Concord Town (part 1 of 10)

Member Of The Massachusetts Historical Societtt

Nobler records of patriotism exist nowhere. - Nowhere can there be found higher proofs of a spirit that was ready to hazard all, to pledge all, to sacrifice all, in the cause of their country, than in the New England towns. Webster.

The local historian is sure of obtaining the gratitude of posterity, if he perform his task with faithful diligence. - His work would have a great and increasing value within the narrow sphere of its subject, even if confined to that sphere ; but must be very imperfectly executed, if it does not contain some matter of illustration for the national annals, for the history of manners, for literature, philology, natural history, and various other departments of knowledge.

John Stacy

Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1835, by Lemuel Shattuck, the Clerk's oflfice of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

Charles Folsom, Printer Preface

The author of the following History, having had occasion several years since to consult some of the earlier town records in Concord, discovered many important facts and documents which were wholly unknown to the public, and very imperfectly to the inhabitants of the town itself; and it occurred to him that a series of communications in a periodical work, embracing them, would be interesting and valuable, and he immediately began to collect materials for this purpose. But, in the progress of his investigation, the quantity of interesting matter increased so much, that it was thought best it should be published in some other form than that originally intended. The result of his inquiries appears in the following volume. It has been compiled at such intervals of time as could be conveniently abstracted from the almost constant engagements of business.

Those only, who have been engaged in similar works, can be aware of the great labor required to collect the materials for a volume like this, and arrange them for the press. And the difficulty and labor have been much increased in this instance by the imperfections of the town and church records. The first volume of the records of the town, containing its proceedings prior to 1696, about sixty years after its first settlement, is lost ; and likewise the proceedings of the church prior to 1738, more than one hundred years after its organization. There is however in the clerk's office an old volume, containing an imperfect record of several grants of land, and a few unconnected proceedings of the town ; with an incomplete list of marriages, births, and deaths, prior to 1696. This renders the early history of the town, less perfect than it would have been, had the records been preserved, though from other sources much important information has been obtained. The early records and documents in the offices of the Secretary of the Commonwealth and of the county of Middlesex, and the private papers of individuals, and various other scattered fragments of traditionary, manuscript, and printed history have, with great labor and no little expense, been consulted, which, though they do not furnish a complete history, have been found interesting and important, and in some respects supply the place of town records. Traditions, however, are often contradictory, tending to embarrass rather than to elucidate. They should be depended upon only as leading the investigator towards the truth, which, on further inquiry and comparison of different traditions with records, may be discovered. I have seldom been willing to state a fact positively, unless verified in this way. A tradition has prevailed in Concord, that the early records of the town were burnt ; and this is said to have taken place when part of the first settlers removed to Connecticut. If this were true, it could not apply to the town records from 1650 to 1696, nor to any part of the church records prior to 1738. This tradition is undoubtedly incorrect. The town records were destroyed in some other way, and, if burnt, it must have occurred subsequently to 1696. The loss of the church records was probably occasioned by the difficulty in the church detailed in the following History.

Few places have so many interesting incidents associated with their history as Concord. From its local situation, it has been the centre of many of the important operations in the county of Middlesex, and of some of the most interesting in the Commonwealth. Beino- the first inland town settled above tide waters, it endured great hardships in the commencement of its history. The progress of the settlement, the exertions to civilize the Indians, the warlike operations in the town as a military post during Philip's war, the distinguished part it took in the Revolution and in other peculiar eras in the history of Massachusetts, are but imperfectly, if at all, known ; but fortunately many important facts have been preserved in manuscript. - The ecclesiastical history also has been considered of unusual importance, and especially during Whit- field's time. This work, besides the minute details of civil and ecclesiastical history, interesting to readers generally, as well as to the citizens of this town in particular, contains the Natural History, Topography, Statistics, Notices of Early Families and Distinguished Men, and other subjects of general or local interest, which may be appropriately embraced in such a history. - The towns of Bedford, Acton, Lincoln, and Carlisle were incorporated principally within the original limits of Concord ; and, as their history is intimately blended with that of Concord, it was thought expedient to embrace within the work the history of each of those towns since its separate incorporation.

In arranging facts on such a great variety of subjects as are embraced in a town history, it is difficult to present them in such a manner as will be entirely satisfactory. I have adopted that mode which appeared most intelligible and interesting to my own mind. To present a work like this free from errors cannot be expected. Some may appear in this History ; yet the author is conscious of having taken unusual care to avoid them. Those who are competent to detect them will, it is hoped, make all due allowance, should they be found.

The volume is submitted to the public with diffidence. The author lays no claim to the qualifications, which such an undertaking would seem to require. His object has not been to make an attempt at fine writing, (had it been possible for him to have succeeded, or had he deemed it proper in a town history,) but to relate, in as plain, simple, and intelligible a manner as was within his power, such facts as he deemed most worthy of preservation. The object of local history is to furnish the first elements of general history, to record facts rather than deductions from facts. In these municipalities, - ^ these separate incorporations, - are to be found many of the first moving causes which operate on, and revolutionize public opinion. Many facts, minute in themselves, are in this view important. The details, which it is the appropriate province of the local historian to spread before the public, are not so much history itself as materials for hislory. It is the woik of the general historian, who has before him all the particulars of each portion of the great natural and political landscape, to exhibit the connexion of the several parts, and to show how they depend, one upon another, in bringing about the great changes, which have been taking place and affecting the condition of society. Strong inducements to take such an enlarged and philosophical view of the facts which have been detailed, and to submit the ideas that arose in my own mind from such a view, have been often presented. But it would increase the size of a volume already enlarged far, very far, beyond its original design.

To trace the history of our ancesters, and transmit a record of their deeds to posterity, is a duty we owe to the past and the future. Such a record must be preserved as invaluable by the immediate descendants and kindred of those, who once lived and acted where they now do, and whose ashes repose beneath their soil. And it cannot be without interest to those who have gone out from their kindred to dwell in other parts of the country, nor to those who have come to dwell in the habitations made vacant by the removal or death of the original occupants. What this town once was, who originally occupied it, and by what means and by whom it has become what it now is, are questions which can be answered only by minute topographical history. If the work shall satisfy the public, and contribute to the gratification of those for whom it is more particularly designed, the author will feel himself compensated for the labor and expense, in preparing and pubhshing it.

To the Hon. Abiel Heywood, town clerk of Concord, to the town clerks of the several surrounding towns, to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, to John Farmer, Esq. of Concord, N. H., and to various others, who have aided by the use of manuscripts, by the communication of facts, and by various services rendered him, the author feels under special obligations.

Contents

Chapter I. - Indian Tribes. - Musketaquid Indians. - Local Situation. - Settlement projected. - Act of Incorporation. - Purchase from the Indians.

Chapter II. - Efforts to civilize the Indians. - Eliot begins the Work. - Effects at Nonantum and at Concord. - Laws for the Indians. - Opposition.

Chapter III. - Division of the Town. - Records. - Additional Grants. - Indian Deeds. - Iron Works built. - Town Farm. - Town of Stow granted.

- 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. 46

Chapter V. - Year 1684 important. - Blood's farms annexed to Concord. - The Fifty subsequent Years. - Lovewell's fight. - Cuba Expedition. - French Wan - Notices of various Services in the War. - Divisions in the Town and Incorporation of new Towns. - Emigration to other places^ - 64

- 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.

Chapter VIII. - State of feeling on the 20th of April. - Tories. - College removed to Concord. - Committees of Correspondence. - Proceedings in Relation to the Monopoly Acts. - Revolutionary Soldiers; - Table of Different Campaigns. - Public pecuniary Sacrifices. - Taxes. - Constitution adopted. 118

Chapter IX. - State of Feeling subsequent to the Revolution. - Proceedings of the County and of the Town. - Mr. Avery's Letter. - Armed Men assemble at Concord. - Courts stopped. - Notice of the Insurgents. - Proceedings of the Tovi^n. - The War of 1812. - County Courts and Shire Tow^ns regulated. - Proceedings of the Town on this Subject. - - . 129

Chapter X. - Ecclesiastical History. - Organization of the Church. - Installation of the Rev. Mr. Bulkeley and Mr. Jones. - Church Covenant. - Proceedings of the Church. - Notice of the Rev. Mr. Jones. - Letters of the Rev. Mr. Bulkeley, and Notice of his life and Writings. - Rev. Edward Bulkeley. - Rev. Joseph Estabrook. - Rev. John Whiting. - - 148

Chapter XI. - Ordination of Mr. Bliss. - State of the Church. - Revivals. Proceedings of different Ecclesiastical Councils and of the Church. - Divisions in the Parish and Church. - Death of Mr. Bliss. - Ordination of Mr. Emerson. - Proceedings of the Church. - Notice of the Rev. Mr. Emerson. Ordination of Mr. Ripley. - Proceedings of the Church. - Covenants. - Funds. - Ordination of Mr. Goodwin. - Succession of Deacons. - Trinitarian Church. - 166

Ponds. - Rivers. - Brooks. - Fish. - Quadrupeds. - Birds. - - -196 Chapter XIII. - Topographical, History. - Boundaries. - Roads. - Bridges. - Stages. - Post-OfEce. - Public Buildings. - Printing Office. - Burying-grounds. - 204 Chapter XIV. - Statistical History. - Population. - Valuation. - Finances. - Employment. - Maintenance of the Poor. - Education. - Bill of

Chapter XV. - Social and Official History. - Military Companies. - Various Associations. - Concord Bank. - Agricultural Society. - Insurance Company. - Official History. - Town-Officers. - Representatives. - Senators. - County Ofiicers. - Attorneys and Counsellors at Law. - Physicians. 227 Chapter XVI. - Biographical Notices of College Graduates and other Individuals belonging to Concord. 240

Chapter XVII. - History of Bedford. - General History. - Ecclesiastical History. - Description. - Miscellaneous Notices. - 255 Chapter XVIII. - History of AcToif, - General History. - Ecclesiastical

History Of Concord Chapter

Indian Tribes, - Musketaquid Indians. - Local Situation. - Settlement projected. - Act of Incorporation. - Purchase from the Indians. - Depositions. - First Settlers. - Johnson's Account. - Additional Grants. - Sulferings of the Inhabitants. - Wet Meadows. - Petition to the General Court. - Cofidition of the Town, - Chronological Items.

When the English settlements first commenced in New England, that part of its territory, which lies south of New Hampshire, was inhabited by five principal nations of Indians : - the Pequots, who lived in Connecticut ; the Narragansets, in Rhode Island ; the Pawkunnawkuts, or Womponoags, east of the Narragansets and to the north as far as Charles river ; ^ the Massachusetts, north of Charles river and west of Massachusetts Bay ; and the Pawtuckets, north of the Massachusetts. The boundaries and rights of these nations appear not to have been sufficiently definite to be now clearly known. They had within their jurisdiction many subordinate tribes, governed by sachems, or sagai I have supposed that the Indians living south of Charles river did not belong to the Massachusetts tribe. Chickatabot, sachem of Neponset, and Obatinuat acknowledged submission to Massasoit in 1621, and were at enmity with SquaW Sachem. No instance within my knowledge is recorded of a petty sachem going to war with his own tribe. It is also worthy of remark, that these sachems and their descendants executed deeds of lands within Massasoit's territories, but never in the Massachusetts territories. As the country became settled by the English, and the jealousies between different tribes were forgotten, all the Indians living within the Massachusetts patent were rather erroneously classed among the Massachusetts Indians. Hence the statements of Winthrop, Gookin, and other historians, See Prince, Annals, 1621.

mores, subject, in some respects, to the principal sachem. At the commencement of the seventeenth century, they were able to bring into the field more than 18,000 warriors ; but about the year 1612, they were visited with a pestilential disease, whose horrible ravages reduced their number to about 1800.^ Some of their villages were entirely depopulated. This great mortality was viewed by the first Pilgrims, as the accomplishment of one of the purposes of Divine Providence, by making room for the settlement of civilized man, and by preparing a peaceful asylum for the persecuted Christians of the old world. In what light soever the event may be viewed, it no doubt greatly facilitated the settlements, and rendered them less hazardous.

MusJcetaquid, the original Indian name of Concord and Concord River, for a long time before it was settled by our fathers, had been one of the principal villages of the Massachusetts tribe. Nanepashemet was the great king or sachem of these Indians. His principal place of residence was in Medford, near Mystic pond. ^' His house was built on a large scaffold six feet high, and on the top of a hill. Not far off, he built a fort with palisadoes 30 or 40 feet high, having but one entrance, over a bridge. This also served as the place of his burial, he having been killed about the year 1619, by the Tarrantines, a warlike tribe of eastern Indians, at another fort which he had built about a mile off." He left a widow - Squaw Sachem, and five children. Squaw Sachem succeeded to all the power and influence of her husband, as the great queen of the tribe. Her power was so much dreaded, when she was first visited by the Plymouth people in 1621, that her enemies, the sachems of Boston and Neponset, desired protection against her, as one condition of submission to the English. She married Wibbacowitts, " the powwaw, priest, witch, sorcerer, or chirurgeon " of the tribe. This officer was highest in esteem next to the sachem ; and he claimed as a right the hand of a widowed sachem in marriage ; and by this connexion became a king in the right of his wife, clothed with such authority as was possessed by her squawship.^ Both assented to the sale of Musketaquid, though Tahattawan, hereafter to be noticed, was the principal sachem of the place. This tribe was once powerful. Before the great sickness already mentioned, it could number

General History

3,000 warriors. That calamity, and the sinall-pox, which prevailed among them with great mortality in 1633, reduced it to nearly one tenth of that number. The Musketaquid Indians suffered in common with the brethren of their tribe elsewhere. When first visited by the English, their number was comparatively very small. Their manners, customs, and character form a subject for general rather than town history. Such notices, as are particularly applicable to this place or vicinity, will be given in a separate chapter. The place where the principal sachem lived was near Nahshawtuck (Lee's) hill. Other lodges were south of the Great Meadows, above the South Bridge, and in various places along the borders of the rivers, where planting, hunting, or fishing ground was most easily obtained. From these sources the Indians derived their subsistence ; and few places produced a supply more easily than Musketaquid. South of Mr. Samuel Dennis's are now seen large quantities of clamshells, which are supposed to have been collected by the Indians, as they feasted on that then much frequented spot. Across the vale, south of Capt. Anthony Wright's, a long mound, or breast-work, is now visible, which might have been built to aid the hunter, though its object is unknown. Many hatchets, pipes, chisels, arrow-heads, and other rude specimens of their art, curiously wrought from stone, are still frequently discovered near these spots, an evidence of the existence and skill of the original inhabitants.

The situation of the place, though then considered far in the interior and accessible only with great difficulty, held out strong inducements to form an English settlement, and early attracted the attention of the adventurous Pilgrims. Extensive meadows, bordering on rivers and lying adjacent to upland plains, have ever been favorite spots to new settlers ; and this was peculiarly the character of Musketaquid. The Great Fields, extending from the Great Meadows on the north to the Boston road south, and down the river considerably into the present limits of Bedford, and up the river beyond Deacon Hubbard^s, and the extensive tract between the two rivers, contained large quantities of open land, which bore some resemblance to the prairies of the western country. These plains were annually burned or dug over, for the purposes of hunting or the mde culture of corn. Forest trees or small shrubbery rarely opposed the immediate and easy culture of the soil. And the open meadows, scattered along the borders of the small streams, as well as the great rivers, and in the solitary glens, then producing, it is said, even larger crops and of better quality, than they now do, promised abundant support for all the necessary stock of the farm-yard. These advantages were early made known to the English emigrants.

Traditionary authority asserts that the settlement was first projected in England. It is not improbable that this may have been partially true, and that William Wood, the author of " New England's Prospect," and the first who mentions the original name of the river or place, might have come here in 1633, and promoted its settlement by his representations after his return to England. It must have been effected, however, in conjunction with others who were residents in the colony. The plan of the settlement was formed on a large scale, and under the most sanguine anticipations of success. Nearly all the first settlers were emigrants directly from England ; and a greater number of origijial inhabitants removed, during the first fifteen years after the settlement, to other towns in the colony, than permanently remained here. This sufficiently characterizes it as one of the " mother towns." It w^as the first town settled in New England above tide waters ; and was in fact, as it was then represented to be, " away up in the woods," being bounded on all sides by Indian lands, and having the then remote towns of Cambridge and Watertown for its nearest neighbours.

The uniform custom of the early settlers of the Massachusetts colony was first to obtain liberty of the government to commence a new settlement, and afterwards to acquire a full title to the soil by purchase of the Indians. This title was never obtained by conquest. The first undertakers, as a preliminary step towards the settlement, had this town granted to them by the General Court, at its session at New-Town (Cambridge) Sept. 2, " 1635, under the following Act of Incorporation :

" It is ordered that there shall be a plantation att Musketaquid, qind that there shall be 6 myles of land square to belonge to it ; and that the inhabitants thereof shall have three yeares imunities from all public charges except trainings. Further that, when any that shall plant there, shall have occasion of carrying of goods thither, they shall repair to two of the nexte majistrates, where the teams are, whoe shall have power for a yeare to press draughts att reasonable rates, to be paid by the owners of the goods, to transport their goods thither at seasonable tymes ; and the name of the place is changed and here after to be called Concord." ^ begin a town." This was undoubtedly the Rev. Peter Bulkeley ; and the merchant intended, Maj. Simon Willard, two distinguished individuals, who will be more particularly noticed in the sequel. The loss of early records renders it impossible to ascertain who the twelve other families were. Their names may, however, be inferred from an account of early families, to be given in this history. Others were soon after added ; and on the 6th of October, the Rev. John Jones, and a large number of settlers, destined for the plantation, arrived in Boston.

The time from which the tow^n should be free from immunities or public charges, mentioned in the act of incorporation, was calculated from the October following. In 1636 the order to press carts was renewed for three years more. These peculiar privileges were probably granted to the first settlers, as an encouragement in their hazardous enterprise. That legal authority should be given to compel any person, at any time, to carry goods through a wilderness untrodden by civilized man, appears singular to us, but was probably necessary then, as it would have

1 The late Samuel Davis, Esq., of Plymouth, supposed (MS. letter), that the original name was formed of two Indian words, moskeht, sigmfying * grass,' and ohkeit, signifying ' ground ' ; and unitedly ' grass-ground.' Musketaquid, as nearly resembling this word as the Indian dialect would permit, was probably applied to the land near the river, as indicating its character, or to the river itself, in which case it would mean ' grassy brook' or ' meadow brool^.' " Concord, the present name, is said by tradition to have been given on account of the peaceable manner in which it was obtained from the Indians. This opinion, however, is not* supported. Johnson, (^. Hist. Coll. vol. iii. p. 155.) says, it was named Concord " from the occasion of the present time, as you shall after hear," but does not tell us any thing further about it. It probably received its name from the Christian union and concord, subsisting among the first company, at the commencement of the settlement.

been difficult, if not impossible, to hire them at reasonable rates." Though some privileges were granted to Concord, from its peculiarly remote situation, which were withheld from other towns, it did not entirely escape censure. Being required to perform military duty, it was, in 1638, fined ^s. for want of a pair of stocks, and a watch-house. In June, 1639, it had a similar fine imposed, and another for " not giving in a transcrip of their lands." In 1641 it was again fined \0s. for neglecting a watch and for non-appearance." ^ Such fines were imposed on several towns by the General Court, pursuant to an act, passed June 7,

1636, providing that every town should keep a military watch and be well supplied with ammunition, as a guard against the incursions of unfriendly Indians.

It does not appear from any sources of information extant, that all the land, included in the incorporated limits, was purchased of the Indians till some time after the settlement had begun, though a part of it might have been. Till May, 1637, no order on the subject appears. The court at that time gave Concord liberty to purchase lande within their Limits of the Indians ; to wit: Attawan and Squaw Sachem." The land was accordingly fairly purchased, and satisfactory compensation made ; and Aug. 5,

1637, the Indian deed was deposited in the Secretary's office in Boston. The Colony Records give the following account of this transaction. 5th. 6mo. 1637. Wibbacowett ; Squaw Sachem ; Tahattawants ; Natanquatick, alias Old man ; Carte, alias Goodmand ; did express their consent to the sale of the Weire at Concord over against the town : and all the planting-ground which hath been formerly planted by the Indians, to the inhabitants of Concord ; of which there was a writing, with their marks subscribed given into court, expressing the price." ^ Whether this transaction related to the whole town is uncertain.

A tradition has been handed down that the purchase took place under a large oak, which was standing in front of the Middlesex Hotel within the memory of our oldest inhabitants, and called, after one of the original settlers, " Jethro's tree"; and which is said to have been used in early times as a belfry on which the town bell was hung.

I have sought in vain for the Indian deed. It was probably lost very early, since measures were taken in 1684, when the colony charter was declared to be void, and the claims of Robert Mason to large portions of the country were asserted, to establish the lawful title, which the inhabitants of Concord had in their soil. The original petition was also lost. The following depositions, relating to the subject, were taken, and are inserted in the Middlesex Records, and in the Town Records, to answer the purpose of the original deed.

The Testimony of William Buttrick, aged sixty-eight years, or thereabouts, sheweth ; - That about the year one thousand six hundred and thirty-six, there was an agreement made by some undertakers for the town since called Concord, with some Indians, that had right unto the land then purchased of them for the township. The Indians' names were Squaw Sachem, Tahattawan, sagamore, Nuttunkurta, and some other Indians that Hved and were then present at that place, and at that time ; the i tract of land being six miles square, the centre being about the place where the meeting-house now standeth. The bargain was made and confirmed between the English undertakers and the Indians then present and concerned, to their good satisfaction on all hands." - "7: 8: 84 [7th. Oct. 1684]. Sworn in court, Thomas Danfortli. Entered in Register at Cambridge, Liber 9. page 105, by Thomas Danforth."

The testimony of Richard Rice, aged 74 years," like William Buttrick's, is recorded in full immediately after it, and attested in the same manner.

" This Deponent testifieth and saith, that about 50 years since he lived within the bounds of that place which is now called Concord, at the foot of an hill, named Nahshawtuck [Lee's], now in the possession of Mr. Henry Woodis, and that he was present at a bargain made at the house of Mr. Peter Bulkeley (now Capt. Timothy Wheeler's) ^ between Mr. Simon Willard, Mr. John Jones, Mr. Spencer, and several others, in behalfe of the Englishmen who were settling upon the said town of

Concord, and Squaw Sachem, Tahattawan, and Nimrod, Indians, which said Indians (according to their particular rights and interest) then sold a tract of land containing six miles square (the said house being accounted about the centre) to the said English for a place to settle a town in ; and he the said deponent saw said Willard and Spencer pay a parcell of Wampumpeage,^ hatchets, hoes, knives, cotton cloth, and shirts, to the said Indians for the said tract of land. And in particular perfectly remembers that Wibbacowet, husband to Squaw Sachem, received a suit of cotton cloth, an hat, a white linen band, shoes, stockings, and a great coat, upon account of said bargain. And in the conclusion, the said Indians declared themselves satisfied, and told the Enghshmen, they were welcome. There were present also at the said bargain Waban, Merchant; Thomas, his brother-in-law ; Notawquatuchquaw ; Tantumous, now called Jethro. - Taken upon oath the 20th of October 1684, before Daniel Gookin, sen. Assistant, Thomas Danforth, Dep. Gov. Entered in the Register at Cambridge, Lib. 9. page 100, 101 ; 20 : 8 : 84 [20th Oct. 1684] by Thomas Danforth, Rec'r. "

" This Deponent testifieth and saith, that about 50 years since, he dwelt at Nashobah, near unto the place now called by the English Concord ; and that coming to said Concord was present at the making a bargain (which was done at the house of Mr. Peter Bulkeley, which now Capt. Timothy Wheeler liveth in) between several Englishmen (in behalfe of such as were settling said place) viz. Mr. Simon Willard, Mr. John Jones, Mr. Spencer, and others, on the one party ; and Squaw Sachem, Tahattaw^an, and Nimrod, Indians, on the other party ; and that the said Indians (according to their several rights) did then sell to the said English a certain tract of land containing six miles square (the said house being accounted about the centre) to plant a town in ; and that the said deponent did see the said Willard and Spencer pay to the said Indians for the said tract of land a parcell of Wampumpeage, [like Jehojakin's testimony as far as " said bar- gain "] ; and that after the bargain was concluded, Mr. Simon Willard, pointing to tlie four quarters of the worUl, declared that they had bought three miles from that place, east, west, north, and south ; and the said Indians manifested their free consen thereunto. There were present at the making of the sai( bargain, amongst other Indians, Waban, merchant ; Thomas, hii brotlier-in-law ; Natawquatuckquaw ; Jehojakin, who is yet living and deposeth in like manner as above." ^

The first settlement commenced in the fall of 1635, fifteen years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, and five after the settlement of Boston. The first houses w^ere built on the south side of the hill from the public square to Merriam's corner ; and the farm lots laid out, extending back from the road across the Great Fields and Great Meadows, and in front across the meadows on Mill Brook. This spot was probably selected because it contained land of easy tillage, and because it afforded the greatest facilities in constructing such temporary dwellings, as would shelter the inhabitants from the inclemency of storms and winter. These huts were built by digging into the bank, driving posts into the ground, and placing on them a covering of bark, brush- wood, or earth. The second year, houses were erected as far as where the south and north bridges now stand. This, plantation, however, like others in the colony, was limited in its extent. In

1635, the General Court ordered that no new building should be built more than half a mile from the meeting-house in any new plantation." This order was probably passed for greater safety against the Indians, and appears to have been enforced in Concord about eight years, after which the settlement began to be much more extended.

Many of the first settlers were men of acknowdedged wealth, enterprise, talents, and education, in their native country. Several were of noble families. The Rev. Peter Bulkeley brought more than 6,000 pounds sterling, the Hon. Thomas Flint 4,000, and

1636. l i t; e purchase took place before the act of incorporation, Mr. Jonos could not iiavp been present; if in 1636, he was. These errors in the depositions, not materially affecting their importance, probably arose from their being given from memory.

Others had very respectable estates. Many of them were men of literary attainments. Mr. Bulkeley became an author of distinguished celebrity. William Wood, if, as is probable, he was the author of New England's Prospect," was a man of considerable intelligence and sagacity. But they were eminently a religious people partaliing largely of the spirit which governed the companies that first landed at Plymouth, Salem, and Boston. Having been persecuted in their native country, and deprived of the liberty of worshipping God, and enjoying His ordinances, agreeably to their views of Scripture and duty, they accounted no temporary suffering or sacrifices too great to be endured, in order to be restored to their natural rights, and to freedom from religious oppression. Though some were men of fortune and eminence, and from their infancy had been unaccustomed to hardship, they cheerfully gave up all their personal comforts, crossed the ocean, and planted themselves in this lonely wilderness to endure suffering, for which no pecuniary compensation would have been adequate. No purpose of worldly gain could have prompted so hazardous and expensive an enterprise. It was emphatically a religious community seeking a quiet resting-place for their religious enjoyments and religious hopes. The remark, in reference to the whole colony, that " God sifted a whole nation that he might send choice grain over into this wilderness," ^ might, with propriety, be applied to the resolute and pious fathers of this town. Though they came from various parts of England, they were united, and had high hopes of happiness and religious prosperity, and emphatically lived in Concord. Nothing but the unexpected hardships, peculiar to their situation, could have produced contrary, but almost necessary results.

The following extract is from Johnson's " Wonder-working Providence." ^ Being an inhabitant of Woburn, and often associated with the citizens of Concord in public business, the author had good opportunity to become familiarly acquainted with its early history. This account may, therefore, be received with more implicit faith, than some of that author's statements of facts; and, for its curiosity and information, is worthy of insertion in this connexion.

" Upon some inquiry of the TnclianSj who hved to tlie North West of the Bay, one Captaine Simon Willard, being acquainted with them, by reason of his trade, became a chiefe instrument in erecting this towne. The land they purchase of the Indians, and with much difficulties travelling through unknowne woods, and through watery swamps, they discover the fitnesse of the place ; sometimes passing tln-ough the thickets, where their hands are forced to make way for their bodies passage, and their feete clambering over the crossed trees, which when they missed they sunke into an uncertaine bottome in water, and wade up to their knees, tumbling sometimes higher and sometimes lower. Wearied with this toile, they at end of this meete with a scorching plaine, yet not so plaine, but that the ragged bushes scratch their legs fouly, even to wearing their stockings to their bare skin in two or three hours. If they be not otherwise well defended with bootes or buskings, their flesh will be torne. Some of them being forced to passe on without further provision, have had the bloud trickle downe at every step. And in time of summer, the sun casts such a reflecting heate from the sweet ferne, whose scent is very strong, that some herewith have beene very nere fainting, although very able bodies to undergoe much travel. And this not to be indured for one day, but for many ; and verily did not the Lord incourage their natural parts (with hopes of a new and strange discovery, expecting every houre to see some rare sight never seen before), they were never able to hold out and breake through." * # # After some dayes spent in search, toyling in the day time as formerly said, like true Jacob, they rest them on the rocks where the night takes them. Their short repast is some small pittance of bread, if it hold out; but as for drinke they have plenty, the countrey being well watered in all places that are yet found out. Their further hardship is to travell sometimes they know not w^iither, bewildred indeed without sight of snn, their compasse miscarrying in crouding through the bushes. They sadly search up and down for a known way, the Indian paths being not above one foot broad, so that a man may travell many dayes and never find one." * * * " This intricate worke no whit daunted these resolved servants of Christ to go on with the worke in hand ; but lying in the open aire, while the watery clouds poure down all the night season, and sometimes the driving snow dissolving on their backs, they keep their wet cloathes warme with a continued fire, till the renewed morning give fresh opportunity of further travell. After they have thus found out a place of aboad, they burrow themselves in the earth for their first shelter under some hill-side, casting the earth aloft upon timber, they make a smoaky fire against the earth at the highest side. And thus these poore servants of Christ provide shelter for themselves, their wives and little ones, keeping off the short showers from their lodgings, but the long raines penetrate through to their great disturbance in the night season. Yet in these poor wigwams they sing psalmes, pray and praise their God, till they can provide them houses, which ordinarily was not wont to be with many till the earth, by the Lord's blessing, brought forth bread to feed them, their wives and little ones, which with sore labours they attain ; every one that can lift a hoe to strike it into the earth, standing stoutly to their labours, and tear up the rootes and bushes, which the first yeare bears them a very thin crop, till the soard of the earth be rotten, and therefore they have been forced to cut their bread very thin for a long season. But the Lord is pleased to provide for them great store of fish in the spring time, and especially Alewives about the bignesse of a Herring. Many thousands of these they used to put under their Indian corne, which they plant in hills five foote asunder, and assuredly when the Lord created this corn, he had a speciall eye to supply these his people's wants with it, for ordinarily five or six grains doth produce six hundred. Ar for flesh they looked not for any in those times (although now they have plenty) unlesse they could barter with the Indians for venison or rockoons, whose flesh is not much inferiour unto lambe. The toil of a new plantation being like the labours of Hercules never at an end, yet are none so barbarously bent (under the Mattacusets especially) but with a new plantation they ordinarily gather into churtih fellowship, so that pastors and people sufter the inconveniences together, which is a great means to season the sore labours they undergoe. And verily the edge of their appetite was greater to spirituall duties at their first coming in time of wants, than afterward. Many in new plantations have been forced to go barefoot, and bareleg, till these latter dayes, and some in time of frost and snow ; yet were they then very healthy more than now they are. In this wildernesse worke men of es- tates speed no better than others, and some murJi worse for want of being inured to such hard kibour, having laid out their estate upon catteU at five and twenty pound a cow, when they came to winter tliem with in-land hay, and feed upon sucli wikl fother as was never cut before, they could not hold out the winter, but ordinarily the first or second yeare after their coming up to a new plantation, many of their cattell died, especially if they wanted salt-marshes. And also those, who supposed they should feed upon swines flesh were cut short, the wolves commonly feasting themselves before them, who never leave neither flesh nor bones, if they be not scared away before they have made an end of their meale. As for those who laid out their estate upon sheepe, they speed worst of any at the beginning (although some have sped the best of any now) for untill the land be often fed by other cattell, sheepe cannot live, and therefore they never thrived till these latter days. Horse had then no better successe, which made many an honest gentleman travell a foot for a long time, and some have even perished with extreme heate in their travells. As also the want of English graine, wheate, barley, and rie, proved a sore affliction to some stomacks, who could not live upon Indian bread and water, yet were they compelled to it till cattell increased, and the plowes could but goe. Instead of apples and pears, they had pomkins and squashes of divers kinds. Their lonesome condition was very grievous to some, which was much aggravated by continuall feare of the Indians approach, whose cruelties were much spoken of, and more especially during the time of the Pequot wars. Thus this poore people populate this howling desert, marching manfully on (the Lord assisting) through the greatest difficuliies, and sorest labours that ever any with such weak means have done."

Additional grants of land were occasionally made, adjoining Concord, after the first purchase. On the 2nd of May, 1638, Governor Winthrop had 1,200, and Thomas Dudley 1,000 acres granted them below Concord. When they came up to view it, " going down the river about four miles, they made choice of a place for one thousand acres for each of them. They offered each other the first choice, but because the deputy's was first granted, and himself had store of land already, the governor yielded him the choice. So, at the place where the deputy's land was to begin, there were two great stones, which they called the Two Brothers, in remembrance that they were brothers by their children's marriage, and did so brotherly agree, and for that a little creek near those stones was to part their lands. At the court, in the 4th month after, two hundred acres were added to the governor's part." ^ The governor's lot lay southerly, and the deputy governor's northerly of those rocks, and they were divided by a little brook, which may now be seen a short distance below Carlisle bridge. Governor Winthrop selected (judiciously, I think) a lot in Concord, which "he intended to build upon," near where Captain Humphrey Hunt now lives. The changes, which took place in his property and family, probably prevented him from putting his plan into execution.

In Nov. 1639, 500 acres of land were granted to Increase Nowell Esq. " on the north side of the bounds of Concord beyond the river against the governor's 1200 ; " and 500 acres to the Rev. Thomas Allen of Charlestown, on the north side of Mr. Nowell's ; and, Oct. 7. 1640, to the Rev. Thomas Weld of Roxbury 533 acres, next to Mr. Allen's.^ Another tract of 400 acres was also granted to Mr. Atherton Hough. All these lands were sold about 1650 to John and Robert Blood, and comprised what was afterwards known as the Bloods^ Farms, which became a part of Concord, and which will be hereafter noticed.

About this time the Rev. Peter Bulkeley had 300 acres granted him towards Cambridge ; and Mr. William Spencer 300 acres, " beyond Concord by the Alwife River."

It appears that the inhabitants were not well satisfied with their situation ; and that other places, either adjoining the town or at a distance from it, were sought, to which they might remove. In a petition on this subject to the General Court, it is said : - " Whereas your humble petitioners came into this country about 4 years agoe, and have since then lived at Concord, where we were forced to buy what now we have, or the most of it, the convenience of the town being before given out : your petitioners having been brought up in husbandry, of children, finding the lands about the town very barren, and the meadows very wet and unuseful, especially those we now have interest in ; and knowing it is your desire the lands might be subdued, have taken pains to search out a place on the north west of our town, where we do desire some reasonable quantitie of land may be granted unto us, which we hope may in time be joined to the farms already laid out there to make a village. And so desiring God to guide you in this and all other your weighty occasions, we rest your humble petitioners." This petition is signed by Thomas Wheeler, Timothy Wheeler, Ephraim Wheeler, Thomas Wheeler, Jr., Roger Draper, and Richard Lettin ; is dated Sept. 7. 1643; and endorsed by the court - ^ We think some quantitie of land may be granted them provided that within two years they make some good improvement of it."

The uplands, which the first planters selected for cultivation, proved to be of a poor quality ; and the meadows were unexpectedly-much overflowed with water. All the fish and other manure which were applied to enrich the sand hills east of the village were useless. These were causes of great disappointment and suffering. Among other projects to make the meadows dry, one was formed and then considered practicable, to deepen the channel of Concord river at the falls " to drain the water off." A petition was presented to the court, the first year after the incorporation of the town, which produced the following order, dated Sept. 8, 1636. " Whereas the inhabitants of Concord are purposed to abate the Falls in the river upon which their towne standeth, whereby such townes as shall hereafter be planted above them upon the said River shall receive benefit by reason of their charge and labour : It is therefore ordered that such towns or farms as shall be planted above them shall contribute to the inhabitants of Concord proportional both to their charge and advantage."

This subject continued to be agitated for several years. Nov. 13, 1644, Herbert Pelham, Esq., of Cambridge, Mr. Thomas Flint and Lt. Simon Wlllard of Concord, and Mr. Peter Noyes of Sudbury, were appointed commissioners " to set some order which may conduce to the better surveying, improving, and draining of the meadows, and saving and preserving of the hay there gotten, either by draining the same, or otherwise, and to proportion the charges layed out about it as equally and justly (only upon them that own land) as they in their wisdom shall see meete." All their efforts, however, were unavailing. Johnson says " the rocky falles causeth their meadowes to be much covered with water, the which these people, together with their neighbour towne [Sudbury] here several times essayed to cut through but cannot, yet it may be turned another way with an hundred pound charge." A canal across to Watertown or Cambridge was then considered practicable at a " hundred pound charge ! "

In addition to these difficulties, it is intimated by Mather, author of the Magnalia, that others arose between the ministers and the people, which were settled by calling a council after the abdication of one of them. Some refused to bear their proportion of the public charges ; and the town continued to decrease in population. Some families returned to England, others removed to older, and others to newer settlements. In 1644, a large number went to Connecticut with the Rev. John Jones. The grievances of the people were set forth in a petition to the General Court.

"To the Wor:ll Governor, Deputy Governor, with the rest of the Assistants and Deputies of the Court now assembled. The hurrible petition of the Inhabitants of Concord shevveth :

" That whereas we have lived most of us at Concord since our coming over into these parts, and are not conscious unto ourselves that we have been grosly negligent to imploy that talent God hath put into our hands to our best understanding ; Neither have wee found any special hand of God gone out against us, only the povertie and meannesse of the place we live in not answering the labour bestowed on it, together with the badness and weetnes of the meadowes, hath consumed most of the estates of those who have hitherto borne the burden of charges amongst us, and therewith the bodily abilities of maney. This being soe eminent above what hath befallen other plantations, hath occasioned many at severall times to depart from us, and this last summer, in the end of it, a 7th or 8th part of the Towne went to the southward with Mr. Jones [the Rev. John Jones] and many more resolved to goe after them, so that maney houses in the Towne stand voyde of Inhabitants, and more are likely to be ; and we are confident that if con'^cience had not restrained, fearing the dissolution of the Towne by their removeall, very many had departed to one

" This our condition we thought it our duty to informe you of, fearing least if more go from us we shall neither remayne as a congregation nor a towne, and then such as are most unwilling to depart, whiles there remayne any hopes of ordinance amongst us, will be enforced to leave the place, which if it should come to pass, wee desire this may testify on the behalf of such, it was not a mynd unsatisfyed with what was convenient, which occasioned them to depart, but meerly to attaine a subsistence for themselves and such as depend on them, and to enjoy ordinances. If it be sayd, wee may go to other places and meete with as many difficulties as here, experience herein satisfies us against many reasons. Such as hardly subsisted with us, and were none of the ablest amongst us, either for labour or ordering their occasions, have much thriven in other places they have removed unto. Our humble request is you would be pleased to consider how unable we are to beare with our brethren the common charges, the premises considered.

These in the name of the rest." This petition was presented 14 May, 1645, and is attested by the proper authorities. It is endorsed ; - We conceive the petitioners of Concord should (in consideration of the reasons alledged in this petition) be considered in their rates ; but how much, wee leave to those that are appoynted to assess the several towns when any levie is to be made." ^

1 A colony tax of £1,200 was assessed in 1640, £800 in 1642, £616 in 1645, and another tax in 1676. The following table shows the relative proportions which a few of the towns paid.

These difficulties hastened the settlement of other towns. About half of the original petitioners of Chelmsford were citizens of Concord. All of them, however, did not remove thither. Groton, Lancaster, and other towns, received some of the early inhabitants when they were settled. To restrain this spirit of emigration, the General Court passed the following order in 1645 :

^' In regard of the great danger that Concord, Sudbury, and Dedham will be exposed unto, being inland Townes and but thinly peopled, it is ordered that no man now inhabiting &i settled in any of the s'd Townes (whether married or single) shall remove to any other Towne without the allowance of the majistrates or the select men of the towns, untill they shall obtain leave to settle again, or such other w^ay of safety to the s'd townes whereupon this Court or the Council of this Commonwealth shall sett the Inhabitants of such s'd towns at their former liberty." ^

Concord was probably less populous from 1645 to 1650 than at any other period. Johnson had that time in view, when speaking of the statistics of this town. This Towne," says he, " was more populated once than now it is. Some faint-hearted souldiers among them, fearing the Land would prove barren, sold their possessions for little, and removed to a new plantation, which have most commonly a great prize set on them. The number of families at present are about 50. Their buildings are conveniently placed, chiefly in one straite street under a sunny-banke in a low levell. Their herd of great cattell are about 300 ; the church of Christ here consists of about 70 soules ; their teaching elders were Mr. Buckly, and Mr. Jones, who removed from them with that part of the people, who went away, so that onely the reverend grave and godly Mr. Buckly remaines." ^

The following chronological items, collected from the colony records and other sources, are given as matters wwthy of preservation here, and as showing the care exercised by the General Court over the towns. November 2, 1637, Robert Fletcher was chosen constable of Concord. Thomas Brooks was in the same office the next year. March 12, 1638, Lt. Willard was allowed "to sell wine and strong water " ; and at the same Court an order passed, that " the freemen of Concord, and those that were not free, which had hand in the undue election of Mr. Fhnt, should be fined 6s. Sd. a piece." In 1639, Mr. Flint, Lt. Willard, and Richard Griffin, were appointed " to have the ending of small matters this year." They were reappointed the two next years. June 4, 1639, William Fuller, " who kept the mill built by Mr. Bulkeley by the 'Mill-dam' was fined three pounds for gross abuse in over-tolling." In 1640, Lt. Willard, Thomas Brooks, and William Wood, were appointed, under a law, " for valuing horses, mares, cows, oxen, goats, and hoggs," in Concord. The town paid its taxes this year in such property. The same year, Thomas Flint was allowed to marry in Concord and Sudbury. In 1641, George Fowle was appointed " for the breading of Salt-petre in some out-houses used for poultry and the like," under penalty of 125. A company was incorporated this year ''to carry on the beaver trade," of which Simon Willard was appointed superintendent. Mr. John Bulkeley was paid 405. for services as a soldier.^

" At Concord a bullock was killed, which had in his maw a ten shilling piece of English gold, and yet it could not be known that any had lost it." ^ In April, 1641, a house and child were burnt in Concord ; fire having been put into a stack of hay standing near, by another child, while the people were at meeting on the Sabbath.^

Cattle then ran at large on " commons," as they were called ; and each town was required, by an act of the General Court, to have a mark placed upon its respective cattle.

Chapter 11

Efforts to civilize the Indians. - Eliot begins the Work. - Effects at Nonantura and at Concord. - Laws for the Indians. - Opposition. - Eliot's Labors and Petition. - Nashobah. - Notices of several Indians. - Account of the Praying Indians. - Nashobah sold.

early efforts to civilize and Christianize them. This is properly the province of the historian of the State or Country. So far, however, as thev were made within our own territory, or in connexion with the native inhabitants, it w'ill be proper that the local historian should describe them ; and, more especially, since erroneous statements have been promulgated by writers whose authority is received with implicit faith.

One of the objects of the original settlers of the colony, as expressed in their charter, was to -'- win the Indians, natives of the country, to the knowledge and obedience of the only true God and Saviour of mankind, and the Christian faith.'' "When they were actually surrounded by the natives, this object was not forgotten, though nothing efiectual was done till nearly sixteen years after their arrival.

Squaw Sachem, at Concord, Kutshamikin, sachem at Dorchester, Musconomok, sachem at Ipswich, and Nashacowin and Wassamug, ^ two sachems near Wachusett, made a formal submission to the English government on the 8th of ]\Iarch, 1644, and put themselves and tlieir subjects under its protection. In their examination, as to their moral and religious views, they express their desire, as opportunity will serve and English live among them," to learn " to read God's word, to know God ai'ight, and to worship him in his own way."' Two sachems (Pumham and Socononocho), near Pro\'id8nce, the preceding June, and Passaconaway, sachem at Merrimack, and his sons, on the 20th of the succeeding June, submitted in like manner. Though the motives of these Indians might have been selfish, these were considered encouraging circumstances by the friends of their civilization. And the government, 13 Nov., 1644, ordered the county courts --'to take care of the Indians residing within their several shires, to have them civilized, and to take order from time to time to have them instructed in the knowledge of God.*' -

These movements, and the disposition shown by particular Indians,^ led some individuals specially to prepare themselves to instruct them. The Rev. Jolm Eliot of Roxburv was the first

1 The Rev. Samuel Dantbrth, in his Almanack for 1647, spells these names as follows: Cutchamakin, Mascanomet, \Vassamcgen,.Natha\vanon. 9 Col. Rec. 3 Se« New En^rland's First Fruits."

and most distinguished in these Christian lahors. He lias justly been styled the Apostle, not a whit behind the chiefest Apostles.'' He preached his first sermon Oct. 28, 1646, on the high grounds east of Newton corner, afterwards called iVonantum, - a place of rejoicing." where he was joyfully received by Waban and several other Indians, who assembled to hear him. Four other meetings took ])lace there, the 11th and 26tli of ^November, and the 4th and 9th of December.

The Rev. Thomas Shepard of Cambridge, in his Clear Sunshine of the Gospel," informs us, that '^the awakening of these Indians raised a great noyse amongst all the rest round about us, especially about Concord ^ side, where the Sachem [Tahattawan], as I remember, and one or two more of his men, hearing of these things, and of the preaching of the Word, and how it wrought among them here, came therefore hither to Noonanetum to the Indian Lecture ; and what the Lord spake to his heart wee know not, only it seems he was so farre affected, as that he desired to become more like to the English, and to cast off those Indian, wild, and sinfull courses they formerly lived in ; but when divers of his men perceived their sachem's mind, they secretly opposed him herein : which opposition being known, he therefore called together his chiefe men about him, and made a speech to this effect unto them, viz. 'That they had no reason at all to oppose those courses the English were now taking for their good, for (saith he) all the time you have lived after the Indian fashion under the power and protection of higher Indian sachems, what did they care for you ? They only sought their owne ends out of you, and therefore would ex£.ct upon you, and take away your skins and your kettles, and your wampum from you at their own pleasure, and this was all that they reaarded : but you may evidently see that the English mind no such things, care for none of your goods, but only seeke your good and welfare, and instead of taking away, are ready to give to you : ' with many other things I now forget,

^ The Rev. Dr. Holmes, in his valuable " Annals." Vol. I. p 2S4, errs in saving " the Indians at the place nfterwards called Concord," &:c. Concord was incorported and named ekvtn years before. Another expression " near to the place where Concord now stands " is equally erroneous. It was then in Concord.

which were related to me by an eminent man [Rev. P. Bulkeley ?] of that town. What the effect of this speech was, we can tell no otherwise than as the effects shewed it: the first thing was, the making of certain laws for their more religious and civill government and behaviour, to the making of which they craved the assistance of one of the chief Indians in Noonanetum [Waban ?J, a very active Indian, to bring in others to the knowledge of God ; desiring withall an able and faithful man in Concord [Simon Willard] to record and keep in writing what they had generally agreed upon. Another effect was, their desire of Mr. Eliot's coming up to them to preach, as he could find time, among them : and the last effect was, their desire of having a town given them within the bounds of Concord near unto the English. This latter, when it was propounded by the sachem of the place [Tahattawan], he was demanded why he desired a towne so neare, whereas there was more roome for them up in the country. To which the sachem reply ed, that he therefore desired it because he knew that if the Indians dwelt far from the English, that they would not so much care to pray, nor could they be so ready to heare the word of God, but they would be all one Indians still ; but, dwelling neare the English, he hoped it might be otherwise with them then. The towne therefore was granted them."

The following are the orders agreed on at Concord, which Mr. Shepard assures us were drawn up by " two faithful witnesses," and ^' their own copy with their own hands to it."

" Conclusions and orders made and agreed upon by divers Sachems and other principal men amongst the Indians at Concord in the end of the eleventh Month (called January) An. 1646.

" 1. That every one that shall abuse themselves with wine or strong hquors, shall pay, for every time so abusing themselves, twenty shilhngs.

"2. That there shall be no more Powwawing amongst the Indians. And if any shall hereafter powwaw, both he that shall powwaw, and he that shall procure him to powwaw, shall pay twenty shillings a piece. '

^'6. That they may be brought to the sight of the sinne of lying, and whosoever shall be found faulty herein, shall pay for the first offence five shillings, and the second ten shillings, and the third twenty shillings.

" 14. That there shall not be allowance to pick lice as formerly, and eat them, and whosoever shall offend in this case shall pay for every louse a penny.

" Immediately after these things were agreed upon, most of the Indians of these parts set up prayer morning and evening in their families, and before and after meate. They also generally cut their haire short, and were more civil in their carriage to the English than formerly. And they do manifest a great willingness to conforme themselves to the civil fashions of the English. The Lord's day they keepe a day of rest, and minister what edification they can to one another. These former orders were put into this forme by Captaine Simon Willard of Concord, whom the Indians, with unanimous consent, intreated to bee their Recorder, being very solicitous that what they did agree upon myght be faithfully preserved without alteration.

I have not been able to find, after a careful examination of the Colony Records, that land was then definitely granted, either to the Concord Indians or to those at Newton ; and I have been led to doubt whether any grants were made, as has been mentioned by many writers. The first order was passed 26 May, 1647, four months after the Concord Indians had adopted their code of laws, and seven months after Eliot first preached to Waban ; and this did not relate to grants of land, but to the civil regulations of the Indians generally, " where they assembled to hear the word of God." It is probable they lived by sufferance on lands claimed by the English, prior to their gathering at Natick.^

2 Historians speak rather indefinitely, as appears to me, on this subject. Mention is frequently made of the Natick Indians as a distinct tribe, whereas none were known by that name till a place was settled in 1650, and then named Natick, g ranted like other tracts of land in which to form

As has been already intimated, these benevolent efforts were opposed by some of the natives. This opposition arose principally from the powvvaws or priests. The Indians universally believed in " the existence and agency " of invisible spirits. " They worshipped Kitan, their good God, or Hobbamocco, their evil god." Johnson speaks of them generally, as being in very great subjection to the Divel," and of the powwaws, as " more conversant with him than any other." As his agents they pretended to perform cures by enchantment and witchcraft. So long aS' the peculiar sanctity of their office was recognised by their brethren, their influence was very great ; and, to say the least, they were back friends to religion." Whenever civilization and Christianity were introduced, these erroneous notions were corrected, and their power ceased. Of this they seemed to be aware.

In the discussions produced by the occurrences that have been described, Wibbacowitts, already mentioned, took an active part. He asked the English, why some of them had been twenty-seven years in the land, and never taught them to know God till then. Had you done it sooner," said he, " wee might have known much of God by this time, and much sin might have been prevented ; but now some of us are grown old in sin, &ic." To whom the English answered, " We doe repent that we did not long agoe, as now we doe. Yet withal," they added, " we told them that they were never willing to hear till now, and that seeing God hath turned their hearts to be willing to hear, we are desirous to take all pains we can to teach them."

This opposition prevented their immediate settlement in civil order, and was considered, says Shepard, " a special finger of Satan resisting these budding beginnings ; " though it did not prevent the gradual progress of Christianity. The influence of the Rev. Mr. Bulkeley and other citizens of Concord, as well as of the native a civil community. The Christian Indians, gathered there from various tribes, were ajlerwards called Natick Indians, as the inhabitants of a town are called by the name of the town. And in regard to Indian titles, when the claims of Mason were asserted, and the charter forfeited in 1684, the settlers in various places endeavoured to get confirmatory deeds and titles to their land; and obtained such deeds from the Christian Indians, not because they were in all cases legal heirs, but probably because they could give as good titles as any in their power to obtain.

Eliot preached about three years at Nonantum and Neponset ; and also occasionally at Concord and other places. About the beginning of the year 1648, he " went with Mr. Fhnt, and Capt. Willard of Concord, and sundry others, towards Merimack river , unto the Indian sachem Passaconaway, that old witch and powwaw, who, together with both his sons, fled the presence of the light for fear of being killed." In 1651, he made another visit there with considerable success. In 1650, a township was granted to the Indians, and called Natick, to which those in the vicinity were gathered, and denominated Praying Indians. Many of these were originally inhabitants of Concord, and had taken up a temporary residence at Nonantum and other places.

Those who had endeavoured to unite in civil order at Concord had been frequently disturbed in the places where they settled, as will appear from the following petition to the General Court.

" The humble petition of John Eliot of Roxbury, in behalfe of some Indians, sheweth, - That whereas the Praying Indians have their dwellings in sundry places, and in many respects cannot be all brought to any one place, and, in particular, not to that of Natik ; it seemeth therefore very necessary to further theire civile cohabitation, in sundry fitting places, that so the Saboths may be sanctified by them, and other poynts of religion and civility may be promoted among them. And wheras there hath bene and is much trouble by some of theire sittings downe upon such lands as are, some way or other, taken into the bounds of grants made to the English by the honord Gen : Court : These desire as much as may bee, to fix themselves in such places, as (so far as we know) are free from any just challenge of any English interest.

" First, therefore, the inhabitants of Nashoba, hving 7 or 8 miles w^est of Concord, desire to have liberty to make a towne in y* place, with due accommodations thereunto. And though Con- - cord have some conditional grant of lands y* way, yet I understand, that we shall have a loving and Christian agreement betwixt them and the Indians.

" Secondly, the inhabitants of Ogkauhquoukanus [Marlborough], living about 7 or 8 miles v/est of Sudbury, where no English have yet desired any land, desire to have liberty to make a towne in y* place, with due accommodations thereunto.

" And, they comiting this honord Court, and all the weighty affaires thereof unto the mercy and goodnesse of the Ld., I rest your unworthy petitioner

This petition was granted, " provided it doe not prejudice any former grant ; nor that they shall dispose of it without leave first had and obtayned from this Court." Nashobah, lying near Nagog Pond, partly in Littleton and partly in Acton, as nowbounded, accordingly became an Indian town ; and here a part of the Praying Indians in Concord, with others in the vicinity, gathered, and adopted civil and religious order, and had a Ruler and other municipal officers, though no church was formed. Such as were entitled to Christian ordinances probably went to Natick to celebrate the communion, after a church was organized there in 1660.

Nashobah, however, w^as not a very prosperous community. Certain rights of its inhabitants to lands granted to Concord in 1655, were sold to Concord in 1660; but in 1665, the Court granted them 2,000 acres more. In consequence of the war, w^hich was carried on between the Maquas or " Inland Indians," and the neighbouring tribes, from 1665 to 1670, this town suffered severely, and was entirely deserted. Some of the principal men w^ere killed. After the peace in 1670 it was repeopled, and was thus described by Gookin in 1674. " The inhabitants are about ten families, and consequently about fifty souls. The dimensions of this village is four miles square. The land is fertile, and well stored with meadows and woods. It hath good ponds for fish adjoining it. The people live here, as in other Indian villages, upon planting corn, fishing, hunting, and sometimes labouring with the English. Their ruler of late years was John Ahattawance [Tahattawan], a pious man. Since his disease, Pennakennit is the chief. Their teacher is named John Thomas, a sober and pious man. His father was murthered by the Maquas in a secret manner, as he was fishing for eels at his wear, some years since during the war. He was a pious and useful person ; and that place sustained a great loss in him. In this village as well as in other old

Indian plantations, they have orchards of apples, whereof they make cider ; which some of them have not the wisdom and grace to use for their comfort, but are prone to abuse unto drunkenness. And although the laws be strict to suppress this sin, and some of their own rulers are very careful and zealous in the execution of them ; yet such is the madness and folly of man naturally, that he doth eagerly pursue after that which tendeth to his own destruction." ^

This gives but a sorry picture of a civilized community ; but it is far from being applicable generally to this, or the other Indian towns. There were in them some examples of the Christian character, which would have been honorable in any community. Some of the most distinguished were of the Musketaquid Indians.

Tahattawan (sometimes written Tahattawants, Attawan, Attawance, and Ahatawance) was a sagamore, or " sachem of the blood, or chief of the royal line," of Musketaquid ; and appears to have possessed rights in the soil equal if not superior to Squaw Sachem ; and like her to have consented to its sale. What the connexion between him and Squaw Sachem was, does not fully appear. He had a powerful influence over his subjects ; and was one of those who early attended the preaching of Eliot at Newton, and spoke, as already mentioned, in favor of forming a civil community in this town. He was a worthy, upright Indian. The following members of his family embraced Christianity ; and they and their descendants were always among the most persevering, influential, and exemplary persons at Natick and Nashobah, - the places to which the diflerent individuals removed after they left Concord.

1. Wahan married Tasunsquaw, eldest daughter of Tahattawan, sachem of Concord. From documents given in this history, and others in my possession, it appears that he originally lived in Concord, where he was probably born. He is called " merchant " in the records, probably on account of his occupation. He was not a sachem by birth, as some have asserted, but acquired rights in the soil and assented to its sale, by virtue of his marriage into the " royal family." After the English settled

Concord, he removed to Newton, where, in 1646, as ah-eady mentioned, he became the first convert to Christianity under the instruction of Ehot. It is said by Shepard that Indians gave " names to their children, usually according to appearances of providences ; and the most active Indian for stirring up other Indians to seek after the knowledge of God in these parts is Waban, which signifies ivind ; although they never dremt of this, that this their Waban should breath such spirit of life and incouragement into the rest of the Indians, as he hath endeavoured in all parts of the country both at Concord, Merrimack, and elsewhere." He assisted in gathering the society and church at Natick, of which he was chosen chief ruler during his life. He is represented as a man of great prudence, piety, and usefulness. His confession, or account of his religious exercises of mind, was published in 1653, and also an exhortation, made in 165S.^ He died in the full exercise of the Christian faith in 1674, aged 70. " His last words immediately before he expired were, I give my soul to' thee, O my Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Pardon all my sins, and deliver ixie from hell. Help me against death, and then I am willing to die ; and when I die, O help me and relieve me." 2

His widow was living at Natick in 1684. His son Weegrammomenet, alias Thomas Waban, received a tolerable education, and was many years town clerk of Natick.^ His name frequently appears in Indian deeds, granting rights to the English, which he acquired rather indefinitely from his father, and like many others as an associate of the Praying Indians.

2. John Tahattawan, son of Tahattawan, removed to Nashobah. He was chief ruler of the Praying Indians gathered there, and is said to have been a pious, good man. He died about 1670. He married Sarah, daughter of John, Sagamore of Patucket, who after her husband's death married again Onamog, one of the rulers of the Praying Indians at Marlborough, with whom she lived a short time only. She was living at Patucket, as a widow, in Nov. 1675, when she was wounded by some unfriendly whites, and her only son by Tahattawan was slain. ^

Tahattawan's sole heir was Kehonowsqua, alias Sarah ; and is first mentioned in the deed of Nashobah given to the Hon. Peter Bulkeley in 1686, hereafter to be noticed.

3. Naatiishcow, alias John Thomas, married Naanashquaw, alias Rebeckah, another daughter of Tahattawan. His father had been a leading man at Nashobah, but was murdered by the Maquas Indians, as has been mentioned. He was teacher at that place till it was abandoned, when he removed to Natick, where he died, Jan. 17, 1727, at the great age of 110 years. He was exemplary through life, and had his reason and speech till within a few hours of his death. His eldest son was Solomon Thomas, alias Naashiomenett, who became influential at Natick.

Pennahannit, alias Captain Josiah, who was marshal-general or high-sheriff to all the Praying-Indian towns, and attended the chief courts held at Natick and elsewhere, dwelt at Nashobah, and was chief ruler of that place after the death of John Tahattawan.

Jethro, alias Tantamous, was present at the first purchase of Concord. He embraced Christianity and removed to Natick. In ^674, he was appointed missionary to the Indians at Weshakim [Sterling], but continued there only a short time.

Notices of other Indians, whose names occasionally occur in connexion with the affairs of Concord, might be given ; but these are the most prominent.

The missionary labors of Eliot and his associates were attended with considerable success. At Natick was a kind of theological seminary, where the natives were educated and sent forth to be rulers and teachers in other places. The Bible and several other books were translated and printed in their language, which requires the word, KnmmogJcodonattoottummoootiteaongannunnonash, to express in English " our question." This was indeed a Herculean task. In 1674, Eliot had organized two churches and fourteen towns, containing 1100 inhabitants ^ who had ostensibly embraced Christianity. A part of them only, however, appear to have been influenced by Christian principles. During Phihp's war, this number was very much reduced. Many of them became treacherous, and were among the worst enemies of the En- glish. Some of them sulFered death for their defection.^ The remainder were gathered in English towns, behaved Hke exemplary Christians, and were of essential service to the English in Philip's war. The whole number, on the 10th Nov. 1676, was 567 only, of which 117 were men and 450 women and children. The Nashobah or Concord Praying Indians, who remained friendly to the English, were 10 men and 50 women and children ; and they then lived in Concord under the inspection of the committee of militia, and the selectmen of the town. The other places where the Praying Indians met on the Sabbath for religious worship at this time, were Medfield, Andrew Devens's Garrison (near Natick), Lower Falls, Nonantum, and Dunstable.^

Some other notices of the Nashobah Indians, while resident m Concord, w^ill be given when the events of Philip's war are treated of. After this time, they appear to have nearly abandoned their plantation, and to have removed to Natick. May 19, 1680, twenty-three inhabitants of Concord petitioned the General Court that the lands, belonging to those Indians, might be granted to them, but it was refused ; because there were " debts due from the country which might be provided for by the sale of the land, if the Indians have no right or have deserted the place." In reply the petitioners say, " There never were any lands purchased of the country for townships." The petition was ineffectually renewed in 1691. It appears, however, that the Hon. % Peter Bulkeley of Concord, and Maj. Thomas Henchman of Chelmsford, on the 15th of June, 1686, bought the easterly half of the Nashobah plantation for £70 sterling. The Indian grantors were as follows, " Kehonowsquaw, alias Sarah, the daughter and sole heiress of John Tahattawan, sachem, and late of Nashobah, diseased ; Naanishcow, alias John Thomas ; Naanasquaw% alias Rebeckah, wife to the said Naanishcow ; Naashkinomenet, alias Solomon, eldest son of said Naanishcow, and Naanasquaw, sister to the aforesaid Tahattawan ; Weegrammominet, alias Thomas Waban ; Nackcominewock, relict of Crooked Rob-

2 I have communicated to the American Antiquarian Society for publication, among other papers, a document in. the hand writing of Major Gookin, giving a particular account of the disposition of all the Praying Indians at this time, from which the above facts are taken.

in ; and Wunnuhhew, alias Sarah, wife to Neepanum, alias Tom Doublet." This tract of land was bounded " by Chelmsford plantation (about three miles and three quarters) on the easterly side, by Concord Village land southward about two miles and three quarters ; northward it is bounded by land sold by the aforesaid Indians to Robert Robbins and Peleg Lawrence, both of Groton towne, which land is part of the aforesaid Nashobah plantation, and this line is exactly two miles in length and runs east three degrees northerly, or west three degrees southerly, and the south end runs parallel with this line ; on the westerly side it is bounded by the remainder of said Nashobah plantation, and that west line runs south seven degrees and thirty minutes east, four miles and one quarter. The northeast corner is about four or five poles southward of a very great rock that lieth in the line between the said Nashobah and Chelmsford plantation." ^ The remaining history of Nashobah properly belongs to Littleton. It may be well, however, to remark, that in 1714, when that town was incorporated, 500 acres of land were reserved for the Indian proprietors. Sarah Doublet, an Indian, was the only heir to it in 1734, being then old and blind, and committed to the care ot Samuel Jones of Concord. She then petitioned for liberty to sell it to pay her maintenance ; and it was granted for that purpose to Elnathan Jones, and Mr. Tenney. One corner was near the southeast part of Nagog Pond ; and the south line ran 279 rods to a point 90 rods south of Fort Pond, then across the pond, north ten degrees west, 133 rods north of said pond to a point, and then making a right angle, it ran 286 rods, and then across Nagog Pond to the first place mentioned.

Chapter Iii

Division of the Town. - Records. - Additional Grants. - Indian Deeds. - Iron Works built. - Town Farm. - Town of Stow granted. - Chronological Items.

We shall now recur to the civil history of the town from the time to which it was brought up in the first chapter. As the lands became more cleared, the meadows were somewhat dryer, and ceased to be a subject of frequent complaint. The inhabitants sought other spots for cultivation, more productive than the sandy ones on which they first settled ; and those that remained became more contented with their situation. Their numbers soon after began to increase. Some additional land was granted to the town ; and parts of the old settlement had become vacant by the removal of the original inhabitants. A second division of lands now took place.

The town met several times to consider in what manner this division should be made. On the 2d of Jan. 1654, it was voted to divide the town into three parts or quarters, and to have the lands first divided in the quarters ; but this was not entirely satisfactory to the inhabitants. ^' Much weariness about these things," say the Records, took place before the system was matured. On the 8th of March, 1654, " at a publique training," nine men were chosen, " three out of each quarter, empowered by the town to hear and end former debat, according to their best light, and discresion, and conscience ; only eight of the nine must agree to what is determined, or else nothing to be of force ; and none voted to the contrarie, but Georg Wheeler, Henry AVoodies, Joshua Edmands, William Buttrick, and Thomas Stow." The labors of this committee resulted in the following agreement : -

" We w^hose names are under written conclude that 20 acres of meadow" shall be resarved for a minister in the Hogepen-walke about Annursnake, and 20 acres of plowland out of the south quarter, and 20 acres of woodland in the east quarter. We agree also that 20 acres of woodland shall be resarved for the public good of the towne, lying neer the old hogepen, at each sid of the townes bounds line. - That some particular persons shall have some inlargement, whoe are short in lands, paying 12c?. per acfi^, as others have don, and Qd. per acre, if the towne consent thereto : - the persons are as follow ; Georg Wheeler 20 acres ; Obadiah Wheeler 20 acres ; Michel 'Wood 12 acres ; Thomas Daken 10 acres; Thomas Batman 15 acres; Bapties Smedly 14 acres. These to have second divition as others have had. That all pooremen in the towne that have not commons to the number of four, shall be allowed so many as amounts to foure with what they have already, till they be able to purchase for themselves, or untill the townsmen shall see cause to take it from them, and bestow it on others that want : and we mean those poore men, that at the present are householders. And upon these conditions and those that folow, the Hogepen-walke is resigned up to the north quarter.

" The divitions of the heighwaies are as foloweth ; The north quarter are to keepe and maintaine all there heighwaies, and bridges, over the great river in there quarter ; and in respect of their greatness of charg thareabout, and in regard of the ease of the east quarter above the rest in there highwayes, they are to alow the north quarter three pounds. - The east quarter are to keepe and maintain all there heighwayes, and the bridge over the north river [Darby's bridge] and the heighway there to the heighland, by estimation 3 or 4 rods, where the commissioners of Concord and Lanchaster being chosen by there townes to lay out there heighwayes did appoint it. ^ - The south quarter are to keepe and maintaine all there heighwayes and bridges over the south river, except that at the north river before expressed that is laid on the east quarter ; the south river bridge being to be set where the aforesaid comisoners appointed it, as there agreement declares : and all these heighwayes and bridges are to be maintained for ever by the quarters on whom they are now cast. - And it is further concluded that if any damiag shall com to the towne by the neglect of any part of the towne in any part of there wayes, that part of the towne so neglecting either bridges or wayes, shall beare the damage and secure the rest of the towne.

" The limits of ech quarter as foloweth ; - The north quarter by there familyes are from the north part of the training place to the great river and all on to the north sid thereof. - The east quarter by there familyes, are from Henry Farweles all eastwards with Thomas Brooke, Ensign Wheeler, Robert Merlam, Georg Meriam, John Adames, Richard Rice. - The south quar- ter by there familyes are all on the south and southwest side of the mill brooke except those before acsprest, with Luke Potter Georg Heaward, Mihel Wood, and Thomas Dane.

" We doe choose overseeres in ech quarter for the faithful performance of there duty in that case in all particulers, so far as may conduce for the profit and good of there quarters, as to make rates to pay workmen and to see that all persons come in seasonable time and keepe them to there bisiness faithfully, and keep accounts and so see the worke sufhsiently done ; and they are impoured to call fitt men and cattle in there quarter to the worke and pay them there wages ; and if any shall refeuse to attend these nesery workes there names shall be returned to the selectmen of the towne, who shall impose findes according to law upon all such ofenders in that case. Also the overseeres as aforesaid shall keep an exact account of there owne time expended, and shall have suffisient satisfaotion for the same. The names of the overseeres as follow ; - for the east quarter. Ensign Wheeler, and William Hartwell ; for the north quarter, John Smedly, and Thomas Batman ; for the south quarter Georg Wheeler, James Hosmer, Georg Heaward, and sargent Buss.

" This company doe for the present joyne to make rats in way as foloweth ; - the east end 2d, parts for all menes estates according as Mr. Bulkeley last rate was mad ; the north quarter 2c?. parts ; and the south quarter 4d, parts.

Regulations were established in each quarter, similar to those in wards of a city. Each chose its own officers, kept its own records, made its taxes, &c. The records of the south quarter (first commencing in 1654, in the hand- writing of Simon Willard, first quarter-clerk) are the only ones now extant. The second division of lands was made in the quarters, and afterwards recorded in the town book, in which the first and second divisions are particularly described. These municipal regulations were continued in force about 50 years ; and the distinction which was then given to the different parts of the town, is still preserved.

To the oldest book of records in the clerk's office in Concord is prefixed an account of the proceedings of the town in relation to recording the individual titles to lands, from which it appears, that " the latter grants of land to particular persons were only written on paper books [?] as granted, and not in a register booke." The selectmen were desired to consider the expediency of obtaining a new booke to record them and all other land that men now doe hold ; " and " the thing tending to pece and preventing of strife," they desired the help herein " of their " Reverend pastor Mr. Edward .Bulkeley, Thomas Brooks, and liff. Joseph Wheeler, which company sett about it the 25th of Jan. 1663, and at the end of the day, concluded to call a meeting on the 29th of the aforesaid month, to come to a conclusion about transcribing every man's land in a new booke so that it might be for the comfort and peace of ourselves, and posterity after us." When the town was assembled, it was agreed, that a new book should be procured, - that " what is in the old booke that is useful shall be transcribed into the new, with all lands which men now hold ; " - " that every man that hath not his proportion of lands laid out too him, that is due to him, shall gitt it laid out by an artis " before 1665 ; - and that each one should give to the town clerk a description of their lands, approvd at a meeting of the inhabitants of the quarter in which he lives, and certified by the quarter-clerk.^

From these Records I have compiled the following table, which gives the greater part, though not all of the names of the proprietors of the town, at that time. The places of their residence, when known, are indicated by the names under which they now pass.

1 For all the facts thus far in this chapter I am indebted to the the Town Records. The committee to divide the S. Quarter were William Wood, George Hayward, George Wheeler, William Buss, and John Miles. E, stands for east quarter ; N, for north quarter ; and S, for south quarter in the table on the opposite page.

It has already been intimated that additional grants of land were made to Concord about 1652. The following details relate to these and other grants.

" To the Honored Generall Court assembled at Boston. The returne of the nommber of acres of land granted as an addition to the Towne of Concord according to the order of the General Court in 1654.

Whereas the Court was pleased to grannt to our Towne a village some fouer years since upon condition they should improve it before others, but neglecting theire opportunity, the plantation of Chelmsford have taken a good parte of the same, also Nattatawants [Tahattawan] having a plantation granted him which takes up a good some also, we whose names are subscribed have taken a survey of the rest remayning, and wee finde about seven thousand acres left out, of which Major Willard hath two thousand acres, except a little part of one end of his farnie which lyes in the place or parcell of vacant land, that was since given to Shawshine, this tract of land being by the last Court granted to our Towne on this condition that at this Court we should acquaint the Court of the quantitye of what wee have.