Marlborough City (part 1 of 3)

Marlborough City

N Ma), 1050, Edmund Rice, William Ward, Jolin Bent, Sr., John Woods, Thomas King, John Howe, John Maynard, Ed«aid Rice, John Ruddocke, Peter Bent, Thomas Goodnow, Richard A^g^.to^^ ^,jj Henry Rice, inhabitants of Sudbury, petitioned the Geneial Court for a tract of land eight miles square, affirming " God hith bmiL pleaded to increase our children, which are now divers of them grown to man's estate, and wee, many of us, grown into years, so as that wee sliould bee glad to see them settled before llie Lord take us away from hence, as also God having given us some considerable cattle, so that wee are so streightened tliat wee cannot so comfortably subsist as could bee desired ; and some of us having taken some pains to view the country ; wee have found a place which lyeth westward, about eiglit miles from .Sudbury, which wee conceive might bee comfortable for our subsistence." On the 14tii of the same month they were granted six miles in the locality desired. It contained -29,4-19 acres. This region was situated about a hill called by the Indians Whipsuffenicke, adjoining another, on which was land reserved for the aborigines called Ockoocangansett. In the colony records, 1658, it is spelled Ognoinkouguainescit, and the name of the English plantation is called Wliipsufferage. Daniel Gookin, in 1674, speaks of both tracts as Okommakamesit.

The first meeting of the proprietors of tlie English plantation occurred September 25, 1050, at which it was ordered that those who took lots should pay their proportion toward the general expenses, should either live themselves on the land two years or appoint some one the town would approve, or else forfeit their lots; "but if God shall take away any man by death, he have liberty to give his lott to whom lie will." December 26, 1659, it was ordered "that all such as lay clayme to any interest in this new plantation at Whipsufferadge (by the Indians called Whipsuppenicke) are to perfect . their house lots by the 25tli of March next insueing, or else to loose all their interest in the aforesaid plantation." November, 1660, thirty-eight house-lots, including one for the minister and one for the smith, were set off and confirined to their proprietors. These grants aggregated 992| acres, divided into holdings of from fifteen to fifty acres. The rest of the land, called cow commons, was left subject to future grants.

May 31 (0. S., June 12 as we now date), 1660, the town was incorporated under the name of Marlborow, it is supposed after the English town of that name, so called on account of the vicinity abounding in marl ; the word was formerly spelled ^farlberg or Marlbridge. Why it was chosen it is difficult, perhaps impossible, to say, though tiie most probable conjecture would be that some one or more of the early settlers hailed from Jlarlborough in Wiltshire. Its records for the first thirty-nine years are missing; those extant begin April 27, 1699. The first selectmen were Edmund Rice, William Ward, John Ruddocke, Jolin Howe, Thomas Khig, Solomon Johnson, Thomas Goodnow. John Ruddocke was chosen clerk. One of the earliest acts of the municipality was to order an assessment for six months for the support of Rev. William Brimsmead, their preacher, "of 4 pence jier acre npon house lots and 3 pence per pound ujion cattle." In 1662 the frame of a house and the land on which it stood were given to the minister. It was thirty-six feet by eighteen, and twelve and one half feet high between the joints. It had four windows in front and two at the west end. It had two gables in front, ten feet wide ami eight feet square, projecting eight feet, with two small windows on the front side of the gables. It was built by contract for £15, to be paid in corn : one third wheat, one third rye, and one third Indian corn; wheat at 4*. Qd., rye at 4*., and Indian com at 3-$. per bushel. In the payment of this sum, a rate was made of seven and a half pence ])er acre upon all house-lots in the plantation. This year they decided on erecting a meeting-house. Unfortunately the site chosen was within the Indian plantation. Although this land was subsequently bought, there seems to have been sufficient provocation given to the Indians to awaken the suspicion that it was afterwards burnt by them in revenge. Mr. Cyrus Felton says it is probable that at this time three fourths of the land within a mile of the meeting-house was covered with wood.

April 4, 1663, Anamaks, an Indian whose title was probably disputed by other Indian proprietors, sold to John Ruddocke and John Howe, for the use of the town, " the laud that the meeting-house now stands on - also the land for the highway on the fore side of said meeting house, and so upon a square of ten feet, round about the said meeting House." The next month William Ward gave in exchange for other land half an acre in front of it, and it was ordered that the half-acre " surrendered into the town's hands as before said, shall be for a perpetual common or highway not to be taken or otherwise disposed of without the consent of every proprietor that liath town riglits." This half-acre, it is thought, covered the ground on which the two manufactories hi front of the High School Common now stand.

For fifteen years there was fear throughout the township. Tlie Indian community consisted of about fifty persons. Their ruler's name was Onomog, who was described by a contemporary as a pious and discreet man. They had religious and civil institutions like their white neighbors; employed a schoolmaster, a constable, and other officers. They had brought their land under cultivation, and remained pacific under the vexatious encroachments of the English settlers ; although they were in 23art to blame for their annoyances, seeing they were careless in fencing their fields. Their town lying, as it did, in the heart of Marlborough, the cattle wandered into it, and could hardly be prevented by their owners. The Indians passively retired about a mile into the interior of their land. The celebrated General Gookin of Cambridge, from whose account our knowledge is derived, ])roposed to the English settlers to buy part of tliis land from which they had retired, fence it with stonewalls, and ou one part build a house for a schoolmaster, with a school-room under the same roof, erecting a barn, and giving the teacher as his salary the use of the rest of the land. He also says that at this time the English were backward iiIkhiI employing a schoolmaster, availing themselves of the law which exempted towns of less, than fifty families from being compelled to engage a teacher, although they wanted but a few families to make this number. He suggested that if the Indian school proposed were instituted they might send their children to it, " being the most thrifty and facile way they can take." This field was conveyed to General Gookin by the Indians May 2, 1677. The English town grew unchecked, though not rapidly. Unhappily during this time the community was agitated, indeed distracted, with internal dissensions about both civil and ecclesiastical affairs. They had to do, first, with the reliability of the records and indirectly with the tenure of their lauds ; secondly, with questions as to the support of the minister and the desirability of organizing a church. The public muid was apparently in a state of chronic irritability; to raise a question, was to raise a bitter dispute. Some light is thrown on this period from subsequent sentences in a petition and remonstrances to the General Court. The first explains that their difficulties are of long standing, arishig " partly from our own corruptions and the temptations of Satan, hindering their own good feelings in matters both civil and ecclesiastical, which have been and are very uncomfortable to them and their friends." Even this devout and frank statement proved an irritant, - a denial following that any considerable difficulty existed, and the declaration that they " never went about to destroy the Town Book but only to rectify what was amis in it " ; nor had they attempted " to root out the minister." They vaunted the fact, that, in personal character and liberality to religious and secular institutions, they were the equals of the jjetitioners, and cdiirluilcil \\ith the caustic statement, "We are willing, with our [)ersons and estates, to uphold the Authority of the country, and do therefore desire the liberty of the law which gives towns jrower to iransad their own affairs.'" The appeal to the General Court resulted (1675) hi the appointment of a committee which indorsed the records. The strife, however, was not allayed ; Thomas King and others demanded the reopening of the case. The war ensuing, the matter was not immediately pressed ; but in October, 1679, the quarrel was practically ended by the decisive action of a committee ap- ])()inted by the court to hear the complaints on the sjjot. They censured the turbulent opposition to the former decision, declared better provision shuuhl be iiiailc for llic iiiii:islei-, and u'ave orders as to the custody of the torni records, enjoining a full and veracious report of the proceedings and decisions of the committee who had arbitrated in the case. Their action was approved and confirmed by the court.

Tiieir ecclesiastical dispute was considered by a council of ministers, who naively advised that they spend a day or days of humiliation and prayer, and " after their spirits are somewhat sweetened and satisfied mutually, it may be meet without too long delay to gather a church here."

The atmosphere was not yet clear. Mr. Brimsmead left the town, and preaclied at Plymouth for a time. He returned October 3, 1666, on which day the churcli was formed and he was ordained its pastor. A few years after, to quote the graphic and quaint account of Mr. Packard, " On the Sabbath, when ilr. Brimsmead was in sermon, March 30, 1676, the worshipping assembly was suddenly dispersed by an outcry of ' Indians at the door ! ' The confusion of the first moment was instantly increased by a fire from the enemy ; but the God whom they were worshipping shielded their lives and limbs, excepting the arm of one Moses Ne\vton, who was carrying an elderly and infirm woman to a place of safety. In a few minutes they were sheltered in their fort, mth the mutual feelings peculiar to such a scene."

The meeting-house was burnt to the ground, and nearly, if not quite, all the dwelling-houses. Everything of value was destroyed, cattle were killed, and the fruit-trees hacked. " The enemy retired soon after their first onset, declining," says Packard, " to risk the enterprise and martial prowess of the yomig plantation. Tiie new settlers being much debilitated by their various losses, living in a frontier town, and still exposed to the ' adjudication ' of their savage neighbors, left their farms till the seat of war was further removed." Thus husbandry was uiterrupted for one year, aiul the municipal organization for two.

The growth of the town was materially checked by these incursions of the savages, and till this day traces remain of the fear and insecurity of those times. On the hill Sligo are the remains of an old stone fort connected with a well by a subterranean passage of about one hundred and fifty feet, which it is conjectured was constructed in view of those early invasions.

Incidentally, it may be mentioned that the name originated in much later times ; the authentic tradition is that it was so called in allusion to the sobriquet of an owner of the hill, who in the time of the Kevolution was understood to be absent at the war, but who in reality remained at home, passing the nfghts witli his family and slyly going, in the early morning and in the dusk of evening, to and from a cave situated across this land. Hence the name Slygo, as it was formerly spelled.

On the return of the inhabitants, while tliey found on every hand a scene of desolation, and were practically forced to the tasks and rigors of the emigrant, yet the war which had destroyed their buildings so far weakened the Indians as to facilitate, at length, possession of the whole township, and insured a larger measure of personal security.

Some of the Marlborough Indians liad joined Philip, and those who remained apparently passive or amicable were suspected of treachery. Wiiether the suspicion was well grounded or not, the inhabitants lived in dread of them, and from tradition we learn that they, with other towns, sought protection from the government, so tliat Captain Mosely, it is believed, with a company of soldiers, early in the morning surprised these Indians while they were in the fort to which they repaired at niglit, seized their persons and arms, fastened their hands behind tiieir backs, connecting them with a cart-rope, and drove them to Boston, from whence they were taken with others to some island in the harbor and kept in durance until the conclusion of hostilities. Tiiose who returned denied tiie charge ; but wlnle suffered to remain even when guilt had been proven, as in the case of David Munnauow who confessed participation in the destruction of Medfield, they were despised and uninfluential, and though their plantation was not formally forfeited by disloyalty, it was gained the more easily from so demoralized and enfeebled a people.

After the re-establishment of their municipal organization, and the rebuilding of dwelhng-houses, they proceeded to the erection of a new meetinghouse about 1678. Like the first one, it was thatched with tall grass from Thatcher Meadow. It was left in an unfinished state ; an unsuccessful attempt was made to enlarge and repair it in 1680; it lasted only eight or nine years, and in 1689 was valued at only £ 10. The third meeting-lionse was built as early as 1689. The pulpit in the second meeting-house was valued at £4, "which was improved in the new meeting-house, for carrying on the finishing of that." This house was used between twenty-two and twenty-three years. The fourth meetinff-house was erected in 1711. It was large enough to accommodate the whole town. Ill 1757 and 1758 the town had two porches built, one on the east end and another on the west end. This house was used for public worship ninety- five years, and exclusively for town-meetings four I years. It was taken down in 1810. This and the j two meeting-houses before it were situated about a rod or two north of the present horse-trough on Main Street.

In 16S1' measures were taken to perfect the title j of Marlborough to its lands, for as yet the proprietors had simply the permission of the court to settle on them. For about thirty years they had cultivated the soil, apparently without thought of purchasing the right of the natives. The Indians, by virtue of it " were continually making demands upon the towiie." At length, after the cessation of hostilities, the Indian plantation being broken up and most of its possessors dispersed, the tribe to which they belonged asserted their rigiit in the whole township. A committee of tiiree persons was appointed to confer with the claimants ; and as the residt, April 17 and Is, Major IVlcr liulkl.y and Captain Thoiiins JlnirkMrnin, Ki-cthrr with tile agreed to ])ay l-'ll for a, (Urd , in full. Tlie money was immediately raised, and the deed was signed at Natick, June 12, 1684. The town now endeavored to possess itself of the Indian reservation. On the loth of July, a little more than a month after securing all rights in their own possessions, they obtained a deed for the whok' of tlie Indian plantation, some 5,800 acres, with the exception of the Indian planting-field, which had been already conveyed to General Gookiii, and was bought of his three sons for the town in KISS. I!, It wilhin three months the ( U-wvA ( 'oiirl , on pcliliononhc Indians, dcrhuvdlh;, I the ,l,v,l of sale was null and void, because illegal, " being made and done expressly contrary to the law and order of this court." Despite the invalidity of their title, thus formally and authoritatively pronounced, the proprietors, after a delay of about two years, proceeded to divide and appropriate the land. The first division consisted of thirty acres to each, of the land best in quality and situation. The task of surveying was assigned to Mr. John l^righam, - of whom it should be said, in ])assing, that he was one of the most popular and remarkable men of his ilay, having considerable capacity for public allaiis, nnusual ability us a surveyor, and some miibition as a lan.l sprrulal..r ; lie was stvled "Doctor," and was returned as representative from Marlborough in 1688, and from Sudbury in 1706. The proprietors engaged to board him while at work, and to pay five shillings a day, one half in money, the other half in rye and Indian corn, the one at four shillings a bushel, the other at three. The land w'as apportioned by lot. The proprietors now took measures to make their tenure secure, in spite of its illegality, by binding themselves togetlier in such a way that each might possess his part undisturbed.

At their meeting in March, 1695, it -ivas agreed and subscribed to, " that whatsoever has been done and acted by the company or the major part of them as to any grants or acts or orders about the land purchased from the Indians as will further appear by a deed of sale recorded in court rolls shall stand good to all intents and purposes if it be attested under the hand of John Brigham." The agreement concludes by stating it was passed by a full vote, and " that it should stand good to all intents and purposes for ever."

At a meetiiiL;- of the proprietors held February 15, nil.'), it was voted that "they would try to come into a way for a confirmatioii of g" laiid." The rccoi'd continues," Alt s" same meeting it was voted y' till y would eliuse three men to atain a confoarmalioii of s' land if may be." The committee consisted of James Sawyer, Thomas How, and Nathaniel Jonson. On the 15th they were empowered " to take such sutable methods as they shall think fitt, or shall by y' best advice and instructions as they find to be most sutable for y' Procuring of a Conformation of this our Purchase according to f General Courts grant."

February J, 1709, "It was acted that they would make arttekles to bind ourselves in covenent wlii'ivliy wliai we do may stand in force." These articles provided that "all grants, acts, and records now entered in our book of records .... shall stand good for ever," and that all money granted by the company "at an orderly meeting" for mutual defence should be raised by "every particular parson paying his equcl projiotion."

In their records about this time there is one noteworthy transact ioii. Among the jiroprietors was Mr. John Parry, who owned two and a half acres back of the meeting-honse. The town naturally desired to have their graveyard, as was the ancient custcun, close to their meeting-house. Heretofore they iiad buried in wliat is now called Spring Hill Cemetery ; tliercfore at a meeting of the pro- prietors, April 8, 1706, "it was ordered, granted, and concluded that the land exchanged with John Parry Taylor, adjoyning to the present meetinghouse land for which he liath other land of the proprietors in the cow common - shall lay for a Trayuing place and a Burying place for ever." This two and a half acres, it is tliouglit, included the cemetery, the ground now occupied by the High School, and half of the common between the High Scliool and Main Street.

In 1719 hope revived of obtaining legal sanction. March 20, tliey decided to appoint a committee to petition the General Court "to confirm our book of records; and to make our propriatory capable to act in all things concerning our lauds." After years of anxiety and effort they at last prevailed, and the plantation was formally aimexed to the town, and their title to the property was confirmed.

There was another tract of land of two liundred acres called to this day " Tlie Farm," of which the town possessed itself in 1718. It lay on tiie southeast border, and had been granted to John Alcocke, in lieu of the same number of acres which he had relinquished elsewhere. He was an inhabitant of Roxbury, who had received considerable gifts of land for services rendered to tiie colony ; part of the land thus transferred to him was claimed by tiie Whipsuffeuicke Company, and, to adjust the difficulty, he accepted the land since called "The Farm."

In 1700 the town was enabled to absorb several tracts of land of this kind, but the Alcocke property still remained unannexed. The conviction, however, grew that it was unjust for peojjle who largely shared in the privileges of tiie town organization to be exempt from municipal responsibility and expense.

At length, in 1718, Joseph Morse, Joliii Bigrlow, John Sherman, Samuel Bigeiow, Tiioinas iiigcltiw, and Daniel Harrington, residents of "The Farm," united with the town in a petition to the General Court for annexation, which was of course immediately granted.

Ecclesiastical History. - The first pastor. Rev. William Brimsmead, was a man of apostolic steadfastness and capacity. He watciied and sustained tiie flame of piety in the town, wiien the spirit of contention threatened its extinction. He was a student of Harvard, of the class of 161-S. He preached the election sermon in 1681, which was printed. From 1665 to 1695 lie kept a journal in Latin ; it is thought the second volume, covering the years 1682 to 1695, is identical with a Latin journal of his now in possession of tlie ! Massaclmsetts Historical Society. From this it I appears lie preached not only in the meeting-house but also in tiie iiomes of tiie parisliioners. He I was beloved in tiie town and influential in tiie colony. His eccentricities are matters of traditional interest ; tlie most quoted was by no means peculiar to himself, nor could it have struck iiis contemporaries as absurd ; it appears he had conscientious scruples which forbade iiis baptizing ciiildren born on tiie Sabbatii day, and accounted for, in part, by the fact that iie was never married. Tiiere are some curious entries in tiie town books ' sliowing tiie attectioiiate, almost paternal attitude tlic town sustained toward him in his old age. Dr. Alien quotes one of them with tiiese prefatory remarks : " In the growing infirmities of age, he had neither wife nor children to care for him, and so his people very considerately and much to their credit voted, as the record says, ' to procure a place to remove tiieir minister to, and to provide him j a nurse.' " He died July 3, 1701, at an advanced age. After his death the community was afflicted I \ritii all the miseries of divided counsels and acrii monious controversies concerning his successor. The rival 2)arties were found, for the most part, ; ill diff'erent geographical sections; in the case of i the first candidate. Rev. Joiin Emerson, tiie west ! part being for him and the east against iiim. Mr. Emerson finally declined, and the town, at their I April meeting, 1702, rescinded their call by a full I majority. At the same time " it was agreed and : voated that M' Remington be paid 20 Shillings tiie day, for two dales hclj/ we liad of him in the ministry." In October a delegation of two was sent to " Seek for a transcient supply of holy in the ministry for three or four days."

A call was extended, Feb. 7, 1703, to Rev. Francis Goodhue, but declined. At lengtii the town met on tlie 7th June, 1704, "and the churciies choice was laid before them whicii was of Mr. Robert Breck for their concurrence and tiiere was a concurrence with the cliurches choice of the major part of all jiresent."

Two days after tiie towm again met, and voted a salary to Mr. Breck of seventy pounds annually and " firewood for the year annually if he axept it ill order to a settlement." The record continues : " We offer ourselves ready to do what may be comfortable either by obtaining a suitable place or granting such gratuity as may procure that may be satisfactory according to our present circumstances in these troublous times." His acceptance drew forth a formal and hearty expression of " their thanks for his gratifying answer to their call," and, more than this, the vote of a gratuity of £100. Their choice proved eminently satisfactory; for nearly twenty-seven years he labored among them, and took rank among his brethren in the ministry as a leader on account of liis talents, his high character, and his brilliant attainments. The Marlborough Association was formed at his house in 17:25 ; it existed eighty-nine years. Mr. Breck published four sermons : one preached at Slirewsbury hi 1720 ; two discourses on the accession to the church of fifty persons mostly in early life ; and the Election Sermon of 1728.

He was a man of the prelatic type, a master in the liumanities, a profound and orthodox tlieologian, a trenchant polemic, an able preacher, of a grave deportment, somewhat reticent, possessed of much personal dignity, and devoted to the supjiort of public order, withal catiiolic in spirit and given to hospitality. His fondness and appreciation of the sacred classics, as well as his linguistic skill, are illustrated by the fact that it was his work to translate the Hebrew liible to his family. The last line of his epitaph indicates the veneration in which he was held : " Prophetse ipsi non in seculum vivuiit." He was a Harvard graduate of the class of 1700. He died January 6, 17;31, aged forty-nine.

Mr. Benjamiu Kent Avas called, at a salary of £180; and a gratuity of £400 was voted on his settlement. His ordination took place October, 1733. In less than a year and a half he was debarred from the ministry on account of heretical views concerning the doctrines of the Trinity and election. He was a man more secular than sacerdotal or even religious in his modes of thought and methods of action ; more fit for the profession of the law than of the Christian ministry of that day. At the same time he was characterized by loyalty to principle, breadth of vision, and magnanimity of spirit. He would have a|>p('ar('d a greater man at a later period.

Unha])pily, other than doctrinal dili'crenccs intervened between Mr. Kent and his late charge. The town record, March 22, 1736, sufficiently indicates the state of aflair.s : "It was put to vole whether the town would impoMer their committee lately chosen to defend the town against Mr. Beiij. Kent in an action said Mr. Kent had commenced against the town for sallery : to bring forward an action or actions against Mr. Kent for recovering from him the money he has received of the said town as they think by fraud and as set forth in the warrant and it passed in the afHrmative." Much commotion ensued on Mr. Kent's dismissal, September, 1735. The second Wednesday was set apart to seek Divine guidance by prayer and fasting, with the view of preparing the way for the choice and settlement of a new minister ; embarrassments constantly arose : if the church was agreed on a candidate, the town negatived the proposition; if both church and town were agreed, the candidates declined. Two years elapsed ; another fast-day was held, and neigliboring ministers were invited to advise them in their difficulties. The cost of the first council was £01, and the exjjenses of both were assumed by the town.

In the following October the town chose Mr. Joseph Rice as an agent to answer the presentment of the town of Marlborough, at the last Superior Court held at Charlestown, for not having a settled minister. But this interference was without effect, for the church continued without a pastor some two years longer ; not till December 24, 1739, was harmony restored and a minister chosen.

Some thirty young people of the northeast part withdrew from the strife, seeking mutual sj)iritual edification in an association which met on Lord's Day evenings and other times for religious wor" ship. It is supposed that their ulterior aim was to found a meeting in their neighborhood.

Rev. Aaron Smith was called, at a salary of £80 a year in bills of credit of the New Tenor and a settlement of £400, Old Tenor. He was ordained June 11, 1740. It is thought the house now owned by Mr. William Gibbon was built for him; here he lived throughout the time of his residence in the town. He graduated at Harvard in 1735. His pastorate was, on the whole, prosperous; the church numbered, in 1767, one hundred and sixty-four members ; toward its close his popularity waned, owing, in part, to his enfeebled health, and the suspicion of royalist sympathies; although in Dr. Allen's judgment there was not sullieient reason for callhig in question Iiis patriotistn.

bullets were fired into his houses which lodged in a beam near the bed on which lie was lying. This room was pulled down in 1831. The town was indignant at the outrage, although many were of the opinion that it was done simply to intimidate. A reward was offered for the offenders.

An interval of seven years elapsed before the settlement of the next pastor, Eev. Asa Packard. He graduated at Harvard in 1783, and was ordained March 23, 1785, - a day long remembered on account of the fact that the snow was of sufficient depth to cover the fences, the crust being hard enough to bear the heaviest teams.

The town voted, March 23, 1785, to give Mr. Packard for a settlement £300; and for a salary £100 and twenty cords of wood annually. In 1804 tlie question agitated the town as to the location of the new meeting-house. The west part desired to see it erected on the site of tlie former houses. The east part desired to liave it where the Union Church now stands, maintaining that the old location was not central. At the town-meeting on the 16th of July the town refused, seventy-five to one hundred and ten, to give their consent to the incorporation of the west part as a separate town. May 26, 1806, consent was refused to the formation of a separate parish, one hundred and twenty-five to seventy-six; whereupon the west part, having contributed tlieir proportion to the meeting-house built by the town, proceeded to erect another in the jwsture-field of Benjamin Eice. Mr. Packard, after consulting the Marlborough Association, and with their acquiescence, decided to ask for a dismissal from the church. He was minister of the town twenty-one years. The two meeting-houses were opened on the same day, April 27, 1806. February 23, 1808, the West or Second Parish was incorporated, and Mr. Packard was installed its minister March 23, 1808. He took a dismission May 12, 1819, and removed to Lancaster, where he died, March 20, 184'3, aged eighty-five years. He was a man of fluent gifts, cheerful temper, and pastoral capacity, neitlier a profound thinker nor given to polemic divinity, of a liberal spirit, while his opinions more resembled those of the Arminian than of the Evangelical school.

The First Church chose tlie Eev. Sylvester F. Bucklin as their first minister after tlie separation. He remained pastor of the society until Jiuie 20,

1832, when at his request he was dismissed, remaining for twenty-eight years a devoted member of the church and a higldy respected citizen of the town. He died March 25, 1800. On the retirement of Mr. Bucklin the church openly manifested a division of opinion on doctrinal questions. March 18, 1833, the clerk of the parish was notified that about fifty of its former members liad formed themselves into The First Evangelical Congregational Society. On the 1st of April the church voted to worship with this society, and seventy-three out of the ninety-one members withdrew from their connection with the First Parish. The remaining church-members held the meetinghouse and church property ; a church was organized, and Mr. Bucklin was employed to supply their pulpit for a year.

March 18, 1835, these two societies petitioned tlie legislature to be incorporated as the Union Society, and on the 1st of April, 1836, they held tiieir first meeting and voted to receive the act of incorporation. On the 24th of April, 1836, the churcli voted that "the name of this church be changed from the East Church in Marlborough to the Union Church in Marlborough, to correspond with the name of the Union Society with which we are connected."

Eev. John N. Goodhue was the first pastor of the Union Church, installed May 4, 1836. Since then they have enjoyed the services of the Eev. George E. Day, installed Dec. 2, 1840; Eev. David L. Ogdeii, installed April 26, 1848; Eev. Levi A. Field, installed August 31, 1853; Eev. George N. Anthony, installed November 8, 1860; Eev. Charles E. Treat, installed March 30, 1870 ; and Eev. John Willard, installed December 30, 1873. The present membership of the churcli is two hundred and eighty-five.

The West Parish called Eev. Seth Alden, May 12, 1819; Eev. William Morse, June, 1834 ; Eev. Horatio Alger, November, 1844; Eev. W. C. Tenny, July 6, 1861. These have been succeeded by Eev. Eugene De Normandie, Eev. Calvin Stebbins, Eev. J. H. Wiggin, and Eev. E. A. Griffin.

The Methodist Church was originated by Mr. Phineas Sawyer in 1808, the first class-meeting, of which he was appointed leader, bemg held at his house. In 1827 it was decided to erect the Old Brick Church, as it is called. It was situated between Sudbury and Marlborough, for the accommodation of the adjacent villages. It was destroyed bv fire December 28, 1852. The society amicably divided, and eventually built three churches, one at Rock Bottom, anotlier at Stow, and a third in the East Village, Marlborough ; the latter has a membership of one hundred and thirty-seven.

The Baptist Church was formed April 14, 1868. Rev. M. R. Deming was called to the pastorate a month later. He was succeeded by the late incurabe)it. Rev. J. T. Burhoe, who was ordained June 20, 1872. The membership, April 14, 1878, was one hundred and sixty-two.

The Universalists have had a flourishing society for many years. Recently, owing to severe losses by removal and death, tlieir numbers have been considerably reduced.

MUilary Histori/. - At the beginning of the eigliteenth century the Indians, instigated by the French, again troubled the settlement. During the time of Queen Anne's War (as it was called) the people experienced all the tantalizing annoyances and injuries of guerilla strife. They bravely resisted the enemy, and fortified (as in former times) dwelling-houses in different parts of the town. These were called garrisons, and were supplied ^vith arms and ammunition. There were as many as twenty-six of these refuges in 1711, among which the one hundred and thirty-seven families constituting the number of inhabitants were distributed. Among many distressing incidents of this time there has come down to us an account of the assault of a party of Indians (1704) on a number of men while they were at their work in the field. One, Nahor Rice, son of Edmund, was killed ; two other of his sons, Silas and Timothy, were taken captive, married Indian women, and changed alike their names and habits for tliose of the savages, Timothy rising to the position of an influential chief. Arthur and Adonijah, sons of Thomas Rice, were carried off" at the same time, the former being afterward ransomed by liis father, and tiie latter remaining in Canada as a farmer. At another time Abraham How and Benjamin Hutchuis, Marlborougii men, were slain at Lancaster.

On the 15th of October, 170.5, Mr. John Bigelow was captured at Lancaster, with Mr. Tiiomas Sawyer and his son, at whose garrison-house he had taken refuge. They efl"ected their escape by the aid of the French governor, to wiiom tliey had rendered the important service of erecting tlie only saw-mill in Canada. Mr. Bigelow commemorated his deliverance by calling tlie first daughter, subseeiuently born, Freedom, and tiic second Coniforl.

In 1707 Mary Goodenow and Mrs. Mary Fay, while gathering herbs near Stirrup Brook, were surprised by a party of twenty-four stalwart Indians. Mrs. Fay fled, and reached the garrison ; but her companion, who was hindered by lameness, was overtaken, dragged a short distance, killed, scalped, and the body left to be sought and, as it proved, buried by her friends. On the same day, about a mile from the brook. Captain Daniel How was captured and handcuffed by this body of savages, who left him in charge of one of their number, and proceeded to attempt the capture of Mrs. Fay and Miss Goodenow; but the captain adroitly freed himself, gained possession of a gun, and forced his captor to flee.

During this war-time Captain Thomas How signally distinguished himself for bravery and activity, and Samuel Brigham, his lieutenant, was rewarded by the government for his military services.

During the ensuing wars from 1741 to 1763 Marlborough was as loyal as it was afterward patriotic. No official record, however complete, could give an adequate idea of the endurance, selfsacrifice, and hardship these vexatious campaigns entailed on the people of this and other towns. Unfortunately the records are meagre and imperfect, so that even a list of the men in active service cannot be given. Tiiere is, however, enough data to justify us in saying that the whole available manhood of the town was engaged either for action or defence; citizens incapacitated for the field by age and other causes organized themselves into what was called an " alarm list." From the minister to some of the oldest men, all joined this organization who could contribute to the general security. There were two military companies, consisting of a hundred men each, including " alarm men," under the lead of Captain J. Weeks and C'olonel Abraham Williams. It is known that eighteen Marlborough men were in the service in 1756 under Captain William Williams. Two com- ])anies marched to tiie relief of Fort William Henry, the one under the command of Captain Sanniel Howe, and the other led by Lieutenant Stephen Maynard.

During 1758 and 175!) at least thirty-tliree men were engaged in tiie attempt to reduceCanada to submission. Some of these served from 1 760 to 1762.

said, to the honor of the town, that the people of Marlborough were outspoken and ardent in their sympathy with the movement. They shared the indignation of the Bostoniaus at the conduct of the British government, and passed resolutions unanimously indorsing the courageous attitude and protective action of the Boston committee of correspondence.

In 1770, at a town-meeting, they resolved to support the merchants in their non-importation agreement, and bound themselves not to buy of their own tradesmen who continued to sell contrary to this agreement. They further resolved "that the name of those who purchase goods of the importers, or of those who buy of importers, shall be made public, as far as we have the knowledge of them."

In 1773, after animadverting upon the unjust policy of the king, and the dangers hanging over the country, it was resolved " that peace and harmony will never be enjoyed between Great Britain and tlie colonies, until the interests of both be inseparably connected; which will be accomplished by nothing short of a repeal of all unconstitutional acts, and the removal of all sinecures, pensioners, pimps, informers, and bad governors." The resolutions close with an expression of thanks " to our worthy brethren in Boston and adjacent towns," and the assertion, " we stand ready to assist them in the execution of their votes and resolves at a minute's warning."

September -^9, 1774', they instructed their representative, Peter Bent, to " pay no acknowledgment to any unconstitutional and new fangled counsellors, and that you do not give your consent to any act or thing that may be construed a tacit acknowledgement to any of the late oppressive, wicked, and unjust acts of the British Parliament, for altering the government of the province of Massachusetts Bay."

The town was represented by Peter Bent, Edward Barnes, and George Brigham in the first Provincial Congress, and by Peter Bent in the second and third congresses. There was but one thoroughly pronounced and outspoken royalist in the town, namely, Henry Barnes. He had already made himself odious by refusing to indorse the nonlimporting agreement of the Boston merchants. He was a man of considerable substance and capacity, against wliom nothing is alleged but his political opinions. It should be said for him, that he courageously and consistently stood by tliem, and lost and suffered as much for his convictions as any man in the place. At the breaking out of hostilities he sought British protection; as the result his property was confiscated. Eventually he repaired to England, and died in London in 1808, aged eighty-four. As the political horizon darkened, the people of Marlborough prepared themselves for the worst. They pi'ocured fifty-five additional guns, with bayonets, increased their stores of ammunition, and united with other towns in reorganizing the militia of the neigliborliood. They raised a company of minute-men, provided for their drill and discipline, promised bounty in case of active service, and resolved that the province tax should not be paid to the royal treasurer, but to the Provincial Congress.

April 19, 1775, Marlborough sent four companies of minute-men, under the captaincy of Cyprian Howe, William Brigham, Daniel Barnes, and Silas Gates. These companies consisted of one hundred and eighty men, drawn from a population of not more than thirteen hundred souls, who responded to the call of their compatriots at a moment's warning. Although they were not absent from home more than forty days, and had no opportunity of specially distinguishing themselves, yet the town demonstrated its intense sympathy, and its devotion to the cause, by the alacrity with which it organized these companies and sent them to the scene of hostilities. Later, over a hundred enlisted for eight months, and many re-enlisted for three years. In 1777 twenty-seven men served two months hi the continental army ; in 1778 eight served three months; in 1779 eighty served in various campaigns for shorter or longer periods. Some one hundred and thirty served either as " first " three years' men or as "last" three years' men, and some enlisted " during the war." There can be no doubt that the town contributed its full share of the Kevolutionary army ; redeeming the pledge given May, 1776, " that if the honorable Continental Congress shall, for the safety of the United Colonies, declare them independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, we the inhabitants of Marlborough will solemnly engage, with our own lives and fortunes, to support them in the measure."

In addition to giving a bounty of £7 in 1776 to soldiers enlisting for service in Canada, and £-10 to all three years' men, and providing them with clothes, they voted to support the families of noncommissioned officers and soldiers ; and, as more troops were called for, the town offered monthly wages, and a bounty in addition to that of the gov- ernment, for auy wlio would enlist. When the treasury became empty, and the high rate of money impaired the worth of real estate as security, then they anticipated the revenue from taxation. Loans were ordered, and when they could not be obtained, cattle were offered as bounty. Indeed, no method of raising troops was left untried, save that of conscription ; although this was authorized by the state, the town, rather than adopt arbitrary measures, preferred to pay the fine for not furnishing the full quota of soldiers for the six and three months' service in 1781. May 22, 1780, the constitution and frame of the government was submitted to the town and adopted, seventy-five to seven.

In April, 1861, on receiving the news of the attack on Fort Sumter, immediately a large number of the leading citizens of all political parties assembled, and discussed the duty of the town in this emergency. They were of one mind in the opinion that prompt and hearty concurrence with the government was tlie true policy ; consequently they urged the selectmen to call a town-meeting, and prepared for a fit presentation of their views. The citizens met April 39, 1861; when, in response to the appeal of the President calling upon all loyal citizens to sujiport the Union, it was resolved, " That the citizens of Marlborough, in legal town-meeting assembled, tender our cordial and united support to the government of the United States ; and pledge our lives and our fortunes for whatever service our country may require." Subsequently ten thousand dollars were appropriated to be used for " the aid and encouragement of the individuals or for the support of the families of the individuals composing the volunteer military company now raised or hereafter to be raised in this town to meet the calls of the government."

The selectmen at tliis time (1861) were Isaac Ilayden, B. F. Underbill, Stephen Morse, George E. Manson, John Goodale ; in 1862 and 1863, B. F. Underbill, William 11. Wood, John F. Cotting ; in 1861 and 1865, William AVilson, Fred N. Morse, Charles H. Eobinson. Tlie town-clerk for 1861 and 1862 was John Phelps; for 186:3, 1864, and 1865, Edward L. Bigelow. The town-treasurer in 1861 was AVinslow M. Warren ; in 1862, 186:3, 1861, and 18C5, N. Wctherbec.

ery, aud stimulated by an unholy ambition to rule, has set at naught the legally constituted authorities of this nation and imperilled constitutional liberty on this continent,

" Therefore, Resoleed, That ilarlborougli is determined to stand by and maintain the great truths of tiie declaration of American Independence and the Repubhcau Government instituted by our Revolutionary Fathers.

" Resolved, That if any oUgarchy or any institution, however fortified by power and prejudice, stands in the way of the full realization of our Revolutionary Fathers' ideal, in regard to the inalienable rights of man, such ohgarchy and such institutions must perish, rather than that constitutional liberty should fail.

" Resolved, That whilst we honor the patriotism and acknowledge the sacrifices which hundreds of our fellowtownsmen have shown by devoting their all to theVause of their country, we would not be unmindful of the glory our adopted feUow-townsmen have won on many a well-fought field.

" Resolved, That the names of Carey and Regan, and their fellows who have fallen in this contest for right, have become historic, and Marlborough will cherish their memories and keep their garlands fresh, that posterity may know their worth and honor them with the inceuse of grateful hearts.

"Resolved, That to the recent call of the President of the United States for men to fill the thinned ranks of the armies of the Republic, Marlborough expects her sons, both native and adopted, to respond with an alacrity that shall enudate her past fame aud be a guaranty for the future of her unwavering determination to sustain the cause of liberty, God, and our country.

"Resolved, That, though patriotism can neither be measured uoi- weiirhcd by money, yet Marlborough is ready, in her ci'r|nMatc cMpacity, to pledge herself to compensate, in part at hasi l\ir pecuniary sacrifices, those brave men who shall giiKinusly tlirow themselves into the breach iu this Lour of a nation's peril.

"Resolved, That we pay one hundred and tweuty-five dollars to each volunteer who shall volunteer, under the present call of the President of the United States, not to exceed fifty-two in number."

The total number of men furnished by the town and actually engaged in tiie war was 869 ; 574 serving for three years, 91 for one year, ItIS for nine months, and 96 for a hundred days.

There were seventeen natives of M;irlborough in the navy; seventy others were credited to the town. July 14, 1863, two hundred and thirtynine were drafted ; part of tliesc went into the service and are not included in the eidislnient record; some furnished substitutes, wliile others paid commutation money; and some wert' disciiarged for disability.

Educat'mn. - Before Philip's War some attention had been given to the education of the children, but for several years the town had been unable to support a public school. About 1698 Mr. Benjamin Franklin, wlio had formerly taught, was reengaged. The school met in the unoccupied house of Isaac Wood. The teacher's salary for fourteen weeks was £5 12*. In December of this year it was decided to build a school-house, and Mr. Jonathan Johnson, Sr., was engaged to teach at a salary of £14 for the year, the school to meet in his house until the building was finished. December 14, 1701, the town was fined £5 4*. for having failed to provide a qualified teacher. Wiiatever the gifts or attainments of Mr. Jolmson may have been, no one can be surprised at this action, seeing he was at once village blacksmith (the town in those days providing a smith's lot as they did a minister's), sexton, and school-teaclier. He was dismissed after the fine was imposed, although he was employed again. April 19, 170S, this entry occurs : " To Jonathan Johnson, Sen^ for keeping school in the year 1707 in full for satisfaction £9 15«."

The more eminent early teachers \\ere Benjamin Choate, a graduate of Harvard, who tauglit in 1703 and 1704. William Thomas, a Welshman, taught in 1716, and about this time Robert Breck, son of the minister, who was afterward settled over tlie parish at Springfield. Dr. Samuel Brigham taught in 1750; he was physician and town-clerk. Until after 1734 there was but one schoolmaster; this year it was voted " that the school be kept for 6 mths at the school house ; 5 weeks at the Farm ; 5 weeks at the westerly part of the town 8 weeks at the school house of Joseph I3aker and S weeks at the house of the widow Forbush."

The cause of education progressed slowly for many years, but was by no means neglected. School-houses were erected from time to time in diflPerent parts of the town; in 1762 six were budt, and in 1779 and 1781 two more were added. Captain Ephraim Brigham, a prominent citizen, left in the year 1771 a gift of £111 for educational purposes ; the interest of this fund, agreeable to the provisions of the will, was expended in founding and sustaining what was called the Brigham School ; its principal object being to supplement the work of the town schools, giving older scholars the opportunity of perfecting themselves in writmg and arithmetic. It was held after the closing of the winter schools, generally through the month of March. This bequest has since been merged in the general school fund.

During the Revolution a grammar school was supported until the pressure of the times led to its suspension. In 1790 there were seven school districts and houses, each liaving an average session of fifteen weeks in the year.

In 1803 female teachers were employed for the summer schools, the winter schools being, as before, in charge of male teachers. After the War of 1812 private schools sjjrung up in the fall. Additional accommodation was provided near Feltouville ; two other new schools were established, one in the south part, another near the centre.

In 1827 the examination of teachers was made by the state, to devolve on an inspecting committee specially qualified for tiie purpose ; before this time it had fallen to tlie minister or tiie selectmen to decide on the fitness of candidates.

In 1826 an academy was established by individual enterprise, to secure a liigher grade of instruction tlian that given in the district schools ; two years later Silas Gates and his son Abraham gave a joint donation of $2,000, and in recognition of their generosity the name of the institution was changed to the Gates Academy. It flourished for several years, but afterwards declined, and in 18.33 its condition seemed hopeless. In that year Mr. 0. W. Albee took charge of it, and gradually raised it to a iiigher position than it had ever before occupied. He was undoubtedly the most influential and popular teacher the town has had. He was a man of wide and liberal sympathies, public spirited, efficient in his profession, able in the school-house at once to secure the most submissive attention and the warmest aff'ection. To this day his old scholars regard his memory with almost filial tenderness, and celebrate it by annual reunions.

Mr. Albee taught until 1849, when the academy was merged in the high school. It had long been felt that proprietary or semi-private uistitutions of this kind reacted unfavorably on the freeschool system, - citizens being reluctant to vote ample town appropriations when they were privately supporting academies. It was decided, Avith the consent of the representatives of Silas Gates and his son, to transfer the endowment to the town for free-scliool education. The policy was abundantly justified by the increased appropriations and quickened interest in the cause.

Tiie appropriation for 1810 was $1,000, the number of scholars being 651 between the ages of four and sixteen; for 1850 it was $1,300, the number of scholars (643) being somewhat less ; for 1860 it was S:',,ss-;, r,.,- S::!i .rl,nl:n> of from five to fifteen \ en I- ; Imi' is; II II u;i- SI c, ,-,11(1, the number of scholars Ijrin- l,s?7, ,\| ih.j present time there are tiiirty-i'our schools and tliirty-eiglit teachers, five being male and tliirty-threc female; number of children between five and fifteiMi (May, 1878), 2,127 ; increase over 1877, one hundred and ninetvone. Tiiere are eleven school buildings: onft liigli scliool, having a principal and two assistaiils ; eight grammar scliools, employing two male and eight female tcarhrrs ; and twenty-five primary sclKK)is,

Marlborough originally included the tract of land now called Westborough, Northborough, Southborough, and Hudson. Westborough, with what afterwards became Northborough, was incorporated in 1717. Southborough was set oft' in 1727. At the June meeting the mother town agreed to further the petition of the inhabitants of Stony Brook for incorporation to the General Court. Hudson was incorporated in 1866.

The population of Marlborough in 1660 was about 55, rising to 210 in the ensuing ten years, remaining stationai-y for the next ten years, and increasing considerably mitil 1700, when there were 530 inhabitants ; fifty years later there were 1,000; in 1800 there were 1,635. From this date, for forty years, there was a gain of only 500. From that time, owing mainly to the establishment of shoe-factories, the population has rapidly increased. In 1850 there were 2,941, in 1860, 5,910, the population being doubled in ten years. In 1870 it reached 7,885, although in the preceding decade Hudson had been set off. The highest pohit was gained in 1872, when there were 8,941 persons. Since then the number of inhabitants has slightly varied from year to year.

Owing to the imperfection of the records, it is impossible to give a complete statement of the valuation of the town until very recent times. From 1771 to 1820 the number of polls slowly increased from 323 to 434 ; the number of houses, from 169 to 254. In 1830 there were 454 polls and 288 liouses; the real estate was valued at S485,805 ; personal estate at $121,451. In 1840 there were 559 polls and 325 liouses; the real estate was $623,807; personal estate, $155,951.

The industries of the town, until within forty-five years, were confined to agriculture and the supply of local needs. In 1837, 103,000 pairs of shoes were made, valued at $ 41,200 ; seventy-five males and the same number of females were employed in their production. There were two tanneries, employing seven liands ; two manufactories of cliairs and cabinet ware, employing four hands. 7,500 straw bonnets were manufactured, valued at $10,850.

It has steadily grown from that time, and, despite the loss of several manufactories through the setting off of Hudson, the state of the business for the year 1878 may be gathered from the following statistics, communicated directly from the manufacturers: Number of hands emjDloyed, 2,500 ; pairs of boots and shoes made, 3,500,000, valued at $3,000,000 ; estimated value of property and machinery employed, $ 225,000. The principal impetus to this business was given in 1836, when Mr. Andrew Boyd conceived the idea of making boots and shoes by what is called "the team" or "gang" system ; his brothers, Joseph and Samuel, in whose employ he was, adopted the plan, which has been generally followed. At this time they worked in a barn in the east part of the town. In 1848 they erected the first large factory, which is now standing, forming the brick part of Messrs. Morse Brothers^ shop. Machinery was not introduced until 1852, when the sewing-machine came into use ; after this other labor-saving contrivances were gradually invented.

Among the earliest manufacturers who adopted the team system were Joseph and Samuel Boyd, Frank Brigiiam, Lorenzo Stratton, Samuel and John Chipman, Lewis T. Fry, George Brigham, William Dadmun, Morse Brothers, John W. Stevens, Hiram Temple, Elijah Dickinson, Denison Brigham.

There are now twenty-two large factories, each employing from four hundred to fifty hands when running briskly. The prospects of the trade are, on the whole, encouraging.

The first National Bank of iLarlborough was incorporated October 1, 1863, with a capital of $50,000, increased to $100,000 May 1, 1864; to §150,000 October 1, 1864; and to S200,000 May 1, 1865. The original officers were : directors, Mark Fay, Samuel Boyd, Sidney G. Fay, William Morse, 2d, William Gibbon, Joseph Boyd, John M. Whiton, Erastus S. Woods, and George E. Woods ; president, Mark Fay ; cashier, Edmund C. Whitney.

Mark Fay continued president until his death, June 30, 1876, succeeded by William Gibbon; and January, 1878, by Sidney G. Fay. The present officers arc : president, S. G. Fay ; vice-president, William Gibbon ; directors, G. F. Fay, W. Gibbon, William Morse, John G. Frye, and Samuel Boyd ; cashier, E. C. Whitney. -

The Marlborough Savings Bank was incorporated April 3, 1860; the corporate members being ]\Iark Fay, Thomas Corey, Samuel Boyd, William ^lorse, 2d, Levi Bigelow. The organization was completed by the election of Samuel Boyd ns president ; J. S. Wetherbee, vice-president ; Mark Fay, treasurer. May 16, 1864, E. C. Whitney became treasurer, and on his resignation, September 17, 1878, Edward R. Alley was elected. Amount of deposits in 1864, §16,750; amount due depositors September, 1878, §600,700.

The fire department consists of four companies, having about one hundred and fifty members. E. C. Whitney, Esq., is chief engineer. There is also an independent company, called the Veteran Fire Association, doing good service. All these companies are in an efficient condition.

The first public library was established in 1792. It had sixty proprietors, who paid §2.50 for their share, and an annual contribution of twenty-five cents. The present library was commenced April, 1870. The Mechanics' Institute donated their library of several hundred volumes. The town voted over §1,300 for its formation. This was supplemented by private contributions. The town has made liberal appropriations annually for its' support. It now contains 6,864 books, besides many duplicates of popidar works, and many important pamphlets and reports. It has a large proportion of standard works, and if the policy hitherto pursued be continued, it will become, eventually, a valuable library of reference.

Topography, etc. - Marlborough is situated on the westerly border of the county, bounded on the north by Hudson and a part of Berlin, on the south by Southborough and a part of Northborough ; on the west by Berlin and Xorthborougli ; east by Sudbury and Framingham. It is twenty-eight miles west of Boston, and sixteen east of Worcester. The Boston, Clinton, and Fitchburg Eailroad runs through the town, and the Fitchburg Railroad communicates with it by a branch line from South Acton. It is about six miles in length from east to west, and three miles in breadth from north to south. The whole township consists, for the most part, of elevated land. The highest point is Mount Sligo, situated some six hundred and fifty feet above the level of the sea. From this point, on every side, the country presents a scene of exquisite pastoral beauty, and suggests a high degree of cultivation. There is nothing wanting to constitute a complete landscape. To the southwest lies the sheet of water called Williams' Pond ; few lakes of its size exhibit so charming a variety of scenery ; its waters are always clear; the land gently rises on all sides, in part pasture-fields and in part woodland, until gradually both stretch away and are blended in the purple distance.

One of the oldest and most interesting landmarks of the town is the Gates House, situated on the east cormr u\ llic pdnd. There arc some pleasant stories ot iln- \\>\\ of General Washington and otlier historic rhaiMciiix ponnceted with the ])lace. In the centre is th.' liisl,,nr i\\unrMv^:m<r\\ Hill, and in the east is Ww niicinil plniiliiti,,!! of Wliipsnppenieke, now cultivated by AVilliani Slephen ^lorse. Tiie other ])riiicipal hills in tiie town are calKul Indian Head Hill, Shoe-String Hill, Jericho, Crane, Stirrup, and Prospect.

abound. It is well watered, although the streams are small and infrequent. It has a large number of ponds or lakes, some of them of considerable area. The soil, as a rule, is a rich loam, capable of producing large crops of hay, corn, small grain, and vegetables.

Fruit cultivation has always been a successful specialty. From the time of the Indians, who had flourishing orchards, till now, the apples have been famous alike for their quality, size, and abundance. For many years the place was noted for the excellence of its cider, and in 1752 cider-brandy was distilled and exported in considerable quantities. The older farmers dwell with much animation on the time when they regarded the cider-mill as one of the most necessary parts of their farm ; they made it a rule to commence carrying cider to Boston the latter part of September, sending their teams two to four times a week, to the last of November, according to the quantity they had to dispose of. Pears, grapes, and peaches are all grown to advantage.

It is the unanimous and unqualified opinion of those best acquainted with the land, that it compares very favorably with the best portions of the I state. The farmers evince a good deal of interest in scientific agriculture, and take pride, in many instances, in the breeding of a high grade of cattle. The farms, as a rule, are large and highly cultivated.

As might be inferred from the elevated site and general character of the town, the inhabitants have been and are remarkable for health and longevity. ^Ir. Hudson says: "The registration of bills of iiuirtality for the four years, from 1856 to 1859 niclnsivc, shows the average percentage of deaths on the population annually to be as follows : In the state, 1.73; in the county, 1.57; in Marlborough, 1.18; showing the health of Marlborough during that ])eriod to be .39 per cent greater than that of the county, and .55 per cent greater than in 1830 there were living in Marlborough fifteen persons between the ages of eighty and ninety, and seven between the ages of ninety and one hundred ; in 1810 there were twenty-one between the ages of eighty and ninety, and two between ninety and one hundred; in 1855 there were twenty-two between the ages of eighty and ninety, and three between ninety and one hundred ; and in 18(50 there were twenty -three persons living, between the ages of eightv and ninetv." It is no doubt safe to

"Within thirty years the two villages, the and west, formerly nearly a mile apart, have grown together, so that they present the aspect of a town of considerable size.

The general appearance of the town is suburban rither than rural ; and the shoe-shops being located ui all parts, the inhabitants are largely relieved ti 1111 the undesirable features of a manufacturing \ lace. The population has a considerable \no- [)jrtion of Irish and Canadian French, who, as mdividuals, harmonize as a rule with the native citizens to a far greater extent than would be inferred from their combined action during periods of ecnnomical agitation. They have two churches, St. Mary's in the west village, and the Church of the Immaculate Conception in the centre of the town.

The first burying-ground lies northeast of the Union Church. The oldest legible tombstone is dited 1675 ; its inscription is as follows : - Captain Edward Hutcuinsox

Here also is the tomb of ^Ir. Brimsmead, wholly effaced ; and that of Mr. Breck, which is in a good state of preservation. The second burying-place is immediately in the rear of the high school ; besides these there are The Brigham, The Easterly, The Morse (sometimes called The Farm), The Weeks, The Chipman, The Robin Hill, and The Pleasant Street cemeteries.

Source changes here: from History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, by Drake, Samuel Adams, published 1880; 9,677 words in this source stream.

By Rev. R. A. Oriffik And E. L. Bigelow

N May, 1656, Edmund Eice, William Ward, John Bent, Sr., John Woods, Thomas King, John Howe, John Maynard, Edward Bice, John Kuddocke, Peter Bent, Tliomas Goodnow, Eichard Newton, and Henry Eice, inhabitants of Sudbur)', petitioned the General Court for a tract of land eight miles square, affirming " God hath beene pleased to increase our children, which are now divers of them grown to man's estate, and wee, many of us, grown into years, so as that wee should bee glad to see them settled before the Lord take us awnv from hence, as also God luiviug given us some considerable cattle, so that wee are so streightened that wee cannot so comfortably subsist as could bee desired ; and some of us having taken some pains to view the country ; wee have found a place which lyeth Avestward, about eight miles from Sudbury, which wee conceive might bee comfortable for our subsistence/' On the 14th of the same mouth they were granted six miles in the locality desired. It contained 29,419 acres. This region was situated about a hill called by the Indians Whipsufienicke, adjoining another, on which was land resen'ed for the aborigines called Ockoocnngansett. In the colony records, 1658, it is spelle<l Ognoinkonguamescit, and the name of the English plantation is called WhijisufTerage. Daniel Gookin, in 1674, speaks of both tracts as Okommakamesit.

The first meeting of the proprietors of the English plantation occurred September 25, 1656, at which it was ordered that those who took lots should pay their proportion toward the general expenses, should either live themselves on the land two years or api)oiut some one the to^ii would approve, or else forfeit their lots; "but if Go<l shall take away any man by death, he have liberty to give his lott to whom he will.'' Decorabef 26, 1659, it was ordered "that all such as lay clay me to any interest in this new phintation at Whipeofferadge (by the Indians called Whipsuppenicke) are to perfect their house lots by the 25th of March next insuehig, or else to loose all their interest in the aforesaid plantation." November, 1660, thirty-eight house-lots, including one for the minister and one for the smith, were set off and confirmed to their proprietors. Tliese grants aggregated 992 1 acres, dinded into holdings of from fifteen to fiftv acres. The rest of the land, called cow commons, was left subject to future grants.

May 31 (O. S., June 12 as we now date), 1660, the town was incorporated under the name of Marlborow, it is supposed after the English town of that name, so called on account of the vicinity abounding in marl; the word was formerly spelled Marlberg or Marlbridge. Why it was chosen it is difficult, perhaps impossible, to say, though tlie most probable conjecture would be that some one or more of the early settlers hailed from Marlborough in Wiltshire. Its records for the first thirty-nine years are missing ; those extant begin April 27, 1699. The first selectmen were Edmund Eice, William Ward, John Ruddocke, John Howe, Thomas King, Solomon Johnson, Thomas Goodnow. John fiuddocke was chosen clerk. One of the earliest acts of the municipality was to order an assessment for six months for the support of Eev. William Brimsmead, their preacher, "of 4 pence per acre upon house lots and 3 pence per pound upon cattle." In 1662 the frame of a house and the land on which it stood were given to the minister. It was thirty-six feet by eighteen, and twelve and one half feet high between the joints. It had four windows in front and two at the west end. It had two gables in front, ten feet wide and eight feet scjuare, projecting eight feet, with two small windows on tlie front side of the gables. It was built by contract for £ 15, to be paid in com : one third wheat, one third rye, and one third Indian com; wheat at 4*. 6rf., rj'e at 4*., and Indian com at 3«. \ieT bushel. In the |)ayment of this sum, a rate was made of seven and a Iialf pence ])er acre upoa all hoase-lots in the plantation. This year thej decided on erecting a meeting-house. Unfortunately the site chosen was'wkhin the Indian planfalSbn. "Although this land was^subsequently bought, there seems to have been sufficient provocation given to the Indians to awaken the suspicion that it was afterwards burnt by them in* revenge. Mr. Cyrus Felton says it is probable tliat at this iiipe three fourths of the l^d within a mile of the meeting-house was covered with wood.

AprQ 4, 1663, Anamak^, an Indian whose title was probably disputed by other Indian proprietors/ sold to John Buddocke and John Howe, for the use of the town^ I' the land that the meeting-house now stands on - also the land for the highway on the fore side of said m^eeting house, and so upop a sqiuiiie of ten feet, round about the said meeting Bfoute." Th6 iWBxt libnth William Ward gave in exchange for ott\er land half ap acre in front of it, and it was ordered that the half-acre '' surrendered into the town^s h'^nds as before saic^ishall be for a perpetual conudion or highway not to be taken or otherwise dispo^ of without the consent of every prpppetor that Tiatfa town riglits.'' This half-acre, - it IS thought, covered the ground, on whiclj^ the two manufactories in front'of the High School Common now stand. «... ^

For ^fifteen yAtt there was fear throughout the township. The Indian community consisted of aboat fifty persons. Their^ rider's name was OnO^ mog,l^ho was described by a contemporary as ^a ^piodii and discreet man« They liad religious an^ eivQ instituhoiis'like their white lieighbors; employed a schooloiaster, a constable, and other officers. ' They ltt4.brought their latid under cultivation, and remained pacific under the vexatious encrpag^- ' ments of the English settters ; sdthough they were in patt.to blame for thdr annoyances, seeihg they were careless it^ fencing their fields.' Their town lying, as it did, in the heart of .Marlborough, the cattle wandered into, it, and could hardly be prevented by their owners. The Indians passively retired about a mile^iuto tfie interior of their land. The celebrated General Gookin of Cambridge, from whose account our knowledge is derived,''prop6sed to the English settlers to buy part of this land from which they had retired, fence \i with stonewalls, and on one part build a Jiouse for a schoolmaster, with a school-room under the same roof, erecting a bam, and giving the teachc^r as Jvis salary the use of the rest of the land. He also says that at this time the English were backward about employing a schoolmaster^ availing themselves oi the law which exempted town»< of less than fiftj families^rom being compelled to eAgage a^eacher although they wanted but a few faihilies to make this number. >He suggested that if the Indian school proposed' were instituted they inight send theii ckildren to it, *' being the most; ihrifty and facih way they can take.*' This field was conveyed tc General Gookin by the Indians May 2/1677. Th« English town grew unclif|sked, th^iCigh not rapidly. Uiifaapp^ during this tune the community was agi&ted, indeed distract^, with-intemal dissensions about both civil and ecclesiastical affairs, Tlviy had to. do, first, with the reliability of tin records and indirectly with the tenure of their lands j secondly, with questions as to the support of thi minister and the (}esirability of organizing a church The i^blic mind, was apparently in a state oi chronic irritability; to raise a question, was to raisi a bitter dispute. Some light is thrown on thii period froin subsequent sentences in a petition anc rem,opst):ances^ to the "General Cburt.^ The first explains that their difficulties are oi& loi^ sti^nding arising " partly from ou^ own corrajptiooa and thi /{^mptations of Satan, hindering tifeir own gooc feelings in matters both: civil and-^ecclesiastical which have tefen and are very uhcopifortable ti them and^ their friends.'^ Even this 'Idevouii anc frank statement ^oved an irritant, - a denial fol loWing that atty considerable di£Sculty4g^uu|(:e|S^ anc the'^declaration that th^ " never went aboutf^to destroy .the Town Book-butlonly to leomy what wai an^ in it '^ ; nor liad |h<y attempted f^ to' root oui tne minister.^^ They vaunted the fact, tha^, in pergonal character and liberality to religioui^and seculai institution^, they wer^ the eqiials of tfie petitioners and concluded with the Caustic statein^nt^ ''We an willing, with'our persbns and est^tes^'Co upholil tb Authority of the country^ and do therefore desin the liberty of ^tlielaw which gives towns power ti transact iJieir owik affmr%^\x The. appeal t6 tin General Court resO^lted (16^^) in tbe appointmen of a committee which indorsed the records. Th< strife, however, was not albyed ; Thomas King am others den^anded the reopening of the case. Tlie wa: ensuing, the matter was i^t immediately .pressed but? in October, 1679, the quarrel was practicaOj ended by the decisive action of a committee ap pointed by the court to hear the complaints oi the spot. They censured ^hc.' turbulent oppositioi to the former decision, declared better provisioi should be made for the minister^ and gave order

IS to the cnstody of the town records, enjoining a foil and veracious report of the proceedings and decisions of the committee who had arbitrated in the case. Their action was approved and confirmed by the court.

Their ecclesiastical dispute was considered by a coancil of ministers, who naively advised that they spend a day or days of humiliation and prayer, and ''after their spirits are somewhat sweetened and satisfied mutually, it may be meet without too long delay to gather a church here.''

The atmosphere was not yet clear. Mr. Brimsmead left the town, and preached at Plymouth for a time. He returned October 3, 1666, on vhich day the church was formed and he was ordained its pastor. A few years after, to quote the graphic and quaint account of Mr. Packard, ''On the Sabbath, when Mr. Brimsmead was in sermon, March 20, 1676, the worshipping assembly iras suddenly dispersed by an outcry of * Indians at the door ! ' The confusion of the first moment was instantly increased by a fire from the enemy ; but the God whom they were worshipping shielded their lives and limbs, excepting the ann of one Moses Newton, who was carrying an elderly and infirm woman to a place of safety. In a tt'v minutes they were sheltered in their fort, with the mutual feelings peculiar to such a scene.''

The meeting-house was burnt to the ground, and nearly, if not quite, all the dwelling-houses. Everything of value was destroyed, cattle were killed, and the fruit-trees hacked. ''The enemy retired soon after their first onset, declining,*' says Packard, " to risk the enterprise and martial prowess of the young plantation* Tlie new settlers being much debilitated by their various losses, living in a frontier town, and still exposed to the 'adjudication ' of tlieir savage neighbors, left their farms till the seat of war was further removed." Thus husbandry was interrupted for one year, and the municipal oi^uization for two.

The growth of the town was materially checked by these incursions of the savages, and till this day traces remain of the fear and insecurity of those times. On liie hill Sligo are the remains of an old stone fort connected with a well by a subterranean passage of about one hundred and fifty feet, which it is conjectured was constructed in view of those early invasions.

Incidentally, it may be mentioned that the name originated in much later times ; the authentic tradition is that it was so called in allusion to the sobriquet of an owner of the hill, who in the time of the Bevolution was understood to be absent at the war, but who in reality remained at home, passing the nights with his family and slyly going, in the early morning and in the dusk of evening, to and from a cave situated across this land. Hence the name Slygo, as it was formerly spelled.

On the return of the inhabitants, while they found on ever}' hand a scene of desolation, and were practically forced to the tasks and rigors of the emigrant, yet the war which had destroyed their buildings so far weakened the Indians as to facilitate, at length, possession of the whole township, and insured t larger measure of personal security.

Some of the Marlborough Indians had joined Philip, and those who remained apparently passive or amicable were suspected of treachery. Whether the suspicion was well grounded or not, the inhabitants lived in dread of them, and from tradition we learn that they, with other towns, sought protection from the government, so that Captain Mosely, it is believed, iiith a company of soldiers, early in the morning surprised these Lidians while they were in the fort to which they repaired at night, seized their persons and arms, fastened their hands behind their backs, connecting them with a cart-rope, and drove them to Boston, from whence they were taken with others to some island in the harbor and kept in durance until the conclusion of hostilities. Tliose who returned denied the charge ; but while suffered to remain even when guilt had been proven, as in the case of David Muuuanow who confessed participation in the destruction of Medfield, they were despised and uniufiuential, and though their plantation was not formally forfeited by disloyalty, it was gained the more easily from so demoralized and enfeebled a people.

After the re-establishment of their municipal organization^ and the rebuilding of dwelling-houses, they proceeded to the erection of a new meetinghouse about 1678. Like the first one, it was tlmtched with tall grass from Thatcher Meadow. It was left in an unfinished state ; an unsuccessful attempt was made to enlai^c and repair it in 1680; it lasted only eight or nine years, and in 1689 was valued at only £ 10. Tlie third meeting-house was built as early as 1689. The pulpit in the second meeting-house was valued at £4, "which was improved in the new meeting-house, for carrying on the finishing of that." This house was used between twenty-two and twenty-three years. The fourth meeting-house was erected in 1711. It was large enough to accommodate the whole town. In 1767 and 1758 the town had two porches built, one oil the east end and another on the west end. This house was used for public worship niiietyfiye years, and exclusively for town-meetings four years. It was taken domi in 1810. This and the two. meeting-houses before it were situated about a rod or two north of the present horse-trough on Main Street.

In 1684 measures were taken to perfect the title of Marlborough to its lauds, for as yet the proprietors had simply the permission of the court to settle on them. For about thirty years they had cultivated the soil, npi)arently without thought of purchasing the right of the natives. The Indians, hbwever, were not unmindful of their claim, and by virtue of it " were continually making demands upon the towne.'' At length, after the cessation of hostilities, the Indian plantation beii^ broken up and most of its possessors dispersed, the tribe to which they belonged asserted their right in the whole township. A committee of three persons was appointed to confer with the claimants ; and as the result, April 17 and 18, Major Peter Bulkley and Captain Thomas Hincksman, together with the committee, agreed to jxiy £31 for a deed in full. The money was immediately raised, and the deed was signed at Natick, June 1£, 1684. Tlie town now endeavored to |X)ssess itself of the Indian reservation. On the loth of July, a little more than a month after securing all rights in tlieir own possessions, they obtained a deed for the whole of the Indian phintation, some 5,800 acres, with the exception of the Indian planting-field, which liad been already conveyed to General Gookin, and Was bought of his three sons for the town in 1688. But within three months the General Court, on petition of the Indians, declared that the deed of sale was null and void> because illegal, ^' being made and done expressly contrary to the law and order of this court.'^ Despite the invalidity of their title, thus formally and aiithoritativcly pronounced, the proprietors, after a delay of about two years, proceeded to divide and appropriate the land. The first division consisted of thirty acres to each, of the land best in quality and situation. Tlie task of surveying was assigned to Mr. John Brigham, - of whom it should be said, in piissing, tliat he was one of the most popular and remarkable men of his day, having considerable capacity for public affairs, tmusual ability as a surveyor, and some ambition as a land speculator; he was styled '^ Doctor,'^ and was returned as representative from. Marlborough in 1688, and from Sudbury in 1706. The proprietors engaged to board liim while at work, and to pay five shillings a day, one Imlf in money, the other half in rye and Indian com, the o|ie at four shillings a busliel, the other at three. The land was apportioned by lot. Tlie proprietors now took measures to make their tenure secure, in spite of its illegality, by binding themselves togetlier in such a way tliat each miglit possess his part undisturbed.

At their meeting in March, 1695^ it was agreed and subscribed to, ** tliat wliatsoever luis been done and acted by the comi)any or the major part of them as to any grants or acts or orders about the land purchased from the indiaiis as will further ap[)ear by a deed of sale recorded in court rolls sliall stand good to all intents and purposes if it be attested under the hand of John Brigham.'^ Tlie agreement concludes by stating it was passed by a full vote, and 'Mhat it shoifld stand good to all intents and purposes for ever.''

At a meeting of the proprietors held February 15, 1703, it M-as voted that "tkey would try to come into a way for a confiirmation of g' land.'' Tlie record continues, '^ Att y* same meeting it was voted y* they would chusc three men to atain a cgnfoarmation of s*^ land if mav be." The committee consisted of James Sawyer, Thomas How, and Katlianiel Jonson. On tlie 15th they were empowered " to take such sutable methods as they shaH thiuk fitt, or shall by y* best advice and instructions as they find to be most sutable for y* Procuring of a Conformation of this our Purchase according to y* General Courts grant."

February 4, 1709, '^t was acted that they would make arttekles to bind ourselves in covenent whereby wluit we do may stand iu force.'* These articles provided that ** all grants, acts, and records now entered in our book of records - - . . sludl stand good for ever," and that all money granted by the company "at an orderiy meeting" for mutual defence should be raised by ^' every particular parson paying his equel propotion."

In their records about this time tliere is one noteworthy transaction. Among the proprietors was ]^Ir. John Parry, who owned two and a half acres back of the meeting-house. The town naturally desired to Imve their graveyard, as was the ancient custom, close to their meeting-house. Heretofore they liad buried in wliat is now called Spring Hill Cemetery ; therefore at a meeting of the pn>-.

ptfelon, April 8, 1706, ''it was ordered, granted, anS concluded that the land exchanged Mith Jolin Parry Taylor, adjorning to the present meetinghouse land for which he hath other land of the proprietors in the cow common - shall lay for a Trayning pbce and a Burying place for ever/' Tliis two and a half acres, it is thought, included the cemetery, tlie ground now occupied by the High School, aiid half of the common between Ihe High School and Main Street.

In 1719 hope revived of obtaining legal sanction^ March 20, they decided to apix)int a committee to petition the General Court '' to confirm oar book of records ; and to make our propriatory callable to act in all things concerning our lands." After years of anxiety and effort they at last prevailed, and the plantation was formally annexed to the town, and their title to the projierty was confirmed.

There was another tract of land of two hundred acres called! to this day " Tlie Farm,*' of which the town possessed, itself in 1718. tt lay on the southeast border, and had been granted to John Alcocke, in lieu of the same number of acres which he had relinquished elsewhere. He was an inhabitant of Boxbury, who had received considerable gifts of land for service's rendered to the colony ; part of the bnd thus transferred to him was claimed by the WhipsuiSTenieke Company, and, to adjust the difficiiltr, he accepted the land since called ''The

In 1700 the town was enabled to absorb several tracta of Und of this kind, but the Alcocke property still remained unannexed. The conviction, however, grew thiit it was unjust for })eopie who Urgely shared in the privileges of the town organization to be exemjit from municipal responsibility and expense. *

At length, in 1718, Joseph Morse, John Bigelow, John Sherman, Samuel Bigelow, Thomas Bigelow, add Daniel Harrington, residents of " The Farm,*' united with the town in a petition to the General Court for annexation, which was of course immediately granted.

EcduiaHkal HUiory. - The first pastor, Bev. William Brimsmeadf, was a man of apostolic steadfastness and capacity. He watched and sustained the flame of piety in tb^ town, when the spirit of ocMitentiou thieatined its extinction. He was a studenf^of Harvard, of the class of 1648. He preached the election sermon in 1681, which was printed. From 1665 to 1695 he kept a journal in Latin ; it is thought the second volume, coyeriiig the years 1682 to 1695, is identical with a I^tin journal of his now in possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society. From tJiis it api)ears he preached not only in the m^tuigrhouse but abo in the homes of the parishioners. He was beloved in the town and influential in the colony. His eccentricities are matters of traditional interest ; the most quoted was by no means peculiar to himself, nor could it liave ^^ruck his contemporaries as absurd ; it .appears he liad cou« scientious scruples which forbade his baptizing children bom on the Sabbath dav, and accounted for, in part, by the fact that he was never married. There are some curious entries in the town books showing the affectionate, almost paternal attitude the town sustaitied toward him in his old i(^e» Dr. Allen quotes one of them with these prefatory remarks : " Li the growing infirmities of age, ^e had neither wife nor children to care for him, and so his people very considerately and much to their credit voted, as the record says, ' to procure a place to remove their minister to, and to provide liim a nurse.' '^ He died July 3, 1701, at an advanced age. After his death the community was afflicted with all the miseries of divided counsels and acri-. monious controve;'sies conceniing his successor. The rival parties were found, for the most part» in different geographical sections; in the case of the first candidate, Bev. John Emerson, the w^est part being for him and the ea§t against hiija. Mr^ Emerson finally declined, and the town, at their April meeting, 1702, rescinded their call by a iuU majority. At tlie same time *' it was agreed and voated that M' Bemingtou be paid 20 Shillings the day, for two daies holjf we had of him in the ministry.'* In October a delegation of two was sent, to " Seek for a transcient supply of holy iu the ministry for three or four days.*'

A call was extended, Feb. 7, 1 703, to Bev. Francis Goodhue, but declined. At length the town met on the 7th June, 1704, "and the churches choice was Laid before them which was of Mr.: Bobert Brock for their concurrence and there was a concurrence with the churches choice of tlie majorpart of all present.'*

Two days after the town again met, and voted a salary to Mr. Breck of seventy pounds annually and " firewtKxl for the year annually if he axept it in order to a settlement." The record continues : '' Wc offer ourselves ready to do what may be comfortable cither by obtaining a suitable place or granting such gratuity as may procure that may be satisfactory acconliug to our present circuinstauces in these troublous times/' His acceptance drew forth, a formal and hearty expression of ''their thanks for his gratifying answer to their call/' and, more than this, the vote of a gratuity of £100. l%eir choice proved eminently satisfactory; for nearly twenty-seven years he labored among them, and took rank among his brethren in the ministry ais a leader on account of his talents, his high character, and his brilliant attainments. The' Marlborough Association was formed at liis house in 1723 ; it existed eighty-nine years. )Ir. Breck published four sermons : one preached at Shrewsbury in 1 720 ; two discourses on the accession to the church of fifty persons mostly in early life ; and the Election Sermon of 1728.

He was a man of the prelatic type, a master in the humanities, a profound and orthodox theologian, a trenchant polemic, an able preacher, of a grave deportment, somewliat reticent, possessed of much personal dignity, and devoted to the support of public order, witlial catholic in spirit and given to hospitality. His fondness and appreciation of the sacred classics, as well as his linguistic skill, are illustrated by the £Eu;t that it was his work to translate.the Hebrew Bible to his family. The last line of his epitaph indicates the veneration in which he was held : ** Prophetse ipsi non in seculum vivunt.'' He was a Harvard graduate of the class of 1700. - He died January 6, 17;}1, aged forty-nine.

Mr. Benjamin Kent was called, at a salary of £180; and a gratuity of £400 was voted on his settlement. His ordination took place October, 1733. In less than a year and a half he was debarred from the ministry on account of heretical views concerning the doctrines of the Trinity and election. He was a man more secular tlian sacerdotal or even religious in his modes of thought ^aud methods of action; more fit for the profession of the law than of the Christian ministry of that day. At the same time he was characterized by loyalty to principle, breadth of vision, and magnanimity of spirit He would have appeared a greater man at a later period.

Unhappily, other than doctrinal differences intervened between Mr. Kent and his late charge. The tpwn record, March 22, 1736, sufficiently indicates the state of affairs : ''It was put to vote whether the town would impower their committee lately chosen to defend the town against Mr. Benj. Kent in an action said Mr. Kent had commenced against the town for sallery: to bring forward an action or actions agauist Mr. Kent for recovering from him the money he has received of the said town as they think by fraud and as set forth iti the warrant and it passed in the affirmative." Much commotion ensued on Mr. Kent's dismissal, September, 1735. The second Wednesday was set apart to seek Divine guidance by prayer and fasting, with the view of preparing the way for the choice and settlement of a new minister ; embarrassments constantly arose : if the church %vas agreed on a candidate, the town negatived the proposition ; if both church and town were agreed, the candidates declined. Two years elapsed; anotiier fast-day was held, and neighboring ministers were invited to advise them in their difficulties. The cost of the first council was £61, and the expenses of both were assumed by the town.

In the following October the town chose Mr. Joseph Bice as an agent to answer the present* ment of the town of Marlborough, at the last Superior Court held at Charlestown, for not having a settled minister. But this interference was without effect, for the church continued without a pastor some two years longer ; not till December 24, 1739, was harmony restored and a minister chosen.

Some thirty young people of the northeast part withdrew from the strife, seeking mutual spiritual edification in an association wliich met cfn Lord's Day evenings and other times for religious worship. It is supposed that their ulterior aim was to found a meeting in their neighborhood.