Lexington Town (part 14 of 25)

1755. He moved to Concord, and resided in that part of the town which was set off to form the town of Carlisle, and was one of the members of the ch. organized there in 1781. He had a family of six children, b. between 1742 and 1755, who settled in Carlisle and Acton ; except Joseph, who settled as a physician at Hillsboro', N. H., and d. Feb. 24, 1798.

William Munroe d. 1755, aged 25 years, probably unm. His will, dated April 4, 1755, and proved Oct. 13, 1755, mentions brotherin-law Adam Caldwell of Bedford, and sisters Bridget and Hannah. He was a sergeant in the French war, in 1754 and 1755.

John Munroe m. April 13, 1762, Lydia Bemis of Weston, dau. of John and Hannah Bemis. He was a member of the Lex. company in 1775. The record of his family is extremely defective. We find the mention of only one child, though he may have had more. He marched to Cambridge on the 17th of June, 1775.

Lydia,ha.i>. May 17, 1767; m. Jan. 16, 1783, Jonathan Page of Lincoln. He afterwards resided in Charlestown, where he kept a tavern of some note. He rose to the rank of colonel in the militia ; and during the war of 1812 was stationed in Boston Harbor, and superintended the erection of some of the fortifications.

Stephen Munroe m. July 8, 1766, Nancy Perry of Wo. He was in the French war, 1762, was in the battle of Lex. 1775, and marched to Camb. on the 17th of June, at the time of the battle of Bunker Hill. He perhaps resided for a time in Wo. ; also in the State of Maine. He d. July 30, 1826, aged 87.

almshouse, and disappeared mysteriously, leading to the suspicion that he might have been murdered. Human bones were found in the woods some twelve months afterwards, supposed to be his. The mystery was never revealed.

Ebenezer Munroe m. May 10, 1781, Lucy Simonds of Wo. He was a member of the Lex. minute men, and ready on the 19th of April to do battle in freedom's cause. He was wounded in the elbow in the morning, but mounted his horse and rode from town to town, alarming the people and rousing them to action, until quite exhausted by the loss of blood. He claimed to have fired the first gun on the American side. That he did return the fire is abundantly proved by the testimony of others. His own account is as follows : " After the first fire (of the regulars) I received a wound in my arm ; as I tui'ned to run, I discharged my gun into the main body of the enemy. Another ball passed between my arm and my body, and just marked my clothes ; one ball cut oflT a part of my ear locks, which were pinned up. The balls fiew so thick, I thought there was no chance of escape, and that I might as well fire my gun, as stand still and do nothing." Deposition taken April 2, 1825. Ebenezer Munroe performed other duties in the Revolution, being one of the number who joined in the campaign in the Jerseys in 1776.

He moved to Ashburnham soon after the close of the war, where he was a lieutenant and a respectable citizen. He d. at Ashburnham 1825, and his wid. m. John Adams as his second wife. Ebenezer Munroe was half-brother to Mr. Adams's first wife. Mr. Adams spent his youth in West Camb., went to Ashburnham previous to the Revolution, lived there till he was nearly 100, when he went to live with a son in Penn., and d. 1849, aged 104 years, 1 mo., 5 days. He retained his faculties to the last, and is said to have made a pair of shoes the day he was 104.

JosiAH Munroe ra. Nov. 16, 1768, Susan Fitch of Bed. He was in the French war in 1762. He also served three months in the Jerseys, in 1776. He then entered the Continental Line, and served two and a half years. After the close of the war he drew land in what was afterward Ohio. He settled in Marietta in that State, where he was for a time post-master. He had at least one child b. in Lex. viz., Susanna, bap. Nov. 10, 1771. They had another dau. and a son b. in Bedford, before he moved to Ohio.

Nathan Munuoe m. Oct. 3, 1769, Elizabeth Harrington, dau. of Henry and Sarah (Laughton) Harrington, b. Sept. 17, 1750. He was a member of Parker's minute men, and took part in the battle of Lex. in 1775. He resided on Monument street, where Mr. John Hudson now resides. His house received several balls, which were taken out subsequently, when the house was repaired. She d. Dec. 24, 1812.

Edmund Munroe m. Aug. 31, 1768, Rebecca Harrington, dau. of Jonathan and Abigail Harrington, b. Feb. 17, 1751. She was sister to Jonathan Harrington, who d. 1854, the last survivor of the battle of Lex. Edmund Munroe was distinguished as a military man. Entering the Provincial service at an early age, he was promoted to an ensign in a corps of rangers commanded by Maj. Rogers, which performed signal service in the French war. In 1761, he was acting adjutant in Col. Hoar's regiment at Crown Point. In 1762, he received a commission from Gov. Bernard, as a lieutenant in His Majesty's service, and continued with the troops at Crown Point, Ticonderoga, and vicinity, till the peace of 1763. His kinsmen Robert and Abraham were officers in the same service with him. He not only served in the French and Indian war, but being enrolled in the company of Lex. minute men, he met the enemy on the 19th of April, and shared in the dangers of that day. But his devotion to the cause of the colony did not permit him to cease from effort when the oppressors were driven from his native village. Having served under Rogers and Hoar, the companions and co-laborers with AVolf and Barre and Putnam, he was not willing to confine his efforts to a limited field. As early as August, 1776, we find him on his way to meet the British on the same fields where he had toiled with them in subduing the French and Indians. He was commissioned as lieutenant on the 12th of July, 1776, in Capt. Miles's co. and Col. Reed's regiment. On the 16th of the same month he was appointed quartermaster and destined to the northern frontier. In a letter addressed to his wife, dated Charlestown, N. H., Aug. 5. 1776, he says, "I have been used very well by the field officers of the regiment. We shall march from this place for Ticonderoga this day."

On the first of January following, he received his commission as captain in Col. Bigelow's regiment. He was with the Northern army under Gates, at Stillwater, Saratoga, and Bennington ; and so distinguished himself that after the capture of Burgoyne he was presented by his superior officers with a pair of candle-sticks, - a part of the traveling equipage or tent ornaments of Gen. Burgoyne.

States ; and Capt. Munroe repaired to the Jerseys, and joined the army under Washington, where, on the 28th of June, 1778, he was slain on the field of Freehold, commonly called the Battle of Monmouth. The same cannon ball which deprived the country of the services of the gallant captain, killed George Munroe, his kinsman, and maimed for life Joseph Cox of Lexington, who was a wheelwright by trade, and worked at that business in Roxbury, in 1790. He wore a wooden leg.

The Burgoyne candlesticks of which we have spoken, together with a sword, a curious beaded Indian powder horn, several bead belts, pistols, &c., used by Capt. Munroe in the French war, were left by his widow, in 1834, to her son Edmund.

when Capt. Munroe entered upon the command of a co. in the Continental line, he had in his co. fifteen men from Lex., viz., Nehemiah Estabrook, David Fiske, Pomp Blackman, Samuel Crafts, Jupiter Tree, Thaddeus Munroe, Amos Russell, George Munroe, Joseph Cox, David Simonds, Ebenezer Hadley, James Fowle, Thomas Hadley, Levi Mead, and Seth Read.

Among these original papers left in the family is the oath of ofl5ce, bearing the signature of Capt. Munroe, and that of the Baron de Kalb. We will give this document entire, with a fac-simile of their hands.

I, Edmund Munroe, Captain in Col. Bigelow's regiment, do acknowledge the United States of America to be Free, Independent, and Sovereign States, and declare that the people thereof owe no allegiance to George, the Third, King of Great Britain ; and I renounce- and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him ; and I do swear that I will to the utmost of my power support, maintain, and defend the said United States against the said King George the Third, his heirs and successors, and his or their abettors, assistants, and adherents ; and will serve the said United States in the office of Captain, which I now hold, with fidelity, according to the best of my ability, skill, and understanding.

Capt. Munroe was deliberately brave, without enthusiasm. Some of his letters evince this coolness. Writing to his wife from Valley Forge, May 17, 1778, he says, " I am going on command to-morrow morning down to the enemy's lines. There are two thousand going on the command. I am of the mind, we shall have a dispute with them be/ore we return.^'' He was forty-two years old at the time of his death. He was, like most men at that day who devoted themselves to the public service, comparatively poor. He left a wid. and four children. She moved to West Camb., where she d. April 6, 1834, aged 83. Honorable mention was made of her in an obituary notice, in the Boston Daily Advertiser of April 11, 1834, from which we extract the following: *' The worthy lady who is the subject of this notice, with other families in Lexington, fled on the 19th of April, 1775, with their children, to the woods, while their husbands were engaged with the enemy, and their houses were sacked or involved in flames. Her husband was killed at Moinnouth in New Jersey, June '28, 1778. On his bereaved partner, in the midst of discouragement, sorrows, and the privations of the times, devolved the task of rearing an infant family. The long life of this venerable lady was a pattern of domestic duties and virtue."

Edmund, b. Oct. 13, 1775 ; was a printer by trade, established himself in Boston, and was one of the publishing house of Munroe and Francis, and d. in Boston, unm., Feb. 9, 1854, aged 79.

WiLLiAM Munroe ni. Anna Smith, dau. of Benjamin and Anna (Parker) Smith, b. March 31, 1743. She d. Jan. 2, 1781, aged 38, and he m. wid. Polly Rogers of Westford, whose first husband was killed at the Battle of Monmouth by the bursting of a cannon. William Munroe was orderly sergeant of Capt. Parker's co. in 1775; it was under his direction that a guard was posted at Mr. Clarke's house, on the evening of the 18th of April, 1775 ; and he paraded the men on the Common the next morning, in the very face of the British troops. The services he performed at the opening of the Revolution, were followed up by other services in the progress of the war. He was a lieutenant in the Northern army at the taking of Burgoyne, in 1777. He was a prominent citizen, and filled important town offices. He was selectman nine years, and represented the town two years. He was a colonel in the militia, and marched towards Springfield during Shay's Rebellion ; but the dispersion of the insurgents enabled him to return in a short time. Col. Munroe kept the public house, long known as the " Munroe Tavern." Here the British regaled themselves, and committed many outrages on^the 19th of April; here they shot down in cold blood John Raymond, who was about leaving the house ; and here General Washington dined in 1789, when he visited the first battle field of the Revolution. Col. Munroe's portrait will be seen on the opposite page. He d. Oct. 30, 1827, aged 85 ; she d. Jan. 10, 1829, aged 73.

1786, Rhoda Mead, b. July 8, 1758, who d. Jan. 18, 1824. Philemon Munroe was one of the heroic band who refused to disperse at the biddinj^ of Maj. Pitcairn, on the 19th of April, - '* not being afraid of the king's commandment." He had two children (twins), by his first wife, and six by his last. He d. Oct. 17, 1806, aged 53.

Thomas, b. March 30, 1785. He ni. March 30, 1804, Elizabeth Jewett of Littleton. She d. Nov. 23, 1848, aged 63, and he m. Aug. 26, 1849, wid. Matilda (Jewett) Conant. His wives were sisters, and dau. of Joseph Jewett of Littleton. Mr. Munroe resided in Lex., Milton, and Dorchester, and then moved to Nashua, N. H., Avhere he filled many important town offices, as Avell as those of notary and justice of the peace.

Edioin, b. April 3, 1788 ; m. Eliza Fowle, dau. of Henry and Rebecca Fowle of Med. They have resided in Lex,, Med., Saugus, Charlestown, and Somerville.

moved to Lynn or Danvers, where he had a family of children, who settled in that neighborhood. He marched with the Danvers company on the 19th of April, 1775, met the British at West Cambridge, where he and others were surrounded, when several of his comrades were killed, and he escaped with a ball in his thigh which he carried through life, and his garments riddled with bullet holes. He d. at Lynn, 1808, aged 72.

Ebenezeu Munboe m. March 29, 1771, Martha Smith, dau. of Benjamin and Anna (Parker) Smith, b. April 19, 1745. He was enrolled with Parker's patriots, and was in the battle of Lexington, in 1775, and was also in the campaign in the Jerseys, in 1776. He d. Aug. 22, 1826, aged 82 ; she d. Oct. 13, 1834, aged 86. '

John Munroe m. Dec. 3, 1772, Rebecca Wellington, dau. of Thomas and Margaret, of Waltham. Like most of the young men of that day, he was one of the Lex. minute-men, and did service on the 19th of April, 1775. He lived on Woburn street. He d. April 4, 1831, aged 82; she d. Feb. 16, 1838, aged 90.

Margaret, b. July 31, 1773; m. Daniel Mixer of Walt., where they resided for a time, when they moved to Worcester. He d. and she returned to Lex. and m. April 4, 1793, Thpmas Winship as a second wife. She d. 1789.

Jonas Munroe m. March 17, 1814, Abigail C. Smith, dau. of Joseph and Lucy (Stone) Smith. He was a lieutenant in United States dragoons, in 1807, resigned his commission, and on the breaking out of the war of 1812, was commissioned as lieutenant of infantry, and was engaged for a short time in the recruiting service. He was drowned at Somerville, while bathing, July 2, 1860, aged 82. His wid. d. April 4, 1861, aged 68. He kept the " Munroe Tavern " and was extensively and favorably known to the traveling public.

Thaddeus Munroe m. Oct. 1, 1820, Rebecca Locke, dau. of Thomas and Lydia (Reed) Locke. He d. April 7, 1846, aged 84, and she d. July 23, 1846. He was a large landholder.

The Muzzy Family

The ]\Iuzzys were early in Lexington, and were for a century and a half among the leading influential families in the place. The name is spelled Mussy, Muzzy, and the Lex. families have recently added the e in the last syllable, Muzzey.

Benjamix ISIuzzY of Maiden m. Alice Dexter, and had Benjamin, b. April 16, 1657; Joseph, h. IMarch 1, 1659. He may have been son ol Robert of Ipswich, one of the first settlers of that town, who was made freeman, 1631.

came to Cambridge Farms, we are not able to say. We find a record of the birth of Mary Muzzy, dau. of Benjamin and Sarah, in Cambridge, in 1683 ; but whether he lived at that time in the old town or at the Farms, is uncertain. His name is found on the earliest records at the Farms or North Precinct, - he being one of the subscribers for the first meeting house, in 1692, and was one of the largest tax payers the following year. As he was a large land-holder in the centre of the town, at the organization of the Parish in 1693, it is probable that he had been in the place for some time. In 1693, he was placed on a committee with David Fiske, sen., Samuel Stone, sen., and others, to negotiate with Cambridge for the purchase of a tract of land for the support of the ministry. He was constable in 1694, and an assessor in 1700. He filled the dignified office of tythingman in 1716. In 1711, the inhabitants of the Precinct purchased of Benjamin Muzzy about two acres of land for a Common, and a site for a meeting house. This was done by subscription, in which he and his sons John and Richard participated. He resided on or near the spot where Rufus Merriam now resides. Here was opened the first public house in the place, his son John being licensed for that purpose in 1714. He d. May 12, 1732, possessed of a large landed property. The inventory of his estate mentions his mansion house, barn, cider mill, and a homestead of 111 acres. Among the articles appraised were three slaves, - a man, valued at £80, and a woman and child at £60. The record of his family is incomplete. He bought his homestead of Edward Pelham of Rhode Island, 1693. It is described as bounded by John Munroe, ministerial land, Matthew Bridge, and extending to Vine Brook.

March 28, 1768, aged 83. He was either born in Lex., or came in with his father in early infancy. He opened the first public house in the place, in 1714, which he continued for a long period. He filled many town offices, being constable in 1727, school committee in 1733, selectman in 1741, '42, '44, and assessor in 1746. He was ad. to the ch. Aug. 24, 1735. In his will, dated 1764, and a codicil dated 1765, he mentions dau. Mary Hall, Sarah Hill, and Jane Stone, and sons John and Benjamin. He made his son-in-law, Samuel Stone, executor of his will. He not only owned land in Lex., but was an owner of land in Templeton, havin<^ as a ytroprietor, drawn a lot of forty acres in that township, in 1735. This land he gave to his sons Benjamin and John.

84, and she d. Oct. 7, 1767, aged 80. Their deaths are inscribed on one stone in the Lex. grave yard. He was frequently called to fill town offices, being from time to time chosen school committee, &c. His will, dated Feb. 19, 1763, and proved Feb. 13, 1764, mentions wife Patience, sons Joseph and John, and dau. Esther Merriam, Mary Keed, and grandsons Benjamin, James, Seth, and Benoni, sons of Benjamin, deceased. His son John was appointed executor of his will, and to him he gave all his land and buildings in Lex.

Amos Muzzy m. Sept. 26, 1734, Esther Green, dau. of Samuel and Esther Gi-een. He d. Juna 26, 1752. His wid. m. March 4, 1758, Thomas Prentice, Esq., of Newton. Mr. Muzzy died possessed of a large property for that period. Among his chattels were a male and female negro - the former inventoried at £350, and the latter at £100. His homestead is thus described : " The home land, containing by estimation eighty-two acres, with a mansion house and barn and corn house upon it, consisting of pasturage, mowing, ploughing, orchard, and woodland, lying npon both sides of the great county road leading to Concord." This mansion house was on or near the spot where David W. Muzzey now resides, and the land extended down upon Waltham street, to what is now called Grape "Vine Corner. He also owned land in Woburn and Townsend. He was an assessor in 1744, and a selectman in 1750.

little of this family. He was ad. to the ch. June 9, 1728. He was a house-holder in 1735, and was taxed the following years for real estate.

JoHN Muzzy m. first, Rebecca Reed, dau. of Maj. Benjamin and Rebecca Reed, who was b. Nov. 5, 1724. She d. Jan. 24, 1771, and he m. second, Aug. 19, 1773, Mrs. Rebecca Munroe, wid. of Jonas Munroe, a grandson of the first William. He d. Dec. 16, 1784, and she d. Jan. 14, 1839, aged 85. He was one of the Lex. company who met the enemy in 1775. He was also two months with the army at Cambridge, during the siege of Boston, in 1776.

Amos Muzzy m. first, Aug. 29, 1764, Abigail Bowers ofBillerica. They were ad. to the ch. June 26, 1766. She d. March 15, 1803, aged 58 vears, and he m. second, Abigail Smith, wid. of Capt. Joseph Smith, Dec. 25, 1806. She d. Feb. 18, 1814, aged 63, and he d. Dec. 10, 1822, aged 82. Amos Muzzy and his two wives were placed in a tomb in the church yard in Lex., covered with a slab bearing this inscription : " The northwest corner of this tomb is reserved for Mr. Amos Muzzy and wives, and no other corpse to be laid there." He was in the Battle of Lex. 1775, and in 1776 was five months at Ticonderoga, and three months at Camb. 1778.

Ebenezer Muzzy m. June 6, 1774, Betty Reed, dau. of Joshua and Susanna Reed. They commenced life in Lex., but afterwards moved to Rindge, N. H., where most of their children were born. They returned to Lex., where he d. March 29, 1804, and she d. March 12, 1846, at the advanced age of 91.

Tliaddeus, b. 1784; m. Mrs. Mary Patch of Boston, where they lived. He was drowned in Boston Harbor, by the upsetting of a boat, June 15, 1815, aged 31 years. She d Dec. 7, 1816, aged 32.

John Muzzy m. May 2, 1777, Rebecca, dau. of Jonas and Rebecca Munroe. She was the dau. of his step-mother. He was in the army in the Jerseys in 1776, and also at Ticouderoga the same year.

Artemas Bowers, b. Sept. 21, 1802; he grad. H. C. 1824, studied theology, was ordained at Framinghara, June 10, 1830, left in 1833, and in 1834 was installed at Carabridgeport, left in 1846, and the same year was settled over the Lee street ch. in Cambridgeport, resigned his situation, and in 1854 was settled over the Second Congregational Church in Concord, N. H. He m. June 26, 1831, Hepsabeth Patterson of Boston, dau. of Enoch Patterson, Esq., by whom he had several children. His oldest son, Henry W. Muzzy, read law, and is now in practice in Boston.

John Muzzy m. Oct. 1811, Rebecca Lincoln of Hingham, dau. of Seth and Mary (Fearing) Lincoln. She was b. Oct. 20, 1789, and was descended, both on her father's and mother's side, from two of the oldest families of that town. He resided on the Concord road, and d. Dec. 1843. After the death of her husband, she returned to Hingham, where she was living, 1859.

Jonas ^I. Muzzy m. June 12, 1810, Abigail Dunklee of Milford, N. H. He resided near the Conunon, in the house now occupied by Simon W. Robinson, Esq. He d. Dec. 10, 1846. His widow resides in Hingham.

Benjamin Muzzey m. June 19. 1822, Elizabeth Wood of Newburyport. He d. suddenly at the Exchange Coffee House in Boston, where he was called on business, April 21, 1848. He commenced business in Boston as a trader, where he remained till about 1830, when he came to Lex. He was a leading popular man in tlie town, filled important town offices, and was a justice of the peace. The Lexington railroad is a standing monument of his public spirit and energy of character.

Charles 0., b. jn Boston, Aug. 17, 1824. He entered in the navy in the late rebellion, Nov. 1861, as secretary to Capt. Pickering, U. S. Steamer Kearsarge, was transferred to the steamer Housatonic. May, 1803, and was killed by the explosion of a torpedo in Charleston Harbor, which destroyed the ship. Feb. 18, 1804.

George Eveleth, h. Aug. 4, 1838. He entered the 12th Regt. Mass. Vols. 1861, was appointed quartermaster-sergeant 1862, promoted to first lieutenant, 1863, and quartermaster, 1864.

Charles Muzzy m. Feb. 3, 1827, Sarah Oakes of Maiden. He was a trader, and moved to Philadelphia in 1829, and came back to West Camb. in 1834, where he was in trade at the " Foot of the Rocks," for several years, when he moved to Charlestown. In 1853, his health declining, he came to Lex., in hopes of recovery, but d. Aug. 27, 1853. They had but one child, Sarah Elizabeth, b. in Phil. June 6, 1834. She m. in Lex. April 5, 1855, George Tuttle, who d. Jan. 27, 1856, within a year of his marriage.

NASH. - Joseph Nash, of Weymouth, had among other children Joseph, who m. Eunice Ford, and had James, Joseph, Nathaniel, Charles, Atherton, and Oran, and several daughters.

Oran Nash, the youngest son of Joseph and Eunice, b. March 19, 1805, m. Oct. 12, 1822, Lucy Cushing of Weymouth, dau. of Samuel and Elizabeth. They resided in Boston, where all their children but the youngest were born. They came to Lex. 1835. They have had five children, viz. Emeline Augusta, b. April 11, 1827 ; Elizabeth, b. April 7, 1829, d. 1830; Howard A., b. July 18, 1831. m. Elizabeth Sutton, r. at Cincinnati, Ohio ; Rowena, b. Dec. 30, 1833 ; Ellen Louisa, b. in Lex. Oct. 20, 1840.

The Nelson Family

The name of Nelson appears first upon our records in 1722, when Tabitha Nelson, wife of Thomas, was ad. to the ch. In 1724, Thomas was chosen to a subordinate town office, which shows that he was an inhabitant of the town at that time ; in 1730, he had a seat assigned in the meeting house, and in 1743, he was constable. He resided on the road to Concord, above what is now known as the old Viles Tavern, near what was then the line of Concord. When the town of Lincoln was created, in 1754, he and others were taken from Lex. to constitute that town. The Nelsons of Lincoln are from that stock. They were connected by marriage with the Hastings of Lex. The children of Thomas and Tabitha were Thomas and Tabitha, twins, b. Dec. 19, 1721, and Josiah, bap. in 1726.

Thomas Nelson first named was b. in Rowley, 1685 ; he was son of Thomas, b. in Rowley, 1661 ; who was son of Thomas, b. in Eng., who came over with his father, Thomas, in 1638, and settled in Rowley.

The Norcross Family

Jeremiah Norcross, who settled in Wat. as early as 1642, had Richard, who by wife Mary had Nathaniel, b. 1665, who m. Mehitabel Hager, and had a son bearing his own name. This Nathaniel,

John Norcross, son of John and Margaret, m. April 22, 1826, Eleanor Estabrook, dau. of Eliakim and Hannah Estabrook. He came to Lex. in 1846, and has been to the present day depot-master at East Lexington, - a term of service which furnishes the best evidence of his fitness and fidelity.

Samuel T., b. Sept. 5, 1834. He was residing at the West, where he had accumulated some property. His health failing, he had converted his property into money and started, in a weak and enfeebled condition, for home. A villain, who had learned the facts in the case, ingratiated himself into his favor, and volunteered to become his protector ; and when the train had arrived at a station in Altona, Pa., in the night time, he induced Norcross to leave the car and go with him, promising to conduct him to good quarters for the night ; and when he had enticed him to a place of seclusion, he basely murdered him, Jan. 10, 1857. The murderer was ultimately arrested, tried, and executed.

The Nutting Family

There was a family of Nuttings in Camb. Farms about the time the parish was organized. Ebenezer Nutting was taxed in the parish in 1693. He and his wife owned the covenant in June, 1699, when Jonathan, Lydia, and Sarah, their children, were bap. Ebenezer and James, also children of Ebenezer, were bap. May 30, 1703. After this the name disappears on our records.

OVERING. - In 1729, JohnOvering of Boston, bought of William Russell of Lex., for £ 308, a tract of fifty-one acres of land, with buildings thereon, bounded on land of Jason and Philip Russell and Joseph Mason. In 1735 and 1737, he sold lands to Dea. Joseph Brown, and in 1738, he bought lands in Lex. of David Comee. John Overing of Lex. was probably a son of John Overing, Esq,, of Boston. He probably came to Lex. about 1730. He must have been a man of some pretension, for in 1735 he was taxed in town for three houses, two slaves, three cows, and two horses, besides other personal and real estate. He probably lefl town about 1740. We find no records of his family, though he probably had one. We have a record of the death of three of the name, who were probably his children, or perhaps one of them was his wife. Henry Overing, d, Aug. 6, 1738; Henrietta Overing, d. Sept. 13, 1788; Oeorge Overing, d. Sept. 17, 1738.

The Parker Family

Parker has always been a common name in New England. Emigrants of that name were found in most of the early settlements. The oftrepeated fiction of three brothers coming over and settling in three different towns, will not meet the present case ; for we find Abraham and Amariah and Edmund and George and Jacob and James and Joseph and Matthew and Nicholas and Robert and Thomas and two or more Williams and as many Johns, appearing in nearly as many of the different settlements at an early day. This name has been common in Reading, Groton, Billerica, Woburn, and other towns in this vicinity. But it is believed that the Lexington Parkers are the descendants of

Thomas Parker of Lynn, who was made freeman in 1637. He embarked at London, March 11, 1635, and settled in Lynn the same year. He moved to Reading, where he aided in establishing a church, of which he was a deacon. He had by his wife. Amy, a family of eleven children. He d. 1683, aged 74 years, and consequently must have been born in 1609. She d. Jan. 15, 1690.

Hananiah Parker m. Sept. 30, 1663, Elizabeth Brown. She d. 1698, and he m. second, Mrs. Mary Bright, widow of Dea. John of Wat. He d. March 10, 1724 ; she d. Jan. 4, 1736, aged 87. He lived and died in Reading, and had the honorable title of Lieutenant.

John Parker m. 1689, Deliverance ^Mf^ Xhey came to Lex. about 1712, and settled in the south part of the town. By a deed, dated June 25, 1712, John Cutler sold to John Parker, then of Reading, land at Camb, Farms, containing " one small mansion house and^ sixty acres of land, bounded southerly on Watertown line," elsewhere by Daniel White, John Stone, and Thomas Cutler. He was chosen fence viewer in 1714, and tythingman in 1715 and 1721. He must have been a man of dignity of character; for in seating the meeting house, 1731, where they had reference to age, honor, and property, they placed him in the second seal below, with Ensign John Mason, Thomas Mead, and other highly respectable citizens. She d. March 10, 1718, and he d. June 22, 1741, aged 78. There is scarcely a prominent family in Lex. whose record in every period of its history is so incomplete. This accounts for any inaccuracy, if any should be found.

Josiah Parker m. Dec. 8, 1718, Anna Stone, dau. of John and Rachel (Shepard) Stone. Lieut. Parker, for he was honored with that title, was one of the most popular men in the town for a number of years. He filled almost every town office. He was an excellent penman, and filled the office of town clerk four years. He was an assessor nineteen years, from 1726 to 1755, with occasional intermissions, and was selectman seven years. He d. Oct. 9, 1756, aged 62 ; sh^ d. Sept. 8, 1760. They were ad. to the ch. Aug. 13, 1719.

Thomas Parker m. March 8, 1750, Jane Parrott of Chelmsford. They made their peace with the ch. in July, and their first child was bap. Aug. 19, 1750.

Andrew Parker m. Nov. 29, 1759, Abigail Jennison of Weston. They made their peace with the ch. April 20, 1760. They removed about 1763 to Rutland, to the ch. of which place they were dismissed May 10, 1765. They had two children b. in Lexington.

JosiAH Parker m. Oct. 27, 1748, Mary Munroe of Weston, dau. of Benjamin Munroe, son of the original William of Lex. He must have left town about the time of his marriage, as his name disappears from the ta.x bills after that time.

John Parker m. May 25, 1755, Lydia Moore, dau. of Thomas and Mary Moore of Lexington. They were admitted to the church Oct. 31, 1756. John Parker was an assessor, 1764, '65, '66, and '74. But he was most distinguished for the part he acted at the opening of the Revolution. He conmianded the company of minute men who stood firmly at their post on the 19th of April, 1775, when ordered to disperse by the impetuous Pitcairn, backed up, as he was, by eight hundred British regulars. He must have been a man of admitted character, to have been selected to command that Spartan band, containing, as it did, within its ranks, several veteran soldiers, and even officers who had seen service upon the " tented field." It has been said that he had served in the French war ; but I have failed to find his name upon the rolls. On the Common on that trying occasion, he showed great coolness and bravery, ordering his men to load their pieces, but not to fire unless fired upon. And in the very face of the British regulars, when some of his men seeuied to falter, he announced in a firm voice, that he would cause the first man to be shot down, who should quit the ranks or leave his post without orders. And though eight of his men were killed in the morning, and several were severely wounded, true to the spirit of freedom, he collected his company and marched to meet the enemy on their return from Concord, and poured a deailly fire into their ranks. While liis health was feeble, and the disease which proved fatal in September of that year, was making a steady inroad upon his constitution, he obeyed the calls of patriotism, and marched with a portion of his co. to Cambridge on the 6th of May, and with a still larger detachment of them on the 17th of June. But though he performed a noble part in the opening scene of that glorious struggle, he did not live to witness its happy termination. He d. Sept. 17, 1776, aged 46. His wid. m. Nov. 5, 1778, Ephraim Pierce of Waltham.

There are some incidents connected with the character and acts of Capt. Parker which deserve mention. We have seen the efforts made by the town, in 1774 and 1775, to arm and equip her company of minute-men. We have the receipt of Capt. Parker for two drums received of the town, which we will give verbatim, with a facsimile of his signature.

'- Agreeable to the vote of the Town, I have received by the hands of the Selectmen the drums provided by the Town for the use of the Military Company in this town, until the further order of the town.

There are two muskets, appropriate memorials of Capt. Parker, preserved in the State House, the gill of his grandson, Rev. Theodore Parker, to the State. On one is inscribed

These relics were received by the State authorities with due ceremony, and are conspicuously displayed in the Senate chamber for public view.

TiiAPDEUS Parker m. May 27, 1759, Mary Reed, dau. of William and Abigail (Stone) Reed. He d. Feb. 10, 1789, aged 58 ; she d. Oct. 9, 1811, aged 73. She had the severe affliction of burying her husband and four children, in the short period of about eighteen months. Thaddeus Parker was one of the selectmen, 1770, '71, '73, '77, - a period when the most important duties were devolved upon that board. He was a member of the Lex. co. which stood undismayed before the British on the 19th of April, 1775, and was subsequently in the service eiglit months.

Joseph Parker m. July 5, 1759, Eunice Hobbs of Weston. After the birth of their first child, in 1760, they settled in Line, As most of their children were bap. in Lex. we will give their birth.

JoxAS Parker m. Aug. 15, 1776, Martha Hosley of Bill. They were ad. to the ch. Feb. 28, 1779. He d. July 14, 1783, and Martha his wid. administered on his estate.

Ebexezer Parker m. Dec. 3, 1772, Dorcas Munroe. He was a corporal in Capt. Parker's co. and was with them on the 19th of April, the 6th of May, and the 17th of June, 1775. He and his wife were dismissed to the ch. in Princeton, Nov. 9, 1788. They had three children bap. in Lex. viz. Abijah, bap. May 30, 1773; Quincy, bap. April 30, 1775 ; Lucy, bap. July 22, 1781.

Isaac Parker m. 1829, Martha M. Miller, b. June 28, 1801, in Hillsborough, N. H. They settled in Waltham, but came to Lex. in 1832, and took up their abode on the old Parker Place in the south part of the town. Their first two children were born in Waltham.

Theodore Parker m. April 20, 1837, Lydia D. Cabot of Boston, dau. of John and Lydia (Dodge) Cabot, b. Sept. 12, 1813. They had no children. In 1830 he entered H. C, but owing to his limited pecuniary means, he was not able to incur the expense of a life at the college, but remained at home pursuing his studies through the winter, and then engaged himself as a teacher. Not residing at the college and attending the daily exercises, he did not take his degree ; though in 1840 he received fiom the University the honorary degree of A. M. Our limits will not permit us to give in detail the events of his laborious life. It is sufficient to say, that he raised himself to great distinction by his own unassisted industry and force of character. Without the usual advantages enjoyed by those who are destined to a literary life, by persevering industry he overcame all these disadvantages, and became a man of vast acquirements, procured and mastered an extensive library, and died in the midst of life with a reputation which few men ever acquire.

Giving his mind to religious subjects, he entered the theological school at Cambridge in 1834, and after graduating, he was first settled at West Roxbury, and subsequently became pastor of the Twenty-eighth Congregational Society which worshiped at Music Hall in Boston. By that incessant labor, which invr constitutions can endure, he became somewhat enfeebled, and a hemorrhage from the lungs required him to suspend all labor. By the advice of his physician, and the entreaty of friends, he was induced to seek a more genial climate. In February, 1859, he embarked for the West Indies, where he remained for a time, when he sailed for the south of Europe. But neither medical skill, nor the balmy air of Italy, could stay the ravages of disease, and he d. at Florence, May 10, 1860. He was buried in a little Protestant cemetery outside the city walls. The grave is inclosed by a border of gray marble, and at the head is a plain stone of the same material, with this inscription:

The unsparing censure which has been heaped, and the unlimited praise which has been bestowed upon Mr. Parker, will justify us in saying a few words upon his character. The leading characteristic of the man was his thirst for hioioledge. This manifested itself in his persistant industry from his boyhood to the day of his death. His love of books became almost a passion, and he made himself acquainted with various languages, that he might read the best authors in their native tongue. Few men under the circumstances in which he was placed, have ever performed more labor, or accomplished as much. His moral character, as seen by the world, was above reproach. But to judge the man aright, we must look beneath the surface, and see the motives by which he was actuated. And here we find a stern sense of justice tempered with mercy, a strong love for the poor and down-trodden, and a warm sympatliy for humanity, for whose elevation he was ready to spend, and be spent. And though he sometimes indulged in bitter denunciation, too common among reformers, we shall generally find that it was prompted by a strong sense of wrong or injustice committed against those he was laboring to elevate and improve.

But it is with reference to his religious character that the people have been most divided. Though it is not the object of this work to decide upon matters of faith, we will glance at this subject with that freedom which Mr. Parker himself always exercised, and with such a spirit as he, if present, would approve. Born of a pious and devout mother, whose instructions sank deep into his tender heart, and living under the influences of religious institutions founded upon the broad basis of divine revelation, he early imbibed enlightened views of the character of our Heavenly Father, and of our duty to love and adore him. These views he cherished through life ; so that we can with justice pronounce him not only a moral but a devout man. But though we can endorse his moral and religious character, we are constrained to express our conviction that this character was the result of his early training and the natural goodness of his heart, rather than of his theological speculations. He was moral and devout in spite of his theory. This impression is strengthened by the fact that very many of those who embrace his speculations have but little sympathy with that devout spirit by which he was actuated.

That he was a man of extraordinary intellectual powers, all must admit. He had a keen perception of the evils which existed in society, but like many reformers had not constructive powers sufficient to supply the remedy. So in matters of faith, he could point out with a master's hand the incongruities of existing systems, but has never, as far as we can learn, been able to present a clear and well defined system of his own. We do not mean that he had no belief. He had certain doctrines which he inculcated with earnestness and in sincerity. But he has never, we believe, combined them so as to make a complete system, - 07ie harmonious whole.

Thus much it seemed proper to say concerning one of the most distinguished men to whom Lexington has ever given birth. Mr. Parker has left a large number of ardent and devoted friends. They have erected a memorial stone in Lexington to his memory, on the spot where stood the old house in which he was born. The stone is of Concord granite, finished on all sides, three feet square, and three and a half feet high, resting on a base four feet square and one foot high. On the front face, in raised letters, is the simple inscription,

Theodore Parker

I The farm has been in possession of the Parker family since 1712. I The follovviiitr entrraving shows the house in which he was born, and i the ohl belfry buihling which stood on the Common on the site of I the present nionninent, in 177.5, from which went forth those peals of alarm wiiich called the patriots to arms on the morning of the 19th of April. The old belfry was procured by the family and removed to the Parker Place, where it is now standing.

Jonathan S. Parker m. Dec. 29, 1835, Abigail Tattle, dau. of David Tuttle. He d. July 5, 1859, and she "d. April 4, 1860. He was captain of the Lex. artillery, and filled the most important town offices, - was treasurer five years, assessor four years, and selectman three years.

There was an Obadiah Parker in town for a few years, who by his wife, Hepzibah, had at least two childen b. in Lex. Almira, b. April 16, 1802, d. Nov. 14, 1802; Almira, b. Nov. 9, 1803. He appears to have been a man of considerable talents. He was appointed to pronounce an eulogy on Washington in 1800, whose death was noticed with appropriate solemnities. He opened a private school in Lex., Avhich was quite popular. He visited New York, where for misconduct he found employment quite different from that of teaching the young.

James Parker, another school-teacher, m. in Lex. Nov. 2, 1842f Adaline Reed, dau. of Isaac and Elizabeth (Munroe) Reed, b. Jan. 10, 1812. He settled in Lex. They have one child, James Emery, b. Aug. 30, 1845.

PARKHURST. - John Parkhurst of Lex. m. Sept. 15, 1763, Elizabeth Bowers ofBillerica. He came to Lex. from Chelmsford, and was probably a descendant of Joseph Parkhurst, of that town, who had Joseph, b. 1661, and perhaps other sons. He was in the canipaign of White Plains in 1776. He was selectman, 1791. He resided on the Concord road, and built the house occupied by the late Col. John Parkhurst Merriam. He had no children. He d. July 2, 1812. His will, dated June 4, 1812, mentions wife Elizabeth, John White of Gardner. John Muzzey, and John P. Merriam, John Peake Hunt of JafFrey, N. H., brother Jonathan, and sisters Hannah Parker, Mary Colburn, and Elizabeth Baldwin. His wid. d. July 9, 1822, aged 83 years.

PEAKE. - Jonas Stone in 1754, gave notice as then required by law, that Philip Peake, a child from Boston, came to Lexington to reside in his family. There were other Peakes in town, but I know not their origin.

The Phelps Family

Jonathan Phklps came to this country early in the eighteenth century, and landed in Newport, R. I. From thence he came to Reading, ^lass., where he reared a family of children. One of them (name unknown) came first to Beverly, and then to Salem, where he d. Dec. 1799. aged about 92. He had three sons, Jonathan, Henry, and William, and several daughters.

Henry Phelps, son of the preceding, having bodily infirmities, which disqualified him from following his father's profession, fitted for college and entered Harvard, where he was graduated, 1788. He studied medicine, and settled in 1799, at Gloucester, as an apothecary and physician. He m. Mary Forbes, dau. of Peter Cofiin, Esq., of Gloucester. He d. Feb. 18, 1852, aged 86, and hence was b. 1766. He acquired some practice as a doctor, but soon abandoned that branch of his business. He was many years postmaster, and the principal acting magistrate in the town. He continued to keep his shop till he was about eighty years of age. He had three wives and several children.

William Dane Phelps, son of the foregoing, was b. at Gloucester, Feb. 14, 1802 ; m. Mary Ann Gushing, dau. of Henry Gushing of Boston. She d. Dec. 16, 1831, and he m. May 18, 1834, Lusanna T., dau. of Josiah and Sally (Wellington) Bryant of Lex. He came to Lex. to reside about the time of his second marriage.

His profession has been that of a mariner. He commenced early as a cabin-boy, and has worked his way through the different grades to master - making many voyages to Europe and the Levant, around Gape Horn and the Gape of Good Hope, in command of some of the finest ships of the times. He was wrecked once while a boy at the Gape of Good Hope, and once when captain at the entrance of Plymouth Harbor in the Avinter of 1836 ; which was one of the most distressing shipwrecks known for many years on our coast. The cold was intense, and the ship was unmanageable in consequence of the ice which accumulated upon her. Part of the crew perished by the cold, and those who were saved were badly bruised and frozen. In one of his early voyages, when he was before the mast, he was left with seven others on a desert island in the Indian Ocean to procure a cargo of sea elephant oil, and fur seal skins - the captain promising to return for them in nine months. But actuated probably by that thirst of gain which stiHes every feeling of humanity, and believing that they could not subsist after the provision left with thum was exhausted, and as the island was very rarely visited by voyagers, he thought he might touch there at a future day, and take his oil and furs without being troubled by having any men to pay olF. But on his return twenty-eight months after, he found not only a full cargo of oil and furs, but liis eight men all living. The island being in a hio'h latitude, it was cold and desolate, not a tree or shrub sprang from its inhospitable bosom ; and consequently these poor dwellers thereon had no fuel of the ordinary kind, but were compelled to burn the blubber of the sea elephant. The interior of the island was composed of barren volcanic ridges, but the shores abounded with sea fowl, penguin, and marine animals. Their nine months' provisions became exhausted, and for the remainder of the time they subsisted upon what the shore afforded, fish and fowls and their ego's. For clothing they supplied themselves with fur skins, and for shelter they sought the *' caves and dens of the earth." After twenty-eight months, their unprincipled captain arrived - his being the first vessel which had been in sight for the whole period. He took his cargo and the men, who were glad to leave that inclement island. The subsequent conduct of this brutal captain, fully justified the suspicion that he had hoped that they had all perished before his return.

During this voyage, which to young Phelps was extended to more than six years, he, by the force of circumstances, left the ship, and was obliged to take service under the flags of various nations, visiting most of the parts of the Pacific, and the then known parts of Australia and Van Dieman's land, and returned home by way of Cape Horn in 1823, in good health, with considerable experience, but with empty pockets.

In 1840, in command of a large ship, he commenced a series of trading voyages to California, remaining there till he had disposed of his cargo and procured a cargo of hides. These voyages were generally of about three years' duration. San Francisco was then called Yerba Buena, and consisted of only three houses, where the famous city now stahds. At that time the River Sacramento had never been visited from the sea, and Capt. Phelps with two of his boats and a part of his crew explored it about one hundred miles, and displayed the Stars and Stripes for the first time upon its placid waters. On his third voyage, the country was disturbed by the Mexican War, and being upon the coast he co-operated with Stockton and Fremont in various ways, and so contributed something to our gaining possession of the country. He visited the mines twice, handled some of the first specimens of gold, and returned home by the way of Panama, bringing some of the first specimens of gold, and reliable information in relation to the mines. The last voyage he performed was to California, the Sandwich Islands and China, and returned to New York in 1857. He has spent about forty years in a sea life, twenty-six of them in command of a ship. During that time, with one exception already mentioned, no Insurance Office has ever paid a dollar for damage to his ships or cargo ; and with the same exception, he never lost a man by sickness or accident, until the last voyage, when two died of disease in China.

From this brief sketch, it will be seen that Capt. Phelps's life has been active and eventful. With no small degree of truth, we can say of him in the language of Campbell,

The Phinney Family

Benjamin Phinney, the first of the name in Lex., came into the town, 1787, from Granville, Nova Scotia. We have not been able to learn his birth or parentage. He and his wife, Susanna, were ad. to the ch. in Falmouth, Mass., May 10, 1772; at the same time two of their children, Chloe and Josiah, were bap. In Aug. 1774, their dau. Susanna was baptized ; and they were dismissed from the Fal- mouth church to the united church of Annapolis and Granville, Nova Scotia. The Lexington church records, Oct. 14, 1787, recognize the fact of their recommendation from Falmouth to Nova Scotia, " from thence they came to reside in this toAvn, and requested ch. privileges with us." He d. 1843, aged 99, and hence must have been b. about 1744. She d. June 16, 1829.

Elias Phinney ra. June 6, 1809, Catharine Bartlett, dau. of Dr. Josiah and Elizabeth (Call) Bartlett of Charlestown. He grad. II. C. 1801, read law, and commenced practice in Thomaston, Me. He afterwards removed to Charlestown, where he had an office. Having a taste for rural life, he came to Lex. in 1823, where he d. July 24, 1849, aged 69. His wid. d. Aug. 2, 1864, aged 78. He was a prominent man in the town and county, was for many years clerk of the courts for the county of Middlesex, which office he held at the time of his death. He vfa.s highly distinguished as an agriculturalist, being for many years a trustee of the State Agricultural Society. His farm in the south part of the town was brought by hira to a high state of cultivation, and the farm, fruit trees, and stock attracted visitors from a great distance ; so that his scientific and practical knowledge of husbandry exerted a wide influence over those engaged In that department of human industry. In 1825, he published an interesting account of the Battle of Lexington, in which he vindicated with great ability the claims of the town of Lexington against certain pretensions set up by a few indiscreet men of Concord.

Josiah B., b- April 1, 1810; m. Lucretia Beckford of Charlestown. He moved to Cuba, where they resided twelve or fifteen years, when he returned to the United States and settled in Illinois. He had two sons, one of whom is living.

Catharine B., b. April 2, 1814 ; m. in 1837, Thomas Goodall. They resided in Vicksburg, Miss. He d. and she is now residing in Chicago. They had four children.

Elizabeth B., b. Dec. 29, 1816; m. Sept. 30, 1841, A. H. Nelson, who was a prominent member of the bar, and was raised to a judgeship. They resided first in Concord, and afterward in Wo., vdiere he d. 1857.

Mary P., b. Feb. 2, 1818 ; m. May 1, 1858, G. A. Olnhausen. He d. Sept. 7, 1860. They resided in Manchester, N. H. Mrs. Olnhausen is a lady of great perseverance and force of character. After the death of her husband she returned to her friends, and on the breaking out of the Rebellion her sympathies were turned to the sick and wounded soldiers, who had left the comforts of home to sustain the liberties of the country. Her active sense of the worth of our institutions, and of the baseness of the attempt to overthrow them ; and her just appreciation of the devotion of the gallant men who had voluntarily taken their lives in their hands, and gone forth amidst the dangers of the field and the diseases of the camp, to uphold the government of our choice, prompted her to offer her services to her country. In August, 1862, she entered upon her duty as a hospital nurse, and served first at the Mansion House at Alexandria, from thence she was transferred to Morehead City, then to Beaufort, and at last to Smithville, N. C. Having entered for the war, she remained in the United States' service till 1865. She was associated with that well known philanthropist, Miss Dix ; and being a regular nurse in the service, she was subject to the orders of the hospital department, or else she would have followed her inclination, and gone to the front, where she would have seen more of suffering, and where she believed, she could have been more useful. Mrs, Olnhausen acquired a high reputation at the hospitals as an active, skillful, and self-sacrificing nurse - always cool and collected, she devoted herself assiduously to the wants of her patients. By her kindness and fidelity she won the respect and esteem of all committed to her care. Many a poor sick or wounded soldier, far from the comforts and endearments of home, has found in her the care and watchfulness of a faithful mother, and the kindness and sympathy of an affectionate sister. We naturally extol the heroism of the gallant soldier who promptly faces danger on the field of battle ; but it requires as much moral courage, as much self-sacrifice to brave the diseases of the hospitals, as it does to face the enemy in the field. Much praise is due to Mrs Olnhausen.

B. Frank, b, Jan. 28, 1829. He was a mariner - having entered on ship-board as a cabin boy, he passed through the different stages to that of captain. He d. in Brazil, 1855.

The Pierce Family

The Pierces (frequently spelt Peirce,) came to the country early, and settled in that great hive of emigrants, Watertown. It is somewhat difficult to trace the genealogy of the family, as they are quite numerous, and are scattered through several towns. There is also danger of confounding the Watertown families with the descendants of Robert Pierce, who settled at Dorchester as early as 1630.

John Pierce, a weaver of Wat. was ad. freeman March, 1638. He died, Aug. 19, 1661. Hiswid. Elizabeth, in her will dated March 5, and proved April 2, 1667, makes mention of sons Anthony, Robert and John, and dau. Esther Morse, and Mary Coldam. It is probable that Robert settled in Wo. where he d. Sept. 10, 1706, leaving a family of children.

out issue, and his wid. m. William Fuller. Mary, b. Oct. 20, 1633; d. young. Mary, h. 1636 ; m. Ralph Reed, son of William and Mabel Reed of

Joseph Pierce m. May 20, 1688, Ruth Holland. She d. and he m. about 1692, Hannah Munroe, dau. of William JNIunroe of Camb. Farms, the ancestor of all the Munroes in Lex. and the vicinity. His wife Hannah was ad. to the ch. in Lex. Feb. 1, 1699, and he was ad. Sept. 28, 1701. What time he came into the Precinct is uncertain ; probably about 1700, as he had a child bap. 1699, and united with the ch. in 1701. He was a subscrilier for the purchase of the Common in 1711, and filled the dij^nified office of tythino;nian in 17 i7. His wife Hannah d. and he m. third, Beriah, wid. of Daniel Child. He d. Mar. 13, 1753, and his wid. m. John Whitney of Westford.

Ephraim Pierce of Waltham m. May 8, 1753, Lydia White, who d. May 6, 1777, aged 43, and he m. Nov. 5, 1778, Mrs. Lydia Parker, wid. of Capt. John Parker, who commanded the company on Lex. Common on the memorable 19th of April, 1775. Ephraim Pierce spent most of his days in Waltham, where he had his family, and we mention him here, as we have several other families, because his descendants settled in Lex. He came to Lex. to reside about the time he m. his second wife. He d. Jan. 16, 1790.

Abner Piercb m. July 22, 1792, Grace Harrington, dau. of Daniel and Anna (Munroe) Harrington. They commenced housekeeping in Lex., afterwards they moved to Medford, where they lived fourteen years, when they moved to Chelsea, where they remained fourteen years, and after an absence 5f twenty-eight years, came back to Lex., and took up their abode on the place occupied by the late Capt. Larkin Turner. He d. Sept. 12, 1837, aged 71 ; she d. Aug. 27, 1842.

LoRiNG Pierce m. Sybil Wellington, dau. of William Wellington of Waltham. He moved to petition the Gen- eral Court for an act of incorporation. for Rev. Mr. Lawrence. Beau

LoRiNG S. Pierce m. April 23. 1846, Frances A. Harrington, dau. of Lewis and Sally (Dudley) Harrington. He has filled the office of selectman and assessor several years.

The Plumer Family

Francis Plumer was born in Newbury, Berkshire county, England. He and his two sons were of a party of twenty-three who came over in 1633, and settled in Ipswich. They moved, 1635, to the north side of Parker river, so named in honor of their pastor, Rev. Thomas Parker, and called the place Newbury. Francis Plumer was made freeman 1634, and d. July 17, 1672. The descendants have been quite distinguished - five of whom have been members of Congress. Samuel, his, son, b. 1610, and d. 1682; Sylvaniis, son of Samuel, b. 1658, d. 1724; Samuel, son of Sylvanus, was b. 1684, d. 1760 ; Samuel, son of Samuel, was b. 1722, d. 1803 ; William, son of Samuel, was b. 1759, and d. 1850. Samuel Plumer, with his son William, then but a lad, moved to Epping, N. II. Willliara became one of the most prominent men in New Hampshire. He represented the State in the U. S. Senate, and also filled the Executive chair of the State, He was for many years one of the leading lawyers and statesmen, at a period when the State was not wanting in able men.

William Plumer, the son of Gov. William, was b. 1789, and d. 1854. He was honored by his fellow citizens with many offices of trust, and was elected to Congress.

William Plumer, son of the preceding, was b. Nov. 29, 1823 ; grad. II. C. 1845, entered the law school, then in charge of Judge Story, and was admitted to the bar, 1848. Oct. 2, 1850, m. Emily J. Lord, dau. of Joseph II. and Judith M. Lord of Camb., and moved to Lex. During the late rebellion, he entered the service of the United States, and commanded a company of sharpshooters. He received an injury at the Battle of Gettysburg, which induced him to leave the service. His children were born in Lexington.

The Poulter Family

The Poulters were of German descent, though they came to this country from England. John Poulter was in Billerica 1676. He ra. Rachel Eliot of Braintree. John Poulter, who was at Carabrige Farms in 1693, was probably son of John of Billerica. He probably m. Hannah Hammond of Watertown. Jonathan Poulter appears in the precinct about the same time as John. They were probably brothers. While we cannot give a full and connected view of the family, we can present the following.

John Poulter m. Hannah Hammond and had a family, a perfect list of which we are unable to give. We find the following only. Sarah Poulter, bap. Dec. 30, 1799, John owning the covenant. Sarah m. about 1719, William Reed, 2d. Her mother being a Hammond, and her grandmother an Eliot, will account for those names in the Reed family. Mary, a dau. of John Poulter, was bap. J.in. 12, 1700. She was ad. to the ch. 1728. Catharine, bap. April 25, 1703, d. Aug. 19, 1705; Eliot, b. June 19, 1709. John Poulter, the father, d. July 22, 1744, and his wife d. Dec. 12, 1735. John Poulter was selectman, 1718. They resided in the neighborhood of the Reeds-

The Preston Family

Ajiariah Preston of Connecticut, m. Elizabeth Warren of Newton, Mass., and r. in Uxbridge. She d. about 1756, and he m. a second wife. He d. in Roxbury, Delaware Co., N. Y., Feb. 27, 183 i, at the advanced age of 95. He had a son bearing his own name.

Amariah Preston, b. Feb. 5, 1758 ; m. Oct. 18, 1790, Hannah Reed of Bedford. She d. Feb. 8, 1795, and he m. May 15, 1796, Ruhamah Lane, dau. of John and Rebecca, who d. Oct. 2, 1826. Mr. Preston had an eventful life. His mother dying when he was about two years old, he was j^ut out, as the term was, and after living in Uxbridge, Mass., and Ashford, Conn., he went to Dighton, Mass , to learn a trade. In 1777, he entered the Continental army and served three years. In 1785, he commenced the studj' of medicine and established himself in Bedford, where he practiced forty-five years. His wife dying, and he being in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and not affluent in his circumstances, he left Bedford to reside with his son, Hervey N. Preston, then practicing medicine in Plymouth. His son dying soon after his arrival, he immediately entered upon his practice, and though advanced in life, he retrieved his fortune by continuing in practice till he was eighty-seven years of age. He then left Plymouth to reside with his son Marshall at Billerica. Soon after this his son removed to Lex., and the old gentleman came with him, where he spent the remainder of his days. He d. Oct. 29, 1853, aged 95 years, 8 months, and 24 days. He

Marshall Preston m. Feb. 12, 1824, Maria Parker of Billerica, dau. of John and Susan (Minot) Parker, b. Oct. 10, 1797. He read law with his uncle, Warren Preston, in Maine, and was admitted to the bar at Augusta. He subsequently established an ofRce in Billerica, where he practiced till he came to Lex. in 1849. He held important town offices in Billerica, and was for many years assistant clerk of the courts in Middlesex county, which office he held till 1863, when his health failing, he retired from the place he had so faithfully filled. They are both living.

George Eenry, b. June 6, 1825; m. Jan. 1, 1855, Catharine R. Faulkner of Bil. He grad. at H. C. 1846, read law and practiced in Boston, where he resides. They have several children.

The Raymond Family

The Raymonds were never very numerous in Lexington, though at one time there were several of that name. We are not able to fix the time when they came to Lexington. We find upon the tax bill of 1733 the names of Jonathan Raymond and Jonathan Raymond, jr., and in the following year Jonathan, jr., was chosen one of the fence viewers in Lexington. Samuel Raymond and his wife, Sarah, were admitted to the church, Jan. 26, 1737, by a letter from the church in Beverly. Richard Raymond was in Salem in 1634, and the name was quite common in Beverly at an early day. As Samuel Raymond came from Beverly, it is highly probable that Jonathan came from the same place, as they were brothers. As Jonathan Raymond in 1733 bore the addition of jr., it is probable that his father was in the town also at that time.

Jonathan Raymond, sen., was the father both of Jonathan and Samuel. In his will, dated Aug. 16, 1742, and proved Nov. 22, 1742, he says, "To my beloved sons Jonathan Raymond and Samuel Raymond I give twenty shillings each, Avhich, with what I have already possessed them with, is what I devise to them out of my estate." He also mentions in his will his wife, Charity, to whom he {jives among other things. " tlie use of my boy Robin." He mentions further, sons, Thomas, AVilliam, Bartholomew, and Josiah, and dau. Sarah Tidd, deceased, Mehitabel, and Charity. The birth of a part of these children are borne upon the Lexington records, though most of them were born before he came to Lexington. She d. March 9, 1768, aged 87.

Bartholomew Raymond m. Mehitabel Mallett of Charlestown, to which place ho removed before the opening of the Revolution. He run a ferrv-boat across Charles River, before the building of Charles River Bridge. He d. 1831, aged 71 ; she d. 1828, aged 76.

soldiers on the 19th of April, in a brutal and cowardly manner. L[e was infirm, and was tending bar at the Munroe Tavern. The British entered the house and helped themselves to whatever the house afforded. They compelled Raymond to wait upon them, and after they had imbibed freely, they became noisy and tumultuous, and Raymond being alarmed for his jiersonal safety, was in the act of leaving the house, when he was shot down by these vandals.

JoNATHAN Raymond ra. Oct. 4, 1756, Susanna White, dau. of Joseph and Hannah White. They probably lived for a short period in Wat., as we tind the followIn<i record of the baptism of one of their chiklren. " Baptized Mary Ilayniond. dau. of Jonathan, jr., the parents having owned the covenant in Watertown." They had a family of eleven children, six sons and five dau. Among them were Susanna, b. March 28, 1757 ; Mary, bap. Nov. 28, 1759; llepzibah, bap. Jan. 3, 17G2. They removed to Westminster about 1763, where most of his children were born, and where he d. about 1783. lie was a soldier in the AVar of the Revolution. Some of his descendants are found in AVestminster at the present day.

There are at the present time, Raymonds in town, but from a different family, though probably of the same original stock, and not till recently resident in this place.

Daniel Raymond, his second son, ra. Abigail Balch, 1714. He moved to Marblehead. He and his eldest son died in the expedition to Louisburg, 1745.

Freeborn Raymond, the youngest son of Daniel, b. Feb. 20, 1741, m. about 1761, Mary Young. She d. and he m. about 1778, Sarah Powers. He d. Feb. 11, 1817. He had sixteen children b. in Athol.

Freeborn Raymond, eldest son of the foregoing, b. June 4, 1762, m. first, Lucinda Graves, and had one son. She d. and he m. second, Lois Kendall, and third, Jane Rich, who d. March 15, 1865. He d. July 3, 1824. He had the following children.

Freeborn F. Raymond m. June 12, 1855, Sarah E. Richardson, dau. of A. P. and Betsey (Reed) Richardson of Lex. He took up his residence in Lex. about the time of his marriage, but does business in Boston. Their children are Franklin F., b. May 2, 1856; Helen F., b. May 25, 1859, d. Aug. 23, 18G3 ; Henry S., b. May 18, 1866.

The Reed Family

The Reeds came to Cambridge Farms from Woburn in 1686. They were in the country much earlier. There is considerable difficulty in tracing the residence of the first ancestor of this family, arising from the fact that there are several persons among the early emigrants of the same name. But there is evidence which we deem reliable, that William Reed and his wife, Mabel, with three of their children, viz., George, then six years old, Ralph, five years old, and

Justus, eighteen months, came to New England from London, in the shin Defence, in 1635. He was at that time forty-eight years old, and his wife thirty. He settled first at Dorchester ; but like many of the early settlers moved from place to place, at least temporarily. In 1G39 he sold his real estate in Dorchester and moved to Scitnate. where he was constable in 1644. While there he sent his wife to Dorchester on horse-back with an infant to be baptized ; he being a member of the church in that place. He was probably a fs-dent at Muddy River (now Brookline) in 1648, when he purchased of ^icholas Davis a farm in Woburn of some sixty acres, "with all the barns, out-houses, fences, and all to the same belonging." He probably moved to Woburn soon after he made this purchase, and resided there a few years, when he and his wife returned to England, where he' died at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1656. He made his will, apnointino- no executor, and Oliver Cromwell made his wife, Mabel, LecutHx, on the last day of October 1656 ; and she returned to th.9 country to their children, then in Woburn, Nov. 21, 1660 She m Henry Sumner of Woburn, whom she survived, and d. in the family of her son George, June 15, 1690, aged 85 years. Most of the Reeds of Lexington descended from rirnurF Reed m. Oct. 4, 1652, Elizabeth Jennison, dau. of RobertXnison oMVat. She was b. April 12, 1637, and d Feb. ?6 1665. He m. Nov. 9, 1665, Hannah Rockwell of Charlestown. He had eight children by his first wife, and five by his last. He d. Feb. 21, 1706, aged 77.

has cropped out from generation to generation in some branches of the family. William Keed, or Capt. Reed as he was generally called, may be regarded as the ancestor of the greater part of the Reeds of Lexington, though there were others of the name, who will be noticed hereafter. He was one of tha most prominent citizens of the precinct and town. He was a justice of the peace, filled the office of selectman, and represented the town in the General Court several years. He was equally prominent in the church, being one of the original members. He purchased land in the north-westerly part of the township, and located himself on what is now known as Bedford street, near the residence of the late Christopher Reed. He added to his real estate from time to time, and became a large land-holder, and so was able to leave a good form to each of his three sons. A portion of his lands has remained in the family to the present day. The neighborhood of Capt. Reed's residence was at one time the most populous of any part of the town out of the village. In addition to the Reeds, which were quite .numerous, the Hewses, Trasks, Poulters, Kendalls, Lawrences, Dunklees, and Fassetts all resided on or near Bedford street. No fomily of the early settlers has sustained its standing, through all periods of the town's history, better than the Reeds. He d. May 12, 1718, aged 56, and she d. Oct. 12, 1734.

William Reed m. Sarah Poulter, dau. of John, about 1719. He was an active and efficient man, both in the church and in the town. He held for many years a commission of jnstice of the peace, and did considerable business in that capacity; and was well known in the town and vicinity by the appellation of ''Squire Heed. He was very popular with the people, and received all the honors in their gift. Besides minor offices, he was selectman eleven years, and representative seventeen years. He was also a captain in the militia, and was out with a portion of his company in the French war, in 1755. He d. Feb. 11, 1778, aged 85; she d. Nov. 25, 1769. He resided in the house owned by the late Christopher Reed on Bedford street.

Benjamin Reed m. Rebecca Stone, dau. of Samuel and Dorcaa (Jones) Stone, b. 1696. She d. and he m. July 19, 1753, Mrs. Hannah Estabrook, wid. of Dea. Joseph Estabrook, and dau. of Joseph Bowman. He d. Dec. 25, 1765. Like bis brother William, he was frequently called by his townsmen to places of honor and trust. He was constable, assessor, selectman nine yeai-s, and representative ten years. He was a major in the militia when that office was filled by the most prominent citizens. He was also justice of the peace. He d. July 13, 1789, aged 93 ; she d. April 1, 1768.

Joshua Reed m. Jan. 21, 1725, Elizabeth Russell, dau, of Jonathan and Elizabeth. She d. Feb. 29, 1744; he d. Oct. 15, 1755. The inventory of his estate shows the manners and customs of the times, by giving us a warming-pan, flax-comb, box-heater, pillion, &c.

Hammon Reed m. April 13, 1757, Betty Simonds. He was one of the gallant band who struck for liberty, April 19, 1775. He filled several important town offices, being five years selectman during the most important period of our history, and was one of the Committee of Safety, 1778. She d. Feb. 2, 1815 ; he d. July 12, 1817.

Nathan Reed m. April 30, 1772, Mary Page of Bedford, dau. of Christopher and Susanna Page. He and his wife were ad. to the ch. Jan. 24, 1773. He was subsequently chosen deacon, which office he held from 1787 to 1808, when he resigned on account of ill health. He d. Nov. 17, 1811, aged 68; she d. May 17, 1831, aged 84. He was one of the band which faced the British in 1775, He served as selectman several years. He was a large land-holder in Lex. and elsewhere.

Joshua Reed m. Nov. 27, 1753, Mrs. Susanna Houghton of Lancaster. He was one of Capt. Parker's co. 1775, and was one of the selectmen in the eventful period of the Revolution.

William Reed m. Dec. 1, 1768, Elizabeth Davis of Bed. He was in Parker's co. on the 19th of April, and marched with them to Camb. June 17, 1775.

son, William, came home from New York, 1824, with the small pox, and jjave it to the family, of which both the parents, and his brother Thaddeus' wife, died. Luther Prescott, husband of their dau. Anna, also fell a victim to the same disease, the same year.

Joshua Reed m. Sept. 11, 1780, Susanna Leathers. She Sept. 8, 1802, and he m. Elizabeth Brooks of Line. He d. Sept. 1826. He was a member of Capt. Parker's company.

Benjamin Reed m. Feb. 3, 1825, Bethia L. Webber of Bedford, dau. of John and Bethia (Lane) Webber. He was a prominent citizen, being one of the selectmen six years. He also held the commission of captain in the militia. He d. Oct. 16, 1860, aged 71 years.

Charles Reed m. Oct. 23, 1817, Almira Muzzy, dau. of Amos and Lydia (Boutelle) 'Muzzy. She d. Nov. 15, 1819, ajjed 25 years, and he m. June 28,1821, Martha Wellington. He d. May 19, 1846, aged 65 ; she d. May 10, 1838. He was a popular and inlhiential man. He held the office of selectman twelve years, assessor five years, town clerk seven years, and town treasurer seven years.

There is another family of Reeds in Lexington, which have been in the place several generations ; and though they do not claim any relationship with the descendants of William Reed of Lexington, are nevertheless from the same stock. George Reed, the oldest son of the original emigrant, and father of William Reed, who settled in Cambridge Farms, now Lexington, had a large family, and among his children was

Timothy Reed (No. 20, in the Reed family) b. Oct. 20, 1678. He was a younger brother of William. He m. Persis Kendall and resided in Wo. They had among other children, Jacob, b. 1714.

Isaac Reed m. April 24, 1804, Elizabeth Munroe, dau. of Philemon and Elizabeth (Waite) Munroe. He probably came to Lex. about the time of his marriage. He d. Nov. 10, 1854, aged 73; she d. Oct. 24, 1865, aged 80 years.

There was also another family of Reeds in Woburn and Lexington, which had no connection with the William and Mabel race. If we may believe tradition, and the statement is confirmed by many attendant circumstances, Swethern Reed came to this country from Ireland about 1725, and settled in Boston. After remaining there a few years, he removed to Woburn, and took up his abode in that part of the town which now constitutes Burlington.

Seth Reed from Charlestown came to Lexington a young man. He entered the army of the Revolution and served three years. After his return, he m. June 26, 1796, Fanny Harrington, dau. of Thaddeus and Lydia (Porter) Harrington. She d. and he m. Lydia Harrington, sister of his first wife. After his marriage he moved to Westminster, Vt., where he remained about two years, when he returned to Lexington, where be d. Sept., 1815.

Seth, b. April 24, 1778 ; m. Eliza Frost of West Camb. He resides in Wo., and is the father of Joseph G. Reed of Lex. who m. June, 1851, AmiMurphy, and has Francis W., b. March 14, 1854.

Situated on the borders of Lexington, in Woburn and Burlington, it is not at all strange that individuals and even families of the name of Reed, should cross the line and live for a time in Lexington, or at least should have their names upon our Records. I find several such, and shall give them as I find them, without attempting to trace their descent.

Whether the above named families resided in Lex. or only had their associations here, we are unable to say. Their names are upon Lexin<rton Records.

The Richardson Family

Though the Richardsons have been numerous in Woburn and several other towns in the vicinity, there has been no permanent family of that name in Lexington till within a comparatively recent period; and the head of this family descended from a Newbury emigrant.

AViLMAM RiciiAKDSOX was in Newbury early, and m. Aug. 23, 1654, Elizabeth Wiseman, and d. March 14, 1658. They had two children. Joseph, b. May, 1655, m. July, 1681, Margaret, dau. of Peter Godfrey and Mary Browne, who was the first white child b. ia

The Robbins Family

Nathaniel Robbins and Mary Brazier, his wife, came to this country from Scotland about 1670, and settled in Cambridge, where he d. 1719, aged 70 years. He was married about the time of his embarkation, and his children were all born in this country. He had at least eight children.

Thomas, b. Nov. 6, 1683. When a young man, he was passing with a team from Boston to Cambridge, on a hot sununer day, when he stopped to drink at a spring and died immediately. He was unmarried.

Nathaniel Robbins m. Hannah Chandler. About 1700 he moved to Charlestown, where he lived nearly thirty years, when he returned to Camb., where he d. Jan. 16, 1741, in his 64th year. His wife d. Sept. 15, 1738, aged 44 years. This family became quite distinguished in several of its branches.

at an early age he d., leaving two young children and a widow. He was mowing in the held in perfect health, when he fell and expired immediately.

Thomas Robbins m. Ruth Johnson, who d. June 27, 1737, in her 35th year, and he m. Exene Jackson. He and his wife, Exene, were ad. to the ch. in Le.x. May 9, 1754, by a letter of dismission from the Second church of Camb. He came to Lex. about 1744, as his name appears upon the tax bill in 1745. He was a soldier in the French war from Le.x. in 1758, and was enrolled in Capt. Parker's CO. in 1775. He was one of the assessors in 1746, and one of the selectmen in 1749. Several of his children were born before he came to Lex., and hence we have no fidl record of the flimily. llis will, dated 1789, and proved 1791, mentions eldest son Thomas, Stephen, John, Nathaniel, and daughters Mary ]\Iead, Susanna Wadsworth, Deborah Williams, Exene, Ruth, and Hannah. He d. Jan. 30, 1791, aged 89; she d. Feb. 5, 1786, aged 79. The first six of the children were by the first wife.

Philemon Robbins grad. H. C. 1729, entered the ministry, and was settled at Branford, Conn, He m. Hannah Foot, 1735. She d. 1776, and he m. wid. Jane Mills. He d. 1781. He had three sons. - one d. while in college, the o<her two were ministers. Ammi Ruhamah, grad. at Yale, 1760, settled at Norfolk, Conn., 1761. Two of his sons were ministers. Thomas, one of them, grad. at Williams, 1796, settled at Mattapoisett. He was distinguished as an antiquary, and had during his ministry collected a very extensive and valuable library relating to American history, general history, and theology. He had a large and rare collection of Bibles. He d. in 1856, aged 79, unm. Chandler Robbins, another son of Philemon, grad. at Yale, 1756, was ordained at Plymouth, Mass., 1760. He was a man of eminent talents, and his family was distinguished. His son Chandler, grad. H. C. 1782, was judge of probate at Hallowell, Me. ; Samuel P., grad. H. C. 1798, was minister at Marietta, Ohio; Peter O., was a physician at Roxbury, Mass. Chandler had sons Chandler, who was a ])hysician in Boston, and William, a lawyer at Fayetteville, N. C, both graduates of Bowdoin College. Peter G. had sons Chandler, who grad. H. C. 1829, ordained at the Old North Church in Boston, 1833 ; and Samuel D., grad. llarv. Theolog. School, 1833, settled in Lynn, afterwards at Framingham, and now at Wayland.

TnOMAS RoBBiNS was taxed in Lex. and filled important ofiices, but we find no record of wife or children ; he may have remained single. He was selectman in 1772, 74, '78. He'd. Dec. 2, 1804, ased 82.

Nathaniel Robbins grad. H. C. 1747. He studied theology, settled at INIilton, where he m. a Hutchinson, and d. 1795. One of his sons, Edward Hutchinson, b. Feb. 19, 1768, grad. H. C. 1775. He entered the legal profession, was chosen to represent the town in the Legislature. In 1793 was chosen speaker, an office which h's held nine years; in 1812 was elected lieut. -governor ; in 1814 was appointed judge of probate of Norfolk county. He d. Dec. 29, 1829.

Stephen Robbins m. Abigail Winship. He d. Oct. 12, 1847, aged 89; she d. March 31, 1850, aged 90. _ He wasa fur dresser, and introduced that business into the East Village, which contributed greatly to the growth and prosperity of the place. He, and his son Eli after him, prosecuted that branch of industry, employing at times from eighty to one hundred bands. This of course would require dwellings, and many houses were erected in consequence of this business. Similar enterprise would be productive of benefit to the town in any section thereof at the present day.

she d. Dec. IS, 1804, aged 78. He was a man of great activity and enterprise, and did much to build up the village in the east part of the town. He caused a tower to be erected on the high land in the rear of the settlement, which, together with his residence, will be seen in the following engraving.

The Robinson Family

This family has never been very numerous in Lexington, nor were they among the earliest settlers. The first of the name which appears on our Records was

Jonathan Robinson, son of William, b. in Cambridge, April 20, 1682. I find on a copy of the Will of Richard Cutler of Cambridge, made a short time before his death in 1693, this endorsement : " For the two Robinsons, grandsons to the deceased." This paper being found among the papers left by Jonathan Robinson, and Richard Cutler having several dau., one of them may have m. a Robinson, the father of Jonathan. It appears by a deed in possession_ of the fiimily, that Isaac Powers of Camb.', sold to Jonathan Robinson of Camb., weaver, in 1706, a lot of land at Camb. Farms, bounded northerly by Concord road, easterly by land of Joanna Winship, southerly by land of John Dickson, and westerly by land of the heirs of Samuel Winship. This and other deeds of land to Jonathan Robinson, bounded by the Winships, Whitmores, and Bowmans, leaves no doubt but that he resided on or near the place now occupied by Mr. Jonas Gammell, at the termination of Oak the Farms about 1706. He d. 1753, and she d. April 25, 1759. He filled the honorable ofiice of tythingman in 1735, and in 1744 was on a committee to " dignify and seat the meeting house."

Joseph Robinson m. Mrs. Betty Hadlcy, wid. of Samuel Hadley, who was killed April 19, 1775. He was a member of Capt. Parker's company, and joined in the first act of the Revolutionary drama. Nor did his zeal in the cause of liberty cease witli the opening scene. He enlisted with the eight months' 'men in 1775, and served with the twelve months' men the year following, and subsequently entered the continental line. He lived to enjoy the bounty of his countrv, and to see her prosperous and happy, and d. April 14, 1830, aged"75. She d. Feb. 9, 1831.

Ebenezer Robinson d. in South Reading, Vt., Oct. 31, 1857, in his 92d year. He was too young to take part in the opening scene of the Revolution ; but before he was sixteen he enlisted with others in a privateer. While on tliis voyage, having made two prizes, and sent them into Boston, they fell in with several armed ships, and after a desperate struggle in which he was slightly wounded, tliey were made prisoners. He was taken to New York, and confined in an old prison ship, where from the packed state of the sliip, scanty sup|)ly of provision, and other inhuman treatment, he suffered every thing but death. After about six months' confinement in this loathsome prison, he was exchanged; and in a weak, ragged, and penniless condition, was obliged to beg his way home to Lexington, suffering at one time the cold repulses and scoflings of the Tories, and cheered and encouraged at others, by the generosity of the Patriots. Having reached home, and recovered from his imprisonment and suffering, young Robinson enlisted into the Continental army for three years - being then seventeen years of age. For a few months he was stationed at West Point, and was then ordered to New York, where he was connected with the body guard of Washington. On the return of peace, having served about two years, he returned to Lexington, where he remained till 1788, when he in company with an older brother moved to South Reading, Vt., then an almost unbroken wilderness. In 1792, he erected a frame house, -ind m. Hannah Ackley, who had recently immigrated to that place from Connecticut. He was highly esteemed as a man and a citizen, and filled with honor several military and civil offices. He was .".Iways devoted to the cause of liberty, and died respected by his fellow-citizens.

Jesse Robixson m. Nov. 24, 1793, Rebecca Tidd of Acton. They moved to Bedford, where they had several other children than the two mentioned below.

Jacob Robinson m. Jan. 9, 1818, Ann Hall of Cambridge. She d. April 19, 1850, aged 57, and he m. Oct. 13, 1850, Lucinda Davis of Medford. He had no children by either wife. He was an assessor three years. He was also a of justice of the peace.

Charles Robinson m. Oct. 16, 1827, Mary Davis of Con., dau. of Abel and Lavinia (Hosmer) Davis. Lavinia Hosmer was a dau. of Joseph, who acted as adjutant at Concord, April 19, 1775. He has served as selectman several years.

Charles, h. Nov. 6, 1829; m. July 4, 1858, Rebecca T.Ames of Charlestown, where he resides and does business as a lawyer. He has also been a trial justice, andmavor of the city.

George D., b. Jan. 20, 1834. He grad. H. C. 1856, and was engaged some eight or ten years as a teacher of the High School at Chicopee. He m. ]Sov. 24, 1859, Hannah E. Stevens, dau. of William and Nancy btevens. She d. Sept. 5, 1864, aged 31 years. He read law with his brother, and is now in practice in Chicopee. He m. second, July 11, 1867, Susan E. Simonds of Lex., dau. of J. F. Simonds. He lias Walter S., b. March 22, 1861.

Jonathan Robjnson of New Market, N. H., m. Mary Chase of Exeter, by whom he had ten children. Noah, their seventh son b. in Stratham, May 7, 1757, m. for his first wife, Nancy Wiggin of Strathain. In 1790, after serving his country through the whole period of the Revolution, he moved to New Hampton in that State, which was then a howling wilderness. His wife dying, he m. June 26, 1805, Mrs. Elizabeth Brown of Portsmouth, N. H. He d. Feb. 10, 1827. He had by his two wives seven sons and two daughters.

and he m. 1847, Mrs. Elizabeth G. Littl^ of Bucksport, Me. Mr. Robinson, wlion in Boston was elected to the Legislature, and has also represented the town of Lexington in that body. He has for many years held a commission of justice of the peace.

Geoijge W. Robinson, a son of Capt. Noah by his second wife, was b. Feb. 23, 1808. and m. Dec. 5, 1830, Maria Jewett, dau. of Nathanirl Jewett of Cliarlestown. He came to Lex. 1848, where the last three of his children were born. He is engaged in mercantile business in Boston. The following are his chiUlren. George Henry, b. Sept. 26, 1S33, d. at sea on his passage home from the East Indies, Feb. 24, 1858; Frances Maria, b. F'eb. 26, 1836; Emily Ilamhlet, b. March 1, 1840, d. Oct. 30, 1841; Frederick Osborn, b. May 11, 1842; he has spent several years in mercantile pursuits at the Mauritius ; Theodore Parlcer, b. July 29, 1845 ; William Howard, b. June 13, 1848; Sarah Elizabeth, b. Nov. 24, 1852; Edith Jewett, b. Mav 28, 1858.

The Russell Family

William Russell and his wife Martha, the ancestors of the Lexington Russells came over from England early, and like man)' of the early emigrants, did not at once fix upon their location. They were in Camb. 1G45, and were members of the church there. He d. Feb. 14, 1662. She m. March 24, 1665, Humphrey Bradshaw, and in 1683, Thomas Hall, and d. 1694. Several of their children were b. in England.

ch. in 1696. and his wife removed her relation from the ch. in Camb. to that. of Lex. soon after. He was not only a man of wealth, but was an active and valuable citizen, and filled various offices^ nnder the parish and town organization. The record of his family is quite defective. Probably d. March 6, 1733.