Arlington Town (part 3 of 8)

Lynn End was formerly the north parish of Lynn, and is now Lynnfield. The above lines are inscribed on the gravestone of Townsend at that place. Lynn lost in the battle on that day, four men killed, two wounded, one missing. - See notices in Lewis's and Newhalfs Histories of Lynn. Newhall, Hist, of Lijnn, p. 340, says Timothy jNIunroe, of Lynn, was wounded while standing behind a house, with Daniel Townsend, firing at the British troops as they were coming down the road in their retreat toward Boston. " Townsend had just fired, and exclaimed, ' There is another red-coat down 1 ' when Munroe, looking round, saw, to his astonishment, that they were completely hemmed in by the flank-guard of the British army, who were coming down through the fields behind them. They imme- diately ran into the house, and sought for the cellar ; but no cellar entrance was there. They looked for a closet, but there was none. All this time, which was indeed but a moment, the balls were pouring through the back windows, making havoc of the glass. Townsend leaped through the end window, carrying the sash and all with him, and instantly fell dead. Munroe followed, and ran for his life. He passed for a long distance between both parties, many of whom discharged their guns at him. As he passed the last soldier, who stopped to fire, he heard the redcoat exclaim, ' Damn the Yankee ! he is bullet-proof - let him go ! ' Mr. Munroe had one ball through his leg, and thirty-jtwo bullet-holes tlirough his clothes and hat. Even the metal buttons of his waistcoat were shot off. He kept his clothes until he was tired of showing them, and died in 1808, aged 72 years." This is a vivid description of the action around Russell's house. Newhall further quotes the following advertisement, which relates to this action, and which appeared in the Essex Gazette of June 8, 1775: -

" Lost, ill the battle of Menotomy, by Nathan Putnam, of Captain Hutchinson's Company, who was then badly wounded, a French firelock, marked D. No. G, with a marking iron, on the breech. Said Putnam carried it to a cross-road near a mill. Whoever has said gun in possession, is desired to return it to Colonel Mansfield of Lynn, or to the selectmen of Danvers, and they shall be rewarded for their trouble."

From a list of funerals in Medford, is the following: " 1775, April 21, Mr. Henry Putnam - slain at Menotomy by the enemy, in the retreat from Concord on the 19th inst. He was about 70 years." " April 26, William Polly, a young man, of a wound in Concord Battle." Mr. Henry Putnam, according to the Medford records, met his death, April 19, and William Polly died April 25, 1775. These persons having connection here, are named in the Genealogies. It is said that William Polly was shot by the British flank-guard while he was riding on horseback at a distanca from the main road in Menotomy.

A hand-bill published soon after the battle, with forty coffins and the names of the Americans slain presented upon it, entitled the " Bloody Butchery by the British Troops; or the Runaway

Fight of the Regulars," contains '- A Funeral Elegy, to the Immortal INIemory of those Worthies who were slain in the Battle of Concord, April 19, 1775," from which we extract the following lines :

The destruction of property attempted by the British, both by fire and pillage, during tlieir retreat through Menotomy, was considerable, but the pressure of the pursuit by the Provincials prevented much. Smith mentions several houses which were entered on the main street. The damage done to the meetinghouse and school-house in the Northwest Precinct of Cambridge was estimated to amount to £0. 13.4; and the vessels, linen, and cash, belonging to the church of said Precinct, taken out of the house of Joseph Adams, deacon of said church, as by his account exhibited on oath, amounted to X16. 16. 8. The whole losses suffered in Cambridge amount to £1202. 8. 7. - See Poio-e, 415-16.

The next disaster to Menotomy people, as the British continued their retreat, was the killing of Jabez Wyman and Jason Winship, at Cooper's tavern, the spot where a monumental tab-

1 Felt, in his Annals of Salem, ii. 519, mentions Peirce as killed by the British at the Battle of Lexington, and states tl;at other persons fiom Salem rode to the place of the engagement.

let has recently been erected (1878) with the following inscription : " Here stood Cooper's Tavern, in which Jabez Wyman and Jason Winship were killed by the British, April 19, 1775.'' They are generally spoken of as two decrepit men, who came into the tavern for information, and were killed while sitting in the tavern, by the British, who entered the house. The following deposition gives an account of the event :

" Cambridge, May 19,1775. We, Benjamin Cooper and Rachel Cooper, both of Cambridge, aforesaid, of lawful age, testify and say that in the afternoon of the 19th day of April last, the King's regular troops, under the command of General Gage, upon their return from blood and slaughter, which they had made at Lexington and Concord, fired more than a hundred bullets into the house where we dwell, through doors, windows, &c. ; then a number of them entered the house, where we and two aged gentlemen were, all unarmed. We escaped for our lives into the cellar ; the two aged gentlemen were immediately most barbarously and inhumanly murdered by them, being stabbed through in many places, their lieads mauled, skulls broke, and their brains out on the floor and walls of the house ; and further saith not."

Sketches of Jason Winship and Jabez Wyman are given in the Genealogies. The following phase of the matter is different from the generally received American accounts, which make these two men martyrs to the cause of American Independence.

The account given below of some incidents relating to these two men is extracted from a letter written by the Rev. John Marrett, pastor of the Second Church in Woburn (now Burlington), to his uncle the Rev. Isaiah Dunster, minister of the North Parish of Harwich (now Brewster), dated at the former place July 28, 1775. Both these clergymen were natives of Cambridge and graduates of Harvard College (see Paige, 538, 604). The letter is published entire in a work entitled Henry Dunster and his Descendants, p. 87, &c. The allusions are to the death of Jabez Wyman and Jason Winship, to the adventure of the wife of Deacon Adams, the setting fire to John Cutter's house, the damage to the meeting-house and Mr. Cooke's house, and the killing of Jason Russell and others.

" As to the two men unarmed that were killed in a house at Menotomy, am not absolutely certain ; but take them to be Jabez Wyman, who used to work for Mr. Cooke, and Jason Winship, killed in the tavern that Captain Adams formerly owned, now Cooper at the corner. Wyman was certainly killed there, and I think Winship, but am not certain they were unarmed ; but it is likely enough they were ; they were drinking flip. Wyman was warned of the danger, but, says lie, let us finish the mug - they won't come yet. He died as a fool dieth. The woman you speak of was Deacon Adams's wife. She had newly been brought to bed a few days before. The Regulars came into the house, and one of them presented his piece at her, but she screamed for mercy, and another prevented his firing, but pulled off the clothes and told her to get out of the way ; or, to use their phrase, to make herself scarce. So she went off, but I know not where. Her children were some of them under the bed, and I think remained undiscovered ; they set the house on fire, but it was soon put out. They set John Cutter's house on fire, but by the activity of our people it was soon put out. Our people pressed so hard upon them that they had not time to execute their Master's will so fully as they desired. Menotomy meeting-house received no other damage than some of the windows being broken, and some balls from small arms shot into it. Lexington meeting-house had a cannon ball, a sixpounder, shot through it, besides many small arms fired into it. They broke the windows of Mr. Cooke's house, and fired into it. and the kitchen, the setty room and the best room northeast. They plundered as much as the time would admit, took, broke and destroyed what they could. Jason Russell, the old man, was the person killed, and in his house ; whose death I have mentioned in my other letter. It was not your brother Harrington that was killed,' nor his son. It was Moses Harrington's son. It runs in my mind there were two of that name killed, but I forget whose son the other was. * * * * I have just made inquiry, and am informed that Jason Winship and Wyman were the persons killed, who were unarmed, and had not been in the engagement ; but were solacing themselves at the tavern the chief of the day ; and both died like fools."

At about the time of the killing of Wyman and Winship, Mr. Samuel Whittemore was wounded by the British flank-guard and left for dead, being the one wounded man of Menotomy mentioned in the lists of the American losses on that day. He was struck down nearly in the rear of Cooper's tavern, about where on "Russell Park"' a monumental tablet lias recently been erected (1878), with this inscription: " Near this spot Samuel Whittemore, then eighty years old, killed three British soldiers, April 19, 1775. He was shot, bayoneted, beaten, and left for dead, but recovered, and lived to be ninety-eight years of age." A sketch of him is given in the Gexealogies. He was a prominent citizen of the Precinct, and the progenitor of a great portion of the Whittemore family here. Paige, in his Hht.

Camb., devotes considerable attention to him. A descendant, T. J. Whittemore, of Englewood, N. J., communicates the following, which has already been printed :

"Feby. G, ll'd^. - Died - At Menotomy, Feby. 2 (1793), Capt. Samuel Whittemore, JE.. 99. The many and moral virtues, in all the various relations of Brother, Husband, Father and Friend, were invariably exhibited in this gentleman. He was not more remarkable for his longevity, than his number of descendants (his progeny being 185), one of which is the 5th generation. When the British troops marched to Lexington (Ap. 19, 1775), he was 81 years of age, and one of the first on the parade ; he was armed with a gun {King's arm) and horse pistols. After an animated exhortation to the collected militia, to the exercise of bravery and courage, he exclaimed ; ' If I can only be the instrument of killing one of my country's foes, I shall die in peace ! '

" The prayer of this venerable old man was heard, for on the return of the troops (from Lexington) he lay behind a stone wall and discharged his gun. A soldier immediately fell. He then discharged his pistol and killed another ; at which instant a ball struck his face and shot away part of his cheek bone; on which a number of soldiers ran up the wall and gorged their malice on his wounded head ; they were heard to exclaim, ' we have killed the old rebel.' About 4 hours after, he was found in a mangled situation, his head was covered with blood, from the wounds of the bayonet, which were 6 or 8, but providentially none penetrated so far as to destroy him. His hat and clothes were shot through in many places, yet he survived to see the complete overthrow of his enemies, and his country enjoy all the blessings of peace and independence. His funeral will be to-morrow at 4 o'clock, P. M., from his house at Menotomy, which his relations and friends are requested to attend."

j^OTE. - This old gentleman was posted in the rear of the house of Hon. James Russell, in West Cambridge, on the road to Woburn, awaiting the return of the enemy from Lexington. On discovering the flank-guard of the enemy (5 in number) approaching, a friend who was with him, deserted him, but he refused to run, saying, "I am eighty years old, and I will not leave, for I shall be willing to die if I can kill one British red coat." On the nearer approach of the " guard " he shot one with his gun and another with his pistol, and while raising his second pistol, he received a wound in his face. He fell, and soon the remaining three soldiers jumped over the wall, pierced him with their , bayonets, and left him " for dead," as they supposed he was. On being found, he was faint from loss of blood, and life was just perceptible. He was taken to the hospital (Cooper's Tavern) on the corner of Medford Road, in West Cambridge. Surgeons Welch and Spring dressed his. wounds (one shot wound and thirteen bayonet wounds).

The Second Precinct In Cambridge

Capt. Samuel was a large, athletic mau, of a strong constitution, and recovered. He lived till Feb. 2, 1793, carrying to his grave fourteen wounds. He was not at the Concord fight, as has been stated. Before the Revolution he was a Captain of the Royal Dragoons, but as soon as an opportunity offered, he joined the patriot party and performed his share of duty in the army.

Capt. Samuel was father to William Whittemore, who graduated at Harvard College in 1755. He was born July 27, 1696, and his tombstone, now in the burying-ground in West Cambridge, has the following inscription, viz. : " In memor}^ of Capt. Samuel Whittemore, who departed this life Feb. 2, 179.3. Aged 98 years."

His children urged the old man to go over to " Hill's " (where all fled for safety from the enemy, who were soon expected to return from Lexington) ; but he sat knocking his flint and said he should not go - "he was going to get a shot at them when they came back! " His daughter said, " Father, they will take you." Still rapping his flint, and not raising his head, he said: "They'll find it hard work to do it." After some weeks he so far recovered as to recognize his family, and one of his daughters asked him " if he was not sorry that he went out.^ " - " No," said he, " I should do just so again."

Samuel Whittemore was grandson of Thomas Whittemore, who came to this country about 1643, and settled at Mystic side (Maiden) ; he was descended from William, of Hitchen, co. of Herts, in England, who was born about 1540, and had brothers Thomas and Rowland.

Samuel Frost and Seth Russell were the two men reported missing from Menotomy after the battle of the 19th. They were made prisoners by the British, and were confined on board one of the men of war at Boston, until exchanged, June 6, 1775, at Charlestown. - See Frothingham's Siege of Boston, \\\-\l^. Sketches of both these men are given in the Genealogies. E. Russell's Salem Gazette, under date of May 5, 1775, reports them ''missing - supposed to be on board one of the men of war." " A Journal kept during the Time that Boston was Shut up in 1775-6, by Timothy Xewell, Esq., one of the Selectmen of the Town " (see Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. i., fourth series, p. 262), contains the following, under date of Jime 6, 1775: "Mr. John Peck, Mr. Frost, Mr. Brewer, and sundry others, discharged from on board tlie Admiral, in exchange of prisoners, viz. Major Dunbar, Capt. Gould, and a number of wounded soldiers."

" Edward Hall, 1st. Lieut, of the Royal 43d Regiment, was wounded in the arm at Concord, and was brought down in a chaise in the centre of the troops. The horse was not so swift as the men, and falliug a little into the rear he was wounded again, in the shoulder, this time mortally, near Samuel Butterfield's. When Mrs. Butterfield, who lived on the north side of the road, returned to her own house she found her best bed covered with blood and occupied by this British officer, and a wounded Provincial (Hemenway of Framingham) in the other bed. The American recovered, but the officer lingered along a fortnight and then died, having received every attention from his hostess ; supplies, also, and nurses for him, were sent out from Boston with a flag of truce." *

" Lieut. Bowman met at North Cambridge a soldier who had straggled some distance away from his comrades. It was man to man in single combat, and it happened that neither gun was loaded. The Briton rushed at his antagonist with fixed bayonet ; nothing daunted. Bowman awaited the attack with clubbed musket, and striking aside the bayonet with one blow felled the soldier to the ground and took him prisoner."

Gordon says the Regulars, when near Cambridge, were upon the point of taking a wrong road, which would have led them into the most imminent danger, but were prevented by the direction of a young gentleman, residing at the college ; by which means they made good their retreat, a little after sunset, over Charlestown neck to Bunker Hill. The point of departure of the British from the main road through ' Cambridge, was by Beach Street, in the present North Cambridge, into the Milk Row Road. Prom the westerly border of Menotomy to this point, says Paige, " their passage was through a flame of fire."

Gen. Heath, who had taken command of the Provincials, says (Memoirs, p. 14), '^ The militia continued to hang on the rear of the British, until they reached Bunker's Hill in Charlestown ; and it had become so dusk, as to render the flashes of the muskets very visible. At this instant, an officer on horseback came up from the Medford road, and inquired the circumstances of

1 " Lieut. Hall of the Regulars died of his wounds on Wednesday last at the provincial hospital. His remains were next day conveyed to Charlestown, attended by a company of provincials, and several officers of distinction, and there delivered to the order of General Ga§e." - Salem Gazette, May 5, 1775.

The Second Trecixct In Cambkidge

the enemy; adding, tliat about 700 men were close behind, on their way from Salem to join the militia. Had these arrived a few minutes sooner, the left flank of the British must have been greatly exposed, and suffered considerably ; perhaps their retreat would have been cut off. As soon as the British gained Bunker's Hill, they immediately formed in a line opposite to the neck; when our General [i e. the author] judged it expedient to order the militia, who were now at the common, to halt, and give over the pursuit, as any further attempt upon the enemy, in that position,, would have been futile." '

* As Heath is a valuable authority, and his Memoirs are rare, we continue a few extracts from his work, regarding the disposal of the militia after the battle :

" Our General [Heath] immediately assembled the officers around him, at the foot of Prospect Hill, and ordered a guard to be formed, and posted near that place, sentinels to be planted down to the neck, and patrols to be vigilant in moving during the night ; and an immediate report to him, in case the enemy made any movements. The militia were then ordered to march to the town of Cambridge ; Avhere, after forming and sending off another guard to the points below the town, the whole were ordered to lie on their arms."

An alarm occurred about midnight, that the enemy were coming up the river, which proved to be an armed schooner, probably sent to make discovery, and got aground, and continued so till the next tide. Had there been a single tieldpiece with the militia, she might have been taken ; the marsh was too deep to approach sufficiently near to do any execution with small arms, and the tirst day's hostilities of the ever memorable American war, were, on theu- jjart, without a single piece of cannon in the field ! After inserting the fact that " Gen. Whitcomb was in this day's battle," Heath continues, as follows : -

" On the morning of the 20th, our General ordered Capt. John Battle of Dedham, with his company of militia, to pass over the ground which had been the scene of action the preceding day, and to bury such of the slain as he should find unbiu-ied." The assignment of alarm-posts, and feeding the assembled and assembling militia, are minutely described, and "our General" closes with the following observations on the battle :

After speaking of the British losses in killed, wounded and missing in the battle on the 19th, and also of the losses of the militia, he continues, "It might have been expected, that in a retreat of so many miles, the British loss would have been greater ; but it is to be remembered, that as they kept the road, the fences (a large proportion of which are stone-walls) covered their flanks almost to the height of their shoulders. It will also be observed, that the wounded of the militia did not bear the common proportion with the killed, and is an evidence that the British did not choose to encumber themselves with ijrisoners, either wounded or not, as the marks left at Watso)i,'f Corner [see Paige's Hist. Camb., 411], and on the height above Menotomy meeting-house, evmced. Nor was the dashing in of many windows, the firing of musket- balls into the houses, in some of Avhich there were only women and children, or the soldiers leaving their ranks, and going into the houses to plunder (in consequence of which a number lost theii- lives) , marks of humanity or discipline."

(in the handwriting of Lord Percy), now in the possession of his Grace the Duke of Northumberland, at Alnwick Castle. They are communicated for tiiis work by our friend Rev. Edward G. Porter, of Lexington, to whom permission was given, during a visit to the castle in October, 1878, to copy and use them.

Sir: - In obedience to your Excellency's orders I marched yesterday morning at 9 o'clock with the first Brigade, 2 field-pieces, in order to cover the retreat of the Grenadiers and Light Infantry on their return from the expedition to Concord.

As all the houses were shut up, and there was not the appearance of a single inhabitant, I could get no intelligence concerning them, till I had passed Menotomy, when I was informed that the Rebels had attacked His Majesty's Troops who were retiring overpowered by numbers, greatly exhausted and fatigued, and having expended almost all their ammunition ; and about 2 o'clock I met them retiring through the town of Lexington.

I immediately ordered the two field-pieces to fire at the Rebels, and drew up the Brigade on a height. The shot from the cannon had the desired effect, and stopped the Rebels for a little time, who immedi- .ately dispersed and endeavored to surround us, being very numerous.

As it began now to grow pretty late, and we had 15 miles to retire and only our 36 rounds, I ordered the Grenadiers and Light Infantry to move off first and covered them with my Brigade, sending out very strong flanking parties, which were absolutely necessary, as there was not a stone-wall or house, though before in appearance evacuated, from whence the Rebels did not fire upon us.

As soon as they saw us begin to retire, they pressed very much upon our rear guard, which for that reason I relieved every now and then. In this manner we retired for 15 miles under an incessant fire all around us, till we arrived at Charlestown between 7 and 8 in the evening, very much fatigued with a march of above 30 miles, and having expended almost all our ammunition.

We had the misfortune of losing a good many men in the retreat, though nothing like the number which, from many circumstances, I have reason to believe were killed of the Rebels.

His Majesty's Troops during the whole of the affair behaved with their usual intrepidity and spirit ; nor were they a little exasperated at the cruelty and barbarity of the Rebels, who scalped and cut off the ears of some of the wounded men who fell into their hands.

Sir : - At Menotomy I was informed by a person whom I met that there had been a skirmish between His Majesty's Troops and the rebels at Lexington, and that they were still engaged. On this, I immediately pressed on, and in less than 2 miles we heard the firing very distinctly.

About this time (which was between 1 and 2 o'clock in the afternoon) I met with Lt. Gould of the King's own Regiment, who was wounded, and who informed me that the Grenadiers and Light Inf'y had been attacked by the rebels about day-break, and were retiring, having expended most of their ammunition, - and in about a quarter of an hour I met them retiring through Lexington.

In this manner we retired for 15 miles under an incessant fire all round us, till we arrived at Charlestown, which road I chose to take, lest the rebels should have taken up the bridge at Cambridge (which I find was actually the case), and also as the country was more open, and the road shorter.

During the whole of our retreat the rebels endeavored to annoy us by concealing themselves behind stone-walls and within houses, and firing straggling shot at us from thence ; nor did I during the whole time perceive any body of them drawn up together, except near Cambridge, just as we turned down towards Charlestown, who dispersed on a cannon shot being fired at them, and came down to attack our right flank in the same straggling manner the rest had done before. * * * *

* * * * I therefore pressed on to their relief as fast as good order and not blowing the men would allow. * * * The rebels were in great numbers, the whole country having collected for 20 miles around. * * * I ordered the Grenadiers and Light Inf'y to move off, covering them with my Brigade and detaching strong flanking parties, which was absolutely necessary, as the whole country we had to retire through was covered with stone-walls, and w^as besides a very hilly, stony country. In this manner we retired for 15 miles under an incessant fire, which, like a moving circle, surrounded and followed us wherever we went till we arrived at Charlestown at 8 in the evening * * * * having expended almost every cartridge.

You will easily conceive that in such a retreat, harassed as we were on all sides, it was impossible not to lose a good many men. The following is an account of them: Go killed, 157 wounded, 21 missing, besides 1 officer killed, 15 wounded, and 2 wounded and taken pris- oners. * * * * During the whole affair the Rebels attacked ns in a very scattered, irregular manner, but with jierseverance and resolution, nor did they ever dare to form into any regular body. Indeed they knew too well what was proper, to do so.

Whoever looks upon them as an irregular mob will find himself much mistaken. They have men amongst them who know very well what they are about, having been employed as Rangers against the Indians and Canadians ; and this country, being much covered with wood, and hilly, is very advantageous for their method of fighting.

Nor are several of their men void of a spirit of enthusiasm, as we experienced yesterday, for many of them concealed themselves in houses and advanced within 10 yards to fii-e at me and other officers, though they were morally certain of being put to death themselves in an instant.

You may depend upon it that as the Rebels have now had time to prepare, they are determined to go through with it, nor will the insurrection turn out so despicable as it is perliaps imagined at home. For my part, I never believed, I confess, that they would have attacked the King's troops, or have had the perseverance I found in them yesterday.

I have myself, fortunately, escaped very well, having only had a horse shot. Poor Lt. Col.'s Smith and Barnard are both wounded, but not badly. * * * *

In Wisner's History of the Old South, Boston, p. 108, is an anecdote relative to the British desecration of the Old South Sleeting House, quoted from the " Recollections of a Bostonian," in the Columbian Centinel oi Nov. 17, 1821. "I was told that a ludicrous scene took place in the course of the preceding winter. A good old woman that frequently passed the church, was in the habit of stopping at the door, and with loud lamentations (amidst the hootings of the soldiery) bewailed the desolation of the house of prayer. She denounced on them the vengeance of Heaven, and assured them that good old Doctor Bewail, the former Parson of the Church, would rise from his grave and carry them off. A Scotch sentinel was one night alarmed by an appearance of what he thought was an apparition of the Doctor. He screamed most violently, and alarmed the guard of grenadiers, who were always stationed at the Province house, then occupied by General Howe. There was no pacifying him, until some one asked how the Doctor was dressed, and he answered, with a large wig and gown. One of the inhabitants, who had been drawn there from curiosity, assured him it could not have been Doctor Sewall, because he never wore a wig, which restored the poor fellow to his senses. It was generally supposed to be a trick of one of the English soldiers, who wished to frighten a superstitious Scotchman, and for that purpose had dressed himself in tlie clerical habit of the Rev. Mr. Cooke, of IMenotomy, which he had plundered on his retreat at the battle of Lexington."

The Rev. Samuel Cooke's house, which was built in 1740, and removed in 1871, was used as a hospital for the American forces after this period, as is evident from the resolve of the Committee of Safety on June 19, 1775, " that the house of the Rev. Samuel Cooke, of Menotomy, be improved as a hospital for the Colony Army." (See Paige, 418,)' The same date the use of as many other houses in this parish, for that purpose, as might be necessary, was ordered.^ During the battle of the 1 9th of April, the Rev. Mr. Cooke appears to have been active during the day in his own parish, until the approach of the enemy in full retreat through Menotomy, when his son Samuel took the old gentleman, much against his will, into his chaise, and carried him away to a place of safety.; - Smifh.

^ " And that ilr. "SVilliam Eustis be, and hereby is appointed, to the cai-e of the sick and -wounded in said hospital, till the further order of tlus committee." - See Journals of each Provincial Congress of Mass., p. 571.

^ The language of the order was as follows : " Ordered, that Dr. Isaac Foster be, and he hereby is directed, to take up and improve as hospitals, so many houses in Menotomy, as he may find necessary for the safety of the sick and wounded of the Colony Army, and that he employ such person or persons as may be necessary to carry such provisions and other necessaries, as may be wanted for the use of the aforesaid sick and wounded ; and further, that he take such precautions, respecting the small-pox hospital, as may be necessary for the prevention of the spreading of that epidemical disorder in the camp or elsewhere."

On May, 10, 1775, the Committee of Safety voted, "that Mr. Watson be directed and empowered to remove to Cambridge, the boats now in Menotomy river, and to impress what carriages may be necessary." - ttid., p. 542.

A Muster Roll of Capt. AVm. Adams's Company in Col. Thatcher's Regiment of Militia, which marched at the request of Gen. Washington at taking possession of the Heights of Dorchester, March 4, 1776 : - William Adams, Captain ; Daniel Reed. Lieut. ; Ethan Wetherbee, Lieut.; Samuel Locke, Sergt. ; William Cutter, Sergt. ; Jonathan Davis, ditto ; Thomas Cutter, ditto ; Abraham Locke, Corporal ; John Locke, ditto ; Jonathan Perry, ditto ; Thomas Cutter, Private, John Winship, Edward Wilson, Abraham Hill, John Hill, Daniel Cutter, John Cutter, Jr., Ephraim Frost, Jr., Samuel Frost, Jr., Aaron Swan, William Hill, Joshua Kendall, William Butterfield, Jonathan Robbins, Samuel AVhittemore, 3cl, George Swan, Daniel Paine, Amos Warren, Ammi Cutter, Jr., James Perry, Joseph Locke, Ebenezer Robbins, Levi Flint, Stephen Cutter, James Frost> Jeduthun Wellington, Isaac Warren, ililes Greenwood, Joseph Russell, William "\Mnslup, Jr,, Gershom Cutter, 3d, James Locke, Stephen Robbins, Jr., Nathaniel Williams, John Fowle, Joseph Shaw, David Lamsou, Samuel Swan^ Josiah Hall, The term of service was probably five days.

1777. Feb. 6, 1777, it was voted that the training band vote with the freeiiolders. Also voted to make out a separate list from the town's valuation.

Tlieme : Tyrants in all ages have been the greatest scourges to the worM * * * * Assyria of old was what Britain now is to America. * * * * The Brethren in this Land admonished for the prevalence of impiety, Sabbath-breaking, neglect of God's house and ordinances, and Family prayer among those who call themselves Christians ; for profane swearing, which has not only crept into our armies, but is publicly heard in our streets, and out of the mouth of Babes who should be taught to speak our great Redeemer's praise; for falsehood, injustice, intemperance, uncleanness and the oppression of covetousness so general and loud through the land.

In tlie last half of 1777 lie was again engaged on the exposition of John. In a sermon (Dec. 15, 1777) he remarks, "Where there is prejudice in hearers, the speaker preaches in vain."

In this year Mr. Cooke delivered at Lexington, a sermon for a memorial of Lexington Battle, which was printed. The title page is as follows :

" The violent destroyed : And oppressed delivered. - A Sermon, preached at Lexington, April 19, 1777. For a Memorial of the Bloody Tragedy, barbarously acted by a party of British Troops, in that Town and the Adjacent, April 19, 1775. - By Samuel Cooke, A.M., Pastor of the Second Church in Cambridge. - The Lord will .abhor tbe bloody and deceitful man. Ps. v. G. Thus saith the Lord, Let it suffice you, O Princes of Israel, remove violence and spoil, and judgment and justice; take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord God. Ezek. xlv. 9. - Boston : Printed by Draper and Phillips, for Thomas Leverett and Nicholas Bowes, in Cornhill. M.DCC.LXXVIL" Text, Exodus xvii. 14, 15, 16. Pp. 31.

" The occasion of this anniversary * * * * is for a memorial of the tragical commencement of the present unjust and unnatural war: .and particularly the innocent blood cruelly shed at the doors of this house" - (p. 19), i. e. on Lexington Common.

The diary of Rev. John Marrett, a native of Cambridge, and pastor of the church in Woburn Second Precinct (now Burlington), describes the first anniversary celebration of the Battle at Lexington, as follows : 17.7G, April 19. Fair and windy - wind northwest. Rode to Lexiug- ton, dined at Brother's. P.M. Attended a Lecture in commemoration of Lexington Battle - Mr. Clarke performed the whole exercise - preached from Joel, third chapter, three last verses. A very crowded audience, the militia companies in Lexington mustered. Returned home."

In Adams's Anniversary Discourse at Lexington, April 19, 1783, we find the following allusion to the first and second Anniversary sermons at that place : - " As hostilities first began in the town of Lexington, it was thought proper by the worthy and patriotic minister of that place, with the entire approbation and concurrence of his respected hearers, to mstitute a solemn annual commemoration of that important event; on which the militia has been under arms, military exercises performed, and a sermon preached to crowded auditories. The whole has been conducted with great decorum, and to universal acceptance. The Rev. Mr. Clarke preached the first sermon, in which is contained a particular narrative of the whole ti-ansaction; Mr. Cooke, oi Cambridge, the next," &.c.

In this sermon, as usual wuth Mr. Cooke and the other ministers of the period, the Britons are handled without gloves. The impress these events of the " Nineteenth " made on the people of that day, is expressed in a passage (p. 10) of his sermon, as follows: " The present generation, in this town and neighborhood, need no information of what their weeping eyes then saw - their ears heard - and their pierced heart endured, on that never to be forgotten day - the horrid scene is instamped upon all our breasts, in characters of -blood! "

1778. Dec. 9, 1778, it was voted to choose a committee of three to wait upon the Rev. Mr. Cooke, to see if they " could make him easy " not to take dovTi the belfry. The committee accordingly reported that he would leave it to the people, and trust in the providence of God !

In 1778 Mr. Cooke was preaching a series of sermons on the exposition of the gospel of John. In a sermon, April 12, 1778, he alludes to the trouble of the times, as follows : " Those persecuting and murderous practices, foretold by Christ, among Jews, and Heathens, were disgraceful to human nature. But how much more so, when found among Nations professing Christianity ! Without making any observations on Roman Catholic States, whose principles are Anti-Christian, how much innocent blood was shed in Britain in the last century! How were our forefathers by persecution for conscience sake, driven into this then howling wilderness ! How are we now pursued with mercenary and bloody troops, with fire and sword, from our once parent - now detested Britain !

" These barbarities are practised by our worse than savage enemies, to force us to submit to their arbitrary laws - and thereby at their will deprive us, not only of our substance and all our civil liberties, but also of our religious privileges, and lay upon us the yoke of spiritual bondage, which our fathers, through the good hand of their God upon them, were delivered from, and which neither they, nor we, were able to bear.

" Such is the rule of Satan, even in this enlightened age, in the hearts of the children of disobedience. So much worse than Jews and Heathens, that it cannot be supposed that any considerable number, if any, in Britain, ignorant as they generally are, think they are doing God service, by their cruelties and murders practised wantonly in America. Their barbarous conduct seems rather to proceed from a prevailing disbelief of the Being, or Providence of God. And, as they think they have no account to give hereafter, but shall die like the beasts, so they may safely live like them, without any restraint from reason or Religion. "

In a sermon. May 10, 1778, he says, "It is unhappy that there are 80 many different persuasions among Professors of the Religion of the Blessed Son of God, and even of the Protestant Religion ; some profess themselves to be of the Church of England, some Presbyterians ; some call themselves Quakers, some Baptists ; some are called Separatists and the like. These all pretend to worshij} the same God and Father of us all, to look for Salvation in and through Jesus Christ, our common Saviour and merciful Redeemer. And at last hope to join the General Assembly and Church of the first born above. And yet, thus unhappily differ by the way - even too often so as not to worship God and our Redeemer together. * * * *

" True Christians may have different opinions in points not essential to Christianity, but if alone Love of Christ is shed abroad in their hearts, they will be careful to maintain that Love and charity one to another, which is necessary to qualify them to sit down together in the Kingdom of Glory. * * * *

" Nothing carries a more convincing proof of the Divinity of the Religion of Christ, than its inspiring Christians with this amiable disposition one towards another. This God-like temper raised the attention of the Heathens in the first ages of Christianity, who with surprise said, ' See, how the Christians love one another!' 0, let not this Divine flame wax cold in any of us, because iniquity abounds. But may the Love of God, the Love of Christ, the hope of Heaven, quicken us all to this necessary and delightful duty. 0, consider, it is Heaven begun here, and its perfection, in the Life to come ! If we don't meet with suitable returns of kindness for our charity and affection to others, the reflection of our having done what Christ has commanded will be our comfort in life and in death. And our advancement in the Realms of everlasting Glory, will be in proportion to the degree of this Divine principle in our Souls."

June 21, 1778, he is patriotic again, his sermon of that date containing such paragraphs as these: - "But like unfeeling Monsters of the present day, this Tyrant ordered, with a stupid indifference." " How ought we to pray and fight, and even die, when called to it, rather than to submit to Tyrants, whose tender mercies are cruelty." " How may the thought of the indignity and cruelty our great Deliverer endured for us, support us under the most severe trials, and particularly comfort our distressed captives in the present unjust and savage war - suffering unheard of cruelties under the insulting rage of Britons! " " Dreadful indeed is the power of a Tyrant, which is under no restraint from reason or law! From this curse we ought earnestly to strive and pray, that God of his mercy would deliver us." Lord North is spoken of as the " unfeeling," the " haughty," and the " deceitful," with his " inhuman associates ; " after his '' haughty boast " that he would " lay " America " at his feet," and " after the barbarous murder and destruction of many thousands of our friends," added "insult to cruelty, by presenting us with his Power to grant pardons upon our submission ; and falsely pretending that he always meant to favor us, but thought the moment of complete victory over us was the fittest time to prepare terms of peace."

In a following sermon, July 12, 1778, he continues, " The same inconsistence would have been chargeable upon America, if we had not absolutely and firmly declared oiir Independence - while we acknowledged George for our King ; - by our taking up arms against men of blood, sent here by his command; - we should practically have declared ourselves Rebels. But we now own no Earthly Sovereign." * * * *

Again, July 26, 1778, he says, " Lord, what is man, when divested of humanity ! The most savage beasts fall short of him in cruelty. Who in these ages, but an unfeeling Briton, can read these things without horror ? "

Aug. 16, 1778, non-church goers are reproved thus: " This instance [John 20 : 24 v.] is recorded in part, to warn us all of the danger of unnecessary absence from Social AVorship, as the manner of too many is ; and the example of others, who are thought to be good Christians, has an unhappy influence upon others ! * * * * The common excuse is that they cannot receive any benefit."

In a sermon, Sept. 20, 1778, Mr. Cooke indulged iu the favorite phrases of the time in speaking of the Forefathers : " Our pious forefathers were driven into this wilderness, by the persecuting rage of the High Church party in Britain ; but Christ over-ruled the wicked and cruel designs of his adversaries, to advance his own kingdom, by erecting and establishing his Churches in these benighted parts of I;: world. May the King of Glory still defend us, and add to his churches such as shall be saved! We trust in this day of distress tliat God will remember for us the kindness of our Youth * * * * when our fathers followed him into this Wilderness, then a land not sown. Christ is now calling us, as he did * * * * many of our forefathers, to resist even to blood, striving against sin, against oppression and violence. * # * * jt greatly concerns a people under public calamities, though brought instrumentally by the hands of violent men, and particularly it becomes us as a community in this season of distress * * * * to remember from whence we are fallen," &c. This land is also spoken of in the same connection, as a "noble vine" and a "right seed."

In reference to reading the Bible, he says, sermon Oct. 4, 1778, "It hath been computed that the whole Bible may, in ordinary cases, be read through, in every family, in about the space of one year - as a part of the morning and evening sacrifice - and that without any hindrance to ordinary worldly business, where persons know aright how to improve and redeem time." In this same sermon (Oct. 4, 2 778) - exposition No. 51, and last, of gospel of John - he pronounces the following valedictory: " I have now, with an upright intention, gone through a course of plain, practical expositions, on the four Evangelists.' God is my witness, 1 have not willingly kept back anything^ which might be profitable to you. How far God may grant me further opportunity to proceed, is known only to him, in whose hand my health and breath is, and whose are all my ways. While we live, may I and you all, Live unto the Lord; and make his word our daily study and practice."

Another sermon, in 1778, by Mr. Cooke, was on the Continental Thanksgiving, December 30. Text, Psal. 34: 3. "The call of the King of Kings, by the inspired Psalmist in our text, is a sufficient warrant to our Honorable Continental Congress to call upon these United States of America to unite this day, in our humble and grateful acknowledgments, &c. These guardians of our Civil and Religious rights, &c., against a potent and cruel Adversary, have great cause this day to exalt the Lord's name together." A late general thanksgiving is mentioned. " Thousands and ten thousands are joined this day by common interest and affection (and at this time) in rendering thanks." The whole discourse waxes intensely patriotic. " War with its destructive and bloody attendants is one of the greatest calamities which befall mankind. The part of the aggressors is one of the greatest crimes." The Thirteen American States and their union are remarked upon. A recital of a few of the transactions of the war is made, for instance :

1. "First, the mercifid providence of God appears, inspiriting the militia through this State, to arm and discipline themselves for defence, before the enemy openly began this bloody war; and while the government, then over us, discountenanced all our military preparations.

2. " Secondly, Divine Providence appeared in behalf of America, in suffering the enemy to make their furious attack upon this State, who, though great sufferers, w^ere most prepared to Avithstand their bloody designs.

3. " In the repulse the enemy received in their cruel attack upon us, which kept them back from further attempts, till neighboring States came to our assistance.

4. -' Fourthly, the hand of our God appears in suffering the enemy to exercise their wanton rage against each of these States, so that our common distresses have excited our sympathy and strengthened our

5. " Fifthly, I shall only add, the mercy of God has been shown to us in wonderfully supplying us with military stores, and our armies, so far, with sustenance, while a communication by sea from the Southern States was cut oif. And in supporting these our brethren in arms, while often suffering with hunger and nakedness, and to appearance in want of all things."

1778. Samuel Cooke, born in Hadley, January 11th, 1709, was the son of Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Anne Cooke ; the grandson on his father's side to Aaron Cooke, Esq., and Sarah Cooke ; and the great-grandson of Major Cooke, of Northamj^tou, and of William and Sarah AVestwood, of Hadley, who came from Old England. These arrived with their families at Cambridge, N. E., in 1634 or 1G35, and removing with others settled at Hartford. About the year 1G50, they with others removed up Connecticut river, and began new settlements - Major Cooke at Northampton, and Mr. Westwood at Hadley.* My grandfather Aaron Cooke married Sarah, only child of said William and Sarah Westwood, removed to Hadley. lived with his father-in-law, and upon his death, which was not long after, in right of said wife became entitled to the whole of Mr. Westwood's estate - left in England - at Hartford - and in Hadley. The estate in England after some time my grandfather sold, but employing a knave, lost it. The estate at Hartford he gave to his son Aaron. That in Hadley to his sons Westwood and Samuel,

^ Sylvester Judd, Esq., the -well-known historian of Hadley, in a letter to the late Rev. Samuel Sewall, of Burlington, Mass. (April 6, 1846), says this genealogical account contains some mistakes -which show how early and easily tradition runs into error. It may be justly supposed the wi'iter relied entirely on his memory when at a very advanced age he Avrote concerning matters, some of which occurred well nigh a century before he was born. ilr. Judd asserts, from written authentic sources, that Major Cooke settled first in Dorchester and removed thence to Windsor ; whereas "William "Westwood settled first at Cambridge, and removed thence to Hartford, and was at Cambridge three or ioxxi- years before 1634-5. He further declares Westwood could not have removed to Hadley and Maj. Cooke to Northampton about 1650, for the settlement of Hadley was not begun until 1659, and Northampton till 1654. Moreover, they removed up the river in 1660-1, and Westwood's wife was Bridget, not Sarah. (Vide Hist. EacUey, 594, and Savage, G. Diet.) 9* and to his son Moses his estate from his own father in Northampton. He died 1716, aged 76. He had eight children: viz., Sarah, married to Daniel Hovey ; Joanna, to Samuel Porter ; Aaron, at Hartford ; Westwood, Samuel and Moses, all married at Hadley ; Elizabeth, married to Ichabod Smith, and Bridget, married to John Bernard. These all had large femilies, and all survived my grandfather, excejot Joanna, who died in 1712, soon after the birth of her eighteenth living child. My grandmother Sarah Cooke died 1730, aged 87.' My father Samuel Cooke, about the year 1098, married Anne Marsh, daughter of Mr. Jonathan and Mrs. Dorcas Marsh, of Hadley. Besides three which died in infancy, seven of their children had families : viz., Anne, married to Aaron Cooke; Sarah, to Timothy (Emmons?); Hannah, to William Dickinson ; Samuel ; Mehitable, to Jonathan Smith ; Miriam, to Josiah Pierce; and Jonathan. All survived our parents except Hannah. She buried six children in infancy, and her husband in 1741 ; she was left with two sons - six and two years old - and returned with her children to my father's house, where she died in 1745, aged 39. My father died September 16, 1746, aged 76. My mother died March, 1758, aged 77.

My father by his will left his homestead at my mother's decease wholly to my brother Jonathan in lieu of my education. The rest of his estate was equally to be divided between my brother and me - we paying legacies to our sisters.

I began to learn Latin iu 1720, but being then the only son I was called off to the farm till a brother, born almost out of season, and growing, allowed me to resume my study in the year 1729. I entered Harvard College in 1731 - had my first degree, 1735 - kept school part of a year at Roxbury - one year and a part was in the College Buttery - Nov., 1737, went to Col. Royall's, Medford, for a year to instruct his son - and in 1738 returned to College. I then preached six months at Marlborough, and six at Roxbury and IMenotomy. In May, 1739, I received a call to settle iu the ministry in this place. In July, I gave my answer, and on September 12, 1739, I was ordained the first minister of this Second Precinct in Cambridge.

The Church was gathered the preceding Sabbath by the Rev. John Hancock, of Lexington, and consisted of eighty-three members - eighty of which were from the Cambridge Church, and three had be-

1 " Mr. Westwood died in 16G9, and his wife in 1676 ; the will of each is on record in Hadley, with the inventory of his estate ; there is no allusion to any proijerty in England, which must have been sold - and lost, perhaps - before his death. He had no estate in Northampton, and Aaron Cooke, of Hadley, had no estate in Northampton ' from his own father.' His father gave him some estate at Windsor, where he married Sarah Westwood in 1661. Mr. Cooke has arranged the children of his grandfather according to their birth. Sarah married, i have supposed, Thomas Hovey, not Daniel. Joanna, who married Samuel Porter, may have had eighteen children, but the Hadley record has noted only It." - Letter of Mr. Judcl.

The able and interesting History of Hadley makes frequent and honorable mention of Westwood and his son-in-law, Cooke, and presents a genealogy of their descendants- loiigecl to other churches. I boarded the first year in the family of Mr. Joseph Adams, at lOs. per week - silver being then 26s. per ounce.

On JMay 12, 1740, I bought one acre of ground of Mr. Jason Russell for house, which was raised July 17, at the expense of the people - The frame being given, and the cellar and well dug and stoned gratis, and the boards and shingles carted from Sudbury and Billerica free of charge to me.

I married Oct. 2, 1740, Miss Sarah Porter, daughter of Mr. Samuel and ]Mrs. Anne Porter, of Hadley, and on Oct. 16, I brought her to my house.' On Aug. 2, 1741, a son was born to us, and on the 9th he was baptized Samuel, and on the 14th inst. Samuel died. On the 22d the mother died, both dying of the throat distemper. My sister Miriam (now Pierce) kindly came and kept my house.

I married September 23, 1742, Anna Cotton, daughter of the Rev. Mr. John and Mrs. Mary Cotton, of Newtown. On the oOth she came home. On July 10, 1743, a daughter was born, and on the same day was baptized Anna.^ On the 14 July, 1745, twins were born, and baptized the same day SamueP and Elizabeth. On May 15, 1747, a daughter born and was baptized the 17th, Mary. On Aug. 9, 1750, another daughter was born, who was baptized the 12th, Sarah.* A son was born 29 March, 1752, who the same day was baptized Samuel.* (N. B. The foregoing in Old Style.) 1754, April 17, a daughter born, baptized Hannah Gibbs.* 1755, Oct. 17, a daughter born, lived one hour. 1756, November 30, a daughter still born. On Dec. 29, 1758, a daughter was born, and was baptized on the 30th, Rebecca. (N. B. She was heard some weeks before her birth by the whole family and others, distinctly to cry for some minutes without possibility of mistake.) 1761, Jan. 16, a daughter stillborn. - February 12, my wife Anna died, aged 38, after having been mother of eleven children ; seven survived her, but must follow.

1 "Cambridge, 27th Sept. 1740. These may certify whom it may concern that the purpose of marriage between the Rev. Mr. Samuel Cooke of Cambridge, and Mrs. Sarah Porter of Hadley has been entered and published in Cambridge as the law dii-ects. And"^ Bordman, jun. Town Clerk."

2 " 1765, Oct. 24, joined in man-iage by Rev. Sam'l Cooke, Ezekiel Hall, of ISIedford, and Anna Cooke, of Cambridge. 1766, July 17, IMedford, born Ezekiel IlaU."

I married 25 Nov. 1762, IMrs. Lucy, relict of the late Rev. Nicholas Bowes, of Bedford, and daughter of the late Rev. John and Elizabeth Hancock, of Lexington. On Sept. 21, 1768, my wife Lucy died, aged 56, after years of sore distress from the gravel.

My daughter Rebecca died 2 Feb. 1778, aged 19 - after eight months distress from the effects of the small-pox, which she bare with inimitable patience and even surprising calmness. She seldom from her birth was out of temper, and rarely cried but from tenderness for others.

Few families have met with more and greater change by Death in equal time. But let us not tarry then - it is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed - the father is continued, and lives parted in old age. Seven out of thirteen remain. Let us prepare to follow - be ye also ready.'

Feb. 12, 1778, it was voted to mess the inhabitants of the Paiisli into fifteen messes in proportion to their valuation. It was also voted that " every mess shall stand by the bead of his mess ; " and that " the parish sliall stand by the head of his mess." This may be a method of enlisting men for the army, or for the payment of a war tax. All the taxable inhabitants of a place were distributed into as many classes as the quota required of it deemed necessary, each class being assessed for the support of a man for the military service, the several members of each class paying their just proportion of the expense. A page of the Precinct Book is devoted to the " Officers chosen on account of the War for the year 1778."

Committee for the War. - Nehemiah Cutter, Patten Russell, Thomas Cutter. The same were also chosen assessors on account of the war, for the ensuing year, and sworn to said office by the clerk of the meeting.

1795, Jan. 2, Mr. Samuel Cooke died suddenly at Boston, 9 o'clock in the evening. 1796, Aug. 31, at Charleston, S. C, died Mr. John Hall, aged 22 yeai-s, son of Mr. Ezekiel and Mrs. Anna Hall.

The Second Peectnct In Cambridge

Five men from each ward were chosen " for to take a true invoice." For the first ward : - Samuel Whittemore, Jr., Ebenezer Swan, John Winship, Joseph Belknap, Jr., Seth Russell. For the second ward : - Aaron AMlliams, Philip Bemis, Dea. Joseph Adams, Aaron Swan, Capt. Benjamin Locke. For the third ward: - Edward Fillebrown, Samuel Frost, Joshua Kendall, Jeduthun Wellington, Timothy- Swan.

Thomas Russell was chosen treasurer on account of the war, for the ensuing year. It was voted that the assessors above-named, be the assessors "for to assess the money that Captain Locke hired to pay the men that went to Ticonderoga."

At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of Cambridge Northwest Precinct, June 4, 1778, it was voted, Nehemiah Cutter being chosen moderator, that Samuel Swan be collector for the war tax, in the room of John Hill, who refused to serve. It was voted also to give the collectors tvvo shillings upon the pound for what they shall collect. Signed by Walter Russell, Precinct Clerk.

These entries on a particular page of the Precinct Book probably relate to the arrangement to " mess" the inhabitants of the parish in accordance with the votes above. The records give no further information.

1779. At the close of a discourse (No. 1252 - see 1770) delivered on April 18, 1779, Mr. Cooke inserted the following paragraph in reference to the anniversary of the Battle :

"April 18, 1779, This day completes four years from the ever memorable, the dark and distressing day, April 19, 1775, when British fury first broke out into ojjen devastation and bloodshed. We cannot recall these things to remembrance without a renewal of our griefs for sore losses then sustained, and gratitude to the Lord of Hosts for signal deliverances he then vouchsafed, and for all later salvations. While our neighbors of Lexington, where the first blood in this baleful war was openly and wantonly spilt, publicly observe this day, let not us their fellow-sufferers be unmindful of calling to remembrance what we then saw and felt, and still hope in our Great Deliverer. The restraints he then laid upon the rage of our barbarous enemies causes us to hope that the remainder thereof he will restrain, and ordain peace to us. Amen."

1780. May 29, 1780, Samuel Whittemore, Jr., was chosen war treasurer In this year the following notice was publicly read in church : " Ephraim Frost, Junior, with his Wife, desires to return tlianks to Almijrhty God for his great goodness to her in granting her a safe delivery in childbirth; also desires prayers for perfecting merciea. Isaac." [Isaac, son of Ephraini Frost? Jr., was born Aug. 7, 1780, and baptized Aug. 13, 1780.] On the back of the notice are some of Mr. Cooke's remarks on some public solemnity of the United States of America: " We have been generally led to consider it," he says, " only as a direction or commandment of man, and that the proclamation of civil rulers is the only foundation of our observance of our public Fasts and Thanksgivings. -- * * ^ Civil rulers only direct to the seasons of attending a duty, which God and nature evidently enjoin. * * -^ * This is the command of God, not man," &c. This appeal was to occasion a better attendance on such observances.

"Cambridge Northwest Precinct, April the 9th, 1781. We the subscribers being a committee chosen by the Inhabitants of said Precinct to seat such part of the Inhabitants as should be thought proper, have taken it under mature consideration, and report as follows (William Whittemore, Lieut. Samuel Cutter, Capt. Ephraim Frost, Walter Russell, Thomas Russell, Committee):

" The fore seat in the front gallery : Messrs. Edward Gardner, Samuel Whittemore, the 3d, Thomas Russell, William Cutter, John Adams, John Swan, Seth Wyman, John Hutchinson, Aaron Swan, Lemuel Blanchard, Benjamin Piper, Samuel Butterfield, Caleb Hovey, Philemon Russell.

Another enumeration of the inhabitants of the Precinct at this period is given in a Tax List for Menotomy, A.D. 1781, to procure Beef for the Continental Army :

This liist contains a State Tax set down in £. s. and d,, and Also a Town Tax granted by the Inhabitants of said Town (Cambridge) at their meeting, July 9th inst. for the purpose of procuring Beef for the Continental Army. Apportioned this 23d day of July, 1781.

Non-Residext

Sermon, No. 1628, by Mr. Cooke, was on the " Thanksgiving - Continental," after the Surrender of Cornwallis, appointed for Dec. 13, 1781. It begins: "As God shall assist me, I shall improve, and apply to America on this very joyful occasion, the Song of David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel - as recorded in 124th Psalm - And I can recollect no words in the Bible, more adapted to our case - or better suited to the*joyful solemnity of this day." The words are here given. He continues, " The United States of America, with gratitude, may adopt the language of this Divine Song. While we rejoice in God, and in our religious assemblies * * * * God grant, that a remembrance of our late dangers may quicken each one of us, and all who love their country, through these United States, in our praises this day, to the God of our salvation." * * * *

" We were called to withstand the rage of a Nation, the most powerful at the time, especially by Sea, of any people under Heaven, at jjeace with all the world, and grown wanton, by their successes, in the last War [the French War, 1754-1763, in which the conquest of Canada was accomplished], in which we fought and bled in their armies, and contributed to their victories ; but soon were doomed to fall a victim to their unbounded pride and avarice. Every step was taken that the malice of earth and hell could invent, to bring us tamely to submit, to yield up all our rights, and we and our descendants, forever become their slaves. They resolved in their corrupted Parliament, called the Great Council of the Nation, that they had a right ' to make laws binding on America, in all cases whatsoever.' So that not only our properties, but even lives, must lie at their mercy - whose tender mercies are cruelty.

" To accomplish our speedy ruin, our harbors were shut up, our Charters vacated; Governors commissioned, who were active and leading in our destruction ; our Judges made entirely independent of the people; Jurors rendered only tools of the Court; and under officers put into place, who were unfriendly to our Liberties, or made so, by the prospect of enriching themselves on our spoUs. Our Militia was discountenanced by the ruling powers. Our Colonies were then disunited, and separated at the distance of near two thousand miles. While revengeful Britain might have employed great part of their Naval force against us, and an Army of thirty thousand men {murderers) as they have done since, which we were then utterly unable to withstand, by our own strength. I need not add, the great number of our Countrymen, who opposed every measure for our safety, and stood ready to join the enemy, in our destruction. * * * * Orders were given to send supposed offenders against their inhuman laws, over the Atlantic, to Britain for trial. Also to seize and secure our pres- ent worthy Governor Hancock, and others, who were active leaders in measures for our safety. These were obliged to withdraw, to save themselves from the hand of violence. * * * *

" We had then no powerful Ally to lielp us ; nor did we seek or desire one, while there was any hope of an accommodation with the cruel parent state. * * * * They were led to consider and treat Americans with the utmost contempt, and that the terror of a few Bi'itish sliips and armed regular forces, would easily force us to submit to slavery and even death. They were made to believe that the body of the people were on their side ; and they had nothing to do, but to march forth, glittering in military pomp, seize a few of our leaders, destroy our small military stores, and then triumph and revel in the spoils of the country.

" Accordingly in pursuance of this plan, on that black and fatal day, April 19, 1775, they sallied forth in the dark, like thieves and murderers. A day, indeed, of horror and thick darkness to us !

" But the earth did not long cover their blood. From this boasted excursion, our cruel enemies soon returned with loss and shame. And though this alarm was unforeseen and sudden, yet through favor of Divine Providence, our Militia here and through the State were formed into Minute companies, and upon the shortest notice appeared to withstand the foe.

" Our Committees of Correspondence * * * * greatly contributed to our strength and union among ourselves, and to lay a foundation for it with the Neighbor States. This was greatly strengthened by this act of barbarity to this State, which the others considered as what they might soon expect if we were vanquished * * * * Our implacable foes now sensible that they were unable to gain a speedy conquest by force of arms, like their brethren, the savages of the wilderness, had recourse to destructive cruelties, to terrify us to submission. Witness our neighbor, Charlestown, still in ruins [burnt during Bunker Hill Battle, 1775], by which so many respectable persons and families were wantonly and barbarously driven from their pleasant homes. The greater part, no more to return. Contrary to the enemy's expectation, this cruel deed, instead of sinking, roused the spirits of the States to action. And by the favor of God, Washington now generously steps forth, to take the command of our forces - one raised up by Heaven for this arduous trust. One whose piety, humanity, calmness and undaunted courage, render him glorious in action, respected and beloved in the camp. This distinguished hero, the admiration of the present, and will be the wonder of all future ages, soon flew with a chosen band to our assistance, and confined the enemy to their strongholds, and by well concerted measures drove them from our Capital, with many of our countrymen who were active in their iniquitous cause. * * * * Having by the help of God, left this State in a good degree of quiet, the undaunted hero marched intrepid, to the aid of the Southern States.

And in all his warlike operations and the various events of his engagements, it has been manifest, that God, for our help, hath taught his hands to war, and his fingers to fight ; and given him prudence to retreat with safety, when circumstances require it. * * * *

"But I cannot in silence pass over the Capture of the haughty and threatening Burgoyne, and his whole Army, who were captives through this State, which he expected soon to trample under his feet. Nor our escape out of the snare laid for us by the abandoned Arnold, by giving up a most important post, when upon the jjoint of execution. * * * * Nor can we omit the glorious successes under God, of the brave General Greene in the Carolinas and Georgia, which were overrun by the enemy, and in a great measure plundered and destroyed, and now call for our pity and help. But what now particularly calls for our religious praise to God, our helper, is the Capture of Cornwallis, and his whole army of 10,000 men [at Yorktown, Oct. 19, 1781]. Americans are above trampling on those whom God has cast down. This British officer, though dignified by many pompous titles, by his cruelties has degraded himself below a savage, and even the beasts that perish.

"Before I close, I must damp this joyful occasion with a tear to the memory of our brave officers and soldiers, who have fallen in this glorious struggle for Liberty. Most of them unknown to us. But the names and bravery of a Warren, a Gardner, a Francis, and of late a Scammel, who gallantly died in our cause, will never be forgotten by us ; and we trust they are now happy, where wars forever cease."

Note. - Heath's Memoirs contain many references to the several events named in this sermon. Warren - was the general officer killed at Bunker Hill. - See Frothingham's Siege of Boston, 151, &c. Gardner - was Colonel Thomas Gardner, of Cambridge (of the Parish now Brighton), mortally wounded at Bunker Hill, June 17, died July 3, 1775. - See Paige's Cambridge, 4:1^-21, bbl , &c. Francis - was Colonel Ebenezer Francis, killed at Hubbardton, July 7, 1777; a native of Medford, and well known to Mr. Cooke's parishioners ; for sketch, see Brooks's Hist. Medford, 194-6. Scammel - was mortally wounded and taken before Yorktown, and died Oct. 6, 1781. Lee, Memoirs of the War, says, " This was the severest blow experienced by the allied army throughout the siege ; not an officer in our army surpassed in personal worth and professional ability this experienced soldier." Scammel was a native of Massachusetts.'

1 This sermon, under the title of " The American Revolution in a Nut- Shell," has been published by the present %\Titer, in the Woburti Journal, for April 1 8, 1874. Heath's Memoirs, p. 325, states that Dec. 13, 1781, "was a general Thanksgiving Day."

The Seooxd Precinct In Cambridge

" The Rev. Mr. Samuel Cooke, Pastor of this Church, in whom were united the social friend, the man of science, the eminent and faithful clergyman whose praise was in all the churches, died 4th June, 1783, in the 44th year of his ministry, xt. 75."

His will, with two codicils, and other papers relating to the settlement of his estate, are on file at the probate office in East Cambridge. He mentions property in Hadley and neighboring towns in Hampshire Co., and in Newton and Cambridge.

In this year a committee was chosen to complete wall about burying place, and also empowered to procure gates and hang the same, so that said burying-place may be sufficiently enclosed.

Also, in 1783, voted to make repairs to the meeting-house by building a belfry at the northeast end of the same, for the bell to stand upon; and also a porch at the southwest part ; also to cut up two of the hind-body seats on the men's and women's side for pews, and one pew at the northeast door and southwest door, and one pew at each stairway, and as many pews in the galleries as the inhabitants shall think proper; also to new glaze the meeting-house with sash-lights and new window-frames; also new doors, and to new clap-board said meeting-house, and to make such other repairs as may be necessary. The said pews to be disposed of to the highest bidder, and the money arising from the sale to be appropriated toward repairing the meeting-house.

Hev. Sam'l Cooke's Abstract of Births, Baptisms, Deaths and Marriages in figures Statistical, 1739-1783. The admissions to the church during Rev. Samuel Cooke's ministry were 224, besides 121 by covenant and 3 by letter. The dismissions were 13. In addition to these, Mr. Cooke kept a record of the births, baptisms, deaths and marriages in his parish from Sept. 12, 1739, to his death, June 4, 1783.-^ The abstract or summary here presented was jjrepared by Rev. Mr. Cooke.

' Mr. Cooke's record of births is prefaced Avith the expression, "Born since Sept. 12, 1739." A star was phiced by Mr. Cooke against the names of the children who died - especially in infancy. The record of bii'ths is vacant in 1758, 1759, 1761 and 1781. The record'of Deaths is vacant in 1758, 1760 and 1779 - it is inscribed with the expression, " Ah ! quis? et qualis ! et quando?" These records have been used in the compilation of the Genealogical Register at the end of this work. 10*

After the death of tlie Rev. Mr. Cooke the sum of one hundred pounds was granted for supporting the pulpit in the Precinct; the unmarked money received in the weekly contributions lor supplying the pulpit, was given to the family of " our late worthy minister, Mr. Cooke, for their comfort and support;'' and it was voted that the sum of XI 7. 18, 11., being the expense of the funeral of " our late minister Mr. Cooke," be paid by the Precinct.

The following notice which appeared in two Boston papers - the Iiu/ependciU Led^rcr, June 23, 1783, and the Continental Journal, 5 \xx\Q 26, 1783 - shows the appreciation in which Mr. Cooke was held by his contemporaries:'

'- On the fourth instant, died at Cambridge, in the 75th year of liis age, and 44th of his ministry, the Rev. Mr. Samuel Cooke, the first, and beloved pastor of the second church and parish in that town; and on the 7th his remains were respectfully entombed.

"Of this worthy man it may truly be said - he was a burning and shining light, of superior powers of mind, and distinguished literary accomplishments ; diligent in study, catholic in principle ; apt to teach ; fervent and devout in prayer; judicious and instructive in preaching; wise in counsel; prudent and faithful in discipline; tender and skilful in comforting; grave in deportment; agreeable and edifying in conversation ; meek towards all men ; constant and candid in friendship ; endearing in every relation; a pattern of patience and submission under multiplied trials and bereavements in his family ; as well as in his own long wasting sickness ; a bright example of behavior and doctrine ; and as he ever opposed the introduction of errors, was peculiarly concerned to bear a faithful and even dying testimony against the doctrines of Salvation for all Men,'' as 'totally subversive of the Christian religion : ' - Firmly attached to the constitution, and a warm advocate for the privileges of these churches ; an invariable friend to his country, and the rights of mankind; universally esteemed, and died greatly lamented - ' Hi's Jlesh also resteth in hope.'' Lord, for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from the children of men! ' "

Sprague's American Annals, ii. 73, note, gives a brief sketch of Mr. Cooke. Obligation is here expressed to our friend Mr. John Langdon Sibley, of Harvard University Libi'ary, for his list of references to Mr. Cooke from his interleaved catalogue of Harvard Graduates.

1784. Voted to procure a new burying-cloth for the benefit of the Precinct. The same to be of black velvet, and to be left under the care of the present treasurer for the benefit abovesaid. See 1751.

In this year tlic Precinct required security of tlieir collector. A committee is chosen to meet the committee of tlie First Parish about the boundary-line between the two parishes. The following paper has been preserved.

Voted, That the Hon'ble Francis Dana, AVm. Kneeland and AVm. Winthrop, Jisqrs., Mr. Caleb Gannett and Dea'n Aaron Hill, be a Committee to examine the orders and Laws, which have heretofore been made by the Court for the purpose of fixing Boundaries between this Precinct and the Second Precinct in this Town ; and if upon examination, said Committee find s'd Orders or Laws to interfere they shall consider and report to this l*arish a proper Line for a Boundary between the two Parishes ; and that this Committee shall have authority to confer and act in concurrence with any Committee which shall be chosen by s'd second Parish for the purpose of fixing Boundaries between the two Parishes, and i-eport at the adjournment of the meeting. Attest Jamks Munuo, Parish Clerk.

1785. Jan. 20, 1785, a vote was taken to know the minds of the inhabitants, whether they would choose any person or persons to assist the standing committee in the lawsuit in which they arc sued, in behalf of said parish, by the Buinists, and it passed in the affirmative.

Nov. 14, 1785. Vote to know the minds of tiic inhabitants, whether they will pay back again to Gcrshom Cutter, Stephen Cutter and Charles Cutter, the money which they paid to Seth Stone, collector of taxes in this Precinct, in the month of January last ; and the vote was in the negative. Vote to choose a committee of two persons to defend the parish in any lawsuit with the Baptists, if they bring any against it.

1786. On April 26, 1786, the inhabitants made choice of Mr. Jonathan Burr for their minister. Mr. Burr was a graduate of Harvard College in 1784, and married Sarah, daugiitcr of the late Rev. Samuel Cooke, on July 19, 1787. On Aug. 21, 1786, this vote was reconsidered, and Mr. Joshua Paine was chosen for their minister, with a second unsuccessful result. Mr. Paine, H. U. 1784, became minister of Charlestown,

Rev. Thaddeus Fiske, D.D. The Second Precinct In Cambridge

" Began to preach to the Second Church and Society in Cambridge on the first Sabbath in April, 1787 - and continued to preach and supply the Parish to July 16th of the same year; on which day, being Monday, he received his call to settle with them in the Gospel ministry, at the following meeting, viz.

' The proceedings of a meeting held by the inhabitants of the N. TV. Precinct in Cambridge and those of Charlestown legally joined to said precinct - on the 16th day of July, 1787 - Lieut. Jeduthuu Wellington was chosen Moderator of said meeting.

6. Voted that Messrs. Capt. William Adams, Samuel Whittemore, jr., Seth Wyman, Deacon Joseph Adams and Lieut. Jeduthun Wellington be a committee to acquaint Mr. Fiske with the proceedings of the aforesaid meeting.

Cambridge, July 21, 1787. Thomas Green, Pastor of the Baptist Society in said jjlace." " For the Committee of the Northwest Parish in Cambridge."

" To the People of the Church and Congregation of the North West Parish in Cambridge. In answer to the invitation you have given me to settle with you in the work of the ministry, I, in the first place, return you my most hearty thanks, especially for the many instances of your friendship, esteem and affection. The sincerity and ardency of your desires are completely manifested in the disposition you have shown, and your willingness to do whatever the heart of a reasonable man can wish. And in considering your invitation in every point of view, I find my duty and happiness unite in the acceptance. And as you have agreed to be satisfied in the choice of me as your minister, and being induced by the encouragement you have offered, and in confirmation of the contract we have made, I now accept of your invitation. And being fully convinced that in the promotion of your prosperity, peace and happiness, I shall increase my own, I do cheerfully devote myself, my strength and future years to ' you, my fathers and brethren, in the service of my Maker, and our Common Lord and Master. Under the protection and blessing of Almighty God, being assisted by him who is the Great Shepherd and head of the Church, and being indulged with your prayers, I hope I may be a happy instrument, as a minister of the Gospel, to advance the Redeemer's kingdom, and promote the Glory of God in the world, that I may serve you faithfully all the appointed time of my days. And that in the morning of the Resurrection, I may be enabled to appear, and say, here, Lord, am I, and here are the souls which thou hast given me! Thaddeus Fiske."

" 1788, March 9. At a meeting of the Church held this day, 1st, Voted to choose a committee of the church to wait on the Rev. Mr. Fiske to consult with him what churches he would have sent to in order for his ordination. 2d. Voted to choose Messrs. Capt. Ephraim Frost, Deacons Thomas Hall and Joseph Adams, Mr. Samuel Whittemore, jr. and Mr. Ammi Cutter a committee for the above purpose and to sign letters missive to the churches invited.

" The Churches that assisted in the solemnity were the First and Third Churches in Cambridge, and the Churches of Lexington, Medford, "Watertown, Waltham, Brookline, Weston and Brookfield. Introductory Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Kendall, of Weston.

1790. Voted to choose a committee to assist Samuel Cutter, Jr., in a lawsuit with Lemuel Blanchard, which took rise on his making distress on him for a parish tax. That a committee of three persons be appointed to repair to the General Court, or any committee thereof, to show cause why Joshua Kendall with his estate, should not be set off from the Second Parish of the town of Cambridge, agreeable to liis petition. A legacy given by John Butterfield to the parish is mentioned on the records for this year, and Seth Stone is chosen sexton.

1 <'The labors, duties, and trials of a minister, the substance of which is recited in this sermon, were discoursed upon by the author, and which he then conceived were in prospect before him, on Lord's day. May 4, 1788, being the first sabbath of his preaching after his ordination, from these words in Acts XX. 24 : ' For none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God ! ' " - Fiske's Anniversary Discourse, April 23, 1809, note, pp. 5-6.

Li the month of November, 1788, after entering on his work, Mr. Fiske was visited with a fever, which brought him to the verge of death. During the space of four months he was wholly taken off from his labors. In ^larch, 1804, he was visited with a return of the same fever, by which he was unable to preach for five sabbaths. - Anniversary Discourse.

" I declare it to be mj' will that upon my wife's decease the sum of one hundred pounds, old tenor, be given to the Second Precinct in Cambridge, to be put out at interest by said parish for its use forever, to be paid by the brothers out of my estate. John Butterfield [and seal].

The above was John Butterfield, who died Jan. 6, 1749. te. 50, whose wife Mary married Abraham Watson, Jan. 4, 1750, and died here Mar. 4, 1789, aged 93. - See Genealogies.

1791. Seth Stone is again chosen sexton, and declined, and Solomon Bowman was chosen instead. Bowman's duties are described on his election the following year, when he was given compensation for ringing the bell, and taking charge of the meeting-house. Bowman was also sexton in 1793.

"1792, April 19. At a church meeting, after a sermon preached from Acts 6 : 3, Epliraim Frost, Jr. and John Adams were chosen deacons, and took their seat May 20." - Church Records.

1794. Phineas Child was chosen sexton, and continued in that office till 1807. His salary was ten dollars in 1799. He died April 19, 1807, aged 53, and on April 20, 1807, his successor was appointed. See 1807.

1795. A committee chosen to paint the meeting-house, and directed to paint the outside of said house the same color as Mr. Thomas Russell's, and the inside a stone color.

* " Among the few papers left by my father, is a report, taken down at the time by him, as secretary, of the meeting held Feb. 24, 1792, at 'Thomas Green's School House,' in regard to support of schools, the purchasing a small library, and whether the meetings shall be 'held in turn in each of the wings.' Francis Locke was moderator. The speakers were Jonathan and Francis Locke, A. Cutter, Joseph Shaw, Thomas Knox, S. Peirce, J. Estabrooks and William Locke, all of whom lived in the up^jer part of the town. The speeches have now no interest. The report makes tifteen pages of a small blank book." - Letter of J. B. Russell. This was probably a neighborhood meeting, preliminary to a regular Precinct meeting.

2 The title is as follows : " Thanksgiving and Prayer for Public Rulers, recommended in a Discourse, delivered at the Second Parish in Cambridge, February 19, 1795, being the day of National Thanksgiving in the United States. By Thaddeus Fiske, A.M., Pastor of the Second Church in Cambridge. Published by Request of the Hearers. Boston, MDCCXCV." Pp. 20.

Another published discourse of his soon after was '' A Sermon delivered December 29, 1799, at the Second Parish in Cambridge, being the Lord's Day immediately following the melancholy Intelligence of the Death of General George Washington, late President of the United States of America. Published by Request. By Thaddeus Fiske, A.M., Boston, 1800." Pp.21.

1796. Mention is made in the Precinct records of money subscribed for the purpose of purchasing a bass-viol. In the following year (1797) a suitable place was built in the meetinghouse to keep the bass-viol.

1799. It was put to vote in the Precinct, whether any assistance should be granted for the encouragement of singing, and it passed in the affirmative, and fifty dollars were granted under charge of a committee.

Dr. Holmes, in his History of Cambridge (1801), speaking of a card factory " which does great honor to American ingenuity," in the Northwest Parish of the town, says : " On the first of September, 1799, William Whittemore and company commenced business. Twenty-three machines, now in operation, stick two hundred dozen pairs of cards, on an average, every week. Forty persons, male and female, employed in this manufactwy, complete the above mentioned number weekly, for sale. The building in which the whole work is done is 4G feet square ; and the average price of the cards is 7 dollars per dozen pairs."

The origin of this business was the invention of an ingenious machine for making cotton and wool cards by Amos Whittemore, one of the above company, by which was realized (for the time) great wealth. See sketch in the Genealogical Register of this work, under Amos Whittemore. This card factory was a most important affair in building up the town of West Cambridge. By removal of the business to New York, about 1812, a depressing effect on the people here was experienced, and in the words of a valued correspondent, " it was a terribly dull place for several years."

About 1827, Gershom and Henry Whittemore, sons of the inventor, commenced business in West Cambridge, having purchased machines of their uncle Samuel Whittemore, of New York. Their factory was destroyed by fire in 1862.

1800. In 1800 the Second Parish in Cambridge contained 4,345 acres, 118 rods. - Holmes, quoted by Paige. There were two school-houses in this Parish in 1 800. - Ih'uL

It was voted this year to repair the posts and rails in the front of the meeting-house, and set out such trees as the standing committee thought proper, at the expense of the Precinct.

A " Receipt for the School House, and built by Menotomy Meeting House," dated Cambridge, Nov. 6, 180], communicated by Mr. J. B. Eussell, certifies that the subscribers, " being appointed a committee to inspect the building of the School House in the Northwest Middle School District in Cambridge, have examined the said house and do agree with Mr. John Estabrook to accept the same in behalf of the said district, as sufficiently done for the money he has received, and have no other demand on him on account thereof. Wm. Whittemore, Jr., Josiah Whittemore, Caleb Cole, Committee." The Central School House was removed on to the run, or water-course, in the Burying Ground, in 1810.

The Middlesex Union Society, which met quarterly for the purposes of mutual friendship and improvement, was instituted here Jan. 31, 1803. - Fiske. This is spoken of as a very pleasant social affair, the members meeting at each other's houses.

1804. Jan. 9, 1804, it was voted to build a house seventy feet long and fifty-six feet wide and thirty feet posts, all of wooden materials. Samuel Butterfield, Jeduthun Wellington, George Prentiss, John Adams, and William Whittemore, Jr., were the building committee of the new meeting-house. The old house was sold at auction. The body to William Whittemore, Jr., for $440 ; the tower to John Tufts, for $115; the porch to Samuel Watson, for $75 - making in the whole, $630.'

1 Among the materials sold, Mr. J. B Russell remembered seeing an old gilt vane five or six feet long. The " fir st meeting- house " purchased by WDUam Whittemore, Esq., at auction, and moved to lot opposite the residence of late minister Cooke, was made into a three- story dwelling and rented. It was next sold to Samuel AVhittcmore, of New York, brother of William ; and eventxxally to Annni Cutter ; then to Abel G. Peck, who divided it, and removed it, one half at a time, to the spot where it now rests. The frame of the old church was of oak, hence .

The following memorandum was made on the Precinct Records: "July 1804, the Meeting House belonging to the Rev. Thaddeus Fiske's Society was raised and no man hurt thereby."

The record book of the Northwest Parish of Cambridge Singing Society contains the Constitution of the Society, with this ijreamble: " As music constitutes one very essential part of public devotion, and as its spirit is become something languid, and its genius seems about to withdraw ; we, the subscribers, being fully inspired with these ideas, do form ourselves into a Society for the purpose of reviving the spirit, and improving ourselves in the art of music. Justice our principle, Reason our guide and Honor our law."

The first article of the Constitution provides for an annual meeting of the Society on the first Monday in December. The second, for a president, secretary and treasurer; and to be chosen every six months, one chorister and four assistants, one for tlie tenor, two for the bass, and one for the treble, whose duty was to instruct in their respective parts of music, also to select the music, appoint meetings for practice, and purchase requisite materials. Article fifth imposes a fine for nonattendance of members, &c., and every member shall sit in the singing seat on Sundays Avhen he is at meeting. The articles number eleven, and are dated June, 1804, when the names of the members were, - Artemas Kennedy, Ephraim Cutter, Benjamin Harrington, James Hill, Daniel Locke, Jason Kennedy, John Perry, Isaac Locke, Timothy Swan, Amos Locke, William Hill, Jr., David Hill, Joseph Adams, Amos Hill, William Wyeth, Amos Davis, Ichabod Fessenden, Ebenezer Hall, Jr., William Adams, Jr., Samuel Hill, Walter Russell, James Russell, Jr., Francis Locke, Ji'., Thomas Fillebrown, Daniel Wilson, Moses Cutter, Joseph Hill, James Cutter, Jr., George Swan, Benjamin Cutter, Jr., John Wilson, Joel Frost, James Fillebrown. On Dec. 5, 1804, Artemas Kennedy was chosen president, Isaac Locke secretary, A. Kennedy chorister, Daniel Locke and John Perry bass assistants, Isaac Locke tenor assistant, Jason Kennedy treble assistant, James Hill treasurer.*

It is now the dwelling-house of Mr. Charles 0. Gage, on Pleasant Street, near Belmont line. The second church edifice was torn down in 1840. The succeeding structiu'e, built on the same site, was burnt Jan. 1, 1856, and the j)resent house is its successor.