Conveks, son of Josiah Convers, was graduated in
1799, and is now a minister at Weathersfield, Vermont.
5. Samuel Horatio Stearns, son of the Rev. Samuel Stearns,
was born September 12, 1801, and graduated in 1823, and at
the Theological Seminary at Andover in 1828.
6. William Augustus Stearns, brother of the preceding, was
born March 17, 1805, graduated in 1827, and at the Theo
logical Seminary in Andover in 1831, and was ordained at Cam
bridge Port December 13, 1831.
7. Jonathan French Stearns, brother of the two preceding,
was born September 4, 1808, and graduated in 1830. He is
now a student in Theology.
8. Edward Josiah Stearns, son of Elijah Steams, Esq., was
born February 24, 1810, and graduated in 1833.
Physicians.
Dr. John Fassett, who came from Harvard, was the first
physician. He died January 30, 1737, aged 66.
Dr. Joseph Ballard came from Lancaster to Bedford in
1767, and died there January 29, 1777. He was a delegate to
the Provincial Congress in Concord in 1774, and was a distin
guished man.
,Dr. Amariah Preston from Uxbridge came to Bedford about
1790, and is now hving there.
Among other physicians who have practised for short periods in
Bedford, the names of Dr. Stephen Massy, Dr. Kendall, Dr.
Gardner, and Dr. Kittredge, may be mentioned.
Justices of the Peace.
John Reed, Elijah Stearns, Amariah Preston, Thompson Bacon,
WiUiam Webber, John Merriam, and Reuben Bacon.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 273
Representatives.
When the year is not specified, the town was not represented.
John Reed, 1776, 1783; John Moore, 1780; John Webber,
1787 ; David Reed, 1805, 1806, 1808; WiHiara Webber, 1809-
1811, 1821, 1823, 1824, 1827-1829; Thorapson Bacon, 1812;
John Merriam, 1813, 1814, 1816, 1818, 1830, 1831 ; Amos
HeartweU, 1832.
Dr. Joseph Ballard and John Reed, Esq., were delegates to
the Provincial Congress at Concord in October, 1774.
John Reed was delegate to Cambridge in February, 1775,
and to the Convention to form the Constitution in 1779.
Town Clerks.
Samuel Fitch, 1729-1731, 1733- 1737 ; John Fassett, 1732;
Israel Putnam, 1738-1745; John Whitmore, 1746-1748;
Stephen Davis, 1748-1760, 1766-1772, 1775; John Reed,
1761-1765, 1773-1775; John Webber, 1776-1779, 1783-
1793; William Merriara, 1780-1782, 1794-1804; William
Webber, 1805-1829; Reuben Bacon, 1830.

35

CHAPTER XVIII.
HISTORY OF ACTON.
General History. — Ecclesiastical History. — Description. — Miscellaneous No
tices.
The town of Acton lies wholly within the ancient limits of
Concord. It does not, however, include any part of the six miles
square first purchased of the Indians, but in subsequent grants and
purchases, adjoining and lying westerly of the " old town."
These lands were granted to the town of Concord " for feeding " ;
excepting the Iron-Work Farm, Major Simon WHlard's farm in
the north part of the tract, and two grants near Nagog Pond, one
to the Indians, and the other to Joseph Wheeler and others.
An account of these grants has already been given in the His
tory of Concord. Their bounds, as renewed in 1706, began
where the present southeast corner of Acton meets with Con
cord and Sudbury, and ran, nearly on the present line separating
Acton and Stow, Boxborough and Littleton, till it comes to the
" westerly end of Nagog Pond," and from thence "up to the
line of Chelmsford towards Tagnack," (near the HeartweU
tavern now in Westford) ; from thence the line ran easteriy to
the north part of " Virginia Meadow," or " Blood's Dam," so
called in Cariisle ; and thence by Billerica to " Berry Corner,"
and by Concord old bounds to the place first mentioned. Though
the bounds or extent of the several grants which make up this
extensive tract of land, are not very particulariy defined, the de
scription is sufficiently accurate to enable us to form a tolerably
correct idea of each. When actually surveyed, diey were found
to contain a greater number of acres than nominally specified in
the grants. The section lying in the southeast part of the " Vil
lage," as it was then called, nominally containing 1,000 acres,
but actually containing more than that number, was granted to
Major Willard for the benefit of the Iron Works, and known as
the Iron-Work Farm. This was conveyed to James Russell, Esq.
of Chariestown, when Mr. Joseph Sherman was eraployed as an

GENERAL HISTORY. 275
assistant in the business, ahd by him 600 acres of it were sold in
1701 to Samuel and Ephraim Jones, and Jonathan Knight, to
gether with aU his right in the VHlage, for £150. This tract and
another northeriy, conveyed by deeds from the Indians in 1684
already given,^ the grants to Joseph Wheeler in 1660, to Major
Willard in 1655 in the north part, and the half of Nashoba pur
chased by the Hon. Peter Bulkeley and the Hon. Thomas
Henchman in 1686, covered much more land than is now in
cluded in Acton. Littleton took a part near Nagog Pond, and
Westford and Carlisle a large tract in the north and northeasterly
sections. Considerable difficulty arose between the proprietors of
the ViHage and the proprietors of individual grants, included in
the above described lands, concerning their boundary lines. The
heirs of Robert Blood inherited the WHlard farm. Their title was
however doubted, and, after perplexing controversies and lawsuits,
it was finally adjusted about 1710.
A settlement was coramenced in these grants as early as 1656,
and perhaps a few years eariier. The Shepherd and Law farai-
lies were 'kmong the first. Captain Thomas Wheeler coramenced
an extensive improvement here in 1668, as noticed in the His
tory of Concord.^ Several others also had particular lots granted
or sold to them by special vote of the town.
Many of the meadows were open prairies, and afforded, with
little or no labor, grass in abundance. Some of the uplands had
been cleared by the Indians, and were favorite places for feed
ing. The meadows were leased, and the rents either paid into
the town treasury, or reserved for the proprietors. In 1706 the
meadows were leased to Jonathan Knight and Ephraim Jones for
£5 6s., and about the sarae sum was annually received for them
for some years afterwards.
These lands were granted to the proprietors of the town of
Concord at the time the grants were made. And, though the se
lectmen, under direction of the town, managed thera as they did
other common property, they were considered distinct from the
whole town from about 1690. New eraigrants into Concord
were not considered as proprietors. In 1697 a committee was
chosen to obtain a list of the proprietors, who, after several con-
1 See pages 41, 42. 2 See page 43.

276 HISTORY OF ACTON.
sultations concerning the best method of admitting them, pro
posed, June 29, 1702, " that every freeholder that was possessed
of house and land in the year 1684, and makes it so appear,
shall be added to the former proprietors." The proprietors, as
adraitted by the coraraittee according to the above regulation,
were generaHy accustomed to hold their meetings immediately
after the town meetings, and on the same day, from 1698 to
1710 ; and their proceedings were recorded by the town clerk
with the proceedings of Concord. A VHlage clerk was first
chosen in 1710.
The disposal of these lands, and the manner in which they
should be divided, occupied the attention of the proprietors for
many years. Meetings were held on the 16th of June, 1719,
legally summoned by James Minott, Esq., on the 9th, 22d, and
29th of March, and on the 8th of July, 1720, at virhich several
votes were passed, one of which was to admit persons who were
freeholders in town in 1684 to rights in proportion to 1 to 3 of
the freeholders in 1661 ; and committees were chosen to obtain
lists of the proprietors agreeably to this vote ; and to divide the
meadows into 120 thirty-acre lots. As these committees pro
ceeded in their business, so many obstacles presented themselves,
that the plan was finally relinquished. Another vote was passed
to divide it in proportion as 1 to 2 for the times abovementioned,
but this was also unsuccessful.
At length a petition was preferred to the town of Concord,
which resulted in the foUowing proceedings.
" We the subscribers being chosen a committee by the town- of
Concord at a general meeting on May the 25th, 1722, continued
by adjournment from the 15th of said month, to consider and
make report what we think is proper for the said town to do
about their ViHage or New Grant, report as follows.
"1. We find the grant from the General Court, as also the
Indian deeds of conveyance from the Indians were made to the
inhabitants and proprietors of the town of Concord.
" 2. We find no act of the said town of Concord, in any town
meeting legally warned for that purpose, that has fully settled
the proprietors or altered the constitution thereof, but considerable
to the contrary.
" We are therefore humbly of opinion as foUoweth.

GENERAL HISTORY. 277
" 1 . That the town pass an order to forbid aU persons cutting
wood, timber, he., on the Village without order, and that the
town do forthwith proceed and choose a coraraittee, and fully em
power them to prosecute at the law all persons that do any ways
trespass on their said New Grants by cutting wood or timber
contrary to order.
" 2. That the town choose a committee to enquire into the
matter of a farm-grant made out of the premises to Mr. Joseph
Wheeler, whether the present proprietors thereof have not in-
croached and come beyond their hounds, and to make report.
" 3i That the town, as soon as may be, settle the proprietors
of the premises, and in order thereunto do choose a committee to
consider of and report under their bands unto the town, what they
think is the most just, honest, and safe rule, for stating the pro
prietors and dividing thereof, and present it to the town for their
further consideration."
This document is dated November 12, 1722, and signed by
Richard Parks, John Wheeler, Nathaniel Stow, Samuel Wright,
Samuel Chandler, John Fassett, and David Whitaker.
The committee proposed in this report were chosen, and re
ported the next February, " that each freehold of house and
^ands, that was such in the year 1666 or in the year 1684, to
have a five-acre right in said Village or Town's New Grant ; and
¦^ach freehold of house and lands, that was ratable in the year
1694, to have a four-acre right in the premises ; and each free
hold of house and land, that v/as ratable in the year 1704, to have
a three-acre right ; and each freehold of house and land, ratable
in the year 1714, to have a two-acre right ; and each freehold of
house and land, ratable in 1722, to have a one-acre right, but
none to draw in more than one order for one freehold abovemen
tioned. And we think it very proper, that a coramittee be
chosen to take a list of the proprietors in each order as above-
said, that each proprietor may know his right, that when the
VHlage is divided, it may be divided as abovesaid.
" Noah Brooks, Samuel Wright, Joseph Fletcher, Richard
Parks, John Fassett, George Farrar, Samuel Chandler, John Fox,
and Samuel Heywood."
This report was accepted by a ballot of 60 to 2 ; but after it
was declared, 14 others came in and requested to have their

278 HISTORY OF ACTON.
dissent recorded. A committee, to make a list of proprietors
agreeably to this vote, were chosen, who reported at length at a
subsequeijt meeting ; and other preliminary arrangements were
made for dividing the Village. But 25 freeholders dissented ;
and there appeared so much want of harmony oa the subject, that
the plan was finally relinquished. Meantime sorae of the com
mon land had been taken up and improved, and some of the
occupants were prosecuted and tried before the court.
At length, after several more meetings, the proprietors voted,
June 16, 1725, " That all such as are possessed of a freehold,
consisting of a dwelling-house and improved land in Concord,
which was such a freehold in the year of our Lord 1661, shall
have or draw 3 acres ; and all such as are possessed of a free
hold, which consisted of a dweHing-house and improved lands in
said Concord in the year 1684, shall have or draw 2 acres ; and
all such as are possessed of a freehold, which consisted of a
dweHing-house and improved lands in said Concord in 1715,
shall have or draw 1 acre ; or agreeable to that proportion, ex
cept when the right of said ViHage or New Grant is sold or re
served frora said freehold." And " Ensign WHliam Wheeler,
Mr. Samuel Jones, and Mr. Ebenezer Wheeler were chosen a
committee to draw a list of all the proprietors of said Village or
New Grant according to the votes of the proprietors."
This, though afterwards remodelled, formed the basis of the
principle by which the division was raade, and settled this diffi
cult subject. It was rendered more explicit by a vote passed
June 30, 1727, which was, " That the committee chosen for the
laying out of said lands in said ViHage, be hereby directed to lay
out so much of the best of the land as to lay to every acre right
10 acres, so that, every '61 right (so called) being 3 acres, be laid
into 30-acre lots ; and every '84 right (so called) into 20-acre
lots ; and every late allowed right (so called) into 10-acre lots.
And all the meadows be divided to each lot according to the
several rights as aforesaid proportionably ; and all said lots and the
meadows to be laid so as to be made equally good as possible
may be, either enlarging or abating of the number of acres in each
lot, as said committee may think best to proportion the same."
And another vote passed May 17, 1728. — "Whereas it has
been voted and agreed, that all the rights in the Village should be

GENERAL HISTORY. 279
laid out into 10-acre lots, 20-acre lots, and 30-acre lots, so that
every freehold, that consisted of a dwelling-house and improved
land in '61, should draw 30 acres, and every freehold, that was so
in '84, have 20 acres, and that every freehold, that was so in '15,
have 10 acres ; but since thought better to lay it out into bigger
lots, viz. 100-acre lots; so that every 10 single rights may draw
one of the 100-acre lots. And where it so happens that those that
have but 10-acre lots, or those that have not 10 of those single
rights to draw, and they can't agree to join 10 of them together
to draw one of those 100-acre lots, it shall be in the power of
the committee to join them and draw for them, or appoint some
body to draw ; and if they can't agree to subdivide, the committee
shall subdivide it at the charge of the propriety."
The committee for ascertaining tlie proprietors, and for dividing
the ViHage according to the foregoing principles, were a long
time in accomplishing the business. A list was finally reported,
which was referred to the coramittee constituted by the following
proceedings, had June 26, 1730.
" Voted, that Messrs. Samuel Chandler, Benjamin Whittemore,
and William Wheeler be a committee to correct the hst of proprie
tors (more especiaUy the first order), and present the same to the
proprietors for their approbation ; as also to take an account of
the proprietors that do agree to join in. the same hundred-acre
lot, and to join or couple such as cannot agree to do it themselves,
and see that no two be joined upon the same right, .and also to
subdivide the hundred-acre lots where the proprietors cannot
agree to divide themselves."
The common land was laid out into lots nominally, but not
uniformly, of 100 acres, and numbered in the lists and on the
plan. Several of the proprietors had their rights coupled or
joined together, and their lots were then drawn according to this
coupling-list, and subdivided according to each one's particular
right. When lots happened to be poor, or of unequal value,
some parts of other lots were taken and added to thera. These
were called qualification lots. This method of division, though
it might have been equitable, destroyed the uniform size and shape
of the lots, and rendered the farms disconnected and irregular.
Three divisions took place. At the first, September 9, 1730,
were drawn 53 coupling lots, or 310 rights. At the second,

280 HISTORY OF ACTON.
July 7, 1732, 60 coupling lots ; and 37 at the third and last,
December 4, 1745. The proceedings during these intermediate
dates relate principally to the grants and division of the lands.
At the last period, 1745, a vote was passed to sell aH the
common land then remaining. The proprietors' clerks were as
follows: Thomas Brown, 1710 to 1715; Jonathan Prescott,
1715 to 1728; John Flint, 1728 to 1745; Stephen Hosmer,
1745 to  ; and John Robbins from 1786.
A plan of Concord VHlage was taken in 1730 by Captain Ste
phen Hosmer ; and it then contained, exclusive of Major Wil
lard's farm, 12,986 acres. A petition was presented to the town
of Concord in 1731, for leave to be set off into a separate pre
cinct, but it did not prevaU. Three others, subsequently presented,
met with the same fate. It seems that the petitioners were de
sirous of being incorporated as a precinct rather than a town.
And though they were unsuccessful at first, the town voted,
March 4, 1734, " to set off the Village or town's New Grant a
separate town, together with Major WiUard's Farm, and that the
inhabitants and proprietors petition the General Court for a sanc
tion." Samuel Hunt and others presented a petition accordingly ;
and the following act of incorporation was obtained just one hun
dred years from the first incorporation of Concord.
" Whereas the inhabitants and proprietors of the northwesterly
part of Concord, in the county of Middlesex, called the Village,
or New Grant, have represented to this Court, that they labor
under great difficulties by reason of their remoteness from the
place of public worship, and therefore desire that they and their
estates, together with the farms, called WHlard's Farms, may be
set off a distinct and separate township, for which they have also
obtained the consent of the town of Concord.
" Be it therefore enacted by his Excellency the Governor,
CouncH, and Representatives, in General Court assembled, and
by the authority of the same, that the said northwesterly part of
Concord, together with the said farms, be and hereby are set off,
constituted, and erected into a distinct and separate township by
the name of Acton, and agreeably to the following boundaries,
namely ; beginning at the southwest corner of Concord old
bounds, then southwesterly on Sudbury and Stow lines tiU it
comes to the southwest corner of Concord ViUage, then north-

GENERAL HISTORY. 281
westerly by Stow line tUl it comes to Littleton line, then bounded
northerly by Littleton, Westford, and Chelmsford, then easterly
by Billerica tiU it comes to the northwest corner of Concord old
bounds, and by said bounds to the place first mentioned. And
that the inhabitants of the lands before described and bounded,
be and hereby are vested with all the town privileges and immu
nities that the inhabitants of the other towns within this province
are, or by law ought to be, vested with.
" Provided that the inhabitants of the said town of Acton do,
within three years frora the publication of this act erect and finish
a suitable house for the public worship of God, and procure and
settle a learned, orthodox minister of good conversation, and make
provision for his comfortable and honorable support." This act
was passed July 3, 1735.
The history of the town frora this time to the commenceraent
of the revolution, contains no features worthy of particular no
tice. It had a slow but gradual increase in population and im
provement. The proceedings for instituting schools, the preaching
of the gospel, &c., were carried forward in harmony. During
the wars which prevaHed from 1740 to 1762, Acton contributed
its share of men. But few particulars are preserved, either by
tradition or records, concerning their services.
As early as the 21 st of December, 1767, the town voted to
" comply with the proposals, by the town of Boston, relating to
the encouraging of manufactures among ourselves, and not pur
chasing of superfluities from abroad." On the 5th of March,
1770, the town entered into a covenant not to purchase nor use
foreign merchandise, nor tea.
The state of public affairs was again brought before the town
on the 21st of December, 1772, and referred to a committee,
consisting of Captain Daniel Fletcher, Francis Faulkner, Deacon
Jonathan Hosmer, Deacon John Brooks,- Josiah Hayward,
Ephraim Hapgood, Captain Samuel Hayward, Simon Tuttle, and
Daniel Brooks, Their report was made on the 18th of the fol
lowing month, and expresses the general sentiments of the people
in this vicinity.
At this time the town had no representative in the General
Court, and a vote was passed recommending to the representa-
36

2g2 HISTORY OF ACTON.
lives of the people, that they use every constitutional measure in
their power to obtain a redress of aH their grievances.
A minute company was raised and commanded by Captain
Isaac Davis ; and the town voted, on the 18th of January, 1775,
to pay 30 men 8d. per day to drill twice a week, 3 hours each
day, untH the first day of May. The important services rendered
by this company in the Batde of Concord, on the 19th of AprU,
and the unfortunate death of Captain Davis and Mr. Hayward,
have already been noticed in the History of Concord. This and
the standing company were distinguished for their prompt and
energedc action on that and other occasions.
In June, 1776, Deacon Mark White was chosen representadve
to the General Court, and received the following instructions from
the town.
"To Mr. Mark White.i — Sir, Our not being favored with
the resolution of the Hon. House of Representatives, calling
upon the several towns in this colony to express their minds with
respect to the important question of American Independence, is
the occasion of our not expressing our minds sooner ; but we now
cheerfully embrace this opportunity to instruct you on this im-
por^tant question. The subverting our constitution, the many
injuries and unheard-of barbarities which these colonies have
received from Great Britain, confirm us in the opinion, that the
present age will be deficient in their duty to God, their posterity,
and themselves, should they not form an American Republic.
This is the only form of government we wish to see established.
But we mean not to dictate. We freely submit this interesting
affair to the wisdom of the honorable Continental Congress, who,
we trust, are guided and directed in this important affair by the
Supreme Governor of the world. And we instruct you. Sir, to
give them the strongest assurance, that if they should declare
America to be a free and independent republic, your consdtuents
will support and defend the measure with their lives and for
tunes." The following average of services, rendered' by Acton for the
year ending on the 25th of May, 1778, was made by a committee
of the town.

1 Mark White died on the 24th of January, 1792, aged 82. He was
deacon in the Baptist church.

at

£6

=

£24

((

24

»

96

»

9

ti

36

<(

12

it

48

(C

7i

ti

43

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 283
4 men, Rhode Island, 2j months. May and June,
4 " Northern Army, 4 do. Aug. to Dec.
4 « do. IJ do. Oct. and Nov.
4 " Cambridge, 5 do. Nov. to April,
6 « do. 3 do. April to July,
A full estimate of the services cannot be raade. This town
had the honor of furnishing several officers during the revolution
ary war. Lieutenant Colonel Francis Faulkner and Captain Simon
Hunt were in the battle at White Plains, and at other times were
also engaged in actual service.
The constitution was adopted by more than two thirds of the
votes of the town.
The history of the town since the revolution is of little general
interest. Like most towns in the vicinity, it has a gradual, but
very slow growth.

Ecclesiastical History. A Meeting-house, 46 feet long,
36 broad, and 21 high, was buUt in 1736, which served as a
place of public worship till the present one was erected in 1808.
Considerable difficulty having arisen on the question, where it
should be situated, as often occurs in simHar cases. Col. Holman
of Bolton was employed to survey the town and find its'centre.
The report of this survey was not satisfactory; and after sev
eral other trials to fix upon a spot, it was agreed to refer the
subject to Gen. Joseph Varnum of Dracut, Gen. John Whidng
of Lancaster, and Mr. Walter McFarlane of Hopkinton. These
gentlemen made a report which was amicably accepted, Oct. 6,
1806. Public worship was first held in the meeting-house in January,
1738, and that year the town raised the first money — 50 pounds,
for its support. In March a day of public fasting and prayer to
Almighty God was kept, preparatory to establishing the preaching
of the gospel ; and the Rev. Messrs. Israel Loring, William Cook,
John Gardiier, Oliver Peabody, and Daniel Rogers, assisted in
the exercises on the occasion.^
1 The church records during Mr. Swift's ministry are so imperfect, that
it will be impossible to give an account of its proceedings. They do not

284 HISTORY OF ACTON.
In May, 1738, the town gave the Rev. John Swift a unanimous
invitation to become its minister ; and he was ordained the Sth
of November foHowing. He first received £250 as a setdement,
and £150 as an annual salary, to be made of equal value, should
the currency depreciate. The sum was altered several times, and
permanently fixed at £70 lawful money. In 1741, the powerful
revival of rehgion which prevailed in Concord and other places
was experienced here. It is recorded that 28 persons made a
public profession of religion, and 15 were baptized on the 28th
of November, of that year.
The Rev. John Swift was born in Framingham, and graduated
at Harvard College in 1733. During the prevalence of the
small-pox in Acton, in 1775, he was severely attacked, and
never able to preach afterwards. He died 7th Nov. 1775, in
the 62d year of his age, and the 37th of his ministry. He was
a gentleman of talents, learning, and piety, though occasionally
facetious, witty, and eccentric. His only printed publication which
I have seen is a sermon preached at the ordination of the Rev.
Joseph Lee at Royalston. Mr. Swift married Abigail Adams
of Medway, and had one child, who graduated at Harvard
College. The 14th May, 1776, the town voted to invite four candidates
to preach four sabbaths each on probadon. And a committee
consisdng of Messrs. Samuel Hayward, Francis. Faulkner,
Nathaniel Edwards, Josiah Hayward, and John Heald were
chosen " to take advice of the President of the College and
the neighbouring ministers, who said candidates shall be." Mr.
Moses Adams was subsequently engaged eight sabbaths on trial.
The 20th of December was observed as a day of solemn fasting
'and prayer to Almighty God for direction and assistance in re
settling the gospel. Mr. Adams was invited to be their pastor
Sth of January, 1777; and was ordained 25th of June, 1778.
The first and fourth church in Dedham, second in Sudbury,
second in Reading, and the churches in Concord, Stow, and
Fitchburgh, composed the counsel. He received £200 as a
setdement, and £180 salary, according to the value of sUver
at 6s. 8d. per ounce, and his fire-wood.

even mention the date of its organization, nor all the admissions of mem
bers.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 285.

In 1785, the singers were directed for the first time to sit
together in the gaUery. In 1793, the practice of performing
sacred music by reading the line of the hymn as sung, was dis
continued. A church bible was presented in 1806, by Dea.
John White of Concord.
The Rev. Moses Adams was a native of Framingham, and a
graduate of Harvard College in 1771. He died 13th of October,
1819, aged 70. During his long and peaceful ministry, 147
were admitted to the church in full communion, 137 owned
the covenant to receive baptism, 833 were baptized, and 246
marriages were solemnized. In his intercourse with his people
he was conciliatory but independent. He had talents without
ostentation, and piety without hypocrisy ; all his public perform
ances and private acts were distinguished for their superior good
sense. He was emphatically a good, a worthy, and a useful
man. Few have died and left a character more deservedly wor
thy of imitation than his.
On the 25th of February, 1820, the Rev. MarshaU Shed, a
native of Newton and graduate of Dartmouth College, 1817,
was unanimously elected to be their pastor. The town agreed
to give him $500 as a settlement, to which $200 were added
by subscription, and $600 and 15 cords of wood, as his annual
salary, so long as he shall supply the pulpit. He was ordained
on the 10th of the following May. The introductory prayer on
the occasion was by the Rev. John Pierce of Brookline ; sermon
by Rev. WHliam Greenough of Newton ; consecradng prayer
by Rev. Jonathan Newell of Stow ; charge by Rev. Jonathan
Homer of Newton ; fellowship of the churches by Rev. Rufus
Hurlburt of Sudbury ; address to the church and people by Rev.
Thomas Noyes ; and concluding prayer by Rev. Ezra Ripley.
He was dismissed at his request, May 14, 1831, and has since
reraoved to New-York. SUCCESSION OP THE DEACONS.
NAMES. CHOSEN. DIED. AGE.
Joseph Fletcher Dec. 15, 1738. Sept. 11, 1746. 61
John Heald Dec. 15, 1738. May 16, 1775. 82
Jonathan Hosmer  1775. 64
John Brooks  March 6, 1777. 76
Samuel Hayward Sept. 29, 1775. March 6, 1795. 78

286 HISTORY OF ACTON.

Francis Faulkner

Sept. 29, 1775.

Aug. 5, 1805. 78

Joseph Brabrook

Sept. 29, 1775.

April 28, 1812. 73

Simon Hunt

April 19, 1792.

April 27, 1820. 86

Josiah Noyes

March 27, 1806.

< Dismissed and removed to West-
l moreland, N. H.,Oct. 16, 1808.

Benjamin Hayward

March 27, 1806,

Excused, June 15, 1821.

John Wheeler

Aprill8, iSll.

Dec. 17, 1824. 64

John White

April 18, 1811.

April 3, 1824. 54

Phineas Wheeler

June 15, 1821.

Daniel F. Barker

June 15, 1821.

Silas Hosmer

June 15, 1821.

There are now three religious societies in the town. 1. The
Orthodox, which seceded from the town and forraed a separate
parish during the latter part of the Rev. Mr. Shed's ministry. The
Rev. James T. Woodbury, brother of the Hon. Levi Woodbury,
and formerly a member of the bar in Grafton County, New-
Hampshire, was ordained over the parish, August 29, 1832, when
the Rev. Mr. Cleaveland, of Salem, preached. 2. The Unitarian,
which worships in the meeting-house erected by the town ; and
3. The LTniversalist, which was organized 19th of January,
18L6, and incorporated 27th of January, 1825. At the for
mer period it contained 11 members, at the latter 49, and in
1827, 61, twenty of whom resided in other towns. The two last
have no settled minister.

Description. — Miscellaneous Notices. The surface
of the town is rough and uneven, though there are no consid
erable hills; and with some exceptions the soU is rocky, hard
to culdvate, and not well calculated for a flourishing agricultural
town. It contains, however, many good, well-cultivated farms,
on which are grown grain, grass, and other usual productions
of the region.
A gendeman, who is famUiar with the natural history of Acton,
informs me, " that the geology of this town is decidedly primitive ;
stones are raosdy granite of every degree of fineness and variety
of appearance. Rocks are gneiss, passing into mica and horn
blende slate. The strata are perpendicular which abundantly
explains the stubbornness of the soU. Lime rock is found in

DESCRIPTION. 287
the south part of the town, and has been wrought, but not re
cently. Iron is found in various combinadons in different places ;
none, however, of much value. Tradition tells us, that lead used
to be found in abundance in the southwest part of the town.
Tremolite, actynohte, radiated quartz, pudding-stone, and some
other minerals are found here.
" The botany of this place is not peculiarly interesting. The
forests are composed chiefly of oak, of all the common varieties,
together with some pine, maple, birch, hickory, elm, locust, and
chesnut. Araong the forest trees, or shrubs, perhaps, ought to be
noticed several variedes of the box or cornel, especially the
cornus florida and sericea, the barks of which have been used
with success as subsdtutes, for the Peruvian."
Nagog Pond lying partly in Littleton is a beautiful coUecdon
of water. It is about a raUe long, and is the source of Nashoba
Brook. Grass Pond, lying south of Nagog, contains 133 acres.
Nashoba and Fort Pond Brooks have been noticed in the history
of Concord. On a branch of the forraer, which heads in West
ford and unites with the main stream near Mr. Stearns's, are
Wheeler's and Foster's MiHs, and Robins's after their junction.
On the latter are Jones's and Faulkner's MiHs. Assabet river
runs across the southwest corner of the town, where Sherman's
Mills are situate.
The Population in 1764 was 611, in 1790, including Carlisle,
853 ; in 1800, 901 ; in 1810, 885 ; in 1820, 1047 ; and in 1830,
1128. In 1821, there were 140 dwelling-houses; 230 other buHd
ings; 513 acres of tiUage land, on which was raised 705 bushels
of rye, 932 of oats, 5833 of corn, 75 of barley, and 140 of beans ;
1527 acres of mowing land, producing 956 tons of hay ; 2026
acres of pasturing, keeping 939 cows, 196 oxen, 69 horses, and
181 swine ; 2055 acres of wood ; 3633 acres unimproved ; and
1311 unimproveable ; 240 used as roads and 500 covered with
water. It then had 3 grist-mills, 2 carding-machines, 2 fuUing-
mUls, and 4 saw-miUs. In 1325, there were 236 polls. Valuadon,
$8629-28. The principal employment of the inhabitants is agriculture.
Barrels may be considered the staple production of the town.

288 HISTORY OF ACTON.
From 15,000 to 20,000 of this article, it is estimated, are annually
manufactured here, and this business is the source of considerable
income. During 20 years subsequent to 1800, there were pubhshed
208 intentions of marriages, and there occurred 161 marriages,
344 births (as recorded) ; 302 deaths, of whom 72 died under
one year old, 32 were 80 and upwards, 8 were 90 and upwards,
and 1 hved 99^. The average number annuaUy was 15, about one
in 70 of the v/hole populadon. The mean average age was 35.
A Post Office was established here some time since and Mr.
Perham appointed Post-Master; but it was not long continued.
It was reestablished in 1828, and SUas Jones, Esq. is the Post-
Master. The following table exhibits the appropriations made for several
objects at different periods in the town.
Object.
Minister Schools
Roads
Incidental The first town School was kept in 1741, when it was voted
to have " a reading, writing, and moving school for six months."
In 1743 a similar one was established and £18 old tenor, equal
to about £3 lawful money, was raised for its support. Whether
this afforded the only means of education does not appear. It
is probable some schools might have been supported by private
subscription. Several youth, as was then customary, resorted
to the clergyman, for their education. People, however, enjoyed
few other opportunides than were afforded in their own families.
In 1760 the town was divided into six school districts, and in
1771 into seven. In 1797 the town was divided into four dis
tricts, East, West, South, and Middle, and several new houses
were buUt. This division has since been continued. The money
is divided among the districts in propordon to the taxes. From
the return made to the state in 1826, it appears, that the aggregate
time of keeping the schools was 28 months, and that they were
attended by 412 pupHs, of whom 227 were males, and 185
females. 139 were under 7 years of age, 160 from 7 to 14, and
113 from 14 upwards.

1760.

1760.

1770. 1780. 1790.

1800.

1810.

1820.

1830.

£50

£52

£70 £3,562 80

$353

353

630

13

12

24 2,000 49

333

450

450

450

26

70

60 800 120

400

500

600

800

20

12

80 10,000 100

500

1,000

1,400

600

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

289

The Acton Light Infantry was organized in 1805, and then
consisted of 41 members including officers. The following gen
tlemen have since successively commanded this company. Paul
Brooks, Simon Hosmer, Abijah Hayward, Silas Jones, James
Jones, Aaron _ Hayward, Jonathan Hosmer, John Fletcher, John
Handley, Jr., Simon Davis, Abel Furbish, George W. Tuttle,
and Thomas Brown. This and a standing corapany corapose the
militia of the town.
The municipal officers of the town have not essentially varied
from those of other towns. The Selectmen have uniformly been
assessors and overseers of the poor, of whom the town clerk has
been chairman.

TOWN CLERKS.

Thomas Wheeler
1735,
1736.
John Robbins
1808-
-1817.
Simon Hunt
1737-
-1743.
Joseph Noyes
1818.
Jonathan Hosmer
1744-
- 1755.
John Robbins
1819,
1820.
John Davis, Jr.
1756,
17.57.
Joseph Noyes
1821.
Jonathan Hosmer
1758-
-176L
Abraham Conant
1822.
Francis Faulkner
1762-
- 1796.
Francis Tuttle
1823-
-1827.
Aaron Jones
1797.
Silas Jones
1828.
John Edwards
1798,
1799.
Stevens Hayward
1829.
David Barnard
1800-
-1807.
Francis Tuttle
1830.
REPRESENTATIVES.
Daniel Fletcher
1768.
Jonas Brooks
1804.
Josiah Hayward
1774,
1775.
Samuel Jones
1805,
1806.
Mark White
1776.
Jonas Brooks
1807-
-181L
Simon Hunt
1780.
Stevens Hayward
1812.
Francis Faulkner
1782-
- 1785.
Joseph Noyes
1813-
- 1818.
Thomas Noyes
1787-
- 1789.
Joseph Noyes
1821.
Ephraim Robbins
1790.
Francis Tuttle
1823-
-1827.
Jonas Brooks
1791-
- 1802.
Stevens Hayward
1828,
1829.
Asa Parlin
1803.
Francis Tuttle
1830,
183L
In 44 years, since the town was incorporated, it has not been
represented. Dea. Ephraim Robbins and Asa Parlin, Esq.
were of Carlisle, when it was a district of Acton. Capt. Daniel
Fletcher was chosen a delegate to the convention in Boston,
22d of September, 1768 ; Francis Faulkner and Ephraim Hap
good, to the Provincial Congress in Concord, October, 1774 ;
Josiah Hayward, to Cambridge, February, 1775, and again in
May; Francis Faulkner, to the Convention in Cambridge,^ for
37
290 HISTORY OF ACTON.
forming the Consdtudon, September, 1779 ; Capt. Joseph Rob
bins to the Convention, in Concord, to regulate the prices of
articles of produce, he. October, 1779 ; Simon Tutde and
Thomas Noyes, to Concord, 23d of May, 1786 ; and Asa Parhn,
to the Convention in Boston, in 1788, to ratify the Consdtution
of the United States.
Sarauel Jones, Esq. resided here, as an Attorney, in 1805 and
1806, hut left the town, and died at the south.
Dr. John Swift, noticed among the nadve graduates, was the
first physician.
Dr. Abraham Skinner, was from Woodstock, Conn., and com
menced practice in Acton, in 1781, where he died April 16, 1810,
aged 53. He married Sarah, daughter of Francis Faulkner, Esq.
1788. Dr. Peter Goodnow was from Bolton, commenced practice in
Acton, 12th of October, 1812, left 18th of February, 1827, and
is now a merchant in Boston.
Dr. Bela Gardner resided here frora 1823 to 1828, removed to
Vermont. Dr. Harris Cowdry, born at South Reading, graduated at the
Berkshire Medical Institudon, 1824, coramenced practice in
October, 1826.
Dr. Paul C. Kittridge, from Littleton, commenced practice in
Acton, August 30th, 1830.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Francis Faulkner Stevens Hayward John Edwards
Jonas Brooks David Barnard Francis Tuttle
Winthrop Faulkner John Robbins Simon Hosmer.
Joseph Noyes Abraham Conant
GRADUATES AT COLLEGE.
Nathan Davis, son of Samuel Davis, born 30th of November,
1737, graduated at Harvard College, 1759, ordained minister at
Dracut, 20th of November, 1765, dismissed about 1785, removed
to Boston, and was appointed chaplain at Fort Independence, and
a review officer. Died 4th of March, 1803, aged 65.
John Swift, only child of the Rev. John Swift, born 18th of
November, 1741, graduated 1762, and settled as a physician in
Acton, where he died of the small-pox about 1775.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 291
Asa Piper, son of Josiah Piper, graduated 1778, and was
ordained at Wakefield, New-Hampshire, 1785. He stiU resides
in that town, retaining his relation to the church, though dismissed
from his pastoral charge.
Solomon Adams, son of Lt. John Adaras, born 18th of March,
1761, graduated 1788, ordained pastor at Middleton, 23d of
October, 1793, and died September, 1813, aged 53.
Danikl Brooks graduated 1794, and setded as a trader in
Westmoreland, where he held the office of Justice of the Peace.
Died, several years since, at Springfield, Vermont.
Thomas Noyes, son of Thomas Noyes, bom 5th of February,
1769, graduated 1795, and ordained pastor of the 2d Church in
Needham, 10th of July, 1799, dissmissed in 1833 by mutual
consent. Luther Wright was born 19th of AprH, 1770, graduated
1796, ordained pastor of the first parish in Medway, 13th of
June, 1798, dismissed September, 1815, instaHed at Barrington,
Rhode-Island, 29th of January, 1817, and dismissed, 5th of July,
1821. In both instances he was dismissed at his own request by
a council who recommended him to the employment of other
churches. He now resides at Holliston.
Moses Adams, son of the Rev. Moses Adams, was born, 28th
of November, 1777, graduated 1797, settled as a physician in
Ellsworth, Maine, and was sheriff of the county of Lincoln.
William Emerson Faulkner, son of Francis Faulkner, Esq.
was born 23d of October, 1776, and graduated 1797. He read
law with his brother-in-law, the Hon. Jabez Upham, of Brook
field, with whom he formed a partnership in business., He died
October 1, 1804, aged 28, and left a most worthy character.
Josiah Adams, son of the Rev. Moses Adaras, was born 3d
of November, 1781, graduated, 1801, read law with Thomas
Heald, Esq., was admitted to the bar, June, 1807, and settled in
Framingham, where he now resides.
Luther Faulkner, son of Francis Faulkner, Esq. vi^as born
7th of May, 1779, graduated 1802, and has since been a mer
chant in Boston.
Jonathan Edwards Scott was a native of Nova Scotia, but
a resident in Acton for some time before he entered CoUege. He
graduated 1802, and has since commanded a vessel at sea.

292 HISTORY OF ACTON.
Joseph Adams, son of the Rev. Moses Adams, was born 25th
of September, 1783, graduated 1803, and settled as an Attorney
in West Cambridge, where he died, 10th of June, 1814.
John Ruggles Cutting, son of Mr. William Cutdng, grad
uated at Dartmouth CoHege 1802, ordained at Waldoborough,
Maine, August, 1807, dismissed, March, 1812, and has since been
a teacher of youth.
Henry Durant graduated at Yale College, 1828, and is a
tutor in that College, and pursuing theological studies.
AU these excepdng the two first and the last were prepared for
College under the instruction of the Rev. Mr. Adams.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE.
Col. Francis Faulkner was born in Andover, 29th of Septem
ber, 1728, and died, 5th of August, 1805, aged 78. His great
grandfather, Edmund Faulkner, who emigrated frora England,
was one of the founders of the church in Andover, in 1645, had
his house burnt by the Indians, in 1676, and died in January,
1687. His wife was Dorothy Robinson ; and his sons, Francis
and John. The former was born 1651, and died 1732, aged 81,
leaving sons, Edmund, Ammiruhammah, and Paul, of whom
the second, father to Col. Francis, removed to Acton, in 1735,
and erected the mills, which have since been owned by his
descendants, where he died, 4th of August, 1756. Col. Francis
was early employed in public business, and was 35 years, from
1762, successively chosen town clerk. He was a raember of the
Provincial Congress in 1774, and a representadve in the General
Court, in 1783, '84, and '85 ; and also a member of the committee
of safety, and of several important conventions, held during the
revolution. He held a military commission under George III. ;
but the oppressive and arbitrary acts of Great Britain induced
him to renounce his allegiance to the crown, and step forward
as one of the foremost opposers to the measures of the govern
ment. Accordingly, in February or March, 1775, he was elected
major of a regiment organized at that dme to oppose any andci-
pated invasion. On the morning of the 19th of AprU, Doct.
Prescott was sent on express to him with informadon that the

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. * 293
British troops were on their way to Concord. He immediately
fired three guns in quick succession, which was the pre-concerted
signal for an alarm. The express arrived at day-light, and at
the rising of the sun he marched with a considerable number
of men, who constituted a part of the troops collected at the
North Bridge, in Concord. He was in the engagement there
that morning, and with his men pursued the British troops to
Charlestown. He was afterwards several times engaged in actual
service during the war ; was Lieut-Colonel in the regiment of
Middlesex mHitia, called in to reinforce the condnental army,
when they took possession of Dorchester Heights, in March,
1776 ; was in service when Burgoyne was taken ; and com
manded the regiment which guarded the prisoners, taken on
that occasion, to Cambridge. He was appointed Jusdce of the
Peace in 1781, and on the 29th of September, 1775, was chosen
one of the deacons of the church. In all places he exhibited
the character of a gendeman of sound judgment, of a cultivated
mind, and of good, practical common sense. He was a courageous
mHitary officer, an able legislator, an impartial justice, and an
exemplary Christian.
He married, first, Elizabeth Muzzy of Lexington, in 1755,
with whom he hved 2 weeks only before her death ; and,
secondly, in 1759, Rebecca, daughter of Capt. Keyes of Brook
field, who was killed in LoveU's fight, by whom he had 11 chHd
ren. 1. Francis, Esq., BHlerica; 2. Rebecca, raarried to the
Hon. Dwight Foster of Brookfield ; 3. Sarah, married to Dr.
Skinner of Acton ; 4. Elizabeth ; 5. Mary ; 6. Ammi ; 7. Lucy,
married to the Hon. Jabez Uphara of Brookfield ; 8. Susanna,
married to Hannibal Hamlen, Esq., sheriff of the county of Oxford,
Maine ; 9. Winthrop, Esq. died in Acton, very much lamented,
17th of March, 1813, aged 39 ; 10. WiUiam Emerson, H. C.
1797; and 11. Luther, H. C. 1802.

CHAPTER XIX.
HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
General History. — Ecclesiastical History. — Description. — Statistics. —
Biographical Notices.
The inhabitants in the southeasterly part of Concord, petitioned
that town several times, between 1734 and 1743, to be set off
into a separate precinct or town ; but, being unsuccessful, a petition
was preferred to the General Court, August 10th, 1744, which
obtained favor, though opposed by a committee of the town ; and
the following individuals, living in the easterly part of Concord,
westeriy part of Lexington, and northerly part of Weston, were
incorporated as the Second Precinct of Concord, AprU 24, 1746,
viz. Joshua Brooks, Thomas Garfield, "Benjamin Brown, James
Brooks, Robert Gage, Ephraim Segard, John Whitney, Benjamin
Allen, Ebenezer Hunt, Thomas Baker, Samuel Dakin, Joseph
Parks, John Wright, Ambrose Tower, Daniel Reed, Mary Co
nant, Jeremiah Clark, Thoraas Garfield, Jr., Benjarain Brown, Jr.,
Hannah Corey, Jonathan Wellington, Jonathan Gove, George
Pierce, Joseph Brooks, Jordan Clark, Amos Merriam, Joseph
Pierce, Jaraes Pierce, Zebediah Smith, Ebenezer Lampson,
John Headley, Timothy Wesson, Benjamin Monroe, John Gove,
Samuel Bond, Thomas Wheeler, Ephraim Flynt, Joseph Pierce,
Jr., Joshua Brooks, Jr., John Garfield, Ebenezer Cuder, Nathan
Brown, Edward Flynt, Stephen Wesson, John Adams, John
White. '
The foHowing individuals, Hving within the limits of the pro
posed precinct, did not sign the peddon ; and were exempt
in the act of incorporation, unless they should choose voluntarily
to comply with its provisions : Daniel Brown, Thomas Nelson,
Nehemiah Abbott, Jabez Stratten, Nathaniel Billings, Daniel
BHlings, John Billings, Timothy Bililfi|s, Joseph Billings, Daniel
Parks, Zacpheus Parks, Amos IJeald, Samuel Farrar, Joseph
Wheat, Joseph Wheat, Jr., John HVheat, Jonas Wheeler, Ben
jamin Wheeler, Nathaniel Whittetnore, Samuel BHlings, George

GENERAL HISTORY. 295
Farrar, George Farrar, Jr., Job ferooks, Daniel Brooks, Samuel
Brooks, Hu^h Brooks, Joseph Brooks, Jr., Timothy .Lampson,
Ephraim HSrtwell, Josiah Brown, John Jackson, WiUiam Hager,
Joseph Underwood.
Several attempts were made to procure an incorporation as a
town, and in 1753 the exempted persons were consulted on the
subject, and Chambers RusseU, Esq., Capt. Samuel Bond, and
Deacon Joshua Brooks, were chosen to present a petidon to
the General Court. The town of Lincoln, named by Chambers
Russell, Esq. after Lincolnshire, England, the residence of his
ancestors, was incorporated, AprH 19, 1754. The bounds were
then the same as they now are.
The estates in Concord in 1753 were £15,007 9s.; and the
polls, 442. That part set off to Lincoln contained £3372 15s. ;
and of the polls, 88 ; about one-fifth.
The proceedings of the town appear to have been conducted
with harmony, and no occurrence worthy of notice marks its
history till the great question of opposition to England was
agitated. In this controversy, it became early enlisted, and
uniformly on the popular side ; and was distinguished for its
ardent, decided, and independent patriotism, and for its intel
ligence and originality.
March 15, 1770, the town voted, "that they will not pur
chase any one article of any person that imports goods contrary
to the agreeraent of the merchants of Boston"; and in along.
answer to a circular sent to the town, they say, February, 1773,
" We wHl not be wanting in our assistance according to our
abHity, in the prosecuting of all such lawful and con.stitutional
measures, as shall be thought proper for the contiiiuance of all
our rights, privHeges, and liberties, both civil and religious ;
being of opinion that a steady, united, persevering conduct in
a constitutional way, is the best means, under God, for obtaining
the redress of all our grievances."
The first committee of correspondence was chosen November 2,
1773, — Deacon Samuel Farrar, Capt. Eleazer Brooks, and Capt.
Abijah Pierce ; a similar one was elected annually till 1784. The
sentiments of the town, on several questions then agitating the
province, being requested by the cidzens of Boston, were com
municated in the subjoined very interesdng letter, on the 20th of
December.

296 HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
" Gentlemen, — We have read your letter, enclosing the pro
ceedings of the town of Boston at their late meeting ; as also
another letter enclosing the proceedings of a collective body
of people, not only of Boston, but the adjacent towns ; in which,
after some very pertinent observations on the alarming situation
of our public affairs, you desire our advice and to be acquainted
with the sense of this town respecting the present gloomy situation
of our pubhc affairs. We rejoice at every appearance of public
virtue, and resolution in the cause of liberty ; inasmuch as, upon
our own virtue and resolution, under Divine Providence, depends
the preservation of all our rights and privHeges.
" We apprehend, that we, in America, have rights, privHeges,
and property, of our own, as well as the rest of mankind ; and that
we have the right of self-preservadon, as well as aH other beings.
And we are constrained to say, that after the most careful and
mature deliberation, according to our capacities, weighing the
arguments on both sides, we apprehend our rights and privileges
have been infringed in many glaring instances, which we mean
not to enumerate, among which the late ministerial plan, men
tioned in your letter, is not the least.
" The Act imposing a duty on tea is alarming, because, in
procuring the same, our enemies are dealing by us, like the great
enemy of mankind, viz. endeavouring to enslave us by those things
to which we are not necessitated, but by our own contracted HI
habits ; although, if tea were properly used, it might be of some
advantage. When we speak of our enemies, as above, we mean
those persons on either side of the water, who by many ways,
either secret or open, are sowing the seeds of strife and discord
between Britain and her colonies ; or are in any way the active
instruments of our distress.
" Now since it must be granted, that our rights and privileges
are infringed, and that we have the right of self-defence ; the
important question is, by what means to make such defence.
Doubtless the means of defence in all cases ought to quadrate
with the nature of the attack ; and since the present plan seems
to be to enslave us, we need only (had we virtue enough for
that) to shun the bait, as we would shun the most deadly poison.
Notwithstanding, considering so many are so habituated to the
use of tea, as perhaps inadvertently to ruin themselves and their

GENERAL HISTORY. 297
country thereby ; and others so abandoned to vice, expecting
to share in the profits arising from the ruin of their country, as
to use all means in their power to encourage the use of tea ;
we cannot, therefore, but commend the spirited behaviour of the
town of Boston, in endeavouring to prevent the sale of the East
India Company's teas, by endeavouring to persuade the consignees
to resign their office, or any other lawful means ; and we judge
the consignees, by refusing to comply with the just desire of
their fellow-citizens, have betrayed a greater regard to their pri
vate interest than the public good and safety of their country, and
ought to be treated accordingly.
" The situation of our public affairs growing more alarming,
and having heretofore tried the force of pedtions and remon
strances and finding no redress ; we, the inhabitants of this town,
have now come into a full determination and settled resolution, not
to purchase, nor use any tea, nor suffer it to be purchased or used
in our famHies, so long as there is any duty laid on such tea by
an act of the British Parliament. And we will hold and esteem
such, as do use such tea, enemies to their country ; and we
wUl treat them with the greatest neglect. And we beg leave
to recommend it to the several towns within this province, who
have not done it, to go and do likewise.
" How easy the means 1 How sure the event ! But be the
event what it may, suppose this method should not obtain a
repeal of the act, which we judge to be unrighteous, but the
event should be a total disuse of that destructive article, we might
then (if we may so express ourselves) bless God, that ever he
permitted that act to pass the British Parliaraent.
" We trust we have courage and resoludon sufficient to en
counter all the horrors of war in the defence of those rights and
privHeges, civil and religious, which we esteera more valuable
than our lives. And we do hereby assure, not only the town
of Boston, but the world, that whenever we shaU have a clear
call from Heaven, we are ready to join with our brethren to face
the formidable forces, rather than tamely to surrender up our
rights and privileges into the hands of any of our own species,
not distinguished from ourselves, except it be in disposition to
enslave us. At the same time, we have the highest esteem
38

298 HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
for all lawful authority ; and rejoice in our connexion with
Great Britain, so long as we can enjoy our charter rights and
privHeges." This able paper is attributed to the pen of the Hon. Eleazer
Brooks. The original agreements of the town about the disuse
of tea and non-consumption of imported articles of merchandise
have been found among his papers, and are now deemed worthy
of preservation.
" Whereas, the town of Lincoln did, on the 27th day of
December current, by a full vote, come into a fuU determinadon
and settled resolution, not to purchase nor use any tea, nor suffer
it to be purchased or used in their famHies, so long as there is
any duty laid on such tea by act of the British Pariiament ; and
that they would hold and esteem all such as do use such tea,
as enemies to their country ; and that they will treat them with
the greatest neglect ; — We, the subscribers, inhabitants of said
town, pursuant to the same design, do hereby promise and agree
to and with each other, that we will stricdy conform to the tenor
of the abovesaid vote. In witness whereof we have hereunto
subscribed our names.
« Lincoln, Dec. 27th, 1773.']
This was signed by 52 of the principal inhabitants. The
following by 82.
" We, the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Lincoln, do
sincerely and truly covenant and agree to and with each other,
that we wHl not for ourselves, or any for or under us, purchase
or consume any goods, wares, or manufactures, which shall be
imported from Great Britain, after the thirty-first day of August,
seventeen hundred and seventy-four, untU the Congress of Dep
uties frora the several colonies shall determine what articles,
if any, to except ; and that we wUl thereafter, respecting the
use and consuraption of such British ardcles, as may not be
excepted, religiously abide by the determination of said Con
gress." This was a time when it was impossible to stand on neutral
ground and escape censure. Those who were not decided in
opposition to the measures of Great Britain, were supposed to
favor them. Of the suspected was the minister of the town ;

GENERAL HISTORY. 299
and, though the suspicion was groundless, and of short duration,
the people in September assembled around the meedng-house
on a Sabbath, and prevented him from entering to preach. Two
or three individuals were subsequently obliged to leave the town
for not conforming to the prevaUing sendments of the people.
One of the largest estates in the town was for some time in the
hands of government.
March 6, 1775, "voted, that £52 4s. be granted to provide
for those persons, who have enlisted as minute-men, each one
a bayonet, belt, cartridge-box, steel rammer, gun-stock, and
knapsack ; and that they attend mHitary exercises four hours in a
day twice a week, till the first day of May next. In case any one
refuse to attend, 2s. for each four hours, and in proportion for a
smaller time, shall be deducted frora their wages."
The part performed by Lincoln in the county conventions at
Concord, and by her minute-men and militia on the 19th of
AprU, has been nodced in the History of Concord, and was highly
honorable to her patriotism and valor.
At length, on the 24th of June, 1776, the town passed this
important vote : " That, should the Honourable Congress, for
the safety of the United American Colonies, declare themselves
independent of Great Britain, we, the inhabitants of this town
will solemnly engage, with our lives and fortunes to support them
in the measure."
About this time the town was requested to instruct their rep
resentative, according to the general custora at that period ; but
it was thought more proper to " empower him to act according to
his best judgment and discretion."
The following table, compiled from a report, made May 8, 1778,
to the town, by its committee to estimate the services rendered by
the citizens in the war, furnishes important information.

Date. Men.

Places. Service.

£. s. d.

£. s. d.

1775 32

at Cambridge 8 months, hired at 8 0 0=

=256 0 0.

1776 7

« ditto. 2 «

2 0 0

14 0 0.

1776 7

« Canada 12 «

18 0 0

126 0 0.

1776 6

" the Southward 12 «

12 0 0

72 0 0.

1776 and 1777 6

" Boston 12 "

4 0 0

24 0 0.

1776 19

« Ticonderoga 5 "

12 10 0

237 10 0.

1776 4

" ditto. 4 «

15 0 0

60 0 0.

1776 5

" Roxbury 4 "

6 0 0

30 0 0.

300 HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
1776 and 1777 17 at Dorchester 3 months, hired at 1 0 0 == 17 0 0.
1776 IC " New- York 2 " 6 0 0 72 0 0.
1776 and 1777 8 « ditto. 3 « 9 0 0 72 0 0.
1777 4 « Providence 2 " 4 10 0 18 0 0.
1777 10 " Saratoga 3 " 11 5 0 112 10 0.
1777 12 « ditto. 1 " 3 0 0 36 0 0.
1777 and 1778 9 " Cambridge 5 « 7 10 0 67 10 0.
1777 26 Continental Array 3 years 30 0 0 780 0 0.
1777 8 at Worthington 1 10 0 12 0 0.
£2006 10 0.
These boundes were paid by the town, beside many other
charges for the public service. When it is recoUected, that the
town did not then contain more than 187 male inhabitants over
16 years of age, and that several enlisted into the army not
included in the above estimate, it will appear that Lincoln con
tributed a large proportion of men to promote the great revolution.
I have no means of ascertaining the precise number furnished
subsequently to the above dates, but the town always contributed
promptly all required ; though it was supposed at the time the
burden was not justly propordonate to other towns. A petition
was presented to the council early in 1778, to obtain some relief.
In this petition it is said, " The large farm of Dr. Charles Russell,
now in the hands of the public, greatly augments the tax on the
town, and consequently the number of men required." Several
officers were furnished for the army from this town. The Hon.
Eleazer Brooks was at Ticonderoga, in 1776, as a Colonel, and
the Hon. Samuel Hoar, as a Lieutenant, and both were at the tak
ing of Burgoyne. The former was at Dorchester Heights in 1777.
On the 4th of September, of that year, Brig.-General Prescott
sent an order to Col. Brooks to have his enlisted men formed
into companies and to meet in Concord the following Saturday, to
appoint his field-officers. He wrote in this order, that " he never
received one of greater importance," and entreated him " not to
faU paying attention to it, as he valued his own reputation or the
salvation of his country." These orders, like all others, were
prompdy obeyed. Col. Pierce, Capt. Samuel Farrar, and others,
were also distinguished in the service.
March, 1778, £3880 were granted to pay soldiers ; and in 1780
it was voted, " that each person that furnishes one cotton shirt

GENERAL HISTORY. 301
for the condnental soldiers, shall receive out of the town treasury,
£4|- ; and each person that furnishes a pair of shoes for the same
purpose shall have £3^ ; and each person that furnishes one
pair of socks shaU receive £2." On the 2d of June, £ 18,000
were granted to hire men for the war ; and in September, £15,840
for the same object, and £8,500 to purchase beef for the army.
On the following January, £16,240 more were granted for the
same object. During 1781, large sums were raised to hire men,
buy clothing, and for other public objects, tUl this town, like
many others, became exceedingly embarrassed.
Such are a few items selected frora the proceedings of the
town in relation to the revolution. They are sufficient to show
the undeviating and devoted patriotism of the town ; a patriotism
not consisdng in resolves only, but in a series of noble sacrifices
of self-interest for the general good, alike honorable to it as a
town and to the individuals composing it, and worthy of being
remembered and imitated.
The town guarded their rights with careful jealousy. When
the constitution, formed by the State Convention, February 28th,
1778, was submitted to the town, it voted, 39 to 38, to disapprove
of it. In May, 1779, it was voted, " that the town will not choose
at this time to have a new constitution or form of government
made"; but on July 28th, the Hon. Eleazer Brooks was chosen
a delegate to the convention in Cambridge, " for the sole pur
pose of framing a new constitution, and the delegate was in
structed to cause a printed copy of the form of a constitution,
they may agree upon in said convention, to be transmitted to the
selectmen of each town." This constitution was submitted to the
town, 22dofMay, 1780.
" On the 2d Ardcle in the 1st Section of the 1st Chapter
in the form of government, voted, that this town disapprove of
the said article ; 1. Because we think the legislative, executive,
and judicial powers ought to be in separate departments, and
not exercised by the same body or bodies of men, either in whole
or in part. 2. Because we judge this article to be repugnant
to the 17th and 30th articles in the bUl of rights ; as also to the
1st article in the frame of government, which we think to be
founded in reason.

302 HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
" On the 2d Article in the 3d Secdon of the 1st Chapter,
voted, that the town disapprove of this article ; because we
think the mode of representation pointed out in this article is
not founded upon the principles of equality as provided by the
preceding article. We apprehend that aU circumstances ought
to be taken into consideration to determine a representation found
ed in equality, and that neither the number of rateable polls nor
any other circumstance, singly considered, determines such a
representadon. This state is consdtuted of a great number of
distinct and very unequal corporations, which are the immediate
constituent parts of the state ; and the individuals are only the
remote parts in many respects. In all acts of the legislature
which respect particular corporations, each corporation has a
distinct and separate interest, clashing with the interests of all
the rest. And, so long as human nature remains the same it
now is, each representative will be under an undue bias in favor
of the corporation he represents ; therefore any large corpora
tion, having a large number of representatives, wHl have a large .
and undue influence in determining any question in their own
favor. Should the number of rateable polls in any particular
corporation increase tHl they overbalance all the others, they could
completely tyrannize over all the rest, and every degree of in
equality gives power for the same degree of tyranny. Another
circumstance which renders the mode of representation pointed
out in this article unequal is, that the small corporations can
have no voice in government without being at the whole expense
of a full representation ; whereas, the large corporadons, by divid
ing the attendance of their representatives, can vastly lessen their
expense, and yet, in such cases as respect their particular and
separate interests, have a full representadon."
The 3d Article in the Declaration of Rights was accepted
46 to 2 ; the last clause of the 10th Article, 3d Section, and 1st
Chapter was rejected 30 to 11. Voted unaniraously to revise
the constitution in 7 years by 40 votes, and to accept it with the
foregoing exceptions.
The first meeting under the new constitution was held on the
first Monday of September, when there were 41 votes cast, aU
of which but one were for the Hon. John Hancock.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

303

Ecclesiastical History. The ostensible object of those
who obtained the act of incorporation for the town of Lincoln,
was to enjoy the preaching of the gospel. Measures were taken,
even before the precinct was forraed, to effect this ohject by
private individuals in their houses. Mr. Edward Flint gave a
lot of land on which a meeting-house was erected and nearly
completed by the following individuals by whom it was given to
the precinct, — viz. Benjamin Monroe
John Hadley
Samuel Dakin
Ebenezer Cutler
Jeremiah Clark
Amos Merriam
John Gove

Jon. Wellington
Ephraim Flint — —
Thomas Wheeler
Joseph Pierce
Nathan Brown
Jonas Pierce
Timothy Wesson.

Benjamin Brown
Edward Flint 
Judah Clark
Joseph Brooks
Joshua Brooks
Samuel Bond
Jonathan Gove
George Pierce
Money was raised to complete this house, by the precinct
and a vote passed in 1747, that pews should be buUt and allotted
to the inhabitants according to their valuation, — the highest to
take the first choice. A steeple was buHt in 1755 and furnished
with a bell, the gift of Mr. Joseph Brooks. This house has
been several times repaired and its appearance is still respectable.
On the 18th of August, 1747, twenty-five male members of
the churches in Concord, Lexington, and the second precinct in
Weston, met together and agreed to embody themselves into a
distinct church. The public organization took place on the 20th
of the sorae month, when Mr. Benjamin Brown was chosen
permanent moderator till the ordination of a minister ; and the
Rev. Messrs. John Hancock, Israel Loring, William WHhams, and
Wai'eham WHliams, assisted in the public religious exercises on
the occasion. A covenant was adopted and signed by the follow
ing persons.
Jonathan Gove Woodis Lee
John Hadley Thomas Wheeler
Benjamin Brown
Thomas Garfield
Edward Flint
Joseph Brooks
Timothy Wesson
Benjamin Monroe
Benjamin Brown, Jr.

Joshua Brooks
Josiah Parks
Joseph Pierce
Samuel Bond
John Gove
Stephen Wesson
Thomas Garfield, Jr.

George Pierce
Ephraim Flint
Jonas Pierce
Joseph Brown
John Garfield
Nathan Brown
Judah Clark
William Lawrence.

304 HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
The persons employed as preachers in 1746, '47, and '48, were
John Brown, Benjamin Stevens, Jonathan Winchester, Cotton
Brown, Samuel Pemberton, and Samuel Turrell. Mr. William
Lawrence was first employed in April, 1748, on trial. On the
!8th of May, the church and precinct, being together, voted, 22
to 7, to invite him to become their minister. It was agreed to
give him £800 currency as a setdement, and £400 and 10 cords
of wood, as an annual salary. This salary was finally fixed
according to the prices of corn at 15s. and rye at 20s. per bushel,
and pork at Is. 8d., and beef at Is. per pound. The estimate
to be made near the close of the year.
He was ordained the 7th of December following; and £100
were granted to pay the expenses. The council on the occasion
consisted of the Rev. John Hancock, of Lexington, moderator,
who prayed and gave the charge ; Rev. WHliam Williams, of
Weston ; Rev. Nathaniel Appleton, of Cambridge, who made
the introductory prayer ; Rev. Caleb Trowbridge, of Groton,
who preached from 1 Tim. hi. 15 ; Rev. Wareham WHliams, of
Waltham, who gave the right hand of fellowship ; Rev. Daniel
Rogers, of Littieton, who prayed after the charge ; Rev. Samuel
Cook of West Cambridge ; and delegates from their respective
churches. Few important occurrences took place worthy of notice for
several years. The church voted, in May, 1751, to receive
any member of the church in Concord who should be dissmissed.
In 1763, the reading of the Scriptures was first introduced as a
part of the exercises of public worship ; and in 1768, a short
prayer was made before this reading. A vote was passed, 27th of
April, 1767, " that in future Dr. Brady's and Mr. Tate's ver
sion of David's Psalms, and some Hyrans of Dr. Watts, which
are now bound up and published with this version, shall be made
use of and sung in carrying on the public worship of God in thi?"
place." In 1771, forty-two persons, " who had attained a good
degree of understanding in the rules of singing," were seated
together by vote of the town on the lower floor.
The Rev. William Lawrence, son of the Hon. William
Lawrence, and grand-son of Jonas Prescott, Esq., of Groton, was
born, 7th of May, 1728, and graduated at Harvard College, 1743.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 305
During his ministry, his church, unlike many in the neighbour
hood, enjoyed great peace. 122 persons were admitted into full
communion, 31 of whom were from other churches, the remain
der by original profession ; 120 owned the covenant ; 605 were
baptized ; 122 marriages were solemnized ; and 294 died. His
epitaph appears in the Lincoln burying-ground thus :
" In memory of the Rev. WHliam Lawrence, A. M. Pastor of
the Church of Christ in Lincoln, who died AprU 11, 1780, in the
57th year of his age, and 32d of his ministry. He was a gentle
man of good abihties both natural and acquired, a judicious divine,
a faithful minister, and firm supporter of the order of the churches.
In his last sickness, which was long and distressing, he exhibited
a temper characteristic of the minister and Christian. ' Be thou
faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.' "
His funeral expenses, amounting to £366 currency, and £300
to purchase mourning for the surviving widow, were paid by the
town. He married Love, daughter of John Adams, who died
January 3, 1820, at the advanced age of 95, and had the fol
lowing chHdren, WiHiara, Love (married to Dr. Joseph Adams,)
John P. (died 1808,) Susanna, Sarah, Phebe (married to the
Rev. E. Foster of Littieton, 1783,) Ann, and Abel.
Dea. Samuel Farrar was moderator of the church from the
death of Mr. Lawrence to the ordination of his successor. A
day of fasting and prayer was held, according to the usual custom
in such cases, on the last Thursday in August, 1780, and the
Rev. Messrs. Cushing, Woodward, and Clark were present on
the occasion.
Mr. Charles Stearns was first employed to preach in Lincoln
in October, 1780, and on the 15th of January, 1781, the church
voted unanimously (29 votes) to invite him to be their pastor ;
and in this vote the town concurred on February 5th, 65 to 5 ;
and agreed to give him " £220 in hard money, or its equivalent,"
(to which £70 were subsequently added,) as a settlement, and
£80 and 15 cords of wood, as an annual salary. His ordination
took place November 7, 1781. The church then consisted of
96 members. The churches in Waltham, Weston, Lexingtdn,
Lunenburgh, Leominster, East Sudbury, Sudbury, 1st in Read
ing, Stow, and Concord, were represented in the council, of
39

306 HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
which the Rev. Mr. Cushing was moderator. The Rev. Zabdiel
Adams preached on the occasion from 1 Timothy in. 3, and his
sermon was printed.
In consequence of the fluctuating relative value of money,
the town voted, in 1797, " that the Rev. Mr. Stearns's salary
should be £80 per year, at all times when the current price of
Indian corn is 3s. and rye 4s. per bushel, and beef 20s. and
pork 33s. per hundred ; and to be increased or diminished ac
cording as the prices of those articles vary."
In 1789, the church voted, that the reading of the psalm by
hue, after it has been once distincdy read, be discontinued.
The church has never had a confession of faith. The covenant
into which the communicants enter does not differ materially from
that in the Concord church. The principles of the first organ
ization of the church appear to have been somewhat more liberal
than those of the Rev. Mr. Bliss. As early as 1749, it was
voted not to " require public relations of religious exercises, as
a condition of admission into the church," but it was left optional
with the candidates to do it or not. Public confessions before
the whole church and congregation for crimes, were not uncom
mon until late in Dr. Stearns's ministry.
The Rev. Charles Stearns, D. D. was son of Thoraas,
and grandson of Charles Stearns, whose ancestors first settled
in Lynn. He was born in Leominster, graduated at Harvard
College in 1773, and died July 26, 1826, in the 75th year of
his age, and 45th of his ministry. At the time of his ordination
the church consisted of 96 members, and during his ministry 155
persons were admitted to fuU communion, 78 owned the covenant,
536 were baptized, 201 marriages were solemnized, and up to
1818, 387 died. The town erected a monument to his memory,
on which the distinguishing traits of his character are drawn with
force and accuracy.
" He was distinguished for his high attainments in various
branches of science ; for strength and soundness of mind ; for
method and accuracy in reasoning, and facility in communicating
knowledge. By his piety, benevolence, and learning, he gained
the affection and respect of his beloved people, the esteem
and confidence of his numerous friends, and the well-deserved
honors of literary societies. His life was full of practical good-

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 307
ness, the genuine frait of deep-felt piety, and his death of religious
hope and peace. By the habitual exercise of faith, humHity,
patience, and charity, he exhibited Christianity in a strong and
prominent light ; and is gone, it is believed, to enjoy the rewards
of a good and faithful servant of Jesus Christ."
The Rev. Dr. Stearns ^ married Miss Susanna Cowdry, of
Reading, 1781, and had the following chUdren, Susanna, Charles,
Thomas, Julia, Sarah, Elizabeth Francis, William Lawrence,
Daniel Mansfield, Rebecca, Samuel, and Edwin.
During the ministry of Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Stearns, the
church and town were in great harmony. No councH was at
any time called to settle difficulties. After the death of the
latter, Dea. Thomas Wheeler was chosen moderator, and Dea.
Eleazer Brooks, clerk, to serve till the ordination of another
minister. On the 13th of August, 1827, the church gave the Rev.
Elijah Demond a unanimous call td be their pastor. He was
born at Barre, November 1, 1790 ; graduated at Dartmouth
CoUege, 1816 ; and had been minister of West Newbury. In this
vote the town concurred, and voted him $600, as an annual
salary. He was installed November 7, 1827. The public
exercises were performed as follows : Introductory prayer, by
the Rev. Rufus Hurlbut, of Sudbury ; sermon by the Rev.
John Codman, D. D., of the 2d church in Dorchester; install
ing prayer by the Rev. Gardner B. Perry, of Bradford ; charge
by the Rev. Samuel Stearns, of Bedford ; right hand of fellow
ship by the Rev. Sewall Harding, of Waltham ; address to the
1 The following works were published by Dr. Stearns : —
The Ladies' Philosophy of Love ; a Poem in four Cantos. Written in
1774, while a student in College, and published in 1797.
A Sermon at the Exhibition of Sacred Music in Lincoln.
Dramatic Dialogues, for the use of Schools. Published in 1798.
A Sermon, preached Nov. II, 1806, at the Interment of the Hon. Eleazer
Brooks. A Sermon, delivered at Concord before the Bible Society, April 26,
1815. A Sermon, delivered before the Convention of Congregational Ministers
in Massachusetts, in Boston, June 1, 1815.
Principles of Religion and Morality. First edition in 1798, 2d in 1807.
A Sermon at the Interment of Mrs. Foster of IJttleton.

308 HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
people, by the Rev. Rodney G. Dennis, of Topsfield ; and the
concluding prayer by the Rev. Marshall Shed, of Acton. These
and the churches in East Sudbury and Weston composed the
council, of which the Rev. Mr. Stearns was moderator. He was
dismissed in 1832, and installed at Holliston, October 31, 1833.
On the 16th of January, 1833, the Rev. Ebenezer NewhaU,
a native of New Ipswich, New-Hampshire, and recentiy a min
ister at Oxford, was instaUed over this society. The introductory
prayer on the occasion was by the Rev. Mr. Gilbert, of Newton ;
sermon by the Rev. Mr. Nelson, of Leicester ; instaUing prayer
by the Rev. Mr. Huribut, of Sudbury ; charge by the Rev. Mr.
AUen, of Shrewsbury; right hand of fellowship by the Rev. Mr.
Demond, the late pastor ; and the address to the people by the
Rev. Mr. Harding, of Waltham.
SUCCESSION OF THE DEACONS.

NAMES.

CHOSEN.

DIED.

AGE.

Benjamin Brown

Aug. 20, 1747.

April — , 1753.

— .

Joshua Brooks

April 18, 1749.

June 26, 1768.

80.

John Gove

April 18, 1749, was

in office about 40 years.

Samuel Farrar

Dec. 28, 1763.

April 18, 1783.

7.5.

Joshua Brooks, Jr.

Dec. 28, 1763.

March 8, 1790.

70.

Edmund Wheeler

May 6, 1784.

June 1, 1805.

74.

Samuel Farrar

May 6, 1784.

Sept. 19, 1829.

93.

Eleazer Brooks

Nov. 6, 1794.

Nov. 9, 1806.

80.

John Hartwell

April 9, 1804.

Nov. 2, 1820.

73.

Thomas Wheeler

Sept. 2, 1805.

James Farrar

April 27, 1812.

Eleazer Brooks
April 27, 1812.
Description. Lincoln lies about three mUes and a half
southeasterly from Concord, and is bounded southwesterly by
East Sudbury, southerly by Weston, southeasterly by Waltham,
easterly by Lexington, northerly by Bedford, and northwesterly
by Concord. Its greatest length is about five miles, and greatest
breadth three and a half, nearly ; and it contains about 7000
acres. It has all the varieties of soil from the richest to the
poorest. Though rough and uneven, it contains some of the
best farms in the county. The most celebrated is that known
at different times as the RusseU, Codman, and Percival farm.
DESCRIPTION. 309
Farming constitutes the principal employment of the inhabitants.
The hill on which the meeting-house stands is 470 feet above
high water mark in Boston. Two other hills, one 370 and the
other 328 feet high, lie near the Lexington bounds.
Flint's or Sandy Pond, the only considerable coHection of
water, contains, according to the estimate of the Hon. Sam
uel Hoar,'^ 197 acres. It derives its name frora the first own
er, being situated in the farm of Ephraim Flint, one of the
principal original owners of Lincoln. This pond is a favorite
resort for pickerel ; and its fisheries have been considered of
sufficient importance to require the interference of the Legislature
to regulate them. An Act was passed February 16, 1824,
prohibiting any person, under penalty of $2, from fishing with
"more than one hook" ! between the first of December and
April ; providing, however, that the town may repeal its opera
tion for one year at a time. This pond is the source of Stony
Brook, and receives Lilly Brook, the outlet of Beaver Pond,
lying near the south line, and containing about 50 acres ; and
it flows into Charles River at the northwest corner of Wal
tham. Its waters also have flowed by an artificial channel, made,
as is supposed, for the benefit of the Mill which once stood in
the centre of Concord, by MHl Brook into Concord River.
A Post-office was established in the southwest part of the
town, in 1825, in which the Post-masters have been, David S.
Jones, from January 24, 1825, to September 18, 1826, resigned ;
Luke Gates, from September 19, 1826, present Post-master.
A county road and the Cambridge and Concord Turnpike
(which was also made a county road in May, 1829,) run through
the north part of the town. Another simHar road runs through
the south part. These add greatly to the expense, and very little
to the convenience of the inhabitants.
According to a valuation taken in 1784, it appears that there
were then 143 polls, 26 of whom were not rateable ; 88 dwelling-
houses, 84 barns, 1 tan-yard, 1 grist-mill, and 21 other buildings ;
1 Hon. Samuel Hoar, Lt. William Lawrence, and Mr. Nathan Weston,
were chosen a Committee, August 21, 1794, to take a plan of the towa
agreeably to a resolve of the General Court the previous June, to be de
posited in the Secretary's office.

310 HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
454 acres of tillage land, 429 of English mowing, 800 meadow,
1502 pasturing, 2057 wood land, 2128 ' other land,' and 137
unimproveable ; 840 barrels of cider were made, 105 horses,
155 oxen, 266 neat cattle, 378 cows, 155 sheep, and 136 swine
were held. Probably, if an estimate was made now, it would
not essentially vary from, the above. The polls in 1790, were
156 ; the houses in 1801, 104. The population in 1764 was
639, including 28 negroes, and in 1790, 740 ; in 1800, 756 ;
in 1810; 713 ; in 1820, 786 ; and in 1830, 709.
In 1820, there were 3 foreigners not naturahzed, 81 engaged
in agriculture, 5 in commerce, and 34 in manufactures. The
militia is comprised in one company of about 50. An estimate,
made by Dr. Stearns in 1820, appears in the church records
in which the following " averages from the beginning of the town
are determined, (the nearest being taken when there is a fraction :)
births, 22 in a year; baptisms, 19; admissions into church, 4;
marriages, 4 ; and deaths, 10." These average annual estimates,
will hold good now, excepting in the baptisms, the number of
which has diminished.
Appropriations made by the Toivn at different Periods.
Date. 1755. 1765. 1775. 1785. 1795. 1805. 1815. 1825.
Minister £56 £691 £70| £85 £105 $— $600 $460.
Schools 13J 20 134 50 85 — 480 520.
Highwuys 25 50 40 80 80 450 600 400.
Incidental charges 24i 19 37 250 125 830 1450 500.
The existing records are not sufficiently particular to enable us
to compile the annual biU of mortality. A summary of several
years is sometimes placed together. The subjoined statement
may be considered as nearly correct.
From 1760 to 1770, to 1780, to 1790, to 1800, to 1810, to 1820. — Total.
Intentions of Marriage 56 79 65 69 73 59 = 401.
Marriages 38 40 35 48 87 56 = 274,
Births 185 196 186 192 168 164 =1091.
Deaths 83 122 104 86 118 94 = 607.
It appears from this table that the excess of births over the
deaths is 484, more than two to one ; and, according to the
census, that, from 1790 to 1800, one in 86 died annually ; from
1800 to 1810, one in 64 ; and from 1810 to 1820, one in 78 ;
a result which is highly favorable to the healthiness of the town.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 311
Schools. Lincoln has always given liberal support to her
common schools, and has been rewarded in the distinguished
character of her educated sons. At its incorporation in 1754,
it was divided into three districts ; and a ' moving school'' was
kept in each. A school-house was built in the middle of the
town in 1762 ; and in 1763, £5 were granted to build one in
the southwest district, £5 for the southeast, and £10 for the
north. In 1768, the schools were kept in three instead of four
places ; and in 1770, and some other years, the grammar school
was substituted for all the others. In 1780, the town was again
divided into four districts, which have been continued, excepting
a few years since. In 1791, a committee was appointed to make
a general regulation for dividing the school money, who reported,
that the east district have 21 weeks, the south 17 weeks, and
the north 14 weeks, in proportion to the 12 months' schooling.
This regulation was accepted by the town, which was divided into
three districts ; but continued a few years only. It was so altered
in 1791, as to give 17 weeks to the south, 14 to the north, 1 1 to
the east, and 10 to the middle district. Since 1812, the south has
drawn |^ and the three others ^f each of the money. Among the
teachers of the grammar school, I find the names of Jacob Big
elow, Timothy Farrar, Fisher Ames, and others who have been
distinguished in public life. Mr. Joseph Brooks, among other
liberal donations, made one for the support of schools, which has
been of great service to the town. It amounted in 1761, to
£388, and now to more than ^1,000, the annual interest of
which is divided among the districts in the same proportion as
other school money. An institution called the " liberal school,"
simHar to an academy, was established by the Rev. Dr. Stearns,
and several other gentlemen in 1793, and was successfully con
tinued about 10 years. From the annual return made to the State
in 1829, it appears that the aggregate time, for which the four
public schools were kept, was 32 months, 17 by males, and 15 by
females ; and that they were attended by 220 scholars. $576-70
were paid for their support. There were two private schools,
and 8 pupils attending academies. The estimated amount of
tuition was $70. None are unable to read in the town. The
north district contains 40 scholars, the south 86, the east 42, and
the middle 44.

312 HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
The poor were supported previous to 1785 in such families
as undertook it at the lowest rates. £8 were granted for this
purpose in 1760, £35 in 1762, and £18 in 1783. A committee
was chosen in 1785, consisting of the Hon. James Russell,
Edmund Wheeler, and Eleazer Melvin, by whom a poor-house
was buUt ; principally from the liberal donation of the chairman.
The land on which it stood was presented by Mr. John Adams.
The poor were supported here till about 1800, when the house
was abandoned, and the old system of letting them out to the
lowest bidder was again adopted. The annual expense now is
between $400 and $500.
There, are two burying-grounds in town, one the gift of Mr.
Ephraim Flint, and the other of Dea. Samuel Farrar.
TOWN CLERKS.
Ephraim Flint 1746 - '62, '54, '56, '57. Grosvener Tarbell 1799 - 1803.
Ebenezer Cutler 1753, 1755, 1759. Thomas Wheeler 1804-1806.
Samuel Farrar 1758, 1760-1766. Elijah Fiske 1810-1821.
John Adams 1767- 1777. Stephen Patch 1822-1827.
Abijah Pierce 1778, 1779, 1781. Charles Wheeler 1828-1830.
Samuel Hoar '80, '82,'87-'98, 1807-'9. Elijah Fiske 1831.
Richard Russell 1783-1786.
REPRESENTATIVES.
Chambers Russell '54-57,'59,'61,63,',5. Joshua Brooks 1 809 - 181 1 .
Samuel Farrar 1766-1768. Leonard Hoar 1812-1814.
Eleazer Brooks '74-'78,'80,'5,7,'90-'2. William Hayden 1815, 1816.
Chambers Russell 1788. Elijah Fiske 1820-1822.
Samuel Hoar '94,'95,'97,'98,1801,'3-'8. Joel Smith 1824.
Samuel Farrar, Jr. 1800. Silas P. Tarbell 1827, 1828.
Not represented 1758, '60, '62, '69-'73, '79, '81, '82, '86, '89, '93, '96, '99,
1802, '17, '23, '25, '26.
SENATORS.
Hon. Eleazer Brooks 1780 - '86, '88 - '95.
Hon. Samuel Hoar 1813 - 1816.
COUNSELLORS.
Hon. Chambers Russell 1759-1766.
Hon. Eleazer Brooks 1788, '92 - 1800.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 3] 3
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Chambers Russell Chambers Russell William Hayden
James Russell Samuel Hoar Charles Wheeler
Charles Russell Eleazer Brooks, Jr. Elijah Fiske
Eleazer Brooks Joshua Brooks Stephen Patch
Joseph Adams Grosvener Tarbell Joel Smith.
Clergymen and Physicians are the only professional men who
have -resided in town. The former have already been noticed
in the Ecclesiastical History ; the physicians are the following :
Dr. Charles Russell, son of the Hon. James Russell, born in
Charlestown, graduated at Harvard CoHege, 1757, and inherited
his uncle Chambers's estate in Lincoln, where he resided as a
physician. He married Miss Elizabeth Vassall of Cambridge,
and fi-om his father-in-law he contracted opinions opposed to
the measures of the people in the revolution, and left Lincoln
on the 19th of April, 1775, and went to Martinique, in the West-
Indies, where he died.
Dr. John Binney died August 14th, 1760, aged 55. His wid
ow married Capt. Daniel Adams.
Dr. Joseph Adams was also unfriendly to the revolution, atnd
went to England, where he diedi
Dr. Mann practised in Lincoln between 1780 and 1790. He
afterwards removed to Castine, Maine, and married a daughter of
Mr. John Adams.
Dr. Richard Russell was son of Mr. Richard, a brother of
the Hon. Chambers Russell, born in Charlestown, settled in
Lincoln in 1778, drowned in Beaver Pond August 12th, 1796,
aged 46.
Dr. Grosvener Tarbell was from Sturbridge, settled in Lincoln
in 1796, and died in 1822.
Dr. George Russell, son of Dr. Richard Russell, born Septem
ber 23d, 1795, graduated at the Medical Institution at Cambridge,
in 1820, and has since practised in Lincoln.

40

314 HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
GRADUATES AT COLLEGE.
Stephen Farrar, son of Dea. Samuel Farrar, was bora
September 8th, 1738, and graduated 1755. He studied divinity,
and was ordained as the first minister of New Ipswich, New
Hampshire, October 22d, 1760, and performed the duties
of his office with distinguished ahUity tiU his death, June 23d,
1809. Timothy Farrar, brother of the foregoing, was born June
28, 1747, and graduated 1767. He studied law and setded
in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, was elected Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas, under the temporary constitution of
N. H. in January, 1776 ; was a Counsellor in the year 1780,
1782, and 1783 ; appointed Judge of the Superior Court in
1790; resigned that office 1803; appointed Judge of the Court
of Comraon Pleas in 1803 or 1804 ; and was afterwards Chief
Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas. Besides these
offices, he was an elector of President and Vice-President of the
United States in 1792, 1796, 1800, and. 1808 1; and in 1804,
and since, one of the trustees of Dartmouth College.
Charles Russell of Lincoln. He received a Medical de
gree at Aberdeen, died at Antigua, May 27th, 1780, aged 42.
Joseph Farrar, son of George Farrar, was bom June 30th,
1744, and graduated 1767 ; was ordained at Dublin, New-Hamp
shire, June 10th, 1772, when the church was organized ; dismiss
ed, January 7th, 1776 ; installed at Dummerston, Vermont, in
1779 ; dismissed 1784 ; and is probably the sarae who afterwards
settied in Eden, Vermont. He died at Petersham.^
Jonathan Gove, son of Dea. John Gove, born August 22d,
1746, and graduated 1768. He studied medicine and hved many
years in New Boston, New Hampshire ; was Representative at
the General Court, a popular physician, and one of the oldest
in practice, at the time of his death, in the county of Hillsborough.
He was also a Justice of the Peace. One of his sons, Charles
F. Gove, is an Attorney at Law in Gofistown.^
1 MS. Letter of John Farmer, Esq. 2 Ibid.
3 Farmer & Moore, Gazetteer of New-Hampshire, p. 143.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 315
Moses Brown, graduated in 1768, aiid setded as a merchant
at Beverly ; Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum ; died June
15th, 1820, aged 72.
Jonas Hartwell, son of Ephraim Hartwell, was born June
26th, 1754, and graduated 1779. After he graduated he engaged
in mercantUe pursuits, went to Bilboa in Spain, and while inilo-
cently engaged in his vocation, was arrested and confined in the
Inquisition, where he died, March 2d, 1784.
Nathaniel Pierce, was born September 27th, 1754, and
graduated 1775. He was a merchant in Boston. Died in Water-
town, December 3d, 1783, aged 30.
Abel Flint, son of Mr. Ephraim Flint, was born June 22d,
1758, and graduated 1780. He taught a school several years
in Haverhill and elsewhere, and died in Lincoln of consumption
January 25th, 1789, aged 32.
William Brooks, son of Dea. Joshua Brooks, was born
March 13th, 1757, and graduated 1780. He setded as a raer-
chant in Augusta, Maine, and has held several civH and military
offices in that State.
Daniel Stone, graduated 1791, and was ordained at Augusta,
Maine, October 21st, 1795, and dismissed by mutual consent,
May, 1809. He has since hved a respectable private citizen in
that town.
Daniel Adams, son of Joseph Adaras, graduated at Dart
mouth College 1797, and received a medical degree at Harvard
College ; settled in Keene, New Hampshire, and obtained an
extensive professional business.
Samuel Farrar, son of Dea. Samuel Farrar, born December
13th, 1773, graduated 1797, was tutor one year, studied law and
settled in Andover, is the President of the Bank in that place, and
Treasurer of the Theological Seminary.
Samuel Hoar, son of the Hon. Samuel Hoar, born May 18th,
1778, graduated 1802. He studied law and was admitted to the
bar September, 1805, and immediately after settled in Concord.
He was a member of the Convention for revising the Constitution
of the State in 1821, and of the Senate in 1825 and 1832.
John Farrar, son of Dea. Samuel Farrar, bom July 1st,
1779, graduated 1803, was tutor from 1805 to 1807 ; and ap-

316

HISTORY OF LINCOLN.

pointed that year Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural
Philosophy in Harvard University, and yet continues in that
office. Nathan Brooks, son of Joshua . Brooks, Esq. born October
18th, 1785, graduated in 1809, established himself in the pro
fession of law in Concord, represented the town in 1823, 1824,
and 1825, and was Counsellor in 1829, and Senator in 1831.
Nathaniel Pierce Hoar, son of the Hon. Samuel Hoar,
born September 2d, 1784, and graduated 1810. He read law
with his brother in Concord, and commenced practice in his
profession at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1813, where he
soon obtained an extensive business. Being attacked by a fatal
disease, he removed to his native town, and died deeply lamented,
May 24th, 1820, aged 35.
Thomas Fiske, son of Elijah Fiske, Esq., graduated 1819, read
law, and began his professional business in Charleston, South
Carolina, in 1826.
William Lawrence Stearns, son of the Rev. Dr. Stearns,
born October i3th, 1793, graduated in 1820, studied divinity
and was ordained at Stoughton, November 21st, 1827.
Daniel Mansfield Stearns, a twin-brother of the preced
ing, graduated at Brown University, 1822, and was ordained
minister at Dennis, May 21st, 1828.
Joseph Green Cole, son of Capt. Abraham Cole, graduated
1822, read law with Gov. Lincoln in Maine, and is now setded
in his profession at Paris in that state.
George Fiske, son of Elijah Fiske, Esq., born August 22d,
1804, graduated at Brown University in 1825, and is now Epis
copal minister in New- York.
Humphrey Farrar, son of Humphrey Farrar, was born Sep
tember, 15th, 1773, and graduated at Dartmouth College, 1794.
Joseph Farrar, born February 14th, 1775, brother to the
above, graduated as his classmate, and studied law.
George Farrar, graduated at Dartmouth College, 1800,
brother to the two aboveraendoned, and is an eminent physician
in Derry, New Hampshire, and Fellow of the New Hampshire
Medical Society.
William Farrar, another brother, born October 2d, 1780,
graduated at Dartmouth CoUege in 1801.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 317
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
Mb. Joseph Brooks died September 17th, 1759, aged 78.
He was son of Joshua, and grandson of Thoraas Brooks, the
first American ancestor of the Brooks family. He acquired
a respectable estate, as a farmer, and while living was distin
guished for his hberality. Frora him the church in Lincoln
received a part of its communion plate ; and the town, the meet
ing-house bell, and the school fund. These, and several other
acts of liberality, render his name deserving of lasting remem
brance. Hon. Chambers Russell, was son of the Hon. Daniel Rus
sell, of Charlestown, who died December 6th, 1763, aged 78,
a member of the CouncU, commissioner of imposts, a:nd treasurer
of the County of Middlesex upwards of fifty years. His grand
father was the Hon. Jaraes, and great-grandfather the Hon.
Richard RusseU, who, in 1640, at the age of 29, came from
Herefordshire, England, and settled in Charlestgwn, was a most
eminent merchant, a member of the Council, and otherwise dis
tinguished. His mother was daughter of the Hon. Charles
Chambers. He graduated at Harvard CoUege in 1731, and soon
settled in that part of Concord which is now Lincoln, on the
estate of his father-in-law, which has since been known as the
RusseU, Codman, and Percival estate. He represented the town
of Concord several years in the General Court ; and was the chief
instrument in obtaining the act of incorporation for the town of
Lincoln. After this town was set off, he was eight times elected
its representative. In 1759 he was chosen a CounseHor, just
a century from the time when his great-grandfather was chosen
to the same office. He was appointed, September, 1747, Judge
of the Court of Admiralty, and at his death sustained that office,
and also that of Judge of the Superior Court. He died without
issue, according to the Lincoln records, at GuUford, in Surry,
England, 24th of November, 1767. He married Mary Atkins,
who died in Lincoln, 13th of August, 1762.
Hon. James Russell, brother of the foregoing, was born in
Charlestown, Sth of August, 1715, and succeeded to aU the
public honors of his respected ancestors, as a Representative,

318 HISTORY OF LINCOLN.
Counsellor, and Judge. He represented the town of Charles
town 13 years from 1746, was a Counsellor many years, and
16th of May, 1771, was appointed one of the Judges of the
Court of Common Pleas. When Charlestown was invaded by
the British in 1775, he removed to Dunstable ; and after his son
Charles, who inherited his brother Chambers's estate, left the
country, he removed to Lincoln, where he lived fifteen or twenty
years. This town is indebted to him for several valuable dona
tions. The expense of the poor-house, erected in 1786, was
principally borne by him. He married Katharine, daughter of
the Hon. Thomas' Graves, a descendant, of the third generation,
from the Hon. Thomas Graves, who arrived in Salem in 1629,
and soon after settled in Charlestown. She died in Lincoln 17th
of September, 1778, aged 61. He died in Charlestown. His
children were Hon. Thomas, a most eminent and opulent mer
chant of Boston ; James, who went to England ; Dr. Charles,
Harvard CoHege, 1757 ; Chambers, who died in S. Carolina ;
Katharine, who married Mr. Henly of Charlestown ; Rebecca,
who married, first. Judge Tyng, and secondly. Judge Sewall ;
Margaret, who married John Codman ; and Sarah and Mary,
who died single.
Hon. Eleazer Brooks, was the son of Mr, Job Brooks,
and a descendant of the fourth generation frora Capt. Thomas
Brooks, one of the first settlers of Concord, was bom 1 0th of
September, 1727, and died 19th of November, 1806, aged
79. His grandfather was Daniel, and great-grandfather Joshua
Brooks. His father was a respectable farmer, and intended his
son for the same employment. The circumstances of the times,
when he lived, were such, that his education did not equal that of
many of his contemporary young farmers, which at best was very
ordinary. Considering that he was self-instructed, his future intel
lectual improvements were truly remarkable. He early discovered
indications of talents ; and, before the great work of the Revolution
coramenced, he was called into office. He was appointed, by
Governor Barnard, a Lieutenant of a foot company in Lincoln,
llth of May, 1768, and a Captain by Hutchinson, 13th of July,
1773 ; by the CouncU, a Colonel of the 3d regiment, 14th of
February, 1776, and a Brigadier-General, 15th of October, 1778,

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 319
and to the same office under the new constitution, 22d of August,
1781. He commanded a regiment of the Middlesex mHitia at
the batde of White Plains, in 1776, and at several other times
appeared in the camp, where he distinguished hiraself for his cool
and determined bravery. The laborious duties, which his mil
itary office imposed during the revolutionary war, were performed
with great ability and decision. He was often chosen a member
of the town's committee of safety, and the state's committee
of secrecy, was a member of the Provincial Congress in 1774,
and was afterwards annually a member of the General Court or
executive CouncH till 1800. He was appointed Justice of the
Peace in 1777 ; and on the 27th of March, 1786, a special
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He was delegate to
the convention at Cambridge in July, 1779, to form the con
stitution, and at Boston, in 1788, to ratify the Constitution
of the United States ; and in various other places, during his
public life, his services were put in requisition. After being
27 years a public man, he declined, in 1800, being a candidate
for the suffi-ages of his fellow-citizens, and retired to private life.
As a mHitary man, he was brave, patriotic, and considerate in
designing, but expeditious in executing his plans. His habits
of thought and action were systematic and correct ; his indus
try Suntiring. By a judicious improvement of his faculties, by
reading, conversation, and reflection, he compensated for the
neglect of his early education. Possessing the confidence of
his associates in public life, he acquired great influence, and his
opinions were much respected. But for nothing was "he more
respected than for his strict probity, real goodness of heart, and
exemplary piety. He united with the church early in life, and
was chosen one of its deacons in 1794. In all his important
trusts he set a noble example of what may be accomplished by a
judicious application of one's own powers of mind, and left a
character worthy of remembrance and imitation.

CHAPTER XX.
HISTORY OF CARLISLE.
General History. — Miscellaneous Notices. — Ecclesiastical History.
The internal party divisions in Concord, occasioned principally
by the religious controversies from 1740 to 1750, originated
several projects for separate societies and districts. From this
cause Lincoln was incorporated ; and an unsuccessful attempt
was made by the inhabitants of the Nine Acre Corner to be set
off. The northeriy part of Concord also had several times
petitioned the town for a separation ; and though liberty was
not granted, a petition was presented to the General Court,
and Carlisle was incorporated as a district of Concord, AprU
19th, 1754. The ostensible reason for this petition was " be
ing remote from the public worship of God." The bounds
began at the mouth of Ralph's or Sawmill Brook, on Concord
River, southeasterly of Capt. Jonathan Buttrick's house, and run
westeriy over Gravel HiU, by Daniel Cole's (now Mr. Clark's,)
to Acton line, including the Temple farm ; from thence on the
old bounds of Concord, between Acton and BHlerica, tUl it came
to Concord River, including Blood's farms, and by the river to
the place first mentioned. These bounds included about one
quarter of the present limits of Concord.
The first meeting was held at Joseph Adams's, May 3d, 1754,
when John Hartwell was chosen District Clerk, and he and
Messrs. John Green, Joseph Adams, Jonathan Puffer, and
WiUiam Fletcher, Selectmen, and Dea. Ephraim Brown, Trea
surer. The first object of the inhabitants was the selection of a site
on which to erect a meeting-house. This was a peculiarly fruit
ful source of difficulty. The discordant materials, which could
not agree while connected with the town of Concord, were found
equally fond of disunion here. Their proceedings are, perhaps,
more a subject of curiosity,' than utUity ; yet, as they caused

GENERAL HISTORY. 321
the dissolution of the district, and throw light on the history of
those times, they are worthy of being transmitted and remembered.
The selection of a site for the meeting-house was first brought
before the district 2d of May, 1754, considered, and referred to
the next meeting. July 17th, it was agreed to select a conve
nient place on Lt. Jonathan Buttrick's plain. October 9th, a
committee was chosen to take a plan of the district and find its
centre. This survey was made by Capt. Stephen Hosmer. On
the 13th of the same month, Messrs. John Varnum of Dracut,
Jonas Prescott of Westford, and Samuel Dakin of Sudbury,
were chosen a committee to view the district, and select a place
where to build a house. Five men in the east and five in the
west part were a committee to wait on those gentlemen. They
reported January 1st, 1755 ; but not agreeably to the wishes
of the district. January 22d, voted to build on Capt. J. But
trick's land. March 3d, Messrs. Jonathan Puffer, Thomas Davis,
and Samuel Heald, were chosen a committee to petition the
General Court for an increase of territory on the south line as
far as Concord river. April 30th, voted to build on " Poplar
Hill." June 3d, four places proposed to the meeting were re
jected. July 9th, a coraraittee was chosen to petition the Gen
eral Court for a coraraittee to select a' spot. January 27th,
1756, voted to build, but to refer the selection of a place
to the next meeting. February 3d, voted to build on Capt.
Buttrick's plain. March 1st, a committee was chosen to pur
chase two acres of land of Capt. Buttrick, and £50 was ordered
to be raised towards the payment. April 6th, "chose Maj. John
Jones, Esq., Col. WHham Lawrence, Esq., of Groton, and Maj.
Ephraim Curds, Esq., of Sudbury, to view all the circumstances
of the district and prefix a place." It was surveyed by Maj.
Jones, and a new plan taken. The committee reported that
the most convenient place " is south 41 degrees west, 26 poles
from the centre of the angles," which is on Poplar Hill. This
report was accepted June 16th, and a committee chosen to pur
chase two acres of land there for the purposes contemplated.
This however was not generally satisfactory, and another unsuc
cessful attempt was made to fix the spot on Dea. Brown's land.
In consequence of these unharmonious proceedings, the follow
ing petition was presented to the selectmen : —
41

322 HISTORY OF CARLISLE.
" We, the subscribers, being sensible of the great difficulties
we labor under, and the great hardships we are unavoidably
exposed to, if we are obliged, under such circumstances, as we
are in at present, to build a meeting-house and settle a minister,
and pay for highways, that will be necessary to accommodate
the inhabitants, if \^e proceed according to the design of being
set off; the situation of the district being such that but a small
part of the inh.abitants can be much better accommodated with
the public worship in any place that has been proposed, than
they are in the town of Concord ; — desire that you would call a
meeting of the district, as soon as can or may be, to see if the
district will not agree by their vote to petition the General Court,
that said district may be set back to the town of Concord, with
all our forraer privileges ; and choose a committee for that pur
pose. — Cariisle, June 24th, 1756. — Ephraim Stow, Samuel
Laughton, Jonathan Puffer, Samuel Buttrick, Jr., Ephraim Mel
vin, David Whittaker, Phineas Blood, Abraham Temple, Eph
raim Whittaker, Jonathan Harris, John Laughton."
A co.mmittee was chosen July 14, 1756, to petition the Gen
eral Court agreeably to the views above expressed. The fol
lowing persons, however, remonstrated against it. Jonathan
Blood, David Blood, Zaccheus Green, Nathaniel Taylor, Nathan
iel Taylor, Jr., Joseph Taylor, John Hartwell, David Pariin,
Joseph Parlin, Jaines Russell, Leonard Spaulding, Timothy WU-
kins, John Green, Jr., James Russell, Jr.
An act was passed, January llth, 1757, setting the district
back to Concord, with all its former privileges. The necessary
measu es being taken for closing the concerns of the district, a
vote was passed, " that none of the inhabitants be set off again
into a separate town, district, or precinct, excepting such as shaH
hereafter sign a petition to the General Court to be set off."
During the existence of " Old Cariisle," as this incorporation
is called, religious worship was generally maintained either at
Dea. Brown's, Mr. Ephraim Smith's, or elsewhere. Money was
raised to pay the expenses for schools and other usual municipal
purposes. After the occurrence of those unpleasant circumstances which
led to the dissolution of Old Cariisle, no more definite attempts
were made to obtain a separation, till about fifteen years after-

GENERAL HISTORY. 323
¦wards. During this time, however, the occasional preaching of
the gospel had been supported, and a meeting-house was begun
as eariy as 1760, though not completed before 1733. Several
pethions were presented to the adjoining towns to obtain their
consent, and one to the General Court by the inhabitants of
Blood's farms and the extreme parts of Concord, Acton, Chelms
ford, and Billerica ; and an act was passed April 23th, 1780,
incorporating them as a district of Acton, by the name of Car
lisle.^ This act provided that one sixth part of the expense of
maintaining the north bridge in Concord, should be paid tHl
another be built by themselves ; and that all the poor within the
district should be supported there. It also provided, that the
farms of Thomas Brown, Nathan Buttrick, Oliver Barron, Samuel
Kibby, John Blood, and WHlard Blood, of Concord, living whhin
the limits prescribed by the act, should be exempted, and con
tinue to belong to Concord, unless they should within one year
" insert their names in the Secretary's office, that they choose
to belong to Carlisle." These families had not petitioned for
the act; and, agreeably to the vote passed at the dissolution
of Old Carlisle, they were exempted from its operation. They
never left their names with the Secretary, and still belong to
Concord. Hence arises that zigzag, crooked line, which runs
round these farms, and now separates Concord from Carlisle.
An act passed March 1st, 1783, to annex David Parker to
Chelmsford, and another September 12th, 1780, to annex Josiah
Blood to Concord.
The first meeting took place May Sth, 1780, when Phinehas
Blood presided as moderator, and the customary officers were
chosen. After the incorporation of the district, the inhabitants bore
whh cheerfulness their proportional part of the burdens of fur-
1 The line run, beginning on land belonging to Issachar Andrews on
Concord River ; thence, north 60° west, 86 rods ; n. 9° w., 62 rods ; n. 58°
w., 40 rods ; n. 32° w., 245 rods : n. 27° e., 150 ; n. .36° w., 115 roils ; n.
60° w., 90 rods : n. 52° w., 162 rods ; north 22° east, 18 ; n. 68° w. 382
rods ; south 6.^° west, 368 rods ; south 3** east, 23.i rods ; south 75° west,
260 rods ; s. 1° w., 172 rods ; south 7° east, 435 rods ; s. 58° e. 107 rods ;
s. 79° e., 515 rods ; s. 64° e„ 600 rods, to Concord, and hy the river to the
bounds first mentioned.

324 HISTORY OF CARLISLE.
nishing men, money, and provisions to prosecute the revolutionary
war to its close. On the 30th of May, 1780, seven men were
raised for the continental army, and six more on the following
February. When the subject was brought before the district,
a committee was chosen to procure the men, and Capt. Samuel
Heald embodied the men then present, to see if any would enlist,
but none volunteered. The district was then divided into six
classes to procure one in each class. One man was sent to
Rhode Island in 1781, and three more to the Continental army.
Committtees of safety were regularly chosen.
On the 6th of June, 1804, the district voted, that "h is ex
pedient to be disconnected from the town of Acton." Jonathan
Heald, Esq. was chosen to present the subject to the General
Court, and an act was passed, February 18th, 1805, conferring
on the district all the privileges of a town.
Since this period the general history of the town, is doubtless
familiar to the inhabitants ; and no event of importance has taken
place to render it expedient to pursue it further.

Miscellaneous Notices. The surface of the town is gen
erally uneven and rocky, though there are no considerable eleva
tions ; and the soil is unfavorable to agriculture. Concord River
washes its eastern bounds ; and a brook arising in Heat Pond
in Chelmsford, runs easterly through the north part, which affords
sites for two or three small mHls. The principal employment of
the inhabhants is agriculture. There is one physician, one store,
two taverns, and a few mechanics' shops to accommodate the
immediate wants of the inhabitants.
The population in 1800 was 634 ; in 1810, 675 ; in 1820,
681 ; in 1830, 566. In 1820, 119 persons were engaged in
agriculture, 1 in commerce, and 34 in manufactures.
The valuation in 1831 gives the following results: 138 rate
able polls, 17 not rateable, 83 dwelling-houses, 83 barns, 4 grist
and saw mills ; 314 acres of tUlage land, 524 acres of upland
mowing, 661 acres of meadow, 294 acres of pasturing, 882 acres
of woodland, 3607 acres unimproved, 884 unimprovable, 213
acres used for roads, and 109 acres covered with water ; 46

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 325
horses, 200 oxen, 474 cows and steers ; 3668 bushels of com,
541 bushels of rye, 490 of oats, 362 tons of Enghsh hay, and 468
tons of meadow hay. By comparing the valuations for several
periods since the incorporation, it will appear that the town has
made little or no progress, but in many things has retrograded.
Appropriations by ihe Town for various Purposes.
Object. 1785. 1790. 1795. 1800. 180.5. 1810. 1815. 1800. 1825. 1830.
Minister £91 90 8.T $285 290 280 320 275 320 500.
Schools 36 30 60 3()0 300 360 3i;0 450 300 360.
Roads 60 45 60 300 480 350 400 400 3.50 400.
Town Charges 74 60 50 300 500 550 550 700 600 600.
County Tax - Hi 2-2 58  117 72 99 56 22.
State Tax 484 48 64 227  210 130 ISO  C5.
Schools. The town from its first incorporation has been
divided into six school districts ; and the money raised by the
town has been divided equally among them. There is a school
fund amounting to ^500 given by Mr. Simon Blood, the annual
interest of which is appropriated in the same manner as other
moneys. The following individuals have been educated at college.
Amos Spaulding, son of Zebulon Spaulding, graduated at
Dartmouth College 1805, and settled as a lawyer in Andover.
He has been member of the House of Representatives and the
Senate of Massachusetts several years.
Joel Adams, son of Capt. Timothy Adams, graduated at
Harvard College 1805, admitted to the bar September, 1808,
and settled as a lawyer in Chelmsford, where he has since re
sided. Asa Green, son of Zaccheus Green, graduated at WHliams
College 1807, and is a lawyer and post-master at Brattleborough.
Fbanklin Litchfield, son of the Rev. Paul Litchfield,
was born August 18th, 1790, and graduated at Harvard College^
1810. He went to Charleston, S. Carolina, and studied physic
under Dr. Ramsay, but left there in June 1812, for Carthagena,
South America, where he resided tUl 1815, having, during this
time, made a tour to the city Quibdo or Zetara by the river Atrato,
near 500 miles from. Carthagena. This tour has been mention
ed by Baptiste Irvine. At the last mentioned date he emigrated

326 HISTORY OF CARLISLE.
with other distinguished citizens to the Island of Jamaica, where
he remained till 1819, when he removed to St. Thomas, and
resided there till 1821. A I this time the city of Caraccas was
occupied by the Patriots, under the command of the distinguished
Bolivar ; and he now proceeded to that city, and remained there
till 1824, when he removed to Puerto Cabello, having been
appointed Consul of the United States for that city, by President
Monroe in December, 1823. Here he has since resided, and
been extensively engaged as a commission merchant. From
the time of his departure from Charleston, he devoted much
time in giving statements of the progress of the war in South
America, which eventuated in the final overthrow of the Spanish
authority in that region and the acknowledgment of its inde
pendence. He married Garcia de Sena, a lady of the city of
Caraccas, at Jamaica in 1826. Her eldest brother, Ramon, was
Secretary at War of the government under General Bolivar, and
was kiHed at the battle of La Puerta, as Adjutant-General of the
Army. Another brother, Manuel, was Secretary at War of the
government of Carthagena. Mr. Litchfield's life has been most
eventful. In the various revolutions he has witnessed, he has
experienced in an eminent degree, the enjoyments and trials,
resulting from the ups and downs of life, and the acquisition and
loss of fortune.
William L. Russell, son of James Russell, graduated at
Harvard College 1826, and is a physician at Barre.
Albert Nelson, son of Dr. John Nelson, born March 12th,
1812, graduated at Harvard College 1832, and is now a student
at law at that institution.
Frederick Parker, son of Maj. James Parker, graduated
1833. With the exception of the clergy, the physicians have been
the only professional men. Thomas Jewett, now of Rindge, New
Harppshire, practised physic here several years.
Dr. John Nelson, son of- Josiah Nelson of Milford, was born
Sept. Sth, 1790. After being two years at Brown University,
he left it, and afterwards studied his profession with Dr. Thurber
of Mendon. He came to Carlisle in 1816, and is a member of
the Massachusetts Medical Society.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 327

TOWN CLERKS.

Zebulon Spaulding 1780-1784. Jonathan Heald, Jr. '13, '14, '18-'20.
Asa Parlin 1785- ISOi, ie06-'8. J.ihn Heald 'I5-'17, ':il-'-a5,'27-'29.
John Jacobs 1803, 1809 -'12, lr26. Cyrus Heald 1829  .
Jonatiian Heald 1804, 1805.
TREASURERS.
Samuel Heald 1780-1785. Nathan Green 1804-1819.
Simon Blood, Jr. 1786-178'-'. Nathan Green 1 820 - 1 828.
Samuel Green 1789-1803. John Nelson 1829  -.
Selectmen. The town clerk has always been the first select
man ; and the board have acted as assessors and overseers of the
poor. The following persons have been selectmen, arranged in
order as they were first chosen : Zebulon Spaulding, Phinehas
Blood, John Heald, Samuel Green, Issachar Andrews, Asa Parlin,
Zaccheus Green, Nathaniel Hutchinson, Nathan Parlin, Jonathan
Heald, Simon Blood, Jr., Ephraim Robbins, Leonard Green,
John Jacobs, Nathan Green, Jr., John Green, Thomas Spaiddlng,
Frederick Blood, Ezekiel Nichols, Nehemiah Andrews, Timothy
Heald, Thomas Heald, Jor,athan Heald, Jr., Benjamin Robbins,
Jonas Parker, John Heald, Ellakim Hutchins, Aaron Robbins,
Aaron Fletcher, Paul Furbush, Isaiah Green, Cyrus Heald,
James Green, Cyrus Green, Thomas Heald, Jr.
Representatives. While Carlisle was a district of Acton, Dea.
Ephraim Robbins, in 1790, and Asa Parlin, Esq., in 1803, were
chosen jointly by both places. Since its incorporation, as a
town, the following individuals have been its representatives.
(Except in the years specified, it was not represented.)
Dea. Ephraim Robbins 1807,1808. Jonathan Heald, Jr., Esq. 1816.
Rev. Paul Litchfield 1808-181L John Heald, Ksq. 1818,1821,1823.
Capt. Timothy Heald 1812, 181.'{. Dr. John Nelson 1824.
Capt. Thomas Heald 1815. John Heald, Esq. 1826,1827,1830.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Name. Died. Age. Name. Died, Age.
Asa Parlin, Oct. 8, 1822. 68. Nath'l Hutchinson,July 30, 1820. 34.
Jonathan Heald, Dec. 28, 1816. 60. John Heald.
Jonathan Heald, Jr. John Nelson.
Bill of Mortality. No records were kept, by which to form a
bill of mortality, before 1800. From that date to 1826, the Rev.

328 HISTORY OF CARLISLE.
Mr. Litchfield regularly recorded the deaths as they took place.
Frora these records the following facts are obtained. The total
number of deaths in these 27 years is 334, about 13, or one in
50 of the inhabitants annually ; the aggregate amount of ages is
1 1600, and the mean average 34i! nearly. The least average
age was 15, in 1808 ; and the greatest 58, in 1826. Of these
334 deaths, 58 died under the age of 1 year, 44 between 1 and
5; 17 between 5 and 10 ; 18 between 10 and 20; 29 between
20 and 30 ; 23 between 30 and 40 ; 20 between 40 and 50 ;
36 between 50 and 60 ; 20 between 60 and 70 ; 30 between
70 and 80; 26 between 80 and 90 ; and 13 between £0 and 100.
The proportion of males to females, who died fiora 90 and upwards
was as 6 to 7 ; and 80 to 90, as 11 to 15. By this it appears
that 1 in 20 neariy arrive to the age of 90 ; 1 in 9 to 80 ; 1 in
5 to 70 ; 1 in 4 to 60 ; and 1 in 3 to 50. One fifth neariy, die
under 1 year, and one third under 2 years. It appears from a
careful examination of the records that the month in which the least
number of deaths occurred was May, and the greatest, in October.
.23 died in January, 23 In February, 22 in Marcli, 37 in April,
19 in May, 22 in June, 22 in July, 32 in August, 35 in Septem
ber, 41 in October, 33 in November, and 25 in December. In
1817, fourteen died of the disentery, 10 of whom were under
5 years. In 1819, of those under 1 year, 8 died. In 1821,
the canker rash prevailed and was "fatal to many. I subjoin a
few remarkable instances of longevity, which may interest some
readers. Date. Name. Age. Date. Name. Age.
1800, ApriH9, Jon. Spaulding, 9.5. 1817, April 28, W id. M.Parker, 93.
1803, June 28, Wid. S. Fletcher, 94. 1819, Sept. 23, Amos Kidder, 90.
I807,Sept. II, Wi<l. R. Heald, 90. 18-^1, Dec. .5, Wid. R. Monroe, 99.
1808,April4, Wid. E. Nichols, 94. ]8I5,Jan.21, William Wilson, 94.
1810, Feb. 5, Wid. L Spaulding, 93. 18<i6, Jan. 10, Isaac Wilkins, 92.
1812, Dec. 22, Josepli Barrett, 9L 1826, Nov. I7, Wid. L.Russell, 95.
1816, Nov. 30, John Waters, 98.

Ecclesiastical History. The first house for public re
ligious worship was commenced about 1760, and completed in
1781, when 24 pews on the lower floor were sold for ^950*50;

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 329
and in 1793, nineteen in the gaUery for £58. This house was
struck by lightning In May, 1810, and entirely consumed.
The present house was dedicated the second Sabbath in Decem
ber, 1811, and contains 44 pews on the lower floor and 16 in
the gaUery, which were sold that year for $2746-50. The
builders were Joseph Wyman and John Sawyer ; and the whole
expense of the house, including the preparation of the spot, was
$4866-81. A bell was procured in 1812 at an expense of $350.
In consequence of the unfortunate loss of the old house the state
tax for 1811 was remitted.
The church was organized February 28th, 1781, and then
consisted of 10 male and 24 female members. ' Nathaniel Taylor,
John Green, Phinehas Blood, and their wives, Joseph Monroe,
Ebenezer Chase, Agnes Foster, Mercy Monroe, Ruth Monroe,
Abigail Parlin, and Rebecca Heald had been members of the
church in Concord. The other male merabers were Joshua
Monroe, Jonathan Spaulding, Thomas Spaulding, Job Spaulding,
John Robbins, and David Dickinson.
On the 17th of May, 1781, the church voted unanimously
to invite Mr. Paul Litchfield to become their first pastor. In
this vote the town concurred the 25th of the sarae month by a
vote of 43 to 3. It was agreed to give him £150 as a set
tlement ; and £80 in silver money, and 20 cords of wood
annually, as a salary, so long as he should supply the pulpit.
He was ordained November the 7th, 1781, on the same day as
Mr. Stearns at Lincoln. The councU on the occasion was com
posed of pastors and delegates from the churches in Billerica,
Bedford, Concord, Acton, Westford, Ashby, 2d in Scituate,
Abington, 2d in Medway, Franklin, North in Newburyport, and
2d in Salem ; and were invited by Jonathan Spaulding, Thomas
Spaulding, and John Green, a committee of the church. In the
public rehgious exercises, the Rev. Samuel Spring, of Newbury
port, made the introductory prayer ; the Rev. Samuel NHes, of Ab
ington, preached the sermon from 1 Cor. iv. 2 ; the Rev. Nathaniel
Emmons of Franklin, made " the prayer during the imposition
of hands " ; the Rev. David Sanford of Medway, gave the charge,
the Rev. Samuel Spring the right hand of fellowship, and the
Rev.' Samuel Whitman of Ashby made the concluding prayer.
42

330 HISTORY OF CARLISLE.
The first communion was held December 31st, 1781, when
it was voted to require a written or verbal relation by candidates,
before the church and congregation, of the religious exercises of
their minds before admission into the church. This embarrass
ing regulation was so modified two years afterwards, as to perihit
them to do it before a coraraittee of the church. The doctrines
contained in the confession of faith, and preached by Mr. Litch
field were strictly Calvinistic, coinciding in many points with that
system of theology known by the name of Hopkinsianism.
No records are preserved to show the number of admissions
into the church during Mr. Litchfield's long and peaceful ministry.
In 1798, an interesting revival of religion prevailed, in which
considerable additions were made to the church. The number
of communicants in 1829, were 3 males and 24 females.
Deacons of the Church. Dea. John Robbins, chosen Novem
ber 29th, 1781, excused from active duty, on account of infirmi
ties October 5th, 1815, and died March 28th, 1826, aged 82
years ; Dea. Ephraim Robbins, a brother of the preceding,
admitted to the church May 9th, 1784, chosen into ofiice soon
after, and died July 29th, 1820, aged 63 ; Dea. John Green,
chosen October 5th, 1815, and Dea. John Jacobs, chosen in
1812, are at present in office ; the former in the Rev. Mr. Hull's,
and the latter in the other church.
The Rev. Paul Litcheield, died November 7th, 1827, in
the 76th year of his age ; and on the 46th anniversary of his
ordination. He was the eldest of twelve children, and born of
respectable parents in Scituate, March 12th, 1752. His youth
was marked for sober and exemplary deportment, and for warm
attachment to the friends of evangelical truth. With an inten
tion to qualify himself for the gospel ministry, he entered Har
vard CoUege, and graduated in 1775. After he left coHege, he
studied theology with the Rev. Dr. West, of Stockbridge ; and
was subsequently employed at several places till his engagement
in Carlisle. Here he performed the ministerial duties with gen
eral acceptance. His views of evangelical truth were formed in
the school of Hopkins, Emmons, and their associates ; and were
agreeable to the views of orthodoxy which were maintained by
the rigid Calvinists at the time of his ordination. Of doctrinal

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 33 1
theology, he was particularly fond, and was often accustomed to
present its peculiar traits to his hearers. In his intercourse with
his people he was kind, famHiar, charitable, and peaceful. He
rejoiced at the prosperity of the church, and aided by his personal
services, and his wealth, many of the great rehgious charities of
the age. To the Massachusetts Domestic Missionary Society
he bequeathed, at his death, a generous legacy. He died in the
full belief of that Christian faith, which he had inculcated, and
of that hope which the Christian rehgion inspires.
The funeral sermon preached at his interraent by the Rev.
John H. Church, D. D., was printed, to which the reader is
referred for a more particular notice of his character. Mr. Litch
field married, for his first wife. Miss Mary BaUey of Scituate,
who died July 12th, 1809, aged 59, by whom he had 6 chil
dren, — 5 sons, Paul, Roland, Philo, Benjamin, and Franklin
(who was graduated at Harvard College), and a daughter, who
died in childhood. He married, for his second wife, Mrs. Sarah
Capen of Braintree, October 12th, 1811, who still survives.
The Rev. Stephen Hull, the successor of the Rev. Mr.
Litchfield, was born at Stonington, Connecticut, February 17th,
1779, and instaUed at Carlisle, December 29th, 1830, having
previously been minister at Amesbury and Raynhain, and dis
missed at his own request. On this occasion, the Rev. Mr. Whit
man made the introductory prayer ; the Rev. Mr. Barry read selec
tions from Scripture ; the Rev. Peter Eaton, D. D., of Boxford,
preached the sermon ; the Rev. Dr. Ripley made the consecrat
ing prayer ; the Rev. Mr. Allen gave the charge ; the Rev.
Ephraim Randall gave the right hand of fellowship ; the Rev.
Charles Briggs addressed the people ; and the Rev. John Golds-
berry, of North Bridgewater, made the concluding prayer. These
gentlemen, and the Rev. Mr. White of Littleton, and the Rev.
Dr. Packard of Chelmsford, with delegates from their respective
churches, composed the council. The Rev. Messrs. Samuel
Stearns, Marshall Shed, and William Lawrence were invited to
the councU, but did not attend. Mr. Hull's church then consisted
of one male, and ten female members, and worship in the meeting
house erected by the town. Three male and eight female mem
bers had before seceded, and, with several others not members,
erected a separate house, where they worship.

APPENDIX.

No. I. (See Page 103.)
HISTOKICAL VIEW OP THE EVIDENCE RELATING TO THE EVENTS
OP THE 19th of APEIL, 1775.
Fifty years after the events of the 19th of April, 1775,
occurred, some statements relating to the history of those events
became the subject of controversy. The following questions
embrace the most material points in discussion.
1. Did the Lexington company disperse as directed by the
British officers ? and were they first fired upon while dispers-
ing 7
2. Was the first forcible resistance to the British armed
soldiers made by the provincials at Lexington in the morning ;
and did they then return the fire of the enemy ?
Some individuals are satisfied with a history which describes the-
whole of the events of that day under the local name of Lexing
ton Battle, whether reference be had to the affair at Lexington
in the morning, or to the fight at Concord, or to that in the
afternoon, continued during the whole course of the retreat from
Concord to Charlestown ; and they will consider it of little
importance how these questions are answered. But those who
regard truth as important in historical matters, even in minute
particulars, will look at the subject in a different light. Without
any intention of reviving the controversy, or of stating at length
the reasons for the opinions I entertain, or of casting a com
parative shade over the honor acquired by the brave " sons of
liberty " in either town for the part they acted, I deem it due
to historical truth to make the following detail of facts, that the
subject may be fairly understood ; and that those who entertain
or promulgate opinions relating to these historical events, may
have the means of doing it accurately.
The origin of this controversy will appear from the following
statements. On the 2d of September, 1 824, Lafayette passed
through Lexington and Concord ; and in an address to him in

334 APPENDIX.
Concord the Hon. Samuel Hoar said, " You now behold the spot
on which the first forcible resistance was made " to British op
pression. The same idea had often been given before by Morse,
Worcester, and others, who had in their Gazetteers, described the
geography of the town. In the following October the Bunker
Hill Monument Association published an address to the public,
soliciting subscriptions in aid of its objects, in which it is said, "At
Concord the first [British] blood was shed between the British
and armed Americans." — "It is also intended to erect a suitable
monument at Concord, where the first conflict was had, bearing
proper inscriptions to commemorate the glorious spirit of inde
pendence which manifested itself there." This produced two
illiberal newspaper articles in " The Boston Patriot," and a reply
from the Hon. WiHiam Sullivan, chairman of the committee.
During the approaching winter the citizens of Concord made
arrangements to celebrate by public performances the fiftieth
anniversary of the 19th of April, 1775. The Hon. Edward
Everett was engaged as the orator, and Lexington and the
neighbouring towns were invited to unite in the ceremony.
The Bunker Hill Monument Association appropriated $500, —
which was somewhat less than the amount of the subscriptions
to that Association in Concord, — towards the erection of a
monument in that town, and sent to the committee of arrange
ments a plan of the monument, and proposed that the corner
stone should be laid on the day^f the celebration.^
In the mean time the inhabitants of Lexington had taken
measures to collect and publish a statement, intended, as we are
informed in the preface to the publication, to counteract the
influence of the two statements above mentioned ; and also the
testimony given under oath in 1 775 ; and the narrative of the
Rev. Mr. Clark published in 1776. The result of these measures
was, "The History of the Battle at Lexington," written by
Elias Phinney, Esq., a member of the committee chosen by
the town for that purpose. This pamphlet was placed in the
hands of the honorable and accomplished orator, and he states
in a note to the historical Oration, pronounced at the celebration,
that his " aim has been not to pronounce on questions in con-
1 This money has heen vested on interest by the town for this object.
The Directors of the Bunker Hill Monument Association have also more
recently pledged themselves to pay the additional sum of $1000; and
when received, the whole will be appropriated to building a monument,
probably on the very spot vehere the first British blood -was shed, — where
the first British life was taken, in the cause of American liberty, and
where are the graves of the slain.

APPENDIX. 335
troversy," — " reference being had to the testimony contained "
in Mr. Phinney's pamphlet. These two publications (the Oration
and History) appeared in print about the sarae tirae ; and, so
far as relates to the particular facts in question, stand equally
on controversial ground. In 1827, "the Rev. Ezra Ripley,
D. D., and other citizens of Concord, published a " History of
the Fight at Concord," intended to invalidate sorae of the
statements contained in the two pamphlets just mentioned. All
three of these publications, though they contain much valuable
historical matter, must be considered in regard to the points at
issue, controversial.
About the time these publications were made, several highly
controversial articles appeared in the newspapers ; but they
cannot be regarded by candid minds in the serious light of his
torical truth. A new lithographic edition of Doolitde's Historical
Engraving, first published in 1775, also appeared. In the original
no one is represented as firing at the British soldiers at Lexing
ton, but several as dispersing and some as slain. As this would
be rather an awkward representation of a battle, the editors, as
is sometimes the practice of historians, thought fit to improve
the original to suit their views of what the engagement should
have been. From this picture wood cuts have been prepared,
which appear in some school-books to perpetuate error.
The original evidence, which'was for the first time obtained and
printed in the above pamphlets, was taken ex parte, and design
ed, so far as relates to the question at issue, to establish some
particular facts in controversy, and cannot therefore be consid
ered strictiy impartial. If there was an influence which produced
defective evidence in 1775, as has been stated, is it not more
reasonable to suppose that some other influence, operating fifty
years afterwards, when the facts could not be so distinctly re
membered, and the points then in controversy were a subject of
frequent conversation, might produce evidence so stated and
expressed as to give erroneous impressions? Whatever weight
might be attached to either of these publications, no accurate
historian will be satisfied with their statements merely, or pro
nounce on questions in controversy, without a reference to the
whole original evidence. In this case, as well as in many others,
where historians copy the errors of other writers, it will be found
to differ materially from the modern version. And what are the
original sources of the evidence ? What is its purport ? And how
was it understood ?
Some account of those events was published in the " Essex
Gazette " of April 21st and 25th, and May Sth, 1775, which,

336 APPENDIX.
including an introduction, a list of the kiUed and wounded, and a
" Funeral elegy to the immortal memory of those worthies which
were slain in the Battle of Concord, AprH 19, 1775," soon after
appeared in a hand-bUl 20 inches long and 15 wide, entitled
" Bloody Butchery by the British Troops, or the Runaway Fight
of the Regulars"; — "being the Particulars of the Victorious
Battle fought at and near Concord." Just above the title were
pictured 40 coffins over which were printed the names of the
slain. On the 22d of AprU a committee of the Provincial Congress,
consisting of Col. Elbridge Gerry of Marblehead, Hon. Thomas
Cushing of Cohasset, Col. James -Barrett of Concord, Capt. Josiah
Stone of Dracut, Dr. John Taylor of Lunenburgh, Mr. Sarauel
Freeman of Falmouth, Abraham Watson, Esq. of Cambridge,
and Jonas Dix, Esq. of Waltham, was chosen to take the deposi
tions relating to the conduct of the British on the 19th ; another
waS appointed to draw up a narrative, and another to make an
additional copy of the depositions. After it was collected, the evi
dence was transmitted to the Continental Congress, and to Eng
land;^ part of it was published in the " Pennsylvania Ledger,"
and copied into other American and English newspapers. The
whole was published by Isaiah Thomas, by an order of the
Provincial Congress passed May 28th, in a pamphlet of 22 pages,
8vo., entitled, " A Narrative of the Incursions and Ravages of
the King's Troops under comraand of General Gage on the
Nineteenth of April, 1775, together with the Depositions taken
by order of Congress to support the truth of it." The pamphlet
was ordered to be sent to every town in the province, though
I have seen but one copy, which is owned by William Lincoln,
Esq., of Worcester. These depositions were all taken the next
week after the battle ; and it is a fact worthy of notice, that those
I Capt. John Derby of Saletn was despatched with these papers to
England, where he arrived the 29th of May. He was the bearer of the
" Essex Gazette," containing the first published account of these events,
which was printed and circulated in London on the day of his arrival,
and gave the first notice of the affair in England. It produced great
commotion. General Gage's official account, although despatched foiu:
days before Capt. Derby sailed, did not arrive until the 10th of June,
eleven days after Capt. Derby's arrival, subjecting the ministry to no
small embarrassment and chagrin. The depositions taken out by Capt.
Derby were the originals flrst taken, aud contain the real signatures of the
deponents. They were intended for the British government, but for some
causes not known were never communicated. They have been returned to
this country, and are now in the Library of Harvard College. See Wash
ington's Writings, Vol. III. p. 35. The depositions and the letters sent
by Capt. Derby may be found in the printed Journals of Congress for
1775.

APPENDIX. 337
relating to Concord were dated the 23d, and those relating to
Lexington the 25th of AprU.
" A Narrative of the Concord Fight, with 104 Depositions to
support the truth of it," was written by the Rev. Mr. Gordon of
Roxbury, and published in George's Almanac for 1776, "by
particular desire and for the use of the gentiemen officers and
soldiers of the American Army." Lowe's Almanac for that
year contains another account by the same gentleman, describing
" what he saw, or collected from unquestionable authority on the
spot," relating to the same events.
The Rev. Jonas Clark published his Narrative, referred to
in our General History, in connexion with his Anniversary Ser
mon in 1776. He informs us that he was an eye-witness ; and
that it is " a plain and faithful narrative of facts, as they appeared
unto us in this place."
A " circumstaiitial account " of this affair was transmitted by
Gov. Gage to Gov. Trumbull ; ^ and an official account was sent
to England, which was not published by the^ ministry tiH June
10th, and which drew forth some severe but well deserved criti
cisms in the " Remerabrancer " and other English papers. Gordon
says it " had little truth in it ; " and aU who had even an iraper-
fect knowledge of the facts will say the same. This statement
of the material facts is contradicted by the original depositions,
by Mr. Clark's Narrative, and by all the recent publications
above noticed. It was so drawn up as especially to answer a
particular purpose, and as a lame apology of Gage to England
for murdering innocent citizens. It was probably corapUed from
letters of Smith and Percy, or from a narrative of the occurrences
¦written by Ensign D. Bernicre, which was left in Boston, when
the British evacuated it, and published in 1779, says the title,
" for the information and amusement of the curious." ^ This
remark- in some measure shows the estimation in which its state
ments were then held. It was not believed by most of the
English historians of those times, who have been considered
accurate and impartial ; though some, who appear willing to
adopt the errors of others from prejudice or without careful in
vestigation, have beheved and sent it forth as truth.
These were all the material printed original sources of evi
dence.* Most other writers anterior to 1825 have described the
1 2 Massachusetts Historical Collections, ii, p. 224.
2 2 Massachusetts Historical Collections, iv, p. 215.
3 The letter of Paul Revere relates to other occurrences of the day not
in controversy. 1 Hist. Coll., Voh v. p. 106.
43

338

APPENDIX.

events without being eye-witnesses, — without thorough exam
ination, or have been mere copyists from some one of these
authorities with comraents to suit their own pecuhar views.
And what is the purport of this evidence ?
In these depositions, Capt. Parker, commander of the Lexing
ton company, testifies under oath, that on the approach of the Brit
ish troops he " immediately ordered the mHitia to disperse, and not
to fire ; immediately said troops made their appearance." John
Robbins, that when commanded by the British troops to disperse,
they did disperse before any firing took place. 34 others, that
" the company began to disperse, and, when their backs were
turned upon the troops, they were fired upon." Timothy Smith,
diat "the troops marched up to the company then dispersing"
before the firing. Thomas Fessenden, that " as soon as ever the
officer cried ' Disperse, you rebels,' the said company dispersed
as fast as they could ; and, while they were dispersing, the reg
ulars kept firing at them." Edward T. Gould, a British officer,
that " on our approach they dispersed, and, soon after, firing be
gan." The Rev. Mr. Clark fuHy confirms these depositions. The
British account says, " when the troops came within one hundred
yards of them they began to file off towards some stone walls."
How was this testimony understood ? Isaiah Thoraas, in the
Massachusetts Spy of May 3d, 1775, published an account of
this affair, " collected from those whose veracity is unquestioned,"
in which he says, " it is to be noticed they fired upon our people
as they were dispersing agreeably to their command, and that
they did not even return the fire." — " Thus did the troops of
the British king fire first at two several times [at Lexington
and Concord] upon his loyal American subjects, and put a period
to ten lives before a gun was fired upon them. Our people then
returned the fire and obhged them to retreat." The London
"Remembrancer " (Vol. I, p. 56) says, "The positive oaths and
veracity of witnesses render it unquestionable that the King's
troops began the fire, and that too upon a very small body of pro
vincials who were dispersing." Gordon, in the Narrative to which
I have referred, says, " Upon seeing the regulars they dispersed."
— "The Lexington company upon seeing these troops, and being
of themselves so unequal a match for them, were deliberating
for a few moments what they should do, when several dispersing
of their own heads, the Captain soon ordered the rest to disperse
for their own safety." This was before the firing of the British.
" They kUled 3 or 4 on the common,' the rest on the other side
of the walls, and while dispersing." This is confirmed by the
British account. The Rev. Mr. Pemberton says, " They were

APPENDIX. 339
fired upon while dispersing; " ^ and repeats the same idea in his
manuscript history.
It has been said that this evidence was " ex parte and made
for particular purposes," — to decide the question "whether the
Americans fired first, and not whether they fired at aU." It has
also been said, that those " who gave in their evidence would not
disclose any " facts which might in all probabUity expose them
selves or their friends to the British halter." These objections, to be
of force, must, as seems to me, apply equally to all the testimony,
to that which relates to Concord as well as to Lexington ; and even
to the Narrative of Mr. Clark. The Concord deponents testified
hefore " Gen. Gage and other apologists of British outrage," (in
the language of Mr. Phinney's preface,) " had asserted that the
people of Lexington coramenced the attack on the king's troops,"
that they returned the fire and kiHed sorae of the British troops ;
and they testified two days before the Lexington deponents gave
in their testimony to the same committee. If the Lexington
company returned the fire, why, it has been asked, should they
not have testified to it after the Concord deponents had done it ?
Why should one fear the halter more than the other ? And why
should it be more criminal in one to tell the whole truth than in
the other? And it is especially difficult to perceive how Mr.
Clark should be influenced by such or any other improper mo
tives. His Narrative was drawn up after being a year on the
spot, and after daily conversations on the subject. It is not easy
to perceive how any motive could have influenced him to make
an imperfect statement, or " color it for a particular purpose."
He could not have suppressed the truth, because he feared " the
halter " ; nor was it necessary at that time to rouse the indigna
tion of the Americans towards the British by erroneous state
ments, nor to refute their assertions, nor to show that they had
commuted " the most deliberate murder " at Lexington. Bunker
Hill battle had been fought, Washington for sorae time had had the
command of the army ; and, among other great events, the enemy
had removed from our neighbourhood, and evacuated Boston.
Why should his Narrative not be beheved and received as he
says it is, — as "a plain and faithful Narrative of facts as they
appeared to us in this place " [Lexington] ? And with far more
authority than any foreign historian ?
None of the original, authorities to which I have referred, states
that the fire was returned, though it is inferred frora what is
testified that some guns were fired. But these could not have

1 1 Massachusetts Historical Collections, ii, p. 48.

340

APPENDIX.

been fired till after Capt. Parker had " ordered the mihtia to
disperse and not to fire." — " Very few of our people," says Mr.
Clark, " fired at all ; and even they did not fire tiU, after being
fired upon by the troops, they were wounded themselves, or saw
others kiUed, or wounded by them, and looked upon it next to
impossible to escape." But does not the expression returning
the fire, as usuaUy understood, convey some other meaning than
that implied by Mr. Clark ? Would two or three guns from
behind the waHs or from neighbouring houses or even on the
common, on each one's own responsibUity, after orders had been
given by the commanding officer " to disperse and not to fire," be
considered, in military affairs, or in the ordinary use of language,
as returning the fire, and making a regular, forcible resistance ?
Whether any British blood was shed or not at Lexington in the
morning, so far as regards the sources of evidence to which we
have adverted, rests entirely on the assertion in the British account,
that a single man was wounded in the leg. Whether this be true
is problematical, since this account is not now relied on by any one
as authority. It is not pretended by any one, that a single individ
ual of the enemy was killed at Lexington in the morning.
Notwithstanding the distinguished part Concord acted on that
occasion, her citizens never took the trouble to have the partic
ulars published to the world. This is partly to be ascribed to
the premature death of that devoted patriot, the Rev. WiHiam
Emerson. He and several others left matter in manuscript which
has aided me in this work. Lexington, on the other hand, cele
brated the day by military parades and religious services on
eight successive anniversaries ; and the sermons preached on the
occasion were printed. The legislature also granted on the 28th
of February, 1797, on the petition of Joseph Simonds, then a
representative from Lexington, ^200 to erect a monument in
that town. Mr. Thomas Park of Harvard built the monument.
After some progress had been made in its erection it was found
that a further sum would be necessary to complete it, and the
selectmen petitioned for more aid. ^200 more were granted
on the 13th of January, 1798.^ It was proper that such a mon
ument should be placed there ; and the inscription it bears is
¦ happHy designed for its object. This monument, however, and
the celebrations above noticed, combined with various other cir
cumstances, have tended to take off the public mind from an ex
amination of the whole history of the events of the 19th of April,
1775, and to mark this spot for other purposes than the monument
' Resolves of the General Court.

APPENDIX. 341
was intended, — the spot where the first American blood was
shed; where the first American life was taken.
The inhabitants of Lexington deserve great credit for the stand
they took in the morning, and the part they acted during the day.
That her militia were slain with arms in their hands is an import
ant fact, and highly honorable to their patriotism and valor. As
to resistance there, it is not contended by any one that any was
made or attempted, which could have impeded the progress of
the troops. Mr. Clark speaks of the place, as " the field, not
of battle, but of murder and bloodshed." This was undoubtedly
true. It would have been rash and inconsiderate for 70 mHitia
men to have placed themselves in the attitude of opposition to
800 chosen troops ; and much more so to have engaged in a
battle. It would have been folly, and not bravery. It was much
more honorable to disperse. It was not so at Concord. There
the circumstances were different, and the numbers of both oppos
ing parties more nearly equal. All testimony concurs in saying
that there was cool, deliberate, and effectual opposition, by order
of the commanding officer. There was the first forcible resist
ance, — there the enemy were first compelled to retreat : and
there the first British life was taken.
I annex all the depositions taken by authority of the Provincial
Congress, and pubhshed officially in the pamphlet of which we
have given the title on page 336. The signatures of the depon
ents, and the certificates of the Justices of the Peace and Notaries
Public, only, are omitted.
" We, Solomon Brown, Jonathan Loring, and Elijah Sand
erson, all of lawful age and of Lexington, in the Cou-nty of Mid
dlesex, and colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New England, do
testify and declare, That on the evening of the eighteenth of April
instant, being on the road between Lexington and Concord, and
all of us mounted on horses, we were, about ten of the clock, sud
denly surprised by nine persons whom we took to be regular
officers, who rode up to us, mounted and armed, each holding
a pistol in his hand, and after putting pistols to our breasts, and
seizing the bridles of our horses, they swore that if we stirred
another step we should be all dead men, upon which we surren
dered ourselves, they detained us until two o'clock the next morn
ing, in which time they searched and greatly abused us, having
first enquired about the magazine at Concord, whether any guards
were posted there and whether the bridges were up, and said four
or five regiments of regulars would be in possession of the stores
soon, they then brought us back to Lexington, cut the horses
bridles and girts, turned them loose, and then left us.
" Lexington, April 25th, 1775."

342 ' APPENDIX.
" I, Elijah Sanderson above-named, do further testify and
declare that 1 was in Lexington Common the morning of the nine
teenth of April aforesaid, having been dismissed by the officers
above-mentioned, and saw a large body of regular troops advanc
ing towards Lexington Company, many of whom were then dis
persing, I heard one of the regulars, whom I took to be an officer,
say, 'Damn them we will have them,' and immediately the regulars
shouted aloud, run, and fired on the Lexington Company, which
did not fire a gun before the regulars discharged on them, eight
of the Lexington company were killed, while they were dispersing
and at considerable distance from each other, and many wounded,
and, although a spectator, I narrowly escaped with my life.
" Lexington, April 25fh, 1775."
" I, Thomas Rice Willard, of lawful age, do testify and de
clare, that being in the house of Daniel Harrington, of Lexington,
on the nineteenth instant, in the morning, about half an hour be
fore sun-rise, looked out at the window of said house and saw
(as 1 suppose) about four hundred of regulars in one body coming
up the road and marched toward the north part of the Common
back of the meeting-house, of said Lexington, and as soon as said
regulars were against the East-End of the meeting-house, the
commanding officer said something, what I know not, but upon
that the regulars ran till they came within about eight or nine
rods of about an hundred of the mHitia of Lexington who were
collected on said common, at which time the militia of Lexington
dispersed, then the officers made an huzza, and the private sol
diers succeeded them, directly after this, an officer rode before
the regulars, to the other side of the body, and hollowed after the
Militia of said Lexington, and said ' Lay down your arms, damn
you, why don't you lay down your arms,' and that there was not
a gun fired till the militia of Lexington were dispersed, and further
saith not.
" April 23d, 1775." " Lexington, 25th of April, 1775.
" Simon Winship of Lexington, in the county of Middlesex,
and province of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New England, being
of lawful age testifieth and saith, that on the nineteenth of April
instant, about four o'clock in the raorning, as he was passing the
public road in said Lexington, peaceably and unarmed, about
two miles and an half distant from the meeting-house in said Lex
ington, he was met by a body of the King's regular troops, and
being stopped by some officers of said troops was commanded to
dismount, upon asking why he must dismount, he was obliged by
force to quit his horse, and ordered to march in the midst of the
body, and being examined whether he had been warning the
minute-men he answered no, but had been out and was then re
turning to his father's. Said Winship further testifies, that he
marched with said troops until he came within about half a quar-

APPENDIX. 343
ter of a mile of said meeting-house, where an officer commanded
the troops to halt, and then to prime and load ; this being done,
the said troops marched on till they came within a few rods of
Capt. Parker, and company, who were partly collected on the
place of parade, when said Winship observed an officer at the
head of said troops, flourishing his sword and with a loud voice
giving the word ' Fire,' which was instantly followed by a discharge
of arms from said regular troops, and said Winship is positive,
and in the most solemn manner declares, that there was no dis
charge of arms on either side, till the word fire was given by said
officer as above." " Lexington, April 25t7i, 1775.
" I, John Parker, of lawful age, and commander of the militia
in Lexington, do testify and declare, that, on the 19th instant,
in the raorning about one of the clock, being informed that there
were a number of the regular officers riding up and down the
road, stopping and insulting people as they passed the road, and
also was informed that a number of the regular troops were on
their march from Boston, in order to take the province stores at
Concord, ordered our militia to meet on the common in said Lex
ington, to consult what to do, and concluded not to be discovered
nor meddle or make with said regular troops (if they should ap
proach) unless they should insult or molest us, and upon their
sudden approach, I immediately ordered our militia to disperse
and not to fire. Immediately said troops made their appearance
and rushing furiously, fired upon and kUled eight of our party,
without receiving any provocation therefor from us."
" Lexington, April 2ith, 1775.
" I, John Robbins, being of lawful age, do testify and say, that
on the 19th instant, the company under the command of Captain
John Parker, being drawn up sometime before sunrise, on the
green or common, and I being in the front rank, there suddenly
appeared a number of the King's troops, about a thousand, as
I thought, at the distance of about sixty or seventy yards from us,
huzzaing, and on a quick pace towards us, with three officers in
their front on horseback, and on full gallop towards us, the foremost
of which cried, ' Throw down your arms, ye vUlains, ye rebels,' upon
which said company dispersing, the foremost of the three officers
ordered their men, saying, ' Fire, by God, fire,' at which moment we
received a very heavy and close fire from them, at which instant,
being wounded, I fell, and several of our men were shot dead by
me. Capt. Parker's men, I believe, had not then fired a gun, and
further the deponent saith not."
" We, Benjamin Tidd, of Lexington, and Joseph Abbot, of
Lincoln, in the county of Middlesex, and colony of the Massachu
setts-Bay, in New England, of lawful age, do testify and declare,

344 APPENDIX.
that, on the morning of the nineteenth of April instant, about five
o'clock, being on Lexington common and mounted on horses, we
saw a body of Regular Troops marching up to the Lexington
company which was then dispersing ; soon after, the regulars fired,
first a few guns, which we took to be pistols, from some of the
regulars who were mounted on horses, and then the said regulars
fired a volley or two before any guns were fired by the Lexington
company. Our horses immediately started and we rode off aud
further say not.
" Lexington, April 25th, 1775."
" Wb, Nathaniel Mulliken, Philip Russell, Moses Har
rington, Jun., Thomas and Daniel Harrington, William Gri-
MER, William Tidd, Isaac Hastings, Jonas Stone, Jun., James
WvMAN, Thaddeus Harrington, John Chandler, Joshua Reed,
Jun., Joseph Simonds, Phineas Smith, John Chandler, Jun.,
Rueben Lock, Joel Viles, Nathan Reed, Samuel Tidd, Ben
jamin Lock, Thomas Winship, Simeon Snow, John Smith,
Moses Harrington, 3d., Joshua Reed, Ebenezer Parker, John
Harrington, Enoch Willington, John Hosmer, Isaac Green,
Phineas Stearns, Isaac Durant, and Thomas Headly, Jun.,
all of lawful age, and inhabitants of Lexington, in the county of
Middlesex, and Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New Eng
land, do testify and declare, that on the nineteenth of April in
stant, about one or two o'clock in the morning, being informed
that several officers of the regulars had, the evening before, been
riding up and down the road, and had detained and insulted
the inhabitants passing the same, and also understanding that
a body of regulars were marching from Boston, towards Concord,
with intent (as it was supposed) to take the stores belonging to
the colony in that town, we were alarmed and having met at the
place of our Company's parade, were dismissed by our Captain,
John Parker, for the present, with orders to be ready to attend
at the beat of the drum, we further testify and declare, that about
five o'clock in the morning, hearing our drum beat, we proceeded
towards the parade, and soon found that a large body of troops
were marching towards us, some of our company were coming up
to the parade and others had reached it, at which time the com
pany began to disperse, whilst our backs were turned on the
troops, we were fired on by them, and a number of our men were
instantly killed and wounded, not a gun was fired by any person
in our corapany on the regulars, to our knowledge, before they
fired on us, and they continued firing until we had all made our
escape. "Lexington, April 25th, 1775."
" We, Nathaniel Parkhurst, JonaS Parker, John Munroe,
Jun., John Wi^^dship, Solomon Peirce, John Muzzy, Abner
Meads, John Bridge, Jun., Ebenezer Bowman, William Mun-

APPENDIX. ^ 345
ROE, 3d., Micah Hagar, Samuel Sanderson, Samuel Hastings,
and James Brown, of Lexington in the county of Middlesex and
colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New England, and aU of
lawful age, do testify and say, that on the morning of the nine
teenth of April, instant, about one or two o'clock, being informed
that a number of regular officers had been riding up and down
the road the evening and night preceding, and that some of the
inhabitants as they vi^ere passing had been insulted by the officers
and stopped by them, and being also informed that the regular
troops were on their march from Boston, in order (as it was said)
to take the colony stores then deposited in Concord, we met on
the parade of our company in this town; after the company had
collected, we w€re ordered by Capt. John Parker (who commanded
us) to disperse for the present, and to be ready to attend the beat
of the drum, and accordingly the company went into houses near
the place of parade. We further testify and say, that about five
o'clock in the morning, we attended the beat of our drum, and
were formed on the parade; we were faced towards the regulars
then marching up to us, and some of our company were coming
to the parade, with their backs towards the troops, and others on
the parade began to disperse, when the regulars fired on the
company, before a gun was fired by any of our company on them ;
they killed eight of our company and wounded several, and con
tinued their fire until we had all made our escape.
" Lexington, 25th April, 1775."
" I, Timothy Smith of Lexington, in the county of Middlesex
and colony of Massachusetts-Bay, in New England, being of law
ful age, do testify and declare, that on the morning of the nine
teenth of April instant, being at Lexington common, as a specta
tor, I saw a large body of regular troops, marching up towards
the Lexington company, then dispersing, and likewise saw the
regular troops fire on the Lexington company, before the latter
fired a gun. I immediately ran, and a volley was discharged at me,
which put me in imminent danger of losing my life : I soon re
turned to the Common, and saw eight of the Lexington men, who
were killed, and lay bleeding at a considerable distance from each
other, and several were wounded ; and further saith not.
" Lexington, April 25th, 1775."
" We, Levi Mead and Levi Harrington, both of Lexington,
in the county of Middlesex, and colony of the Massachusetts-Bay,
in New England, and of lawful age, do testify and declare, that
on the morning oif the nineteenth of April, being on Lexington
Common, as spectators, we saw a large body of regular troops
marching up towards the Lexington company, and some of the
regulars on horses, whom we took to be officers, fired a pistol
or two on the Lexington corapany, which was then dispersing.
These were the first guns that were fired, and they were iiamedi-
44

346 APPENDIX.
ately followed by several volleys from the regulars, by which eight
men belonging to said company were killed, and several wounded.
"Lexington, April 25th, 1775." " Lexington, April 25th, 1775.
" I, William Draper, of lawful age, and an inhabitant of Col-
rain, in the county of Hampshire, and colony of the Massachu
setts-Bay, in New England, do testify and declare, that being on
the parade of said Lexington, April 19th, instant, about half an
hour before sunrise, the King's regular troops appeared at the
meeting-house of Lexington; Captain Parker's company, who were
drawn up back of said meeting-house on the parade, turned frora
sai3 troops, making their escape by dispersing, in the mean time
the regular troops made an huzza, and ran towards Captain Par
ker's company who were dispersing, and, immediately after the
huzza was made, the commanding officer of said troops (as I took
him) gave the command to the troops, ' Fire, fire, damn you, fire,'
and immediately they fired, before any of Captain Par^ker's com
pany fired, 1 then being within three or four rods of said regular
troops ; and further saith not." " Lexington, April 23d, 1775.
"I, Thomas Fessenden, of lawful age, testify and declare, that
being in a pasture near the meeting-house, at said Lexington, on
Wednesday last, at about half an hour before sunrise, 1 saw a
number of regular troops pass speedily by said meeting-house, on
their way towards a company of militia of said Lexington, who were
assembled to the number of about an hundred in a company, at
the distance of eighteen or twenty rods from said meeting-house,
and, after they had passed by said meeting-house, I saw three offi
cers on horseback advance to the front of said regulars, when
one of them, being within six rods of said militia, cried out, ' Dis
perse, youTebels, immediately,' on which he brandished his sword
over his head three times ; meanwhile the second officer, who
was about two rods behind him, fired a pistol, pointed at said mili
tia, and the regulars kept huzzaing till he had finished brandish
ing his sword, and when he had thus finished brandishing his
sword, he pointed it down towards said militia, and immedi-
diately on which, the said regulars fired a volley at said militia,
and then I ran off as fast as 1 could, while they continued firing
rill 1 got out of their reach. I further testify, that as soon as
ever the officer cried, ' Disperse, you rebels,' the said company of
militia dispersed every way as fast as they could, and while they
were dispersing, the regulars kept firing at theih incessantiy ; and
further saith not." "Lincoln, Jpril 23d, 1775.
" I, John Bateman, belonging to the fifty-second regiment,
commanded by Colonel Jones, on Wednesday morning, on the

APPENDIX. 347
nineteenih day of April instant, was in the party marching to
Concord, being at Lexington in the county of Middlesex, being
nigh the meeting-house in said Lexington, there was a small party
of men gathered together in that place, when our said troops
marched by, and 1 testify and declare, that 1 heard the word of
command given to the troops to fire, and some of said troops did
fire, and 1 saw one of said small party lie dead on the ground nigh
said meeting-house, and 1 testify, that 1 never heard any of the
inhabitants so much as fire one gun on said troops."
" Lexington, April 23d, 1775.
" We, John Hoar, John Whitehead, Abraham Garfield,
Benjamin Munroe, Isaac Parks, William Hosmer, John Adams,
and GftEGOur Stone, all of Lincoln, in the county of Middlesex,
Massachusetts-Bay, all of lawful age, do testify and say, that, on
Wednesday last, we were assembled at Concord, in the morning
of said day, in consequence of information received, that a brigade
of regular troops were on their march to the said town of Concord,
who had killed six men at the town of Lexington : about an hour
afterwards we saw them approaching, to the number, as we appre
hended, of about twelve hundred, on which we retreated to a hill
about eighty rods back, and the said troops then took possession
of the hill where we were first posted ; presently after this, we saw
the troops moving towards the North Bridge about one mile from
the said Concord meeting-house, we then immediately went be
fore them and passed the bridge, just before a party of them, to
the number of about two hundred, arrived : They there left about
one half of their two hundred at the bridge, and proceeded with
the rest towards Colonel Barret's, about two miles from the said
bridge ; we then, seeing several fires in the town, thought the
houses in Concord were in danger, and marched towards the said
bridge, and the troops who were stationed there, observing our
approach, marched back over the bridge, and then took up some
of the plank ; we then hastened our march towards the bridge,
and when we had got near the bridge, they fired on our men,
first, three guns one after the other, and then a considerable
number more, and then, and not before, (having orders from our
commanding officers not to fire tHl we were fired upon,) we fired
upon the regulars, and they retreated ; on their retreat through
this town and Lexington, to Charlestown, they ravaged and de
stroyed private property and burned three. houses, one barn, and
one shop." "Lexington, April 23d, 1775.
"We, Nathan Barret, Captain ; Jonathan Farrer, Joseph
Butler, and Francis Wheeler, Lieutenants ; John Barret,
Ensign ; John Brown, Silas Walker, Ephraim Melvin, Nathan
Butterick, Stephen Hosmer, Jun., Samuel Barrett, Thomas
Jones, Joseph Chandler, Peter Wheeler, Nathan Pierce, and

348 APPENDIX.
Edward Richardson, all of Concord, in the county of Middlesex,
in the province of the Massachusetts-Bay, of lawful age, testify and
declare, that on Wednesday, the 19th instant, about an hour
after sunrise, we assembled on a hill near the meeting-house in
Concord aforesaid, in consequence of an information that a num
ber of regular troops had killed six of our countrymen at Lexing
ton, and were on their march to said Concord, and about an hour
after we saw them approaching, to the number, as we imagine, of
about twelve hundred, on which we retreated to a hill about eighty
rods back, and the aforesaid troops then took possession of the
hill where we were first posted. Presently after this, we saw them
moving towards the North Bridge, about one mile from said meet
ing-house ; we then immediately went before them, and passed
the bridge just before a party of them, to the number of about two
hundred, arrived ; they there left about one half of those two hun
dred at the bridge, and proceeded with the rest towards Colonel
Barrett's, about two miles from the said bridge ; we then, seeing
several fires in the town, thought our houses were in danger, and
immediately marched back towards said bridge and the troops
who were stationed there, observing our approach, marched back
over the bridge, and then took up some of the planks ; we then
hastened our steps towards the bridge, and when we had got
near the bridge, they fired on our men, first, three guns, one af
ter the other, and then a considerable number more, upon which,
and not before, (haVing orders from our commanding officers not to
fire till we were fired upon,) we fired upon the regulars, and they
retreated. At Concord, and on their retreat through Lexington,
they plundered many houses, burnt three at Lexington, together
with a shop and a barn, and committed damage, more or less, to
almost every house from Concord to Charlestown."
" Lexington, April23d, 1775.
'' We, Joseph Butler and Ephraim Melvin, do testify and
declare, that when the regular troops fired upon our people at the
North Bridge, in Concord, as related in the foregoing depositions,
they shot one, and, we believe, two of our people, before we fired
a single gun at them." " Concord, April 23d, 1775.
"I, Timothy Minot, Jun., of Concord, on the nineteenth day
of this instant April, after that 1 had heard of the regular troops
firing upon the Lexington men, and fearing that hostilities might
be committed at Concord, thought it my incumbent duty to secure
my family : After 1 had secured my family, some time after that,
returning towards my own dwelling, and finding that the bridge
on the northern part of said Concord, was guarded by regular
troops, being a spectator of what had happened at said bridge, de
clare that the regular troops stationed on the bridge, after they
saw the men that were collected on the westerly side of said

APPENDIX. 349
bridge, marched towards said bridge, then the troops returned
towards the easterly side of said bridge, and formed themselves,
as I thought, for a regular fight, after that, they fired one gun,
then two or three more, before the men that were stationed on the
westerly part of said bridge fired upon them."
" Lexington, April 23d, 1775.
" I, James Barrett, of Concord, Colonel of a regiment of mili
tia in the county of Middlesex, do testify and say, that on Wed
nesday morning last, about day-break, 1 was informed of the ap
proach of a number of the regular troops to the town of Concord,
where were some magazines belonging to this province, when
there was assembled some of the militia of this and the neighbour
ing towns, when I ordered them to march to the North Bridge, so
called, which they had passed and were taking up ; I ordered said
militia to march to said bridge and pass the same, but not to fire
on the King's troops unless they were first fired upon ; we advanced
near said bridge, when the said troops fired upon our militia, and
killed two men dead on the spot, and wounded several others,
which was the first firing of guns in the town of Concord ; my de»
tachment then returned the fire, which killed and wounded several
of the King's troops." " Lexington, April 23d, 1775.
" We, Bradbury Robinson, Samuel Spring, Thaddeus Ban
croft, all of Concord, and James Adams, of Lincoln, all in the
County of Middlesex, all of lawful age, do testify and say, that on
Wednesday raorning last, near ten of the clock, we saw near one
hundred of regular troops, being in the town of Concprd, at the
North Bridge in said town (so called), and, having passed the same,
they were taking up said bridge, when about three hundred of our
militia were advancing toward said bridge, in order to pass said
bridge, when, without saying any thing to us, they discharged
a number of guns on us, which killed two men dead on the spot,
and wounded several others, when we returned the fire on them,
which killed two of them, and wounded several, which was the
beginning of hostilities in the town of Concord."
" Concord, April 23d, 1775.
" I, James Marr, of lawful age, testify and say, that in the
evenino- of the ISth instant, I received orders from George
Hutchinson, Adjutant of the fourth regiment of the regular troops
stationed in Boston, to prepare and march, to which order I attend
ed and marched to Concord, where I was ordered by an officer,
with about one hundred men, to guard a certain bridge there ;
while attending that service, a number of people came along, in
order as 1 supposed, to cross said bridge, at which time a number
of regular troops first fired upon them."

350 APPENDIX.
" I, Edward Thornton Gould, of his Majesty's own regiment
of foot, being of lawful age, do testify and declare, that on the
evening of the 18th instant, under the order of General Gage, I
embarked with the light infantry and grenadiers of the line, com
manded by Colonel Smith, and landed on the marshes of Cam
bridge, frora whence we proceeded to Lexington ; on our arrival at
that place, we saw a body of provincial troops armed, to the num
ber of about sixty or seventy men ; on our approach they dispersed,
and soon after firing began, but which party fired first I cannot
exactly say, as our troops rushed on, shouting, hazzaing, previ
ous to the firing, which was. continued by our troops so long as
any of the provincials were to be seen. From thence we marched
to Concord ; on a hill near the entrance of the town, we saw
another body of provincials assembled, the light infantry com
panies were ordered up the hill to disperse thera ; on our approach
they retreated towards Concord, the grenadiers continued the road
under the hill towards the town, six companies of light infantry
were ordered down to take possession of the bridge which the
provincials retreated over ; the company I commanded was one
of the three companies of the above detachment, went forward
about two miles; in the mean ti,me the provincial troops returned,
to the number of about three or four hundred ; we drew up on the
Concord side of the bridge, the provincials came down upon us,
upon which we engaged, and gave the first fire : this was the first
engagement after the one at Lexington ; a continued firing from
both parties lasted through the whole day : I myself was wounded
at the attack of the bridge, and am now treated with the greatest
humanity and taken all possible care of, by the provincials at
Medford. " Medford, April 20th, 1775."
" A paper having been printed in Boston, representing that one
of the British troops killed at the bridge at Concord, was scalped
and the ears cut off from the head, supposed to be done in order
to dishonor the Massachusetts people, and to make them appear
to be savage and barbarous, the following deposition was taken,
that the truth may be known.
" ' We, the subscribers, of lawful age, testify and say, that we
buried the dead bodies of the King's troops that were killed at the
North Bridge in Concord, on the nineteenth day of April, 1775,
where the action first began, and that neither of those persons
were scalped, nor their ears cut off, as has been represented.
" ' Zechariah Brown,
" ' Thomas Davis, Jun.
" ' Concord, May llth, 1775.' "
" Hannah Adams, wife of Deacon Joseph Adams, of the second
precinct in Cambridge, testifieth and saith, that on the nineteenth

APPENDIX. 351
day of April last past, upon the return of the King's troops from
Concord, divers of them entered our house, by bursting open the
doors, and three of the soldiers broke into the room in which I
then was, laid on my bed, being scarcely able to walk from my
bed to the fire, not having been to my chamber door from my being
delivered in child-birth to that time. One of said soldiers imme
diately opened my curtains with his bayonet fixed, pointing the
same to my breast. I immediately cried out ' For the Lord's sake
do not kill me ;' he replied, ' Damn you ; ' one that stood near said,
' We will not hurt the woman, if she will go out of the house, but
we will surely burn it.' 1 immediately arose, threw a blanket over
me, went out, and crawled into a corn-house near the door, with
my infant in my arms, where 1 remained until they were gone;
they immediately set the house on fire, in which I had left five
children and no other person, but the fire was happily extinguish
ed, when the house was in the utmost danger of being utterly
consumed. " Cambridge, Second Precinct, 17th May, 1775."
"Cambridge, May IWi, 1775.
" We, Benjamin Cooper and Rachel Cooper, both of Cam
bridge aforesaid, of lawful age, testify and say, that in the after
noon of the 19th day of April last, the King's regular troops,
under the command of General Gage, upon their return from blood
and slaughter, which they had made at Lexington and Concord,
fired more than an hundred bullets into the house where we dwell,
through doors, windows, &c. ; then a number of them entered the
house, where we and two aged gentlemen were, all unarmed ; we
escaped for our lives into the cellar, the two aged gentlemen were
immediately most barbarously and inhumanly murdered by them,
being stabbed through in many places, their heads mauled, skulls
broke, and their brains out on the floor, and walls of the house;
and further saith not." *

* In March, 1834, while these sheets were passing through the press,
the Rev. Dr. Ripley, with his characteristic patriotism and liberality,
presented to the to'ivn of Concord, a lot of land of convenient size with
a passag-e-way to it, where the Battle at the North Bridge took place, and
where the first British soldier was killed and buried, on condition that the
town erect a suitable monument there to commemorate those events, with
in three years from the 4th of July next. The town accepted this gener
ous donation, and chose Daniel Shattuck, Ephraim Merriam, and Josiah
Davis, a Committee to accomplish the wishes of the donor.

352 APPENDIX.

No. II. (See Page 124.)

NOTICES OSF military SERVICpS PERFORMED BY THE PEOPLE
OF CONCORD IN THE REVOLUTION.
The numbers and dates refer to the Table of Campaigns, on pages 124 and 125
of the text.
2. April 20, 1775. The officers in the regiment, to which these
men were attached, were, John Nixon, Colonel ; Thomas Nixon,
Lieutenant-Colonel ; John Buttrick, Major. The officers of two
companies, of 84 and 103 men, belonged to Concord. Joseph
Butler was Captain ; Silas Walker, Lieutenant ; Edward Richard
son, Ensign ; Moses Richardson, Wareham Wheeler, Joseph
Chesley, and Edward Heywood, Sergeants of one : and Abishai
Brown was Captain ; Daniel Taylor, Lieutenant ; Silas Mann,
Ensign ; and Nathan Stow, Ephraim Minott, John Cobs, and
Bradbury Robinson, were Sergeants of the other. Rev. William
Eraerson was Chaplain a part of the time ; and Dr. Joseph
Hunt was mate to Dr. Foster in Cambridge hospital. The
men enlisted the last week in AprH, and the officers were com
missioned June 5th. At the battle of Bunker Hill, Captain
Butler's corapany, under command of Lieutenant Walker, were
engaged at the northern declivity of the hUl by the " rail
fence " ; and a part of the other corapany were on guard, and
not ordered on in season to take part in the battie. Benjamin
Ball received a mortal wound, of which he died in Boston. John
Meers was kiUed. Amos Wheeler, Ephraim Minot, and some
others, were wounded ; the first died of his wounds at Cam
bridge, a short tirae after. As soon as the news of the battle arriv
ed, the whole of the mHitia marched to Cambridge, but returned
after a few days. A chest of clothing, and other articles neces
sary for the wounded, were contributed by the " patriotic ladies "
in Concord, and sent to the hospital in Cambridge, for which
they received public thanks. " This instance of their humanity
and public spirit," says a public notice, " does honor to the town,
and wiH, we hope, induce others to imitate so good an example."
During this campaign, Danforth Hayward and WiHiam Buttrick
died. 4. Jan. 20, 1776. Middlesex was ordered to raise a regiment of
571 men ; Concord 26, Bedford 6, Acton 13, Lincoln 8. Concord,
however, furnished 36. John Robinson was Colonel ; John Buttrick,

APPENDIX. 353
Lieutetiant-Colonel ; Samuel McCobb, Major ; Joseph Thaxter;
Chaplain ; Nathan Stow, Quarter-master ; Jabez Brown, Adjutant.
The Captains' names were, John Ford, Simon Edgel, Josiah
Warren, Asahel Wheeler, Benjamin Edgel, Job Shattuck, and
John Lamont. SUas Mann was a Lieutenant there under
Wheeler. A new organization of the mihtia was made in February, 1776,
and Concord, Lexington, Weston, Acton, and Lincoln were
assigned, to the 3d Regiraent. Oliver Prescott was then chosen
Brigadier-General, Eleazer Brooks, Colonel of this regiraent,
Francis Faulkner, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Nathan Barrett, 1st Major ;
Samuel Lanison, 2d Major ; and Joseph Adaras, Surgeon.
The following were the officers of the several companies :
CO. LOCATIOW. captain. 1st LIEUT. 2d LIEUT.
1. Concord. George Minott, Edward Wright, Emerson Cogswell.
2. Weston. Jonathan Fiske, Matthew Hobbs, 'Josiah Severns.
3. Lexington. John Bridge, William Munroe, Ebenezer White.
4. Concord. Thomas Hubbard, Ephraim Wheeler, Amos Hosmer.
5. Acton. Simon Hunt, John Heald, Jr. Benj. Brabrook.
6. Lincoln. Samuel Farrar, Samuel Hoar, James Parks.
7. Concord. Thomas Barrett, Samuel Heald, Asa Green.
Col. James Barrett was appointed to raise men in this county
December 2d, 1775 ; and was muster-master from December
28th, 1776, till his death. Capt. Joseph Hosmer succeeded him"
in 1780.
The Concord Light Infantry was organized soon after, (of which
Joseph Hosmer was Captain ; Samuel Jones, Lieutenant ; and
Samuel Hosmer, 2d Lieutenant) ; and attached to this regiment.
5. March 1, 1776. This was a detachment of nearly all thei
militia, to take possession of Dorchester Heights just before the!
British evacuated Boston. The officers of the 3d Regiment
abovementioned were generally there. An attack on Boston
was anticipated, and a considerable quantity of lint and bandages
was sent from Concord to the hospital.
6. April 9, 1776. This was an enlisted company for the pur
pose of fortifying and defending Boston and its vicinity. Officers ;
 Josiah Whitney, of Harvard, Colonel ; Ephraim Jackson, of
Newton, Lieutenant-Colonel ; John MHler, Major. For the
Middlesex company, — Abishai Brown, Captain ; Abraham An
drews, 1st Lieutenant ; Silas Proctor, 2d Lieutenant; Jeremiah
WiUiams and Edward Heywood, all of Concord, were Sergeants.
They were stationed at Hull. This company assisted in taking
Col. Campbell, about three hundred Highlanders, and several
45

354 APPENDIX.
provision ships. They left Concord June 1st, and were dis
charged December 1st. Thaddeus Blood, Esq., is the only per
son now living in Concord who belonged to this company.
8. June 25, 1776. Dr. John Cuming was appointed Com
mander in this expedition, but declined. The whole consisted of
five thousand men. One company, consisting of ninety-four men,
was commanded by Capt. Charles MHes, of Concord. Edmond
Munroe, was Lieutenant ; Matthew Hobbs, 2d Lieutenant ; and
Jonas Brown, Ensign. They were attached to Col. Jonathan
Reed's regiment. His muster-roll gives sixty-one from Concord,
(differing from the report from which the above is compUed) ;
Weston, twenty-seven ; Lexington, four ; and two from Tycon-
terage. Being ready to march, they were paraded on the com
raon in Concord, with several other companies from the adjoin
ing towns, and attended religious services in the meeting-house.
Rev. William Emerson preached from Job v. 20, and afterwards
went as Chaplain, sacrificed his life to his patriotism, and never
returned. Another Corapany, commanded by Capt. Asahel
Wheeler, whose Lieutenant was Samuel Hoar, of Lincoln.
Samuel Osburn was 2d Lieutenant, and Daniel Hosmer, Ensign.
9. Sept. 12, 1776. This embraced one fifth of the Militia
under fifty years of age, not in actual service. The drafts from
this county formed one regiment, which was commanded by
Eleazer Brooks, of Lincoln. Rev. Moses Adams, of Acton, was
Chaplain ; Dr. Joseph Hunt, Surgeon ; and Samuel Hartwell, of
Lincoln, Quarter-master. Concord furnished twenty-three men ;
Lexington, sixteen ; Acton, fifteen ; and Lincoln, twelve, which
formed one company, whose officers were Simon Hunt, of Ac
ton, Captain ; Samuel Heald, of Concord, Lieutenant ; Ebenezer
White, 2d Lieutenant. They were in the battle of White
Plains. A return after the battle gives forty-two fit for duty,
seven sick, four wounded, two of whom, David Wheeler and
Amos Buttrick, belonged to Concord. Thomas Darby, of Ac
ton was kUled. Col. Brooks's Regiment behaved bravely on
that occasion.
10. These were part of a company of eighty-nine men,
taken from nearly every town in this county, commanded by
John Minott, of Chelmsford, and attached to Col. Dykes's
Regiment. John Hartwell, of Lincoln, was Lieutenant. Acton
furnished five ; Lincoln, four ; and Bedford, three.
11. Nov. 21, 1776. This was one fourth of the MHitia in
Middlesex County, and formed one Regiment of six hundred and
seventy men, commanded by Col. Samuel Thatcher, of Cam
bridge. Cyprian How, of Mariborough, was Lieutenant-Colonel ;

APPENDIX. 355
Joseph Bryant, of Stoneham, Major. Concord furnished thirty-
four ; Weston, eighteen ; Lexington, fourteen ; Acton, thirteen ;
Lincoln, thirteen, which composed one company. John Bridge,
of Lexington, was Captain ; Jacob Brown, of Concord, Lieu
tenant ; and Josiah Stearns, of Weston, 2d Lieutenant ; WiUiam
Burrows, Orderiy Sergeant. They marched to New- York and
New-Jersey before they returned, and were stationed at Wood-
bridge. Dissolved March 6th.
12. Dec. 1, 1776. It appears from a roll of this company in
the Secretary's offiqe, that Capt. John HartweU was commander
of it. Thirteen in this and six in other companies were from
Lincoln. They were attached to Col. Dykes's Regiment.
13. Dec, 1786. These were attached to the ArtHlery.
14. Jan. 20, 1777. These were the first three-years men en
listed. Col. James Barrett mustered all the men from this county.
Ephraim Wood paid the bounty of those enlisted in Concord.
Nathan Wheeler, Ephraim Wheeler, Ephraim Minott, and
Wareham Wheeler, were Lieutenants in the three years' ser
vice. The forty-four names foUow.
Thomas Wood, Matthew Jameson, Amos Nutting, Job Spauld
ing, John Hodgman, WiHiara Wilson, Josiah Blood, JPatrick Neiff,
David Jenners, Abraham Davis, Thomas B. BaH, Pomp Cady,
James Bray, Daniel Brown, Jaraes Barrett, Edward Butt, Ed
ward WUkins, John Sherwin, Samuel Dutton, John Cornell,
Samson Yammon, Daniel Stearns, Amos Darby, William Wheel
er, Charles Prescott, John Darling, Charles Lloyd, Lemuel
Wheeler, Nathaniel Draper, Oliver Rice, Stephen Stearns,
James Melvin, James Allen, Richard Anthony, Ohver Barnes,
John McGath, Thomas Fay, Cesar Minott, Samuel Butier,
Francis Legross, Charles Swan, James Marr, Nathaniel Taylor,
TiUy Holden (died), Samuel Blood, Daniel Cole.
15. April 12, 1777. This was a detachment to reinforce
General Spencer. Amos Hosmer and Thaddeus Hunt were
Lieutenants. 17. July, 1777. Abishai Brown was Captain ; Daniel Davis,
of Acton, 1st Lieutenant ; Jaraes Brown, of Lexington, 2d Lieu
tenant ; "Thaddeus Blood, Orderly Sergeant ; Abel Davis, Drum
mer. They left about the 1st -of June. Dr. Isaac Hurd was
Surgeon of the regiment, which was commanded by John Jacobs
and Lieut. -Col. Robinson, and was under Gen. Spencer. Abishai
Brown was appointed Major in this campaign. The town estimate
gives fourteen only in this campaign, but is probably incorrect.
Dea. White's MS. says, " July 23, 1777, an alarm, — draughted
the foUowing persons to go to R. Island," and gives the names
of twenty-nine.

356 APPENDIX.
18. Aug. 9, 1777. These constituted one sixth of the militia.
George Minott was Captain. They were at the battle of Saratoga,
and at the taking of Burgoyne. They subsequently marched to
New Jersey.
19. Sept. 22, 1777. This was a volunteer company of sixty-
three men from Concord and Acton, commanded by John But
trick. John Heald and SUas Mann, were Lieutenants ; John
White, Samuel Piper, Reuben Hunt, and Peter Wheeler, Ser
geants. They were under Col. Reed. They left Concord,
October 4th, passed through Rutland, Northampton, he., and
arrived at Saratoga on the 10th, where they encamped two days.
The 13th they went to Fort Edward. The 14th and 15th, went
out on a scout, and the 16th brought in fifty-three Indians, several
Tories (one of whom had 100 guineas), and some women. The
17th " we had an express," says Dea. White's Journal, "to
return to Saratoga, and had the pleasure to see the whole of
Burgoyne's army parade their arms, and march out of their lines ;
a wonderful sight indeed ; it was the Lord's doing, and it was
marveUous in our eyes." They guarded the prisoners to Cam
bridge. $206 were subscribed to encourage these men, beside
the bounty specified in the table. Samuel Farrar commanded a
company from Lincoln and Lexington in this campaign.
20. Nov. 28, 1777. Capt. Simon Hunt, of Acton, command
ed the company to which most of the Concord men were attached,
under Col. Eleazer Brooks and Gen. Heath. Nine companies
guarded Burgoyne's troops down, five marching before and four
behind. 21. March 3, 1778. Resolutions were passed February 7th,
for four hundred men, and March llth and 13th, each for five
hundred more to guard the stores at Boston. These men were
called out for that purpose, and were under the comraand of Gen.
Heath. Thoraas Barrett was Captain a part of the tirae ; Daniel
Harrington, the other part ; Elisha Jones and Asa Green, Lieu
tenants. They were under Col. Jonathan Reed.
22. April 12, 1778. These men were raised for the defence
of Rhode Island under Gen. Spencer. The- officers of the regi
ment were John Jacobs, Colonel ; Frederick Pope, Lieutenant-
Colonel ; Abishai Brown, Major. They were chosen February
27th. "Thaddeus Blood, of Concord, was Ensign in this cam
paign. The committee chosen by the town to hire them, were
Col. Jaraes Barrett, Col. John Buttrick, Mr. Ephraim Wood, Jr.,
Jonas Heywood, Esq., and John Cuming, Esq.
23. April 20, 1778. These men were Ohver Buttrick, Ben
jamin Gould, Jason Bemis, WiHiam Diggs, Joseph Plummer,

APPENDIX. 357
Cesar Kettie, David White, Benjamin Perkins, Jeremiah Hunt,
Jr., and John Stratten. These were hired by the town, as in the
last, and all subsequent campaigns. These were part of two
hundred men. Acton and Lincoln furnished five each, and Bed
ford three. They marched first to Rhode Island, and afterwards
to New York. They were to serve nine raonths from the time
they arrived at Fishkill.
24. April 20, 1778. Their names were WiHiara Burrows
(a Lieutenant), Reuben Parks, Timothy Merriara, Jereraiah
Williams, Jonathan Curtis, Jacob Ames, Timothy Hoar, Ware
ham Wheeler, Joseph Cleisby.
25. June 23, 1778. These men guarded the prisoners to the
new barracks built at Rutiand. Ephraim Wood was appointed
to superintend their removal.
26. June 27, 1778. These men were sent to reinforce Gen-<
eral Sullivan. John Buttrick was Lieutenant-Colonel, and was
wounded at SuHivan's retreat. Samuel Jones and Emerson Cogs-.
well were Lieutenants under Capt. Francis Brown, of Lexington.
Thaddeus Blood was Ensign in the State troops at the same
time. Benjamin Prescott was Surgeon. One Sergeant and three
Corporals were from Concord.
27. Sept. 6, 1778. The town received the order, September
10th, and held a meeting the next day, when a coramittee was
chosen to hire them. They were paid £23 per month, including
the public wages. The men were, Timothy KHIock, Charles
Shepherd, Daniel Wheat, Timothy Wetherbee, Jesse Parkins,
Thomas Hodgman, and Silas Parlin.
28. Sept. 19, 1778. This constituted one third of the militia,
required to march to Boston at a minute's warning. They
volunteered under Col. Cuming, and were to receive $5 bounty,
and $15 per month, including the pay allowed by the public.
The orders were. countermanded and they did not march. This
is the only instance in aU the campaigns of the men not marching
when called.
29 and- 30. April and June, 1778. The town chose a com
mittee June 16th, to hire the men for these two campaigns, con
sisting of Col. Nathan Barrett, the four commanding officers of
the mHitia companies, the Selectmen, Col. John Cuming, Mr.
Jonas Heywood, Capt. David Brown, Capt. Joseph Butier, and
James Barrett, Esq. Acton furnished four ; Bedford, three ; Lin
coln five ; and the whole county, two hundred and forty-five in
the nine months' campaign. The detachment to Rhode Island
took one hundred men more from this county, who were under
Col. Jacobs. The 3d Regiment was required to furnish one Ser-

358 APPENDIX.
geant and eleven privates. Thaddeus Blood was a Lieutenant In
the United States' service ; Jonas Wright was Sergeant.
31. June, 1779, The town received orders for these men
September 1st, and chose the Selectmen, Col. Nathan Barrett,
Jonas Heywood, Esq., and the four mHitia Captains, a committee
to procure these and all others " when smaU drafts are called,"
without calling the town together.
33. Sept., 1779. These belonged to a company of thirty-
eight men from this and the adjoining towns, under Samuel
Heald, Captain ; Enoch Kingsbury, Lieutenant ; Stephen Hos
mer, 2d Lieutenant ; and John Jacobs, Colonel. Henry Flint
was Sergeant Major. They were discharged in November, and
the whole amount of their wages was 10s. 6d. in silver each !
OrncERS OF the 3i) Regiment of Militia March 7th, 1780.
00. location. captain. 1st LIEUT. 2d LIEUT.
1. Concord. Jacob Brown, John White, Asa Brooks.
2. Weston. Matthew Hobbs, Josiah Livermore, Daniel Livermore,
3. Lexington. John Bridge, William Munroe,
4. Concord. Thomas Hubbard, Ephraim Wheeler, Amos Hosmer".
5. Acton. John Heald, Benj. Brabrook.
6. Lincoln. Samuel Farrar, Samuel Hoar, James Parks.
7. Concord. Samuel Heald, Issachar Andrews, Stephen Barrett.
8. Francis Brown, Isaac Addington, Thos. Fessenden.
9. Concord. Samuel Jones Elisha Jones, Stephen Hosmer.
34. Sept. 1, 1779. The names of these men were, Charles
Shepherd, Lot Lamson, Francis Baker, Timothy Wesson, Nathan
Page, Asa Piper, Timothy Sprague, Nathaniel Breed, Charles
Hanley, John Stratten, Ezekiel Hager, Jeremiah Shepherd,
Nathaniel French, Josiah Melvin, Jr., Joshua Stevens, PhUlip
Barrett, Leimuel Wheeler, Chandler Bryant, Daniel Cole. Acton
furnished eleven ; Bedford, seven ; Lincoln, nine ; Carlisle, seven.
These men were procured by a committee chosen by the town,
June 12th, in addition to that chosen in September previous,
consisting of John Cuming, Esq., Capt. David Brown, Capt,
Andrew Conant, Capt. David Wheeler, and Lieut. Stephen
Barrett. They were also to procure others, " if the draught does
pot exceed sixteen ; if it does, the town to be called together."
35. June 5, 1780. These men were hired by the same com
mittee. They were intended to march to Albany to prevent the
incursions of the Indians, but counter orders were issued and
they went to Rhode Island. Cyprian How was Colonel ; 
Baiicroft, of Dunstable, Lieutenant-Colonel ;  Stone,, of Ash-^
by. Major ; Abraham Andrews, Captain ; SUas Walker and Eli

APPENDIX. 359
Conant, Lieutenants. Bedford furnished eight ; Acton, eleven' ;
Lincoln, twelve ; and Carlisle, nine.
37. Dec. 2, 1780. These men were to serve three years or
during the war. The town decided, after considerable debate,
by a vote of 53 to 42, to hire them in classes. The Selectmen,
James Barrett, Esq., Jonas Heyvvood, Esq., Mr. Isaac Hubbard,
Mr. Samuel Hosmer, Col. Nathan Barrett, and Mr. Job Brooks
were chosen to divide the town into as many classes as there were
men to hire, according to wealth. The town voted to " proceed
against " any who should neglect to pay their proportion in the
several classes ; each one of which hired a man at as low a rate
as possible. The men's names were Charles Adams, Richard
Hayden, Jonathan Wright, Joseph Dudley, Isaac HaU, Lot
Lamson, Francis Barker, Joseph Adams, Benjamin Barron,
WiUiam Tenneclef, Richard Hobby, Leonard Whitney, Samuel
Farrar, John Stratten, Daniel McGregor, and Jonathan Fiske.
Bedford furnished eight; Acton, ten ; Lincoln, ten ; Carlisle, six.
They were mustered by Capt. Joseph Hosmer.
39. June 15, 1781. Bedford furnished seven; Acton, eight;
Lincoln, eight; Carlisle, four, for this campaign. The whole
State furnished two thousand seven hundred.
40. June 30, 1780. These men were hired by classes.
Dea. John White was Chairman of the 3d class, which was as
sessed £180 to hire Joseph Cleisby. The 5th class, of which
Reuben Hunt was Chairman, hired Jacob Laughton, for £90
lawful money as a bounty. Sometimes ^100 were given by a
single individual. AU property seemed to be at the disposal of
government, if required. The soldiers were paid off in govern
ment shreties which were sold for 2s. 6d. on the pound.
Nathaniel French received ninety bushels of rye.

360 APPENDIX.

NO. HI.

notices of early families and DISTINGUISHED MEN.
Genealogical history is necessary in Europe to show the tities
to honor and estate ; but in this country, where wealth and dis
tinction depend almost exclusively on each one's own merits and
exertions, it is a subject of curiosity rather than absolute impor
tance. As a subject of useful curiosity, however, it has recently
attracted considerable attention. The student of human nature
looks to the rise and fall of famHies as an important subject of
investigation. And it cannot but afford satisfaction to trace our
ancestors back through the different generations to the first one
who emigrated from England, and to know that some of their
blood flows in our veins. That we were descended from indi
viduals, distinguished for their good character, should excite us
to imitate their excellencies, if otherwise, to avoid their errors.
It has often been remarked, that, when families continue on their
own native soil and intermarry with their neighbours, they are
apt to degenerate ; arid observation often teaches us the truth
of this remark. Like the productions of the vegetable world,
man seems to be designed to flourish better when transplanted,
and mingling his own with different natures. In reviewing the
biographical history of Concord, it will be perceived that many
famihes who were once distinguished in its annals have become
extinct ; and others have arisen, in many instances from com
parative obscurity, to take their places in conducting the affairs
of the town.
Happily for our country, its foundation was not laid in a fabulous
age, but the precise date of its origin is known, and very many
of the names of its intrepid founders are registered for the admi
ration of their posterity. It has occurred to me that a brief notice
of the famHies in Concord, whose names are found on record
prior to 1700, would be an acceptable article in the appen
dix to this work. When I -first instituted the inquiry in rela
tion to the first American ancestors of the Concord famHies, I
found a tradition prevailing that three brothers came over from
England, and the tradition went so far as to designate particularly
the place where each first settied. When I found this same
tradition in many different families I became incredulous, and on

APPENDIX. 361
examination found it incorrect. It is not difficult to trace our
ancestors back to the commencement of the last century, — to
what I have styled the dark age of New England ; but to go
three generations farther back to the first settlers in 1635, and
through seven successive generations from them to us, is attended
with great difficulty. The foHowing notes are compUed from
a large mass of facts collected with great labor from existing
public and private records and papers ; and, though containing
but a small portion only of what might be given, it is hoped
they wiU be satisfactory and not considered the least valuable part
of this work.
N. B. In the following pages h. stands for born, m. for married, d. for died,
da. for daughter and u. for aged.
ADAMS. Three of the sons of Henry Adams (who came
from Devonshire, England, and settled in Quincy, ancestor of
John Quincy Adams), came to Concord about 1646, of whom
two, Samuel and Thomas, removed to Chelmsford in 1654, and
were leading men in that town ; and the other, John, removed to
Cambridge, or Charlestown. John's chHdren were John, Mary,
Daniel, b. in Concord ; and John and Daniel his grandsons settled
here. John m. Love Minott 1722, and d. Oct. 25, 1725, a. 28,
leaving John, who m. Lucy Hubbard 1749, and Love, who m.
Rev. Wm. Lawrence of Lincoln. Daniel m. Elizabeth Minott
17l5, settled where the tavern in the south part of Lincoln
stands, and d. Feb. 9, 1780, a. 90. She d. 1766, a. 68. They
had Daniel, Ehzabeth, Joseph, Rebecca, Mary, Jaraes, Lydia,
and Martha, whose descendants live in Lincoln, Boston, Towns-
end, and Keene, many of whom have been eminent physicians.
James Adams, of another family, said to have been banished
from Scotland by Oliver Cromvi'ell, m. Priscilla Ramsden of
Concord 1662, and d. Dec. 2, 1707. Had PriseiHa, Elizabeth,
James, Hannah, John, Nathaniel, and Dorcas, whose descendants
are found in Carlisle and Acton.
ANDREWS. John Andrews was here before 1640, and
might have been the ancestor of the families who afterwards
lived in Carlisle, but his family is traced with much difficulty.
ATKINSON. Thomas Atkinson was here in 1638, and d.
1646 ; had daughters Susannah, ra. Caleb Brooks ancestor of the
Hon. Peter C. Brooks and Gov. John Brooks, and Hannah.
The name soon after disappears.
BAKER. William Baker owned land here before 1665.
He or a son of the same name, came from Charlestown, m. and
46

362 APPENDIX.
had several chHdren between 1680 and 1696. James, Amos,
and Nathaniel of this town and Lincoln in 1828, were grand
sons of Jacob, who according to tradition came from Killings-
ly. Conn.
BALL. John Ball d. Oct. I, 1655, said to have been from
Wiltshire, Eng. His son, Nathaniel, settled within the present lim
its of Bedford, and had Ebenezer, Eleazer, John, and Nathaniel. —
The last was father to Caleb, (grandfather to Reuben), who m. Ex
perience Flagg, 1713, and had eight chHdren, three of whom lived
to be over 90 years old. Other sons of the first John settled in
Watertown and Lancaster.
BAGNLEY. Thomas Bagnley d. March 18, 1643.
BARKER. Francis Barker was here in 1646, and was prob
ably the father of John, who m. Judah Simonds in 1668, bought a
large tract of land in Concord, and had several descendants, some
of whom were remarkable for their longevity.
BARNES. John Barnes was here in 1661, m. Elizabeth Hunt
1664, and was kHled in Sudbury fight 1676. He has descendants
StUl living here.
BARRETT. Humphrey Barrett came to Concord from Eng
land about 1640, and settled where Abel B. Heywood now hves;
d. Nov. 7, 1662, a. 70 ; his wife in 1663, a. 73. They left
Thomas, Humphrey, John of Marlborough, Jaraes of Chariestown,
and probably other children. Thomas was drowned in Concord
river; his widow ra. Edward Wright; his son Oliver d. 1671, a.
23; and his da. Mary m. Samuel Smeadly. His brother Dea.
Humphrey, m. (1) Ehzabeth Payne 1661, and had Mary, whom.
Josiah Blood ; and (2) Mary Potter, 1675. He d. Jan. 3, 1716,
and she Nov. 17, 1713, leaving two sons, Joseph and Benjamin,
ancestors of the numerous and respectable families which have
borne the name in Concord.
I. Joseph m. Rebecca Minott 1701, lived with his father, was
a captain, d. April 4, 1763, a. 85. She d. June 23, 1738. They
had eight children. 1. Mary m. George Farrar; 2. Joseph of
Grafton; 3. RebecCa,m. Elnathan Jones ; 4. Oliver of Bolton ; 5.
Humphrey, m. Elizabeth Adams 1742, and d. March 24, 1783,
leaving two sons, Humphrey and Abel, and six daughters ; 6. Eliz
abeth, ra. Charies Prescott ; 7. John, m. Lois Brooks ; and 8.
Samuel. II. Benjamin, m. Lydia Minott, sister of the above, 1705, d.
Oct. 25, 1728, a. 47. They had eight children ; 1. Benjamin, d.
in Concord Oct. 23, 1738, and had Benjamin, Jonas, and Rebec
ca ; 2. Dea. Thomas, m. Mary Jones, and had Thomas, Charies

APPENljiA. 363
of New Ipswich, Samuel, Amos, Ruth, and Mary ; 3. Col. James
(see below), m. Rebecca Hubbard, and had James, Nathan, Lyd
ia, Rebecca, Perses, Stephen, Peter, and Lucy ; 4. Lydia, m. Sam
uel Farrar; 5. Timothy of Paxton ; 6. Mary ; 7. Stephen of Pax-
ton ; 8. Rebecca.
Col. James Barrett, son of Benjamin Barrett, was horn July
29, 1710. Having early embraced those principles of religion,
which are calculated to make men respected, useful, and happy,
and having arrived to mature age in an important period of our
history, he received from his townsmen frequent raarks of their
confidence in civH and mHitary life. In 1768 he was chosen
representative to the General Court, and was re-elected each year
till 1777. He was also member of many of the county and state
conventions held during that important period ; and a meraher of
each of the Provincial Congresses. Wheri it was decided to col
lect and deposit military stores at Concord, Col. Barrett was ap
pointed to superintend thera, and aid in their collection and manu
facture. He accepted the office of Colonel of the regiment of
mHitia, organized in March, 1775, and was in command on the 19th
of AprU, though then 64 years old. How he conducted hiraself on
that great day, has already been related. Of the various committees
chosen by the state, county, or town, for raising men, procuring
provisions, he., he was usually a member. He died suddenly,
AprU 1 1, 1779, in his 69th year.
BARRON. John Barron was here early, but removed. Some
of the name have, however, since lived in town.
BATEMAN. Two brothers of this name were among the ear
liest settiers. WiUiam removed to Chelmsford, where his descen
dants have since lived. Thoraas settied easterly of Humphrey
Hunt's, d. Feb. 6, 1669, a. 55, left estate £348 ; and sons Thom
as, Peter, John, and Ebenezer, b. prior to 1659. Thomas m.
Abigail  , and from him most of the name in this town derived
their descent. He was known as Sergeant Bateman, an office he
held with honor about thirty years.
BLISS. See pages 166 and onward.
BELLOWS. John Bellows, m. Mary, da. of John Wood of
Marlborough, 1655, and had Mary, Samuel, Abigail, Daniel, and
Beniamin, b. between 1655 and 1676. Removed to Marlborough,
and some'of his descendants to Walpole, N. H.
BENNETT. James Bennett here before 1637 ; had children
b. in this town ; removed to Fairfield with Rev. Mr. Jones, in
1644.

364 APPENDIX.
BEATON. John Beaton. (See p. 216.)
BILLINGS. Nathaniel Billings here before 1640, freeman
1641, d. 1673 ; left two sons, Nathaniel and John. John m.
Ehzabeth Hastings 1661, d. March 31, 1704, and had John, Na
thaniel, Samuel, John, Ehzabeth, Mary, Sarah, and Joseph, Na
thaniel, the second son, was father of Daniel (who hved where Wil
liam Hayden, Esq. now hves), whose only chUd m. Dea. Amos
Heald. The family originally settied in the south parts of the
town, now Lincoln, where, and in Acton, the sixth and seventh
generations now reside.
BLOOD. James Blood came to Concord in 1639, said to have
been a brother of Col. John Blood, known in English history for
his designs on Charles II. He had a great estate ; d. Nov. 17,
1683. His wife Ellen, 1674. They left Mary, m. Lt. Simon
Davis, and four sons.
1. Richard, one of the first settlers and largest proprietors of
Groton ; left several children, whose descendants have been nu
merous in that town and vicinity.
2. John, unmarried, found dead in the woods with his gun in
his hand, Oct. 30, 1692. He and his brother Robert sold a cot
tage in Puddington, Nottingham Co, Eng., 1649, when they were
in Concord. They owned over two thousand acres of land, inclu
ding Bloods' Farms, which feH to Robert's chHdren.
3. James, m. Hannah, da. of Ohver Purchis of Lynn, 1657;
lived where Rev. Dr. Ripley lives ; deacon in thechurch ; d. Nov.
26, 1692; she d. 1677; left an only child, Sarah, m. William
Wilson. 4. Robert, lived on his " farm " ; m. Ehzabeth, da. of Major
WiHard, 1653; he d. Oct. 27, 1701 ; she Aug. 29, 1690; had
twelve chHdren, — ¦ Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah, Robert, Simon, Josiah,
John, EUen, Samuel, James (grandfather to Thaddeus Blood,
Esq.), Ebenezer, and Jonathan.
BOWSTREE. WiHiam Bowstree d. Nov. 31, 1642.
BRABROOK. Two of this name, probably brothers, were
here as early as 1669; Thoraas, m. AbigaU Temple 1669, d. 1692.
Joseph, from whom those who have borne the name, descended,
m. Sarah Greaves 1672, and had 1. Joseph, m. Sarah Temple, and
d. 1719, father to Benjamin, and grandfather to Dea. Joseph, late
of Acton ; 2. John, d. " a soldier at Lancaster " 1705 ; and seve
ral daughters. Of the descendants, James d. at Fort Lawrence in
Nova Scotia, and Samuel at Rainsford Island in 1756.
BROOKS. Capt. Thomas Brooks, freeman 1636, and in

APPENDIX. 365
Concord about that time, said to have come from London, repre
sentative seven years, d. May 21, 1667. Grace, his wife,d. May
12, 1664. They had Joshua, Caleb, Gershom, Mary, m. Capt.
Timothy Wheeler of Concord, and probably Thomas, who went to
Haddam, Conn., Hugh, and John of Woburn, and probably other
chHdren. Caleb m. (1) Susannah Atkinson 1660, and had Susannah, Ma
ry, Rebecca, and Sarah ; and (2) Ann  , by whom he had
Ebenezer, ancestor of Governor John Brooks, and Sarauel, ances
tor of Hon. Peter C. Brooks. He sold his estate in Concord in
1670, and removed to Medford.
Gershom ra. Hannah Eckels 1667, and had Mary, Hannah,
Tabathy, Daniel, and Elizabeth, but their descendants are un
known. Joshua, m. Hannah, da. of Capt. Hugh Mason of Watertown,
was a tanner in Lincoln, where his descendants have livedo three of
whom, in succession, have held the office of deacon. He was the
ancestor of nearly all of the name since in Concord and Lincoln. His
chHdren were, 1. Noah, d. Feb. 1, 1739, a. 83, having had by
his wife Dorothy, — Dorothy, Joshua, Ebenezer, Benjarain, Mary,
Thomas, and Elizabeth. , 2. Grace, ra. Judah Potter 1666. 3.
Daniel, m. Ann Merriam, d. Oct. 18, 1733, a. 69, and had Dan
iel, Sarauel, Ann, Job (father o£.-Jeh»y -and .grand&th**' of Hon.
Eleazer Brooks), Mary, and John (father to Samuel, who gradua
ted H. C). 4. Thomas. 5. Esther, ra. Benjamin Whittemore
1692. 6. Joseph, m. Rebecca Blodget 1706, d. Sept. 17, 1759,
a. 78, (see p. 317), had Mary, Rebecca, Joseph, Nathan, Amos,
Jonas, Isaac, and James. 7. Elizabeth, m. Ebenezer Merriam
1705. 8. Job, A. 1697, a. 22. 9. Hugh,m. AbigaU Barker 1702,
d. Jan, 18, 1746, a. 70, and had AbigaU, Jonathan, Sarah, and
Mary. BROWN. Thomas Brown here in 1640, removed to Cam
bridge, where he lived some tirae. His son Thomas was town
clerk in Concord, and d. 1717, a. 67; he married Ruth Jones
1677, and had several children. Boaz, another son of Thomas
sen. m. Mary Winship 1664; d. AprU 7, 1724, a. 85, having had
Boaz, who removed to Stow, Thoraas, Mary, and Edward. This
name has been very common, but it is difficult to trace the connec
tion of the descendants.
BUTTRICK. William Buttrick, probably the ancestor of aU
the name in New-England, came here in 1635 ; gave his deposi
tion in relation to the purchase of the town from the Indians ; lived
where his great-great-grandson. Col. Jonas B., now lives. " Hav
ing served the town for many years, honorably, as a sergeant,"

366 APPENDIX.
says the record, a post then of distinction, he petitioned, at the age
of 65, to be excused from the office. He d. June 30, 1698, a.
82; Sarah Bateman, his first wife, d. 1664 ; his second wife was
Jane Goodnow of Sudbury. Children, aH by his first wife, Mary,
WiUiam, John, m. Sarah Blood and removed to Stow, Samuel,
Edward, Joseph, kiHed in Sudbury fight, Sarah, married a Barrett,
and Mary.
Sarriuel, the fourth chUd, ra. Ehzabeth Blood 1677, and had
Elizabeth, Samuel, who removed to Charlestown, WiUiam, Sarah,
AbigaU, and Dea. Jonathan, who m. Elizabeth Wooley 1717, and
d. March 23., 1767, a. 77 ; and " was followed to the grave," says
his monument, " by his widow, and thirteen well-instructed chH
dren." Their names were Samuel, Joseph, Daniel, Jonathan,
Nathan, John (see below), Ephraim, Willard, Mary, AbigaU,
Ehzabeth, Rachel, Lois, and Sarah, who died young.
Major John Buttrick was one of the officers in command on
the 19th of April, 1775, and his name wiU be handed down to
posterity with distinguished honor for the noble stand he took, and
the bravery he manifested, in leading a gallant band of mUitiamen
on to meet the invading enemy at the North Bridge, and for
beginning the first forcible resistance to British arms. He then
returned the fire by commanding his own company to fire, saying,
" Fire, fellow-soldiers, for God's sake, fire 1 " and discharged his
own gun the same instant. (See page 100 and onward). — ¦
He was buried with military honors. The following epitaph is en
graved on his monument : In memory of
CoLONEi. John Buttrick,
who commanded the militia companies
which made the first attack upon
The British Troops,
at Concord North Bridge,
on 19th of April, 1775.
Having, with patriotic firmness,
shared in the dangers which led to
American Independence,
He lived to enjoy the blessings of it,
and died May 16, 1791, aged 60 years.
Having laid down the sword
with honor,
he resumed the plough
with industry ;
by the latter to maintain
what the forraer had won.
The virtues of the parent, citizen, and Christian
adorned his life,
and his worth was acknowledged by
the grief and respect of all ranks
at his death.
BULKELEY. See notices of this famUy in pages 157 - 162,
and 240 - 242.

APPENDIX. 367
BURGESS. Thomas Burgess was in Concord in 1666, but
removed to Groton.
BUSS. William Buss came here before 1639; lived where
Ehjah Wood now lives ; was a lieutenant ; bought the mHl on
MHl-brook 1668. His brother lived in Tunbridge, Eng. He d.
Jan. 31, 1698; first wife, Ann, d. 1674; second w?fe (widow
Dorcas Jones), 1709. ChHdren, Hannah, m. William Wheeler;
Richard, Ann, Nathaniel, and Joseph, who m. Elizabeth Jones
1671, and had several children.
CHANDLER. John Chandler here in 1640, at which time
he had a daughter born and was admitted freeman. Roger Chand
ler, and twenty others of Plymouth Colony, had a grant of four
hundred acres of land in Concord in 1658 ; was eraployed by Do
lor Davis to buHd a house ; m. Mary Simonds 1671 ; d. 1717 ;
she 1728 ; left several chHdren, of whom Sarauel m. Dorcas Buss
1695 ; d. 1745 ; and had Joseph, Sarauel, John, Huldah, Rebec
ca, Elizabeth, and James, who was father of Dea. Joseph C.
CHEEVER. Daniel Cheever, probably descended from Dan
iel of Cambridge, was here from about 1710.
CLARK. Samuel Clark came here before 1686, probably
the son of Jonas C. of Cambridge. He d. Jan. 30, 1730 ; his wife
Ruth 1722 : chHdren, John, WiUiam, Susannah, Hannah, Benja
min, and Arthur ; of whom Benjamin was father of Benjarain, who
d. Feb. 11, 1809, a. 91, whose wife (Rebecca Flagg), d. Oct. 4,
1805, a. 83.
CONANT. Lot Conant, probably a great-grandson of the
celebrated Roger C. of Salera, carae into this town in the early part
of last century ; d. Sept. 20, 1767, a. 90. His son Andrew had
by his wife Ehzabeth, Elizabeth, Andrew, Lydia, Nathan, and
Ezra, who was drowned 1806 ; his wife d. May 23, 182S, a. 95.
Andrew was father to Andrew, Eh, SHas, Abel, and Nathan, and
two daughters.
COMY. Daniel Comy here in 1664, d. March 31, 1676.
COOKSEY. William Cooksey was here in 1666 ; and in
1700 was the only poor person then maintained by the town.
COSLIN. William Coslin was here in 1642, removed with
Rev. Mr. Jones.
COTTON. John Cotton had Dehverance and Thankful, twin
children b. here in 1679. Little else is on record concerning him.
DAKIN. Thomas Dakin, the common ancestor, was here be
fore 1650 ; d. Oct. 21, 1708. His first wife d. 1659 ; second

368 APPENDIX.
wife (widow Susan Stratton), 1698 ; had John, m. Sarah Wood-
house, Sarah, Siraon, d. Jan. 11, 1739, a. 76; and Joseph, who
was deacon, lived by Fhnt's Pond, where Mr. Smith now lives,
and whose son Samuel m. Mercy Minott 1722 ; was a Captain in
the French war, and kiHed at Halfway Brook in 1758. There
were several collateral farailies, and the name is yet preserved in
the town.
DAVIS. Dolor Davis was of Cambridge in 1634, a petitioner
for Groton in 1656, having before resided in Barnstable, where he
died 1673. He was one of twenty who had lands granted in Con
cord in 1659, and was employed as a carpenter. He m. Margery,
sister of Major Simon WiHard, and had a daughter Ruth m. Ste
phen Hall, and two sons, Simon and Sarauel, who settled in this
town, and were the fruitful vines whose numerous branches extend
over this and Worcester counties, and part of New Hampshire, and
are constantly sending forth new and flourishing shoots.
Simon was a Lieutenant, representative, and otherwise distin
guished, m. Mary, da. of James Blood, 1660, d. June 14, 1713,
a. 77 ; and had Simon, Mary, Sarah, James, Ellen, Ebenezer, and
Hannah. Of whom Dr. Simon ra. Elizabeth Woodhouse, 1689 ;
she d. Nov. 12, 1711 ; and had John, Simon, Henry, Elizabeth,
Mary, Samuel, Ebenezer, and Peter. Siraon, the second son,
b. 1692, m. Dorothy  1713, and had Simon, Israel, and Jo
seph b. in Concord, removed to Rutland about 1720, and had
there Eleazer, Oliver of Princeton, and two daughters. The eld
est son Simon, b. May 17, 1714, was father to David of Paxton,
Dea. Isaac of Northborough, father to Hon. John Davis of Wor
cester, Samuel of Oakham, John of Paxton, and several daughters.
Joseph, brother of Siraon, b. in Concord July 16, 1720, was min
ister of Holden ; d. March 4, 1799, a. 79. James, second son of
the first Simon, m. Ann Smeadly 1701, d. Sept. 16, 1727, a. 59,
having had James, Ruth, Thomas, (who died Nov. 18, 1786, a.
81, father to James of Holden, Jonathan and Josiah of New Ips
wich, Nathan of Westford, Thomas of Chelmsford, Amos of Gro
ton, Abel of this town, and three other sons), Joseph, Zachariah,
and Benjamin. Ebenezer, the sixth child of Simon sen., had by
his wife Dinah, Ebenezer, Josiah (kHled in Lovewell's fight), and
several others.
Samuel, the other son of Dolor, m. Mary Meads 1665, settled
in the present liraits of Bedford, where his descendants yet live.
Had Mary, Sarauel, Daniel, Martha, Simon, and perhaps others.
Samuel, the eldest son, m. Abigail Reed 1698 ; and had AbigaU,
Mary, Samuel, Jacob, Eleazer, and Stephen. Daniel, the third
chHd, was one of the first members of the church in Bedford, m.
Mary Hubbard 1698, and had Jonathan, Daniel, Mary, Ephraim,

APPENDIX. 369
Nathan, Amos of Grafton, Josiah, and Nathaniel. Their father d.
Feb. 11, 1741, and their mother Feb. 2, 1769, a. 87.
DEAN. Thomas Dean was here 1645, d. Feb. 5, 1676 ; his
wife Elizabeth d. 1673: His son Joseph m. Elizabeth Fuller 1662,
d. 1718, a. 80, and had Thoraas, Joseph, Daniel, Elizabeth, Sa
rah, and Deborah. Lieut. Daniel Dean, probably the son of
Thoinas, first mentioned, held a large estate, which was principally
inherited by his son-in-law, Capt. Daniel Adaras,
DILL. Peter Dill was here 1670, and by bis wife. Thanks,
had several children.
DOWDY. George Dowdy was admitted freeman in Concord
1645. DOGGET. The wife of Thomas Dogget d. 1642; he remov
ed from town.
DRAPER. Roger Draper was here as early as 1639 ; his da.
Lydia ra. John Luce 1660 ; his son Adam m. Rebecca Brabrook
l666, and had Sarauel, Joseph, Elisha, and Adam. They re
moved to Marlborough about 1680.
DUDLEY. Francis Dudley, a supposed connexion of Gov.
Thomas D., came to this town about 1663 ; ra. Sarah Wheeler
1665, and was father to Mary who m. Joseph Fletcher, Joseph,
Samuel, Sarah, John, and perhaps other chHdren. Joseph m. AbigaU
Gobble 1691 ; d. 1702 ; she d. 1705, having had AbigaU, James,
Joseph, Benjarain, Mary, and SibbeUa. Samuel m. AbigaU King
1704; removed to Littleton, where his wife, as mentioned by
Hutchinson (vol. n. p. 26), was affected with witchcraft ; about
1728 he removed to Sutton, where he died 1775, aged 109 ! hav
ing had twenty chUdren ; of whom Samuel, Francis, David, Abi
gaU, and Jonathan, (the three last at one birth,) were born in Con
cord. John, the other son of the first Francis, m. Hannah Poul-
tier of Medford 1697, and had John, Hannah, and Sarah. Paul
D., a descendant of the sixth generation, lives in the town.
EDMONDS. Walter, Samuel, and Joshua Edmonds, were here
before 1640 ; but their names disappear from our annuls after about
twenty years. The name was early in Lynn.
EDWARDS. The children of Robert Edwards, a freeman
1642, and d. about 1650, owned land in 1660. Col. John, who
d. in Acton, and Col. Abraham of Ashby, are probably descen
dants. EMERSON. See pages 183 and onward.
47 V^ ^

370 . APPENDIX.
ESTABROOK. See page 162.
EVARTS. John Fkarts was one of the earliest settiers ; had
sons John, and Judah, b. 1639 and 1642. Removed to Connecti
cut with Rev. Mr. Jones, and was probably the ancestor of the
late Jeremiah Evarts, Esq.
FARRAR. This family derive their origin from John and Ja
cob Farrar, who were proprietors of Lancaster in 1653. John d.
there Nov. 3, 1669. Jacob, either a son of John or Jacob, m.
Hannah, da. of John Houghton, Esq. 1668 ; he was killed by the
Indians August 22, 1675. His sons Jacob, George, Joseph, and
John, sold their property in 1697 to their uncle Houghton, and re
moved to Concord. Henry Farrar was killed in Lancaster Feb.
1676, and John d. Aug. 1707.
Jacob, above mentioned, m. Susannah Reddit of Concord, 1692 ;
lived in the north part of the town ; d. 1722 ; and had ten chil
dren ; Jacob, the eldest, was kiHed in Lo veil's fight, where his
cousin Joseph was wounded. Jacob, son of Jacob last mentioned,
d. Dec. 20, 1787, a. 65.
George ra. Mary How 1692, settled where Dea. James, his
great-grandson, now lives, and d. May 15, 1760, a. 89 ; his wife
d. April 12, 1761 ; they had Joseph, Daniel, George, Mary, and
Sarauel. George ra. Mary Barrett, and had nine chHdren, includ
ing Rev. George, and Humphrey, father to Rev. Joseph. (See
page 314). Deacon Samuel, his youngest brother, m. Lydia Bar
rett 1732, d. April 18, 1783, a. 75 ; and had Lydia, Dea. Samu
el (father to Samuel and John, noticed among the college gradu
ates). Rev. Stephen of New Ipswich, James, Rebecca, Lucy, and
Tiraothy of New Ipswich.
FARWELL. Henry Farwell, freeman in 1638, resided in
this town from its first settlement till the incorporation of Chelms
ford ; removed there, and d. Aug. 1, 1670 ; probably the common
ancestor of the name in New England. His sons Joseph, John,
and James, lived in this town, where the name has been preserved ;
the latter m. Sarah Wheeler 1658.
FASSETT. Nathaniel Fassett was taxed in 1666.
FLETCHER. Robert Fletcher was here in 1635 ; d. AprU
3, 1677, a. 85. ChUdren — 1. Francis, m. Elizabeth Wheeler
1656, and had Samuel, Joseph, John, Elizabeth, Sarah, Hannah,
and Benjamin, who lived in Concord. 2. Luke, d. 1665 ; 3.
William, m. Lydia Bates 1645, removed to Chelmsford, 1656,
d. Nov. 6, 1677 ; 4. Samuel, removed to Chelmsford. The name
is extinct in Concord, but descendants are found in the adjoining
towns, in Worcester county, and in New Hampshire.

APPENDIX. 371
FLINT. Hon. Thomas Flint came from Matiock in Derby
shire to Concord, in 1638, and brought with him, says a family
genealogy, £4000 steriing. He possessed wealth, talents, and a
Christian character ; represented the town four years, and was an
Assistant eleven. He d. Oct. 8, 1653. Johnson (Hist. CoH. in.
p. 161), calls him " a sincere servant of Christ, who had a fair yearly
revenue in England, but having improved it for Christ by casting
it into the common treasury, he waits on the Lord for doubling his
talent, if it shaH seem good unto him so to do, and the mean time
spending his person for the good of his people in the office of
magistrate."" At Christ's commands, thou leav'st thy lands, and native habitation :
His folke to aid, in desert straid, for gospel's exaltation,
Flint, hardy thou, wilt not allow, the undermining fox,
With subtill skill, Christ's vines to spoil, thy sword shall give them knocks.
Yet thou base dust, and all thou hast is Christ's, and by him thou
Art made to be, such as we see ; hold fast for ever now."
This is what Johnson calls ""remerabering in short metre."
His wiH is the first recorded in the Middlesex Probate Records.
His brother. Rev. Henry Flint of Braintree, and his uncle, WH
liam Wood, were executors. He had John and Ephraim, who
lived in Concord, and perhaps Edward, Thomas, and William of
Salem. Ephraim m. Jane, daughter of Rev. Edward Bulkeley, and d.
without issue 1722. About one thousand acres of land, including
Flint's Pond, were owned by hira.
John m. Mary, da. of lJ«an Oakes, Ewisidcut uf II. C, 1667 ;
d. 1687 ; she d. 1690 ; had AbigaU, m. Capt. Daniel Estabrook,
John, Mary, Thomas, and Edward. John ra. AbigaU Buttrick ;
d. Oct. 26, 1746, a. 69, and was father to Ephraim (H. C. 1733),
AbigaU, Mary, John (who d. 1792, a. 70), Hannah, and Jane.
Thomas m. Mary Brown, and had Dorothy, Mary, Thomas of
Rutland, Lucy, Henry of Carlisle, Josiah, Charles, John, and Dr.
Edward of Shrewsbury. Edward d. Nov. 15, 1754, a. 70, in Lin
coln, without issue.
FOWLE. George Fowle, one of the early settiers, had four
chUdren born here; removed to Charlestown. The name does
not again appear.
FOX. Thomas Fox a member of the church 1640. His first
wife d. 1647 ; and he m. second time, Hannah Brooks, the same
year He d. 1658. Eliphalet, the only son who had issue, m.
Mary Wheeler 1665; d. Aug. 15, 1711 ; she d. Feb. 24, 1679;
chUdren, Thomas, Ehphalet, Samuel, Joshua, Benoni, and Josh
ua. Descendants of this family are found in New Hampshire, but
the name has been long extinct in Concord.

372 APPENDIX.
FRENCH. Joseph French was here as early as 1674 ; and
by Elizabeth, his wife, had Samuel, Joseph, Ehzabeth, Mary, Mar
garet, and Jonathan, b. between 1676 and 1690; was a lieutenant;
hved in the present hmits of Bedford.
FRISSIL. William Frissil m. Hannah Clark 1667, and was
here tiU about 1680.
FULLER. WHliam Fuller was a mUler. His wife d. 1642;
daughter Ruth m. Timothy Wheeler 1670; and Ehzabeth m. Jo
seph Dean 1669.
GAMLIN. Robert Gamlin d. Oct. 7, 1642.
GOBBLE. Thomas here before 1640 ; d. 1657 ; left three
sons and three daughters, and several grandchUdren. Thomas and
Daniel lived south of AValden woods.
GRAVES. John Graves was one of the first members of the
church, and had several sons. Benjamin m. Mary Hoar; John,
Mary Chamberlain ; and Abraham, Ann Hayward ; and had fami
lies ; but the name soon disappears.
GREEN. There was a John Green who lived in town in 1 690 ;
but tradition does not make him the ancestor of the Concord fami
lies. John, a hatter from Maiden, m. Martha, sister of Deacon
Simon Hunt, and lived in the centre of the town ; hut sold out and
removed to Cariisle, and was ancestor of the famHies there. He was
father to John, who had Leonard, Jesse, Reuben, John, Amos,
and Calvin ; Zaccheus, who had Thomas, Zaccheus, Josiah, Sara
uel, Eh, Asa, and four daughters ; Nathan, who had Nathan, Asa,
William, Silas, Timothy, and Tilly ; and Samuel, whose children
died without issue.
GRIFFIN. Richard Griffin here 1635, elder in the church ;
representative, town commissioner ; m. Mary Hayward 1660; d.
AprU 5, 1661 ; gave his property to Christopher WooHey. His
mother lived in Charlestown.
HADLOCK. John Hadlock was here in 1675, and onwards,
HALL, William Hall m. Sarah Merriam 1658 ; d. 1667.
Stephen m. Ruth Davis 1663; sold one hundred and ten acres of
land at the " old hogpen walk" to John Barker, 1684, and remov
ed to Stow,
HALSTED. William Halsted d. July 5, 1 645 ; gave to the
town of Concord £5, to be laid out in a cow for the poor of the
town. His brother, whose wife Isabel d, 1641, and a sister, inher
ited the property.

APPENDIX. 373
HAMILTON. John Hamilton was here a few years, before
1670, but removed to Marlborough.
HARRIS. George Harris here in 1669, and the name has
since been frequent.
HARWOOD. Nathaniel Harwood was here in 1667, and had
Nathaniel, Peter, John, and Mary, whose descendants stHl live in
the adjoining towns.
HARDY. Richard Hardy had twins born, who d. 1639 ; his
wife d. two days after.
HARTWELL. AU of this name in New England are suppos
ed to have originated from William, who was among the first set
tlers in 1636 ; and in subsequent life was distinguished by the title
of Quartermaster, at that tirae honorable in mihtary life ; d. March
12, 1690 ; his wife d. 1695. ChHdren, WiHiara, John, Samuel,
Jonathan, Nathaniel, and Martha. Of these, Sarauel m. Ruth
Wheeler 1665, and had Samuel, Mary, Ruth, WiHiam, John, and
Hannah. The oldest, Sarauel, m. Abigail Stearns 1692, whose son
Ephraim m. Elizabeth Heywood 1732. He d. 1793, a. 87 ; she
1808 a. 94. They bad fifteen children, five of whom died of the
throat-distemper in October, 1740. This has been a prevalent
name. HASSELL. Joseph Hassell, son of Richard of Cambridge,
came here in 1672.
HAYWARD. This name has been written Heaward, Heywood,
and Howard, and although several now bear the last name, they
originated from a comraon ancestor. Heywood is a distinct name.
George Hayward came here in 1635 ; d. March 29, 1671 ; his
wife d. 1693 ; estate £506 ; children, Mary, ra. Richard Griffin,
John, Joseph, Sarah, Hannah, Simeon, George, and perhaps others.
JoAn m. Anna White 1671, and had Mary, George, Martha,
John, Judith, and two others.
Joseph m. (l) Hannah Hosmer 1665, and had Joseph, Mary,
John, Hannah, George, and Dorothy ; his wife d. 1675 ; he m.
(2) Ehzabeth TreadweH 1677, and had Ebenezer, Jaraes, and
Simeon. The father d. Oct., 13, 1714, a. 71. Simeon, the last
mentioned, was the ancestor of most of the name in this vicinity ;
m. Rebecca Hartwell 1705 ; d. May 18, 1719, a. 36 ; she, after
his death, m. a Temple, and d. 1776, a. 94. They had seven
children  1- Josiah, m. Mary Hosmer, and settled in Acton, and
had Josiah, John, Daniel, Simeon, and seven daughters ; 2. Mary,
m. Ephraim Jones ; 3. Abigail, m. Merriam of Bedford ; 4. Sam
uel m. Mary Stevens of Marlborough, and had Samuel, Paul,
James (kiUed 19th April, 1775), Benjamin, Stevens, and three

374 APPENDIX.
daughters ; 5. Joseph, m. Abigail Hosmer, and had Simeon, Ste
phen, Joseph, Asa, John, Jaraes, and six daughters ; 6. Simeon,
m. Sarah Hosraer, settied in Sutton and had eight children;
7. Ebenezer, of Killingly, Conn.
HEALD. This narae is sometimes erroneously spelled Hale or
Held. John here in 1635, came from Berwick, Eng. ; d. May 24,
1662; had John, Timothy, Dorcas, Gershom, Dorothy, Israel,
and perhaps other chHdren. Gershom ra. Ann Vinton 1673, and
removed to Stow.
John, jr., above mentioned, m. Sarah Dean 1661, and had
Elizabeth, John, Gershom, Sarah, and perhaps others ; of whom,
John m. Mary Chandler 1690; d. Nov. 25, 1721, a. 55; had
Mary, ra. John Parhng ; John, deacon in Acton ; Timothy, great
grandfather of John, Esq. of Carlisle ; Josiah, Ehzabeth, Samuel,
Amos, deacon in Concord, in Lincoln, and in Townsend ; Ephraim,
and Dorcas.
HEYWOOD. John here before 1650 ; m. Rebecca Atkinson
1656 ; and had John and Benoni ; his wife d. 1665 ; and he m.
again, Sarah Simonds, 1665. He d. Jan. 11, 1707. Dea. John,
jr, d, Jan. 2, 1718, who, by his wife Sarah, had ten sons and three
daughters. Sarah, Thoraas, Samuel, Edmond, Josiah, Daniel,
Eleazer, Nathan, Sarah, John of Lunenburg, Mary, Phineas of
Steriing, and Benjamin. Of these, Samuel m. Elizabeth Hub
bard 1710, was deacon, town-clerk, and otherwise distinguished;
d. Oct. 28, 1750, a. 63. He had thirteen chHdren ; Sarauel,
Araos, Elizabeth, Samuel, Jonathan (father to Hon. Abiel), Amos,
Jonas, Charles, Rebecca, Aaron, John, Sarah, and Mary. Some
collateral branches of this family have been distinguished in public
life in Worcester county.
HOAR. The ancestor of this famUy, according to tradition,
was a wealthy banker from London, and died soon after his arrival
in Boston. Mrs. Joanna, probably his wife, died in Braintree 1661.
Her children were as follows : 1 . Joanna, wife of Col. Edmond
Quincy ; 2. Margery, wife of Rev. H. Flint ; 3. Daniel, went to
England 1653 ; 4. Leonard, President of H. C. ; and 5. John of
Concord, who lived in Scituate frora 1643 to 1655, came to Concord
about 1660; was a lawyer, distinguished for bold, independent
mind and action; d. AprH 2, 1704- ; his wife Alice d. June 5,
1697. His daughter Elizabeth m. Jonathan Prescott, and Mary
m. Benjamin Graves ; and his only son Daniel m. Mary Stratton
1677, and had John, Leonard, Daniel, Joseph, Jonathan, Mary,
Samuel, Isaac, David, and Ehzabeth. Of these, Lieut. Daniel,
third son, m. Sarah Jones 1705, and d. Feb. 8, 1773, a. 93, hav
ing had four sons, John, Daniel, Jonathan, and Timothy, and seve-

APPENDIX. 375
ral daughters. John m. Elizabeth Coolidge of Watertown, and
was father to Hon. Samuel and Leonard H. of Lincoln, and grand
father to Hon. Samuel of Concord.
HOSMER. Two of this narae, Thomas and James, supposed
to be brothers, from Hockhurst, county of Kent, came to America.
Thomas was of Cambridge 1632, and probably reraoved to Con
necticut, and was ancestor of Rev. Stephen, H. C. 1699, the Hon.
Titus, and Hon. Stephen Titus Hosmer, aH distinguished men in
that State. James came to Concord among the first settiers ; d.
Feb. 7, 1685 ; his first wife d. 1641, and second wife, Ellen, 1665.
They had James, John (a petitioner for Chelmsford, who died, ac
cording to tradition, in Ireland), Hannah, ra. Joseph Hayward,
Mary, m. Thomas Smith, and Stephen, b. 1642.
James, the eldest son, m. Sarah White 1658, and was kiHed at
Sudbury fight ; his widow m. Samuel Rice. He had James of
Woodstock, Mary, m. Samuel Wight, Dorothy, Hannah, m. Col.
How of Marlborough, and Th'6"mas, who m. Hannah Hartwell
1696, and was father to Hannah, Sarah, Thomas, Mary, and James,
of whom Thomas, the third chHd, m. Prudence Hosmer 1731,
and had Lucy, Hon. Joseph, Perses, Dinah, Lydia, and Benja
min, whose united ages were 465, or 78 each, nearly. James, the
brother of Thomas last mentioned, m. Elizabeth Davis of Bedford,
and had Samuel, Jaraes, Elizabeth, Bulah, Ruth, and Elijah.
Stephen, youngest chUd of the first Jaraes, ra. AbigaU Wood
1667, and had Mary, AbigaU, ra. George Wheeler, John, Bridget,
Dorothy, Stephen, and James. Of whom Stephen m. Prudence
BiUings 1707, and had chHdren, Prudence, ra. Thoraas Hosmer,
above mentioned ; Captain Stephen, the distinguished surveyor ;
Jonathan, grandfather to Siraon, Esq. of Acton ; Josiah, father to
John and Jesse, Abel and Josiah of Templeton ; Jane, and Ephraim
of Acton, father to Samuel.
Hon. Joseph Hosmer, above mentioned, was born Dec. 25,
1735, and died Jan. 31, 1821, a. 85. His father's name was
Thomas, and his mother's Prudence Hosmer, second cousins, and
great-grandchildren of Jaraes Hosmer, the first American ancestor.
Possessing popular talents, he was early called to share the public
duties of society. In the great events of the revolution he acted a
conspicuous part, always in favor of liberty. Whilst the prelimi
nary measures were under discussion, one of his townsmen raade a
powerful speech in which he attempted to ridicule the doings of
the " sons of liberty." Mr. Hosmer immediately replied in a
strain of natural, unaffected, but energetic eloquence (for which he
was afterwards distinguished), which particularly attracted public
attention and introduced him to public favor. He was a militia
officer on the 19th of April, 1775, and the first captain of the

376 APPENDIX.
Concord Light Infantry company, and was afterwards promoted to
major. He was a representative five years, and a senator twelve,
and was an active, influential raeraber. He was appointed sheriff
of the county in 1792, and sustained the office fifteen years. Major
Hosraer was endowed by nature with strong, active powers of
mind, and the character he formed enabled him to raeet all events
with that fortitude which is an earnest of success. He early made
a public profession of religion. Ardent without rashness, bold
without presumption, and rehgious without fanaticism, he was emi
nently a useful man.
HOW. William How had several chUdren b. 1657 - 1665 ;
removed to Chelmsford or Marlborough.
HUNT. William Hunt was here before 1640 ; d. in Maribo.--
ough Oct. 1667 ; his wife Ehzabeth 1661 ; estate £596 ; left sons
Neheraiah, Isaac, WHliam, and Samuel, who m. and had families.
Neheraiah ra. Mary Tool 1663, whose son John m. Mary Brown
1703 ; d. May 3, 1765, a. 92 ; fatiier to Dea. Simon Hunt, who
was father to Dr. Joseph, and grandfather to Capt. Humphrey. —
Nehemiah, a brother of John, m. Eleanor Hunt 1705, and was
great-grandfather of Nehemiah Hunt, sen., now living. Collateral
descendants now live in this and the adjoining towns.
HUBBARD. Jonathan was here as early as 1680, probably
from Connecticut, m. Hannah Merriam. He d. July 17, 1728, a.
70 ; she d. April 9, 1747, a. 89yinherited part of the property of
his uncle, Dea. Robert Merriara, on whose place, near the new
meeting-house, he lived. Had Jonathan, Samuel, Joseph, Eliza
beth, John, Daniel, Thomas, AbigaU, and Ebenezer, b. between
1684 and 1700. Capt. Joseph, the third child, m. Rebecca, da.
of Capt. Joseph Bulkeley, 1713, and d. AprH 10, 1768, a. 80;
she d. 1772, a. 76 ; having bad Rebecca, Elizabeth, Lucy, Abi
gaU, Thomas and Lucy (twins), of whom Capt. Thomas d. Oct.
12, 1810, a. 80, father of Dea. Thomas H.
Ebenezer, ninth child of the first Jonathan, m. Mary Conant,
and d. May 21, 1755, a. 54. Of his sons, four died young, and
Ebenezer, another one, d. Oct. 1, 1807, a. 82 ; whose wife d. 1807,
a. 77 ; being parents of Rev. Ebenezer, and grandparents of others
living on the paternal spot.
Sarauel d. Dec. 12, 1753, a. 66. Isaac, his son by second wife,
d. Aug. 15, 1803, a. 75, whose son lives in Holden.
HUTCHINSON. Francis, probably son of WHliam of Boston,
d. Nov. 17, 1661.
JONES. Rev. John Jones has been noticed in pages 5 and

APPENDIX. 377
153. John, whether connected with him or not, is uncertain, came
from Cambridge to Concord about 1650; d. 1673 ; his widow m.
WiUiam Buss ; had Samuel, Ephraim, Elizabeth, m. Joseph Buss,
Joseph, John, Dorcas, and Rebecca, m. James Minott, a cousin of
James Minott, Esq., and, after his death, Capt. Joseph Bulkeley.
Samuel, m. Elizabeth Potter 1672, and had Sarauel, Nathaniel,,
Ephraira, Joseph, and perhaps others. Of whom Samuel m. Ruth
Brown 1698, d. Nov. 5, 1755, a. 82; she d. 1764, a. 86, whose
children were I.Elizabeth; 2. Thomas J(m. Mary Miles 1727 ;
bed. Aug. 3, 1774, a. 72; she d. Oct. 26, 1782, a. 73) ; 3.
Ruth, m. a Foot; 4. Samuel; 5. Rebecca, ra. first, Benjarain
Barrett, and second, Jonas Prescott of Westford ; 6. Joseph ;
7. Mary, ra. Dea. Thomas Barrett; 8. Lucy, ra. Dr. Joseph Lee.
(yVathaniel, second son of Samuel, m. Mary Reddit 1696, and had
Elnathan, Josiah, Ebenezer, Ann., Mary,- Dprcas, Susannah, and
Sarah.' Ephraim, third son of Sarauel, above mentioned, m. Hep-
sibah Chandler 1701, and was killed by the fall of a timber 1710 ;
whose son Ephraim m. Mary Hayward 1728, and d. Nov. 29,
1756, a. 51 ; having been captain, town-clerk, and otherwise dis
tinguished, and having had Ephraim, Mary, Jonas, and Rebecca.
Fjphraim, the second son of the first John, m. Ruth Wheeler,
1673. He d. 1676; she m. again, Thomas Brown, having had
John and Mary Jones.
John, the fourth son, ra. Sarah Teraple 1684; d. 1726, a. 68;
had 1. Sarah, m. Daniel Hoar; 2. John, ra. Anna Brooks 1716 ;
he d. March 12, 1762, a. 72 ; she d. 1753, leaving John, Olive,
Ebenezer, Daniel, and Farwell; 3. Tiraothy ; 4. Bartholomew, m.
Ruth Stow, d. Sept. 16, 1738, a. 42.
JUDSON. William Judson, from whom all of the name in the
country are supposed to have originated, with his sons Joseph,
Jeremiah, and Joshua, carae to New England in 1634, and lived
in Concord till their removal to Hartford about 1640, where his
descendants now hve. A connexion was early formed between
this and the Bulkeley family.
LAW. John Law, m. Lydia Draper 1660 ; lived where Joel
Conant now lives in Acton ; his wife d. Jan . 6, 1 733, a. 94 ; had
John, Thomas, Stevens, and Samuel, who was a physician, and d.
in Groton, Conn., AprH 29, 1727, a 47.
LEE. Joseph Lee, son of John, who carae from London to
Ipswich in 1635, and d. 1671, came to Concord ; ra. three tiraes.
1. Mary Woodhouse ; 2. widow Mary Wigley ; and 3. Mary Fox.
He d. Nov. 4, 1716, a. 73, having had by his first wife, whose fa-
48

378 APPENDIX.
ther's estate he inherited, and on which he lived, Joseph, Mary, m.
John Wood, Ann, Henry, John, Woodis, and Hannah.
Of whom, Joseph was a physician, m. Ruth Goodnow 1713 ; he
d. Oct. 5, 1736, a. 56, having had twelve chHdren ; Joseph, Ruth,
Joseph, (ra. Ruth Jones 1739, father to Joseph, Jonas, Lucy, John,
Ruth, Samuel, Silas, three of whom graduated at Harvard College)
John, Ruth, m. Samuel Edwards, Mary, Elenor, Jonathan, and
three others, who died young.
Henry, m. three times. 1. Rebecca Heywood, 1713 ; 2. Caty
Payson ; 3. Catharine  , by whom he had twenty-one chil
dren, among whora were John, Abner, Benjamin, Henry, Samuel,
Charles, Ezekiel, WiUiam, and Joshua, who have a very nu
merous posterity. He lived in Worcester, but d. in Concord,
Feb. 25, 1745, a. 60.
Woodis, m. Elizabeth Wood 1715, hved in Concord, and had
Woodis, Bathsheba, Seth, and Elizabeth, and have descendants
here. LETTIN. Richard was here from 1638-1644; removed.
MASON. John Mason, supposed to be a son of Capt. Hugh
Mason of Watertown, m. Hannah Ramsden in Concord 1662 ; d.
1667, leaving one son, who has descendants in the town.
MARBLE. Samuel Marble was here from 1666 and onwards.
MARTIN. Ambrose Martin was among the first settlers ;
fined £10 for calling the church-covenant a "stinking carrion"
(see p. 152, and Winthrop, i. 289) ; removed.
MELVIN. John Melvin was here about 1700 ; and had, by
his wife Margaret, Eleazer, and David, noted in the French war ;
the latter m. Mary Farrar 1716.
MERRIAM. There were three brothers of this name among
the first settlers, Robert, George, and Joseph. Robert was a tra
der, lived where the Trinitarian meeting-house stands ; was town-
clerk, commissioner, representative, and deacon ; m. Mary Sheafe ;
d. without issue Feb. 15, 1681, a. 72; she d. 1693, a. 72.
George, d. Dec. 29, 1675 ; had by his wife Susannah, Susan
nah, m. John Scotchford ; Elizabeth, m. Henry West of Salem ;
Samuel, m. Elizabeth Thompson, and had four daughters ; Han
nah, m. William Taylor ; AbigaU, m. Thomas Bateman ; and Sa
rah. Joseph, ancestor of the Concord families, d. Jan. 1, 1641. His
son Joseph m. Sarah Stow 1653, and d. AprU 20, 1677, a. 47,
leaving one daughter. His grave-stone is the oldest in the town.
Another son, John, m. Mary Cooper 1663 ; she d. March 5, 1731,

APPENDIX. 379
a. 85, and had John, Nathaniel, Joseph, Dea. Samuel, and some
in"^^c''^' °^ ^'^°""' -^^^^Ph ™- Dorothy Brooks 1705 ; d. Dec.
10, 1750, a. 74, having had Dorothy, Mary, Joseph, Sarauel, and
Josiah This last m. Lydia Wheeler 1746 ; d. April 23, 1809, a.
Srf, lather to Josiah and Joseph of Concord, and Dr. Tiraothy of
b ramingham. MILES. John Miles was here in 1640 ; his first wife Sarah,
d. 1678, leaving one daughter, who m. first, Edmond Wigley, and
second, Joseph Lee ; he m. again, in his old age, Susannah Redh,
AprH 10, 1679; d. Aug. 28, 1693; his widow ra. Lt. William
WUson of Billerica ; he left John, Samuel, and Mary, who m.
Edmond Putnam of Salem.
John, m. Mary Prescott 1702; d. Oct. 23, 1725; estate
£1,708; and had John, Jonathan, H. C, Mary, m. Thomas
Jones, Ehzabeth, James, and Benjarain; of whora John m. Eliza
beth Brooks, and was father to John, Noah, and Abner, all of
Westminster; Abel of New Ipswich, Elizabeth, Oliver, James of
Winchendon, and Dorothy.
Samuel, son of the first John, m. Sarah Foster 1706 ; was a
deacon; d. March 13, 1756, and had Sarauel, Joseph, Sarah,
Ezekiel, Esther, Martha, Nathan, Reuben of Westminster, and
Charles, a captain in the revolution.
MIDDLEBROOK; Joseph Middlebrook removed frora town
in 1644. ^"^ ¦¦"'' -X^' ;}-UJ2-^L. fS '/- /l^- .
MINOTT. This distinguished family is traced to Thomas
Minott, Esq., Secretary to the Abbot of Walden, hy whom he was
advanced to great possessions. His son George was born Aug. 4,
1594, in Safron Walden, Essex, Eng. ; came to New England
among the first settlers of Dorchester, where he was a ruling elder
in the church thirty years ; d. Dec. 24, 1671, a. 78. His sons
were John, James, Stephen, and Samuel ; of whom John was
father to James, John, Stephen, and Samuel.
James, the eldest son of John, b. Sept. 14, 1653, graduated
H. C. 1675, and came to Concord about 1680. WhHe resident
here, he was employed as a preacher in Stow in 1685, for " 12s.
6d. per day, one half cash, and one half Indian corn " ; and in
1686 " for what older towns had given their ministers — £13 for
thirteen Sabbaths." He was again invited there in 1695, but de
clined. He practised physic, was a captain, justice of the peace,
representative, and eminently a useful man. Tradition accords to
him a character worthy the following epitaph, which is engraven
on his grave-stone :

330 APPENDIX.
" Here is interred the remains of
JAMES MINOTT Esd A M an
Excelling Grammarian, Enriched
with the Gift of Prayer and Preaching,
a Commanding Officer, a Physician of
Great Value, a Great Lover of Peace
as well as of Justice, and which was
His greatest Glory, a Gent'n of distinguished
Virtue and Goodness, happy in a Virtuous
Posterity, and living Religiously Died
Comfortably, Sept. 20. 1735 Mt. 83."
He m. Rebecca, da. of Capt. Timothy Wheeler, and hved on
the estate left by his father-in-law, near Capt. Stacy's. She d.
1734, a. 68. They had 1. Rebecca, ra. Joseph Barrett ; 2. Lyd
ia, m. Benjarain Barrett; 3. Mary, m. Ebenezer Wheeler; 4.
Tiraothy, H. C. 1718 ; 5. James ; 6. Elizabeth ; 7. Martha, m.
James Lane of BiHerica ; 8 and 9. Love and Mercy, twins ; the
former was m. to John Adams, the latter, to Samuel Dakin, on
the same day, by their father ; and 10. Samuel.
Hon. James Minott, the fifth chUd, was one of the most distin
guished men of his times. He was a mHitary officer about thirty
years, and advanced to colonel, justice of the peace, representative,
and a raeraber of the King's CouncH ; m. I. Martha Lane 1716;
had John, Rebecca (who m. Benjamin Prescott of Danvers), and
James. His wife d. 1735; and he m. again, Elizabeth Merrick ;
and had Martha, m. Rev. Josiah Sherman of Woburn ; Ephraim,
and Elizabeth, m. Rev. Daniel Rogers of Littleton 1763. Col.
Minott d. Feb. 6, 1759, a. 64.
Samuel, the tenth chUd of James, Jr., was a deacon; d. March
17, 1766, a. 60. He m. 1. Sarah, da. of Jonas Prescott of West
ford, and had Samuel, Jonas, and Thankful Sarah, m. Dea. Araos
Dakin of Mason, N. H. His wife d. 1737 ; and he m. again,
Dorcas, sister of his wife ; she d. 1803, a. 91 ; had Dorcas, m.
Thomas Barrett, George, Rebecca, m. Charles Barrett of New
Ipswich, Daniel, and Mary, m. Elnathan Jones. Of these, Jonas
had a grant in 1775, of the greatest part of WHraot, N. H. ; d.
March 20, 1813, a. 78 ; and George m. Rebecca Barrett 1765 ;
was a captain in the revolution, deacon in the church, and other
wise distingushed.
MITCHEL. Jonathan Mitchel, from Halifax, Yorkshire,
came to Concord in 1635, and two years after, " his beginnings
were consumed by fire." He removed shortly af^er to Connecti
cut ; was father to Rev. Jonathan M. of Cambridge.
ODELL. William Odell, one of the first settlers, removed to
Fairfield 1644.
i OAKES. Edward Oakes, father to Urian Oakes, President
of Harvard College, came to Concord about 1682 ; was represen
tative 1684 ; d. Oct. 13, 1689.

APPENDIX. 381
PARKS. Richard Parks, a lieutenant, representative, &;c.,
was son of Richard P. of Cambridge ; m. Ehzabeth Billings of
V'"u°'"'^' 1690 ; d. June 19, 1725, a 58. ChHdren, Joseph, Eliz
abeth, Sarah, Josiah, AbigaU, Jonathan, Hannah, David (d. 1701,
" being scalded in wort," a. 2), Isaac, and Rebecca. Of whora
Joseph m. and had eight children, born between 1719 and 1736 ;
Benjamin, Stephen, David, Louis, Sarah, Elizabeth, Beniamin,
and George.
PARLIN. John Parlin was here about 1680. He d. Feb.
24, 1750, a. 84; having had John, Joseph, Jonathan, and Esther ;
of whom John ra. Mary Heald, May 12, 1718, and was father to
Jonathan, who had Jonathan, Nathan, Samuel, Asa, and five
daughters. Jonathan d. at Lake George in the army, 1758. Asa
was town-clerk, representative, he., in Carlisle, and d. Oct. 8,
1822, a. 68.
PASMORE. James was here in 1644.
PELLET. Thomas Pellet m. Mary Dean 1660 ; d. Dec. 1,
1694 ; said to have given the burying-ground near Dr. Hurd's, to
the town. Children, Mary, Jonathan, Thoraas, Elizabeth, Daniel,
Samuel, Richard, aud John. Narae now extinct.
POTTER. Luke Potter was one of the first settlers of the
town, and deacon of the church. He m. a second wife, Mary Ed
monds, 1644; she d. 1710. Eunice, Remembrance, Luke, Sam
uel, Dorothy, Mary, m. Humphrey Barrett, and Bethia, were his
chHdren by his first wife. Of whora Sarauel ra. Sarah Wright
1673, and was kHled in Sudbury fight in 1676 ; Judah ra. Grace
Brooks 1686, and was burnt to death in his dwelling-house, June
20, 1731. She d. 1753, a. 93. "In Judah alone was the name
preserved," and his descendants have been remarkable for their
longevity. His chHdren were Mary, Hannah, Eunice, Luke, who
d. Sept. 25, 1784, a. 92, and whose son Samuel d. June 14, 1814,
a. 96. Another Sarauel d. Feb. 15, 1800, a. 95.
POWERS. Walter Powers was probably the son of John of
Charlestown ; m. a daughter of Ralph Shepherd, and lived near
Nagog Pond, and his descendants were among the first incorpora
tors of Littleton.
PRESCOTT. Jonathan Prescott was the common ancestor
of the Concord branch of this distinguished famUy. His father,
John P., from Lancashire, Eng., m. Mary Platts of Yorkshire, and
came to this country about 1640 ; and, after hving a short time at
Watertown, was a leading settler of Lancaster, where he d. 1683.
His chHdren were Mary, m. Thomas Sawyer, Sarah, m. Richard

382 APPENDIX.
Wheeler, Lydia, m. Jonas Fairbank, Martha, John, Jonathan, Jo
seph, and Jonas.
Of these, Jonathan, came to Concord ; m. Elizabeth Hoar 1675 ;
she d. 1687; he m., second lime, Peter Bulkeley's widow, and
third time, Ruth Brown. He d. Dec. 5, 1721 ; had Jonathan,
Elizabeth, m. John Fowle, Dorothy, m. Edward Bulkeley, John,
Benjamin, H. C. 1709, and Mary, m. John Miles. Of whom,
Jonathan has the following epitaph on his monumental slab :
" Here lyes the remains of
Major JONATHAN PRESCOTT, Esq.,
a gentleman of virtue and merit, an accomplisht physitian,
but excelling in chirurgery.
Of uncommon sagacity, penetration, and success in his practice,
and so of very extensive service.
But his life was much valued, and his death very generally lamented.
He married the amiable and only daughter of the
Honorable Colonel Peter Bulkley, Esq.,
by whom he had ten children.
He was removed from ministring to men's bodies, to the world of spirits,
October 28th, 1829, .Sltatis suae 54."
His widow Rebecca m. Rev. John Whiting. The chUdren
were 1. Jonathan, settled in Littleton, and he has descendants
there and in Nova Scotia ; 2. Rebecca ; 3. John, and 4. Peter,
noticed among the college graduates ; 5. Charles, m. Elizabeth
Barrett, representative, colonel, he., d. Feb. 2, 1779, a. 68 ; she
d. 1799, a. 82 ; 6. Elizabeth, m. Rev. David Hall of Sutton ;
7. Dorothy ; 8. Abel, an eminent physician, m. AbigaU Bugbee ;
d. Oct. 24, 1805, a. 88; father to Abel and Samuel, noticed in
the events of 19th AprH, 1775, John, Benjamin, AbigaU, Doro
thy, and Lucy, m. Jonathan Fay, Esq. ; 9. Mary; 10. Benjarain,
killed by the Indians 1744.
The descendants of John, Joseph, and Jonas, chUdren of the
first Jonathan, were numerous and respectable. John continued
at Lancaster, where his sons lived. Joseph lived at Sudbury ;
Jonas settled at Groton, was a captain, justice of the peace, and
had a large estate ; m. Mary Loker 1672; d. Dec. 31, 1723, a.
75 ; she d. Oct. 28, 1735, a. 81, having lived to see 176 descen
dants. She had twelve chUdren. Mary m. Benjamin Farns-
worth ; Elizabeth m. Eleazer Green ; Jonas m. Thankful Wheel
er of Concord ; Nathaniel ; Dorothy m. John Varnum ; James ;
Sarah m. John Longley ; AbigaU m. Jaraes Parker ; Martha m.
Shebuel Hobart ; Susanna m. William Lawrence ; Deborah m.
Samuel Parker ; and Benjamin, who m. Abigail Oliver of Cam
bridge, 1718, d. Aug. 3, 1738, a. 58, (she d. Sept. 13, 1765, a.
68,) and was father to Hon. Jaraes and Hon. Ohver, M. D. of
Groton, and Col. WHliam, a distingushed officer at Bunker Hill in
1775. Samuel P., supposed to have been a son of Jonathan by a wife

APPENDIX. 383
had before Elizabeth Hoar, m. Esther Wheeler 1698, and had
Amos and six daughters, who lived principally in Acton.
1 he Prescott family, once so numerous and influential, has no
one now bearing its name in Concord.
PROCTOR. Robert Proctor ra. Jane Hildreth 1645 ; d.
AprU 28, 1697 ; had Sarah, Gershom, Mary, Peter, Elizabeth,
James, Lydia, Thoraas, John, Sarauel, and Israel. The first four
were born in Concord, and the remainder in Chelmsford, whither
he removed in 1654.
PROUT. Ebenezer Prout, son of Timothy of Boston, ra.
Ehzabeth, da. of Capt. Tiraothy Wheeler, 1678 ; was captain,
representative 1689-90, and afterwards Clerk of the House of
Representatives ; d. in Watertown. His father and brother hved
some time in Concord.
PURCHIS. Oliver Purchis, whose da. m. Dea. James Blood,
came frora Lynn to this town 1691, and was styled, on the records,
" the worthy gentleman" ; d. Nov. 20, 1701.
REED. Philip Reed was here from 1670 ; had several chil
dren, one of whom was styled Dr. Philip R., presumed to be a
practising physician.
RICE. Richard Rice, d. June 9, 1709, " being accounted,"
says the record, " more than one hundred years old." Samuel R.,
whether a connexion is uncertain, m. Sarah Hosmer 1676. The
name is not a prevalent one in Concord, though it is in Sudbury.
ROBBINS. Robert Robbins was here before 1670 ; m. Mary
(Maxwell, according to tradition), and had George, John, Robert,
James, Eleazer, and perhaps other children. The name is still
prevalent here, though the connexion is not easily traced.
ROBINSON. William Robinson had children born here
1670-1675. RUGG. John Rugg had Daniel and Jonathan, b. 1679 and
1680. ROSS. George Ross, d. June 20, 1649.
SCOTCHFORD. John Scotchford was among the first set
tlers • m. Susanna Merriam ; was town-clerk ; d. without issue,
June' 10, 1696; shed. 1707.
SHEPHERD. John Shepherd was here about 1648. In
1661 he had thirty acres of land granted hira by the town " in
consideration of the hand of God upon him in the loss of one of

384 APPENDIX.
his arms." This land lay near Mr. SHas Holden's. He subse
quently had a tract granted at Nagog Pond. He had a son John,
b. 1661, and a da. Mary, 1662 (taken captive in 1676). Isaac
Shepherd m. Mary Sraeadly 1667 ; killed with his brother Jacob
in 1676. Abraham Shepherd m. Judith TiU 1672. AU had
famHies. SMEADLY. Two brothers carae to Concord before 1639.
Baptiste d. Aug. 16, 1675; his son Samuel m. Hannah Wheeler
1667, and was killed at Brookfield, Aug. 2, 1675. Mary, and
Jaraes, who m. Mary Barrett 1671, were also his children.
¦, John S., brother to Baptiste, had a son born 1646, who m. Sarah
 , and d. Oct. 1675. This name has long since been extinct.
SMITH. Thomas Smith, m. Mary Hosraer 1663, and had
Thomas, James, and John born here, after which he is supposed to
have removed to Connecticut.
, SPENCER. A " Mr. Spencer " is said to have been present
at the purchase of the town, but I have not been able to identify
any one of the name as a proprietor or inhabitant till 1666 ; and
the John here at the latter period was probably a different person
from the one here in 1635.
SQUIRE. George Squire was here in 1640, but his name
does not again appear. ¦ , ,' ' , ' ^ . , » '- .
STANIFORTH, Thomas Staniforth was here 1644, but
removed. STOW. Thomas Stow came to Concord before 1640; was
father to Sarauel, H. C. 1644, Thomas, Nathaniel, and perhaps
other children. Thoraas and Samuel owned jointly six hundred
acres of land between Fairhaven pond and Sudbury line. Thomas
sold his to Thomas Gobble and Daniel Dean 1660 ; Samuel sold
his to Mr Woodhouse, with the other two mentioned ; both remov
ed to Connecticut. Nathaniel lived here ; m. second wife Martha
BrigneH, 1662; d. 1683 ; she d. 1717, a. 90. He had Thankful,
Nathaniel, Ebenezer, beside several who d. young ; of whom Na
thaniel ra. Ruth Merriam 1690, and had John, Joseph, Samuel,
Nathaniel, Thomas, Benjamin, Jonathan, and perhaps others.
STRATTEN. Samuel Stratten d. Oct, 27, 1674, having had
by his wife Mary, Mary, ra. Daniel Hoar, Samuel, John, and sev
eral who died young. Samuel m. Hannah Wheat 1675, and had
children, whose posterity lived on the alms-house farm, which once
bore the name of the family. Elizabeth Stratten d, April 19,
1762, a. 100,

APPENDIX. 385
SYMONDS. William Symonds was one of the first settiers ;
his wife d. 1641 ; da. Judith m. John Barker, and Sarah m. John
Heywood. TAYLOR. There appear to have been two by this narae as
early as 1650. William m. Mary Merriam; d. Dec. 6, 1696;
having had John, Samuel, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, and Mary.
James m. Isabel Torapkins; d. Jan. 22, 1690, having had several
children. They hved within the present limits of Bedford. Sam
uel m. in 1686, and had a large family.
TEMPLE. Richard Temple, probably from Charlestown, was
here before 1650;'' d. March 15, 1689. Among the names of his
children, all of which are not preserved, I find Richard, d. 1698,
father to Richard, Isaac, John, and Abrahara ;- Abraham, m. Deb
orah Hadlock 1673; she d. 1743, a. 94; AbigaU, m. Thomas
Brabrook. Rebecca Temple d. March 14, 1776, a. 94.
THWING. Benjamin Thwing was here in 1642, and proba
bly removed to Boston.
TOMPKINS. John Tompkins had Ruth and John b, here,
1640 and 1642, Removed to Fairfield.
TURNEY. Bcjy'amire was here in 1638, but removed. •
UNDERWOOD. William Underwood was here as early as
1638, where his chHdren, Remembrance, ra. Josiah Richardson,
Sarah, m. Daniel Blodget, PriseiHa, m. Edward Spaulding, Aquil-
la, and Rebecca were born. Reraoved to Chelmsford in 1654.
WHEAT. Two brothers, Joshua and Moses Wheat, came
from England. In 1640 Joshua sold his lands in Concord to his
brother Moses, and returned to his father, then living in England,
on condition that he would relinquish his right to any legacy from
his father. Moses d. May 6, 1700 ; his wife Taraeson d. 1689 ;
having had Moses, Samuel, Joshua, Hannah, who m. Sarauel
Stratten, Remembrance, John, and Sarah, whose descendants are
yet found in Carlisle.
WHEELER. This name was originally and has ever been
borne by more persons than any other hi the town. George, Joseph,
and Obadiah were araong the first settlers ; and Ephraira, Thomas,
and Timothy came in 1639, and were aU heads of families. Tra
dition says they came from Wales, but it is uncertain. Their de
scendants have been so numerous, and so many have borne the
same Christian name, that their genealogy is traced with great dif
ficulty. Among the births recorded by the town-clerk between
1650 and 1670, six bore the name of John Wheeler.
49 -^

386 APPENDIX.
George d. 1684, having had by his wife Katharine, Elizabeth,
who m. Francis Fletcher ; Mary, who m. Eliphalet Fox ; Ruth,
who m. Samuel Hartwell ; John, and perhaps other chHdren. Of
whom, John ra. Sarah Larkin 1663, and d. Sept. 27, 1713, a. 70 ;
she d. Aug. 12, 1725 ; they were parents of Sarauel, John, Ed
ward, Ebenezer, and perhaps others. Edward was deacon, and
father to Dea. David, whose son Ephraira was father to Ephraim
now hving. ChHdren of the eighth generation, including the first
George, now live on the spot where their first ancestor settled.
Joseph was a lieutenant in the militia, and otherwise distinguish
ed ; was twice married, and had several chHdren, all of whom died
young, excepting Rebecca, who m. Hon. Peter Bulkeley, and,
after his death, Capt. Jonathan Prescott. Her mother, Sarah, d.
1671. He traded with the Indians, and had a tract of land grant
ed hira in 1660, "especiaUy for satisfying the Indians in their
right," extending from Nashoba line at the north end of the great
pond to Chelmsford.
Obadiah d. Oct. 27, 1671, a. 63; his wife Susannah d. 1650.
They had Joshua, Obadiah, John, Josiah, Sarauel, and several
daughters; of whora, Obadiah m. Elizabeth White 1672, and was
father to Obadiah, Josiah, Samuel, Joseph, and other chHdren,
whose descendants I cannot trace.
Ephraim had a son Ephraim 21 years of age in 1650, and a son
Isaac b. in 1642 ; but his history I cannot determine satisfactorily.
Thomas. Capt. Thomas Wheeler, comraanded the compa
ny at Brookfield, August, 1675; he bought eight hundred acres
of land north of Groton in 1674, granted to the Flints of Concord ;
m. Ruth Wood; d. Dec. 10, 1676; his sons Thoraas and Na
thaniel died the January following. Serjeant Thoraas Wheeler
had several children born between 1649 and 1664 ; and Thomas
Wheeler, Jr., several between 1658 and 1673. These numerous
families were connected, but how, is uncertain. Thomas, a grand
son, settled in Lincoln, and was father to Dea. Edraond, and an
cestor of others of the narae there.
Timothy m. for his second wife, Mary Brooks ; he d. June 7,
1687 ; she d. 1693 ; leaving no raale issue. He gave the ministerial
lot to the town, and is noticed in another place. ' ' '
Joshua ra. and had several chHdren born 1660- 1670.
William m. Hannah Buss 1659 ; he d. Dec. 31, 1683, having
had Hannah, Rebecca, Elizabeth, William, John, and Richard ;
of whom William d. May 29, 1752, a. 86, having had by Sarah,
his wife, William, Joseph, Francis, Hezekiah, Nathaniel, and Eliz
abeth. Of these, Francis d. Nov. 1774, a. 76; m. (1.) Mary,
who d. 1737, by whom he had Mary, Francis, Rhoda, Nathaniel,

APPENDIX. 387
Merriam, Solomon, and others, who d. young ; and second wife,
7m ^^°°^' 1^41, and had Sarah, Samuel, Phineas, Hannah,
and Noah, now living. This line includes all the famHies of the
name in " Nine acre corner."
WHITAKER. Jonathan Whitaker was here before 1690;
son of John of Watertown, b. 1664. Nathaniel and David ra.
about 1700, and had large families in the town. David d. Aug.
1791, a. 84 ; his wife d. 1798, a. 90. Elizabeth d. Jan. 1708, " an
aged woman."
WHITING. See Ecclesiastical History, p. 165.
WHITTEMORE. Benjamin TVhittemore m. Esther Brooks,
1692, and afterwards resided in the town ; d. Sept. 8, 1734, a.
65 ; she d. 1742, a. 73. He was representative several years ;
left Benjarain and Nathaniel, who had families in the town.
WIGLEY. Edmond Wigley m. Mary, da. of John Miles,
about 1667, but left no issue.
WILLARD. Major Simon Willard was one of the raost dis
tinguished leaders in the first settieraent of this town. He carae
from the county of Kent, and resided in Cambridge in 1634, when
he became acquainted with the situation of Musketaquid by trading
with the Indians. He accorapanied Rev. Peter Bulkeley, assisted
in making the first purchase from the natives, resided in Concord
with the first company, one of the leading men of the town, being
town-clerk till 1654, and representative fourteen years. In 1660 he
removed to Lancaster, and was at Groton in 1672. He had a large
tract of land granted him at Nonascoicus, between Lancaster and
Groton. He d. at Charlestown, April 24, 1676. He was the first
military commander in the town, was promoted to the rank of major
in 1654, and commanded the forces in Ninigret's and PliHip's war.
He was chosen an Assistant twenty-two years, frora 1654 to his
death, and was very much employed in the public business of the
country. When PhHip's war broke out, he gave directions to the
several towns in Middlesex county, in relation to their garrison-
houses. His first wife was Mary Sharp ; second, Ehzabeth Dun-
ster sister of President Dunster of Harvard College ; and third, her
sister Mary. By them he had seventeen chHdren ; of whom, John
m. Mary Hayward of Concord, 1698, and had David, Jonathan,
Mercy, and Simon ; of whora, Jonathan only m. and lived here.
From Simon Willard have descended all or nearly of all the name
in New England, many of whom have been much distinguished in
public life.

388 APPENDIX.
WILSON. William Wilson m. Sarah Blood 1686 ; he d.
1745, a. 76 ; she d. 1717, a. 56. His second wife, Hannah Price.
He was town-clerk, representative, captain, and otherwise distin-
tinguished. His children were Samuel, Sarah, and Hannah.
WOOD. William Wood was the distinguished ancestor of this
family, and came here in 1638, with his nephew, the Hon. Thom
as Flint. From his connexions, and other circumstances, he is
supposed to have been the acute author of a book entitled " New
England's Prospect." That author was the first one who men
tions the original name of Musketaquid, either applied to the place
or the river in Concord. He d. May 14, 1671, a. 89, leaving an
only son Michael, and a daughter Ruth, the wife of Capt. Thomas
Wheeler. Michael d. May 13, 1674, having had Abraham, Isaac,
Thomson, Jacob, John, and AbigaU, who m. Stephen Hosmer,
Of whom, Jacob m, Mary Wheeler 1697 ; he d. Oct. 6, 1723, a.
40, having had Jacob, Mary, Ephraim, Dorcas, Hannah, Mili-
cent. Of these, Ephraim m. Mary Buss; d. March 20, 1789, a.
88, and was father to Ephraim, town-clerk, judge of the court of
common pleas, &c., and grandfather to Daniel Wood, now living.
The collateral branches of this family have been numerous,
Hon. Ephraim Wood was born Aug. 1, 1733, and d. April 8,
1814, in his 81st year. He was son of Ephraim, and grandson of
Jacob Wood. He was bred a shoemaker, and had no other ad
vantages of education than what were afforded by the very imper
fect comraon schools of that day. Though he did not possess
what are popularly called brUliant talents, or ardent feelings, he
had a calra, considerate mind and sound judgment, which pecu
liarly fitted him to act an important part in the tiraes in which it
was his lot to live. As early as 1771, he was chosen town-clerk,
selectman, assessor, and overseer of the poor, and re-elected
twenty-seven years, and for much of the spirit of those times which
has come down to us as matter of record, we are indebted to
him, as this History will fully show. He was one of the first justi
ces appointed by the CouncH after the secession from British au
thority, and held the office during the remainder of his life. He
was also one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas. " In
him," says a notice published soon after his death, " were united
those qualities and virtues, which forraed a character at once amia
ble, useful, respectable, and religious. Early in life he engaged
in civU and public business, and by a judicious and faithful discharge
of duty acquired confidence and reputation with his fellow-citizens
and the public. The American revolution called into exercise his
active and vigorous powers ; and as a magistrate and in various de
partments he rendered important services to the community. The

APPENDIX. 389
rights and liberties of his country were near his heart, and he was
a warm and zealous defender of them against all encroachraents.
He Was a true disciple of the great Washington, a friend to " liber
ty with order," and firmly attached to the union of the States and
the constkutional independence of the individual States. In do
mestic life, his disposition and example were highly amiable and
worthy. As a Christian, he was devout and humble, sincere and
ardent. Having lived the life, he died the death of the righteous."
WOODHOUSE. Henry Woodhouse, or Woodis, as his narae
was sometimes written, carae to Concord from London, about 1650,
freeman 1656. His farm, estimated at three hundred and fifty
acres, lay between the two rivers, and descended to his son-in-law,
Joseph Lee, whose posterity successively held it for more than one
hundred years. Joseph Barrett, Esq. now occupies it. He d.
June 16, 1701 ; his first wife, Ellen, 1693 ; second wife in 1717 ;
had one son, who d. young, and four daughters, b. between 1650
and 1662. Mary ra. Joseph Lee ; Hannah m. Cheney ; Mllicent
m. Joseph Estabrook ; Sarah m. John Daken; Ehzabeth m. Si
mon Davis.
' WOOLLEY. Christopher Woolley m. Priscilla WoodeU 1646,
and had several children. He d. Jan. 28, 1701 ; she 1674; sec
ond wife, Mary How, d. Dec. 26, 1695. His son Thomas d.
Nov. 18), 1726. Jonathan Woolley, says the Bedford records, d.
July 25, 1766, a. 61, " by a fall from a stone-wall, which kiHed
him in a minute."
WRIGHT. Edward Wright came to Concord about 1650 ;
d. Aug. 28, 1691 ; his wife Elizabeth d. Feb. 15, 1690. Chil
dren, Nathan, Martha, Sarah, Edward, Hannah, Peter, and Sam
uel. Of whom, Peter, " a weaver," d. Jan. 15, 1717, a. 53, and
left a legacy for the benefit of the poor of the town. Samuel d.
Oct. 1, 1741, a. 80; his wife Sarah, 1758, a. 92; their son Jo
seph d. Oct. 16, 1815, a. 94, grandfather to Anthony and Nathan
M., now hving.

390 APPENDIX.

NO. IV.

OLD AND NEW STYLE.

It is proper to explain what is meant by old and new style. —
The new style was adopted by Great Britain in 1751, when a
law was passed enacting that the year 1752 should begin on the
1st day of January ; that the 3d of September should be reckoned
the 14th, and that the intermediate eleven days should be omitted
in the calendar. In the old, or Julian style, the year began the
25th of March, and contained 365d. 6h. ; in the new, or Gregorian
style, the year began the 1st of January, and contained 365d. 5h,
49m. 12s.; differing from the true tropical year twenty-two sec
onds only ; and making a difference in the two styles of one day
in 129 years. One is made nearly conforraable to the other by
dropping one day from the old, and adding one to the new style in
each century, excepting every fourth, whose centennial year is
considered leap-year. The new style was first adopted by Catho
lics in 1582; and not generally by Protestants tiH some tirae after
wards, and not yet by Russia. To raeet the wishes of both, it
was generally customary from the first settlement of this country
till 1752, though not uniformly, to give a double date from Janua
ry 1st to March 25. Thus, January 9, 1725, was written Janua
ry 9, 1724 - 5, or 172f . March was also reckoned the first
month, AprH the second. May the third, he., and dates were
sometiraes made accordingly. Thus, 18th 4rao. 1667, or " 18. 4.
67," was 18th June, 1667. In the preceding history, the dates
are given as if the year began on the first of January, in all cases
where it could be ascertained, and the latter of aU double dates
between that time and the 25th March is used. Thus, January 9,
172|, is given January 9, 1725. In other respects the dales an
terior to 1752 are in old style. To ascertain the day in new style
at the present tirae, corresponding to any date in the old style, it
is necessary to add ten days frora 1500 to 1700 (1600 being a leap-
year), and eleven days from 1700 to 1752. Thus, the 2d of Sep
tember, 1635, the date of the incorporation of Concord, will cor
respond with the 12th September, 1835 ; and July 3, 1735, the date
of the incorporation of Acton, with the 14th of July, 1835. Want
of careful attention to double dates, and difference in style, has
occasioned many mistakes ; and among others, the anniversary of
the landing of the Pilgrim fathers at Plymouth has been erroneous
ly celebrated on the 22d, instead of the 21st of December, the
latter being the true date corresponding with the old style.

APPENDIX. 391

NO. V.

[After the History of Bedford was printed, the Rev, Mr. Stearns died. The
following biographical notice is extracted from a sermon preached by the Rev.
Samuel Sewall at his interment.]
" Rev. Samuel Stearns, of Bedford, was a son of Rev. Josiah
Stearns of Epping, N. H., by his second wife, a daughter of Rev.
Samuel Ruggles of BHlerica. He was born at Epping, April 8,
1770 ; fitted for college after his father's death, at Exeter Acade
my, under the patronage of Hon. John Phillips, its founder; and
graduated at Harvard CoHege in 1794. His theological studies he
pursued under the direction of Rev. Jonathan French of Andover,
(whose daughter. Miss AbigaU French, he afterwards married,)
and was ordained over the Church and Society in Bedford, April
27, 1795. A new religious society having been legally formed,
Nov. 9, 1832, by the narae of the " Trinitarian Congregational
Society " ; and the Church having voted, at a meeting. May 9,
1833, to dissolve its connexion with the First Parish, and to accept
an invitation given it to unite itself with the new society, for the
purpose of maintaining public worship and the institutions of the
Gospel, Rev. Mr. Stearns was solemnly constituted the Minister,
or Religious Teacher of that society, June 5, 1833. He died
Dec. 26, 1834, of a decline, the result, probably, of a scrofulous
affection, with which he had been many years more or less afflict
ed. It is worthy of remark, that during the whole of his protract
ed ministry, almost thirty-nine years, he was never absent from
his people at any comraunion season but one, viz. that which oc
curred about a fortnight before his death. Previously to the cora-
munion before, viz. that on the second Sabbath in October, he had
cherished an earnest desire that he might be able, if it were God's
will, to officiate once more on the interesting occasion, and then
bid his church farewell ; though he was apprehensive that the
weather, or the state of his health, would be such, as to prevent
him. But in this particular, divine Providence was propitious to
his wishes. The weather on that day was remarkably fine ; and
(to use his owh words) " his spirits were enlivened, and strength
seemed to be given him for the occasion." Having obtained his
son Rev. WHliam A. Stearns of Cambridgeport, to perform the
previous services, the venerable man about the close of the sermon,
with thankful heart, yet with emaciated countenance and feeble
step, entered the house of God ; and there, having once more, ac
cording to his desire, ministered the memorials of Christ's dying

392

APPENDIX.

love, and united with the church in singing a hymn, he took his
final leave of them in the solemn, affecting address, alluded to in
the foregoing discourse. From that day he went no more abroad,
being confined to his house, and most of the time to the room in
which he died, till his death."

No. VI.

VOTES FOR GOVERNOR.

Date. I Candidates.

1780.1781.1782.1783. 1784.'
1785. 1786.
1787.
1738. 1789.
179U.1791. 1792.1793.
1794.1795.1796.1797.
1798. 1799. 1800.
1801.1802.1803.1804.
180.5. 1806.
1807.1808.1809.1810.
1811. 1812.
1813. 1814.
1815.1816.
1817. 1818.1819.1820.
1821. 1822.
1823.1824.1825.1826.1827.1898. 1829. 1830.

HancockHancock
Hancock Hancock
HancockBowdoinBowdoin Hancock
Hancock HancockHancockHancockHancockHancock
AdamsAdams
Adams SumnerSumnerSumner StrongstrongStrongStrong StrongStrongStrong
SullivanSullivanGore Gerry
GerryStrong StrongStrong
StrongBrooks
BrooksBrooksBrooksBrooksBrooksBroolcsEustisEustisLincolnLincolnLincolnLincolnLincolnLincoln

Con.

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Candi-datEs.

Bowdoin Bowdoin

Cushing BowdoinGerryBowdoinBowdoinGerryDana
Gerry CushingCushing
SumnerSullivanSullivanHeath
GerryGerryGerry
GerrySullivanSullivan
SullivanStrongGoreLincoln GoreGoreGorry
VarnumDexter DexterDexter
Dearborn CrowninshieldCrowninshieldEustisEustis
Eustis Otis
Lathrop

Jarvis Morton
Morton
Morton

Con. 1
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43 9
24 20 5
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51 63
3579 71
90
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118113122 104124129113140139 151
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END.

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