Billerica Town (part 3 of 17)

US, to prevent our plantation from breaking up or brealiing in peicess, after all that charge we have been at, And hazards that we have run, to keep our ground hitherto & not broke wliolly in piecess. We humbly pray, that the wrong information that the Court hath had from Abraham Parlier, or any other person ill-minded to us, may not be taken notice of, who hath much conserned himself for his own private interest, and far beyond what he had order for from their To\^^le to do in this case. We still asert, as we did before, our case is Honest. We have neither deceived the Court, nor wronged any of our Neiglibors. We had real need when we beg"! it, and now shall be left ten times worse, if taken from us, than if it had been never granted ; for we lotted out all that was good in it to our inhabitants about 35 years since; and many persons have sould their alotments to others, and themselves now dead, & their children not able to make good their father's sale ; neither hath our town any meadow yet Ij'ing in common to recompense them that shall lose their meadoAvs therein. We still own that our first petieion, which was about 43 years past, was worded too short ; it wanted Bounding at the west end ; we could not then help it, for Concord had not then laid out their village, neither had Mr. Willard laid out his thousand acres, neither was Mr. Hough's farm of fower hundred acres laid out, nor Mr. Weld's farm of five hundred and thirty acres laid out. Hence, we could not Bound it, and it is not yet three years since some of them was finished, or but little past; but now we know what is left in common. And now we pray this Honourable Court to confirm to us, the inhabitants of Billerica, our heirs and sucksessours, all the common and waste land, not formerly granted by this Court to any other, lying between Concord Eiver & Chelmsford line on the North, Concord toAvnship & their village line westward, and southward by the fSrms granted to IVIr. Nowell, Mr. Alin & Mr. Hough, which land is now possessed by Robert Blood ; and that Robert Blood might be ingadged to shew us the bounds of his land, for this forty years hath he refused to shew them ; of some of them no record is to be found in Court rolls, nor of any confirmation of them as he hath laid them out. Now, we humbly pray this honourable court to consider our necessity and grant to us our humble request at this sessions ; And as for the charge the Committee was at about it, we are willing to discharge it; But as for Abraham Parker's bill, we pray it may be considered we can prove it unreasonable, and above half the charge without any order from Chelmsford. So shall your humble petitioners continue to pray & remain your humble servants. '-In the Name and behalf of the Town: a * Whereas report hath formerly been made unto this honourable house, as if the town of Billerika did encroach upon the Countrj^'s land. <fe that report so far received by this honorable house, that our town hath bene sent unto by this honoi'able house to Render our Eesons, if any we had, why such land might not otherwaj'S be disposed of; the which we gave in March 5, 1694-5, which we hope have been considei-ed of by this house; and have divers sessions been waiting upon this honorable house for the confirmation of the bounds of our plantation, that part thereof which lyeth on the west of Concord river, but still we remain unsettled, to the great discouragement of our plantation. Our last petition we presented unto this honorable house was granted iune 20, 1698 ; but it pleased not the honorable Council at that time to concurr therewith, but rather to appoint a Committee to go upon the ground, which yet hath not bene done. The circumstances of our plantation hath sometime bene laid before this honora))le house, & before several of the Council more particularly. That the fathers, or first planters of our plantation, petitioned the General Court for a tract of land between Concord line & Chelmsford line, on the west of Concord river, is clere upon record, bearing date May, 1655, and that our petition was granted the same Court for our incouragement to make a plantation. And although the petitioners, the beginners of our plantation, did not. in their petition, fully express what they intended, for doubtless they petitioned for all that waste land, in that place, which bj'^ the Artis' return in the survey thereof, amounts to or contains about six thousand acres; and in regard the whole of our Township, that we have planted upon, we had not one foot of it granted by the Country unto us ; it was granted unto the Town of Cambridge & laid out in farms & divided into an hundred & fiftene alotments, which we have been purchasing of them as we could, & have not yet clered them ; so that our plantation never yet hath had that incouragement from the countrye as other plantations had then at their beginning. We prayed, in our first petition, for a small tract of land, but then could not be so particular in the boundary thereof, because there was fouer farms contained therein to be laid out before we could know what was certainly our own, the last of which hath been but lately laid out. And, because we understood that, by the answer of our petition, we were not to touch upon any propriety, we did hope that what was not appropriated had been ours & accordingly have alotted out the same, bought & sould & have run our lines with our neighbors plantations, about fourty year, Chelmsford Northwai'd of us & Concord Westward, without any disquietment * * by reason of our public calamityes have been long laboring under many discouraging circumstances, being a frontier & having been at sundry times broken in upon by the enemie, but have stood our ground hitherto, but have reson to feare if your petitioners be not favored we shall be broken * * that your petitions may quietly possess what this honorable house shall confirm unto us, that so our harts & our hands maj" be strengthened to discharge those dutys that we do owe unto God, our Soueraigne, & your honours, & be farther obliged to pray for Divine asistance upon this great asembly in y^ management of y^ weighty concerns before them. Your humble supplicant, Joseph Tompson,

These petitions may not be models of condensation, but the^^ deserve the careful study of all who seek to understand the position and feelings of the founders of the town. They repeat the fact, often mentioned and with justice, that the connection with Cambridge at first, instead of aiding the settlers, had been a serious tax to them, in the necessity of purchasing the Cambridge titles, when a grant direct from the Court would have involved no such expenditure.

This burden was in part relieved by the successive grants west of Concord River, af Naticott, and the later gift of four thousand acres ; but the relief was onl}^ partial, and the embarrassment would certainly have been disastrous if their title to the first, after fort}^ years' oecupanc}', had proved invalid.

The Court answered this petition by the appointment of a committee, consisting of Col. Elisha Hutchins, Esq., Maj. James Converse, Capt. Benjamin Garfield, and Maj. Jonathan Tyng, "or any three of them, to view and settle the lines between the town of Billerica & the farmes of John & Robert Blood, & the line between said town and the Towns of Concord & Chelmsford."

"At a great & generall Court or Assembly for his majesty's province of Massachusetts Bay, begun & held at boston, upon Wednesday, 28"> of May, 1701.

Major Jonathan Tyng. Maj''. James Converse & Capt. Benjamin Garfield, a Committee [as above] have reported their doings therein, as f oUoweth :

"That is to say, that as well by their own view of the lines, Court Grants and Deeds produced to them, as on hearing of what was otferred by the agents of the severall Towns, they find the land of Billerika bounded by the line of Chelmsford northward, beginning at Pautucket stake, so called, by Concord Paver, where Chelmsford & Billerika & the Indians do meet, then Chelmsford line runneth south fourty three degrees west to pillar of stones : then it rufieth south, seventy nine degrees west, three hundred thirty & two poles ; which reacheth unto Major Willard's faruie to a great heap of stones lying in Chelmsford line ; then the Major's farm ruiieth southwardly fourty six degrees west, one hundrd. & sixtenc pole to a little white oake. Then it ruiieth south, fourty one degrees west, three hundrd. eighty & fower pole, which reacheth to a marked pine, in Concord village line, near to a place cab^ bery corner ; then it is bounded by Concord line, one mile on the southwest ; it is bounded southward by a line which was run by the above said coniinittee. betwixt the Bloods & Billerika, which Ran from a pine called Allin's corner, south, eighty & five degrees west, five hundrd. & sixtene pole, to a great white oake marked B. B. ; then it runs from thence fourty degrees west, one hundrd. seaventy & four pole, which reached unto Concord line againe, It is bounded north east & south east, east, & south east, by Concord RfVer.

The survey which accompanied and explained this description is fortunately preserved in the office of the Secretary of State. This makes plain points which are obscure, giving the length of the first named Chelmsford line from Pawtucket stake, four miles. It shows also that, in running the line between Billerica and the Bloods, the* committee began at the northwest corner of the Allen grant, and ran back to the point previoush' reached in the Concord line. This issue of the contest gave Concord and Chelmsford nothing, and vindicated the justice of the claim of Billerica. Whether it gave Billerica any less than she claimed, on the side of the Bloods, does not appear.

''the line betwene this towne and Wooberne was Eun and marked and agreed upon to stand for propriety by Captin Edward Johnson and John Wyman and James Convers for Wooberne ; and Ralph Hill. Sen'', and George Farley and John Parker for Billericey, and Jonathan Danforth, Artiste, who did j-e work for both townes. The line was run two poynt and half easterly of y<^ North, set of from the river in o'" old line formerly Run from Cambridge Boundes. from a black oake Nere y^ cait path, Leading from Billericey to Wooberne ; y'= line continued about 3 miles, and then by agrem* of the comite and Artiste, set on againe two poynts of the compass toward the river, and so continued to Andevere boundes."

The designation of the road to Woburn as "the cart path" gives us a glimpse of the character of the principal highway' through the town, in 1059. The "set of" near that road was made to preserve, approximatel}', the distance of one mile from Shawshin River, which was to be the west bound of Woburn, according to its original grant, and may be seen on an}' map of Burlington and Billerica. The other "set on," three miles north, has disappeared with the cession to Wilmington ; but the difference in hearing between the present west hne of Burlington and east line of Tewksbury corresponds with this original description.

'- 1666, 23 Mmj. "In answer to a motion made to this Court by M'. Humphry Davy, in the behalfe of Billirikey, that tlie bounds may be settled between them and Woobome, it is ordered that Mr. Edward Collins, Capt. Timothy Wheeler, & Left. Richard Beers, do repaire to the place where the ground of the dilference doe arise, and according to wliat sliall appeare to be the right of eacli place by grant from this Court, & not otherwise determined by the mutuall concession of the grantees or their assignees, to settle the lines betweene the sajd tonnes, being authorized & impouered as a comittee to that end; and what they shall doe herein to be a final issue of that controversy, & returne it to this Court to be recorded."

'' * * We haue determined that the Ijne of divission betweene the tounes shall run from the pinetree at Cambridge Corner, by a streight Ijne to the marked tree nere the old foote path from Wooberne to Billirrikey, at the corner of Elder Champney's farme ; & what euer land hath biun layd out by Wooborne toune, one that side next Billirica to John VV^ymans & ffrancis Wyman, shall remain to the said Wymans; and that the Ijne of divission betweene the sajd tounes, in all other places, shall runn as it is stated by the order of the Generall Court, i. e. a mile from the river."

This report was confirmed by the Court. The arrangement, however, was of short continuance, and the whole question was soon reopened, as appears from the following: -

"The tovene of Bilrica humbly present to this honnored Courte : That whereas they have formerly se^ral times made application to this honnored Courte for settlinge the lyne between Wooborne and them accordinge to the first graunt of the Courte to bee a mile from the Riuer. The magistrates, as sensible thereof, hauing since passed somethinge in order thereunto, which yet is not consented to by the Deputies. The said Towne of Billerica, findinge themselues agreeved by what hath been ah-eady done about Drawing? the line, as hath been formerly declared to this honored Courte :

"They humbly intreate the Consideration of what farther they haue to Demonstrate in a few words: first, That Whereas it is alleadged, that the first parte of the lyne was Ran by Cambridoe and Wooborne before Billerica was a towneship. & therefore to stand, although 114 pole nearer the riuer than a niyle ; which is contrary to the courts graunt. To which we say, first, that there is no record to be found thereof & onely one person of Cambridge alive who did act therein. & he doth testifie that their agreement concerning it was. that the wrong done in coming too neare in that part of the line should be made good in Drawing the rest of the line, which was afterwards ran By Ensign Sherman, but no satisfaction made for the former Defect, as doth appeare by this draught, for he onely intended a myle from the riuer according to a common line. And, Secondly, we finde that where he began this last line, it wants 47 pole of a mile from some part of the riuer & it wants 30 pole from the utmost angle of the riuer in a direct lyne, and from the end of the old lyne at the Crooke to the riuer it wants 114 pole of a mile to the riuer. as hath been proved bj^ IJeut. Fisher about a week since, & therefore no satisfaction is made nor any agreement past between both towns that should take off" the force of the Court's order. Therefore, once more we humbly intreate this honored Courte, that the crooke which is in the lyne may be made straight & that allone will satisfie us; also, it will easily be done in one day by an artist, without further trouble.

"This may Certify wiiomsoever it may consern, that I, Joshua Fisher of Dedham, being at Billerica about the 10 of May. 1669, with my instruments, was desired to try the length or distance from the line betw^een Obourne & Billerica, at a place where there is a settinge off in that line, to try how far it was from thence to Billerica, riuer ; which accordingly I did & found it to be from the end of the old line formerly run by Cambridge men & Obourne, as I was informed divers years since the rimninge, & there I f(mnd it to be 206 rod to the riuer, or so farr as a parralell line to that line cutts the riuer in divers places, and froui the end of that line froui the river ward, where there was a set off into Oburne bouue. as I was informed, done by Ensign Sherman not long since, to a stake by him or his direction piched. I found it 67 rod, so that from that stake to the riuer it is 290 rod, which want 30 rod of a mile to the riuer, which was measured into a point of upland that runs in at that place, the riuer being on both sides of it divers rods nearer the stake from whence we measured, so that I doe conceive that if a straight line were run from c to d, as it is marked in the plat, it would [indecipherable, mostly lost,'] answer the grant of the General Courte made to Billerica, though it would not be a mile from the riuer in divers places, & the proprietie of the land might remaine to each grantee, if it be granted out by either of the towns, and the jurisdiction belong to each town accordinge as the straight line should devide them. I judge not the case, but only inform how I found it & so leave it to them concerned.

'"In answer unto this .motion made by Billerica Inhabitants, the case being fully heard at last Gen'' Court, both ptyes then appearing. This Court do judge meet and for a finall issue of all complaynts conclude that a committee of equal minded & judicious men be nominated & impowered to run & determine the lin^ between Woburne & Billerica from one end to another, attending the Courts graunt, not to come within a mile of Shawshin riuer ; viz*, the comon line of the Riuer duly to be taken & sett by some able Artist; and in case it do appeare that the eomplayut of Billerica hath been causeless, they shall then defray all the charges thereof. The Majistry have passed this, their brethi'en the deputies thereto consenting," etc.

The result was that a committee of the Court and representatives of both towns united, 1669, October 1, in recommending "that the line of divission between the two tonnes, last made b}' Ensign Sherman, by order of the Committee of the General! Court, shall stand as it doeth. And whereas Francis & John Wej'mans Seniors haue their present habitations neere the Ijne aforesajd, & enjoying much of their liuelyhood & benefit at both tonnes, &. ma}" pertake of the publicque ordinances in both places, they, the sajd Wej-mans, shall contribute equally to both tonnes in all publicke charges, both ciuill «fe eeclesiasticall."

This recommendation the Court consented to and confirmed, "to be vnderstood the half of what they should haue payd to either toune, if they had been wholly in either of them ; and that Wooborne S:^all take the valluation of the Weymans estates for the country rate, as formerly, and give a true account of the same aiiually to Billerrica, who shall haue power annually to demand & receiue all tonne charges (according to that order) of the sajd Wej-mans, as if they were inhabitants."

hailing considered the ease, after much agitation, doe agree (with one consent) to stand to 3" generall Court's order conserning y" said agreement, desiring y*' continuance of y^ same, vnlesse y'' Hon''^^ Court would please to giue vs our streight line, which we should haue had at y** first, according to Court grant ; neither will y^ toune consente to take it out of y'^ hands of y'^ Honore*^ Court, to put it into a Comittee's hand to end."

But the town was not successful in this issue with the W^mans. At least, the agreement was soon after declared void. Whether the rectification of the town line was secured in connection with this rupture of the agreement does not appear, but is probable. The line is, and has been, a straight line, and no other date or occasion for making it so is indicated in the Records,. and on this supposition the policy of the town was in fact successful.

No other question arose as to the boundaries of the town, and no other changes were made until the incorporation of Bedford and Tewksbury, in the next generation.

Roads And Bridges

The earl}' highways were ver}' primitive. A path through the forest, marked by blazed trees, was sufficient for this distinction ; and the marking was often so imperfect that questions would arise, after a few years, as to the actual location ; different wood-paths becoming the subject of neighborly contention. But the fathers understood the importance of roads quite as well as their children. Among the earUest town orders is one relating to this subject.^

'-'-9: 9: 58. Also for our work in ye highways, it is agreed that it shall be done as followeth : i. e. every male of sixtene years old & upward shall come in to Avorke in y® highways, acording as due warning shalbe given by j" Surveyours, chosen for y^ well ordering of the same. And so all that have oxen shal come in with their teames also, vntill y« worke be done in y« country highways.

''And for such as ai-e proprietors with us. and are non resident in this toune. They shall all do their proportions when they come vp, both psons and teames, themselves or others for them, such as the surveyors shall approve of for y* worke. both persons & teames. Also y^ surveyors shall keep a true account of everv man's work from time to time.

"And it is further ordered & agreed, that the surveyors shall have no power to make or mend any but country roads at y^ towne charge, without ye consent of tlie whole towne and by their order. And for non-appearance after due warning given as aforesaid, both persons & teames, any person neglecting liis duty acording to this order shall pay two days' work for one."'

We have here, in distinct outline, the system of supporting the highway's which is still the prevailing one in New England, and which has only ver^' recentlj' given place in Billerica to the method of appointing a town agent, under whose direction the appropriations for highway's are expended.

1 1 quote from Danforth's copy of this Order, Book of Grants, I, 170. The original partly obliterated may be found in Records, Vol. I, p. ".

The principal roads loading from town to town were for man}' years designated "country" roads, and were at first the onlj' roads to receive public; care as a matter of course and without special vote of the town. The roadS to Woburn, Chelmsford, Andover, and Concord, appear to have been at first the only roads thus distinguished. The first record of surveyors is, "1 mo. lGCO-1," when James Kidder and John Baldwin were chosen. The road to Wobnrn is mentioned, "n : 1) : GO. At a town meeting the tonne doe choose to joyne witli a comittee from Oberne to lay out the highway from Oberne to o' meeting-house, Ralph Hill, jun', & John Parker." The report of this committee is not recorded, but ten jears later we find this record : - -

"Whereas the country road leading from Woburn to Billerica was laid out by a comittee legally chosen by each towne formerlj% but thei-e not being a record of the same to be found, where it Avas exactly laid, and there arising some difference in apprehention where y^ way was laid thro Shawshin farmes ; At y ' request of Mr. Ri : Daniel. Gent''", the comittee of each towne did meet together at Shawshin farme; and, hearing w'hat could be said every way, and taking an exact viewe of the most comodius way for the country road to passe in, did determine that the Avay from billerica to woburn througli Shawshin farmes should henceforth bee and continue, beginning at the westerly end of the said farmes, and so continue streight through y« dirty swamp, and so along vpon the high land, taking a black oak tree marked with D (which stands in the side line between the churches farm and Samuel Chanmes farme) in the middle of the highway ; and so passing over the small swamp or runnitt above Shawshin house where it is the firmest ground, there being a great white oak stump standing by the side of that valle on the north ; from thence it continues streight along, going over y^ ridge, where the oldest highway went neer Samuel Chaume's bouse on the north of it, and so through his old field vntill you come to y*" casey neer Shawshin river, tliere being at this time, a ditch plowed almost all the way through these farmes, on the northerly side of this bigliway ; and so the road is allowed seven pole wide southerly from the ditch aforesaid, there being sundry trees marked, some on y^ west side, some in or about y^ middle, and ye ditch on the north of y** s^ way. And on y^ easterly side of Shawshin river, y'^ road lyeth much whereabouts it is now trodden, and passeth over the brooke at y« east end of y^ plaine in ye middle way that hatli been trodden over that brook. Tliis was agreed upon by us, tlie whole comittee being present.

Roads And Bridges

This record does not add much to our knowledge of the Wobnrn Road, except the fact that it was originally- seven rods wide ; but it gives interesting illustration of the phraseolog}' and methods of the men who laid it out.

"It beginneth at the country road iu long street and runneth in a straight line [from?] North east corner of y"^ fence of John Rogers, Sen''., i. e. of his house lot, being laid out four pole wide anent y"^ North-west corner of Billerica meeting house, being bounded onward toward Concord by John Rogers' fence as now it do stand on the west ; by Jacob Browne's and Daniell Sheed's fence (as now it stands) on ye east; and so going streight on forward to the pounds, through Mi'. Whiting's lott, then it turnes westward, ruiiing down charnstaflt' lane, vntill you come to y*' bound corner stake between George fFarley and Jn". Sternes, on Mr. Dudley's farm, whose dividing line between them is tlie center of the higliway vntill you come neer y^ lower stake of y<^ divitions at that place, anent which stake it lyeth wholly on the east side of it ; so running to y^ fence of lieut ffrench, his field, (which was sometimes the lot of Joseph Parker,) which fence bounds y^ highway on the south-east. Then running over y^ swamp at the Island between brooks, or over two brooks, being bounded by marked trees in the Center of y® highway, vntill you come to the paster fence of Ralph Hill, Sen"^., which fence bounds it on the west; so rufling on ye south east of Ralph Hill, jun"^., his barne, vntill you come to y^ old road which leads to Concord, trees being marked for y^ center of it ; and from this place it keaps (generally) y^ old beaten road to Concord swamp acording to center trees ; and it is agreed that it shall lye four poles wide from long street, vntill you come to Mr. Dudley's farme; and from ye entrance of Mr. Dudley's farme, until you come to Concord great swamp, it shall Ij-e at least six pole wide ; and from ye great swamp to Concord towne, Center trees are marked aboute ye old road vntill you come to the south corner of the widow foxes' land; then leaving the old dirty road on the right hand, and passing through an opening of the swauip. acording vnto trees marked in ye center of it, we continued to Cramfield gate, and from thence keeping the comon road, to ye meeting house.

-'Wee whose names are hereunto subscribed, being a comittee choesen respectively by y"^ Townes of Andever and Billerica, to lay out tlie country road leading from the one Tovvne to the other, have laid out y^ said road in maimer as followeth :

began at the country road that leads from Chelmsford towards the bay, or in long street, neer the Two Brothers and soe ran Crosse ye house lots of James Parker and Kalph Hill, Sen'., (about ye middle of them,) laying it four poles wide through y« said feilds, acording to marked trees ; from thence we ran by the North line of John Shildon's house lott Towards foxes hill, and on the east side of the said hill, in y* old drawne way, vntill you come to a meadow, called Content meadow, being six poles wide from y^ former house lots to Content meadow, and four poles wide at y" saide meadow, between the lots of Jonathan Danforth and Samuel Kinsley, and from the meadow to Strongwater brook six poles wide ; and at Strongwater brook it lyeth crosse the meadow, about the middle of y« lot belonging to John Poulter, and from thence to a meadow belonging to George Abbot, Sen^, of Andover, at the north east end of the meadow and runeing to y^ drawne road, which leads from Andever Towne towards Shawshin River meadows; and so to enter the said road, at a hill called east hill, and so down the plaine to y^ bridge that lyeth over Shawshin River, neere to y" house of William Ballard, still continuing six pole wide acording to trees suftetiently marked from y^ foresaid content meadow to Shawshin bridge. And from that bridge toward andever Towne, vntill you come to y*^ houses of John Johnson and Thomas Johnson, wee judge meet that y" highway shalbe where it is now drawne ; and it shall lye in the wet swamps and rocky places ten poles wide at the least, and in y'^ hardway elsewhere to. be eight poles wide at least, and between the houses of y* Johnsons aforesaid and the town of Andever, it shall lye as now the fences are already set up, and from the corner of y^ aforesaid Thomas Johnson's fence next toward y^ Towne of andever, the way shalbe six poles at the least, vntill you come to the shop of John ftVye, and from the shop of y^ said John ffrye to Mr. Bradstreet's yard corner, right against the way j^ leads down to Andever meeting house, it shalbee four poles wide at the least, being the way which is Now drawne ; further it is agreed that from the Hill, called east Hill aforesaid, down to the Bridge ou^ Sliawshin River aforesaide, neere j" house of William Ballard aforesaid, the highway shall be

These four roads ai-e all in use still, substantially as at first laid. The most important changes are, that the Woburn Road first ran over the top of Bare Hill, instead of turning around its northerly side as now ; that the Concord old road ran a nearl}' straight course, still easil3' traced, through the swamp about a mile west of Bedford Village, turning from the present road to Bedford near Huckins Street ; and the Chelmsford Road crossed the river at the Fordwa}^ and not as now at the Corner.

"-It was agreed before the laying out of the alotments, in the great comon feild which lyeth below y'^ great Bridge, [i. e. at the ford way,] on the east side of Concord River, That there shalbee a convenient highway alowed throughout the wholl feild, cross all the lots, for foot, horse & cart, either Avhere it is already Trodden, or elsewhere, as shalbe Judged to be most convenient, which is to be noe open highways, but may bee taken in ' with in there lands & fences.

"It begins at the east side of Samuel Trull's fence as now it stands, and so to lye two pole wide, and runs from thence crosse the lott of Koger Toothaker, the east side of y^ highway, crosse that lot is bounded by a stub which stands by the comer of Samuel Trull's fence, on y" eastward of it about 4,000 [ ! So the record ; probably it should be four] poles, and so runes to a rock, w'=i> Eocke stands a little on this side of y* brooke; from thence acording to marked trees all along, vntill you come to y^ going down to y^ mill place ; and Thus far y" trees are marked only on y^ east side of the way, but onward the middle of the highway is marked, vntill you come to William Hamlet's swamp, and from thence the way is to lye as the road is now trodden, toward bacon brooke ; and the agreement is that ye way shall be. all of it, two pole wide.

This road, passing the houses of Toothaker and John Rogers, (see Rogers, 2, in Genealogical Register^) ran near the present site of the depot in North Billerica. The road recently opened from

Another road to the great plain and great common field, which were towards and beyond North Billerica, followed the present Long Pond Road to the foot of P''ox Hill, on the north, and then ran directl}' across the swamp and fields, where its disused route is still easily traced. The road which run east from the "I'ollard" place, to and beyond Mr. Nason's place, existed very earl^' and was known as the road to Jeffs Cove, or Trull's Cove.

From the Andover Road, sometimes called East Street, the road running south, at the foot of Fox Hill, was of course in earl}' use. For convenience, I refer to this as the "East Road," and the following record must refer to it : -

"1. That tliere shall be a convenient highway alowed out of the lots Just below the Rockes and hills by the side of loes plaine, and so through the land of Samuel Keinp, for a cart to pass vpon any ocation, which land (if the proprietors please) they may take within their fence.

"2. "i'lier is also laid out another highway four poles wide, on the North side of Sanmel Kemp's lot, so ruiiing ouei* the brooke on the north of Simon Crosbee's land & on the South of Jacob Browne's land.

"3. There is also laid out a highway of two poles wide betweene the East side of Sam'i Kemp's line and the heads of those lots y' lye on y<^ east of Samuell Kemp's lot, which is for the use of those proprietors."

Samuel Kemp's lot was near Miss Sophia Allen's, and this record outlines vaguely the East Road to that point and the road leading towards the Shawshin from it, early known as Marshall's Lane, John Marshall living near the turn. We ma}' suspect that the latter road had a westerly extension, which would pas§ Peter Bracket's, and connect directly with Tufts Lane. From Kemp's, southward, the East Road appears in a later record.

"19. 1"' 1611. The Townsmen doe order Sarg"' John Parker, Tho : foster and John Marshall to lay out y^ highwa}' from John Marshall's house to y*" country road, that 13'eth through the churches farme, and make returne thereof vnder their hands to y*" Towuesmen."

The road "through the churches farm" indicates the highwa}' north of the Woburn Road, as the latter did not pass through, but^ south of, the Church Farm.

Roads And Bridges

A later record,^ 1670-1, March 21, states that, as no report of this committee was found, and Mr. Parker was dead, the selectmen directed Messrs. Foster and Marshall to renew the work, and proceeds to say that the}', "finding a convenient wa}' by y* bounds of Shawshin farme, from Thomas Richardson's lot to a new bridge, and over which is a ditch leading to the country road, did, with John French and Thomas Richardson, address j'^selves to Richard Daniel, gent., proprietor of Shawshin farme, for his consent, who, to gratify his said neighbours, did freely condescend, that they should have a private way to pass .for carts, &c., in y^ bounds of y*^ said farme, from y" said Thomas Richardson's lot to y*^ afores** new bridge, and from thence five pole on y'' outside of y*' side [said?] ditch that lead to y* said couutry road ; and y*' s*^ comittee & y" s*^ John French & Thomas Richardson did thankful]}- accept of y'' same," and appointed this a private highway from Richardson's house to the country road.

Mr. Daniel represented wealth and rank, his wife at least belonging to the nobility ; and there was no other citizen to whom the town officially showed such deference, or from whom it sought as favors what it would have taken from others as its right. Whether the present East Road follows the line of this early location is uncertain.

Farther north, on the Andover Road, an early and long forgotten way turned not far from the Cemetery and ran to the Shawshin near the Crosby place, reaching the river at a point called the "Willow Spang." "^ This grant refers to it: "There is three acres of land alowed in James Kidder's lot where it may be most conveniently taken, for a way from the country road at fox hill to y* second part of the second divitions. Also allowance is made to Simon Crosbe's lot, for y^ highway to pass from James Kidder's lot toward Shawshin River."

'-It was agreed before the laying out of the 2^ divition Partaineing to y« Towneship, That there should be a highway from the south side of fox hill, ouer little content brook, and so ouer ailwife brook, streight away to

° Daiifortli often uses llie word "spang" to designate some point in field or meadow; tlie same word wliich Webster spells "spong." William Tay had land at this place; and the copyist of his will, in the Suffolk Registry, evidently had trouble in decipliering the original, for his transcript reads, "the willow spangs." Some future editor or archaeologist may find here occasion for a learned explanation of the pangs of the willow !

Shawshin Rluer oij the north of globe hill, and so ouer heeth brook, cross Christopher AVeb's meadow lott & continueing onward ouer Strongwater brooke, at the narrow neck betvvene William Tay's meadow, and so onward to andever meadow."

The next description may refer to the road from Pattenville towards Wilmington. "Also one highway vpon content plaine from this road, beginning upon the hill eastward of two little round swamps, and so ruiiing anglewise about y" middle of y' part of y^ 2** divitions, which lyeth on the east of ailwife brook," etc.

The following description more clearl}' refers to the road from the depot to Pattenville: "1664. It was ordered at the laying out of 3'* comon feild on the plain which is on the east side of Content meadow, that ther shalbee a highway from y^ country road leading to anclever, to Shawshin Riuer, beginning on y^ east of content bridge, & so passing through y^ lots of Nath. Hill, leiut french, Jonath Danfortli, John Rogers, El**"^ Chamne, Golden More, William I'attin, Peter Brackett, James Kidder, & Capt. Brackett, which enters it into y^ road which comes from John Balden bridge, leading to globe hill, and at y* most easterly corner of Simon Crosbes lot begins that highway which goeth to William Pattin's meadow at Shawshin River." The references in the closing paragraph - are to the two roads named in the preceding descriptions.

A highwa}-, which probably never had much use and was soon forgotten, was laid between the two parts of the Second Division. It was "on each side of the dividing line from loes plain until you come to ailwife brook" ; or from a point near Mrs. Asa Holden's, and passing towards the brook by the corner at Mr. James Page's, on the Wilmington Road, where "Marshall's lane," extended from the Crosby place, comes into it.

The Lexington Road, early and long known as the road to Bacon's mill, or Fitch's mill, is first mentioned, "16: 1 : 63. Will' Tay & George farley are Apoynted to Lay out a highway from the Towne, leading to Mr. Michell's farme, and to y' land y' was La^'' out for Mr. Edward Oaks' farme, on y" south East end of Mr. Winthrop's great meadow, to be layd out four polls wide."

meeting of 3'^ selectmen : Whereas Mr. Muzej' makes a complaint for want of y* knowledge of y^ highwa}' from his farme, that hee bought of Timothy Brookes, to the towne ; The selectmen do order George ffarley, that was one of the comittee that lajd it out at y^ first, * & corp^ Jn° ffrench, forthwith to go and renue y" markes of y* said way, that it may be obvious to all travellers ; also to draw vp a record as distinct as ma}' bee how it lyes, that so it. ma^' be found afterward without much difficulty."

The road farther east is not described in the Records. But it was in existence, and -known as a country road as early as 1670, when Joseph Walker's grant was bounded east by it. The survey of Mr. Daniel's farms shows that this road formed in large part the west line of the Champue}' Farm.

That there was a road farther south from the Concord Road towards Cambridge is certain, but no description of it is recorded. It must have been substantially the same as that which now runs southeast over the hill, a mile north of Bedford Village.

The following record gives a good example of the private highways often laid out for the convenience of adjacent farmers :^ " 1658. It was agreed, That there should be reserved three pole wide (vpon the Towneship) by the river side, from the angle of the township neare George ffarley's, vntill you come below abbott's Bridge, which is to be no open highway, but for any vse for cart, or for landing of goods, hay, corne, etc., which liighway is to be taken into euery man's dividuall (i. e. his propriety or alottment) if hee please. And an}' man taking downe any bares or opening any gates, to passe by the Riuer's side vpon any such ocation, shall safely put them vp againe ; and in case of neglect, as aforesaid, shalbc lyalile to pay whatever damage any person shall sustain by his neglect therein."

The town also reserved the same liberty to pass from Charnstaffe Lane to this river highway. "Also, it was agreed, That the Brook which lyeth in" the middle of the township should ly open (for y* use of y^ inhabitance in generall) from long-street downward to y* line of Mr. Dudley's farme, and six pole wide on each side of the brook, to ly in coinon for publick vse." This "brook-highway" bounded Mr. Whiting's grant on the east, and has other mention ; and this description proves the identity of Charnstaffe Lane and the line of the Dudley Fai'm.

West Street is mentioned at the same time.** "1658. At tlie laying ont of the lots vpon the Towneship, It was agi-eed that y^ highway cal'^ the west street should rune from long street, beginning at the southeast of Jonathan Danforth's house lot, and lye six pole wide southward of his line, the whole width of his house lot, and then it should be laid twelve pole wide, from thence to y" riuer, y« former ^ix pole continuing, and so to take six pole northward of a rock in a valle}' b}^ a willow tree, (which rock is y" southwest corner of Jonathan Danforth, his house lot,) and onward it is to be laid on each side y* swamp and brook, that so y'^ water may lye open for cattell."

In November, 1660, the town voted that Danforth and Kidder might have the land included in West Street, either for a certain sum, or "if tlie}' could purchase a convenient highway elsewhere to the Riuer, to the Town's content." But this grant was for some reason not consummated ; for in 1665 Mr. Kidder received a grant of two and one-half acres, on the south side of this road, and extending to the river ; this grant being instead of ten acres elsewhere. And, ten years later, the road is again granted to Danforth and Kidder, with the reservation of a right to a private highway', as described above. The consideration of this grant was, disbursements made for the town, Mr. Danforth having expended a thousand and a half of shingles to purchase Cambridge lands for the town. AVhen West Street was reclaimed as a public highway is not certain; but the process was gradual. It was a " bridle-wa}' " in 1730, when proposals for building the Centre bridge came before the town, and the selectmen were instructed, in preparation for that measure, "to state & settle the bounds of the highway."

A road was laid out, in 1661, to run from the Concord Road, near the present route of the Middlesex turnpike, going by Henr^^ Jefts and Lieutenant French's to William Taj-'s, and ending in the "road to the ba}'," on the "top of the hill Next to Thomas Foster's fence." After the appointment of one or two committees, this road was abandoned ; but the location of its terminus proves a point of interest in the early geography, namely, that the Woburn Road at first went over and not around Bare Hill. When the change was made is not recorded, but it may be indicated in this action : "May 16, 1711. * Deacon James Frost and Lt. Samuel Hill were appointed to vew a highway' pi'oposed to be exchanged with

Crosby, upon bare Hill, and to make a Return of their Judgment - concerning it." Their report is wanting, but we ma}' conjecture that it favored the easier route, around the northerly slope of the hill, where the road has long been. The road north of Fox Hill, leading east from Long Street at Abot's bridge to the Davis place, was in early use, and doubtless continued as far as the Andover Road ; but no description is found in the Records. *

West of Concoi:d River, the larger part of the land remained "common," until the great distribution soon after 1700, and tire roads before that date .wei'o few and onl}' incidentally appear in the Records. The earliest was, no doubt, the "treble-cove" road," beginning at the Fordwaj^ and running southwest on the line, substantially, of the present highwa}' east of Gilson's Hill and northwest of Winning's Pond, and so towards Concord. It derived its name from the "treble-cove," a locality often named in the Records, and situated near the Carlisle line. This road is often called the "road to John Hill's," who doubtless lived near it.

The "rangeway" road, as its name indicates, followed the dividing line between the first and second ranges of lots in the great land division of 1708. The first range, bounding on Chelmsford line, was about half a mile in width, and the road still follows the line thus indicated.

A bridge over Concord River was an early necessit}- . The first bridge was at the Ford way, a half-mile above North Billerica. The date of its erection is not certain, but is probably indicated by the action of the General Court, 1G57, May 15, when the importance to the country' of bridges at Billerica and Mistick was affirmed, and assessment of expense, for building and maintaining them, upon adjoining towns and plantations was provided for. The bridge was 'in use in 1659, as William Haile's grant, which was near by and made in that j-ear, mentions "y" great bridge." The "great comon field," which was divided in 1659 among the proprietors, is also described as lying on the east side of Concord River, below the great bridge.

This early bridge was, of course, rude and, primitive and soon needed repairs. "25: 7: 60. Ralph Hill jun' and James Kider are apoynted to join with Chelmsford in the repayring of y^ bridge Leading to Chelmsford ; and they are to doe what work they, with the comitee of Chelmsford, shall judge meet to be done, and to Leuie the charges acording to the General Cort's order ; and they have power given them to call in for helpe aeordlnge as they shall se meet, from time to time, till the work be done, provided they be such persons as ai'e behinde in high wa}' work, to the Number of 6 days of them that hath done y" moste." "1662, 4, 9," it was agreed that Thomas Foster should "goe to the great bridge" and "br Hill Seur, if James Kider could not go." John Parker was also requested "to goe to the work, if his ocations would give wa}-," and a note was sent to Chelmsford "for their comittee to meet at the work."

In 1664, complaint was made to the Court at Charlestown of "great defect in Chelmsford Bridge," and the selectmen of the two towr.s were enjoined to take order for the repair thereof forthwith;'' and, November 29, the "Townsmen did choose Will' Hamlett to join Avith a man from Chelmsford to repajr the great Bridge."

In making these repairs, in 1662, Billerica furnished five hands and Chelmsford four, "a day in the water," charging 2s. 6d. per day. Besides, there is a charge for two quarts of liquor, 4s., showing that one day's work would pay for a quart of liquor and a quarter. In 1665, the whole charge for previous repairs was " 7p. 1C^ 6".," of which Billerica paid "4p. l^ 6p." and Chelmsford " 3p. 9^" Groton does not seem to have been called upon at this time, but for the charge in 1665, Groton paid its proportion. "21p. 2'**. 2^." were raised on the county rate, Chelmsford paying "10^. 3^," Billerica, "7P. 8'. 4P.," and Groton, "3^. 14". 7p." It was to be expected, that a partnership like this would not long work smoothh' ; and the following record will surprise no one.

" 12 1" 16||. Whereas, the selectmen of Chelmsford (bj- writing vnder ther hands) have declared (to the selectmen of Billerica) their absolute refusall any longer to assist in maintenance of the great Bridge vpon Billerica riuer, as also giving Notice to them to repair the same acording to law. Hence the selectmen of Billerica (for y* preventing of dangers and hazards b}' travellers) do order that some of the plaukes of that bridge be taken away, that so there may be no passing over it ; and some provision made on each side the breach to give warning of the danger to any traveller." Whether any compromise of the difficulty was made, or the l)ridge continued impassable for two years, the Records do not tell us ; but a higher power interposed ; and, 1667, October 9, the General Court takes action as follows: "In answer to a motion made by the deputyes of Billerica & Chelmsford, in reference to the bridge over Billerica River, it is ordered by this Court * that the sajd bridge shall be repa3'red & vpholden b}' the tonnes of Billerica, Chelmsford, & Groaten, and all such farmes as are there granted," and these towns were to be free from the maintenance of all other bridges, "except in their own bounds."^"

In execution of this order the County Court at Charlestown, 1667, December 17, "did nominate and empower Mr. John Webb, alias Evered, Mr. Thomas Hinksman, Mr. James Parker & Jonathan Danforth, to agi'ee with some able and honest artificer for erecting a bridge over Billerica River, as speedily as might be."

This committee emploj'ed Job Lane to build the bridge, and the contract made with him is preserved." It was made, 1667, .January 11, and the work was to be completed before the 29th of September following. The size of timbers and form of structure are minutelj'^ specified. The arches wei-e to be sixteen feet wide, and the flooring of oak plank four inches thick. He was to receive in paj'ment, "seven score and five pounds starling": ten in cash, ten in wheat, ten in malt, and the remainder in corn and cattle, not exceeding one-half in cattle, which must be under seven years old. If the parties could not agree, they were to be appraised by two men properly chosen, and the corne was to be good and merchantable at such rates as the country rate set. One half was to be paid at or before the first of May, and the balance within the next year. Payments were to be delivered at Capt. Adams's mill in Chelmsford, or in Billerica town. If Mr. Lane chose, Chelmsford or Groton payments might be delivered near the bridge until it was finished, and after that in Billerica.

Mr. Lane was distinguished as an "artificer." He paid for his large farm by the erection of a mansion for Fitz John Winthrop, at Norwich, Connecticut, and he built one of the College buildings at Cambridge.

" Among the valuable mss. Lane Papers, now in the pos.session of Mrs. A. B. Cutler, of Bedford, a descendant. Mr. William H. Whitmore, of Boston, has given an account and abstract of these Lane Papers in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Vol. XI, pp. 102 and 231.

mentioned until twent}' 3'ears later, when it was carried away by a flood, a disaster which ended the existence of the Fordway bridge, after an existence of forty years. This, no doubt, happened shortly before the date of the following action. Clerk Joseph Tompson, without date, says: "'Receiued an order from Chelmsford, dated about the first of December, 1698, desiring of our selectmen, or Town, to send a person or persons empowered to join with them and Groton and Dunstable about the new building of a bridge over Concord riuer." The selectmen appointed Captain Danforth and Mr. Tompson to attend this meeting, on December 6, but, "Capt. Danforth, being presented with the selectmen's order, wholl}' refused. Joseph Tompson went alone." He met there Major Jonathan TA'ng, for Dunstable ; [Thomas ?] Williams and James Blanchard, for Groton; and Major Thomas Hinchman, Solomon Keyes, Sen., and Cornet Nath : Hill. The result of the deliberations of this committee must have been, although our Records leave us to infer the fact, that the new bridge should be built farther up the river, at the "corner," where it has since stood. Groton, for some unexplained reason, refused to participate, and resort was again found necessary- to the General Court, to bring this intractable town to terius. An act was passed, 1699, March 20, authorizing the Court of Sessions to assess and collect of Groton, "24^. 10"''.," and to pay it to "Major Hinksman, Major Ting, & Mr. John Lane, undertakers for the building of the bridge latelj- erected in Bilrica." There were good reasons why Billerica desired to change the location. With but one bridge over the Concord, it was important that it should be neai'er the centre of the town, and not make so long a circuit necessary' to reach the west part of it. In fact, it was for Billerica a question of removal, or the maintenance of two bridges ; while to the towns above the difference was trifling. This view prevailed, and the most important bridge in town found a location which has been so far permanent. How long the other towns were called upon to aid in its maintenance, I can not saj', nor how many times it has been rebuilt. In 1737, the bridge fell down and was rebuilt after some discussion as to the location. In 1873, the old wooden bridge gave place to a handsome and light iron structure.

The ghost of the Fordway bridge did not, however, rest with perfect quiet. >Jinety years later, in 1789, a subscription was made and committee appointed to 1)uikl a bridge at the old place. The record of that committee is preserved.'^ The first meeting was appointed by people in Chehnsford'Neck, now Lowell and vicinit}-, and held, 1789, January- 23, at the house of Isaac Sprake. Others were held at Jonathan Manning's and Esquire Barron's, and Aaron Chamberlin was moderator and William Manning clerk. A committee was sent to Concord and Sudbury, who reported that ''there was not much danger of opposition from those towns on account of flowing their meadows." It was found that the subscriptions amounted to £59, 10s., and the subscribers "voted to Go on and Build" ; and a committee of niue was appointed to collect the subscriptions and cari-y on the work. March 3d appeared the selectmen of Billerica and sundrj- others, ''and forbid our going on to build on perill of paying all Dammage that should arise therefrom to said Town." In April, a committee was sent to Woburn, doubtless to see if aid could be had there. The}^ brought back unfavorable report, and, May 19, the meeting adjourned without day.

The Centre bridge was built in 1737. The vote for its erection was passed, 1736, November 16, and in 1738 the building committee received £95 from the treasurer, which was perhaps its entire cost. It was built "against the bridle way, betwixt Mr. Enoch Kidder and Oliver Whiting, Jun". lotts."

Hill's bridge first appears in the following record, 1736, July 22 : "Whereas, a number of Persons in the neighboring Towns have Petitioned the General Sessions in Middx. for a highway from Westford meeting-house cross Concord River over Lt. Joseph Hill's bridge to Lexington," a committee of five was chosen "to manage that aff'aire in the behalfe of the Town." Lieutenant Hill probably lived on the west side of Concord River near this bridge, which he may have built for his own convenience and that of the neighborhood. It would seem that the Court approved the petition, for, 1737, May 16, the town instructed the committee "to manage the affaire in Defense of the Town"; to proceed either by appeal from the Sessions, or by laying the matter before the General Court, or both. The town was soon called upon to pay £59, 10s., which implies that the case was decided in favor of the petitioners.

time and lingers in the memory of the older inhabitants still. After the opening of the Middlesex turnpike, the Hill bridge and road crossing it fell into disuse and decay ; and at last the bridge, falling, was for some time not rebuilt. But a demand arose for the rebuilding of the bridge and a straightening of the road leading to it, wliich had been somewhat devious. A route more direct and less hilly than the turnpike was sought, in this improvement, from Chelmsford and towns above to Lexington. Mrs. Joseph Foster gave the right of way through her land for some distance on the west side of the river, and others set about the work and built one of the abutments. But the majority of the people did not relish the proposed diversion of travel and business to a line so far from the centre of the town. When other means of opposition failed, some of the citizens, and, tradition affirms, some of the most respectable, determined to take the case into their own hands and proceeded to destro}' the offensive abutment. The mob, for such it seems to have been, and perhaps the only mob known in the town, did its work thoroughly. Suits followed and were decided against the town, which was compelled to build the bridge and road and has since maintained it.

Chapter Vii The Indians And Wamesit

The Shawshin territory was a favorite resort of the red men. Ttie Pawtucket tribe occupied tlie vicinity- of the moutla of the Concord River, on both sides of it, as their headquarters. From this place they went fortli ; to this they returned ; here they planted their corn. Wamesit, or We3'mesit, was originalh' the name of the eastern angle, between the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, around Fort Hill and the modern ''Belvidere" of Lowell. Here many, if not the majorit}', of the Indians lived, giving ancient Billerica a large Indian population, though the town never probably exercised civil jurisdiction over them. This Indian settlement confronted the fathers of Billerica as they looked northward. Their road down the Concord River was the road to Wamesit.

u * * 'X'liere is laid out unto the Indians, who are the inhabitants of Waymesick, flue hundred acres of land on the east side of Concord Riuer and joyning to the sajd riuer & to Merremack Eiuer; it runnes upon Concord Riuer about one mile & three quarters, which reacheth to Bacon Brooke, & bounded by the sajd brooke on the south fower score poole; it runnes from the mouth of Concord Ryuer doune Merremaeke Riuer two hundred & fifty poole, where it is bounded by a red oake marked; from thence it runnes according to the bound mai-ke trees w"^ two angles, unto Bacon Brooke; all which doe more plainly appeare by plott of it under written. This flue hundred acres is part of that three thousand w^'' was layd out to M'^. Winthrop formerly, only in the returne of sajd three thousand there is mention made of one hundred acres allowed in that faruie, in refference to land the Indians had improoved w"Hn the bounds of it. This worke was done by the Coraittee appointed to y^ same by this Generall Court. Symox Willard.

Ill place of this four hundred acres taken out of Mrs. Winthrop's farm, her heirs were granted six hun(h'ed acres elsewhere. The moutli of Bacon Brook, which hounded this Indian plantation southerly, is a few rods south of the Salem Railroad hridge. The present boundary of Lowell on the east of Concord River falls a little below the lines of the Indian survey. There is no evidence that these Pawtucket Indians were ever troublesome or unfriendly neighbors. In common with other tribes, their numbers had been greatly reduced by a desolating pestilence not long before the period of the English colonization ; and the wise and Christian missionary labors of P^liot and Gookin among them did not fail to bear important fruit. Had the Indian policy of the country been moulded in later years by the same spirit of benevolence and justice, the nation would have been saved much disaster, expense, and reproach.

John Eliot, pastor of Roxbury, 1632-00, began to devote himself to labors among the Indians about the time that the Shawshin settlement became a practical question. Beginning at Nonantum, now Natick, the success of his efforts encouraged their extension, and he soon sought out these Wamesit Indians. Passaconaway, the aged sachem, became friendly, if not Christian, and, in 1G60, in a farewell speech to his children and people, he "warned them to take heed how they quarrelled with their English neighbors, for though they might do them some damage, yet it would prove the means of their own destruction." His death did not follow immediately, for, in 1662, he asked and received from the General Court a grant of land "about Naticot, above Mr. Brenton's lands, where it is free, a mile & a halfe on either side Merremacke River in breadth & three miles on either side in length." "Mr. Brenton's lands," here mentioned, were the early grant of eight thousand acres to Billerica, which the town had sold to that gentleman, and this grant to the sachem was beyond the Souhegan, near Manchester.

In 1670, Wanualancet had succeeded his father as sachem, inheriting his peaceful spirit also. He yielded to Eliot's faithful persuasions and avowed himself a Christian, 1674, May 5. The account given by Captain Daniel Gookin, of Wamesit and its population and the conversion of this chief, is interesting^ and important as a contemporary narrative, and I give it entire. It was written in 1674, and the writer is himself the "English magistrate" mentioned.^

The Indians And Wamesit

"Wamesit is the fifth praying town; and this place is situate upon Merrimak river, being a neoli of hind where Concord river falletli into Merriniak river. It is about twenty miles from Boston, north north west, and witliin five miles of Billerica, and as much from Chelmsfoixl, so that it hath Concord river upon tlie AVest Xortliwest, and Merrimak river upon the north north east. It liath about fifteen families, and consequently, as we compute, about seventy-five souls. The quantity of land belonging to it is about twenty-five hundred acres. The land is fertile and yieldeth plenty of corn. It is excellently accommodated with a fishing place, and there is taken variety of fish in their seasons, as salmon, shads, lamprey eels, sturgeon, bass, and divers others. There is a great confluence of Indians that usually resort to this place in the fishing seasons. Of these strange Indians, divers are vitioiis and wicked men and women, which Satan makes use of to obstruct the pi'osperity of religion here. The ruler of this people is called Numphow. He is one of the blood of their chief sachems. Their teacher is called Samuel, son to the ruler, a young man of good parts, and can speak, read and write English and Indian competently. He is one of those that was bred up at school, at th(» charge of the Corporation, for the Indians. These Indians, if they wei-e diligent and industrious. - to which they have been frequently excited, - might get much by their fish, especiall}'^ fresh salmon, which are of esteem and good price at Boston in the season; and the Indians being stored witli horses of a low price, miglit furnish the market fully, being at so small a distance. And divers other sort of fish they might salt or pickle, as sturgeon and bass, which would be much to their profit. But notwithstanding divers arguments used to persuade them and some orders made to encourage them, yet their idleness and improvidence doth hitherto prevail.

this place once a j^ear, at the beginning of May, the English magistrate keeps his court, accompanied with Mr. Eliot, the minister; who at this time takes his opportunity to preach, not only to the inhabitants, but to as many of the strange Indians that can be persuaded to hear him ; of which sort, usually, in time of peace, there are considerable nuuibers at that season. And this place being an ancient and capital seat of Indians, they come to fish ; and this good man takes this opportunity to spread the net of the gospel to fish for their souls. Here it may not be impertinent to give you the relation following. May 5. 1674, according to our usual custom. Mr. Eliot and myself took our journey to Wamesit, or Pawtuckett; and arriving there that evening, Mr. Eliot preached to as many of them as could be got together out of Matt, xxii, 1-14, the parable of the marriage of the king's son. We met at the wigwam of one called Wannalancet, about two miles from the town, near Pawtuckett falls, and bordering upon Merrimak river. This person, Wannalancet, is the eldest son of old Passaconaway, the chiefest sachem of Pawtuckett. He is a sober and grave person and of years between fifty and sixty. He hath been always loving and friendly to the English. Many endeavors have been used several years to gain this sachem to embrace the Christian religion ; but he hath stood off" from time to time and not yielded up himself personally, though for four years past he hath been willing to hear the word of God preached and to keep the Hnbhath. A gient reason that hath kejit hun oft". I eonceive. hath been tlie indisposition and averseness of sundry of liis chief men and relations to pray to God ; which he foresaw would desei-t him in case he turned Christian. But at this time, May 6, 1674. it pleased God so to influence and overcome his heart, that it being proposed to hiui to give 1 is answer concerning praying to God. after some deliberation and serious pause, he stood up and made a speech to this effect : Sii's, You have been pleased for four years last past, in your abundant love, to api)ly yourselves particularly unto me and my people, to exhort, press, and persuade us to pray to God. I am very thankful to you for your pains. I must acknowledge, said he. I have all lyy days used to pass in an old canoe (alluding to his frequent custom to pass in a canoe upon the river) and now you exhort me to change and leave my old canoe, and embark in a new canoe, to which I have hitherto been unwilling ; but now I yield up myself to your advice, and enter into a new canoe, and do engage to pray to God hereafter.

his professed subjection was well pleasing to all that were present, of which there were some English persons of quality, as Mr. Eichard Daniel, a gentleman that lived in Billerica, about six miles off; and Lieut. Henchman, a neighbor at Chelmsford; besides brother Eliot and myself, with sundry others. English and Indians. Mr. Daniel, before named, desired brother Eliot to tell this sachem from him, that it maybe while he went in his old canoe, he passed in a quiet stream : But the end thereof was death and destruction to soul and body. But now he went into a new canoe, perhaps he would meet with storms and trials ; but yet he should be encouraged to persevere, for the end of his voyage would be everlasting rest. Moreover, he and his people were exhorted by brother Eliot and myself, to go on and sanctify the sabbath, to hear the Word, and use the means that God hath appointed, and encourage their hearts in the Lord their God. Since that time, I hear this sachem doth persevere, and is a constant and diligent hearer of God's Word, and sanctifieth the Sabbath, though he doth travel to Wamesit meeting every Sabbath, which is above two miles; and though sundry of his people have deserted him since he subjected to the gospel, yet he continues and persists.

*' In this town they observe the same civil and religious orders as in other towns, and have a constable and other officers. This people of Wamesit suffered more in the late war with the Mohawks than any other prajang town of Indians, for divers of their people were slain ; others, wounded ; and some cai'ried into captivitj^ ; which providence hath much huidered the prosperous estate of this place."

The picture of this faithful magistrate and friend of the Indians, accompanied by his "brother" Eliot, on this annual visit to Wamesit, dispensing justice and the Gospel to the red men there, is full of interest; and the convei'sion of AVannalancet might furnish a painter - with au attractive subject. Its interest to Billerica would be increased l)v the presence in it of Mr. Daniel, our "English gentleman," who

Wannalancet is credited with building the fort from which "Fort Hill" takes its name ; and traditions which seem trustworthy fix the site of the log chapel, in which Mr. Eliot preached to the Indians, very near the fine edifice of the Eliot Church.

In the summer of 1(375, when the alarm and peril of King Philip's War assailed the Colony, these Indians retired to the wilderness, at Penacook, (Concord, New Hampshire,) to avoid being inyolved in it. Still, the}- were suspected, and in September a company of one hundred men was sent to ascertain the position of Wannalancet in regard to the war. On their approach, the Indians concealed themselves in the woods, and their deserted wigwams were wantonly burned. But, though thus sorely tempted to join Philip in retaliation, the sachem did not forget his father's counsel, aud restrained his young warriors, who were eager to attack the whites. He soon after went farther, to the head waters of the Connecticut, and there spent the winter. The next year the Indians were allured to Dover and unjustl}' imprisoned ; but the}* were soon set at libert}^ and returned to their Merrimack home. After the conclusion of the war, the sachem visited the Reverend Mr. Fiske, of Chelmsford. To his question, whether Chelmsford had suflTered much, the clergyman replied that they had not, and devoutly thanked God. "Me next," said Wannalancet, implying that he had restrained the Indians under his control. Billerica perhaps owed her security during those dark days to the same friendly sachem.

But the Indian occupation of Billerica w^as not confined to Wamesit. The frequency with which their arrow points and other articles are fouud, shows how numerous tbey once were. Graves and the site of a wigwam are still shown north of Jaquith Brook, near Concord River ; and the north shore of Nutting's Pond was so distinctively theirs as to be sold by them in IGGo. The hill north of this pond was known as Indian Hill. In May, 1665, the town granted to Henry Jefts, "four acres of land, lying at the Indian Hill on the north of y" Indian field at Nuttins pond." In December, "the bounds of his land purchased of the Indians at Indian Hill by the pond were taken by Ralph Hill and Jonath : Danforth, which are as followeth : i. e. on the south it is bounded by the pond, and on the southwest, west, and somewhat northerly, it is bounded by that land [above mentioned] ; it runnes easterly to a maple marked in the swamp and a white oak marked beyond it ; both which are oil the west of the high cleft of rocks \ and from thence a little rounding to the N. E. corner of his fence, * and from thence it turnes towards the pond to a red oak with a rock by it, and from thence it turns a little inward to a bunch of maples by the pond side."

Danforth records the death of his Indian servant, John Warrick, 1686; and, in 1681, James Speen, Indian, receives "eight pounds due to y^ Indians for four wolves heads," and other records occur of the same sort. These dusky forms must have been frequently seen in the early homes of Billerica. Did their coming excite fear or confidence, repugnance or pleasure? Whatever it was, the sensation was a familiar one. And, however they had learned to trust their Wamesit neighbors, as the}' observed the labors of the saintl}' Eliot among them and the fruit the}' bore, the fathers could never be long forgetful of the darker fringe of savage humanity beyond, the working of whose policy or passion might at almost any moment involve them in peril or ruin. This danger hung over the pioneers of Billerica for more than fifty years, and their slumbers were likel}' to be broken by a warwhoop. In our estimate of their faith and courage in planting the town, this fact should be remembered.

The earliest indication of this danger afforded b}' the Records occurs in "1667, 11. At a meeting of the selectmen. It is aoreed concerning fortification in this Town, That ther shall be a house built of stone & brick w^"' a chimney at y*^ west end of it, }'* dementions of y'' house to bee twenty-six foote in length, twentN'-two foot wide from outside to outside, with a doore three foot wide on y* south side, near y'' west end, & two windows, one at y" east end & }'* other on y" south side, being each window three foot wide & two foot & a half in height, all in y^ clear ; y'' walls of y^ house shalbe nine foote in height from y" floore to y^ under side of y* plate ; also, a floore, lying one foot below y*' plate, with crosse rufiers, y'' long girt lying cross y" house ; also, ther shalbe iron barres in each wijidow & one window at y** gable end on y^ east ; y^ roofe of y* house to be sawne stuffe, covered with bords, chamfered & after shingled. And for y* effecting of y" premises, we do agree that hands shall forthwith be employed to digge clay and stones, & y" rest of y* work to be cairied on with as much convenient speed as may be, according to y" order of y*" gen'^ Court."

or iu some other convenient place, a fortification, or fort, of stone, brick, timber, or earth, as the place maybe most capable, of such dimensions as may best suit their ability, where women, children, & the aged ma^-be secured iu case of sudden danger, whereby the souldjers maj^be more free to oppose an enemy."

But this fortification never was built, whether because the tax was too great, or the alarm less, we can onl}- conjecture ; but this description is interesting in depicting the house the fathers would have built for such a purpose.

Plight 3'ears passed, find the peril came in earnest, the most critical hour, perhaps, in the history of New England. The Indians, alarmed at the growing numbers and strength of the settlements, and incited by resentment for fancied and, perhaps, some real injuries, rose in a determined eflJbrt to exterminate the colonists. Philip, chief of the Pokanokets, was the leader, enlisting the Narragansetts and as many, others of the natives as he was able. They fell upon Swanze^', and soon after Brookfield suflTered. Deerfleld was burned, and Hadle}' attacked. Springfield, Northfield, Lancaster, Medfield, Wej'mouth, Groton, and Marlborough were successively the victims of savage assaults ; and where the next blow might fall was an ever present dread in ever}' hamlet and home. Had the Wamesit Indians joined in the fray, Billerica would probably have been among the first to suffer. The town and perhaps the Colony owed its salvation to their friendly neutrality. Eliot and Gookin had such reward as they did not foresee for their benevolent labors. Other reward they had too, in the suspicion and bitter denunciation of many of the people, because they would not turn away from the friendly Indians, when the popular feeling included all red men in a common conspiracy and malignity.

The alarm came unexpectedly upon the town. On the third of May the selectmen ''order the constables watch to cease this present sumer unless greater need appear." The need. did appear, and the following pages of the record are of sufficient interest to be exactly reproduced.

"The Towne, considering- the providence of God at the pi-sent calling us to lay aside our ordinary occations in providing for our creatures and to take special care for tlie p^serving of our lives and the lives of our wives and children, the enemy being near and the warnings by gods providence upon our neighbors being very solenme and awfull, do therefore order & agree joyntly to p^'pave a place of safety for women and children, and that all persons and teams shall attend y* said worke untill it be finished ; and account of y« whoU cliarge being kept, it shalbe equally divided upon the inhabitants witli other Towne charges. Also they appoint Serj"f ffoster. gpi-jiit Tomjison, Sam" Manning & Jonathan Danforth to be overseers of y'^ same."

'-In persuance of an order from the Hon<i Councill. sent unto them by warrant from y"^ worshp" Simon Willard Esquir, Serg"!^ Major, in i-eference to the gathering tlie inhabitants of the towne into severall garrisons according to their best capacity.

Imprs. They liave ordered serg"' Hiirs house to be a garrison for that end of y^ towne, taking to it Nathaniel & Jonathan Hill. Tho : Dutton Jun^ 1/. W"". ftVench, Will'" Chamberline Sen% & Isaac Cliamberline, & two soldiers ; nine soldiers & five houses.

"2. flfor y*' South end of y^ towne Serg"' flfoster's house is appointed & so to take to it his son Joseph fibster, James ftVost, Joseph fiVench, Joseph Walker, Daniel Rogers, John Kitteridge, Thomas Richardson, and two soldiers; ten soldiers and six liouses.

'^'3. They appoint Simon Crosbees house for garrison and to receive Mr. Daniel, in cases, William and Jacob Hamlet, Jonathan Hides, Serj'. Tompson. Peter Bracket and three soldiers; 7 families.

''4. They order to the Reverend Mr. Samuel Wliiting, his house, Thomas Dutton Sen'' & his son John, Daniel Shed Sen'' & his son John Shed, John DuiTant, John Rogers Sen"^ & his three sons, John. Thomas & Nathaniel Rogers, and two soldiers; eleven soldiei's & six families; & this to bee y'^ maine garrison & y^ last refuge in case of extremitj^

"5. They appoint Thomas Pattins house for garrison and to entertaine Goldin Moore, Samuel fi'rost, Jno Kidder, Roger Toothaker & John Trull ; seven soldiers & five families.

-'G. They appoint James Patterson's house for garrison & to entertaine John Baldwin, Edward & Tho^. Farmer, Henery & John Jeitts & two soldiers; 8 soldiers & 4 families.

"'7. Whereas severall at y^ north end of y^ towne have already departed their own Habitations & several of y'" vnwilling to returne to y"" againe at ye present. Hence they order them to be entertained in y^ body of ye towne.

"9. They order that y'^ ij^ons ordered to each garrison shall dispose of their corne (acording to ye order of y« Councill) neer unto their owne garrisons, unless they can els where better secure the same.

"10. They order that every p^on afores<i shall equally contribute in labour or otherwise to fortify each house of garrison to which they are api)olnted and seasonably to attend y^ same, acording to y^ Councill's order, both psons & teames to attend ye same as in y® order of highway worke is reciuired, untill y*^ worke be clone. Only in case Mv. Daniel and Mr. Laine fortify themselves (they being very far from neighbours) they shall then be freed from fortifying y" garrisons to which they are appointed. And are also Empowered to keape a watch at their owne and to examine p^ons as other watches may do.

They order that the Comitee of millitia & selectmen, each person that do pertaine to any garrison, shall oixler & regulate y® worke of y*^ same as overseers, & Serg°' Kidder is appointed overseer of Mr. Whiting's garrison, Joseph Tompson of Thomas Pattin's, & Jonathan Danforth of James Paterson's garrison, & that any three of y^ s" Comitee & selectmen may determine what shalbe done in reference to the fortifying each gari-ison & to determine any difference that may arise respecting y^ same.

'"12. They order that all brush & underwood near y^ aforesaid garrisons shalbe cutt up and cleared away, acording to the Council's order, each person to attend ye same both for time & place as they shall have after order. Also they order each inhabitant to attend their severall watches, as formerly, untill further ordei'."

"14. 8m. 1675. At a meeting of y^ Hon'' major .Willard, The Select men, & Comittee of millitia. These severall orders were read before y^ Hon"i Major afores'^, considered and allowed by him, & ye inhabitants enjoyned to attend y^ same.

"At the same time George ffiirley's house is allowed for garrison and to entertain more as it may be capable in time of extremity, as shalbe after ordered to him.

''Also Jacob Frenches house is allowed for a garrison and to entertain John French, Corp' Marshall, Thomas Rosse, Chamberline Jun^ & two soldiers ; seaven soldiers & four houses ; and Corporal Marshall to be y<^ overseer & master of the garrison.

'-Also, to Sargent Kidder's house is ordered Daniel Shed Jun, Samuel Trull & John Brackit, James Kidder Junr. and two soldiers ; 7 soldiers & 4 families.

'-The Masters of y<^ severall garrison houses are the Rev^' Mr. Whiting, Sergn' Kidder, Serg"* Foster,^ Sei'g"f Hill, Serg"' Tompson, Corp" Marshall, Jonathan Danforth, Thomas Pattin & James Paterson.

"Also, Timothy Brookes house is allowed for garrison & to entertain Michael Bacon's family, & to have two garrison soldiers to defend ye mill & himself y" master of the garrison.

"Also, it is ordered that the severall soldiers sent hither to garrison shall assist in fortifying y severall houses to which they are appointed, as also to clear away such brush as is near such houses appointed for garrison, as they shall be ordered from time to time.

-'Also, it is ordered that no hsted soldier of the Troop, or of y« foot company, shall remove their habitations & abode out of the town without lihertv first had & obtained from the Major of y*^ regiment or Comittee of millitia & selectmen of the town, on y^ peril of such a fine as shalbe imposed on them by such authority as shall have power to determine y® same.

shall any soldier af ores'* absent himself out of the towne about any private occations of his owne without leave first had and obtained from ye master of the garison to which tliey belong, vnder the penalty of five shilling's p day for every such defect, to be levied bj'^ y** Clark of ye band, as other fines for defect in training days are levied.

"And in case any garison house be set upon by y'= enemje, Then y« garrisons next to them shall send reliefe to them as they are capable, not leaving their owne garrison without competent security for the time.

"And in case of need, the women & children shall be conveyed to y^ inaine garison, if it may bee Avith safety, that so there maybe the better supply in case of need, the cheife officer to order and regulate the same, where there may be time so to do.

"Also, the soldiers in garrison with us and the rest of the inhabitants yet remain vnder y^ comand of y<^ cheife officer, for ranging and scouting, as the case ma}' require, still securing y® towne in general.

"Also, it is ordered, that every pson that shall shoot off" a gun, small or great, without leave from a coinander or in case of offence or defence against an enemie, shall pay as a fine two shillings & six pence, or set oft so much of their wages if they be garison men.

"Also, the Selectmen & Comittee shall have further power to act in and about the premises (keeping to the order of the Hon"! Council aforesaid) so as may best conduce to the benefit of the wholl, although in some respects altering what is alreadj^ ordered.

"Also. Job Laine was allowed to fortify his owne house, and to have two soldiei's for garrison men to defend his house, in case y® country could spare them.

It needs no lively imagination, reading between the lines of this record, to depicit something of the tumult, hardship, and peril through which Billerica was passing. Families fled from their homes to the garrison-houses, or the greater security of the lower towns. The labors of the field gave place to fortifying, scouting, and watching. The corn must be removed to safer receptacles. They organize a military company with Jonathan Danforth, lieutenant, and James Kidder, ensign. Some of their own brave sons enlist in the service of the Colony and march to peril and death. Timoth}' Farley was killed at Quaboag, August 2, in the assault on Lieutenant Wheeler's company, and John French carried through life the effect of the wounds received there. And two mothers approaching their confinement sought comfort and safet}' in Charlestown - the wives of John Marshall and of the pastor ; nor is it too much to infer that the anxiety and hardship they had suffered may explain the death, in a few da3-s, of the sons born to them there. ^

Forty-eight families are enumerated in the list of assignments above given. In 1677, a question arose and it was decided by the General Court, that the families who "departed the town" at this time should pay their war tax in Billerica. The names of seven are recorded as involved in this decision. Three of these are included in the above forty-eight : Timothy Brooks, Michael Bacon, and Joseph Foster. The four others who fled from the town were John Blood, Robert Blood, Josiah Bracket, and John Poulter. But the Blood brothers, notwithstanding this decision, seem to have been doubtfully* attached to Billerica, and were soon after recognized as belonging to Concord. Billerica had then fifty families, in 1675.

The location of these garrisons was substantially as follows : Sergt. Ralph Hill's house was near Mrs. Bo^'den's and opposite the late Captain Ranlett's. It stood till about 1850. Sergt. Thomas Foster's house was near Mr. Mason's, southeast of Bare Hill ; and Simon Crosby's was northwest of the same hill, near the fork of the Lexington and Woburn Roads. Rev. Samuel Whiting's, the main garrison, was just north of Charnstaffe Lane and west of the brook. Thomas Patten's was near the house of Mr. Frank Richardson. James Paterson's was the most northerly garrison, near Mr. Sanborn's. Sergeant Kidder's and Jonathan Danforth's were opposite each other on West Street, the former on the south side, where Gardner Parker, Esq., lives ; and Danforth's still standing, or rather just disappearing as this is written, in 1879, the only structure in town which is an incontestible relic of that day. George Farle^-'s was near the Jaquith place, southwest of the village ; and Jacob French's was near, if not identical with, the house in which Mr. James Fletcher resides, a half-mile east of the village. Mr. French's house, j-ears later, stood on the east side of the road, but he may have changed his own residence ; or, as uncertain as roads often were in those daj-s, this may easily have been turned from one side of the house to the other. Certainly the brick-lined walls and general structure of this venerable building represent the architecture of that period, and probably they are the same within which five families kept their drear}^ and painful watch and ward, in 1675. Timoth}' Brooks owned the mill at the falls of the Shawshin, in the east part of Bedford. Mr. Daniel, who had leave to fortifj' his own house, was on the south side of the Wobum Road, near the Shawshin River ; and Job Lane, who bought the Winthrop Farm, lived very near, if not in the same ancient house, just north of Huckins Street, in Bedford, where Mr. Hiram Button now lives.

How much labor was spent in fortifying we may gather some idea by gleaning from the record the fact that the work done on Mr. Whiting's house, under the charge of Peter Bracket, employed thirty men, with several cattle, a little more than two days each, and the amount credited was eight pounds, six shillings, and nine i>ence. But the blow so long dreaded and guarded against did not fall, and the town was mercifully spared more than its common share in the burdens and losses of Philip's War. That share was sufficiently trying, and bore heavily upon the inhabitants.

Chelmsford was not quite as exempt. A letter from that town,* dated "25: 12*". 1675," rejwrts that scouts found three dwellings burnt, "near where Joseph Parker was formerly shot," (he with others having been fired upon by Indians, but not killed,) and other signs of hostile Indians, and the more remote inhabitants had fled into the body of the town. Indians had been seen from Billerica on the west side of the Concord River, and fires, which were suspected to be signs of their presence. The letter asks an order to Billerica, "or otherwise," to secure "the bridge between them & us," and adds that some of their men are out, on Major Willard's order, and some on the other side of the Merrimack, to secure the corn of Colburn and others residing there, which Lieutenant Henchman had orders to do, and carry it over to his own house.

A petition from Groton illustrates the situation of Billerica as well, during this anxious-and tedious winter of 1675-6.^ It " humbly shows" : -

''That, whereas it seemeth meet to your worships to cOmmerid unto our honored Major Willard and impose upon hiui the maintaining a continued scout of forty troopers and dragoons, to i-ange between Groton, Lancaster, and Marlborough and those parts; we make bold humbly to present our conceptions upon that account. For Marlborough we do conceive the present supply left there in garrison do answer the end more fully, and will also render our scout an unnecessary burden ; for Lancaster and Groton we find by experience that the safety is little advanced in this way, by reason of so long absence and so great distance of this scout, necessary in this method. Besides the incumbrance lying upon us for quarters for horse and men, besides the drawing up of our men from several towns to such a limit, seems to carry inconvenience with it; the towns from whence our forces are raised, especially Chelmsford and Billerica, being weak and in want of more strength at home, and danger occurring to them by the sudden and suspicious removal of the Weymessit Indians, whose troopers do hereupon desire a release. Moreover, the conceptions of the towns related, conceive humbly, that a scout of garrison soldiers, though of a less number and these footmen, whom the towns may out of themselves make dragoons, by order from authority as occasion may present, would be more for the security of the towns; besides the hazard in which so small a number must needs go in, as we have sufficient gi"Ound to suspect by experience, and many emergencies which may suddenly fall out before address be made to your worships. We humbly present to your honors consideration, and if it seem rational, to alter or add to this matter, according to your discretion.

Mr. Parker had been an early citizen of Billerica, and this petition was dated only three or four days before the burning of Lancaster, and five weeks before that of Groton. It was written by Rev. Samuel Willard, of Groton, afterwards President of Harvard College, and son of Major Simon Willard, who was now devoting the last energies of his useful life to the defence of the Colony ; his death occuring April 24th. On March 29th he was in Chelmsford, and ordered the fortifying of Billerica bridge at the request of the people.

security from the common enemy ; we having sent to the several towns to send us their apprehensions by some one meet person of each town, this day we consulted concerning the same and have concluded to propose as f olloweth :