Skip to main content

Full text of "Sketch of the history of Attleborough, from its settlement to the present time"

See other formats 


This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project 
to make the world's books discoverable online. 

It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject 
to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books 
are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover. 

Marks, notations and other marginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the 
publisher to a library and finally to you. 

Usage guidelines 

Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the 
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing this resource, we have taken steps to 
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying. 

We also ask that you: 

+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for 
personal, non-commercial purposes. 

+ Refrain from automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine 
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the 
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help. 

+ Maintain attribution The Google "watermark" you see on each file is essential for informing people about this project and helping them find 
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it. 

+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just 
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other 
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of 
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner 
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liability can be quite severe. 

About Google Book Search 

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers 
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web 



at |http : //books . google . com/ 



^ 



9 



SKETCH 

QF THE 
FROM 

ITS SETTLEMBNT 

TO 

THE PKESENT TIME* 



Universiity of Virginia Library 

FJ4;A89:D1 

ALD Sketch of im hiitory d( Atte 

nwmk 



-hn 



o2> 



^' 



A)^X 




UNIVERSfT/ 
OF VIRGINIA 

CHARtOntSVItlt 

LIBRARY 




^s^' 



Jn'v:-.i..;u--Mfi„ 



UNIVERSITY 
OFYIRG»W»A 

CHARlOTIESVUlt 

tIBRARY 



SKETCH 



OF THE 



HISTORY OF ATTIiEBOROVGH, 



FEOH 



ITS SETTLEMENT 



TO 



THE PRESENT TIME. 



BY JOHN DAGGETT. 



H. MAWJf...-PIlINTIBR. 

1884. 



F 



INTRODUCTION. 



Thk littltf ^6rk if designed prioeipallj for the eitasens of thn town. Thi 
■nbjtet 11 not preramed to be ofiofficient interast to attract the partictilar attention 
of Btrangen. 1 bate, therefore, entered into details and local deseriptioni wbioh 
will not be intoreeting to readen in general, bnt onlj to thooe who are connect- 
ed with the scene by association or locality.' 

Tbe>oric originated hi a Leetnro delivered before the Lyceum in Attieboiengb 
in 1880, which was prepared withont the most distant idea of pablieation. The 
■nbjeet, tbongh an eld one, being entirely new to the heareis, excited mnch in- 
terest At the earnest reqnest of many of the most respectable citisens of the 
town, I concluded to prepare it for pablieation, to be inclnded in a mere pamph- 
let of about 60 pages. In compliance with what seemed the general wish, pro- 
posals were accordingly issued, to ascertain if sufficient encouragement would 
he giren to justify the undertaking. But in the prosecution of my researches^ 
new matoriak were found, and the work multiplied upon my hands, until it has 
extended to more than double its original siase. 

When the author attempted to prepare eten a brief lecture on the subject and 
kegan to make inquiries accordingly, he was told that it was in vain — that ne 
materials existed from which a sketch could be formed, particularly in relation 
to our early history. The attempt indeed was at firrt discouraging. The field 
was new and unexplored. There was no light * to lead my blind way' through 
the dark labyrinths of the past Little oi nothing was contained in other works 
to which I could refer for aid. The spot had almost escaped the prying curi* 
«nty of the antiquarian. 1 found, however, after diligent and labork>us research^ 
facts enough to make up the present volume. 

The materials which are here embodied have bOMi derived mostly fi<om or^^ 
inal sources. I have gathered *here a little, and there a little.' Tradition has 
-supplied a part—for some facts I am indebted to the rtcollectx>ns of the aged ; 
^theiB I have industriously gleaned from a mass of volumfoons and almost illegi- 
ble records and other manuscripts. I have left nothing unsesrched which might 
thiDw light on the early history of the town. 

The object ofthis work is not mere annisement, but the preservation of faetir 
I have, theiefore, selected not merely what might be mteresting at the present 
time, but what might be valuable for future reference. Hence, sooM may think 
that it istoo minuto in the relation of circumstances ; but others, knowing the 
trae objedB of such a work, will be rather inclined to complain that it is not mi- 
auto enough. Minuteness and detail are, in fact, the principal merit of local his- 
tories. Such works will furnish materials for more general history. This is the 
design ;--or at least, one great benefit to be derived from them is the colleetioa 
and preservation of fiiets for a more fall and perfect lustory of the couatry. Ma- 
ay Items wbieh have been collected together in these pages » however naiaipertaBt 



■ow, will bf enriotitiei to iUtore generttioiis: Thty will bMdme more intertit* 
log, as time throwa ita tbiokraing ibtdowa OTorihe afiton and eventa of the paat 

I hayeaeized the proaanC moment and gathered what eonld be obtained from 
tradition, and tbua aneated what wai rapijdJy poMing Into the gnlf of oblivion. I 
have been particularly minate in deacribiog the tranaactiona connected with the 
Rerolotion. Thoae, who lived in that age— who aaw and acted in the great 
acenea which then transpired, and who alone can give na correct and circamatantial 
toconnts of that period, w^l, in a yeiry few ^eara fopre , have paaea^ ^rom tjtie stage 
of life ; and thoa interesting an4 mpprta^t Jbctp will be inecoverabJ; lost to xfit 
and to posterity, unless now rescned nnd epobodie^ in a darable jform. T^e 
praaent is the only time to obtain minute and pirc«mstanjti4) eecoanto of ^e Rey- 
olation. Even now, since the commpAcejoaent of jhis yrprkf wveraf, from w)>om 
I Jiave obtained facta in relation to tliat peripd, Imye dew^defl to the silence of 
the grave. It is hoped, t&ajt ctyejry pj^^mvupifj ;prUl ^ improve^, ]to eoUeet in-r 
formation from thoae wh^ were p9is9na]ly 99|i^ in /the scenes of the Hevola- 
lion, ere they sfaall ail disappear from the stage pf UJe. If is niejess to ^'h^im 
that the labor and expense of eoUeodng ijbe mii^rials an^ jpreparing {he worl^, 
brief and knpeHect as itis, jiave far expctede^ my jixpectations. Indeed , no one, 
until bo has tried the fi3cparimAnt,.can jfolly apprec^a,te th^ Ja|>5)r an*^ patience and 
jMiaeverance which are reqnisite ,in pennecting insplafed facts and supplying brotc- 
•■■links in ihe chain, andtbepexpfezity lK(^if^ is ,eaoiied in reconciling %j^puent 
contradictions and removing donbts. I have* bo^wever, no ezpecutioo orre- 
mving an adeqaate compei|^i)iGin Cbj the tin^e apd expense bestowed open the 
erork ; hot .the oonseipo^efN of having r^peme^ from nndeseryed neglect the 
aaoMB ef onr worthy ;foDefiMJHNrs, and res^ped from oblivion many fkcts in Hb 
fciscory of my Jiatifv« town, wbioh !9rofUd ptfierwise have been irrecoverably Ibst,- 
will be, if not n soffieteDf jreward, at le^st a ^consolation. 

^eh a work, I am aware* m pf no .^reat consequence to any bnt those who 
ai« eotneeted with t|ie town. 3at it takes many little rilis to make ap the ji^reat 
enrrent ofbistory. All these things tend to throw light on the interesting 'sub- 
ject of onr early history ; and, in tjjif view, (Bvery historical lacl, howevier mi^ 
unto or nnimpofftant in^seiff v Talqable and worthy of preservation. And it 
maybe tmlysaidy that he hap ppt labored in vain, who lias added one new 
tivjdi to what is aliM^r known, or eli^cidatod ope dark s^t in bis country^ 
faistery^ • 

In in ilxtraets which hay* h^f^ naade/rom pn^pient records, I have retained 
Ihe original dates, and the titles which msw Jieftoiyed ip accordance with the 
enstom Of feitner times. Even^the ynpst.iqff^ppr titles then coni^rred some dts- 
tinction. In tips earliest c«B(Hfds ^ ^ not nncooimon tp find ' Corporal and der> 
geant ' eacb-a-one. Ensign. Lieat tu^d Ct^pt. were invariably Applied to thoso 
who eonM eUka Ae honor. Even t|ie title of Mr. which is now without dis- 
tinction, on accoaiiti»f tlaindisorimiqate application, wuoace (esteemed an honor 
to which bnt few qoM aspice ! 

' I have labored to be jsoaocate, .but some errocs have doubtless, escaped the 
eloseet attention. IfanyslMMild be observed* it will be esteemed a fiivor, if those 
i»ho have the means will fi9®MW^ 



HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 



. ; la 1643 a company was formed at Wejmoutb, Mass, con- 
sisting of Rev. Samuel Newman and a part of his congre|;a-» 
tioDi for the purpose of establishing a new settlement in this 
vicinitj. They purchased a large tract of land of the Sachem 
of Pokanoket, including what is now Rehoboth, Seekonk, Paw- 
tucket, and a part of Swansea then known by the name of 
Wannamoisett ; and in th^ spring of 1644, removed to a place 
then called by the Indians Seacunke, and commenced their 
settlement around the Great Plain. This was the Rehoboth 
purchase. Here the inhabitants continued, with many addi- 
tions to their number, as a distinct settlement until June 4tfa« 
1645, when they were adopted into the jurisdiction of Plym- 
outh Colony, and .incorporated as a township hj the scriptural 
name of Rehoboth. 

In 1661, Captain Thomas Willet was employed by that 
town to make a purchase of a new tract of land in their be- 
half, having been first authorized and empowered by the Court 
for that purpose. He accordingly purchased of Wamsitta* 
a certain tract of land north of the town of Rehoboth, which 
was called the Rehoboth North Purchase.' It was bounded 



» Saobem of Pokanoket, origioally called Mooanam, afterwards Alexao* 
der, the elder brother of King Phillip and ton of Manaaoit. He died is 
the summer of 1662. His wife'« name was Namampiim.-rSBir DroktU Indian 

Biography. , , 



Jftnt bj Pawtucket River, now the Blacks tone ; North by th» 
Hatsachusettt Colony or the Bay line, (so called) ; East by 
territory which was afterwards the Taunton North Purchase, 
now Mansfield, Norton, and Easton ; and South by the ancient 
Rehoboth, now Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Pawtucket. This 
purdhase included Attleborough, Cumberland, R. L and a 
tract of a mile and a half* in width, extending east and westi 
(which was annexed to Rehoboth as an enlargement,) and a 
part of Mansfield and Norton. This purchase was afterwards* 
Tiz. April 10th, 1666, granted and confirmed by the Plymouth 
Government to the inhabitants of Rehoboth. 

The following copy of the Indian Deed is taken from the 
Old Colony Records. 

A Deed appointed to be recorded. 

Know all men, that I Wamsetta, alias Alexander, chief Sa« 
chem of Pokanokett,f for divers good causes and valuable con- 
siderations me thereunto moving, have bargained and sold unto 
Captain Thomas Willett of Wannamoisett nil those tracts of 
land situate and being from the bounds of Rehoboth ranging 
upon Patuckett River unto a place called Waweypounshag, the 
place where one Blackston now sojourneth, and so ranging 
along to the said river unto a place called Messanegtacaneh 
and from this upon a straight line crossing through the woods 
unto the uttermost bounds of a place called Mamantapett or 
Wading River, and from the said River one mile and a half 
upon an east line, and from thence upon a south line unto the 
bounds of the town of Rehoboth : To have and to hold unto 
him the said Captain Willett and his associates, their heirs and 
assigns forever ; reserving only a competent portion of land 
for some of the natives at Mishanegitaconett for to plant and 
sojourn upon, as the said Wamsetta alias Alexander and the 
said Thomas Willett jointly together shall see meet ; and the 
rest of all the land aforementioned, with all the woods, waters, 

* It waa gtVen, verbally, to Rehoboth by the agents of the Court who 
ware appoioted to convey the North Purchase to the Proprietors, and after- 
wards re-annexed to Attleborough. 

t Or Pocanakei, or Fawkunnawkut, t aamo applied to tho whole domia* 
lea of King Phillip, whose ptrsonal tribe was the WaoipaBoa(s. 



meadows, and all emoluments whatsoever to remain unto th« 
said Thomas Willett and his associates, their heirs and assigns 
forever. Witness my hand and seal the eighth day of April ia 
the year 1661. 

TAemarAro/^XA 
Signed^ sealed and delivered Wamsitta alias Alexander. 

in presence of his seal [l. s.] 

John Brown Jr. 
Jonathan Bosworth, 
John Sassaman the Interpreter. 

April 10th, 1666. Witnesseth These Presents, that Captain 
Thomas Willett above said hath and doth hereby resign, deliv* 
er and make over all and singular the lands above mentioned, 
purchased of Wamsitta alias Alexander chief Sachem of Po« 
canokett, according unto the bounds above expressed, with all 
and singular the benefits, privileges, and immunities thereunto 
appertaining, unto Mr. Thomas Prence, Major Josias Wins- 
low, Capt. ThomaS Southworth, and Mr. Constant South- 
worth, in the behalf of the Colony of New Plymouth. In wit- 
wess whereof he doth hereunto set his hand and seal. 
Signed, sealed and delivered Thomas Wiiaett [Seal] 

in presence of 

Daniel Smithy 

Nicholas Peck. 

The following is the Grant or Deed* of the Government 
Know all men by these presents, that we Thomas Prence, 
Jfosias Winslow, Thomas Southworth and Constant Southworth 
by order of the General Court of New Plymouth, and in the 
name and behalf of the said Colony of Plymouth, have and by 
these presents do bargain, sell, alien, grant and confer and 
make over unto the proprietors of the town of Rehoboth (viz.) 
unto all that hold there, from a fifty pound estate and upwards, 
according to their first agreement, all and singular the lands ly- 
ing and being on the north side of that town of Rehoboth bound- 

^ Tb« original is among th« B«eordf of ib« Proprietors of tlM B. N. 
PorcbsM. 



9 

•d a» folloveth> (viz.) by a River comroonlj called Patueket riv* 
er, OR the west, and up the said River unto the Massachusetts 
Line, and on the northerly side by the said Line until it cross 
the old road towards the Bay, where the marked tree stands 
and heap of stones, and thence a mile and a half east, and 
from thence by a direct line to the north east corner of the 
present bounds of the town of Rehoboth, and so beck again 
home unto the said Line between the governments ; with all 
the meadows, woods, waters, and all benefits, emoluments, 
privileges, and immunities, thereunto appertaining and belong- 
ing, to have and to hold to them and to their heirs for ever ; 
Excepting that we reserve within this tract a farm formerly 
granted unto Major Josias Winslow, and a farm granted unto 
Capt. Thomas Willett, and two hu^ndred acres of land unto Mr. 
James Brown about Snake Hill, and ten acres of meadow 
thereabouts ; and the meadow called Blackstone's Meadow, 
the west plain and the South neck the quantity of two hundred 
acres, and the fifly acres granted to Roger Amadown, with 
four acres of meadow adjoining, three acres of meadow to 
Nicholas Ide, and half an acre of meadow unto George Robin- 
son : Ali the residue of the lands above mentioned we do here- 
by firmly make over unto the above said purchasers and their 
heirs for ever, and do hereby acknowledge ourselves to be fullj 
paid and satisfied for the same, and do exonerate, acquit and 
discharge them and every of them for and concerning the 
premises. 

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and 
seals, this tenth of April 1666. 
Signed^ sealed and delivered 

in presence q/ Thomas Prence (l. s.) 

Isaac Howland Josias Winslow (l. s.) 

The mark h of Thomas South worth (l. s.) 

John Parris Constant Southworth (l. s.) 

The mark m of 
John Rocket. 

Marginal Note. 
It Was afso agreed before the signing and sealing of this 
I>e«d that, according unto a clause in the Indian Deed when 



these lands were purchased hy Capt. Willett, that sotne meet 
proportion of lands about Sinnichiconet, such as the said Capt. 
WiHett and the Indian Sachem shall agree upon, should be set 
out fbr the use of the Indians. 

Note ok the back of the same Deed. 
This Deed is recorded according to order by me Nathaniel 
Morton, Secretary to the Court of New Plymouth. 

The Dividend of Lands enrolled 
Folio 217. 

The following order relating to this subject was passed bj 
the Court of Plymouth. 

•New Plymouth October 2d 1665. 

Whereas the Court, having formerly impowered Capt. 
Thomas Wiilet to purchase of the Indians certain Tracts of 
lands on the North of Rehoboth towards the Bay Line, the 
which he hath done, and is out of purse some considerable sum 
of money for the same, this Court have appointed the Honor- 
ed Governor, the Major Winslow, Capt. Southworth, and Mr. 
Constant Southworth, to treat with Capt. Wiilet concerning the 
said purchase, and have impowered the above named Com-* 
mittee to take notice of what hath been purchased by him, and 
what Deeds he hath, and what his disbursments have been for 
the same ; and have also impowered them to settle upon him 
such a proportion of the said lands as may appear to be equal, 
upon any grant to him ; and to accommodate the town of 
Rehoboth respecting au enlargement of their town, as the 
Court have promised ; and to take such course concerning the 
remainder as he may be reimbursed of his just due and those 
lands may be settled by the Court.' 

Extracted from and compared with the Records of said 
Court. Per. SAMUEL SPRAGUE Clerk. 

The following introduction is entered in the first Book of 
the Records of the R. N. Purchase : 

Whereas, in the year one thousand six hundred sixty and 
six, a purchase of lands was made by the Inhabitants of Reho- 
both and the neighborhood of Annimosett: — the said lands sit- 
uate on the North side of the Towne of Rehoboth — of Hr« 



Thomas Prinee Esquire, Major Jotiah WidsIow, Captalit 
Thomas Southworth Agents of the Government of New Pljin- 
outh» the bounds of the said lands fullj appearing by a Deed of 
sale made by the aforesaid gentlemen, to the purchasers there- 
of, bearing date the tenth of April 166G, which deed hath been 
inroUed at the Court of New Plymouth according to order of 
Court. The bounds of the said lands are as foUoweth, (via*) 
by a river called Patucket river, on the West, and up the said 
river unto the Massachusetts line; and on the Northerly side, 
by the same line, until it cross the ould Roade towards the 
Bay, where the marked tree stands, and a heape of stones ; 
and thence a mile and halfe East, and from thence by a direct 
line to the North East corner of the ancient bounds of the 
towne of Rehoboth, and soe back againe home to the said 
line between the Governments — Excepting there was reserved 
out of the said tract of land, a farm granted before to Mnjor 
Josiah Winslow, a farm granted to Captain Thomas Willett, 
and two hundred acres of land to Mr. James Browne about 
Snake-hill, and ten acres of Meadow thereabouts; and the 
Meadow called Blackstone's Meadow the West plaine ; and 
ther South neck the quantity of two hundred acres; and fifty 
acres granted to Roger Ammiduwn with four acres of meadow; . 
and three acres of Meadow to Nicholas Ide ; and half an acre 
to George Robinson ; also some Meete proportion of lands for 
the Indians at Sinnichiteconett ; for the use of the said Indians. 
All the rest of the said lands within the said tract as before 
bounded, to be equally divided to the purchasers thereof accor- 
ding to their said proportions, (there being Seventy Nine 
whole shares and a half) being joint purchasers; and the said 
purchasers have fully discharged and paid the purchase thereof 
according to their several proportions. 

Mem. That the clause in the former page **to be equally di- 
vided to the purchasers thereof" hath reference to the before 
expressed date (viz.) one thousand Six hundred and Sixty and 
Six. 

The Names of the Purchasers with their Rights to the said 
Lands before mentioned are those {no man amiradicting) that 
ju% here expressed in the following List. 



1! 



Capt. Thomas Willett, (one 
ahare, John Wilkinson's) 

Mr. Stephen Paine Sen. 2 shs. 
(one thtit was his own and 
one that was appointed for 
John Martin.) 

Mr. Noah Newman 1 sh. 

Lieut. Peter Hunt 1 sh. 

Bf r. James Browne 1 sh. 

Samuel Newman 1 sh. 

John Allen Sen. 1 sh. 

John Woodcock l^sh. 

Thomas Estabrooke's ^ sh. 
(bought of Roger Ami- 
downe) 

Thomas Willmot 2 shs. (one 
he bought of Jo. Carpen- 
ter and one of his own) 

Sampson Mason 1 sh. 

Anthoney Perry 1 sh. 

John Butterworth 1 sh. (this 
sold to Daniel Jenkes except- 
ing the meadow) 

Philip Walker 1 sh. 

John Ormsby 1 sh. 

Richard Martin Ish. 

Stephen Paine Jun. 1 sh. 

Rober Joans I sh. 

Obadiah Bowen 1 sh. 

John Pecke 1 sh. 

James Redeway 1 sh. 

Samuel Carpenter 1 sh. 

John Titus 2 sh. (one that he 
bought of his mother-in law 
Abigail Carpenter, and one - 
that was his own; 

Mr. John Myles 1 sh. 

William Carpenter 1 sh. 

Joseph Pecke 1 sh. 

Thomas Cooper Jun. 1 sh. 

Ensigu Henery Smith 1 sh. 

Thomas Cooper Sen. 1 sh. 

Samuel Pecke 1 sh. 

William Buckland 1 sh. 

Joseph Buckland 1 sh. 

Benjamin Buckland, 1 sh* 



John Reade Sen. 1 sh. 

John Reade Jun. 1 ih. 

Nicholas Pecke 1 sh. 

Elizabeth, Hannah, and Lyd« 
ia Winchester I sh. this sould 
to Dan'l. Shepardsou. 

Daniel Smith 1 sh. 

Jonathan Bliss 1 sh. 

Rice Leonard 1 sh. 

William Saben 1 sh. 

John Perrin Sen. 1 sh. 

George Kendricke 1 sh. 

George Robenson 1 ah. 

John Doggett 1 sh. 

John Fitcii 1 sh. 

Richard Bowen Jun. 1 sh. 

Elizabeth Bullucke 1 sh. 

John Miller Jun. 1 sh. 

Robert Fuller 1 sh. 

Robert Wheaton 1 sh. 

Ester Hall 1 sh. 

John Miller Sen. 1 sh. 

Jaret Ingraham 1 sh. 

John Kingsley 1 sh. 

Gilbert Brookes 1 sh. 

Thomas Reade 1 sh. 

Thomas Grant \ sh. 

Jonathan Fuller 1 sh. 

James Gillson 1 sh. (bought of 
Samuel Saben) 

Samuel Luther 1 sh. (this 
share sold to Mr. Phillip 
Squire) * 

Nicholas Tanner Ish. 

John Allen Jun. 1 sh. 

Preserved Ahell 1 sh. 

Francis Stephens 1 sh. 

Nicholas Ide i sh. 

Richard Whittaker 1 sh. 

Nathaniel Pecke 1 sh. 

Israel Pecke 1 sh. 

Jonah Palmer 1 sh. 

Robert Miller I sh. 

Nathaniel Paine 1 sh. (^ of jt 
be bought of Richard Bow- 
en Sen. and the otber» of 



:li 

Jeremiah Wlieaton.) John Loreil I «h« 

Joanna Ide of New Norvich Eldad Kinaley 1 ah. 

halfe a share. — 

John Savage } sh. The aforesaid List and the 

Thomas Ormsby } sh. (boagbt preface to it was universalljr 

of Richard Bowen Sen.) agreed upon at a Meeting of 
Jacob Ormsby ^ sh. (that was the Purehasers, May 28th 

his mother's.) 1672 to be entered into the 

John Policy 1 sh. (that he had Booke of Records for the 

of his father Jon. Bosworth. North Purchased Lands. 
William Allen of Prudense* 1 This attested to by me, 

sh. he bought of Nathaniel WilHam Carpenter, Jr. 

Paine. Gierke* 

This List of Proprietors, as the reader perceivee, was made 
in 1672, by a committee chosen for that purpose. 

The first division of lands in the North Purchase was made 
June 22nd. 165S. This division was confined exclusively to 
Meadow land. It appears by the following extracts from the 
town Records of Rehoboth that the Court had made a grant of 
the meadows in the N. Purchase before the rest of the land was 
granted. 

February 23d, 1657. At a town meeting lawfully warned, 
it was voted that all the Meadows lying on the North side of 
the Town, which were given and granted to the Town by the 
Court, shall be laid out according to person and estate. 

At the same time those men whose names are here subscribed 
have promised to go to see what meadows they can find on the 
North side of our Town, that they may notify our town, to 
their best judgment, what quantity there may be of it, and this 
they promise to do freely on their own charge.' Wm. Car- 
penter Senior will go 3 days on his own charge, and if he go 
any more he is to be paid for it. Wm. Sabin, 1 day ; Lieut. 
Hunt 2 days ; Joseph Peck 1 day ; John Peck 1 day ; Henry 
Smith 1 day ; Wm. Bucklin 2 days ; Robert Fuller 1 day ; 
John Read 1 day; Thomds Cooper Junior l^day ; Francis 
Stephens 1 day. 

At the same time, those men whose names are here sub« 
scribed are accepted of the freemen of the town to take up 
their freedom, viz : — Joseph Peck, John Peek, Henry Smith, 

* Prabably Provideoctf. 



1» 

Robert Fuller, John Fitch, Steyeo Paine, Jonathan Bliss* 
Wm. Bucklin, Rice Leonard. Se?eral of these persons after- 
wards removed to Attleborough. 

June 22d, 1658. It was voted, that all the meadow that lies 
upon the North side of the town, that hath been visited by 
certain men according to the town's order, shall be lotted out, 
according to person and estate. 

14 of the 9th month 1661. Lieut. Hunt^ and Wm. Sabin 
were chosen to confer with Mr. Willet to know what he hath 
done about the North side of the . town in the behalf of ihe 
town. 

The 28 of the 5 mo. 1662. It was voted that John Wood- 
cock* should have two rods of land to build a small house on 
for himself and his family to be in on the Lord's day in some 
convenient place near the meeting house ; and Goodman Paine 
and Lieut. Hunt were chosen to see where the most conven- 
ient place might be for it. 

1658 June 22d. "At a town meeting lawfully warned Lot« 
were drawn for the meadows that lie on the North side of the 
town, according to person and estate.*' 

April 18, 1666. It was voted by the town that the late pur- 
chasers of land upon the north side of our town shall bear for- 
ty shillings in a rate of 5 <£. and so proportionable in all other 
public charges. 

It was also voted that there should be a three railed fence 
set up and maintained between the late purchased land on the 
north side of the town to be set up on all the end of the plain 
from Goodman Buckland's lands to the mill river, and every 
man that is interested in the said purchased Lands to bear an 
equal proportion in the aforesaid fence according to their 
proportion of Lanrds. 

It was also voted to make choice of a Committee for the 
settling and stating of the late purchased Lands on the north 
side of our town, viz : whether such, as at present seem ques- 
tionable, are true proprietors of the aforesaid lands; — and 
the Committee chosen were Capt. Willet with the towns- 



* Aftervrardi of Attleboroug 

3 



14 

men and those that stand eof aged for the pajmeut of the 
aforesaid purchased Lands* Tl\p Committee reported April 
23d, 1666. 

It was also voted by the town that Mr. Goodman Martin 
shall enjoj a spot of fresh meadow that lies on the north side 
of the town lying at the end of the Great Plain, during his 
life and his wife's, and at their decease to return to the town. 

At the same time it was agreed between the town and Capt. 
Willet, that for the forty acres of meadow that he is to have 
to his farm, on the north side of the, town, he is by agreement 
made with the town to have high Squisset and Low Squisset, 
and the bounds of the said Squisset's meadows to be according 
to the sight of the Surveyors the day that they laid out his 
fhrm, that is, Henry Smith and William Carpenter ; and he is 
also to have a piece of meadow at the Seven Mile River near 
unto the going out at the highway, and six acres of meadow at 
the Ten Mile River, and what there wants of the six acres in 
quality is to be made up in quantity— the said six acres of 
meadow on the Ten Mile River lies by the old highway as we 
go into the Bay. 

'April 23d 1666. The Committee that was chosen by the 
town April 18th 1666, at a town meeting, for the stating and 
settling of the late purchased lands, upon the North side of our 
towui the aforesaid committee b^ing met together this twenty 
third of April, we see cause that there shall be seventy six 
whole shares and equal purchasers in the aforesaid Lands, and 
six persons that have half shares, which we see cause to add 
to the seventy six whole shares, so that the whole number of 
shares amounts to seventy nine shares.' 

May 19th 1666. At a town meeting lawfully warned, the 
town concluded to have a meeting upon the last Tuesday in 
June, to consider of the meadows on the north side of the 
town« how they may be disposed offer this present year ; it is 
therefore agreed by this town, that no man shall mow a load 
or a part of a load of grass, before the town hath disposed of 
them, upon the penalty of twenty shillings the load or part of 
« load. 



15 

Oct. 16th 1666. At a town meeting it w$8 concluded, that * 
the purchased lands on the north side of the town shall be di« 
Tided between this and the first of May next ensuing. 

It was also voted by the town that no person shall fall any 
trees upon the aforesaid lands on the north side of our town 
before the said lands be divided, upon the penalty often fihil« 
lings for every tree so fallen. 

The same day John Doggett, John Woodcock, and John 
Titus were chosen by the town to see what timber trees are 
fallen on the late purchased lands on the north side of our 
town, and they shall have the forfeiture for their pains, and 
the trees to those that the land shall fall to. 

June 22d 1667. At a town meeting it was voted by the 
town that the meadows lying on the north side of the towa 
shall be for this present year, as they were the last year. 

April 10th 1668. The town chose a Committee to go and 
view the meadows that are in the North Purchase and to acre 
theni out, to devide them into three score and eighteen parts 
and a half, and to mark and bound but each part and put in 
such swamps as in their prudence they think meet, to be laid 
out in the said division— provided they do it equally as they can. 
The said committee are Anthony Perry, Philip Walker, Thorn* 
as Willmot,* Nicholas Ide; to be paid by the whole company 
of purchasers. 

May 13th 1668. The town made an agreement with Good- 
man Allen that he is to have the twenty acres of Meadow that 
is laid out by Ensign Smith at Sinecheticonet, and the Mead-- 
ow called the Parson's Meadow, and all that is within bit 
farm, for his thirty acres of meadow that he purchased of Ma* 
jor Winslow— and also for bis full share of meadow on the 
North Purchase. 

It was also voted that the rates upon the North side of the 
town be lowered, and part taken off, that is to say, whereas 
the lands upon the N« Purchase paid 40 shillings of 5 poundff 
in all rates, that now the said lands shall pay 20 sbilliogs in 5 
pounds until the town tee cause to alter it. 

» Now Wilmirth. 



16 

Maj 26th 1668. It was voted that John Woodcock shall 
have the meadow upon the ten mile river between Capt. TVil- 
let'smeadow and his own Meadow, and another piece that the 
townsmen shall appoint him that were chosen by the town to 
acre the meadows in the North Purchase, for two shares of 
meadow on the N. Purchase. 

The 26th of May 1668, lots were drawn for the meadows t 
in the North Purchase. 

The first division of general lands was granted by the pro- 
prietors at a meeting held Feb. 9th 1668. Lots were drawn 
for this division March 18th, 1668-9. The previous divisions 
had been confined to meadow land. 

•At a town meeting lawfully warned Feb. 9th 1668, it was 
voted that there should be Fifty acres of upland laid out on the 
north side of the town to every share, speedily ; and the rest 
to be laid out with as much conveniency as may be.' 

It was voted that there should be a committee chosen to 
view where there is good land for the laying out of a division 
of lands on the north purchase, and that the aforesaid fifty 
acres to a share should be forthwith laid out, and then lots to 
be, drawn by the aforesaid purchasers according to the agree- 
ment. 

At a town meeting lawfully warned the 18th of March 
1668-9, *It was voted that there should be fifty acres of land 
laid out to a share on the North purchased lands.* 

It was also provided that the purchasers should draw lots 
for their choice ; and that each one should choose his lands suc- 
cessively according to his turn, and give notice to the next in 
turn ; and that if any neglect or refuse to make choice and 
lay out his land in his turn, for the space of three days, afler 
notice given him, he should wait until all others had. made 
choice in regular order. 

At this meeting a Committee of eight were chosen, any two 
of whom might act, to see that these rights should not be laid 
out so as to interfere with highways, previous divisions of 
meadows, or other lotments. This Committee were William 

t Granted by tht Ccurt previuui to tb« purchaie. 



SabiD, Nicholas Peck, Samuel Newman, James Reddewaj^ 
Thomas Willmott, Samuel Peck, Lieut. Hunt, Joseph Buck* 
land. Nine purchasers entered a protest against the manner 
of laying out the lands by choosing^ viz. Capt. Willett, Mr- 
Myles, Will. Sabin, Mr. Brown, Dea. Cooper, John Miller, 
Sen. John Peren, Sen. George Kendricke, Will. Carpenter. 

•The Names of those that drew for a Division on the Nortb 
Purchase 18th March 1668-9.' 



John Titus 
Joseph Buckland 
John Ormsby 
Children's Lands* 
Nathl. Paine 
Goody Hide 
Rice Leonard 
John Allin Jon. 
Nicholas Peck 
Ichabod Miller Jun. 
Robert Wheaton 
. John Doggett 
Deacon Cooper 
Phillip Walker 
Tho. Read 
Joseph Peck 
John Read Sen. 
Jonathan Bliss 
Roger Amidowne 
Stephen Paine Jun. 
Thomas and Jacob 

Ormsby 
Richard Bullock 
Daniel Smith 
John Kmgsley 
Obadiah Bowing 
John Peren Sen. 



Robert Joanes 
Will. Buckland 
James Gillson 
Israil Peck 
A nth. Periy 
Eldad Kingsley 
T^o. Cooper Jun. 
Mr. Myles 
Richard Bemis Jr. 
John Fitch 
Joseph Carpenter 
Preserved Abel 
John Woodcock 
John Allen Sen. 
Nich. Ide 
Capt. Willet 
James ReddeWay 
Sam. Newman 
Stephen Paine Sen. 
Jona. Palmer 
Robert Miller 
Tho. WiUmot 
Gilbert Brook? 
Wid. Carpenter 
Left. Hunt 
Jaret Ingraham 
Francis Stephens 



John Read Jun* 
Mr. Newman 
Rich. Martin 
John Butterworth 
George Kendrick 
John Lowell 
Thomas Grant 
Mr. Brown 
Nalh. Peck 
George Robinson 
Jonathan Fuller 
Jonathan Bosworth 
Sam. Feck 
Robert Fuller 
Nath. Paine, Jr. 
Richard Whittaker 
Sara. Carpenter 
Edward Hall 
Nicholas Tanner 
John Savage 
Will. Saben 
Will. Carpenter 
Sampson Mason 
John Peck 
Ben. Buckland 
Hen. Smith 
Sam. Luther 



Complaints were often made that the lands in the N. Pur- 
chase were rated or assessed too high. There is the follow- 
ing record on this subject. 

At a meeting of proprietors of the North Purchase the 36th 
Aug. 1670, it was voted that the townsmen should choose three 
men to discuss and also to end any difference with such per- 



• Cbildrtn of Alexander WiocliMlWy decMiad» 



18 

sods at ar« ehoM& hj the complainerB of the provisions of the 
Rates. The time set to meet was this day s'en'nit at the 
meeting house ; and if not ended to attend the next Court at 
Plymouth to defend and answer such complaints as are made 
against the rating of these lands. 

A mile and a half on the south side of this town was grant- 
ed to Rehoboth by order of Court, June 1668. 

June 1668. This Court have ordered that a tract of land 
containing a mile and a half lying on the North side of the 
town of Rehoboth is allowed to be the proper right of the said 
township. And for such lands as are lying betwixt the Baj 
line and it is to be accounted within the Constablerick of Re- 
hoboth, until the Court shall order it otherwise. And that such 
farmfras lyeth within the said liberties shall be responsible in 
point of rating at the Colony's disposal.— O/df Col Rec. 

There is the following vote concerning this tract in Reho- 
both Records. 

Nov. 8th 1670. At a town meeting lawfully warned it was 
voted that the line should be forthwith run between the North 
Purchase and the Mile and a half given to the town for enlarge- 
ment. 

The Committee were Lieut. Hunt and Ensign Smith, Nich- 
olas Peck and Will. Carpenter. 

Committees were also chosen to see that no timber on the 
North side should be fallen or drawn away. Great difficulty 
was experienced in preventing the loss of timber on the undi- 
vided lands. 

Dec. 26th 1670. It was voted that there should be a town 
meeting this day fortnight about 10 of the clock in the morn- 
ing, and that there should be a committee chosen to draw up 
such propositions as they think will be most expedient for the 
settling of the differences on the north side of the town con- 
cerning those lands, considering that all the purchasers of the 
land have not yet given them, Mr. Brown engaging to give no- 
tice to all the proprietors of those lands that dwell at Swan- 
sea; and that these propositions be tendered at the said town 
meeting, that if it were the will of God, there might be a 
unanimous agreement. The eemmittee ehosen were Lieut. 



19 

Hottt, Ensign Smitlit Nathaniel Paine, Niehdas Peck and An-* 
thony Perry. 

Nov. ^d 1670. A committee was chosen to meet the 
Treasurer of Tannton to settle the^ bounds between the North 
Purchase and Taunton North Purchase. Committee were 
Ensign Smith, Wim. Sabin, Wm. Carpenter* 

At a meeting of the Proprietors, May 26th 1672, It was yo-> 
ted, that for the comfortable and peaceable settlement of the 
lands and meadows on the North side of the town ; — whereas 
there has been great dissatisfaction in respect of the unequal 
division of meadows; — and, forasmuch as there was a Com- 
mittee chosen in the year 1668 for the bounding of the mead- 
ows betwixt the Tens ; — there shall be a new committee add- 
ed to them, to make diligent search and take a deliberate view 
of the meadows and swamps within all the several Tens, with 
power to add to those Tens which needed amendment, and 
bound them all ; and also to redress any grievance which any 
particular person su0ers. This order is not to take place till 
aAer six months. It was provided that the said committee 
should bound all the Tens before any more upland lots are 
laid out, if they do it within two months* 

At a meeting of Purchasers Feb. 18th 1684, it was voted 
that there should be a division of fifty acres to a share in the 
North Purcliase { ^Wm. Carpenter was chosen Surveyor to lay 
it aut. Voted that there should be a meeting of the Purchas- 
ers to draw lots for said Division the last Tuesday of June 
next ensuing. Accordingly at a meeting held June 29th 1685 
lots were drawn for said fifty acres of upland among 83 per- 
sons. 

At a Proprietor's Meeting Oct. 31st 1699, it was voted that 
there should be two divisions of lands in the North Purchase 
forthwith laid out to the said proprietors according to their 
rights in said lands, i. e. fifty acres to a whole share in both 
divisions, viz: 25 acres to the first division, and 25 acres to 
the second division ; and he that is first in the first division 
shall be last in the second division) and so on. 

At their next meeting Nov. 7th 1699^ the propirietora drew 



to 

lots for the new divUion. They had increased at this time to 
133 in number. 

In the year 1694 the inhabitants of the North Purchase 
were incoiporated into a township by an Act of the General 
Court of Massachusetts. * 

The following is the Act of IneorporcUion, 
AN ACT for granting a township within the County of Bris- 
tol to be called Attleborough. 

Whereas there is a certain tract of land commonly known 
by the name.of North Purchase, lying within the County of 
Bristol, containing in length about ten miles from Patucket 
River to the bounds of Taunton, f and extending about eight 
miles in breadth from the line or boundary betwixt the two 
late Colonies of Massachusetts and Plymouth, to the bounds of 
the town of Rehoboth ; being a convenient tract for a town- 
ship, and more than thirty families already settled thereupon ; 
For the better encouragement and settlement of said Planta- 
tion : 

Be it enacted by the Governor, Council, and Representa- 
tives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the 
same. That henceforth the said tract of land as above de- 
scribed, and bounded by the township of Taunton and Reho- 
both, (no way to intrench upon either of their rights) be and 
shall be a township, and called by the name of Attleborough ; 
and shall have and enjoy all such immunities, privileges, and 
powers, as generally other townships witfiin this Province have 
and do enjoy. 



* Previous to this the N. Purchase was within the jurisd ictioo, but not 
within the chartered limits of Rehoboth. The inhabitants were subjected 
to the municipal authority, and had all the rights of freemen of that town. 
It was, properly, a plantation of Rehoboth. It was oidered by Plymouth 
Court to be within the jurisdiction of that town until it should be incorpo- 
rated* July 5 ih 167^ *The Court have ordered that the North Purchase 
(so called) shall lie unto the town of Rehoboth, until it comes to be a 
township; and in the mean time to bear the seventh part of all the rates 
that shall be levied for the public charges of that town ; and when the said , 
Purchase shall become a Township by itself, then the said township of Re* 
Iboboth to, be eased in thefr rates .^—OM Ool» Rtcorit* 

t Taunton North Purehage. 



21 

Provided^ That it be not in prejudice of any former grant. 

Provided also. That the Inhabitants of the said place do 
continue under the power and discretion of the Selectmen, 
Assessors, and Constables of Rehoboth (whereunto thej were 
formerlj annexed) as well refering to any assessments and ar- 
rears thereof, as all other things proper to the duty of Select- 
men, Assessors and Constables, respectively; until they are 
supplied with such officers among themselves, according to the 
directions in the law in that case made and provided. 

The boundaries described in the preceding Act included 
the present town of Attleborough and Cumberland, R. I. em- 
bracing a very extensive tract of land. The number of inhab- 
itants at this time could not much exceed a hundred and 
eighty. They were mostly settled in the Southerly and Wes- 
terly parts of the town. These families were scattered over a 
considerable space ; many had been here from an early peri-^ 
od. Of the early settlements more will be said hereafter. 
. The country was then mostly covered with forests, inter- 
spersed however with a good supply of natural meadoWi which 
was then considered the most valuable kind of land. 

The inhabitants increased rapidly, and soon penetrated into 
various parts of the town. 

A few extracts from the early records of the town, illustra- 
ting the character of the times, will be interesting to the pres- 
ent generation. 

The first town meeting on record appears to have been he(d 
May 11th 1696, two years after the incorporation. * At this 
meeting the town chose Mr. John Woodcock and Mr. John 
Rogers late of Bristol as agents *'to manage our concerns in 
matters relating to that part of our township commonly called 
the Mile and Half, according to our petition and other copies 
which are in the hands *of Mr. Henry Derens Clerk to the 
House of Representatives, and did further appoint and impow- 
er Mr. John Woodcock to agree with and impower said Mr. 
Rogers and take care to help him to such papers as may most 

* There jQust, however, have beea a previous meeting aod a choice of off* 
eers— of which no record is preserved. 
4 



H 

caneern our businessr, for the promoting of matters relating to 
our townsbip." 

At the same meeting three Assessors were chosen for the en- 
suing year, viz. Israil Woodcock, Thomas Tinglej and Samu- 
el Titus. 

The next town meeting was held Nor. 23d 16d6, at which 
the town authorized the Selectmen to make a Rate for pajing 
the town^s debts, which amounted to £.5. 15 5. Id, At the 
same time several individuals engaged to pay certain sums ^by 
way of free gift towards the building of a Meeting House^' and 
desired their nanies and sums might be entered accordingly* 

£. s. £. s. 

Mr. John Woodcock - 1. OD. Thomas Woodcock - 0. 10* 
John Lane - - - - L 00. George Robinson - - 1. 00. 
Israil Woodcock - 0. 10. David Freeman - - - 1. 00. 

March 22d 1696 — 7. The town * taking into consideration 
who are by law allowed to vote in town meetings, and finding 
so few allowed to vote, ordered that 'all the inhabitants and 
town Dwellers* should have a right to vote in said meetings. — 
At this time town officers were chosen for the year ensuing, 
Viz. *Mr. John Woodcock, Anthony Sprague, Daniel Jenks, 
Jonathan Fuller, Thomas Tingley* Selectmen ; Anthony 
Sprague, tpwn Clerk ;« Israil Woodcocki Constable; Nicho- 
las Ide and Joseph Cowel, Surveyors ; Henry Sweet, Tithing- 
man; Thomas Tingley and Samuel Titus, Fence viewers; 
John Woodcock, Anthony Sprague and Daniel Jenks, Asses- 
sors ; John Lane, Grand juryman ; Benjamin Force for the 
Jury of trials in April next at the Quarter Sessions at Bristol.* 

May 10, 1697. At a town meeting for the choice of an 'As- 
sembly man for the G^eat and General Court' the inhabitants 
voted not to send a man 'by reason the town was excused by 
law.* 

July 12th 1697. The town voted to have a Pound made ac- 
cording to law upon a piece of undivided land between the 
lands of Daniel Shepperson and James Jillson near the Bay 
Road. 

* The inhabitants were often disturbed by Indians and others 
bunting and strolling about the town and insulting the inhab- 



23 

itants. In relation to tbeae disturbances the town passed the 
following orders : 

Jan'y. 3l8t 1697 or 6. At a town mejeting legally warned 
lor the making of ^some town orders or by-laws touching per- 
sons disorderly coming into town who have no rights or lands 
m the same but are strangers and foreigners,' the town passed 
the following orders : 'It is ordered by the inhabitants of At- 
tleborough and voted in said meeting, that no person that is a 
stranger shall be received as an inhabitant without the consent 
or approbation of said town, or sufficient security given to 
the town by him or them that shall take in or harbor any 
person contrary to this order ; moreover, the Selectmen are 
appointed to take due care and sufficient security, in the be- 
half of the town, of and for all such persons as shall receive 
in or harbor any stranger or foreigner ; or to give order and 
warning to such stranger or foreigner to depart the town, ac- 
cording as the law directs, and that with all convenient speed 
after knowledge or notice given of the same ; so observing 
from time to time that the town be not charged with unneces- 
sary charges.^ 

2d. 'The second order or by-Law was touching Indian for- 
eigners and strangers that have been complained of for uncivil 
carriages and behaviour towards some of the inhabitants of this 
town, for the prevention of which the inhabitants being desired 
to give their advice, by joint consent have voted and passed 
this Act, That no foreign Indian or stranger Should be alloW" 
ed to come into town being armed under hunting pretences 
nor suffered in the same to abide in drinkings and shootings 
at unseasonable times of night and threatenings to several per- 
aons, which is contrary to the law of this Pravince, and dis- 
turbing to several of this town ; neither is any person or per- 
sons whatsoever within this town allowed to take in or harbor 
Indian or Indians armed other than such as hath been allowed 
or shall be allowed, without the unanimous consent Of the in- 
habitants, at any time hereafter, but every person or persons, 
transgressing against this order or by-law, shall pay a fine of 
five shillings, each day, fpr the use of the poor of this towji for 
every such offence.' 



a 

March 4th 1699 or 1700, in town meeting Daniel Shepper- 
son gave a piece of ground to set a Pound on *at a place com- 
monly known and called Red Rock Hill by the road-side by a 
pine tree, which pound is to be built 30 feet square and fin- 
ished by the last of June 1700.' 

May 13th 1700. Voted not to send a Representative for 
the same reason that was assigned at the first meeting. 

March 25th 1701. In town meeting voted and appointed a 
'Training place to be on the South side of David Freeman's 
house, between the two ways, viz. the Bay road and the road 
that leadeth to Nicholas Ide's house.' At the same time the 
town •did by major vote appoint the last Tuesday in March at 
9 o'clock A. M. to be their Election Day annually for choosing 
town officers according to law, without any further warning, 
so to continue till further order.' 

Feb. 9th 1702—3. It was voted that Ensign Nicholas Ide 
and Anthony Sprague with the Selectmen be a Committee to 
agree in behalf of our town concerning the lines and bound»^ 
between Attleborough, Dorchester, and Wrentham. It was 
also voted that the Selectmen should make a town Rate for the 
payment of town debts, and that a quarter part of said rate be 
levied upon the polls, and the rest upon the estates ; and that 
said rate shall be paid in Indian corn at 25. 6 d, per bushel, 
•r rye at 3 5. 6 d. per bushel, or oats at 1 5. 6d. per bushel, or 
in money. 

May 14th 1703. Voted not to send a representative by rea- 
son they were so few in number and excused by law. 

The first inhabitant within the original limits of Attlebo- 
rough was the celebrated William Blackstone, who was also 
the first settler and sole proprietor of Shawmut, now the beau- 
tiful city of Boston. Every thing relating to the life of this 
singular man must be interesting, not only to the people of 
this town, but to all who feel an interest in the ancient history 
of the Colonies. 

He came to this country from England about the year 1625, 
and settled first at Boston the Indian name of which was 
ShawmuU Here be remained alone, until the arrival of Gov- 
ernor Winthrop's company, in June 1630. They at first lo- 



25 

cat^ themselves at Charlestown ; but finding the water -bad, 
and ' liking that plain neck that was then called Blackstone's 
Neck,** thej soon removed, by invitation, to the peninsula, 
where they found a good spring of water. Mr. Blackstone 
had been, in England, a clergyman of the established church. 
But he lived in an age of religious bigotry, intolerance, and 
persecBtion ; and *' not being able," as he said, ''to endure the 
power of the Lords Bishops," he left his native land and 
sought an asylum in the wilds of America, where he might en- 
joy his own opinions unmolested. After residing a few years 
with the new settlers of Shaumut, he found the same intole- 
rant and overbearing spirit among his new associates ; and 
becoming " discontented with the power of the Lords Breth- 
ren," he was compelled to seek another retreat. In 1634, he 
sold his right and title in the peninsula to the inhabitants of 
Boston, each one paying him six shillings, and some of them, 
more. A reservation was made for him of about six acres 
where his house stood. 

The Peninsula of Boston was then called Blackstone's Neck, 
the whole of which he claimed as his property ; and this claim 
was recognized by the new settlers. With the purchase mon- 
ey he bought a ' stock of cows,' which he carried with him to 
his new settlement on the banks of the Pawtucket river. 

The following document, quoted in Shaw's History of Bos- 
ton, gives some of the particulars of this purchase. 

' The deposition of John Odlyn, aged about 82 years ; Rob- 
ert Walker, nged about 78 years ; Francis Hudson, aged about 
66 years ; and William Lytherland, aged 76 years. — These 
deponents being antient dwellers and inhabitants of the town 
of Boston, from the time of the first planting thereof, do joint- 
ly testify and depose, that in or about the year of our Lord 
sixteen hundred and thirty four, the then present inhabitants of 
said town, (of whom the Hon. John Winthrop, Esq. Governor 
of the Colony, was chiefe,) did treate and agree with Mr. Wil- 
liam Blackstone for the purchase of his estate and right in any 
lands lying within the said neck of land, called Boston, and 

• Capt Clap, May 1650. 



for said purchase agreed that ererj householder should pay 
six shillings} which was accordingly collected— none paying 
less, some considerably more ; and the said sum was paid to 
Mr. Blackstone, to his full content. Reserving unto himself 
about six acres of land on the point, commonly called Black- 
stone's Point, on part whereof his then dwelling-house tftood. 
Afler which purchase, the town laid out a place for a Training 
Field, which ever since, and now is used for that purpose, and 
for the feeding of cattle : Walker and Lytherland further tes- 
tify, that Mr. Blackstone bought a stock of cowes with the 
money he received, and removed near Providence, where he 
lived till the day of his death.' Sworn to the 10th of June, 
1684, before S. Bradstreet, Governor, and Samuel Sewall, 
Assistant. 

Mr. Blackstone received £20 for his right to the Peninsula, 
as appears by the following record. The • 10th day of the 9 
mo. 1634,' Voted that a rate be made, viz. * a rate for £30 to 
Mr. Blackstone.'* 

In 1635, he removed to another retreat, still farther in the 
wilderness, — beyond the tyranny of man. This place was on 
the banks of Pawtucket river which now bears his name, and 
was within the ancient limits of Attleborough, in that part cal- 
led the Gore, now Cumberland, R. I. This was about ten 
years before the settlement of Rehoboth and a few years be- 
fore that of Providence. In this solitary retreat he built his 
house, cultivated his garden and planted his orchard. His 
house and garden he surrounded with a park, which was his 
daily walk. His residence was on a hill near the Blackstone 
jiver ; and his orchard, just east of the hill. Here he remain- 
ed for many years in entire seclusion from the world,— ^here 
was none to disturb his lonely retreat. He was furnished with 
a library ; and nature and study charmed his solitary hours. 
He thus seated himself, for life, in peaceful solitude on the 
banks of the Blackstone. 

* Reckoniog March the Ist month, this assessment was made in Bceem* V^^^-^ 
*%«Va-Xhe purchase, of course, was made previous to this date ; and Black- 
stone, in alt probibility, removed early in the suhsequeni spring. 



27 

His house he called ' Study Hall,' and the eminence, on 
which it waff hailt, was named ' Study Hill,* — which name it 
stril retains. This place* is about three miles above Pawtuck- 
et village, where the late Col, Simon Whipple resided. The 
Indian name of the place was Wawepoonseag. This name is 
mentioned in the Plymouth Records in describing the bounda- 
ries of the North Purchase in 1661 — ' From Reboboth ranging 
upon Patuckei River, to a place called by the natives TFaure* 
poonseag,f where one Blackstone now sojoarneth.' 

During bis residence here, in 1659, Mr. Blackstone married 
the widow Sarah Stevenson.| She died about the middle of 
June, 1673.§ He survived his wife only about two years, and 
died Nay 26th, 1675,4 a few weeks before the commencement 
of the great Indian War, thus having escaped witnessing the 
horrors of that awful period, and the complete destruction 
which awaited his 'fair domain.' He had lived in New Eng- 
land about fifty years, nearly ten years at Shawmut (now Bps- 
ton) and forty at this place. He must have been quite advan- 
ced at the time of his death— probably not far from eighty. 

* His title to the lands which he occupied was respected by the Plymouth 
Goveroment, who ordered them recorded to him. 

* March 5th, 1671. Mr. Stephen Paine, Sen. of Rehoboth, 'and Mr. 
T^icholas Tanner were appointed by the Court to see Mr. Blackstooe^s 
land laid forth according to the grant.'— O/d CoUHtc, 

His estate consisted of about 200 acies. 

t I'his is supposed by a writer in the Mass. His. Coll. to be properly the 
name of a brook, now called Abbott's Bun, which enters the river not far 
from Mr. Blackstone^s residence. 

t * Mr. William Blackstone was married to Sarah Stevenson, widow, the 
4th of July, 1659, by John Endicott, Governor.'— Totrn Records of Boston. 
She was the widow of John Stevenson of Boston, who had, by her, at least 
three children— Onesimus, born 26th 10th mo. 164S; John,'born — - Tth mo, 
1645 ; and James, born Oct. 1st, 1653. His second son, John Stevenson, 
lived with his mother after her marriage with Mr. Blackstone, and, after 
their decease, continued at the same place during the remainder of his life. 

i * Mr?. Sarah Blackstone the wife of Mr. William Blaxstony was buried 
about the middle of June, 16T3.'--Refco6o/ft Records. 

Many of t^e ancient records mention the day of the burial, but not of 
the deaths of persons. 

4. • Mr. William Blacife«/on buried the 28th of May, 1765.'—*. 



Around him wai itill a wilderneis when death matched htn 
from the sylvan retreat which he loved ; but, (though the foot* 
steps of men were fast approaching,) how would he be aston* 
ished to behold the region around it (the place which he once 
thought secure from the haunt of men) now swarming with an 
industrious and thriving population ! How would he grieve to 
find the stream, whose placid waters as they flowed bj his 
dwelling he delighted to contemplate, now interrupted by nu- 
merous water*works, and the silence which then reigned around 
him, now disturbed by the buzz of thousands of spindles ! To 
what ignoble purposes is his classic stream now deroted !— - 
What a contrast ! It is a change which the peace-loving spirit 
of Blackstone could not endure. To enjoy that solitude which 
was congenial to his taste, he would now be compelled to seek 
a new abode beyond the banks of the Mississippi. 

Blackstone was by no means a misanthrope, but a man of 
natural benevolence, who took this mode of indulging his love 
for solitude, and securing the unrestrained enjoyment of his 
own sentiments. He did not shun man because he hated him, 
but because he loved solitude more than society. He was fond 
of study and contemplation, and here he could enjoy both. 
Possessing an independent and original mind, he could not 
brook the dogmatical and persecuting spirit of the age ; and to 
escape from its influence he fled to the wilds of America. 

He was not idle, though in solitude. He cultiTated his gar- 
den and reared his orchard with his own hands ; and is said 
to have been devoted to his books. — Though meditative in his 
habits, — yet cheerful in disposition. He was acquainted with 
Roger Williams, the father of Rhode Island— a kindred spir- 
it; — and frequently went to visit him, and occasionally 
preached at Providence and the neighboring towns. 

He was a man of great eccentricity ; and often exhibited in 
his conduct the most ludicrous oddities. Among other anec-» 
dotes, it is related of him that )ie had tamed a bull, (to supply 
the place of a horse,) on which he used to ride into Providence 
to visit his friends. * He was also remarkable,* says Mr. Bay- 
lies, * « for his love of children.' 

* Memoirt of J^lymoulh Gofony»— which is a work of great interest— em- 
body iog a large amouot of historical information on the Old Colony. 



t9 

At a late centennial celebration in Boston, under the direc- 
tien of the Mass. His. Society, a present of apples was sent to 
their table from Cumberland, said to have grown on the trees 
which grew from the sprouts of those in Blackstone's orchard* 
Some of the trees planted by his own hands were living a hun- 
dred and forty years after they were set out. 

He left one son John Blackstone, who, it is supposed, *set« 
tied somewhere near New Haven.' Of him history says little 
or nothing. But by diligent research I have ascertained a few 
particulars. 

He was a minor when his father died, and had guardians ap- 
pointed by the Court, t He lived on his inheritance till 16^ 
when he sold his lands to David Whipple,|: and soon aft^ re- 
moved to Providence, and, for a while, contented himself with 
the humble occupation of a shoemaker. There,§ it is proba- ' 
able, he married his wife Katharine, and continued to reside 
till 1718, when he returned to Attleborough, and, with his 
wife, was legally warned out of town. ^ He is presumed to 
be the person mentioned in the records, as qo other of that 
name has been known in this part of the country. It is gen- 

t ' June let K675. Lieni. Hunt, EniigD Smith aod Mr. Dmniel Smith are 
appointed and authoriEed by the Coart to take feme present care of the es- 
tate of Mr. William Blackstone deceased, and of bis son now left by him ; 
and to see that the next Court he do propose a man to the Court to be his 
guardian ; which in case he do neglect, the Court will then- see cause to 
make choice of one for him.* — Old Col. Rec, 

« Oct. 2Tih 1675. Mr. Nathaniel Paine and Mr. Daniel Smith are ap- 
pointed and approved by the Court, to be guardians unto John Blackstone, 
the son of Mr. William Blackstone deceased.'— ifr. 

X The original Deeds, with John Blackstone^s signature, are stiJI in exis- 
tence, and are in the possession of Mr. John Whipple of Cumberlard. The 
first is dated Sept. 10th 1692. fie spells bis name BkaUon, wbieb was un- 
doabtedly, at the time, the tr«e orthography. 

f There is no record of his maritage in this to^n. 

T For what cause does not appear, but may be conjectured. He bad 
probably squandered his property, for, tradition says, he inherited but a 
•mall share of his father's prudence. 
5 



so 

erally tuppoied by historians that the family is now ezttnet.— 
B^t it is not certain, however, (though probable) that the blood 
of Blackstone ' runs not in the viens of a single human being.' 
There is some reason to believe that his son emigrated to Con- 
necticut, and settled on a neck of land, not far from New Ha- 
Ten, where, it is possible, some of his posterity may exist in 
the female line. I have been informed that there was a family 
of that name who lived there in seclusion for many years. 

His son-in-law John Stevenson came with his mother when 
the married Mr. Blackstone, being about 14 years old« and 
lived with them till their death.* He came into possession of 
a part of his father-in-law's estate, as appears by the following 
order of Plymouth Court, passed June 10th 1675, about two 
weeks after Blackstone's decease. 

* Whereas the Court is informed that one whose name is 
John Stevenson, son-in-law to Mr. William Blackstone, lata 
deceased, was very helpful to his father and mother in their 
life-time, without whom they could not have subsisted as to a 
good help and instrument thereof, and he is now left in a low 
and mean condition, and never was in any measure recom- 
pensed for his good service aforesaid, and if, (as it is said at 
least) his father-in-law engaged to his mother at his marriage 
"frith her, that he shonld be considered with a competency of 
land out of the said Blackstone^s land then lived on, which 
Itath never yet been performed ; and forasmuch as the person- 
al estate of the said William Blackstone is so small and incon- 
siderable, that he the said Stephenson cannot be relieved out 
of it ; this Court, therefore, in consideration of the premises, 
do order and dispose £fty acres of land unto the said John 
Stevenson, out of the lands of the said William Blackstone, 
and five acres of meadow, to be laid out unto him by Ensign 
Henry Smith, and Mr. Daniel Smith and Mr. Nathaniel Paine, 
according as they shall think meet, so as it may be most commo- 
dious to him or as little prejudicial to the seat of Mr. William 

• There is ao error in a short sketch of Mr. Blackstone in the Mass. His. 
Coll. where it is said that he left two ebildren , a son. * and a daughter mar- 
ried to John SUphtmon^ The latter, as already meotiened, was the soa 9IL 
in wife hf her first hnsbud. 



SI 

Blackstone as maj be. Bjr order of the Court for the Juris* 
diction of New Plymouth.'*— O/c? Col Rec: 

* The bounds of this graDt are recorded Id the Recordi of the North Par^ 
chase, Book l8t p. 47. Extracts are made for the gratification of those who 
may wish to know the situation of his lands. 

* Imp. Fifty acres of upland lying upon Patucket River, most of it upon 
the Sosth Neck, being partof that land that was left for Mr. William Black- 
stone and gratited by the Court to John Stevenson ; bounded to the east- 
ward the land of John Fitch and the Common ; westerly, Patucket River, 
and Southerly ; to the northward, the land of John Blackstone; it being 
106 rods long.' 

The five acre lot of meadow mentioned in the grant is also recorded as 
laid out by the Commissioners. 

Ist Two acres of meadow adjoining to the said lands lying in two pieces ; 
9ne piece within the former tract of land, and the other by the river side 
upon the Southernmost end of it. 

2d* * lliree acres of fresh meadow lying at the northeast comer of the 
meadow commonly known by the name of Blackstone^s Great Meadow,^ 
from a ivhite oak tree marked, and so through the breadth of the meadow to 
the Run, the Run bounding it to the northards ; westward, the meadbw of 
John Blackstone: eastward, the swamp; southward, the upland.* 

There is another tract which he probably purchased. * Fifty acres of 
npland, more or less, bounded east the land of Ensign Nich. Peck and Rob. 
Miller; north, the land of Sam. Carpenter ; west, a highway four rods wide 
(between John Blackstone^s land and this lot) and a little piece of eommoa 
land ; south, coming near John Fitches grave, to the Common. 

There is to be taken out of tjiis lot a highway 2 rods wide next to San. 
Carpenter's land to meet with the highway at the east end of said Carpeor 
ter's lot.' 

Likewise 10 acres of \ani, allowed to John Stevenson by the king's jury, 
for land for highways, taken out of his land, lying on the soutberiy side of 
Abbott^s Run, &c. 

Another record of land commences thus: * Likewise two acres of land 
that I took up adjoining to my own land, at the southerly end of it, which 
I had in exchange with my brother John Blackstone, &c» 

To gratify the curious, the boundaries of John Blackstone^s lands are ad- 
ded, by which the precise location of his father's estate may be ascertained. 

Imp, A hundred and fifty acres of upland, swamp, and meadow ground^ 
more or less, containing the West Plain (commonly so called) and land ad- 
jacent; bounded, to the northward, the land of Isaac Allen; to the soatb* 

t Often called ia the Records The Parson's MsadoiTt 



Stevenson acquired a taste for solitary life by living with 
Blackstone, and resided here, (it is believed, alone) till his 
death. There is no evidence of his ever having been married'. 
Bis time was devoted to the cultivation of his lands and the 
pleasures of hunting* He died Sept. 16th, 1695. His broth- 
et James Stevenson, of Springfield, was appointed his Admin- 
istrator; who returned an Inventory, Oct. 11th, 1695, from 
which it appears that his whole estate was valued at ^57. 5. 2.* 

This is all the account which I can find of the first settler 
within the bounds of the North Purchase, , and of those con- 
nected with him. But his name will be preserved in perpetual 
remembrance, for it is inseparably attached to that noble river 
which flows past the site of his ancient and solitary dwelling. 
His name is also transferred to a work of art— to that Canal 
which bears the wealth and produce of the interior of Massa- 
chusetts to the original abode of Roger Williams. The Valley 
of the Blackstone has become celebrated as a manufacturing 
district, and contributes, by the advantages of its water power, 
to the wealth and industry of New England. Hardly could 

ward, the land of John Stevenaon ; to the westward, Paw tucket river; to 
the eastward, the land of Joho SteTepton, the highway, and the undivided 
land ; thers ranning through its country highway to Pawtncket river, four 
rods wide* 

Li^ewiti a parcel of fresh meadow commonly known by the name of 
Blaekstone'i Meadow, being eight acres, ' bounded to the eastward, the 
meadow of John Stevenson, &c. 

jAfceunse twenty acres QM out to John Blackstone, granted to him by 
the king's jury for a way taken through his farm to PaihuketBXYert) run- 
ning 76 rods N. W. and by W. and 42 rods S. W. and by S. bounded round 
by the undivided land ; this tract lying near the new road to Dedbam. 

lAkemte two acres which he had upon exchange with his brother John 
Stevenson, adjoining to his own &rm. on the westerly side of the country 
highway, next the house $ bounded easterly by the highway, westerly his 
own farm, and southerly by a small run of water; and in consideration of 
it John Stevenson had two acres of what John Blackstone was to have al- 
lowed by the king's jury, for the highway through his land to Providence. 
JUeor4$ A. N. Furcto e, Bo9k 1, peg$ 153. 

• * His house, lands, and meadows at 150, His gun, cutlass, and cartouch 
box I0.1$.0.'&c.&fl. 



Blackttone— the lover of undistarbed lolitade— "have dreamed 
when he forsook the Peninsula of BostOD» and pitched his 
lonelj dwelling on the banks of this plaeid stream, that his 
peaceful retreat would be so soon the scene of industry and 
the abode of a numerous population, and its silence broken by 
the busy works of art ! Were his spirit permitted to revisit 
the scene of his former enjoyments-*he would be obliged to 
penetrate another wilderness— to form a new garden, and 
plant a new orchard — and to seek in a more distant region of 
the West a spot congenial to his taste.* 

The place which he chose for his residence is a truly beau- 
tiful and romantic spot— such as a recluse and a lover of na- 
ture would select. The place where his house stood is a small 
hill, the surface of which would make an acre or more ; on the 
east is a gradual ascent, but on the west it rises abruptly from 
the river to tbe height of 60 or 70 feet ; there the Blackstone 
winds gracefully at its base,f forming a slight curve at a short 
ilistance south of the hill. Its summit commands a fine view 
of the ^valley of the Blackstone' to the distance of more than a 
mile on the South. On the east is a delightful and fertile val- 
ley consisting of a few acres, which opens to the south oh the 
borders of the meadow, and is bounded on the east and north 
east by a gentle eminence^ on the top of which runs the *Men- 
don road' so often mentioned in the ancient land records. 
This valley was cultivated by the hands of Blackstone ; here 
was his orchard, where are seen the stumps of apple*trees, cut 

* Every thing in relation to Blackstone is interesting to the public ; I 
have, therefore, been minute in this dei^ription. 

It coitM never have occurred to him, who, to avoid the notice of men, 
soQght the shades of solitude, that future ages would talce so deep an inter- 
est in his history^-that he should be an object of minute research to the an- 
tiquarian-Hwid that every eironsistsoco, cNNinecled with bis life, which coqI4 
bjB rescued from the hand of oblivion, ihonld be sought out with so muoli 
svidity! 

tThe river, within forty years past, has enlarged Iti channel at this place 
and now washes the very bass of the bill, as if aUrtetsd to the $^ by a 
grateful remembrance of him who first sought its banks and loved its etream, 
and whose honored name It now bears. The margiB 0f the river wsf 
foiflMfiy three rods at least west fma the hill. 



down within a few years, which are eaid to hare grown from 
the sprouts of the first trees planted hj him. His well is still 
pointed ont, at the southern border of this valley ; though now 
filled up with moss and weeds, the pure water still bubbles up 
from its fountains. His grave is also designated, though with 
less certainty ; it is in the orchard, about two rods east from 
the foot of the hill and north of the welL The "flatstone which 
it M said, marked his grave,' is not now visible ; it ts either re- 
moved or buried under the surface. 

One Alexander, who was drowned in the river, was buried^ 
It is said, by the side of Mr. Blackstone. Is it not probable 
that his wife is also buried at the same place t 

The spot on which be lived, has returned to its originri 
state of nature. Six or seven years ago, a heavy growth of 
timber trees was cut from this hill ; and its surfaee is now 
thickly covered with young and thrifty wood. Oaks of a hun- 
dred years have grown on the garden of Blackstone ! 

The first settlement within the bounds of the present tow^ 
of Attleborough was in the neighborhood of the Baptist Meet- 
ing House, where Hatch's tavern now stands. It was commen- 
ced by Mr. John Woodcock and his sons, soon after the first 
division in 1669. Here he built a public house on the Bay 
Road ; and laid out lands to the amount of about 3i0 acres, 
which afterwards made an excellent farm. At this time and 
subsequently he took up, in several parts of the town, about 
600 acres,* part on his own shares and the rest on rights which 
he purchased of Roger Amidowne, James Redeway, Andrew 
Willett, &ic. 

His hoBse was occupied for a Garrison. It was licensed in 
1670, according to the following record. 

* July 5th 1670. John Woodcock is allowed by the Court to 
keep an Ordinary at the ten mile river (so called) which is in 
the way from Rehoboth to the Bay ; and likewise enjoined to 
keep good order, that no unruliness or ribaldry be permitted 
there.— OZd Col JRec. 

His name first appears in the Rehoboth records the 38th 4th 



•A part of this was on Bungay Biver, (wharo Bishop's shop lataly stood) 
which ha conveyed to his son JonathaOf with the iawoiin thereon standing. 



«5 

mo. 1647t when he bought the lands of Ed. Patterson. H% 
was admitted a freeman of that town, May 14th 1673. 

Woodcock was a man of some consideration in those dajs— 
his name frequently appearing in town offices and on com- 
mittees. June 2d 1691 he was chosen Deputy to the General 
Court from Rehoboth, and at several other times. He was 
shrewd, hardy, fearless and adventurous— a character just suit- 
ed to the times in which he lived, and the circumstances in 
which he was placed. 

He held Indian rights in very low estimation. On one oc- 
casion he took the liberty of paying himself a debt due to him 
frym a neighboring Indian, without the consent of the debtor, 
or the intervention of judge, jury, or sheriff— for which achieve- 
ment he received the following sentence from the Court,— an 
example of the rigid justice of the Puritans. 

* 1654. John Woodcock of Rehoboth, for going into an In- 
dian house and taking away an Indian child and some goods 
an lieu of a debt the Indian owed him, was sentenced to set in 
the stocks at'Rehoboth an hour on a Training day, and to pay 
a fine of forty shillings.' 

Old Col. Rec. Court Orders, Book Sd. 

Woqdcock had two wives ; Sarah, who died in May 1676, 
and a second one, Joanna, who survived him. He bad a large 
family of children, some if not all of whose names I have as- 
certained : (though.no record of them is preserved on the books) 
viz. John, Israil, Nathaniel (killed by the Indians) Jonathan, 
Thomas ; and at least— three daughters ; one, married to 
Thomas Esterbrook, one, to Samuel Guild, and another, Deb- 
orah, to Benj'n Onion May 24th 1683. There were two oth- 
ers of this name supposed to be children of John Woodcock, 
viz. Alice, married to Baruck Bucklin, and Mary, married to 
Jonathan Freeman. There was also a Sarah Woodcock who 
married Alexander Bolkcom. 

John Woodcock sen. died Oct. 20, 1701— having arrived at a 
very advanced age, in spite of many attempts which had been 
made by the Indians to destroy him. It is said, that after bis 
death the scars of seven bullet holes were counted on his body ! 
He was an inveterate and implacable enemy to the Indians-^ 



tbe emote of wbioh will hereafter appear in the notiee of foine 
events in Phillip's War. In encounters with theihy on sereral 
occasions, he ran immineDt risks of his life. He was foremost 
in all enterprises, the object of which was the destrnction of 
the Indians. He was a rerj useful man as a pioneer in the 
'dangers of a new settlement — being cunning in contriTance, 
and bold and ac^re in execution* 

Woodcock's Garrison* was a well known place of rendezrous 
in the great Indian War. It was one in a chain of fortifications 
extending from Boston to Rhode Island. There was one in 
Boston ; one in Dedham at Ames' corner ; Woodcock's in this 
place ; one, it is said, at Rehoboth,t now Seekonk; and anoth- 
er at Newport on the Island ; and perhaps others in the inter* 
mediate spaces. 

This stand, which is now owned and occupied by Col. Hatch* 
is the oldest in the countj of Bristol— a public house having 
been kept on the spot, without intermission, from Julj 5th 
1670, to this time June 1833— during a period of one hundred 
and sixty'three years I It is situated on the Boston and Provi- 
dence turnpike. I have been at considerable pains to ascer- 
tain the names of the several owners, in succession, and the 
times at which they purchased— some brief notices of^ which 
may be interesting to the reader. 

It was established by John Woodcock, as already related in 
1670 — the land having been laid out and cleared by him for 
the purpose. He occupied it about 23 years. 

Feb. 17th, 1693—4. John Woodcock sen. of Rehoboth, 
(with Joanna his wife) for £290 money in hand received, con- 
veys to John Devotion of * Muddy River, formerly of Boston,' 
a tract of land containing 210 acres, being * at a place com- 
monly called ten mile river by a highway called Wrentham 
lane,' d&c. * with the mansion or dwelling house, barn, and all 
other out housing and buildings (the Smith's shop only except- 

^Thifl wap probably the only house (excepting immediate neighbors') on 
the *Bay road/ between Rehoboth and Dedham— though this was then the 
main road from R. Island, Bristol and Rehoboth to Boston. 

tSituated in the centre of the Great Plains, oil the borders of which the 
first settlsnents were prineipally located. 



ii 

ed standing on the rirer ;')* also abogt 30 acres lying on N. W. 
side the country road formerly given to his son John Wood- 
cock, bounded by ten mile R. &-c. with his son's dwelling house 
and barn on the same. ' John Devotion took quiet possession 
of the same, April 9th 1694, in presence of Nathaniel Brent- 
nail, William Chaplin.'t 

Woodcock laid out the ancient Burying ground near his 
house In the above mentioned conveyance is the following 
reservation. 'Except a small parcel of at least six rods square 
or the contents thereof, for a burying place in which my wife 
and several of my children and neighbors are interred, with 
liberty for ray children and neighbors to come upon and make 
use thereof forever as occasion may be.'|: 

John Devotiou occupied the premises more than 17 years. 
He left no descendants here ; and after selling his estate re- 
moved to Wethersfield, afterwards to Suffield^ His wife's 
name was Hannah. 

July 10th 171 1. John Devotion for ^400 money paid, con- 
veys the said farm (containing 280 acres more or less) to John 
Daggett of Chilmark in Dukes County, Martha's Vineyard, 

* A^sbop now stands on the same spot. 

t In this conveyance to Devotion is the following curious item : * Also, 
all the said John Woodcock his right to, and privilege in, a house and pas- 
tuie at Wrentbam for accommodation of bis family and horses on Sabbatii 
days and other public times, as occasion may be.' 

Previous to. bis removal here, he had a house at Rehoboth' for a similar 
purpose. Seepage 13. From this and other records it appears that he and 
bis family were very attentive to public worship. 

X This is the oldest grave yard in the town,— where the first settlers are 
buried. It is situated on the easterly side of the roaJ opposite the Hotel. 
The firot interment in this plaee was that of Nathaniel Woodcock who was 
killed by the Indians in Phillip^s War, May 1676, and was buried on the 
spot where be fell, which is still pointed out in the centre of the grave yarJ. 
This cemeteiy is now in a state of dilapidation — many of the stones have 
fallen down, and the whole is going rapidly to decay. It is the duty of 
that neigbbci hood or the town, (a duty which gratitude demandij) to see 
the ground decently endoiied and the stones erected, that the few memorials 
which now exist of our early ancestry may bepreserved, 

i He bad a aoa John Devotion, a schoolmaster, living in Swansea ia 1T1#. 
6 



96 

(tte first of that name who settled in this town) with 35 acres 
on Nine mile R. (except 2 acres, the barn and orchard on it, 
410W in possession of Peolicost Blackinton.) * Also, one whole 
share in the undivided lands in Attleborough. 

April 16th 1722, John Dag^gett, for ^550, sells the same 
to Alexander Maxcy, * being his homestead, containing; 170 
acres in 2 parts on the Tea Mile R« &c. at a place called 
Moant Hope Hill.'* The said Maxcj died in about a year «f- 
ler this purchase. At the division of his estate (1730) the es- 
tablishment passed into the hands of his oldecft son Josiah Max- 
ey. After his death in 1772, (if not before) it came into the 
possession of his son Levi Maxey, who occupied it till about 
1780 when be sold it to €oL Israil Hatch the present occupant. 

The old Oarrison was torn down in 1806, and a large and 
elegant building erected on the spot, 58 by 60 feet, 3 stories 
high.f It thus appears that the first building erected on the 
place stood one hundred and thirty six years. A great part of 
the timber was said to be perfectly sound— pierced, however, 
by many a bullet received in Phillip's War. A relic of this 
house, it is said, was preserved in the archives of the Mass. 
His. Soc. 

Several families settled near Mr. Blackstone's seat soon af- 
ter, if not previous to the war. 

Another early settlement was at the Falls (so called) now 
the Falls Factories. The natural advantages of a fine fall of 
water attracted the settlers to the spot. The banks of rivers 
Were generally selected by the first occupants on account of 
the * natural meadows' which they afforded, and which were 
highly valued at a time when the face of the country was cov* 
ered with forests. 

The first person who laid out lands at the latter place (as 
near as can be ascertained from the records) was John Dag- 
^tt of IUhoboth», who, in Oct. 1677, sold 50 acres of it to his 

« Sq called to this day. 

t The original buildiog osly was taken down ;— an addition , built at 
an early period, wat moved a little baolc, where it now ttaods, ' carved o'er 
with many a long forgotten name.' A mnall remnant, one room, of the old 
Garnien may itill be leea adjoining the wood houie. 



brother Thomas Dagfgrett of Marthas Vinajard, Edward Hall* 
also at an earlj period owned 50 acres here, which he gave by 
will to his son John, and he sold it to John Stevenson and 
Samuel Penfield; the latter sold it, in 1686, to Thomas Dag- 
gett of Edgartown, and Joseph and Nathaniel Daggettt of 
Rehoboth. This was the land immediately around the Falls 
including the privilege. The first mill built there was a 'Cora 
Mill,' owned or occupied by the above named Joseph Daggett, 
at what time is not known. This was doubtless the first mill 
in town. March 30th 1703, the town voted that Jos. Daggett 
of Rehoboth have the privilege * that the stream at the Ten 
Mile River Falls shall go free of all sorts of taxes until a Corn 
mill has the constant custom of threescore families; and if a 
saw mill be built, that to bear his equal share in public charges 
in said town.' 

Thomas Butler| also laid out land near thp Mill. 

The southeast corner of the town was early inhabited by 
people from Rehoboth. The borders of the Bay Road which 
passed through the neighborhood of Newell's and the City 
were occupied by some of the first settlers. This was the 
main route from Bristol to Boston, aed was the first road in 
town. 

Proceedikigs of the Proprietors. 
The Proprietors of the Rehoboth North Purchase sooo be- 
came a distinct body from the town, and kept separate books* 
Before proceeding to other parts of the history of the town* il 
may be proper to detail some of the transactions of the Pro* 
prietors, which will throw light on our early history, and five 
a view of the difficultiies which they had to encounter m the. 
settlement. ' .. 



* [ben of Rehoboth, previoasly of Taunton. AdroUt^ed a freeman of 
Massachusetts May 2, 1698. One John Hall was admitted May U, 1634, 
and another May 6tb, 1635. Edward bad 7 children— John born before 
bis father eaine to Kehoboth,— Saauid, Jereauab, TboBMM, Prefervwl, An* 
drew, Benjamin, from 1656 to 1668. 

t The lau two were the sons pf John Daggett the first of Rehobotb. 

X There wsrs tbret of tbe nams of Butler ia town. 



40 

The Proprietors* Books commence in 1072. Prerioas to 
this their proceedini^ were recorded in the Rehoboth town 
books. A certain company (consisting of inhabitants of Reho- 
both) pnrchased* as aJreadv appears a certain tract of land of 
the Indians, through their agent, and the title was confirmed 
by the Go?ernment, * which tract was called The Rehoboth 
North Purchase. There were 82 purchasers or share-hold- 
ers, 76 of whom bad whole shares, and 6, half shares, milking 
79 whole shares, t They called meetings, (notified according 
to' law) and from time to time granted divisions of so many 
acres to a share >- which were laid out to the shareholders, by 
metes and bounds, by a committee and surveyor chosen for the 
purpose, under such regulations and instructions as were es- 
tablished by the company and were recorded by the Clerk in 
the Proprietors' Books. This constituted a valid right to the 
lands so recorded. In this way all the original titles to land in 
this town were obtained. A transfer of a share might be made 
by deed, a record of the sale being entered in the Proprietors* 
books. Or, a person might obtain a title to lands by purchas- 
ing of a proprietor a right to lay out a certain number of acres 
in a division already granted, which would be recorded to him 
in the same manner as to the original owner. 

The Grant was first made to such inhabitants of Rehoboth 
as held a fifty pounds estate and upwards, they having made 
the purchase ; but in 1670 all who were then inhabitants of 
that town were admitted as proprietors by entering their 
names, as appears by the following extract from a Court order 
passed Oct. 7th, 1670. 

* Whereas the lauds on the Northerly side of Rehoboth now 
sold by Deed and passed over to the Proprietors of that town 
(viz.) to all that hold lands there from a ^hy pounds estate 
and upwards ; yet by mutual agreement cmongU themselves all 
the inhabitants were taken in to be joint purchasers, it is de- 
termined that the names of such as were not comprehended m 
the above mentioned Deed shall be entered in their town rec- 

s No purchaie of Indian lands was valid without the grant or confirma> 
tion of the Government, 
t What eoniideraiicm wai paid for tbt pu rebate does not appear. 



41 

ords and in the poblic records of the Colony, to be, if tbej de« 
sire it, as full and equal purchasers and proprietors in those 
lands as the rest.' 

These lands were at first exempted from full taxation, *to 
accommodate the poorer sort with land and yet so as not to 
oppress them as much otherwise.* The Court ordered * that 
all the North lands, both farms and else,' should be taxed in a 
rate separate from the' town of Rehoboth, and should pay 30 
shillings in a <£40 rate to the Colony, and in the same propor- 
tion in the Ministerial and other charges, 'until the Court 
shall see cause otherwise to dispose concerning them, until 
which time they shall be and remsiin within the Constablerick 
of the township of Rehoboth.' Oct. 7, 1.670. 

The Proprietors sometimes exercised legislative powers, 
which were, however, to some extent, authorized by Statute. 

June 10th 1707. Voted^ that all who have lands laid out in 
the North Purchase and have not renewed their bounds since 
the 1st of March last, shall, between this date and the last of 
September next, renew the same, or forfeit the sum often sAt7- 
lings to he recovered as a debt due : the one half to the informer^ 
and the other half to the Proprittors, an j/ one of whom are author- 
ized to prosecute this act. 

At the same meeting it was ordered that all the timber cut 
on the undivided lands should be forthwith seized ; and a com- 
mittee was appointed to bear and determine by what right it 
was cut, and if found without good rigiit, then to take the 
methods of the law in that case provided. 

Sept. 16, 1707. Voted that the Committee with the siyvey- 
or, shall lay out all needful highways for the Proprietors 
in said Purchase, and make restitution to persons whose lands 
are taken for this purpose, in any of the undivided lands.* 

Nov. 1708. The Proprietors chose a committee to look af- 
ter the northerly bounds of their purchase. At this time com- 
menced the long and tedious contest about the northern boun- 
dary of the purchase which was the Old Colony line. The 
subject was discussed at every meeting, and committees often 

• A large proportion of the highways in thit town were Isid out by tb* 
Proprietort, tccooipeineU by the Selectmen. 



4t 

appointed to devise meani of protecting the rights of the piir<- 
chasers. Petitions were sent to the .General Court, coansel 
were employed to defend their rights ; and finally a petition 
and an agent were sent to England. 

July 21st 1714. Voted that two acres of land on the hill 
hefore Mr. Dayid Freeman's, where the Burying place now is, 
shall be laid out for a Burying place for Attieborough. This 
is the graye-yard near tlie village called the City. 

June i3th 1717. Voted unanimonsly that Col. Nath*l. 
Paine Esq. Mr. Richard Waterman, Esq. Lieut. Anthony 
Sprague, Mr. Dan. Jenks and Mr. Dan. Smith be a committee 
to see to the Northerly bounds, hereby giving them full power 
to act in all respects in behalf of the whole Propriety concern- 
ing running the line between Attieboro' Wrentham and Ded- 
ham, where it ought lawfully to be stated according to our 
purchase deed. 

July 14th 1717. The Committee were authorized to defend 
all suits of law that may foe commenced by any person or per- 
sons against the Propriety, and to empower any attorney or 
attornies that may be needful for advice ; and further to com- 
mence any action or actions that tbey may think proper for the 
benefit of the said Propriety. 

Nov. 2d 1720. Voted that the former Committee still pro- 
ceed with their Petitions, even until they send to England 
about the right of our northern line (if they cannot be heard 
in our own government), and that the expense be paid by the 
proprietors according to their several interests. 

Voted that one hundred acres of undivided land be sold to 
defray the expenses of defending the northern line, t 

Feb. 21st 1726 — 7. Voted that any person or persons who 
will sue for our rights in the land challenged by Dorchester or 
Stoughton, Wrentham and Bellingham, and to the South of 
Nath. Woodward and Solomon Saffrey's line and on the north 
of the town and all that part that lieth within their chalienge» 
shall have the fourth part of said tract of land if thej recover 

t At a subsequent meeting io 1752, the Clerk was authorised to sell to 
any of the proprietors 79jl acres of undivided land at 8 thiUingt Uup/uh 
•jf per acre. 



4S 

it to the as'e of the Propriety. Maj. Leonard Esq. Capt John 
Foster and Ensign Daniel Peck appeared in said meeting and 
accepted the offer. 

June 5, 1727. At this meeting a petition in rhyme was pre- 
sented by one Joshua Barrows,* at that time a well known ex^ 
tempore rhymster, of whose productions many specimens are 
«ttll remembered ; and of whose wit and eccentricity tradition 
has preserved numerous amusing anecdotes. He seems to 
have suffered the common fate of poets, poverty. His peti- 
tion is recorded at length in the Proprietors' books,-— which is 
transcribed merely for the amusement of the reader. 
' Your Honors now I do implore 

To read my poor petition ; 
I hope your hearts will open be 

To pity my condition. 
Ten acres of the Common Land 

I pray that you would give ; 
Then thankful I will be to you 
As long as I do live. 

Such a kindness, I must confess, 

From you I don't deserve ; 
But when in health, I freely work — 

Why should you let me starve 1 

From day to day my daily bread 

I get it by my sweat ; 
But to my sorrow, I beg and borrow 

When sickness doth me let. 
No more in rhyme here at this time. 

No more 1 have at hand, 
And so I'll end, your faithful friend 

And servant to command. 

JOSHXTA BaRHOWS.* 

Attleborough, June 5th 1727. 

The prayer of this petition our good-natured forefathers 
could not resist. ' Upon the hearing of the aforesaid petition 
of Joshua Barrows, there were sundry persons tn said meeting 

* He if laid to bavs been entirely illiterate. 



u 

which were proprietors, which ga?e him land to take up upon 
their rifj^lits — their names are as followeth, &.C.* — making ia 
the whole 13 acres, which were laid out and recorded to him. 

It appears from the report of a committee that an agent was 
actually employed in E norland to defend their boundaries. In 
their account are the followini^ items: 

Paid for sil?er money to send to England £21 17 6. 

Paid to Nath. Brown for carrying the money to 

Boston to send to England - - - £2 02 6 

To expense at Providence when both committees 
met there to wait on Gov. Jencks, and writing 
to send to England after his return from Eng- 
land, &c. &c. - - -- . - £176 

Jan. 3d 1750 — 1. Chose Col. Thomas Bowen, Maj. John 
Foster and Capt. Sam. Tyler a committee, fully empowering 
them to prepare a petition praying the General Court that 
some effectual method may be taken for the perfecting of a 
straight line* from the middle of Accord Pond (so called) 
westward to that station which is three English miles south of 
the south.ernmost part of Charles River, agreeable to a settle- 
ment made by the Government of New Plymouth and the 
Massachusetts in the year 1640. 

Sept. 26th 1751. Made choice of James Otis of Boston and 
John Foster of Attleborough, Esqrs. a committee in addition 
to Benj. Day and Nath. Smith (chosen at a former meeting) to 
present a petition about to be heard at the General Court at 

* The cause of dispute was an angle in the Old Colony Line, which it 
•aid to have originated in this way : The ComrkiissioDers, who were appoint- 
ed in 1640 by the two colonics to run the line between them, commenced 
near the shore at a rock called Round Kock in the middle of Accord Pond, 
which 18 in the line between Scituateand Cohassett, (once part of Hiiigham) 
intending to reach by a straight line the most northerly point of Plymouth 
Cyolony, on the easterly line of R. Island; but when they had arrived within 
about three miles they discovered that their course would carry them far to 
the South of the intended point. Instead of rectifying the whole line they 
made an angle and took a new cou^^e so far north as to reach the true^ 
point ! At this turn stood a large oak tree marked which was called Angle 
Tree. A larga Stone Monument hat bean' since erected on the tpot by 
Attleborough and Wrentbam. 



4S 

tbeir next seHsion, and to pursue said petition until it is fuUj 
determined by said Court ; and to petition anew if need be, to 
have the Kne settled on the northerljr part of our Purchase. 

May 19th 1752. Chose a committee and gave them full 
power to eject any person or persons out of the possession of 
those lands they ba?e possessed themseWes of, within the 
North Purchase Grant, without the consent of the Proprietors, 
as also full power to sue and pursue any action brought for the 
purpose, to final judgment and execution. 

May 27th, 1754. The committees of Rehoboth N. Purchase 
and Taunton N. Purchase entered into an agreement to com- 
mence actions of ejectment against persons who had intruded 
upon their respective purchases, the costs to be borne equally 
by the two Proprieties. 

Divisions of land in the IN. Purchase have been made among 
the Proprietors at different times, as follows : 

1. A Division of 50 acres to a share granted March 18, 1668-1^ 

2. «* of 50 acres to a share wa^ granted Feb. 18th 1684 

3. '« ** 60 acres, in 2 parts, 25 acres each, Oce. 31, 1690 



4. 


u 


" 50 acres in 2 lolments, 


1703 


5. 


c< 


«« 50 acres 


was 


granted 


Joae lOtb, ITOt 


e. 


c« 


u 50 u 


«i 


II 


July 81ft, 1714 


7. 


(C 


" 20 « 


II 


II 


Fel>.21st,17»ft~7 


8. 


<i 


« 10 " 


II 


II 


April 14th, 1736 


9. 


ft< 


II 2 ** 


II 


CI 


April 4tfa« 17M 


10. 


u 


« 3 " 


M 


•1 • 


1793 


IL 


ct 


M 2 '* 


CI 


II 


ISOl 


12. 


M 


II 1 II 


II 


II 


1890 


1% 


CC 


II 1 II 


II 


II 


fifay lOth, 1888 



The most valuable parts of this Purchase were taken up by 
these divisions many years since. A small but broken and un- 
productive remnant of this land yet remains common and undi- 
vided on Cutting's Plain (so called) oa the road from East 
Attleborough to Wrentham. 

From their records and the extracts which have been made, 
it appears that the proprietors made their own regulations, 
gave their own titles to lands, and in fact, enacted all their 
7 



46 

laws relative to the ownership and the original con?eyaDce of 
lands included in their purchases. 

Nanus of the Clerks of the Propriety. 
William Carpenter, Jr. chosen May 17th, 1682 
Daniel Smith " May 31st, 1703 

Noah Carpenter " April 23d, 1724 

John Robbins, Jr. " May 1st, 1752 

John Daggett " Dec 9th, 1763 

Ebenezer Daggett '' July Ist* 1793 and 

continued till his death March 4th, 1832. Lucas Daggett cho- 
sen May 10, 1833. 

INDIAN WAR. 

The few events, connected with this war, which occurred 
here, should not be omitted in the history of the town. 

The peaceful regions, which we now inhabit, once resound- 
ed with the shrill and terrible war-whoop of the Indian. — 
These fields and woods, these hills and vales were once trod 
by the wild hunters of the forest. They were the domains of 
another race of men, who have long since passed away and are 
known only by the brief histories and scattered relics which 
their conquerors have preserved. But whatever relates to then 
is interesting. They were distinguished by many peculiarites. 
They Jbad their savage vices, but possessed at the same tin»e 
their savage virtues. They were hardy, bold and warlike. 

The most important and critical period in the history of the 
Colony was the Indian War of 1675—6. This was a gloomy 
and fearful period to these infant settlements. The hour of 
their destruction seemed to be drawing nigh. They were a 
scattered people, — spreading over a wide extent of territory, — 
peculiarly exposed in their lives and property, to Indian depre- 
dations. The approaching contest required *all the patience, 
fortitude and courage which men are ever called to exercise. 
They had to contend against fearful odds. Nearly all the New 
England tribes^ embracing many thousand warriors, had com- 
bined for their destruction, guided by the matchless genius of 
a Chief versed in all the arts of savage warfare. It was a war 



47 

of extermitiatioti— a co;itest for victory in which there was no 
quartet— no mercj. 

In April 1676, the Indians, having Suffered several severe 
defeats in a body, adopted a new mode of warfare, and dis- 
persed themselves in small parties over the country, burning, 
killing and destroying wherever opportunity offered. Among 
Other outrages, they attacked Woodcock's Garrison, 'killed 
one man and one of Woodcock's sons, and wounded another, 
and burnt the son's house.' Some circumstances connected 
with this event appear to have been accurately preserved by 
tradition, from which and other sources are gathered the fol- 
lowing particulars. 

His sons were at work in a corn field near the house. The 
Indians, concealed in a wood * adjoining the field, approach- 
ed to its borders and fired upon them. The workmen fled to 
the Garrison, leaving the dead body on the field. The In- 
dians, to gratify their spite against the family, cut off the son's 
head, stuck it on a long pole, which they set up on a hiU at 
some distance in front of the house and in full view of the fam- 
ily, to aggravate their feelings as much as possible. From this 
time Woodcock swore never to make peace with the Indians. 
He ever after hunted thegi like wild beasts. He was a man of 
resolute and determined character ;^and tradition says, that 
not a few fell victims to his vengeance and a sacrifice to the 
manes of his murdered son. 

This attack Was in May. The body pf his son (whose name 
was Nathaniel) was buried on the spot where he fell, nearly 
in the centre of the yard which has ever since been reserf ed 
for a burying ground. 

Pierce's Fight. — This town was the scene of one of the 
most severe, bloody and fatal battles fought during the war. — 
It took piace on Sunday March 26th 1676, in that part which, 
is now Cumberland R. I. near the Blackstone River. The 
spot is still pointed out. 

The Government of Plymouth, fearing that their settlements 
would be again attacked, after so many outrages iiad been 

• Now the mendow on the east of the tHropike below the bridge. 



48 

committed ia M assachuietis, ordered out a company for their 
defence, consisting of 03 Englishmen and 20 Cape Indians,* 
under the command of Capt. Michael Pierce of Scituate. — 
He immediately marched in pursuit ef the enemy who^were^ 
supposed to be in the vicinity. He rendezvoused at the Gar« 
rison in Rehoboth on Saturday night. The next day, * having 
intelligence in his Garrison at Seaconicke that a party of the 
enemy lay near Mr. Blackstone's, he went forth with 63 Eng- 
lish and SO Cape Indians ;' and soon discovered 4 or 5 Indi- 
ans in a piece of woods who pretended to be lame and wound- 
ed, but proved to be decoys to lead the whites into ambuscade, 
for they soon discovered 500 more of the enemy. Pierce, 
though aware of their superiority of numbeis, courageously- 
pursued them, when they began to retreat slowly ; but there 
eoon appeared another company of 400 Indians, who were 
now able completely to surround him. A party of the enemy 
were stationed on the opposite side of the River to prevent the 
English crossing ) they were thus attacked in front and rear 
by an overwhelming force. Thus all chance of retreat and 
idl hope of escape was cut off. This was a most trying mo- 
ment. But there was no flinching-^no quailing. Each one 
knew that in all human probability he must die on that field, 
mod that toe under the most appalling circumstances-^by the 
hand of a merciless enemy who sought their extermination.^-* 
But bravely and nobly did they submit to their fate. Each 
one resolved to do his duty and sell his life at the dearest rate. 
At such a time the awful war-whoop of the Indian would have . 
sent a thriU of terror to the hearts of any but brave men. At 

• This account dififers in some respects from that given by Charcb who 
states that there were only 50 Whites and SO Cape Indians. I have relied, 
for the most of the particulars in this description, on a * Continued Account 
of the Bloody Indian War from March till AugU8t1l676/ now in the hands 
of Mr. 8.0. Drake, Boston. It was published in London the same years 
and oontaias a minute and apparently accurate d^ail of this battle and 
many of the other impprtant events of the war^ The worlc consists of a 
serief of letters written by a gentleman in Boston to his friend ia London, 
and published from time to time as they were received. One volume, (the 
above mentioned) containing S or i letters, has been lately discovered ;— > 
and was never reprinted in this country. 



41> 

ibtB critical ji^nctivr « Cikpi, Pierce anule an «9:oee4iiigl7 judi* 
ciouf movement* He formed bia men into a eirele» back to 
badKf with four apupea between each maa*^tbu8 enlarging the 
circle to ila greatest extent*'— prcaentiag a front to the enemj 
in every directioni and neoewaril j acattering their fire over a 
greater surface; whilst the Indiana stood in a deep oirole, one 
behind another* forming a eompact mass, and presenting a front 
where ererj shot must take effect.* He thus made a brave 
remtance for two hours* (all the while keeping the enemy at a 
diatanee and his own men in perfect order) and kept up a oon- 
Btant and destructive fire upon the Indians. But no courage or 
diill could prevail in such an unequal contest, or longer resist 
sttch a force.t At last overpowered bj numbers* Capt. Pierce 
and 55 English and 10 Cape Indians were slain on the spot, 
* which in such a cause and upon such disadvantage maj cer- 
tainly be styled the Bed of Honor.' But this victory was gain* 
ed at a great sacrifice. The Indians lost as many (not count- 
ing women and children) as in the great swamp fight at Nar« 
ragansett, which were computed at oyer 900 1 

This was the sorest defeat which the Colony of Plymouth 
suffered during the war, and caused great distress ^yexy where, 
for the numbers lost amounted to about one third of their reg<* 
ttlar force. According to Church, net a single white man re* 
turned from this bloody and fatal battle-field. 

As soon as the Rehoboth people received information of the 
dangerous situation of Capt. Pierce and his men, they des- 
patched a company to his assistance, who arrived in season only 
to perform the last offices to the dead bodies of their countrymen* 

The courage and resolution displayed on this occasion de-* 
serve commendation. These brave soldiers were entitled to 
the gratitude of the Colony, for whose defence they had thua 
sacrificed their lives. They were taken by surprisoi and com- 
l^etely surrounded by a fi>rce ten times their super ior » Pierce 

* In the wordf of the acconnt just refered to : ' Capt. Pierce east his men 
into a Ring, and foaght baek to back, and were doobfe-double distance aU In 
one ring, wbiki the Indians wera as thick as they oopld stand thirty deep.* 

t Caaoaohet, a Nnrragsosett Chief, oonuaanded in this battle. He was 
soon after taken prisoner and executed. 



50 

was a bold and adventurdus man — fear formed no part of hitf 
character. .His men partook of his courage. Thej pushed 
forward— perhaps imprudentlj— and thus Sell into the snare 
which their enemy had prepared for them. Considering the ' 
numbers engaged, it was doubtless the most warmly and close* 
\y contested of all the engagements which took place, during 
that eventful period, between the white ^and the red men. Near- 
ly 400 were killed on both sides. History has recorded, with 
applause, every feat of bravery, when performed on a more 
conspicuous station, whilst it has often overlooked the humble 
though equally meritorious exploit. It requires more true 
courage to die on such a field, with such a foe, than on the 
plains of Warterloo, amid the ' pomp and circumstance of 
glorious war.' 

The following adventure in which * Old Woodcock ' was 
engaged, is abridged from a communication in the Mass. His. 
Coll. furnished by the research of the late Dr. Mann, formerly 
of Wrentham. It rests upon the authority of tradition, but ap- 
pears to be well authenticated. 

A man by the name of Rocket, in searching for a stray 
horse, discovered a train of 42 Indians, about sunset ; from 
their appearance he suspected they intended to attack the set- 
tlement at Wrentham, the next morning,, after the men had 
dispersed to their work ; he therefore followed them, secretly, 
till they halted for the night, when he hastily returned to the 
settlement and gave notice to the inhabitants. A consultation 
was held, at which it was agreed to attack the Indians early 
the next morning. A company of 13 under the command of 
Capt. Ware, was hastily collected from Wrentham and the vi- 
cinity; who, having secured the women and children and the 
infirm in the Garrison, set out for the Indian encampment, 
where they arrived just before day light ; and were posted 
within a short distance, with orders to reserve their fire till the 
enemy began to decamp. 

Between day light and sun-rise the Indians suddenly rose 
from their resting places, when, upon a signal given, a gener- 
al discharge was made, which threw them into the utmost con- 
sternation. Some, in their confusion, while attempting to es^ 



51 

oape, leaped down a precipice of rocks from 10 to 20 feet in 
height ; some of the fugitiyes were overtaken and stain. Two 
of them, who were closely pursued, attempted to conceal them- 
selves in Mill Brook, where they were found and killed. It is 
related that one Woodcock discharged his lon^ musket called, 
in those days, a buccaneer, at a fugitive Indian, at the distance 
of 80 rods, and broke his thigh bone, and then killed him. . 

The number of Indians killed was from 20 to 24 ; and not one 
of the whites. The place, where this bold adventure occur- 
red, is in that part of the ancient Wrentham which is now 
Franklin. The large rock where the Indians were encamped^ 
is to this day, called Indian Rock. The time is not certainly 
ascertained ; but it was, without much doubt, in the Spring or 
Summer of 1676, when the Indian forces were dispersed in 
parties throughout the country. 

Nine Men's Misery. This is the name of a spot in Cum- 
berland, R. I. where nine men were slain in Phillip's war. 
This place is lysar the house of the late Eiisha Waterman, Esq. 
just north of * Camp Swamp' (so called.) The only circum- 
stances of this event which I have gathered are these : A com- 
pany of nine men were in advance of, or had strayed from 
their party for some purpose, when, they discovered a number 
of Indians near this spot, whom they immediately pursued and 
attacked, but a large number of the enemy rushed out of the 
swamp and surrounded them. The whites, placing their backs 
to a large rock near by, fought with desperation till every one 
of them was killed on the spot. The rest of their party, who 
were within hearing of their guns, hastened to their succor, 
but arrived too late to render them any assistance. Their 
bodies were buried on the spot, which is now designated by a 
large pile of stones. 

I have seen no notice of this occurrence in history ;; but as to 
the main fact there can be no doubt. The bones of these men 
were disinterred not many years ago, by some physicians (for 
anatomical purposes) and were found nearly perfect. But the 
people in the vicinity insisted upon their being restored, which 
was accordingly done. One of the slain waa ascertained to 



it 

be a Baoklin 6f Rehobotli, ffMithe retaarkable ciretmstanee 
of a set <if dduble fh>Bt teeth wbkb he was known to (lOfleess. 

The time when tliin ha|>peiied none of tnj informaAts caa 
tell \ but there i» eome reason Ibr belieTing that it wtui at or 
ahMt the time of Fleree's iight.* 

THE MINISTRY- 

The town was not able to support a preacher for several 
years after the incorporation. 

The first settled minister in this town was the Rev. Matthew 
Short. He was chosen Oct. 1st 1711, and ordained Not. 13th 
lYlS. Difficulties soon arose between him and his people, 
which (after many ineffectual attempts to reconcile them) fi- 
nallj resulted in his dismission Maj &lst, 1715. He continu- 
ed in this town onlj about four jears, liaving preached one 
year before his ordination. Of the previous or subsequent 
history of Mr. Short but little is known. He removed to Eas- 
ton and became the first settled minister of that town. 

According to the articles of agreement made with Mr. Short, 
Dec. 20th, 1711, he was to have <£50 a year for the first six 
years ; one third to be in money, and ' the other two thirds in 
grain, beef, pork, butter or cheese, any or either of them at 
current price.'t At the 7th year his salary was to be raised 
to <£60, payable as above, and there to continue until there 
should be 100 families in town capable of paying public taxes 
in the judgment of the selectmen for the time being, and then 
it was to be j^70 per annum. He was also to have the use of 
the Ministerial house and lands so long ad he should continue 
in his pastoral office. 

Mr. Short was married to Miss Margaret Freeman of Attle- 
borough, by Justice Leonard, Dec. 27th, 1711. He had two 
daughters while in this town, Anna and Judith. 

• 8eV«ml of Hie BeboboUi peopts were slain the Sfith M areii, 1676, the 
time of Pieree'« fight ; vis. John iPttch, Jr. John Reedl, Jr. Bay'smm Biidb- 
tout, John Miller, Jr. Robert Beers (an Irishnmo end then an inhabitant of 
Rehobotb) was slain the 28th March ; Nehemiah Sabin, in June following. 

t These articles were then valued as follows ; Indian corn, t shil. 6d. per 
bushel $ rye, d shil. 6d. per bushel ; pork, Jd. per lb ; beef, td. per lb : but* 
ter, 6d. per lb) and good new mUk tbeese id. per lb. 



6S 

The first meeting house was built in 1710. It was not, how* 
ever, entirely completed until 1714. - It was 30 feet square ;< 
and stood on the spot where the Hall of the Agricultural Soci- 
ety now stands.* 

A few extracts from the records detailing more particularly 
the early proceedings relative to the settlement of the first 
minister will be acceptable to the present generation. 

March 25th, 1707. * The meeting then held was for the 
choosing of a learned orthodox minister of good conversation 
to dispense the word of God to us in Attleborough ; voted to 
give Mr. Fiske a call to preach for us. Likewise a committee 
of nine was chosen to procure a minister to settle. It was 
likewise voted to empower the said committee to treat with 
the said Mr. Fiske as to his dispensing the word of God 
amongst us, and to settle him, if he may be obtained ; and if 
he may not, then any other minister that the town shall call, 
being approved by the neighboring ministers. 

May 20th, 1707. Voted to give Mr. More a call to preach 
amongst us and to settle if he may be obtained. 

June, 1707. Voted that Hezekiah Peck and Jonathan Ful- 
ler be fit committee to see and get a petition written to the 
General Court for some help towards the maintenance of a 
minister.t 

The sum of ^80 had been granted Iby the town, Nov. 22d, 
1705, towards building a minister's house, £35 of which had 
been doliected ; and on the 2d July 1707, the town voted that 
the remaining <£45 should be levied and collected. 

June 15th, 1706. The meeting then held was for the choos- 
ing of an able and orthodox minister to serve us in the work 

* At a town meeting Feb. 9tb, 1709—10, Voted to build a meeting house 
do feet square and 16 feet between joints, and to set it upon a piece of land. 
on the east side of the country road near to ibe bouse of Christopher Hall, 
and to get the timber for said house and to frame and raise it by the Ist of 
Jane next. This lot of land was given to the town for this purpose by 
Lieut. Moses Kead. 

tin ITlOthe Mile and Half was re-annexed to this town, which lestored 
Fourteen families, and enabled the people to support a preacher without oth- 
er sEisiitanGe. 

8 



54 

of the ministry in'this pince ; it was Toted that the committee 
should treat with Mr. Wiswell to dispense the word of God to 
us if he may be obtained ; if not, then with Mr. Fisher, if he 
may be obtained ; if not, then with Mr. Hunt, if be may be 
obtained ; if not, then with Mn Devotion, and if neither of 
them may be obtained, then they may treat with any other 
that shall be allowed of by the neighboring ministers, until 
they ha?e settled one in Attlebopough.* 

July 28th, 1710. Chose Mr. Ebenezer White for our minis- 
ter, if he will stay with us, if not, then Mr. Myles. Mr. White, 
it appears, did not at this time accept the invitation to settle. 
He however preached for them nearly a year- 

Oct. 9th, 1710.. Chose a committee to see to the finishing 
of the meeting house, and the 1st January next ensuing was 
the time fixed for finishing it. Voted to raise & tax of <£60 as 
a fund for said work, £S to be in money, and the rest in corn, 
rye, beef and pork, or in materials for the building. 
. Nov. 20th, 1710* Voted that the house which is built on the 
ministerial lot should be given to the first minister that shall 
serve the town seven years in the office of a minister, and so 
living and dying amongst us, then to be bis and his heirs for- 
cver.t 

Oct. 1st, 1711. At a meeting for the choice of an able or- 
thodox minister to dispense the word of God to us in Attlebo- 
rough, the town chose Mr. Matthew Short for their minister.^ 

Nov. 5, 1711. Granted a tax of £25 towards paying Mr. 
Short ; <£10 in money and the other £15 in grain, pork, beef, 
butter, cheese, at current price. 



* The inhabitants were so few (consisting of about 16 families exclusive 
of the 14 who had been annexed to Reboboth) that they were not able to 
afford a competent salary, which was probably the cause of their embarrass- 
ment In the settlement of a minister. 

t The next settled minister acquired the property of this bouse (and aico 
the ministerial farm as will sabsequently appear) by having fulfilled the 
condition of the grant. 

^ March 18, 1711—12. * Toted to build a pew for the minister in the 
meeting house, and also agreed that Mrs. Short shall have the benefit and 
privilege of sitting in the same during her abode in Attleborough. 



65 

The second minister in town was Rev. Ebenezer White.* 
He was chosen by the people July 18tb, 1715 ; ordained Oct. 
17th, 1716. He was roinister of the town 11 years; and re- 
mained here till his death> Sept. 4th, 1726. So far as appears, 
be gave general satisfaction. He married Abigail Paine, and 
had several children, Hannah, Martha, Edward, Experience, 
and Thankful ; and two others who died infants. 

Besides his regular salary Mr. White acquired a title to the 
Ministerial farm and house (so called) by having fulfilled the 
condition of the grant. 

At a meeting of the Proprietors of the N. Purchase, Sept. 
16, 1707, it was unanimously voted, * that the surveyor with 
the major part of the committee should forthwith lay out a hun- 
dred acres of land within said Purchase, which shall be the 
first settled minister's in Attleborough, that continueth to be 
their minister for the space of seven years ; said land to be 
said minister's, and his heirs' and assigns' forever.' N, P. 
Rec. 2 Book, p. S. Laid out and Recorded 1 B.p. 197, 199. 

Several other grants and gifts have been made to the town 
for the use of the ministry. . 

The Ministerial Lot (which hni^ been a subject of so much 
controversy in modern days) was granted at an adjourned 
meeting of the Proprietors held at Rehoboth June 29, 1685, 
in the words following: ' It was likewise voted and agreed up- 
on {nemine contradicente,) that a hundred acres of land be 
forthwith laid out at the Seven Mile River, where Rice Leon- 
ard's lot was, and as near adjacent as may be ; which said 
hundred acres of land perpetually to be reserved for the Mm- 
istry .' Rehoboth Town Rec, 2 B. p. 48. Bounds recorded N* 
P. Reel B. p. 197. 

The lot where the first meeting house stood was given by 
Lieut. Moses Read. 

* Oct. 16, 1712. Laid out to Lieut. Moses Read two acres of 
land by the meeting house; bounded S. the stated road; E. the 
foot of the hill ; N. the land of the heirs of Christopher Hall ; 
W. the country road. The above said land the said Lieut. 

* Son of James White of Dorehester, Ms. baptized July 12, 16^5 gradui • 
ted, Har. Col. 1703. 



66 

Read ^ave to the town of Attleborougb for public use forever 
and ordered it so to be put on record, as is attest by me 

DANIEL SMITH, Clerk.' 
R. N. P. Rec. I B, p. 302. 

Allewance for a highway through said lot, 2 B. p. 129. 

No?. Ist, 1734. Noah Carpenter, Sen. and Caleb Hall of 
Attleborougb, * in consideration of love, good will and affec* 
tion which we have and do bear towards the church and eon- 
gregation of the said Attleborougb, called by the name of the 
Presbyterian,' have given, granted, conveyed, d^c. unto them, 
their heirs and assigns forever, that is to be understood for the 
especial use, benefit and privilege of that society forever, a 
certain tract of land containing about 45 rods, where the new 
meeting house now stands, bounded by the said Carpenter's 
and the said Hall's lands and by the country road, &,c, &c. — 
R.N. P. Rec. 2 B. p. 126. 

Rev. Habijah Weld, the third minister of Attleborougb, was 
distinguished for his usefulness in the ministry, and highly re- 
spected as a man both at home and abroad. He united, to an 
uncommon degree, the affections of his people, for the long pe- 
riod of nearly 55 years during which he was their pastor. He 
was a man of talents and respectable acquirements ; and was 
extensively known. His character deserves a more particular 
notice. 

He was born in Dunstable, Mass. Sept. 2d. 1702 ; graduated 
at Cambridge University in 1723 ; and was ordained pastor of 
the first Church and Congregation in this town, Oct. 1st. 1727. 
He died May I4th, 1782, in the 80th year of his age, and the 
65tb of his ministry. The following notice of his character is 
extracted from a communication in Dr. Dwights' Travels, from 
the Hon. David Daggett, now Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court of Connecticut. 

' Mr. Weld was below the middle stature ; and in the kitter 
part of his life, corpulent. His constitution was vigorous ; and 
his mind almost singularly energetic. The stipend, which he 
received from his parishioners, consisted of an annual salary 
of two hundred and ^twenty dollars ; and the use of a parson- 
age lot, which furnished him with wood, and a little pasture.-— 



57 

With his patrimoay be purchased a farm of about 70 acres, of 
moderately good land aud a decent house. He had fifteen 
children ; ten of whom were married during his life, and one 
after his death. The remaining four died while young. This 
numerous family he educated with the means which have been 
mentioned, in a manner, superior to what is usually found in 
similar circumstances ; entertained much company in a style of 
genuine hospitality ; and was always prepared to contribute to 
the necessities of others. 

For the regulation of his domestic concerns, Mr. Weld pre- 
scribed to himself and his family a fixed system of rules, which 
- were invariably observed, and contributed not a little to the 
pleasantness and prosperity of his life. His children, labor- 
ers, and servants submitted to them with cheerfulness ; and his 
house became the seat of absolute industry, peace and good or- 
der. Breakfast was on the table precisely at six o'clock ; din- 
ner, at twelve ; and supper, at six in the evening. After sup- 
per he neither made visits himself, nor permitted any of his 
family to make them.' 

His observation of the Sabbath was peculiarly exemplary. 
He permitted no act to be done in his house on that day, ex- ' 
cept such as were acts of necessity and mercy in the stj ict 
sense. 

* Mr. Weld was naturally of a very ardent disposition. Yet 
so entirely had he acquired an ascendency over his temper, 
that a censurable, or imprudent act is not known to have been 
done by him, nor an improper word uttered. To vice and li- 
centiousness, in every form, he gave no indulgence, either in 
his conversation, or his public instructions. On the contrary, 
idleness, intemperance, profaneness, and all kinds of immoral 

conduct, were reproved by him with undeviating severity. 

His example in the practice of every virtue was such, as to cre- 
ate in all classes of men entire veneration for his character. 

It is doubtedVhetlier any person ever uttered a reproach against 
Mr. Weld. 

Nor was his piet^ less remarkable. Since the days of the 
Apostles, it is questioned whether his zeal, fidelity, and intre- 
pidity in the cause of his divine Master have been excelled.— 



58 

During the lon^ period of fi5 ^rears, he was neyer once detain- 
ed from the pulpit hj disease, nor from any otlier of his pasto- 
ral duties^ His prayers were wholly formed by himself; and 
adapted with strict propriety to the various occasions on which 
they were made. They were pertinent, solemn, and impres- 
sive. His sei'mons were written, and were usually delivered 
without variation from his notes. Yet at times he addressed 
his congregation extemporaneously in a manner eminently for- 
cible and affecting. • • • 

In his parochial visits he was accustomed to address the 
truths and duties of the gospel to the hearts and consciences of 
the family ; and never lost sight of the eternal interests of his 
congregation. And, while he administered the balm of life to 
the wounded spirit, he addressed the most solenin alarms, as 
well as the most pungent reproofs to stubborness and impiety. 

Mr. Weld continued his labors to the sabbath before his 
death, without any visible decline in his powers either of body 
or mind. On that Sabbath he preached two sermons from 
these words : "He that belie veth, and is baptised, shall be sav- 
ed ; and he that believeth not shall be damned." On the Tues- 
day following he rode in his chaise to Providence, ten miles ; 
returned about four o'clock in the afternoon ; walked into the 
house ; told his wife, that he was unwell ; requested her to op- 
en a window, as he found a difficulty in breathing ; sat down ; 
and instantly expired, of an Apoplexy. So well were his secu- 
lar concerns arranged for his departure, that the settlement of 
his estate cost less than five dollars* His excellent wife sur- 
vived him many years ; and died after she had passed the age 
of ninety, universally lamented. 

At the death of Mr. Weld, only one of his congregation was 
living, of those who assisted in his settlement. His parishion- 
ers showed their sense of the loss, which they sustained in his 
death, by an universal mourning. 

The house of this gentleman was the resoi€ of many distin- 
guished persons from Boston, Providence, and various other 
parts of New England ; and in no house were they received and 
treated with more hospitality. His manners were at once dig- 
nified and polite ; and every member of his family was courte- 



69 

0U8 and well bred. Nothing was «eeii among them' but harmo- 
ny and goodwill. 

That with sacb an income Mr. Weld could support so large 
a family, and live in so hospitable a manner, will certainly ex- 
cite not a little wonder. The explanation is found in his in- 
dustry, regularity, and exactness, in all his concerns. Every 
thing was managed in such a manner, that almost in the liter- 
al sense nothing was lost. 

' In my opinion,* adds Mr. D. ' Mr. Weld was a more strict 
observer of the divine law, and more eminently holy, than any 
man whom I ever knew.' 

Permit me to subjoin, says Dr. Dwight, that if all clergymen 
sustained the same character, and lived in the same manner, 
the world would speedily assume a new aspect, and its inhabit- 
ants, a new character." 

Mr. Weld married Mary Fox, by whom he had 15 children, 
4 sons, and 11 daughters who were married as follows : Jon- 
athan Philbrook of Boston to Dorothy Weld Aug. 7th, 1759 ; 
Rev. Oliver Noble of Newburyport to Lucy Weld, May 15th, 
1760 ; Doct. Cardee Parker of Coventry, Ct. to Mary . Weld, 
April 15th, 1762 ; Caleb Fuller of Windsor, county of Ware, 
Me. to Hannah Weld, Oct. 23, 1762 ; Rev. Ezra Weld to An- 
na. Weld, Feb. 9, 1764 ; Rev. Oakes Shaw of Barnstable to 
Elizabeth Weld, July 19, 1764; Rev. Timothy Alden of Yar- 
mouth to Sarah Weld, Nov. 22d, 1770 ; Eliphaz Day of Attle- 
boro' to Eunice Weld. 

la 1728 a new meeting house was built by the town* 

May 13, 1728. The town voted to enlarge the meeting 
house by making an addition of 20 feet to the north end. But 
in September following, a number of individuals engaged by 
subscription to advance the sum of ^234 lOj. (in addition to 
their proportion of the taxes) towards defraying the expenses 
of a new meeting house, if the town would agree to build 
anew, instead of enlarging the old. The town accordingly 
voted, Nov. 18, 1728, to build a new house, and ordered it to 
be 50 feet In length, 40 feet in breadth, and of a suitable 
heighth for one tiejr of galleries ; and that it < shall stand on a 



60 

little hill on the north side of the Pound, abottt 15 or 16 rods 
from the old meeting house.** 

The town constituted one Parish until April 7th, 1743, when 
it was divided into * two distinct and separate * Parishes or Pre- 
cincts bj an act of the Legislature. The West constituted the 
jirst^ and the East, the second Precinct. 

Extracts from the Records of the first Parish. 

Sept. 18th 1744. The sum of <£12, 145. was granted to the 
second precinct. This was probably a part of their share in 
the meeting house. 

March 27, 1777.t The salaiy of their minister, Mr. Weld, 
was <£66, 135. 4J. 

Sept. 21st, 1779. Voted to raise Rev. Mr. Weld's salary to 
9600. Paper currency was much depreciated. Sept. 29th, 
1779, Voted to double his salary for the yean 

March 28, 1780. A meeting was called 'to see if the Pre- 
cinct will apply to some one to assist Mr. Weld, in the work 
of the ministry, under his present indisposition of body,' 4*c. 
Voted that the two Deacons ^s^e that the pulpit is supplied in 
case Mr. Weld is unable to preach. 

June 3d, 1782. A meeting was held ' to see if the Precinct 
will agree to pay the funeral charges of the Rev. Mr. Weld, 
late of Attleborough, deceased.' 2d. ' To see if the Precinct 
will choose a committee to seek a supply occasioned by the 
death of our late Pastor.' 

From this time till the settlement of Mr. Wilder, in 1790, 
nearly 8 years, the parish was destitute of a settled minister. 
The people were very much divided on this subject. Many un- 

• It was voted that those parts of the town which may be hereafter set 
oflf as a precioct or towa shall have the money repaid to them, which they 
now pay towards the new meeting hpuse. 

t The last meeting, under the Provincial Government (March 17T6) was 
warned, as usual. *in the name of his Majesty the King of England,' &c. bat 
the next one, ITth Sept. following, soon after the declaration of Indepen- 
dence, was warned 4n the name of these States and in behalf of the good 
people of this Province,' &c. 



61 

successful attempts were made to settle a minister ; numerous 
candidates were called ; but the people could make no choice. 
They had been long united and harmonious under the ministry 
of Mr. Weld ; some diversity of opinion and alienation of feel- 
ing were to be expected after so long a calm. 

Aug. 27, '82. Voted to hire Rev. Mr. Morey six weeks 
longer. Oct. 30, '82. A meeting was called * to see if the 
Precinct will give Mr. Morey a call to settle in the ministry.' 
1st. • Voted to give him a call. 2d. Voted to re-consider it.' 

Feb. 26, '83. Voted to treat with a committee in secpnd 
Precinct relative to Ministerial Lands. There was a dispute 
between the two parishes for a long time in regard to their rel- 
ative rights to these lands, whijch was finally terminated, I be- 
lieve, by payment of a certain sum to the 2d parish. 

At the same meeting, voted to hire Rev. Mr. Bradford 3 
mouths. Voted to buy 100 sermons delivered by Rev. Mr. 
Thacher,* on the death of Rev. Mr. Weld. Voted to apply to 
Rev. Mr. Spalding of Killingly, Gt. to come and preach a few 
weeks.' 

Aug. 18, '83. Voted no send to the President t of Yale Col- 
lege to send us a candidate.' He accordingly sent ihem a 
young man, who it appears, was not acceptable. 

Oct. 29, '83. Voted to choose a committee to consult law- 
yer Bradford! concerning the Ministerial Lands. 

Dec. 15, '83. Rev. Mr. Britt was preaching as a candidate. 
Subsequently Rev. Mr. Avery, — then a Mr. March — Mr. Hart 
of Preston, Ct. — Mr. Damon,— Mr. Plum. 'Voted to send for 
Mr. Huntington to preach for us.' Before the arrival of Mr. ^ 
Wilder, many other names of candidates appear. So irrecon- 
cilable were the feelings, or opinions, or both, of the parish, 
that it seemed next to impossible to make a selection. So great 
was the distress of the people, amidst their divisions, that they 



* The first settled mioister of the second precinct. It was delivered be- 
fore Mr. Weld^s parishioners the Sabbath after bis death. 

f Rev. Napthali Baggett, who was a native of this town, which is the 
reason of their application to him. 

^ This Bradford was afterwards Lieut. Governar of R. Island— a raaa 
very popular at that time, in his profession. 
9 



•t lagt appointed a ' Fast on account of their present difficul- 
ties.' In this they hit upon the right expedient, for it seemed 
to have a jerj happy effect, as they soon after agreed on a 
candidate, the Rev. John Wilder, who, at a meeting, Jan. 4, 
1790, gave an answer accepting the proposals of the parish — 
which terminated their long and troublesome contest. He was 
ordained, Jan. 27th, 1790. 

Rev. John Wilder was dismissed Nov. 28th, 1822. He had 
been the settled minister of that parish upwards of 32 years. 

To him succeeded Rev. Thomas Williams, fomerly of Con- 
necticut, who was installed Sept. 29th, 1824. His connection 
with the parish was dissolved Dec. II th, 1827. 

The next settled minister was Rev» Charles J. Warren, who 
was ordained Feb. 28th, 1828, and dismissed July 8th, 1830. 

There is at present no settled minister connected with that 
church. 

The new meeting House, being the third in that society, was 
built in the summer of 1828, and dedicated Jan. Ist, 1829. 

EAST PARISH. 

This parish was divided from the other April 7th, 1743. 
about 90 years ago. 

The first meeting of the Papsh was the 6th of June succeed- 
ing. On the 20th of the same month, a meeting was called 
' to consider and see what the Parish will do in order to plac- 
ing a meeting house for the public worship of God.' This is 
the first record of au attempt to build a meeting house in this 
part of the town. At the same time a committee was chosen 
* to agree with Mr. Willis, or some other man for the present.' 
It was also * voted to choose a committee of two who should 
apply, in the first place, to Rev. Mr. Willis, and if he cannot 
be obtained, then to Mr. Read, and if he cannot be obtalaed, 
then to Mr. Peter Thacfaer.' 

At said meeting it was voted to set their Meeting House on 
the Plain * where the roads meet or cross each other.' 

It appears by the records of the next meeting that they had 
kired Mr. Thacher for a time. He was the first minister who 



si 

preached here» He commenced August f20th, 1743, but wai 
not ordained and settled till Nov. 30th, 1748, about 5 years. 

Sept. 6, 1743. 'Voted to proceed forthwith to btiild a meet- 
ing House forihe public worship of God.* The house was to 
be 35 feet square and high enough for one tier of galleries. A 
committee was chosen *to carry on the building of said house.* 
At a subsequent meeting Oct. 18, 1743, * voted to re-consider 
the vote relating to the dimensions of the meeting house, and 
to build one 45 feet long, and 35 feet wide, and high enough 
for one tier of galleries.' This was the size of the house as it 
was afterwards built. The M . House was commenced in the 
Autumn of this year, but the interior was not finished till sev- 
eral years subsequently. 

On the 1st Nov. following, the Parish made choice of Rer. 
Peter Thacher for their minister, *by a free vote ;' and agreed 
to give him, for a salary .£40, yearly, for 4 years, and at the 
end of 4 years, to give him <£50per annum, * current money ;* 
and also for a settlement <£300, / old tenor,* to be paid in 4 years, 
i. e. one quarter part each year.- 

The present Burying Gk*dund in East Attleborough was laid 
out Oct. 16, 1744, as appears by a vote of that date. * Voted to 
have a Burying Place in the Meeting House lot, and that it 
should be at the Northwesterly corner of said lot.' This piece 
of land was purchased previously by the Parish, and consisted 
of two Acres, called the *• Meeting House Lot.' 

Dec. 21st, 1747. Voted to give Mr. Thacher £600 old ten- 
or, for hi« settlement ; and also 25 cords of wood, yearly. 

Oct. 28th, 1748. Settled Mr. Thacher's salary at ^^400 per 
annum, old tenor, ' reckoning silver money at 55 shills. per 
ounce, and to rise and fall as silver shall rise and fall, so long 
as he shall continue our minister.' At the same time the Par- 
ish chose a committee to provide for the ordination of Mr. 
Thacher, which took place 30th of the next month. He con- 
tinued the pastor until Oct. 26th, 1784, when he was dismis- 
sed by vote of Parish. He had a few months previous to his 
dismission, suffered an attack of the palsy, (which rendered 
him unable to perform the duties of his station) of which h« 
died Sept. 13th, 1785, in th« 70th year of his age. He prcack 



64 

ed in this town aboal 41 jears^ww a iugfalj reipeetable and 
useful man. He was born in Middleboro', and was the son of 
Ber. Peter Thacher of that place.* Not. 3l8t, 1749, he married 
Bethiab, the oldest daughter of Obediah Carpenter, of Attlebo- 
rough ; bj whom he had 10 children, 7 sons and 3 daughters. 
Several of his descendants are living in this town. 

He published a Discourse on the death of Rev. Mr. Weld, 
which has been reprinted. A small volume of his sermons was 
also republished in 1798, bj his son, entitled, * Select Discours- 
es on Practical Subjects. 

After Mr. Thacher, and before the settlement of another 
minister, there were several preachers here. Rev. Asahel Hun- 
tington, Mr. Laughton, Mr. Farrington, ofWrentham, Mr. 
Mead, 4*c. 

The next settled minister was the Rev. Ebenezer Lazell of 
Bridgewater, (a graduate of Brown University, 1788) who was 
ordained Nov. 2l8t, 1792, and dismissed Jan. 3d 1797. He 
continued here about 4 years. 

His successor was the Rev. Nathan Hoi man, who was or- 
dained Oct. 14th, 1800, and was dismissed May 22d, 1821, 
having been settled here about 21 years. He graduated at 
Brown University in 1797. 

The present minister is the Rev. John Ferguson, formerly 
of Providence, R. I* who was ordained Feb. 27th 1822. 

A Parsonage House was built by the Parish in 1822. 

The second Meeting House in the East Precinct, was built 
in 1825. It was begun in the Spring of that year, and dedica- 
ted in December following. It cost about $6000. 

• Rev. P. Thacher* ofMiddleborougb, was born Oct. 6, 1688, graduated 
Bt Cambridge University, A. D 1706, ordained at that piece, Nov. 2, 1709 
and died April SSd, 1744, aged 56. He was the son of Rev. Peter Thacher,* 
minister of Milton, (by his wife Theodora, daughter of Rev. John Oxen- 
bridge) who was the son of Rev. 1 homes Thacher, of Boston, and was born 
BtSalem, July 18 th, 1651, 'graduated at Harvard College, 1671, ordained 
June 1st, 1681, and died Dee. 27th 1727, aged 76. 



65 



NORTH BAPTIST CHURCH. 

This church was constituted in 1769. Its existence howev* 
er, may be traced back as early as 1747. It was at first and for 
many years afterwards of the Congregational order though dif- 
fering from that denomination in some respects. ^There being, 
say the Church records, a considerable number of christians in 
this place that are dissatisfied with the Constitution of the stand- 
ing order of Churches in the land : they with some others 
formed themselves into a society to worship God according to 
His word and spirit.' Jan. .20th, 1747, the Church proceeded 
* to set apart their esteemed Brother Nathaniel Shepard by sol- 
emn ordination as their Pastor,' who was removed by death 
April 14th, 1752. 

It was from the commencement a small and feeble church, 
and continued 'through many trials and discouragements,' till 
the year 1769, when by vote the church changed their consti- 
tution ' from a Congregational to a Baptist Church in what is 
called open communion.' At this time there were 6 male 
and 4 female members who agreed in doctrine, and formed 
fellowship with Bellingham Church. Two years previous, in 
1767, the church moved Mr. Abraham Bloss from Sturbridge 
to Attleborough, who preached here till his death Sept. 16th, 
1769. 

To him succeeded Elder Job Seamans, of * Sackville, Cum- 
berland county, and Province of Nova Scotia,' now in the Prov- 
ince of New Brunswick. Mr. Seamans was born in Swansea, 
Mass. in 1748. He removed to Sackville,* New Brunswick, 
with Elder Mason's company who emigrated to that place from 
Swansea, Mass. in 1763. He there became a preacher. He 
was invited to become the pastor of the church in this town, 
and removed here. In 1779 he, in conjunction with Elder Biel 
Ledoyt, of Woodstock, Ct. was appointed by the Warren Asso- 
ciation, a Missionary to visit various parts of New Hampshire. 
In the course of the same year he returned to Attleborough, 
where he remained, till 1788. In 1787, May 10th, he request- 



* The plico WM (hen called Tantarramar by the French, and was in the 
Province of Nova Scotia .-^5etf Benedict's History » 



S6 

ed a dismifsion from the church in this place, which was reluct- 
aatlj granted in June, 1788, when he removed to New London 
N. H. where he had preached during his mission, and was set- 
tled over the new Baptist Church in that place, which he es- 
tablished at 4he same time. Here he continued till his death 
in 1830, at the advanced age of 82. 

Mr. Seamans married Sarah Easterbrooks, by whom he had, 
while here, 8 children, 4 sons and 4 daughters. 

Rev. William Williams,* who was a member of this church, 
and the respected pastor of the Baptist Society in Wrentham, 
occasionally supplied the pulpit during the vacancies which oc- 
curred after the removal of Mr. Seamans. 

Nov. 1789, Elder Abner Lewis came from New Bedford to 
Attleborough, and continued the pastor of the church until 
Sept. 1795, when he returned to New Bedford. After this Mr. 
Laben Thurber preached here till April, 1797, when he relin- 
quished the office of a religious teacher, and removed to the 
East part of the town. 

Elder James Read, who was then resident in Assonet village, 
Freetown, commenced preaching here in April, 1800, and was 
so well approved, that in December of the same year the church 
* gave him an invitation to settle, which was accepted. In Feb- 
ury following he removed to Attleborough ; and was installed 
Aug. 18th, 1801.— Sermon, by Rev. Dr. Gano, Providence ; 
charge, by Elder Pitman ; Right hand of fellowship, by Elder 
Baker. At the same time, Edward Clark was ordained as an 



* He was a celebrated instractor of yoath. He commenced a school for 
filtiDg young men for college, near bis Meeting bouse in Wrenthatn, wbicb 
be con tinned for many years witb distinguished success. He educated up. 
wards of 100 students,* the most of whom graduated at Brown University 
Many of them became distingiisbed men.— in the number of his pupi^ls were 
I>r. Maxcy, Hon. David R. Williams, formedy Governor of South Caroli- 
na, Hon. Tristam Burges, the present eloquent member of Congreto from 
B. Island, &c. 

Mr. Williams himself was educated at Eaton's Ac^dem^, N.Jersey, and 
graduated at Brown University, in 1T69, which i^as the first class in that 
institution. He married for bis second wife, Miss Titus, the daughter of 
Pea. J. Titus, of Attleborough. , 

• Beatdiet's His. Bap. 



«7 

Evangelist. Mr. Clark died April 22d, 1811, intheTSdjear 
of his age. 

Elder Read continued in the ministry here till hia death .^- 
He died Oct.^lst, 1814, in the 46th year of his age. He was 
a worthy and useful minister^ and universally reapected as a 
man. The records of the church bear ample testimony of the 
estimation in which he was held by his people. 'In the prime 
of his life and in the midst of his usefulness, the Lord, who do- 
eth all things according to his good pleasure, hath seen fit to 
remove him from the church militant to the church triumphant. 
Leaving the wife of his youth to mourn the loss of a kind hus- 
band, and three children to mourn the loss of a kind parent, 
and this church and society to mourn the loss of a faithful min- 
ister x>f the Gospel, and one whose faithful warnings will long 
be had in remembrance by many of them.' His funeral sermon 
was preached by Dr. Gano, 

April 28th, 1815. Rev. Stephen S. Nelson, who was then 
preaching in Bellingham, was invited *to take the Pastoral 
care of this church.' He was dismissed in May 1820. 

Rev. Silas Hall, of Raynham, came here in 1823, and re- 
mained four years. He was subsequently pastor of the Bap- 
tist church, in Taunton. 

Rev. William Phillips was ordained over this church Feb. 
1827, and continued its pastor two years, when he was invited 
to Providence, R. I. and was settled over the 2d Baptist church 
in that plac^. 

Rev. Jonathan E. Forbush, the present minister, was receiv- 
ed into the church and chosen pastor, April 1st, 1832. 

The first Meeting House was not finished till 1784, though 
it was erected many years previous. The present Meeting 
house was built in the spring of 1817. 

SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH. 

This church, which is now extinct, was established as early 
as 1760. Its records cannot be found. April 20th, 1789, the 
first and second Baptist churches in Attleborough met and 
agreed upon fellowship as sister cbdrches. Eld^r Elibu Dag- 



68 

^tt* was the first preacher. It is believed that he was nerer 
regularly settled here. He occasionally preached at the North 
Baptist church. 

The next preacher was Elder Elisha Carpenter. He was 
settled as early as 1780, if not before, and remained pastor of 
the Church till about I79d, when he removed to Providence, 
N. T. where he died. He was a native of this town — a son of 
Elisha Carpenter— and was born Aug. 17th, 1745. His wife 
was Anna Freeman of Attleborough. 

Soon after Elder Carpenter's removal, the church was dis- 
solved, and the members connected themselves with other 
churches in the vicinity. The meeting House was taken down 
about 1810. It stood on the south side of the road leading 
from the late Thomas Cooper's to Capt. Joseph Tiffany's. 

FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. 

The first meeting was held Aug. 17th, 1816, when the socie- 
ty was organized. It was incorporated Feb. 20th 1818, by the 
name of the * First Universalist Society in Attleborough.' 

The first minister ^as the Rev. Richard Carrique. He 
commenced preaching here in 1816 ; and was ordained Dec. 
29th, 1818. A meeting house was built in the summer of 1818, 
and dedicated Dec. 29th of the same year. It stands on the 
old Post Road, a few rods south of the first Congregational 
meeting house. Mr. Carrique was dismissed in March 1822. 

The next minister was the Rev. Robert Kilham, who com- 
menced preaching March IStfa, 1822, and was soon after in- 
stalled. He was dismissed in April 1828. 

To him succeeded the present minister the Rev. Nathaniel 
Wright, who was installed in 1828. 

•Ha warthe son of Dea. Mayhew Daggett ; his wife was Rebeccah 
Stanley, daughter of Jacob Stanley ^ one of tbe first of that name who came 
here from Topsfield. He was interred in tbe N. Burying Ground. On bis 
grave stone is tbe following inscription : * Sacred to tbe memory of Elder 
Elibu Daggett, who died August ^9tb« 1769, in the60tb year of bis age.^— 
' Sacred to tbe memory of Mrs. Rebeccah Daggett, (bis widow) who died 
September 20tb, 1799, in tbe 8dtb year of her age. 

What we l^ behind^ othtrs pouess ; 

What we gave to the pooft we earried with to.' 



69 



HEBRONVILLE CHURCH. 

This church was gathered by Rev. Thomas Williams imme- 
diately after his dismissioa from the West Parish, in Decem- 
ber, 1827. A small but neat meeting house was built at the 
same time on the line between Attleborough and Seekonk,balf 
in one town and half in the other — to which (and the neigh- 
borhood) the name of Hebron ville was given by the founder. 
Rev. Mr. Williams became its first pastor. His connection 
with this society was dissolved in April 1832. The present 
pastor is Rev. Charles Simmons. 

It appears from our records that the citizens of the town 
took an early and active part in those proceedings which final- 
ly led to independence. The spirit of the Revolution began 
to move the people as early as 1773. They began to discuss 
the origin and foundation of their rights, and to proclaim, in 
bold language, their determination to maintain them. They 
strenuously denied the claims of the mother country. This 
prepared the way for that great contest which was approach- 
ing and which soon after commenced. 

Pages might be filled wiih the spirited addresses and resolu- 
tions adopted in town meeting ; but the limits of the work will 
permit only a brief outline of the transactions of that day. 

At a town meeting Januar^r 18th, 1773, a resolute and patri- 
otic address was adopted and sent to the Committee in Bos- 
ton. It is too long to quote entire. A few extracts will afibrd 
a specimen. 

* We his Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects and freehold- 
ers of the town of Attleborough, To the Committee of Corres- 
pondence in Boston.' 

After due professions of ' honor and praise to George the 
3d, King of Great Britain,' &c., and praying that the * golden 
chance of succession by which the Protestant kings are held on 
the throne of Great Britain may never be brokent' &,c, the ad- 
dress proceeds to say, 'Our present trials are very great. A 
wise king once said that oppression maketh a wise man mad. 
W« hope not to turn maniacs, but to keep the advantage of 
10 



10 

our spirits. We will pray that all they that are Gods on earth 
will remember that they must die like men, and the lofty, tow- 
ering heads of Kin^s and Princes must be brought as low as 
the meanest subject. And here we will make a pause and en- 
quire what we have done, what disloyalty there hath been in 
IIS that hath incurred the displeasure of our Gracious Majesty, 
that could be the cause of threatening the ruining of us his 
American subjects* And to set things in a clearer light, we 
may be justly entitled to a few notes of exultation. — In the 
year 1745, when the British trumpet sounded war from, be- 
yond the seas to the Americans, — no sooner did our American 
Parliament understand the certain sound of the martial trum- 
pet but instantaneously a political convention is called, faith- 
fulness aud loyalty in every countenance* Like Babylon of 
old, one messenger runs to meet another, and one post to 
meet another to tell the whole Province that the Kingdom 
was invaded at one end. Forthwith orders are issued out to 
the Colonels, and from the Colonels to the Captains, and at 
the beat of the Drum volunteers paraded the ground like well 
harnessed soldiers with courage bold, and like the war-horse 
mocking at fear, marched with their commanders to the high 
places of Louisbourg — stormed their intrenchmuits ; made a 
discovery of their subterraneous mines and galleries; beat 
down the strong holds ; brake the jaws of the Gallic Lion, 
and made a conquest of the city to the crown of Great Brit- 
ain. And in the last war that hath been upon us, we have 
joined our British brethren, warring and fighting through seas 
of blood until we subdued the Canadian Province to the crown 
of our Sovereign Lord George the 3d. And after all this, shall 
we be conjugated, enslaved and ruined ? Fathers, provoke 
not your children to wrath lest they he discouraged on the one 
hand, and encouraged on the other. We esteem our privileges 
tantamount to our lives, and the loss, of them death in conse- 
quence; and since there is no new discovered America for us 
to flee to, we are almost ready to think that we will let go our 
ploughshares and pruning hooks to be malleated on the anvil, 
and not give up our dear-bought privileges to any Power on 
•arth. 



11 

And now in a few words'to say what our^^nvileges are and 
wherein they are violated: We think that our privileges take 
their rise merely from nature. As we emigrated from our 
mother country at our owti expense and without any charge to 
the Crown of Great Britain, our subjection to the Crown of 
Great Britain must be considered as an act of our own elec- 
tion. How far that subjection was made and in what manner 
the British government can possibly reach over the Atlantic to 
have any influence at all upon us, is known only by the stipu- 
lation between us and the king of G. Britain expressed in our 
Charter. Although it be allowed that any Plantation settled by 
the order and expense of any State remains naturally subjected 
to that State, yet that not having been the case io our departure 
from G.Britain we utterly disallowany right of government over 
us but what is expressed in the Charter. We hare no natural 
and necessary connection with the Crown in point of govern- 
ment but what springs from our own choice, and tha( choice 
can be known but by the stipulation aforesaid which both ex- 
pressetb and limiteth the subjection which was our choice.— «- 
This, we apprehend, is the true And just state of our privilege^, 
as they are interested in the present controversy. So that, 
whatever act of government is exercised contrary to, or not 
expressly provided for in the Charter, is an open infringement 
of our privileges. 

The appointment of a Governor altogether independent on 
us, and who, according to the present state of things, can be 
ynder no influence from our interest but whose personal interest 
may naturally put him to the utter overthrow of our whole in- 
terest, — we apprehend this to be an infraction of our Charter 
rights and privileges. — The appointment of Judges from 
home, if true,' or the maintenance of them independent upon 
us and dependent entirely upon the Crown, we think an in- 
fringement upon our Charter rights, and which tends to cor- 
rupt and destroy the very essence of our privileges. — The part- 
ing our money among a set of men of no use to us or the com- 
munity, without our consent, is a bold and unjust infringement 
*iipon our privileges.--^The subjecting civil cases to trial by 
Court of Admiralty instead of Juries, and espeeially the 



7« 

taking from us the right of trying capital cases in any arti- 
cles, and carrying our brethren, on suspicion of guilt, from all 
who are acquainted with their character, or who can possibly 
do them justice, and ordering them to be transported, at al- 
most infinite expense three thousand miles for trial, is a most 
barbarous, unjust, and unconstitutional affair.' 

1774. 

Sept. 12th. The town chose a committee to join with the 
committees of the other towns in this county ' to consult the 
safety and peace and prosperity thereof, as well as the whole 
government and continent, upon any emergency.' The com- 
mittee consisted of five, viz. Mr. Edward Richards, Dea. 
Eben. Lane, Capt. John Daggett, Lieut. Moses Wilmarth, and 
Mr. Elisha May. This was the fij-st committee of safety chos- 
en in this town. The practice of choosing such a committee 
wascoolinued till the close of the Revolution. 

Sept. 29th. Capt. John Daggett was chosen Representa- 
tive to the General Court at Salem ; and Dea. Eben. Lane, as 
a ' committee man ' to join tha Provincial Congress to be hold- 
en at Concord on the second Tuesday of October next. 

Dec..6th. The town established a * Superior and an Inferi- 
or Court to hear and determine controversies that have arisen 
or may arise in this town.' Five men were chosen to serve as 
Superior Judges, viz. Dea. Eben. Larce 1st. Justice, Col. 
John Daggett 2d, Capt. John Stearns 3d, Capt. Moses Wil- 
marth 4th and Doct. Bezeliel Mann 5th. Seven were ap- 
pointed Inferior Judges, viz. Mr* Edward Richards, Lieut. 
Elkonah Wilmarth, Capt. Jacob Ide, Capt. Stephen Richard- 
son, Mr. Elisha May, Capt. John Tyler, Mr. Wm. Stanley. — 
At the same time it was voted. * that we will comply with, 
stand to, and abide by the Resolves, Instructions and Direc- 
tions of the Continental and Provincial Congresses ;' and that 
* all persons who refuse to comply with them shall be treated 
as Infamous Persons.^ 

It was also voted to choose a ' committee of Inspection to in- 
quire and give notice of all persons who shall presume to make 
use of any India Tea after the first of March next.' The * af- 



78 

fair of the chest of tea at Capt. Rtchardson't was left discre- 
tionary with the Selectmen.' 

These were no half-waj measures, and were supported 
throughout with the same resolution. 

1775. 

Janj. 3d. Chose Col. John Daggett ' to represent us at the 
Congress to be holden at Cambridge on the 1st of Feby. next^ 
and to serve in that capacity until the month of May next or 
until the time fixed for the dissolution of said Congress.' At 
the same time a committee of 13 was chosen to procure ' sub- 
scriptions for the relief of the suffering poor in the town of 
Boston.'* 

May 34th. Capt. John Stearns was chosen to represent the 
town at the Provincial Congress to be held in the meeting- 
house at Watertown the 31st inst. The Committee of Corres- 
pondence, this year, were Dea. Eben. Lane, Doct. Mann, and 
Capt. Moses Wilmarth. 

July 10th. Capt. John Stearns was elected representative 
to the General Court to be held at Watertown 19th inst. 

1776. 

March 19th. The Committee of Correspondence, Inspec- 
tion and Safety were Dea. Lane, Edward Richards, Capt. S. 
Richardson, Lieut. Alexander Foster, Ens. Noah Fuller, Wm. 
Stanley, Capt. Wilmarth, Eben. Tiffany, Sam. Atherton, 
Thomas Starkey, Elkonafa Wilmarth, Nathaniel Bishop, and 
Capt. Jacob Ide. 

May 22d. Capt. John Stearns, Representative. At his re- 
quest, a committee, consisting of Capt. Elisha May, Capt. 
Stephen Richardson, Rev. Peter Thatcher, Levi Maxy, and 
Lieut. Alexander Foster, was chosen to draw up instructions 
for the Representative, who made a report, from which ex- 
tracts are given. 
Capt. John Stearns, 

Sivt — The town, reposing special confidence in your 
ability and integrity, have chosen you their representative at 

* This was on the occasion of thatting the Port of Boston by the British 
Parliament. 



74 

the Great and General Court for this year. At your request 
we take the liberty to suggest the following things to your at- 
tention as matters of great importance : 

If the Continental Congress should think it best to declare 
for Independency of Great Britain, we unanimously desire you 
for us to engage to defend them therein with our lives and for- 
tunes. * 

The fortifying aud sufficiently providing for the defence of 
all our sea-port towns, especially the Metropolis of this Colo- 
ny, is of such consequence as that parsimony or delay therein 
will be the worst of policy. We apprehend that the raising of 
soldiers for the defence of the Colony is retarded and so ren- 
dered both more chargeable and less useful, for want of suffi- 
cient Bounty to encourage enlistments ; that the raising fewer 
forces at a time than is necessary* which scatters the officers 
with whom whoever enlists will desire to be acquainted, is a 
like hindrance to a speedy raising of forces.' 

After giving some further specific instructions, the report 
concludes : ' Other things in general we refer to your wisdom 
and fidelity, unless some special difficulty should occur, in 
which case you will please take ou{ minds as occasion shall 
serve.' 

At the same time it was voted, that the selectmen should or- 
der the money out of the Treasury to pay the Minute Men 
who marched on the alarm occasioned by the battle at Bunker 
Hill. 

July 6th. Voted to raise the Bounty from £3, to <£12 for 
the soldiers this town are to furnish to go to N. York. 

1777. 

Jan. 27th. Voted to raise the Bounty for the soldiers who 



* This seems to have been cooeeived in something of that holy ardor— 
that sublime spirit of patriotism and self-devotion, which (in a few months 
after) dictated those ever memorable words in the closing sentence of the 
Declaration of Independence ;— * we pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our 
sacred honor.^ — immortal words, which sent such a thrill to the hearts of our 
countrymeo and inspired Ihem with luch an unoonquerable enthusiasm in 
the cause of frtedom ! 



75 

went to N. York ia July laet, to 940 for each man, * to such 
as will take it.' 

March 16th. The Committee of Correspondence, Inspec- 
tion and Safety, this year, were Ed. Richards, Cyrel Carpen- 
ter, Samuel Tiffany, Jr. Elisha May, and Nathan Tyler. 

April 2d. A meeting was held to see if the town will give 
some encouragement to the soldiery to enlist our proportion of 
the 15 Battallions granted by this State to join the Continental 
Army. 

A committee was chosen to report upon the subject, and al- 
so to state what is an average on the whole since the war com- 
menced, who reported, that the bounty and wages given by 
Congress and our Court, afforded a sufficient encouragement 
for the first years' service ; that for the second year the town 
allow £2 per month in addition to the wages, and the same for 
the last year. £24 in addition to the bounty instead of the ad- 
dition to their wages was offered to those who might prefer it. 

Tbe committee also reported, that the 8 months men, or 
those who went into service in consequence of Lexington bat- 
tle, have no allowance ; that the 6 weeks and 2 months men 
have no allowance; that the year's men be allowed <£L0 per 
man ; that the Dorchester men have no allowance ; that tbe 
men raised for 2 months in Sept. 1776, be allowed £7 per man ; 
that the men raised for the Northern or Canada expedition be 
allowed ^10 per man ; that the Quarter men, or those raised 
for Rowland's Ferry, be allowed £6 per man. 

May 22d. Chose Capt. John Stearns and Mr. William 
Stanley Representatives. Appointed a committee to prepare 
instructions to said Representatives, viz. Rev. Peter Thacher, 
Capt. Elisha May, Col. John Daggett, Capt. Moses Wilmarth« 
Mr. Levi Maxcy. Their report, it appears, is not recorded. 

Excused Capt. May from serving on Committee of Corres- 
pondence, S^c. — and elected Stephen Fuller in his room. Vo- 
ted to enlarge said committee, and added Zephaniah Bishop, 
Jacob Cushman, and John Sweetland. 

1778. 

Jan. 12th. A committee, consisting of Rev. Mr. Thacher, 
Capt. Elisha May, Col. Stephen Richardson, Dea. Stanley, 



76 

Capt. Caleb Richardson, Lieut. Elkaoah Wilmarth, and Mr. 
John Wilkinson, was chosen to prepare instructions to the rep- 
resentatives of the town, relative to the Articles of Confedera- 
tion. They presented a report which was accepted. It shows 
how perfectly convinced at that time our forefathers were of 
the value and importance of a firm union of the States to the 
well-being of the whole people. 

To show the sentiments of the people a, few extracts are 
given. 

*The subscribers, being chosen a committee 'to consider 
what instructions it may be proper for them to give their rep- 
resentatives relative to the Articles of Confederation and Per- 
petual Union which are proposed to the consideration of the 
^Legislatures of all the united States as the basis thereof forev- 
er,' and also 'relative to the resolves of the most Honorable 
Congress, of the 7th and 22d of November last,' having ma- 
turely considered the said Articles and resolves, do humbly of- 
fer the following to the consideration of the town on this very 
important subject : 

To Messrs. John Stearns, and William Stanley, Represen- 
tatives of the town of Attleborough, Gentlemen, We shall re- 
joice at the arrival of the happy hour when the Independent 
States of North America have a Union established upon equit- 
able terms to continue as long as the sun and moon endure. 
We are sensible of the utility and necessity of such a union to 
our present exertions and the success of them, as well as for 
the strength and flourishing condition of these States hereafter. 
We would, therefore, be as distant as possible from offering 
any thing to obstruct the speedy accomplishment of a thing so 
desirable ; yet we are constrained to desire explanation of the 
4th paragraph in the 5th Article which determines, that, in 
deciding questions in the United States in Congress assembled, 
each State shall have one vote, which, if it exclude a voice in 
Congress proportioned to the number or estate of the different 
States, we apprehend, would be very unequal and not to be by 
any means consented unto, S^c. &c. After stating specific 
objections to some other articles, the report concludes : 'With 
th« foregoing emendations and explanations, we desire you to 



77 

use jour endearors that the Delegates in Congress be impow- 
ered to ratify the aforesaid Articles of confederation and Per- 
petual union. As to the Resolres of the most Hon'ble Con- 
gress, we only observe upon the 5th and 6th Resolves, that 
the Regulating Bill formerly enacted and since repealed, though 
framed with an honest and good design, yet was, as we appre- 
hend, very injurious to the good and honest people of this 
State, and was of no use to restrain oppressors and monopoli- 
zers, but rather put an advantage of oppression into their hands, 
and was a great means of sinking the value of our money, and, 
therefore, we expect and desire you to oppose the carrying of 
the said resolutions into execution.' 

At the same meeting a committee was appointed to draft a 
Petition, which was sent to the General Court, earnestly pray- 
ing for the repeal of an Act calling in the Bills of Credit or 
State Money. In this petition the people expressed their fears 
of the consequences which would result from that Act to the 
interests of the poor, &c. 'We have waited a longtime,' say 
they, ' in hopes that you would repeal that Act without our 
troubling you with petitions ; but as we have hitherto been dis- 
appointed, we are obliged, in justice to ourselves and to our 
posterity, earnestly to pray for the speedy repeal of that Act.' 
They express their opinion that the money ought to be called 
in by degrees, as it was issued, that is, one emission at a time, 
by taxing the inhabitants of the State until the whole is with- 
drawn. 

March 17th. The Committee of Correspondence, &c. 
were Elkanah Wilmarth, Ebenezer Tiffany, and Ephraim Al- 
len Jr. 

May 12th. Voted to pay £30 to each soldier who shall en- 
list in the Continental Army to complete the number (13) re- 
quired of this town by a late Resolve of the General Court. 
Also voted to give £20 more as a bounty. 

May 2l8t. The Committee, chosen at a former meeting to 
consider the Constitution * lately submitted to the people, not 

* This was the first frame of Government sabmitted to the people of this 
State. It was framed by a Convention 17T8-9, and is commonly called the 
Jl^eeted ConslUution* 

II 



'8 

agreeing upon a report, the town appointed another eommit- 
tee of seven, ?iz. Rev. P. Thatcher, Rev. Habtjah Weld, Elder 
Job Seamans, Doct. Bezaliel Mann, CoL John Daggett, CoL 
Stephen Richardson, €apt. John Stearns, who, finally, made a 
report. The vote in town stood 61 AiBroiative, 76 Negative* 

1779. 

March 16. The Committee of Saibty were Capt. Caleb 
Richardson, John Damon, Elijah Wellman. 

Maj 18. Elisha May, Esq. was chosen representative. — 
Voted to empower our representative to vote fbr the calling 
of a Convention for the sole purpose of Araming a new Consti- 
tution. 

June 21 St. Voted to raise 13 soldiers (to serve 9 months) as 
this town'fi proportion of the 15 Battallions furnished by this 
State to fill up the Continental Army. On the question of 
having a new Constitution there were 131 votes in fkvor ; and 
none in the negative recorded. 

Aug. 2d. This town sent three members to the Conveatioa 
which formed the present Constitution of Mamachuaetts. 

* Chose Col. John Daggett, Capt. John Stearne aod Major 
Elisha May to attend the Convention* at Cambridge on the 
first of September next fbr the sole purpose of framing a new 
Constitution. 

The town then took into consideration the proceedings of 
the Convention held at Concord for regulating articles of mer- 
chandize and country produce, and voted unanimously to ac« 
cept of the doings of said Convention and to conform ourseivee 
to the proposed regulations. 

Chose Col. Stephen Richardson, Mr. Levi Maxcy, and Mr. 
Edward Richards members of the Convention to be held at 
Concord on the first Wednesday of October next. 



* This Convention met at the .Meeting House in Cambridge Sept. 1779, 
oontinned till the 7th and then adjourned to Oct. S8th ; then met and con- 
tinued till Nov. 11th and adjourned to Jan^ ^th 178(^at the Representa- 
tive's Chamber, Boston; then met and continued till March SUl and ad« 
journed to Jane 7th; then met and continued till Jane 16th when it wm 
dissolved. 



78 



1790. 

March 21 fit. The Committee of Safety were David Uich- 
ardson, Capt. Moses Wilmarth, and William Morse. 

Maj 3d. The new Constitution was referred to a commit- 
tee. 

June 14th. Voted to raise 29 soldiers, for 6 months, as this 
town's quota, to re-inforce the Continental Army, according 
to a Resolve of the General Court of June 5th 1780. They 
were to he paid by a tax on the town. 

Sept. 4th. Voted to raise .£12,000 to defray the expenses 
of the town the current year. Also voted to raise ^1400 hard 
money to pay the soldiers who may engage to serve in the 
Continental Army for three and for six months, according to 
Resolves of the General Court of June 5th, 22d and 23d. — 
Elisha May Esq. was chosen representative the two following 
years— which brings us to the close of the Revolution. There 
were no transactions of particular interest relating to the war 
during these two years. 

Military Servicbs. 

To furnish a full statement of the military services which 
the citizens of this town rendered doring the Revolutionary 
war, — to ascertain the number of soldiers who enlisted and the 
time for which they served — is not perhaps possible a| thii 
day. But some general accounts may be collected which will 
afford a tolerable view of their serviceis. 

It appears from the following anecdotes, that they were Hot 
Blow in acting up to the resolutions which they had adopted* 

In December 1774, the Committee of Safety gave notice 
that one Aldrich — a tory— who lived in Franklin, Mase. wa« 
selling British goods contrary to the resolutione of tlie General. 
Court. Col. John Daggett of this town, a determined and reso- 
lute patriot, ionmediately issued orders to the several conpanieft 
of this town to furnish a certain number of mmip who being 
collected, marched, in a bitter cold night, fof the place of Ald<« 
rich's residence, to put a stop to his business. They were 
joined on the way by volunteers from the neighboring towae* 
They arrived late at night, and surrounding his houee, ordered 



80 

him out. Ha (and his associates who had assembled to de- 
fend him) at first attempted to resist with arms, threatening to 
fire upon them from the windows ; and, assuming a tone of 
confidence, ordered them to depart. Upon this the besiegers 
were directed to point their guns towards the house. But find- 
ing that his opponents were in earnest, and that threats could 
not intimidate them, Aldrich at last came out. He was order- 
ed to pull off his hat, while in the presence of the people^s sol- 
diers ! Here, before the whole companj, he was compelled 
to enter into an engagement not to * vend any more British 
goods during the present unhappy controYersy between the 
King and his colonies.* The prisoner was then released. The 
next morning he fled to Boston, and was never after known in 
these parts. 

The captains from this town, who were engaged in this ad- 
Tenture, were Capt. S. Richardson, of the North East Compa- 
ny, Oapt. Moses Wilmarth, S. £. Companj, Capt. Jacob Ide, 
S. W. Company, Capt. Jon. Stanley, N. W. Company. 

AssoNETT Expedition. 

Information having been received from the vigilant Com- 
mittees of Safety, that the British had made a deposit of arms 
and ammunition at Assonett village, (Freetown) for the use of 
the lo/alists. Col. ^Daggett of this town on the 9th of April, 
1775, undertook an expedition for the purpose of seizing these 
arms and breaking up the combination which had been formed 
to favor the royal cause. He was accompanied by the sever- 
al companies from this town with their captains (as before 
named, except Elisha May in the room of Jon. Stanley) and 
by some of the militia from Rehoboth and other towns. How 
many others were concerned in the adventure is not known. 

They discovered 40 stands of arms and equipments in 
the possession of the tories, together with a large quan- 
tity of ammunition — the whole of which was taken by the 
patriots. All, who were suspected of favoring the British in- 
terest, were required to swear not to bear arms against their 
country. Nine staunch tories, who refused to take the oath 
of fidelity to the Colonies, were made prisoners, and put under 



8) 

the charge of the companj from East Attlehorough— and 
forthwith inarched to Taunton. Here their captors threaten- 
ed to convey them to Sullivan^s mines in Connecticut, if they 
would not comply. To avoid this alternative, they at last sub- 
mitted, and took the oath of allegiance to their country. They 
were then dismissed. 

This expedition deserves commemoration from the circum- 
stance of its having been accomplished previous to the com- 
mencement of open hostilities in any other part of the country. 
It preceded, a few days, the first scene in the great drama 
which opened on the plains of Lexington. It was appearing 
in arms (though on a comparatively small scale) against the 
royal government. The patriots expected resistance, and 
were prepared with sufficient force to meet it. 

The company of Minute Men— 60 in number— under the 
command of Capt. Jabez Ellis, Enoch Robinson, Lieutenant, 
on the day of the battle at Lexington received orders to march 
instantly to Roxbury. We sat out at night* — stopped a short 
time at Maxcy's, now Hatch's tavern — then went directly to 
Dedham — where we found two tables by the road side gener- 
ously provided with food for the soldiers who might pass that 
way, — thus arranged to prevent any unnecessary delay — we 
snatched a hasty breakfast and marched on — reached Roxbu- 
ry about day-light— and were then marched round and round 
Roxbury Meeting House, to make as much show of numbers 
as possible in view of the British. Our company remained 
there seven or eight days, and then were permitted to return 
faome.t 



* The circumstaDces are given as related to the author by one of the sar- 
vivors. 

f Of one of these soldiers an anecdote is current among the survivors of 
that day. One Henry Richardson of this town, a bold and honest but heed- 
less fellow, on bis way to Roxbury swore he would have one of the Red 
coats before he went back. On his arrival at head-quarters,— the moment 
he had opportonlty— he charged his long musket, and not thinking with 
Fallstaff, that * discretion is the better part of valor,* coolly marched down in 
front of our lower guard, and taking deliberate aim at the opposite British 
sentinel, discharged his musket, and badly wounded him, as his companions 
were seen to lead him off the ground, and his place was supplied by another. 



811 

The flame ooknpany went down to Roxbury the day of Ban- 
ker Hill battle— fltayed about a fortnight. While there a small 
party of us went round to the Cambridge side to look at the 
British, but soon the captain of a Fort called out to us, that 
we had better not go in company, for the enemy would see ua 
and fire at us ; and sure enough, in a minute or two, a eannon 
ball came whizzing along close by us— and soon after, they 
' sent us a bomb* 

May Ist 1776. A company of 64 men eulisted for 8 monthe, 
under Capt. Caleb Richardsou, in the M aseachusetts Une (so 
called) and were stationed at Roxbury. 

July 1776. Another company, principally from this town^ 
enlisted 5 mouths in the recruits called the New Le?ies, under 
Capt. Caleb Richardson, and Stephen Richardson, Lieutenant, 
both of Attleborough, in the regiment of Col. Cary of Middle- 
borough— -Brigadier Gen. Fellowes, and did duty in and 
about New York, and were at the disastrous retreat from Long 
Island, Ac* Some of the other members of this company 
were from the neighboring towns. 

Sept. 1776. Another company was raised (part from Attle- 
borough and part from Norton) under Capt. Elisha May of this 
town, in the regiment of Col. Thomas Carpenter of Rehoboth, 
and arrived at White plains before the battle. 

In Oct. 1777, A whole company from this town marched to 
Rhode Island, under Capt. Stephen Richardson, and served 
one month in Spencer's ' Secret Expedition,' so called. 



Much to bis astonishment, our hero was immediately arrested (for doing, as 
he thought, so good a service) and put under guard ; but, on the represen- 
tations of his friends, was soon after discharged without further punish- 
ment, in consideration of bis good inientions ! 

On meetings afterwards, one of his townameo, ha exclaimed, with txulta- 
tioo,--* There, I told you Td have one of them ara British rascals.^ 



• Capt. Moses Wilmarth, thon^ he bad served as a captain at boma, 
yet from a spirit of patriotism entered the service as a private soldier, In tbe 
expedition to N. York. He was afterwards promoted, and continued, much 
attached to tbe service, during the war. 

Joel Rtad of tbii tosrn (who Is now living) was woonded at N. Toik. 



aa 

Several men from this town were drafted in liM expedition 
against Ticonderoga in 1776. Served also at Saratoga. 

Some of oar wldiers enlisted for 3 years, and others daring 
the war. 

The above accounts do not inolnde the many individual en<- 
listments into the Continental army from this town» doringtha 
war. 

MiLiTM— Rhodb IsLAifn. 

The Militia in this town and the vicinity were subject to fire* 
quent drafts of men (more or less) from December 1776 until 
after the evacuation of Rhode Island* Drafts were made in 
January, February, March, May, June, Julyi and August 1777b 
and at many other tiroes. The men were stationed, the most 
of the time, at Howland's Ferry (Tiverton) and at Warwick. 

The British took possession of Rhode Island in December 
1776, and kept the surrounding country in a continual state 
of alarm. They occupied it above two years. 

General Sullivan, during his expedition to Rhode Island, 
requested the Government of Massachusetts to send him a re- 
inforcement, in consequence of the French forces having aban- 
doned him. In compliance with this request, the following 
orders were issued by the Council of this State, directing Col. 
Daggett of the 4th Regiment (including, as now, Attleborough, 
Mansfield, Norton, and Easton) to take charge of the detach- 
ment. 

'State of Massachv9ettts Bat, 

Council Chamber, Aug. ISth 1778. 

Whereas Major General Sullivan has represented to tltis 
Board that by reason of the absence of the French Troops, 
which he expected would co-operate with him. he is in press* 
ing need of a re-inforcement, therefore, 

Ordered that the following Colonels be and hereby ar» di- 
rected to detach from their respective Regiments the several 
numbers of men hereafter mentioned, and form them into 
companies of sixty eight men each including one captain, two 
subalternSf four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer and 
one fifer, and see that they be equipped, armed, and accoutred^ 



84 

aa the law directs, and order tbem to inarch immediatelj to 
the Island of Rhode Island, and there to do dutj during the 
campaign on said Island :^^Yiz. From GoL Hawes' regiment, 
one hundred and fif^j men including officers and one Major ; 
from Col. Carpenter's regiment one hundred and fifty men in- 
eluding officers ; from Col. Daggett's regiment one hundred 
and fifty men including officers and one Colonel ; from Col. 
Hathaway's regiment one hundred and fifty men including offi- 
cers and one Lieut. Colonel ; from Col. Sproat's regiment 
one hundred and fifty men including officers ; from Col. Wil- 
liams' regiment one hundred and fifty men including officers : 
And make return to the Council without loss of time. 
A true Copy. 

Attest, JOHN AVERY I>y. iSfec'y. 

In obedience to these orders a regiment (consisting of 900 
men) was formed out of the se?eral regiments above named, 
which repaired to R. Island, and served under the command 
of Col. Daggett of this town, during the remainder of the cam- 
paign. The company furnished by this town, as its quota un- 
der this levy, was commanded by Capt. Caleb Richardson. It 
was on the island at the time of the battle, and was partially 
engaged in it.* 

Col. Daggett also commanded the regiment (of which this 
town furnished a portion) from Bristol County in Spencer's 
Expedition. This regiment was supplied by alternate drafts 
from the companies in the northerly and middle parts of the 
county. 

During the occupation of the Island by the British, as before 
observed, the militia from all the towns in the vicinity were fre- 
quently called upon to defend the shore, as constant apprehen- 
sions were entertained that the enemy would attempt to land. 
Attempts were indeed often made, but as often failed. Orders 
would sometimes come for all the militia to appear at some 
place near the Island. All hands would accordingly muster 

* Two men from thif town, who had belonged to the Continental army« 
were killed in that aetlon, viz. Larned Hall and one Dyer formerly of Reho- 
both. 



8fi 

(whether hy night or day) and make all haste for the scene of 
parade. They were sometimes thus detained a week-r3 week^ 
»-and even 6 weeks at a time» On the appearance of a suffi- 
cient force the enemy would for the time relinquish their de- 
sign, and the greater part of the militia obtain leave to go 
home. But sometimes before they arrived home, orders 
would come for their immediate return. The yeomanry were 
thus often obliged to leave the plough in the furrow, the mown 
hay untouched, and the harvest rotting in the field. 

Anecdote^ of JPa^e^^e.^- While Sullivan was retreating from 
the Island, Fayette, who brought up the rear, just as he was 
leaving the field, espied a pick -axe, belonging to the Ameri- 
can army, which had been accidentally left on the ground ;— > 
he instantly went back, dismounted and pipked it up, exclaim- 
ing, in broken English, as he rode off with it on his shoulder, 
* They sha^nt have de pick^axe P 

The cannonade, (which was heavy) between the two ar- 
mies, was distinctly heard and felt in this town, and produced 
extreme anxiety in every family. 

The time of Bunker Hill battle was likewise a day of sol- 
emn feeling, and fearful expectation. The cannonade was 
distinctly heard at this distance (35 miles) and the occasion of 
it was fully recognized. It was so heavy as to shake the win- 
dows in the houses, and the plate upon the shelves. The earth 
trembled as in the heaviest thunder. The town was almost 
deserted by all able to bear arms. Women wtire in tears for 
the fate of fathers, husbands, and brothers who had gone to 
the scene of action. 

Fj^om the preceding account of the civil transactions and the 
military services of this town, it appears satisfactorily that our 
citizens furnished their full proportion to the ranks of the pat- 
riot army, and did their duty faithfully in the day of trial. 

In reviewing the proceedings in that contest which agitated 
the country previous to the commencement of the Revolution^ 
one thing struck me as worthy of remark, (though not partic- 
ularly noticed by historians) that the citizens of this State gen- 
erally—the people as a body, felt a deeper interest — took a 
more active part —and exerted a more direct influence in the 
transactions of the day than the people of any other State. — 
The whole mass of our citizens seemed to be aeting in con? 
12 



eert, animated with one spirit — and in pursuit of one object* 
Other States were indeed as zealously engaged in the great 
work, but it was rather through the Legislature or the Goir- 
ernment, than by the direct influence of the people. But the 
citizens of this State entrusted it not to a few leaders or to any 
body of men to vindicate their violated rights ; they were wil- 
ling to do their part and to bear the burden themselves. Eve* 
ry town and almost every individual felt it a duty to put forth 
an effort in the cause. 

It may be here remarked, that previous to this period, viz. 
1745, Cumberland was separated from Attleborougb, by Roy- 
al Charter, and annexed to Rhode Island.* 



• The new boondariei established by this charter took from Maisacbusettf 
and aoDexed to Rhode Island a fine tract of land iocludiog all Briptol coun. 
ty, B. I. Tiverton, Newport county, and CumberlaQd, Providence county. 
Cumberland comprised nearly half of the original town. Its area is about 28 
square miles ; and, taken together il an excellent tract of land. It is good 
for grain, and orcharding, and especially for grass which is cut in graai 
abundance. Some parts of the town, however, are light and sandy. 
. It was incorporated in lTi6. It was previously called Att)eboreugh 
Gore. It is well adapted to manufacturing porposeSt having three streams, 
Abbott's Run, Mill and Peter^s Rivers, besides the Blackstone which is its 
vrestern boundary. A few years ago it had eight cotton manufacturing es- 
tablishments, running 5524 spindles ; one woollen factory ; two clotliier'f 
works; six grain mills; nineteen shops for botlding boats, in which are 
made annually about TOO boats, which are worth from 20 to 70 dollars each. 
It had besides. 1 nail factory, 1 marble mill, 306 dwelliag houses, $9Q elec- 
tors, 5 companies of militia, 1 rifle corps, and part of a company df cavalry. 
Its population, in 1810, was 2,110. But the town has since materially i^i- 
creased In population and amount of business. 

It had four religious societies, two Baptists', one Methodist, and ooa 
CUidcer. Taxable prcperty in 1815 was 528,220 dollan. 



91 



GENEALOGY. 

A brief genealogy of seme of the earliest settlers in the town 
is annexed, which is intended to include, so far as I have been 
able to ascertain, the names of those who came into town pre- 
vious to 1730, with the names of their children of the first gen- 
eration, (space not permitting me to extend it any farther) and 
also the previous place of their settlement when known. This 
will not contain the names of many who have all either re- 
moved from town or whose families have become extinct* — 
These sketches must necessarily be imperfect, from the defects 
in the records and the general neglect of most families to pre- 
serve any knowledge of their remote ancestry. The discovery 
of many of these facts connected with the history of our an- 
cestors, has been the result of fortunate accident. 

Many of the first proprietors (who belonged to Rehoboth) or 
their descendants became the occupants of the lands which 
they had purchased. But in process of tin^e the cheapness of 
the land invited many emigrants from various parts of the col- 
onies of Massachusetts and Plymouth who either beeame share 
holders or purchased Rights.* 



Allen, Nehemiah, Bon of Isaac Allen 1st of Rehoboth^ marri- 
ed Anne Wilmarth, daughter of Thomas Wilmartli2d, of that 
town, came to Attleborough about 1710. He hmS children,, 
viz. Isaac, John, Nehemiah, Daniel, Anne, who were born be-; 
tween the years 1711 and 1726. 

AtwelU Richard^ married Sarah Bolkcom (daughter of Alex- 
ander Bolkcom) had 5 children by her,, Sarah, Amos, Anne» 
Richard, Ichabod, 1728 — 1739. His second wife was Mary 
Lawrence, by whom he had one son, William, born 1741* 

Barrows^ Benqjak, ancestor of all of that name in this town. 
He came here about 1708 from Rehoboth where he had resided 
for a short time. His wife was Lydia Bucklin daughter of Jo** 
seph Bucklin one of the early settlers of that town^had 9 
children, John born in Rehoboth 1707; Deborah b. 1711; 
Joseph, 1713 ; Nehemiah 1715; Benjamin March 1717-18; 

* Usttftlly new coiners, if they could not parehate a $hare in the Undivi« 
ded lattds, bought a r^gft/ to lay oat a definite number ot acres in a divition 
■liieady (granted* 



Elijah March 1719*20; Ljdia 1723; Ichahod 1724. He 
died Jan. 5, 1754. 

BtackintoHi Peniicostt the anceitor of all the Blackinf^ons 
in town, came to Attlehoroogh preTioos to 1702 — from what 
place if not known. Hit wife's name was Mary. He had at 
least 4 children, Penticost, Mary, Benjamin, who came with 
him, and Hepsibeth who was born here Dec. 1702; and John 
and Penelope twins b. 1705 and both died 1706. Penticost 
the 1st died Sept. 24, 1715. His son Penticost married Re* 
beccah Figgett^had 8 children, Penticost, b. 1716; Rebec- 
cah b. 1717 ; George b. 1720; Anne b. 1722 ; Mary b. 1724 ; 
John b. 1727; Othniel b. 1729; Peter b. 1731. 

Blanding^ Obtdiak^ came from Rehoboth, son of William 
Blanding 1st of that name in Rehoboth, — married Elizabeth 
Weeks,»had 5 children, Ephraim, Samuel, Obediah, Eliza- 
beth, Mehitabel, 1919 — 1727. Several others afterwards came 
here from that town, descendants of William 1st. viz. Daniel, 
Noah, Lamack, &c. 

Bishop WiUiam^ appears to be the first, came from Beverly 
or Salem about 1703. His wife's name was Dorothy. He 
had 8 children, Edward, Elizabeth, William, Martha, Rebec- 
ca, Baily, Dorothy, John, 1701 — 1715. His second wife was 
Tabitha Hadley, married 1719. 

There were several others of this name, some of them, per- 
haps, brothers of the above, viz. Daniel, (who married Eliza- 
beth Brown 1734) Samuel (married Mary .) Joseph (mar- 
ried Miriam Hodges) Thomas who married < Sarah Hobel of 
Pequonick ' and had one daughter born in New Brookfield 
N.Y.1744. 

Bolkcom^ Alexander f the Ist, who came to A ttleborough, pre- 
vious to 1692 ; from whom all in town are descended. He 
married Sarah Woodcock, daughter of John Woodcock sen. 
and had 7 children, William b. Sept. 3, 1C92 ; Katharine b. 
Feb. 7, 1694; Alexander b. April 4, 1696; Johnb. April 29, 
1699 ; Baruck b. June 12, 1702; Sarah b. Feb. 8, 1703-4 : Jo- 
seph b. Feb. 23, 1705-6. 

He died Jan. 31, 1727-8. His son William married Mary 
Tyler, Oct* 3, 1713 ; Alexander xxk^d. Martha Obinton, May 
M, 1725 ; Banick m. Patience Blake; John m'd. Mary Grover, 
by whom he had 5 children, and afterward, Sarah Grover, by 



89 

yfhom he had 8 chOdren ; Joseph m'd* Mary Parminter, March 
21, 1733-4. 

Catron, Banfieldt was the first of that name who came to 
this country. From him all the Gaprons in this vicinity are 
descended. The name of his first wife was Elizabeth. His 
children were Banfield, Joseph, Elizabeth Banfield, b. Oct. 22^ 
1664, Edward, John, Jontithan, b. March 10, 1705-6, Sarah 
b. March 11, 1708-9. 

His wife Elizabeth died March 10, 1735. He married Dec. 
16, 1735, Mrs. Sarah Daggett (relict of Dea. John Daggett) and 
died Aug. 25, 1752, at a very advanced age. He settled where 
the late Joab Daggett lived, and laid out the lands there. Tra- 
dition says, he came to this country alone when he was quite a 
lad, as a cabin-boy, to seek his own fortune. 

Carpenter^ Josiah, Noah, William, Obediah, 4*c. came to At- 
tleborough from Rehoboth, and were all descendants of Sam- 
uel and William Carpenter, two of the earliest of that name in 
Rehoboth. William Carpenter was admitted an inhabitant of 
that town March 28, 1645. He was admitted a freeman of 
Massachusetts, May 13, 1640. 

Noah was the sonof William of Rehoboth, b. March 28, 1672 
married Sarah Johnson, Dec. 3, 1700 — by whom he had 13 
children, Noah, Miriam, Sarah, Stephen, Asa, Mary (born in 
Rehoboth) Margaret, Simon (died infant) Isaiah, Simon, 
Martha, Elisha, Amy. He married Ruth Follet, May 1727, 
by whom he had one daughter, b. May 1728. 

Clafiin^ (formerly Mc*Glaflin*) AntipaSf came here from 
Sudbury, Mass. had 3 children after his arrival in this town, 
Tiz. Hepzebeth, b.Nov. 17, 1717; Antipas and Ebenezer, 
twins, b. Feb. 8, 1720-21. His wife's name was Sarah. Oth- 
er sons probably came with him, Noah, Phinehas, &c. 

Cuitingt the first and only one of this name, who came here, 
was Aaron. His son Aaron, Jr. married Ruth Pratt, 1749, 
(who died July 26, 1753) and for hia second wife, Sarah Tuck- 
er, by both of whom he had 9 children. 

Daggett, John, ancestor of all the Daggetts here and in Con* 
came to Attleboro* from Chilmark, Marthas' Vineyard, about 

* SooietimM ipelt Medothlin, and in one place, (R. N. P. Ree. p. 586) 
Maek Cleaulao— a proof of the variation wliioh oames underge in tlie couria 
of a few |;eaeratk>nf. Tradition wys the family originated in Scotland. 



so 

1709, with hit wife Sarah^ and 9 childreot 4 sons and 5 da»gb« 
ters, Tiz. Mayhew, Ebeoezer, Thomas, Napthali, Abigail, (who 
m*d. Ebenezer Guild, Oct. 13, 1714) Jaoe, (m'd. Caleb Hall, 
Not. 9, 1721) Zilpfaa, (m'd. Ni^haiitel Robinson, Jalj ]8» 
1721) Patience, (m'd. Noah Robinson, Oct, 4, 1729) Marj^ 
(m'd. John Titus, Jan. 18, 1727-8) all of Attleborougb. 
IS Ebenezer married Mary Blackiotoov (daughier of Penticost 
the 1st) Nov. 9, 1721 ; Majhew married Joanna Biven, (of 
Deerfield, Mass.) Oct. 11, 1709; Thomas married Sarah Stan- 
ley, (daughter of Stanley) March 21, 1722-3.* 

Datfi 8amueli appears to be the first-^came from Rehoboth. 
His wife was Priscilla.«-He had sereral children, Samuel, Ed- 
ward, b. June 9, 1705 ; John, b. Sept. 29, 1708 ; PriseiUa, b. 
Nor. 22, 1711 ; Benjamin, b. (in Attleborougb) April 28, 1720; 
and perhaps others. 

One Robert Day was admitted freeman of Massachusetts, 
May 6, 1635; and Ralph Day, May 1645. 

Foster, John, came from Dorchester about #1712,'— married 
Margaret Ware— had 13 children, John, b. 1706 ; Robert, b* 
1707 ; Ebenezer, b. 1709, (these three b. in Dorchester) Mar- 
garet, b. (in Wrentham) 1712 ; Benjamin, b. 1714 ; Jonathan, 
b\ 1715 ; Sarali, b. 1718 ; Timothy, b. 1720; Nathan, b. 1722 ; 
Esther, b. 1724 ; Michael, b. 1725; (and died 1726) Michael, 
b. 1727 ; Mary, b. 1729. 

Foster, Alexander, (another who came to town) whose wife'a 
name was Suanna,— had 6 children, Elizabeth, Sarah, Alexw 
ander, Edward, Suan'na, Jane — from 1734 to 1746. 

Freemmi, D avid aud Jonathan, inhabitants of Rehoboth, came 
to Attleborottgh — probably the ancestors of all the Freemana 
ih this town. The name of David's wife was Mary. Some of 

*By recent research I am able to trace this family still farther back : and 
give the result for the information of numerous descendants here & elsewhere. 

John tbelstof AttleboFOUgh, was the sou of Thomas Daggett^ Esq. of 
Bdgartown, who married Hannah, the oldastdavghterof Gon Maybew^ 
and was brother to Thomas, Samuel, Joshua, Iirail, Mercy. 

Thomas the father (who was brother of John the first of Rehoboth) is 
fupposed to be the sou of John Daggett, the first, who came to this country 
in 1630, and was settled in Watertown 1642, and probably removed to- 
Iftarthaa' Vineyard with Gov. Mayhew, when he settled the Island, in 
1644. There is reason to believe that Jobn the first of W&tsrtown bad a 
brother Thomas who caoi^ to New England. 



91 

bis children were Ebenezer, b. April 18, 1684 ; Hannah, b. 
April 34, 1686 ; Margaret, b. Feb. 9. 1688-9. 

JoDathan's children were William, Marj, Jonathan, Mercy, 
Samuel, Anne, David, 1600—1704. 

French^ John, son of John French 1st of Rehoboth,— came 
from that town about 1710— married Martha Williams— had 
'^ve children, John (b. in Reboboth) Ephraim and Martha 
twins (died infants) Hannah, Samuel, 1709 — 1714. His 2d 
wife was Abigail White, married May 23, 1728, by whom he 
had 2 children, John b. 1729, Thomas b. 1730. 

Thomas brother of the proceeding, also came from Reho- 
both — married Mary Brown, Jan. 5, 1720-1, — had 6 children, 
Thomas, Christopher, Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth^ Bridget, Sa- 
rah, Hannah, 1722—1736. 

Fuller. Thii name is numerous. The first are not all 
known. One was John — whose children were Ithaman, Abi- 
gail, John, Jeduthan, Abial, Joanna, 1702 — 1719. His 2d 
wife was Mary Follet— had 1 daughter Sarah b. 1721. 

Jonathan Fuller was an early settler of Reboboth. Robert 
and William Fuller admitted freemen Mass. 2d June 1641. 

Guilds Ebenezer, came from Dedham— -married Abigail Dag- 
gett (daughter of Dea. John Daggett Isi) 12th Oct. 1714 ; had 
aeveral children, Joseph, Naphtali, Ebenezer, 1716 — 1722.— 
John and Benjamin also came with him. 

Hall. Edward and John came from England — soon to 

Taunton — thence to Reboboth. Ephraimf son of John, came 

. to Attleborough. John was admitted fr. Mass. 14th May 1634 ; 

Edward, 2d May, 1638. John married Mary Newell of Roz- 

bnry, 18th Nor. 1684. Edward died 27tb Not. 1670. 

Christopher Hall also came to Attleborough — had two sons, 
Caleb and Joshua. 

Idcy Nichohii^ Lieut, (son of Nicholas 1st of Reboboth, who 
was there a» as early as Apr. 9, 1645) was born Nov. 1654 ; 
married Mary Ormsby, Dec. 27, 1628 ; hnd 7 children, Na- 
thaniel, Jacob, Martha, Patience, John, Benjamin, 1678 — 
1693— all born in Reboboth. Nicholas (by his 2d wife Eliza) 
b. in Attleborough July 25, 1697. Nicholas sen. died 5th 
:^une 1723. Nath died 14th March 1702-3. 

Jacob (2d son) married Sarah Ferry. His children were 
Sarah, b. Dec. 13^ 1712 ; Jacob, Sept. 26, 1723. 



9S 

John (3d fofi) married Mehetable Robinson May 14, 1719 
—had 4 children, Sarah, John, Benjamin, Amos, 1720^1729. 

Ingraham^ JosephtBef^amin^ Jeremiah, £Sl§ah,deBcendsLnta of 
Benjamin, and of Jarrett whose name is on the list of Purchas- 
ers, came from Rehoboth. Joseph married Mary Shepardson. 

Elijcih married Sarah Ide-*had 8 children, Elijah, Jabez, 
Sarah and William twins, Bettj, Remember, Comfort, Jere- 
miah, 1734-1746. 

Maxcy, Alezandert* came from Gloucester, Mass. with his 
family, about 1721,— settled on John Woodcock's farm and 
continued the public bouse. His wife's name was Abigail.*— 
He died Sept. 20, 1723. His children were Alexander (who 
died April 2, 1724) Joseph, Josiah, Abigail, (who married Ja- 
cob Hascall of Gloucester) Mary (who married Wm. Ware 
May 4, 1726) Esther (who married Nehemiah Ward Dec. 3d 
1728) and Benjamin. 

Josiah married Mary Ererett daughter of Joshua Everett, 
had 11 children. His 2d son Levi (whose wife was Ruth daugh- 
ter of Jacob Newell) was the father of Jonathan, Milton, and 
Virgil, graduates of Brown University — eminent in literary and 
professional life. Levi, another son, who possessed superior 
talents though not liberally educated — died at the South. 

Martin f John, Robert, and Timothy, came from Rehoboth.-^ 
Timothy married Mary, daughter of John Fuller, then of Re- 
hoboth, afterwards of Attleborough,-— had three children, Tim- 
othy, Sarah, Abel. 

Three of this name were admitted freemen Massachusetts, 
Thomas, Martin, 22d May, 1639 ; John and Robert 13th May, 
1640; John settled in Rehoboth. 

Moore, Alexander, married Alice Chaffee— had 8 children, 
Samuel, Comfort, Jane, Betsey, Esther, Alice, Kate, Hannah. 

Newell, Jacob, came here from Roxbury or Dorchester, about 
1715, bringing with him his family of several sons, Jacob, Jo- 
seph, Ephraim, &c. Jason b. here, Dec. 12, 1717. His wife's 
name was Joyce. He settled near the first M.-House, and 
bought a part of Willett's farm, and, according to tradition, 
distributed it among his 7 sons, which still remains in 7 divis- 
ions. 



* It is said that a brother eamb with him to this country, and settled in 
ont of the Soathera States. 



F0cik,flbiBe*f#ft,1[iotiof1fiefaoIaiPeek, oflt<liolioth) came 
to Atttelybrottgh about 1700, with his family — married Debo- 
ffwh Cooper, of the former place-— had 7 children, Deborah, Ju- 
dith, Hannah, Hezekiah, Rachel, b. in Rehoboth ; Petronellat 
^rtheoah, 1687—1711. 

Strerai other Pecks came here from Rehoboth, viz. John an4 
Eitsfaa, brothers of flezekiah ; Danid and lehabod, sons of 
Jathniel who was the son of Joseph 1st.* 

Read^ Daniel, came to Rehoboth about 1716, with five chil- 
dren, Beriah, lehabod, Hannah, Abigail, Esther, Daniel (died 
infant) 1707—1713. His first wife was Elizabeth Bosworth ; 
his seeoad was Eltz. Ide hj whom he had eight children, Dan- 
iel, Noah, Ehz. Sam. Abigail, Racheil,*Benj. Thankful, 1716 
~1784.t 

At least two other Reads came here from 'Rehoboth, Moses[, 
and Ezra. Those of this name have been very aumeroua in 
this town* 



» Be oame to Rehoboth Ccom Biiig^ap, ^pp. fnifjl RrMpibljr ^ (bfi |teS 
from HiDgham, BDglaii4. 

Mr. Josepll Peck and Mr. Robert PecJ^ were admilt^ frttepotj^i^, B^iaif. 
18th March 16dS~9. Robert was ordained teficber i|t Hin^baoi dth No^. 
H8$ ; and HfTtfaOct 1641, reioraed to fiogland witb bis family. Josepb^p 
same appean on the Rehoboth records April 9, 1645. On fais way irom 
JHogbam the following aeoident befel bim, 

1645. L 2^. 'AnotltiMrilraasp upcvlwit 4ifippeotd:tqr f6ae.«b(iiiiihb ikam^ 
One Mr. Peck and tbree otbersof Hiogham, being about wi(|i5)^l|eu {Qj^ 
move to Seacoiik,(wtiich was (H>qfiMi<>ed by th^ ^Coffl[i|K^i.9i|^ of.ibe . United 
Colonies to belong to Plymoiitb,) Ti4ing tbitber, t)iey *f bel.U^^d tl^qo^^v^^ 
and their horses in an Indian wigwam, wbich by «ome occasion topk fira 
and <aHbough they were all four in it, and labored tb their utmost, jkc) 
hanit thi^ of their faarses to death, aed all their ^oods to the value of 50 
IIQiiadA.' 

0(ie ^hn -iBtfik P9$ jo WaW^ m car^ HP JlPlh ttfrsh* M5. iff^U 
Jow.n. £16.) 

NWiolas, J^hn, Jos^!;. Jr. Jicecpppoe^ tobe,f9HI»V.H^.^(9«fVtti« V^ho 
with hifn ,V> R^bpbotb ; if this Bpj[|^i!i(ioa he 4ru|$, thep ^11 of the 
I ace descended from him « 



t Thomas Read, admitted freeman, Mass. April 1, 1634; John, IdtlrMaf 
iM^I Wmtam, 44vh 0ec. 1668 ; Dsdras, td ilnoe, 1641. dobn and Thom- 
as (perhaps SODS 'Of iSobit) settled in Rehoboth, and uere the ancestors <lf 
thft^MMMMw-pfOgMiy of Ree^ in tiist town ead JctttelNirM^ 

18 



H 

Rkhard$^ Edward and Nathan oame from Dedhcm. From 
them are descended those of that name in this town* Tho 
first in Dediiam was Edward who was admitted freeman 164i« 
(WarthingtorCs His, Bed.) 

Richardson^ Stephen^ John^ WxUiam^ Sethf brothers, came to 
Attleborouf b. Seth married Mary Brown. His children were 
Stephen, Seth, (died.) Mary, Abigail, Savab» Seth, Phebe, 1714 
—1725. 

Several others also came to this town, Timothy, Francis^DC* 
Ezekiel Richardson, freeman, Mass. ISth May, 1631 ; Samuel, 
2d May, 1638. 

i2«6tn50ft.— Six of this name came io Attleborough from Re- 
boboth, viz. Nathl. Neah, John, Timothy, Samuel, Ebenezer.* 

Nathanielt married Zilpha, (3d daughter of Dea. John Dag« 
gett 1st,) July 18, 1721; had 9 children, Nathan, Nathaniel, 
George, Zilpha, Eliz. £iihu, Amos, Abigail, Margaret, 1722 — 
1739. 

Noah married Patience (4tb daughter of John Daggett 1st) 
Oct. 4, 1722-*had 7 children* Zephaniah* Mary, Elijah, Wil- 
liam, Huldah, Enoch, Comfort, 1723—1740. 

John married Thankful Newell and had several desoendants« 
Timothy married Eliz. Grant. Samuel married Mary Cooper 
first wife, Mary Ide second wife. 

£6efi6zer married Eliz. Read^ and had ^ children, Meheta- 
hie, Sarah, Ebcnezer, Samuel, Eliz. Ezekiel, Dan, Martha, 
1721—1738. 

8ianUiff Thmnas^ Nathaniel^ Josqiht Samuel, Jacobs John^ 
came from Topsfield, Mass. and settled near the Falls. The 
last three were brothers. Thomas and Samuel were here in 
1707 ; Jacob came about 1717. Thomas married Mary Gould 
— had 12 children, Thomas, Mary, Phebe, Nathaniel, Samuel, 
Daniel, David (died infant) Martha, William, Abigail, PrisciU 
la, David. 

Jacob married Eliz. Guild. His children were Jacob, Ben- 
jamin, Eliz, (died infant) Deborah, Jon« Eliz. Solomon, Abi« 
gail. 

• Thty wera dtMsadants of Geoigs Bobioioii 1ft of Rthobotli, whoit 
mama ia o« our LUt of ParelMUMfi. Ho owrried Joanna lagcaham. 

William RobiniOB, fresman Man. at 6al«ia,27th DasMubsr, 16tf ; John, 
Sa JoM, 1641. 



is 

^aihaniel married Saralii Blacfeititon* His children were 
Serviab, Sarah, Hepzibeth, Abner, Amj, Sibuta, Israil, Penti« 
cost, Anne, Nathaniel, 1721—1744. 

Starhey^ Andrew^ came here about 1708. His first wife was 
MehitaUe Waite, by whom he had two children, Mehitable b« 
Maj 1709^; John b. July 1712. His second wife was Catha- 
rine (daughter of Alexander Bolkcom) by whom he had three 
children, Jemima, Andrew, Thomas, 1722—1738. Andrew 
sen. died 16th August 1740. 

Sweety Henry ^ was here about 1690, — had 5 children, John, 
Philhp (died infant) Thomas, Michael (died infant) Dorothy. 
He was one of the earliest, if not the first of that name. — Died 
8th December 1704. — Probably a descendant of John, admit* 
ted freeman 1641. 

Sweetland, Jekn, came from Marblehead, with several others 
of that name; three of his childten were Benjamin, Deborah, 
Samuel, 1703-1711. He died 9th June 1711. 

Tyler 9 Ebenezer-j had 9 children, Ebenezer, Elizabeth, Phe-> 
be, Gatbarine» Hannah, d> John, Hannah, WHliam, 1714^ 
1781.» 

/Simile/ marrted Mary Oapron — had 11 children, Mary, d. 
Samuel, d. Moses, Samuel, Mary, Nathan, Huldah, Habijah 
and Elizabeth twinsy Ebenezer, Benjamm d. 

Wilkinson^ John, came here about 170^— married Rachel 
Fales. His children were 8, Jobn^ Joseph, Rachel, Mary, 
Hepzibeth, Abigail, Sarah, Hannah, 1702—1723. He pur- 
chased €apt. Willett's share in the undivided lands, probably 
of his son Andrew. Died 24th Jan. 1724-5. 
John Wilkinson^ Maiden, died Dec. 1675»— /Vir. Reg. 
JINlinartht nomasjf came to Attleborough about 1708,—- 
married Daboiah Peck — bad 7 children, Mary, Thomas, Deb- 
orah, Eiizabetby Anne, Ebenezer, Eliphalet, 1709—1728. 
Several ether Wilmarths came from that town, Samuel, (son 

« Tyler, Abrabam, Haverhill 1650, died 6th May WX Job, Andovvr 
165^ had a son Mosei who died 1727 aged 85, having had 10 loai. Na- 
thaniel, Lyua 1642.— Far. Aeg. 

t OrandioD of Thonat Wilmarth 8en. who came Into Beheboth at early 
aiMaidLSS, 1645, with his wife attdoUldita. Thltaamawas anoiontljr 
tfU Wilmot. 



of ThomM 2d of Refaobotb) Joaalhaoi NathaOr Stepbcnit. |«on8 
of Jonathan of that place) Daniel, &c« 

The Deanes came fro» Tauaton ; i!lliaeit Drapers, 4&c. 
from Dedbam, subsequent to 1730v 

It is not expected that the foregoing list inctodes aU w1m> 
came previous to that period. The names of, the original ta« 
cestors of some could not be asce^ained^ 

One name was omitted in its proper place* BournCi An- 
drew, came (it is supposed from G. Britain) to Attleborougfa, 
al)out 1720, and settled in the East part of the town* AU of 
that name in this vioinitj are descended from him* 



LIST or THE NAMES OF FEB80NS NOW IN T9WN| WITH THE 
NUMBER OF EACH NAME AFFIXED, TAKEN FROM THE TAX LIST 
OF 1832. 

Mm Albey 1— Alger 2— Akiricb l^AUen 8--Alexa&der 1 
—Arnold 3— Atberton 2^Atwell 1. 

B« Babcock 3— Bacon 2— Barrows 8— Bates 6— Bdile^f 1 
Baldwin 1— Bishop 3'^'Biabe I— Blackiagtbii &«*-BlackweU 1 
"^Biaoohard i — Blanding4— Bliss 5^Bolkcom 8*— Bdsworth 
1— Bourne 1 — Bowen 6— Bragg 2*-Btiggs 7-*^Bffown 4-^ 
Brace l-^Bulloek 2« 

Og Gapton 11-^Gargill 1 — Carpenter 14«^Ghaoe 2 — Qh^n* 
dler l^Gheever 1— Chidkering l-^GlafEin 14 — Clark 2*^ 
Clayes l^-Clinlbek Me l-^Ce«ib 2-^Gddd]0g d-^Cole S^Col- 
Yin 1 — Cook 1 — Cooper d— Cornell 2^Grocker 1-— Crowning- 
shield 1— ••Cutliftg I-— Cummins 5— Cashman 3. 

IK Dagg^U U*^Dart 1— Daj 2-^Davis l^Deane 11— 
DiBwtf 1—De^e 2— Draper 17— Drake 2— Danka«i2. 

B. Barl 1-^lddy 1 -^Eldridge S-^Ellis d— Everett 4. 

Wk Falei l««Fairbrotbei» 2^Fi«ld 8^Fi#heF e^^FdUef 2 
Forbush 1— Foster 6— Franklin 1— Freeman 7— French 7«-« 
Frost l*i-^illier21-^Furgiidon l^FurthiAgtofl L 

H. Gkk>dii«r 2^Gay l^Oeor^d &— Gilbert 1— Gilei 1— 
Goff 1— Grant 3— Green 3— Guild 2. 

& Hdl 4-Hamar l-Harkness l-^Harris9^Hatek4-^ 
Havea 2— Howard 1—Hk^kft i-^mtchidck l-^-Hblmitt 9^ 
tiolmes 7— Horr 2— Horton ]—Hunt2<— Huntress !• 



dTa Jackson 2 — Jewett 2— Jillson 5— Jones 1. 

Bta Itent I— Rempton d^— ftnowtes 1. 

Xi. Liifie i^Lftthfldi l^-dLfttlrfop t'-^itfery l^Lee 1— 
Lewis l-^Liadsej 3. 

IK- Mann I ^Martin 6— Mason 3— Sfaj S^tteltalf 1^ 
More 3— Moffs4 O^Mmey h 

If. iVewett 4^Netrmatt 1. 

P. Paine 3— -Parmenter 8— Peek *— Pewy ft— Pldg# ft*^ 
Fierce »-Pike ^-Phillip 1— ton* 1— Price Sw 

WL BeiiA 9<^Ricbardtf 92— RichardsM 15^Bifey 1«^ 
Bhodes^ fi^li^k^oh 0^]ld|^«r8 1— Roudb 1. 

Sta fShttfoti 2— Savory l^-^Shaw 3— 8held6n l-'^iiepard.l 
— Shepardson I-^Skinner l-*Slack 3-e-Siiiitfi 1 — Spragoe^ t 
Stanley 13*— Slafkej SuN-Steams 1— Stx^atfoid 1^— Stra«toal-— 
Streetef 1 -^Bwas l^^^Sweet 6^ 

T. l*hAcit6r ft^Thhyer 3— Thurber?J-*TiAity 9^TiR 3 
-^Tinglej 8— Titus 2— Towne 3— Tfipp 3— Ta<Aer l-^Torn* 
erl— Tjlerl. 

W. Walker l--W«]toft l^-'Waleot 3^Wamer 1*-Wel' 
man 4'^We6tcot 2^Wheeler l^Wbipple 3^Whidlig 4m^ 
"White r— Wildet2~Williattii^6— Wilmarthll— Wttberell 4 
— ^Witbington 2 — ^Woodcock 2 — Wood 3— Worselej 1-^ 
Wright 1. 

There are alM>nt 200 differett names (sirflanetf) on tbe List,. 
and 618 ditferent persons. There are^ of course, some olli«r 
names in town wicb are not ill tbe assessor^Is Rates ; but tbe 
above catalogue includes the most of them. These iteiUSy iti« 
different to some, may be cnrioeities to others. 



LIST OP REPRESENTATIVES 

From this town from its Incorporation, in 1694, to 1833. Elec* 
tions.were in May unless otherwise designated. 

Timothy Tingley 
Samuel Tjler 
Ahasel Read 

1738 John Foster, Esq. 

1739 JohnRobbios 

1740 John Robbios 

1741 Capt. M ajhew Daggetf 

1742 Capt. Majhew Daggett 

1743 Maj. John Foster 

1744 Capt. Mayhew Daggett 

1745 Capt. Samuel Tyler 

1746 Perez Bradford, Esq.f 

1747 Capt. Samuel Tyler 

1748 Capt. Samuel Tyler 

1749 Capt. Samuel Tyler 

1750 Bei^amin Day 

1751 Benjamin Day 

1752 Benjamin Day 

1753 Benjamin Day 

1754 Name not on record. 

1755 Name not on reeord, 

1756 Lieut. Josiah Maxcy 

1757 « Josiah Maxcy 

1758 " Josiah Maxcy 

1759 Dea. Benjamin Day 

1760 Japhesh Bicknell 

1761 Stephen Fuller 

1762 Stephen Fuller, Esq. 

1763 Stephen Fuller, Esq. 

1764 Dea. Ebenezer Lane 

1765 Dea. Ebenezer Lane 

1766 Dea. Ebenezer Lane 

1767 Dea. Ebenezer Lane 



1709* Darid Freeman 

1710 David Freeman | 

1711 David Freeman 

1712 Capt Joseph Brownt 

1713 Mr. David Freeman 
Lieut. Nicholas Ide^ 

1714 Lieut. Nicholas Ide 

1715 David Freeman 

1716 David Freeman 

1717 David Freeman 

1718 David Freeman 

1719 Jeremiah Whipple 

1720 Dea. John Daggett 
David Freeman^ 

1721 David Freeman 

1722 No one would accept 

1723 Capt. John Foster 

1724 Mr. Nathl. Carpenter 

1725 Capt. John Foster 

1726 Capt. Joseph Brown 

1727 Capt. Joseph Brown 

1728 Capt. Joseph Brown 

1729 Mr. Nathl. Carpenter 

1730 Capt. John Foster 

1731 Capt. John Foster 

1732 Capt. John Foster 

1733 Nathaniel Carpenter 

1734 Sent an excuse. 

1735 Nathaniel Carpenter 

1736 Capt. Mayhew Daggett 

1737 John Robinson 
Capt. Mayhew Daggett 
John Foster, Esq. 



• The reader will perceive that do repreieotative wm chosea during th» 
lint fourteea years after the incorporation. The reason is given in the 
extracts from the town records, page 22, 24. 

t Son of Mr. John Brown of Rehoboth (well Icnowo in the history of 
the Old Colony) came here about 1769 from Kingston, R. I. to which he 
had removed about 1T02. In this list the tUUSf generally given according 
to the custom of the times, are retained as they appear on record* 

♦ Nov.lTlS. TJnnelT20. 

X July t2d, 1746, Capt. Mayhew Daggett wis chosea. 



If 



1805 
1806 
1807 
1S08 
1809 
1810 
1811 



181S 



1813 



1814 



ires JohnDftfgett 

1769 John Daggett 

1770 John Daggett 

1771 John Daggett 

1772 John Daggett 

1773 Gapt. John Daggett 

1774 Capt John Daggett 

1775 Capt. John Daggett 

1776 Capt. John Stearne 

1777 Capt. John Stearns 
William Stanley 

1778 Capt. Elisha Maj 

1779 Capt. Eiisha Maj 

1780 Capt. Elisha Maj 
John Daggett 

1181 EhshaMaj 

1782 iVoMe not fownd. 

1783 Col. Staph. RiehardeoDl81& 

1784 EliBha May, Esq. 1816 

1785 Col. S. Richardson 1817 

1786 Capt. Ebenezer Tyler 1818 

1787 William Stanley 

1788 Elisha May. Esq. 

1789 Capt. C. Bicfaardson 

1790 Maj. Ebenezer Tyler 

1791 Elisha May( Esq. 

1792 Maj. Ebenezer Tyler 

1793 Eitsha May, Esq. 

1794 Elisha May, Esq. 

1795 Elisha May, Esq. 

1796 Elisha May, Esq. , 

1797 Elisha May, Esq. 

1798 Elisha May, Esq. 

1799 Col. Ebenezer Tyler 

1800 Elisha May, Esq. 

1801 Elisha May, Esq. 

1802 Maj. Ebenezer Tyler 

1803 Maj. Ebenezer Tyler 
1604 Maj. Ebenezsr Tyler 



Ebenezer Baeon 
Joel Read, Esq. 
Ebenezer Bacon 
Joel Read 
Joel Read 
Joel Read 
Joel Read 
John Richardson 
Benjamin Bolkcom 
John Richardson 
Joel Read 
Benjamin Bolkcom 
Joel Read 
Benjamin Bolkcopi 
John Richardson 
Capt. Thomas French 
Jabez Newell 
A. Richardson, Jr. 
Ebenezer Daggett EUiq. 
Sent no one. 



tt C4 C( 



1819 
1820 
1821 
1822 
1823 
1824 
1826 
1826 
1827 



1828 

1829 
1830 
1831 
1832 
1833 



A. Richardson Jr. 
A. Richardson Jr. 
Ebenezer Daggett Esq. 

Ebenezer Daggett Esq^ 
8ent no one. 
William Blackinten 
William Blackinton 
George Ellis 
Elkanah Briggs 
A. Richardson Jr. 
George Ellis 
Elkanah Briggs Esq, 
Elkanah Briggs Esq. 
Elkanah Briggs Esq. 
Abijah M. Ide Esq. 
Abijah M. Ide Esq. 
Abijah M. Ida Esq. 



I«» 



BIOGBAPHIOAL SKETCHES. 

RiT. Maphtali Pao^btTi P* D. President of Yi»Ie College; 
was the son o(]S^iiiw»r I)«fgett and Majrj hU wifa, and wai 
born in Attlehprtiigli (»t ttia resideiMf of tiM iate Ebentiar 
Daggett Esq.) tfopcf th ITS?. He iraa llio seeond aoo araon^ 
8 children, ffit flilJier dying while he was jet yoyng, he way 
left und9jr the dirapUpo of a lO^ther, who was* b^w^rer, in m^ 
try respect, paioiitt|i4jr qualified to dinetmipg/^ %h^ dntiaa which 
deFokml SfMUi haf. Ha soon after coaaaanoad scudiae prtpar^ 
atorj to colle^. tie entered Yale College in )744, and gj^ad- 
uated in 1748, at the ^|^ of 21. He was (Ii8tingyi8lie4 during 
his 9pU^« U& Aht iiidiialrjMd close applica^ioa- 

He was nmM 1^9 «liAister of SmithtQfm 4»P how^ Uac4 in 
1751. Iaflapt.iyi»ha w<a8 e&aated tia irft Prafaasor of 
Diriftity la Tale <Soflegei wjtacb appoint^neat ha accepted, aa4 
removed to Ne^ Qav^p, aa4 Fas m^c%f^i into iofB^^ on thf 
4th of March fallowing** TiA$ office ha bald div:i^ghis ttfe 
After the aMcaatfftil of Mr. dlap Sept Wtb IT66, ba offiaia* 
ted as President tiH April 1st 1V77, «wiian lie resigned the of- 
fice, but still continued tp bQl4 that of Prpfesspjr of Piviiyitj. 
The learned pr, 9til9§ was bm suoqasspr m tb» Pr^idpnojr. 

Divriog )fra bai^lwrpiia atHKiA on New fSfiwn bf the Britidi 
army* in Mf ITlli, he took aa active pait te the defence ef 
the country, end was discinguiahed for Us I'esoliition wi intra- 
pidity.t He was ^alj^n {prisoner and caina near lopif^g his Mfe. 

* Thp fouofa^on of tbti Prafegionbip w^s $fid Id 174$ ty « .doiviMaa 
froa th^ Hon. P^iHjp Livf a^stqQ^ of New York ; and jb^ivioj^ f/nceW^ « 
oontiderable addi^oM by igi^thci^ 4ooatioD from ^r. G^shcvii Clark, of 
LebaDoo, fr^i\k jbo^^ n^pprof^riat^DyiM hy the cotiege^ H afljoffdc^ ft <o%i^| 
Mlary for t)ie pi^pprt of <uqb an oftpe, w.hkj^ ;v«i S«cpjr4H^ly aalabU^iQiA 
hi 1755. A bpuie t>r Uve^HP^f tka^afomlwnt WM,amiisd ly laheyriptiaa % 
aod fioiihed ia 1758. 

t He bad made hlnwlf obnoxiouB by hit open, and active oppoiitioD to 
te Britiih caue. He bad often inealcated upon the itadenti nnder his 
eharge,-»lB the pulpit and in ibe )eoture-room,^the duty of reeistanee to 
British opprenioD. He had therefore inearred the tpedal ditplearare of 
tibe inTaden. He had openly preached and prayed agaioit the soeoen of 
their canie. He knew no difference between preaching and practieiag ; 
and when the crisii came, he carried hit own principles into action. He 
ihonldend his musket and went into the field with the rest to repel the ia- 



101 

Dr. Daggett died, (in conseqaeDCe of the wounds he had re« 
ceived on that occasion) Nov. 25tb 1780 at the age of 53. He 
presided over the University about eleven years, and held the 
office of Professor of Divinity twenty-five years. Possessed of 
a strong, clear, and comprehensive mind, he apphed himself 
with assiduity and success to the various branches of knowl* 
edge, particnlarly to the learned languages and divinity. Dr. 
Holmes in his life of President Stiles, say's, ' he was a good 
classical scholar; well versed in moral philosophy; and a 
learned divine.' Clearness of understanding and accuracy of 
thought were characteristics of his mind. He received the 
honorary degree of Doctor in Divinity from Yale College, and 
also from Nassau, New Jersey. He published a sermon on the 
death of President Clap 1767; another delivered at the ordina* 
tion of Rev. Ebenezer Baldwin 1770; and a third delivered at 
the ordination of Rev. J. Howe, 1773. 



Col. John Daggett, an elder brother of the preceding^ 
born Sept 2d 1724 or 5 — was one of the principal public char- 
acters and leading men of the town, especially during the try- 
ing period of the Revolution. He and Col. May were the two 

vaders. He was taken prisoner by the enemy, Tbey beat, and bruised 
him, and offered him every indignity in their power. His clerical charae- 
ter, in their eyes, was no exemption from the most outrageous abuses. They 
demanded t>f him, who he was— he unhesitatingly replied , *^ My name it 
Napthali Daggett— I am one of the officers of Yale College— I require you 
to release me.^' **But we understand you have been in the habit of pray- 
ing against our cause." **YeB— and I never maile more f iocere prayers In 
my life.** 

He was at first left for dead on the ground. He was taved by the intre- 
pidity of the lady into whose house he bad been co tveyed. After the Brit, 
ish had retired, an officer and a file of soldiers were sent back to convey 
bim a prisoner on board their transports. Tbey came to the bouse and in- 
quired for him, and were answered by the lady (who appeared at the dror, 
and resolutely refused to admit them) that be was so badly wound«^d, it 
would be impossible to convey him on boar4| alive, ** My ^orders, '^ fait! 
the officer, **are positive, to take him with ma." But you would not aura* 
ly earry away a dyiagman;— be is now in tbe agonies of death. Atipt 
rtpeated demands and refusals, tlie officer finally detfrmmc d to retora aM 
vaport the ease to hisseperior and ask for further orders. But ka aaver 
mm$ bkek after kii prifonar. 

14 



m 

o» wl)ppi the towfi pUeed the ptmoft refififice.. Hf wm PP^*^ 
8e8$ed of a atrong and found mind, aod yraf n^arked by a reso- 
lute and decided character. I|e was a puritan in tl^e plainn^ps 
and simplicity of his qoanners, ^nd vas a fi^m ff ^end t9 the c^¥- 
il institutions and republican custpips of ItiTew England. 

He was commissioned one of bis MtjiDHy's Justices of tbn 
Peace under the Provincial Government h^fpre Hhe I^evolu- 
t^on. He took an early and decided st«ii|4 (with m^ny other 
patriotic citizens of this towq) in the cQpaqnenceriippt of those 
proceedings wl^ich produced the Revolu,tion. He was ft rpem- 
ber of the Provincial Congress which as^en^bled at Caml^^idge* 
For a long succession of years he wa^ eliec^ed a fnembpr of the 
Legislature ; and was also a meipher pf ^h^ Gofii.Ye^tion yf^^ff^ 
formed the Constitution. He was gei^eriiMy Qajled to sprvfs oi^ 
the most important conimittees which w«re Raised in tp^a 
meeting to consider the many difficult suigect^ which ]if erp 
then brought before the people during and subsequent to the 
Revolution. Col. Daggett commanded the regiment from the 
county of Bristol both in Spencer's a«d Sulliva^*# Exgetili- 
tions on Rhode Island, — in *77 and *79« 

At home he was extensively employed a^ a surveyor^ and 
was engaged in various other kinds of piiihUc business such as 
the ordinary transactions of life re^quire between citizens* He 
died universally respected, January 20th 1808, «itthe age &f 7^. 



A third hrother, Doct. Ebenezbr PaoGi^TT, w^sa respecta- 
ble physician, who settled in Wrentham vtliage where he sk)- 

quired an extensive practice. He married Miss Metcalf, • 

daughter of Timothy Metcalf Esq. of Wrentham, by whom 
he had several children. 

His son. Rev. Herman Daggett, graduated at Brown Univer- 
sity in 1788, and pursued his pr ofessional studies with Pr. 
Smmons of Franklin. He was settled, a few years, in the imor 
istr;|r on Long Island ; and afterwards removed to Ridge* 
Held, Connecticut, and finally to Cornwall, where he died in 
_4883» He was principal of the Foreign Mission School e«- 
tablishjsd at the latter place* 



Dotr*^ BmtMLmiJi Man^t^^iI well known and #brchy (ifb^si- 
eian of this town, — deserves a notice in these sketches, fte 
was a descendant of Rev. Samuel Mann the first minister of 
Wreniham. He studied his profeilsioh with Dr. Hewes oi 
Fpzboron^h, and commenced business in llus town sometime 
previous to iT^SO. Dr. Han h had tt^e reputation of being a 
skiilfnl phy^ieian, iatid had ^^quired an extensive circle of 
practice. His character is justly portrayed in his epitaph. 

^ Bezaieel Mann mort. die Octi). tert. 1796, an. aetat. 74. 
Barly iitibned with the principles of moral rectitude, he sus« 
tained thfou^h the diversified concerns of a long and activ^ 
lifife, the character of an honest man. As a physician, he com* 
Eholoded, daring the period of near 50 years, that unlimited 
eoafidence and respect, whidi talents alone can inspire. The 
foatuf es of his mind were sketched by the glowing pencil of 
mature, filled up with qualities that adorn humanity, and 
shaded with few infirmities the fre<iOient attendants on mental 
excellence.'* 

" Bebe Mann,* his wife, mort. die Octo. tertk 1793, aetat. 61. 
She was a person of bright genius^ of few words, and much 
reserved in mind. From early youth she marked all her paths 
with virtue^ and timely took the advice Christ gave to his dis- 
, ciples, and made to herself a, friend of the mammon of un- 
righteousness, and when she failed, could, with christian con* 
fidehce, say, that her witness was in heaven and her reward 
on high. 

This stone is erected by the grateful hand of filial piety to 
protect the awful dust of revered parents." 

These inscriptions may b^ found in Alden's valuable Collec- 
tion of Epitaphs. 

Dr. Mann had several sons who entered the professions.-— 
His son Preston, who is a physician, was graduated at Brown 
University, and settled in Newport, R.I. where he is how liv- 
ing. Another son, John Milton, was also a graduate at Browo 
University,' became a physician, and removed to the State of 
N. York, vvherehe was drowned in attempting to cross the Riv- 
er Hudson. His second daughter married on»,ef his students,. 
Dr. SethCapron of this town, who, with another son » NewtQOt 

• the iTM a daughter ^f Mr. Eaekiel Ctrptatcr of HiitoWn* 



"» 104 

renored to dM State of New York, where tfaej are now Iitiiii^. 
Hie second son, Herbert, was educated a physician, and enter- 
ed, as surgeon, on board the privateer General Arnold, Capt. 
Magee, and was lost in that terrible storm which ensued, in 
Plymouth Harbor« 26th Dec. 1778. The stone which is here 
erected to his memory contains the following epitapli : 

*ln memory of doctor Herbert Mann, who. with 119 sailora 
with Capt. James Magee, master, went on board the brig Gen- 
eral Arnold, in Boston Harbor, 25th Dec. 1778, hoisted sail, 
made for sea, and were immediately overtaken by the most 
tremendous snow storm with cold, that was ever known in the 
memory of man, and, unhappily, parted their cable in Ply- 
mouth harbor, in a place called the Cow-jards, and he, with 
about 100 others, was frozen to death ; sixty-six of whom were 
buried in one grave.* Qe was in the 21st year of his age.— 
And now Lord God Almighty, just and true are all thy ways, 
but who can stand before thy cold V » 



Hon. Elisha Mat was a distinguished citizen of this town» 
who was often employed in public office, and whose name is 
still held in reverence by those who remember him. Courte- 
ous and gentlemanly in his manners, and honorable and up- 
right in his principles, he was universally esteemed. Intelli- 
gent and active in business, he was well qualified to fuJ£l the 
various offices to which he was elected. He discharged the 
various duties which devolved upon him, with ability, and en- 
tire satisfaction to his constituents. He was, in fine, one of the 
most valuable citizens of this town. He died Nov. 15th, 181 J , 
in the 73d year of his age. His character is justly though 
briefly described by one who was personally acquainted with 
him. The following extract is from a Discourse delivered at 
his interment, by the Rev. John Wilder, then the pastor of the 
Ist Congregational Church in this town. 

* His memory will long be precious, not only to his near rel- 
atives and friends, but likewise to his intimate acquaintance, 
to his neighbors, to the religious society in this place, and to 
the inhabitants of the to^vn. For he is the man whom his fel- 

• la ths town of Plyttoutb. 



lot 

low-citieens bare delisted to honor ; nor was ho unworthf 
their respect and confidence. . For blessed with a sound mindy 
a retentive memory, a quick discernment of men and things, a 
polite address, an honest heart, and an education considerablj 
above mediocrity, he was singularly qualified for public employ, 
ments of various kinds. And his worth was early discovered ; 
for at the time of the Revolutionary war he was an active and 
useful member both in the military and civil departments.-— 
Since that period he was employed,, without opposition, as a 
legislator, or a counsellor, until he chose to retire. For about 
27 years in succession, one excepted, he was called to a seat 
in the Legislator^, and chiefly in the upper house. For almost 
forty years together he has been moderator of the town 
meetings in this place ; in which office he was equalled by few, 
and exceeded by none. He had the honor of being an elector 
of the President of the United States. As a magistrate through- 
out the Commonwealth, he did much business, and to very 
general satisfaction. He was justly celebrated both at home 
and abroad, for his wisdom in adjusting aiid settling differences 
between contending parties. As a politician be was a friend 
and disciple of Washington.. As a roan he was prepossessing 
and engaging. As a friend he was faithful and constant. As 
a neighbor he was kind and obliging. Asa husband he was 
attentive and tender. As a parent he was pleasant and af- 
fectionate. As to his religion, he was a firm believer in the 
christian system, and a very constant, attentive, and appar- 
ently devout attender on public worship, all his life/ 



John Foster, Esq. appears from the records to have been a 
useful public man in his day, though but few facts of his life 
are known to the author. Hq was chosen moderator of town 
meetings for a long succession of years — was a surveyor of 
lands — an active justice of the peace— and for several years a 
representative of the town, Sfo. 



Rev. Jonathan Mazct, S. T. D. President of Rhode Island* 
Union and Columbia colleges, was one of the most emineat 
pulpit orators of this country. He was born in this town, Sept* 



W, 1798. He prepartd for (fotleg»t ill tke fehodi of iIm Rw. 
Williaitt •Williams, of Wrenfthatn, which iras thao tha raosteal- 
abrated institutioo in the ficinhj, and tha resort of a great 
many yoang men for the pursuit of classical studies. He grad«- 
■ated at Brown University in 1787, and was immediately ap« 
pointed a Tutor. He was ordained pastor of the Ist Baptist 
Church in Providence, Sept. 8, 1791, and at the sartiettnie wae 
appointed the first Professor of Divinity in that college.* Af« 
ter the death of President Manning, be was anaaimously elect* 
ed President, A. D. 1702, at the early age o( twmty-four /^ 
He presided over this University for eleven years, with diMin* 
guiehed success and with a splendid reputation for eloquence 
and learning. His adroiaistratipn was marked by milduesi^ 
urbanity and dignity. Under bis guardianship the University 
aeitaired a distinguiabed name for oratory. Guided by his fos- 
tering genius, it sent forth a eonstellatton of eloquent aad ac**^ 
eomplished speakers, who have shdne in various departments 
of public life, and whose elo^ence has beeo felt in the pulpit* 
at the bar, and in the halls of legislatiou^-Hmaay of wham have 
lic<)uired a national renown. He was peculiarly fitted to stimip^ 
impressions of hie own charaoter on the minds of those arouiid 
him, and to infiise hiil own epirit into theirs. He acquired a 
sahrtary Influence over tbe youth committed to his charge. He- . 
imbued their hearts with a taste for Ikerature and with a love 
of truth and moral beattty,-^and excited-in their bosoms, tbe 
most ardent aspirations after 'excellence. He knew well how 
to kindle and fan tbe flame of Genius. His memory is cher- 
ished by all his pupils with peculiar affection and gratitude. — 
In speaking of the University, it has been truly said, that he 
was ohe * Wh68e nanfie and fame are identified with its repu- 
tation, and whose mingled mildneils, dl^ufty, and goodness, 
eqitfiilfe'd onlj by Irid genius, l^arnfng and eh>quenee, subdu^ 
aill envy, made all admirers friends, arid gave him an irresisti- 
ble sway over the minds of th6se placed d-nder his car^.t 

Though accomplished in every department of ItorAfing, h6 
was distinguished more particularly as a Belles Lettres scholar* 

*He was the first and only professor of divinity ever appointed in Brown 
tJniverslty. 
f tibA. Virgil Maxty^s l)i8Cour8e h6ton tbi Vi\ Beia tmppA df tt6wi 



Ml 

His oratory was hi iMne respoeta peculiar, llera wai noth- 
ing in it like rant or affictatiqn-— no appearance of that popil» 
Jar declamatioa which is so often employed to eaptiyate t)ie 
multitude. There was apparently 'no attempt in it to produce 
efTect—- no labored di8play--4>ut every thing appeared ea^y, 
fiajiaral and unstudied* It was deep— -in passioned-— but mA 
declamatory. His voice was not naturally powerful, but he 
had it perfectly under his control through all its iotopationa. 
He usually commenced in a calm and moderate tone, but grew 
warmer and mora aniosated as he advanced in bis discoorse, 
and gradually and imperceptibly gained upon the attention and 
ieelings of his hearers, until every one preeent was wholly en- 
grossed upon the subject of the speaker, indeed, he himiolf 
eeemed completely absorbed m his own snb|ect, and by the inp 
tf uence of sympathy carried his audienee with him. 

His delrvery was remarkably expressive. Bvery sentimenl 
he uttered came from the heart and vibrated through hiswhole 
frame.— Every cord and muscle was an echo to his soul. His 
elocution wets full of grace—yet his power was not ia thia 
—it was in the life,— th9 soul,— which he infiised into his voice* 
—his gestures, — and his countenance,— all expressive aaidhaff* 
monious. His eloquence was at once graceful and forciide«-^ 
in a word, he had in perlection, what Demosthenes eaiied Ae^ 
(Hon* 

fle did net negieet to cultivate the miner graces ef ejoea^ 
tien. He never made a prayer or delivered any thing in pub- 
lic, extempore, even on the most ordinary occasions, in wliieh 
every sentence and every word were not accurately afrraage4 
and in iheir right place. Though his voice was naturally Jee- 
hle, it was able to occupy a large compass, and every wocd 
and every syllable he uttered, in the largest audience, fell dis- 
tinctly on the ear of the most distant anditor. 

The following extract will ^ow the estimation in which he 
was held at the South. It was written but a ^ort ^am premp 
ous to his death, and contains a hrief hut lively description of 
the impressive effects of his eloquence, even when his powerf 
were impaired by advanoing age end leehk health* 



Frogi tli« Cbarletton City Oaaette. 
Extract of a lUterfram a g&Ukman residing in ColiimU€t^ <o hi$ 

friend in Charksion. 

''Columbia, 6tb July, 1S19. 

** Last Suodaj we went to haar Dr. Maxcy. It being: the 
4tli of July, it was a discourse appropriate to that eventful pe* 
riod* 1 had always been led to believe the Doctor an eloquent 
and impressive preacher ; but had no idea, till now, that he 
possessed such transcer.dant powers. I never beard such a 
atream of eloquence. —It flowed from his lips, even like the oil 
from Aaron's head. Every ear was delighted, every heart was 
elated, every bosom throbbed with gratitude. Such appropri* 
ate metaphor ! such grand, such sublime descriptions ! such 
exalted ideas of Deity ! and delivered with all the grace, the 
force, the elegance of a youthful orator ! I was sometimes ia 
pain, lest this good old man should outdo himself and become 
exhausted ; hut as he advanced in his discourse, he rose in an« 
imation, till at length he reached heightsithe most sublime, 
and again descended with the same facility with which he soar- 
ed. So far as 1 can judge, (and your partiality, I know, will 
allow me to be no mean critic) there was not heard the slight* 
est deviation from the most correct enunciation and grammat- 
ical arrangement; all the powers of art seemed subservient to 
his absolute control. In short, I never heard any thing to 
compare to Dr. Maxcy's sermon, in all the course of my life ; 
and, old as I am, I would now walk even twenty miles through 
the hottest sands to listen to such another discourse. I am 
persuaded, I shall never hear such another in this life." 

His most celebrated performance, while he presided over 
Brown University, regarded as a specimen of pulpit oratory, 
was his sermon on the existence and attributes of God, deliv- 
ered at Providence in 1795, which is frequently spoken of^ 
evea at this day, and produced at the time the most lively and 
striking effect on the audience. Those who heard it will nev- 
er forget it. The impression it produced was the result, in a 
great degree, of the manner of its delivery. Such a brilliant 
effort of eloquence has seldom been witnessed in any house of 
public worship. This discoursj;* though enlivened by a bold, 
loxttriaat, and brilliant imagination, and a loftiness of coneep* 
lioB, is jet characterised by his usua^ neatness and aimplieitj 



109 

of language. Indeed^ in his highest flights, his style of writing 
was always remarkable for a pure English idiom and a clas- 
sical simplicity of language. In fine, he was an eloquent ora- 
tor and a learned scholar. 

In 1805, Dr. Maxcj resigned the Presidency of Brown Uni- 
versity, and accepted that of Schenectady, N. Y. where he 
remained till the establishment of the new College in Colum- 
bia, S. Carolina, in 1804, of which he was appointed the first 
President, and immediately removed to that place, where he 
continued till the day of his death, June 4th 1820, at the age 
of 52. He was appointed to the office of President the young- 
est, and presided the longest in proportion to his years, of any 
person in this country. He was connected with some college, 
either as student or officer, nearly 38 out of the 52 years of 
his life. 

In 1801 he was honored with the degree of Doctor of Divin- 
ity from Harvard University. 

His wife was Susan Hopkins, a daughter of Commodore 
Eseck Hopkins of Providence, by whom he had several daugh- 
ters, — and four sons, all of whom have been liberally educa- 
ted. Several of the sons still survive and are in the profes- 
sion of the law. His widow is still living in Columbia, S. C. 

He published a Discourse on the death of President Man- 
ning, 1792 ; a Sermon on the Existence of God demonstrated 
from the works of creation, 1795; a Discourse on the Atone- 
ment, in two parts, 1796 ; an Address to a Class, 1797 ; an 
Address to the graduating class, 1801 ; an Address to the 
graduating class, 1802 ; an Oration on the 4th of July ; and a 
Funeral Sermon before the Legislature of South Carolina, 
1818. 

This is necessarily, a brief, and, I. fear, an imperfect sketch. 
It requires an abler pen than mine to portray the amiable and 
brilliant character of Maxcy, and to do justice to his splendid 
talents as an orator. Those only who knew him in the merid- 
ian of life, and who have seen and felt the power of his elo- 
quence, can give an adequate description. His memory de- 
mands a tribute of filial affection from some one of his many 
distinguished pupilsf, who are so deeply indebted to his example 
and instructions for the eminence which they now enjoy jn 

public life. 

15 



llO 

Hon. EsENfiZER Daggett, whojdied recently, wKil* a ihern- 
ber of the Senate from Bristol t}istrict, affords t^e example 6{ 
a li^e worthy of imitation by bis fellow citizens. He was the 
youngest son of Col. Daggett whese life has beeii previously 
noticed, and was born April 16, 1763. Few men in this town 
have devoted so large a portion of their time to'the public ser- 
vice. He held a commission of the Peace for nearly 30 years, 
arid lidiiirably discharged its most important duties. He serv- 
ed the town at various times in the ciipacity of Sel^ctiiian fthd 
Town Cliirk upwards of twenty years, fite rfepr^feent^d thfc 
town several years in the General Cblirt. A l^rge part of thfe 
last thirty years of his life was occupied ih some {itfblic bm- 
ploymenis. In various ways he i-endered fiiniSerf iserviceftDlli 
to his fellow citizens. In the spring of 163 f tie i^ds iet^tled k 
member of tbe Senate for this District. At the succeeding 
November election h6 was r6-choseh t6 the sdmif difece ;~ji!id 
while in the discharge of the honordbte kni responsible dliiie^ 
of this station, he Was catled b^ thfe order 6f Providence to close 
his life, at Boston, on tbie 4lh eif March, lS"ij2, in the B&th year 
<)f his age. 

PossiBssed of natural abilltt<es ibbv% ifie*dibcrlt;f, '^Ktch h% 
had improved by self-education, be alV^a^is directfed thfeYri ib 
^useful purposes. Plain and unkssiiming in His manner'^, hrild 
and uniform in his disposition-^he had W6n the canfidtefece off 
hfs fellow-citizens, but hev6r sought After khe h'oiaor^ ivhibh 
ivere bestowed upon him. Giude'd hy fixed arid p'arte prinx^- 
ples, he was upright and honorable in all his dehii^'gs with hik 
fellow-men ; and preserved a character of titT^lHed iAtegrity^ 
through a long and active life. He was re^r^d by his heigh- 
bors as their father and adviser. If they were in difficdlty eft 
doubt, they came to him for counsel and ai^stah'e'e', an^d both 
were freely offered. So great was their confidence ih his in- 
tegrity and judgment, that he was generally the chosen uhipirie 
in cases of controversies between his fellow-citizens. He wa^, 
in fine, in the true and enlarged sense of the word, a usefM 
man. His life, indeed, as has been justly remarked of him, af- 
fords an encouraging example of the truth, that respectable 
talents united with integrity and industry will raise k man td 
bonbr and usefulness. 

The following remarks on the character of the' deceased, are 



extracted from a Funeral piscpurse, delivered ^t Att^eboroudi 
22d April, 1832, b;r Rev. Mr. Ferguson. 

• Where is that venerated husband and father, that highjy es- 
teemed and useful citizen, who scarce four months ago, stood 
bpndin^ under l^he bereavement of Prqyidence, ^n une^pe,c^ted, 
yet quiet Ai^d ^ubmissi,ve njo^rner* in the house of the JLiord T 
'Alasl he bas gone down to t^e graye yntp his spn,.inou^^inj^. 
T^ last opportupity .^hich j enjoyed of epnyersmgwith our 
departed friend, was on the eye uf his leaving home to attend 
to his official duties, jin t,he Legislature, as |a member of the 
Senate. I mention this circum^tanq^, bejQ^LUse it w^s ^jthen 
abundantly evident, that ^t^ose official bo^nprs; w^^iiphare gen- 
erally so^sjbt as the rewards of successful copjpetitiop, m^ 
co^ne to be regarded as a bu^rden ra.tl^er th?ui ap honorable dis- 
tinction, puriuff our conversation he lamentjed, that official 
duties o|;)liged him at such a t,i,me .to leave home, and, to yiAujfJp 
in scenes ^o foreig^i to the state of -Jus jnind. ^^^ r^grettejl 
that tjie qhoice of thp people had npt fallen upon sQme othp^r 
cand,idate, and repiarked, that §uch sce^n^^s ypre.ljett^r adapt- 
ed to gratify those who were young and aspiring,. t^icyp.the ^gP.^ 
and afflicted. Jt i,s k^QW^ toyop^U, that from t^bat tpur qf 
^uty, he ne^ver returpe^. To .^p qbse^ver it jpyst ,l^ave l^^ep 
evident, that to commune with his own heart — ^to mingle hi^ 
sympathies with those of his family, and to prepare himself for 
his own great change, would have been more congenial to hia 
mind, than the halls of Legislation, and the investigation of 
ojir political relations. In h^s case^ .i^aoteover, political ,em- 
ploymepts, had long ceased tp be^apovelty. ^IJe w,;{i^ epaphftti- 
cally a public map'. Twenty ^ear^ pf.b^s lifp hjid bepa occu- 
pied in superintending th^ inter^^sts of the^to^wn. Twi4el\,e 
was elected to the Senjite ; — ^^nd perjiaps no jp;^an ^,]^qqg,.i^s 
has been more called upon to a.dnainister upon the e^tfjt.es 9^^ 
the deceased and to. act as the guardian of the orp^n. T,i4p 
general character which he sustained through life jwas that pf 
uniformity, uprightnciss, and moderation, .l^.the hottest strife 
of parties, although a public and a decided man, he never 
could be regarded as a partisan. He had been an iactor and 
in some respects a public character from the time of the Revo- 

• For the suddtn aod violent death of a beloved son. 



113 

lution ; but through all the changes of the eYentful times in 
which he liyed, he continued to the last to stand forth before 
his fellow-citizens, in the character of an honest, upright, and 
consistant man. 

His last sickness commenced on the 23d of February. He 
had, the daj before, in apparent health, attended the Centen- 
nial Celebration of the birth of Washington, and walked in 
procession with the other members of the Senate ; but all be- 
yond was his dying sickness. Early on the succeeding morn- 
ing, he was violently attacked with a ferer, which terminated 
in death on the 4th of March. 

I have felt it my duty, in view of his public character, to en- 
ter into details which, in other circumstances, might have been 
inexpedient. In the relations of life ; in his intereourse be- 
tween man and man ; in the maintenance of a character for 
uniformity, uprightness, and self-possession, his works praise 
him, and he is with us, for an example. In all that is beyond, 
it is ours to consign him to his grave and to his God. Happy 
would it be for our community, were our party divisions always 
controlled by men of equal mildness and moderation — happy 
would it be for our community, did all our public men mani- 
fest an equal regard for the maintenance of order, morals, 
and religion.* 



There were many other worthy and useful citizens, who de- 
serve commemoration in this place, — who, though dead, yet 
live in their works. But at this distance of time it is difficult 
to ascertain the peculiar traits of their character, and the 
events of their lives. The retired but useful employments in 
which they were engaged, and the *■ even tenor of their lives,* 
supply but few prominent incidents for the pen of the biogra- 
pher. The sketches already given afbrd a respectable list of 
public men for a humble country town like ours. 



11« 

A LIST or THE Gbaduatei at Bbown XlNiyiRfliTT from 

THIi TOWN. 

GradiMied, 

1776. Preston Mann, A. M. son of Doct. Bezeliel Mann, Phy- 
sician — settled in Newport, R. I. 

1783. Othniel Tyler, A. M. son of John Tyler, Lawyer, Sad- 
bury, Mass.* 

1787. John Milton Mann, son of Dr. Bezeliel Mann, Phy- 
sician, settled in Hudson, N. Y. and was drowned in 
crossing the river of that name. 

1787. Jonathan Mazcy, S. T. D. son ofLeviMaxcy, bom 
Sept. 2d, 1768, President of Providence College, Un- 
ion, Schenectady N. Y. and Golumbfa College, S. C. 
died at the latter place June 4th, 1820, set. 52. 

1788. Jesse Blackington, son of Peter Blackington, resides in 
Ashtabula, county of Ashtabula, Ohio. 

1788. William May, son of Elisha May, born Jan. 26th 1764, 
student of law, died July 12th 1790, in the 27th year of 

, his age. 

1789. Paul Draper, A. M. son of Stephen Draper, born Sept. 
19tk 1767, entered on board an American man of war, 
and was never after heard of. 

1790. Aaron Draper, son of Josiah Draper, born Nov. 29th 
1764, never studied a learned profession— settled in 
Providence R. I. where he died. 

1802. Gardner Daggett, A. M. son of Elijah Daggett, born 
Dec. 20th, 1782, lawyer. Providence, R. I. where he 
died. 

1802. Milton Mazcy, son of Levi Mazcy, born Jan. 1st 1782, 
lawyer in Beaufort, S. Carolina, where he died of the 
yellow fever in 1818. 

1803. Jason Sprague, A. M. son of John Sfiragne, was, for 
some time, Preceptor of the High School in Newport, 
R. I. He died in the United States army. 

1804. Virgil Mazcy, son of Levi Mazcy, lawyer in Baltimore 
Maryland, now Solicitor of the Treasury of the United 
States, Washington City. 

1807' Lorenzo Bishop, son of Zephaniah Bishop, born Aog. 
' 20th 1785, student of law, died in Attleborough, May 
26th 1809, St. 23. 



lU 

1809. Jacob Id?9 A. M. Jtey. son of Jappb Ide, mjiDiister in 
Medwaj, Mass. 

1809. William Tyler, Rev. A. M. son of Ebenezer Tyl^j, 
minister at W^yinoMth^ and now at Sputh Had^y, JVlass. 

1811. Benjamin Cozens, A. M. son of Benjamin Gozzens, 
formerly lawyer at J^awtuck^t— noif rjCaides a| Provi- 
dence, R. I. 

JL8U. Hartford Sw<«et«.A* ^- ?Pin p^Qideon Sweety b^rn X)ct. 
aOth, i79Q, ha^ n^t finished fttfidyji|Dg Jhis pr.^fession— 
died at the South in J8t . 

J817. Eyer.etj; ^lolkcoip, son ^ *aco> Polkcom, ^orn Sept. 
1796, l»vy:e.r, Mleborpv^b, diftd D|e^. .19U?, 1823, 
8Bt. 27. 

1821. James O. Barnejjr, Rev. son of r Rarney, of Provi- 
dence, R. I. minister at Seekonk Centre, Mass. 

1821. Moses Thacher, Rey. A. M. son of — r-Thacher, min- 
ister in North Wrentham, Mass. 

1822. Preston Cummings, Jlev. soi;i of David Cun^mings, min- 
ister in Dighton, Mass. 

185». Henry H. F. Sweet Rev. sqn qf Henry Swqet, born' 
Nov. Ist, 1796, minister in JPalnier, JM^^s. died Feb. 
20th 1827, eet. 30. 

18?2. John Wilder, Rev. ^. M. j^on of John Wilder, minister 
in Charlton, now in Concprd, Mass. 

1823. Benoni Allen, Rev. son of Allen, preacher in 

Ohio. ' ' 

1824. Ira B^irrows, M. D. son of Barrows, physician, 

. Pawtucket, Mass. 

X&5' Hermpn Bourne, M. D. son of Andrew Bourne^ physi- 
cian, Boston, Mass. 

1825. William S. Stanley, M. D. son of Thomas Stanley, phy- 

sician in Manaaroneck, N. Y. 

1825. Samuel T. Wilder, son of John Wilder, lawyer, Roch- 

ester, N. Y. 

1826. Jason B. Blackington, A. M. son of William Blacking- 
ton, lawyer, in Holden, Mass. now in Ohio. 

1:826. John Daggett, A. M. son of Ebenezer Daggett, lawyer, 

Attleborqu^h. 
18?1. Salmon C. Perry.son qfJosiahPerry. 



Mi 

There hare been graduates from this town at several of the 
other New England Coileges. A full list of their names has 
hot been obtained. Among them was, 

John barrows Who graduated 17lf6 at tlai'vard College, 
was son of John Narrows. IJe married his wife in Cazflbfidge, 
and settled, as a schoolmaster, in Dightoh, Mass. ^hhtB he 
di^d. 

At TAleCoUiege, in 1748, N&phtali Daggett, otyrhottih 
Afettdh has been already given. Ih 1762, Philip Daggett, 
brbth^r of thie la^t nanded, \)iras born 11th September, VtS9 \ ht 
s'etU%d and died in New Hdveh. Henry Daggett, wht» grad- 
uated at Yale College, in 1771, son of Elder EHha D^ggfett 
(iHeiition^d in page 68) w^s b6rn 9th April, 1741-^^efttled at 
New Haven, where he Wad at first a merchAtit, stibsequetttly, 
PoHt^^ magistrate, Alderman 6f the city, &,t. He, died 11th 
Aug. 1830. Ih 17183 graduated the Hon. David D^ggfetf, 
L. L. D. the present di^tii^guished ahd lettrn^d Chief JtistieidOt 
the Supreme Cotirt of Connecticut. He wa^ f6rttterly a Sena* 
tdr 6!f the United St&ties, and hais been for several ye£ifs Pn)- 
fessbr of Law iii tale College, &c. In 1781 grladaated &^V. 
J^elatiah 1['ingley, A. M. son of Timothy Tingley. 

He was a Baptist preacher, and was settled in S&nforA, 
Maine^ About 1780, he betsame a seeeder frdtn the preVai!in|( 
«ect of Baptists, and was the firet minister who united with El- 
der Benjamin Randall, the founder of the new sect, usually 
denominaited Anhinian or Fr^e-WiU Baptists, ivbo ttjebtiyd liki 
leaditfg dAciitffes «of C^lvini^Wv.* 



•NAMES OF SEVERAL FORMER PilYSICIANS IN AtTLEBOROV^OH. 

Doct. Joseph Daggett (of Rehoboth)-^D0et. rHew^-** 

Dr. Abijah Everett— Dr. Bezelrel Mann — Dn Rifcfhard Bow^n, 
(of Refeoboth)— Dr. Joseph Bacon — Dr. Oomfort FaNer ^soti 
of Noah Fuller)— Dr. ComforfCaproB, (surgeon in the Revoki- 
tionary war)-i— Dr. Thomas ^anl^y. 

* See lBenedici'8 His. !Bap. vol. II. 410, where be is erroDeously said to bs 
a graauute of R. Island ColliJge. 



116 



Mi8ClXI«AHSOU»-VOP06RAPHT, 8TATItriCS» itti 

This town was iDCorporated in 1694. It deriFod its namey 
without doubt, from the town of Attleborough in Norfolk coun- 
tj, England, whence probablj some of our early inhabitants 
emigrated to America, and settled, first at Hingham, or Wey- 
mouth, thence removed to Rehoboth, and afterwards became 
purchasers and settlers of this town; and, in remembrance of 
their natire place, selected this name. This origin of the name 
is confirmed by the circumstance, that, in the English town, 
there is a river called Bungay ^ of about the same size as the 
one of the same name in this town* 

At the time of the incorporation it contained upwards of 30 
families, which, if we assumed only five as the number in each 
family (which is probably too low for that period) would make 
150 inhabitants. In 1790 the town contained 2166 inhabi- 
tants ; in 1800,2430; in 1810,2716; in 1820,3055; and at 
the last census in 1830, 3215, exclusive of 12 families, contain- 
ing about 50 persons, which, since 1820, have been set off to 
Wrentham by the establishment of a new boundary between 
the towns, or rather, by restoring it to the original line, that 
of the old colony. 

A Table of the Population of this town in 1830, with the dif- 
ferent ages^ ^c, 

I under 5 5 to 10 110 to 15115 to SO 20 to SOiSO to 40140 . to 50 
198 162 163 170 233 189 
209 182 I 186 I 204 356 I 231 

150 to 60 60 to 70 70 to 80180 to 90 
82 70 31 8 

115 75 32 1 15 

Whole number of females 1758 ; males 1457. Excess of 
females over males 301. 

Number of inhabitants in Bristol County 49,592. In Massa. 
chusetts 610,408. White males 294,685 ; do. females 308,674. 
Colored males 3,360 ; do. females 8,685. Total males 298,- 
045; do. females 312,359. Excess of females 14,314. 

In the United States, Males white and colored, 6,521,409; 
Females white and colored, 6,333,481. Excess of males 187,- 
928. Total 12,854,890. Add 11,130 seamen, &c. making the 
whole population of the United States, 12,866,020. 



40j40.to 
9 14S 
1 I 151 



142 
151 



Colored Males 9 
<' Females 2 



117 

The whole area of the town, according to the aurrey order- 
ed by the legislature, is 2d',000 acres — bjr raluation 26,000. 

Number acres of woodland 2,158; fresh meadow 1,767; 
tillage lands, including orchards, 1,205 ; pasture lands, 4,703 ; 
unimproFed and unimprovable* land, 12,740; covered with 
water 360 acres. 

Number Dwelling Houses 409 ; Barns 345 ; 1 Tan-house ; 
28 Shops ; 12 Stores ; 3 Grist Mills ; 7 Saw Mills ; 8 Cotton 
Factories, containing about 13,000 spindles, and 350 Power 
Looms. 

Amount of stock in trade, $22,000; monej at interest, $16,- 
400 ; stock in Bank, 6,700. Of the latter there is noW much 
more. 

Whole length of roads in town is 100 miles. Number of 
Polls 591 ; Voters, on an average, 550. In 1790, according 
to Dr. D wight, number of dwelling houses was 314. There 
are 23 School Districts, numbering on an average about 45 
scholars each. 

Rivers. They are worthy of notice not so much for d^r 
size, as for the valuable water privileges which thej afford, 
and which are now occupied for manufacturing purposes.— 
There are several streams of water in this town, the principal 
of which is the Ten Mile River. It rises in the southerly part 
of Wrentham, on the farm of Mr. John Fuller, and running in 
a southerly course through this tpwo and through Seekonk, 
empties.into Seekonk CqVe, an arm of the Narragansett. Its . ^ 

length in this town is fi^hiiles ; its whole length is about 25 /^ 

miles. Its average width is two rods and a half. This stream 
is exceedingly important to the interests of the town, for on 
this are our principal manufacturing establishments. 

There is another stream of considerable size, called the Sev- 
en Mile River, which crosses the road near Newell's Tavern, 
and bearing a southerly direction unites with the Ten Mile 
River, a little above Kent's Factory, near the line of Pawtuck-^ 
et. Its length is about ten miles. 



•This 18 a large estimate— doubllQ9s more than truth will warrant. There 
18 strictly but little land in this town which is absolutely unimprovabie for 
purposes ofagricultu re — for tillage or grazing. There is, however, a lar^a 
quantity which is not actually uniier constant cultivation ; but there is only 
a small proportion of this which is not oecaiionaXly cultivated 
16 



118 

Another Untt&n ^hreain^ 'i^ftlle^ 'Abl96Vt'kfttfb,* Miel m the 
Dortheastertj part of CinAt>ei1aMd, abd crbssing the litie, sev- 
eral trmes, between ttiat t6wn fthd tti^, (Mb iYito the Bl&ck- 
utoiie River jast bel6\v the VaHbj F&Wi. 

The third or foarth in sisse & i^ira^y {or j^otnetioJifeB Btftf^e) 
River, which hat its source in the northerly fiartof the toWft 
near Mansfiild fine, t linleiyeb^ ttre \V1tdi P6md, and after 
aiourhey of about five n&rles, ov€^ ifn ^niiUi^trally level bed,'fanii 
into the Ten Mile River nearly in the ctfdtre df the town, be- 
tween the Farmer's and Mechanick's Factories. Originatrn^ 
in a namber of Springis it ia an anMltng mrisath kx hW seasons 
of the year. A channel ha& ti^en iciit this ydfir (ifeS^) fVoAi 
the Witch Pond into the head of this stream. This Poifd (illi 
It is called) is an extensive g^ud^tV^, ihdiidihg about l&^cVes ; 
only a stnall part of whrdi ft covered %ith wKtfer. It is rathe^r 
'singular in its appearance ; and may be Jfi^tiy cirh'sidered a dtf- 
riosity. A hard bottom has never l/e^n'dls^dVei^^d in any part 
of it. In some places it will bear the weight of *a 'iHcrn, Wt ff 
he stands for & ttee,li'e will gradtialiy'sirik tiH Me is int£(Ufe to 
extricate himself. 

The topography of the town tiantain^ riCrth'in^^ecfirHfer ; md 
it id therefore heedless to enla/gelij^bn tr, a^fs dfteh'dtytfe in 
the sketches of our to^^rns. SaffiteHt 'tb s&y 'that, -in th'fe'rfes- 
*pect, it is similar to most towns iti tWs Vitiiftfty'-^hat Itis attt- 
face presents the usual diversity of 'hills •aiidWH^—ihtft its Itfll 
"embraces much land that is poor, ahde6nsrder^bfe^th£ttts giidd; 
and that its natural and tigrifcuhural pi*odu6t'§ "are the ^dtife db 
'those of neighboring towns. 

There are two societies for the purpose 6f social 1hr|Jft)i^- 
ment ; — *The Society for the Encouragement of Hr^rrcultUi^e, 
"Arts, and Soc^ial Intercourse,' incorporated ¥h 1916. It has a 
library of about 300 volumes. It holds its anniversary bn f!fe 
22d Feb. in memory of the Father of his Cbtfntry. The-^c- 
ond is the ^Social Library and Farmers' Historical andtied- 
graphical Society,' established in 1'805. The library cohtaiiA 
about 200 volumes. 



* Said to have derived its name from one Abbott, a boy, who Was drown- 
ed there ia the early settledaeat of the place. It is supposed by some ihii 
the .Indian name 6f this stream was H^atcepoomeag ; but this is doubtfhl 
conjecture. 



The t9t\^n has 4 c^y^s^oiz^d Qp^paoJ^^ ^Jf IVfilitiji, 1^ CQUjpanjr 
of Cayalify, (ipoftly frgm thi^s towp.) and Q«f Indepen^dQ^it fpo| 
compaDj b_^ the na^me of the \ ^'^asbiagt.ox^ l^ifl.^ Goirps,' lybich 
was chartered JJ^ipe 9th, ^§15. I^s. uniform iff J^ greqn CfQck, 
with pantaloons^ of tlo^e s^m^ c.pl?'*, p^r ^j^jp white, ^ni flaUi-; 
tarj caps with blafik pll^^npf s. ]% has firUPJpd ^h^ r^p^tfll^O,^ of 
being one of t^e ^n^.st fiod t).f^0 jli^yj^pj^qed c^wp^ciifis ^p tih^ 
Brigac(e. 

In October^ 1821, a §|ijlen^i4 f|p^ flPR^opM?^? S^P^^^d* i|i- 
scril^ed with th^ ^^^o, * jp.rojfecfi ^Jf.at'yo^if/'fQt^X^^ oM^(^t\ 
w§is p^r^sputepl to thi? ^ p^i^^n^ by thj9 J^ajlie^ of -^ttlel)(^roufili, 
{^ccprnpanied ^ijh a p^ii'.\^tic address— w)ii9h y^fjf re^eiv^fji 
with that gallantry whipji beq^p^iesi \\}e ^pldjer. In their ad- 
dress, th^ fair donors e^pj-esse^ t(i^ ^tropge^t ^^surance that 
if the dreadful c|in cjf war sl^o^jd fi.^^r ^JP^? 4i?^H?^ 9W belov- 
ed country, this bar^(| wp.u)c| l^p fpupd ip the adva^oed guard 
of its brave defen4^rs, $issert|||g jts figjits a.a(l ^i^aintaiiiipg i^s 
kippqi: ; charging tljena tp ipiitatp the virtijes pf tjie ijlustrioys 
p.^tj:ipt jrvhos^ nfim fh^y bp.yp ;— 'tp prqfept MfhaJ pi^r fatjiexs 
lypp,' that th^y plight ppptinup to epjpj jfiQ fi^fa W^ssipgs 
which wp fphe^-it f; opa thppo. 

aufjicieqt Jp ipspire flip he.^rt? of^gnerican soldiers wi^h.tb§ 
lJL¥eUQ?t Is^lipgs ,of patfi5)tfs?p— bu.t jyhen jtfeat ijanj^ ip heard 
ff.ppfi tl;f|B Ijp^ pf pplun^bia'? jFair, and tjip B^po^r of pur coun- 
try is receive^ fron? their hand*, a n9i)Ie ^pafeitiop fir^s their 
l^osoips with a firm dejt^frpina^ion tp du^W. Uom ?¥ery attack, 
the freedom hiequeathed to us ffoco our jEa^h^rs ; and in conclu- 
sion assure thefn, fhat tjbis ^ tjaqdard aJtij^U never be wrested 
from ti?ei^ bj^cjs l?y a /orjeigp .CM^piy, or rent hy an internal 
fpe. T^ whole c^jreroony ojq bot^ ^id^s >r^s impressive and 
ipte^ estijng, .^pd was ,c9»i<Juctpd ^p ))p^ {li^^f wi|h propwfttj 
and digAVty. 

•jCbe IJ^mj^s of i,ts gp^v^.raj co^fpander,? «ire ls.t, Cfipt. SUhu 
Pftgg^t, iff.— 2,.Cap):. phester pugfr,ee— i^, .Cap^t. }yiUi^pi JEy- 
er^l;t-4,,Q^j5)t. XVilla^rd J^obi^^soii— 6, ,C»pt,yirgil J^l^ckingtpik 
— 6, Gapt. David E. Holman. 

In the winter and spring of 1816, this town was visited by 
the most fatal sickness which was ever known in these part9» 



120 

It extended to several other towns adjoining ; but did not prove 
so fatal as here. It swept off in the short space of 90 days, 
about 100 inhabitants, a large proportion of them heads of 
families, and many of them the most useful and respectable 
citizens of the town. It was commonljr' called the cold plague. • 
It generally terminated in a few days. Very few who were 
attacked with it, recovered. No disease of the same kind has 
ever been known here either before or since that period. 

No Bills of Mortality have been regularly kept ; and the av- 
erage age of the inhabitants in any given period cannot be as- 
certained. There have been several instances of very long 
lives. Dea. Elkanah Tfilmarth died at the age of 99 years 
and 7 months. Mary Freeman, relict of Jen. Freeman, died 
March 4th, 1762, aged about 100 years. 

Wid. Sarah Ciaflin, relict of Antipas Glaflin^ died in Sept. 
1777, supposed to be 100 years and 6 months old. Capt. Sam- 
uel Robinson lived to approach very near the age of 100. — 
Zephaniah Robinson also reached a very advanced age. 

John Shepard (who was a native of Foxborough where he 
lived till a few years before his death) died in this town in 
1809, at the extreme age of 105 years. He retained all his 
faculties of mind and body, except bis'eye sight, to the last, 
and was just <lble to walk, with a little assistance, till a few 
days before his death.* He lived over a hundred years on his 
native spot. He was a man of pious character ; — cheerful in 
disposition— jocose, witty, and of a quick understanding. He 
was deprived of his eye sight on a sudden, during the night*- 
and was not himself aware of it, until the next morning, when 
he sought in vain for the light of day. He could distinctly rec- 
ollect events which had occurred a century before. 

He had one son and several daughters. Two of his daugh- 
ters lived to upwards of 80 years ; and another, Mrs Mary 
Mann, of Wrentham, who died in 1828, lived to the age of 97 
years. She retained all her faculties, and usual cheerfulness 
and vivacity till the last fifteen years of her life. She abstain- 
' ed almost wholly from animal food, and never was in the hab- 
it of drinking tea or coffee, and wondered how people could 

* It 18 of him that the well known anecdota is told, that he lived in two 
Counties and four different towns, and yet never moved [during that time] 
(jrom the spot where he was born. 



love either. Her most eommon food was milk. She adhered 
to the same fashion in dress for 80 years. 

A more particular description of the different Manufactur- 
ing establishmients in this town is here subjoined. 

The first factor J in course was the Bearer Dam Factory*, 
(recently owned by Bugbee d& Haven) which was burnt in the 
summer of 1832. 

The Falls Factory (so called) was built bj the * Falls Mana- 
facturing Company', which was incorporated in 1813. It was 
commenced in the fall of .1809— in February, 1811, it was 
burnt and immediately rebuilt. The privilege has about 30 
feet fall, and was the first occupied as a Mill Seat in this town. 
The establishment employs 40 hands — 25 of them females.— 
It consumes about 150 bales New Orleans Cotton per year — 
manufactures 250,000 yards cloth, light calico printing. No. 
20. The building is wood, 70 feet by 34,-3 stories high. A 
New Reservoir was raised here in 1831, which covers 125 
acres. Connected with this establishment are 1 Machine Shop, 
1 Saw Mill, 1 Blacksmith's Shop, and a Grist Mj^. In addi- 
tion to this factory, a new, handsome and durable building, 
made of stone procured in the neighborhood, was erected in 
1831, 68 feet by 38 — 4 stories high, with a projection of 15 feet, 
and is filled with new and improved machinery. It is run by 
Jon. 4* ^eo* Bliss, and employs about 40 hands. 

*The Farmers^ Factory,* was established in 1813, by the 
Farmers' Manufacturing Company. It is now owned by Jon- 
athan and George Bliss. Number of hands employed is 23, 
of which 17 are females. No. bales cotton (New Orleans) 
consumed per year, about 75 — yards cloth (calico printing. 
No. 30) manufactured per year, 135,000. It has about 13 feet 
fall. 

Mechmnics* Factory, commenced in 1811. The first firm 
was Ingraham, Richardson '4* Co; The second was Whita- 
ker, Richardson &> Go. — The next took the name of The Me- 
chanics' Manufacturing Co. The establishment is now owned' 
by Samuel and Jesse Carpenter. It has about 40 looms, 1036 
spindles, Patterson Machinery, — manufactures per annum 
about 291,000 yards, calico prints, No. 27, — employs 38 hands 
—27 females. The building is 3 stories high— 84 feet by 32. 
Connected with it is 1 Triphammer shop^—and Grist Mill.— 



TliU\i|U(9 vow topiiimf» a v*ftol 4i8Uict, If pi. 22. Tweuf 
tj-three years ago it numh^f^d 1 child. }t ha^ ^q^^ 35 8cbplr 
ar« il^ ffifQiliep belovgio^ ^o tbe establishment. A school is 
kept from 6 1^ 8 months per ^pi^UfDf — ^t which 24 scholars usu^ 
allj att^d. 

J)Q4geU Factor^f i^ the oe^l io course. )t was ^^tablish^d 
ia 1809, by Eben. Tyler, Esq. of Pawtacket, Nehemi^h Podgp.9 
Pi^t^r Grin^^U Af Son, find Ak^f»c Oaggeu of Pro^idencf , Elias 
Ipgr&bam fyifl f^dvard Bipl^firclapn, of AtU^borough, qpdeir 
the firp 9f The ^ttlebofough Maqufapturing Gofxipapy, Eben. 
Tyl^r* Agent. The b«M4ing at first ^as 88 feet by 31—3 stQr 
rif)a higli ipc|cid4Qg ^he basiei^f pt story. Iij 1820 it coi^^ined 
1320 spindle^, wh^p Jasiah '^hi^ke^ and John G. Dodge, pf 
Provideiice, piirph^sed one ha)f of t^ factory. In the 8][>rin^ 
of 1821^ (he napie wf^s ci^angjed to that pf the Tyler JVf aqufacT 
tiiring Company^ under t)ie agency of J. C. Dodge. In 1822, 
Net^emiah and John C!» I)odge^ purchased the remainder; ap^ 
Gontinjued (he business under the style of N. aiid J. C. Dodge. 
In 1829, they bu^t an fi4.di.tion ^o the factory, of 9||5 fee;, mak-: 
it 184 feet tiy 3). It now .9ont^ins about 400Q spindles and 
92 power looms, and giyes employment to 130 hands. It is 
the largest establishment of the kind iptowp. Thje village, 
which is k^ownby.thp nan^ of ppdg^viile, has been recently 
very much improved ui^de^ the superiutefidance pf the pi;e8ent 
agent. It poptains a population of 260 person^ (all connected 
with th^ manufacturing establishment) 1 Machine Shop, 1 
F^e^ House, 1 store^ 1 Blacksmith shop^ 4 Barns, ^5 Dwel- 
liog HfO^es, n^ny of them ne>r. J,t forn^s district Nq. 23, anfl 
has a new, cp|xiioodious and uncommonly well-finished school 
hpii#€^, w,here a ,s9^9ol is^e^ .the greater part of jhe yea^. 

The Atherton Factory^ now owned by Thomas Uarkness and 
T!)[iQfn9,s J* Sti^d, of P^roy^dence, was establish^ Abo^t l$i2. 
The ppot w«^P ^ncie^jly ^fcpowp i^s ^Chaffee's »|iUs, w.l^ej;e a aOsW 
mill and Grist-mill were early built. An aijdi^tion was made to 
the factory in 1828— making th^e J3uild\ng now 98 fet^t by 32.-:- 
It ,ei;i9ploy s i^bo^t 60 hands.-— .40 females .rrCons\|ipes ^bout 250 
bales New Orleans cptton per year-:— ip^nufactures clot\j No. 
26-28. jit hap 1600 ^pi Indies and 42 loomp. In conaoctio^ 
wJLj^h it is a Grist n^ill. The establishment ha^ Jl^een owne^ {lod 
impirpypd by several different compan^^s. It vi^as ipcprpora.- 



lit 

t@d 9a ISV&, by tfa6 nane of «Tiife 4llm«M lAateMflMMriftt dim^ 
paWy.' 

All Vte khbvt ihen«btt6d MftnidTtK^toftoisi ar^ bn ^ Teti Milil 

T^e Vii^ PtKtor^, 61irn«d by Dai^l Ri6ad & Ob. IsMllt^d 
on the SeifHh MtU Rivera (\HiiA is «!* otilj' cbtlob ftifctbiy ^ti 
that dtreahl) wa« Milt in IB t3; I^ WM Wnt in 1^806, 'Md ¥^« 
t/aih i^ltnediktel^ itft^. The biiildin^ fd WdW 419 %et by 84^^ 
Sstc^i^ high." Numblbr oJPh«ehdi^«tii^l6]rerditi 17, 6f IHibtn N 
^rd femaleV. It finis 7M tt)ihd¥ei and SIO lo6iiili^^bblNlftM^ 
fi<^ bbltek N^w OrkaAfs <c^toii, tfnfd ^bduceg^bottt JESOO yal^§ 
|)^^ %€^^Il'. ih eomiecttbhl^iVb'i^eis i Miidiiiib ihdL^, #^k^ 
«hi()t6yk 12 w6Tkm6>B— iittd 1 €¥obe^y etbte. 

.Lanesville Factory , situated on Abbott's Run, was Milt ^ 
1B26, 70 fti^ by G6^60 ftlet lii^ (iiAsfoififtg A itotle^ tfhd the 
garfet) ge^eratiy etA^loys «bdul ^ Wordi^, of %irom M ik^ ^ 
mntles^coasunires 4 bales N^e^ OkfeHtfii c$Mtbn ]fibf %Mi, ^M 
mafftifacfttres 400^000 yawls e'alieO p¥ifating *c'!oth*', Ijfb. 4S;«*** 
it has abbitt l2 feet ikll ; ift^A Vtfns SbM ii{Mfl«* MM 601»bttiii. 
Cohcftict^d wti^ {t al-e a ijkiA miH, SttW itoifl', §Iacbiii% ik&p 
for fopatrti, and a Variety stbra. it ^s Olirned by IWIIloa l^r- 
roVrs and others. This estabiishtdent ^haa <oreated ai'ouifd k % 
n^tft and hoMsottie little viRaige^like itftfny eif ^ttos ^I^w Bug^ 
land 'fectory Villbges.* 

Button VjixhoM^^Rabrkson, sTimeSs ^ 'Cbw Tkis Iraa tk^ 
^stbaiton manafactdry in 4he United States. The b»^n||i«t 
Ooflipany (of #farch thepraserit are the «ire<^i»i]rr8$ bagttn the 
biisvneBs on -a ^mall -aeaie^ Brid it fa«B been ^radcnlly ifneressed 
ohtil it has reachdd<it6 present ej^ent. Thvy met Wkh cnanijr 
etnbarrassmien:^ and disconrsgemeifts in th^ ea#ly -se^ges'of th^ 
bnisikess. 

7he maiiufocture of Metal Boitolis Was eoiwAieiDced in t9l% 
by Ool. Obedand OtisRobmsooi and thlit of OiMsBaHdiAaik 

* Tbifl little Btreanii which rises and terminates ia'Cumberlaad, its whole 
course not being more tbdn 8 or 9 miles, is yet able to furnish waterpower 
for several factdriet 'And other tikills. The first fac{ory is tfalcott^Sf in'Cum- 
iJerfadd— lb* next is lifcV^tltte, In ^{tilebdfWfgb— tlib ibfifa is I'h^di^ 
Factory, Ih Robin HaHo«r <9o oyinild)^4ili, Hbbatt's-Bttli BlIHs, WHidli'fiiw 
chide two factories. On this stream > above IiOfiinvfitle, «rei1io^vanLl 
Gristmills, Saw millv, Machine shops, &c. On a branob of thici 49tt6ila» 
near its junction with the Blaekstone, is Carpenter^s Factory. 



18S3t ^J Biehard Ro|iMii«oii 4* Co. eonaistiiig of Richard Bob-- 
infOD, Virgil Blackington* and Willard Robinson— which firm 
was continued till about 18l7f from which time it was carried 
on by Richard Robinson alone till 1826, when a new compa- 
my was formed^ under the same stjle of Richard Robinson &> 
Co. for the term of 5 jears, which expired in May 1831. At 
this time the present firm was established, consisting of Rich- 
ard and Willard Robinson, William H. Jones and H. M. Dra- 
per, under the name of RohiusonSf Jones f 4* ^^- Thej com- 
menced business in a small shop about 35 feet by 22, an addi- 
dition to which was made in the summer of 1826— in which the 
machinerj was carried by horse power. It was in the latter 
part of the year 1826 that they began to work on the Gilt 
Button. 

In 1827 the Company erected a BricjL factory 2 stories high, 
60 feet by 25— and in 1828 the business required an addition 
of 25 feet long. The machinery is carried by water power (on 
the Ten Mile River) : the Rolling Mill connected with the es- 
tablishment was built in 1822, 60 feet by 25. In 1832 the com- 
pany built another shop, of wood, 1 story high, 60 feet by 25. 

The number of hands employed is 75, of whom 30 are fe- 
males* They manufacture about 100 gross per day. At dif- 
ferent times they have produced various kinds — from 1826 to 
1832, they manufactured the common gilt, which competed in 
a good degree with the English. Since 1832 they have manu- 
factured all the varieties which the market demands, the com- 
mon Button, the Navy, the Military, Fancy, and Sporting But- 
tons—which have been acknowledged superior to any other in 
the market, in the beauty, finish, and durability of the work. 
This company has brought the manufacture . of this article to 
such perfection, by various improvements and the skill of the 
workmen, as to compete fully with all otheis in the market 
whether domestic or foreign— indeed, if proper encouragement 
should be given by adequate protection to this branch of in- 
dustry, it would soon be sufficient to supply all our home de- 
mands and exclude the foreign entirely from our markets. — 
This company have received all the contested premiums which 
have been offered by the Institutes of New York, Philadelphia, 
and Boston— sometimes jointly with others. They have in 
their possession 3 Medals (silver) and 3 Diplomas. 



18S 

Seferal important improTementsin the mode of manufacture 
have been made by one of the firm, Mr. Willard Robinson, for 
some of which patents haye been secured. 

A common gilt button which appears when finished so sim- 
ple, undergoes in the course of being manufactured orer 30 
difierent processes— some of which require great skill and ex- 
pejience. Each button is separately handled twenty one times* 
Some of the females mentioned as connected with this es- 
tablishment are employed principally in drying, sorting, pa- 
pering, and packing— and others in edging, cramping, placing 
4he eye and preparing it for soldering. It furnishes for females 
a neat, agreeable and profitable occupation. 

The capital employed by this establishment is about $50,600. 
They use in gilding about $15,000 worth of pure gold, gener- 
ally obtained in its natural state ; and consume 40 tons of Le- 
high Goal, annually. 

The number of tenements occupied by those employed in the 
factory is 13. Several new dwelling houses have been lately 
erected for their use. 

Agencies for the sale of this article have been established in 
all the principal cities in the Union. Some of the articles have 
been exported to foreign countries — to S. America. Hayti, and 
several of the West India Islands. The button now manufac- 
tured is equal in every respect to the English, and perhaps su- 
perior in durability. 

Another manufactory of Buttons was established in Oct. 1882, 
by a different firm, under the name of Robinson, Hall & Co. 
The shop is situated near NewelPs Tavern, on the Seven Mile 
River — it is 30 feet by 20. An additional shop is 'now build- 
ing, 35 feet by 25, 3 stories high. This establishment employs 
19 hands, of whom 10 are females ; and when the new building 
is completed, it is estimated, it will employ from 25 to 30 hands 
in all. This company manufactures the Plain Metal Buttons 
•—both Coat and Vest button of 3 different prices ; and produces 
about 75 gross per day. 

Manufactory of Jewelry— />rap€r, Tift 4" ^^' — ^^^' 
menced in 1821. They now manufacture, annually, to the 
amount of $15-20,000 worth. They employ from 12 to 15 
hands— part of them females. The building occupied for this 
business is two stories high, 40 feet by 22. Sales of the man- 
ufacture are made principally at New York and Philadelphia. 
17 



of Pateut Brass Doo^K^tcl^3 or FrnWiexfi* Tbe .eaublislir 
meot is located on tbe Tiiropike nepx llMcb'^ .Ho^ei. 

flfanufaciary ofFmtr loom s^util^-Tr^hf Cg^. ?(Viltord3Uck- 
^ngtoq, at East Att]e))orojifgb-*coinwpped,in .the<AJl of 4927-*- 
.emplops 12 jouraeymen. AboJt|t^.,4f^. shiittlc^ ^re produe^^ 
per w^ek iii tbe establislm?m»iU.tlip,ra];e.pf 96 pfsr do^. J9p 
^ol^o.iiUDplies a larg^ a^nojunt of^Uut(Ie ,inoMi^itfp-fer Uye use 
Qfoth^xjBbuttle makers* Tbe whfA^ .^ntpnot qf. tbe mannCap- 
^yre oftbisQstablisbpipnt is aboitf f^fifiOf) fer^nn^tm^ Tba 
wprk bas an extensiv:e sale tbr.oj^bp^titb^ .ILc^iMfV^^inltfiir 
ryland, Georgia, Virgiaia, D/^Ianra^q, Nejir Je/i^ej,.Ni^w Xprk, 
j(>^9,^iid.ip ^U tbe,P(^.SqgI»od $M(^ <^9t9 ^KiU^fnie 
pfjthi/i airtipl^^^e^^lUb^d at Pfti^MwM^^^lGiws^M^^^ 
jjf. Adams, Ms. S. BDdiqgame,; Crpxi^d^^ppf ,^ I.^K^Mr jG^- 
nell & Son ; Norwich, Gt. Smitb, Goddard..4^.Qp^|^ ;.N.iSriorHf 
p. N. Mill* ; T<«tj;„N. ?r. >J..M;erritt,*^AK> jP^ttM^lpbw. ^W, 
.AJroon^j Bfiltioior^f WQl)K.^.Gbap«„£(^..^p. 

Hervej M. Richards has established a Jf^^eliy ,8)iftp.o^ftr 
t^ip IJpioi^^ouse 9n .)bp Turiipikey^ix^ttvCaAfiM^i^ia .¥|^ri«tf of 
9,]:tic]«f, isrAtcb key St ^nger rAW** gmr^ QhMP^»l^^«Wf pii^^^^p. 
— comnianced in 183i^ — j^|^plaj;s 12 ^4$i-i-^9 .^^a^leg^w- 
Ampunt of maiiuJEa<?mre ,*bout ,$8,900 p^r jfif^* 3CHe b>fil4Mie 
is 2 stories, 32 feiet .I37 46. J^xms^nf^l^ «^|>ftP.W tbe^H^e 
roadi which employs 5 workmen. 

S^miwl Phillip> .Jewelry 3bpp. wa^ tbfi ,cit/».T«»^plpys 
^l^out 6 bands— maikfiffictjir,^^. tbe jusual yvai;ie|;gr. Alifr^^PlME- 
rows has also established « woj|(8bop of tbe4<VfW Jf^i^id. 

Richards 4* Price haye ,^ .^^welry 3b9pr^f<]lfpn>fQAj;^ ip 
1830— employs 6 bandsi^situintod between ^ Jfv^t^i^'^ 40^ 
the Falls Factory. 

Dennis Everett's Jewelry ,^op— oonupQp^pd ,lMwip^j|i 
1831— eniploys naw 4 banc}?* 

The manufacture of Glass Buttons aod Mte^u ;wJBfi .QqifHip^Qafi- 
ed 6 years ago by Richard Everett, who .^ipp)ays in fJais <^o^ 
4 hands. 

J^sse F. Richards 4* Edwi^ Ellis have l^^ely f^pn^iQ/^oQ/^ii 
the business of making Bri^s Butts and Cfistings, i^pd t^. oth- 
er kinds of brass work. 

Virgil Blackington also OQC^i^ufacturqs Gla^s ^tepn, ^ufl.e^- 
ploys two han^s. 



APPJSi^BilL 



[The p^t««9ltt^.p^^iiiNritfg'beeii'8«tfr fist as they Were 

vvl)lCt»o;«iiiy'8iit9ei»U(i#M'rf'OiiintM4ai thdtl^ prti^r- pkie^, whtbK wbaM 
htve beeif lackiM' iorito bd^ff of t!m> vNirii, tif tbaaoAor te^ 
the tiioe,;lbat it woiUd lmv» heea ektended.tu iu^ pneeM 6i2e« Boiae of< 
Ibem are here added.] 

CAPT. TH(MiA« HtlLliWtT. 

96itf«f nMbe of Cflf^t. 1%orbr&d TfUl^tt i^ho stands at ttie 
hM* <if otir liiH of Rrcyprictbts, and wh'ose' life W biit little 
known, will not be de^^d inai^prbi^riate. ills history dbecT' 
Dt)t'exfeliisivtefJ^1)^elbhgto tMrsfown; but, a^h6 tiook so actvie 
aiid'iniipbrtiint a part int thV Original purchase and settlement 
oPthiB abd^ tlif^ nteigHbd'ribg' tot^ns; a brief sketch of his life 
seebis'td be d^tttHttdid by the inf ere^t witich our citizens mus£' 
feel ifli Ms' character. 

Cafpti Tl^ctt' was on*ie of' the last'of tfVe Leydcn company], 
atrf^catrie' herre ahbut 1630. tfe was a' very young. Wan whea* 
h€ arrived in this country. Ete was a merchant by profession, 
a'trd'i'nf hi« ti-avels^ had^ becbm^ acquainted' wi£K the Pilgrims 
in- Leyifen, aifrf ha'd" prbhabiy sp6bt' much ofhis time with theih ' 
in Holland previous to their emigration to this country. ETis' 
aV fi>l^'r^tded4ti' Pl^buthf, abd sbbn became a useful an^ dis- 
titigaished'nidEtr in'tlie colbny. 

Soon after his arrival in 1630,, though, as iitlreadyrabeerved, 
a young man, he was sent/ by^the' compaiiy^ of Pfyuneuth, wto 
had established a t'radiiig^ house- at fietitMrbte^rk^ tb' sU^eHntehtf 
their business n» aigetit While he'wai residing there, Gov» 
Winthrop re!ltiittes of him' the fblTowing curious anecdote : 

^ At Rennebeck, the Ibdians wanting food, and there being 
store in the I^lymouth trading house, they conspired to kill the 



128 

English there for their provieioB ; and some Indians eomiog 
into the house, Mr. Willett, the master of the house, being 
reading the Bible, his countenance was more solemn than at 
other times, so as he did not look cheerfully upon them, as he 
was wont to do ; whereupon they went out and told their fel- 
lows, that their purpose was discovered* They asked them 
bow it could be. The others told them that they knew it by 
Mr. WiUett's countenance, and that he had discovered it by a 
book that he was reading. Whereupon they gave over their * 
deslgn.*-*Win. Jour. 1. 322. 

In 1647 he became the successor of Miles Standish in the 
command of the famous military company, at Plymouth.* 

He was, in 1651, elected an Assistant of the Governor, and 
was annually continued in that office till 1665, when other du- 
ties obliged him to decline, and James Brown, of Swansea, 
ifas chosen his successor. At this time he was selected by the 
Plymouth Court, agreeably to the request of his Majesty's 
Commissioners, to attend them at New York, (which had just 
been surrendered by the Dutch) for the purpose of assisting 
them in organizing the new government. 

It is mentioned by Davis in a note to his edition of Morton's 
Memorial, that * Col. Nichols (one of the Commissioners) in a 
letter to Gov. Prince, written ifrom New York, the spring after 
the reduction of the Dutch settlements, requests that Capt. 
Willett may have such a dispensation from his official engage- 
ments in Plymouth Colony, as to be at liberty to assist in mod- 
elling and reducing the affairs in this settlement, into good 
English. He remarks that Mr. Willett was more acquainted 
with the manners and customs of the Dutch than any gentle- 
man in the country, and that his conversation was very accept- 
able to them.' 

He executed his duties here to the entire satisfaction of all 
concerned ; his services were so highly appreciated, and he 

* *Mareh Tth, 164T^ The Military Company of New Plymouth, having 
afl!Dor4ing to order propoied unto the Ceari two men for every especial of- 
fice of their band, the Coart do allow and approve of 

Capt. Thomai Willett, for Captain. 

Mr. Thomaf fiouthworth. for Lieutenant. 

Mr. Williaai Bradford, for Eniiga.' 



rendered luinself io popular with the people^ that after the or- 
ganization of the gofernment, he was chosen the first English . 
Mayor of the citj of New York. He was elected the second 
time to the same office. * But,' (as Mr. Baylies the historian 
of Plymouth Colony has justly remarked) * even this first of 
city distinctions conferred by that proud metropolis, did not 
impart more real honor to his eharacter than the address and 
good feeling manifested by him in effecting the peaceable set- 
tlement of the humble town of Swa'nsea/ 

The Dutch had so much confidence in his integrity, that he 
was chosen by them the umpire to determine the disputed bono- 
dary between New York and New Hayen. 

He was also- for a number of years one of the commissioners 
or delegates of the United Colonies. 

Soon after the settlement of Behobotb, Capt. Willett re- 
moved to Wannamoisett, now a part of Swansea, where he re- 
sided during most of the remainder of his life. A grant of the 
greater part of that township (Swansea) was made to him and 
others. With him was associated Mr. Myles, (the first Bap- 
tist minister in New England) and they two are justly esteem- 
ed the founders of Swansea. The manner in which they con- 
ducted the settlement of that plantation was just and honora- 
ble, and reflects much credit on the character of both. 

Capt. Willett always cultivated a friendly intercourse with 
the Indians, and gained their confidence and good will. Hence 
he was generally employed by the colony in the purchase of 
lands from the native chiefs.* 

The following order relating to him was passed by the Ply- 
mouth Court. 

March KS65-6. In reference to an order of Court bearing 
date the third day of October 1665, wherein our Honored Gov- 
ernor Major Winslow, Capt. Southworth, and Mr. Constant 
Southworth were appointed to be a committee in reference to 
a certain tract of land purchased by Capt. Willett on the north 
side of Rehoboth, which said order empowereth tfie said Com- 
mittee to dispose and settle a proportion of the said lands on 
the said Capt Willett as they shall think meet ; and the Court 

• He waa the original parebaser of the Rehohoth North Fttrehaie (Attl» 
honnigh and Cunherlan^— Taunton North Plirehaie (Nortpn, HUoMi, 
' and Baiten) ami munj ether tracts ef land in the vicinity. 



itf^ttiwutmuakwisi^emm diiib' im tMt ^rtf^lmiks 

•SIM J2tii te»^ nffioi fc^mni lUMftidf it ww yoiM'ifi«ittti'. 

of <my #ii>#ft^ wbtot IM tfMt diitfli iimM ebtifMiiMitfto'lktay- 
self.— JReAobo^A JRe<ord«l' 

Ctf)^; IV^HM BMMrM W^ Bwm^ Cstit^^lWfedf td^ W the 
dMglitttrtff Mr;^ JblmiBWfim tB« lift) at Plytfrotscfa, (Mt JiHy; 
1636, by whom he had tlsv^tfl eUkfr^ii ; Tfabttiatf';^ Heirter b. 
My M1)V MIQ»^ ftebeisiMi, 4. Sto A^ leffiT; JMfetf, B^. Not. 
S4, 1649 ; Andrew ; Samuel'; If €i%e/ki«H', wHb dted'Sett Idy; 
MSI V Mi^eMak(M)]p1k 1^ ¥^i^. IWlr,....^^: 

m§ iSCm KinlimiMiyAe^ Bfii. dfltl|(hte*v' of liitftft; l^eMr IFanft 
tfriMi6t!6^, 17th> A^i>il^ 19|l8t Befselki&fr^, itttftYied'A'mra, 
I«idglit0t ctf Ifiti Jialiii BrWh Sdi of Rebobotb, ?th Jati. MYSi 
afld^Mi Mlkd«dbtf after lyth^ Indians itf Philip^s War.— 
JotoSaflh^ {mht^ h$ti^ ttfMhdiia SHiitttiB^ aurd Sw&ii£r«]a')tn*ArH- 
e4>«>de«gbli«r of <!!&)»«. Wiltetf^ and ^Mtfed Hi Brhtdf, R. F. 
attd< ScMkioel Bebher^ of PaMttingtoo, Ci. married an(^tief 
daughter 4' 

Seferal of hie ded0(itfdailt^'htfV« bfeeoiHi^diBtttigtfhlfied iiilihe 
likt»r]r df tbo eodtftty: ItiU 'giMd«6tf Frahdt^ w^s* a' i^romf-- 
tteaeiilfttf iti'Itlio(ieI«tottd oolony. Anothet dcf»c^iidaht,| Hift 

* Tbiigraai was laid oot to liiin«nd recorded in- the Rebobotb- Nortb 
fWcbase itooiu. It 'lies od the Seven Mile River, and has always bofoe 
the name of Willett's Fann. In 1720 it was divided into two parttbe- 
•M«tf Cte|i«.8ABfttcfrTyier' anif' Jbyee iVe^im, wiclow of Jacob KewelT.— 
This hk!mmm^figM\¥f MMiotft 49M %^m rttfg<ilayitjrMrf pMlfel tiaM«^ 
Mid.its-fliAwqjiMlitdMsioite bannlMnrlpreMrfea ilf'gM^'sfaapM 

ft' find ttte fbltdWing oirfbe Soston Hecordh (copied from Dorchester) 
bsrwMobitftti^A'tfaMfbete Was a thx>tina Vin'eU'iik the laUer town— 
fiabdUjrtbt'snDtfi. Bfi idH^i j^-^im^ resMed^ iSbett dtcting Wn fffSffirdae M 
Keoddbeelr.-^' Joh»«fM df* th<Mi8(i Wlllett and Mky bii wli;^, b^rn M 
5th mo. 163 — ; Jonathan b. S7th 5th mo. 1688 , d. 15th 6th mo. ib ; BTaTf 
lib sent d'MMKi^d' $ Metiitlbfe' b. 14t& fst mo. i^ti, 

^ A ^esoendant of Saamelw 



m 

^ jii^)SMl J9 99rMa9»t iifl|#|)^ i after .fi:Ji|^<9f4j^tu^g^^ 
fulness, he died 4th of Angj^ff* Jlff74,:4t,lhe,flpe pf )9^ J{J[^ 

konk) wker«:fi)l]AM|;b 4tQQe,ia.wejqj|ed .tO:b^^ 

lis 7 A 

Xtitn auflust sf 4tj|i (n tjHe 64t) star of )i(ii j^e ^^vgje— 
l¥flO WAS ,XH«E.FJLRSr MAYpR OF NEW ^.QRK, 

AND TWICE DID SUSTAIN T^E F^^A^E. 

His wife Marvjs byried bj bi^^ide. She 0ied j^bout 16^. 

Thus the first English Mayor of the first Commercial mQ- 
trotpolis in Apaeriqa, li^s bfiried on a lopeljr japd barren h^fi|h, 
4n the humble ton^n of Seekonk, ^t aplac^ seldQ^iTi^it^'d by 
the footsteps, of man^-r-with npught but the ri^dest iqonume^t 
to mark the «po,t. 

The farm whiqh he laid out ia this town, at High ;gqdissit| 
and agreeable to the reservation in the Dee^i (see p. jB) con* 
sisted of about 500 acres, (besides his meadow and severc^I 
other lots) and was situated on both sides of the Seven Mile 
River, beginning near Newell's tavern. 

JSis^toJVein,ttoR.JSf.JP«r9bw^.w^VSRJ4 .V Kis son (J^t. 
MAfPw ,WUUu.*o Jpb^ Wilkift«ftn,tl*e l^t. 



3PI|e,SfcWfe WoiWffifint .firept^.#t lJie,ftnglp.AP.tJ\^ QWippJr 
j^ny J^ifteiCw.bipb is?pfpap4.tR,<in^^Qt^.j^ge.44}),fiWta4p^,tbp 
(followiHS iPSf^wptif "^T Oxi Xhfi i|oqt}i.sidp is 3ir,|ittfftn *,CJjr^pHih 
((/.oio9y.'-<T-pp.tbe nortlf, 'M^QsacjitiietJ^s Qplqpy.' 

";TWs.MoiMi?B€,nt by pr4er pf GQv^rpmeqt to ^pei[pct$«j^tp 
>be.plwe pp vhifih,fiiP M\p^^0mpr,4fWf^.Tr^f 
#too4- 

have cboMP to rely on the inscription upon his grave stone. 



IM 

Th« Commissioners appointed hj the old Colonies of Ply* 
mouth and Massachusetts to run and establish this line in 1664, 
were Robert Stetson, Constant Southwortb, Josias Winslow^ 
Jos. Fisher, Roger Clap, and Eleazer Lusher. They began 
this work the 10th of May the sanie year, and marked a tree 
then standing on this spot, it being three miles south of the 
southernmost part of Charles River. 

Lemuel KoUock, Esq. was appointed Agent to cause this 
monument to be erected.— -By order of the General Court. 

The Selectmen of the towns of Wreatham and Attleborough 
were present, ?iz. Elisha May, Ebenr. Tyler, and Caleb Rich- 
ordson, Esqrs. of Attleborough ; and Samuel Fisher^ John 
Whiting, Nathan Hawes, Nathan Comstock, and Nathaniel 
Ware of Wrentham. 

From this Stone* the line is East 20 Degrees and a half 
North to Accord Pond. 

Done at Wrentham^ Nov. 29th, 1790, by Samuel Fisher & 
Son.'* 

The line on which this stands—the boundary between Ply- 
mouth and Massachusetts Colonies — was a frequent subject of 
dispute during the existence of the colonies. The line was 
run five or six times by Commissioners appointed for the pur- 
pose. This now constitutes the boundary between Wrentham 
and Attleborough. 



The original title to the North Purchase w;as derived from 
Alexander, the son of Massasoit, and the elder brother of the 
celebrated Philip, Sachem of Pockanoket. The deed is trans- 
cribed in pages 6-7. His original name was Mooanam, af- 
terwards Wamsutta, or Wamsitta, and finally Alexander Pock- 
anoket, which last name was bestowed upon him, and that of 
Philip upon his brother, by the Plymouth Court, on occasion 
of the death of their father Massasoit. It appears to have been 
a custom with the aborigines in this part of the country, at 
least with their Chiefs, to assume new names on the decease of 
any one of the family to which they belonged. This custom 

* The stsne is about 14 feet in height, and two feet in width, and of im*^ 
eight. 



maj perhapB be traced to some Eastern origin, as maDy of the 
Indian ceremonies have already been, by historians. 

A record of this transaction is preserved on the Old Colony 
Books, which, as I have never yet seen it in print, is here 
copied. 

^ June 6th 1660. At the earnest request of Wamsitta desir> 
ing that, in regard his father is lately deceased, and he being 
desirous, according to the custom of the natives, to change ^is 
name, that the court would confer an English name upon him, 
which accordingly they did, and therefore ordered that for the 
future he shall be called by the name of Alexander Pokano« 
ket ; and desiring the same in behalf of his brother, they have 
' named him Phillip.' 

The colonists during this friendly intercourse could not have 
imagined that, in the course of a few years, the younger broth- 
er upon whom they were bestowing the name of an ancient 
conqueror, and who was possessed of all the natural talent and 
ambition, but not the power or the good fortune of his gre^t 
namesake, would become their most dangerous enemy, and 
the terror of all New England. j 

This AKSdMOnLrecord clearly proves that Massaoit (con- 
cerning the time of whose death there has been mueii contro- 
versy among his historiuns) died a short time previous to Junt 
6th 1660. 

The circumstance of the bestowment of these names upon 
these brothers is mentioned by the ancient histbrians (but not 
the occasion of it) and without fixing any precise date. They 
have usually assigned a date several years earlier as the peri- 
od of Massasoit's death; but modern biographers and histori- 
ans have generally supposed it several years later than the 
true period.* 

From some circumstances within my knowledge it would 



• B. B. Thatcher in his Iinlian Biography lately pub! islied, maintaioi 
that Massaioit^s death must have occurred several years subsequent to 1661. 
Hit words are, * Their father not being mentioned as having attended them 
mt the observance of the ceremony (the confirmation of a treaty &o.) has 
probftbly oecasioQed the suggestion of bis death. It would' be a sofficieoi 
•xplaomtion of his absence, however, that he waa now an old man, and tb^ 
the diftanoeof Sowaflit from Plymouth was morf t|iaii 40 «ile«i' Tol. I* 
Chapt. yiI.f.Ul. 

It 



ISt 

appear that aaong^eonie tribes of the natirea the eustom pre- 
Tailed of changiag their habitations on the decease of any 
member of the faflsilj. 1 have hesrd. the following circnni- 
stances related : On the farm of the late Kbenezer Daggett, 
Esq^. formerly resided, previous to its occupation bv the whites^ 
several persons by the name of Read, who were said to be of 
a mixed race, part Indian and part Negro, and who were al- 
ways observed to change the location of their huts on the death 
of any one of their number. This occurred several times with- 
in- the observation of the early settlers. This custom they 
probably derived from their lodiata descent. The survivors, 
who lived till after the * East Bay Rpad*. was established which 
passed near their dwellings, desired that they too mjgbt be bu- 
ried tfear that road with their heads towards it^ tk(it tMy might 
hear the news when the great Pgst stage passed I Their request 
was complied with; and they were buried abput . ten rods fjrom 
the route where the road formerly passed, with tMr heads m 
that direction. The place where they were buried, is still 
p6inted out on a rising ground or valley between two hills« 
The hillocks (3 or 4 in number) were distinctly visibly within 
my remembrance. Thus ihey seemed .to haye,iio;i4«e8.Qf a 
physical extinction by death, — which was agreeable to tl^e^ 
Egypti&n notion. They seemed to consider death as spn;ie sor^. 
of natural change merely, and not a destruction of the material 
systein.-^Singular conceptions ©f a future existence. 



'^ Among the early settlers of this town was one Joseph Chap- 
lin, who became a Proprietor, and a great landholder. He 
came here from Rowley, Mass. and was the son of Rev, I^ugk 
Chaplin.— [for. Reg. 

He was a man of singular tastes and habits. He lived 
alone, completely a hermit's life— abjuring' all society^ ®sp®- 
cially that of the female sex. The cause of this seclusion is 
not certainly known — though tradition says, it was the faithless- 
ness of a young lady to whom he was engaged in early life.^ 
H^ built him a house — ooeked his own food — and made hie 
own clothes. He laid out a large quantity of land (in the 
whole over 709 acres) and kept a large stock of eattle. He 



iplAnf^ f^TerAl.orebardf. wd. raia^d a vAmtf. of finuts. He - 
laid out tbo moatof that large tract of land called the 'Balfi- 
wajr^Sw.amp,' He died about, the year 1760, at a very ad- 
vanced age« aiid his. property, was. inheirited by his iiephew,8, 
.Joni^tl^fin Chaplin, Elizabeth (who married Samuel Sear!) apd; 
John Chaplin, all of Rowley, Mass. Chaplin was not mo- 
rose, bat naturally benevolent; and would. permit the neigh- 
boring women to come and partake the abundant fruits oil 
his orchard, but was always careful to retire out of sight /on the 
•occasion. His only con^panions.we^e a number of large cats* 
:I{|9 wasrseyeritl times php^en onson^e.tpwa.conAmitte^. 



In the first, burying ground is the following inscription, 
•which is worthy^ of preservation. It is the celebrated epitaph, 
on the Negro Slave, named Caesar, who . was giyoA te LjieuU 
Jbsiah Meixcy by his mother when he was a child. He was. 
admitted to communion with the Baptist church in that*place. 
Though simple hearted, he proved through, a long life remark- 
ably honest and faithful to his masters^ He survived jiis first 
master, ai^d after his own death, was buried in the same graye 
yard : a decent stone was ereeted to his memory by his young* 
er master, Levi Mazcy, with this inscription — which may yp , 
be seen in. the northeast corner of the burying ground, n^ 
iHa^ch^e tavern^ 

* Here liei .the bMt of sUvm^ 
l^ow turoing into dust; 
Cesar, the EthiQpiaji,.cca7«i. 
A place aoaoog the Just. 

Hit faithful soul fatiflei 
To realms of heavenly light, 
And by the blood that Jesus shed, 
Is changed from Black to Whiic 

January 15, he quitted the stage, 
In the TTth year of his age.^ 

iTeo. 



1S6 

The CommissioDen who were Appointed bjr his Majesty is 
1664, passed the followiog order respecting the boundary be- 
tween Rhode Island and PI jmoath Colonies, a part of which 
was the West line of the Rehoboth North Purchase. 

*To the Cheat and General Assembly of Plymouth^ and also of 
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. 
By the power given us by his Majesty's Commission under 
his great seal of England, and directed by his Majesty's, in-^ 
structions to make a temporary settlement of the bounds 
claimed by any Colony, of which we can make no final judg- 
ment by consent of parties, that the peace of the country may 
be preserved, till his Majesty's judgment and determination of 
their bounds be known, 

We order and Declare, the salt water to divide the maiix 
land and Rhode Island from ^conet Rocks northward to th» 
point of the main land which;^ext over against Mount Hope 
point to the said Mount Hope point, not touching upon Rhode 
Island, and so another right line from. Mt. Hope point to the 
next point upon the main land, and so from point to point and 
from the last point a right line to the River's mouth called 
Seaconke, and up said river called Seaconke below and Ptiu- 
tucket above till it meets with the Massachusett's line, to be 
the present bounds between his Majesty's colony of Plymouth 
and Rhode Island, till his Majesty's pleasure be further known 
concerning them. And we desire each dolony to give the 
reasons of their pretences and a draught of their country ac- 
cording to their charters that we may give his Majesty true in- 
formation of them, which we promise to do« 

Given under our hands and seals at Newport on Rhode Ia« 
land March the 7th 1664.' Robert Carr (seal) 

George Cartwrioht ^seal) 
Samuel Maverick (seal) 
A true copy examined with the original. 

Per J. Willard, iSisc'y. 



BEBA.TA. In the list of Proprietors, page 11, by Rober Joant, to ipslt 
io tbe origiaal, was iateoded B^btrt Jona. 

lo the note, page 20, tbe dale, July 5/A, 1671, should be conoected wilb 
tbe succeeding words, it being the time of the passing of the order which is 
there auoted . 

In the last note, page 27, for 1765, read 1675 . 

In pages 79—80, for Aldridi read Nathan Aldis, 

Page 61, erase the second Note. Page 93, line 9 from the top, for l» 
read from* Page 94, line 5 from top, erase the name 8eth, Page 98, in 
•seond Note, second line, for 1769 read 1709. Page 105, second line froo^ 
bettSDi for Hit second daughter read His dau^^fiter Eunice, 




»x 000 3*^'^ laa 




V 



-^ 



r