Concord Town (part 2 of 10)

At the same Court, on the 23d, May 1655 " Five thousand acres of Land were granted to the Inhabitants of Concord for feeding, according to their petition, provided it hinder not any former grants." This was all the tract of land described in the above return, excepting the farms belonging to Major Willard. When his farms were granted I have not been able to find out. One of them lay in the southeast part of the tract, and the other at the northeast. This distinguished individual had several subsequent grants. On the 6th of May, 1657, he had, " for services to the colony, 500 acres of land in any place where he can find it according to law ; " and 21st May, 1658, he had 500 acres more "on the south side of a river that runneth from Nashua to Merimack, between Lancaster and Groton, and is in satisfaction of a debt of £44 " due from John, sagamore of Patucket. His execution to be given up. This farm was laid out in May, 1659, by Thomas Noyes.

The Praying Indians claimed some right to the land granted to Concord " for an enlargement to the towne ; " in consideration of which, " the town of Concord doth give to them, the planters of Nashoba, fifteen pounds at six a penny, which giveth them full satisfaction. In witness whereof they doe set to their hands this 20 of the 10 mo. 1660." This agreement was signed by " Nassquaw, marchant Thomas [Thomas Waban], Wabatut, great James Natototos - a blind man, Pompant, and Gomgos," by their marks ; and John Thomas, and John Tahattawan, by their names ; and witnessed by Joseph Wheeler, John Shepard, and John Jones. ^

At a Generall Court held at Boston the 11th of October, 1665. In answer to the peticion of Concord for an enlargement of their bounds, this court doe grant them a tract of land conteyned in a plott returned to this court under the hand of Ensigne Noyes, by estimation the whole being about five thousand acres, whereof the court reserveth two thousaad acres to be layd out to either Indians or English, as this court shall see meete hereafter to dispose and grant, and the remaynder, being about three ihousand acres, this court grant to Concord so as the same doe not abridge any former grant made by this court ; and doe order Leift. Beers and Leift. Thomas Noyes to lay out the same and to make returne thereof to the next Court of Election. A true copie. Attest, Edw. Rawson. iS'ecr."

The following is a copy of the return made 25 May, 1667, and approved by the proper authorities. " We, Richard Beers of Watertown and Thomas Noyes of Sudbury, being appointed to lay out and measure to the inhabitants of Concord a tract or tracts of land next adjoining to their first grant ; in order to which, we the above said, did lay out and measure unto the inhabitants of Concord their second grant, being five thousand acres of land granted in the year 1655, as also their grant of three thousand acres granted in the year 1665, next adjoining to their first grant, beginning at the southwest angle of their old bounds [near Maj. Hay ward's], extending their said southerly line upon a norwest point, four degrees northerly (according to the Meridian compas) two miles and 280 rods ; there making a right angle on a bare hill, and from thence a line upon a northeast point 4 degrees easterly, two miles one half and fifty rods, there meeting with Nashoba plantation line, running the hne of the said plantation to their angle one mile one quarter and 60 rods, nearest hand upon an easterly point, there making a right angle, running a line, being the line of the Indian plantation, two miles one quarter and 60 rods, there being bounded by Chelmsford line and Bilrica line as is more plainly described by a plott ; in which plott is contained nine thousand and eight hundred acres of land, was paid by Lt. Joseph Wheeler, for which the town granted hyn in 1660 a tract of land "lying between Chelmsford line and the line of Nashoba township, and joining to the further corner of the great pond." Nagog Pond appears to have been the southeast corner bound of this township.

one thousand and eight liundied acres being formerly granted to Major Williard, the other eight tliousand being granted to the inhabitants of Concord, and laid out the 5th May, 1666. Given under our hands.

The town agreed 20th Jan. 166S, that these additional grants of land shall lay for a free comon to the present house) lolders of Concord, and such as shall hereafter be approved and allowed to be inhabitants ; except such parts of it as shall be thought mete to make farmes for the use and benefit of tlie towne." A full title was then acquired from the Indians, though it w^as thought proper in 1684, for reasons already mentioned, to obtain the following confirmatory deeds.

To all people to whom these presents may come, greeting ; Know ye that we, Mary Neepanaum, John Speen and Sarah Speen, Dorothy Winnetow, Peter Muckquamuck, of Natick, and James Speen, and Elizabeth Speen, his wife of Waymeset, Indians, for and in consideration of a valuable sum of money to us in hand payd by Capt. Timothy Wheeler, Henry Wooddis, James Blood, and John Flint, the receipt whereof we do by these presents acknowledge, and therewith to be fully satisfied and contented, have sold and by these presents do sell, alien, enfeofe, and confirm unto the said Capt. Timothy Wheeler, &c.-^ of Concord in the county of Middlesex in y® Massachusetts Colony, in New England, for the use and behoof of themselves and the rest of the proprietors of the s'd town of Concord a certain tract or parcell of land conteyning by estimation a thousand acres, be the same more or less, and is situate, lying, and being within the last grant of land by the Generall Court to y® s'd tow^n of Concord, and is bounded south-east by Sudbury, and the land of Stow alias Pompasitticutt, and norwest by the s'd Stow% running by them upon that line about a mile and a quarter, near to the hill by the Indians called Naauuhpavil ; and from thence by a streight line to the North River at the old bounds of y® s'd town of Concord, unto them the said Timothy Wheeler, &c. &c. to them, their heirs and successors for ever. And we the said Mary Neepanaum, &c. do hereby covenant and promise to and with the foresaid Timothy Wheeler, &c. &:c. that we are the true proprietors of, and have good right and full power to grant, bargain, and sell, the above granted and bargained premises unto the said Timothy, he. he, and that the said Timothy, he. he. shall and may at all times and from time to time for ever hereafter have, hold, occupy, possess, and enjoy the above granted premises in full, be the same more or less, without any let, denial, or contradiction of us the said Mary Neepanaum, he. or any of us or any of our heirs, or any other person or persons whatever, lawfully claiming or having any right, title, or interest therein, or to or in any part or parcell thereof. In acknowledgement of this our act and deed, we have hereto put our hands and seals this fifth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty and four."

All the abovenamed Indians signed this deed - James Speen by writing his name, and the others by their marks, in presence of Moses Parker, Noah Brooks, Samuel Wheeler jr., Benjamin Bohow and Sarah Bohow (the two last of whom were Indians), and acknowledged " before Pet: Bulkeley, Assistant."

The foregoing deed applied to the south part of the tract. The same individuals, in behalf of Concord, bought of " John Thomas, and Naanoushqua, his wife ; Tasunsquaw, the relict of Waban, diseased, and eldest daughter to Tahattawan, Sagamore, diseased ; Thomas Waban, her son ; Solomon Thomas ; John Nasqua ; James Casumpal, sen., and Sarah, his wife ; and Sarah, the relict widow of Peter Conaway, Indians," for £21 ; by estimation, 8000 acres, lying in " the last grants of land by the General Court to the town of Concord, and is bounded southeast by the old bounds of the said town of Concord, easterly partly by Bilrerca, partly by a farm formerly layd out by Major Willard for himself, and partly by Chelmsford, till it meet with Nashoba line, and then westerly by the said Nashoba to the southeast corner of the said Nashoba, then northerly by the said Nashoba till it meets with Stow, and so bounded norwest by the said Stow, till it comes near to a hill by the Indians called Naaccuhpavil, and then running upon a straight line to the North River, at the old bounds of the said town of Concord." This deed was executed and ac- knowledged in the same form as the preceding, on the 13th of Aug. 1684 ; and witnessed by Ebenezer Engoldsbey, Joseph Wooley, Joseph Shambery, and Andrew Pittemey.

These several grants were afterwards known as the " Town's New Grant," - the Enlargement of the Town by the General Court," - and generally " Concord Village " ; till after about seventy-five years they were in great part separated from Concord and incorporated as the town of Acton.

A company was incorporated, on the 5th March, 1658, " to erect one or more iron-works in Concord." These were built near the present Cotton Factory ; and operations were commenced in 1660. The zinder holes and plates " were cast at Ohver Purchis's iron-works at Lynn, and put in by Joseph Jenks.

The company had permission, 30th May, 1660, to digg iron ore without molestation in any land now in the Court's possession." The southern grant to Major Willard, above mentioned, was subsequently sold to this company, and became known as the " Iron-work Farm." It lay partly in Concord, in Acton, and in Sudbury, as they are now bounded. Nathaniel Oliver, John Eyre, and Joseph Parsons, of Boston, sold one half of the whole property of this company, on the 23d May, 1684, then consisting of the iron-works and 1668 acres of land, to the Hon. Peter Bulkeley of Concord, and James Russell of Charlestown, for £300.

In 1668 the town leased to Capt. Thomas Wheeler, for 20 years, 200 acres of upland near Mr. Silas Holden's present residence, and 60 acres of meadow lying in several parcels on Nashobah brook, on condition that he should keep, " except 12 Sabbath days yearly," a herd of 50 cattle for Is. per head for the inhabitants, to be paid ^' one third part in wheat, one third part in rie or pease, and the other third part in Indian corn." They were to be constantly watched by a " herdsman," and kept in a yard at night to protect them from the wild beasts. Capt. Wheeler agreed to build a house "40 feet by 18, and 12 stud," covered with shingles, and to have a " pair of chimneys " ; and a barn 40 by 24, and 12 high, to be left for the use of the town after the ex-piration of the lease.

Lieutenant Joseph Wheeler, by trading with the Nashobah Indians, became their creditor, aud petitioned the General Court, in 1662, for a grant of 200 acres of land at the southerly part of their plantation as payment for his debt ; but it was refused. In 1669, he, with several inhabitants of Concord, petitioned for a tract of land at Pompasitticutt ; and the Court appointed him, with John Haynes of Sudbury, William Kerley of Marlborough, James Parker of Groton, and John Moore of Lancaster, a committee to view it and report at their next session. This report was made May 11, 1670; and it was found ''to contain 10,000 acres of country land, whereof about 500 is meadow. The greater part of it is very mean land, but we judge there will be planting ground enough to accommodate 20 families. Also there is about 4000 acres more of Jand that is taken up in farmes, whereof about 500 acres is meadow. There is also the Indian plantation of Nashobah, that doth border on one side of this tract of land, that is exceedingly well meadowed, and they do make but little or no use of it." George Hayward, Joseph Wheeler, Thomas Wheeler, John Hayward, William Buttrick, Sydrach Hapgood, Stephen Hall, Edmund Wigley of Concord, and Joseph Newton and Richard Holdridge, petitioned for this tract of land ; and it was granted to them " to make a village, provided the place be setteled with not less than ten famyles within three years, and that a pious, an able, and orthodox minister be maintained there." Daniel Gookin, Thomas Danforth, and Joseph Cook, were appointed '' to order the settlement of the village in all respects ; " and the various proceedings in relation to it resulted in the incorporation of the town of Stow, May 16, 1683 ;^ which has since been found able to accommodate more than twenty families !

1 Twelve "foundation lots," containin:,^ 50 acres of upland and 15 of meadow, were at first granted in the following order: - to the Minister, Boaz Brown, Gershom Heald, John Buttrick, Ephraim Hildreth, Thomas Stevens, Stephen Hall, Samuel Buttrick, Joseph Freeman, Joseph Darby, Thomas Gates, and Shadrach Hapgood. Others were afterwards granted.

In 1653, Concord subscribed £5 a year for 7 years, for Harvard College. - Thomas Brooks was appointed in 1654, to carry the law to prevent drunkenness among the Indians into effect. - The selectmen petitioned. to the County Court, in 1660, that sargeant Buss might keep an ordinary " or tavern in Concord, they having " found much difficulty in procuring such an one as we could rest well satisfied in." - The town agreed in 1668, " that all the waste land should pay 2s 6d for every 100 acres for public charges." In 1672, seventeen articles of instruction were given to the selectmen by a committee, consisting of Nehemiah Hunt, John Flint, John Miles, WiUiam Hartwell, Thomas Wheeler, Joshua Brooks, Joseph Haywood, Gershom Brooks, Humphrey Barret, and John Billings; from which the following items are extracted : - "3. That care be taken of the Books of Martars and other bookes, that belong to the Towne, that they be kept from abusive usage, and not be lent to persons more than one month at one time." - " 7. To take order that all corne fields be sufficiently fenced in season, the crane field and brickil field especially. - 8. That incorigment be given for the destroying of blackbirds and jaies." - " 11. To make a record of all the habitations that are priviledged with liberty at commons." - '^14. To take care that undesirable persons be not entertained ; so as to become inhabitants. - 15. To take care that persons do not overcharge their commons with cattle. - 16. That all persons that have taken the oath of fidelity be recorded."

Concord was presented in 1660 for not having a common house of entertainment, and ordered to get one before next Court under penalty of 2s 6d. Richard Temple recovered 205 damage of John Gobble for calling him a " Lying rascal."

Chapter Iv

Philip's War. - State of the Country. - Garrison Houses. - Expedition to Brookfield. - Proceedings of Government} and of the Town. - Lancaster burnt. - Christian Indians in Concord. - Feelings towards the Indians. - Abraham and Isaac Shepherd killed. - Groton burnt. - People remove to Concord. - Proceedings of Government. - Sudbury Fight. - Henchman's Letters. - Soldiers at Concord. - Christian Indian Soldiers. - War Taxes.

We are now to record the events of a most interesting period in the history of New England, remarkable for the occurrence of the most distressing Indian war that ever desolated the country. Though Concord suffered httle in comparison with many other townsj yet the part her citizens took in this war is deserving of particular notice.

At this time the number of warriors in the five nations of Indians in the immediate vicinity of the English settlements, as has been noticed in the commencement of this history, was estimated at about 1800 ; the whole number of English inhabitants in New England at 120,000; and the effective military force of the four United Colonies at 16,000 ; of which Massachusetts had nearly three fourths. She had twelve troops of cavalry of 60 men each. The county of Middlesex then contained 17 incorporated towns,^ and its militia was embraced in one regiment. A majority of these towns were but recently settled by inhabitants hving remote from each other, without even tolerably good roads to facilitate their intercourse.

1 Charlestown, Watertown, Medford, Cambridge, Concord, Sudbury, Woburn, Reading, Maiden, Lancaster, Chelmsford, Billerica, Groton, Marlborough, Dunstable, Mendon, and Sherburne. Worcester County was not incorporated till 173L

2 The former was organized in 1636, when Sergeant Willard was appointed to exercise it. He was appointed Captain in 1646, and promoted to be Major in 1654. In J 662, the County Court made the following appointments in this company. Timothy Wheeler, Captain ; Joseph Wheeler, Lieut. ; William Buss, Ensign ; Richard Rice, Thomas Bateman, and Thomas Wheeler, sen. Sergeants ; William Buttrick, Samuel Stratten, and John Scotchford, Corporals. The Horse Company was organized Oct. 13, 1669, embracing some soldiers in the adjoining towns. Thomas Wheelf nies against Ninigret, principal Sachem of the Naraganset Indians, when 250 foot and 40 horsemen were raised and sent fourth under the Christian and courageous Major Willard of Concord as commander in chief." ^ Several of the Concord troops accompanied him ; and this was the first time that our early settlers were engaged in war.

Okommokamesit (Marlborough), and several other places near the frontier English settlements were incorporated Indian towns, containing in 1676 about 500 inhabitants, including women and children, who had ostensibly embraced Christianity, and were friendly to the whites. At length jealousies arose among the unfriendly Indians against these and against the English ; and Philip, the bold chief of the Wampanoags at Mount Hope, determined to destroy their infant settlements, and exterminate the inhabitants. To aid him in this barbarous conspiracy, he endeavoured to obtain the alliance of all the neighbouring tribes ; and in most instances he effected his designs.

The government ordered that garrison-houses should be erected in the several towns, or that dwelling-houses already built should be fortified, which were to serve as a kind of fortress into which the inhabitants, by districts or companies, might collect at night, or in case of an attack. Houses were also erected for the accommodation of military watches, which were maintained in each town to perform patrol duty, and forewarn the inhabitants of danger.

We have no other means than tradition to ascertain the number or situation of the garrison-houses in Concord. The house now occupied by Dr. Hurd was originally one ; another stood near John Flint's ; another near Meriam's corner ; two others within the present limits of Bedford ; another near John Hosmer's ; and another near Silas Holden's. An Indian fort was built near Nashobah Hill in Littleton, then in Concord. These were not all. The number and situation varied, at different times, for the subsequent twenty years.

was appointed first Captain ; Thomas Henchman, Lieut. ; and Henry Woodhouse, Quarter Master. This was the second and western horse company in the county, and from it the present Concord Light Infantry descended. ^ Mather's Relation, p. 69. See Hoyt, Antiquarian Researches, p. 70.

Though several acts of hostihty had been committed in Plymouth Colony, the Nipmuck Indians, residing near the centre of the present limits of Worcester county, had not fully united with Philip in his blood-thirsty designs of extermination. And since some of these were Praying Indians, the government flattered themselves that they might be reclaimed and enlisted permanently on their side. Having professed friendship and promised fidelity to the English, a mission was sent forth to meet these Indians at Quabaug (Brookfield). Capt. Edward Hutchinson was commissioned to negotiate a treaty ; and Capt. Thomas Wheeler of Concord, with 20 or 25 of his company, was ordered to go with him, as a guard, and to assist in the objects of the expedition. Two sons of old Robin Petuhanit of Grafton, Sampson and Joseph,^ and George Memecho, three Christian Indians, accompanied them as guides and interpreters. They marched from Cambridge to Sudbury, 28th July, 1675; and arrived at Brookfield 1st August, when they found the Indians were assembled about 10 miles distant. Four messengers were sent to acquaint them with the intentions of the English, but an alarm was raised, and the Indians assumed a warlike attitude. The messengers endeavoured to convince the Sachems of their peaceful intentions ; and they promised to meet the English the next morning a short distance from Brookfield. They doubted whether to proceed ; yet, being urged to go by the inhabitants of Brookfield, they marched to the place assigned for holding the treaty. Finding no Indians there, the company continued their march, contrary to the advice of their guides, four or five miles further near to a swamp, when they were suddenly attacked by 200 or 300 Indians. Eight were killed by the first fire, and three wounded, among whom were Capt. Hutchinson and Capt. Wheeler. Capt. Wheeler had two horses shot under him, and received a ball through his body. Seeing this, his son, whose arm was then fractured by a ball, dismounted, and placed his wounded father upon his own horse ; and himself mounting another whose rider had been killed, they both escaped. The surviving

1 Sampson was afterwards killed near Wachusett. Joseph was taken and sold as a slave to go to the West Indies. His wife and two children, taken captive with him, were redeemed by the Rev. Mr. Eliot; and she was employed two years after to teach a school among the Indians at Concord. She is represented as being a very sober, Christian woman. Gookin'sMS.

English retreated to Brookfield, and had scarcely entered the town, before it was set on fire in various places by the pursuing enemy. All the houses (20) were consumed excepting one, in which the inhabitants and tlie company were gathered. In this distressing situation, Capt. Wheeler appointed Lt. Simon Davis of Concord and two others to take the command, being disabled himself; and gave orders to Ephraim Curtis of Sudbury, and Henry Young of Concord, to proceed to Boston to give information of these lamentable occurrences to the Council. After two unsuccessful attempts to proceed, in which they were driven back by the Indians and Young was killed, Curtis escaped. On his arrival at Marlborough, he met Major Simon Willard and Capt. James Parker of Groton with 46 men, who had been despatched to scout between Marlborough, Lancaster, and Groton. On hearing of the sufferings of the people at Brookfield, he altered his course, and rushed on immediately to their relief. He arrived late in the evening of the 4th of August, just in time to save the lives of a few of the English, who still survived ; when the engagement w^as renewed with vigor, and continued most of the* night. Towards the morning of the 5th, the Indians were compelled to retreat. They lost 80 men killed and wounded. The inhabitants of Brookfield suffered the total loss of their houses and property. Twelve or fifteen of the English fell in this hard-fought battle, of whom Samuel Smeadly, Henry Young, and some others, belonged to Concord.^

A part of the company remained there on account of their wounds nearly a month ; the remainder came away about a fortnight after the battle. "The 21st of October, 1675, was kept in Concord, by Capt. Wheeler and those who returned with him, as a day of praise and thanksgiving to God for their remarkable and safe re-

1 The assertion first published by Rev. Mr. Fiske, and by many writers since, and recently with additions by the author of the History of Plymouth Colony, in relation to the conduct of Major Willard at Brookfield, in Aug. 1675, IS entirely destitute of truth. He was in commission, in February and March, 1676, and in a letter from the secretary of the colony now before me, dated Feb. 11, 1676, he was requested " to be in a readiness if he should have a full command over the forces to be sent forth from this colony." He also received, just before his death in April, the highest number of votes but two in the choice of eighteen gentlemen for magistrates. These honors would not have been conferred, had the other assertion, resting* entirely on tradition, been true.

turn, when the Rev. Edward Bulkeley preached a sermon to them from Psalm cxvi. 12 : ' What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards me ? ' " ^

Though important services had been rendered to the country by the Praying Indians, yet such a great and indiscriminate prejudice had arisen among the common people against all natives, that the very name of Indian had become hateful. Under these circumstances the government passed an order, 30th August, 1675, to confine all the Praying Indians to five towns ; and none were allowed to go a mile from any town under forfeiture of their hves. The same day, 15 of the Christian Indians were unjustly seized at Marlborough, and carried to Boston, bound neck to neck. They were confined in prison nearly a month before their trial, which resulted in their honorable acquittal. This was done by a captain without authority, but was a most unfortunate occurrence for the country, and the cause of much of the subsequent trouble.^

In October, 1675, the government ordered that the militia of Suffolk and Middlesex be " put in a posture of war ; and be ready to march at a minute's warning to prevent danger;" and at the same time authority was given to Capt. Timothy Wheeler " to impress an able gunsmith to repair to Concord to be resident there for the fixing up of arms from time to time during the war for this and the towns adjacent." " Committees of militia," somewhat resembling the committees of safety in the revolution of 1775, were appointed in the several towns. The Hon. Peter Bulkeley was chairman of that committee in Concord. He and Joseph Dudley were appointed in November to " attend the forces that are now to go forth against the enemy, and to be ministers unto them."

About the last of November, the Nashobah Indians removed to Concord ; and December 13th, Major Willard, the Rev. Mr. Eliot, and Major Gookin, were appointed to order their settlement. They

1 A narrative of this expedition, written by Capt. Wheeler, was published, from which the foregoing facts are principally taken. It was reprinted, witij notes, by John Farmer, Esq. in Vol. II. of the N. Hamp. Hist. Coll. from the original edition in the library of the Essex Historical Society, where may also be found a copy of Mr. Bulkeley's Sermon above alluded to.

2 The assertion of many writers, that these Indians were suspected of treac hery, does not appear true ufter reading Gookin's MS. account of this afiair.

were placed under the care and superintendence of Mr. John Hoar, " the only man in Concord," says Gookin, " who was willing to do it. He was compensated by being exempted from impressment and taxation. They had pitched their wigwams on his ground near his house. This man was very loving to them, and very diligent and careful to promote their good, and to secure the English from any fear or danger by them." ^ The excitement generally was so great, that the Natick Indians had been previously carried to Deer Island for fear of being attacked by the English.

From this time depredations continued to be frequently committed by the unfriendly Indians on the frontier settlements ; and notwithstanding the precautions of the government, the friendly Indians occasionally suffered unjustly from the enmity of the whites. Companies of soldiers were often sent for the relief of these suffering towns, in wdiich Concord was usually represented.^

On the first of February, 1676, the Indians burnt the house of Thomas Fames of Framingham, and £330 125. worth of property, and either killed or carried into captivity his wife and nine children. The next day orders were given to Major Willard to raise a party of troops to scour the country between Groton, Lancaster, and Marlborough. Similar orders were given to Major Gookin in relation to the country between Marlborough and Medfield. Intelligence was brought to Major Gookin, Feb. 9th, at 10 o'clock (evening), by Job Kettenanet, one of the Christian Indians who had been sent out as spies, that 400 of the enemy were_ at Menemese, and had already marched forth intending to burn Lancaster the next day. He immediately sent orders to Marlborough, Concord, and Lancaster, mustering forces for the defence of Lancaster forth-

2 Soldiers often volunteered on these occasions. When they could not be obtained in this manner, they were impressed into the service. Precepts were issued by the committees of militia in the several towns to the constable ; and none were freed from his arbitrary will, except by a special act of the government. Nathaniel Pierce, with several others, of Concord, were pressed in September, 1(575, went to Springfield, and continued in the service nearly a year, till they were thus liberated. Daniel Adams belonged to a party which went from Concord to Groton when that town was destroyed. He fired from Willard's garrison and killed an Indian. It is impossible, however, to ascertain the names of all those who were engaged in this bloody war; but it is said that nearly all the able-bodied men bore arms in defence of their homes, at some time during this conflict.

with ; and 40 soldiers were collected and marched from Marlborough under Capt. Wadsworth by break of day. But notwithstanding they succeeded in getting possession of one of the garrisons, they could not prevent the Indians from carrying their threats into execution. Lancaster then contained about 50 families, out of which the Indians killed and captured forty persons. Among the latter were Mrs. Rowlandson and her children, the family of the minister. By the bold and successful exertions of Mr. John Hoar of Concord, in connexion with Tom Doublet, and Peter Conaway, Christian Indians of Concord, they were subsequently redeemed from captivity. Hubbard says the Indians burnt a house and murdered three persons in Concord, on the 19th of February, but who they were I know not.

About the 21st of Feb., says Gookin in the manuscript before quoted, " there befel another great trouble to the Christian Indians of Nashobah, who sojourned in Concord. The Council had by several orders empowered a committee, who, with consent of the selectmen of Concord, settled those Indians at that town, under the government and tuition of Mr. John Hoar. The number of those Indians was about 58 of all sorts, whereof were not above 12 able men, the rest were women and children. These Indians lived very soberly and quietly and industriously, and were all unarmed, neither could any of them be charged with any unfaithfulness to the English interest. In pursuance of this settlement, Mr. Hoar had begun to build a large and convenient work-house for the Indians, near his own dwelling, which stood about the midst of the town, and very nigh the town watchhouse. This house was made, not only to secure those Indians under lock and key by night, but to imploy them and set them to work by day, whereby they earned their own bread ; and in an ordinary way (with God's blessing) would have lived well in a short time. But some of the inhabitants of the town, being influenced with a spirit of animosity and distaste against all Indians, disrelished this settlement, and therefore privately sent to a captain of the army [probably Capt. Mosely], that quartered his company not far off at that time, of whom they had experience that he would not be backward to put in execution any thing that tended to distress the Praying Indians. For this was the same man that had formerly without order seized upon divers of the Pray- ing Indians at Marlborough, which brought much trouble, and disquiet to the country of the Indians, and was a great occasion of their defection. This captain accordingly came to Concord with a party of his men upon the Sabbath day into the meeting-house, where the people were convened in the worship of God. And after the exercise was ended, he spake openly to the congregation to this effect, " that he understood, there were some heathen in the town committed to one Hoar, wliich, he was informed, were a trouble and disquiet to them ; therefore if they desired it he woufd remove them to Boston." To which speech of his, most of the people being silent, except two or three that encouraged him, he took, as it seems, the silence of the rest for consent, and immediately after the assembly were dismissed, he went with three or four files of men, and a hundred or two of the people, men, women, and children at their heals, and marched away to Mr. Hoar's house ; and there demanded of him to see the Indians under his care. Hoar opened the door and showed them to him, and they were all numbered and found there. The captain then said to Mr. Hoar, that he would have a corporal and soldiers to secure them ; but Mr. Hoar answered there was no need of that for they were already secured, and were committed to him by order of the Council, and he would keep and secure them. But yet the captain left his corporal and soldiers there, who were abusive enough to the poor Indians by ill language. The next morning the captain came again to take the Indians, and send them to Boston. But Mr. Hoar refused to deliver them unless he showed an order of the Council ; but the captain could show hi-m no other but his commission to kill and destroy the enemy. Mr. Hoar said these were friends and under order ; but the captain would not be satisfied with his answer, but commanded his corporal forthwith to break open the door, and take the Indians all away, which was done accordingly ; and some of the soldiers plundered the poor creatures of their shirts, shoes, dishes, and such other things as they could lay their hands upon, though the captain commanded the contrary. They were all brought to Charlestown with a guard of twenty men. And the captain wrote a letter to the General Court, then sitting, giving them an account of his action. Tliis thing was very ofiensive to the Council, that a private captain should (without commission or some express order) do an act so contradictory to their former orders, and the governor and several others spake of it at a conference with the deputies at the General Court, manifesting their dissatisfaction at this great irregularity in setting up a military power in opposition to the chief authority of the country, declaring of what evil consequence such a precedent was, instancing the evil effects of like practices in England in later times, urging that due testimony might be borne against the same, by the whole court. The deputies seemed generally to agree to the reason of the magistrates in this matter, yet, notwithstanding, the captain (who appeared in the Court shortly after upon another occasion) met with no rebuke for this high irregularity and arbitrary action. To conclude this matter, those poor Indians, about 5S of them of all sorts, were sent down to Deer Island, there to pass into the furnace of affliction with their brethren and countrymen. But all their corn and other provision, sufficient to maintain them for 6 months, was lost at Concord, and all their other necessaries except what the soldiers had plundered. And the poor Indians got very little or nothing of what they lost, but it was squandered away, lost by the removal of Mr. Hoar, and other means, so that they were necessitated to live upon clams as the others did, with some little corn provided at the charge of the Honorable Corporation for the Indians, residing in London. Besides, Mr. Hoar lost all his building and other cost, which he had provided for the entertainment and employment of those Indians, which was considerable."

It appears from a manuscript letter of Mr. Hoar in my possession, that the English were very insolent to the Indians, and threatened to destroy tliem. One of the Lancaster soldiers, stationed at Concord, snapped his gun three times at one of them while standing at Mr. Hoar's door. It is believed, however, that this prejudice existed rather among the soldiers, who had witnessed the horrid barbarities of the Indians in other places, and who did not distinguish justly between the friends and enemies of the English, than among the citizens generally. By the influence of this class of men, the unfortunate occurrences detailed above were brought about.

grain in their barn. Apprehensive of danger, says tradition, they placed their sister Mary, a girl about fifteen years old, on a hill a little distance off to watch and forewarn them of the approach of an enemy. She was, however, suddenly surprised and captured, and her brothers were slain. She was carried captive into the Indian settlements, but with great heroism made her escape. While the Indians were asleep in the night, probably under the influence of spirituous liquors, she seized a horse, which they had a few days before stolen at Lancaster, took a saddle from under the head of her Indian keeper, mounted, swam across the Nashua river, and rode through the forest to her home.^

On the 15th of February, a party attacked Joseph Parker of Chelmsford with his friends, who had been to visit Major Willard. The latter part of this month they burnt Medfield, and killed 20 of the inhabitants ; and on the 13th of March nearly all of Groton was reduced to ashes. Major Willard was engaged in this battle.^ A company from Concord, and another from Watertown were also there. March 10th, says Hubbard, a man going after hay was killed in Concord.

March 14th, the Council ordered " that the committees of militia of Concord apd Sudbury, doe forthwith impress so many carts as may bee sufficient to bring off the goods and provisions belonging to the people left at Lancaster, unto Concord or any other towne, they desire to come unto ; and for guarding the said carts it is ordered that Sargant Lamson, commander of the garrison soldiers at Lancaster, do send two files of soldiers, to guard the said carts up and down." Besides the inhabitants of Lancaster, several of Groton and other frontier towns resided in Concord till after the peace. The proprietors of Groton held a meeting here, Dec. 12, 1677, when many of them bound themselves to rebuild the town. They commenced the next year.

2 Major Willard and his company remained there several days. They were ordered, on the 16th, if they had issued that business of Groaten, at least done wh ;t you can, and no likelihood of your reaching or engageing the enemy, that you with your forc> s tliereaboiit keep so scouting or ranging towards Marlborough, as may seasonably give present relief and further prevent what iacrease may be." Colony Files.

the 15th of March, consisting of Capt. Hugh Mason of Watertown, Jonathan Danforth of Cambridge, and Richard Lowdon, to consider the best means to be provided for their safety. After consulting " the several towns in the county of Middlesex with reference to the best means for the preservation of our out-towns, remote houses, and farms," they submitted the following propositions, March 28th, which were approved.

" 1. That the towns of Sudbury, f^oncord, and Chelmsford be strengthened with forty men a piece, which said men are to be improved in scouting between town and town, who are to be commanded by men of prudence, courage, and interest in the said townes : and the parties in each towne are to be ordered to keep together in some place comodious in the said towns, and not in garison houses : and these men to bee upon the charge of the country.

" 2. That for the security of Billerica there be a garrison of a number competent at Waymesett [Lowell], who may raise a thousand bushels of corn upon the land of the Indians in that place ; and may be improved daily in scouting and ranging the w^oods between Waymesett and Andover, and on the west of Concord river on the east and north of Chelmsford, which will discover the enemy before he comes to the towns, and prevent lurking Indians about our towns. Also they shall be in readiness to the sucor of any of the three tow^ns at any time when in distress ; also shall be ready to joine with others to follow the enemie upon a sudden after their appearing.

3. That such towns as Lancaster, Groton, and Marlborough, that are forced to remove ; and have not some advantage of settlement (peculiar) in the Bay, be ordered to settle at the frontier towns that remain for their strengthening : and the people of the said towns to which they are appointed are to see to their accomodations in the said towns.

" 5. That there be appointed a select number of persons in each town of Middlesex, who are, upon any information of the distress of any town, forthwith to repair to the relief thereof ; and that such information may be seasonable, the towns are to dispatch

Another subject is embraced in the report from which the above is extracted. The committee were instructed to consider the propriety of erecting a " line of stockadoes or stone worke " across the county, to include Chelmsford, Concord, Sudbury, and the other most populous places ; but they deemed this inexpedient, on account of the length of way to be fortified, the difficulty of crossing ponds and rivers, the peculiar season of the year, and the scarcity of laborers. For these and several other reasons the project was abandoned. It would indeed have been a work of no small magnitude to erect such a barrier as would have been effectual against the incursion of savages. A hne of garrison-houses w^as, however, erected on the frontiers of all these towns ; and it is probable that in fixing upon the location of the Christian Indian towns before the war, reference might have been had to the safety of the English in case of danger. They served, says Gookin, as a " wall of defence."

The month of April witnessed other horrible events to this county. Having destroyed most of the remote towns, the Indians looked to those remaining, and formed a determination to destroy them also. At this time they collected in great numbers, and approached nearest to Boston ; and the colonists were called upon to make the most vigorous defence. On the 21st of April an alarm was spread abroad that a large number of Indians, said to be 1500, were about to attack Sudbury. They had already burned several houses,^ and the day before killed Thomas Plympton, and a Mr. Boon and his son, returning from the west part of the town, vrhere the former had been to bring the two latter to a garrison -house. ^ A company from Watertown, aided by several of the citizens, had attacked them on the east side of Concord river ; where a severe battle w^as fought, and they were compelled to retreat across it. At this time several of the citizens of Concord immediately went to their relief. Arriving near the garrison-house of Walter Haynes,^ they observed several squaws, who, as they drew near, danced, shouted, powwawed, and used every method to amuse and decoy them. Eleven of the English pursued and attacked them, but found themselves, too late, in an ambuscade, from which a large number of Indians rushed upon and attacked them with great fury. Notwithstanding they made a bold resistance, it was desperate, and ten of them were slain. The other escaped to the garrison, where the neighbouring inhabitants had fled for security, which was bravely defended.^ Of those who were killed at this time belonging to Concord, I have been able to ascertain the names of five only, - James Hosmer, Samuel Potter, John Barnes, Daniel Comy, and Joseph Buttrick.

Capt. Samuel Wadsworth of Milton was then at Marlborough, having been left there to strengthen the frontiers on the return of the army from the interior. Understanding the situation of Sudbury, he marched with 32 soldiers to its relief. Capt. Broclebank, whose quarters had been at Marlborough, also accompanied him as a convoy to Boston, where he was intending to go to communicate with the Council. They marched in the night, and fell into an ambuscade early in the morning, when all but a few, who escaped to a mill, were slain. These unfortunate soldiers were buried the next day, principally by a company of Christian Indians, who had been organized and sent out the day before by direction of the English under Capt. Hunting from Charlestown. Four dead Indians only were found. ^

2 It will be perceived that these statements differ somewhat from Hubbard, and particularly in the date. He places it on the 18th, while Gookin in the MS. from which I have extracted, says it was the 21st. I had been led to adopt the same date previous to seeing that MS. Judge Sewall's MS. Journal says: "Friday about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, April 21, 1676, Capt. Wadsworth, and Capt. Broclebank fall - about 50 men slain 3 miles off Sudbury - the said town burnt - except gart ison-houses." The Middlesex Records, in speaking of the settlement of James Hosmer's estate, have this expression: " Being slayene in the engagement with the Indians at Sudbury on the 2 1st of the second month [April] in the year 1676." The order of the Council on the 22d of April affords presumptive evidence that the unfortunate loss of the Concord party was on the same day, though Hubbard does not positively assert it. The Roxbury Records say: "Samuel Gardner, John Roberts, Nathaniel Seaver, Thomas Hawley, sen., Wm. Cheaver, Joseph Pepper, John Sharp, Thomas Hopkins, Lieut. Samuel Gardner, slain by the Indians at Sudbury under command of Samuel Wadsworth, April 27, 1676. This was probably the day of entry, or a mistake for 21st.

From this time, which was more propitious to the Indians than any other, their success gratUially (llinlnished. This battle was the turning point. The principal body of the Indians, however, tarried in the vicinity of Groton, Lancaster, and Marlborough, whence they could easily make incursions to annoy the English.

On the 22d of April, the Council ordered 40 troopers out of Suffolk, under command of Cornet Jacob Eliot ; and the same number from Middlesex under Major Gookin, to march forthwith to Sudbury to make discovery, whether the motion of the enemy be either toward Concord or Medfield," by visiting the bounds of those towns, and scouting through the woods. An attack on Concord had been expected,^ and this was one of the effectual means which were promptly taken to prevent it.

On the 26th, six cart-loads of provisions were sent by the government to Concord, and John Flint was appointed commissary to take charge of them. The commander-in-chief engaged to be there the next day, making that his place of rendezvous. The following original letter addressed to Gov. Leverett is deemed worthy of publication.

Concord, April 29, 1676. " Hon'd Sir. - By reason that I had not a guide to go with me, it was yesterday in the forenoon ere I reached this place, where I found a few men ; but ere night, all the commanders, and most of the soldiers that yet appeare, were come up with the provision. This day we rendezvoused and find a great defect, an account of which is here inclosed. Upon receipt of the Hon. Major Gen.'l's letter, I have by advice of the commanders, as w^ell for the ease of this town as the securing of as many as we can at present, ordered Capt. Sill to Chelmsford, Capt. Haughthorn to Bilrica, and Capt. Holbrook to abide here,

1 Tradition has handed down the following anecdote. A consultation among the Indian chiefs took place about this time on the high lands in Stow, and, as tliey cast their eyes toward Sudbury and Concord, a question arose which they should attack first. The decision was made to attack the former. One of the principal chiefs said - " We no prosper, if we go to Concord - the Great Spirit love that people - the evil spirit tell us not to go - they have a great man there - he great pray ! ''^ The Rev. Edward Bulkeley was then minister of the town, and his name and distinguished character were known even to the red men of the forest.

and proportioned the horse accordingly : and am going myself to Chelmsford about some Indians to be ready in order to what is in my instructions, and shall wait for further orders as commander. I have not yet taken any of our provision, supposing it to be for us when in motion ; but it is expected by the inhabitants that we should spend thereof. I crave directions herein. Some things is much wanting and desired by the captains to be sent for. viz. flynts, tobacco,, liquor, pipes. There is but :29 that appeareth of my troop, and not above 7 carbines among them. I desire there may be a supply thereof : as also a saddle and case of pistols for myself; having here borrowed a saddle and left the tree and skinn that was pressed for me. Colours wanting also for the troop and one company, and a trumpeter. !Xot aiiy appearance of the 30 ^Vorfolkmen. It is desired that some more of the Indians may be sent to us. hearing them at Chemsford are fortifying about a fishinz-place there. A chyrurgeon with medicaments is much expected also a minister ; the which I hope may be procured here. All the commanders, officers, and souldiers, express much cheerfuUness. and have hopes that the defects wiU be made up ; that we may be in a belter capacity to serve the country. I shall not further inlarge,. but to begg your honors prayers for us. Remaining, Hon. S'r. your, humble servant.

May 5th. the court addressed a letter to the Indians, requesting them to meet the English at Concord or Boston, to find out their wishes, and try to enect a peace. Concord was now a distinguished military post, and the centre of many of the operations against the enemy. ^

The detachments of soldiers for the rehef of the frontier towns were frequent and heavv in ]\Iay. Early in that month 80 fi'om the troops of Essex, Suffolk^ and Middlesex,, vrere ordered to repair to Concord for the r - ;r/ry senice. On the 20th, 270 garrison soldiers from counties, were ordered to

1 May IQth. goodwife Devens, and goodwife Kether, upon ransom being paid, came into Concord : and upon hke ransom presented. John Morse of Groton. and Left. Carter of Lancaster were set at liberty: and more wiihout ransom, as goodman Emery, and his little boy.'' rity of them from the incursions of the enemy." Concord 20, Sudbury 30, Chehnsford 20, Billcrica 20, Audover 20, Haverhill 20, Bradford 10, Exeter 20, Medfieid 30, Dedham 20, Milton 10, Braintree 15, Weymouth 15, Hingham 20. These soldiers were to be maintained at the cost of the several towns, and to be under the direction of the committees of militia.

Maj. Daniel Gookin succeeded Major Willard after his death in April, in command of the military forces in Middlesex ; Thomas Clark was commander in Suffolk, and Daniel Denison in Essex ; all of whom Were in Concord, May 30th. The following letter was addressed to Gov. Leverett.

" Hon. Sir, - I did hope with this to send up all the returns but have yet received only Capt. Pools here enclosed. The Major Gen'l was even wearied out about them ; and two Capts. beside myself still labouring under the toile. My Lt. gave his, as he tells me, to the Maj : Gen: the rest I shall dispatch. The reason of our stay here for two days Mr. Clark who is now going to Boston will' make known, and what is now in hand, being by the unanimous advice of a council of war, and hopefull. Capt. Holbrook's return, received while writing, is also inclosed by

Capt. Joseph Sill ^ commanded one of the companies which were at Concord several months, and was frequently sent out on scouts. His hst was returned with those stated in the above letter.

" Capt. Henchman, - Tlie bearer, John Hunter, with ten Indians was intended a scout for Concord, but, through his much importunity and our persuasion of his capacity and intention upon the service, he is dispatched to the enemy, and in lieu of him and his party we send ten Indians to Concord, for the scout service, and if possible to attempt something upon Philip. In marching upward with him are several sachems, but few fighting men, and having planted at Pacacheog and Quabadge, they will scarce depart thence. Deal kindly with Hunter, and as much as may be satisfy him. His spleen seems to be such against Philip, that we are persuaded of his resolution against him."

About this time Capt. Henchman and his company left Concord. In a letter to the Council, dated Marlborough, 11th June, he says, " Some Indian scouts sent out this day have brought in Capt. Thom, his daughter, and two children, being found about ten miles to the soudest of this place. There was more of them, viz : two that were gone a fishing, so not lighted of. This company with some others at other places, of which James Prenter ^ is one, did as they say leave the enemy by times in the spring with an intent to come in to the English, but dare not for fear of our scouts. These prisoners say that many of the enemy hereing that there was like to be a treaty with Samuel did intend to go in to him. Mr. Scott also coming from Concord yesterday informs me, that one of the old squaws there doth not question but that if shee may have liberty to go to Samuel, he and his company will come in to the English."

There had been a company of 80 Christian Indians, friends to the English, who had acted as spies, messengers, scouts, and soldieis during the war, whose officers were Capt. Andrew Pittimee, one of the owners of Concord Village ; Quanahpohkit, alias James Rumney Marsh ; John Magus ; and James Speen. On the 1st of June, they petitioned for the release of Capt Thom, his son Nehemiah, his wife and two children, John Uktuck, his wife and children, Waanum and her child," who were prisoners of war. The women and children were released, but the others were executed. " Capt. Thom," say the minutes of their trial, was not only an instigator to others, over w^hom he was made a captain, but also was actually present and an actor in the devastations of some of our plantations." ^ Companies were sent

2 Strict regard was paid to the rights of friendly Indians by the government. On the 6th of August, 3 squaws, and 3 children, were killed while picking whortleberries on a hill in Watertown, now in Lincoln. Two persons were executed for this murder. , from this town towards Connecticut river in pursuit of Philip ; and after traversing the country in various directions for nearly two months without finding him, they proceeded towards Rhode Island, where, with the assistance of some other troops who joined them, they killed and captured 150 Indians.^ These and other instances of success encourged the English, and calmed the fury of the savages. After a year's absence Philip, reduced to a miserable condition, returned to his native place, near which he was killed, Aug. 12, 1676. One of his own men, whom he had offended, and who had deserted to the English, shot him through the heart. His death put an end to this most horrid and distressing w^ar.

About 3000 w^arriors were combined for the destruction of New England, and the war terminated with their entire defeat, and almost total extinction. About 600 of the English inhabitants, the greatest part of whom were the flower and strength of the country, either fell in battle or were murdered by the enemy. Twelve or thirteen towns were destroyed and about 600 houses burned.^

A tax was made this year for the support of the war from which the following items are extracted.^ In consequence of the losses sustained by Concord and Sudbury, their taxes were abated. Concord having £50 abated in May, 1676, and Sudbury £40.

weather was cloudy and rawly cold, though little or no rain. Mr. Mighil prayed. 4 others set on the the gallows - two men and 2 impudent women ; one of which laughed on the gallows, as many testified."

" Sept. 26, 1676, Sagamore Sam goes, and Daniel Gobble is drawn in a cart upon bed-clothes to execution. One-ey'd John, Maliornpe, Sagamore of Quaboag, gen'l at Lancaster &c. Jethro (the father) walked to the gallows. One-ey'd John accuses Sag. John to have fired the first gun at Quaboag and killed Capt. Hutchinson." Sewall's MS» Journal.

On the 22d of Jan. 1677, the government made allowance to the people distressed by the war in Massachusetts ; and allotted to the selectmen of the several towns in proportion to their losses, out of the " Irish Charity," in " meal, oatmeal, wheat, malt at I85. per ball, butter 6d. and cheese 4d. per pound." In the list accompanying this order the following towns appear. ^

Chapter

Year 1684 important. - Bloods' Farms annexed to Concord. - The Ffty subsequent Years. - Lovewell's Fight. - Cuba Expedition. - French War. - Notices of various Services in the War. - Divisions in the Town and Incorporation of new Towns. - Emigration to other Places.

The events just detailed reduced the number of the Indians, and prepared the way for the more safe and peaceable settlement of remote towns. Most of the temporary residents in Concord removed to other places, but some became permanent settlers here ; and the population had increased. The Prescots, Lees, Minots, Whittemores, Wilsons, &c. who settled here between 1675 and 1700, were subsequently distinguished in the town.

The year 1684 was a time of great distress in the colony. The people were told that the titles to their lands were forfeited with their charter, and now belonged to the king. Under this pretence they were called upon to take out new patents for their lands, subject to such fines as should be imposed ; and writs of ejectment were brought against such as refused to put them out of their possession. This was tyranny with a witness ! ^ - Under these circumstances the depositions and deeds from the Indians already given, were obtained.^

Some difficulties having arisen between the town of Concord and Robert Blood, sen. respecting the payment of civil and ecclesiastical dues, an agreement was made, on the 17th of March, 1685, between him and the Hon. Peter Bulkeley, Henry Woodhouse, and John Smeadly, sen. in behalf of the town, by which Bloods' Farms, now comprising a large part of the present town of Carlisle, were annexed to Concord. This agreement, an extract of which is given below, vyas assented to by Robert Blood, jun. and Simon Blood, sons of Robert Blood. It specifies : -

" 1. That the said Robert, his heirs and assignes, living within any peculiar, shall be from time to time freed and exempted from all town offices, and also from town rates (except what concerns the repairing of the meeting-house or building upon that account) provided the said Robert, his heirs and assignes, have no benefit or profit accruing to them from the said town rates.

" 2. That in rates for the ministry the' said Robert, his heirs and assignes, living within any peculiar (as aforesaid) shall bee exempted from the duty laid on waste land, and that in other respects the said Robert, his heirs and assignes, shall pay to the mmistry according to the rule and custom of the said town.

"3. That the said Robert, his heirs and assignes, shall (at the charge of the said town) as occasion doth require, have highways according to law laid out for them in order to their convenient passing to and from the said town.

These proceedings distinguish the period from 1684 to 1686 as very important in the history of the town. From this time its jurisdiction extended over a large territory, including the original purchase, the " Village, or New Grant," part of Littleton, and Bloods' and Willard's farms ; which was continued till the incorporation of other towns in which parts of this territory were included.

During the fifty subsequent years few important events mark the history of the town. The generation who first emigrated from England had nearly all departed, and others taken their places ; but with habits and education somewhat different from their fathers and peculiar to their own period. Compelled to labor hard to supply their own necessities, parents had little time or ability to edu- cate their children, and the people generally were, in consequence, less enlightened than the first settlers. More signed legal instruments by their marks at this than at any other period. Their history ^ (and such is the history of the country generally) exhibits this as the dark age of New England. Superstition and supposed witchcraft now prevailed. Concord, however, was not a bewitched town ; it never took a part in that horrible delusion. The increase in numbers, wealth, and intellectual improvement of the people, was subsequently slow, but progressive.

The government was under the direction of the arbitrary Sir Edmund Andros from 1687 to 1689. He became so unpopular, however, that the people, assembling in Boston in April, 1689, seized and confined him. A company went from Concord under Lieut. John Heald. In this state of affairs the wishes of the people, in relation to the government, were solicited, and Concord voted, May 22, " for the old authority chosen and sworn in the year 1686, with the deputies then chosen and sent to the Court to resume their places." The new province charter was soon after obtained.

A large number of men from Concord took a part in the wars of William and Mary and of Queen Anne, and in the various expeditions against tlie Indians from 1688 to 1740 ; and many died. But our printed and manuscript histories of those times are so imperfect, that I am unable to state the extent of the services they rendered, or the names of many of the sufferers.

Capt. Joseph Bulkeley with a company of 51 soldiers, chiefly from Concord, was engaged at Groton, Lancaster, and other frontier towns in 1704. Penhallow remarks that Capt. Prescott, Bulkeley, and Willard, with their companies, were so vigorous in pursuing the enemy that they put them all to flight." The account of provisions furnished to this company mentions among others the names of " Mr. Choat, Dr. Simon Davis," and several Indians.

Dunstable, Groton, Lancaster, and other frontier towns, were often attacked by the Indians from 1694 to 1712, and many of the inhabitants were killed or carried into captivity. Sometimes they extended their incursions to Chelmsford and Sudbury. -Maj. Tyng was wounded by them in 1711 between Groton and Concord, and came to the latter town, where he died. It was ne- cessary at all times to maintain scouts, garrison-houses, and forts to protect the inhabitants. Some of the citizens of Concord were constantly employed in this manner. Nothing, however, is known to have occurred of much interest to the inhabitants till 1725.

One of the most fierce and obstinate battles in the annals of Indian warfare was fought May 8, 1725, at Pigwacket, near Fryeburg, on Saco river. The Indians in that vicinity had become troublesome ; and rewards were offered for their scalps. Capt. Lovewell with a company of men had killed 10 of them, and received at Bostoli £100 each for their scalps. Encouraged by this success, he organized another company of 47 men to attack the villages of Pigwacket. They marched from Dunstable, April 16th. After proceeding to Ossipee pond, they built a fort. Benjamin Kidder, being taken sick, was left there, and also William Ayer, surgeon of the company, Nathaniel Woods, Zachariah Purker, John Goffe, Isaac Whitney, Obadiah Asten, and some others ; and were not in the battle. Thirty-three proceeded on ; and when they arrived near a point of land extending into Saco pond, they were attacked ; and during a most desperate battle 15 of them were killed, or mortally wounded ; 9 others were wounded, but were able to march. Paugus, the bold Indian chief, was killed by John Chamberlain under circumstances of bravery, which have consigned their names, to the lasting rememberance of posterity.

The following are the names of this company.^ From Dunstable, Capt. * John Lovewell ; Lieutenants, f Josiah Farwell and * Jonathan Robbins ; Ensign, * John Harwood ; Sergeants, J Noah Johnson, * Robert Usher, and % Samuel Whiting. - From Andover, f Jonathan Frye, Chaplain. - From Weston, Sergeant * Jacob Fullam. - From Nutjield, Corporal Edward Lynnfield. - From Woburn, Ensign Seth Wyman, Thomas Richardson, J Timothy Richardson, ^ Ichabod Johnson, J Josiah Johnson. - From Concord, J Eleazer Davis, * Josiah Davis, J Josiah Jones, David Melvin, Eleazer Melvin, * Jacob Farrar, and Joseph Farrar. - From Billerica, * Jonathan Kittridge and { Solomon Kies. - From Grofon,* John Jefts, Daniel Woods, * Thomas Woods, f John Chamberlain, f Elias Barron, J Isaac Lakin, and Joseph Gilsom. - And from Haverhill, Ebenezer Ayer and Abiel Asten.

A remnant of the company returned by the fort and arrived in Dunstable, May 15th. Four others, Davis, Jones, Fry, and Farwell, were left behind to endure the most excruciating suffering. After waiting several days, expecting that some one would return to their assistance, they proceeded on, though their wounds had become putrid and offensive, and they themselves nearly exhausted by hunger. After travelling several miles Fry was left and lost. Farwell was also lost a few miles from the fort. Eleazer Davis, after being out 14 days, came in to Berwick. He was wounded in the abdomen, and the ball lodged in his body. He also had his right hand shot off. A tradition says, that arriving at a pond with Lieut. Farwell, Davis pulled off one of his moccasins, cut it in strings on which he fastened a hook, caught some fish, fried, and ate them. They refreshed him, but were injurious to Farwell, who died soon after. Josiah Jones, another of the four, was wounded with a ball, which lodged in his body. After being out 14 days, in hourly expectation of perishing, he arrived at Saco, " emaciated and almost dead from the loss of blood, the putrefaction of his wounds, and the want of food. He had subsisted on the spontaneous vegetables of the forest ; and cranberries, which he had eaten, came out of wounds he had received in his body." ^ This is said to have been the case with Davis. He recovered, but became a cripple. Davis, Jones, Johnson, and several others of the unfortunate sufferers in this company, and their widows, were pensioners on the Province many years ; and the Journals of the General Court show that they were treated with liberality. The township of Pembroke, N. H., originally Suncook, was granted them for their services, on the petition of David Melvin and 30 others, in 1729.^

War was declared by Great Britain against Spain in Oct. 23, 1739, and the next year the expedition against Cuba was undertaken. The inhabitants of the colonies were invited to embark in it. In presenting the subject to the General Court, and urging preparations to be made for 1000 men. Gov. Belcher said, " it would open

2 Some of these facts, beautifully dressed up in fiction, in which Chamberlain is erroneously said to be from New Hampshire, were published in the Philadelphia " Album," in 1828. Another paper, describinn^ the enmity of young Paugus towards Chamberlain, was published in " The Atlantic a more extensive, rich, and beneficial trade for ourselves in the West Indies than we have yet enjoyed." This, and the promise of booty, and lands in Cuba, as bounties to individual soldiers, and expectations of being settled there, were the most plausible reasons for engaging in this most unfortunate enterprise. Though the General Court treated the wishes of the governor rather coolly, yet five companies of 100 men each were raised, and put under the command of Captains John Prescott of Concord, David Goffe, Thomas Phillips, George Stuart, and John Winslow. The governor himself paid the expenses of one company, and Winslow paid that of his own. They embarked Sept. 23, 1740. Hon. Wm. Gouch of Virginia was Colonel of the regiment ; Hon. Henry Cope, Lt. Colonel ; Wm. Blakeley, Adj. General. Gen. Thomas Wentw^orth commanded the land forces at Cuba ; and Admiral Edward Vernon,^ the fleet. The whole expedition was under Lord Cathcart.

After arriving at Cuba, several unsuccessful attempts to accomplish the objects of the expedition were made. Many of the Americans were taken sick and died. They were placed on board

Souvenir," in ]829. From the former I extract an account of the interview between Chamberlain and Paugus, which is substantially confirmed by tradition. In the engagement their guns had become foul. While washing his out, Chamberlain discovered Paugus, whom he personally knew, engaged in the same act.

" They slowly and with equal movements cleansed their guns, and took their stations on the outer border of the beach. 'Now Paugus,' said Chamberlain, 'I '11 have you ;' and with the quickness and steadiness of an old hunter sprung to loading his rifle. ' Na - na - me have you,' replied Paugus, and he handled his gun with a dexterity, that made the bold heart of Chamberlain beat quick, and he almost raised his eye to take his last look upon the sun. They rammed their cartridges, and each at the same instant cast his ramrod upon the sand. ' I '11 have you, Paugus,' shouted Chamberlain, as in his desperation he almost resolved to rush upon the savage, with the breech of his rifle, lest he should receive his bullets before he could load. The woods across the pond echoed back the shout. Paugus trembled as he applied his powder-horn to the priming ; Chamberlain heard the grains of his powder rattle lightly upon the leaves beneath his feet. Chamberlain struck his gun breech violently upon the ground - the rifle primed herself; he aimed, and his bullets whistled through the heart of Paugus. He fell, and as he went down, the bullet from the mouth of his ascending rifle touched the hair upon the crown of Chamberlain, and passed off" without avenging the death of its dreadful master."

Vernon's fleet, and received such treatment as called forth frequent complaints. They were separated into different vessels and compelled to sail among the West India islands ; 468 were on board July 6, 1742. It was not long before the remnant, who had not fallen a sacrifice to the climate and other hardships, returned to this country, without accomplishing any of their original intentions. They were paid off and dismissed, Oct. 24, 1742. The expedition cost the province £37,500 currency, equal to £7,000 sterling.^ Of the 500 men from Massachusetts, 50 only returned. Fifteen, beside Capt. Prescott, went from Concord ; three only returned, - Jonathan Heywood, Eben. Lampson, and Henry Yours. Tradition says that Thomas Barnes, Zachariah Blood, Nathaniel Monroe, Sergeant Benjamin Pollard, Aaron Lyon, and Darius Wheeler, were among those who died there.

The period from 1744 to 1760, was remarkable for the large drafts of men and money from the town to carry on that series of wars, which then took place between the Indians and French on one part, and the English and Americans on the other. Col. John Fhnt had commanded the regiment of militia in which Concord was included ; and was succeeded by Col. Buckminster of Framingham about 1735. The Hon. James Minott was Lieut. Colonel, and succeeded to the command in 1756. Most of the orders for men passed through his hands. There were three foot companies and a troop in Concord ; and all the able-bodied men from 16 to 60 years of age were enrolled. They, as well as their arms, were pressed into the service when required. Sometimes whole companies were called upon to perform actual service at once ; and few escaped the call at some time, either to go themselves, or furnish a substitute, in those troublesome wars. What precise amount of service was rendered by Concord, it is impossible now to ascertain ; and the insulated facts about to be given present a very imperfect view of the subject.

1 Vernon's Letters. Holmes's Annals. The other members of Capt. Prescotl's company were enlisted from the neighbouring towns. Twelve went from Hopkinton ; 1 Mass. Hist. Coll. vol. iv. p. 16, where the year is erroneously stated to be 1746. See a further notice of Prescott under the head of College Graduates.

there, and received a wound, of which he died Nov. 18, 1745, in his 57th year, after his return home. Benjamin Prescott, son of Dr. Jonathan Prescott, was killed there in the May previous. Amos Row was also killed, and Samuel Wood was sick, and became disabled. Eleazer Melvin, a brother of the above, was a lieutenant there, and engaged as captain in several subsequent campaigns. During a year from Oct. 1746, he was out, and marched on an "intended expedition to Canada " with a considerable number of soldiers from Concord. Joseph Buttrick was clerk of the company. After one of their marches, called the long march, in which he went to Canada, he returned, and with 25 men went to Lunenburg for the protection of that town, some persons having been taken by the Indians there a short time before. From March to September, 1747, he was stationed at Northfield. Humphrey Hobbs was his lieutenant, and Thomas Fletcher of Concord, ensign ; Benjamin Hoar, Benjamin Kidder, and Alexander Heald, sergeants. Capt. Melvin, with a party of 26 men, went out through the woods in May as far as Crown Point, where he killed several Indians ; and on his return home, at the head of West river, about 35 miles from Northfield, he was surprised and attacked by a party of Indians, who killed six of his men (John Hayward, John Dodd, Daniel Mann, Isaac Taylor, Joseph Petty, and Samuel Severance.) The others escaped.^ John Hoar was captured in an engagement at Fort Dumraer July 14, 174S, and remained with the Indians three months. Mark Perkins was also carried into captivity. Mr. Melvin died October 18, 1754, aged 52. He was son of John Melvin, who died 1724, aged 74. Grandchildren of his are nowhving.

On the 23d of September, 1746, a company of 50 men were detached and marched to Boston on an alarm, on account of an expected attack from the French fleet under the Duke D'Anville. They returned in ten days. Joseph Hubbard was captain ; Joshua Brooks, lieutenant ; Jonathan Billings, ensign ; Stephen Wesson, Amos Heald, Hezekiah Stratten, and Stephen Hosmer, sergeants ; John Miles and Ebenezer Meriam, clerks ; Nathaniel Colburn, Jonas Heywood, Henry Gould, and Nathan Miles, corporals.

ords. Charles Bulkeley and Timothy Wheeler, 1st and 2d lieutenants in Capt. Osgood's company; and James Fletcher, Samuel Brown, Thomas Brown, Wm. Wilson, Wm. Stephens, Joseph Blanchard, John Knowlton, Nathaniel Carter, Wm. Barker, Jonathan Conant, Nicholas Brown, and William Corey, privates.

Ephraim Jones then commanded a company of 92 men. Jacob Melvin, Nathan Melvin, and Ezekiel Brown were sergeants ; Samuel Chandler, corporal ; and Deliverance Davis, drummer. Nine privates besides in this company were from Concord. Peter Prescott also commanded a company there. Daniel Brooks was taken captive near the Bay of Fundy, A{)ril 26, 1756.

Capt. Stephen Hosmer commanded a company at Fort Edw^ard. He left Concord in September, and returned in December, 1755. Jonathan Hoar, one of the native graduates, was a major in this expedition. Col. James Minott was also there. The Rev. Mr. Bowes, who had been minister of Bedford, was chaplain of the regiment. The journal of Capt. Hosmer is before me. While at Fort Edward, he says: "Nov. 1st. - Sat in a court of enquiry on the complaint of Maj. Hoar against Col. Gilbert." " Nov. 9. - Sabbath ; Rev. Mr. Bowes preached." "Nov. 23d. - Col. Minott and the rest of the commissioners arrived." "Nov. 27th. - Maj. Richardson died at evening." A company from Acton, under Capt. Gershom Davis, was mustered with one of the Concord companies in this town, September, 1755, and soon after marched for Fort Edward.

Jonathan Hoar was lieutenant-colonel in the expedition to Crown Point in 1756, and aid to xMaj. Gen. Winslow. Capt. Peter Prescott was tliere, and was left at Lake George to take care of the sick.

Capt. Jonathan Brooks, with 30 men from this towm, marched on alarm for the relief of Fort William Henry, Aug. 17, 1757. They went only to Palmer, and returned in ten days. Oliver Miles was out there three months, being wounded, taken prisoner, stripped naked, and treated in a very cruel manner. Robert Eastabrook, Jonathan Harris, jr., Joseph Wheeler, and several others were taken at Fort Edward. The Journal of the General Court gives the following names of "sick and wounded soldiers" in the Crown Point expedition from this town, who received aid from government : Amos Parlin, Daniel Brown, drummer, Stephen Hosmer, Wm. Richardson, John Barker, Samuel Brewer, Samuel Wheeler, Samuel Buttrick, Jonathan Bultrick, Amos Hos-

Dr. John Cuming, a Lieut. Colonel in the northern expedition, in 1758, was wounded, and taken prisoner. Daniel Fletcher, a captain from Acton, was also treated in like manner. Capt. Samuel Dakin, grandfather toDea. Dakin of Sudbury, was killed near Halfway Brook, July 20, 1758. .James Hosmer, brother to the late Elijah Hosmer, was killed at Fort Miller. Phineas Wheeler of Acton, son of Samuel Wheeler, Boaz Brown, and Timothy Heald of Concord were killed in Major Rogers's fight, 1758. Abel Farrar died, Nov. 4. 1758, at Lake George. He had been taken prisoner at Fort Miller, April 9th. Abel Marshal died at Albany, Sept. 20, 1758.

The following " sick and wounded soldiers,'' says the Journal of the General Court, received aid from the government. Danforth Howard, John Barker, James Dudley, Zachariah Davis, Reuben Hosmer, Francis Wheeler, John Barnes, John Darby, John Cragin, and Wm. Eaton. Jonathan Harris died at Crown Point, Nov. 8, 1761. Thomas Brown and John Flagg died in the public service, in 1762 ; and John Savage died abroad of the small-pox.

Jonathan Hoar was Lieut. Colonel in the expedition to Nova Scotia, in 1760. He sailed for that place from Boston, May 10, 1762, as Colonel, with 500 men, 16 of whom were from Concord.

During the period under review in this chapter several divisions were made in the towm. Littleton, Bedford, Acton, and Lincoln were incorporated. The proceedings in relation to several of these towns will be given in their respective histories. Some facts, how^ever, may be properly stated here.

Littleton, about half of which had belonged to Concord, was incorporated, Dec. 3, 1715, sixty years after it was first granted to the Indians and to the English. The first minister was ordained, Dec. 25, 1717, when it is probable the church was organized. March 4, 1717, "four families living on the farms called Nashobah, namely, Walter Powers, John Powers, David Russell, and John Meriam, were dismissed from the minister's rates in Concord for three years ensuing." In May, 1720, they were freed seven years longer,

Twenty-two of the inhabitants of Concord and Chelmsford petitioned the General Court, May, 1721, to be annexed to Littleton. A similar petition was made, in 1725, and granted, so far as relates to Concord ; the six families belonging to Chelmsford to continue in the west parish of that town.

When a new town was proposed to be erected, it was customary first to obtain liberty of the town from which it was to be taken, and afterwards of the General Court. When leave could not be thus obtained, a petition was presented directly to the Court. Bedford was incorporated, Sept. 23, 1729, and Acton, July 3, 1735, after having belonged to Concord about 100 years, without opposition from the mother town. Thirty-one persons petitioned, Feb. 6, 1738, to have all the land lying northwesterly of the North river set off as a separate township. Fifteen remonstrated, and the petition was not granted. It was renewed in March, " there being 80 families north of the river, and able to build a meeting-house ; " but it again met with a like fate.

After repeatedly petitioning the town and the General Court, the southeasterly part became a precinct, in 1746, and a town, called Lincoln, April 19, 1754. The north part of the town was incorporated, in 1754, as the District of Carlisle ; but, the inhabitants not being able to agree where to place the meeting-house, it was set back again after three years. Several of the opposers of the Rev. Mr. Bliss lived in the southwest part of the town, and a petition was presented, Jan. 4, 1750, for liberty to set up public worship among themselves, but it was not granted.

The ostensible reason of those, who had endeavoured to be separated from the main society, was their remoteness from public worship. This was true in some cases, but not always. The cause is rather to be found in the internal divisions, which will be more particularly described in the Ecclesiastical History.

Another peculiar feature of the period under review is seen in the spirit of emigration which was excited. The discoveries made by those, who had been engaged in the public military service, as was the case in the revolutionary and in the last war, induced many to seek other places, than their native soil, to obtain subsistence and wealth. Hence we find that an unusual number of new towns were settled about tliat time. Many of the worthy sons of Concord left their native homes ; and many towns in Worcester County and

Other places westerly in Massachusetts, in New Hampshire, in Vermont, and in Maine, now give evidence that they and their descendants were a hardy and industrious race of men.

June, 1123, Thomas Howe and 64 others of Marlhorough, Stow, and Concord, petitioned for a township of land west of Rutland. The August succeeding, Gershom Rice and 65 others, part of whom were from Concord, petitioned for land between " Turkey Hills and Rutland, including Wachusett." In the same year James Watson, Samuel Hill, Zerubabel Eager, and 32 others, inhabitants of Concord, Sudbury, Marlborough, and Stow, petitioned for liberty to purchase land of the Indians at Hassanamisco (Grafton).^ Samuel Chandler of Concord renewed the petition, June 3, 1726. Turkey Hills, now comprising part of Townsend, Ashby, Fitchburg, and Lunenburg, were granted principally to the Concord petitioners. Narraganset township. No. 6, lying west of Pembroke, N. H., was granted in 1733 to Concord and 13 other towns, for services rendered in Philip's war, in 1676. Dec. 3, 1735, a township of land " on the east side of Connecticut river below the great falls," was granted to John Fhnt and others of Concord, Groton, and Littleton. This might have been Keene, since the proprietors of that town held several early meetings in Concord, and Samuel Heywood of Concord was proprietor's clerk. Ephraim Jones and Daniel Adams of Concord, in 1737, cut out a road from Townsend to Ashuelot river, and asked the General Court to pay for it. Refused. Dec. 6, 1737, a township, "eastward of Monadnock hills on the southern branch of Contoocook river," was granted to Samuel Hey wood, Joseph Wheeler, Joseph Barrett, and sundry other inhabitants of Concord. Jonathan Prescott, one of the grantees, called the first meeting. This township might have been Peterborough, which was afterwards principally owned, and was named, by Peter Prescott of Concord. Dr. John Cuming, Charles Prescott, and Joseph Hayward had township No. 5, now including Cummington and Plainfield, granted them in 1762.

These are a few of many instances in which the enterprising citizens of Concord were interested in the grants and settlements of new townships in the then remote wilderness.

1 Christopher C. Baldwin, Esq. has kindly furnished me with a list of the proprietors of Grafton in 1728 ; of whom the following were from Concord: John Flint, Benjamin Barrett, Ebeiiezer Wheeler, Joseph Barrett, Eleazer Flagg, Joseph Meriam, Jacob Taylor, Samuel Chandler, John Hunt, and Joseph Taylor.

Chapter Vi

American Revolution. - Proceedings of the Town. - Act respecting Tea. - Non-consumption Covenant. - Sentiments of the People. - County Convention. - People march to Cambridge. - Courts stopped. - Treatment of the Tories. - Proceedings of the Town. - Provincial Congress meets - Public Stores. - New Town Covenant. - Minute Companies formed. - Mr. Emerson preaches. - Expedition of the British Spies. - Provincial Congress. - Public Stores. - Excitement.

The most interesting period in the history of the United States is undoubtedly that in which they shook off their allegiance to Great Britain, and assumed the right of governing themselves. Much of the spirit of those times may be known from a general survey of the country, and especially the state of Massachusetts ; but the main springs of that great revolution, the feelings and acts of the people, are best understood from the minute histories of the towns. All, however, are not equally interesting. Some from their locality, accidental occurrences, or peculiar patriotism, were more distinguished than others ; and such, from some of these circumstances, is Concord. The events of the 19th of April, 1775, the proceedings of various state and county conventions held here, and especially the proceedings of the town, would afford matter for an interesting volume ; and give to the his'tory of Concord more than ordinary value. Though I shall draw liberally from all my sources of information, this history can contain a small part only of the important productions of those eventful times.

From the commencement of the controversy between England and the colonies, the citizens of Concord took a rational but decided stand in favor of liberty. They watched with interest the progress of this controversy, and did not fail to express their disapprobation of the obnoxious acts of the British Parliament. As early as October, 1767, the town instructed their representative to oppose the operation of th3 stamp act, and to unite in all constitutional measures, that might be taken to obtain its repeal. In Dec. 1767, the selectmen were chosen a conmiittee to consider and report on those measures, " which threaten the country with poverty and ruin." After accepting their report, the town voted, " to encourage industry, economy, frugality, and manufactures, at home and abroad, and to prevent purchasing so much as we have done of foreign commodities." Capt. James Barrett was chosen a delegate to the convention held in Boston, Sept. 22, 1768, " to consult on the best measures for the good of the province in this critical day." The spirit of liberty was thus early and effectually kindled in Concord.

The address of the citizens of Boston, of the 20th of Nov. 1772, relating to the distressed state of the Province, was laid before this town, Dec. 20th following ; and a committee, consisting of Mr. Joseph Lee, Charles Prescott Esq., John Cuming, Esq., Daniel Bliss Esq., Mr. John Flint, Dea. Thomas Barrett, Capt. Stephen Hosmer, Capt. James Barrett, and Mr. Ephraim Wood, jr., was chosen to prepare an answer, and instructions to the representative of the town. Their reports, made at an adjourned meeting, Jan. 11, 1773, "after being several times read, and very coolly and deliberately debated upon," were unanimously accepted in full town-meeting. They appear at length on the town records, and express " firm attachment and ardent love to our Most Gracious Sovereign, King George, in defence of whose person and dignity we are always ready, not only to spend our fortunes but our lives, while we are in the enjoyment of our inestimable privileges, granted to us by royal charter : " but specify at the same time several ways in which these privileges have been curtailed and the charter violated. " As men," they said, " we have a right to life, liberty, and property ; as Christians, we, in this land, (blessed be God for it) have a right to worship God according to the dictates of our own consciences ; and as subjects, we have a right to personal security, personal liberty, and private property. These principal rights we have as subjects of Great Britain ; and no power on earth can, agreeably to our constitution, take them from us, or any part of them without our consent." They denied the power of Parliament to tax them without their consent, and expressed their firm determination, never tamely to submit " to any infringement of their liberties. Several other meetings were held during this year.

The act of Parliament in relation to exporting tea into the colonies, was laid before the town, 20th of Jan. 1774, and referred to a committee. Their report, made at an adjourned meeting, held four days afterwards, was, after full discussion, unani-

" This town, at this and a former meeting, taking into serious consideration the present alarming situation of our public affairs, in consequence of the advice received from the united committees of correspondence in the vicinity of Boston, communicated to us, do, expressive of our gratitude to them, freely and cheerfully give our sentiments thereon.

" We cannot possibly view with indifference the past and present obstinate and unwearied endeavours of the enemies of this, as well as the mother country, to rob us of our inestimable rights, that are the distinguishing glory and felicity of this land ; - Rights that we are obliged to no power under heaven for the enjoyment of, as they are primarily the sole purchase, and glorious product of the heroic enterprises of the first settlers of these American colonies, under the smiles of Heaven. And though we cannot but be alarmed at the great majority in the British Parliament, for the imposition of unconstitutional taxes upon the colonies, yet it gives life and strength to every attempt in opposing such despotic measures, that not only the people of this but the neighbouring provinces (a few only excepted) are remarkably united in the important and interesting opposition, which, as it succeeded before in some measure, by the blessing of Heaven, so we cannot but hope will be attended with still greater success for the future. Animated with such a prospect, we cheerfully come into the following resolves.

" Resolved, 1. That these colonies have been, and are still, illegally and unconstitutionally taxed by the British Parliament, as they are not really or virtually represented therein.

2. That purchasing commodities subject to such illegal taxation is an implicit, though an impious and sordid, resignation of the liberties and privileges of this free and happy people.

" 3. That as the British Parliament, in addition to repeated incroachments on our liberties, have empowered the East India Company to export their tea into America, subject to a duty for the sole purpose of raising a revenue, which we view as a new invention, inadvertently to catch us in those chains of slavery, that have long been forged for that purpose, therefore, - We, to render such vile designs abortive, absolutely and determinately resolve,

"4. That we will not, either by ourselves or any from or under us, buy, sell, or use any of the East India Company's tea, imported from Great Britain ; or any other tea, while there is a duty thereon, affixed by act of Parliament for raising a revenue in America ; neither will we suffer any such tea to be made use of in any of our families. Also resolved, that all such persons as shall purchase, or sell, or use any such tea, shall be for the future deemed unfriendly, and inimical to the happy constitution of this country.

5. That we will, in conjunction with our brethren in America^ risk our fortunes, and even our fives, in defence of his Majesty, King George the Third, his person, crown, and dignity ; and win also, with the same resolution, as his free-born subjects in this country, to the utmost of our power and ability, defend all our charter rights, that they may be transmitted inviolate to the latest posterity.

" 6. That if any person or persons whatsoever, inhabitants of this province, shall for the future, so long as there is a duty on tea, import any from the India House in England, or shall be factors for the East India Company, we will treat them as enemies to their country, and with contempt and detestation.

" 7. That we think it our duty, at this critical time of our public affairs, to return our hearty thanks to the town of Boston, for every rational measure they have taken for the preservation or recovery of our invaluable rights and_ liberties. And, should the state of our public affairs require it, we hope they will still remain w^atchful, vigilant, and persevering, with a steady zeal, to espy out every thing that shall have a tendency to subvert our happy constitution.

Another similar document, showing the peculiar feelings of those tinies, was the non-consumption covenant. This was considered and adopted at a town-meeting, June 21, 1774 ; and was signed by more than 300 voters.