Freetown Town (part 1 of 2)

Freetown Town

Mr. Hunt's mother was a daughter of Laban Porter, a descendant of Richard Porter, one of the early settlers of Weymouth, who came from Weymouth, England, in 1635.

Enoch Hunt, the paternal ancestor of Cyrus D., came from England to Wessagussett (Weymouth) with the first settlers of that ancient town. He was a blacksmith by trade. He returned to England, but his son Ephraim, born in England in 1610, remained in Weymouth, and became the progenitor of the Weymouth line of the Hunt family. He, like his father, was a blacksmith, and married for his first wife Anna Richards, and for his second, Ebbitt Barns. By these two wives he had six sons, who became the fathers of twenty-six sons and as many daughters, whose descendants are numbered by thousands, and have settled in all parts of the United States.

Ephraim (2), born in Weymouth in 1650, died in 1713. His son John was born in Braintree in 1688, and his son Andrew, born in 1743 and died in 1794, was the father of Daniel, who was the grandfather of Cyrus D.

Obed Nye

The Nye family is of English extraction, and the American branch can claim kindred with the noble families of that name in England. Capt. Obed Nye, born 1737, had two wives, - Mary, born 1739, died March 28, 1797, and Freelove, born 1748, died Nov. 10, 1815. His death occurred Nov. 10, 1815. His son Jonathan was born 1760, and died Nov. 18, 1815. These three deaths so close to each other were caused by that fearful epidemic, " spotted fever," or " black death." Jonathan married Hannah Mandell, born 1776, died Sept. 24, 1844, aged eighty-two. Their son, Obed Nye, was born in Fairhaven (Acushnet) Jan. 25, 1800. He had but limited education from schools, but from the age of fourteen began his business life as clerk in the store of Swift & Nye, at the " Head of the River," where he stayed until he was of age. Then he became a partner, the firm becoming Swift, Nye & Co. This firm continued many years, and Mr. Nye remained connected therewith until 1861, when he retired, having acquired considerable property. He did a great deal of measuring lumber in his time, and had quite a reputation in that way. He was a self-made man. His first capital was borrowed, but his honesty, energy, and thrift were the foundations of his success. He married, Oct, 16, 1821, Abby, daughter of William and Abigail Hathaway, of New Bedford. She died May 10, 1864, aged sixty-three. (See biography of William Hathaway, Jr., of New Bedford.) Of their children five lived to grow up, - Laura H. (Mrs. Charles S. Taber), Abbie P. (married David S. Hall,

Mr. Nye was of active and energetic temperament, was for many years an agent for Hingham Fire Insurance Company, and represented his district in the Lower House of the State Legislature. He was a man of good habits, of strong powers of thought, and decided principles and opinions. Politically he was a Whig and Republican. He was social and genial in his intercourse with others, and his Christian charity was broad, holding to Unitarian doctrines in belief, although a regular attendant of the Orthodox Congregational Church. He had robust health both in body and mind until a few years previous to his death, which occurred Jan. 29, 1878.

Chapter Xxii

The geographical limits of Freetown are now very dissimilar and unlike those of that section of country purchased of the Indians two hundred and twentyfour years ago, nor were those wholly identical with the boundaries of the tract incorporated two centuries since under the name that it still continues to bear.

Another change in some of the boundaries was effected in 1747, when a considerable portion of what had been the township of Tiverton was annexed upon the easterly side, thus acquiring the name still familiar to us of East or New Freetown.

Still another and a very important change was made February, 1803, when a little more than half of old and original Freetown, together with a small part of East or New Freetown, was detached and set off from Freetown, and incorporated as a new and distinct town, and called Fall River, a name that it retained only one year, when it was changed to Troy, and thirty years later changed back again to Fall River; that it ever after retained while a town, and also continues to do as a city.

Thus it appears that between April 2, 1659 (the date of purchase), and July, 1683 (when incorporated), the supposed limits of Freetown grew considerably less, for these, as set forth in the Indian deed, overlapped and covered lands in several adjoining towns at an earlier date by the Indians sold to European purchasers, and in the several decisions permanently locating the bound. Freetown purchasers were the parties decided against until Freetown, as incorporated, embraced but about three-fourths the territory set forth in the deed of purchase.

About sixteen years intervened between the date of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth and the commencement of the first or earliest European settlement within the limits of what became the county of Bristol, and from the date of that landing to the purchase of Freetown was nearly thirty-nine years, and from the landing to date of incorporation as a town about sixty-three years ; so that, although with a force irresistible "westward the tide of empire" took "its way," the current, though very strong, was slow when compared with the speed that has characterized the progress of those who have taken the advice to "go West" in these latter days.

That traditional " peck of beans," or something else, had secured to the white man the legal possession of Taunton some twenty-three years, " ten fathom of beads" had purchased the Indian claim at Rehoboth eighteen years before, and Dartmouth had been an English possession seven years, and yet what became Freetown still remained an Indian domain, an unbroken wilderness, the red man, despite long and persistent solicitation, had refused to part with, alienate, vacate, or release by sale, being as it was to him that and where through this life he hoped to be permitted undisturbed to remain in the peaceable and quiet enjoyment of until called to enter upon another state of existence, where bound in Nature's darkness was a thousand times more liberal and generous in his theology than those who claimed to be acting under the marvelous light of the gospel.

The red man, in his "father's house" of "many mansions," thought there was " bread enough and to spare" even for white men, who, in turn, generally regarded the Indian as God's gift to Christ of the heathen for an inheritance that He might dash them as a potter's vessel, and their lands " for a possession" that He might confer the same upon His saints, who the members of the Pilgrim Church solemnly resolved and perhaps seriously believed that they in fact were, and whose exclusiveness caused them to place " without the pale of hope and mercy" not only " dogs and sorcerers" but all Indians who were not foreordained before the world was to be saved, and, in short, almost everybody else save themselves.

" Where slaves once more their native land behold ; No fieuds torment, no Christians thirst for gold ; Ti> be content his natural desire; He asked no angel's wings, no seraph's fire ; But thought, admitted to that equal sky, His faithful dog should bear him company."

The long and remarkably peaceful reign of "good old Massasoit" was drawing to a close, and the decrepitude of old age gave unmistakable warning that he would ere long be "gathered with his fathers," which called his eldest son, Wamsutta, to the seat of a chief councilor to the aged sachem, and made him practically ruler of the wampum or tribe and nation.

Among the dwellers in Plymouth at that date was one John Barnes, a grog-drinker and liquor-seller, who put the cup to his neighbor's lips as well as to his own, making them and himself drunken, and causing a great deal of trouble to those with whom he had to do and disturbance in that settlement until, when probably " wine was in and wit out," he attempted to play some pranks with a bull that resented the indignity by goring him to death.

To that John Barnes Wamsutta became indebted for some things taken up at his shop in Plymouth, which debt was made use of to extort from that chief sachem-in-prospect a written promise at some time in the future, not then defined, to sell the land then called Assonet, but now Freetown, to certain of the ancient freemen of Plymouth colony, of whom John Barnes was one.

Whenever that deed should be executed the debt to John Barnes was thus to be canceled, and, as an additional inducement, it was further agreed that Wamsutta should then receive twenty coats, two rugs, two iron pots, two kettles and one little kettle, eight pairs of shoes, six pairs of stockings, one dozen of hoes, one dozen of hatchets, and two yards of broadcloth.

Great was the reluctance felt and exhibited by Wamsutta to the act of giving a written promise that he would some time sell what his father, despite of repeated and persistent importunity on the part of the whites, had so determinately refused to part with, and thus long and sacredly kept. But the Shylocks were after him, fully intent upon securing their " pound of flesh," though it should be taken from the young chief's heart.

Thus did they requite the son of their lifelong, constant, and never-failing protector and friend, the great and "good old Massasoit," and in practice exemplify their true principles, despite their very pious pretensions, thus utterly ignore the doctrine, " In all things whatsoever as ye would that men should do to you do ye even so to them," and thus did they deny that "blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy," although during the nearly forty years that

Dec. 24, 1657, was the date at which was extorted from Wamsutta a written promise at sometime to execute a deed, and April 2, 1659, that at which the deed was obtained.

The names of the several purchasers in that deed enumerated were as follows, viz. : Capt. James Cudworth, Josiah Winslow, Sr., Constant Southworth, John Barns, John Tisdall, Humphrey Turner, Walter Hatch, Samuel House, Samuel Jackson, John Daman, Mr. Timothy Hatherly, Timothy Foster, Thomas Southworth, George Watson, Nathaniel Morton, Richard More, Edmund Chandler, Samuel Nash, Henry Howland, Mr. Ralph Partridge, Love Brewster, William Paybody, Christopher Wadsworth, Kenelm Winslow, Thomas Bourne, and John Waterman, being twenty-six in number, no one of whom became an actual settler on this purchase, thus showing most conclusively that it was not because they were pressed for lack of land or at all straitened in their several localities or quarters, but because they " coveted things that were their neighbors'," and those that neighbors' needs required and demanded that he should have and continue to possess, and his ardent heartfelt wish and earnest oft-repeated desire was to be permitted to retain. Twenty-six being the number of those ancient freemen of Plymouth Colony, who, on the 2d day of April, 1659, had purchased that tract of country which subsequently became the township of Freetown, a division of the purchase was effected early the next year, by which the number of lots was made to correspond with the number of the purchasers, and thenceforth this proprietary for the next twenty-three years was generally known as "ye ffreeman's lands at Taunton River."

Each lot or " freeman's share" was bounded on one end by the river, and on the other by the head line of the original purchase, and it was intended that each of these lots should have been about one hundred rods wide, though some lots fell considerably short of that width and some lots overrun, reference being had to relative value and an effort made to make up in quantity for lack of quality. To prevent dissatisfaction or any grounds for future complaint the purchasers, on the 4th of January, 1660, set their hands to a written agreement that whereas " it may fall out that some lots may prove better than others, therefore, wee do all and every one of us agree and determine and doe by these presents firmly bind ourselves each to the other our heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns to rest contented with what providence the Lord shall dispose by lott to each of us not troubling or molesting each other, and to this mutually agree before the lots be drawn," and in this manner the purchase was divided, Capt. James Cudworth receiving the twentyfifth lot in number. Capt. James Cudworth was born in or about the year 1612. He was a son of Rev. Ralph Cudworth and a brother of Rev. Ralph Cudworth, D.D., author of "The Intellectual System of the Universe." Capt. James Cudworth came to Plymouth in 1634, and soon after took up his residence in Scituate, where he held offices both civil and military, was Governor's assistant several years, and in 1681 was promoted to the position of Lieutenant- Governor of Plymouth Colony, for a time commanderin-chief of the combined forces of Massachusetts and Plymouth Colonies in the early part of " King Philip's war," was too liberal and lenient to suit the bigots of his time, and for a while kept out of office because he opposed the religious persecution then being waged against the Quakers, was sent to England to transact business for Plymouth Colony, and while in London he took the smallpox and died, aged about seventy years. His grandson, James Cudworth, settled upon this Freetown land, and made his will in March, 1729, and died soon after. Considerable portions of that tract still continue in the possession of lineal descendants, haying never gone out of the family blood or sire-name.

Josiah Winslow, Sr., drew the fifteenth lot. He was the youngest brother of Governor Edward Winslow, and uncle to Governor Josiah Winslow, distinguished as a general in King Philip's war. Josiah Winslow, Sr., emigrated to America in 1629, and settled at Marshfield, where he held various offices of public trust, was elected town clerk of Marshfield in 1646, and performed the duties of that place until his death, that occurred in 1674. He was born in or about the year 1605. April 8, 1661, Josiah Winslow, Sr., sold the fifteenth lot to William Makepeace, of Boston, a cooper by trade, who occupied it until his death. William Makepeace was drowned in Taunton River some time in August, 1681.

Constant Southworth received for his share the nineteenth lot. He with his mother, then a widow, came to America in 1628, of which the account has been preserved, and was as follows :

He settled in Duxbury, and represented that town in the Colonial Court twenty-two years ; was Governor's assistant several years ; colonial treasurer from 1659 to 1679; commissary-general in King Philip's war. He died March 10, 1679. The nineteenth lot after his decease became the property of his children, who sold to parties that became settlers thereon in or about the year 1682, or some twenty-three years after its purchase of the Indians.

John Barns drew the twenty-second lot, it being that whereon the greater part of Assonet village now stands, and he, in August, 1666, sold it to Hugh Cole, of Swansea, who in turn conveyed the same, in 1685, to Benjamin Chase, a cooper by trade, who settled thereon about twenty-six years after it had been purchased of the natives.

John Tisdall received the twenty-third lot. It is upon this lot that a portion of Assonet village is located. John Tisdall (or Tisdale, as that name is now generally spelled) settled in Marahfield, where in 1645 he was elected constable. Removing to Taunton he was made a selectman of that town in 1672, and served in that office until his death, which occurred in June, 1675 ; was a representative to the Colonial Court in 1674. He was slain by the Indians, who at the same time burned his dwelling and carried away his gun, that was retaken at Rehoboth Aug. 1, 1675.

Joshua Tisdale, son of John, settled upon the twenty-third lot, and died thereon in or near the year 1714. Considerable portions were retained in the family name for about a century, and a part is still inherited by those of the blood, but of other surnames.

Humphrey Turner drew the second lot, it being that whereon is now the most thickly-settled portion of the city of Fall River. Humphrey Turner resided in Scituate, of which town he was constable in 1636 and 1639, representative to the Colonial Court in 1640, which place he filled for ten years. This lot descended by kinship from Humphrey Turner to his son Joseph Turner, who in 1671 sold the same to Israel Hubbard, who in turn conveyed it to the great Indian hunter, Capt. Benjamin Church, who in or near the year 1700 settled in what was Tiverton, but now Fall River, and but a short distance from this second lot.

Walter Hatch drew the twelfth lot, that is now within the northerly part of Fall River. Walter Hatch resided in Scituate. He was a son of William Hatch, ruling elder of the second church in Scituate. Walter was a ship-builder. This lot passed by kinship to his son, Joseph Hatch, who on the 8th of June, 1705, sold the same to Jonathan Dodson, a settler. Walter Hatch was constable at Scituate in 1654.

Samuel House had for his share the fifth lot, now in Fall River. He resided at Scituate and died there in or about the year 1661. His sons, Samuel and Joseph House, March 20, 1678, sold this lot to Henry Brightman and Thomas Cornell, of Portsmouth, R. I., and the next year Cornell sold his part to George Lawton, Jr., of Portsmouth. Brightman and Lawton were probably the first settlers.

Samuel Jackson was of Plymouth, but changed his residence to Scituate in 1638. He probably sold his right in this purchase to William Randall, who drew the seventeenth lot, from whom, in 1678, the land title passed to Nicholas Cotterell, of Newport, R. I., and in 1683 and 1690 most of this lot became the property of Lieut. Thomas Terry, whose sons settled thereon, and a large portion is not only retained by the family blood but also surname.

John Daman drew the twenty-sixth lot. He was of Scituate, where he held the office of constable iu 1662, and was representative to the Colonial Court in 1675 and again in 1676. John Daman died in or about June, 1677, and this lot passed to his heirs, who in 1713 and 1714 sold it to Timothy Lindall, a merchant residing in Boston, who through his tenants probably caused it to be settled upon. It remained in the Lindall family until the war of American Revolution.

Mr. Timothy Hatherly probably sold his right in "ye ffreeman's lands at Taunton River" before the date of division, and hence the ninth lot was drawn by Capt. James Cudworth, who in 1681 sold the same to Simon Lynde, of Boston, from whom, by heirship, it descended to his son, Samuel Lynde, of Boston, who gave it to his grandchildren, Thomas and Elizabeth Valentine. Mr. Timothy Hatherly resided in Scituate, was Governor's assistant for many years, colonial treasurer from 1640 to 1642.

Timothy Foster drew the first lot, and of him very little appears at this date to be known, nor is it easy to learn what disposition he made of this property, upon which Ralph Earle was an early settler.

Thomas Southworth received the thirteenth lot. Thomas Southworth, with his brother, Constant Southworth, and their mother, then a widow, emigrated to America in 1628, Thomas settling at Plymouth, where, March 7, 1648, he was commissioned as lieutenant of local militia, promoted to captain in August, 1659, a position he continued to hold until his death, Dec. 18, 1669, representative from Plymouth three years in the Colonial Court, Governor's assistant some fifteen years.

George Watson drew the seventh lot. He was constable at Plymouth in 1660, and again in 1762. Probably retained the seventh lot as long as he lived, and leaving it to his children and grandchildren, as his grandson, John Watson, July 20, 1706, sold his right therein to Henry Brightman.

Nathaniel Morton drew the eighteenth lot, which he sold to John Hathaway, Sr., of Taunton, in March, 1671, and whose son, John Hathaway, Jr., soon after settled thereon. Nathaniel Morton was a son of George Morton, who came to Plymouth in 1623. Nathaniel Morton was colonial secretary from 1647 to 1685.

Richard More drew the eleventh lot. Richard More was an early settler in Duxbury, where he owned land at a place called the " Eagle's Nest."

Edmund Chandler received the fourth lot, that embraced what is now the " City Farm" of Fall River. Edmund Chandler retained it through life, and at his decease it passed to his son, Joseph Chandler, who, in July, 1673, sold the same to Henry Brightman, of Portsmouth, R. I. Edmund Chandler was constable of Duxbury in 1637, and representative to the Colonial Court in 1639.

Samuel Nash drew the twenty-first lot, it being that on which the southerly portion of Assonet village stands. He was a lieutenant; led the force that Plymouth Colony sent against the Indians in August, 1645 ; was marshal of that colony for many years.

Henry Howland, of Duxbury, for his share received the sixth lot, and his sons, John and Samuel, appear to have become actual settlers. John died in or before 1687, Samuel died in or near 1716. Henry Howland died in 1670.

Mr. Ralph Partridge, of Duxbury, after the date Wamsutta gave his written promise to sell these lands, but before that deed was executed, died, and at the division, in 1660, his heirs received the eighth lot that his grandsons, Ralph and Peter Thatcher, on the 29th day of October, 1694, conveyed to John Reed, a " cordwainer," who became an actual settler. Mr. Ralph Partridge emigrated to America in 1636, and after a boisterous passage was landed at Boston on the 17th day of November. He soon after became pastor of the church in Duxbury, and continued in that position until his death. Before coming to this country he had been a clergyman of the Church of England. Secretary Morton, in 1658, gravely recorded, " This year there was a great earthquake in New England. Also, Mr. Ralph Partridge died in good old age, having for the space of forty years dispensed the word of God with very little impediment. His pious and blameless life became very advantageous to his doctrine. He was much honored and loved by all that conversed with him. He was of sound and solid judgment in the main truths of Jesus Christ." And to all this an admirer added :

Love Brewster drew the tenth lot. He was born in England. He came to America in 1636, landed at Plymouth and settled in Duxbury, where he died, and this lot passed to his son, Wrestling Brewster, who sold the southerly half to a carpenter named John Bogers, who in turn sold it, Oct. 3, 1702, to Edward Thurston, Sr., of Newport, R. I., whose son, Thomas Thurston, settled thereon, and here remained until his death, which occurred at about eleven o'clock at night, March 22, 1730.

William Paybody received the fourteenth lot, that now has one-half in Freetown and the other half in Fall River. He exchanged this lot for lands elsewhere, and it soon after came to be owned by the Indian hunter, Capt. Benjamin Church.

William Paybody was town clerk of Duxbury from 1666 to 1684, and representative to the Colonial Court twenty-three years. He was born Nov. 24, 1619. He died in 1707.

Christopher Wadsworth was an early settler in Duxbury, where he was elected constable in 1633, and served in that office four years ; selectman in 1666, and served six years ; representative to the Colonial

Kanelm Winslow received the twenty-fourth lot. He was a brother of Governor Edward Winslow, and emigrated to America in or about the year 1629. He settled at Yarmouth, but died while absent from home on a visit to Salem. He was buried Sept. 13, 1672. This lot was settled upon by Nathaniel, a son, and Josiah, a grandson of the original proprietor. Nathaniel did not long remain here, but Josiah continued to reside here until his death, April 3, 1761.

Thomas Bourne had the twentieth lot. He resided in Marshfield, and was a representative from that town to the Colonial Court in 1640-41 and 1644. He died May 11, 1664, aged eighty-five years, and must have been born in or about 1579. The ownership of the twentieth lot passed to John, a son of Thomas Bourne, and John Bourne, March 4, 1678, gave it to his daughters, Anna, the wife of John Bailey, and Martha, the wife of Valentine Decro. John Bailey was elected selectman of Freetown, June, 1685, and died June 22, 1686.

John Waterman drew the sixteenth lot. John Waterman was a son of Robert Waterman and wife Elizabeth, a daughter of Thomas Bourne. This lot ere long became the property of Lieut. Job Winslow, a son of Kanelm Winslow. Lieut. Job Winslow settled on the sixteenth lot, and remained until his death, July 14, 1720.

Pioneer Settlers. - 1st Lot. Ralph Earl was upon this lot at an early date. He was probably a son of William Earle, of Portsmouth, R. I. A sister of Ralph Earle became the wife of John Borden. Ralph Earle was a surveyor of highways in 1690-92 and 1696, constable in 1699, grand juryman in 1700 and 1715, assessor in 1710 and 1711, selectman in 1715, commissioned ensign of local militia in or before 1715, owned the northerly half of first lot as early as 1710, built a pound for the town in 1704, poundkeeper about fourteen years. The ear-mark for his creatures as recorded was " a halfpenie on the hinder part of the right yeare, and a Crop of the Left."

4th Lot. Matthew Boomer was probably the earliest European settler upon the fourth lot, as he was referred to by colonial records in 1675 as " residing in the government without order, and not attending the public worship of God, living lonely and in a heathenish way from good society." In March, 1686, Matthew Boomer was arraigned for an assault upon John Brandon.

6th Lot. John Howland was an early, or perhaps the earliest, settler. He died before Feb. 13, 1687 ; was succeeded by his brother, Samuel Howland.

this lot Oct. 29, 1694, settled here, and remained until his death, about eight o'clock in the evening, Jan. 3, 1721. He had resided somewhere in what became Freetown even before the date of incorporation (July, 1683), as when it was made a constablewick, Sept. 28, 1680, John Reed was ordered to appear at court as a grand juryman.

10th Lot. Settled upon by Thomas Thurston, who was grand juryman in 1706, assessor in 1707-9 and 1718, selectman in 1708-9, constable in 1710, surveyor of highways in 1712 and 1713. His will bore date of March 20, 1730. He died about eleven o'clock at night, March 22, 1730.

11th Lot. Thomas Gage was part owner and probably an early settler upon the eleventh lot, which doubtless accouuts for the fact that the high bluffs near the river a little north of Steel Brook received the name of " Gage's Banks." Thomas Gage was a clothier, or cloth dresser. He was a representative to the General Court in 1722, 1727, and 1736 ; assessor in 1720.

12th Lot. Settled upon by Jonathan Dodson in or near the year 1705. He was town clerk of Freetown in 1719, moderator of annual town-meetings in 1712, 1714-15, and 1718, selectman in 1711-12, 1714-15, 1717-20, assessor three years, constable one year. In 1723 he was elected representative to the General Court, but declined to serve. At a town-meeting held June 2. 1713, it was " Voted Jonathan Dodson to be minister of the gospel for this town until there is a supply from England." The will of Jonathan Dodson bore date of June 8th, 1741.

15th Lot. Settled upon in or near 166-, by William Makepeace, of Boston, a cooper by trade, who, save j during King Philip's war, remained thereon until j August, 168-, when he was drowned in Taunton River. It was probably partly in the fifteenth and partly in the sixteenth lot that the reservation was made to the Indian Tabadacason for the Indians that kept the ferry, and the "wild roving Indian girls, bright Alfarettos," the daughters of the red heathen, soon proved a snare to their white Christian neighbors, as will appear from the Plymouth Colony record, under date of Oct. 29, 1672. "William Makepeace, Sr., living at Taunton River, for lacivious attempts towards an Indian woman, was sentenced by the court to be whipped at the post, which was accordingly performed. And the said Makepiece for selling stronge liquors to the Indians was fined five pounds."

16th Lot. Settled on, soon after King Philip's war, by Lieut. Job Winslow, from Swansea, who occupied until his death, July 14, 1720. Lieut, Job Winslow was a leading man in Swansea before coming to reside in Freetown. Of Freetown he was a selectman ten years, assessor six years, and for a short time town clerk, representative to the General Court in 1686 and 1G92, moderator of annual town-meeting one year, and on the town council of war in 1691 and 1692.

18th Lot. Settled on in or near the year 1671 by John Hatheway, Jr., from Taunton (that part now Berkley), who remained until his death, that occurred in or about the year 1730. John Hatheway was made constable, Sept. 28, 1860, of what afterward (viz., July, 1683) became Freetown. He was Freetown's earliest tavern-keeper, being licensed to keep the same June 5, 1684. He was a selectman of Freetown twelve years.

19th Lot. Settled upon by John Bailey, from Weymouth, about 1682. He was elected as a selectman of Freetown in June, 1685, and he died June 22, 1686.

22d Lot. Settled upon by Benjamin Chase, a cooper by trade, who purchased by deed bearing date of 1686. Benjamin Chase was a selectman of Freetown two years. He died in or about the year 1731.

23d Lot. Settled upon by Joshua Tisdale, who was town clerk of Freetown four years, selectman six years, assessor three years. He caused to be built the lowest dam on Assonet River, on which he operated a grist-mill. The high ledge of rocks near Assonet Depot was on his land, and hence called " Joshua's Mountain," and that part of Assonet River bounding his lot on the west end is still called "Joshua's Channel."

24th Lot. Settled on by Capt. Josiah Winslow. He in or near the year 1695 built the dam now occupied by Th6mas G. Winslow, and located thereon a saw-mill. Josiah Winslow came from Yarmouth, where he was born Nov. 7, 1669. Josiah Winslow was promoted to lieutenant of the local militia of Freetown in or near 1702, commissioned captain February, 1715. He was a selectman of Freetown five years, assessor seven years, moderator of annual townmeeting three years, and several years town treasurer. He died April 3, 1761.

25th Lot. Settled on by James Cud worth, a grandson of Capt, James Cudworth, the purchaser. James Cudworth, the settler, remained here until his death, which occurred in 1729. He was born April 3, 1665.

Participation in Early Wars. - Freetown was purchased of the Indians in 1659, and European settlers began to locate thereon in 1660 or 1661 ; yet so slowly did these arrive that the number of such were only sufficient to constitute a constablewick twenty years later, and it was not until July, 1683, or more than twenty-four years after the date of purchase, that the population entitled this locality to incorporation as a town. Little can, therefore, be learned of the action taken by the people in that greatest and most bloody of New England's conflicts, King Philip's war, waged in 1675 and 1676; but tradition says that the people en masse left all to the foe, and fled for refuge to a garrisoned house in Taunton, leaving one of their number named Lawton (who resided in what is now Fall River) dead at his home, where he was found by the Indians and slain the day they commenced to kill the English inhabitants at Swansea.

It was not until King William's war, so called, that the inhabitants of Freetown appear to have been required to furnish both men and money, arms, and equipments, and were regularly constituted a part of the military force of Plymouth Colony, one of the preliminary steps towards which was to organize the entire militia of the town as one company, of which, on the 4th day of June, 1686, Thomas Terry was commissioned as lieutenant-commandant.

The Colonial Court, in session at Plymouth Aug. 14, 1689, enacted as follows : " If any souldiers of ours shall be maimed in sd war, and thereby disabled to maintain e themselves, he or they to be provided for, relieved, and maintained in such capacity as he or they lived in before concerned in sd war, and also to have victuals & amunition allowed while upon the expedition."

In a force sent out under Maj. Benjamin Church, the renowned Indian hunter, Freetown furnished a soldier named John King, the expenses of whose outfit were charged as follows :

" You are required in their majesties name to take care that the two men you were to provide by order of the Last general Court he in readiness by the sixth of July well armed and fixed and every way provided to march according to order.

" June the 24. Entered for volunteers William Davis, thomas traintor, and Joseph Chetihagweatt, Indian, for the town of freetoun, Egainst the Common Enemy for the present Expidition for Canady, and tarbo Gary being present for said Expidition.

Gage, and received a generous supply of the munitions of war, was doubtless that part of these four companies that could be induced to take the king's arms and train in his name, as a considerable proportion doubtless did, and were thus for several days engaged in drilling and perfecting themselves to fight against the "Sons of Liberty," and by force of arms to rivet the chains of bondage upon their own countrymen, including their nearest neighbors, uphold a foreign monarchical, despotic, and singularly arbitrary power.

The four captains gave most unmistakable evidence that their sympathies were strongly on the side of the king, as did also Lieuts. Tompkins and Ashley and Cornet John Evans. But Lieuts. Borden, Barnolz, and Morton, if not all " liberty" men at the start, soon became so, and gave their undivided efforts and influence to the cause of their distressed and bleeding country.

Ambrose Cleveland, of Freetown, when in arrest at Providence, R. I. (Oct. 31, 1775), signed a written confession and recantation, in which he set forth that "he acknowledges his wrongs in signing Brigadier Ruggles' association under Col. Gilbert, and training under said Gilbert for two days, and going to Boston and working at the king's works, and likewise of my saying I could pilot the fleet as far as Bower's (now Somerset village), all which I am heartily sorry for, and for the future am determined to stand for the rights and liberties of my country."

In an intercepted letter of Col. Gilbert to Gen. Ruggles, dated April 5, 1775, he said concerning the British man-of-war that came to the assistance of the Tories, " My son took a long-boat and went to the man-of-war, and brought back a letter from Capt. Walli.s to the admiral, which I sent to your care. I hear from Capt. Wall is that he fears to venture up the river with the ship, fearing there is not sufficient depth of water. A vessel of less force might answer the purpose.

" Last Monday the rebels mustered from Middleborough and Berkley, Swansea and Dighton, and made up a hundred and forty in arms, marched by my house, where were twenty-five men with king's arms well loaded. I went out before my door and told them that they were a poor set of deluded rebels. So they marched off' without tearing down my house or killing me, as the day before they swore they would."

That a large proportion of the local militia in the First Company, and considerable numbers of theSecond and Third Companies, as also of the cavalry company, took up arms for the king at the commencement of the war of the American Revolution seems quite conclusively proved by an address of the Freetown Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety to the Massachusetts Legislature in session at Boston, March 22, 1780, in which said committee, as also the selectmen of Freetown, concerning the votes of said town, declared that " great numbers, we have

" If the king of Great Britain should forbear hostilities and recall his troops from our land we should not have presumed thus to trouble your Honors with complaint.

" We should have rested under their insults, although we have used our utmost efforts, and spent our thousands for the defense of our beloved country.

" What have we to hope or expect if Great Britain should continue the war, and the king's troops repossess Rhode Island ? We should be between two fires.

A newspaper called the Essex Gazette, published in Salem, April 18, 1775, the day before the battles of Lexington and Concord were fought, contained the following communication :

" A letter from Taunton dated last Friday, mentions that on the Monday before parties of Minute Men, etc., from every town in that county, with arms and ammunition, met at Freetown early that morning in order to take Col. Gilbert, but he had fled on board the man-of-war at Newport.

" They then divided into parties and took twenty-nine Tories who had signed enlistments and received arms in the colonel's company to join the king's troops. They also took thirty-five muskets, two case bottles of powder, and a basket of bullets, all which they brought to Taunton the same afternoon, where the prisoners were separately examined, eighteen of whom made such humble acknowledgments of their past bad conduct and solemn promises to behave better for the future they were dismissed, but the other eleven being obstinate and insulting, a party were ordered to carry them to Simsbury Mines, but they were sufficiently humbled before they had got fourteen miles on their way thither, upon which they were brought back the next day, and after signing proper articles to behave better for the future, were escorted to Freetown.

"At a legal town-meeting held at ye public meeting-house house in Freetown on ye 31st day of May, 1777, ye following Tories were voted for trial, viz.: George Brightman, William Winslow, Luther Winslow, John Winslow, Jail Hathaway, .Solomon Terry, Abiel Terry, Abiel Terry, Jr., William Hathaway, Silas Hathaway (2d), Silas Terry, Ebenezer Terry, Benjamin Tompkins, Ralph Paine, Job Paine, Job Paine (2d), George Chase, George Chase, Jr., Bradford Gilbert, Ephraim Winslow, Ammi Cha.se, Horah Durfee, Jonathan Dodson, Job Terry, Silas Sherman, Benjamin Cleveland, Abraham Ashley, John Briggs.

The lenity exercised towards the Tories by the Whigs, instead of making the former more tractable, only served to encourage them to seize upon, as they did, every opportunity that presented itself to make trouble for those who had spared them when in their power, thus ever and always returning evil for good, and showing neither kindness, tenderness, or mercy to those from whom they owed much of all, and to whose clemency alone they owed their power to do hurt.

Even before the close of the Revolutionary war these Tories, who had been so signally defeated when and wherever they submitted their cause to the arbitration of the cartridge-box, suddenly changed their tactics, and by a united and well-directed effort, being joined as they were by the " baser sort" of all parties, completely carried their points at the ballot-box in Freetown, allowing, as they did, persons in their village to vote that they might thus swell the number of their boasted majority ; and the legislative power of the State had to be appealed to, and did exercise its authority to bring order out of such anarchy and confusion as resulted from that disorganizing and disgraceful act of the Tories, thoroughly determined either to rule or ruin. Nor did the indignities suffered at the hands of the Tories cease at what was generally considered the successful termination of the Revolutionary war, for the " Shay's rebellion" of 1786 found them again in the field, and this town, that in 1775 in the person of Col. Thomas Gilbert furnished the most prominent and troublesome Tory in the county, only eleven years later furnished the county leader of rebels in arms against the new government, and it is a noteworthy fact that when the "Shay's men" with arms appeared to stop the session of the County Court, being held at Taunton, a prominent leader was dressed in a full British uniform, and new muskets of British manufacture were plentifully supplied gratis to all who would volunteer to use the same to aid the motley crowd of anarchists there drawn up in battle array under the command of David Valentine, of Freetown.

Shay's Rebellion. - As in the war of the American Revolution, so also in the outbreak usually known as " Shay's Rebellion, the local militia remained divided into three companies, that also continued to constitute a part of the Second Regiment. Those officers residing in Freetown, who were all commissioned July 1, 1781, being as follows :

In Massachusetts, the State which had been foremost in the war for independence against Great Britain, occurred the first instance of armed and organized rebellion against the situation and conduct of public affairs consequent upon the changed character of the government and its administrators. This spirit of lawlessness was not entirely confined to Massachusetts, as in the neighboring State of New Hampshire a reckless and desperate body of malcontents entered the legislative chamber at Exeter, overpowered and made prisoners of the General Assembly of that State; but the citizens arose, and by energetic and well-directed efforts the dastardly movement, with its aiders and abettors, was crushed.

Not so, however, in Massachusetts, where the rebellion secured to itself a much longer lease of life. The mob spirit grew more and more rampant, Bristol, Hampshire, Middlesex, and Worcester Counties attaining to the unenviable reputation of being the chief centres of lawless violence throughout New England. Few towns in Bristol County could muster an entire company of its local militia to sustain the government, and in Freetown that iu the person of David Valentine furnished the county leader of the "Shay's men." The mobocrats probably bore a still larger proportion to the whole number of the inhabitants than the Tories had done at the commencement of the war of American Revolution.

In Rehoboth, then also embracing what afterward became Seekonk and Pawtucket, the malcontents showed by their votes a large majority at the polls, and took possession of the town's stock of powder, bullets, and munitions of war.

But in Freetown, the county headquarters of that rebellion, the town's stock, by the unyielding constancy of Benjamin Weaver, then captain of the First Company in the local militia, was saved from capture by the rebels, and used only for lawful purposes, and so plentiful was the supply that he obtained with which to kill the "Shay's men," that of what was not then expended his son, Maj. Joseph Weaver, filled the cartridge-boxes of the same company under his command at the beginning of those difficulties that ripened into the war of 1812, and Freetown's contribution to the force sent to Virginia at the first call in April, 1861, in the brigade commanded by Benjamin Weaver's grandson, Gen. E. W. Peirce, carried in its cartridge-boxes some of the bullets moulded in Freetown with which to que'l the rebellion of 1786. Benjamin Weaver's loyalty, courage, and good conduct secured to him a speedy promotion to the office of lieutenant-colonel.

Ecclesiastical. - Probably the first or earliest record still preserved of an effort on the part of the inhabitants of Freetown to provide for the public worship of God was that of a legal meeting which appears upon the thirty-fifth page of the first book of the public records of said town, and in the words following:

"At a town meeting in freetown, on the tenth day of June, in the year 1099, legally warned by the Selectmen, to ho at the house of John hathway, in freetown, In order to consider of a convenient place to set a meeting house where it may he most convenient to join with some of our neighbors in tanton.

" And in case they will join with us, we have voted that the meeting house shall be set on James Cudworth's land, on the southward side of the brook called abut's cwarter, and at the foasd meeting James Cudworth and Josiah Winslow were chosen to treat tanton men, and to bring thayransor to us with all speed whether thay will join with us or'not."

That town-meeting was held in a house, then a tavern, that stood on the spot of the former residence of Benjamin Hambly, late of Freetown, deceased. The neighhors in Taunton doubtless lived in that section of said town set off in 1735, incorporated as a new town, and called Berkley. The spot proposed on which to erect a meeting-house is at the foot of the hill, a little northerly of the former residence of the late Philip J. Tripp. From the fact that nothing more appears to have been done about it leads to the conclusion that the people of Taunton were unwilling to join with those of Freetown in the labor and expense of erecting a meeting-house at the spot proposed. Tradition or records furnish nothing further until the first Monday in February, 1702, when, in open town-meeting, Robert Durfee was chosen as the town's agent to obtain a man to dispense the gospel and instruct children in reading and writing ; and further, that no meeting-house be built at the town's charge until such man had been procured. Two years later, William Way accepted these trusts, and was by the town engaged to serve them as a gospel minister and schoolmaster. Mr. Way proposed to receive for his ministrations in the gospel whatever the inhabitants in gratuity or free will chose to confer upon him. Two years more passed, and the town found itself indicted by the grand jury on a charge of not being supplied with a minister according to law, and Lieut. Job Winslow, one of the selectmen, elected as the town's agent to answer in behalf of the town at the next session of the County Court. Lieut. Job Winslow was also chosen the town's agent to confer with 'Mr. Samuel Danforth, minister at Taunton, in order to have William Way, of Freetown, approbated as a minister, qualified according to law.

Failing in all these efforts, the town on the 21st day of January, 1707, voted to dismiss William Way from longer serving the town as a minister and schoolmaster. Then from the Court of General Sessions came a precept directing the town to provide itself with an able, learned orthodox minister, pursuant to which the town on the 21st day of March, 1707, by a vote of more than two-thirds present and voting, decided to be supplied by the Bishop of London with a minister according to the Church of England, established by the law of the English nation. Three years later the town voted to build a meeting-house thirtysix feet long, twenty-six feet wide, and eighteen feet between joints, and elected three Congregational ministers, viz., Samuel Danforth, John Sparhawk, and

Richard Billings, a committee to determine where the meeting-house should be set, which committee in writing, bearing date March 7, 1710, recommended that the proposed house should stand upon a lot of land that Samuel Lynde, of Boston, had promised to give to the town on which to erect a meeting-house and a school-house, and to be used also for the purposes of a burial-ground and training-field. The town the same year voted to raise the sum of thirty pounds with which to build the meeting-house, and voted thanks to the General Court for twenty-five pounds voted to the town, and expressed the desire that it be paid to Mr. Joseph Avery for his services as minister that year. Oct. 10, 1710, John Hathaway and twenty-three others of Freetown petitioned the General Court to grant aid to Mr. Avery for his encouragement to preach still among them, and that the court would be pleased to give as much as it had done the last year. March 17, 1711, the General Court passed the following resolution :

" Resolved, That there be allowed and paid out of the public treasury to Mr. Joseph Avery, after the rate of twenty pounds per annum, for each Sabbath he hath or shall preach at Freetown, from the time he was last paid to the session of the court in May next."

Mr. Joseph Avery, the second person who attempted to perform the duties of a gospel minister at Freetown, was the fourth and youngest child of Lieut. William Avery and wife, Elizabeth White. Elizabeth was the second wife of Lieut. William Avery, who had had four children by a former wife; and Joseph Avery, born in Dedham, April 9, 1687, though his mother's fourth child, was the eighth child on his father's side. Lieut. William Avery, the parent, received a commission in the train-band at Dedham, from which his title was derived, and bearing date of Oct. 15, 1673. Lieut. Avery also held the offices of town clerk and selectman of Dedham. Mr. Joseph Avery, at the age of nineteen years, graduated at Harvard College in 1706. His brother, John Avery, aged twenty-one years, graduated at the same time and place, and was settled in the gospel ministry in the town of Truro, on Cape Cod. Soon after leaving college Joseph Avery was for a time employed to teach a school in Rehoboth. Added to the offices civil and military held by William Avery and already enumerated, he also held the position of deacon of the church, which circumstance throws more light upon the causes operating to bring about the result of his having two sons that became ministers or clergymen than all other known causes combined, the religious element in the character of the father thus largely cropping out in his sons, who, if not foreordained before the world was by the God of the Bible to be ambassadors for the cause of Christ, doubtless were by the God of nature before either of these sons were born.

Mr. Joseph Avery, Freetown's second minister, in or about the year 1720, was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Newman, of Rehoboth. She was born

Nov. 20, 1700, and consequently was about thirteen years younger than her husband. She was a daughter of Deacon Samuel Newman, Jr., granddaughter of Samuel Newman, Sr., and wife, Bathsheba Chickering, and great-granddaughter of Rev. Samuel Newman, one of the first settlers, and the first minister of Rehoboth. Mr. Joseph Avery remained in Freetown but a short time, as on the 28th day of October, 1714, he was ordained pastor of the Church of Christ in Norton, and thus became the earliest settled minister in that town ; and when we are informed that the people of Norton voted upon their own responsibility to pay him a salaiw of fifty pounds per year, no further reasons need be assigned why he left Freetown with its proposals to pay him thirty pounds per year, and beg, if they could, a yearly appropriation of twenty pounds more from the General Court. To have remained in the field of his labor at Freetown may seem more pious, but his change to the vineyard of the Lord at Norton was decidedly more practical. At a town-meeting holden in Freetown, July 5, 1711,

Against this action of the town John Read, Jr., made a public protest, characterizing the vote as "rash and heady," in that the town had no knowledge of the man's "conversion" or "qualification," to what town or government he belonged, that the voting of twenty pounds was contrary to gospel rule, and that the town had already voted to be supplied by the Bishop of London. And this strife was finally ended by a report from Mr. Blackman that Mr. Wadsworth had refused to serve the town as minister. Recompense Wadsworth was born March 19, 1688. In 1713 he was appointed master of the North Free Grammar School, at Boston. He was a son of Thomas Wadsworth, a gunsmith, who for a time resided in Boston, and removed from thence to Newport, R. I. Aug. 8, 1712, the town voted

" that in order for the incouragement of the preaching of the Word of God in the town, it is therefore agreed to raise 25 pounds for the use for one year's preaching."

Sept. 22, 1712, " Then voted John hath way, agent, to seek for and treat with some meet person, in order to dispense the word of God in said town, and to preach one month in the town, and then, being liked and approved by the town, and the person so called also agreeing with the town, to be their minister for some time as shall be hereafter agreed on."

"The minister that John hathway, the town's agent, hath brought into town, not being liked by the inhabitants, therefore it was then voted he not to be the town's minister."

"Voted Mr. James hail shall have three pounds of the 25 pounds formerly granted by the town for some service done by him, said hail, for some of the inhabitants of this town."

Mr. James Hale was probably the person whom John Hathaway brought into town, and who did not prove acceptable to a majority, but was liked by a few.

May 25, 1713, "Voted 10 pounds to be raised for the reperation of the meeting-house, and to be added to the 30 pounds rate formerly granted by said town."

June 2, 1713, the town made choice of "Jonathan Dodson to be minister of the gospel for this town untill there is a supply from England, according to a former vote of the town."

June 19, 1714, the meeting-house that in 1710 it was agreed to build being completed, was by the building committee delivered to the selectmen for the use of the town.

Sept. 22, 1715, Josiah Winslow, Thomas Terry, Jonathan Dodson, and Joseph Read were chosen a committee to seat the meeting-house at the town's charge.

Enough has already been given to show that the people of the town, if not prosecuting or carrying on a " holy war," were persistently and determinately engaged in religious controversy. They had a few years before voted that a gospel preached in the town must be dispensed to the people's acceptance, and the town clerk, who may have been equally conversant with the spirit of Christianity and the rules of orthography in committing said vote to the town records, stated that the dispensation must be to the town's "cx-ceptance" (instead of acceptance); and thus the sequel seemed to prove, for bickerings, strife, contention, opposition, envyings, and taking exceptions to anything and everything proposed or done, attempted or recommended for the establishment of a preached gospel in town, became a general rule instead of an exception.

In or about the year 1715, at the request of several of the principal inhabitants, accompanied by their written promise of support, the Rev. Thomas Craighead entered upon the duties of a gospel minister in Freetown, and he, being approbated by the ministers of the neighboring towns as qualified for the duties of that position, a meeting of the inhabitants was called by a warrant from the selectmen, and held in the meeting-house at Freetown on Monday the 9th day of September, 1717, to see if the town in its corporate capacity would vote to employ the Rev. Thomas Craighead as the town's minister. Capt. Josiah Winslow was elected moderator, whereupon John Read, Benjamin Chace, Jr., George Winslow, Abraham Simmons, and John Cleveland protested against further proceedings, giving as their xeasons for so doing " that the town had already a choice to be supplied by the Bishop of London, as may appear on record, as also the non-sufficiency of the warrant." But the legal voters present decided to proceed, and by a vote of twenty-eight for to three against, or a clear majority of twenty-five votes, made choice of Rev. Thomas Craighead to be the town's minister, and yet, after all this, Mr. Craighead, to collect his

Mr. Hercules Cushman was a lawyer then recently come to practice in town, and representative for several years to the General Court. In 1821 he was made colonel of a regiment, and in 1822 elected a member of the Governor's Council. Maj. Joseph Weaver was a son of Col. Benjamin Weaver and wife, Amy Brownell. He was commissioned captain in 1811, promoted to major in 1812, and died in December, 1814. Robert Strobridge was elected four times to the General Court, and he was postmaster at Assonet village from 1817 until his death, July 28, 1822. Job Morton, Esq., was elected to the General Court eleven years, and William Rounseville, Esq., elected to the same position ten years in succession. A committee appointed to regulate the school districts in Freetown, on the 1st day of January, 1820, reported as follows :

The custom of electing a general school committee annually was commenced in Freetown, April 14, 1827, that committee for ten years being made to consist of five persons, when it was reduced to three persons. For something more than twenty years the school committee have been chosen to serve three years, one of the three members being elected each year.

Water Privileges and Manufactories. - The first dam across Assonet River was probably that upon which Thomas Winslow's grist-mill now stands, and was constructed in or about the year 1695. The water at that point appears to have at first been utilized to carry a saw-mill, to which was subsequently added a fulling-mill, grist-mill, and machinery for carding wool. The second was that which still continues to be called the " forge dam," although no forge has been in operation there for more than half a century. This dam was erected in or near the year 1704, and was built expressly for a forge where iron ore dug in the vicinity was for nearly a century wrought into iron bars. Succeeding the forge was a grist-mill, a manufactory of cutlery, and a nail-factory, all of which have now ceased to operate, and the valuable privilege for several years has been lying idle.

The third dam was that at Assonet village, built near the year 1710, and a grist-mill located thereon, added to which is now operated a saw-mill, boxboard and shingle mill.. Indian corn has here been ground probably every year for nearly or quite one hundred and seventy-five years, and boards and timbers sawed for more than a century. The box-board and shingle saws have recently been added. Still higher up the stream than the " forge dam," and a little below what is known as the " Howland sawmill," tradition saith that Philip Rounsevill put up a dam, some traces of which still remain. He probably erected and for a time operated a saw-mill thereon.

The fifth dam was probably that whereon the bleachery of Henry Winslow and Bradford G. Porter now stands. The water at that place was for many years used to carry a grist-mill and a trip-hammer, and for a few years a nail-factory.

Many years since a dam was built and a saw-mill erected thereon, the slabs sawn from the logs being used first to build and afterwards to repair a bridge that stood a little below the dam, which circumstances caused the bridge to acquire the name of the materials of which it was principally constructed and maintained, and the locality to receive the still familiar name of "Slab Bridge." No mill is operated there at the present time.

Next probably in date of construction was the dam upon which the Howland saw-mill, so called, stands, and where probably the water-power has never been utilized save to saw timber and boards with the oldfashioned " up and down saw." Whether a little after or a little before the Slab Bridge dam this of the Howland saw-mill was built it is not now easy, if, in fact, possible, to determine. The dam near the residence of Joseph R. Dunham is probably of a more modern construction. Here has been operated a saw-mill and a shingle-mill, now used to saw box-boards. The dam near Maple-tree Bridge was erected in or about 1827, and for several years the water-power used to carry a grist-mill, now used for a box-board and shingle-mill.

Upon the falls of Quequechan, or Fall River, Benjamin Church, the renowned Indian hunter, had mills of some kind that commenced to be operated in or about the year 1702. Doubtless one of these was a saw-mill, and probably to this was added a grist-mill, and before that section, now Fall River, was set off' from Freetown the water at that point may perhaps have been utilized for some other purposes, though not for the manufacture of cotton goods. A small stream, known as "Mill Brook," that empties itself into Assonet River through what is usually known as

"Payne's Cove," came into early use as a motivepower. At a locality known as the "Baker Place" a dam was erected across this Mill Brook, and mills of some kind operated thereon more than a century and a quarter ago. A saw-mill built thereon nearly a hundred years ago has been in active operation since the memory of many now living. Higher up the stream, and within the present limits of Fall River, at what is sometimes called the " Wardell Neighborhood," is a dam on which for many years has been operated a saw-mill. Lower down upon this stream, near the head of Payne's Cove, receiving also the waters of another brook, was many years since erected a dam, on which were operated a saw-mill and a gristmill and afterwards a small foundry and next a bleachery, and it is that upon which now stands the Crystal Spring Bleachery, so called. Upon the brook just named many years ago was erected a dam, so long since that neither records nor tradition define the date of its construction. Here was probably operated a saw-mill, and for many years it remained in utter disuse. In 1829 a cupola furnace was erected thereon, afterward used for the purposes of a bleachery, and finally accidentally burned, and this dam has recently been removed to give place to the erection of a reservoir for the " Crystal Spring Bleachery."

Upon what was called " Fall Brook," a stream in the east part of Freetown that discharges itself into the Long Pond, so called, was erected in or near the year 1784 a blastfurnace, where iron ore was not only smelted but also manufactured into what then went under the general name of hollow-ware. The original projectors of this enterprise were Capt. Levi Rounsevill, Philip Rounsevill, and Capt. Abraham Morton, of East Freetown ; Capt. Job Peirce and Joseph Leonard (2d), of Middleborough ; and Seth Keith, of Bridgewater. Capt. Levi Rounsevill, Capt. Job Peirce, and Seth Keith owned a quarter interest each, and Philip Rounsevill, Capt. Abraham Morton, and Joseph Leonard (2d) owned the other quarter, or onetwelfth part each. Fuel in East Freetown woods was then abundant and readily and cheaply obtained, and much of the iron ore was taken from Assawamset Pond, in Middleborough. The small village that as a consequence thus grew up near by came, as naturally it would, to be called the " Furnace Village'1'' or "Furnace Neighborhood" which names still serve to designate the locality and are in familiar use, although the furnace, either as a blast or cupola, has long since ceased to operate. A few years after its erection this furnace came to be owned almost exclusively by members of the Rounsevill family, and hence came to be called the " Rounsevill Furnace/'

In 1811, James Alger, of Bridgewater, Gen. Cromwell Washburn, of Taunton, and Col. Salmon Fobes, of Bridgewater, purchased three-fourths of this furnace, and in 1814, James Alger bought the remaining quarter, Gen. Washburn at the same time disposing of his share to Alger & Fobes. Nayum Alger, of

Bridgewater, and afterwards of Freetown, became agent and manager, and the firm of Alger & Fobes also, besides carrying on the furnace, ran two sawmills and a grist-mill, a blacksmith-shop, and a country store, and thus furnishing employment for some fifty men. In 1818 this property changed owners, being principally, if not, in fact, wholly purchased by Samuel Slater, David Wilkinson, and Charles Dyer, of Providence, and Benjamin Dyer, of Cranston, R. I., and these parties took upon themselves the name of " Providence Foundry Company," employing Capt. Calvin Thomas, of Pembroke, as superintendent, who also became a part owner. The old blast furnace was then or soon after demolished, and its place supplied by a cupola furnace, and the smelting of iron ore taken from the Assawamset Pond and other places adjacent abandoned, the iron used being purchased in " pigs," brought from New Jersey to Assonet per water carriage, and from thence transported by oxteams to East Freetown. Succeeding this furnace business at this water privilege was a sash-, door-, and blind-factory that has not been in operation for several years, and the motive-power is now utilized to carry a saw-mill.

Higher up this stream and near the railroad depot is an ancient dam, whereon formerly stood a saw-mill, but now left unoccupied, and at a point still higher, at a place known as Goshem, are traces of a milldam, wherein doubtless once were to be heard the sounds, echoes, and re-echoes of busy life, and the cheering hum of industry, but now left silent as the grave.

Proceeding still higher up the stream we come first to Jonathan R. Gurney's, and last to Paul M. Burns' mill-dams, at both of which places large quantities of box-boards are annually sawn.

The lowest dam upon this East Freetown stream is that near the stone bridge, and whereon is a boxboard mill and a grist-mill, owned and operated by Capt. Marcus M. Rounsevill and G. S. Allen.

Physicians. - Dr. Richard Winslow was one of the earliest, and perhaps the first, medical practitioner who settled in Freetown. He was a son of Lieut. Job Winslow, of Swansea, and afterwards of Freetown, who resided in Freetown until his death, July 14, 1720. Dr. Richard Winslow appears to have left Freetown and removed to Leicester. His will bore date of Aug. 7, 1727, and was proved in Probate Court April 16, 1728.

Dr. John Turner resided in that part of Freetown which in February, 1803, became Fall River. His former residence was in what is now known as Bowen ville. He married Patience, a daughter of Samuel Gardiner, of Swansea. Dr. Turner and wife were among the original members of the Congregational Church gathered at Freetown in 1747. Dr. Turner was one of the four persons who made to that church the gift of a farm for a parsonage.

Dr. Shadrach Winslow was a son of Lieut.-Col. James Winslow and wife Charity Hodges, and born Dec. 17, 1750. He graduated at Yale College. Probably practiced for but a short time in Freetown, and located as a physician in Foxborougb. He taught school at Freetown in 1772.

Dr. Joshua Howard Brett was a son of Rev. Silas Brett, and born June 29, 1751. Taught school at Freetown in 1773. He was elected representative to the General Court May 18, 1782. Assessor two years, viz. : 1785 and 1786.

Dr. Cormick lived in a house that occupied the site of the former residence of Philip J. Tripp, late of Freetown, deceased. Dr. Cormick took to wife Lois Chase. She was a daughter of Ammi Chase. Dr. Cormick did not practice long in Freetown.

Dr. Jesse Bullock was a native of Rehoboth. Dr. Bullock was united in marriage with Mehitabel Winslow, of Freetown, Oct. 1, 1765. She was a daughter of Lieut.-Col. James Winslow, and born April 22, 1739. She died July 21, 1827. Dr. Bullock died Dec. 31, 1805, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. At the commencement of the war of American Revolution Dr. Bullock was one of the leading Tories at j Freetown. He lived in the house now owned and occupied by Mrs. James Wetherill.

Dr. William Carpenter was a native of Rehoboth, and a nephew of Dr. Jesse Bullock. He owned and occupied the next house northerly of the Dr. Bullock place.

Dr. Nicholas Hatheway was born Saturday, Dec. 4, 1773; practiced medicine at Freetown nearly twenty years ; removed to the State of Ohio in 1817. He died at Milford, in Union County, Ohio, Aug. 24, 1848. In the early part of the year 1800 he opened in Freetown a hospital for the treatment of smallpox, and treated so successfully as not to lose a patient.

Dr. Thomas Bump was a native of Middleborough. He was a graduate of Brown University, at Providence, R. L, and studied medicine with Dr. Acad Thompson, of Middleborough, and settled for practice at Freetown in or near 1817. He was town clerk of Freetown, selectman, and a representative to the General Court. Practiced medicine at Freetown nearly sixty years ; was regarded as eminently skillful in his profession.

Dr. Bradford Braley was a native of Freetown. He commenced first as a nurse of the sick during the prevalence of a fearful epidemic that prevailed extensively in 1816, called the " cold plague." He ere long came to practice as a physician, in which he continued until his death, Feb. 7, 1873, when, being on his way to visit a patient, a breaking of his carriage caused him to fall, resulting in instant death. He had practiced the healing art about fifty-six years. He was twice elected as a member of the General Court.

Dr. Seth Pratt came to Freetown from Mynckville, then in East Taunton (now Berkley). He had an office in Assonet village, practiced in this town and vicinity about three years, when his health became impaired, and he died in 1836.

Dr. Barnaby W. Hathaway was a native of Freetown. He was a son of John Hathaway and wife Betsey Winslow, and born Nov. 11, 1812. He studied medicine with Dr. Seth Pratt, and commenced practice in Freetown, and a few years later removed to Fall River, and from thence to California, where he died.

Dr. Thomas C. Nichols was a native of Freetown. He was a son of John Nichols and wife Margaret Winslow, and born Nov. 9, 1819. He practiced medicine at Freetown several years, and relinquishing that went into the manufacture of sporting goods. Was town clerk of Freetown ten years, and twice elected as a representative to the General Court. He died.

Town Clerks of Freetown. - For several years after Freetown was incorporated no public records appear to have been kept, or, if kept, have failed to be preserved ; and in what were kept it is difficult, if not indeed impossible, to determine how long some of the earliest clerks served.

Lieut. Samuel Gardiner, 1688; Lieut. Job Winslow; Joshua Tisdale, March 30, 1696, four years; Thomas King, March 29, 1700, one year; John Reed, Jr., March 31, 1701, fifteen years; Lieut. Robert Durfee, March 29, 1716, one year; John Reed, March 25, 1717, two years; Jonathan Dodson, March 25, 1719, one year; John Reed, March 29, 1720, eighteen years ; Lieut. Joseph Reed, March, 1738, seven years; Capt. Ambrose Barnaby, March 4, 1745, six years ; Maj. Abiel Terry, May 20, 1751, twelve years; Capt. Ambrose Barnaby, March 21, 1763, four years: Zebadee Terry, March 16, 1767, eight years; Samuel Barnaby, March 6, 1775, five years ; Lieut. Philip Hathaway, Jr., July 10, 1780, eight years; Ephraim Winslow, April 7, 17>8, seven years; Lieut. William Ennis, March 23, 1795, five years; Benjamin Porter, Jr., April 7, ISO , one year; Ebenezer Peirce, April 6, 1801, one year; Capt. Job Pierce, Jr., April 5, 1802, one year; Ebenezer Peirce, April 4, 1803, three years ; Lieut. William Pratt, April 7, 1806, eighteen years; Dr. Thomas Bump, April 5, 1824, two years ; James Taylor, April 3, 1826, one year; John T. Lawton, April 2, 1827, two years; Ephraim Atwood, April 6, 1829, three years; Dr. Thomas Bump, March 5, 1832, three years; Col. Ephraim Winslow, March 2, 1835, two years; Alden Hathaway, Jr., March 6, 1837, three years; Davis J. Barrows, March 2, 1840, two years; Joseph B. Weaver, Esq., March 7, 1842, seven years ; Dr. Thomas G. Nichols, Nov. 7, 1848, ten years; S. T. Richmond, March 14, 1859, four years; George W. Hall, March, 1863, one year; D. C. II. Hathaway, March, 1864, two years; Humphrey A. Francis, March, 1875, four years; Palo Alto Peirce, Esq., March 31, 1879.

Town Treasure Bs

March 18, 1754, one year; Lieut. James Winslow, Nov. 10, 1755; Nathan Simmons, March 21, 1763, five years; William Winslow, March 21, 1768, four years ; Lieut. Jonathan Reed, March 2, 1772, eightyears; George Winslow, July 10, 1780, one year; Lieut. Jonathan Reed, March, 1781, two years ; George Brightman, Esq., Marcli, 1783, two years ; Lieut. Philip Hathaway, Jr., March, 1785, one year; Ambrose Barnaby, March 20, 1786, two years ; Col. Benjamin Weaver, April 7, 1788, two years; Darius Chase, April 1, 1793, one year; Lieut. William Ennis, April 7, 1800, one year ; Col. Benjamin Weaver, April 6, 1801, eighteen years : Robert Porter, April 5, 1819, four years ; Lieut. Philip P. Hathaway, April 7, 1823, one year ; George Pickens, April 5, 1824, two years; Joseph Durfee, Jr., April 3, 1826, four years; Elnathan P. Hathaway, April 5, 1830, one year; Joseph B. Weaver, April 4, 1831, three years ; Guilford H. Hathaway, March 3, 1834, four years ; Capt. Sylvanus Payne, March 5, 1838, four years ; Benjamin Burt, Jr., Sept. 24, 1842, two years ; William Pratt (2d), March 5, 1844, one year ; Maj. Ebenezer W. Peirce, March 3, 1845, one year; Gideon P. Hathaway, March 9, 1846, one year; Guilford Hathaway, March 15, 1847, fourteen years; John D. Wilson, March 10, 1861, one year; James Burr, March, 1862, three years ; Guilford Hathaway, March 20, 1865, three years; Dr. Thomas G. Nichols, March 30, 1868, two years; Guilford Hathaway, March, 1870, five years; George W. Hall, March, 1875, two years; Lewis P. Phillips, March, 1877, two years; Nathan W. Davis, March 31, 1879, one year; John W. Pickens, April 5, 1880, two years; Frank A. Barrows, April 10, 1882.

Postmasters. - There are two post-offices in Freetown, one at Assonet village, in the old or west part of the town, and the other in the " Furnace village," so called, in East Freetown.

The office at East Freetown was discontinued in or about 1822, and re-established in 1852. Postmasters Robert Strobridge and Amos Braley died while holding the office.

The first convention was called to form a State constitution, the second to ratify the Federal constitution, the third and fourth for revising the State constitution.

H. Elbridge Tinkham in 1861 tendered his services to the government, and was appointed acting master's mate Dec. 12, 1861, and was ordered to report daily on board United States ship " Ohio" for instruction in gunnery. Feb. 8, 1862, in obedience to orders, reported for duty on board United States gunboat " Kennebec," and joined the West Gulf Squadron, Admiral D. G. Farragut commanding. In 1863 was promoted to acting ensign. While in Farragut's squadron took part in the following engagements: Fort Jackson and St. Philip, Baton Rouge, Vicksburg, Port Hudson, and Mobile. At the latter place was wounded by a shell from the rebel ram " Tennessee," and invalided home. In four months reported for duty, and was ordered to the United States steamer "Bat," North Atlantic Squadron, Admiral David D. Porter commanding, and took part in the fight of Wilmington, Cape Fear River ; also acted as convoy to President Lincoln during his trip from Washington to Richmond and back. When the " Bat" was placed out of commission was ordered to the United States gunboat " Seneca" until she was placed out of commission, when he was ordered home on " leave." He was also attached to the United States ship " Constitution," to assist in removing the naval academy to Annapolis, Md. After the war closed he made a two years' cruise with the West India Squadron, Admiral James S. Palmer commanding, and on his return home was honorably discharged with the thanks of the department, which discharge bears date of May 13, 1867.

Biographical Sketches Guilford H. Hathaway

Guilford H. Hathaway is a lineal descendant on the paternal side from John Hathaway, the descent being as follows : John1, John2, Jacob3, Philip4, Philip5, Edmund6, Guilford H.7 On the maternal side he is descended from the same original John Hathaway, through John2, Jacob3, Meltiah4, Rev. Philip4, Betsey*, Guilford H.7

Edmund Hathaway, father of our subject, was born in Freetown, Mass., Sept. 29, 1771, and married Betsey, daughter of Rev. Philip and Abiah (Ashley) Hathaway. She was born Oct. 12, 1780, and died Oct. 11, 1873, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. They had twelve children, - six sons and six daughters, - of whom Guilford H. was the fifth child. All of this large family lived to attain their majority, and six of them are living at this writing (1883), the youngest of whom is fifty-eight years old.

Edmund Hathaway was in his day the most prominent business man of his town. He was largely engaged in ship-building; was a merchant and shipmaster, and carried on trade with the West Indies. In his varied business enterprises he was quite successful, and exerted a large influence not only in the town where he resided but beyond its limits. He was one of the original subscribers to the stock of the Fall River Bank, and one of its largest stockholders at the time of his death, which occurred Oct. 5, 1832.

Source changes here: from History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, by Hurd, Duane Hamilton, [from Old Catalog] Ed, published 1883; 10,170 words in this source stream.

Freetown Town

Henry Howland, of Duxbury, for his share received the sixtli lot, and liis sons, John and Samuel, appear to have become actual settlers. John died in or before 1687, Samuel died in or near 1716. Henry Howland died in 1670.

Mr. Ralph Partridge, of Duxbury, after the date Wamsutta gave his written promise to sell these lands, but before that deed was executed, died, and ' at the division, in 1660, his heirs received the eighth I lot that his grandsons, Ralph and Peter Thatcher, on the 29th day of October, 1G94, conveyed to John Reed, a "cordwainer," who became an actual settler. Mr. Ralph Partridge emigrated to America in 1636, , and after a boisterous passage was landed at Boston on the 17th day of November. He soon after became pastor of the church in Duxbury, and continued in that position until his death. Before coming to this country he had been a clergyman of the Church of England. Secretary Morton, in 1658, gravely recorded, " This year there was a great earthquake in New England. Also, Mr. Ralph Partridge died in good old age, having for the space of forty years dispensed the word of God with very little impediment. His pious and blameless life became very advantageous to his doctrine. He was much honored and loved by all that conversed with him. He was of sound and solid judgment in the main truths of Jesus Christ." And to all this an admirer added :

Love Brewster drew the tenth lot. He was born in England. He came to America in 1636, landed at Plymouth and settled in Duxbury, where he died, ' and this lot passed to his son, Wrestling Brewster, who sold the southerly half to a carpenter named John Bogers, who in turn sold it, Oct. 3, 1702, to Edward Thurston, Sr., of Newport, R. I., whose son, | Thomas Thurston, settled thereon, and here remained ' until his death, which occurred at about eleven o'clock I at night, March 22, 1730. j

William Paybody received the fourteenth lot, that 1 now has one-half in Freetown and the other half in [ Fall River. He exchanged this lot for lands else- ! where, and it soon after came to be owned by the In- ^ dian hunter, Capt. Benjamin Church.

William Paybody was town clerk of Duxbury from ' 1666 to 1684, and representative to the Colonial Court j twenty-three years. He was born Nov. 24, 1619. He died in 1707. \

Christopher Wadsworth was an early settler in Duxbury, where he was elected constable in 1633, and served in that office four years ; selectman in 1660, and served six years ; representative to the Colonial >

Kanelm Winslow received the twenty-fourth lot. He was a brother of Governor Edward Winslow, and emigrated to America in or about the year 1629. He settled at Yarmouth, but died while absent from home on a visit to Salem. He was buried Sept. 13, 1672. This lot was settled upon by Nathaniel, a son, and Josiah, a grandson of the original proprietor. Nathaniel did not long remain here, but Josiah continued to reside here until his death, April 3, 1761.

Thomas Bourne had the twentieth lot. He resided in Marshfield, and was a representative from that town to the Colonial Court in 1640-41 and 1644. He died May 11, 1664, aged eighty-five years, and must have been born in or about 1579. The ownership of the twentieth lot passed to John, a son of Thomas Bourne, and John Bourne, March 4, 1678, gave it to his daughters, Anna, the wife of John Bailey, and Martha, the wife of Valentine Decro. John Bailey was elected selectman of Freetown, June, 1685, and died June 22, 1686.

John Waterman drew the sixteenth lot. John Waterman was a son of Robert Waterman and wife Elizabeth, a daughter of Thomas Bourne. This lot ere long became the property of Lieut. ,Tob Winslow, a son of Kanelm Winslow. Lieut. Job Winslow settled on the sixteenth lot, and remained until his death, .July 14, 172(».

Pioneer Settlers. - 1st Lot. Ralph Earl was upon this lot at an early date. He was probably a son of William Earle, of Portsmouth, R. I. A sister of Ralph Earle became the wife of John Borden. Ralph Earle was a surveyor of highways in 1690-92 and 1696, constable in 1699, grand juryman in 1700 and 1715, assessor in 1710 and 1711, selectman in 1715, commissioned ensign of local militia in or before 1715, owned the northerly half of first lot .is early as 1710, built a pound for the town in 1704, poundkeeper about fourteen years. The ear-mark for his creatures as recorded was " a halfpenie on the hinder part of the right yeare, and a Crop of the Left."

4th Lot. Matthew Boomer was probably the earliest European settler upon the fourth lot, as he was referred to by colonial records in 1675 as " residing in the government without order, and not attending the public worship of God, living lonely and in a heathenish way from good society." In March, 1686, Matthew Boomer was arraigned for an assault upon John Brandon.

5th Lot. George Lawton, Jr., of Portsmouth, R. I., who purch.ised one-half of this lot March 24, 1679, probably settled thereon before 1687.

6th Lot. John Howland was an early, or perhaps the earliest, settler. He died before Feb. 13, 1687 ; was succeeded by his brother, Samuel Howland.

this lot Oct. 29, 1694, settled here, and remained until his death, about eight o'clock in the evening, Jan. 3, 1721. He had resided somewhere in what became Freetown even before the date of incorporation (July, 1683), as when it was made a constablewick, Sept. 28, 1680, John Reed was ordered to appear at court as a grand juryman.

10th Lot. Settled upon by Thomas Thurston, who was grand juryman in 1706, assessor in 1707-9 and 1718, selectman in 1708-9, constable in 1710, surveyor of highways in 1712 and 1713. His will bore date of March 20, 1730. He died about eleven o'clock at night, March 22, 1730.

11th Lot. Thomas Gage was part owner and probably an earlysettlerupon the eleventh lot, which doubtless accounts for the f:ict that the high bluffs near the river a little north of Steel Brook received the name of " Gage's Banks." Thomas Gage was a clothier, or cloth dresser. He was a representative to the General Court in 1722, 1727, and 1736 ; assessor in 1720.

12th Lot. Settled upon by Jonathan Dodson in or near the year 1705. He was town clerk of Freetown in 1719, moderator of annual town-meetings in 1712, 1714-15, and 1718, selectman in 1711-12, 1714-15, 1717-20, assessor three years, constable one year. In 1723 he was elected representative to the General Court, but declined to serve. At a town-meeting held June 2, 1713, it was " Voted Jonathan Dodson to be minister of the gospel for this town until there is a supply from England." The will of Jonathan Dodson bore date of June 8th, 1741.

15th Lot. Settled upon in or near 166-, by William Makepeace, of Boston, a cooper by trade, who, save during King Philip's war, remained thereon until August, 168-, when he was drowned in Taunton River. It was probably partly in the fifteenth and partly in the sixteenth lot tiiat the reservation was made to the Indian Tabadacason for the Indians that kept the ferry, and the "wild roving Indian girls, bright Alfarettos," the daughters ofthe red heathen, soon proved a snare to their white Christian neighbors, as will appear from the Plymouth Colony record, under date of Oct. 29, 1672. "William Makepeace, Sr., living at Taunton River, for lacivious attempts towards an Indian woman, was sentenced by the court to be whipped at the post, which was accordingly performed. And the said Makepiece for selling stronge liquors to tlie Indians was fined five pounds."

16th Lot. Settled on, soon after King Philip's war, by Lieut. Job Winslow, from Swansea, who occupied until his death, July 14, 1720. Lieut. Job Winslow was a leading man in Swansea before coming to reside in Freetown. Of Freetown he was a selectman ten years, assessor six years, and for a short time town clerk, representative to the General Court in 1GS6 and 1692, moderator of annual town-meeting one year, and on the town council of war in 1691 and 1692.

18th Lot. Settled on in or near the year 1671 by John Hatheway, Jr., from Taunton (that part now Berkley), who remained until his death, that occurred in or about the year 1730. John Hatheway was made constable, Sept. 28, 1860, of what afterward (viz., July, 1683) became Freetown. He was Freetown's earliest tavern-keeper, being licensed to keep the same June 5, 1684. He was a selectman of Freetown twelve years.

19tli Lot. Settled upon by John Bailey, from Weymouth, about 1682. He was elected as a selectman of Freetown in June, 1685, and he died June 22, 1686.

22d Lot. Settled upon by Benjamin Chase, a cooper by trade, who purchased by deed bearing date of 1686. Benjamin Chase was a selectman of Freetown two years. He died in or about the year 1731.

23d Lot. Settled upon by Joshua Tisdale, who was town clerk of Freetown four years, selectman six years, assessor three years. He caused to be built the lowest dam on Assonet River, on which he operated a grist-mill. The high ledge of rocks near Assonet Depot was on his land, and hence called " Joshua's Mountain," and that part of Assonet River bounding his lot on the west end is still called "Joshua's Channel."

24th Lot. Settled on by Capt. Josiah Winslow. He in or near the year 1695 built the dam now occupied by Thomas G. Winslow, and located thereon a saw-mill. Josiah Winslow came from 'Yarmouth, where he was born Nov. 7, 1669. Josiah Winslow was promoted to lieutenant of the local militia of P'reetown in or near 1702, commissioned captain February, 1715. He was a selectman of Freetown five years, assessorsevenyears, moderator of annual townmeeting tliree years, and several years town treasurer. He died April 3, 1761.

25th Lot. Settled on by James Cudworth, a grandson of Capt. James Cudworth, the purchaser. James Cudworth, the settler, remained here until his death, which occurred in 1729. He was born April 3, 1665.

Participation in Early Wars. - Freetown was purchased of the Indians in 1659, and European settlers began to locate thereon in 1660 or 1661 ; yet so slowly did these arrive that the number of such were only sufficient to constitute a constablewick tw'enty years later, and it was not until July, 1683, or more than twenty-four years after the date of purchase, that the population entitled this locality to incorporation as a town. Little can, therefore, be learned of the action taken b_v the people in that greatest and most bloody of New England's conflicts. King Philip's war, waged in 1675 and 1676; but tradition says that the people en masse left all to the foe, and fled for refuge to a garrisoned house in Taunton, leaving one of their number named Lawton (who resided in what is now Fall River) dead at his home, where he was found by the Indians and slain the day they commenced to kill the English inhabitants at Swansea.

It was not until King William's war, so called, that the inhabitants of Freetown appear to have been required to furnish both men and money, arms, and equipments, and were regularly constituted a part of the military force of Plymouth Colony, one of the preliminary steps towards which was to organize the entire militia of the town as one company, of which, on the 4th day of June, 1686, Thomas Terry was commissioned as lieutenant-commandant.

The Colonial Court, in session at Plymouth Aug. 14, 1689, enacted as follows: " If any souldiers of ours shall be maimed in s** war, and thereby disabled to maintaine themselves, he or they to be provided for, relieved, and maintained in such capacity as he or they lived in before concerned in s'' war, and also to have victuals & amunition allowed while upon the expedition."

In a force sent out under Maj. Benjamin Church, the renowned Indian hunter, Freetown furnished a soldier named John King, the expenses of whose outfit were charged as follows :

*' You are required in their majesties name to take care that the two men you were to provide by order of the Last general Court be in readiness liy the sixth of July well armed and 6xed and every way provided to march according to order.

" June the 24. Entered for volunteers William Davis, thomas traintor, and Joseph Chetihagweatt, Indian, for the town of freetoun, Kgainst the Common Enemy for the present Expidition for Cauady, and tarbo Oary being present for said Expidition.

Two years later TallbyJennens and Benjamin Hoppin appear to have been serving as soldiers on the part of Freetown, where the following charges appear.

The French and Indian War. - The accounts of Lieut. James Winslow, as treasurer of Freetown in 1756, show that he received of David Cudworth, Jr., who had been drafted for service in the army, seventyfive pounds, old tenor, to buy himself off, and with which to hire a substitute possessing less pounds but more pluck.

May 3d day, 1756, their Entered into his Majesties' Service out of the first foot company in freetoun, Viz., benjamin porter, Edward pain, Leonard Carlile, Josiah Braman.

Beside these the official records in the State-house at Boston show that Elijah Hatch, Benjamin Butterworth, Joseph Rounsevill, and John White, all of Freetown, performed service in the army in the campaign of 1756, and the records of Freetown Treasury that to be relieved from going to the war, Charles Cudworth paid two pounds eight shillings, and John Terry, to get one of his sons relieved, paid eight pounds, and James Edmenster bought off his son Noah, who was impressed, by the payment of two pounds eight shillings; and the official rolls at Boston inform that Solomon Paine, of Freetown, enlisted into the army and de.serted.

First company of the local military of Freetown that responded to an alarm in December, 1776, and performed a brief tour of duty in Rliode Island, with term of time that each served :

From the Third Company were drafted for service in the patriot army nine months, and ordered to report at Fishkill: Francis Crapo, aged thirty-eight years; Robert Pittsley, nineteen ; and Luther Parker, seventeen ; and for service in the Continental army in 1780 marched on the 29th of August, Elkanah Rider aud John De Moranvillc.

On the occasion of an alarm in 1777, Samuel Durfee, David Durfee, Abner Hacket, and Richard Mason served each one month and twenty-four days in Rhode Island.

Members of First Company of local militia in Freetown that served in the Continental army in 1780, and dates they marched : Thomas Evans, July 6th; Belona Chase and Philip Chase, July 15th; Benjamin Grinnell and America King, August 15th ; and Barley Reed, September 18th.

War of 1812. - Names of those members of First Company who formed a part of the Coast Guard, put ou duty at New Bedford June 20, 1814, and remaining about ten days :

Lyude Hathaway, captain; Thomas Burbank, lieutenant; Joseph KvauB, Preserved Cotton, and Joseph Evans (2d), sergeants; Calvin Payne and William Winslow, niusiciauB.

Gage, and received a generous supply of the munitions of war, was doubtless that part of these four companies that could be induced to take the king's arms and train iu his name, as a considerable proportion doubtless did, and were thus for several days engaged in drilling and perfecting themselves to fight against the " Sons of Liberty," and by force of arms to rivet the chains of bondage upon their own countrymen, including their nearest neighbors, uphold a foreign monarchical, despotic, and singularly arbitrary power.