Concord Town (part 9 of 10)

Concord, April 23d, 1775. " I, James Marr, of lawful age, testify and say, that in the evening of the 18th instant,. I received orders from George Hutchinson, Adjutant of the fourth regiment of the regular troops stationed in Boston, to prepare and march, to which order I attended, and marched to Concord, where I was ordered by an officer, with about one hundred men, to guard a certain bridge there ; while attending that service, a number of people came along, in order as I supposed, to cross said bridge, at which time a number of regular troops first fired upon them." ^ of foot, being of lawful age, do testify and declare, that on the evening of ihe ISth instant, under the order of General Gage, I embarked with the light infantry and grenadiers of the line, commanded by Colonel Smith, and landed on the marshes of Cambridge, from whence we proceeded to Lexington ; on our arrival at that place, we saw a body of provincial troops armed, to the number of about sixty or seventy men ; on our approach they dispersed, and soon after firing began, but which party fired first I cannot exactly say, as our troops rushed on, shouting, hazzaing, previous to the firing, which was continued by our troops so long as any of the provincials were to be seen. From thence we marched to Concord ; on a hill near the entrance of the town, we saw another body of provincials assembled, the light infantry companies were ordered up the hill to disperse them ; on our approach they retreated towards Concord, the grenadiers continued the road under the hill towards the town, six companies of light infantry were ordered down to take possession of the bridge which the provincials retreated over ; the company I commanded was one of the three companies of the above detachment, went forward about two miles; in the mean time the provincial troops returned, to the number of about three or four hundred ; we drew up on the Concord side of the bridge, the provincials came down upon us, upon which we engaged, and gave the first fire : this was the first engagement after the one at Lexington ; a continued firing from both parties lasted through the whole day : I myself was wounded at the attack of the bridge, and am now treated with the greatest humanity and taken all possible care of, by the provincials at Medford.

" A paper having been printed in Boston, representing that one of the British troops killed at the bridge at Concord, was scalped and the ears cut off from the head, supposed to be done in order to dishonor the Massachusetts people, and to make them appear to be savage and barbarous, the following deposition was taken, that the truth may be known.

" ' We, the subscribers, of lawful age, testify and say, that we buried the dead bodies of the King's troops that were killed at the North Bridge in Concord, on the nineteenth day of April, 1775, where the action first began, and that neither of those persons were scalped, nor their ears cut off, as has been represented.

day of April last past, upon the return of the King's troops from Concord, divers of them entered our house, by bursting open the doors, and three of the soldiers broke into the room in which I then was, laid on my bed, being scarcely able to walk from my bed to the fire, not having been to my chamber door from my being delivered in child-birth to that time. One of said soldiers immediately opened my curtains with his bayonet fixed, pointing the same to my breast. I immediately cried out * For the Lord's sake do not kill me ;' he replied, * Damn you ; ' one that stood near said, * We will not hurt the woman, if she will go out of the house, but we will surely burn it.' I immediately arose, threw a blanket over me, went out, and crawled into a corn-house near the door, with my infant in my arms, where I remained until they were gone; they immediately set the house on fire, in which I had left five children and no other person, but the fire was happily extinguished, when the house was in the utmost danger of being utterly consumed.

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

* In March, 1S34, while these sheets were passing through the press, the Rev. Dr. Ripley, with his characteristic patriotism and liberality, presented to the town of Concord, a lot of land of convenient size with a passajre-way to it, where the Battle at the North Bridge took place, and where the first British soldier was killed and buried, on condition that the town erect a suitable monument there to commemorate those events, within three years from the 4th of July next. The town accepted this generous donation, and chose Daniel Shattuck, Ephraim Merriara, and Josiah Davis, a Committee to accomplish the wishes of the donor.

Of Concord In The Revolution

2. April 20, 1775. The officers in the regiment, to which these men were attached, were, John Nixon, Colonel ; Thomas Nixon, Lieutenant-Colonel; John Buttrick, Major. The officers of two companies, of 84 and 103 men, belonged to Concord. Joseph Butler was Captain ; Silas Walker, Lieutenant ; Edward Richard- .son, Ensign ; Moses Richardson, Wareham Wheeler, Joseph Chesley, and Edward Heywood, Sergeants of one : and Abishai Brown was Captain ; Daniel Taylor, Lieutenant ; Silas Mann, Ensign ; and Nathan Stow, Ephraim Minoit, John Cobs, and Bradbury Robinson, were Sergeants of the other. Rev. William Emerson was Chaplain a part of the time ; and Dr. Joseph Hunt was mate to Dr. Foster in Cambridge hospital. The men enlisted the last week in April, and the officers were commissioned June 5th. At the battle of Bunker Hill, Captain Butler's company, under command of Lieutenant Walker, were engaged at the northern declivity of the hill by the " rail fence"; and a part of the other company were on guard, and not ordered on in season to take part in the battle. Benjamin Ball received a mortal wound, of which he died in Boston. John Meers was killed. Amos Wheeler, Ephraim Minot, and some others, were wounded ; the first died of his wounds at Cambridge, a short time after. As soon as the news of the battle arrived, the whole of the militia marched to Cambridge, but returned after a few days. A chest of clothing, and other articles necessary for the wounded, were contributed by the patriotic ladies " in Concord, and sent to the hospital in Cambridge, for which they received public thanks. " This instance of their humanity and public spirit," says a public notice, does honor to the town, and will, we hope, induce others to imitate so good an example." During this campaign, Danforth Hayward and Wilham Buttrick died.

4. Jan. 20, 1776. Middlesex was ordered to raise a regiment of 571 men ; Concord 26, Bedford 6, Acton 13, Lincoln 8. Concord, however, furnished 36. John Robinson was Colonel ; John Buttrick,

Lieutenant-Colonel ; Samuel McCobb, Major ; Joseph Tliaxter, Chaplain ; Nathan Stow, Quarter-master; Jabez Brown, Adjutant. The Captains' names were, John Ford, Simon Ed<i;el, Josiah Warren, Asahel Wheeler, Benjamin Ed^el, Job Shattuck, and John Lamont. Silas Mann was a Lieutenant there under AVheeler.

A new organization of the militia was made in February, 1776, and Concord, Lexington, Weston, Acton, and Lincoln were assigned to the 3d Regiment. Oliver Prescott was then chosen Brigadier-General, Eleazer Brooks, Colonel of this regiment, Francis Faulkner, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Nathan Barrett, 1st Major ; Samuel Lamson, 2d Major ; and Joseph Adams, Surgeon.

Col. James Barrett was appointed to raise men in this county- December 2d, 1775 ; and was muster-master from December 2Sth, 1776, till his death. Capt. Joseph Hosmer succeeded him in 1780.

The Concord Light Infantry was organized soon after, (of which Joseph Hosmer was Captain ; Samuel Jones, Lieutenant ; and Samuel Hosmer, 2d Lieutenant) ; and attached to this regiment.

5. March 1, 1776. This was a detachment of nearly all the militia, to take possession of Dorchester Heights just before the British evacuated Boston. The officers of the 3d Regiment abovementioned were generally there. An attack on Boston was anticipated, and a considerable quantity of lint and bandages was sent from Concord to the hospital.

6. April 9, 1776. This was an enlisted company for the purpose of fortifying and defending Boston and its vicinity. Officers ; - Josiah Whitney, of Harvard, Colonel ; Ephraim Jackson, of Newton, Lieutenant-Colonel ; John Miller, Major. For the Middlesex company, - Abishai Brown, Captain ; Abraham Andrews, 1st Lieutenant ; Silas Proctor, 2d Lieutenant ; Jeremiah Williams and Edward Hey wood, all of Concord, were Sergeants. They were stationed at Hull. This company assisted in taking Col. Campbell, about three hundred Highlanders, and several provision ships. They left Concord June 1st, and were discharged December 1st. Thaddeus Blood, Esq., is the only person now living in Concord who belonged to this company.

8. June 25, 1776. Dr. John Cuming was appointed Commander in this expedition, but declined. The whole consisted of five thousand men. One company, consisting of ninety-four men, was commanded by Capt. Charles Miles, of Concord. Edmond Munroe, was Lieutenant ; Matthew Hobbs, 2d Lieutenant ; and Jonas Brown, Ensign. They were attached to Col. Jonathan Reed's regiment. His muster-roll gives sixty-one from Concord, (differing from the report from which the above is compiled) ; Weston, twenty-seven ; Lexington, four ; and two from Tyconterage. Being ready to march, they were paraded on the common in Concord, with several other companies from the adjoining towns, and attended religious services in the meeting-house. Rev. William Emerson preached from Job v. 20, and afterwards went as Chaplain, sacrificed his life to his patriotism, and never returned. Another Company, commanded by Capt. Asahel Wheeler, whose Lieutenant was Samuel Hoar, of Lincoln. Samuel Osburn was 2d Lieutenant, and Daniel Hosmer, Ensign.

9. Sept. 12, 1776. This embraced one fifth of the Militia under fifty years of age, not in actual service. The drafts from this county formed one regiment, which was commanded by Eleazer Brooks, of Lincoln. Rev. Moses Adams, of Acton, was Chaplain ; Dr. Joseph Hunt, Surgeon ; and Samuel Hartwell, of Lincoln, Quarter-master. Concord furnished twenty-three men ; Lexington, sixteen ; Acton, fifteen ; and Lincoln, twelve, which formed one company, whose officers were Simon Hunt, of Acton, Captain; Samuel Heald, of Concord, Lieutenant ; Ebenezer White, 2d Lieutenant. They were in the battle of White Plains. A return after the battle gives forty-two fit for duty, seven sick, four wounded, two of whom, David Wheeler and Amos Buttrick, belonged to Concord. Thomas Darby, of Acton was killed. Col. Brooks's Regiment behaved bravely on that occasion.

10. These were part of a company of eighty-nine men, taken from nearly every town in this county, commanded by John Minott, of Chelmsford, and attached to Col. Dykes's Regiment. John Hartwell, of Lincoln, was Lieutenant. Acton furnished five ; Lincoln, four ; and Bedford, three.

11. Nov. 21, 1776. This was one fourth of the Militia in Middlesex County, and formed one Regiment of six hundred and seventy men, commanded by Col. Samuel Thatcher, of Cambridge. Cyprian How, of Marlborough, was Lieutenant-Colonel ;

Joseph Bryant, of Stoneliam, Major. Concord furnished thirtyfour ; Weston, eighteen ; Lexington, fourteen ; Acton, thirteen ; Lincohi, thirteen, which composed one company. John Bridge, of Lexington, was Ca])tain ; Jacob I^rown, of Concord, Lieutenant ; and Josiah Stearns, of Weston, 2d Lieutenant ; William Burrows, Orderly Sergeant. They marched to New- York and New-Jersey before they returned, and were stationed at Woodbridge. Dissolved INlarch 6th.

12. Dec. 1, 1776. It appears from a roll of this company in the Secretary's office, that Capt. John Hartwell was commander of it. Thirteen in this and six in other companies were from Lincoln. They were attached to Col. Dykes's Regiment.

14. Jan. 20, 1777. These were the first three-years men enlisted. Col. James Barrett mustered all the men from this county. Ephraim Wood paid the bounty of those enlisted in Concord. Nathan Wheeler, Ephraim Wheeler, Ephraim Minott, and W^areham Wheeler, were Lieutenants in the three years' service. The forty-four names follow.

17. July, 1777. Abishai Brown was Captain ; Daniel Davis, of Acton, 1st Lieutenant ; James Brown, of Lexington, 2d Lieutenant ; Thaddeus Blood, Orderly Sergeant ; Abel Davis, Drummer. They left about the 1st of June. Dr. Isaac Hurd was Surgeon of the regiment, which was commanded by John Jacobs and Lieut.-Col. Robinson, and was under Gen. Spencer. Abishai Brown was appointed Major in this campaign. The town estimate gives fourteen only in this campaign, but is probably incorrect. Dea. White's MS. says, ''July 23, 1777, an alarm, - draughted the following persons to go to R. Island," and gives the names of twenty-nine.

18. Aug. 9, 1777. These constituted one sixth of the mihtia. George Minott was Captain. They were at the battle of Saratoga, and at the taking of Burgoyne. They subsequently marched to New Jersey.

19. Sept. 22, 1777. This was a volunteer company of sixtythree men from Concord and Acton, commanded by John Buttrick. John Heald and Silas Mann, were Lieutenants ; John White, Samuel Piper, Reuben Hunt, and Peter Wheeler, Sergeants. They were under Col. Reed. They left Concord, October 4th, passed through Rutland, Northampton, &:c., and arrived at Saratoga on the 10th, where they encamped two days. The 13th they went to Fort Edward. The 14th and 15th, went out on a scout, and the 16th brought in fifty-three Indians, several Tories (one of whom had 100 guineas), and some women. The 17th " we had an express," says Dea. Wliite's Journal, "to return to Saratoga, and had the pleasure to see the whole of Burgoyne's army parade their arms, and march out of their lines ; a wonderful sight indeed ; it was the Lord's doing, and it was marvellous in our eyes." They guarded the prisoners to Cambridge. ,^^206 were subscribed to encourage these men, beside the bounty specified in the table. Samuel Farrar commanded a company from Lincoln and Lexington in this campaign.

20. Nov. 28, 1777. Capt. Simon Hunt, of Acton, commanded the company to which most of the Concord men were attached, under Col. Eleazer Brooks and Gen. Heath. Nine companies guarded Burgoyne's troops down, five marching before and four behind.

21. March 3, 1778. Resolutions were passed February 7th, for four hundred men, and March llth and 13th, each for five hundred more to guard the stores at Boston. These men were called out for that purpose, and were under the command of Gen. Heath. Thomas Barrett was Captain a part of the time ; Daniel Harrington, the other part ; Elisha Jones and Asa Green, Lieutenants. They were under Col. Jonathan Reed.

22. April 12, 1778. These men were raised for the defence of Rhode Island under Gen. Spencer. The officers of the regiment were John Jacobs, Colonel ; Frederick Pope, Lieutenant- Colonel ; Abishai Brown, Major. They were chosen February 27th. Thaddeus Blood, of Concord, was Ensign in this campaign. The committee chosen by the town to hire them, were Col. James Barrett, Col. John Buttrick, Mr. Ephraim Wood, Jr., Jonas Heywood, Esq., and John Cuming, Esq.

Cesar Kettle, David White, Benjamin Perkins, Jeremiah Hunt, Jr., and John Stratten. These were hired hy the town, a^in the last, and all subsequent campaigns. These were part of two hundred men. Acton and Lincoln furnished five each, and Bedford three. They marched first to Rhode Island, and afterwards to New York. They were to serve nine months from the time they arrived at Fishkill.

24. April 20, 1778. Their names were William Burrows (a Lieutenant), Reuben Parks, Timothy Merriam, Jeremiah Williams, Jonathan Curtis, Jacob Ames, Timothy Hoar, Wareham Wheeler, Joseph Cleisby.

25. June 23, 1778. These men guarded the prisoners to the new barracks built at Rutland. Ephraim Wood w^as appointed to superintend their removal.

26. June 27, 1778. These men were sent to reinforce General Sullivan. John Buttrick was Lieutenant-Colonel, and was wounded at Sullivan's retreat. Samuel Jones and Emerson Cogswell were Lieutenants under Capt. Francis Brown, of Lexington. Thaddeu's Blood was Ensign in the State troops at the same time. Benjamin Prescott w^as Surgeon. One Sergeant and three Corporals were from Concord.

27. Sept. 6, 1778. The town received the order, September 10th, and held a meeting the next day, when a committee was chosen to hire them. They were paid £23 per month, including the public wages. The men were, Timothy Killock, Charles Shepherd, Daniel Wheat, Timothy Wetherbee, Jesse Parkins, Thomas Hodgman, and Silas Parlin.

28. Sept. 19, 1778. This constituted one third of the militia, required to march to Boston at a minute's warning. They volunteered under Col. Cuming, and w^ere to receive $5 bounty, and ^15 per month, including the pay allowed by the public. The orders were countermanded and they did not march. This is the only instance in all the campaigns of the men not marching when called.

29 and 30. April and June, 1778. The town chose a committee June 16th, to hire the men for these two campaigns, consisting of Col. Nathan Barrett, the four commanding officers of the militia companies, the Selectmen, Col. John Cuming, Mr. Jonas Hey wood, Capt. David Brown, Capt. Joseph Butler, and James Barrett, Esq. Acton furnished four ; Bedford, three ; Lincoln, five ; and the whole county, two hundred and forty-five in the nine months' campaign. The detachment to Rhode Island took one hundred men more fi:om this county, who were under Col. Jacobs. The 3d Regiment was required to furnish one Ser-

31. June, 1779. The town received orders for these men September 1st, and chose the Selectmen, Col. Nathan Barrett, Jonas Heywood, Esq., and the four militia Captains, a committee to procure these and all others when small drafts are called," without calling the town together.

33. Sept., 1779. These belonged to a company of thirtyeight men from this and the adjoining towns, under Samuel Heald, Captain ; Enoch Kingsbury, Lieutenant ; Stephen Hosmer, 2d Lieutenant ; and John Jacobs, Colonel. Henry Flint was Sergeant Major. They were discharged in November, and the whole amount of their wages was 10s. 6d, in silver each !

34. Sept. 1, 1779. The names of these men were, Charles Shepherd, Lot Lamson, Francis Baker, Timothy Wesson, Nathan Page, Asa Piper, Timothy Sprague, Nathaniel Breed, Charles Hanley, John Stratten, Ezekiel Hager, Jeremiah Shepherd, Nathaniel French, Josiah Melvin, Jr., Joshua Stevens, Phillip Barrett, Lemuel Wheeler, Chandler Bryant, Daniel Cole. Acton furnished eleven ; Bedford, seven ; Lincoln, nine ; Carlisle, seven. These men were procured by a committee chosen by the town, June 12th, in addition to that chosen in September previous, consisting of John Cuming, Esq., Capt. David Brown, Capt. Andrew Conant, Capt. David Wheeler, and Lieut. Stephen Barrett. They were also to procure others, ^' if the draught does not exceed sixteen ; if it does, the town to be called together."

35. June 5, 1780. These men were hired by the same committee. They were intended to march to Albany to prevent the incursions of the Indians, but counter orders were issued and

37. Dec. 2, 1780. These men were to serve three years or during the war. The town decided, after considerable debate, by a vote of 53 to 42, to hire them in classes. The Selectmen, James Barrett, Esq., Jonas Hey wood, Esq., Mr. Isaac Hubbard, Mr. Samuel Hosmer, Col. Nathan Barrett, and Mr. Job Brooks were chosen to divide the town into as many classes as there were men to hire, according to wealth. The town voted to proceed against " any who should neglect to pay their proportion in the several classes ; each one of which hired a man at as low a rate as possible. The men's names were Charles Adams, Richard Hayden, Jonathan Wright, Joseph Dudley, Isaac Hall, Lot Lamson, Francis Barker, Joseph Adams, Benjamin Barron, William Tenneclef, Richard HolDby, Leonard Whitney, Samuel Farrar, John Stratten, Daniel McGregor, and Jonathan Fiske. Bedford furnished eight; Acton, ten ; Lincoln, ten ; Carlisle, six. They were mustered by Capt. Joseph Hosmer.

39. June 15, 1761. Bedford furnished seven ; Acton, eight; Lincoln, eight; Carlisle, four, for this campaign. The whole State furnished tw^o thousand seven hundred.

40. June 30, 1780. These men were hired by classes, Dea. John White was Chairman of the 3d class, which was assessed £180 to hire Joseph Cleisby. The 5th class, of which Reuben Hunt was Chairman, hired Jacob Laughton, for £90 lawful money as a bounty. Sometimes $100 w-ere given by a single individual. All property seemed to be at the disposal of government, if required. The soldiers were paid off in government sureties which were sold for 2s. 6d, on the pound. Nathaniel French received ninety bushels of rye.

By the resolve of December 2, 1780, Bedford was required to furnish 8 men. One was hired by the town for $200 in silver; and the town was divided into 7 classes to procure the others. Captain John Moore was chairman of the first class, Moses Abbot of the second, Thaddeus Dean of the third, Christopher Page of the fourth, John Reed of the fifth, William Page of the sixth, and Stephen Davis of the seventh. The first five classes paid " 20 head of horned cattle at 3 years old each," as a bounty ; the 6th paid f 250, and the 7th $220, in silver!

Daniel Hartwell Blood went to Rhode Island in June, 1781, and received £19 10.>. in silver; and Nehemiah Wyman, Moses Abbot, Stephen Syms, Timotliy Crosby, Joseph Merriam, and Israel Mead Blood went to join General Washington's army at West Point, and received £19 I65. each. The town was divided again in March, 1782, into three classes to hire 3 men for the war.

When it is recollected that the town then contained only about 470 inhabitants, it is truly wonderful that they could submit to so frequent and so heavy burdens of pecuniary and personal service.

In September, 1776, the town voted, that the General Court might form a constitution, but they must furnish a copy to the town before it was enacted. In May, 1779, voted, 34 to 1, not to have a new constitution formed at this time. The constitution formed that year was approved by the town, after considering it at three successive meetings, by 25 to 1. In 1820, the town unanimously voted to instruct their representative to vote in favor of calling a state convention to revise the constitution. On the question of adopting the new constitution, articles 2d, 3d, 6th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 13th, and 14th, had no votes against them ; the 1st had 3 ; the 4th, 5 ; the 5th, 30 ; the 9th, 14 ; the 10th, 55 (all that were cast) ; and the 12th, 13.

The people began to erect a meeting-house before the town was incorporated ; but it was not completed till 1730. In October, 1729, £460 was raised to pay the expense. Committees were chosen the next and many subsequent years " to seat the meeting-house," and were instructed, among other things, " to have respect to them that are 50 years of age and upward " ; those under this age " to be seated according to their pay," - the front seat in the gallery to be equal to the third seat in the bodyseats below." Thirteen pews were built in 1733, and eight more in 1754. A bell was procured in 1753, weighing about 600 lbs. and the town " voted (by polling the assembly) to hang the bell about two rods and a half northward of the school-house, and as near to Mr. Benjamin Kidder's wall as can be with conveniency ; and to build a house, not less than 12 it-et nor more than 16 feet square, and so high as to hang the mouth of the bell 16 feet high,"

A new meeting-house was erected in 1817. It is 58 feet long, 53 wide, and 30 feet posts, with a projection of 34 by 8 feet, and a spire. David Reed, Michael Crosby, John Merriam, Joshua Page, and Simeon Blodget, were the building committee ; and Joshua Page and Levi Wilson, the builders. Cost estimated at $'6,101. The lower floor has 56 pews, and the gallery 16, which were sold for $7,110*50, after reserving one for the minister. It was dedicated July 8, 1817 ; and the sermon, preached by the Rev. Mr. Stearns on the occasion, was printed. A timepiece was presented to the town by Mr. Jeremiah Fitch of Boston, and placed in the front gallery ; and a new bell was procured from England, weighing 993 lbs.

Measures were taken soon after the incorporation of the town to obtain the regular enjoyment of public rehgious worship and ordinances, and William Hartwell and Job Lane chosen to carry these measures into effect. A candidate was employed ; and January 22, 1730, was observed as a day of solemn fasting and prayer to God for direction in the choice of a minister, when the Rev. Messrs. John Hancock of Lexington, Samuel Ruggles of Billerica, and John Whiting of Concord were present to conduct the rehgious services. Feb. 11th, the town chose Mr. Nicholas Bowes, by 43 votes, to be their minister ; and at the subsequent March meeting agreed to give him £90 the first year, and £100 and 25 cords of wood annually afterwards as a salary, so long as he should sustain the pastoral ofhce ; the money to be paid semiannually, and always to be in proportion to the then value of had several children between 1680 and 1696. James, Amos, and JVathaniel of this town and Lincoln in IS^S, were grandsons of Jacob, who according to tradition came from KiUingsly, Conn.

BALL. John Ball d. Oct. I, 1655, said to have been from Wiltshire, Eng. His son, jNathaniel, settled within the present limits of Bedford, and had Ebenezer, Eleazer, John, and N athaniel. - The last was father to Caleb, (grandfather to Reuben), who m. Experience Flagg, 1713, and had eight children, three of whom lived to be over 90 years old. Other sons of the first John settled in Watertown and Lancaster.

BARKER. Francis Earlier was here in 1646, and was probably the father of John, who m. Judah Siraonds in 1668, bought a large tract of land in Concord, and had several descendants, some of whom were remarkable for their longevity.

BARRETT. Humphrey Barrett came to Concord from England about 1640, and settled where Abel B. Heywood now lives; d. Nov. 7, 166-2, a. 70 ; his wife in 1663, a. 73. They left Thomas, Humphrey, John of Marlborough, James of Charlestown, and probably other children. Thomas was drowned in Concord river; his widow m. Edward Wright; his son Oliver d. 1671, a. 23 ; and his da. Mary m. Samuel Smeadly. His brother Dea. Humphrey, m. (1) Elizabeth Payne 1661, and had Mary, whom. Josiah Blood ; and (2) Mary Potter, 1675. He d. Jan. 3, 1716, and she Nov. 17, 1713, leaving two sons, Joseph and Benjamin, ancestors of the numerous and respectable families which have borne the name in Concord.

L Joseph m. Rebecca Minott 1701, lived with his father, was a captain, d. April 4, 1763, a. 85. She d. June 23, 1738. They had eight children. 1. Mary m. George Farrar; 2. Joseph of Grafton; 3. Rebecca, m. Elnathan Jones ; 4. Oliver of Bolton ; 5. Humphrey, ra. Elizabeth Adams 1742, and d. March 24, 1783, leaving two sons, Humphrey and Abel, and six daughters ; 6. Elizabeth, m. Charles Prescott ; 7. John, m. Lois Brooks; and 8. Samuel.

II. Benjamin, m. Lydia Minott, sister of the above, 1705, d. Oct. 25, 1728, a. 47. They had eight children ; 1. Benjamin, d. in Concord Oct. 23, 1738, and had Benjamin, Jonas, and Rebecca ; 2. Dea. Thomas, m. Mary Jones, and had Thomas, Charles of New Ipswich, Samuel, Amos, Ruth, and Mary ; 3. Col. James (see below), m. Rebecca Hubbard, and had James, Nathan, Lydia, Rebecca, Perses, Stephen, Peter, and Lucy ; 4. Lycha, m. Samuel Farrar; 5. Timothy of Paxton ; 6. Mary ; 7. Stephen of Paxton ; 8. Rebecca.

Col. James Barrett, son of Benjamin Barrett, was born July 29, 1710. Having early embraced those principles of religion, which are calculated to make men respected, useful, and happy, and having arrived to mature age in an important period of our history, he received from his townsmen frequent marks of their confidence in civil and military life. In 1768 he was chosen representative to the General Court, and was re-elected each year till 1777. He was also member of many of the county and state conventions held during that important period ; and a member of each of the Provincial Congresses. When it was decided to collect and deposit military stores at Concord, Col. Barrett was appointed to superintend them, and aid in their collection and manufacture. He accepted the office of Colonel of the regiment of militia, organized in March, 1775, and was in command on the 19th of April, though then 64 years old. How he conducted himself on that great day, has already been related. Of the various committees chosen by the state, county, or town, for raising men, procuring provisions, &c., he was usually a member. He died suddenly, April 1 1, 1779, in his 69th year.

BATEMAN. Two brothers of this name were among the earliest settlers. William removed to Chelmsford, where his descendants have since lived. Thomas settled easterly of Humphrey Hunt's, d. Feb. 6, 1669, a. 55, left estate £348 ; and sons Thomas, Peter, John, and Ebenezer, b. prior to 1659. Thomas m.

BELLOWS. John Bellows, m. Mary, da. of John Wood of Marlborough, 1655, and had Mary, Samuel, Abigail, Daniel, and Benjamin, b. between 1655 and 1676. Removed to Marlborough, and some of his descendants to Walpole, N. H.

BILLINGS. Nathaniel Billings here before 1640, freeman 1641, d. 1673 ; left two sons, Nathaniel and John. John m. Elizabeth Hastings 1661, d. March 31, 1704, and had John, Nathaniel, Samuel, John, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, and Joseph. Nathaniel, the second son, was father of Daniel (who lived where William Hayden, Esq. now hves), whose only child m. Dea. Amos Heald. The family originally settled in the south parts of the town, now Lincoln, where, and in Acton, the sixth and seventh generations now reside.

BLOOD. James Blood came to Concord in 1639, said to have been a brother of Col. John Blood, known in English history for his designs on Charles II. He had a great estate ; d. Nov. 17, 1683. His wife Ellen, 1674. They left Mary, m. Lt. Simon Davis, and four sons.

1. Richard, one of the first settlers and largest proprietors of Groton ; left several children, whose descendants have been numerous in that town and vicinity.

2. John, unmarried, found dead in the woods with his gun in his hand, Oct. 30, 1692. He and his brother Robert sold a cottage in Puddington, Nottingham Co. Eng., 1649, when they were in Concord. They owned over two thousand acres of land, including Bloods^ Farms, which fell to Robert's children.

3. James, m. Hannah, da. of Oliver Purchis of Lynn, 1657; lived where Rev. Dr. Ripley lives ; deacon in the church ; d. Nov. 26, 1692; she d. 1677; left an only child, Sarah, m. William Wilson.

4. Robert, lived on his " farm " ; m. Elizabeth, da. of Major Willard, 1653; he d. Oct. 27, 1701 ; she Aug. 29, 1690; had twelve children, - -Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah, Robert, Simon, Josiah, John, Ellen, Samuel, James (grandfather to Thaddeus Blood, Esq.), Ebenezer, and Jonathan.

BRABROOK. Two of this name, probably brothers, were here as early as 1669; Thomas, m. Abigail Temple 1669, d. 1692. Joseph, from whom those who have borne the name, descended, m. Sarah Greaves 1672, and had 1. Joseph, m. Sarah Temple, and d. 1719, father to Benjamin, and grandfather to Dea. Joseph, late of Acton ; 2. John, d. " a soldier at Lancaster" 1705 ; and several daughters. Of the descendants, James d. at Fort Lawrence in Nova Scotia, and Samuel at Rainsford Island in 1 756.

Concord about that time, said to have come from London, representative seven years, d. May 21, 1661. Grace, his wife,d. May 12, 1664. They had Joshua, Caleb, Gershoni, Mary, ni. Capt. Timothy Wheeler of Concord, and probably Thomas, who went to Haddam, Conn., Hugh, and John of Woburn, and probably other children.

Ebenezer, ancestor of Governor John Brooks, and Samuel, ancestor of Hon. Peter C. Brooks. He sold his estate in Concord in 1670, and removed to Medford.

Joshua, m. Hannah, da. of Capt. Hugh Mason of Watertown, was a tanner in Lincoln, where his descendants have lived, three of whom, in succession, have held the office of deacon. He was the ancestor of nearly all of the name since in Concord and Lincoln. His children were, 1. Noah, d. Feb. 1, 1739, a. 83, having had by his wife Dorothy, - Dorothy, Joshua, Ebenezer, Benjamin, Mary, Thomas, and Elizabeth. 2. Grace, m. Judah Potter 1686. 3. Daniel, m. Ann Merriam, d. Oct. 18, 1733, a. 69, and had Daniel, Samuel, Ann, Job (father of John, and grandfather of Hon. Eleazer Brooks), Mary, and John (father to Samuel, who graduated H. C). 4. Thomas. 5. Esther, m. Benjamin Whittemore 1692. 6. Joseph, m. Rebecca Blodget 1706, d. Sept. 17, 1759, a. 78, (see p. 317), had Mary, Rebecca, Joseph, Nathan, Amos, Jonas, Isaac, and James. 7. Elizabeth, m. Ebenezer Merriam 1705. 8. Job,d. 1697, a. 22. 9. Hugh,m. Abigail Barker 1702, d. Jan, 18, 1746, a. 70, and had Abigail, Jonathan, Sarah, and Mary.

BROWN. Thomas Brown here in 1640, removed to Cambridge, where he lived some time. His son Thomas was town clerk in Concord, and d. 1717, a. 67; he married Ruth Jones 1677, and had several children. Boaz, another son of Thomas sen. m. Mary Winship 1664; d. April 7, 1724, a. 85, having had Boaz, who removed to Stow, Thomas, Mary, and Edward. This name has been very common, but it is difficult to trace the connection of the descendants.

BUTTRICK. William Buttrick, probably the ancestor of all the name in New-England, came here in 1635 ; gave his deposition in relation to the purchase of the town from the Indians ; lived where his great-great-grandson. Col. Jonas B., now lives. " Having served the town for many years, honorably, as a sergeant,'' says the record, a post then of distinction, he petitioned, at the age of 65, to be excused from the office. He d. June 30, 1698, a. 82 ; Sarah Bateman, his nrst wife, d. 1664 : his second wife was Jane Goodnow of Sudbury. Children, all by his first wife, Mary, William, John, m. Sarah Blood and removed to Stow, Samuel, Edward, Joseph, killed in Sudbury fight, Sarah, married a Barrett, and Mary,

Samuel, the fourth child, m. Elizabeth Blood 1677, and had Elizabeth, Samuel, who removed to Charlestown, William, Sarah, Abigail, and Dea. Jonathan, who m. Elizabeth Wooley 1717, and d. March 23, 1767, a. 77 ; and " was followed to the grave," says his monument, " by his widow, and thirteen well-instructed children." Their names were Samueh, Joseph, Daniel, Jonatlian, Nathan, John (see below), Ephraim, Willard, Mary, Abigail, Elizabeth, Rachel, Lois, and Sarah, who died young.

Major John Buttrick was one of the officers in command on the 19th of April, 1775, and his name will be handed down to posterity with distinguished honor for the noble stand he took, and the bravery he manifested, in leading a gallant band of militiamen on to meet the invading enemy at the North Bridge, and for beginning the first forcible resistance to British arms. He then returned the fire by commanding his own company to fire, saying, Fire, fellow-soldiers, for God's sake, fire ! " and discharged his own gun the same instant. (See page 100 and onward). - He was buried with military honors. The following epitaph is engraved on his monument :

In memory of Colonel John Buttrick, who commanded the militia companies which made the first attack upon The British Troops, at Concord North Bridge, on 19th of April, 1775. Having, with patriotic firmness, shared in the dangers which led to American Independence, He lived to enjoy the blessings of it, and died May 16, 1791, aged^60 years. Having laid down the sword with honor, he resumed the plough with industry ; by the latter to maintain what the former had won. The virtues of the parent, citizen, and Christian adorned his life,, and his worth was acknowledged by the grief and respect of kll ranks at his death.

BUSS. William Buss came here before 1639; lived where Elijah Wood now hves ; was a lieutenant ; bought the mill on Mill-brook 1668. His brother lived in Tunbrid«];e, Enf^. He d. Jan. 31, 1698; first wife, Ann, d. 1674; second wife (widow Dorcas Jones), 1709. Children, Hannah, m. William Wheeler; Richard, Ann, Nathaniel, and Joseph, who m. Elizabeth Jones 1671, and had several children.

CHANDLER. John Chandler here in 1640, at which time he had a dau2:hter born and was admitted freeman. Rof^er Chandler, and twenty others of Plymouth Colony, had a grant of four hundred acres of land in Concord in 1658 ; was employed by Dolor Davis to build a house ; m. Mary Simonds 1671 ; d. 1717 ; she 1728; left several children, of whom Samuel m. Dorcas Buss 1695 ; d. 1745; and had Joseph, Samuel, John, Huldah, Rebecca, Elizabeth, and James, who was father of Dea. Joseph C.

CLARK. Samuel Clark came here before 1686, probably the son of Jonas C. of Cambridge. He d. Jan. 30, 1730 ; his wife Ruth 1722 : children, John, William, Susannah, Hannah, Benjamin, and Arthur ; of whom Benjamin was father of Benjamin, who d. Feb. 11, 1809, a. 91, whose wife (Rebecca Flagg), d. Oct. 4, 1805, a. 83.

CONANT. Lot Conant, probably a great-grandson of the celebrated Roger C. of Salem, came into this town in the early part of last century ; d. Sept. 20, 1767, a. 90. His son Andrew had by his wife Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Andrew, Lydia, Nathan, and Ezra, who was drowned 1806 ; his wife d. May 23, 182S, a. 95. Andrew was father to Andrew, Eli, Silas, Abel, and Nathan, and two daughters.

wife (widow Susan Stratton), 1698 ; had John, m. Sarah Woodhouse, Sarah, Simon, d. Jan. 11, 1739, a. 76; and Joseph, who was deacon, hv-ed by Fhnt's Pond, where Mr. Smith now lives, and whose son Samuel m. Mercy Minott 17"2*2 ; was a Captain in the French war, and killed at Halfway Brook in 1758. There were several collateral families, and the name is yet preserved in the town.

DAVIS. Dolor Davis was of Cambridge in 1634, a petitioner for Groton in 1656, having before resided in Barnstable, where he died 1673. He was one of twenty who had lands granted in Concord in 1659, and was employed as a carpenter. He m. Margery, sister of Major Simon Willard, and had a daughter Ruth m. Stephen Hall, and two sons, Simon and Samuel, who settled in this town, and were the fruitful vines whose numerous branches extend over this and Worcester counties, and part of New Hampshire, and are constantly sending forth new and flourishing shoots.

a. 77 ; and had Simon, Mary, Sarah, James, Ellen, Ebenezer, and Hannah. Of whom Dr. Simon m. Ehzabeth Woodhouse, 1639 ; she d. Nov. 12, 1711 ; and had John, Simon, Henry, Elizabeth, Mary, Samuel, Ebenezer, and Peter. Simon, the second son, b. 1692, m. Dorothy 1713, and had Simon, Israel, and Joseph b. in Concord, removed to Rutland about 1720, and had there Eleazer, Oliver of Princeton, and two daughters. The eldest son Simon, b. May 17, 1714, was father to David of Paxton, Dea. Isaac of Northborough, father to Hon. John Davis of Worcester, Samuel of Oakham, John of Paxton, and several daughters. Joseph, brother of Simon, b. in Concord July 16, 1720, was minister of Holden ; -d. March 4, 1799, a. 79. James, second son of the first Simon, m. Ann Smeadly 1701, d. Sept. 16, 1727, a. 59, having had James, Ruth, Thomas, (who died Nov. 18, 1786, a. 81, father to James of Holden, Jonathan and Josiah of New Ipswich, Nathan of Westford, Thomas of Chelmsford, Amos of Groton, Abel of this town, and three other sons), Joseph, Zachariah, and Benjamin. Ebenezer, the sixth child of Simon sen., had by his wife Dinah, Ebenezer, Josiah (killed in Lovewell's fight), and several others.

Samuel, the other son of Dolor, m. Mary Meads 1665, settled in the present limits of Bedford, where his descendants yet live. Had Mary, Samuel, Daniel, Martha, Simon, and perhaps others. Samuel, the eldest son, m. Abigail Reed 1698 ; and had Abigail, Mary, Samuel, Jacob, Eleazer, and Stephen. Daniel, the third child, was one of the first members of the church in Bedford, m. Mary Hubbard 1698, and had Jonathan, Daniel, Mary, Ephraim,

DEAN. TJiomas Dean was here 1645, d. Feb. 5, 1676 ; his wife Ehzabeth d. 1673. His son Josej3h m. Elizabeth Fuller 1662, d. 1718, a. SO, and had Thomas, Joseph, Daniel, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Deborah. Lieut. Daniel Dean, probably the son of Thomas, first mentioned, held a larf^e estate, which was principally inherited by his son-in-law, Capt. Daniel Adams,

DRAPER. Roger Draper was here as early as 1639 ; his da, Lydia m. John Luce 1660 ; his son Adam m. Rebecca Brabrook 1666, and had Samuel, Joseph, Elisha, and Adam. They removed to Marlborough about 1680.

DUDLEY. Francis Dudley, a supposed connexion of Gov. Thomas D., came to this town about 1663 ; m. Sarah Wheeler 1665, and was father to Mary who m. Joseph Fletcher, Joseph, Samuel, Sarah, John, and perhaps other children. Joseph m. Abigail Gobble 1691 ; d. 1702 ; she d. 1705, having had Abigail, James, Joseph, Benjamin, Mary, and Sibbella. Samuel m. Abigail King 1704; removed to Littleton, where his wife, as mentioned by Hutchinson (vol. ii. p. 26), was affected with witchcraft ; about 1728 he removed to Sutton, where he died 1775, aged 109 ! having had twenty children ; of whom Samuel, Francis, David, Abigail, and Jonathan, (the three last at one birth,) were born in Concord. John, the other son of the first Francis, m. Hannah Poultier of Medford 1697, and had John, Hannah, and Sarah. Paul D., a descendant of the sixth generation, lives in the town.

EDMONDS. Walter, Samuel, and Joshua Edmonds, were here before 1640 ; but their names disappear from our annals after about twenty years. The name was early in Lynn.

EDWARDS. The children of Robert Edwards, a freeman 1642, and d. about 1650, owned land in 1660. Col. John, who d. in Acton, and Col. Abraham of Ashby, are probably descendants.

EVARTS. John Evarts was one of the earliest settlers ; had sons John, and Judah, b. 1639 and 1642. Removed to Connecticut with Rev. Mr. Jones, and was probably the ancestor of the late Jeremiah Evarts, Esq.

FARRx\R. This family derive their origin from John and Jacob Farrar, who were proprietors of Lancaster in 1653. John d. there Nov. 3, 1669. Jacob, either a son of John or Jacob, m. Hannah, da. of John Houghton, Esq. 1668 ; he was killed by the Indians August 22, 1675. His sons Jacob, George, Joseph, and John, sold their property in 1697 to their uncle Houghton, and removed to Concord. Henry Farrar was killed in Lancaster Feb. 1676, and John d. Aug. 1707.

Jacob, above mentioned, m. Susannah Reddit of Concord, 1692 ; lived in the north part of the town ; d. 1722 ; and had ten children ; Jacob, the eldest, was killed in Lovell's fight, where his cousin Joseph was wounded. Jacob, son of Jacob last mentioned, d. Dec. 20, 1787, a. 65.

George m. Mary How 1692, settled where Dea. James, his great-grandson, now lives, and d. May 15, 1760, a. 89; his wife d. April 12, 1761 ; they had Joseph, Daniel, George, Mary, and Samuel. George m. Mary Barrett, and had nine children, including Rev. George, and Humphrey, father to Rev. Joseph. (See page 314). Deacon Samuel, his yoimgest brother, m. Lydia Barrett 1732, d. April 18, 1783, a. 75 ; and had Lydia, Dea. Samuel (father to Samuel and John, noticed among the college graduates), Rev. Stephen of New Ipswich, James, Rebecca, Lucy, and Timothy of New Ipswich.

FARWELL. Henry Farwell, freeman in 1638, resided in this town from its first settlement till the incorporation of Chelmsford ; removed there, and d. Aug. 1, 1670 ; probably the common ancestor of the name in New England. His sons Joseph, John, and James, lived in this town, where the name has been preserved; the latter m. Sarah Wheeler 1658.

FLETCHER. Robert Fletcher was here in 1635; d. April 3, 1677, a. 85. Children - 1. Francis, m. Elizabeth Wheeler 1656, and had Samuel, Joseph, John, Elizabeth, Sarah, Hannah, and Benjamin, who lived in Concord. 2. Luke, d. 1665 ; 3. William, m. Lydia Bates 1645, removed to Chelmsford, 1656, d. Nov. 6, 1677 ; 4. Samuel, removed to Chelmsford. The name is extinct in Concord, but descendants are found in the adjoining towns, in Worcester county, and in New Hampshire.

FLINT. Hon. Thomas Flint came from Matlock in Derb)^- shire to Concord, in 1638, and brought with him, says a familygenealogy, £4000 sterling. He possessed wealth, talents, and a Christian character; represented the town four years, and was an Assistant eleven. He d. Oct. 8, 1653. Johnson (Hist. Coll. iii. p. 161), calls him a sincere servant of Christ, who had a fair yearly revenue in England, but having improved it for Christ by casting it into the common treasury, he waits on the Lord for doubling his talent, if it shall seem good unto him so to do, and the mean time spending his person for the good of his people in the office of magistrate."

With subtill skill, Christ's vines to spoil, thy sword shall give them knocks. Yet thou base dust, and all thou hast is Christ's, and by him thou

His will is the first recorded in the Middlesex Probate Records. His brother. Rev. Henry Flint of Braintree, and his uncle, William Wood, were executors. He had John and Ephraim, who lived in Concord, and perhaps Edward, Thomas, and William of Salem.

Ephraim m. Jane, daughter of Rev. Edward Bulkeley, and d. without issue 1722. About one thousand acres of land, including Flint's Pond, were owned by him.

John m. Mary, da. of Urian Oakes, President of H. C, 1667 ; d. 1687; she d. 1690; had Abigail, m. Capt. Daniel Estabrook, John, Mary, Thomas, and Edward. John m. Abigail Buttrick ; d. Oct. 26, 1746, a. 69, and was father to Ephraim (H. C. 1733), Abigail, Mary, John (who d. 1792, a. 70), Hannah, and Jane. Thomas m. Mary Brown, and had Dorothy, Mary, Thomas of Rutland, Lucy, Henry of Carlisle, Josiah, Charles, John, and Dr. Edward of Shrewsbury. Edward d. Nov. 15, 1754, a. 70, in Lincoln, without issue.

FOX. Thomas Fox a member of the church 1640. His first wife d. 1647 ; and he m. second time, Hannah Brooks, the same year. He d. 1658. Eliphalet, the only son who had issue, m. Mary Wheeler 1665; d. Aug. 15, 1711 ; she d. Feb. 24, 1679; children, Thomas, Eliphalet, Samuel, Joshua, Benoni, and Joshua. Descendants of this family are found in New Hampshire, but the name has been long extinct in Concord.

FRENCH. Joseph French was here as early as 1674; and by Elizabeth, his wife, had Samuel, Joseph, Elizabeth, Mary, Margaret, and Jonathan, b. between 1676 and 1690; was a lieutenant; lived in the present limits of Bedford.

GOBBLE. Tho7nas here before 1640 ; d. 1657 ; left three sons and three daughters, and several grandchildren. Thomas and Daniel lived south of Walden woods.

GRAVES. John Graves was one of the first members of the church, and had several sons. Benjamin m. Mary Hoar ; John, Mary Chamberlain ; and Abraham, Ann Hayward ; and had families ; but the name soon disappears.

GREEN. There was a Johi Green who lived in town in 1690 ; but tradition does not make him the ancestor of the Concord fam.ilies. John, a hatter from Maiden, m. Martha, sister of Deacon Simon Hunt, and lived in the centre of the town ; but sold out and removed to Carlisle, and was ancestor of the families there. He was father to John, who had Leonard, Jesse, Reuben, John, Amos, and Calvin ; Zaccheus, who had Thomas, Zaccheus, Josiah, Samuel, Eh, Asa, and four daughters ; Nathan, who had Nathan, Asa, William, Silas, Timothy, and Tilly ; and Samuel, whose children died without issue.

GRIFFIN. Richard Griffin here 1635, elder in the church; representative, town commissioner ; m. Mary Hayward 1660; d. April 5, 1661 ; gave his property to Christopher Woolley. His mother lived in Charlestown.

HALL. William Hall m. Sarah Merriam 1658 ; d. 1667. Stephen m. Ruth Davis 1663; sold one hundred and ten acres of land at the " old hogpen walk" to John Barker, 1684, and removed to Stow.

HALSTED. William Halstedd. July 5, 1645 ; gave to the town of Concord £5, to be laid out in a cow for the poor of the town. His brother, whose wife Isabel d. 1641, and a sister, inherited the property.

HARTWELL. All of this name in New England are supposed to have originated from JVilliam, who was among the first settlers in 1636 ; and in subsequent life was distinguished by the title of Quartermaster, at that time honorable in military life ; d. March 12, 1690; his wife d. 1695. Children, William, John, Samuel, Jonathan, Nathaniel, and Martha. Of these, Samuel m. Ruth Wheeler 1665, and had Samuel, Mary, Ruth, William, John, and Hannah. The oldest, Samuel, m. Abigail Stearns 1692, whose son Ephraim m. Elizabeth Hey wood 1732. He d. 1793, a. 87 ; she 1808 a. 94. They had fifteen children, five of whom died of the throat-distemper in October, 1740. This has been a prevalent name.

HAYWARD. This name has been written Heaward, Heywood, and Howard, and although several now bear the last name, they originated from a common ancestor. Heywood is a distinct name. George Hayward came here in 1635 ; d. March 29, 1671 ; his wife d. 1693 ; estate £506 ; children, Mary, m. Richard GrifBn, John, Joseph, Sarah, Hannah, Simeon, George, and perhaps others.

Joseph m. (l) Hannah Hosmer 1665, and had Joseph, Mary, John, Hannah, George, and Dorothy; his wife d. 1675; hem. (2) Elizabeth Treadwell 1677, and had Ebenezer, James, and Simeon. The father d. Oct. 13, 1714, a. 71. Simeon, the last mentioned, was the ancestor of most of the name in this vicinity ; m. Rebecca Hartwell 1705 ; d. May 18, 1719, a. 36 ; she, after his death, m. a Temple, and d. 1776, a. 94. They had seven children, - 1. Josiah, ra. Mary Hosmer, and settled in Acton, and had Josiah, John, Daniel, Simeon, and seven daughters; 2. Mary, ni. Ephraim Jones ; 3. Abigail, ra. Merriam of Bedford ; 4. Samuel, m. Mary Stevens of Marlborough, and had Samuel, Paul, James (killed 19th April, 1775), Benjamin, Stevens, and three daughters ; 5. Joseph, m. Abigail Hosraer, and had Simeon, Stephen, Joseph, Asa, John, James, and six daughters ; 6. Simeon, m. Sarah Hosmer, settled in Sutton and had eight children; 7. Ebenezer, of Kiilingly, Conn.

HEALD. This name is sometimes erroneously spelled Hale or Held. John here in 1635, came from Berwick, Eng. ; d. May 24, 1662 ; had John, Timothy, Dorcas, Gershom, Dorothy, Israel, and perhaps other children. Gershom m. Ann Vinton 1673, and removed to Stow.

John, jr., above mentioned, m. Sarah Dean 1661, and had EHzabeth, John, Gershom, Sarah, and perhaps others ; of whom, John m. Mary Chandler ,1690 ; d. Nov. 25, 1721, a. 55; had Mary, m. John Parling ; John, deacon in Acton ; Timothy, greatgrandfather of John, Esq. of Carlisle ; Josiah, Ehzabeth, Samuel, Amos, deacon in Concord, in Lincoln, and in Townsend ; Ephraim, and Dorcas.

HEYWOOD. John here before 1650 ; m. Rebecca Atkinson 1656 ; and had John and Benoni ; his wife d. 1665; and he m. again, Sarah Simonds, 1665. He d. Jan. 11, 1707. Dea. John, jr. d. Jan. 2, 1718, who, by his wife Sarah, had ten sons and three daughters. Sarah, Thomas, Samuel, Edmond, Josiah, Daniel, Eleazer, Nathan, Sarah, John of Lunenburg, Mary, Phineas of Steding, and Benjamin. Of these, Samuel m. Elizabeth Hubbard 1710, was deacon, town-clerk, and otherwise distinguished; d. Oct. 28, 1750, a. 63. He had thirteen children ; Samuel, Amos, Elizabeth, Samuel, Jonathan (father to Hon. Abiel), Amos, Jonas, Charles, Rebecca, Aaron, John, Sarah, and Mary. Some collateral branches of this family have been distinguished in public life in Worcester county.

HOAR. The ancestor of this family, according to tradition, was a wealthy banker from London, and died soon after his arrival in Boston. Mrs. Joanna, probably his wife, died in Braintree 166 L Her children were as follows : I.Joanna, wife of Col. Edmond Quincy ; 2. Margery, wife of Rev. H. Flint ; 3. Daniel, went to England 1653 ; 4. Leonard, President of H. C. ; and 5. John of Concord, who lived in Scituate from 1643 to 1655, came to Concord about 1660 ; was a lawyer, distinguished for bold, independent mind and action ; d. April 2, 1704 ; his wife Alice d. June 5, 1697. His daughter Elizabeth m. Jonathan Prescott, and Mary m. Benjamin Graves ; and his only son Daniel m. Mary Stratton 1677, and had John, Leonard, Daniel, Joseph, Jonathan, Mary, Samuel, Isaac, David, and Elizabeth. Of these, Lieut. Daniel, third son, m. Sarah Jones 1705, and d. Feb. 8, 1773, a. 93, having had four sons, John, Daniel, Jonathan, and Timothy, and seve- ral daughters. John m. Elizabctli Coolidge of Watertown, and was lather to Hon. Samuel and Leonard II. of Lincohi, and grandfather to Hon. Samuel of Concord.

HOSMER. Two of this name, Thomas and James, supposed to be brothers, from Hockhurst, county of Kent, came to America. Thomas was of Cambridge 163-2, and probably removed to Connecticut, and was ancestor of Rev. Stephen, H. C. 1699, the Hon. Titus, and Hon. Stephen Titus Hosmer, all distinguished men in that State. James came to Concord among the first settlers ; d. Feb. 7, 1685 ; his first wife d. 1641, and second wife, Ellen, 1665. They had James, John (a petitioner for Chelmsford, who died, according to tradition, in Ireland), Hannah, m. Joseph Hayward, Mary, m. Thomas Smith, and Stephen, b. 1642.

James, the eldest son, m. Sarah White 1658, and was killed at Sudbury fight ; his widow m. Samuel Rice. He had James of Woodstock, Mary, m. Samuel Wight, Dorothy, Hannah, in. Col. How of Marlborough, and Thomas, who m. Hannah Hartwell 1696, and was father to Hannah, Sarah, Thomas, Mary, and James, of whom Thomas, the third child, m. Prudence Hosmer 1731, and had Lucy, Hon. Joseph, Perses, Dinah, Lydia, and Benjamin, whose united ages were 465, or 78 each, nearly. James, the brother of Thomas last mentioned, m. Elizabeth Davis of Bedford, and had Samuel, James, Elizabeth, Bulah, Ruth, and Elijah.

Stephen, youngest child of the first James, m. Abigail Wood 1667, and had Mary, Abigail, m. George Wheeler, John, Bridget, Dorothy, Stephen, and James. Of whom Stephen m. Prudence Billings 1707, and had children. Prudence, m. Thomas Hosmer, above mentioned ; Captain Stephen, the distinguished surveyor; Jonathan, grandfather to Simon, Esq. of Acton ; Josiah, father to John and Jesse, Abel and Josiah of Templeton ; Jane, and Ephraiin of Acton, father to Samuel.

Hon. Joseph Hosmer, above mentioned, was born Dec. 25, 1735, and died Jan. 31, 1821, a. 85. His father's name was Thomas, and his mother's Prudence Hosmer, second cousins, and great-grandchildren of James Hosmer, the first American ancestor. Possessing popular talents, he was early called to share the public duties of society. In the great events of the revolution he acted a conspicuous part, always in favor of liberty. Whilst the preliminary measures were under discussion, one of his townsmen made a I powerful speech in which he attempted to ridicule the doings of I the " sons of liberty." Mr. Hosmer immediately replied in a 1 strain of natural, unaffected, but energetic eloquence (for which he I was afterwards distinguished), which particularly attracted public I attention and introduced him to public favor. He was a militia I officer on the 19th of April, 1775, and the first captain of the

Concord Light Infantry company, and was afterwards promoted to major. He was a representative five years, and a senator twelve, and was an active, influential member. He was appointed sheriff of the county in 1792, and sustained the office fifteen years. Major Hosmer was endowed by nature with strong, active powers of mind, and the character he formed enabled him to meet all events with that fortitude which is an earnest of success. He early made a public profession of religion. Ardent without rashness, bold without presumption, and religious without fanaticism, he was eminently a useful man.

HUlNT. William Hunt was here before 1640 ; d.in Marlborough Oct. 1667 ; his wife Elizabeth 1661 ; estate £596 ; left sons Nehemiah, Isaac, William, and Samuel, who m. and had families. Nehemiah m. Mary Tool 1663, whose son John m. Mary Brown 1703 ; d. May 3, 1765, a. 92 ; father to Dea. Simon Hunt, who was father to Dr. Joseph, and grandfather to Capt. Humphrey. - Nehemiah, a brother of John, m. Eleanor Hunt 1705, and was great-grandfather of Nehemiah Hunt, sen., now living. Collateral descendants now live in this and the adjoining towns.

HUBBARD. Jonathan was here as early as 1680, probably from Connecticut, m. Hannah Merriam. He d. July 17, 1728, a. 70 ; she d. April 9, 1747, a, 89; inherited part of the property of his uncle, Dea. Robert Merriam, on whose place, near the new meeting-house, he lived. Had Jonathan, Samuel, Joseph, Elizabeth, John, Daniel, Thomas, Abigail, and Ebenezer, b. between 1684 and 1700. Capt. Joseph, the third child, m. Rebecca, da. of Capt. Joseph Bulkeley, 1713, and d. April 10, 1768, a. 80; she d. 1772, a. 76 ; having had Rebecca, Elizabeth, Lucy, Abigail, Thomas and Lucy (twins), of whom Capt. Thomas d. Oct. 12, 1810, a. 80, father of Dea. Thomas H.

Ebenezer, ninth child of the first Jonathan, m. Mary Conant, and d. May 21, 1755, a. 54. Of his sons, four died young, and Ebenezer, another one, d. Oct. 1, 1807, a. 82 ; whose wife d. 1807, a. 77 ; being parents of Rev. Ebenezer, and grandparents of others living on the paternal spot.

153. John, whether connected with him or not, is uncertain, came from Camhridge to Concord about 1650; d. 1G73 ; his widow m. WiHiam Buss; had Samuel, Ephraim, Elizabeth, m. Joseph Buss, Joseph, John, Dorcas, and Rebecca, m. James Minott, a cousin of James Minott, Estj., and, after his death, Capt. Joseph Bulkeley.

Samuel, m. Elizabeth Potter 1672, and had Samuel, JNathaniel, Ephraim, Joseph, and perhaps others. Of whom SoDiuel m. Ruth Brown 1696, d. Nov. 5, 1755, a. 8-2; she d. 1764, a. 86, whose children were 1. Elizabeth ; 2. Thomas (m. Mary Miles 1727 ; he d. Aug. 3, 1774, a. 72; she d. Oct. 26, 1782, a. 73) ; 3. Ruth, m. a Foot; 4. Samuel ; 5. Rebecca, m. first, Benjamin Barrett, and second, Jonas Prescott of Westford ; 6. Joseph ; 7. Mary, m. Dea. Thomas Barrett; 8. Lucy, m. Dr. Joseph Lee. Nathaniel, second son of Samuel, m. Mary Reddit 1696, and had Elnathan, Josiah, Ebenezer, Ann, Mary, Dorcas, Susannah, and Sarah. Ephraim, third son of Samuel, above mentioned, m. Hepsibah Chandler 1701, and was killed by the fall of a timber 1710 ; whose son Ephraim m. Mary Hay ward 1728, and d. Nov. 29, 1756, a. 51 ; having been captain, town-clerk, and otherwise distinguished, and having had Ephraim, Mary, Jonas, and Rebecca.

JUDSON. William Judson, from whom all of the name in the country are supposed to have originated, with his sons Joseph, Jeremiah, and Joshua, came to New England in 1634, and lived in Concord till their removal to Hartford about 1640, where his descendants now live. A connexion was early formed between this and the Bulkeley family.

LAW. John Law, m. Lydia Draper 1660 ; lived where Joel Conant now fives in Acton ; his wife d. Jan. 6, 1733, a. 94 ; had John, Thomas, Stevens, and Samuel, who was a physician, and d. in Groton, Conn., April 29, 1727, a 47.

LEE. Joseph Lee, son of John, who came from London to Ipswich in 1635, and d. 1671, came to Concord ; m. three times. 1. Mary Woodhouse ; 2. widow Mary Wigley ; and 3. Mary Fox. He d. Nov. 4, 1716, a. 73, having had by his first wife, whose fa-

Of whom, Joseph was a physician, m. Ruth Goodnow 1713 ; he d. Oct. 5, 1736, a. 56, having had twelve children ; Joseph, Ruth, Joseph, (m. Ruth Jones 1739, father to Joseph, Jonas, Lucy, John, Ruth, Samuel, Silas, three of whom graduated at Harvard College) John, Ruth, m. Samuel Edwards, Mary, Elenor, Jonathan, and three others, who died young.

Henry, m. three times. 1. Rebecca Hey wood, 1713 ; 2. Caty Payson ; 3. Catharine , by whom he had twenty-one children, among whom were John, Abner, Benjamin, Henry, Samuel, Charles, Ezekiel, Wilham, and Joshua, who have a very numerous posterity. He lived in Worcester, but d. in Concord, Feb. 1745, a. 60.

Mx\SON. John Mason, supposed to be a son of Capt. Hugh Mason of Watertown, m. Hannah Ramsden in Concord 1662 ; d. 1667, leaving one son, who has descendants in the town.

MARTIN. Ambrose Martin was among the first settlers ; fined £10 for calling the church-covenant a '^stinking carrion'' (see p. 152, and Winthrop, i. 289) ; removed.

MELVIN. John Mehin was here about 1700 ; and had, by his wife Margaret, Eleazer, and David, noted in the French war ; the latter m. Mary Farrar 1716.

MERRIAM. There were three brothers of this name among the first settlers, Robert, George, and Joseph. Robert was a trader, lived where the Trinitarian meeting-house stands ; was townclerk, commissioner, representative, and deacon ; m. Mary Sheafe ; d. without issue Feb. 15, 1681, a. 72; she d. 1693, a. 72.

George, d. Dec. 29, 1675 ; had by his wife Susannah, Susannah, m. John Scotchford ; Elizabeth, m. Henry West of Salem ; Samuel, m. Elizabeth Thompson, and had four daughters ; Hannah, m. William Taylor; Abigail, m. Thomas Bate man ; and Sarah.

Joseph, ancestor of the Concord families, d. Jan. 1, 1641. His son Joseph m. Sarah Stow 1653, and d. April 20, 1677, a. 47, leaving one daughter. His grave-stone is the oldest in the town. Another son, John, m. Mary Cooper 1663 ; she d. March 5, 1731, a. 85, and had John, Nathaniel, Joseph, Dea. Samuel, and some daughters. Of whom, Joseph m. Dorothy Brooks 1705; d. Dec. 10, 1750, a. 74, having had Dorothy, Mary, Joseph, Samuel, and Josiah. Tiiis last m. Lydia Wheeler 1746 ; d. April '23, 1809, a. 83, father to Josiah and Joseph of Concord, and Dr. Timothy of Framiui^ham.

MILES. John Miles was here in 1640 ; his first wife Sarah, d. 1678, leaving one daughter, who m. first, Edmond Wigley, and second, Joseph Lee ; he m. again, in his old age, Susannah Redit, April 10, 1679; d. Aug. 28, 1693; his widow m. Lt. William Wilson of Billerica ; he left John, Samuel, and Mary, who m. Edmond Putnam of Salem.

John, m. Mary Prescott 1702; d. Oct. 23, 1725; estate £1,708; and had John, Jonathan, H. C, Mary, m. Thomas Jones, Elizabeth, James, and Benjamin; of whom John m. Ehzabeth Brooks, and w^as father to John, Noah, and Abner, all of Westminster; Abel of New Ipswich, Elizabeth, Oliver, James of Winchendon, and Dorothy.

Sa?nucl, son of the first John, m. Sarah Foster 1706 ; was a deacon; d. March 13, 1756, and had Samuel, Joseph, Sarah, Ezekiel, Esther, Martha, Nathan, Reuben of Westminster, and Charles, a captain in the revolution.

MINOTT. This distinguished family is traced to Thomas Minott, Esq., Secretary to the Abbot of Walden, by whom he was advanced to great possessions. His son George was born Aug. 4, 1594, in Safron Walden, Essex, Eng.; came to New England among the first settlers of Dorchester, where he was a ruling elder in the church thirty years; d. Dec. 24, 1671, a. 78. His sons were John, James, Stephen, and Samuel ; of w^hom John was father to James, John, Stephen, and Samuel.

James, the eldest son of John, b. Sept. 14, 1653, graduated H. C. 1675, and came to Concord about 1680. While resident here, he was employed as a preacher in Stow in 1685, for " 12s. 6d. per day, one half cash, and one half Indian corn " ; and in 1686 " for what older tow^ns had given their ministers - £13 for thirteen Sabbaths." He was again invited there in 1695, but declined. He practised physic, was a captain, justice of the peace, representative, and eminently a useful man. Tradition accords to him a character worthy the following epitaph, which is engraven on his grave-stone :

Excelling Grammarian, Enriched with the Gift of Prayer and Preaching, a Commanding Officer, a Physician of Great Value, a Great Lover of Peace as well as of Justice, and which was His greatest Glory, a Gent'n of distinguished Virtue and Goodness, happy in a Virtuous Posterity, and living Religiously Died Comfortably, Sept. 20. 1735 ^t. 83."

He m. Rebecca, da. of Capt. Timothy Wheeler, and lived on the estate left by his father-in-law, near Capt. Stacy's. She d. 1734, a. 68. They had 1. Rebecca, m. Joseph Barrett ; 2. Lydia, m. Benjamin Barrett; 3. Mary, m. Ebenezer Wheeler; 4. Timothy, H. C. 1718; 5. James; 6. Elizabeth; 7. Martha, m. James Lane of Billerica ; 8 and 9. Love and Mercy, twins ; the former was m. to John Adams, the latter, to Samuel Dakin, on the same day, by their father ; and 10. Samuel.

Hon. James Minott, the fifth child, was one of the most distinguished men of his times. He was a mihtary officer about thirty years, and advanced to colonel, justice of the peace, representative, and a member of the King's Council ; m. 1. Martha Lane 1716 ; had John, Rebecca (who m. Benjamin Prescott of Danvers), and James. His wife d. 1735; and he m. again, Elizabeth Merrick ; and had Martha, m. Rev Josiah Sherman of Woburn ; Ephraim, and Elizabeth, m. Rev. Daniel Rogers of Littleton 1763. Col. Minott d. Feb. 6, 1759, a. 64.

Samuel, the tenth child of James, Jr., was a deacon ; d. March 17, 1766, a. 60. He rn. 1. Sarah, da. of Jonas Prescott of Westford, and had Samuel, Jonas, and Thankful Sarah, m. Dea. Amos Dakin of Mason, N. H. His wife d. 1737 ; and he m. again, Dorcas, sister of his wife ; she d. 1803, a. 91 ; had Dorcas, m. Thomas Barrett, George, Rebecca, m. Charles Barrett of New Ipswich, Daniel, and Mary, m. Elnathan Jones. Of these, Jonas had a grant in 1775, of the g;reatest part of Wilmot, N. H. ; d. March 20, 1813, a. 78 ; and George m. Rebecca Barrett 1765 ; was a captain in the revolution, deacon in the church, and otherwise distingushed.

MITCHEL. Jonathan Mitchel, from Halifax, Yorkshire, came to Concord in 1635, and two years after, " his beginnings were consumed by fire." He removed shortly after to Connecticut ; was father to Rev. Jonathan M. of Cambridge.

OAKES. Edward OaJces, father to Urian Oakes, President of Harvard College, came to Concord about 1682; was representative 1684; d.Oct. 13, 1689.

PARKS. Richard Paries j a lieutenant, representative, &ic., was son of Richartl P. of Cambridge ; m. Elizabetli BiHin<Ts of Concord, 1090 ; d. June 19, 17!25, a 58. Children, Josepli, Elizabetli, Sarah, Josiah, Abigail, Jonathan, Hannah, David (d. 1701, " being scalded in wort," a. '2), Isaac, and Rebecca. Of whom Joseph in. and had eight children, born between 1719 and 1736; Benjamin, Stephen, David, Louis, Sarah, Elizabeth, Benjamin, and Georire.

PARLTN. John Parlin was here about 1680. He d. Feb. 24, 1750, a. 84; having bad John, Joseph, Jonathan, and Esther; of whom John m. Mary Heald, IVlay 12, 1718, and was father to Jonathan, who had Jonathan, Nathan, . Samuel, Asa, and five daughters. Jonathan d. at Lake George in the army, 1758. Asa was town-clerk, representative, &;c., in Carlisle, and d. Oct. 8, 1822, a. 68.

PELLET. Tliomas Pellet m. Mary Dean 1660 ; d. Dec. 1, 1694 ; said to have given the burying-ground near Dr. Kurd's, to the town. Children, Mary, Jonathan, Thomas, Elizabeth, Daniel, Samuel, Richard, and John. Name now extinct.

POTTER. Luke Potter was one of the first settlers of the town, and deacon of the church. He m. a second wife, Mary Edmonds, 1644 ; she d. 1710. Eunice, Remembrance, Luke, Samuel, Dorothy, Mary, m. Humphrey Barrett, and Bethia, were his children by his first wife. Of whom Samuel m. Sarah Wright 1673, and was killed in Sudbury fight in 1676 ; Judah m. Grace Brooks 1686, and was burnt to death in his dwelling-house, June 20, 1731. She d. 1753, a. 93. "In Judah alone w^as the name preserved," and his descendants have been remarkable for their longevity. His children were Mary, Hannah, Eunice, Luke, who d. Sept. 25, 1784, a. 92, and whose son Samuel d. June 14, 1814, a. 96. Another Samuel d. Feb. 15, 1800, a. 95.

POWERS. Walter Powers w^as probably the son of John of Charlestown ; m. a daughter of Ralph Shepherd, and lived near Nagog Pond, and his descendants were among the first incorporators of Littleton.

PRESCOTT. Jonathan Prescott was the common ancestor of the Concord branch of this distinguished family. His father, John P., from Lancashire, Eng., m. Mary Platts of Yorkshire, and came to this country about 1640 ; and, after living a short time at Watertown, yvas a leading settler of Lancaster, where he d. 1683. His children were Mary, m. Thomas Sawyer, Sarah, m. Richard

Of these, Jonathan came to Concord ; m. Ehzabeth Hoar 1675 ; she d. 1687; he m., second time, Peter Bulkeley's widow, and third time, Ruth Brown. He d. Dec. 5, 1721 ; had Jonathan, Ehzabeth, m. John Fowle, Dorothy, m. Edward Bulkeley, John, Benjamin, H. C. 1709, and Mary, m. John Miles. Of whom, Jonathan has the following epitaph on his monumental slab :

" Here lyes the remains of " Major JONATHAN PRESCOTT, Esq., a gentleman of virtue and merit, an accomplisht physitian, but excelling in chirurgery. Of uncommon sagacity, penetration, and success in his practice, and so of very extensive service. But his life was much valued, and his death very generally lamented. He married the amiable and only daughter of the Honorable Colonel Peter Bulkley, Esq., by whom he had ten children. He was removed from ministring to men's bodies, to the world of spirits, October 28th, 1829, ^tatis suae 54."

His widow Rebecca m. Rev. John Whiting. The children were 1. Jonathan, settled in Littleton, and he has descendants there and in Nova Scotia ; 2. Rebecca ; 3. John, and 4. Peter, noticed among the college graduates ; 5. Charles, m. Elizabeth Barrett, representative, colonel, &:c., d. Feb. 2, 1779, a. 68 ; she d. 1799, a. 82; 6. Elizabeth, m. Rev. David Hall of Sutton; 7. Dorothy ; 8. Abel, an eminent physician, m. Abigail Bugbee ; d. Oct. 24, 1805, a. 88 ; father to Abel and Samuel, noticed in the events of 19th April, 1775, John, Benjamin, Abigail, Dorothy, and Lucy, m. Jonathan Fay, Esq. ; 9. Mary; 10. Benjamin, killed by the Indians 1744.

The descendants of John, Joseph, and Jonas, children of the first Jonathan, were numerous and respectable. John continued at Lancaster, where his sons lived. Joseph lived at Sudbury; Jonas settled at Groton, was a captain, justice of the peace, and had a large estate ; m. Mary Loker 1672; d. Dec. 31, 1723, a. 75 ; she d. Oct. 28, 1735, a. 81, having lived to see 176 descendants. She had twelve children. Mary m. Benjamin Farnsworth ; Elizabeth m. Eleazer Green ; Jonas m. Thankful Wheeler of Concord : Nathaniel ; Dorothy ra. John Varnum ; James ; Sarah m. John Longley ; Abigail m. James Parker ; Martha m. Shebuel Hobart ; Susanna m. William Lawrence ; Deborah m. Samuel Parker ; and Benjamin, who m. Abigail Oliver of Cambridge, 1718, d. Aug. 3, 1738, a. 58, (she d. Sept. 13, 1765, a. 68,) and was father to Hon. James and Hon. Oliver, M. D. of Groton, and Col. William, a distingushed officer at Bunker Hill in 1775.

PROCTOR. Robert Proctor m. Jane Hildreth 1645 ; d. April '2S, 1697 ; had Sarah, Gershom, Mary, Peter, Elizabeth, James, Lydia, Thomas, John, Samuel, and Israel. The first four were born in Concord, and the remainder in Chelmsford, whither he removed in 1654.

PROUT. Ebcnczcr Prout^ son of Timothy of Boston, m. Elizabeth, da. of Capt. Timothy Wheeler, 1678 ; was captain, representative 1689-90, and afterwards Clerk of the House of Representatives ; d. in Watertown. His father and brother lived some time in Concord.

PURCHIS. Oliver PurcJiis, whose da. m. Dea. James Blood, came. from Lynn to this town 1691, and was styled, on the records, " the worthy gentleman" ; d. Nov. 20, 1701.

RICE. Richard Rice, d. June 9, 1709, " being accounted," says the record, " more than one hundred years old." Samuel R., whether a connexion is uncertain, m. Sarah Hosmer 1676. The name is not a prevalent one in Concord, though it is in Sudbury.

ROBBINS. Robert Robbins was here before 1670 ; m. Mary (Maxwell, according to tradition), and had George, John, Robert, James, Eleazer, and perhaps other children. The name is still prevalent here, though the connexion is not easily traced.

SCOTCHFORD. John Scotchford was among the first settlers ; m. Susanna Merriam ; was town-clerk ; d. without issue, June 10, 1696 ; she d. 1707.

SHEPHERD. John Shepherd was here about 1648. In 1661 he had thirty acres of land granted him by the town " in consideration of the hand of God upon him in the loss of one of his arms.*' This land lay near Mr. Silas Holden's. He subsequently had a tract granted at Nagog Pond. He had a son John, b. 166 J, and a da. Mary, 1662 (taken captive in 16T6). Isaac Shepherd m. IMary Smeadly 1667 ; killed with his brother Jacob in 1676. Abraham .Shepherd m. Judith Till 1672. All had families.

SMEADLY. Two brothers came to Concord before 1639. Baptiste d. Aug. 16, 1675; his son Samuel m. Hannah Wheeler 1667, and was killed at Brookfield, Aug. 2, 1675. Mary, and James, who m. Mary Barrett 1671, were also his children.

SMITH. Thomas Smith, m. Mary Hosmer 1663, and had Thomas, James, and John born here, after which he is supposed to have removed to Connecticut.

SPENCER. A " Mr. Spencer " is said to have been present at the purchase of the town, but I have not been able to identify any one of the name as a proprietor or inhabitant till 1666 ; and the John here at the latter period was probably a different person from the one here in 1635.

STOW. Thomas Stow came to Concord before 1640; was father to Samuel, H. C. 1644, Thomas, Nathaniel, and perhaps other children. Thomas and Samuel owned jointly six hundred acres of land between Fairhaven pond and Sudbury line. Thomas sold his to Thomas Gobble and Daniel Dean 1660; Samuel sold his to Mr Wood house, with the other two mentioned ; both removed to Connecticut. Nathaniel lived here ; m. second wife Martha Brignell, 1662; d. 1683 ; she d. 1717, a. 90. He had Thankful, Nathaniel, Ebenezer, beside several who d. young ; of whom Nathaniel m. Ruth Merriam 1690, and had John, Joseph, Samuel, Nathaniel, Thomas, Benjamin, Jonathan, and perhaps others.

STRATTEN. Samuel Stratteh d. Oct. 27, 1674, having had by his wife Mary, Mary, m. Daniel Hoar, Samuel, John, and several who died young. Samuel m. Hannah Wheat 1675, and had children, whose posterity lived on the alms-house farm, which once bore the name of the family. Elizabeth Stratten d. April 19, 1762, a. 100.

TAYLOR. There appear to have heen two by this name as early as 1650. William m. Mary Merriam ; d. Dec. 6, 1696; having had John, Samuel, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, and Mary. James m. Isabel Tompkins ; d. Jan. 2'2, 1690, having had several children. They lived within the present limits of Bedford. Samuel m. in 1686, and had a large family.

TEMPLE. Richard Temple, probably from Charlestown, was here before 1650; d. March 15, 1689. Among the names of his children, all of which are not preserved, I find Richard, d. 1698, father to Richard, Isaac, John, and Abraham ; Abraham, m. Deborah Hadlock 1673; she d. 1743, a. 94; Abigail, m. Thomas Brabrook. Rebecca Temple d. March 14, 1776, a. 94.

L^NDERWOOD. William Underwood was here as early as 1638, where his children. Remembrance, m. Josiah Richardson, Sarah, m. Daniel Blodget, Priscilla, m. Edward Spaulding, Aquilla, and Rebecca were born. Removed to Chelmsford in 1654.

WHEAT. Two brothers, Joshua and Moses Wheat, came from England. In 1640 Joshua sold his lands in Concord to his brother Moses, and returned to his father, then living in England, on condition that he would relinquish his right to any legacy from his father. Moses d. May 6, 1700 ; his wife Tameson d. 1689 ; having had Moses, Samuel, Joshua, Hannah, who m. Samuel Stratten, Remembrance, John, and Sarah, whose descendants are yet found in Carlisle.

WHEELER. This name was originally and has ever been borne by more persons than any other in the town. George, Joseph, and Obadiah were among the first settlers ; and Ephraim, Thomas, and Timothy came in 1639, and were all heads of families. Tradition says they came from Wales, but it is uncertain. Their descendants have been so numerous, and so many have borne the same Christian name, that their genealogy is traced with great difficulty. Among the births recorded by the town-clerk between 1650 and 1670, six bore the name of John Wheeler.

George d. 1684, having had by his wife Katharine, Ehzabeth, who m. Francis Fletcher ; Mary, who m. Ehphalet Fox ; Ruth, who m. Samuel Hartwell ; John, and perhaps other children. Of whom, John m. Sarah Larkin 1663, and d. Sept. 27, 1713, a. 70 ; she d. Aug. 12, 1725 ; they w^ere parents of Samuel, John, Edward, Ebenezer, and perhaps others. Edward was deacon, and father to Dea. David, whose son Ephraim was father to Ephraim now hving. Children of the eighth generation, including the first George, now live on the spot where their first ancestor settled.

Joseph was a lieutenant in the militia, and otherwise distinguished ; was twice married, and had several children, all of whom died young, excepting Rebecca, who m. Hon. Peter Bulkeley, and, after his death, Capt. Jonathan Prescott. Her mother, Sarah, d. 1671. He traded with the Indians, and had a tract of land granted him in 1660, " especially for satisfying the Indians in their right," extending from Nashoba line at the north end of the great pond to Chelmsford.

Obadiah d. Oct. 27, 1671, a. 63; his wife Susannah d. 1650. They had Joshua, Obadiah, John, Josiah, Samuel, and several daughters; of whom, Obadiah m. Elizabeth White 1672, and was father to Obadiah, Josiah, Samuel, Joseph, and other children, whose descendants I cannot trace.

Thomas. Capt. Thomas Wheeler, commanded the company at Brookfield, August, 3 675; he bought ei^ht hundred acres of land north of Groton in 1674, granted to the Flints of Concord ; m. Ruth Wood; d. Dec. 10, 1676; his sons Thomas and Nathaniel died the January following. Serjeant Thomas Wheeler had several children born between 1649 and 1664 ; and Thomas Wheeler, Jr., several between 1658 and 1673. These numerous families were connected, but how, is uncertain. Thomas, a grandson, settled in Lincoln, and was father to Dea. Edmond, and ancestor of others of the name there.

Timothy m. for his second wife, Mary Brooks ; he d. June 7, 1687 ; she d. 1693 ; leaving no male issue. He gave the ministerial lot to the town, and is noticed in another place.

William m. Hannah Buss 1659 ; he d. Dec. 31, 1683, having had Hannah, Rebecca, Elizabeth, William, John, and Richard ; of whom William d. May 29, 1752, a. 86, having had by Sarah, his wife, William, Joseph, Francis, Hezekiah, Nathaniel, and Elizabeth. Of these, Francis d. Nov. 1774, a. 76; m. (I.) Mary, who d. 1737, by whom he had Mary, Francis, Rhoda, Nathaniel,

Merrlam, Solomon, and others, who d. young ; and second wife, Sarah Blood, 1741, and had Sarah, Samuel, Phineas, Hannah, and Noah, now livins:. This Hne includes all the families of the name in Nine acre corner."

WHITAKER. Jonathan Whitaker was here before 1690 ; son of John of Watertown, b. 1664. Nathaniel and David m. about 1700, and had lars^e families in the town. David d. Aug. 1791, a. 84 ; his wife d.l798, a. 90. Elizabeth d. Jan. 1708, an aged woman."

WHITTEMORE. Benjamin Whittemore m. Esther Brooks? 1692, and afterwards resided in the town ; d. Sept. 8, 1734, a. 65 ; she d. 1742, a. 73. He was representative several years ; left Benjamin and Nathaniel, who had families in the town.

WILLARD. Major Simon Willard was one of the most distinguished leaders in the first settlement of this town. He came from the county of Kent, and resided in Cambridge in 1634, when he became acquainted with the situation of Musketaquid by trading with the Indians. He accompanied Rev. Peter Bulkeley, assisted in making the first purchase from the natives, resided in Concord with the first company, one of the leading men of the town, being town-clerk till 1654, and representative fourteen years. In 1660 he removed to Lancaster, and was at Groton in 1672. He had a large tract of land granted him at Nonascoicus, between Lancaster and Groton. He d. at Charlestown, April 24, 1676. He was the first military commander in the town, was promoted to the rank of major in 1654, and commanded the forces in Ninigret's and Philip's war. He was chosen an Assistant twenty-two years, from 1654 to his death, and was very much employed in the public business of the country. When Philip's war broke out, he gave directions to the several towns in Middlesex county, in relation to their garrisonhouses. His first wife w^as Mary Sharp ; second, Elizabeth Dunster, sister of President Dunster of Harvard College ; and third, her sister Mary. By them he had seventeen children ; of whom, John m. Mary Hayward of Concord, 1698, and had David, Jonathan, Mercy, and Simon ; of whom, Jonathan only m. and lived here. From Simon Willard have descended all or nearly of all the name in New England, many of whom have been much distinguished in public life.

WILSON. William Wilson m. Sarah Blood 1686 ; he d. 1745, a. 76; she d. 1717, a. 56. His second wife, Hannah Price. He was town-clerk, representative, captain, and otherwise distintinguished. His children were Samuel, Sarah, and Hannah.

WOOD. William Wood was the distinguished ancestor of this family, and came here in 1638, with his nephew, the Hon. Thomas Flint. From his connexions, and other circumstances, he is supposed to have been the acute author of a book entitled " New England's Prospect." That author was the first one who mentions the original name of Musketaquid, either applied to the place or the river in Concord. He d. May 14, 1671, a. 89, leaving an only son Michael, and a daughter Ruth, the wife of Capt. Thomas Wheeler. Michael d. May 13, 1674, having had Abraham, Isaac, Thomson, Jacob, John, and Abigail, who m. Stephen Hosmer, Of whom, Jacob m. Mary Wheeler 1697 ; he d. Oct. 6, 1723, a. 40, having had Jacob, Mary, Ephraim, Dorcas, Hannah, Milicent. Of these, Ephraim m. Mary Buss; d. March 20, 1789, a. 88, and was father to Ephraim, town-clerk, judge of the court of common pleas, &c., and grandfather to Daniel Wood, now living. The collateral branches of this family have been numerous.

Hon. Ephraim Wood was born Aug. 1, 1733, and d. April 8, 1814, in his 81st year. He w^as son of Ephraim, and grandson of Jacob Wood. He was bred a shoemaker, and had no other advantages of education than what were afforded by the very imperfect common schools of that day. Though he did not possess what are popularly called brilliant talents, or ardent feelings, he had a calm, considerate mind and sound judgment, w^hich peculiarly fitted him to act an important part in the times in which it was his lot to live. As early as 1771, he w^as chosen town-clerk, selectman, assessor, and overseer of the poor, and re-elected twenty-seven years, and for much of the spirit of those times which has come down to us as matter of record, we are indebted to him, as this History will fully show\ He was one of the first justices appointed by the Council after the secession from British authority, and held the office during the remainder of his life. He was also one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas. "In him," says a notice published soon after his death, " were united those qualities and virtues, which formed a character at once amiable, useful, respectable, and religious. Early in life he engaged in civil and public business, and by a judicious and faithful discharge of duty acquired confidence and reputation with his fellow-citizens and the public. The American revolution called into exercise his active and vigorous powers ; and as a magistrate and in various departments he rendered important services to the community. The rights and liberties of bis country were near bis beart, and he was a warm and zealous defender of them against all encroachments. He was a true disciple of the great Washington, a friend to "liberty with order," and firmly attached to the union of the States and the constitutional independence of the individual States. In domestic life, his disposition and example were highly amiable and worthy. As a Christian, he was devout and humble, sincere and ardent. Having lived the life, be died the death of the righteous."

WOODHOUSE. Henry Woodhouse, or Woodis, as his name was sometimes written, came to Concord from London, about 1650, freeman 1656. His farm, estimated at three hundred and fifty acres, lay between the two rivers, and descended to bis son-in-law, Joseph Lee, whose posterity successively held it for more than one hundred years. Joseph Barrett, Esq. now occupies it. He d. June 16, 1701 ; his first wife, Ellen, 1693 ; second wife in 1717 ; bad one son, who d. young, and four daughters, b. between 1650 and 166*2. Mary m. Josepli Lee ; Hannah m. Cheney ; Milicent m. Joseph Estabrook ; Sarah m. John Daken ; Ehzabeth m. Simon Davis.

WOOLLEY. Christopher WooUey m. Prlscilla Woodell 1646, and had several children. He d. Jan. 28, 1701 ; she 1674; second wife, Mary How, d. Dec. 26, 1695. His son Thomas d. Nov. 18, 1726. Jonathan Woolley, says the Bedford records, d. July 25, 1766, a. 61, " by a fall from a stone-wall, which killed him in a minute."

Old And New Style

It is proper to explain what is meant by old and new style. - The new style was adopted by Great Britain in 1751, when a law was passed enacting that the year 1752 should begin on the 1st day of January; that the 3d of September should be reckoned the 14th, and that the intermediate eleven days should be omitted in the calendar. In the old, or Julian style, the year began the 25th of March, and contained 365c^. 6A. ; in the new, or Gregorian style, the year began the 1st of January, and contained 365(/. bh, 49m. 125.; differing from the true tropical year twenty-two seconds only ; and making a difference in the two styles of one day in 129 years. One is made nearly conformable to the other by dropping one day from the old, and adding one to the new style in each century, excepting every fourth, whose centennial year is considered leap-year. The new style was first adopted by Catholics in 1582; and not generally by Protestants till some time afterwards, and not yet by Russia. To meet the wishes of both, it was generally customary from the first settlement of this country till 1752, though not uniformly, to give a double date from January 1st to March 25. Thus, January 9, 1725, was written January 9, 1724 - 5, or 172f . March was also reckoned the first month, April the second, May the third, &tc., and dates were sometimes made accordingly. Thus, 18th 4mo. 1667, or " 18. 4. 67," was 18th June, 1667. In the preceding history, the dates are given as if the year began on the first of January, in all cases where it could be ascertained, and the latter of all double dates between that time and the 25th March is used. Thus, January 9, 172J, is given January 9, 1725. In other respects the dates anterior to 1752 are in old style. To c certain the day in new style at the present time, corresponding to any date in the old style, it is necessary to add ten days from 1500 to 1700 (1600 being a leapyear), and eleven days from 1700 to 1752. Thus, the 2d of September, 1635, the date of the incorporation of Concord, will correspond with the 12th September, 1835 ; and July 3, 1735, the date of the incorporation of Acton, with the 14th of July, 1835. Want of careful attention to double dates, and difference in style, has occasioned many mistakes ; and among others, the anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrim fathers at Plymouth has been erroneously celebrated on the 22d, instead of the 21st of December, the latter being the true date corresponding with the old style.

[Afler the History of Bedford was printed, the Rev. Mr. Stearns died. The following biographical notice is extracted from a sermon preached by the Rev. Samuel Sewall at his interment.]

" Rev. Samuel Stearns, of Bedford, was a son of Rev. Joslali Stearns of Epping, N. H., by his second wife, a daughter of Rev. Soniuel Ruggles of Billerica. He was born at Epping, April 8, 1770; fitted for college after his father's death, at Exeter Academy, under the patronage of Hon. John Phillips, its founder; and graduated at Harvard College in 1794. His theological studies he pursued under the direction of Rev. Jonathan French of Andover, (whose daughter, Miss Abigail French, he afterwards married,) and was ordained over the Church and Society in Bedford, April 27, 1795. A new religious society having been legally formed, Nov. 9, 1832, by the name of the " Trinitarian Congregational Society " ; and the Church having voted, at a meeting. May 9, 1833, to dissolve its connexion with the First Parish, and to accept an invitation given it to unite itself with the new society, for the purpose of maintaining public worship and the institutions of the Gospel, Rev. Mr. Stearns was solemnly constituted the Minister, or Religious Teacher of that society, June 5, 1833. He died Dec. 26, 1834, of a decline, the result, probably, of a scrofulous affection, with which he had been many years more or less afflicted. It is worthy of remark, that during tlie whole of his protracted ministry, almost thirty-nine years, he was never absent firom his people at any communion season but one, viz. that which occurred about a fortnight before his death. Previously to the communion before, viz. that on the second Sabbath in October, he had cherished an earnest desire that he might be able, if it were God's will, to officiate once more on the interesting occasion, and then bid his church farewell ; though he was apprehensive that the weather, or the state of his health, would be such, as to prevent him. But in this particular, divine Providence was propitious to bis wishes. The weather on that day was remarkably fine ; and (to use his own words) ^' his spirits were enlivened, and strength seemed to be given him for the occasion." Having obtained his son. Rev. William A. Stearns of Cambridgeport, to perform the previous services, the venerable man about the close of the sermon, with thankful heart, yet with emaciated countenance and feeble step, entered the house of God ; and there, having once more, according to his desire, ministered the memorials of Christ's dying love, and united with the church in singing a hymn, he took his final leave of them in the solemn, affecting address, alluded to in the foregoing discourse. From tliat day he went no more abroad, being confined to his house, and most of the time to the room in which he died, till his death."