Barnstable County, Massachusetts - Town of Mashpee, 1890

Town of Mashpee

Location and Description. - Natural Features. - Early Events. - Incorporation as a District. - CivU History. - Town of Mashjjee. - Chvirch and Parish. - Schoob. - Mashpee Manufacturing Company. - Military Service. - Some Prominent Representatives. - InduBtries. - BioKrapbical Sketches.

THIS town, lying on the Vineyard sound twelve miles southwest of the court house in Barnstable, is bounded west by Falmouth, north by Sandwich, and east by Barnstable. It is 8J miles in length, and four in width. It originally contained about six square miles more of land than is now included; but in the year 1700 a large track on Waquoit bay was annexed to Falmouth. Another tract was later added to Sandwich, and still another at Cotuit was added to Barnstable, reducing the town to its present limits. The name is written Mashpee, but in colonial days names of similar euphony were used - Marshpee, Massapee, Mashpoag, and once, at least, Maktepos. It is south of a chain of hills extending along the north side of the Cape, and is generally covered with wood. The soil is a sandy loam, and, although generally as fertile as any on the Cape, is less cultivated. At the beginning of the present century only twelve hundred acres were cleared. More has been since cleared, but it contains now relatively much more wood land than neighboring towns.

Popponesset bay on the eastern boundary and Waquoit bay on the western, furnish the town with two harbors in connectipn with the sound. Cotuit river separates the town from Barnstable and is a tributary of Popponesset bay. Mashpee river, two miles west of and parallel with the Cotuit, rises in Mashpee pond and empties into the same bay. These, with the inconsiderable stream called Quashnet river, or brook, flowing into Waquoit bay, comprise the rivers of the town. Mashpee has many ponds, the largest being Mashpee, a beautiful sheet of water two and a half miles long and divided into two parts by Canaumet neck, the northern portion being known as Wakeby pond. There are a score of other ponds of less importance known as John's, of 240 acres, Ashumet, 226 acres, Santuit, 170 acres, and Pimlico, Moody's, Jehews, Flat, Fresh. Salt, Wells, Deans, Wills and Bottles, each of lesser area. It contains others, but none of geo- graphical importance. In Popponesset bay is an island containing forty acres of excellent land, and in Waquoit bay there are two ; between these bays is Great neck, once a favorite resort of the Indians. Some extent of salt marsh is found near the bays, and the best lands are near and around the large ponds.

That this territory was early sought and had long been the home of the natives has been proven in many ways. Mr. Hawley, who labored here as a missionaiy said : "There is no place I ever saw, so adapted to an Indian town as this." And the state commissioner in a later report said: " It is hardly possible to find a place more favorable for gaining a subsistence without labor, than the territory of Mashpee."

The settlement of a boundary line between the proprietors of Barnstable and the natives was effected in 1658 by the assistance of Richard Bourne, who by his untiring efforts soon after obtained for the Mashpees a patent of these lands from the South Sea Indians, as they were styled in the deeds of that day; he considering it vain to undertake the propogation of Christianity among any people without a home when they might remain on their own soil - a view of the case which has been amply justified. No lands at this time could be sold by the natives without license from the general court, or court of assistants. This early enactment of 1686, and the natural characteristics of the territory, tended to the crystalization of the native element here, which has since been possessed and occupied by them. The same year there were 141 praying Indians.

In 1693 the state appointed guardians who in turn were subject to commissioners, which manner of rule was endured until 1763, when Mashpee was constituted a plantation. In 1760 a Mashpee, Reuben Cognehew, went to England and in person presented to the King complaints against the colonial government, which resulted in the permission to elect their own officers. By an act, January 25,1777, permission was given to sell certain lands for the poor fund of the district, and eight thousand dollars was thus realized for that purpose.

The dissatisfaction of the Mashpees with the oppressive condition of affairs, assumed in 1833 a determined and formidable aspect. Petitions had been addressed to the governor and council in vain; but Ebenezer Attaquin, Daniel B. Amos, Ezra Attaquin and others resolved once more to seek redress. Accordingly May 21, 1833, a council in Mashpee framed and sent to the legislature a set of resolutions strongly asserting the right of self-government. The leaders in this move were arrested and imprisoned during the summer of 1833 for assuming to practice the rights claimed; but so energetic and persistent were the Mashpees that their memorial, signed by 282 males and females of the plantation, was favorably considered, resulting in the act of March 31, 1834, incorporating Mashpee as a district. They could now choose their own oflBcers to managfe their own affairs, to be assisted only by a commissioner appointed by the state, to which position Hon. Charles Marston of Barnstable was appointed for many years, mach to the satisfaction of the Mashpees.

Under the act of 1834, that restored to them these rights, the first selectmen and school committee were chosen, and from this event the Mashpees date their release from civil bondage. The office of commissioner was abolished by the legislature of 1853, and that of treasurer created. The rights of the people in the meantime gradually enlarged, perhaps as fast as they desired; and by the provisions of chapter 72 of the laws of 1842, their lands, which heretofore had been held in common, were partitioned among the proprietors - sixty acres to each - and the deeds duly recorded. This allotment was made in open meeting, embraced all the residents, and conveyed all rights in fee and of sale and conveyance, except to persons not inhabitants. These proprietors then owned their several parcels of land to enjoy all the civil and political rights of citizens of the Commonwealth except that they were not taxed nor represented in state or county government.

The act of 1834 incorporating the district provided that the first election of officers should be held in the meeting house and that the selectmen chosen then, and annually thereafter, should also be the overseers of the poor, surveyors of the highways, and committee of the schools. Ezra Attaquin, Isaac Coombs and Israel Amos were elected selectmen at this first meeting, and between that time and the date of the town's incorporation, Ebenezer Attaquin, first elected in 1835, was selectman 8 years; his son, Ebenezer, 1 year; Isaac Coombs 3 consecutive years; William Mingo, 2 years; Solomon Attaquin, 16 years; beginning in 1837; Daniel B. Amos, first elected in 1840, served 7 different years; Peter S. Poller, first elected in 1842, served 2 years; Moses Pocknett, 1837, 7 years; Matthias Amos, 1840, 7 years; James Amos, 1841, 2 years; Oakes A. Coombs, 1842, 9 years; Nathan S. Pocknett, 1843, 10 years; David Wilber, 1847, 1 year; Joseph Tobias, 1848, 1 year; William James, 1849, 3 years; Elijah Pocknett, 1851, 3 years; Joshua Pocknett, 1852, 1 year; Isaac Jones, 1853, 2 years; Sampson Alvas, 1854, 4 years; William H. Simon, 1856, 7 years; Nicholas P. Keeter, 1857, 3 years; Timothy Pocknett, 1864, 1 year; Walter R. Mingo, 1866, 4 years; Foster Pells, 1866, 4 years; Watson F. Hammond, 1869, and Silas P. Pells, 1870, each 1 year.

Charles Marston, commissioner and treasurer until 1853, was also treasurer until 1865, when he was succeeded by Solomon C. Howland for six years.

1843; William Mingo, 1845; Ebenezer Attaquin, 1846; Solomon Attaquin, 1847; Joseph Tobias, 1848; James Amos, 1849; Ebenezer Attaquin, 1850; Nicholas P. Keeter, 1853; James Amos, 1857; Nicholas P. Keeter, 1859; Solomon Attaquin, 1860; James Amos, 1861; Solomon Attaquin, 1862; Elijah W. Pocknett. 1865; and Benjamin J. Attaquin, in 1866 - each of whom served until his successor was elected.

Since the town was incorporated its change of ofl5cers has been less frequent. The selectmen have wisely administered its local affairs. Solomon Attaquin served as selectman of the town 2 years; Walter R. Mingo, 8 years; Silas P. Pells, 10 years; Darius Coombs, 7 years; Matthias Amos, 3 years; Foster L. Pells, 1 year; Nicholas P. Keeter, from 1878, for 8 years; William F. Myeand William H.Simon, from 1879, each 7 years; Horatio H. Amos, from 1886, 3 years. The selectmen for 1889 were Darius Coombs, Lysander Z. Amos and Silas P. Pells.

The list of town treasurers, each serving until the election of his successor, includes the names of Matthias Amos, elected in 1871; Virgil B Collins, in 1873; George R. Coombs, 1877; William H. Simon, 1879; Solomon Attaquin, 1884; Horatio H. Amos, 1887; and Walter R. Mingo elected in 1889.

The town has had but three clerks: George R. Coombs, the last clerk of the district, was continued in of5ce until 1879, when Oliver F. Jones was elected and served four years; and the present efficient clerk, Charles F. Hammond, was first elected in 1883.

The present boundary line between Mashpee and Falmouth was adjusted June 18, 1885; and that between Mashpee and Sandwich on the 27th of May, 1887, leaving the Mashpees the present town of considerable importance, and the well-deserved privileges its people had enjoyed since the incorporation. May 28, 1870. The valuation of the town for 1889 was $158,190, upon which was raised by taxation $1,800. The number of polls assessed was seventy-five, the town containing sixty-seven dwellings. The sum of $2,729.41 was disbursed during the year for roads, schools, and other town purposes. Notwithstanding the long years of surveillance and oppression by the Commonwealth rendering the Mashpees distrustful of their own capacity for self-government, the affairs of the town are now as wisely administered and its books as well kept and arranged, as in those adjoining.

The allotment of 1842, already mentioned, did not include all the lands of Mashpee. Five thousand acres remained as the common property of the proprietors until after 1871, when these common lands were reduced by division and sale to individual ownership. On the eighth of April, 1871, Chief Justice Lincoln F. Brigham, in superior court at Barnstable, under the authority of the act of May 28, 1870, appointed Wendell H. Cobb, Cyrus Cahoon and Asa E. Lovell to make a description and record of the titles and bounds of lands rightfullyheld by individual owners under the "set-off " to the proprietors of the district in 1842. The Commonwealth had already made extensive and costly surveys of these lands, and the records provided for by Judge Brigham's order are now on file in the ofl&ce at Barnstable, constituting the basis of all subsequent titles to these lands.

The lands of the Mashpees were in common formerly, and not until their rights to civil and religious liberty were bestowed, could much be expected. Not until 1725 were they permitted to employ persons to build houses on the reservation, and in 1767 there were twentyone shingled houses, being about one-third of the residences. In 1800 there were eighty houses and a still larger proportion were of the better class. Wigwams had almost entirely disappeared. Thus they improved as soon as the shackles of what they considered slavery were removed.

Four years after the incorporation of the town the population was 278, and in 1880 had increased to 346. The census of 1886 showed a population of 311, of whom 79 were voters.

Happily for the good name of Puritan New England, and happily for the fate of the Aborigines, the most conspicuous relations between the two races grew out of and clustered around the Godly efforts of Godly men to bring the white man's religion to the Indians of the South sea, which civilizing influence was early brought. In 1661, when settlers came to Falmouth, they soon learned to bound their lands on the east by the " Christian Indians' " land. The gospel was preached first among them in 1658, by Mr. Richard Bourne of Sandwich, who earnestly turned his attention to the work of evangelizing the Mashpees, sometimes then called South Sea Indians. This term of South Sea Indians was applied formerly to those occupying the south part of the Cape; they were in different precincts and under sub-chiefs, with the principal chief living at what is now Hyannis.

On the 17th of August, 1670, Mr. Bourne was ordained pastor of an Indian church gathered from his own disciples and converts. The services were performed by the famous Mr. Elliot, assisted by Rev. Mr. Cotton, who came from Plymouth, and others from neighboring churches. Forty years of pastoral duty was then performed by Simon Popmonet, an Indian. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Bourne, ordained November 26, 1729, who was led to resign in 1742, when Solomon Briant, an Indian, oflSiciated as pastor for sixteen years, with much opposition to his settlement, but doing much good. Rev. Gideon Hawley succeeded Mr. Briant, April 10, 1758, as missionary and pastor. In 1792 the only Indian church in the Commonwealth was at Mashpee. In 1811 Rev. Phineas Fish of Sandwich succeeded Hawley, and was ordained September 18, 1812. William Apes, a reg-ularly ordained preacher of the Pequot tribe, in 1833 was adopted by the Mashpees and invited occasionally to preach, which he did until after their incorporation as a district. In 1830 Blind Joseph had organized a religious society of the Baptist persuasion, to which there were many adherents, and which has since represented the prevailing religious sentiment of the people.

In consideration of the permanent organization of a church society, and wishing to control the church property, to which the society had no claim only by legal action, the citizens, under the act of March 21, 1840, proceeded to take the required measures to control their own religious affairs.

Prior to 1834 the Mashpees had the minister furnished for them without consulting their wishes. Rev. Phineas Fish had been quartered upon them, much to their dissatisfaction. The proper warrant for the organization of a parish was issued to William Mingo by Charles Mafston, July 10, 1840, to meet at the church on the 20th, and a parish was then formed. At this meeting very strong resolutions were adopted; one was that " Mr. Fish never was settled here as a missionary or minister by any act of the Indians or proprietors;" another, " that Mr. Fish's term ended with the term of the overseers; that we have been trying to get rid of Mr. Fish since we got our liberty in 1834." It seems that a suit in equity was then pending against Mr. Fish to obtain possession of the church property of the parish, the inhabitants having discharged him in 1837. Mr. Fish was present at the meeting. Charles Marston was the moderator and James Amos clerk. Solomon Attaquin, Daniel B. Amos and Matthias Amos were chosen a prudential committee. Among other resolutions there voted was one to " put a new lock upon the meeting house and take possession of the same, and the men who change the lock be safely guarded during the act - ". Mr. Fish was forcibly ejected when the meeting adjourned. Rev. David Culver was selected as missionary at the meeting; Rev. Henry Coombs was chosen missionary April, 1841.

In 1842 the parish, in legal assembly, voted again strongly against Mr. Fish, who was yet present in the flesh if not in the spirit. The Mashpees, now managing their own spiritual affairs, were prosjjerous and united as a parish. Rev. David M. Burdick was chosen as missionary September 3, 1843. It was agreed, in the meeting of 1844, to settle with Mr. Fish " when the next third is allowed them from the Williams fund." Mr. Burdick continued his labors for several years, but some division of interest appeared in a vote in 1847 " to pay Mr. Burdick $80 on condition that the next meeting allow Joseph Amos $80." In 1848 Joseph Amos was voted $20 to date, and the parish seemed harmonious.

Rev. Thomas Wakefield was chosen in 1850, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Chapman in 1861. Stephen Coombs was chosen missionary in 1864 and remained until 1869, to be succeeded by Rev. D. S. Hawley. A subscription for a Sunday school library was circulated in 1869, resulting in a hearty response and great benefit. In 1861 E. A. Edwards was chosen missionary, filling the desk until 1865, then was succeeded by Rev. John E. Wood, who remained several years. In 187S, by vote, the committee was authorized to pay six hundred dollars for a missionary, also to repair the meeting house. Rev. William Hurst was chosen in 1886 for one year, and Lemuel G. Waldron, chosen in 1887, was continued through 1889. The chosen faith of the, Mashpees is that established by Joseph Amos in 1830, who led the people to the Baptist belief. The Williams fund in charge of Harvard College had been left in 1711 " for the blessed work of converting the poor Indians," and has since been paid to the parish in needful sums for the support of the gospel. The intention of the donor, a clergyman of London, was not to support a Baptist society, but the old orthodox, and upon this Mr. Fish based his claim; but, as we have said, the Baptist faith prevails, and the parish has its yearly meetings, electing officers and voting for preaching, which entitles them to the income from the fund; two-thirds of which they apply to the support of a chosen preacher.

The people met at the house of Joseph Amos, January 4, 1838, and established the present Baptist Society of Mashpee, many of its members previously belonging to the church at Hyannis and elsewhere. It is a strong and prosperous religious society, to which the best citizens are strongly devoted. The parjsh meetings are regularly held, with Lysander Z. Amos, clerk. The parish has for many years retained W. F. Hammond as clerk. A meeting house had been erected in 1684 in the east part of the town, on the road from Cotuit to Sandwich, and it had been repaired in 1717 by an appropriation of five hundred dollars, and later by other smaller ones; but it still bore the same old style of one door and small windows. In 1854 the house was moved to its present site, near the center of the town, and remodeled.

The people of Mashpee are earnest in the work of temperance, and May 4, 1885, a lodge of Good Templars was organized with twenty members, which had increased to ninety in 1889. A lodge of Juvenile Templars of thirty members is also in successful operation. The hall, library, reading room and the Juvenile organization are all under the control of the elder members of the Good Templars' lodge, and the best results may be expected. The presiding officers of this lodge have been selected from the citizens active in the work, and this combination of sociel societies is a strong factor for good.

Co-existent with the march of religious teachings the schools havekept pace. One school had been kept prior to 1831, when the legislature appropriated four hundred dollars for the erection of twoschool houses - one at the North village and one at the South. In 1834 the state appropriated one hundred dollars from its school fund, and from 1835 this was made an annual appropriation. In 1855 there were 105 school children in the two districts. The condition of the state's appropriation was, that the inhabitants should raise annually,, by tax, seventy-five dollars, to be used for the same purpose; and thissum or more was thus assessed and raised annually. The year's expenditures for schools, as reported by the committee on accounts, in April, 1889, was $435.14.

The simple tastes and natures of their fathers were for the wilderness and the solitudes, and formerly hunting and fishing were their chief avocations; but since 1834 attention here has been turned to farming, and the fine farms of the proprietors compare favorably witb those of other towns. A company was incorporated under the title of the Mashpee Manufacturing Company, with suitable buildings on the Santuit river, through the instrumentality of Rev. Joseph Wood,, then pastor of this people. The object was the manufacture of brooms,, which did not prove as profitable as was anticipated, and the right to cultivate cranberries was added to the privileges of this company two years later. Others then took stock in the company; the ponds were converted into cranberry bogs, other lands were added for that purpose, and the company, under the original title, now cultivates nearly fifty acres. In 1872 Captain S. L. Ames purchased the building which is used as a cranberry house. Cranberry culture has proved veryprofitable, not only to this company, composed now wholly of nonresidents, but to the people of Mashpee, who, stimulated by this success, have since largely and successfully engaged in the culture of this fruit in various parts of the town.

This people have been hospitable from their earliest history; and^ although owing him fealty, Massasoit, in the war of 1675, 1 676, could not induce them to commit any overt act of hostility toward the English.. During the revolutionary war the Mashpees were ready and valiant soldiers, doing much service. Rev. Mr. Hawley stated, in 1783, that; there were no less than seventy widows in the plantation - the result of that war. A single regiment, raised in 1777 for the continental! army, had the following twenty-six warriors out: Francis Webquish Samuel Moses, Damps Squibs, Mark Negro, Tom Caesar, Joseph Asher, James Keeter, Joseph Keeter, Jacob Keeter, Daniel Pocknet, Job Rim mon, George Shawn, Castel Bamet, Joshua Pognet, James Rimmon David Hatch, James Nocake, Abel Hoswitt, Elisha Keeter, John Pearce, John Mapix, Amos Babcock, Hosea Pognet, Church, Asher- and Gideon Tumpum; of whom only three returned. In the war of 1812 but few enlisted. In the civil war, 1861-6, there were many enlistments, among whom, in the army, were Azariah Brown and Lewis F. Mills, brother of William J. Mills. In the navy at the time were John Sylvester Keeter and his brother Edmund, Darius Coombs, James Dennison, Lysander B. Godfrey, Alonzo Godfrey and James M. Godfrey, three brothers; Lewis Atraquin, James and John Coet, Jacob and Samuel Cowett, Thomas L. Hicks, David Robins, Charles Alvis, John H. Spencer and John H. Thompson.

During the present century there have been bom in Mashpee some remarkable men. The wonderful genius of the blind preacher, who, for so many years shone in his glorious power, converting hundreds by his preaching and singing, and to whom the present church of the town looks as its patron saint, will not be forgotten. His descendants, and those of other prominent natives now fill the ofiBces and business positions in the town. Some names have become entirely extinct, with the blood. Poppononett was a chief of the south shore Indians, from whom Nathan S. Pocknet was a descendant. Nathan S. lived on the hill northwest of the west end of Ockway bay. None of the name are left.

Solomon Attaquin. - The ancestors of this aged native were born in Mashpee, and were counted in the number of Christian Indians. His father, Ezra, and grandfather, Solomon, were prominent in the affairs of their people and have long slumbered in the Attaquin burying-ground, west of Mashpee pond. His mother was Sarah Jones, an earnest member of .the Baptist church. He was born January 28, 1810, in the southwestern portion of the town, near Waquoit, and at the early school in the latter place acquired the rudiments of reading and writing. At the age of twelve he shipped as cook on a fishing voyage to the Grand Banks, serving in this capacity two seasons. At fourteen he shipped on board a whaling vessel, making two long voyages, and at the age of twenty was able to go before the mast in a merchantman. He visited Europe, the West Indies and many southern cities in his voyages, and rose to the rank of mate. In 1834, when Mashpee was incorporated as a district, he retired from a steady seafaring life and assisted the people in their municipal affairs. He was elected one of their first selectmen, an office which he filled, at various times, a period of twenty-two years.

In 1836 he married Cynthia Conant, of Plymouth county, who still survives. Of their two children, one died in childhood, the other married Samuel Jones, and died at the age of thirty-nine.

In 1840 Mr. Attaquin erected the building which, with suitable additions, has since been known as Hotel Attaquin. Several years after this hotel was built, the best of fishing, in close proximity,

After his retirement from long- voyoges he, for several years, coasted during the summer between Boston and Albany, as master or mate. In the winter seasons he was often sent to the general court in the interest of his people. While the territory was a district and after it attained the rank of a town he served as town clerk and treasurer, and in other positions wherein his superior judgment and mature years would benefit his people. He is a republican in matters of state, and was appointed the first postmaster of Mashpee in 1871, which position he filled until 1889. While active in secular life, he has been mindful also of the interests of the Baptist church of which he and his wife have been members for the past twenty years. Venerable in his four-score years, he of all others of his people now living, has passed through their comparative slavery, then along the line of their improvement to the full enjoyment of the rights of citizenship. The present generation in their prosperity may well revere the name of Solomon Attaquin.

Sixteen years after Mashpee was incorporated it was, as it still is, a part of the first Barnstable district. In 1885 Watson F. Hammond, a native of Mashpee, was nominated by the republicans, and was elected to represent this district in the legislature, taking his seat as the first one of his people ever elected to the general court of this Commonwealth. He was bom here May 24, 1837, and is the son of John Hammond, whose father, John, was originally of Sag Harbor - probably descended from a Montauk Indian. Mr. Hammond's wife is Rebecca, a daughter of Joseph Amos, the blind preacher. Their six children are: Charles H., Nellie W., Alice C, Lorenzo T., Edith L. and Carrie F. The oldest son, Charles H.,was bom in 1861, and when twenty-one years old began teaching in the. South district, and has taught also in the North district. In 1883 Charles H. was elected town clerk, an office which he continues to ably fill. His wife, Mary E., is a daughter of John H. Pompey.

The longest line of descent accurately traceable here is in the Coombs family. Two brothers, now living, both substantial citizens of the town, are George R., born in 1843, and Darius, born in 1846. Their father, Oakes A. Coombs, was a son of Isaac and a grandson of Joshua Coombs - all bom in Mashpee. George R. engaged in the farming, cranberry and oyster business. He was elected cleri of the district and served until after the town was incorporated. He has been a member of the school committee about three years, also town treasurer. His wife, Elizabeth S., is a sister of William J. Mills of this town. Darius Coombs has been chairman of the selectmen since 1885. He served in this capacity a period of four years, prior to this.

He has ran the daily mail stage from Mashpee to Sandwich since 1877. He was tax collector from 1871 to 1877. His wife, Martha A., Mye, is the daughter of John and Lydia (Pocknet) Mye.

Deacon Matthias Amos, who died in 1885, was all his life a resident of this town, where his father Israel, a seafaring man, was born and lived. The deacon left a snug property for his widow and children. His two sons - Horatio H., born in 1852, and Lysander Z., born in 1858 - are enterprising and substantial citizens of the town. Horatio H. went to sea at fourteen years of age, and continued until 1886. Since then he has been selectman, as his father had been, and also town treasurer, two years. His wife is Ella F. Gardiner. Lysander Z. Amos, at twenty-two years of age, was elected collector of taxes and has held the office to the present time. In 1883 he was commissioned by Gov. Benjamin F. Butler as a justice of the peace of the Commonwealth for seven years. In 1887 he was one of the school committee of the town and for the last two years has been treasurer and clerk for the parish. His wife is Flora E., daughter of Nathaniel D. Bearse.

This people had the facilities of a mill for grinding corn as early as the people of plantations adjoining. Papers in the hands of the state's Indian commissions in 1870 show that in 1684 Shearjashaub Bourne purchased of Quitchatassett, the principal chief and others, all the swamp land from Great pond (Mashpee pond) southward to Coleman's bridge, including the present bogs in the Mashpee river valley for one-half mile southerly from the pond. For this grant of land Mr. Bourne agreed to build a meeting house for the Mashpees. After the purchase of the lands Mr. Bourne built a grist mill south of the road, near where stands the ice house of O. M. Holmes, and the present dam north of the road was constracted for the use of this mill. Still later a saw mill was erected on the same dam; which mill was abandoned early in the present century. The grist mill was used until after 1820. Hezekiah Coleman had a mill for grinding corn, situated on the river where the road crosses it north of W. R. Mingo's. This mill was erected before Mr. Bourne's, for tradition says Coleman was compelled to discontinue grinding because the water was held back by Bourne.

The business of the town has recently grown rapidly in importance. Cotuit was a former trading place; but the wants of the people are now supplied within its own borders. Virgil B. Collins prior to his death in 1875, also Captain Seth Collins, his brother, of Waquoit, kept stores. Among the active merchants were George R. and Darius Coombs. Lysander Z. Amos began his store, now the only one here, in September, 1883; he had been engaged in making cranberry barrels for the four years previous.

There has been a post office at Mashpee since 1870. mail being supplied by a stage line from Sandwich. It was run tri-weekly for three years by James Amos, and for four years by Seth Collins, and since 1877, daily by Darius Coombs. Solomon Attaquin served the public as the faithful agent of the government until the spring of 1889, when he was succeeded by O. M. Holmes, who added a nice set of mail boxes to the office. The hotel kept by Mr. Attaquin so long, now by Mr. Holmes, is a famous resort for sporting parties. There are two halls at the north village; the finished one was built in 1888 . by a company composed of George R. Coombs, Watson F. Hammond, Alexander Booker, Charles H. Hammond, W. R. Mingo, W. H Simon and J. H. Thompson. The library reading room was opened June 2, 1889. The officers of the hall and library association are: W. F. Hammond, pres.; C. H. Hammond, sec; W. H. Simon, treas.

The excellent fishing in the ponds, bays and streams has given the town preference for real sport. Pickerel, eels, bass, bluefish, flounders, cunners, smelt, frost-fish, scup, clams, and other fish are plentifully caught. The Mashpee trout frequently sell for one dollar a pound, when those from other places in New England are quoted at only one-fourth that price. Oysters are a specialty on the southern borders of the town.

The Popponesset bay, between Mashpee and Barnstable, contains some of the finest oyster ground on the southern shore of Cape Cod. The oysters known as " Pells' Best " are grown here. The proprietor of the beds is Silas P. Pells, who was born here in 1838. Besides being a successful business man, he has served acceptably in his town as school committee, constable, and several years as selectman. His wife, deceased, was Lydia Thompson. His present wife, Annie Mye, is of Mashpee.

Oliver M. Holmes was among the Boston people who were attracted to Mashpee by the hunting and fishing as early as 1660. In 1870 he, with his uncle, Levi Morse of Boston, invested quite largely in a cranberry enterprise here, now representing about twenty-seven acres. His house - " Hotel Attaquin " - is a well kept resort, headquarters for the fishing parties frequenting the trout streams and ponds of Mashpee.

William J. Mills was born in Nantucket in 1842, where his father, Joseph Mills, resided. His mother was Dorcas Webquish of Mashpee. He followed the sea, coasting and fishing, from boyhood until 1880. His wife is Adaline B. Gardner. His business is farming and fishing, at which he has acquired a fair property.

Walter R. Mingo. - As a representative factor of -the agricultural importance of Mashpee, this citizen is one of the most prominent. His beautiful residence is located on the rise of land just south of the

-village. William Mingo, his ancestor, went to California in 1849, where he died in 1851. He was an active valuable man in the affairs -of the plantation prior to his removal.

Walter R. Mingo was born in Mashpee, July 6, 1838, and at the age fourteen engaged in coasting between the cities of Boston, New York and Philadelphia. He followed the sea thirteen years, before his retirement in 1865. He married, Januar}- 20, 1866, Frances C, -daughter of John and Catherine Hammond, and sister of Hon. Watson F. Hammond, of Mashpee. Their children are: George H., Walter R., jr., Ella F., Herbert C, Katie M., Russel B., Thomas S. and Laura A. Mingo. Mr. Mingo's fourth child. Nelson D., died before attaining his majority. The eldest daughter, Ella F., was married July 4, 1883, to Isaac Simon, son of W. H. Silnon, one of the largest landholders in the town. Isaac Simon, the grandfather of William H., was the last the natives who could speak the original language. By this marriage of his daughter, Mr. Mingo has four grandchildren: Edward R., Nelson D., Eva M. and Zephaniah E. Simon, who reside near the Mingo homestead.

Although he has the personal supervision of a large farm, and several acres of cranberry bog, Mr. Mingo has found time to serve the town as selectman eleven years, during a period in the history of his town that covers its emergence from a plantation to a corporate body, ^nd in the spring of 1889 he was elected to the office of treasurer. He was one of the original members of the Mashpee Manufacturing Company for the first four yearsof its incorporation, and his name is found among those who desire the advancement of the best interests of the town. Politically he is a strong element in the republican ranks and in the full tide of life is in every manner the representative man of to-day for his progressive people.

David Lovell was born in Mashpee in 1826. He is a son of David Lovell, also born here, and a grandson of Silas Lovell, who was born in Osterville. David Lovell married Mary A., daughter of Prince P. Gifford. They have had six children - four of whom are still living: Gideon, Abram L., Mary and Almira W.

Captain S. M. Godfrey, born in 1821 , came to Harwich when nine years of age. He early in life went to sea in a privateer. In 1841 he settled in Mashpee and married a Mye. He was a partner of Solomon Attaquin in vessels, and has been an active business man. He had -eight children, three of whom were in the navy during the war of the rebellion and one since. Lysander, Alonzo and James were the first to -enlist, and later Samuel.

Town Of Eastham

Territory of the Nausets. - Purchase of the Lands. - Settlement and Incorporation of Nauset. - The Present Town of Eastham. - Natural Features. - Early Settlers. - Growth and Progress. - Industries. - Civil History. - Churches. - Burying Places. - Schools. - Villages. - Biographical Sketches.

THE territory of the Nausets, of which the present town of Eastham forms a part, was familiar to the Pilgrims, and its lands had been favorably considered since their visit in November, 1620, when exploring the Cape. In 1622, and years subsequent, they resorted to this territory for means of subsistence, of which the natives had a surplus. In 1640, Mourt says, some of the Pilgrims became dissatisfied with the barrenness of the soil in the vicinity of Plymouth, which presented the seeming impossibility of building up an opulent capital, and they naturally turned their attention to Nauset, from whence had been furnished ample supplies. . At this time the purchasers had surrendered to the court the lands embodied in the grant of 1629, as set forth in Chapter IV., and in 1643 a committee of seven, who subsequently became the fii'st settlers, with Governor Bradford at their head, repaired to this territory with a view to determine the feasibility of removing the entire church and seat of government from Plymouth to Nauset. This committee reported, as also had one that was sent in 1640, that Nauset was not as extensive as desired, and was also too remote from the center of the colony to be a suitable location for the seat of government.

The church, while relinquishing the idea of removal as a body, resolved to give those who desired liberty to remove and commence a new plantation. The grant obtained was as follows: " The Court doth grant unto the Church of New Plymouth, or those that go to dwell at Nauset, all the tract of land lying between sea and sea, from the purchasers' bounds at Namskaket to the Herring brook at Billingsgate, with said Herring brook and all the meadows on both sides the said brook with the great bass pond there, and all the meadows and islands lying within the said tract." This grant was for a tract of land about fifteen miles long, extending from Pleasant bay northerly to the south bounds of Truro, bounded east by the ocean, west by the bay and the reservation of the purchasers, since comprising the towns of Harwich and Brewster. The seven mentioned as a committee settled here in April, 1644, having purchased of Mattaquason, sachem of Monomoyick, the land at Namskaket, Pochet, and all lands extending northward to the territory belonging to the sachem George, the successor of Aspinet, except Pochet island, which the sachem reserved; and of George they purchased all the land belonging to him, extending still further northward. The indians reserved a small neck lying by the harbor on the east side of the tract, which neck the settlers promised to fence that the natives might have a separate corn field; and the . privilege was also granted them for digging shellfish in the cove and . that they. should have a share of the blubber of the whales driven ashore, their proportion of the latter to be determined by the English. This territory is now substantially embodied in the towns of Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet. The settlement of the plantation began with Mr. Thomas Prence, Edward Bangs, John Smalley, John Doane, Nicholas Snow, Richard Higgins and Josias Cook, who, with their respective families, constituted a colony of forty-nine persons. In 1646 the entire tract received from the court an incorporation as follows: " June 2d, Nauset is granted to be a township, and to have all the privileges of a township as other towns within the government have." Town oflScers were elected and in 1647 the first deputy from Nauset appeared at general court. In 1651 it was ordered by the court " that the town of Nauset be henceforth called and known as Eastham;" which name the entire territory bore until the erection of Wellfleet in 1763 and Orleans in 1797; and which name the central portion of the original purchase still bears. In the dismemberment of old Eastham the retention of the name to the middle portion was most appropriate, for here the first settlement of the tract was made by white men, and here for more than 150 years, before its present limits were defined, was the seat of the town government. The old training ground is still pointed out, southwest of the present Eastham depot.

The territory of the present town six miles in length by three in width, has Wellfleet on the north, the ocean on the east, Orleans on the south and Cape Cod bay on the west. Its surface as a whole is a continuous plain, with undulations of hills and valleys, the seashore on the east containing sand bluffs of considerable height. The Indian name, Nauset, still designates the northeastern portion; Silver Spring was the former name of North Eastham; the central portion north of the ponds has been known as Half-way ponds, and to that portion south of the ponds the term Great neck is still applied. A small harbor is on the southeast, one branch extending northerly inside of the beach and the other terminating in the Town cove.

The surface and soil of the town have been, and still are, better than would be supposed by the casual observer. Successive crops of wheat, corn and other grains are produced, furnishing a large amount for export. The sandy tract between Great pond and Town cove, now planted to pines, wa,s once fertile farming land.

Several fresh-water ponds dot the surface, around which the soil is alluvial. The largest of these, Great pond, embraces 112 acres; Long pond, east of that, covers 39 acres; Meeting-house pond, north of the center, contains 17; Herring pond, south of Great pond, has 45 acres, and others of less magnitude swell the aggregate pond surface to more than 225 acres. One salt pond in the southeast partis connected with the harbor.

A tract of oaks and pines in the north part of the town constitutes the principal wood land, although tracts elsewhere about the town are being planted with trees. Along the west shore, from the Orleans line to the bounds of Wellfleet, stretches a sandy flat nearly a mile wide and quite dry at low water, along which are evidences of a once larger growth of timber than now is found anywhere on the Cape. Great Meadow river empties into the bay on this side, and just south is Boat Meadow river, with its marsh extending nearly to Town cove. It is said that high tides have flowed across here from bay to ocean. Some inconsiderable brooks are found that connect with the waters of the bay in the north part of the town, of which the largest are Grape Swamp brook. Snow's, Cook's and Indian brook, in part the boundary between this town and Wellfleet.

Billingsgate point is on the extreme northwest point of the township, on an island three miles from the main land, with which it would seem to have once been connected. In 1822 a lighthouse for the benefit of Wellfleet harbor was erected here; but subsequently the washing away of the remaining beach compelled the removal of the lighthouse to a larger island north, and the lighthouse is now just within the bounds of Wellfleet.

In the south limits of the present town of Eastham six of the original settlers of Nauset erected their first dwellings, Nicholas Snow, of those mentioned, having located on Skaket, now in Orleans. Mr. Prence had two hundred acres of the most fertile land, which is still pointed out as his home farm, also the site where grew the first pear tree planted in Old Eastham. John Doane occupied two hundred acres north of the harbor, which farm is also pointed out by the descendants, and the other settlers were each located on the same number of acres to the westward. They were joined by others from Plymouth and from the older settlementson the Cape, and ten years subsequent to its incorporation as Eastham \^e find the old town contained these heads of families: Henry Atkins, Stephen Atwood, Richard Booshop,

Still later other settlers were: Thomas Crosby, Sam ii el Freeman, Joseph Harding, George Godfrey, George Brown, Lieutenant John Cole, John Smith, Stephen Hopkins, Jonathan Cobb, William Walker, Jonathan Higgins, Eldad Atwood, Benjamin Higgins, John Knowles, Thomas Newcomb, Joseph Collins, Jonathan Linnell, Isaac Pepper, John Witherell, William Dyer, George Ward, John Herd, Moses Hatch, George Herd, William Nickerson, Samuel Horton and Samuel Rich. These had settled around the Town cove prior to 1684, mostly north and west.

The claims of the Indians were not fully ad justed until 1666, when they were placed more by themselves at Potanumaquut, that the plantation might not be wholly surrounded by these native residents. The cloud of King Philip's war hung over the plantation, and every precaution was taken for the safety of the settlers. Eastham also furnished men in this war, and provided for home protection by organizing military companies. Samuel Atkins and John Knowles, of the eighteen who went out in 1675, being slain.

The town joined with others in an affirmative vote for a new charter in 1691, and to pay for their share of the expenses mortgaged to John Freeman two islands at Billingsgate. The inhabitants of the town at this time were in straitened circumstances from the suspension of the fishing and agricultural interests, consequent upon the war and the ceaseless vigilance required for the safety of their homes. In 1695 this depression was ameliorated and the affairs of a growing community continued. John Doane, jr., built the stocks and whipping post near the church, more land was laid out and the church enlarged. The people were able, and soon after 1700 each widow in the town was voted four acres of land.

In 1720 a road forty feet wide was laid out from Harwich to Truro, which in part is known as the county road, from which during the succeeding thirty years many others were laid. In 1765 the bounds between Eastham and Wellfleet were marked as follows: "Beginning at a white-oak tree at the head of Indian brook marked E. W., thence due east by marked trees to a marked pine, thence east to the sea; then from the first-mentioned point at the head of the brook, westerly as the brook runs to a stake on the beach at the mouth of said brook, crossing the end of Billingsgate point to the bay."

action. New records were opened, the salt manufacture was commenced, and a canal was constructed from Great Meadow river to Herring pond. The embargo of a few years later greatly affected the town, and its population was decreased, being in 1809 only 782. During the war of 1812 the people of this town found it impracticable to reach Boston by vessel to exchange for supplies, and a market was found at New York by watching the opportunity to creep along the coast to Sandwich, cart the boats and cargo across to Buzzards bay, and creep along the south shore to that market to exchange dried fish for flour and other necessaries.

One of the interesting incidents of the town during the blockade was the capture of Captains Matthew H. Mayo and Winslow E. Knowles, who succeeded in reaching Boston with a whale boat loaded with rye. After an exchange for family supplies, they exchanged their boat for a more capacious craft, and in this were captured. On board the English ship they were offered a ransom, and Captain Knowles was permitted to return to Boston to obtain the money. Captain Mayo was compelled to pilot a crew of British on a cruise, and he contrived to bring the vessel to anchor at Billingsgate point. He then managed to cut and weaken the hawser, which broke, and the vessel went ashore just south of the old camp ground at North Eastham. Captain Mayo waved back Edward C. Clark and George Collins until more men could approach, and when sufficient of his neighbors had assembled, the crew was captured. The British were confined one night in George Collins' bam and allowed to depart the next day, as the town was at the mercy of the privateers; and upon the demand for satisfaction the town paid a large sum.

In 1820 the population had declined to 766; but in 1830 had increased two hundred. Its share of the surplus revenue, $2,100, was partly used in constructing a bridge over Boat river, in 1837, and the remainder was the next year, with the interest, appropriated to the support of schools.

For the past half century the population has steadily declined, being in 1840 only 955, and in 1875 it had decreased to 639; in 1880 the population was 692; and in 1885, the last census, it had declined to 638.

An epidemic scourged the town in 1816, which decimated the population, and perhaps directly influenced the town's future prosperity. In the four months ending June first of that year seventy-two persons died. The disease had no regard for age, class or locality, and nearly every family mourned the loss of one or more members.

The town having never erected a poor house, the poor were either assisted in their homes by the officers, or their keeping for the year was let to the lowest bidder; but for many years past the selectmen have arranged for their keeping with those who would keep them in the most equitable manner for the town. All town meetings were held in the meeting houses - in the one until the Methodists erected theirs, then dividing the use - until 1851, when M. C. Horton, Barnabas Doane, Sylvanus Smith and Seymour Bangs were appointed a committee to choose a site for the town house. The site was selected, and the same year Elijah E. Knowles, Barnabas Doane and Myrick Doane were chosen as a building committee. The house was erected, and since has furnished a place for the public pieetings, as well as a suitable hall for rent.

The industries of the town have been varied and scattered over the territory. The most ancient mill was a tide mill in the river that connects Salt pond with the harbor. Tradition cannot furnish the name of the builder, and the only recent evidence of its location was the mill stone in the river half a century ago. Two wind mills have since furnished the people with grinding - one at North Eastham, of which Isaiah Gill and Freeman Horton were the last millers, was taken down twenty-five years ago; and the other in the south part of the town, still serves the public. This latter was moved from Provincetown in 1795 (or a few years prior, as some think) where it was built in 1776. It is owned by Thomas Paine and Seth Knowles.

About 1799, and a few succeeding years, the manufacture of salt received much attention, and was a source of profit. The works along the bay, commencing at the north side, were owned by Nathan F. and Elkanah Cobb, the latter selling his to Edward C. Clark; Joshua Higgins; Barnabas Mayo; George Collins; Peter Walker, who sold to E. C. Clark; Edward C. Clark; Dea. Benjamin Clark; George Clark; Timothy and Joshua Cole; Joshua and Seth Paine; Major Joel Snow; and Benjamin Walker. Around the north part of the Town cove and at Salt pond were: Herman S. Doane; Thomas Cobb; Michael and B. H. A. Collins; George Seabury; Joshua Knowles, who sold to Joshua Cole; Samuel Knowles; Samuel Snow; Joshua and Seth Paine; William and Harding Knowles; and Barnabas Freeman. In all, the number of feet exceeded one hundred thousand, from whose evaporating vats were annually made large quantities of salt. As late as 1837 there were fifty-four plants, yielding 22,370 bushels.

The fishing business was also an early source of revenue, furnishing food and the dried fish being a commodity that in exchange would purchase necessaries in any city along the coast. The cod-fishing in 1837 gave twelve hundred quintals and the mackerel, 4,660 barrels. This business, like the salt making, declined, and the past few years but little has been done, execpt in the four weirs on the bay. The oyster business was once prominent, but their propagation ceased. Clams are still plentiful, but not as much so as formerly. Five hundred barrels of clam-bait have often been furnished from the

The declination of fishing and other industries has created new ones, of which cranberry culture is most prominent. The peculiar adaptation of the soil to the culture of turnips and asparagus, and the increasing demand for these vegetables as an export, has led to a thorough trial which promises good results. Of the latter, forty acres have been so readily and profitably cultivated that nearly as many more have been planted. Some years ago the ice in the bay breaking up ploughed out a great quantity of quahaugs which parties picked up and put on the packet. Sometimes the packet did not sell them all and would bring them back. It was suggested to put those returned in the Salt pond. The quantities of quahaugs that came from this operation were actually fabulous. They could not be thicker, and if some had not been taken out must have died for A^ant of room. Parties raked them and picked out those half grown and shipped a large number of barrels to Boston.

The government found it necessary to invest the shores of the town with safeguards for the world's commerce, and besides the light at Billingsgate, have erected a breakwater for the protection of its beach and harbor. In 1838 a beacon of three lights was erected on the Atlantic coast, in which, with other enterprises of this nature, Captain Michael Collins was prime mover. The life saving station, called Nauset Harbor station, is on the neck near the harbor of that name, and is commanded by Alonzo N. Bearse. This station is one of the Second district, of which Benjamin C. Sparrow is superintendent.

The Camp-ground established in 1828, by the Methodist society in the western part of the town, was noted for many years as a place of resort. Ten acres were laid out and beautified, being incorporated in 1837 as the Millennial grove, which continued a popular place of worship for thirty years.

The decline in population since the middle of the century is, perhaps, not proportionately greater than other Cape towns of like industries. Sons have gone forth to other scenes - to tread the busy marts of trade; but statistics of the present do not indicate the same domestic relations of 1802, when, according to Rev. Mr. Shaw's writings, 122 families, aggregating over eight hundred persons, occupied one hundred dwellings, of which only seven were two stories high. The population is now at its lowest ebb, the dwellings are mostly large and neat, and the business of the town is in a healthy condition. Scattered here and there are some of the substantial dwellings of last century, but greatly modernized, occupied by the descendants of those who rendered the town important at that time. Of these early dwell- ings that of William H. Nickerson, on the old training ground, is among the most marked. In the visits to the old burying grounds, the sites of ancient churches, and other spots of historic interest, the antiquarian finds pleasure.

Civil History. - In 1646 the town of Nauset, the name of whicli was changed in 1661 to Eastham, opened books for the registration of births, marriages and proceedings of the town meetings. The proprietors kept a record of their lands and the divisions. Of these proprietors there were 1S7 in the final division of the remaining uplands in 1743. The records of the proprietors are safely preserved in the town, but the town records were given to Orleans in the division of the towns, and from these Eastham has transcribed the more important. These records abound in ancient enactments deciding ear-marks for the settlers' domestic animals, annual town meetings for the election of oflBcers, votes enabling the constables to collect taxes and giving them half in collecting fines, and in 1659 the military enactments commenced. In that year the civil authorities provided for a military company, of which Mark Snow was captain, Jonathan Higgins lieutenant, and Jonathan Bangs was ensign. A troop of horse was provided for, but this was not diflScult, as only three were to be supplied by Eastham; and of these Thomas Prence and Edward Bangs, each agreed to supply one full equipment if the town could supply the third.

The first voting by proxy, or by representation, was in 1661, when for general elections the people could cast their votes in open town meeting instead of the tiresome march to Plymouth for that purpose.

The disposal of the whales cast on the shores occupied the attention of the officers, and in 1662, and many years after, the town voted upon this question, sometimes applying the revenue to the support of the church, at others to town expenses. This year the increase of intemperance among the Indians required strong acts to repress the sale of liquors, and a fine of five shillings was imposed for furnishing it to any one.

Selectmen were first elected in 1663, with many powers which divided more distinctively the civil affairs from the religious; but for many years the court at Plymouth ruled even these offices with religious severity, causing them to whip all who denied orthodoxy, and place in the stocks those who stood outside the meeting house during service.

In 1671 the vote was that no wood be taken from, the town, and the bounty on wolf scalps was promised which was doubled in subsequent years. On these matters the town was without party spirit; but in 1691, on the vote to assist in obtaining a new charter, the mi- nority dared vote against the move. Then for a few years the neglect to attend the town meetings was so marked that in 1705 a vote was carried to fine any freeman who lived within seven miles of the polls if he did not attend.

The jurisdiction of the Indian lands between Harwich and Eastham was settled by committees from the towns - that the jurisdiction of Eastham remain as formerly, that the lands be improved in common, and that Eastham pay annually £2, 10s., to the proprietors of Harwich. The division line was run in 1712 through this tract, and in 1714 the Indians served a notice of trespass on the Eastham selectmen, to settle which John Paine was appointed a committee to go to Plymouth court in behalf of the town.

Many meetings were held in 1721 in reference to the portion of a loan tendered to the town, but it was decided to loan it out on good security. The people were very spirited in their calling for a division of the county in 1734, and failing in this, they were equally as strenuous in urging a reduction of the number of courts. This people, with those of the lower Cape towns, persisted in a reduction of these courts without effect for three years.

In 1754 the town voted that the representative elect remain at home. This was to save the expense of sending him; but the town subsequently had occasion to petition the court for a release from the liability incurred. In 1773 the town met and passed strong resolutions in favor of the rights laid down by the Boston committee, and in 1774 strong action was taken against the use of teas; but there were two parties in the town, the opposition to the Boston move being greatly in the minority. In 1779, on the question of a new constitution, the town vote was thirty against and two for. During the war of 1812 two parties existed, but those opposed to the war did nothing to thwart the demands of the government. In 1856 a large majority espoused the doctrine of free soil, and identified themselves with the party that soon came to rule the people during the struggle that ensued. With true loyalty the town in its actions did all it could in furtherance of the quelling of the rebellion.

The reader is reminded that the officers named in the following paragraphs were the officers of Nauset until 1651, and that during that period and until Wellfleet and Orleans were incorporated, many of these men were leading residents of the districts not now included in Eastham.

The deputies, dates of first election and terms of service, were: In 1647, Josias Cooke, 13 years, and Richard Higgins,7; 1648, Nicholas Snow, 3; 1649, Samuel Hicks, 2, and John Doane, 6; 1654, Daniel Cole, 12, and John Freeman, 8; 1655, Richard Sparrow, 3; 1660, Nathaniel Mayo; 1668, Jonathan Sparrow, 18; 1671, Thomas Paine, 7;

The selectmen have been as follows (the dates preceding the names the years of first election, and if the same man was again elected the whole number of years of service is indicated): 1663, John Freeman, 10, Nicholas Snow, 7, and John Doane, 14; 1665, Edward Bangs,

The succession of incumbents of the important oflBce of town clerk is shown in the following list, wherein the date of commencement of each man's service is noticed: 1646, Nicholas Snow; 1663, Mark Snow; 1676, Daniel Doane; 1696, Thomas Paine; 1704, John Paine; 1729, Joseph Doane; 1743, Thomas Knowles; 1746, Nathaniel Freeman; 1769, Jabez Snow; 1761, Edward Knowles; 1774, Gideon Baty; 1779, Richard Knowles; 1782, Isaac Pepper; 1786, Samuel Higgins; 1790, Isaac Sparrow; 1793, Elijah Knowles; 1797, Benjamin Clarkr 1806, Ebenezer Paine; 1824, George Clark; 1830, Joshua Paine; 1837, Samuel Knowles; 1842, N. S. Knowles; 1847, David Higgins; 1848, Heman Doane, 2d; 1865, Josiah M. Cole; 1866, Joshua Paine; 1874, Heman Doane, and since 1878, George H. Clark.

1731, Edward Knowles; 1741, Samuel Freeman; 1759, Jabez Snow; 1776, Gideon Baty; 1780, Richard Knowles; 1783, Isaac Pepper; 1786, Samuel Higgins; 1791, Isaac Sparrow: 1794, Elijah Knowles; 1797, Benjamin Clark; 1805, Ebenezer Paine; 1825, George Clark; 1831, Joshua Paine. Thus it appears that the offices of clerk and treasurer had practically been one since 1793, and in 1837 they were actually united, since which time the duties of treasurer have devolved upon the men noticed in the above list of clerks of the town.

Churches. - The Congregational Society, the first in Eastham, was transferred from Plymouth in 1644. As soon as possible a meeting house, twenty feet square, was erected near the Town cove, adjoining the first and now unused burial place. John Mayo, in 1646, took charge of the church for a few years, and was succeeded in 1665 by Thomas Crosby, who was " hired to conduct public service on the Lord's Day." He was succeeded in 1672, after a few months without a pastor, by Samuel Treat, who, learning the Nauset language, preached also to the Indians. He continued a faithful pastor until 1715 - a period of forty-three years. During this period a new and better meeting house was needed, and in 1676 Dea. Samuel Freeman, Lieutenant Sparrow, John Doane and Thomas Paine were appointed to carry on the erection of a new house near the old burying ground. In 1696 a steeple with a bell was added, which Rev. Mr. Pratt, in his history, says was the first, as well as last, church bell in the town, but the oldest residents do not claim to have any traditions that confirm the assertion. This meeting house was enlarged in 1700, the appropriation being ;^180, to add fifteen feet, which made the house square.

In 1713 the meeting house was repaired by the committee. Captain Samuel Freeman and Samuel Mayo. In 1714 Mr. Nehemiah Hobart was hired to teach the school and to assist Mr. Treat in the pulpit. Mr. Treat died in 1717. Mr. Lord preached a few weeks, but went to Chatham, when Rev. Samuel Osborn was called. In 1718 the South parish meeting house was erected, to which Mr. Osborn moved. The old church was occupied until a new one was erected in 1720, the site being changed to near the second burial place of this society. Through their agent, Isaac Pepper, the society procured the services of Rev. Benjamin Webb, who filled the pulpit until 1746 - twenty-six years. After Mr. Webb's decease Rev. Edward Cheever was installed in 1761, and continued until his death in 1794. Rev. Philander Shaw, who was ordained in 1795, served forty-two years - until 1838.

In 1830 a new meeting house was completed in a more eligible situation, one and a half miles north. Stillman Pratt preached in 1839, and in November of the same year Daniel H. Babcock was ordained, but was dismissed the next year. Solomon Hardy supplied for two years, and in 1842 Rev. Enoch Pratt was called. Edward W. Noble preached from 1846 to 1849, and was succeeded by J. H. Wells and Stephen Bailey for two years. In 1851 Rev. Ebenezer Chase, the last minister of the society, assumed the pastorate and remained until 1859.

Rev. Mr. Shaw in 1802 made the record that " the people of Eastham are happily united in the same mode of religious worship as in the days of their fathers, there being not an individual in town that does not belong to the Congregational Society; " but his statement long ago was inapplicable, for, after a short term of disuse, the edifice was sold in 1864 for secular purposes, the greater part being used in the construction of the residence of John A. Clark.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized here in 1820. It then belonged to the Wellfleet charge, the pulpit being supplied by Rev. E. Wiley. In 1821 a meeting house was erected, and Rev. Edward Hide of the same circuit supplied the desk. Rev. L. Bennett and Mr. Perry preached through 1822, and in 1823 the church was made a separate charge, with Rev. Nathan Paine pastor. At this time the membership was one hundred. The successive pastors have been: In 1825, Rev. E. K. Avery; 1826, Benjamin Keath; 1828, Frederick Upham; 1829, Joel Steele; 1831, H. Brownson; 1833, Lemuel Harlow; 1834, T. W. Brown; 1836, Warren Emerson; 1838, Thomas Ely; 1839, Josiah Litch; 1841, E. W. Jackson; 1842,0. Robbins; 1844, Henry Smith; 1840, Joseph McReading; 1847, Samuel Fox; 1848, Dixon Stebbins; 1850, William Leonard; 1852, Anthony Palmer; 1853, Thomas D. Elake 1854, William H. Stetson; 1855, George Burnham; 1857, Abel Alton 1859, Edward Hinckley; 1861, B. K. Bosworth; 1863, C. Hammond 1865, Benjamin L. Sayer; 1867, Francis A. Loomis; 1868, John L. Fish 1870, Lawton Cady; 1871, George S. Macomber; 1872, Eben Tirrell, jr.; 1874, John Cooper; 1875, John S.Fish; 1877, Charles N. Hinckley; 1879, Philo Hawks; 1881, Frank Bowler; 1883, S. F. Harriman; 1885, Martin S. Braley; 1888, Samuel Fox. The bell, which was presented by Moses Wiley some twelve years ago, is the only church bell in the town. The present edifice was dedicated November 28, 1851.

Early in 1889 steps were taken to establish a Universalist Society in Eastham. On the 12th of August twenty-three members made John E. Ryder their president, and organized the First Universalist Parish of Eastham. Rev. Donald Eraser, of Orleans, held services in the town hall during the summer, and in August a Sunday school of thirty-three pupils, with six teachers, appointed Luther B. Smith their first superintendent. Measures for erecting a place of worship were considered. Captain Edward Penniman heading a subscription list for the necessary funds and taking untiring interest in the completion of the edifice. A site was donated by W. E. Nickerson, on which a pretty church, forty by fifty feet, was built, and on the last Wednesday in

January, 1890, it was dedicated. The membership of the society numbered forty-nine at that time. I. F. Crosby of Brewster, John Kenrick of Orleans, and others not residents of the town, gave cordial support to the movement, the result of which is a credit to the town of Eastham. The pastor in charge is Rev. Donald Fraser.

Burying Places. - The town has four places of burial, of which the oldest - now more than 240 years old - is that laid out north of Town cove by the side of the first meeting hoiise, and is not used. Two churches were erected near the old ground, and when the third was built another ground was laid out near it, and is the second one of the town. The Methodists next had one laid out by their meeting house - the third burial place of the town; and when the Congregationalists built their last meeting house a fourth - the third for this society - was opened. These are all under the care of the town.

Schools. - No mention of a school is made in the records of Old Eastham until 1666, when Jonathan Sparrow was hired to teach a school, for which a small appropriation was made by the town, to teach reading, spelling, writing and arithmetic. In 1700 some advancement had been made, but there was yet only one school for the entire town. That year the town agreed to pay ten pence per week for each child, and the people north of the Town cove could have a separate school if the people who wished it would pay the master. In 1713 the Town cove was made the dividing line between two schools, and from neither side of this line should the scholars attend the other. The school was to be located in a convenient place on the north side of the cove, being in the present territory of Eastham, and Peter Barnes was hired to teach. In 1714 Nehemiah Hobart was the master, with a salary of ten pounds extra for assisting Mr. Treat in the ministry.

The increase in population rendered two schools necessary in 1749, each having within its jurisdiction about one hundred families, and a committee for each was appointed. These two schools received more liberal support from the town funds, for in 1762 the schools were removed from private houses to school houses. In 1785 a grammar school was organized, and the following year a still better division of the two districts was effected.

After Orleans was erected, there were only two districts remaining in Eastham; but in 1800 another was created and a school house erected. In 1804 the town needed another district, and the four now had $120 for their yearly support. The increase in settlers and scholars was now more rapid than in last century, and adding the fifth district only accommodated the scholars of the town for a few years. In 1834 the town was divided into six districts, and three hundred dollars appropriated for the support of their schools. In 1844 these schools had acquired a standing that compared favorably with sister towns. The report of the committee in 1858 shows the discontinuance of one, and the gradation of the pupils of the remaining districts; and in 1861 the first building for a graded school was erected in what was known as district No. 4. The state school fund was now adding to the growth of the school, and inducing a still better grade. A reduction of the districts to four, with a new house in No. 1, was made in 1862. In 1866 improvement was reported, and still further changes made in gradation and the books used in the schools. In 1867 four districts were supplying suitable accommodations for the scholars, with one male teacher in the principal village. In 1869 music was taught with good results. Much care was taken to have the most competent teachers, although the number of pupils gradually decreased. The schools, during the winter of 1871-2, were taught by students of Dartmouth College, and the advancement in most of the schools was greater than usual. The strictness of these teachers and the flagellations necessarily imposed, led to strong discussions among the patrons as to the right to do so, which was very judiciously disposed of by the school committee.

In 1873 a new school house was urged in District No. 3, then using the old town hall, and during the year one was erected. In 1876 the town received a severe rebuke from the school committee for wishing the abolition of such officers, but the feeling which was consequently detrimental to the interests of the schools, soon abated. In 1876 nine teachers were employed, singing was generally taught, and the pupils were receiving advantages superior to those of any former year. In 1877 the meritorious scholars were reported by the committee, wall maps had been added to the rooms, and other improvements inaugurated to elevate the schools, so that the school year ending April, 1878, showed not only increased attendance, but a high standard of scholarship. The town paid in the year $1,185 for school expenses. In the school year of 1881-2 six teachers were employed. The truant law had been adopted, the visitors' list was published, a superintendent had been appointed, the schools were better graded, and the people were pleased with the progress. In 1883, the school committee was increased to six and the schools diminished to three. In 1886 there were in the public schools 125 pupils, and $1,168.41 was expended. For the school year ending April, 1888, the committee expended $1,182.54, receiving of this $306.44 from the state school fijnd, and employing seven teachers.

The condition of the schools in 1889 was much advanced. Regular lessons in music had been given, the attendance being eighty-four for the school year ending in April, but the percentage of attendance was increased from the previous year. The expenditures for the last school year were $1,160.34, which indicates that the children of East- ham are enjoying advantages in this respect, that have never been exceeded in the history of the town. They have now three good buildings, conveniently located, and containing every needed device for instruction.

Villages. - This town does not contain the compact villages that are seen in sister towns, but the store, post office, mill, railroad station, town house and churches in the south part of the town form the nucleus of the village of Eastham. It is the largest centre of the town and embraces the territory upon which the pioneers erected their first dwellings in 1644. That the village is scattered across the southern portion of the town is due to the fact that the excellent quality of the soil has rendered rural pursuits the leading industry, in the absence of good harbors and commerce that would tend to develop a more compact business center. A rural, sparsely-settled New England village now greets the eye, with roads winding over knolls and around ponds. Thrift appears in the neat surroundings of the cottages, and the two towering church spires in the distance and whistle of the approaching locomotive remind these aspiring denizens of their approximation to the title of villagers. The county road is embraced in the eastern part of the extended community, and west of this, between the railroad and the shore of the bay, is the most considerable portion of the community. Many residents of the southern part make Orleans their post office and business center.

The primitive stores of last century have passed away, and with them nearly every connecting tradition. During the first years of this century Colonel Samuel Stinson had a store and tavern near the present Methodist church. Others had stores about that time, among which that kept by Jo.seph Knowles on the hill by the old Congregational meeting house was a favorite resort. He discontinued the business soon after another meeting house was built to the north of the old site, near which Thomas Crosby had opened a store, which interfered greatly with the most profitable branch of Mr. Knowles' trade. Peter Walker, a rhyming blacksmith of the time, who loved his gill of rum as well as any, used in the evening gatherings, to sing this

In connection with the last meeting house built, and when Mr. Shaw was closing his labors with the declining society, another of Mr. Walker's store and workshop ditties was:

In 1837 Elijah E. Knowles and Mark Crosby took the store that Joshua P. Atwood had long before opened, near Salt pond. After one year Winsor Snow became a partner with Mr. Knowles and continued another year, when the latter became the sole proprietor. He removed to Orleans in 1885, and the building he occupied as a store is now the storehouse of George H.Clark, near the railroad track. In the month of October, 1871, Edward Clark opened a general store in the present post oflSce building, which he erected for the purpose. He sold the entire business to his son, George H. Clark, who is the present proprietor.

The only industry of recent years was instituted in 1866 by Edward Clark, a currier by trade. He purchased the Congregational meeting house in 1864, the sills and^ some other timbers of vhich were used in 1866 in the construction of a large shop on the west shore of Great pond, where he carried on the currying business until 1880, since which date the shop has been used for farm purposes.

A pretty building, with its sitting room and oflBces for railroad purposes, is the center of attraction for sightseers and tourists. The first train of passenger cars passed though this village on the last day of December, 1870, and the depot was at once erected. Nicholas P. Knowles was station agent until his death in 1883, when the present incumbent, Eldad Higgins, was' appointed.

Across the track, in the store of George H. Clark, is the village post office, an institution established here January 1, 1798. William Myrick was the first postmaster, holding the position until Qctober ], 1807, when Samuel Freeman was appointed, who held it until July ], 1811. Harding Knowles was then appointed and was succeeded by Joseph Mayo, August 18, 1813, and he by Heman S. Doane, January 3, 1822. Elisha Cobb was the next, appointed March 16, 1827; held until April 13, 1841, when Elijah E. Knowles took the office to his store. August 14, 1843, George Seabury was appointed and September 19, 1860, Henry Knowles succeeded. Four years later Seth Paine assumed the postmastership, which he held until his death, and his widow was appointed in October, 1868, who, with Micah S. Paine, held it until the appointment of George H. Clark in 1878. The office receives two daily mails from the train and accommodates a large territory.

The taverns of former times existed here as the wayside retreat along the county road, and of these that of William Myrick, in the south part, was the most important.

From the citizens of this village a number have been selected to fill government offices of trust, among whom was Elijah E. Knowles, who acted as assistant assessor of internal revenue from 1863 until the abolishment of the division; and the same person, with Obediah Doane, Abijah Mayo, and others, served as commissioner of wrecks for a term of years.

Here is the Eastham Library of several hundred volumes, an institution established by individual munificence and now supported by the town, the citizens voting a sum yearly. Myrick Clark was its first president, continuing until his death in December last. Reuben Nickerson, Mrs. Isaiah H. Horton and Mrs. Julia Knowles have been the trustees since its organization. The town clerk, by virtue of bis office, is treasurer, at present George H. Clark; and the librarian, Mrs. Herbert C. Clark. Every Saturday the library - in the hall over the store of G. H. Clark - is open to the public. One of the principal donors in the permanent establishment of the library was Augustus E. Denton, who gave one hundred dollars. Sixty dollars was voted by the town last year for new volumes and other expenditures.

North Eastham is the name given to the territory of the north part of the town, which embraces the community that centers at the stores and depot under the title above given. It is more level - has more the appearance of a plain - than the south part of the town. Its general productiveness has created broad farms, upon which the citizens more closely follow agricultural than horticultural pursuits. Cook's brook, named from Josiah Cook, one of the pioneers of 1644, empties into the bay to the westward, formerly forming a sufficient harbor for the fishing vessels of the town, and in the decline of the business, comparing the vessels of that day with the boats of the present, the harbor is -still sufficient, notwithstanding the filling with sand. At the mouth of this creek the schooner Belvidere, of 101 tons, was built in 1812 for Elkanah Cobb, Michael Collins and the Doanes, by a master builder of Plymouth, assisted by Andrew Lincoln and others. The greater part of the timbers were cut upon surrounding territory, which, coupled with the fact that at presentmany sturdy oaks are seen in this part of the town, indicates to the reader the character of a portion of the soil. The salt-makers along the west shore of this territory have been given.

Stores were opened here early, but subsequently to those in the south part. The earliest we find to have been established prior to 1800 were those of Michael Collins and Elkanah Cobb, and later that of David Brown. Abraham Horton had a store about 1830, which he continued many years, in what is now known as the Nauset House. In 1881 Arthur H.Cobb erected a building and opened a store adjoining Millenial Grove. George P. and Samuel F. Brackett purchased the business in 1886, and are yet there engaged in a general mercantile business. In 1886 Robert R. Horton engaged in the grocery business in a new building near the depot, and after one year sold the

The reader will expect to find the inn with the old stores, but tradition gives no definite data of any prior to that of Abraham Horton, which was the usual stopping place for the early stages to and from the lower extremity of the Cape. He continued until his death, and the old tavern has since been open as the Nauset Hotel, with John Horton proprietor. In the large hall of this hotel the only society of North Eastham meets. In the large building near the depot is Excelsior Hall. In 1886 Robert R. Horton, Caleb Haley, Philip and Reuben Smith, as a company, erected this building, the first floor for store purposes and the large hall on the second floor for a skating rink. The rapid decline of this pastime induced R. R. Horton and Frank Duchman to start a pants factory, which, after four months, was discontinued, and the hall is now kept for rent.

The first postmaster at North Eastham, appointed March 28,1842, was Cushing Horton, who was succeeded December 15, 1846, by David C. Atwood. September 4, 1871, Abram W. Horton was appointed, keeping the office in the old tavern until 1882, when the present official, Robert R. Horton, was appointed, and removed the office to the depot. The depot was built in 1871, Cushing Horton being the first agent until his death, when his son-, Winslow T., assumed the duties. The present agent, R. R. Horton, has been in the employ 6f the railroad company since 1877.

Longfellow Council, No. 89, of the Order of Home Circle, was instituted April 1, 1885, with twenty-five charter members. Heman S. Gill was the first leader, and was reelected in the December election of 1889. The intervening rulers were Everett G. Dill and Louise H. Ellis.

In this village resides H.Osborn,the superintendent of the French cable, and the office of transmission, near the lighthouse, properly belongs within its limits. The company's main office is in France, from whence the cable was laid, landing at North Eastham in November, 1879. In the office here three relays of competent men - three operators, every eight hours - are constantly employed, and often more. One must receive the message across the ocean, one check, and another transmit the same to New York city. The buildings are ample, furnished with sleeping apartments, billiard room and every convenience. The principal operators employed the past few months were: Chief A. F. Toovey. J. D. B. Stuart, George S. Hall, John Chapman, Frederick Sugg and Ernest Horton. What would be the astonishment of the aborigines of Nauset or the pioneers who purchased and settled their territory if they could see this office, from which lightning messages between the Old and New