Chelmsford Town (part 2 of 6)

From 1872 to 1882 the premises were occupied by Gray, Palmer & Pendergast, for the manufacture of shoddy, who turned out some 250,000 pounds of shoddy a year, being very successful financially until the dissolution of the partnership in the latter year. After the removal of the shoddy business in 1882, the mill remained substantially idle, the buildings going to decay and the dam rotting and being washed away until 1887, when Mr. Geo. C. Moore bought the privilege, and in 1888 tore down the old grist-mill part, and in 1889 removed the last of the dam, building a substantial wall on either side of the brook from thebridge to the original site of the dam, using them as abutments for a railroad bridge, occupying the remaining building for storage purposes.

It appears that an early date the quantity of bog ore found on the borders of the meadows in town attracted attention, and was utilized to some extent, from the following, found in original town records book marked 1656, page 118:

"At a Gen'll Town meeting, march the 4th, 1706-7, Jonathan Richardson and John Richardson had granted the Liberty of erecting Iron works upon Stony brook with convenency of flowing provided it Damnifies none of the inhabetants." Where these iron works were located the memory of the oldest inhabitants retains no tradition.

About the year 1823, Esquire William Adams, thought that with the growth of Lowell, then j ust developing, the amount of iron ore in this vicinity might be advantageously used, and secured the favorable opinion of Gen. Shepard Leech, of Easton, who was then running a foundry in Easton and also in Boston. To obtain the necessary water-power, Mr. Adams conceived the idea of filling the breach in the bank of the original Newfield Pond, cut out in 1709, and by cutting a canal from near the foot of the scythe factory dam at

A canal cut from the lower edge of the pond to the present foundry works would utilize the whole fall. He purchased the land necessary for the upper canal not already owned by him, and in 1824 sold to Gen. Leech the land now occupied by the upper canal, with all the original pond bottom, and nineteen acres and fifteen rods of land now included in the village of North Chelmsford, together with the right to dig and maintain a canal from the pond to the village.

The canals were dug, the pond filled, and a blast furnace was erected on the site now occupied by a part of Mr. Moore's mill. The first iron was made from ore obtained in the vicinity, in 1825.

A large part of the ore used in the manufacture of iron was obtained from Chelmsford and the neighboring towns, brought mostly by farmers with their own teams, and reduced by the use of charcoal. Ore, called stone-ore, was brought from Boston, via Middlesex Canal, and mixed with native ore. The blast furnace was in use as late as 1840.

Large tracts of land within six or eight miles of the furnace were stripped of wood, which was converted into charcoal for this purpose. A large brickkiln was built, for making charcoal, in the rear of the furnace, but was not a success. The brick block belonging to Silver & Gay was built, in 1842, from the bricks of this kiln.

A small cupola furnace was built about the time the works were started for melting scrap-iron, and large pieces of ore as well as pig-iron, at a later date.

In 1833, after the death of General Leech, the property came into the possession of Lincoln Drake, also of Easton, who carried on the foundry business till 1849. Williams, Bold & Co. were proprietors and carried on the business till 1857.

Mr. George T. Sheldon, president of the present Chelmsford Foundry Co., bought the real estate in 1858, and the present Chelmsford Iron Foundry Co. was organized. They have an office in Boston, and are largely engaged in preparing the iron work for building purposes, furnishing both cast and wroughtiron, much of which is finished and put in place by contract.

In 1888 a shop, eighty by forty-four feet, and two stories high, was erected in connection with their foundry for thefinishing and fitting up these works. An addition, sixty by thirty feet, one story high, was erected in 1890. They also occupy a shop in Boston and another in Cambridge for the same purpose. In their foundry and shops in the several places they employ about 150 hands. From 1825 many heavy castings were made for the mills erected in Lowell, Nashua and Manchester, especially in the line of heavy gears, until the burning of their pattern-house in 1875.

The stone-ore, pig-irou, hard coal, sand and other materials used in a foundry were brought from Boston to North Chelmsford in canal-boats, by way of the Middlesex Canal and Merrimack River, till 1853, when the canal was given up. The boats were "poled "up from the head of the canal into the pond below the grist-mill dam, and the freights transferred to carts and conveyed to the places of their use. Castings were frequently sent to Boston by the same route.

Machine-Shop. - Soon after General Leech commenced operations in the foundry business he erected a blacksmith-shop, containing some machinery, on the site of the present machine-shop, which was burned. The brick portion of the present shop was built later, and in 1834, Lincoln Drake, successor to General Leech, sold one-fourth of the property to Mr. Ira Gay ; and in 1838 he sold one-fourth to Mr. Ziba Gay, both residents of Nashua. Mr. Ziba Gay secured the interest of his brother Ira after the decease of the latter. In 1842 Captain Drake sold onefourth interest to Mr. Harvey Silver. After Captain Drake failed, in 1849, the remaining fourth part came, through several successive owners, into the possession of Mr. Silver, in 1859. Mr. Ziba Gay, Jr.^ succeeded his father, and the shop has been run by Gay & Silver, and Silver & Gay, for many years.

Machinists' tools, turbine-wheels and worsted machinery have been extensively manufactured here ; and at present worsted machinery, ball-winders and spring-pins constitute the principal manufactures. The shop has a capacity for the employment of 100 men,

Swain's Machine-Shop. - In 1867 Mr, Asa M. Swain, having purchased the site of au old saw-mill on the road leading from North Chelmsford to Dunstable built asubstantial dam across Biodgetts' Brook (called in the early history of the town Deep Brook), and erected a shop, 80x43 feet, one story high, for the manufacture of a very fine turbine-wheel, patented by himself, and known as Swain's turbine-wheel. This shop was run about ten years, affording work at one time for twenty men. It was given up about 1877, and came into the possession of Dr. Simpson, remaining unoccupied till 1889, when it was taken down and the lumber removed.

Baldwin Mill. - A mill was erected for the manufacture of worsted yarn and carpets in 1841, and a company was afterwards organized as the Baldwin Manufacturing Company, which was very successfully operated for several years, until near the close of the war, when, with many similar companies, they failed, and the privilege has since been unoccupied. The present proprietor is G. H. Sheldon.

Moore's Mill. - In 1872, Mr. Geo. C. Moore, then a young man, bought of G. T. Sheldon the old foundry on the northerly side of the passage-way leading from the Lowell road to the old turnpike, near the brook, with the water privilege, except certain rights previously sold and certain rights reserved by Mr. Sheldon. Machinery was put in and woolscouring was at once commenced. In 1875 he erected a brick-mill, 100x70 feet, three stories high. A part of the building was rented to Mr. Richard Rhodes for the manufacture of worsted yarn, and wool-scouring was carried on in other parts. Oct. 10, 1875, this new mill, just completed, together with the old foundry boarding-house, foundry carpenter's shop, ware-dressing shop, pattern-shop and counting-room were burned.

A temporary wooden building, 100x40 feet, one story high, was soon erected and wool-cleansing resumed. In 1877 a new brick mill, 220x70 feet, one story high, was erected, covering the temporary wooden building, so that wool-cleansing was not interrupted during the rebuilding.

In 1888 a second story of brick, 120x70 feet, was put on to the easterly end of the one-story building, and a brick building, 45x56 feet, two stories high, was added to the easterly end of the mill, for a machineshop and a carpenter's shop. The lower story of the two-story mill, now 260x76 feet, is used for sorting and drying wool, and carding and combing wool. The second story is used for spinning worsted yarn and for a counting-room.

In 1890 the old walls of the westerly end of the onestory building were torn away, and a new building, 100x70 feet, three stories high, erected, to increase the facilities for cleansing wool.

The worsted-mill is now producing 16,000 lbs. of worsted yarn per week, mostly from camel's hair. He has facilities for cleansing 30,000 lbs. of wool a day. The pay-roll contains 170 names.

In 1794 a map or plan of the town was made from a survey by Frederick French. One copy of the plan is on file in the State Archives and another is in possession of Mrs. Thomas J. Adams, of North Chelmsford. From this map it appears that there were at that time two saw-mills and one corn-mill on the Merrimack River at Pawtucket Falls ; one saw-mill and one set of iron works on Concord River near its mouth ; one saw-mill on the canal near where it emptied into the Concord River; one clothier's mill; one saw and grist-mill upon River Meadow Brook ; these were all within the limits of the present city of Lowell. A grist-mill and saw-mill are shown upon the Stony Brook, at what is now North Chelmsford ; a grist-mill on Beaver Brook at the centre of the town, and one on Great Brook (then the Adams mill).

The clothier's or fulling-mill was erected in 1790 by Moses Hale, who came from West Newbury. It stood just below where Gorham Street crosses the River Meadow Brook. The saw and grist-mill were above the street. In 1801 Mr. Hale introduced a carding machine into his mill, and carried on quite a business. The iron works were carried on by a Mr.

Ames or Ames & Fisher. They were situated on the Concord River at Massic Falls, near the foot of Ames Street. N. P. Ames, a son of the proprietor (born September 1, 1803), afterwards introduced many improvements into the works. Allen says, " hoes and shovels are manufactured, and various kinds of curious work done, and irons for machinery cast." Young Ames possessed great skill in the mechanic arts, combined with an enterprising spirit and inventive talent of a high order.

In 1829 he removed to Chicopee, and afterwards became the founder of the Ames Manufacturing Company the first company to engage in the manufacture of swords in this country.

The success of the cotton manufactories at Waltham and in Rhode Island, which had been started as a result of the restrictions imposed upon commerce by Great Britain in 1812, stimulated some enterprising person-* to attempt their introduction here. Capt. Phineas Whiting and Col. Josiah Fletcher erected in 1813 a building sixty by fifty, and forty feet high, for a cotton factory.

In 1818 it was purchased by Thomas Hurd, of Charlestown, and converted into a woolen factory. One hundred and twenty yards of satinet per day were turned out from sixteen looms "worked by water." ^

In 1816 a saw and grist-mill were built by Luke Bowers & Son, at Pa\\^ucket Falls, and a grist-mill by Mr. N. Tyler, on the " locks and canals."

In 1816 Mr. Moses Hale added a saw-mill to his other works, and two years later erected works for the manufacture of gunpowder. In 1819 Mr. William Tileston, of Boston, and Oliver M. Whipple were taken into partnership in the latter branch of the business.

In the autumn of 1821 a scheme was inaugurated which in its importance overtopped all previous enterprises in Chelmsford, as it resulted in creating the wonderful cotton industry of Lowell.

A company of gentlemen consisting of Patrick T. Jackson, Kirk Boott, Warren Dutton, Paul Moody, John W. Boott and Nathan Appleton visited the Pawtucket Falls with a view to utilizing the vast power running to waste there, and compelling it to become the servant of human industry.

A canal was built and in September, 1823, the waters of the Merrimack passed through this canal and turned the wheels of the first of the Merrimack Company's mills. Population and capital now rapidly increased, and in 1826 the new town of Lowell was incorporated. From that time the mother town has viewed with pride and wonder the achievements of her precocious daughter, and rejoiced at everything which has contributed to her prosperity.

Although South Chelmsford has always been almost wholly an agricultural community, some manufacturing was done there at one time which was very important in its relation to modern improvements. The first Lucifer matches manufactured in this country were made here by Ezekiel Byam, a native of the town, in 1835. One hundred of these matciies sold for twenty-five cents. They were ignited by drawing them through a piece of bent sand-paper.

Although clumsy and expensive, as compared with what we now have, they were the first practical device to do away with the old flint and tinder. The friction match was invented by A. D. Phillips, of Springfield, Mass., Oct. 24, 1836. Mr. Byam *at once recognized its merits, and with characteristic enterprise he purchased first the right to manufacture, and soon after the whole patent, and the following year began the manufacture of the friction match. Very soon the Byam matches, with the following verse upon the wrapper, were known the country over :

"For quickness and sureness the public will find, These matciies will leave all otliere behind ; Without further remarks we invite you to try 'em, Kemember all good that are signed by

The old "match-shop," as it was called, stood on the old road leading from South Chelmsford to the centre of the town, a few rods, and on the opposite side, from the residence of Mr. Eli P. Parker. It was a small building set into the bank, with one story above the basement. The matches were put up at the Willard Byam house, which stood upon the site of the residence of the late E. P. Bean.

After manufacturing here about a year, Mr. Byam removed his business to Boston. He resumed manufacturing in Chelmsford again about 1845 and continued three years. The favor with which the matches were received by the public was such that his facilities were now entirely inadequate to meet the demands upon them, and the business was removed permanently to Boston.

The manufactures upon the Stony Brook at West Chelmsford were commenced by Dea. John Farwell, who came from Fitchburg in April, 1823, and erected a factory, upon the site of the present file and knife works, for the manufacture of scythes. The little village which grew up about these works was known for many years as the "Scythe Factory Village."

From 1500 to 2000 dozen of scythes were turned out annually, from which they realized from $15,000 to $20,000. In the spring of 1844, Dea. Farwell sold out to his son, J. P. Farwell, and others, who two years later sold the real estate to Lincoln Drake, of North Chelmsford, and removed the machinery to Fitchburg. Drake sold the property to F. T. Sawyer. Christopher Roby purchased a half- interest of Sawyer, and together they at once refurnished the works and engaged in the manufacture of scjthes under the firm-name of Roby, Sawyer & Co. From 2000 to 2500 dozen of scythes were annually produced by this company.

The factory was destroyed by fire, but soon rebuilt. In 1853 Mr. Sawyer retired, and the business was then conducted under the name of C. Roby & Co. The market for these goods was largely in the Southern and border States, and when the war broke out, in 1861, this company found their trade destroyed, and in addition to that suffered the loss of most of their goods, which had been shipped during the previous winter.

The company now ceased to manufacture implements of peace, and proceeded to furnish implements of war. They manufactured swords and sabres until 1865, when the company closed up its affairs. Mr. Roby continues an honored resident of the village, and by him the data in regard to the industries at that place were kindly furnished.

The Hiscox File Company purchased the scythe works, and engaged in the manufacture of files and machine knives. They discontinued business about two years ago, since which time the shops have been idle.

In 1830 a dam was built above the scythe factory pond by Mr. Nathan Oliver, assisted, perhaps, by his brother, Samuel Oliver, of Lowell. They sold the water-power and land to the "Chelmsford Company," by which a mill was erected for the manufacture of worsted yarn. Mr. William Calvert was the superintendent for several years. When the financial depression of 1857 came on the mill was closed. After a time it was purchased by Isaac Farrington, of Lowell, who resumed business. It was burned 1862, but at once rebuilt. Business was continued by several parties until about six years, when it was again destroyed by fire. The power has since remained unused.

There are five lime-kilns - two upon the north slope of Robins Hill, and three on the north side of Beaver Brook - where for many years lime was manufaatured. Allen says, that from them "are annuallly drawn about a thousand hogsheads, which may be estimated at $5 per hogshead." The lime used in building the fir^t mills in Lowell was made here. David Perham, Sr., who operated the largest kiln, continued the business till 1832. Maine lime, which was brought up the Middlesex Canal, was sold for less than it could be produced here. This led to their abandonment.

The history of manufacturing at the centre of the town is quickly told. In 1887 a brick two-story machine-shop was erected by Mr. John Byfield, for the manufacture of knitting machinery. Business was commenced in January, 1888, under the name of the Byfield Manufacturing Company. Mr. Byfield has since withdrawn from the firm, and occupies the upper story for the manufacture of knit-goods, under the name of the Beaver Manufacturing Company.

A business closely related to the farming interests has been the manufacture of cider vinegar. David Perham began to make a specialty of that in connection with his farming in 1840. The business constantly increased. In 1872 he sold to his son, Henry S. Perham, who is of the seventh generation from John Perham, who first settled upon this farm in 1664. From 500 to 4000 barrels of cider are made annually from apples brought to the mill from this and adjoining towns. The late Israel Putnam was also largely engaged in this business.

In order to facilitate the navigation of the Merrimack River, and allow of an easier transportation of timber around the Pawtucket Falls to Newburyport, a canal was built beginning above the falls and emptying into the Concord near its mouth, the distance being one and a half mil^s.

A more formidable canal enterprise was in contemplation by some enterprising spirits at this time, and in 1793 the Middlesex Canal Company was incorporated.

Loammi Baldwin, of Woburn, was the superintendent and engineer, and under his direction the work was rapidly pushed to completion. The canal was opened for business in 1804. The business of the company continued to increase until the building of the Boston and Lowell Railroad, in 1835, when the receipts soon fell below expenses, and in 1853 the business of the company was suspended.

The facilities afforded by the Middlesex Canal greatly stimulated the growth of Middlesex Village. The glass manufactory was built in 1802, upon the bank of the canal, near the end of what is now West Pine Street. The annual production of window glass exceeded forty thousand dollars in value. The enterprising firm of Bent & Bush first began the manufacture of hats at this place. There were also two stores and a public-house. The latter was kept by Mr. Timothy Clark, who, doubtless, maintained the reputation which it had gained under the former landlord, Col. Jonas Clark, as " the general resort for all fashionable people in these parts."

Chapter Xix Miscellaneous

Ageiculture. - Although more sp.ice in this article has been given to manufactures than agriculture, the latter has been the occupation of the majority of the people, and an active interest has been taken in movements for the advancement of agricultural interests.

A society was formed at Chelmsford, January 6, 1794, for the " promotion of useful improvements in agriculture." It was composed of gentlemen living in the westerly part of Middlesex County. It was incorporated by act of the Legislature on February 28, 1808, under the name of "The Western Society of Middlesex Husbandmen."

Its annual meetings were held alternately at Westford, Littleton and Groton. Hon. Ebenezer Bridge, of Chelmsford, was the first president chosen after the incorporation of the society. Mr. Bridge was a son of the then late parson. He commanded a regiment at the battle of Bunker Hill. He was a member of the Massachusetts Senate from 1781 to 1800, and was perhaps, the most influential citizen of the town at that time. He died at Hardwick, N. Y., February 9, 1814, aged .seventy.

Death of General Washington. - The following action, in January, 1800, well illustrates the patriotic feelings of the citizens of the town : " took into consideration the death of the worthy General Washington, to be observed by an oration 22d Feb. by Matthias Spaulding."

The orator selected for this important occasion was a son of Col. Simeon Spaulding. After completing his studies he taught school for several years and then entered the medical profession. In 1806 he removed to Amherst, N. H., where he lived to a great age. The following brief notice of his death, in 1865, appeared in the Boston Traveller :

" The venerable and eminent physician, Dr. Matthias Spalding, died on Monday last, aged ninety-six years. He was born at Chelmsford, Mass., June 28, 1769, and graduated at Cambridge University in 1798."

Death of Rev. Thomas Clark. - The people were called to mourn the death of their pastor, Rev. Thomas Clark, which occurred December 7, 1704, in the fifty-second year of his age and the twenty-seventh of his ministry. We have but little material from which to estimate the character of the man. No church records relating to the period of his ministry are preserved. The few modest requests which he made of the town were readily granted. The calm, judicial spirit with which he dealt with the case of witchcraft which occurred during his pastorate well illustrates his character. His descendants were people of intelligence and force of character. Governor John Hancock, whose name is appended to the immortal Declaration of Independence, in the wellknown bold and striking characters, was his grandson.

Rev. Samson Stoddard, of Boston, the third mint ister of Chelmsford, was ordained November 6, 1706. An ordination was a great social event, and elaborate preparations were made to provide for the guests who assembled.

The old meeting-house, which had served the people from the first settlement of the town, was now going to decay. It had been repaired in 1702 "both w'out Side to keep out rain and snow, & also withinside such Inlargement as may be needful & in perticular A long table from one allee to another." In 1705 the people in the west part of the town petitioned that the proposed new meeting-house " be set in the senter of the toune." Th^s, if acceded to, would have taken it to Chestnut Hill, and might have prevented the formation of the west part into a new town, which occurred a few years later.

Death of Rev. Samson Stoddard, and Westford set off. - The struggle of the people in the west part of the town for the formation of a separate precinct was begun in 1713, and continued from time to time until the object was accomplished in 1724. The separation was made complete by the incorporation of the town of Westford, September 23, 1729.

Rev. Samson Stoddard was a person of delicate mental and physical organization. His arduous parochial duties and financial difficulties, which he was unable to meet, produced a severe strain upon his powers.

During the last years of his ministry he manifested symptoms of a disordered mind. His death, by suicide, occurred August 23. 1740, in the thirty-fourth year of his ministry. His body was found in the parsonage well. The railroad passenger depot now stands over the well.

Rev. Ebenezer Bridge. - On December 30th, of the same year, a unanimous call was extended to Rev. Ebenezer Bridge, to become their pastor. He was ordained to the sacred office May 20, 1741.

His theological studies were pursued under the direction of Rev. Wm. Welstead, pastor of the North Church, Boston. In October, 1741, he married Miss Sarah Stoddard, the third daughter of Rev. Samson Stoddard.

Mr. Bridge was a man of strong character, and he exerted a wide influence in the trying times through which the country passed during his ministry. In person "his stature was large and commanding, his manners grave and digaified. He possessed great social powers, and was a communicative friend and pleasant companion." Although his style was somewhat negligent and diffuse, "he was an acceptable, animated and searching preacher. His creed partook of the orthodox of the day," but " he was a strenuous advocate for liberty of conscience and the rights of private judgment." Mr. Bridge's influence was not confined to hi* immediate field of labor. He maintained a wide circle of acquaintances. He entertained liberally, and among the guests at the parsonage were often persons widely honored. He has left a voluminous diary,^ which contains a fund of information, and gives us an insight into the daily life of a country parson in the colonial days.

Up to the time of Bridge's pastorate there had been but one religious society in town, except during the brief time between the formation of the West Precinct and i*s incorporation as a town. But the preaching of the eminent Whitefield, Avhich so stirred the people and created such a di-turbance among the churches, produced a di^aff'ection, lespecially among the people of the south part of the town, which the parson was powerless to prevent. The preaching of one Hide, a tailor, in the south part of the town, drew away some of the people, by which the good parson was much exercised.

Whitefield himself once preached in this town, at the house of a Mr. Birge, where Israel L. Putnam now lives, on South Street, and it is related that by a singular incident, Parson Bridge was himself an unwilling listener to the discourse.'^ " Before the hour of the meeting arrived Parson Bridge called at the house in order to dissuade the owner, if possible, from allowing it to be held. While he argued long with Mr. Birge, the crowd thronged the house to such a degree that the pastor was unable to recover his hat, which had been left in another room, and he Avas, therefore, unwillingly constrained to hear die sermon out with the rest."

In 1753 a petition was presented to the Court for - the formation of a district in Carlisle. In 1758 a rude church was erected there. In 1780 Carlisle was formed into a separate precinct, and in 1805 incorporated as a town. By this act Chelmsford lost about seventeen families and a considerable amount of territory. In 1754, 300 acres of land on the northerly side of the town were set off to Dunstable. This makes a point of land belonging to Tyugsboro' extending into Chelmsford.

people were seated in church in accordance with the rank which they occupied. These seats were assigned by a committee chosen from time to time by the town, consisting of the most dignified characters.

Slavery. - In Parson Bridge's time some negroes were held as slaves in this town, as appears from several entries in this diary. March 3, 1772, he records: " married Prince, a negro man belonging to William Kittridge, of Tewksbury, and Zulee, a mulatto girl belonging to Dr. Nehemiah Abbott, of this town ; was offered one dollar as a fee, but took none." August 7, 1761, " attended the funeral of Titus, an aged negro of widow Rebecca Parker."

By the declara'ion of rights contained in the new Constitution of 1780, Massachusetts has the honor of having been the first of the American States to abolish slavery within her limits.

Several entries in Bridge's diary similar to the following show that the second meeting-hou*e, which had stood eighty years, was now going to decay : " May 15, 1791, Preached all day, but omitted reading by reason of the pulpit being so wet after the rain." The good pastor who had for more than fifty years ministered from this pulpit was nearing the close of his mortal existence. His death occurred October 4, 1792, the same year in which a new house of worship was erected.

Upon the death of Mr. Bridge a day of fasting and prayer was appointed by the town, and seven of the ministers of adjoining towns were invited to participate in the services.

By h's agency in establi^hing the Chelmsford Social Library in 1794, Mr. Packard has left an enduring monument to his memory. This library was incorporated in January, 1812, under the name of " Proprietors of the Social Library in the town of Chelmsford." Allen estimated its value at about $1000. Until recently the books have been dispensed from the house of the librarian. Because of the want of a suitable public place for the library its growth was slow. Since it has been placed in the town-house public interest in it has revived and the yearly circulation of the books has much increased.

Mr. Packard budt and occupied the house now owned by David A. Bussell. His son, the late Professor Alpheus S. Packard, of Bowdoin College, was born here.

Rev. Wilkes Allen was ordained as pastor November 16, 1803. Mr. Allen was a S)n of Elnaihan and Lydia (Pratt) Allen, of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard College in ISOl. In November 13, 1805, he married Mary Morrill, daughter of Deacon James Morrill, of Boston. Their children were James Morrill, born October 5, 1806 ; ' Charles Hastings, born March 11, 1809; Wilkes, born

Mr. Allen was the author of a "History of Chelmsford," which was published in 1820 - a work which forever identifies his name with the town.

Revolutionary Monument. - The monument in honor of the citizens of the town who fell in the War of the Revolution was erected in 1859. Charles H. Dalton was the prime mover in this patriotic enterprise. The monument, composed of Chelmsford granite, was dedicated September 22, 1859. The principal address was delivered by Willard Parker, M.D., of New York, president of the Monument Asssociation ; H. W. B. Wightman, was president of the day; Rev. John Parkhurst, chaplain ; Dr. J. C. Bartlett, director of the choir, and Otis Adams, chief marshal.

Lawyers. - Previous to the growth of so many manufacturing towns in the State, Chelmsford occupied a position of much greater relative importance than it does to-day. This is shown by the character of the men who were attracted to it as a place for the practice of the professions.

" This morning died very suddenly Stephen Scales, at the honse of Sampson Stoddard ; he had been confined with the measles, was able to walk about the house, but took cold, seized with an apoplectic attack, fell out of li'B cliair and died in a few minutes. He was Tutor at Harvard Coll., since studied law & was a practitioner in the business, a man of strong power of mind, a great scholar, & very considerable lawyer for his age & the time he bath practiced; he bid fair to be a very useful and serviceable as well as honorable man in life, but at once is at an end as to tliis life & world, an affecting stroke in Providence &, may the Lord sanctify it."

The following high tribute to his character and talents appeared in The Massachusetts Gazette and the Boston Weekly News- Letter , Thursday, November 12, 1772:

" We hear from Chelmsford, that on Tliursday Morning last Stephen Scales, Esq., several years a Tutor at Harvard College, but lately in the Study of tlie Law, was seized with a Numbness in one of liis Hands, wliich increased so fast that he died witliin ten Minutes. He was a gentleman of superior Genius, improved by a thorough Acquaintance with the various Braucl»s of Science, - faithful in the Dischaige of his Duty in the College, - of strict Integrity, and exemplary Virtue - and of 80 great proficiency in the study of the Law that he was truly an Honor to the Profession into which he had entered."

Source changes here: from History of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, by Waters, Wilson, published 1917; 41,880 words in this source stream.

Chelmsford Town

Whereas the honnored Gennerall Court of the Massachusetts was pleased of their free beneficence & bounty to graunt vnto the Indians of Patucket a parcell of land adjoyning to the bounds of Chelmsford plantation, the scittuation whereof being by experience found to be prejudiciall vnto the mutuall peace of the sajd plantations, - now, this wittnesseth that the Indian inhabitants of the abouesajd plantation, wth the consent and approbation of the Reuerend Mr. John Elliott, Sen, haue couenanted and agreed to make an exchange of land wth the inhabitants of Chelmsford, in manner following. vizt: tat the partition & dividing ljne betweene the sajd English & Indian plantation shall beginn at the Great Swampe, the sajd swampe being left wthin the bounds of Chemsford, excepting only about tenn foote in bredth, and from thence the ljne to be continued by the marked trees, as the former comittee sett out the same, vntill it reacheth Merremacke Ruier; and all the land lying on the northeast side of the sajd ljne, formerly belonging to Chelmsford, shall henceforth be the propper right & to the sole vse of the sajd Indian plantation; and all the land on the southwest side of the sajd ljne, excepting only what is hereafter graunted vnto James Parker, whither of the Indians old or new graunt, & euery parte thereof, shall foreuer be & remajn the proper right & to the sole use of the inhabitants of Chelmsford.

And Whereas there is a parcell of land lying & being at the west end of the Indians graunt, wch is not wthin the bounds (of either plantation) as aboue exprest, this wittnesseth that the sajd parcell of land, be it more or lesse, is, by the free consent of both the abouesajd plantations, given, graunted, & alienated vnto James Parker, of Chemsford, abouesajd, for and in consideration of his great pajnes and costs wch he hath necessarily expended in setling the bounds, as aboue is expressed, betweene the abouesajd plantations, to haue & to hold the sajd parcell of land, wth all the appurtenances thereof, vnto him, the sajd James Parker, his heirs and assignes for euer, to his and theire only propper vse & behoofe. And to the true performance of the aboue named exchange & graunt, mutually made by & betweene the sajd plantations, and also theire joinct graunt and guift vnto the sajd James Parker, on condicons & in manner aboue expressed, both the sajd plantations doe hereby respectively bind themselves, theire heires, execcutors, & administrators, each to other & joinctly, to the sajd James Parker, his heires & assignes, firmly by these presents; in wittnes whereof these whose names are subscribed as the deputjes & lawfull trustees of the abouesajd plantations, haue herevnto putt theire hands & seales.

The Beginning 33

John Tohatowon. The mrke. @ Kussinauscut, The marke of O Pannobotiquis, The mrke Un of Nomphon, The mrke of @ Peter, The mrke of QO Nonnoit, The mrke of Us Wampannooun.

This deed is acknowledged by Wm Fletcher, Tho Hincksman, together wth James Parker, as trustees for ye Indians, to be thire act & deed, this 5 2mo 1660

In ansr to the petition of the inhabitants of Chelmsford & Patuckett, the Court Judgeth it meete to confirme theire agreement, & orders the same to be recorded.

In order that their title to the land might be further strengthened and to satisfy any claim that the Indians might presume to hold upon lands within the town a deed was obtained, April 26, 1665, from the Indians, who deeded the land lying ''within the bounds and limitts of the said Towne of Chelmsford, and is bounded Southerly by the lands of the Towne of Billerica and West Southerly partly by the lands of the towne of Concord and partly by the Indian plantation of Nashoba, and E' S'thly by the Countryes land. Northerly by the lands of Mr. Edward Ting, and on the North by Merrimacke River, and on the East and North East by the

In 1665 the line was more definitely established between Chelmsford and Wamesit by committees from Chelmsford and Billerica and the Indians of Wamesit. It appears from the description of the line as established by them that it began at Concord river at what was subsequently known as Wamesit stake, from there crossing the river meadow and over the ridge on what is now the Lowell city farm to great swamp, through which later the Middlesex canal was constructed, and by the line of what is now Baldwin street to Merrimack river.

The Bounds Between Chelmsford & Wamasett

June the: 8th: 1665: Ensign Hinchman and Sergeant Fletcher being apointed by the Town of Chelmsford: and Sergeant Parker with Jonathan Danforth of Billerica: and the Indians who are the Inhabitants of Wamasett being apointed by the Indian Court at Wamassett to Run the Line - between Chelmsford and Wamassett did attend the same: And the Bounds between them are as followeth: viz: we began at the stake by the side of Concord river which is the most Northerly Corner of Billerica & on that side of the River: and from that stake we Run a Streight Line untill you Come over the River meadow to a black oak marked with W and C: from thence westward Cross the high Ridge to a pine in the Bottom Marked as before: from thence it Runs by marked thence to the swamp: and Tenn foot within the swamp there being a White oak marked where we Com to the Swamp with: C and W: and so the Line is to, Run Tenn foot within the thick swamp: untill you Come to Ensign Hinchmans meadow there it

Merimack: Also it is agreed that Chelmsford is to have Conveniant high wayes through this Land in any place as shall be found needfull: as also a Covneniant highway by their Line from Merimack River to Ensign Hinchmans Damm. This was agreed by us:

The Beginning 35 First Saw Mill

of the whole informed." the very first, that they manage to provide for themselves comfortable and substantial dwellings.

There being no saw mill nearer than Concord or Woburn, and neither roads nor bridges between those places and Chelmsford, the first who came must have been compelled to erect log houses for their shelter, although there is a tradition that William Fletcher had a frame house in 1654. There is a tradition also that Josiah Richardson's first shelter was partly formed by digging into the bank.

The people were not long content to occupy such rude structures, and very soon negotiated with the enterprising Samuel Adams to erect a saw mill, and also a mill for the grinding of corn.

Mr. Adams was a person of somewhat varied accomplishments. Rev. Wilkes Allen, in some notes made by him after his history of Chelmsford was published, states, upon the authority of some old deeds and other papers in the Adams family, that he was a millwright. "He was also somewhat skilled in medicine & exercised his skill to ye advantage & benefit of this infant settlement while they were destitute of a physician better informed."

He was a Captain in the military, Clerk of the Writs, and for twenty years town clerk. The records in his handwriting are still mostly quite legible.

The Town was quite liberal with Mr. Adams, giving him 100 acres of land in consideration of his "erecting & maintaining a Corn Mill for the Towns suply,"" and he was given 450 acres in consideration of his erecting a saw mill.

"1656, July Day ye third. Ata Public meeting of the whole own, it is Granted to Mr. Samuel Adams in Considoration of Setting up a Saw-mill: and thereby supliing the Town with oards at three Shillings the hundred, or the Sawing of one Board og for the providing and bringing of another to be Redy to work y the next March ensuing. In consideration Whereof it is belonging to the Sd Mr. Adams, called brook meadow; Farther - that the Sd Mr. Adams Shall have Liberty to make use of the Pines upon the Common. And to hold the fore Sd Land to him and his heirs for ever."' And "Mr Adams is granted Libberty to sett Flood gates for the advantage of his Mill pond at the Mouth of Hart pond this was granted by the Town for the use of his Mill to him and his heirs forever''* . This mill was upon Great, or River Meadow brook, about - two miles, a little east of south, from the center of the town. A saw and gristmill was maintained there by five successive generations of the Adams family. It then passed by purchase to Mr. Abbot Russell, who was followed by his son, the late Lincoln H. ~ Russell, since whose death in 1899, the mill has not been used. -

Petition To Trade With Indians

The following petition to the General Court, asking for the privilege of trading with the Indians, gives their representation - of the difficulties which they encountered in providing for their ; families in "this Remoat Corner of the wildernes."' the humble petistion the in habetants of the towne off Chelmsford Sheweth: that we have as god by his Providenc haveing despoased off us with our famelies into this Remoat Corner of the wildernes: whare not with Standing the improvement of all Lawfull Liberties and Advantages put into our hands wee have and doe find as the State of things now standeth Much dificalte to: nay imposebile | ] of procuering such nesesarie suplye as boath Church and familie ocations doe call for to the great hasard boath of uss and owrs as wee dout not but yr wisdoms are sensable off which: difecalltie is much increased to uss by beeing prohibeted from: tradeing with the indiens which we doe Conseive to bee our Lawfull Liberte: owr humble Requeste tharfore is that yr honers: would bee pleased to take this Case into yr Consideration: and! grant your petiscioners thare Lawfull Liberte which wee Conceive ought not to bee Menopolised in as much as it is no nue inuentio and that the Lord would kepe boath you and yours in his fou and truth wee your petiscioners shall for ever praye {| *Town Records, Transcript, p. 34. |

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What action was taken upon this petition does not appear, but the privilege asked for was probably not granted, because it would have interfered with a valuable source of revenue to the Colony, the statute holding that " * * * the Trade of Furrs with the Indians in this Jurisdiction, doth properly belong to this common-wealth and not unto particular persons.''*

Early Roads And Location Of Houses

In fixing upon locations for their dwellings an important consideration, to the early settlers, was to be convenient to the meeting house. Mutual protection and social considerations would prompt them to cluster about this social center, and the General Court had decreed in 1635 that no dwelling should be placed more than half a mile away from the meeting house in any new plantation. But the physical condition of the country was such that these desires could not well be carried out, and they were forced to locate at places which offered the best promise of support for their families.

When the committee first explored this tract with a view to settlement, the only land mentioned as under cultivation was the Indians' cornfield upon Robins hill. With that exception the territory which these men surveyed from this eminence was probably an almost unbroken forest, excepting upon the meadows which skirted the streams, or upon land too barren to support vegetation. This, at least, would be the condition unless the land had been devastated by Indian fires.

As the meadows furnished a supply of food, easily obtained, to carry their animals through the winter, we find many of the

from house to house and to '"'mill and meeting house.'"' Highway surveyors were chosen at the second town meeting in 1655 and annually thereafter. Often the aboriginal paths were widened and graded by the early settlers into roads.

If there were any roads laid out by the town before 1659, they are not recorded. There were, however, roads in use previous to that time. One of the first of these passed between the cemetery and common, following the line of Worthen street and Crosby place to the house of William Fletcher, some thirty rods beyond the Crosby house. Soon, if not at first, this continued toward what is now the house of Jas. L. Stearns and from there by Golden Cove road and Stedman street towards the Merrimack river.

The ''town-way to the mill" led to Saml. Adams' saw and corn mill and corresponded to what is now the Boston road as far as the Hazen place. Originally it passed around (through what is now called Adams street) by the present house of C. E. Bartlett. It made a turn to the left near J. E. Warren's house, and, after crossing Farley's brook swung around to the east to avoid the hill.

to the Bay'? was what is now Billerica road. This was the line of travel to Boston for Groton and Lancaster as well as Chelmsford, and those three towns were required to help build and support the bridge across the Concord river in

Upon these roads the houses in or near the village were located. The house of Mr. Fiske, the minister, was near the meeting house, of course. Wm. Fletcher's house has been mentioned. His brother, Samuel, lived near him. John Bates' was near Mr. Fred E. Russells', and the house of Dea. Cornelius Waldo, who came here from Ipswich in 1665, Allen tells us was in his garden, probably where the house of Edward J. Robbins was recently erected.

Abraham Parker, the first settler, had his homestead lot on the south side of the Billerica road near the present town farm (he was bounded easterly by his river meadow, and north by the highway to the Bay), but later we find his house at the village, where he and his sons built a mill near the upper dam of the Mill pond.

John Nutting was on the south side of Beaver brook and east of the road to the mill and he had for near neighbors, James Blood and Joseph Parker. These last three and James Parker soon removed to Groton where their lot was made bitter by the repeated attacks upon that town by the Indians.

Steven Pierce, a tailor, the progenator of the Pierce family in town, came from Woburn and married a daughter of Jacob Parker. His home was in the village. He was granted land in 1671. "A small parsill to sett a house upon * * * south west side of Beaver brook bridge."'

Samuel Adams we should find at his mills on Great brook, and between him and the village was Moses Barron, near the place of the late Chas. Sweetser; and for a short time his near neighbor was Francis Gould and his wife Rose, who had come from Braintree.

John Blanchard probably lived at what is now the Joseph E. Warren place. Dea. Joseph Warren came into possession of this land about 1700, since which time it has remained in that family. Benjamin Butterfield lived on the same road, nearer the village.

The Beaver brook meadows west of the village attracted a number of families into that section. This was known as the "West End.' One of these families was George Byam's, one of the original families which came from Wenham with Mr. Fiske They settled where Geo. A. Byam now lives (1905). The place has been continuously in the Byam family.

A near neighbor to the Byams was Thomas Chamberlain. The spot is pointed out a few rods east of the Hunt place, where his house is supposed to have stood. The earliest record of any highway in town started from his house.

George Biam and Thomas Barrett are apointed a comitee to state the High-way that gos to Tadmuck before Thomas Chamberlains hous: The tree at his Hogs Coat is concluded one bound and so to Run his due bredth acording to order towards the Brook Cald Beaver brook.''*

Edmund Chamberlain, Richard Hildreth, Robert Proctor, the brothers, Jacob and Arthur Warren, and perhaps Dea. Edward Kemp and his son-in-law, Dea. Samuel Foster, both of whom were of the Wenham company, were in this neighborhood.

Thomas Adams and Josiah Richardson being chosen a committee to Joyn with Groton committee to Lay out a Highway from Town to Town the work is performed by them and the way is Laid out from Beaver Brook Bridge over the North side - of Robbins-hill and thence through Richard Hildreth's yard and so to the west end of Hart pond over the swamp and so to Thomas Chamberlins meadow and so on towards Groton, on the east side of Tadmuck great meadow" ft

Another road started on the south side of Robins hill and, passing around on the west side of the hill and into the road above described, at what is now John Byam's place.

'7th: 8: month :: 1673: Laid out by the selectmen the Day above for the use of the Town a high-way which is Bounded Between Henry Gidleys Lott and John Blanchards meadow and so all a Long between the meadow and Robbins hill Runing into the way that coms from George Biams to the meeting hous:

This road accommodated Thomas Barrett, who had come from Braintree with his father, Thomas, and bought, ten years before, a house and land on the south side of Robins hill, where

The Beginning 41

C. W. Byam now lives. Henry Gidley may have lived at the Wm. Fay place, although there are marks of one or two old cellars on that road, over one of which his house may have stood.

Quite a number of families settled in the northeast quarter of the town, near the Indian line, where they had near access to the fisheries on the Merrimack river. This section was called the ''North End," and that term, later, included the section from Wamesit to the north schoolhouse (Dist. No. 2).

Henry Bowtall, or Boutwell, who came from Cambridge with his wife and Jerathmell Bowers, her son by a former marriage, located upon what is now Stedman street, in Lowell. His house stood just north of where the stream crosses the road. In this neighborhood was Joseph Parkhurst,* the progenitor of the - Parkhurst family in town, and on either side of him, John Wright and Thomas Sewall.

North of these were JohnShepley, Jona. Butterfield, and Eleazer Brown. Thomas Henchman was in what is now Middlesex village, his land being bounded east by the Indian line, and north by the river, and joining him at the south was his son-in-law, James Richardson.

) The first road which accommodated this section was called the "'Highway to Merrimack.'"' There is no record of its having been formally laid out. It terminated at ''Poorman's bridge.'' Where that bridge stood there is neither record nor tradition to enlighten us, although it is mentioned from time to time in the records for 150 years. An examination of the old roads and paths in this section reveal its probable site.

| There is evidence of an old road leading from Stedman street towards the swamp just south of Mount Pleasant, and at Black brook, opposite to where this comes out at the edge of the swamp there are still to be seen some remains of a foundation to a bridge.

The late Sewall Bowers, an old and lifelong resident of this section, stated that formerly a road crossed the swamp in the direction of Pine street.

The road to Poorman's bridge was extended to Merrimack river in 1673, passing on the east side of Mount Pleasant, and from there the line corresponded to what is now Baldwin street. It is thus described in the records.

Will vnderwood Will Flecher and Abraham parker being apointed to lay out a highway for the inhabitants on other sid meremake Do determin that it shall beegine att the Country way att pore mans bridge and so a longe bettwne the to swamps and ouer will vnderwods medow all along bowndid by markd treese on both sids and so runeth below mr hinchmans Dame and so to the Endian line to Answer the Contry Rode att meremake and on this side this is atrew rettorne of the Comity as Aboue Datted and

Jerathmell Bowers, when he reached maturity, settled where his descendant, Joseph Bowers, now resides on Wood street. The place has been continuously in the family. The house, said to be over two hundred years old, is undoubtedly the oldest building now standing in Lowell. Another road which helped to develop this section was laid out from the newly incorporated town of Dunstable, viz.: [In margin] Country Way The 1 Day of January 1674 leften Thomas hinchman and liften Samuell Foster beeing Apointed by the Towne to Joyne with leftenant Whealer and Abraham parker the Cometty to lay out the Contry Way that Comes from - Donstable to Chelmsford thay Doe Joyntly Agree on both parties that the Way shall in Chelmsford bowns to the Cartt brige and so to bee sixe polle wid and so to Continew as by marked treese Downe to Jerathmell bowers land and so to black brooke into the Contry way that Comes From merimack this is a trew Rettorne of the

This was the old road from Tyngsboro through North Chelmsford. It swung to the left above Drum hill over a piece of road now little used, coming out upon what is now Westford street near Joseph Bowers'. The travel to Boston, from Dunstable and towns above, passed over this road for many years, passing over what is now Stedman street and the Golden Cove road and crossing the Concord river at Billerica.

The Beginning 43

A highway - By apointment of the townesmen ther is tew foott waies laid out through the land of John Wright the one begining att the still next to Jerathmell bowers and * * so to the Cartt brige and then below the orchard to the nee of Jonathan butterfeild and then close by the fence of John wright vp to the drift way and the other begining Against John Sheplies and then straight to the drift way at Jonathan buterfilds barne by William vnderwoods and Jerathmell bowers and for partt of satisfaction hee hath taken apece of land about an acer and halfe bonendid North vp on the towne common east vp on the medow of John wright South vp on the lands of Jonathan Butterfeild and west upon the land of John wright: Recorded by order of the Selectt men 21 7 mo 1677 This is a trew Coppey Samell Adams of the Rettorn of the Comity clerk

In the transcript of the town records, which was made in 1742, the word is written stile, but the original record gives it plainly "'still."

Capt. Josiah Richardson located upon what is now the road leading from Westford to Lowell where, his descendent, the late Edward F. Richardson lived. The farm had been continuously in the family to the time of the death of the latter*.

Stony Brook Path

One of the very early roads at first known as "Stony brook path"' was what is now Westford road. Upon this road, about half a mile from the meeting house, settled John Perham, after his marriage in 1664, but at just what time is not known. The place has been continuously in the family to the present time. The present writer, who now occupies it, is of the seventh generation from John. Edward Spalding settled about a mile and a half further west, upon the farm of the late Henry R. Hodson. This farm and those adjoining it on either side were occupied by Spaldings for several generations. To the west of Spalding, at what is now the William Martin place, at the foot of Francis hill, lived John Stevens and his descendants for five generations. *Family tradition.

William Underwood was also in this neighborhood. His daughter Priscilla, and Edward Spalding, Jr., having united their fortunes in marriage.

The road from this neighborhood was early in use, but, if recorded, its description is, like those of so many of the old roads © which were laid out by marked trees, such that it cannot be identified. It swung to the left near the present residence of © Geo. F. Snow, crossing Stony brook at Westford corner, where a saw mill was established in 1669.

Stony Brook Valley

A number of families soon pushed out into the Stony Brook valley: John Snow, Joseph Butterfield and Joseph Parkhurst (probably Joseph, Jr.) and others. The following are the names of those who were chosen fence viewers for "'Stony brook'' from 1682 to 1700: Samuel Burge, John Spalding, Joshua Fletcher, Benj. Spalding, Joseph Spalding, Samuel Cleveland, Samuel Underwood and Gershom Proctor. Arthur Crouch planted his house upon Tadmuck hill. He was probably the first resident upon this beautiful hill now crowned by the charming village of Westford.

Two highways were laid out, one to accommodate the Stony ~ brook families and another leading into it from Tadmuck hill - furnished the first continuous highway from what is now Westford - | Center to the Chelmsford meeting house. They are thus described: -

A hie way Laid out from stony broock houses throw the © Land of Joseph buterfild and so ouer frances hill by Josaph Keyses © | house bounded by marked trees and ouer flagi mado plaine bounded ~ by marked trees and by the East and of henory forwells house in to i the Cuntery road the hie way is 3 rod wide all so we laid out © A hie way from Arthar Crouchis house and by the houses at - Litell tadnick and by the house of Josaph parkhust and as the . way is drawn bounded by marked trees untell it Coms to stony © broock way Commity ;

The Beginning 45

upon the east side of Tadmuck hill, "'by the highway to Great Tadnack"' with liberty to dam and flow the swamp. It is said that there still remains evidence of an old dam at that place.

Great Brook Settlers

The first that we find there were: John Barrett, George Robbins, Thomas Cory and Ambrose Swallow. A highway was laid out for their accommodation ''to mill and meeting-house'' in 1671, described as follows:

The selectt men vp on Request by George Robines for a highway to mill and metting house have Apointed a Cometty namly John Blanchard Moses Barron and John fiske to lay out the same And they make ther rettorne thatt they have laid out the same from the house lott of the forsaid Robines to And through the land of John Brett and so passing Beefore his house in to Concord Rode way over great Brooke; and so by Judgment of the Commetty And John Baretts Consent the town gives John barett three Acers of land Adioyning to his loott on the south side of his land By order of the selectt men*

This neighborhood had increased by 1692 to at least ten families, three of which belonged to sons of John Barrett, mentioned above. The section from there to South Chelmsford came to be known as the "South End."'

Development Of West End

Chelmsford November the 4th 1719: A High-way Laid out which began at the corner of Jacob Warrens by the Highway to the great pond Called Hart pond: and from sd Corner as the Path now is to Jonathan Minotts from thence as the path now is to Thomas Adams's and Pelatiah Adams through there Land; and from thence as the path now is by marked trees along to Little Tadmuck to the Land of Thomas Adams & Pelatiah Adams & through there Land and through the Land of Ephraim Hildreth

High-way that goes from the meeting hous to Ensign John Snows: The afore sd Highway is Three Rods wide* By the selectmens order Recorded this: 5th Day of November: 1719 \ Jonathan Richardson pr. Benj. Adams Town Clerk Benjamin Adams Committee it may have formerly been Jacob Warren's house. Of those mentioned in this description, Thomas Adams lived at the Hayward place. The house is still standing. It later removed to Dunstable, selling his place in Chelmsford in 1726 to Benj. Heywood, cooper, of Billerica. It has since remained in the Heyward name. Timothy Adams lived at what is now the John Sheehan place. Ebenezer Wright lived at what is now Edwin Heyward's place near Chamberlin's corner in Westford. The road terminated on Francis hill at the road which led from the Stony brook houses to the center of Chelmsford.

Development Of The Town

The material from which to draw any picture of the life of the people of those early times is almost wholly wanting. We have neither tradition nor literature written at that period. We can simply present such bare facts as are found in public records, and the imagination must supply the rest.

The houses of that period were small and mostly of one story, with a living room and kitchen and a loft overhead for sleeping rooms, reached by a ladder, or a stairway in front of the big chimney.

The question is often asked, When were the old houses now standing built? It is impossible to say. It was not the custom then any more than today to inscribe upon a house the date of its construction.

Some of the oldest houses are thought to have been standing for two centuries. These are the old gambrel roof house by North square; the Emerson house on Dalton street near the road to North Chelmsford; the railroad house, so-called, near the *Book A, p. 172.

The Beginning 47

depot on Littleton road; the Joseph Warren house and the Hazen house on Boston road; the Bowers house in Lowell; and the Hayward house and house of B. O. Robbins near South Chelmsford. Of the first mentioned, we have only its architectural features by which to judge of its age. All of the others have had additions and improvements which have changed their original form.

The meeting house was the social center. The minister was the important man, looked up to with great respect. His presence was called for at all important public, or family occasions.

Attendance upon public worship was compulsory. All were taxed to support the church, and, when a minister was to be settled, he was voted upon in town meeting, the church having previously made known its preference.

Seating The Meeting House

The seats in the meeting house were assigned by a committee chosen by the town, persons being given preference according to their estate, office, or social standing.

It is not probable that the first meeting house contained pews, the people being seated on benches. It was repaired in 1702, "both wtout Side to keep out rain and snow, & also withinside such Inlargement as may be needful & in perticular A long table from one allee to another' At a later period persons were permitted to build pews at their own expense for themselves and families. In 1712, "It Was uoted that Colonall tyng Capt Bowrs Capt Barron and Jonathan Richardson shall haue the Liberty and Benefit of making Pues in that uacant Roome one the East side of the Pulpit in the New meeting hous to the East Window''* At a still later period the town received pay for such privilege. In 1772, "Voted to sell room. for pew, in meeting house by the mens stairs sold to Samuel Perham for ten dollars.''}

Private Entrances

permitted to have a door cut through the side of the building, giving them a private entrance to their pews.

For what other purpose could have been the doors ordered © by the following votes? In 1696, "it is voted yt two men shall be ordered to make two dors at ye back side of ye meeting hous" and the year following, "'it is uoated that thare shall be A doar mad out at the noarth sid of ye meeting house and A pillor set under ye bame''*

Before the introduction of bells it was the custom to summon the worshipers to meeting with a drum. Among the town charges © in 1659, one was ''for the paiment for A drum to Henry Farwell £3-5-0"' q

It appears also that sometimes a flag was flung to the breeze © for that purpose. q "The 1 Day of June 1676 the selectt men made an Agreement - with George biam to cleane the metting house putt out Cullers [colors] and Attend both saboth and lecttur Daies as formerly hee hath don and for the yeare insewing hee is to have 50 shillens in corne or Cattell to bee paid halfe att the last of Nouembor - the other halfe att or before the last of June Foloing"' :

Bell

But these primitive methods were soon superseded by better. © From 1680 to the present time the sound of the church bell has called the people to worship. On the above date ''Ther was a - voatt past that ther shold bee a bell bought for the Towns vse ~ and that ther shold be so much land sould out of the Comon as ~ will purchas the bell and hange him in the metting house that is to say if the towns stock in hand will not doe it then to sell © landt :

The date 1682 was inscribed upon the bell. When the third meeting house was built the town voted, in 1793, '"'to sell the old © Bell and buy a new one of 700 wt, raising £110 for this purpose."

The Beginning 49

Several votes remind us of the Dial, the Hour-glass, and the Stocks, those ancient instruments, the two former for marking _ time, the latter for the punishment of offenders. In 1698 payment was made ) "to John Kyder for tythin mens staues £0-4-6 to John bates for mending the stoxs £0-1-6 Samuell Foster for the desency of the meeting house £0-10-0" At another time Jona Barrett is paid for "sitting up the dial," and Abraham Byham ''for bringing the stooks £0-1-0"

Land Distribution

The method which governed the proprietors of the town in their land distribution is not described in the records. This may have been contained in the first book of proprietors' records, which Allen says were burned about 1715, with the house which contained them.

The rule was doubtless the same as in other towns at the time. In Billerica the Dudley farm 'was divided into twelve lots of one hundred and twenty-five acres each and this number became the unit of measuring shares through the town. Each share was called a ten-acre lot and consisted of one hundred and thirteen acres of upland and twelve acres of meadow and carried with it the right to 'all town priviledges, after additions and divisions of land and meadow.'''* From this it would seem that each proprietor's holdings were much larger than appears by the records.

As the town controlled the disposal of land and new residents were admitted by vote, undesirable persons were prevented from gaining a foothold. The laws of the colony were very strict in regard to receiving and harboring strangers, it being enacted in 1637 that "No Town or person shall receive any Stranger Resorting hither with intent to Reside in this Jurisdiction, nor shall allow any Lot or Habitation to any, or entertain any such above three Weeks, except such person shall have allowance under the hand of some one Magistrate}

At first land was granted to approved characters on condition that they build and settle on same and pay town charges, but land soon came to have a greater value and in 1669 "it was ordered by the town, that all those, who shall take up accommodations in town shall pay for a ten acre lot £2-10-0, and in the same pro-_ portion for any lot greater or smaller.''* '

John Lowell was admitted an inhabitant in 1682, if he come and settle ''and so follow his trade of Tanning" and given the privilege of taking bark from the commons. And James Dutton, - in 1693, was granted three acres to set a house and shop on "ing order to follow his trade.'"' Thomas Parker, shoemaker, and i Zachariah Richardson, blacksmith, were given similar grants.

Mills Established

The first saw and corn mill, which the town so liberally endowed - in 1656, was followed in 1669 by a second saw mill, upon Saw Mill - Meadow brook which flows into Stony brook at what is now j called Westford corner near West

of Land for there Conveniencies in Erecting of a Saw-mill and Carying along the work thereof."" The - grant was made by the town, the conditions being that the - "Inhabitants thereof shall have there Boards at four shillings - per Hundred and not exceeding that prise: for any kind of pay - man and man in this Town: And that any of the Inhabitants of - Chelmsford Giveing timely notice of there want of Boards to © any of the owners of the Mill afore said that then they shall be © suplied for there pay before others. And further it is Granted to the afore sd owners of the Mill that they shall have free Liberty - to take of the Town Common What Timber they see meet for the - Mill to work on: And to Rattifie the afore sd Grant the Town hath Chosen Samuel Foster and John Burge Senr to se to the Reccording thereof and that it is done according to former Order. hath Chosen Samuel Foster

The Beginning 51

Tron worke that thye shall haue For 2d a Cord leave to cutt wood Acording to Former Agreement* This was doubtless Capt Jonas Prescotts mill at the outlet of Forge pond on the Stony brook.

Groton Mill

"At A Genll Town meeting August the : 24th 1709: it was voted that Capt Jonas Prescot of Groton shall have the Common Meadow Lying in Chelmsford as it was granted to Thomas Chamberlain of Groton for the sum of Twenty five pounds of money''{ When this grant was recorded the following year, the only part of the description now intelligible is "Lying within the Town of Chelmsford near to Groton Mill on both sides of Stony brook"'

Capt. Prescott's object in obtaining the meadow was, doubtless, for the purpose of obtaining bog ore to be manufactured into iron. ''Prior to 1730, Jonas Prescott had greatly enlarged and improved the works on Stony Brook by erecting forges for manufacturing iron from the ore as well as other purposes.''t

Capt. Jonas Prescott and his descendants continued the business at Forge Village till 1865, almost 200 years from the date of the first action by the town of Chelmsford in aid of the enterprise.

First Fulling Mill

The first Fulling mill, for the dressing of the homespun cloth, is indicated by a vote of the town Feb. 2, 1691. "on the day aboue leftenant John barett and his sonn Jonathan barett propounding for libarty to erect a fuling mill on the mill brock it was by uote granted and ther was chosen on the day aboue to setell this mater captine richarson and Joseph farwell se and Thomes parker commity''§

This mill was probably in the present town of Carlisle near the road leading to that town from Chelmsford. The two Barretts mentioned in the vote lived in that neighborhood at the time.

First Mill At Center Of Town

The first mill on Beaver brook at the center of the town, Allen tells us, was erected in ''1678. - John Parker, son of Abra- | ham, built a saw-mill on Beaver-brook, of which some remains are yet to be seen." I am unable to find any reference to this - mill in the town records, but in an ancient deed from Abraham - Parker, Senr., to his eldest son John, occurs this language: "'Also - whereas the said John Parker of his own estate hath ben at one - third pt of ye charge in building of a saw milne now standing - upon his father Abrahams land * * * both ye upper & lowr Dam with all the profits and comodityes of ye same According to his proportion of interest in ye said mill. * * * Dec 29. 1679"' and from another deed, from the same to son Moses, it is plain that the mill was on Beaver brook.

First Gristmill At North Chelmsford

Daniel Waldo, who, doubtless, had learned the mill business © of Samuel Adams, whose daughter Susanna he had married, - proposed to undertake a mill on his own account, and, in 1695, he made an agreement with the town 'about Building a corn mill on Stony brook below the Highway to Dunstable"

The agreement stipulated that said Waldo was to maintain ~ a good mill and miller. '"The sd mill to be kept for the Towns use Except the fourth Day of each week which is for Dunstable: . and to grind the Towns Corn well and there Mault for half Toal if Except a small quantity a Bushel or the Like,'' and the people were to the sd Waldow the stream of sd Brook: and also mill on Stony brook below the highway

"we grant to the sd Waldow the stream of sd Brook: and also - Twenty five acres of Land on each side of sd Brook provided the - sd Highway be not Damnified"'

The Dunstable highway here mentioned is the street passing © \ through the village of North Chelmsford, now known as Middlesex : road. The bridge originally crossed the stream lower down than - the present one. Allen, writing in 1820, says of this mill privilege, - "This advantageous situation has been constantly occupied by i a mill under several successive owners. The present proprietor, Wm. Adams, Esq., rebuilt the saw mill, 1815, and in 1814, the gristmill on an improved plan. It contains three runs of stones, each of which is moved by a tub wheel. The wheels are placed at different elevations, that the uppermost may be used when the water in the Merrimack is at its greatest height, and either covers the other wheels or impedes their motion. As the water in the river falls to its common level, either or all of the wheels may be used at pleasure.''* In a note made below, after his book was published, he wrote: "1822 These mills with twenty acres of land around were sold to Kirk Boott as agent for the Merrimack Manufacturing Company for 15 thousand dollars."'

But these mills continued in operation after Kirk Boott's purchase, for the present writer has taken wheat there to be converted into flour, I should say, about 1858.

To return again to the earlier period: Daniel Waldo sold, in 1700, to John Richardson, who then lived nearby, "'one corn mill also one half of the third part of a Saw Mill Standing on the aforesaid Stony Brook near to said corn mill'"'t

In 1707, 'Jonathan Richardson and John Richardson had granted the Liberty of erecting Iron works upon Stony brook with Conveniency of flowing provided it Damnifie none of the Inhabitants,' t and in May, 1709, "It was voted that John Richardson shall have the Liberty of Drawing of the pond Called Newfied-pond to suply his mill with Water: And shall have the benifit of sd pond to the high-water mark"'

The attempt of Mr. Richardson to avail himself of the benefit of the waters of this pond caused a most remarkable catastrophe. As the workmen were digging a channel through the bank of the pond the pressure of the water suddenly burst the weakened bank and the water rushing out carried with it a negro who was in the ditch at the time and buried him in a mound of sand washed by the water to the meadow below. Thus this pond, covering 100 acres, was all drawn off with the exception of about an acre in the lowest part. This story rests wholly upon tradition. Allen relates it (pp. 19, 20) and at the time he wrote, the pond still remained dry and its bed "'covered with a thrifty growth of wood." The writer's father, the late David Perham, has told him *Page 31.

In 1707, the year that John Richardson's iron works were - established, at the mouth of Stony brook, a road was laid out to ~ it, which is thus described: ;

A high Way Laid out from Stony Brook to John Richardson © mill bounded as foloweth begining at the high Way that Leads - from John Snows to the meting hous this sd way bounded 2: Roods -

E. F. Richardson. Mill street in North Chelmsford is probably a part of this old road. One object of this road at that time may ~ have been to obtain a shorter route to their supply of bog ore, for © Allen in a note written after his book was published speaks of ''An ineshaustible bed of bog ore on the farm of Robert Richardson, - late Mr. Andrew Spalding's."'

Robert Richardson, at that time, lived upon the place now 4 occupied by the family of the late Henry R. Hodson, and a narrow © road runs directly from their premises to the road above described. ©

Herding Of Cattle And Fencing In Common

In the early days of the Town, before each farm was enclosed ~ by fences, the cattle were allowed to range over the common - lands, under certain restrictions. Each neighborhood had a prescribed range for its herd, which must have had a keeper © to protect the cattle from wild beasts and to prevent them from - encroaching upon planted fields. The term Field Driver may © have originated from this custom. The Colony passed laws

The Beginning 55

All these communal arrangements served to bring the people into closer relations one with another, and furnished a strong reason why only such should be admitted as inhabitants of the town as would work in harmony with such necessary regulations.

4 From George Biams to Arthur warrens shall be an other heard and that if Any person shall Neglect to put ther Catell to the herd they shall pay ther preportion of herding and twelve pence a beast over and Above''*

The first range mentioned in this order was from the center of the town to Stedman street, where the line between Chelmsford. and Lowell crosses that street.

It is impossible to define the limits of the fourth range because we are unable to locate the habitation of Arthur Warren in 1671, except that it was in the '"'West end" probably beyond Geo. A. Byam's towards Heart pond.

A former vote passed in 1667 provided that "'such as Live remoat shall have Liberty to choose their heards and have Cows and working cattell exempted."

Hog Reeves were annually chosen whose duties were, as described in one entry, "'to oversee swine and keep them in order."' Swine were allowed to run at large but the number that any one man was allowed to keep upon the public lands depended upon the amount of land which he possessed. In 1683 "it was voated that eury inhabitant beeing an house holder shall have librty to keep to swine vp on the Common and eury tenne Acer loot the propriettors ther of haue liberty to keep Four swine on the Common And so eury man Acording to his enlarged loott to keep swine to

In 1681, ''ordered that all Swine Aboue three moth old shall bee soffitiently Ringed in the midell of the Nose Constantly and Youcked From the tenth day of Aprill ontill the Twentith day of octobor: soffitiently on penallty of sixe pence a swine for wante of either youck or Ringe and twellue pence a Swine for wante of boath and this penallty to bee paid to the officer Appointed or to Any other on the empownding of such swine with all other damages For empownding or leagall Conuiction of the owners of the swine." f

And these regulations were enforced. On account of trespass done by Abraham Parker's eight swine, they were impounded "Fouer times in the same year''

"98 the 12 mo 1670 mr John Fiske pastor presenting a sorell stone horse with a white face which for said horse the selectt men Do Aprove of to Answer the law wittnes in the Name of the selectt men

Such fences would not be a protection against sheep, and in 1681 it was ordered '"'that No Sheepe shall goe vp on the © Common of this towne with out a Kepper'' [Keeper]. *First book, p. 175.

The Beginning 57

Wild beasts, particularly wolves, caused such destruction "to state the fence one the people that a bounty of ten shillings was paid for each wolf killed.

In 1690 the town set apart a large tract of land in the north part of the town, extending from the Merrimack river westward to Groton, and in width from Deep brook to the Dunstable line (now Tyngsboro), ''for to kepe a dri herd of chattells [cattle] and Shep''*

In 1697 it was proposed to use Robins hill for a common sheep pasture. Three men, "Cap bowers Ephrem hildreth and samuell foster are Chosen a commity to draw up Artickels in order to the keping a flock of shep in a publick way upon Robins hill - and prasent them to the town the next town meeting" fT

A common field was laid out much earlier than those last mentioned, upon the Merrimack interval, north of Stony brook. It consisted of 214 acres, in lots of six acres each. It was owned by 22 proprietors, some of whom owned several lots. The largest owner was Benjamin Butterfield, who held seven lots, 42 acres.

The field was enclosed by a fence, and, doubtless, used in common, by these owners, for pasturage. It was called Newfield, and that name came to be applied to all that part of the town now North Chelmsford. In 1667 a committee consisting of Lieut. Foster, Daniel Blodgett, and Jacob Parker were appointed by the Selectmen "'to state to euery propriator in the New field there proportions of fence.'""' The committee reported: 'Acres of Land: 214: Length of fence: 555. due to A Lott of: 6: Acres: 2 pole &: 10 foot of fence" { In 1659 a committee was appointed "to state the fence one the other parts of the said feild & they did find 2pole and 6 foote to euery Acre Lying in the same order

Some of the Town's action, calculated to restrain individual enterprise, would, at first view, appear to be prompted by a narrow - spirit, thus:

"Millestones [in margin] 26 March 1678 the selectt men orderd as Foloeth For the good of the towne thatt if Any person what so euer shall take to worke or worke vp Any stone for a mill bee it for Corne or sider or Any other mill and make [s]all of the same stone or stones to Any other person then of this towne such person so selling shall pay to the vse of the towne the sum of twenty shillens a stone in money For euery stone so sould out of the town and no stone or stones as Aboue is to bee transported out of this township vntill this order bee satiffied datted the 26 March 1678 by order of the selecttmen: by Samell Adames"'

And in 1689 it was '"'agred that no bordse or timber sho[u]ld be sovld ovte of this tovne comon land vpon penalltie of painge one shiling for evj hvndred of bord''} The common lands being held for the benefit of the community in general, nothing must - be taken from them, for private profit, which would impair their - value. Millstone hill is situated in the extreme northwest corner - of the present town of Westford. |

As timber came to have a money value, upon the stump, it was voted, 1698, '"'that the owners of all saw mills in our towne execpt the first that improue the Towns Timber into bords shall

Law Affecting Taverners

of the present day. The Colony passed laws forbidding tippling at inns, and fines were prescribed for drunkenness, and, lest the attractions of the tavern might cause some to neglect their religious duties, It was ordered ''That in all places where Week-day Lectures are kept, all Taverners, Victuallers and Ordinaries, that are within one mile of the Meeting-house to which they belong, shall from time to time clear their Houses of all persons able to go to Meeting, during the time of the exercise'' t Ay oe +*First book, p. 146.

The Beginning 59

It is to be feared that this provision fell into disuse, for it appears, from the diary of Rev. Ebenezer Bridge, at a later period, that at one time he discontinued the weekly lecture, on account of the bad conduct of those who went to the tavern upon lecture days.

beer, but they soon discovered that such drinks were bad for Indians and sale to them was prohibited. One case of the enforcement of that law appears upon our town records (First Book, p: 150). "the 24 day of march 1678-9 Abraham Parker senior with his tew sonnes moses an Isack weare Acused for seling of strong lickers to seuerall endians Contrary to the law established thay doe each of them frely Acknolege ther Faulte ther in And doe heare by bind them selues severaly vnto the selectt men of Chelmsford neuer hear after to sell Any more stronge lickers to Any Indians"'

The oldest tax list that has been preserved is that of 167]. It contains sixty-two names, the minister not being included. This shows that in the first sixteen years after the incorporation of the Town the number of families had increased three fold. The record seems of sufficient interest to be given in full 30th 3 mo 1671 The Selectt men of Chelmsford madde this Rate as Foloeth for the payment of the Townes Ingagement to the m'nester

The Beginning 61

At the time of Mr. Fiske's settlement as pastor he was promised, as we have seen, fifty pounds for the first year and "to pay his maintinence as the Lord shall enable us for the future.' The above amount, eighty pounds, shows that the Lord had enabled them to make a very substantial increase in their minister's salary.

In the tax list of the following year, 1672, there appears against nearly one-half the names an enumeration of the stock and real estate assessed. About an average estate is that of George Byam '2 heads 2 mares 4 Cowes 2 of 2 yer old 8 sheepe 1 swine 8 Acres land howsing."' The land was probably only that which had been improved and '"'howsing"' included all the buildings.

Care Of Poor

But little appears upon the records to show what provision was made for the support of the poor. John Martin at the "South end" applied to the General Court for assistance, receiving the reply that the "Court declares yt ye releife of poore persons concernes the toune to wch they doe belong * * * "

They preferred to relieve the wants of the needy by individual contributions rather than levy a tax for the purpose. In 1696-7 "the inhabitance are not wiling to grant mony to releue the por to be raised by way of reat but promis to do it by a Contrybution--"'

Later the destitute were cared for in families at the expense of the town, but not until 1820 did the town purchase a farm and house for the support of the poor.

Clubs In Meeting House

In 1671 we find the first intimation of danger from the Indians, with whom the people had thus far been at peace. Evidently, the Indians were manifesting symptoms of uneasiness at the growing strength of their white neighbors, whom they attempted to destroy in the conflict which broke with such fury upon the colonies four years later in King Philip's war.

Two years later, the Town built a house upon Robins hill, © the purpose of which is not clear. It was neither sufficiently - large nor substantial for a garrison house, being of one room, 16 x 18, covered with but a single thickness of boards, and with ~ but one window. The fact that Indian troubles were brewing, - and that the committee appointed to select its location, Lieut. - Samuel Foster and Ensign William Fletcher, were both officers - in the ''foot company,"' would indicate that it was intended to serve some military purpose. The place was admirably adapted - for a lookout from which to discover and warn people of approach- - ing danger.

Several years before, the friendly Wamesits had built a ~ stockade upon Fort hill, now Rogers park, in Lowell, to protect themselves from their dreaded foes, the Mohawks. There was - a tradition, related to me many years ago by an old man, that these Indians signalled across from Fort hill to high points in ~ Chelmsford.

Robins Hill House

7 of octtobor 1673 Att a general metting Acording tv the towne © order thes Foloing * * Articls of agreement made the seventh Day of october on thousand sixe hundreth seventy and three bettwine the inhabitants of Chelmsford and Joseph barrett of the same place 1 The said Joseph barrett Doth promis and Ingage to buld a house of eighten Foott longe and sixten foott wid and eight Foott stud and to Do all the worke belonging to the same From the stump to the finishing of the same and to Find - *First book, p. 108.

The Beginning 63

bords For the hole house and lay the Flowers and Dobell bord the Roofe and bord the sids and ends and to make the Chemly and Dore and window and to Find stones and Clay and to Finish the said house att or beefore the last Day of March Next insewing the Date above

2 The inhabitants of Chelmsford Do promise and hearby ingage to pay vnto the Forsaid barett in full satiffacttion for the house Aforsaid the Just sum of twelve pownds in towne pay that is such as the towne Can produce and to pay the same twelve powds att or beefore the tenth Day of octtobor in the yeare onthousand sixe hundreth seventy and Foure as wittnes in the behalfe of the towne the Date above

Joseph Barrett

Joseph Barrett had a double motive for doing faithful work when he built the house for the town, for, when completed, it was promptly occupied by Francis Gould, whose daughter, Martha, the builder had married the year before.

Goold, or Gould, signed an agreement with the selectmen, stating that "I have taken to hier the house and land that I now live in of the selecttmen of the towne For which house and land I Do couenatt with thm to pay yearly the sum of one peck of endian Corn For the towns use as wittnes my hand this last tuseday in Desembor 1673" Francis Goold

Gould and his wife, Rose, had a family of five small children, and others older, to occupy this one room cottage, which had but a single thickness of boarding to protect its inmates from the blasts of winter. Francis and Rose Gould have many descendants living today, one of whom is Hon. Samuel L. Powers.

The fact that only a nominal rent was required, sufficient only to acknowledge the Town's ownership in the property, plainly *First book, p. 116.

Galusha

implies that the occupant was to render to the Town some service as an equivalent for the use of the property, or else that the family were in circumstances requiring aid from the Town. The most reasonable supposition is that he was to maintain a lookout and warn the inhabitants in case of any discovered peril. GALUSHA.

Gould remained in the house until his death, March 27, 1676. In October, following, his daughter, Hannah, married Daniel - Galusha, a Dutchman, who paid the Town the peck of corn due for rent and leased the house and seven acres of land for the term of seven years for which he was to pay as an acknowledgment of his grant from the Town '"'say one peck and halfe of Corne yerly"' The one condition stated in the contract was ''that he distorbe not his mother Gools peaceabl living in the house''*

Galusha remained in the house three years when, his motherin-law, Gould, having died, his request to leave the house was granted. Later he removed to Dunstable, where the family had a sad experience. At the assault upon that town, by the Indians, on the night of July 3, 1706, his house, upon Salmon river, was attacked and burned. Galusha escaped and one of the women of the household fled from the flames and saved herself from the savages by hiding in the underbrush, but his daughter, Rachel, was killed.

Interest In Public Affairs

After the accession of King Charles II, when his displeasure was manifested toward the Colony and the Charter was felt tobe in danger, Chelmsford was among the towns which sent petitions © to the General Court, declaring their satisfaction in the present government, and expressing their earnest desire that the same might be continued.