Milton Town (part 2 of 2)

In the latter part of his ministry the question of a new meeting-house again arose. Hxactly why does not appear, for the town could hardly have recovered from the exhaustion of the Seven Years' war, the Revolution, and the long depression before the adoption of the Constitution. Indeed, in the thirty-two years ending with 1783, Mr. James M. Robbins says, Milton added nothing to its wealth and little to its population, - " the whole increase," he says, ' not exceeding one hundred persons." In 1785 its population did not exceed twelve hundred persons, with two A town-meeting, however, voted, Oct. 3, 1785, to build a new meeting-house sixty-six by fifty-two feet, - that in which we meet to-day. Take sixteen feet off its length and twelve off its breadth, and you will get an idea of the surface dimensions of that older building, in which for seven-and-fifty years - a united church, the one church of Milton - our fathers worshiped. The cost was to be raised by selling the old church at auction, balance on the polls and estates throughout the town. And two years were to be devoted to the building of the church. In six weeks (Nov. 14, 1785) the pews on the lower floor, sixty-two in number, were valued Valued at £904, they sold for £1191 2s.; £287 2s. being thus bid for a choice. valuation set on a pew was £24; the lowest £11. The highest bid for a choice was £6 12s., by William Taylor ; the lowest, £3 12s., by John Crehore, Jr., and John Marshall. 'Ten weeks later the twenty-four gallery pews were appraised and sold. Valued at £150, - the values ranging from £10 to £4, - they sold at £209 8s., the bids running from £1 10s. to The amount raised by these sales was £1400 10s., and this before ground broken Those simpleminded fathers of ours apparently did not believe in Is not that pretty good doctrine to build a church upon?

! During Parson Robbins' ministry Whitefield preached in Ilis friends sought to get the meeting-house for him. But to this Mr. Whitefield is reported to have said that "true religion would not flourish in His preaching was held under the large tree which stood in front of the Foy house on Milton Hill, and which blew down in the memorable gale of 1857.

June 19th they began to raise the frame. " And altho four days ware Barely sufficient,' says the record, "for accomplishing that important Difficult & Dangerous part of the Bussness yet as the Quantity of the Timber was Large and also very hevey as thare was No damage sustained or the most triffling accident hapned during the whol time these singular | Circumstances were generally Considered as evident © Tokens of the divin favour and supernatural Protec- | tion." December 31st the committee in charge of the building "' ware agreeably entertained with the Exhibition of very elligant clock Presented as a donation to the Town by Mr. Edward H. Robbins." ? On the first day of the year 1788 the new church building was dedicated. It had cost seventeen hundred pounds, - five thousand six hundred dollars. The not concur, and not till two and a half years after Mr. Robbins' death was a new minister, Rev. Joseph McKean, ordained here. Young, bright, eloquent, and from childhood of uncommon promise, - a promise which his young manhood's labors here did not disap- nished a new horse-hair wig and black gown. the spring,' we are told, "every man in the parish brings a young elm-tree and plants it in the yard. The three Dutch elms before the door were brought from Brush Hill."* The building stood sideways to the road and faced southwest.

the west side, with sounding-board, according to the not always bad fashion of that time. Sixty years were to pass ere an organ's voice should here be heard.

1The record adds: " This Butifnll Machine Justly Esteemed very ornimantal is really much more valuable on account of its use and Conveniency ; for while it serves to distinguish those trees which shared its fate at that time, it was replaced, and it flourished for about twenty years. In 1835, however, when the meeting-house was turned round, as it showed signs of decay and obstructed one of the approaches to the church, it was cut down.

the yard of the church, Mr. William Taylor took the remainder and planted them on the opposite side of the road in front of his land, where they remain " unto this present."

But a sharp attack of lung disease brought his ministry to an end, after seven years of service, in 1804. After his recovery, Harvard College weleomed him to the Professorship of Oratory that John Quincy Adams had held, which for ten years he filled acceptably, and whence he went to Havana, in 1818, to die, at the

In his theology Mr. McKean was not Calvinist but Arminian, preparing thus the way for the great But before naming his successor let us pause a moment to glance at the

We know little of them beyond their names. But They are history of the best kind. They tell, if not of attainment, of, better yet, aspiration. How quaint and how religiously suggestive ! - Mindwell Tucker, Preserved Lion, Silence Lion, Waitsti/l Williston, Charity Liscum, Experience Tolman, Deliverance Trot, Recompence Wadsworth, Freegift Cogshell, Comfort Foster, Submit Badcock, Hopestill Feild, Bethel Blair, Content Marah, Reform Knowlton, Supply* Vose. Surely the people that of themselves run to names like these are such as will have '" Religion in Common Life," if that be possible. They will not be empty and idle men or frivolous women. Indeed, "tramps" and idlers stood small chance of immunity at their hands. They builded ships and mills, and bridges and roads. In 1785, already seven mills kept the Neponset-at work, - one chocolate, one saw, one grist, one slitting, and three paper, - and orchards abounded, yieldthe vote of the church in favor of inviting Mr. Pierce. And the weighty ground of Mr. Swift's opposition was that he did not like Mr. Pierce's stepmother.

+T cannot forbear adding to this list of names that of ' Role on God,'"' which was given to a son of John Cotton. Its owner, I am informed, became minister of Sandwich, Mass. This, however, is not given as one of the Milton names.

A curious glance into the history of this class of names is afforded by an extract from the ancient record of the First Church of Dorchester. After mentioning that Wait Clap, daughter of Roger Clap, was baptized 24 1 mo 50, - i.e., March 24, 1650, - the record says: ''Louetenant Clap declared y*® Reason why he called his child Watt was because he did suppose the Fall of antichrist was not Farre off." to develop the character which marks it to-day. Milton furnished her full quota to the Revolutionary war, and more. When Boston, in the severe winter of 1780, was so blocked by snow as to suffer for fuel, Milton farmers came to its relief with heavy supplies from the woods of Milton and Quincy, carried '" by way of the river on the ice to Boston." And so they were "not slothful in business,' because '" fervent in Honorable names in business, and in war arose among them, and of noble women not a few. Seventeen young men graduated from this town at Harvard College in the last half of the eehteenth century, all of whom proved "respectable," and 'some of them distinguished." Thomas Thatcher, in his sermon on Mr. Nathaniel Robbins, 1795, says, 'This town hath been celebrated for a pacifick temper and liberal sentiments, even from its first incorporation ; so that in the course of one hundred and fifteen years I never heard of one ecclesiastical council being called, on account of any religious grievance."

Twenty-eight months passed after Mr. McKean's retirement before his successor was settled, - the Rev. Samuel Gile, ordained Feb. 18, 1807. He came to a very different Milton from that of one hundred and

A liberal spirit had grown up, which could no longer be subdued. tion of the monarchy in England, compelling the toleration of the Church of England in this colony, had paved the way for it.

the separation of State from Church, furthered it. The English Acts of Uniformity certainly could not repress it. The question of the witches; the revival under George Whitefield; the protest of Methodist

And certainly the war for independence and the upheavings of the French revolution could not fail of influence. Thus the very atmosphere of New England thought and life had changed. A town situated like Milton could not fail to show the change. Hence, although excellence of character and loyalty to conviction might insure to the new minister a hearty welcome to his post of duty here, and the cordial respect and goodwill of all classes of the people-of the town, - yet that very excellence of character and loyalty to conviction might, when questions arose, and a " parting of the ways" was reached, make separation inevitable and

In 1809, within three years after Mr. Gile's settlement, the rigid and the liberal tendencies in the © churches of Boston and vicinity came to an issue in the Second Church in Dorchester, where. Mr. John Codman had been settled the year before, Mr. W. H. Mr. Codman would not exchange with the ministers of the Boston Association, although, as I understand, he had been, if he was not at that very time, a member of it. He was His disappointed people tried to move him, but in vain. 'They wrote to the ministers with whom he did exchange, requesting them not to come; but come they would. Twice they dismissed him, but he would not go. At last they put a guard on the pulpit-stairs to prevent his entrance; but for all that he preached. So the controversy waxed, to be settled at last by those opposed agreeing to sell their pews and leave the parish.

Eleven years later, in 1820, the controversy reappeared in the First Church in Dedham, but with a different issue. There Mr. Lamson was settled, against the remonstrance of two-thirds of the church, as a The protesting two-thirds of the church members seceded, claimed to be the true church of Dedham, and carried their case before the Supreme had a church a legal existence apart from a parish. The law knew of parishes as corporations, and deacons as corporations, and ministers as corporations; but the church proper was no corporation or guasi-corporation, and could not, therefore, hold property apart from the parish, whatever its faith."

Not the seceding church members, but the parish, had the legal right to the title, property, records, and furniture of the First Church of Dedham.

This momentous decision, a decision opening its own opportunity of self-denial and martyrdom, bore fruit in the history of this first church of Milton.

than liberal, while the parish was preponderatingly liberal. Had Mr. Gile been left to himself, a rupture might have been avoided. Perhaps the wonder is that it did not come earlier. Not till twenty-one years after his settlement does the First Unitarian Society appear in the records of this parish (July 4, 1828). It was composed chiefly of members of the parish whom Mr. Gile's ministrations failed to satisfy. It met in the present high-school building, under the preaching of Rev. Charles Chauncy Sewall.

equitable division of the ministerial lands belonging to the parish. As negotiations proved fruitless, and as danger appeared of the alienation and loss of the - ministerial lands, the First Unitarian Society dissolved, and its members resumed their place in the parish, and asserted their rights in open parish meeting. The question of exchanges was the point on Gile had agreed to exchange with ministers of the Boston Association. As division lines were more sharply drawn, it became increasingly difficult for him to do so; and yet the more urgently his people required it. Nearly eleven years the question was agiing tree, because it must. The tree must enter on a more varied and richer life. The two branches were in it from the first, though bound up in the one trunk. Which of them is the true First Milton Church? Both claim so to be: which is correct? Could numbers settle the question, they would settle it in this one's favor. Could Massachusetts law settle it, the decision would be the same, for it awards to this parish the title, records, property, and furniture of the ancient First Church of Milton. Could adherence to the theologic letter of the old covenant settle it, the verdict must go the other way.

One of its first acts, after the induction of a new minister, - Rev. B. Huntoon, installed Oct. 15, 1834, - was to adopt the New Testament "as the only tated, terminating then in arrangements for a separation between him and his people. council" - 7.e., a council composed of representatives of both parties - proving impracticable, an ex parte now occupied by Mr. D. G. Hicks, on the corner of Canton Avenue and Atherton Street. presented the case for the parish. appear. The council, composed of Revs. Peter Whitney, of Quincy; John White, of West Dedham; Alvan Lamson, of Dedham; James Walker, of Charles- sufficient rule of faith and practice." Forty-eight persons signed their names to this acknowledgment, '"'beseeching Almighty God so to assist and direct" them "in discharging all the duties of this present life, that" they " may obtain life Eternal through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Of these fortyeight some are still present with us, though most have " fallen asleep." standing between him and his parish regarding ministerial exchanges, and recommended that his connection with the parish be dissolved. On Jan. 20, 1854, it was dissolved. He retired with his friends, and they formed the neighboring society, under the name of the " First Evangelical Church, Milton," in whose ministry he continued till his death, in 1836.

Soon arose agitation about a new meeting-house. The " new wine," perhaps, suggested " new bottles." But surely new bottles were not needed. Although it was voted to take down this building, better counsels prevailed, and contented themselves with turning it round and remodeling it, and setting off a portion of it for a Sunday-school room. A new clock was given by John J. Low, a chandelier and pulpit-lamp by Francis Low, and by Mrs. Low a damask curtain for the pulpit. Mr. Samuel H. Babcock gave a pulpit carpet, chair, and Bible, and Miss Louisa G. Davenport one hundred and fifty dollars. All of these donors, except Miss Davenport, were citizens of other towns. On Dee. 9, 1835, the building was dedicated anew to God, with "solemn and interesting'' services, the music led by Deacon Martin. In 1851 it received a invitation thus extended, was installed during the latter portion of that year, continuing his ministrations over the society for twenty-five years,.to the great acceptance of the parish, being released finally December, 1875, at his own desire, the society sorrow-

Quietly, meanwhile, it has done its work, under the peculiar conditions of a widely-scattered and very shifting membership. Five ministers it has had since the new epoch in its history began, - Huntoon, Angier, Morison, Washburn, and the present pastor, Rev. Frederick Frothingham.

The First Evangelical Society of Milton was organized in 1834, it being an offshoot, so to speak, of the old First Church, organized in 1678.

By the records we find that Rey. Samuel Gile was ordained as pastor of the First Parish on Feb. 18, 1807, and continued his ministrations with that society for twenty-seven years, when, on account of a difference of opinion on doctrinal points, Mr. Giles' connection with the First Parish was dissolved Jan. 6, 1834, those of the parish agreeing with him in sentiment, or who were drawn to him by strong personal attachments, severing their relations with the First

Rey. Dr. Teele, although having resigned his charge, still continues a resident of the town, honored and beloved by all her citizens, and ever taking an active part in all good works.

After an interim of six years, various candidates having been heard, the choice of the society fell upon Rey. Calvin G. Hill, the present pastor, who, installed

Mr. Gile continued his pastorate over the society thus formed until his decease, which occurred very suddenly on Sunday, the 16th day of October, 1836. At noon of that day, soon after reaching home, having officiated at the morning service apparently in the best of health, a trumpet from heaven sounded summoning him from the scenes where he was greatly beloved, not only by his own people, but by all the rev. Samuel W. Cozzens, who was called to succeed the Rev. Mr. Gile, was installed May 24, 1837. He was a man of commanding ability, of great literary attainments, and continued as pastor of the society for the space of ten years, when at his own request he received a dismissal, soon after removing Mr. Cozzens died at Medfield, Aug. 7, 1875, being brought thence for interment in Milton.

The Second Evangelical Society of Milton was organized Nov. 9, 1843, in that portion of the town then known as the "Railway Village," now called Kast Milton. Its house of worship was erected June 18, 1846. For some eight years or more after its organization the society did not have a regularly settled pastor, preachers hired for a shorter or longer term ministering to the spiritual wants of the people, when the parish giving a call to the Rev. Edwin Leonard, he was ordained over the society March 25, 1852, continuing with them some eight years; society without a pastor, and although some twentythree years have since elapsed, and many are the preachers that have held forth to this congregation,

The Lower Mills Baptist Church of Dorchester and Milton was organized Oct. 13,1882. Previous to its organization services had been held for nearly two years by an organization known as the Lower Mills Baptist Mission. Twenty-five members united in forming the new church. On Nov. 22, 1882, a council was convened from neighboring Baptist churches to recognize the church and ordain its pastor. Rev. George W. Bosworth, D.D., Secretary of Massachusetts Baptist State Convention, gave the address of recognition, Rev. O. P. Gifford, of Boston, preached the sermon, and Rev. A. T. Dunn, of Boston, gave the right hand of fellowship. The pastor, Rey. Nathan Hunt, has had charge of the church from his ordination until the present date. During that time the membership has more than doubled, and poral and spiritual prosperity. A hall is still used as a place of worship, but efforts will probably be made at no distant day to secure a more suitable place.

The Crehore Estate - The Sumners - The Wadsworths - The Vose Place - The Robert Tucker Place - The Oldest House in Milton - The Tucker House - The Billings House - The Blue Hills - The Foye House - The Hutchinson House - The Robbins House - -The Governor Belcher Place- - -Milton Cemetery - Detailed History - Different Purchasers - Ancient Inscriptions - Tombs.

Ancient Homes and Estates.' - I can make out but five families who now live on land taken by their ancestors at the first settlement of this place. widow of John Crehore holds a part of the original Crehore estate. (Kingsbury Sumner) Perry live on land owned by their ancestors, the Sumners. cultivates, as his homestead, land which has been in his family from the earliest period of our history. The grandfather of the Hon. Charles Sumner was born and lived on some part of the Brush Hill Sumner estate.

standing next beyond the Robbins house, on Brush Hill, it must have been built as early as 1680, and is undoubtedly the oldest house in Milton. Next to it in age, and of a date not much more recent, is the Billings house. Both these houses are of a primitive order of architecture, and evidently belong to a present century, and was a favorite place of resort, especially at the cherry and strawberry seasons, for parties from Boston and the neighboring towns. The Blue Hills were more visited in those days than now, when the summit of Mount Washington is hardly a day's journey from Boston.

The other ancient houses in Milton belong to a later period, and to a much higher style of architecture. The Foye house, long occupied by Mr. Samuel Littlefield ; the Hutchinson house, better known to the present generation as the Russell house; the Inman, or Robbins house, on Brush Hill; and the Goyernor Belcher place (his house was burned in 1776) were not only in themselves among the finest in this neighborhood, but they have also associations of historical interest.

Governor Hutchinson's house, as Mrs. Robbins informs me, was confiscated after he fled from the country. passing from his hands, became the residence of author of a valuable history of the Revolutionary Thomas Lee, of Cambridge, owned it for a little while, and sold it to Patrick Jeffrey, who had married

England. Jeffrey's wife left him, and he died at his home in Milton, in 1812. The estate was afterwards purchased by Mr. Barney Smith, and is now owned

Milton Cemetery. - As no movement seems to have been made to secure a common burial-place in Milton until ten years after theeincorporation of the town, it follows that those who resided within the limits of "' Unquity" (a contraction of Unquityquisset, the old Indian name of Milton) before and after incorporation, must have buried their dead in Dorchester, or by common consent have appropriated ene-or more places for this purpose within their own limits.

tax-payers, from which may be inferred a population of from four to eight hundred or more. It is hardly probable that their only place of burial was the distant cemetery in Dorchester. The supposition is that the inhabitants had used the field of Reedman (afterwards Redman) for this purpose, and thus were led to fix upon this place as the common burial-ground.

"The 24 Feby. 1672. Robert Reedman was allowed to be payedd out of the towne Rate tene shillings to pay for forty rods of Land for the Burying Place apprised and staked out by Anthony Gulliver, William Blake, Robert Babcock. Reedman being present and consenting thereto - and was agreed betwixed the Towne and Robert Reedman that the towne should fence out this forty rods of land, with a sufficient stone wall, within two years, from Robert Reedman's land." - Town Records, vol. i. page 1.

These tombs are the oldest in the ground, and are supposed to have been built about the year 1719, the town having voted at the March meeting of that year, 'That Capten John Billing shal

The ministerial tomb was probably built in 1729, it having been voted at the March meeting of that year, 'That Mr. Oxenbrig Thacher should have liberty to build a Tomb in our burying Place for the Rever* Mr. Peter Thacher his Father deceased, and that Lieut. Henry Vose and Mr. Benjamin Fenno should order the place for said Tomb where there may be convenient room." to be the tru owener of the burying place fild as it is commonly called, for the obtaining an addition of land necessary to enlarge our burying place, or to treat of a price for the whole tracte. and to make their return to the Town at the next town meeting."

The " burying place fild" is supposed to be all that part of the Amory lot purchased of ©. Breck T. Hollis, Jr., which lies northerly of an old line of wall where the land begins to slope off to the swamp or low ground. Nothing appears to have grown out of this attempt to enlarge the ground, unless perhaps the small addition, where the ministerial tomb now stands, may have been made at this time. ceca to enlarge the ground were made again 4, 1738, 1749, and 1751, but without success, the owners of the adjoining land (Samuel Henshaw and William Foye) declining to sell.

purpose ; Voted that the said committee return ye hearty Thanks of this Town to Mrs. Elizabeth Foye for a grant of a piece of land to enlarge our Burying Place."

"Know all men by these presents, that we Elizabeth Foye, widow, Elizabeth Foye, spinster, and Mary Cooper, widow, all of Milton in the County of Suffolk, from a Regard to the Inhabitants of the said Town of Milton, and in consideration of the sum of one shilling paid us do Give, Grant, Bargain and Convey unto the said inhabitants half an Acre and six Rodsas staket by Mr. How of Land in Milton aforesaid, heretofore the Estate of Wm. Foye Esq. deceased, the same lying between the now Burying Ground in said Milton, and Land lately sold to Mr. Josiah Howe of said Milton.

"To have and to hold the said half an Acre and six rods as staket by Mr How, of Land unto the said Inhabitants for a burying Ground forever.

in presence of Benjamin Fessenden Mary Babbidge "The six rods between the 6 &7 line as also between the 11 & 12 line was done before signing. September the first A.D. 1760 Elizabeth Foye, Elizabeth Foye and Mary Cooper personally appeared and acknowledged the above Instrument to be their deed. ""Sam!, Minuer, Jus. Peace.

The Foye lot is situated on the westerly and southerly sides of the Reedman lot, being bounded westerly by the easterly side of the central avenue of the present ground (old cemetery), and extending back some six or seven rods in the rear of the Reedman lot.

At the time of the above enlargement the ground had become filled with graves, and the supposition is that a few burials had already been made upon the Foye lot.

the rate of twenty-four pounds per acre, viz.: half an acre and twenty-two and a half rods from the heirs of Deacon Howe, and seventeen and a half rods from Col. Joseph Vose.

The Howe lot is directly in the rear of the Foye lot, extending back nine rods to the present southerly bounds of the old cemetery, and includes also a strip of land ten feet wide on the westerly side of the burying-ground, "to be reserved for a lane," - which lane is now the central avenue.

The Vose lot is a strip of land about a rod wide on the easterly side of the Foye and Howe lots, which was reserved for and is now occupied by tombs.

enlarging the '" Graveyard" of said town, a lot of land adjoining the same, containing by estimation one acre and one quarter. This embraces that tract lying between the central avenue and the wall recently removed.

Dec. 11, 1854, the town purchased of Charles Breck and Thomas Hollis, Jr., eighteen acres and one hundred and sixteen rods of land, for the sum of eighteen hundred and four dollars. the rear and on the westerly side of the old cemetery, twenty-five dollars, and from love and affection for my native town and the inhabitants thereof, in order to furnish a convenient access to the New Cemetery lately purchased and laid out by said town," conveyed to the town a lot of land on the easterly side of Gun- Hill road, containing one acre, and opening the southern part of the cemetery to Gun-Hill road.

For the purpose of straightening the wall on the easterly side of the cemetery, and bringing the wall of the new cemetery in line with that of the old cemetery, C. M.S. Churchill, Esq., "from regard to his native town and in consideration of one dollar," conveyed to the town the necessary amount of land, by deed Feb. 10, 1870.

First Purchase. - Within the old, original grounds is situated the Crehore lot, in which are tablets bearing ancient inscriptions, as follows:

Here lies y® body of Hannah Crehore, daughter of Deacon Timothy Crehore & M's Mary his wife, died Jan. 11', 1735, in y° 21st year of her age.

life Oct ye 12th, 1782, aged 41 years. Stop, my friend, and think on me, I once was in this world like thee, Now I lie mouldering in the dust, In hopes to rise amongst the just.

Here lies buried the body of Seth Adams, Bat? Art', son of M: Edward and Mrs Rachel Adams. He died June the 26%, 1736, in the 234 year of his age.

In memory of Sarah Adams, dau of Mt John Adams & B. Adams, Sculptor. Sarah his wife, who died Jan. 28", 1766, aged 13 years & 10 In memory of Martha Bent, who died Dec. 4, 1766, in the mos. 66% year of her age.

In memory of Seth Adams, son of Lemuel Adams and Here lies y® body of Rachel Bent, wife to Joseph Bent; died Mrs Hannah Adams, who died Jan. 20, 1796, aged 11 years. July ye 5th, 1775, in y® 524 year of her age.

In memory of Lemuel Adams, son of Mt Lemuel Adams & Here lies y® body of Joseph Bent, aged 52 years; died Mch Mrs Hannah Adams, who died Jan. 25%, 1796, aged 13 years. | 31st, 1728.

Adams, who died Noy. 16, 1774, aged 63 years. | 59 years. Death is a debt to nature due, | This bed, thy dust shall keep in peace. As she has paid it so must you. | In memory of Mts Melanda Bent, widow of Capt. Lemuel In life then strive to get prepared Bent, who died Oct. 20th, 1796, aged 67 years, 5 months.

Here lyes y® body of Eliphalet Adams, son of Mr John & | nell and M*s Elizabt his wife. He died July yé 27, 1775, in y® Mrs Sarah Adams. He died Feb. 5th, 1747, in'y® 5t2 year of. | 20th year of his age. his age.

In youth, in time of health, my young friends, John, son of M* John and M's Sarah Adams, aged 20 months | prepare for death. & 10 ds, Dect August ye 28th, 1735. In memory of 2 Children of M* Nathaniel & M's Lucy Arnold, viz.:

Here lies buried the body of M* Ebenezer Billings, who died Sep. 16, 1766, aged 47 years. In patience and meekness few did him excell, Faithful in Milton, where he did dwell; Reason we have, and fully trust, That his soul is among the just.

In memory of Mt Nathan Badcock, who died Jan. 29t, 1777, in the 60' year of his age Marian Billings, daug. of Moses & M's Marian Billings, ie.

aged 55 years. Billings. She died Feb. 2°, 1740, aged 54 years. In faith she died, in dust she lies, Here lies her rest in peaceful dust, But faith forsees that dust shall rise, Till God in glory raised the just. When Jesus calls, while hope assumes In memory of M* Amariah Blake, who died May ye 19t, And breaks her joy among the tombs. 1792, in y® 60% year of his age. Here lyes buried y® body of Mt William Badcock, who de- Dear partner of my mortal cares, parted this life Meh 18, 1772, aged 54 years & 4 days. I bid you all adieu, Beneath this stone death's prisoner lies, I hope to meet above the Skyes The stone shall move, Death's prisoner rise, You and your children too. When Jesus with almighty word In memory of Mts Susanna Blake, Consort of Mt Enos Blake, Calls his dead saints to meet their God. who died Aug. 16th, 1776, in the 29 year of her age.

Sacred to the memory of M's Bathsheba Badcock, daut of Here lyes buried y® body of William Blake, who died Oct. Mr William & M'* Hannah Badcock, who died April 28th, 1792, | ye 15%, 1736, in ye 415* year of his age. vet. 31 years. In memory of M's Bathsheba Blake, the wife of Ziba When this vain life of care and trouble's o'er, Blake, who died Oct. 6%, 1778, aged 51 years.

Here lies y® body of Nathaniel Badcock, Juner, aged 34 | To view the dead as thou dost me, years; died January y® 224, 1718-9. | : But soon you'll lie as low as I, a4 Here lies buried the body of Mt George Badcock, dec? Men | While others stand and gaze at thee.

In memory of two children, only sons of Mt Enos and Mrs In memory of M's Mary Bates, widow of M* William Bates, | Rachel Blake viz: of Weymouth, who died Dee. 30%, 1799, aged 87 years. Lemuel, died Oct. 22¢, 1792, in the 14 year of his age; The sweet remembrance of the just | Stephen, died Oct. 74, 1792, in the 7 year of his age. Shall flourish when they sleep in dust.

Thus are those flowers wither'd in their bloom, Vive Mori. | By death's cold hand brought early to the tomb; Erected in memory of Mt Samuel Bent, who died Dec. 14th, | But mark the goodness of the pow'rs above, 1797, aged 26 years. | It can't withhold them from redeeming love. Early I left my earthly home of clay, | They're safely landed on the peaceful shore Which rests in silence till that great day, Where sin, disease & death are known no more.

Ziba Blake, son of M* Ziba and M's Susanna Blake, died Aug. 24th, 1793, aged 13 mos. & 16 days. Tho' young, yet not too young to die, Prepare for death immediately. Make sure of Christ while life remains, And death will be eternal gain.

This stone fixed here to hold in remembrance the place where the remains of M* James Nelson Boies are deposited, who died on the 24 day of July, 1782, anno etatis 215*.

Dorchester. She died M* ye 1st, 1776, aged 31 years. In the book of life divine, My God inscribe my name, There let it fill some humble place, Beneath the slaughtered Lamb.

Here lies the body of Mt Thomas Cradock and Prusilla his wife and their daughter Ann, the wife of Mt Thomas Edwards, who departed this-life November 24, 1752, aged 24 years.

Here lies buried y® body of Mt Benjamin Crane, who departed this life June y® 24", 1771, in the 79 year of his age. In memory of Rebecea Belcher Crane, daug. of Mt Jeremiah & M's Rebecca Crane, who died Oct. 34, 1792, in the 8t year of her age. Here lies two children, sons of Mt Jeremiah & M's Rebecca Crane : Charles, died Sept. the 234, 1792, in the 6 year of his age; Jeremiah, died Oct. 14, 1792, in the 2 year of his age.

In memory of M's Abigail Crane, wife of Mt Henry Crane, who died Sept. 24, 1795, aged 58 years. Could grateful love recall the fleeting breath, Or fond affection soothe relentless death, Then had this stone ne'er claimed a social tear, Nor read to thoughtless man a lesson here.

In memory of M's Elizabeth wife of Mt Lemuel Davis, who died Mch 28, 1795, in y® 424 year of her age. In memory of two children of Mt Lemuel and M's Elizabeth Davis, Viz. ¢ Sally Tucker, died Dee. 18, 1794, aged 5 months; Charlotte died Mch 224, 1795, aged 3 years. Here lies buried the body of M* John Dickerman, who died 14% of August, 1729, in ye 64t® year of his age. Here lies y® body of Mary Fenno, dau' to Benj & Mary Fenno, aged 22 years and 27 days. Dec' April y® 16t, 1725. Erected in memory of Enoch Fenno, who died Sept 19,

Here lies interred the remains of M* Joseph Fenno, who departed this life Jan. y® 19, 1767, aged 32 years. In the cold mansions of the silent tomb, How still the solitude, how deep the gloom, Here sleeps the dust unconscious, close confined, But far, far distant dwells the immortal mind.

Here lies buried y® body of Anna Field, y® wife of M* Robert Field, she departed this life y® 13 of November, 1728, in y® 44% year of her age.

July ye 15t, 1770, in y® 45 year of his age. Stop here, my friend, and cast an eye, As you are now, so once was I, As Iam now so must you be, Prepare for death and follow me.

Here lies the body of Mt Stephen Gulliver, who departed this life the ninth day of May, 1771, in the 40 year of his age. A soul prepared meets no delays, The summons comes, y® man obeys, Swift was his flight, and short the road, He closed his eyes and saw his God. The flesh rests here, till Jesus come And ealls the body to his home.

Here lyes buried the body of M's Ruth Houghton, the wife of Mt Joseph Houghton, who departed this life May ye 234, 1792, in the 50' year of her age.

Here lyes buried y® body of Mt' Ann Houghton, wife of M* Joseph Houghton and daughter of Mt John & M*s Ann Williams, who died July 14, 1773, in y® 224 year of her age.

Here lies buried the body of Mt' Deborah Houghton, y® wife of Dea. Nathaniel Houghton, who departed this life Feb. the 27th, 1772, in y® 70 year of her age.

In memory of M's Sarah, the wife of Mt Isac Howe, but lately the wife of Mt Lazarus Baker, she died Sep. ye 11, 1755, in ye 615t year of her age.

Here lies the body of Mt Isac How, who died Sept. y® 7%, 1769, in y® 55 year of hisage. An instance of sudden death in the midst of useful life.

Dangers stand thick through all the ground, To push us to the Tomb, And fierce diseases march around, To hurry mortals home. But Ill repine at death no more, Vl cheerfully resign To the cold dungeon of the grave These dying limbs of mine, Since God and my Redeemer lives, Who often from the skies Looks down and watches all my dust, Till he shall bid it rise. Erected to the memory of Deacon Josiah How, who departed this life Oct. 34, 1792, in the 74% year of his age. Here stands his urn, He'll ne'er return, : He's gone to Christ above. His body's dead, His spirit's fled, His song's redeeming love.

Erected in memory of Miss Mary Mac Carnney, who died Jan. 4th, 1791, aged 20 years. Sleep in darkness till that glorious day, When Christ my light shall roll the stone away. In memory of Mary Milton, aged 23 years, died Feb. 8th, | 1702. In memory of Mt John Newton, who died Feb. 16, 1774, in the 87" year of his age. | Here lies the body of Jerusha Park, who died Sept. 234, 1767, | age 17 days. Also the body of Sarah Park, who died Sept. 17th, 1767, aged 11 days; children of Mt Edward & Mrs Jerusha Park. In memory of M's Ester Pierce, wife of Mt Charles Pierce, who died May 10, 1787, in ye 23 year of her age. Why mourn you thus, my relict friend & kin? Lament you, when I lose, not when I win.

In memory of William Pierce, son of William & Mts Lydia Pierce, who died Dect 24, 1770, aged 3 years & 3 months. In memory of three daughters of Mt William & M** Unice Pierce, viz. Miss Deliverance Pierce, who died Sept. 5th, 1792, At 38 years. Miss Martha Pierce, who died Feb. 10th, 1791, Ait 24 years, and Miss Unice Pierce, who died Oct. 10%, 1788, At 17 years. Lovers and Friends, Oh God ! By thy resistless frown, The gloomy vale have trod, And to the grave gone down.

In memory of Mr William Pierce, who died Feb. 1st, 1793, aged 65 years. Why do ye mourn departed friends, Or shake at death's alarms, 'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends To call them to his arms.

In memory of Miss Esther Rawson, dauht of David Rawson Esq. & Mrs. Mary his wife, who died of y® small pox Oct. 27t, 1792, aged 31 years & 6 months.

Stop, my friend, and think of me, T once was in the world like thee, Now I lie mouldering in the dust, In hope to rise among the just. In memory of M's Mary Ruggles, the wife of Mt John Ruggles, who died Nov. 234, 1773, aged 30 years. A meek and quiet spirit she possessed, And proved the religion she professed.

Sacred to the memory of Benjamin Smith, paper maker, son of Mt Richard Smith of North Britain in the Shire of Aberdeen. He died May 6th, 1792, in the 37 year of his age.

Erected in memory of Mt David Sumner, who died Noy. 11", 1789, in the 72 year of his age. Also his 2°4 wife Mary Sumner, who died Dec. 25, 1821, in the 89 year of her age.

In memory of M's Susan Sumner, wife of Mt Jabez Sumner, who died in Child-bed May 1st, 1793, in the 40 year of her age; the child died at its birth.

Here lyes y® body of M's Susanna Sumner, y® daughter of Mr George Sumner, Jun.dec'. She departed this life May 11, 1752, in y® 21st year of her age.

Here lies interred the remains of M's Ann Swift, the virtuous consort of Samuel Swift, Esq. She exchanged this life for a better May 19, 1762, in the 82 year of her age.

Here lies interred the remains of Samuel Swift, Esq. who departed this life Oct. 13, 1747, aged 64 years. Who never did a slander forge, His neighbor's fame to wound, Nor harken to a false report, By malice whispered round. Who to his plighted vows & trust Had ever firmly stood, And tho' he promised to his loss, He made his promise good.

Mrs Theodora Thacher, y® daughter of Rey. Mr. John Oxenbridge, Pastor of y® first Church of Boston, and wife of M* Peter Thacher, aged 38 years, 3 months & 23 days, was Translated from Earth to Heaven Noy" y® 18th, 1697.

This Stone Sacred to ye memory of M*s Sarah Thacher, Consort of y® late Oxenbridge Thacher, Jr. who died ye 3d of July, 1764, Ait 39. Demands from thee, oh reader, y® tribute of a tear to her memory, and a thought on thine own dissolution,

In memory of M* Lewis Thomas, who died on his way from Boston to his parents Mt Hushai & M*s Lucy Thomas in Middleborough, with the yellow fever, August 25%, 1798, in his 28th year.

Here lye buried the remains of Susanna Tucker, the wife of M' Jazaniah Tucker. She departed this life Oct. 24, 1776, in the 65 year of her age.

in the 64 year of his age. To God I now resign my breath, And safely walk the vale of death, With Christ I've lived, with Him I'll die, And pass to immortality.

departed this life Dec. ye 9t, a.p. 1771, in y® 64** year of his age. The sweet remembrance of the just Shall flourish when he lies in dust. His works of piety and love, Remain before the Lord, - Honor on earth & joys above Shall be his sure reward.

In memory of Mts Mary Tucker, once y® amiable consort of Capt. Jeremiah Tucker, who departed this life Sep. y® 21s*, 1766, in y® 40 year of her age.

M's Susanna Tucker. year of her age. Here lyes y® body of Mts Jean Tucker, widow of Mt Ebenezer Tucker. She died Feb. 17, 1743, in y® 57 year of her age. Here lyes y® body of Mt James Tucker, son of M* James & Mrs Sarah Tucker; he died Dect the 7, 1732, in y® 234 year of his age. In memory of Mt Thomas Vose, who died March '9, 1775, in the 36 year of his age. A soul prepared needs no delays, The summons comes, the soul obeys ;

Swift in his flight and short the road, He closed his eyes and saw his God. The flesh rests here till Jesus come, And claim the treasure from the tomb. In memory of Moses Vose, who died Sep. 6th, 1793, aged 21 years, 3 mon. 2 days. Also Elijah Vose, died Sep. 17%, 1774, aged 1 year 12 days. Sons of Moses & M's Hannah Vose. | In memory of M's Abigail Vose, Comfort of Mt Edward Vose, Decea', who died Sept. 8", 1778, in the 64" year of her age. Here lyes buried the body of Lydia Sumner Vose, daughter of Mt Benjamin & Mrs Esther Vose, who died May 6t%, 1779, aged 1 month.

William Vose, son of Mr Nathaniel & Mts Ruth Vose, died Oct. ye Sth, 1773, aged 1 year & 14 days. The sweet delights we here enjoy And fondly call our own, Are but short favors borrowed now To be repaid anon. *Tis God that lifts our comforts high Or sinks them in the grave, He gives, and blessed be his name, He takes but what he gave. In memory of M's Mary Vose, wife of Dea" Vose, who died Oct. 25, 1792, in the 38t year of her age. | And their children, viz.: Edward Roger, died July 5th, 1783, Ait. 4 years. | Ebenezer, died July 25t2, 1783, at. 9 months. | Philena, died Oct. 20th, 1792, Ait. 11 days.

Happy the babe who priveledged by fate To shorter labor and a lighter weight, Receives but yesterday the gift of breath, | Ordered to-morrow to return to death. | In memory of M? William Vose, who died May 13, 1776, in | the 44th year of his age. Charles Vose, son of Mt Benjamin and Mrs Esther Vose, died | August 34, 1793, aged 6 years. Here lies the body of Mr Elijah Vose, who departed this life | Nov. 5t, 1766, in the 58t® year of his age. Great God, I own Thy orders just, And nature must decay, I yield my body to the dust, To dwell with fellow clay. Hoping to see Thy lovely face, With strong immortal eyes - To feast upon Thy wondrous grace

With pleasure and surprise. | Here lies buried the body of M* Edward Vose, who departed | this life May y® 31, 1770, in y® 50 year of his age.

who died June 20, 1707, in y® 31%* year of her age. A meek and quiet spirit she possessed, And practiced the religion she professed. In memory of Miss Polly Howe Vose, who died Dec. 7, 1797, aged 21 years. Though early made a sacrifice to death, With cheerful hope she could resign her breath; Her sickly form she now has left behind, And freed from all that could disturb her mind.

In this grave lies buried Esther Vose, the late virtuous & amiable consort of Mt Nathan Vose. She departed this life Feb. 28, 1775, in the 23 year of her age.

The summons comes, the saints obey; Short was her life, but well improved, She closed her eyes and saw her God. Her flesh rests here till Jesus come, And claim the treasure from the tomb.

Fanna Vose, daughter of M® Daniel & Mts Rachel Vose, died _ Sep. 9%, 1775, aged 3 months and 6 days. John Vose, Jun., son of Mt Joseph & M's Ruhamah Vose, died

In memory of M's Patience Vose, Relict of Thomas Vose, of Milton, and daughter of Joseph & Ruhamah Billings. She died April y® 34, 1800, aged 85 years.

Here lies interred the remains of M's Abigail Vose, widow of Lieut. Robert Vose, who departed this life ye 28th, 1769, in y® 724 year of her age.

Here lyes buried the body of M* John Vose, son of MF Nathaniel & Mts Rachel Vose, who departed this life Oct. 27%, 1752, in y® 27 year of his age.

Here lyes the body of M's Elizabeth Wadsworth, the widow of John Wadsworth. She departed this life May 6%, 1766, in the 89% year of her age.

In memory of Rey. M" John Wadsworth of Milton. Educated at Harvard College. Ordained at Canterbury Sept. 17%, 1728. Died at Milton June 15t, 1766, aged 63 years.

Here lies buried, waiting for the coming of the Lord, the body of Mt John Wadsworth, only son of John & M*s Abigail Wadsworth, who was suddenly removed (not without hope) from his lamenting friends into the invisible state, May 27, 1752, in the 21% year of his age.

not, the Son of Man cometh. Here lyes y* body of Deacon Ebenezer Wadsworth, aged 56 Dect Augt ye 1st, 1717. [The Oldest Stone in the Cemetery.] Here lyes y® body of Christopher Wadsworth, aged about 24

Here lies buried the body of Deacon Benjamin Wadsworth, who departed this life Oct. 17%, 1771, in y® 64 year of his age, having served in y® office of deacon in y® Church at Milton 28 years; he lived respected and died lamented.

Yet there's a hastening hour, it comes, it comes To rouse y® sleeping dead, to burst y® tombs And set y® saints in view. All eyes behold, While y® vast records of y® skies unrolled Rehearse his deeds y* spread his worth abroad, Ye Judge approves & Heaven & earth applaud.

Here lyes y® body of Elizabeth Wadsworth, y® daughter of Deacon Benjamin Wadsworth & M's Esther his wife. She died Feb. y® 14t, 1750, in ye year of her age.

tombs are given, and the names of those deposited therein appear as far as it has been possible to ascertain. The enumeration of the tombs commences at

MInistERIAL Tomp. - Here ly the remains of M's Susanna Thacher (second wife of the Rev. Peter Thacher), who died Sept. Rey. Peter, first Pastor of the Church in Milton, who died Dect 17", 1727, in the 77 year of his age, and the 47 of his Pastorate.

Ebenezer Wadsworth, Dect Meh ye Sth, 1738, in ye 77 year of her age. In memory of Mts Sarah Weston, wife of Mt Abel Weston, who ied Jan. 15, 1797, in the 20 year of her age. Swift as the sun revolves the day, We hasten to the dead: Slaves to the wind we puff away, And to the ground we tread. Tis air that lends us life when first The vital bellows heave, - Our flesh we borrow of the dust, And when a mother's care has nursed The babe to manly size, we must With usury pay the grave. Erected in memory of Mt John Willson, who deceased April 17%, 1790, aged 19 years. Here lyes y® body of M* Peter White, who died Jan. y® 224, 1738, in y® 77 year of his age. Here lyes y® body of Mary Wyat,! wife to Edward Wyat, aged 92 years, Dec' Feb. y® 6, 1705. Sally Young, daughter of Mt John & M* Miletiah Young, who died Jan. 4, 1791, aged 5 years, 9 months and 7 days.

"The Old widow wiate Bing 94 years of age and on that had Layd So many women that she was instrimintall for the brinin into the world on thousand on hundred and on Children."

JosePxH Bascock Toms (S. H. Bascock, 1831). - Here lies entombed John Babcock, son of Joseph Babcock, who died September 25, 1792, aged 6 years.

Dantet Vose's Tomp. - Here lies entombed M's Patience Holbrook, wife of Dr. Amos Holbrook and daughter of Daniel Vose, Esq., & Mts Rachel his wife, who died Mch 18th, 1789, Ait. 25.

Henry Gardner, born in the Old Province House, Boston, Aug. 2,1779; died June 19, 1858 : - his wife, Clarissa, daughter of Dr. Amos Holbrook, born in Milton, Aug. 23, 1784; died in Dorchester Feb. 10, 1860.

On the 22d of February, A.p. 1827, were deposited here the remains of the Rey. Peter Thacher, D.D., Pastor of the Church in Brattle Square, Boston, who died Dec. 6, 1802, aged 51. And of Elizabeth, his wife, who died Jan. 26, 1816, aged 71 years.

Read

CrurcHiLtt Tomp. - "Tn my Father's house are many mansions." "Tn Christ shall all be made alive." Asaph Churchill, died Jan. 20, 1841, aged 76 years. Mary Churchill, wife of Asaph Churchill, died Jan, 21,1859, aged 75 years, 5 months, 23 days. Juliette Churchill, died May 30, 1862, months. Mary Churchill, died Feb. 14, 1828, aged 16 years. Charles M. 8. Churchill, died Oct. 7, 1822, aged 3 years. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."

At the March meeting, 1719, the town voted, "That Capten John Billing shal have liberty to buld a Tomb in our Buring Place at the direction of the Selectmen."

By H. B. Martin

Representatives to General Court. - The following is a list of those persons chosen by the inhabitants of the town of Milton to represent said town in the Great and General Court from the year 1682 down to the present time.

" 4 Town-meeting 16, 12 mon., 1682, the Inhabitants being orderly assembled, &c. - The freemen chose Ralph Houghton a deputie for the General Court." cleared of his Province Rates, for his serving as Representative at the General Court." At the said meeting " It was voted that Thomas Swift should be abated four pounds out of his Province Rates, for his serving as Representative at the General Court." sons Nathaniel and Edward, should be abated their Province and town rates, till he be paid eight pounds, fifteen shillings for his serving as Representative at the General Court, in the time between the revolution and this present government."

" At a Towne Meeting the 10th of March, 1670- 71, Thomas houlman was chosen to be the townes Clarke, to have the Towne book, and Record such Vots as the towne due from time to time legally pass."

The next record relating to the choice of a town clerk is as follows: '' Dec. 8, 1673, Robert Tucker was chosen Towne Recorder," etc. By the records we find that he held the office until 1677, when John

1683, Thomas Holman was again chosen, and served until 1686, when John Kinsley was elected, who held the office until 1689, when Thomas Vose, Sr., was chosen, and held the office for two years; he was followed by Ebenezer Clap, who also served two years,

Capt. Vose was elected each successive year to the position of town clerk until 1708, when Ephraim Tucker was chosen annually to the office for a period served from 1730 to 1734. March 4, 1734, Nehemiah Clap was elected, and held the office until Aug. 1, 1743, when Ephraim Tucker was again elected, and

Mr. Wadsworth held the position for seventeen years, when he turned it over to Stephen Clap, March 14, 1763, who, in turn, vacated it in 1765, when Elijah Wadsworth was chosen ; he held the office three years, or until March 14, 1768, when Amariah Blake was chosen, serving until 1779; then Samuel Henshaw served one year, when Amariah Blake was again chosen, serving until March 13, 1786, when John Ruggles was elected, and held the office twenty-one consecutive years, or until March 9, 1807; then James Foord was chosen to the position each year for seven years, finally relinquishing the office March 14, 1814, upon being elected register of deeds for the county of Norfolk.

Upon the retirement of Mr. Foord, March 14,1814, John Ruggles, Jr., was elected, and, what was somewhat remarkable, held the office the exact period (counting in years) in which the same office was held by his father, namely, twenty-one years, or until March 9, 1835.

March 11, 1839, Jason F. Kennedy was chosen, he also serving for four years, or until March 13, 1843, when Jason Reed was elected, serving the town faithfully in that capacity for thirty consecutive years,

Henry B. Martin was appointed town clerk, pro tempore, in 1873, owing to the illness of Mr. Reed (he not being able to attend to the duties of the office), and acted in that capacity until the annual election of town officers, March, 1874, when he was chosen as town clerk, holding the office by virtue of the several successive annual elections up to the present time,

Town Treasurers. - It was long after the incorporation of those towns that were settled at an early period in the history of the " Province of the Massachusetts Bay" before the inhabitants made any selection of a person to keep guard over the public moneys.

A " watch-dog of the treasury" was then unknown, - in fact, for many years after the settlement of the town the " treasury" was a mythological nonentity.

times"" - were not burdened with riches; they did not lay awake nights contriving schemes and inventing modes to defraud the community, as some of their descendants have since done; it is true, that occasionally some enterprising merchant would " rise with the lark" for the purpose of putting a little sand in his sugar, or a little water in his rum, but even those were not then common occurrences.

As a matter of fact, what few treasures our revered ancestors had were laid up "' where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, or thieves break through and steal."

Such being the case, although it may seem " passing strange' to the men of to-day, nevertheless, although the town of Milton was settled in 1640 and | to the choice of a town treasurer is under date of | 1733, - ninety-three years after the first settlement | | 1824, serving eleven years, or until March 9, 1835,

Under date of December 20th, the same year, is found this record: "It was put to Vote to the Town whether they would reconsider the vote of the choice of Mr. George Badcock to be Town Treasurer, he being infirm and unable to serve in that Office - and it past in the affirmative." later, when the town, by a vote passed on March 10, 1739-40, chose Nehemiah Clap, the then town clerk, to act also as town treasurer; Mr. Clap continuing to hold the position as town treasurer until his death, July 18, 1743, when Ephraim Tucker was elected to serve for the balance of the year. March 12, 1744, Benjamin Wadsworth was chosen town treasurer,

'serving that and the succeeding year; but at the annual March meeting of 1746, and again in 1747, we find this record: '' Voted, to have no Treasurer." March 14, 1748, Benjamin Wadsworth was again chosen, and held the office for twenty-one consecutive years, or until March 13, 1769, when Josiah Howe was elected, serving until March 13, 1775. Then Amariah Blake held the position one year, when William Tucker was chosen, serving six years. March 11, 1782, Josiah Howe was again selected for the office, this time serving for three years, or until March 14, 1785, when John Ruggles was chosen, holding the office for many years, and upon his retirement being succeeded by his son, John Ruggles, Jr. They together retained and served the town in that capacity until 1821, a period of thirty-six years. March 12th of that year Jedediah Atherton was chosen to succeed Mr. Ruggles, holding the office three years, when Jesse Vose was elected, March 8,

March 11, 1839, Charles Breck was elected, holding the office for nineteen years, or until March 1, 1858, when Jason Reed was chosen, Mr. Reed holding the office until his decease, in 1873.

Consequent upon the illness of Mr. Reed, in 1873, Charles Breck was by the selectmen appointed town treasurer, pro tempore, serving in that position until March, 1874, when he was again elected, and reelected each subsequent year to date (1884).

wearisome; and so we may suppose thought the staid citizens of " ye olden time," for by the records we judge that that duty devolved upon the board (as it had in all previous years) until some six years

The list is complete only as far as that the soldiers whose names are herewith given were accredited to Milton as part of her quota. Many names there are that should find place upon the Milton records, names other places at the outbreak of the war, enlisted and were accredited to the quotas of those towns or cities where they at that time resided.

officer in the city of Boston was Louis N. Tucker ; the best drill-officer in the city of San Francisco was James Sewall Reed, both Milton boys, with that ardor and love of country which has ever characterized the They enlisted, and with great zeal entered into the arduous duties thenceforth devolving upon them, duties which but few men outside of the regular army were competent or able to the raw recruits, who, in immense numbers, were swarming to do battle for their country; and thus, ' mainly through the exertions and the important preparatory work by them performed, were sent to the

After months of laborious work thus performed they, too, started for the front, one to return with honorable scars received in defense of the old flag, the other dying upon the field of battle while gallantly fighting for his native land.

Town Hall. - The present town hall, one of the finest structures of its kind in the commonwealth, was dedicated on the evening of Feb. 18,1879. The building is a substantial structure of brick and stone, contains a spacious hall, capable of seating five hundred people in the body of the hall and two hundred in the gallery, and has also convenient offices for the various town officials, the whole fitted up with every modern convenience. The style of architecture is Gothic, and is artistic and pleasing to the eye.

The announcement of the opening of the building drew thither a large number of visitors from all the country round about, and the scene was an animated one all the afternoon. The exercises of the dedication in the evening, in spite of the very forbidding weather, were attended by an assemblage of the town's people that crowded the hall. The exercises were opened by the Cadet Band of Boston, which gave the spirited " Light Cavalry" overture, by Suppe. Col. Henry S. Russell presided, and, after brief remarks of congratulation on the success which had attended the enterprise of building the hall, called upon the Rev. A. K. Teele to offer prayer. The report of the building committee was read by its chairman, Mr. W. H. Forbes. It reviewed the history of the enterprise, and gave full particulars in regard to the cost of the The sand dollars for the work was passed by the town March 4, 1878, and the committee, consisting of William H. Forbes, George Vose, Edward L. Pierce, Samuel Babcock, Samuel Gannett, J. H. Wolcott, Albert K. Teele, Charles L. Copeland, and Horace E. Ware, was appointed to carry out the work. Mr. Copeland resigned, and his place was filled by James M. Robbins. Mr. Nathaniel J. Bradlee, of Boston, were accepted. The contracts were awarded as follows: Mason-work, W.C. Poland & Sons, of Boston ; carpenters', Creesy & Noyes, of Boston; roofing, J. Farquhar's Sons, of Boston ; copper-work, L. Cushing & Son, of Waltham. The two last-named contracts were afterwards included in that with Creesy & Noyes, as well as all glazing and painting, except the decoration of the two halls and the front entrance, which was done by W. J. McPherson, of Boston. The work on the cellar was begun June 3d, and the corner-stone was laid about the 10th of July. The work was carried on without interruption until its completion. The cost was as follows: Masons' contract, $13,077.82 ; carpenters', $14,924.56 ; painting, chairman of the selectmen, received the keys from the committee, making brief remarks, after which followed an extended historical address by the Hon. Edward L. Pierce, which was listened to with great interest.

Town-meetings were held until 1836 in the parish meeting-house, now belonging to the First Congregational (Unitarian) society. In that and the succeeding year they were held in the stone meeting-house | this commonwealth dividing its share among the towns. The Blue Hill National Bank of Milton, incorporated in 1832, under the title of the " Dorchester first located in the ancient town of Dorchester. In the year 1850 a gang of burglars, under the notorious Jack Wade, raided the institution, securing bills of the bank, it was thought advisable to alter the name by which the bank was known ; accordingly, in the year 1851, by statutory provisions the name was tem," the name of the bank was again changed, December, 1864, to '' Blue Hill National Bank." Congress by special act, 1881, authorizing the re-

The present board of directors are HK. J. Bispham, Laban Pratt, Henry S. Russell, Samuel Gannett, A. L. Hollingsworth, Joseph KE. Hall, and Horace EK. Ware.

it being issued weekly, and bearing the title of The Milton News. After having published the above sheet some six months, Mr. Fairfield sold out his right, title, and interest to Mr. W. A. Woodward, the present proprietor.

Post-Office. - The date of the first establishment of a post-office in Milton was January, 1803. The first postmaster appointed was Samuel H. Glover: date of appointment Jan. 1, 1803. He was succeeded by Moses Whitney, who was appointed Dec. 9, 1805. Gen. Whitney held the office until 1817, when he resigned in favor of his friend, Nathan C. Martin, for nearly twenty-two years. Mr. Martin being about to remove from the town, resigned his trust in 1839, when Edmund J. Baker was appointed, April Ist of that year (1839), and held the position until Jan. 19, 1844, when George Thompson was appointed. The appointment was held by him until May 29, 1849, when Nathan C. Martin again received the appointment, occupying the position until his death, Aug. 26, 1864, making the whole term of his incumbency some thirty-seven years. Upon Oct. 20, 1864, Louis N. Tucker received an appointment, but declined to serve, when Henry Pope was appointed, Jan. 12, 1865, holding the office until his death, when his wife, Abigail F. Pope, was appointed, March 3, 1880, continuing in office until her decease, in 1883. July 16, 1883, Henry A. Pope was commissioned, holding the position at the present writing (1884). Conclusion. - We can no more fittingly close our history of this grand old town than by quoting the

"We have in the pleasant places where our lines have fallen blessings which came to us without effort or sacrifice of ourselves or our fathers. There are no four square miles in our country - perhaps, without exaggeration, we might add on the globe - more endowed with all that is attractive in scenery than those which are covered by our municipal jurisdiction. Here are no morasses, no pestilential districts, no blasted heaths, no wastes where allis parched, scraggy, and repulsive, no dead level wearisome to eye or feet; but the whole space filled with a pure and health-bringing air, which rises from the sea and descends from the hills, spread out in varied landscapes, diversified with elevations and intervales, with forests and fields watered by unfailing brooks, and even the hills fed by perpetual springs. Here on our fair heritage are combined the Blue Hills to the south, from which came, according to Roger Williams, the Indian name of our beloved commonwealth, Massachusetts ; the Neponset River, flowing along our northern border, and the ocean view to the east. You who have journeyed in other lands, along the Charente, the Loire, or the Arno, what fairer prospect have you seen than the eye sweeps as you stand on Milton Hill, looking on the river, as with changing tide it spreads outa broad lake, or withdraws to its narrow bed; on eminences crowned with villas; on villages nestling in valleys or covering elevations ; on churchspires testifying to Christian worship; on the islands and beaconlights in the harbor of New England's metropolis; on ships departing and returning on their errands of commerce and civilization 7

" Looking southward on the same highway, the old Plymouth road, the eye glides along a scene hardly less picturesque which embraces the intervale and the hills beyond. Standing on Brush Hill, with no intervening obstruction between you and the Blue Hills, there lies spread out before you nature in one of her royal moods, a study worthy of some gifted artist. Passing on to the south, and ascending the hills themselves, which in a less modest nomenclature than ours would be classified as mountains, and there, on the summit, lies before you a magnificent panorama of cities, villages, mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, the ocean, where one may contemplate with reverence the works of the Creator, the intelligence of man, the life and growth of society, and the events of history which have transpired in successive generations within the bounds of the horizon.

"Nor is the natural beauty of this township confined to such favored sites as these, but it is distributed among our farms and along our roads. I have seen the artist sitting by our longest brook, which rises in the Blue Hills, and, flowing through the Hobart woods, falls into the Neponset, sketching the overhanging branches, the old trunks, and the flowering meadows by its side, and placing on canvas beauties of which we live altogether too unconscious. Coming at the close of day from the railway station to my home, with the twin churches before me and the Blue Hills in the background, looking westward I have often seen on Italian skies. We have, indeed, villas and lawns which art has constructed and spread out, but, better still, we have retained the primitive forest, where woodcock, partridge, quail, and rabbit still linger; we have highways not too broad and lined with graceful elms; we have still, and long may we retain, that freshness of nature which makes the charm of Milton as a home and place of rest. If some lover of nature gifted with imagination like Wordsworth, who glorified with sentiment the Lake district of England and peopled it with ideal forms, shall ever be born or come to live among us, he will find all about him food for his contemplative spirit and poetic genius.

formed by our townsman, Mr. Robhins. The chronicles of its churches have been written by two of its pastors and present citizens, the Rev. Dr. Morison and the Rey. Frederick Frothingham, both of whom are with us this evening.

"Our town has been conspicuous for the good sense and solid character of its citizens, and in some epochs for names which When our fathers contended for existence against Philip of Pokanoket, her Capt. Wadsworth fell bravely with his gallant and devoted band in the swamps of

Sudbury, and in a graveyard of that town is a monument with the inscription, 'Captain Samual Wadsworth of Milton, his Lieut. Sharp of Brookline, and twenty-six other soldiers fighting for the defence of their country were slain by the Indian enemy and lye buried in this place.' served their country with honor in the army of the Revolution and in the war with England of 1812, and theirs and other names of our citizens are among the recorded heroisms of our civil war. In an early period this town gave a president to Harvard College in the person of Benjamin Wadsworth. Some of its citizens have been identified with the civil and judicial history of the State. some historic scenes, the preaching of John Eliot and George Whitefield, and the passage of the Suffolk Resolves in the house of Capt. Daniel Vose, drawn by Joseph Warren, and regarded as the earliest organized demonstration for independence in the colonies.

"There has been a continuity in the life of this town rare in Growing in population by natural increase rather than by accessions from other places, there has been a steady flow of influence and character from one generation to another. Eight of the original trustees, to whom, in 1664, a tract of land was eonveyed for 'a meeting-house and other ministerial purposes,' have always since had and still have descendants in the town bearing their names, and in some instances living upon and holding, without break in the chain of title, their ancestral acres, - the Voses, Wadsworths, Tuckers, Sumners, Gullivers, Babeocks, Swifts, and Cranes. It has a remarkable record for longevity, including in successive generations an unusual number of inhabitants who have lived to fourscore years, and even passed in health and vigor far beyond that limit.

The long service of many of its clergymen signifies its Five active pastorates, those of Peter Thacher, John Taylor, Nathaniel Robbins, Samuel Gile, and John H. Morison, span a period of one hundred and sixty-seven years, of which those of Thacher and Robbins were each nearly half a century in duration. Three lives, always identified with the town, connect us with the early part of the eighteenth century. Nathaniel Robbins, the third minister of the Milton Church, lived from 1726 to 1795. His son, Edward H. Robbins, an early Lieutenant-Governor of the State, lived from 1758 to 1829; and we have with us this evenconservative and steady-going character.

ing, next in the line, worthy alike of sire and grandsire, the Hon. James M. Robbins, who, at the age of eighty-two, is in the full enjoyment of his powers and active for the public good.

the people who value and profit by it! The town has probably counted among its citizens, at different periods, more graduates of Harvard College than any one of similar population in the State, and their trained intellects and large views have been felt We greet this evening, as one of our most welcome guests, a representative of the ancient university, Mr. James B. Thayer, Royall Professor of the Dane Law Schoo!l, - no longer of us as a citizen, but always deserves mention. among our people, with no sharp divisions into sects, occupations, and family groups. Wealth here is not supercilious and exclusive, but hospitable, open-handed, and sympathetic. There is little of poverty and dependence, but a general condition of comfort. There are no wide estates tilled by tenants, but, more than in most communities, each man is the owner of the house he lives in. As the result, there prevails a sense of self-respect and of respect for others.

"In political controversies the vote of the town has been steadily for freedom, for the support of the government, and the honest administration of State affairs. In commemoration of against clamor the peace of the country, an arch was erected over the bridge at the lower mills, at the instance of Capt. John Lillie, an officer of the army of the Revolution, then a citizen of the place, which bore this inscription, 'We unite in defence of our country and its laws,' a resolution to which the town and,

Biographical Sketches Edward L. Pierce

He was graduated at Brown University in 1850, standing in some departments at the head of his class, and carrywater and in a classical school at Easton.

ing off an unusual number of literary prizes. His interest while still a youth in public and literary questions is shown in his articles published in 1848-50 in that time he maintained relations of friendship and confidence. In 1857, he published his book on "' American Railroad Law," which at once took a conspicuous place in legal literature, and was regarded by many lawyers and judges having special knowledge and experience in this branch of the law as the best In 1881 he published a new treatise on ''The Law of Railroads,' availing himself of the multitude of new cases though following largely his original methed. This is now deemed He also prepared for the railroad commissioners in 1874 an elaborate index of the "Special Railroad Laws of He has been one of the lecturers at

In 1857, Mr. Pierce took an active part in opposing the narrow and proscriptive policy towards citizens of foreign birth which was at that time strongly urged in Massachusetts ; and a valuable letter from him, filled with statistics and advocating the most liberal treatment of foreigners, was printed in the newspapers and afterwards extensively distributed in pamphlet form.

Mr. Pierce continued in the practice of his profession until the breaking out of the Rebellion. In 1860 he represented his district in the National Republican Convention at Chicago, and supported the nomination of Mr. Lincoln. In February, 1861, when the

Judiciary," "The Executive Veto," and " Sir Thomas More," and in his essay on " the relation of education to wealth and industrial prosperity," which was published in the " Transactions of the Norfolk Agricultural Society" in 1852. From college he went to the Law School at Cambridge, where he was graduated in 1852. tion to his studies that had marked his course in college, and received the first prize offered to his class for an essay on '*'The Consideration of a Contract." In 1853, he wrote an able and learned article for the Boston Post on "Secret Suffrage,'' a question at that appeared before a committee of the Legislature and made a vigorous and very able argument against the proposed changes, which was printed, and is known to have made a strong impression upon the committee, and was warmly commended by Governor Andrew and Mr. Sumner.

In the very first week of the civil war, Mr. Pierce enlisted in Company L of the Third Regiment of the Massachusetts Militia, went to Old Point Comfort, and took part before the week was out in the destruction of the Norfolk navy-yard. He performed his duties as a private soldier in all respects until July. when he was detailed to collect the negroes at Hampton and set them to work on the intrenchments of that town. This was the beginning of the employment of negroes on our military works. Mr. Pierce's views on putting them into service as laborers and soldiers were in advance of those of the government, as may be seen in his article on '* The Contrabands at of November, 1861, which at the time attracted much attention, being written nearly two years before Col. Shaw led the first negro regiment out of Boston. In December of the same year, Mr. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, despatched Mr. Pierce to Port Royal to examine into the condition of the negroes upon the Sea Islands. It was a delicate service, for the government had as yet taken no position as to the In February, 1862, able and exhaustive report in which he assumed the freedom of these negroes and the duty of the government to protect them. This report was published in the New York Tribune, and thence extensively copied both in England and America. One of the English papers, making a full abstract, entitled it ' Mr. The work which he had recommended was placed in his charge by the government with full authority, and in March, 1862, taking with him teachers and superintendents, nearly sixty in number, he again sailed for Port Royal, and entered upon this most difficult and important work. He oceupied the Sea Islands having nearly two hundred plantations and ten thousand negroes, planted fifteen thousand acres in cotton, corn and potatoes, founder of a new State and a new civilization among the blacks. Largely owing to his suggestions, Freedmen's Aid Societies were formed, through whose in- | the Rebellion by Wilson and the Count of Paris. In the spring of 1863 he was again employed at the South on similar duty. The care of the negroes having been transferred to the War Department, he was asked to continue in charge under its authority, but collector of internal revenue for the Third Massachusetts District, which office he held from October, 1863, to May, 1866, discharging its duties with the same fidelity and diligence which had heretofore marked his career. A vacancy occurring at this time in the office of district attorney for the district comprising Norfolk and Plymouth Counties, Governor Bullock at once appointed him to the position. He was elected by the people to the same office in 1866, and re-elected in 1868. In October, 1869, he resigned this office and accepted the position of secretary of the Board of State Charities, which he held until his resignation, in 1874. In his reports, as secretary of the board, besides the routine work of the office, he treated with fullness certain topics of permanent interest connected with crime and pauperism. Among them were those of '' Executive Pardons," '"' Habitual and Juvenile Offenders," and " Out-Door Relief." In his concluding report he reviewed foreign institutions and methods, giving the results of his observations in his visit to Europe in 1873. These papers are now consulted as authority on the matters which they dis-. cuss, and furnish the most thorough and exhaustive treatment of these important subjects which has been made in this country.

In 1875 and 1876, Mr. Pierce was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature, and served on the Judiciary Committee, being its chairman the second year. Besides giving his attention to the ordinary business which falls to this committee, he originated and carried through a most important measure limiting and regulating municipal indebtedness, which is generally regarded as one of the most salutary laws which has been enacted by the Legislature for many years.

Mr. Pierce's best known literary work is the " Memoir of Charles Sumner," the first two volumes of which were published in 1877. 'The author was specially qualified for this duty intrusted to him as one of the literary executors of the distinguished statesman, having been during the whole of Mr. Sumner's public life his close and intimate friend. This work of love was executed with rare discretion, excellent taste, and sound judgment. Seldom have the funetions of a biographer been performed so thoroughly and conscientiously. The narrative is perspicuous, full without diffuseness, lucid and animated, and free It is entitled to rank among the few great biographies.

In 1880, Mr. Pierce delivered the oration before the Alumni of Brown University, the subject being "The Public and Social Duties of the College Grad- to their best work and endeavor. Two years later he received from Brown University the degree of LL.D. He has ever kept up an interest in his A/ma Mater, and has been for two years the president of the association of its graduates in Boston and vicinity.

his papers and addresses not already mentioned are | _ lic men, to whose acquaintance his writings and serthe following: '" Report to Governor Andrew on the Condition of Massachusetts' ernment proposed for the Rebel States ;' February, 1874, before a committee of the Massachusetts Legislature in favor of rescinding the resolutions passed the preceding year censuring Senator Sumner for his course in the Senate with regard to the battle flags ; "' Speech on Municipal Indebtedness," delivered before the Massachusetts House of Represpeech in |

Mr. Pierce has always taken an active part in public affairs. He was the originator of the public library, of which he has been a trustee since its organization. He gave, in 1879, the address at the dedication of the new town house, and in 1882 delivered the address at the dedication of the new town house in Stoughton, his native town.

Mr. Pierce has several times visited Europe, where he has made extensive journeys, and has had the advantage of personal intercourse with scholars and pubvices were an introduction. His life has been a busy one, and although yet in his prime, with apparently many years of usefulness and honor before him, he has nearly realized in himself the ideal conception of on "The Private Life and Literary Friendships of Charles Sumner ;" article entitled 'A Senator's (Charles Sumner's) Fidelity Vindicated," in the North American Review, July-August, 1878 ; " Address before the Suffolk Bar on George S. Hillard," January, 1879; speech at the public dinner given to Carl Schurz in Boston, in March, 1881. He was the author of the resolutions of the Republican State Conventions of 1867, 1869, and 1872, and has been chairman of the committee on resolutions at different times. He again represented his district in the Republican National Convention at Cincinnati in 1876, where he served on the committee on resolutions, and made an earnest speech against a proposition to exclude Chinese immigrants from the equality recognized by the Declaration of Independence. He was also a member of the Republican National Convention meeting at Chicago in 1884. He was appointed by President Hayes in December, 1878, assistant treasurer of the United States, but declined the appointment. As soon as he was old enough to be a voter he began to address popular meetings and write for the newspapers in favor of what was then known as the Free Soil party, and has continued from that time until the present (1884) to take part as a speaker and writer in political discussions.

Sincere and loyal to his personal and political associates, he has ever been true to his convictions of truth and duty. A vraceful, earnest, and convincing orator, a clear, forcible, and polished writer, of marvelous industry and exhaustive power of research, few men of his age have accomplished so much work of varied character and importance. Much of his time from early manhood has been devoted to the interests of humanity, as illustrated in his long service in the political movement against slavery, in his work for freedmen, and in his connection with efforts for the improvement of prison administration and kindred reforms.

Lieut. Huntington Frothingham Wolcott

The name of Huntington Frothingham Wolcott, although he died before he had reached the age of twenty years, will be long remembered by many. He came of a family which had rendered public and conspicuous service to the country for two centuries, and almost as a boy he heard and heeded the call which summoned him to bear his part in preserving the son of John Wolcott, of Tolland, in Somersetshire, England, and was baptized in the adjoining parish of Lydiard St. Lawrence, Dec. 6, 1578. He married, Jan. 19, 1606, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Saunders, of Lydiard St. Lawrence. He held a good estate in lands, as the title-deeds still in existence show, and was already passed middle life when, " to avoid the persecution of those times against dissenters,"' he emigrated to New England, sailing, with

Squeb, master, in a company numbering one hundred and forty souls. They "came by the good hand of the Lord through preaching or expounding of the word of God every

In 1643 he was elected a member of the House of Magistrates, as the present Senate was then styled, and to this office he was annually reelected during life. In the year 1640 he appears to have visited England, where, by the decease of his elder brother without issue, he had inherited the family estate, and it was probably in the same year house, and in the house there was a man which had a boiled bass, but no bread that we see. eat of his bass, and then went up Charles River until the river grew narrow and shallow; and there we | landed our goods, with much labor and toil, the bank | being steep ; and, night coming on, we were informed |

In 1671 he sold his estate in Windsor, and moved to Simsbury, where he had received from the General Court a grant of land, and where, in 1674, he was them came and held out a great bass toward us, so we sent a man with a biscuit, and changed the cake for the Afterwards they supplied us with bass, exchanging a bass for a biscuit-cake, and were very

King Philip's war was then raging. 'In 1675 the town was destroyed by the Indians, and Simon Wolcoit returned to Windsor, having lost all his property in this unhappy enterprise. He died Sept. 11, 1687, his death being hastened, according to his son's account, 'by gloomy anticipations of the oppression and suffering which awaited the colonists under the coming administration of Sir Edmund Andros."'

His youngest son, Roger, was born Jan. 4, 1679, and married, Dee. 3, 1702, Sarah Drake, of Windsor. He says in his autobiography, "I never was a scholar in any school a day in my life;" but he so well improved his slender opportunities for education that his He was chosen selectman in 1707, and two years after was elected a representative in the General Assembly. In 1710 he " was put on the Bench of Justices," and

He was appointed judge of the County Court in 1721, and judge of the Superior Court in 1732, of which court he afterwards became the chief justice. He was In 1745 he received a commission as major-general, and was second in command under Sir William Pepperell in the From 1750 until 1754 he held the office of Governor of the colony.

He wrote and published a volume of " Poetical Meditations,' more remarkable for their tone of piety and patriotism than for their rhythmic melody or smooth versification. He died in the eighty-ninth year of

His son, Oliver Wolcott, was born Nov. 20, 1726. | He was graduated at Yale College in 1747, and mar- | ried, Jan. 21, 1755, Lorraine, daughter of Capt. | Daniel Collins, of Guilford. He settled in Litchfield, | and was chosen representative of the town in the General Assembly. From 1774 to 1786 he was an assistant or councillor. He was chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the county, and was for many years judge of the Court of Probate for the district of Litchfield. He served in the militia in| every grade of office from that of captain to that of | major-general. 'He was chosen a member of the | Continental Congress, and in July, 1775, was ap- | pointed by that body one of the Commissioners of | Indian Affairs, a trust of great importance, its object being to induce the Indian nations to remain neutral | during the war. In 1776 he signed his name to the Declaration of Independence, and from then until 1783 he was constantly engaged, either in Congress or in the field, in furthering the national cause. From 1786 to 1796 he was annually elected Lieutenant-Governor, and in the latter year he was chosen Governor, which office he held at the time of his death, which came upon his seventy-first birthday, Dec. 1, 1797. His Alma Mater, Yale College, conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D. Such is a brief and imperfect record of the public services | rendered to his country during a time of danger and doubt by Oliver Wolcott.

The youngest son of Oliver Wolcott was Frederick | Wolcott, who was born Nov. 2, 1767. He was graduated at Yale College in 1786, with the first honors of | his class, and at commencement delivered the salutatory oration in Latin. He married, Oct. 12, 1800, | Betsey, daughter of Col. Joshua Huntington, of Norwich. She came of a family renowned in the annals of the State. Her grandfather, Gen. Jabez Hunting. | ton (Yale College, 1741) consecrated his wealth to | the cause of independence, and was appointed majorgeneral of the entire State force. Three of her uncles attained the rank of general in the service of their country, and the name of Huntington was for generations honorably known in the military and civil histery of the State and nation. Frederick Wolcott was appointed clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in > 1793, and in 1798 clerk of the Superior Court of. Litchfield County. He was a representative in the General Assembly, and in 1808 he was chosen a Presidential elector. From 1810 to 1823 he was a member of the State Senate. In 1796 he was appointed judge of probate, and this office he held until | his death, a period of over forty years. He was twice offered a nomination for the office of Governor by the party in power, but these nominations he declined, partly on account of his health and partly because through life he was little covetous of high office or of popular applause. A man of magnificent physique, of high literary attainments, of sterling integrity, respected and beloved by all, his memory is still cherished in the town where he passed his useful and He died May 28, 1837, at the age of seventy years.

Oliver Wolcott, Jr., an older brother of Frederick Wolcott, succeeded Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury in the cabinet of Washington, whose intimate friend he was, and, after leaving, in 1800, the cabinet of John Adams, he was for ten years Governor of Connecticut, as had b