Essex Town (part 2 of 26)

Wharf and Joseph Stevens. Mr. Stevens was something of a farmer. Nearly opposite his house stood that of the poor, but aristocratic ]VJiss Esther Carter, which was the only two- story house in the village. It was clapboarded, and wooden pegs were used instead of nails in its construction. She, with her brother Joseph are thought to have come from England. The second story of her house was occupied by "Old Ruth," a mulatto, formerly a slave, who wore men's clothing. Then came the house of Molly Stevens. The house of William Carter's wife Annie, which stood a little farther east, in the rear of a large boulder, was the last one taken down in the village. The Dorcas Foster house was near. Her father brought his family here from the Harbor village when he enlisted into the Revolutionary army, Dorcas being at that time only eight years of age. She married, first, an Oakes, second, a Stevens, and, third, Capt. Joseph Smith, the commander of a privateer in the war of 1812. Next beyond was the house of Capt. Isaac Dade, who lived when a boy in London, Eng., and was impressed into an English man-of-war. He married Fanny Brundle, a lady of Virginia, whose father's plantation adjoined that of the mother of Washington, with whom they were intimate. Soon after their marriage they came to Gloucester to recover Mr. Dade's health, which was broken down, and the Virginia lady took up her abode in Dogtown.

The last inhabitant of the village was Cornelius Finson, or " Neil," a colored man, who resided in an old ruined house until 1830, when he was taken to the almshouse, where he died a week later.

His father, Peter Lurvey, removed from Ipswich to Gloucester in 1707, and married Rachel Elvvell three years later. John Morgan Stanwood was Peter's son-in-law, and tradition was thus led astray as to the name of the patriot, as this was the home of both. " Granther Stannard " believed that his legs were of glass and feared to use them because of their fragility.

Some distance westerly was the residence of "Jim White." Still farther west and near Washington street still stands the " old castle," a part of which is built of square logs. It is supposed to have been originally built in 1661 by Thomas Riggs, the first schoolmaster and town clerk.

Forty-one cellars have been discovered here. There may have been houses without cellars, thus increasing the size of the village, which has now been gone nearly three quarters of a century.

Will Of Samuel Smith

The will of Mr. Samuel Smith of Enon (now Wenham) was proved in the Salem quarterly court 27 : 10: 1642. The following copy is taken from the original instrument on file in the office of the clerk of courts at Salem, book i, leaf 12.

This 5*^ of ocktober : 1642 : This my laft will and teaftament of Samewell Smith of Enon being in perfect memorey firft I will and bequeath vnto my wife Sarah Smith my farme in Enon with all the houfen vpon it as allfoe all the frutes vpon it as corne hemp and the like : for bar owne proper vfe for the tearme of har lif vpon coniideration that fhe fhall difcharg me of that promife vpon maridge ; which is vnto my funn : wiUiam Browne fiftie pounds : as allfoe that fhe fhall giue vnto his two children William and John Browne II : all which fhall be paid || by || my exequetors hearafter named : my will further is to giue vnto Sarah my wif all my Cattell nowe vpon the farme young and owld as neat befts horfe befts and fwine in full confideration of that hundred pounds that I ftand bound vnto har by A bond obligatore in lue of A former Joynter payabell after my diffeafe which fhall be parformed by my Exfequetors as allfoe further my will is that my farme with all the medowe and upland belongine thearvnto my funn Thomas Smith fhall haue it to himfelf and his heairs for euer vpon this confideration that he fhall pay vnto his fifter mare if then lining fiftie pownds in thre years after the entrie of it that is to fay fixtene pounds and A mark A yeare and for the parformance hearof he is to lay in good fecuretye vnto the Exfequetors if the lord take har away by death this payment is to be made vnto the Children of the aforefaid william Browne and Thomas Smith that then fhall be lining Equally deuided among them further my will is that if my funn : Thomas fhall die without iffue that my land and houfen vpon it fhall com to my daughter mare and har heaires foreuer : and after har to william Browne and his heaires for ever all wich debtes and legafies and || other || parformances are to be parformed by my two Exfequetors which I haue Apointed which is my Louing wife and my truftie fun William Browne : & my will further is that if Sarah my wif fhall marey that then the firft gift of my farme fhall ftand voyd and my will is that fhe fhall then refigne it vp into my other exequetors hand with A Juft accounte of all thofe goods and whatfoever belong to the manadgine of the farme || & proffitt || except that hundred pounds which har due which is to be paide har in Cattell by.the Judgment of men : and all my houlTiould ftufe within dores whatfoever it be I give to my wife : and my will is that my excequetor william Browne and my funn Thomas Smith to Joyne with him to leat the farme : or improve it to the beft advantage for the good of my daughter mare and to be accounted with and prouided for by my excequetor william Browne in that particquler : Item with II this II confideration that if my wif marey that then the farme is to be leat as aboue faid untill thear be gathered for || my || A portion || of || A hundred and fiftie pounds to be paid vnto the excequetor wiUiam Browne and he to pay that hundred & fiftie pounds at har day of maredg & if har mother leave har then the excequetor william Browne to fe ye bringing of har vp. allfoe my funn Thomas Smith is to be Aquitted of that fiftie pound he ftand ingadged to pay vnto har : and all the ouerplufh of A hundred and fiftie pounds if the lord give longer life vnto my wif Arifing out of y® farme is to be left in my fun browns hand and improved to the beft vfe and after har diffeafe to be equally parted betwixt my daughter mare and all the grand children I fhall haue then living further my will is that my funn Thomas Smith whome I feare not : will be truly faithfull to me fhall be thearfore my Suprevifor of this my laft will : witnes this prefent day aboue

Bounds Of Lynn

Whereas William Hathorne of Saltm & Edward Tomlyns of Lynne were chofen by the generall Court to lay out the length of the bounds of the towne of Lynne according to the Courts order of Six miles fro the meeting houfe w''^ accordingly hath beene pformed the day & yeare above written, w^^ we fignifie vnder our hands to extend fro Charlestowne bounds to the fouth end of the great Pond at Lynne village and fro thence to the great fwampe adjoyning II vn II to the great pond: and fo to runne fro thence northward to the north River and fo to Salem bounds : thefe being the neereft markes w^^ by vs meafurd wee finde to ftate the bounds. William

The Essex Antiquarian Revolutionary Letters

Cambridge, 19*^ July 1775. After letting you know that I am well I would acquaint you that I heard you had thoughts of sending me some Butter, but I don't Defire you should, for we have Plenty of very good Butter for alowance. If you don't happen to see Lieu*. Robinfon, I should be glad you would send my Deer skin Breeches by M''. Ivory Hovey, and Likewile my fine shirt. I should be glad that Brother Seth would send me word how forward he is about his work, and whither he is likely to have any Salt Hay of Mother and upon what Terms. So hoping this will find you & the Children and all Friends in health, I Subfcribe myself your Sincere Friend &c :

Cambridge, 25*^ July 1775 M"^^. Peabody, as Providence has Cast in a Piece of Soap into your Hufbands & my Mefs we thought Proper to send it home, - but forgot to mention it in the Letter which your Hufband sent you if you will be so good as to Let my Wife have one piece of it you will oblige Your Friend & Humble Servant

(The address is gone.) Cambridge 22"^ Sept^ 1775 Having now an opportunity to write to you I gladly embrace it to let you know that I am well, and I truft this will Find you & the Children so. I have no News to send only that there was one man kill'd and two wounded yefterday by the Regulars.

{Address : - Ebenezer Peabody, Lt.) Dear Brother, I Imbrace this Opertunity to write a Line to you hoping that thefe will find you in health as they leave me at Prefent we are upon an Island about Ten Miles from New-york there is near twenty Sail of the Kings Shiping Now in the harbour we have Torys Plenty there has been a Confpiracy againft his Excellency Gen^^ Wafhenton By the torys they Prevaled on Some of the Gen^^^ : Life- Guard for a large Sume of Money to kill the Gen®^ : whenever the fleet should Attack the City and one of the Captains of the Artillery was to spik up the Cannon and Blow up the Magazein thinking this would thro our Army into Confution the Torys where to Mufter there whole force and fall upon us. This was the Scheme of the Torys But By the Blefsing of heaven they are Defeated and we have got about forty of them in Clofe Confinment among whome are the Lord Mayer of the City. I hope you will write to me Every opertunity

I have this Day received a Letter from you dated the 14*^ of Aug* and am very glad to hear of your welfare and that your living is so good, hope it will continue so. I have nothing new to inform you, except that the Small Pox has been at Richard Tyler's for several weeks past, but those who have had [it] are likely to do well. We are all well at present and hope that this [will] find you the same, you may tell your Brother Peabody that his chil- dren and family are all well. Your father and mother remember their Love to you, hope you will not be unmindful of mine, hope you wont think of staying longer than your Time is out, and that you will embrace all opportunities of writing to me I remain your true and loving Wife

(The beginning of the letter is gone.) Nufif For 20 More I have Nothing New to Right only we Are All wall I Shall be Glad If You will Send Me a Letter As Son as you Can And Send me Word A Boute the ticketts Remember Me to Sarrah So No more att Present If I had Time I would have Rote you more Butt the Tattue is Don beatting And I must Go to Bead I shall be Glad you would sho the Letter from Dubline to M^ Wood Lickwife to Adg*. Hovey My Complements to them tow Gentlemen and to my Ant Wood

Janu^y 3*^ 1779. Brother I take this Oppetunity to Lett you No that I am Well I hoop theas Lines Will find you the Same I have Nothing New to Right Pleafe to Remember me to my Farther & mother And to My Children we Can Gett Nothing hear to By for Money Butt we Leve On Salt Beff & Brad we Can Not Gett No Syder Nor Apples Nor no Kind of Sarce it tis wary Health [y] in the Rigement at Present I Am In Hoops to Gett home in the Spring butt If I Should Not I would have you Lett the Place Outt to the Best Advantadge You Can I Should be Glad you would Send me Sum Letters I Should be Glad You would Send me Word Confarning the Ticketts for I have Never heard

To My Honored Father and Mother i Have no Nufe To Right But Through Divine Goodness i am in Health Providence fmiles upon our army in many Respects aspeacely in the Last ingeagemeant may ye 28 Sunday morning wherein ware None of our army Killed fore wounded When The arowers of Death flew Thick around them But it is fad many of our inimies ware Killed and wounded our fcouts Have Reepeatedly taken Prises i Hope through the Goodness of God These Lines will find you yours and Myne in Pearfect Health i Remain your Dutiful Son

I Take this opportunity to send you thefe lines to Inform you that Through the Divine Goodnefs of God I am in a very good state of health as I hope that thefe few lines will find you and our Children in the Same Condition I have no News to Inform you off only that it has been very sickly in the Camp with the camp Diforder those that have been ill are getting Batter I expect [to] be Discharged from the army by the time if not sooner Give my Duty to my Parents my Love to my Brothers and sifters and remember me to M'". Nathaniel Peabody Lieu*. Runnels Benj* Foster if his at home and to all Inquiring Friends So I must Conclud with wishing you and ours all Profparity I am your Loving Husband untill Death

John Pearl P. S. we dont expect there will be any fiting here this fall for we are very strong by Land and by water we have Twenty three sail of the line

S"^ I take this Oppotunity to Rite to you to Lett You No that I Am Well And In Good Halth att present hooping theafe will find you the Same I should be Glad You woold Send me A Letter as Soon as You Can I Should be Glad You would take Care of One Half of the Corn and Lett Sister Runnels have it If She wants it And take One half of the Flax And Keep [it] to make Sum Ciouths for me I Should be glad If You would Afset in Gitting Sum Cotton to make me Sum Shirts And Stockins as I am all most Naked for the want of them And I will sea You Sattasfyd for the Same When the Enemy Was hear they Killed Sculp And Bunt 32 Men Women An Children And takein 32 Prisoners And Carrid them of to Nigarrey. Killed of the Continantals Col°. Ichobod Alden & 1 2 Privates And Sculped them that Could Not Gitt to the fort I was att my Quarters And tryed to Gitt to the fort thay Like to have taken me butt I maid my Efcape I Should be Glad to Gett from this Place butt I Do Not Expect to this Winter, but am In hoops to Gitt home In the Spring - the Enemy have burnt 140 Od Bildins and maide the Place Disfolate of Inhabitants Remember Me to Sister Pari And Your Cheldren. So No More att Present but I Remain your Loveing Brother these Lines Come with my Love to you and to our Children and duty to our mother hopeing they will find you well as they Leave me at this time Send me if you Can a blanket that mother offered me to Gary to the Lake or Some other for we have not Covering a nouf and Send me that Pillow that I laid upon at home if you Can Send my other Shirt and you may Send me Some Butter if you Can as well as not Send me word how you all are By Nathan Sticknee make your Selves as Comfortable as you Can and I have time to Rite no more at this time But I Remain your most affectinate husband

Boxford.) February the 2 : 1778 my Dear these Lines Come With my tenderest Reguard to you and our family I have Sent two Shirts to be Washed By Seth Burnam and you may Send them by him Send me five or Six dollars by Serjent Andrew Peabody when he Comes for it and So No more at present I am in helth

Salem, Aug. 30. " His Excellency has been pleafed to appoint Francis Cabot, Efq ; of this Town, to be one of his Majefty's Juftices of the Peace for the County of Effex; as alfo Capt. Thomas Mason of this Town to be a Coroner for the fame County." - Essex Gazette, Aug. jo, lydS.

'' Wenhaniy Sept. 6, 1768. DROKE open, either laft Saturday or Sunday Night, the Shop belonging to the subfcriber, and ftole from thence. Five Beaver, Two Caftor, and Two Felt Hats, three of the Beaver and the two Caftor Hats not lined ; and one of the faid Beaver Hats lined with green Silk. Whoever will apprehend the Thief or Thieves, fo that he or they may be brought to Juftice, and the faid Hats recovered, fhall be entitled to a Reward of Five Dollars.

John Redman of Hampton conveys to in town records before March 17, 1650. Christopher Hussey of Hampton 25 acres Signed by Abraham Pirkins, Richard of marsh at Hampton, adjoining Robert Swayne, Thomas Ward and John Sam- Shaw, etc. 15: 2: 1652. Wit: Jn^ borne.

Legatt. Ack. before the court at Salisbury Robert Codnam of Harford, uppon 15 : 2 : 1652. Conecticot River, Mariner," gives a gen- Steven Kent of Haverell conveys to eral power of attorney to " my trusty & Jn° Redman of Hampton, land in Hamp- beloued freind Samuell Hall of Salisbury ton, which was granted by the town to Planter," Sept. 25, 1650. Signed by his Willi: Wakefeild, 14 : 2 : 1652. Wit: mark ^v^. Wit : The mark of John C John Emery and Abraham Perkins. Ack. Cole and Jn** Tinker, before the court atSahsbury 15 : 2 : 1652. Mr. Christopher Hussie enters a cau- Will of John Bayly, sen., made on his tion about 17 acres of marsh bought of sickbed 28 : 8 : 1651. He devises to Edward Colcord, Sept. 16, 1652. his son John Bayly *' my house " and land Henry Green of Hampton, millwright, in Salisbury " during his life, & after conveys to Jn^ Cass of Hampton, planter, my sonnes death his second sonne Joseph 5 acres marsh in Hampton, bounded by Bayly is to enioy it, & if Joseph doth not Thomas Maston and Jeffery Mingee, Oct. live to enioy it, then his younger brother is 6, 1652. Wit: WiUi : ffifeild and Edward to enioy it," Joseph paying to his oldest Gyllman, Ack. before Rich : Bellingham brother John Bayly ;^4o. His son John 7: 8mo : 1652.

Grants by Hampton to Willi ffiillar : 10 Steven Kent, acres ; 1 6 acres, bounded by James John Legatt of Exiter, in exchange, Davis, formerly, which said ffiillar bought conveys to Anthony Taylor of Hampton ofMr. Daulton, John Wedgwood,formerly, (as per bill under the hand of Edmond Jn^ Davis; 4 acres, bounded by land said Littlefeild dated 29 : 8 : 1642) a house ffiillar bought of Willi Haward ; 1 2 acres, lot in Hampton, bounded by Abraham bounded by land said ifullar bought of Drake and a lot formerly M^ Bright's, Henry Saward ; etc. He also bought 30 : 11 : 1642. Wit: William Wenland of Henry Ambros on the great pond bourne.

John Wedgwood of Hampton conveys land in Salisbury, on west side of Pawto Henry Greene land bounded by the waus river, bounded by "J n^ Weed, &Jn^ mill land and highway 14: 4: 1652. Bayly sen. late deceased," Jarrett Haddon, Wit : Humphrey Humber Scrib : and Richard Wells and Merrimack river, i : the mark of m William Godfrey. Ack. lo"'^: 1652. Signed by V mark. Wit: before the court at Hampton 5:8: Tho : Bradbury and the mark of MB 1652. Mary Bradbury. Ack. before Sam:

Abraham Pirkins of Hampton, sen., Winsley and Josiah Cobham, commissionfor ;£30, conveys to Henry Green of ers of Salisbury, 2 3 : 4 : 1653. Hampton one half of the water mill at John Bayly of Nuberie, weaver, with

Thomas Coleman of Nuberie, hus- and Mary Huntington, her son and bandman, and Mary Coleman, his wife, daughter, a dwelling house and land in "^ch ^g^g ye ^yfg Q^ gdmondc Jonson Salisbury on the west side of the Pawdeceased," convey to John Cass of waus river, bounded by "Jn*'. Weed & Hampton marsh in Hampton, bounded Jn°. Bayly sen late of Salisbury deby land given to Welles men, etc., 9 : ceased," Jarret Haddon, Richard Wells 1652. He signs his name: and Merrimack river, 4: 1652* Thomas Coulman. Wit : ifrancis Swaine Signed by mark E. Wit : Tho : Bradand John Woodin. Ack. before Ri : Bel- bury and the marke of MB Mary Bradlingham 7 : 1652. bury. Ack. before Sam: Winsley and

Henry Greene of Hampton conveys to commissioners, 3: 11 "^°: 1652. Abraham Pirkins a share of the cove William Sargent of Salisbury, seaman,, planter, with consent of wife Joannah, Stevens and Nathan Parker. Ack. beconveysto Jn*'. Bayly, sen., of Nuberry, fore Symond Bradstreet 6 : 11'"°: 16 - . weaver, *'my now dwelling house" and To be continued.

Spinning Bee

" We hear from Byfield, in the County of Effex, that on the Day of the laft public Commencement at Cambridge, 25 young Women belonging to the Place, met at the Minifters Houfe with their Spinning Wheels, and gave evident Proof of their Skill and Dexterity in managing of them ; by carding and fpinning more than 20 double Skeins of Cotton Yarn, and fpinning 60 double Skeins of Linen, each Skein containing 14 Knots, 40 Threads 2 Yards long to a Knot. - - - One young Woman fpun more than 6 double fpun 3 double Skeins of Cotton, and then fpun one double Skein of Linen. They all generoufly gave their Work ; and by their ingenious diligent conducting the Bufinefs of the Day, appeared well qualified to claim the Honor of being acknowledged Miftreffes of their AriT - Essex Gazette y Aug. 23 ^ 1768.

16. Parentage is desired of William Fanning who married at Newbury, Mass., 1668, Elizabeth Allen, or any data of him showing his connection or otherwise with Edmund Fanning of New London, Conn.,

18. Wanted, evidence of relationship of William, Thomas, and Aquila Chase, who came to America about 1635, and name of ship in which the two last named came. h. m. chase.

1. John Batchelder of Wenham married Hannah Tarbox in 1702. She was a daughter of Ens. Samuel Tarbox, of Lynn, and his second wife. Experience Look. This couple had a son Thomas who married Esther Edwards aAd moved to Wenham. After the death of Ens. Samuel Tarbox the widow and family removed from Lynn to Wenham. In the Gen. Hist. Reg., vol. 42, pages 27-29, will be found the family record of Ens. Samuel Tarbox. It seemed to me, that, as John and Ebenezer Batchelder were connections, possibly Hannah and Sarah Tarbox, their respective wives, were from the same family. - E. S. T., Lowell.

In the Heart of Cape Ann, or the Story of Dogtown. By Charles E. Mann. Illustrated ; cloth ; 1 2 mo ; 7 1 pages. Procter Bros., Gloucester, 1896. This book gives the history of Dogtown commons in Gloucester, and of many of the people who lived there, and their homes and manner of life. Several of the illustrations are unique, and the whole volume is interesting.

Topsfield Historical Collections. Volume II. 2 plates; 150 pages. Published by the Topsfield Historical Society, 1896. This second annual volume of the Society's collections contains the proceedings of the Society for the year ; the town records from 1659 to 1685 ; a descriptive history of the Howlett and Clark famihes ; account of Gov. Endicott's copper mining venture in Topsfield in 165 1 ; baptisms of the Topsfield church from 1779 to 1841 ; and much other valuable and interesting matter.

Old Nichols Homestead, Now Ferncroft Inn By Andrew Nichols

165 1 he conveyed this tract of land to premises, as before stated. William Nichols, the immigrant ancestor Soon after the date of his deed (1679), conveyed to Isaac Burton, who had been better earlier houses of New England, in his family for twenty-five years, and About the time of the witchcraft deluhad been like a son to him, thirty acres sion, John Nichols conveyed to his sonfrom the northwestern end of it.* On in-law Humphrey Case a lot of land, on two- thirds of the distance from Ferncroft Inn to the ice houses on the direct road to the old Newburyport and Boston turnpike. Here the Case family resided many years, and the cellar alone remains to mark the spot.

Mr. Nichols died here in the autumn of 1700, at the age of fifty-nine. His wife was named Lydia, and their children were, William ; Anna, who married Francis Elliot ; John, born Jan. 14, 1667 ; Thomas, who settled in Sutton ; Isaac ; Lydia, wife of Aquilla VVilkins; Rachel, who married Humphrey Case; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Brewer ; Ebenezer ; and Margaret, ten in all.

Four years previous to his decease, Mr. Nichols gave a deed of the homestead to his son John and his wife Constant to hold during their joint lives, and the life of the survivor of them, and the remainder "to his heirs or heirs of his body lawfully begotten."* The son John and his family lived here until his death, which probably occurred in the spring of 1757, as administration on his estate was granted to his widow, Martha, June 27th of that year. He had three children, Edward, John and Samuel.

The youngest son, Samuel, came into sole possession of the farm on the death of his father, by inheritance and purchase.f He was born here Feb. 25, 1714-5 ; and married, first, Abigail Elliot Nov. 17, 1742. She died May 27, 1759; and he married, second, Anna White. His son Samuel, born here in 1743, enlisted into the navy, sailed to the West Indies, and was never heard from. Another son, Andrew, was the father of Dr. Andrew Nichols, the first president of the Essex County Natural History Society.

In 1728 the town of Middleton was incorporated. The town was formed from parts of Andover, Boxford, Salem and Topsfield ; and the portion taken from Topsfield included the Nichols homestead, which has ever since been in Middleton.

The Burton house, allusion to which has already been made, together with the lot of land on which it stood, came into the possession of Samuel Nichols, by purchase, in 1757,* and was owned by him as long as he kept the farm.

For fifteen hundred and eighty and one-half pounds, Mr. Nichols conveyed the farm, including the two dwelling-houses and two barns, to Capt. Israel Foster, a merchant of Beverly, May 17, 1777.!

After the Revolution, Captain Foster removed to Marblehead, where he was also a merchant. While he possessed the farm he removed the old Burton house and barn, which had probably been built as early as the Nichols house.

With the consent of his wife Jane, Captain Foster conveyed the farm to Daniel Porter, of Topsfield, a tanner, Dec. 30, 1805, for ^3,900. J Mr. Porter lived on a farm in Topsfield, which was separated from this farm by the brook only, and probably never lived here.* At the time of Mr. Porter's decease, his son Allen was living here and probably had been for some years.

Daniel Porter died Jan. 28, 1831 ; and his executors, Allen and Ira Porter, two of his sons, conveyed this farm, by order of court, to George Towne, of Danvers, April 26, 183 1. § And on the same day Mr. Towne re-conveyed the farm to Allen Porter,! who continued to dwell in the ancient house.

Mr. Porcer lived here until Nov. 30, 1838, when he sold the estate to Jeremiah Augustus Estey of Middleton.^ The farm then contained one hundred and forty-three acres.

Registry of Deeds, book no, leaf 65. tEssex Registry of Deeds, book 135, leaf 68. +Essex Registry of Deeds, book 177, leaf 116. § Essex Registry of Deeds, book 259, leaf 187. II Essex Registry of Deeds, book 259, leaf 188. IFEssex Registry of Deeds, book 310, leaf 126.

Old Nichols Homestead

Mr. Peabody lived in the western part of the house; and June 26, 1849, conveyed the eastern end of the house and western part of the barn and a portion of the homestead lands to Andrew Verry, of Middleton.§ He sold out to Aaron Jenkins, of Middleton, April I, 1862; II and Mr. Jenkins, who had removed to Salem, sold to the Harris family of that city, the present owners, Feb. 6, 1880.

Mr. Peabody became involved in a law suit of some six years continuance, in which General Butler was counsel, and removed to Stoneham about 1858, his part of the house being subsequently occupied for some years by Jonathan Perry, son of the above named Jonathan.

Mr. Peabody's part of the premises was sold by the sheriff to James M. Perry, of Danvers, Aug. 2, 1870;^ and he conveyed it back to Mr. Peabody May 10, 1872.**

May 10, 1882, Mr. Peabody conveyed his part of the homestead to Sidney C. Bancroft, Esq., of Peabody, who, twelve days later, passed the title to the present owners.

Some improvements were made by the present owners upon their purchase of the farm, but no additions of any considerable extent were made until 1892, when it was thought well to open the old m mse to the public. A broad piazza, running the whole length of the house, was added to the front ; and at the rear was made the principal place of entrance. Some artis-

Registry of Deeds, tEssex Registry of Deeds, JEssex Registry of Deeds, § Essex Registry of Deeds, II Essex Registry of Deeds, IFEssex Registry of Deeds, **E^sex Registry of Deeds,

After two successful seasons in serving lunches and dinners to the pubHc, further additions were made, including a spacious dining-room upon the front of the house, the original oak front door, with its handwrought nails, being retained.

The owners have been to a great deal of pains and expense to furnish Ferncroft with ancient furniture, utensils, ornaments, and China, English and Holland wares of various kinds. Among the articles are some ancient books and prints, a buffet, a silver-lined drinking-horn, antique plates and pewter platters, a Dutch delft pitcher of the sixteenth century, candlesticks, tall clocks, ancient armor, canopied bedsteads, an old claw-foot sideboard, made of various kinds of wood, with an oval marine view on marble set in the centre, the drawers being velvet lined, and two large arm-chairs of solid oak, reputed to have been the property of Rob:rrt Burns, the poet of Ayr.

Among the most interesting things that can be seen here is the wall paper. The office walls are covered with Shakespearian paper, the hall with the old English landscape paper, and the dming-room with wall-paper representing old hunting scenes and sports of merry England.

At the bend of the road near the house is a rustic post from which swings the sign used at the beginning of this century at the old tavern in Topsfield when William Meady was its proprietor. On one side is a portrait of George Washington in his military uniform; while on the other is that of John Quincy Adams. After many years of repose among attic cobwebs, the sign has returned to its former usefulness.

The house has now been open to the public four seasons, and thousands have examined its nooks and crannies and antiques, and enjoyed the cuisine and delightful grounds, and a drink from the deep old well with its well-sweep and oaken bucket.

all people that are not decidedly unimaginative and unimpressionable. Births, weddings, deaths of their occupants have followed each other in their natural order, generation after generation.

Erected in the time of the Indian depredations amidst the woods, far away from neighbors and miles from any considerable settlement, the early occupants of this old mansion must have ever dreaded the unseen approach of the savages, with their torch and tomahawk and scalping knife. Later in the midst of the social life of the neighborhood where the terrible witchcraft delusion broke out, they saw their friends, neighbors and relatives accused, convicted and hanged, and knew not how soon the condemning finger might be pointed at them. Passing through the period of the Indian and French wars, the Revolution, and all the commotions of this century, its occupants saw the colony become a province, and the province a great state. Yet stands the old house ready to enter upon the twentieth century.

By Sidney Pebley

These are marriages where the bride appeared dressed in a white sheet or chemise, and sometimes without any covering whatever. Both in Old and New England in the last century brides could thus be seen taking connubial vows upon them.

The reason of this was the belief that if a man married a woman who was in debt he would be held liable for her indebtedness to her creditors if he received her at the hands of the minister or magistrate with any of her property. And, also, that if a woman married a man who was owing debts his creditors could not take her property to satisfy them if he received nothing from her.

In England, there is a least one case that has come to the knowledge of the writer where the bride was clothed puris naiuralibus while the ceremony was being performed in the great church at Birmingham. The minister at first refused to perform the ceremony, but finding nothing in the rubric that would excuse him from the exercise of his professional functions he married the pair. The public were much incensed at the clergyman, and it made considerable newspaper comment at the time. The date was 1797.

should always have been performed as it was in the Birmingham church instance. But the modesty of the people generally forbade such an exhibition, and various expedients were resorted to to accomplish the desired effect and yet avoid the undesirable features. Sometimes the bride stood in a closet and put her hand through a hole cut in the door. Sometimes she stood behind a cloth screen, and put her hand out at one side of it. Again, she wound about her person a white sheet furnished for the occasion by the groom ; and sometimes she stood in her chemise, or smock, or shift, as the same garment is variously called. Eventually, in Essex county, at least, all immodesty of the performance of such a wedding was overcome by the groom furnishing to the bride all the clothes she wore, retaining title to the same in himself. This he did in the presence of witnesses, that he might prove the fact in case he was subjected to a suit for any debts she might have previously contracted. A marriage of this kind occurred at Bradford in 1733; and the following is a copy of the record of the same : -

" Bradford, Dec. ye 24, 1733. " This may certifie whomsoever it may concerne that James Bailey of Bradford who was married to the widow Mary Bacon Nov. 22 last past by me ye subscriber then Declared that he took the said person without anything of Estate and that Lydia the wife of Eliazer Burbank & Mary the wife of Thos. Stickney & Margaret the wife of Caleb Burbank all of Bradford were witnesses that the clothes she then had on were of his providing & bestowing upon her. " William Balch, Minister of ye Gospel."

It is noticed by the writer that in all cases of "smock marriages," as they are called, that have come to his knowledge, the brides have been widows. Widows were always liable to be owing debts for the support of their famihes. Maiden ladies were then usually married young before they had contracted debts to any considerable amount, and again the consideration of the financial condition of the couple was then as now of secondary importance to young people. With the lapse of years the sentimental glow of youth somewhat abates, and the matterof-factness of life has more control of human judgment.

Abbot Genealogy

David Abbot^, born in Andover Jan.' 18, 1688-9. He was a housewright and husbandman, and lived in Andover. He married Hannah Danforth in 1718. He died Nov. r4, 1753; and she died in 1788, aged ninety-one.

Timothy Abbot3, born in Andover June 20, 1693. He lived in the garrison house in Andover with his father, and was a farmer. He married Mary Foster Dec. 9, 17 17; and died July 10, 1766, aged seventy-three.

Thomas Abeot3, born in Andover Jan. 3, 1699. He was a farmer,, and succeeded his father on the homestead. He married Elizabeth Ballard Jan. 28, 1725. He died July 11, 1774; and she died July 31, 1782, aged eighty-two.

214 - VII. Joseph"*, b. Dec. 29, 1734; was taken captive by the Indians at Lake George Sept. 19, 1756; was carried to Canada, and died in prison at Quebec in January, 1758, aged twenty-three.

Capt. Nathaniel Abbot^, born in Andover in 1696. He was one of the first settlers of Rumford (now Concord), N. H., being an innholder there in 1735. In 1744, he served as an officer in Major Rogers' company of Rangers ; was at the capture of Cape Breton in 1745 ; and in 1746 commanded a company in defence of the town against the Indians. He was lieutenant in the expedition against Crown Point. He married, first, Penelope Ballard, in Andover, Nov. 23,1726 ;

Ephraim Moar. 225 - VII. Ruth*, b. Jan. 28, 1738; m. James Walker of Concord ; and d. Feb. 27, 1817. He was a tailor; and d. Feb. 9, 1 82 1, aged eighty-three. 226 - VIII. Joshua*, b. Feb. 24, 1740; captain in battle of Bunker hill ; was a farmer, and lived in Concord ; m. Elizabeth Chandler of Bradford ; and had children. She d. May 27, 1812, aged seventy-three ; and he d. March - , 1815. 227 - IX. Rachel*, b. April 7, 1743 ; m. Daniel Abbot of Concord ; and d. June 13, ' 1788. 228 - X. Jeremiah*, b. March 17, 1744; was a farmer, and lived in Concord and Conway, N. H.; was a sergeant in the battle of Bunker hill, a lieutenant at Ticonderoga, and in the expedition against Canada ; kept an inn in Conway ; m. Elizabeth Stickney of Concord; and d. Nov. 8, 1823.

Dea. Joseph Abbot3, born in Andover Feb. 2, 1705. He was a farmer, and lived in Andover with his father on the homestead, which his father conveyed to him in 1749. About 1776, he removed to Wilton, N. H. He was a deacon of the church in Andover for many years, and tuned the psalm. He married Deborah pianchard Aug. 12, 1731 ; and she died July 21, 1773. He died Aug. 23,

Barachias Abbot4, born in Andover May 14, 1707. He was a meek and upright man, lived in Andover, and was a cordwainer by trade. He married Hannah Holt March 22, 1733. She died July 31, 1775, aged sixty-five; and he died Oct. 2, 1784, aged seventy-seven.

Joseph Abbot*, born in Andover April 24, 1 719. He lived, first, in Lancaster, and later in Chester, Vt. He married Hannah Abbot (103) Nov. 12, 1741 ; and died in 1789.

Joseph Abbot*, born in Andover May 31, 1724. He was a farmer, and lived with his father in Andover. He married, first, Anna Peabody Feb. 9,. 1748-9 ; and she died March 20, 1766. He married, second, Ednah Platts of Boxford (published Nov. 8, 1766). He was drowned Dec. 10, 1766, aged forty-two, and his wife Ednah survived him.

Ephratm Abbot4, born in Andover in 1 7 10. He was a miller, and resided in Andover. He married Hannah Phelps Feb. 14, 1734 ; and died April 24, 1745. His wife survived him.

280 - III. Sarah^, b. Nov. 18, 1737; lived with Hon. Samuel Phillips, carrying on his farm ; and died, unmarried, March 20, 1831, aged ninety-three, having been blind for several years before her death.

Stephen Abbot4, born in Andover March 21, 1718. He was a farmer, and lived with his father in Andover. He married Mary Abbot (122) May 24, 1743. He died Nov. 8, 1768; and his widow married Jonathan Abbot (180).

Samuel Abbot4, born in Andover June 23, 1726. He lived in his native town; and married Elizabeth Wyman of Pelham (pub. Sept. 14, 1754). He died at Lake George in 1758. His wife survived him, and married Joseph Dane Oct. 9, 1759. She was living in 1767.

Ephraim Abbot4, born in Andover July 22, 1 718. He was a farmer, and lived in Amherst, N. H., and Andover, Mass. He married, first, Mary Abbot (200) Nov. 3, 1740. She died March 9, 1745 ; and he married, second, Hannah Kneeland of Ipswich (published Feb. i, 1745-6).

Ebenezer Abbot4, born in Andover Feb. 20, 1 73 1. He was a cordwainer, and lived in Andover. He married Lydia Farrington Jan. i, 1752 ; and died Dec. 19, 1 77 1. His wife survived him, and was his widow in 1776.

Peter Abbot4, born in Andover May 8, 1734. He lived in Kingston, N. H. He married widow Elizabeth Damon of Reading Sept. 22, 1757 ; and died April 18, 1774.

Isaac Abbot4, born in Andover June 30, 1728. Lived in Andover until about 1768, when he removed to Fryeburg. He married Susannah Farnum May 29,

Col. George Abbot4, born in Andover Dec. 14, 1724. He was a colonel in the militia, and an esquire, and lived with his father in Andover. He married Hannah Lovejoy Jan. i, 1747 ; and died Dec. 26,1775. She died Sept. 7, 1813, aged eighty-nine.

Benjamin Adams of Rowley ; priv., Capt. Eliphalet Spafford's cc, Col. Samuel Gerrish's reg., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, to Cambridge; service, 3 dys. ; reported as belonging to alarm list.

Benjamin Adams of Beverly ; priv., Capt. Larkin Thorndike's (ist) co., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, to Concord ; service, 2^ dys. ; also^ Capt. John Low's CO., Col. Hutchinson's (19th) reg. j muster roll dated Aug. i, 1775 ; enl. May 12, 1775 ; service, 2 mos., 25 dys. j also^ order for coat money, dated Camp at Winter Hill, Oct. 21, 1775.

Benjamin Adams of Rowley ; capt.. Col. Jedediah Huntington's reg. ; return of men in service at Roxbury Dec. 22, 1775; also, list of officers of Mass. militia; commissioned Feb. 3, 1776 ; also, Col. Johnson's reg. ; enl. Aug. 18, 1777 ; dis. Nov. 30, 1777; service, 3 mos., 27 dys., in Northern department.

Benjamin Adams, jr., of Rowley ; priv., Capt. Eliphalet Spafford's co.. Col. Samuel Gerrish's reg., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, to Cambridge; service, 6 dys. ; returned home April 23,

Emerson Adams of Ipswich ; priv., Capt. Robert Dodge's co., Col. Samuel Johnson's reg.. Gen. Warner's brigade ; enl. Aug. 15, 1777; dis. Dec. 14, 1777; service, 4 mos. ; co. raised from 3d reg. Mass. militia for service in Northern department ; stationed at Peekskill.

Enoch Adams, jr., of Newbury ; priv., Capt. Jacob Gerrish's co., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, to Cambridge ; service, 6 dys. ; also, Capt. Gerrish's CO., Col. Moses Little's reg. ; muster roll dated Aug. i, 1775; enl. April 24, 1775 ; service, 3 mos., 14 days.; also, co. return [probably Oct., 1775] ;age,i8yrs. ; also, order for coat money, dated Dec. 27, 1775 ; also, descriptive list of men enl. from Essex co. for 9 mos. from the time of their arrival at Fishkill, June ii, 1778; age, 22 yrs.; stature, 5 ft., 8 in.; complexion, dark.

Israel Adams of Ipswich ; in Capt. Richard Dodge's co.. Col. Gerrish's (later Baldwin's, 38th) reg. ; return of men in service Aug., 1775, dated Camp at Chelsea; enl. May i, 1775 ; also, co. return dated Chelsea Oct. 2, 1775; also, order for coat money dated Chelsea Dec. 27, 1775*

John Adams of Andover; It., Capt. Nathaniel Lovejoy's co., commanded by Lt. John Adams, Col. Samuel Johnson's reg., which marched on the alarm of April 19, i775> to Cambridge; service, 3>^ dys.; also, Capt. Lovejoy's (9th) co., Col. Samuel Johnson's (4th Essex co.) reg.; list of officers of Mass. militia; commissioned April 3, 1776.

John Adams of Amesbury (also given Scarborough) ; return of men enlisted Continental Army from Capt. William Ballard's co., dated Amesbury, April i8, 1778; enl., 3 yrs. ; joined Capt. Lemuel Trescott's Co., Col. Henley's reg.

Joseph Adams of Ipswich ; priv., Capt. James Patch's co., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, to Mystic; service, 4 dys. ; also, Capt. John Baker's co., Col. Moses Little's reg. ; muster roll dated Aug. I, 1775; enl. May 20, 1775; service, 2 mos., 1 7 dys. ; also, co. return [probably Oct., 1775] ; age, 24 yrs. ; also, order for bounty coat dated Dec. 11,

Joseph Adams of Newbury ; list of men drafted from Essex co. militia to march to Horse Neck, under Col. Cogswell ; drafted to Capt. Ilsley's co. ; failed to join reg.

Joshua Adams of Bradford (also given Falmouth) ; priv., Capt. William Hudson Ballard's co.. Col. John Brooks' (late Alden's, 6th) reg. ; Continental Army pay accounts for service from Feb. 10, 1777, to Oct. 12, 1777 ; reported, died Oct. 12, 1777.

Nathan Adams of Newbury ; drummer, Capt. Jacob Gerrish's co., Col. Moses Little's reg. ; co. return [probably Oct., 1775] ; age, 20 yrs. ; enl. April 24, 1775 ; dis. Sept. 5, 1775 ; also, order for bounty co^t dated Dec. 30, 1775; also, Capt. Jonathan Poor's co. ; return of men in service for six weeks, dated Newbury, March 18, 1777.

Nathan Adams of Newbury; It., Col. Brook's (late Alden's) reg.. Continental Army pay accounts for service from Jan. I, 1777, to Oct. I, 1777 ; reported, absconded Oct. I (also given Oct. 18), 1777.

Nathan Adams of Andover ; list of men raised for six mos. service and returned by Brig.-gen. Paterson as having passed muster, in return dated Camp Totoway, Oct. 25, 1780; also, pay roll for 6 mos. men raised by Andover for services in Continental Army during 1780; marched June 26, 1780; dis. Dec. 18, 1780; service, 6 mos., 3 dys.

Nathaniel Adams of Newbury ; serg., Capt. Jacob Gerrish's co.. Col. Moses Little's reg.. Gen. Green's brigade ; muster roll dated Aug. i, 1775 ; enlisted April 24, 1775 ; service, 3 mos., 14 dys.; also, co. return [probably Oct., 1775] ; age, 28 yrs. ; also, receipt for bounty coat dated Nov. 2, 1775.

Nathaniel Adams of Newbury ; It., Capt. Joshua French's co.. Col. Edward Wigglesworth's reg. ; pay abstract for mileage from Albany to his home, dated Jan. 30, 1777.

Will Of Henry Rolfe

Oliver Adams of Newbury ; priv., Capt. Jeremiah Putnam's co., Col. Nathaniel Wade's reg. ; enl. June 5, 1778; service, 3 mos., 2 dys., on an alarm at Rhode Island ; reported, deserted Oct. 16, 1778 ; alsOy muster rolls for June-Sept., 1778, dated East Greenwich.

Pelatiah Adams of Bradford (also given Chelmsford) ; priv., Capt. William Hudson Ballard's co., Col. John Brooks' (late Alden's) 7 th reg. ; Continental Army pay accounts for service from March 25, 1777, to Nov. II, 1778; reported, killed Nov. II, 1778.

Richard Adams of Newburyport ; prize master, brig " Julius Caesar," commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Bently ; descriptive list of officers and crew dated June 21, 1780 ; age, 25 yrs., 4 mos. ; stature, 5 ft., 8 in., complexion, light.

An Ancient Receipt

Receiued the 2'^ day of march 1629 of m^ Thomas marfhe Citizen & habordafher of london the fome of thirtie three poundes fix fhillings and eight pence in new England in America for w^'^ a devifion alotted to him as to every of the adventurers pportionable to each man his unddervvritinge fhall be Concluded & agreed vppon. I fay Rec**.

^ SCHOONER of about 120 Tons Burthen, has been one Voyage to the WeftTndies, built by Abel Merrell of Newbury Port, a prime Sailor, and in good Order. For further Particulars, enquire of Bartholomew Putnam''' - Advertisement in Essex Gazette {Salem'), Sept. 6, 1768.

Will Of Henry Rolfe

WILL OF HENRY ROLFE. The will of Henry Rolfe of Newbury was proved in the Ipswich court 28 : i : 1643. T^he following copy is taken from the record contained in Ipswich Deeds, volume I, leaf3j the original being missing.

The 15*^ 12*^ month 1642 I defire to comend my foule into the hands of the lord Jefus Chrift, I defire my goods may be equally divided to my wife & all my children, only my fonne John Roffe muft have the howfe & land more then all the reft of my children and that their porcons shalbe divided when they be 21 yeares of age if they marry not before In cafe my wife dye or marry then the goods Ihallbe divided; otherwife not till my eldeft childe come to be 21 yeares of age But ftill to remayne in their mothers hands with the reft till that either of them are 21 yeares of age or marry If any of my children dye then that porcon fhalbe equally divided betweene my wife & the reft of my children I doe give vnto my wife one great braffe pott and one great braffe pann, and a great braffe pofnett and a chafing difh and five pewter platters I doe give vnto my Kinfman Thomas whittear a swarme of bees. I defire my brother John Roffe and my Cofen John Sauniiers of Sillisbery and william Mondy of Newberry to overfee my will & order it to my defire & accordinge to my will, witnes herevnto I fet my hand

John Abbe (2), mentioned in the Abbe Genealogy, January Antiquarian, page 14, died in Windham, Conn., Dec. 11, 1700, and his widow Hannah married Jonathan Jennings of Windham. Mr. Abbe had other children than those given, viz : Joseph, born in Wenham in 1673, and mentioned in the second paragraph of Abbe Notes, page 33 ; Obadiah, who married Elizabeth Wilkinson at Maiden Dec. 26, 1 701, and setded at Windham, later removing to Ashford, Conn.; Abigail,* who married Daniel Sabin of Windham March 18, 1701 ; Mary, born Sept. 16, 1684, and married James Pease of Enfield, Conn.; Mercy, born Maich 5, 1689, and married Nathaniel Flint of Windham; John, born April 20, 1691, married twice, had children, and lived in Windhnm; Hannah, born Aus:. 13, 1693, and married Thomas Welch of Windham ; and Sarah, born in Windham March 11, 1699, and married John Welch. Of the children gven on page 14, John and Thomas probably died young, and Lydia married Benjamin Bidlack.

Of the children of Samuel Abbe (3), page 14, Mary probably died unmarried ; Samuel had one son, Samuel, who died young; Eleazer (from Connecticut records and family tradition this name is shown to be Elizabeth) married William Slate ; Ebenezer was of Norwich in 1705, of Windham in 1706, and later of Mansfield, and had thirteen children ; Mercy mariied Jonathan Ormsby of Windham; Sarah married John Fowler of Lebanon ; Hepzibah married Samuel Palmer ; Abi-' gail probably married Joseph Ormsby;

John died in 1790; Benjamin married Mary, daughter of Dr. Joseph Tryon, Jan. 4, 1 7 16, settled in Glastenbury, and had five children ; and Jonathan settled in Willington, where he died in 1760, having five children.

Salem, Aug. 23. " Laft Friday a very uncommon Accident happened off Manchefter, and the following Account is related by a perfon who faw it. - Nicholas Whipple, Abraham Wyatt, and Daniel Poland, all of Beverly, were fifhing in a Canoe, near Little Mifery Ifland, which lays within 2 or 3 Leagues of this Harbour, and had out a Kellogg, or fmall Anchor; while they were employed at their Bufinefs, to their inexpreffible Surprize, the Canoe fuddenly fhot forward, with very great Rapidity, without any apparent Caufe, and, before they could cut the Painter, run the Diftance of about 70 or 80 Feet, when fhe was pulled fo low as to fill andoverfet, and then ftopped. One of the Men fwam afhore, another faved his Life by getting upon the Bottom of the Canoe, and remaining there till reheved by fome People in a Fifherman's Canoe, then in Sight, getting in Ballaft ; and the third, Daniel Poland, was unfortunately drowned, who, we hear, has left a Wife and 7 or 8 Children. It is fuppofed that fome large Fifh run foul of the Painter, dragged the Canoe the above mentioned Diftance, and was then difen- gaged." - Essex Gazette, Aug. 23, 1768.

26. The widow of David Haynes of Haverhill, Mass., who died soon after the battle of Bunker Hill, married again in Boxford, Mass., a Mr. Putnam or Perley, and was living there in 181 1. Can anyone give the right name, or any information in regard to her? F. G. h.

II. Thomas Nelson, 2d, was born in Rowley, Yorkshire, England, A. D. 1638, son of Thomas and Jane (Dummer) Nelson. Thomas, ist, returned to England, and died there about 1650. Thomas, 2d, died 5th April, 17 12. Thomas, 2d, was styled " sergeant." Epitaph : -

Who lived a saintly harmless life. Loved all good books, but no bad strife. Who dyed a quiet easie death. And to Christ resigned his breath So live my sons, my Christ, O seek And when you die, like Christ be meek.

[It would appear from the following marriage contract that Joane Dummer was the second wife of Thomas Nelson, and the stepmother of his sons. This is found in the records of the Salem quarterly court, (f^° : 1656, in connection with the settlement of Thomas Nelson's estate.

Know all men by thefe p'^fents, that whereas there is a Contract of marriage betwixt Thomas Nelfon of Rowley in New- England Gen* : & Joane Dumer Spint^ y* daughter of Thomas Dumer of Badgeth in old England Gen' : and whereas alfoe Richard Dumer of Newbery in New-England Gen* hath engaged & bound himselfe /or y® payment of two hundred pownds for or towards y® marriage portion of the faid Joane, as by his bond bearing euen date w*^ thefe p'^fents appeareth. Now the faid Thomas Nelfon (In confideracon of his marriage w*^ the faid Joane) doth hereby bind himselfe his heires Execu" : Adminiftrato^'s & afsigns & euery of them vnto y^ faid Richard Dumer his executors admin'^s & afs^gns & to euery of them, in y® fumme of fower hundred pownds, to be paid vnto them or fome one of them, in cafe therebe a faileing to pforme the Condicons ifoUowing : Viz*. That if after the Compleating of the marriage Contract furuive the faid Thomas) & afterward to be Old Eliot. A monthly publication equally devided amongst there Children, with this title has been commenced by but while they both Live it is to be for Mr. Augustine Caldwell. It is devoted to there Joynt maintenance, Alfoe it is the historical interests of Eliot, Me., the agreed that y® f** porcon fhalbe Receiued old North parish of Kittery. & difpofed of from time to time by the Epitaphs from Meeting House Hill aduife of y« friends indifferently of the Burying Ground in Methuen. Paper; faid Thomas & his faid wife; ec] i2mo. ; ti6 pages. Published by the 19. Rebecca MuUican or MulHcken, Methuen Historical Society, 1897. The as the name was more commonly spelled epitaphs are well printed, and show care at that time, was daughter of Robert and in copying, which was done, we believe, Rebeckah Mullicken of Bradford, and she by Charles W. Mann, who is much intermarried Benjamin Gage Aug. 2, 1722. ested in the antiquities of this town.

Rev. Jacob Bailey

Mr. Bailey was a son of Deacon David and Mary (Hodgkins) Bailey, and was born in Rowley, Mass., in the ancient house pictured on the next page, in 1731. His father had a large family ; and though always industrious and saving he obtained for them but a scanty maintenance.

The means for securing an education, beyond the slightest knowledge of writing, reading and arithmetic, were not within the grasp of poor boys in Rowley at that time. Extreme bashfulness added to young Bailey's poverty the hopelessness of ever being anything more than a drudge within a world whose confines were little more than the extent of his vision. From his early childhood he had an insatiable desire for knowledge and travel ; a thirst which he could never hope to satisfy. He had no books. They were scarce and high; and his labor must be bestowed upon that which would assist in obtaining bread and clothing for the family from day to day.

The poor are sometimes ambitious, and by some means sooner or later such will lift themselves into prominence and positions of responsibility.

Without books, this young man did the best thing to do ; he made them. Arduous toil occupied the day, but during the hours of darkness his time was his own. When the family were asleep he frequently spent hours in writing, upon such paper as he could find, thoughts that came to him, occurrences of the day, descriptions of the neighborhood, the people, their customs, etc., thus acquiring skill and knowledge and accomplishing that which books alone could not effect.

One day some of his scribbling came to the knowledge of Rev. Jedediah Jewett, the pastor of the parish in which Mr. Bailey was born, and a learned Christian gentleman. He was much impressed with the originality and slumbering talents of the young man, and came to his father's house to see him. When Jacob was called, on learning who the visitor was, he was so diffident that he went into the woods and remained there until Mr. Jewett had departed.

Arrangements were, however, made with Jacob's father by which the boy was to study a year with Mr. Jewett gratuitously. His thirst for learning was so intense, that after a great struggle he overcame his diffidence, and placed himself under the agreed tutelage ; thus taking his first step out of obscurity.

Mr. Bailey entered Harvard college in 1 75 1, at the age of twenty. Poverty placed him, in those days of social distinctions, at the foot of his class, in which were John Went worth, afterward baronet and governor of New Hampshire and Nova Scotia ; John Adams, afterward second president of the United States ; William Browne, who became the royal governor of Bermuda, and a justice of the supreme court of Massachusetts ; David Sewall, who also became a justice of the supreme court of Massachusetts; Tristram Dalton, in after years a member of the United States senate ; Samuel Locke, afterward president of the University ; and Rev. William W. Wheeler, a missionary of the Church of England.

Study in college. Mr. Jewett persuaded Messrs. Gushing and Newman, of Boston, to give eighty-five pounds each, and also solicited money from other persons to aid the needy student. Among them was Sir William Pepperell. Jan. 28, 1754, when he was at home in Rowley, he was so discouraged that he almost resolved to go to sea ; but by the friendly overtures of Rev. James Chandler, pastor of the church in the West parish (now the town of Georgetown), who gave him two dollars in money and a pair of gloves, and loaned him his Hebrew Bible, he returned to college.

June 4, 1758, Mr. Bailey attended an association of Congregational ministers at the house of Rev. Mr. Odhn in Exeter, N. H., to deliver his approbation discourse, which he says he read after having overcome his extreme diffidence. He was duly accepted, and approbated to preach the gospel, and thus became ja. regular clergyman.

The time that he could have devoted to the study of theology and the Bible during the three years that he taught school, after his graduation from college, must have been limited. He preached occasionally at various places along the coast during the twelve months succeed- will, and as a result of his condition in life, probably, became possessed of strong prejudices and a slight eccentricity. He graduated in 1755.

While in college he taught school in his native town in 1753, and after his graduation, in 1755, in Kingston, N. H. He endeavored to establish a private school there in the following spring, but failed ; and succeeded no better in the same season in a similar enterprise in his native town. In the summer of 1756 he taught in Hampton, N. H., and continued there until April, 1758, when he went to Gloucester, Mass., where he was a teacher until December, 1759.

For some reason, not now known, Mr. Bailey concluded to enter the service of the Episcopal church. Dec. 13, 1759, he left Gloucester and walked to Boston, spendmg the night, while on the trip, at Norwood's tavern, in Lynn. Jan. 10, 1760, with his college diploma, which he had just obtained from the president, and letters of recommendation from various clergymen in Boston, addressed to the archbishop of Canterbury, the bishop of London, and the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, he set sail from Boston for London in the Hind.

Rev. Jacob Bailey. 7 1

He arrrived at Portsmouth, England, Feb. them by his diligence, prudence and ex- 16, after a very disagreeable voyage, hav- amplary life. He was the only clergying had the meanest accommodations and man in the entire region at that time, and fare and very profane and uncouth asso- his work lay among seven thousand peociates. He went by stage from Ports- pie, besides the Norridgewock Indians, mouth to London. who were Catholics. He also preached

After having passed the customary ex- at Georgetown as often as he could, amination, he was ordained, March i6, In August, 1761, Mr. Bailey married in St. James* church ; and was introduced Sally, daughter of Dr. John and Martha to the bishop of London, Thomas Sher- (Wingate) Weeks of Hampton, N. H., lock, at his palace at Fulham. This was who was much younger than himself, and only a few months before the death of the had been one of his pupils, bishop, and while he was terribly dis- In the same year (1761), Pownalfigured by his disease. borough became a county seat, and a

He received nineteen pounds, seven court house was built. In it the services shillings and sixpence, the royal bounty of the church were held for several to all American clergymen after ordina- years.

tion, the king signing the order himself. The next spring, Mr. Bailey removed The Prince of Wales also presented him across the river to Richmond, where he with a copy of Leland's View of the could have land to better advantage. Deistical Writers ^nd some other works. In 1768, he was invited to become the

He was then informed that the Society rector of the church in Amesbury, Mass., for the Propagation of the Gospel in but he decided to remain with his poor Foreign Parts, had appointed him their people, with whom he had been for missionary at Pownalborough, on the nearly eight years.

Before leaving London, Mr. Bailey pleted and occupied by Mr. Bailey and called upon and dined with Benjamin his family. It stood about fifty rods from Franklin. * the church.

He returned to America in a frigate. Soon after the courts began to be sailing in March, and sighted the moun- held at Pownalborough, some persons of tainsof Agamenticus May 28, arriving in wealth and influence settled there. From Boston June 4. them Mr. Bailey hoped to obtain assist- ough. Tie arrived there July i, and took He suffered also from his loyalty to the up his abode with the family of Capt. king as the dawn of the Revolution came Samuel Goodwin, a surveyor. The town on, and on several occasions was comcontained one hundred and fifteen fami- pelled to flee before mobs. The battle of lies. His parish, however, comprehended Lexington increased the feeling against the county, which consisted of the settle- the Episcopal ministers especially, and ments scattered along the Kennebec river down into the wilds of Maine went many for fifty miles. He soon found that the people who were loyal to their sovereign, service was no sinecure. Travelling was Among these was Mr. Bailey's brother-ininconvenient and dangerous through the law Rev. J. Wingate Weeks, rector of St. almost trackless wilderness, and the river Michael's church in Marblehead, who afforded very little advantage over land with his wife and eight young children travel. He found the people poor and took refuge in Mr. Bailey's house. Here, ignorant, having neither schools nor they were discovered, and insulted and preaching, and he became very useful to threatened.

Because of Mr. Bailey's position on spring. They sailed in a small schooner, the political question, nearly one-half of June 9, i779> leaving behind his library the members of his church withdrew, and their many friends, who would still be He was stigmatized as an enemy to his ill-treated because of their loyalty to country, and some of his domestic ani- the mother country. They had a stormy mals were killed in the pasture. In 1777, passage most of the way, but at length a he was forbidden to pray for the king, gentle wind wafted them toward Acadian but he continued to do so, and would shores. But after they had had a view not read in his pulpit the Declaration of of the province, another storm compelled Independence. A warrant was issued their stay at sea for several days. They for the arrest of himself and others, who landed at Halifax June 21. were loyal to the crown, for the purpose After having been in the province of transporting them out of the country, awhile, Mr. Bailey was invited to become He lay concealed in his house for five pastor of the church at Cornwallis during weeks, an attempt upon his life having the subsequent winter. CornwaUis was a been made, and escaped secretly, on foot part of that beautiful region known as and in a canoe, to Brunswick. His wife *' the garden of Nova Scotia. " This was was left with a young infant and two little a part of the Acadia of the French setgirls and without money or provisions, tiers, and adjoining if not a part of the except a few garden roots. On horse- the same territory as Grand Pr^, the prinback, he continued to flee, through Fal- cipal town of the neutral French in the mouth, toward Portsmouth. Before he former years, and the scene of Longfelarrived there he heard of Burgoyne's low's Evangeline. Cornwallis is now surrender, and hurried forward to Bos- called Upper Canard. On Sept. 6, 1779, ton. There, he remained for about two Mr. Bailey wrote that he dined upon the months, when he thought that he might very spot where Rene LeBlanc, the pubreturn home in safety, and came back lie notary of the Acadians, had lived, at Christmas, having been gone since After the devastation of the region by Oct. 15. the English, about 1761, a colony of two to act upon his petition, he was seized by was one of anxiety and gloom ; the peoa mob and stripped naked in search of pie were divided in religious matters, and

About the first of November, the gen- His salary was almost nothing, eral court granted his petition, and he In the next summer, he was appointed was allowed to depart with his family and deputy chaplain to the eighty-fourth regigoods to Halifax. But the inclemency ment, a part of which then kept a garof the season forbade their journey until rison at Annapolis.

Rev. Jacob Bailey

Mr. Bailey remained at Cornwallis un- No English mission had been established til July 26, 1782, when he removed to there, though religious services had been Annapolis, having been appointed mis- held there a few time s by Rev. Thomas sionary for that place on the twenty-ninth Wood, formerly of New Jersey and Rev. of the preceding January by the Society J. Wingate Weeks, formerly of Marblein England. He made his cjiange of head, Mass.

residence with a cart and two yoke of Mr. Bailey was kindly received by the oxen, carrying his goods, and a vehicle inhabitants. At that time there were only covered with canvas and drawn by two about one hundred and twenty persons in horses, conveying Mrs. Bailey and the the town ; but, in October, nine transchildren. Friends accompanied them for ports, convoyed by two men-of-war, arfourteen miles. They then entered the rived from New York with five hundred wilderness, passed along the unmade path, refugees of both sexes and of all ages, which was specially dangerous in the Every habitation became crowded, and darkness of the thick clouds, great showers many were unable to procure lodgings, making ponds of water in the hollows, Most of the new-comers had left all their swelUng the streams and drenching them, property, and were suffering for common The distance was seventy-two miles, and necessaries. They were people of culfive days were tediously spent in travel- ture and fashion and deeply felt their ling it. Of the termination of this jour- deprivations. The influx of loyalists from ney, Aug. i, Mr. Bailey wrote : " Having New England was so great that thousands passed through a gloomy wood, we sud- landed at Annapolis in 1783. Several denly opened upon an extensive plain hundred slept in the church, and more overspread with the richest vendure, or- were unprovided for. The season was namented with little groves, and beauti- rigorous and stormy. Nov. 6, 1783, Mr. fied with bunches of wild roses, which Bailey wrote to the home society that scattered their dehcious fragrance through nearly " four hundred of these miserable the air. After crossing this plain the re- exiles perished in a violent storm, and I mainder of our progress for the space of am persuaded that disease, disappointa mile was an easy descent towards the ment, poverty, and chagrin will finish the northwest, both sides of the road being course of many more before the return adorned with little fields, gardens and or- of another spring." chards. Upon an obtuse point of land In 1787, in reply to suggestions relaformed by the bending of the river, the tive to dressing better and to his toilet, town appeared, rising amidst a forest of Mr. Bailey wrote as follows to Doctor fruit trees, while the lofty mountains of Peters in London : - Granville terminated the direct view. " " If you reflect that we are liable to be sick or dying person till fine weather, as was thrown from her horse, but her husother gentlemen may do, who only travel band, catching her in his arms, prevented we were finely bespattered. Our pro- ^^ ' Me7norandum. Received half a dolgress for several miles lay through horrid, lar fee, as a reward for my journey, exbroken roads, so encumbered with rocks, pense, trouble, wear and tear, and in holes and gulHes, roots of trees, and wind- consequence of this soaking, I was afflicted falls, and sloughs, that the passage was with the rheumatism through the winter, extremely difficult and dangerous. We though I never omitted duty.' were frequently obliged to dismount and '* As to Annapolis town, upon my arlead our horses, wallowing knee-deep rival it contained eighteen families, at through the mire. The last six miles present forty-five, only four or five of conducted us over hanging precipices, which, either by fortune or education, woody promontories, and three stony have any pretensions to politeness, and beaches, full of honey pots. We crossed these are all very friendly. One has ex- Moose river at a critical moment, as the erted himself to procure subscriptions, tide was running in with great rapidity, and another, acknowledged to be the A little before sunset we arrived at Mr. politest man in the county, has sub- Jones', a log house with two small apart- scribed to give five* pounds yearly. The ments, where I united in matrimony, other families are tavern keepers, dis- Sheepy Spur and Alicia Van Voorhies, banded sergeanls, Scotch pedlars, methe bride very pretty. chanics, farmers and negroes.

*' ' The house being crowded with peo- " Some are transformed into shoppie, Capt. Ditmarsh, the bride's grand- keepers, and others remain very indigent, father, invited us to sleep at his house. There is not a building equal to the homes A little before dark we set forward, and of middling farmers in New England. It having walked about a mile, we came to a is from a regard to truth, and not from river, where, after wading into the water any disrespect that I transmit this acover our knees, we were under the neces- count, for I am treated civilly by all. I sity of returning in a dismal, dark and have not, to my knowledge, an enemy cloudy evening, along the ragged banks among them, and they have readily subor a rocky beach, every moment in scribed to give me twenty pounds per danger of breaking our legs, and of hav- annum, which is as much as they are able, ing our eyes scratched out against the It is payable in May, and most of them branches of trees which had fallen over have already discharged the first year, the bank. We at length recovered the and the fear of my being removed was house, where music and dancing contin- their principal inducement to subscribe, ued till after sun-rising. About nine we be- " But the inhabitants of Annapolis are gan to return towards Annapolis, but we not the fifth part of my parishioners.

ment, built with sods, where men, women, naval power of the nation ; and the atchildren, pigs, fowls, fleas, bugs, mosqui- tention and treatment which he received toes and other domestic insects, mingle from the dignitaries had less of the disin society. No less than forty of these tant formality and more of the free and medium stature, and had a delicate con- and want of religious obligation were fearstitution. The frontispiece of this num- lessly and openly proclaimed. If arguber is an exact reproduction of the only ment failed to convert a tory, mob prose and poetry. He prepared a manu- strong elements of his character he alscript history of New England ; a de- ways retained the personal regard of his ested in politics, which was without doubt Kent (father of Queen Victoria) was commander of the Nova Scotia forces, he saw the lad and was so pleased with his ap-

Will Of George Browne

The will of George Browne of Newbury was proved in the court at Ipswich March 28, 1643. The following copy is taken from the record contained in Ipswich Deeds, volume i, leafs, ^^^ original being missing.

In the name of God amen I George Browne being fick & weake in body but pfect in minde &c doe make my laft will & Teftament in mann & forme as followeth Impr I bequeath my foule into the hands of god and my body to the earth to be buried It I give to my beloved wife my howfe & land with all my howfehold goods except my mufkett & fword my wearing clothes & Tooles Item I give vnto her my kow It I give to my brother Richard Browne my wearing clothes & Tooles It I give vnto Richard Littleale Twenty fhillings to be paid out of the rent of the Mill Item : I give vnto my father & to my brother Michael Twenty fhillings a peece to be paid out of the Mill, but if god by his pvidence bring them into this land then my will is to give them fix pounds a peece or if but one of them come over then he fhall receive twelve pounds & if afterward the other come then he fhall repay to him fix pounds Item I give to all my brethren & fifters befides Twelve pence a peece my will is that all this fhalbe paid out of my Mill after all my debts are difcharged It I give unto Jofeph Browne fonne of my brother Richard Browne my fhare in the Mill at Salifbury with the land belonging to it, to be affigned vnto him when he come to be eighteene yeares of age & in the meane tyme the revenew of it to be imployed for his ufe & at the Terme aforefaid Provided that my debts be firft paid out of it

& then thofe legacies before mentioned before any of the revenew goe to him It I make my brother Richard Browne executor of this my will & Teftament And I defire my two frends Richard Knight & Thomas Macye to fe that this my will be pformed according to my plaine intent and meaning pvided that they fhalbe fattiffied for whatfoever trouble or charge may come to them about the fame ffurthermore my will is that if my wife be with child that then my former will fhalbe voyde I then give vnto my wife my howfe & lande & all y® reft of my eftate to my child to be deliv'ed to it when it come to be eighteene yeares old and that my wife in the meane tyme fhall have the ufe of it toward y® bringing vp of the child and all charges that doe or fhall arife whatfoever to be paid out of the child's porcon This also I defire my two frends aforenamed to overfee. Item I give vnto my wife the fwyne and my fhirts except one and my bands except three & a hatt & a paire of fhoes and my will is that my wife fhall pay thefe debts that which I owe to Richard Littleale John Bifhopp & to Henry ifay & to John Lowle & m"^. Goodale & m"^. Olliver Item I give to my wife my bible Item my will is that if my father & my brother michael come not then my two Nephews Margery & Jofua fhall have that which my father & brother fhould have.

" Hemp, Dear Skins, Beaver Skins, Lignumvitae, Brimftone, Mahogany Plank & Boards, Pitch, Tar, Turpentine, and Indigo " were offered for sale on board the brig Pitt-Packet, Israel Obear, master, lying at Mr. Samuel Barton's Wharf. - Essex Gazette (Salem), Sept. 27, iy68.

Old-Time Lotteries The State Lottery

There, - speak, - speak out, - abandon fear; Let both the dead and living hear, - The dead, that they may blush for shame Amidst their monumental fame, - The living, that, forewarned of fate, Conscience may force them, ere too late, Those wheels of infamy to shun Which thousands touch, and are undone.

There, built by legislative hands, On Christian ground, an altar stands. " Stands? gentle poet, tell me where?" Go to Guildhall. " It stands not there ! " True, - 'tis my brain that raves and reels Whene'er it turns on lottery wheels; Such things in youth can I recall Nor think of thee, - of thee, Guildhall? Where erst I played with glittering schemes, And lay entranced in golden dreams.

Old-Time Lotteries

The state of public opinion at the present time in reference to all means of obtaining money by chance makes the history of our old-time lotteries interesting.

In the first years of the settlement of this region, the chimerical schemes of lotteries were not known here. But towards the close of the seventeenth century they began to develop ; and early in the eighteenth century the attention of the public was forcibly drawn to them by the demoraHzing influences of that system of money getting, - or money losing. The attention of the provincial general court was drawn to the matter, and Nov. 4, 17 19, an act was passed forbidding the existence of lotteries under a penalty of two hundred pounds for each offence, a fine of ten pounds being put upon ticketsellers, etc. Finding that these heavy penalties did not have the effect desired, April 26, 1733, the fine was greatly increased. The promoters of the lottery were doomed to pay a fine of five hundred pounds, and those persons who assisted in printing or writing tickets, notices, and so forth, one hundred pounds, and for exposing for sale or selling tickets two hundred pounds for each ticket so exposed or sold.

The preamble to the law of 1719, states that " there have lately been sett up within this province certain mischievous and unlawful games, called lotteries, whereby the children and servants of several gentlemen, merchants and traders, and other unwary people have been drawn into a vain and foolish expence of money, which tends to the utter mine and impoverishment of many families, and is to the reproach of this government, and against the common good, trade, welfare and peace of the province," and declares all lotteries to be " common and publick nusances."

Since the passage of the severe act of 1733, already referred to, it is probable that no private lottery of any considerable extent has been carried on in Massachusetts.

In spite of the severe language of the general court in 1719, and its confirmation in 1733, there came over the legislature in effect at least, an idea that what was obnoxious and utterly wrong for individuals to do was all right if done by the body politic. It was one of a series of instances of perversion of human judgment in which it is deemed that the end justifies the means. The ease of procuring large sums of money by means of lotteries came to be more thoroughly understood, and when the provincial treasury was very much depleted, Feb. 4, 1744-5, ^^ ^^^ ^^s passed establishing the " Massachusetts Government Lottery," to raise seventy- five hundred pounds for the service of the province. Twenty-five thousand tickets were issued, and sold for thirty shillings each. There were five thousand four hundred 'and twenty-two prizes, divided as follows, viz: two of twelve hundred and fifty pounds each; four of six hundred and twenty-five ; six of three hundred and seventy-five ; eight of two hundred and fifty ; sixteen of one hundred and twentyfive ; thirty-six of sixty- two pounds, ten shillings ; one hundred and fifty of thirty pounds ; and fifty-two hundred of three pounds, fifteen shillings each. The total

This, the first public lottery here, was John Greenleaf, Joseph Greenleaf and soon succeeded by others. The second of Joseph Atkins, esquires. There were these was one for raising twelve hundred six thousand tickets, at two dollars each, dollars to defray the expense of building which were sold by the managers and at and maintaining a bridge over Parker various stores in Boston. The largest river in Newbury. The act was passed prize was a thousand dollars. Jan. 29, 1 750- 1, at the request of the The second lottery was managed by. town of Newbury. In this lottery, the Daniel Farnham, Caleb Gushing, Joseph amount deducted from each prize was Gerrish, William Atkins, esquires, and ten per cent, of the same. With the Patrick Tracy, merchant. This lottery funds thus raised the bridge was built in will be found advertised in the Boston 1758. More money was needed, how- Gazette oiyi^^y 19, 1760, the announceever, to meet unforeseen charges, and ment being headed by one of the coarsest April 28, 1760, the general court passed wood-cuts of a three-arch bridge ever another act establishing a lottery to raise seen. There were five thousand tickets, six hundred dollars for that purpose. at the price of two dollars each ; and

April 21, 1 76 1, The Lords of Trade in sixteen hundred and fifty-five prizes. London wrote to Governor Bernard, at The largest prize was five hundred dollars. Boston, stating that several laws had been The lottery for building the Parker passed providing for the construction of river bridge was followed by an act of ferries, roads, etc., by lotteries, and that the province, passed Jan. 11, 1758, esit " is a mode of raising money that in our tablishing a lottery to build bridges over opinion ought not to be countenanced, the Saco and Pesumpscot rivers, Sir and hardly to be admitted into practice William Pepperell being at the head of upon the most pressing exigency of the the managers. April 29 following, a state, more especially in the colonies, lottery was created for raising money to the forms of government may not pay the expense of the expedition against admit of those regulations and checks Canada. Then followed, in quick sucwhich are necessary to prevent fraud and cession, other lotteries for various purabuse in a matter so peculiarly liable to poses, as for paving Boston Neck and them." They say they cannot, therefore. Prince street in Boston, for removing but disapprove these laws upon general rocks and shoals in Taunton great river, principles ; and when they considered the and for rebuilding Faneuil Hall after the unguarded and loose manner in which great fire of 176 1.

fully convinced that the too frequent practice of such a mode of raising money will be introduction of great mischief; yet, in consideration of the general propriety and utility of the service to be provided for by the bill submitted for approval, we have no objection to your passing it into a law, desiring at the same time tiiat it may be understood that such a permission shall not be drawn into precedent in any other case whatever."

Lotteries continued to be established fo(^ various public purposes, as for building paper, woolen and cotton mills ; academies and schools ; for the benefit of Harvard and Dartmouth colleges and Brown University ; canals, streets and bridges ; houses of religious worship, Congregational, Episcopal and Roman Catholic ;* the Washington monument ; for the improvement of beaches ; the assistance of needy individuals, etc.

Finding that the lottery idea had been carried far enough, March 6, 1790, the general court passed an act speedily closing up those already established.

The act establishing the last lottery in Massachusetts was passed June 13, 181 5. This was for the purpose of building a bridge over Connecticut river, between Springfield and West Springfield.

In 1 79 1, the proprietors of the cotton manufactory in Beverly, the first in America, were helped by the gift from the State of seven hundred tickets in two of the State's lotteries.

There is always an interest in winners of prizes in lotteries. A few names of such have come down to this generation. In 1 786, upwards of a dozen poor widows of Marblehead were the fortunate .owners of the ticket that drew a prize of fifteen hundred dollars. A poem on this occurrence, written in Marblehead,, was published in the Columbian Centinel of April 24, 1790.

Joseph Hovey of Boxford drew a prize of a thousand dollars in a State lotter}' in November, 1790. With this money, he purchased the farm which is now the site of the Barker Free School in West Boxford, where he afterward lived and died.

In 181 7, the capital prize of ten thousand dollars in the Union Canal lottery was drawn by a ticket that had been sold in Newburyport in quarters. The owners of three of the quarters were Samuel Burrill, a tailor, Woodbridge Noyes, a '-' horse-letter," and Mrs. Bass, widow of Bishop Bass. The name of the owner of the remaining quarter has not come to the knowledge of the writer.

Samuel Abbot, Esq.,4 born in Andover Feb. 25, 1732. He was a merchant in Boston, being an importer from England. He lived in Boston until after the Revolution, when he removed to Andover. He gave a bell and clock for tlje meetinghouse of his parish in Andover, and valuable plate for the communion service ; and also five hundred dollars to the church for its poor. He was one of the founders of the Andover Theological Seminary, and endowed a professorship of Christian Theology, donating in all about a hundred thousand dollars. He married Sarah Kneeland, a widow with three children, but had no children of his own. He died April 30, 181 2, aged eighty; and she died Feb. 12, 181 6, aged eighty-nine.

Capt. Henry Abbot,^ born in Andover Dec. 31, 1724. He was a sadler, and lived with his father in Andover. He married, first, Elizabeth Sibson (pub. Oct. 2, 1750); second, Phebe Abbot (137) March 21, 1765. He died Feb. 21, 1805, aged eighty.

Dea. Isaac Abbot,4 born in Andover Feb. 3, 1745. He was a farmer, a deacon, town clerk, selectman, and the first postmaster of Andover, where he resided. He was lieutenant in the military service, and was wounded in the battle of Bunker hill. He married Phebe Chandler in 1765. She died July 6, 1800, aged fiftyeight; and, after being blind for several years, he died May 21, 1836, aged ninetyone.

Dea. James Abbot,4 born in Andover Jan. 12, 1 71 7. He was a farmer, and lived in Concord, N. H., until 1763, when he removed to Newbury, Vt., where he was one of the first settlers, and deacon of the church. He married Sarah Bancroft of Reading in 1742.

Abigail,* b. Jan. 22, 1746; m. Maj. Asa Bailey of Haverhill, N. H., April 15, 1767. They were the parents of Rev. Phineas Bailey of East Berkshire, Vt., and Hebron, N. Y.

Darius Abbot,4 born in Pomfret, Conn. ( ?) ,Oct. 1 6, 1 734. He was a housewright and farmer, and lived in Andover until about 1777, after which he resided in Amherst and Hillsboro', N. H. He married (when of Pomfret) Mary Holt, in Andover, Nov. i, 1757; and died in 1817.

Capt. Benjamin Abbot,4 born in Andover Oct. 21, 1723. He was a farmer, and lived in Andover until after 1754, when he removed to Hollis, N. H. He married Elizabeth Abbot (125) April 2, 1747 ; and died Jan. 5, 1770.

Dr. Abiel Abbot,4 born in Andover July 24, 1735. He was a physician in the army in the war of 1755 ; and settled in practice in his native town. He married Phebe Ballard Feb. 5, 1 761 June 24, 1764. She died July

Job Abbot,4 born in Andover Oct. 3, 1724. He lived in Pembroke and Suncook, N. H. He married Sarah Abbot (151) of Concord, N. H. ; and d. before 1763.

David Abbot,4 born in Andover March 28, 1728. He was a farmer, and lived in Andover, except for a short time in Barton, Vt., and Salem, O., until about 1784, when he removed to Billerica, Mass., where he died Nov. i, 1788. He married Prudence Sheldon of Billerica Dec. 28, 1752.

Solomon Abbot,4 born in Andover about 1730. He was a farmer, and lived in Andover until 1758, when he removed to Dracut. He married Hannah Colby May 3, 1756 ; and died Dec. 17, 1797.

Martin of Hookset, N. H. 411 - VII. David,* b. May 18, 1775; preacher; lived in Windham, N. H. ; m., first, Hannah Crosby ; second, Dolly Abbot ; third, Sarah McKinley. He had children.

Asa Abbot,4 born in Andover Oct. 1 7, 1 72 1. He was a farmer, and lived with his father in the garrison house in Andover. He married Elizabeth Abbot (96) Sept. 20, 1744. He died Dec. 23, 1797 ; and his widow Elizabeth died Dec. 18, 1 819, aged ninety-three.

Thomas Abbot,4 born in Andover April 4, 1729. He was a farmer, and lived on the homestead in Andover. He married Lydia Blunt Feb. 12, 1756; and died

Hon. Jacob Abbot,4 born in Andover Feb. 9, 1746. Settled in Wilton, N. H., and made a farm in the forest. He became a merchant about 1776; was representative to the legislature ; justice of the court of common pleas ; and a state councillor.

He removed to his native town, assisted Hon. Samuel PhilHps in his business, and was a trustee of PhilHps Academy. In 1797 he moved to Concord, N. H., traded in goods, and represented the town in the legislature three years. He moved to Brunswick, Me., in 1802 ; and was an overseer of Bowdoin college and a state senator. He married Lydia Stevens Dec. I, 1767 ; and died in Brunswick March 5, 1820.

10, 1786. 447 - IV. Phebe,^ b. June 25, 1774; ^- Benjamin Abbot, Esq., of Greenfield Jan. 17, 1792. 448 - V. Jacob, ^ b. Oct. 20, 1776; esquire; merchant in Concord, N. H., and Brunswick, Me., and farmer in Farrington. Me.; m. Betsy Abbot April 8, 1798; and had several children, four of whom were Jacob Abbot, B. C, 1820, the author; Rev. John S. C. Abbot of Worcester and Nantucket, the author; Rev. Gorham D. Abbot of New Rochelle, and New York city; and Rev. Samuel Phillips Abbot of Houlton, Me. 449 - VI. Dorcas^ (twin), b. Sept. 6, 1778; d.

Nathaniel Abbot,4 born in Andover Oct. 27, 1 75 1. He was a shoemaker and farmer, and lived in Wilton, N. H. He married Sarah Stevens Aug. 31, 1773; and died March - , 1791.

Capt. John Abbot,s born in Andover Sept. I, 1735. He had an active mind, and improved much of his time by reading. He lived with his father in Andover, and was a farmer. He married Abigail Abbot (173) June i, 1758. She died Feb. I, 1807, aged seventy-three ; and he died April 4, 181 8, aged eighty-two.