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ACTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY
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ohattuck, Lemuel.
History of the town of Goncord.
KEFEREI^SE BOOK ACTON lViEi\^OR!AL LIBRARY ACTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01720
ACTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY
ACTON, MASS.
TOWN
HISTOR
OF TKE
OF CO
Y
NCORD;
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS, FROM ITS EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO 1832;
AND OF THE ADJOINING TOWNS,
BEDFORD, ACTON, LINCOLN, AND CARLISLE;
CONTAIWINQ
VARIOUS NOTICES OF COUNTY AND STATE HISTORY NOT BEFORE PUBLISHED.
BY LEMUEL SHATTUCK,
MEMBER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETTT.
Nobler records of patriotism exist 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 executed, if it does not contain some matter of illustration for the national annals, for the history of manners, for literature, philology, natural history, and various other departments of knowledge.
ClUARTERLY ReVIEW.
BOSTON: RUSSELL, ODIORNE, AND COMPANY.
CONCORD: JOHN STACY. 1835.
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1835, by Lemuel Shattuck, the Clerk's oflfice of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
CAMBRIDGE: CHARLES FOLSOM, PRINTER.
0 6
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
\y 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. Beino- 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-
I'REFACE.
V
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 their 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 intelligible 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 of 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 hislory. It is the woik 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 ancesters, 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 lived 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 pubhshing it.
To the Hon. Abiel Heywood, 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, 1 835.
CONTENTS.
Pago.
Chapter I. — Indian Tribes. — Musketaquid Indians. — Local Situation.— Settlement projected. — Act of Incorporation. — Purchase from the Indians.
— Depositions. — First Settlers. — Johnson's Account. — Additional Grants.
— Sufferings 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. — Effects 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. .--.33
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. — Groton 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 Wan — 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. — Provincial Con- gress meets. — Public Stores. — New Town Covenant. — Minute Compa- nies formed. — Mr. Emerson preaches. — Expedition of the British Spies.
— ProAancial Congress. — Public Stores. — Excitement. - - - - 76
Chapter VII. — Battle of Concord, Aprill9th, 1775. - • - 100
Chapter VIII. — 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 Dif- ferent Campaigns. — Public pecuniary Sacrifices. — Taxes. — Constitution adopted. 118
VUl
CONTENTS.
Chapter IX. — State of Feeling subsequent to the Revolution. — Proceed- ings of the County and of the Town. — Mr. Avery's Letter. — Armed Men assemble at Concord. — Courts stopped. — Notice of the Insurgents. — Pro- ceedings of the Tovi^n. — The War of 1812. — County Courts and Shire Tow^ns regulated. — Proceedings of the Town on this Subject. - - . 129
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. Ed- ward Bulkeley. — Rev. Joseph Estabrook. — 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 XIII. — Topographical, History. — Boundaries. — Roads. — Bridges. — Stages. — Post-OfEce. — 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 Ofiicers. — 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 AcToif, — General History. — Ecclesiastical
History. — Description. — Miscellaneous Notices. ----- 274 Chapter XIX. — History of Lincoln. — General History. — Ecclesias- tical History. — Description. — Statistics. — Biographical Notices. - - 294 Chapter XX. — History of 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. Notices of Military Services performed by the People of
Concord in the Revolution. . - - - .352 No. III. Notices of Early Families and Distinguished Men. - 360
No. IV. Old and New Style. 390
No. V. Notice of the Rev. Samuel Stearns. - - - -391 No. VI. Votes for Governor. 392
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
CHAPTER I.
Indian Tribes, — Musketaquid Indians. — Local Situation. — Settlement project- ed.— Act of Incorporation. — Purchase from the Indians. — Depositions.— First Settlers. — Johnson's Account. — Additional Grants. — Sulferings of the Inhabitants. — Wet Meadows. — Petition to the General Court. — Cofidition 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-
i I 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 1621, 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 accomplishment 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 world. 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 widowed 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
I Mass. Hist. Coll. vol. i.
SLetchford.
1635.]
GENERAL HISTORY.
3
3,000 warriors. That calamity, and the sinall-pox, which prevailed among them with great mortality in 1633, reduced it to nearly one tenth of that number. The Musketaquid Indians suffered in common with 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 evidence 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 mde 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 in the solitary glens, then producing, it is said, even larger crops and of better quality, 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 ; and a greater number of origi- jial 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 w^as the first town settled in New England above 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 early 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 ordered that there shall be a plantation att Musketaquid, qind that there shall be 6 myles of land square to belonge to it ; and that the inhabitants thereof shall have three yeares imunities 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 tow^n should be 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 carry 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, sigmfying * 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 brool^.' " 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, (^. 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 commencement 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 peculiarly remote situation, which were withheld from other towns, it did not entirely escape censure. Being required to per- form military duty, it was, in 1638, fined ^s. 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 \0s. 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.
2 Ibid.
1636.]
GENERAL HISTORY.
7
I have sought in vain for the Indian deed. It was probably lost very early, since measures were taken in 1684, when the colony charter was declared to be void, and the claims of 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, and 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 Hved and were then present at that place, and at that time ; the i 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 Danfortli. Entered in Register at Cambridge, Liber 9. page 105, 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 Thia was between the houses of Daniel Shattuck, Esq. and Capt. John 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 Enghshmen, 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- w^an, 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-
A Indian money curiously made of shells strung on strings and valued by the fathom at 55.
1636.]
GENERAL HISTORY.
9
gain "] ; and that after the bargain was concluded, Mr. Simon Willard, pointing to tlie four quarters of the worUl, declared that they had bought three miles from that place, east, west, north, and south ; and the said Indians manifested their free consen thereunto. There were present at the making of the sai( bargain, amongst other Indians, Waban, merchant ; Thomas, hii brotlier-in-law ; Natawquatuckquaw ; Jehojakin, who is yet living and deposeth in like manner as above." ^
This was sworn to, attested, and recorded, like 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 w^ere 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 acknowdedged 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 l()35, and not, as here stated, " since "
1636. l i t; e purchase took place before the act of incorporation, Mr. Jonos could not iiavp been present; if in 1636, he was. These errors in the depositions, not materially affecting 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 partaliing 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 to 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 from 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 familiarly acquainted with its early 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. 15G- 159. Written about 1650.
1636.]
GENERAL HISTORY.
11
" Upon some inquiry of the TnclianSj who hved to tlie 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 tln-ough the thickets, where 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 to 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 torne. 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 ferne, 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 w^iither, 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
12
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1636.
their backs, they keep their wet cloathes warme with a continued fire, till the renewed morning give fresh opportunity 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 corne, 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. Ar 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 churtih fellowship, so that pastors and people sufter 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 spirituall duties at their first coming in time of wants, 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 murJi worse for want of being inured to such hard kibour, having laid out their estate upon catteU at five and twenty pound a cow, when they came to winter tliem with in-land hay, and feed upon sucli wikl 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 even 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 difficuliies, and sorest labours that ever any with 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
14
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 lives. 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 lived 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.
2 Col. Rec.
1644.]
GENERAL HISTORY.
15
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 Wlllard 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 Magnalia, 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 hurrible petition of the Inhabitants of Concord shevveth :
" 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 live 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 went 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 con'^cience had not restrained, fearing the dissolution of the Towne by their removeall, very many had departed to one
1645.] GENERAL HISTORY. 17
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 mynd 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 William 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.
Toicns. 1640, '42, '45, 76. Towns. 1640, '42, '45, '76.
Boston, £179 J20 100 300 Watertown, £90 55 41 45 Cambridge, 100 67 45 42 Concord, 50 25 15 34
Charlestown, 90 60 55 180 Sudbury, — 15 11 20
3
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 &i 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 w^ay 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 conveniently 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 wwthy 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 wine and strong water " ; and at the same Court an order
1 Colony Files.
2 2 Mass. Hist. Coll. vol. III. p. 154.
1645.]
GENFRAL HISTORY.
19
passed, that " the freemen of Concord, and those that were not free, which had hand in the undue election of Mr. Fhnt, should be fined 6s. Sd. 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 marry 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 125. 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 405. 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 11.
Efforts to civilize the Indians. — Eliot begins the Work. — Effects at Nonantura 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
I Colony Records. 2 Wintlirop, vol. II. p. 310. 3 2 Hist. Coll.
20
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1645.
early efforts to civilize and Christianize them. This is properly the province of the historian of the State or Country. So far, however, as thev were made within our own territory, or in con- nexion with the native inhabitants, it w'ill 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, natives 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 efiectual 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 English government on the 8th of ]\Iarch, 1644, and put themselves and tlieir 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 ai'ight, and to worship him in his own way."' Two sachems (Pumham and Soconono- cho), near Pro\'id8nce, 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 them 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. Jolm Eliot of Roxburv was the first
1 The Rev. Samuel Dantbrth, in his Almanack for 1647, spells these names as follows: Cutchamakin, Mascanomet, \Vassamcgen,.Natha\vanon. 9 Col. Rec. 3 Se« New En^rland's First Fruits."
1646.] CxENERAL HISTORY. 21
and most distinguished in these Christian lahors. He lias 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 called iVonantum, —
a place of rejoicing." where he was joyfully received by Waban and several other Indians, who assembled to hear him. Four other meetings took ])lace there, the 11th and 26tli 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 therefore 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 ex£.ct upon you, and take away your skins and your kettles, and your wampum from you at their own pleasure, and this was all that they reaarded : 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 2S4, errs in saving " the Indians at the place nfterwards called Concord," &:c. Con- cord was incorported and named ekvtn 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 ?J, 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 towne so neare, whereas there was more roome for them up in the country. To which the sachem reply ed, 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 hquors, shall pay, for every time so abusing themselves, twenty shilhngs.
"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 shillings, and the third twenty shillings.
"7. Whosoever shall steal any thing from another shall return fourfold.
" 8. They desire that no Indian hereafter shall have any more but one wife.
9. They desire to prevent falling out of Indians one with an- other, and that they may five 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 shilhngs 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.
<C # ^ -
" 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 fi'om 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/ or at the East side of Mr. Flint's Pond.
" Immediately after these things were agreed upon, most of the Indians of these parts set up 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 in 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 1650, and then named Natick, g ranted 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 powvvaws or priests. The Indians universally be- lieved in " the existence and agency " of invisible spirits. " They worshipped Kitan, their good God, or Hobbamocco, their evil god." Johnson speaks of them generally, 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- liar sanctity 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 civilization 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, &ic." 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 ajlerwards 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. Fhnt, 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 light 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 following 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 dwellings in sundry places, and in many respects cannot be all 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 sittings 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, hving 7 or 8 miles w^est of Concord, desire to have liberty to make a towne in 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], living about 7 or 8 miles v/est of Sudbury, where no English have yet desired any land, desire to have liberty to make a towne in y* place, with due accommodations thereunto.
1654.]
GENERAL HISTORY.
27
" Thirdly, the inhabitants of Hasnemesuhkoh [Grafton], living about 16 miles west of Sudbuiy, 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, w^as 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, w^hich 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 w^ere 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 English. 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
28 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 like 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 diflerent individuals removed after they left Concord.
1. Wahan 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 J Hist. Coll. vol. i. p. 188.
1674.]
GENERAL HISTORY.
29
Concord, he removed to Newton, where, in 1646, as ah-eady mentioned, he became the first convert to Christianity under the instruction of Ehot. 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 ivind ; 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 life. 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 165S.^ 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 ixie 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 Marlborough, with whom she lived a short time only. She was living 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. 3 Biglow's Hist. Natick.
2 1 Hist. Coll. vol. V. p. 264. 4 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. Naatiishcow, 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 ^674, 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, KnmmogJcodonattoottummoootiteaongannunnon- 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 ^ who 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. Coll. vol. i. p. 195.
1674.]
GENERAL HISTORY.
31
glish. Some of them sulFered death for their defection.^ The remainder were gathered in English towns, behaved Hke exem- plary Christians, and were of essential service to the English in Philip'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 m Concord, w^ill 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.
22
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 easterly 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 Nashobah 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 westerly side it is bounded by the remainder of said Nashobah plantation, and that west 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 ot 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 corner was near the southeast part of Nagog Pond ; and the south line 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.
i Reg. of Deeds, vol.x. p. 117.
1654.J
GENERAL HISTORY.
33
CHAPTER III.
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 first 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 not 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 AVoodies, Joshua Edmands, William Buttrick, and Thomas Stow." The labors of this committee resulted in the following agreement : —
" We w^hose 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 line. — That some particular persons shall have some inlargement, whoe are short in lands, paying 12c?. per acfi^, as others have don, and Qd. 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 from 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 all there heighwayes, and the bridge over the north river [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 heighwayes 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 all 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 Merlam, Georg Meriam, John Adames, 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 sufhsiently 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 shall impose findes 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 suffisient satisfaotion for the same. The names of the overseeres as follow ; — for the east quarter. En- sign Wheeler, and William Hartwell ; 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, parts for all menes estates according as Mr. Bulkeley last rate was mad ; the north quarter 2c?. 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, &c. The records of the south quarter (first 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 particularly 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 still 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 tending 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 booke 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 their lands, approvd at a meeting of the inhabitants of the quarter in 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
Proprietors. No. lots. Acres. Residence. Tax in 1666.
|
Grace Bulkeley, |
1 |
750 |
|
|
Thomas AV heeler, sen. |
16 |
373 |
E. Jotham Wheeler's, |
|
Francis Fletcher, |
17 |
437 |
E. |
|
Richard Rice, |
3 -189 |
E. |
|
|
Widow Heald, |
6 |
161 |
N. Joshua Buttrick's, |
|
John Heald, |
4 |
86 N. north of the above, - |
|
|
William Buttrick, |
12 |
215 |
N. Jonas Buttrick's, |
|
John Flint, |
9 |
534 |
N. John Flint's, |
|
James Blood, sen. ) James Blood, jun. ) |
12 |
660 |
N. Rev. Dr. Ripley's, - |
|
John Smedly, |
17 |
668 |
N. south of J. Jones's, |
|
Thomas Bate man. |
7 |
246 |
N. near R. French's, |
|
Baptise bmedley. |
10 186 N. Ephraim Brown's, |
||
|
Humphrey Barret, |
11 |
316 |
IN. Abel B. Heywood s, - |
|
Richard Temple, |
5 |
291 |
N. Barrett s Mills, |
|
George Meriam, |
16 |
259 |
17' All E. near Alms-house, |
|
John Blood, |
1 |
61 |
N. near T. Blood's, |
|
Robert Blood, |
4 |
169 |
"1\T 1 N. do. |
|
John Jones, |
9 |
351 |
N. James Jones's, |
|
Joshua Brooks, |
11 |
195 |
E. Isaac Brooks's, |
|
Caleb Brooks, |
15U |
T7' |
|
|
Eliphalet Fox, |
14 |
106 |
E. Bedford Road, |
|
Thomas Pellet, |
1 |
14 |
|
|
Joseph Dean, |
1 |
22 |
S. William Heyden's, |
|
Thomas Pellet, ) Joseph Dean, 5 |
7 |
244 |
|
|
T 1 H T • John Meriam, |
8 |
262 |
E. Virginia road. |
|
William Hartwell, |
20 |
241 |
E. Bedford road. |
|
T 1 TT A. n John Hartwell, |
3 |
17 |
E. do. |
|
Nathaniel Ball, |
11 |
137 |
E. do. |
|
Wdliam Taylor, |
14 |
117 |
E. do. |
|
John Farwell, |
18 |
280 |
E. |
|
Joseph Wheeler, |
29 |
357 |
|
|
William Baker, |
5 |
43 |
E. |
|
William Buss, |
19 |
319 |
S. Elijah Wood's, £ |
|
Moses Wheat, |
22 |
339 |
E. Bedford road. |
|
Luke Potter, |
22 |
249 |
S. |
|
Robejt Meriam, |
16 |
595 |
E. Eb. Hubbard's, |
38
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1666.
John Heywood, 13 285 S. 1 15 0
George Hay ward, 10 505 S. 3 6 10
Daniel Dean, ) ^ c t j ^ 1 10 18
^. n uui ^ 1 600 S. Jones's tavern r» r» X
Ttiomas Gobble, 5 2 2 0
Henry Woodhouse, 1 360 S. Joseph Barrett's, 5 16
Joshua Wheeler, 11 77 S.John Vose's, 1 19 9
Boaz Brown, 6 86 N. The Dakin house,
Thomas Brown, 14 186 N. Reuben French's
Nathaniel Billings, sen. 4 51 S. Amos Baker's, 16 8
Nathl. Billings, jun. 7 196 S. 1 13 6
John Billings, 6 185 S. " "111
John Wheeler, 1 67 S. ,
George Wheeler, 24 434 S. near James Adams's
Edward Bulkeley, 11 183 S. new Meeting-house,
Samuel Stratten, 6 254 S. Alms-house,
Edmund Wigley, 4 31 S. 1 19 1
John Miles, 23 459 S. Josiah Davis's, 3 17 2
Thomas Dakin, 4 87 S. 1 12 10
James Hosmer, 4 164 S. 18 7
Samuel Wheeler, 5 21 S.
James Smedley, 9 287 S.
John Scotch ford, 10 120 S. near Cyrus Stow's, 1 14 2
Michael Wood, 13 230 S. Samuel Dennis's, 4 3 4
Samuel Hunt, 13 277 N.
Ephraim Flint, 750 E. in Lincoln.
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 plantation 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 Willard hath two thousand acres, except a little part of one end of his farnie 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 fde, as it Timothy Wheeler
was exhibited to the Generall 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 tract 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. ^
1 Town Records. The compensation, mentioned in this agreement,
40
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1667.
At a Generall Court held at Boston the 11th 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 ihousand 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. iS'ecr."
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. Hay ward's], extending their said southerly line upon a norwest 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 hne 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 hyn 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.
1C84.] GENERAL HISTORY. /j |
one thousand and eight liundied acres being formerly granted to Major Williard, the other eight tliousand being granted to the inhabitants of Concord, and laid out the 5th May, 1666. Given under our hands.
Richard Bkers, > ^
IHOMAS iXOYESj 5
The town agreed 20th Jan. 166S, that these additional grants of land shall lay for a free comon to the present house) lolders 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 tlie towne." A full title was then acquired from the Indians, though it w^as 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 Elizabeth Speen, his wife of Waymeset, In- dians, for 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 tow^n 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, &c. &c. to
^ Where "&c." occurs the parties and expressions are repeated. 6
42
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1684.
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, &c. &: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, he. he, and that the said Timothy, he. he. 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, he. 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 relict 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 formerly layd out by Major Willard for himself, and partly by Chelmsford, till it meet with Nashoba line, and then westerly by the said Nashoba to the southeast corner of the said Nashoba, then northerly 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
knowledged in 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 generally " Concord Village " ; till 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 Ohver 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 18, 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 1662, for a grant of 200 acres of land at the southerly 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 Kerley of Marlborough, 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 Jand 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," containin:,^ 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 Shadrach Hapgood. Others were afterwards granted.
John Wetherby, Dec. 18, 1679. Richard Whitney, jr. do.
Richard Whitney, sen. June 8, 1680. Jabez Rutter, do.
James Wheeler, April 8, 1681. Thomas Steevens, jr. June 17, 1GS4.
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.
Bcnj. 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 College. — Thomas Brooks was appointed in 1654, to carry 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 well satisfied in." — The town agreed in 1668, " that all 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, WiUiam 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 Martars 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 corne 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 all 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 205 dam- age of John Gobble for calling him a " Lying rascal."
Benj. Crane, Dec. 23, 16S2. Thomas Williams, do.
Joseph metier, April 19, 1683. Stephen Handell, March 10, 1686.
Jabez Brown, June 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 War. — 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 httle in comparison with many other townsj 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 hving 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 173L
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 J 662, the County Court made the following appoint- ments in this company. Timothy Wheeler, Captain ; Joseph Wheeler, Lieut. ; William 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 Wheelf
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, he 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 of 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 corner ; 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. ^ Mather's Relation, p. 69. See Hoyt, Antiquarian Researches, p. 70.
48
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1675.
Though several acts of hostihty 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 English, 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,^ 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'sMS.
1575.] 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 tlie 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 w^as 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. 11, 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.
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 all natives, that the very name of Indian had become hateful. Under these circum- stances the government passed an order, 30th August, 1675, to confine all the Praying Indians to five towns ; and none were allowed to go a mile from any town under forfeiture of their hves. The same day, 15 of the Christian Indians were unjustly seized at Marlborough, and carried to Boston, bound neck to neck. They were confined in prison nearly 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 chairman 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 Willard, the Rev. Mr. Eliot, and Major Gookin, were appointed to order their settlement. They
1 A narrative of this expedition, written by Capt. Wheeler, was publish- ed, from which the foregoing facts are principally taken. It was reprinted, witij notes, by John Farmer, Esq. in Vol. II. of the N. Hamp. 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 treac hery, does not appear true ufter reading Gookin's MS. account of this afiair.
1675.]
GENERAL HISTORY.
51
were placed under the care and superintendence of Mr. John Hoar, " the only man in Concord," says Gookin, " who was willing 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 them." ^ 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 wdiich Concord was usually represented.^
On the first of February, 1676, the Indians burnt the house of Thomas Fames of Framingham, and £330 125. 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-
^ 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, 1(575, 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 formerly 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, wliich, he was informed, were a trouble and disquiet to them ; therefore if they desired it he woufd remove them to Boston." To which speech of his, most of the people being silent, 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 all 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 deliver them unless he showed an order of the Council ; but the captain could show hi-m 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. Tliis thing was very ofiensive 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 the General Court, manifesting their dissatisfac- tion at this great irregularity in setting up a military power in op- position to the chief authority of the country, declaring of what evil consequence such a precedent was, instancing the evil 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 5S 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 all 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 English were very insolent to the Indians, and threatened to destroy tliem. One of the Lancaster soldiers, sta- tioned at Concord, snapped his gun three times at one of them while standing at Mr. Hoar's door. It is believed, 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 in their barn. Apprehensive of danger, says tradition, they placed their sister Mary, a girl about fifteen years old, on a hill a little 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 attacked Joseph Parker of Chelmsford with his friends, who had been to visit Major Willard. The latter part of this month they burnt Medfield, and killed 20 of the inhabitants ; and on the 13th of March nearly all of Groton was reduced to ashes. Major Willard 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 killed in Concord.
March 14th, the Council ordered " that the committees of mili- tia of Concord apd 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 rebuild 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 Sermon, p. 25.
2 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 wh ;t you can, and no likelihood of your reaching or engageing the enemy, that you with your forc> s tliereaboiit keep so scouting or rang- ing towards Marlborough, as may seasonably give present relief and fur- ther prevent what iacrease 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, f^oncord, 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 Billerica 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 w^oods be- tween Waymesett and Andover, and on the west of Concord river on the east and north of Chelmsford, which will 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 tow^ns 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, till 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 hne of garrison-houses w^as, 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,^ and the day before killed Thomas Plympton, and a Mr. Boon and his son, returning from the west part of the town, vrhere 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 w^as fought, and they were compelled to retreat across it. At this time several of the citizens of Concord immediately went to their relief. Arriving near the garrison-house of Walter Haynes,^ they observed several squaws, who, as they drew near, danced, shouted, powwawed, and used every method to amuse and decoy them. Eleven of the English pursued and attacked them, but
i Gookin'sMS.
8
2 Tradition.
3 Ibid.
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 killed 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 Milton 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 relief. Capt. Brocle- bank, whose quarters had been at Marlborough, also accompanied him as a convoy to Boston, where he was intending to go to com- municate with the Council. They marched in the night, and fell 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 differ 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 MS. 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 gart ison-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 2 1st of the second month [April] in the year 1676." The order of the Council on the 22d of April affords presumptive evidence that the unfortunate loss of 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 21st.
1676.]
GENERAL HISTORY.
59
From this time, which was more propitious to the Indians than any other, their success gratUially (llinlnished. 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 April, 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 bounds 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 w^ell for the ease of this town as the securing of as many as we can at present, ordered Capt. Sill to Chelmsford, Capt. Haughthorn to Bilrica, and Capt. Holbrook to abide here,
1 Tradition has handed down the following anecdote. A consultation among the Indian chiefs took place about this time on the high lands in Stow, and, as tliey 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.
60
HISTORY OF CO>'CORD
[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. !Xot aiiy appearance of the 30 ^Vorfolkmen. It is desired that some more of the Indians may be sent to us. hearing them at Chemsford are fortifying about a fishinz-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 cheerfuUness. and have hopes that the defects wiU be made up ; that we may be in a belter 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. Hexchmax.''
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 enect a peace. Concord was now a dis- tinguished military post, and the centre of many of the opera- tions against the enemy. ^
The detachments of soldiers for the rehef of the frontier towns were frequent and heavv in ]\Iay. Early in that month 80 fi'om the troops of Essex, Suffolk^ and Middlesex,, vrere ordered to repair to Concord for the r - ;r/ry senice. On the 20th, 270 garrison soldiers from counties, were ordered to
be stationed at the following •* frontier towns for the better secu-
1 May IQth. goodwife Devens, and goodwife Kether, upon ransom being paid, came into Concord : and upon hke ransom presented. John Morse of Groton. and Left. Carter of Lancaster were set at liberty: and more wiihout ransom, as goodman Emery, and his little boy.''
Rev. Mr. Cobbct s letter in the Mather papers.
1676.]
GENERAL HISTORY.
61
rity of them from the incursions of the enemy." Concord 20, Sudbury 30, Chehnsford 20, Billcrica 20, Audover 20, Haverhill 20, Bradford 10, Exeter 20, Medfieid 30, Dedham 20, Milton 10, Braintree 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 military forces in Middlesex ; Thom- as Clark was commander in Suffolk, and 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 all 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 still labouring under the toile. My Lt. gave his, as he tells me, to the Maj : Gen: the rest I shall 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 Sill ^ commanded one of the companies which were at Concord several months, and was frequently sent out on scouts. His hst was returned with those stated in the above letter.
Letter from the Council to Capt. Henchman, dated June 10, 1676.
" Capt. Henchman, — Tlie 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 Philip. In marching upward with him are several sachems, but few fighting men, and having
1 This officer 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 Philip, 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 Council, dated Marlborough, 11th June, he says, " Some Indian scouts sent out this day have brought in Capt. Thom, his daughter, and two children, being found about ten miles 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 liberty 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 soldieis 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 children, John Uktuck, his wife and children, Waanum and her child," who were prisoners of war. The women and children were released, but the others were executed. " Capt. Thom," say the minutes of their trial, was not only an instigator to others, over w^hom 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 6th of 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. The
1576.] GENERAL HISTORY. (33
from this town towards Connecticut river in pursuit of Philip ; 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 killed, 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 w^ar.
About 3000 w^arriors 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 battle 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 sustained 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 Billerica 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 of 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, Maliornpe, 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. 3 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, malt at I85. per ball, 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. |
|
Charlestown 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 Fight. — 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 detailed 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 permanent 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 See 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 civil 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, vyas 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, shall be from time to time freed and exempted from all town offices, and also from town rates (except what con- cerns the repairing of the meeting-house or building upon 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 mmistry 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, shall 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 " Village, 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 ability to edu- 9
66
HISTORY OF CONCORD.^
[1711.
cate their children, 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 any 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 prevailed. 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- cord 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 tlie 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.
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 Willard, with their companies, were so vigorous in pursuing the enemy that they put them all to flight." The ac- count of provisions 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-
1725.]
GENERAL HISTORY.
67
cessary at all times to maintain scouts, garrison-houses, and forts to protect the inhabitants. Some of the citizens of Concord were constantly employed in this manner. Nothing, however, is known to have occurred of much interest to the inhabitants till 1725.
One of the most fierce and obstinate battles 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 killed 10 of them, and received at Bostoli £100 each for their scalps. Encourag- ed by this success, he organized another company of 47 men to attack the villages of Pigwacket. They marched from Dunsta- ble, April 16th. After proceeding to Ossipee pond, they built a fort. Benjamin Kidder, being taken sick, was left there, and also William Ayer, surgeon of the company, Nathaniel Woods, Zach- ariah Purker, 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 killed, or mortally wounded ; 9 others were wounded, but were able to march. 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 % Samuel Whiting. — From Ando- ver, f Jonathan Frye, Chaplain. — From Weston, Sergeant * Jacob Fullam. — From Nutjield, Corporal Edward Lynnfield. — From Woburn, Ensign Seth Wyman, Thomas Richardson, J Timothy Richardson, ^ Ichabod Johnson, J Josiah Johnson. — From Con- cord, J 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- fon,* John Jefts, Daniel Woods, * Thomas Woods, f John Cham- berlain, f Elias Barron, J Isaac Lakin, and Joseph Gilsom. — And from Haverhill, Ebenezer Ayer and Abiel Asten.
^ I have prefixed an * to those who were killed on the spot; a f to the wounded and lost on the way ; and a | to the other wounded.
68
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 miles Fry was left and lost. Farwell was also lost a few miles from the fort. Eleazer Davis, after being out 14 days, came in to Berwick. He was wounded in the abdomen, and the ball lodged in his body. He also had his right hand shot off. A tradition says, that arriv- ing at a pond with Lieut. Farwell, 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 Farwell, 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 hourly 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 vegetables of the forest ; and cranberries, which he had eaten, came out of wounds 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, describinn^ 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- w^orth 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 ]829. 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 of 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 pond 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 sail among the West India islands ; 468 were on board July 6, 1742. It was not long before the remnant, who had not fallen 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 sterling.^ 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 militia 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. Prescotl'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 killed there in the May previous. Amos Row was also killed, 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 killed several In- dians ; and on his return home, at the head of West river, about 35 miles 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 Dumraer July 14, 174S, and remained with the Indians three months. Mark Perkins was also carried into captivity. Mr. Melvin died October 18, 1754, aged 52. He was son of John Melvin, who died 1724, aged 74. Grandchildren of his are nowhving.
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'Anville. They returned in ten days. Joseph Hubbard was captain ; Joshua Brooks, lieutenant ; Jonathan Billings, ensign ; Stephen Wesson, Amos Heald, Hezekiah Stratten, and Stephen Hosmer, sergeants ; John Miles and Ebenezer Meriam, clerks ; Nathaniel Colburn, Jonas Heywood, Henry Gould, and Nathan Miles, corporals.
The following names of individuals from Concord, in the expedi- tion to Nova Scotia in May, 1755, appear in Winslow's Army Rec-
1 Doolittle's Narrative, p. 17. Journal of the General Court.
12
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1756.
ords. Charles 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, A{)ril 26, 1756.
Capt. Stephen Hosmer commanded a company at Fort Edw^ard. 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 xMaj. Gen. Winslow. Capt. Peter Pres- cott was tliere, and was left at Lake George to take care of the sick.
Capt. Jonathan Brooks, with 30 men from this towm, marched on alarm for the relief of Fort William Henry, Aug. 17, 1757. They went only to Palmer, and returned in ten days. Oliver Miles was 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 Bultrick, Amos Hos-
1758.]
GENERAL HISTORY.
73
mer, Thomas Billings, Epliraim Brooks, Ephraim Stow, Samuel 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 Rogers'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 towm. 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, how^ever, 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 the church 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 ensuing." 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 similar 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, without opposition from the mother town. Thirty-one persons petitioned, Feb. 6, 1738, to have all 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 build 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 will 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 public military 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 settled about tliat 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, 1123, Thomas Howe and 64 others of Marlhorough, 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 Philip'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 Fhnt 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 Hey wood, 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 wilderness.
1 Christopher C. Baldwin, Esq. has kindly furnished me with a list of the proprietors of Grafton in 1728 ; of whom the following were from Concord: John Flint, Benjamin Barrett, Ebeiiezer 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 peculiar patriotism, were more distinguished than others ; and such, from some of these circumstances, is Concord. The events of the 19th of April, 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 his'tory 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 th3 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 conmiittee 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,
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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 convention 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 following ; 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 defence of whose person and dignity we are always ready, not only to spend our fortunes but our lives, 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 privileges 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-
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[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 obliged 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 smiles 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 will be attended with still 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 still, ille- gally and unconstitutionally taxed by the British Parliament, as they are not really or virtually 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 privileges of this free and happy people.
" 3. That as the British Parliament, 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, inadvertently 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,
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"4. That we will not, either by ourselves or any from or under us, buy, sell, 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 Parliament 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 all such persons as shall purchase, or sell, 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 fives, in defence of his Majesty, King George the Third, his person, crown, and dignity ; and win also, with the same resolution, as his free-born subjects in this country, to the utmost of our power and ability, 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 w^atchful, vigilant, and persevering, with a steady zeal, to espy out every thing that shall have a tendency to subvert our happy constitution.
Ephb-aim Wood, Jr. ^ John Flint ^ Committee,
Timothy Wheeler, Jr. ) Concord, Jan, 24, 1774."
Another similar document, showing the peculiar feelings of those tinies, was the non-consumption covenant. This was con- sidered and adopted at a town-meeting, June 21, 1774 ; and was signed by more than 300 voters.
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[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 ojf 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 it 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 similar 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-
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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 will not, contrary to the spirit of an agreement entered into through this province, import, or purchase of any per- son so importing, any goods as aforesaid, until the port or harbour of Boston shall be opened, and we are restored to the freedom of our constitution and charter rights.'
" 4. We agree that after this or a similar covenant has been offered to any persons, and they refuse to sign it or produce the oath aforesaid, w^e 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 hkely to be followed by the neighbouring governments: — should said body, w^hen 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, gradually 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
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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 hostile 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 from the people, which he thought 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, and 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 entail 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 Parhament 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