Plymouth Town (part 2 of 54)

over which the Rev. Ebenezer Gay, who graduated at Harvard University 1814, is now settled, and another, over which the Rev. Mr. Raymond is pastor ; and a Universalist society, in which the Rev. Lewis G. Brown sometimes officiates; and a New Jerusalem church, over which the Rev. Samuel Worcester is pastor.

There is also in North Bridgewater another Congregational society, over which the Rev. John Golclsbury, who graduated at Brown University, 1820, was pastor, but is now vacant ; and there is another, of which the Rev. John Dwight was pastor, but in which the Rev. Mr. Huntington above named is now preaching ; and a New Jerusalem church, over which the Rev. Warren Goddard is settled ; and a Methodist society, of which the Rev. Charles Hayward is pastor.

There is also a 2d Congregational society in East Bridgewrater, over which the Rev. Baalis Sanford, who graduated at Brown University 1823, is pastor. - There are also some of the New Jerusalem church there, and also some Universalists, who have regular meetings but no settled ministers.

The general longevity of the early ministers of Bridgewater is worthy of notice. Four of them, namely, Mr. Perkins, Mr. J. Angier, Mr. Shaw, and Mr. Porter, who were cotemporaries, and pastors of the four principal parishes, lived to the great ages respectively of 8C, 86, 83 and 87, and died in the 62d, 63d, 60th and 62d year of their ministry, and all officiated occasionally, and some of them regularly, till their deaths. - Dr. Reed died also in his SOth year, and Dr. Sanger in his 74th. These with Mr. Keith, who was 76, and Mr. Samuel Angier, who was 62, are the only ministers who ever died in the town.

Schools And Education

The town has been remarkable for its attention to education, both public and private. Mr. Keith and Elder Brett, in the very infancy of the settlement, procured a subscription of about £12 to be paid in Indian corn, for the use of the college at Cambridge. Assessments were also formerly made very liberally, both in the town and the parishes, for the maintenance of common schools. The interest of learning has always been cherished here, and its importance duly appreciated.

There is in the south parish an academy, established, and the trustees of it incorporated, February 28, 1799. The half township of land granted by the general court as an endowment, was sold for $5,000. The building was erected by individuals who subscribed $3,000 for that purpose. It has always had the reputation of a good seminary of instruction, and is still well patronised and in a nourishing condition. The Hon. John A. Shaw is the present preceptor.

The following are the names of those who have had collegiate education, arranged under the parishes to which they respectively belonged, with the years and colleges annexed, in which they received their degrees : -

Issachar Snell

D affixed to the year, stands for Dartmouth College - B for Brown University - Y for Yale College - N for Nassau or New Jersey College. Where no letter is affixed, Cambridge or Harvard University is to be understood. Those in italics are clergymen.

By comparing this list with the catalogue of Harvard, it appears that one quarter of the graduates in the class of 1785, were from Bridgewater.

Ponds And Rivers

There are but two ponds of any considerable dimensions in the town. The largest lies on the south-west part of the town, adjoining Raynham, and was anciently called by the Indians

Nuncketest or Neapnuncket, and afterwards and now called Nippenicket. The other lies in the easterly part of the town, adjoining Halifax, and was anciently called by the Indians Satucket ; but afterwards and now called Robins' Pond, after an Indian family of that name, who came from Mattakeeset, now Pembroke, and lived on the margin of it. Several families of Indians formerly settled and owned land on the shores of this pond ; but are now nearly extinct. There is a river issuing from the pond first abovementioned, which anciently bore the same name, Nuncketest ; but after the erection of the first mill, was called Mill River, and for a long time, and perhaps ever since the incorporation of the town, has been called Town River. It first runs in a north-easterly course through the middle of the west parish, and then by a more south-easterly direction passes through the south parish. On this stream is the principal mill seat in the west, and two of the principal water privileges in the south parish. There are several tributary streams which augment this river in its course, as Cowesit and West Meadow Brook in the west, and South Brook in the south parish, and other smaller streams.

There is another river, which rises in Stoughton, south of the Blue Hills, and passes through the north parish, and is there called Salisbury River, from the circumstance of its running on the easterly side of Salisbury Plain, so called, and thence continues its course into the east parish, where it unites with Beaver Brook, and is then called Matfield River, from an Indian of that name, who is said to have lived on the banks of it, and lower down it unites with Byram's Brook, anciently called Spring Brook, now called Forge Brook, and is then called John's River, from John Howard, an early settler near it, where Dea. Samuel Keen now lives. It soon unites with the Poor Meadow river, and thence passes into the south parish and there unites with the Town River. There are, in the north parish, five or six mill seats on this river and Beaver Brook, and seven in the east, including those on Beaver and Byram's Brook. This river passes the whole length of the town, and may well be called Middle River, as it is the middle one of the three principal streams composing the Great River.

Poor Meadow River, above mentioned, passes through Abington and the north-west corner of Hanson, entering the east parish on the easterly side ; and, uniting with the river coining from Halifax, through Monponset Pond and Robin's Pond, is then called Satucket River, and after receiving a small increase from Black Brook unites with John's River, as before stated. Hobart's works in Abington, and Cushing's in Hanson, formerly called Moor's Forge, stand on the Poor Meadow stream ;' and the extensive works at Halifax are on the other branch of the Satucket River. Whitman's Mills in the east, now called the East Bridgewater Manufacturing Establishment, are on this river ; and just below the confluence of these three rivers, in the south parish, stand the new mills, so called, and the paper mill, owned by Hooker and Warren. The Great River, after receiving the waters of the Winnetuxet from Plympton, and of the Namasket from Middleborough, is commonly called Titicut River, but from Titicut to the sea is called Taunton Great River. There are several other small mill seats in various parts of the town, on the minor brooks and rivulets, which afford sufficient water for them in many instances during the winter and spring seasons.

Taunton River is called great only in comparison with its branches and tributaries, but is nevertheless large enough, even so high up as the south parish of Bridgewater, as to admit of ship building. Vessels of near one hundred and fifty tons were formerly built there, and carried down in time of freshets.

Soil, Agriculture, And Manufactures

Bridgewater is a very level township, having few or no great hills. The only one, which may be properly so called, is Sprague's Hill, anciently called the Great Hill, situated between the east and south parishes, and this is but small. The westerly part of the north parish, commonly called the "West Shares," is perhaps the highest land in the town.

adjoining the rivers and brooks, it is of a good quality and veryproductive. In other parts, as on the plains, it is suitable for tillage, being of a light mould, and produces good crops of grain with a moderate quantity of manure and little labor. Owing to the numerous water courses and large tracts of swampy grounds, the town, and particularly West Bridgewater, abounds with low meadow lands, producing a great supply of coarse hay, which formerly was held in great estimation, but since the great improvements in agriculture, and increased attention to the cultivation of English and other approved foreign grasses, it is considered of less value. These extensive meadows are still, however, of vast importance, and constitute one of its peculiar privileges as an agricultural town.

It has always had the reputation of a good farming town, and might therefore be supposed to be almost wholly engaged in husbandry, yet it abounds in mechanics and manufacturers. Iron manufactures of almost every description have always been largely carried on here. The making of small arms in New England, if not in the United States, commenced here. Many stand of arms were made here before the Revolution. Cannon were here cast solid and bored, at the commencement of that war, the first, perhaps, that were manufactured in this manner in the country. There were more edged tools and wrought nails formerly made here than in any other town in the State. Bar iron, anchors, cotton gins, sugar mills, shovels, edged tools, hoops, nails, tacks, and castings of every description are still made here, and some of these branches are carried on very extensively. There are here also a paper mill, cotton mills, and other manufacturing and mechanic establishments of various kinds. Chaise making has for many years been a considerable branch of business ; but at present the shoe business exceeds all others ; two thousand dollars a week being paid at one establishment alone to the laborers for the making only of shoes.

The Hon. Hugh Orr, himself a Scotchman, who manufactured the small arms and cannon as above stated, invited Robert Barr and Alexander Barr, brothers, from Scotland, to construct carding, spinning, and roping machines at his works in East

Early Settlement Of Bridgevvater

Bridgewater. And the General Court on the lGth of November, 1786, Mr. Orr himself then being one of the Senate, by a resolve of that date allowed them two hundred pounds fur their ingenuity, and afterwards granted them a further compensation of six tickets in the land lottery of that period. These machines remained in the possession of Mr. Orr for the inspection of all disposed to see them, and lie was requested by the General Court to exhibit the same and give all explanation and information in his power respecting them. These were the first machines of the kind ever made in the country. Mr. Slater, with the late Mr. Moses Brown, of Providence, came to examine them on Mr. Slater's first arrival in the country, and before he had commenced any establishment of the kind. The circumstances of this visit were communicated to the writer by Mr. Brown himself, who at the same time added, that these were the first machines of the kind ever made in the United States. Thomas Somers, another Scotchman, under the direction of Mr. Orr, constructed other machines for carding, roping, and spinning cotton, and on the 8th of March, 1787, the General Court placed in Mr. Orr's hands twenty pounds to encourage the artist. Mr. Orr also about the same time employed another foreigner by the name of McClure, to weave jeans and corduroys by hand with a fly shuttle, much in the same manner as it is now done by water power. It may therefore with truth be said, perhaps, that the first small arms, the first solid cannon cast and bored, the first cotton thread ever spun by modern machinery, in America, were made in Bridgewater. The first nails manufactured by machinery in the United States were made here ; probably the first nail completely cut and headed by machinery at one operation in the world, was made in East Bridgewater, by the late Mr. Samuel Rogers. In laying the shingles on the present meeting house in East Bridgewater, which was erected in 1794, nails made by hand in a small machine invented by him, were principally used. The writer well recollects the circumstance, and often saw the machine in operation. It had been invented and constructed long before, and was supposed to be the first method ever discovered of making a perfect nail at one operation. Some of the present manufactures carried on here, such as cotton gins and others, are probably the first ever made in New- England. - Few places therefore have done more towards the introduction and promotion of the manufacturing and mechanic arts, than this ancient town of Bridjrewater.

Census

Emigration from the town was formerly very great, and of course the increase of population in it was small. They first went to the western part of the State, and into New Hampshire and Vermont. Afterwards principally into Maine. Emigration of late has been less frequent, and of course population has increased.

Chronological Order

" November 3. - It is agreed upon by the town that all who neglect to attend a town meeting after lawful warning shall pay Is. 6d.; and for tardiness, and not answering when their names are called, 9d. - and the same for going away before the meeting is closed.

" About the holsters bought of Goodman Hill. Goodman Hay ward, Sen., and Goodman Harris, having engaged for the payment of them, being 12s., the town is Avilling to pay it them again in their rate in the best of their pay, which they shall be amerced to pay out of their rates.

" It is agreed that there shall be five wolf-traps made. 1660. - It is ordered and agreed upon freely and willingly to give to Mr. Bunker, if he shall come hither to supply the place of a minister, the sum of £30, or ^20 and his diet. 1661. - It is agreed upon to build a house for a minister who shall be called to settle with them, and to give him a purchase right.

" It is agreed upon that those things that are agitated by the town for the good of the whole, shall be carried on by a major vote, and the vote be called for by the town clerk. 1663. - Constant Southworth and William Paybody laid out to Miles Standish three hundred acres at Satucket Pond, on the north side of Winnetuxet River, and butting upon Satucket River, one hundred and sixty rods in length from Satucket River.

1664. - The town make their agreement with Mr. Keith, student in divinity, for settling him in the ministry, and give him a purchase right and other lands, with a house built thereon, on condition that he continues with them.

1667. - A jury was named by the court to be empannelled to lay out all ways requisite in the town of Bridgewater, viz: - Nicholas Byram, Samuel Edson, Thomas Hayward, Samuel Packard, Nathaniel Willis, Lieutenant Thomas Hayward, Jr., Arthur Harris, John Cary, Ensign John Haward, Mark Lathrop, Robert Latham, Joseph Alden, and if by Providence any of these be hindered, that then Samuel Allen and John Ames do supply.

1671. - Comfort Willis chosen trooper for five years, to find horse and furniture, only the town to find a pair of pistols and holsters, and if they were out of kelter at any time, he to repair them ; and if he went to Yarmouth, he was to have 20s.; if to Plymouth, 15s.; and if to Taunton, 10s.; and Israel Packard to be trooper also on the same terms.

" Voted to build a new meeting-house, and granted four score pounds and no more for falling, squaring, framing, enclosing, covering, flooring, glazing, and seating, and whatsoever belongs to the finishing of the same, excepting the galleries and ceiling : the dimensions to be forty by twenty-six feet, and fourteen feet studs.

Early Settlement Op Bridgewater

1672. - At a meeting of the purchasers or proprietors, a committee was appointed " to consider the manner to be adopted in future for laying out their lands. This was the first meeting held separately by the proprietors. " The town being met the 17th of June, and Mr. Constant Southworth, assistant, coming through the town, and having been appointed by court to choose and give oath to a jury for laying out highways convenient in the town, did accordingly perform the service, and appointed Samuel Edson, (foreman,) Lieutenant Hayward, Ensign Haward, Mark Lathrop, Joseph Bassett, Samuel Tompkins, John Ames, Thomas Snell, John Washburn, John Hayward, John Willis, Jr., and John Cary.

1673. - It was voted that Mr. Keith, having been some competent time with them, should have the house and lands where he lived, twelve acres, and a whole purchase right.

1674. - The town ordered that a new book for the recording of lands should be procured, and a committee was chosen to see that the records were made and transcribed correctly, and on good evidence. " The young men were allowed to build galleries to the meeting house, and to have the front seats to themselves.

1675. - The meeting-house and minister's house ordered to be fortified, powder and ball to be procured, and pay for soldiers provided. " It was agreed there should be two wears to catch fish ; and the parties for Satucket should be from the elder's, (William Brett's,) and so all the families along to Satucket, with John Washburn, Guido Bailey, John Leonard, Samuel Leonard, and Nathaniel Hayward : and all the rest of the town for Mill River. " All the householders and male children twenty years old and upwards, now found to be sixty-four in number, shall be proprietors in the lands at Titicut, just bought of the Indians.

1C75. - The fortification about the meeting house to be made with half trees seven feet high above the ground, six rods long and four rods wide, besides the flankers ; and every quarter or squadron to do, each of them, a side or an end ; and they that do the ends must make each of them a door, and each of them a flanker ; to be done by the Gth of November.

highways through such lands where allowance is so made, shall not be less than forty feet. 1686. - Ten acres of wood land to be laid out to each purchaser nearest to their habitations, as the land will afford it to be laid out, viz : -

Lots on the south side of Town River, below Goodman Alden's, namely, to William Snow, Samuel Edson, Edward Fobes, John Ames, Elihu Brett, Samuel Edson, Jr., Josiah Edson, Matthew Gannett, (of Scituate,) Solomon Leonard, Giles Leach, Benjamin "Willis.

North side of the Town River, viz : - John Willis, Nathaniel Hayward, John Willis, Jr., Captain Wadsworth, (Samuel, of Duxbury,) Lieutenant (Thomas) Hayward, Joseph Bassett, William Bassett, Joseph Alden, John Bobbins, Goodman, (William) Orcutt, Joseph Wadsworth, (of Duxbury,) Thomas Washburn.

On the west end of the town, towards West Meadoio Brook, viz : - Goodman, (Guido) Bayley, Goodman, (Mark) Lathrop, Ensign (John) Haward,^ Goodman, (Samuel) Packard, Elkanah Willis, Mr. Keith, Goodman, (George) Turner, John Field, John Hayward of the plain, Thomas Snell, Arthur Harris.

1687. - John Usher's warrant sent to the constable of Bridgewater for choosing commissioners for taking a list of males from sixteen years old and upward, and valuing estates, was received by me, Joseph Edson, constable, August 22. Samuel Allen chosen commissioner.

For John's Bridge. Goodman Bayley, Guido Bayley, Jr., Goodman Orcutt, William Orcutt, Jr., Richard Jennings ; John Packard, to make ahorse bridge there.

Note. - This was formerly called Jennings' Bridge, then Packard's Bridge, and now Pope's Bridge. It was first called John's Bridge, after John Packard, who lived there, but was not long known by that name. Joppa Bridge was more usually called John's Bridge, after John Haward, who lived near it.

" Josiah Edson, Nicholas Byram, and Edward Mitchell to issue the difference between the town and John Soul and Joseph Brastraw, (Barstow,) about the four mile line.

" David Perkins, John Ames, and Samuel Washburn, to get in Mr. Keith's salary by all loving persuasions and legal means. 1690. - It was voted to be at charges for procuring a charter and to bear their proportion of the expense in case it may be obtained, and but one, Giles Leach, voted against it, and two appeared afterwards and spoke by word of mouth ; voted also that Mr. Wiswall should be their agent to act for them.

1691. - It was voted the constables should not pay any more money towards the Canada expedition, till their own charges on that account be paid, and the rest of the towns in the colony had gathered and paid their proportion, as they themselves had done : and until further order of court at New Plymouth.

1694. - It was granted that Mr. David Perkins should have liberty to make a dam across the river below his house, against his own land, provided he damnifies none of his neighbors by overflowing their lands. And Thomas Washburn, by deed 1697, gave Perkins the right of joining the dam to his land.

" Captain Thomas Hayward, Lieutenant John Haward, Deacon Brett, Thomas Snell, and Samuel Allen, to order the seats to each person in the meeting-house ; and Ensign Packard, Sergeant Josiah Edson, Sergeant Samuel Washburn, Sergeant Edward Mitchell, and Sergeant Nicholas Byram to seat the above committee.

" Edward Mitchell and Jonathan Haward to inspect and take notice of any disorder among the young persons in the galleries on the Lord's day, and declare them by name after the exercise is done. 1694. - Thomas Snell, according to former agreement, bought a new book to record the purchasers' lands in, and they gave him for it eighteen acres of land.

1696. - Thomas Randall, William Manly, and their neighbors allowed to come here to meeting, and to make a horse bridge over Cutting Cove River.

1699. - The town agreed to choose town officers annually on the first Monday in March, beginning at 10 o'clock, and also to divide the town for constables into two parts. All on the south side of the town river, and from Lieutenant Haward's on the west side of the highway going to Braintree, to one constable. And from Lieutenant Haward's all on the east side of the highway going to Braintree, on the north side of the town river, to the other constable.

1703. - Voted to divide the town into three constablericks, as follows, viz : - All on the easterly side of Matfield and Satucket rivers to be one constablerick ; and the other two to be divided by the town river.

1708. - The town passed a clear vote to petetion the General Court for the continuance of the country road where it was laid out when removed from the place where the great bridge was at Jones' River, (at Kingston.)

1717. - The town gave Mr. Allen (minister) liberty to make use of the pine trees on the stated common on Bayley's Plain for drawing of turpentine.

1737, - The town voted their consent that the north should become a distinct town, agreeably to their petition ; and on November 29, 1738, they also voted their consent that the south and east precincts might also each become distinct towns ; but these votes were never attempted to be carried into effect only as it regarded the north, who, although they petitioned originally to become a toion, were indulged so far only as to be incorporated into a precinct.

1757. - Voted to choose five selectmen : hitherto they had chosen but three, one from the west, one from the south, and one from the east ; ever after they chose one from each of the five parishes, east, west, north, south, and Titicut.

1767. - Several of the neutral French were supported and pro vided for in this town for several years previous ; and this year Joseph Latham was paid 21s. 4d., for carrying them to Plymouth; (for transportation probably.)

Early Location Of Highways

1664. - It is ordered by the feofees, and agreed upon by the town, that every man shall have a convenient highway to his meadow lands. " They whom it doth concern may have a way through the spruce swamp.

1667. - There was a highway left by individuals between Nathaniel Hayward's six acre lot, and Thomas Snell's ten acre lot, upon the east side of Goodman Bacon's, on the plain, and a piece of common land between the lots in form like a gussett.

1668. - A way towards Plymouth, viz : - from the meeting-house to Arthur Harris' range, to the common - through the swamp to Sandy Hill - up the hill and over to John Hay ward, Jr.'s range - and across his lot to Daniel Bacon's house - and in the old way to widow Bassett's lot to the wolf-trap - over the same lot to Thomas Hayward, Jr.'s lot, and across to Goodman John

Tompkin's lot - and so to a piece of land left for a road betwixt him and Thomas Snell - over a corner of Snell's lot, near the river to the bridge - through Nicholas By ram's land to his house - over a little river and over the plain to a narrow place in the swamp, and so to Arthur Harris' fifty acre lot, and on the hard ground to his son Samuel Harris' house - and in a straight line to a bridge on Satucket River, as the rocks will permit - and straight to the highway near Robert Latham's barn - then to the usual road to Plymouth, as far as the bounds of our town extends - only in the way we fetch a little compass to avoid a steep hill, a little way from Latham's lot.

1668. - 2d. - A way towards Boston, viz ; - from the meetinghouse on the same road above mentioned, to John Hay ward's range - then to the usual road reaching into the bay as far as our bounds extend.

" 3d. - A way to Taunton, viz : - from the meeting-house to John Haward's - then over the river and between the lots that were Mr. Love Brewster's and John Fobes' - and so into the usual way that leads to Taunton.

" 4th. - A way to the great meadows, viz : - to come from out of Taunton way at the head of Edward Fobes' six acre lot - so to the head of Samuel Edson's six acre lots to William Snow's - then between said Edson's and Snow's lands to the common - then to the river.

1673. - Thomas Snell was to make and maintain two horse bridges, one at the hither end of Salisbury plain, over the brook, and another at the further end over the river.

1G84. - Lieutenant Thomas Hayward, Nathaniel Willis, Joseph Hayward and Francis Cary to maintain the bridge and causey at Lieutenant T. Hayward's house, fit for cart, horse, and foot : and are to be freed from all other highway work. And John Field, John Washburn, Jr., and Nathaniel Packard are to maintain a like bridge and causey towards Thomas Snell's house, at Sandy Hill, on the same conditions.

1685. - Samuel Allen, Samuel Allen, Jr., William Brett, Isaac Harris, John Haward, Jr., Jonathan Hill, and Thomas Whitman, pray for a road and bridge over Matfield River, (at Joppa.)

1690. - A way laid out from John Aldnch's to the corner of Goodman Edson's field, where it meets with the way that comes from the town : the way is to be where it's beaten. " A way to Isaac Alden's ; beginning at the road leading from John Kingman's towards Nicholas Byram's - thence by the edge of Huckleberry plain to the old cow path and to the river - thence upon the plain commonly called Jonathan Cary's plain - thence by a slough and across a swamp to the northward of Jonathan Cary's house - thence to Beaver Brook, at the cartway between Isaac Alden's and James Cary's - thence to Isaac Alden's house - and thence to Snell's plain. - " The jury ordered to lay out such highways as are needful for the inhabitants to come to meeting and to mill, and to their meadows, especially the way to Indian Field and the meadows at Coasters' Kitchen." " A way to the meadows called Coasters' Kitchen ; from the road at the corner of the land that was Mark Lathrop's - thence keeping the easterly side of the ridge to the meadows. " A road laid out by a jury from Isaac Harris' house to Goodman Whitman's house on the east side, - thence to the river, and over the river and between Edward Mitchell's and John Haward's - so across Haward's land where the way is above his barn, or between his house and barn - so along the way to town. 1G90. - A way from Goodman Bayley's farm and South Brook agreed upon, viz : - the way now goes from South Brook to Samuel Washburn's, where the way now is, it runs on the north side of the barn to a tree where it meets with a way that comes from South Brook below Goodman Ames' meadow, where the way goes over the brook to the said tree - and thence to a white oak - thence in the way over a small run - thence to John Leonard's house - thence with the way to Samuel Edson's land, and down on Comfort Willis' land, and across Samuel Edson's land to John Willis' land - then to a wild cherry tree - then to a rock near the outside of John Willis' land - then through Samuel Edson's land to marked trees - and then to town.

" A way from the north end of Samuel Lathrop's land in town over the Spruce Swamp where the bridge is - so straight up through Jonathan Haward's land and Elkanah Willis' land to Ensign Packard's land - thence to a tree on the east side of the way in Lieutenant Hayward's land - then to the way that comes from the west meadow, where there is a rock on the easterly side - then as the way is to West Meadow, till it comes to Samuel Tompkin's land - then between Mr. Keith's and Samuel Tompkin's land, till it meets the west meadow path.

«« Road from (Sproats) or the meeting-house in Middleborough, over Thompson's bridges, to the road leading from Bridgewater to Plymouth, (at Thomas Drews) then following Bridgewater road by James Latham's to Byram's plain, to the road leading to Weymouth - then as the road goes on the westerly side of Andrew Ford's house, and so to the patent line. 1697. - A way ordered to be laid out to and over Satucket

Early Settlement Of Briduewater

-The town agreed to make a cart bridge over the town river at Lieutenant Haward's, and the owners of the sawmill, viz : - Josiah Edson, Edward Fobes, Ephraim Haward, Thomas Snell, and Joseph Hayward agreed to do their parts to it over and above what the rest of the town did, because their mill pond made a necessity for the bridge.

1701. - The selectmen authorised to lay out a road from Taunton road, at the other side of Four Mile Brook, to John Leach's house, and so to Taunton (now Raynham) line.

1702. - A road laid out from Ensign Mitchell's, along the lane where the way is now trodden, and across Nathaniel Hayward's land, and crossing Samuel Hayward's land, and so along the beaten way, and passing on the easterly side of a great rock with a cleft in it, straight down to Plymouth road, and along the old way that went to John Packard's, till it comes to Ensign Mitchell's, and keeping the beaten cartway to his farm in the neck. " A way determined on at the westerly end of Samuel Hayward's land, next Israel Alger's to John Bolton's lower lot. " A way laid out from Taunton road by Samuel Keith's house to Edward Fobes' land and Thomas Wade's land, and over the brook and south side of Wade's house to William Bassett's house, and over Nathan Packard's and Samuel Leach's lands, and by Leach's barn across the brook to the north side of Ebenezer Leach's house, to the corner of the pond at the mouth of the brook, across the neck, and over the corner of the pond to Taunton (now Raynham) line.

1702. - A road laid out from Jonathan Haward's, at the rockygutter, running out of Cranberry Meadow, directly to the bridge over Lathrop's swamp - then turning on the westerly side of the swamp, and in the trodden path to the next swamp - so onward to the south side of Mr. Keith's land - so over the river where the bridge is, and across John Turner's land to the line of the north purchase, (now Easton.)

1703. - A way laid out from Taunton road betAveen Captain Edson's and Edward Fobes' land, to the brow of the hill, near Captain Edson's, and turning along the beaten way to John Willis' land, and over Joseph Leonard's land, and turning between the land of John Washburn and said Leonard, and by Leonard's house, and so to the way formerly laid out. And beginning again at Jonathan Washburn's, a way was laid out on the west side of his house and barn, and by the west end of old Goodman Conant's house, and crossing South Brook at Captain Edson's meadow, and so to Amos Snell's land.

" A way from the bay road on Little Plain, south of Richard Field's house, easterly to Matfield River, and crossing the river at the cart May, and across Thomas Snell's land, and turning up the side of pine swamp, and warping about again to the south-east corner of Samuel Kingman's field.

" A way beginning a little to the west of Zaccheus Packard's land, so as to run square over Daniel Field's land to the south-west corner of John Snell's orchard, and by his house to the common.

1706. - A road laid out from the old way between South Brook and Ebenezer Whitman's house, and running across his land to the river - so over on to Benjamin Hayward's land - so to the range between said Hayward and John Hooper - so near said Hayward's house and barn - and over the plain to Plymouth Road.

Early Settlement Of Bridge Water. 4 0

1710. - John Haward and John Field were permitted to stop up the old road across their house lots, and turn it down the mill lane, and so before John Field's door, and along by the river.

1713. - A way from the bridge, over South Brook, at William Orcutt's - then up the hill by Orcutt's door - so near the corner of a swamp, and into the beaten way - so over the causey at bear swamp, and up tire hill, and as near the ridge as may be, to Josiah Washburn's fence - then turning on the northerly side of his house to the plain, and down the plain to the south end of it - then more westerly across a little swamp, and along the beaten foot-path to the burnt SAvamp, and through it to the plain not far from Nathaniel Woodward's field - then easterly, by the north side of his house, to Nathaniel Allen's land. " A way from Josiah Washburn's to Josiah Leonard's, running by Widow Willis' fifty acres, and a little northerly from the fence of Josiah Washburn, Jr., and over the causey by Noah Washburn's - so running before his door, and across the swamp, to the south side of Josiah Leonard's land.

1714. - A way new marked and settled, from the north-west corner of AVilliam Ripley's land, over a little swamp, on a corner of Joseph Keith's land, to the range of James Haward's land - then turning by the southerly side of the swamp to a rock - so straight into the old way, to the east end of said Haward's barn - and then again from the rock in the range of said Keith's and Haward's land, till it meet the way that was laid out to Daniel Packard's.

1715. - Allowed thirty hands to build a bridge at William Conant's, they to be freed from all other highway work so long as they should keep said bridge in good repair. " A way from where the road was laid, from James Keith's, toward the neck, at Joseph Hayward's - running over the bridge to the east end of Hayward's house - turning on the east side of a pond to the range between Jonathan Haward and Joseph Hayward - turning westerly in the range of said lots, till it passes the second valley, to a corner of Joseph Hayward's fifty acres - so to the bridge - so over the bridge and Joseph Hayward's land, to the north purchase line, (now Easton.)

1716. - A way laid out toward Poor meadow : beginning on the east side of the river, and running across the meadow and river, and by a bound of John Whitman's meadow - and so between John Whitman's and John Read's lands westerly crossing a poison bottom, by John Whitman's corner bounds and a pond hole - so straight into the old beaten path on the north-east side of a great rock - and so keeping the beaten way, to the swamp at Ebenezer Allen's where the way was formerly laid out. " A road from where the old way over Spruce Swamp ended, running first northerly and then westerly, and so into the old saw mill way, crossing the swamp to the north-west, and keeping the old way till it crosses James Haward's land, and comes to the land left for a way from the old saw mill to West Meadow.

1717. - A way laid out, beginning where the three ways part to the eastward of Ensign Johnson's, and so along the southernmost beaten path by John Willis' house - then over a corner of Willis' field, and running down by Thomas Washburn's door, and a little beyond his barn - then turning eastward across a steep ridge, and on the southerly side of a pond hole, and so into the old beaten path that goes to Joseph Alden's. " A way towards Titicut from Benjamin Washburn's land, and so on the south side of the four mile line on Nehemiah Washburn's land to Joseph Hayward's land, and across his land to the common land ; and beginning again at John Keith's house, and running northward to Samuel Edson's land, and so over South Brook, and into the way formerly laid out.

Early Settlement Of Bridgew Ater

1721. - A private way from the country road on Byram's plain, at the northwest corner of Elisha Allen's land - then southerly by his house across the trodden path, to John Haward's land, and across his land and over the westerly side of Elisha Allen's land, to the north-west corner of John Haward's twenty acre lot, and so on said lot in or near the beaten path to the westerly side of Josiah Allen's land, and then across the bridge at burnt hill gutter over Josiah Allen's land to his northwest corner - then over a poison bottom in Ebenezer Byram's land, and by his barn, and over Black Brook as far as John Haward's land - so easterly to the outside of Byram's land.

" A private way from the road between Joseph Latham's and the ridge - so across James Latham's and Whitman's lands, near to the corner of Jonathan Washburn's land - then on the westerly side of a swamp over Washburn's land, and running above the head of Joseph Washburn's home land, and by the head of Isaac Lazell's land, and over a corner of it, and along over William Conant's land, and by the easterly end of his house to the highway.

" A way from Deacon Alden's to Mr. Perkin's, keeping the beaten way to John Bolton's lane, and through Jonathan Sprague's field, to the range between him and John Bolton, Jr., and then to come into and keep the beaten way to Mr. David Perkins'.

" A way from the old road, over Flaggy Meadow Brook. to the top of the hill - then turning and going near by the house of Israel Alger, Jr., so down over the swamp on the side of a pond hole, and into the way to the bridge over the cove - so westerly near Joseph Alger's house, and by the mile line to Cutting Cove fence. And from the bridge a way was laid over the slough by the west side of Israel Alger's meadow fence, and so by the east side of Thomas Alger's fence to John Field's land.

1721. - A way from West Meadow, at a corner of Joseph Snell's fence, near Josiah William's, across Snell's land and Benoni Hayvvard's land, to Seth Brett's land, and so by Brett's land to the country road. Hayward and Snell leave to set up gates. " A way from Thomas Wade's to Jonathan Cary's : from near Wade's house to where Joseph Bassett, Jr., was going to build - so turning into and keeping the cartway to Cary's land - so over the swamp and Cary's land, and by his house in a drift way, to the old road leading to the great meadow over Bassett's plain.

1722. - A way from Edmund Hobart's orchard to Lieutenant Davenport's house - then between Davenport's and Joseph Pratt's land out to the common. And Davenport and Thomas Hayward agreed Hayward should have a way to pass with horse or cart across said Davenport's land, on a stony ridge out into the above way, Hayward keeping sufficient gates. " A way from Plymouth old road towards Weymouth road, viz : - from the ridge through and over the swamp, and not far from Isaac Harris' fence, and so by his barn in the old way to the river where the bridge is, and up the hill, and turning more easterly, and coming into the way from Josiah Allen's, and keeping said way towards Elisha Allen's - then on the east side of John Haward's and west side of Elisha Allen's land, northerly over the plain to the east side of a tree in Elisha Allen's other lot, and across the road leading to Ebenezer Allen's - so over the corner of Captain Byram's lot, and on the west side of Ebenezer Allen's corner, and across the east corner of Samuel Allen's land, and by the side of this lot into the road leading to Weymouth.

1724. - A way beginning twenty rods westerly of the house of Jonathan Haward, Jr. - then northerly over said Haward's land, and on the westerly side of Lathrop's swamp, over Joshua Haward's and Thomas Hayward's lands, to the range between Elihu Brett and John

Early Settlement Of Buidgewateu

Lathrop's lands - so to the extent of Brett's land, and to the top of the hill - still northerly to Samuel Cary's land, and so across Cary's, Brett's, and Joseph Hayward's lands, keeping the beaten way to the saw mill.

1724. - A way from the head of the lane by Samuel Kingman's, northerly by the swamp to John Kingman's house, and by John Wormell's house, across Benjamin Edson's land, and on the easterly side of a little pond hole, and still northerly over John Kingman's land, to a small run of water, and across Henry Kingman's land, and down to James Packard's land, to the south-eastward of a ridge, and so on the ridge by the easterly side of James Packard's land to the saw mill.

1725. - A way from the easterly side of Captain Edson's meadow, near South Brook, first southerly, and then easterly to land of Ruth and Hannah Field - so near to Benjamin Pratt's, and still easterly across Joseph Pratt's land, to the way leading by Lieutenant Davenport's. " A way from the road on the northerly side of Benjamin Willis' land - then easterly to and over Samuel Lathrop's land, to John Benson's house. - Also from the road leading by William Orcutt's to the causey, and over a brook and so to Amos Snell's land. - Also from the road north side Benjamin Willis' house, to run between his house and barn south to Amos Snell's land.

1726. - A way from William Orcutt's land easterly towards Amos Snell's, and over a corner of his orchard, and by his house, and southerly by William Washburn's land to the road leading from Josiah Washburn's to William Washburn's. " A road from the old way, leading by the easterly end of Josiah William's house to West Meadow - southerly to Joseph Packard's house, and thence to the new saw mill on West Meadow Brook. " A way from widow Bolton's to Mr. David Perkins', between land of John Willis and land he sold Jonathan Washburn, to said Perkin's land - so westerly and down the hill, and over the bridge above Mr. Perkin's mill, and by the coal house till it conies into the road near Mr. Perkin's house. " The way by Chilton Latham's turned westerly on the northerly side of his land to the new saw mill, and over the river just above the mill dam - then to extend northerly to the way leading to Byram's Plain.

1727. - A way from the old malt house of Ensign Mitchell, deceased, near his late dwelling house - then in the old range, formerly between him and John Haward, deceased, to Plymouth road - then westerly to land of Francis Cary, deceased, to Ebenezer Hill's land, to Nathaniel Hay ward's land, to Ebenezer Hill's shop - so along the beaten way to the Centre Tree - so along to Ensign Johnson's, between his and Solomon Johnson's house, and so along the beaten way to the old meeting-house. " A way from Samuel Edson's, by the house of Joseph Snow, and Joseph Snow, Jr., and Henry Kingman's - then turning southerly till it comes to Daniel Johnson's, and so between his house and barn to David Johnson's, where the three roads meet.

1729. - A private way from the road by Ebenezer Alden's, to the country road by Josiah Byram's : beginning at a stake between Isaac Alden's and Ebenezer Alden's - thence south twenty-three deg., east thirty-six rods - thence south eleven deg., east forty-seven rods - thence south four deg., west fifty-eight rods - thence south twenty deg., west seventy-seven rods - thence south ten deg., east thirty-six rods to the country road aforesaid. " A way from where two roads part, about twenty rods east of Black Brook - one leading to Moses Bisbee's, and the other to Samuel Pratt's - thence to Samuel Pratt's house - so on to Mr. Moore's house - thence to the saw mill, and over the bridge below the mill - then over rocks and mire, and leaving the old way, about two rods to the left hand, and going through the swamp to William Gould's land, where his house stands.

" A way from the road between John Keith's and Francis Wood's easterly to a small brook - then turning up a hill - and so northerly to the range between Keith and Wood, and easterly to a corner bound of WTood's land.

" A road from Ephraim Jennings' over Joseph Jennings' land, and by his house, and over land of John Brett, and over a small brook - so to land formerly William Brett's, and by Nathaniel Hayward's house to land of Zechariah Standish, and so to Middleborough (now Halifax) line.

" A road over Comfort's Bridge to the house of John Willis, Jr., and to the road leading from Thomas- Washburn's to David Johnson's. 1731. - A way from Benjamin Hayward's, over John Hayward's land, and the said Benjamin's land to Josiah Hayward's land, and between his house and barn, and over Jen-, nings' bridge, and on John Packard's and Joseph Packard's land, and so over Samuel Jennings' and Richard Jennings' land, and over a small brook, and so between Jennings' house and barn, and up the hill, and by Ephraim Jennings' house and barn, and over Joseph Jennings' land, up a hill, and so to a small slough by Plymouth road.

" A way from Taunton road to Moses Washburn's land - thence a drift way through gates and bars to the island in the great meadow, to run between the field of Samuel Packard, Jr., and the pond, and on the west side of Packard's house, and so to the great meadow.

1732. - A way from Titicut River, at the road over the brook below the saw mill - then over Nehemiah Washburn's land, and by Nathaniel Hooper's house and orchard, and so by William Hooper's house - then turning easterly to the brook, and keeping the beaten way by Nehemiah Washburn's house to the road already laid out.

" A way from Taunton road on the hill south of Ebenezer - Willis' to the southerly side of the plain, and along by a rock south-west of Samuel Alden's house, and along to the west side of Joshua Fobes' house, and to the arm of the saw mill pond, and so between the land of Captain Edson and Nehemiah Washburn, and so east to the great river at Titicut.

** An open road from Nicholas Wade's to the Plymouth road, at Sandy Hill, viz : - from Wade's land at the bank of the pond westerly over the mouth of the river, and south of David Robin's house, and to a tree within the gate, and so along by a pond hole, and so along eight rods south of the house of Benjamin Hayward, Jr., and along the old road to the top of the hill, and along by the corner of Chilton Latham's land to the Plymouth road at Sandy Hill. 1733. - Nathaniel Woodward and Solomon Leonard agree upon a road by their houses, and across their lands. "

" A way from John Lathrop's across the swamp to Joseph Cary's land, and between Cary's and Lieutenant Haward's land, and by Thomas Hayward's bars at West Meadow across a swamp and over the brook, and over a corner of a swamp in Samuel Packard's land, and so to the beaten path leading to West Meadow, and so to the road leading to Josiah Williams' and Joseph Packard's, on the east side of Williams' house. 1734. - A way from Captain Edson's house northwesterly to Benjamin Snow's house - then westerly to Samuel Edson's land, and so to Taunton road.

Early Settlement Ov Bridcewater

between his house and causey, as it goes to Thomas Conant's - so over the causey and the beaten way from said Conant's to Nathaniel Conant's, and into the lane by Nathaniel Conant's, and up along to the bounds between Nathaniel Ames and Bethiah Ames, and so before Lindsay's door and by Richard Davenport's land to the bounds between John Washburn and Ichabod Orcutt to said Orcutt's house and the old road.

" A way laid out anew or turned, at the request and free consent of John Johnson, Isaac Lazell, David Conant, and John Holman, between Major Holman's and William Conant's, from the corner of Holman's pasture, turning out of the old way, and into the pasture southwesterly to a flat rock near Johnson's fence, and so over his field, and between his house and shop, straight to the east end of Lazell's house, and so by his orchard fence to an old coal pit - then turning more easterly to David Conant's range, and gradually entering on said Conant's land, till it has the whole way on it, and so keeping Conant's line ten or twelve rods - then across Conant's field to the highway. 1741. - A way turned on the further end of Byram's plain, out of the old road, at the south-west end of Josiah Kingman's field, straight to the westerly end of Captain Byram's barn, and so between the house and barn, and thence straight to the north-east corner of the old orchard on the plain, that was formerly Jeremiah Newland's.

" A drift way for David Kingman and his near neighbors to go to meeting, viz : - from the south-west corner of Cornet Beals' ten acre lot, where John Hanmer lives, straight to Dr. Byram's house - thence to the north end of the forge dam, and so to the Little House, and thence by the fence to the waste way that runs before the door.

1746. - A way from Abington, to the road near Captain Bass' house, viz : - from the line between Bridgewater and Abington, south of Thomas White's house, in the lane between his house and barn - thence to Samuel Porter's barn, and by his house to land of Thomas Whitmarsh and James Lovell, and between their lands to Woodbridge Brown's land, and keeping the beaten path or near it over the said Brown's land to Snell's meadows, and over the meadows where the causey is made, and by Eleazar Whitman's house, and so to James Latham's field, and by his house, and between his house and barn in the beaten way to Lieutenant Beals' land - then turning westerly till it comes even with Ensign Kingman's house, and then turning down by his house straight to Joseph Byram's barn, and so to the bridge across the Forge Pond, and over the bridge and by the pond in the trodden way, till it comes to the country road a little northward of Capt. Bass' house : laid out at the request of the neighbors. " A way laid out on William Gould's land from a great rock, and running south eleven deg. east twenty rods against his house - thence south twenty-three deg. east twenty-five rods to Pembroke line. (This road is now in Hanson.)

1756. - The way turned from Ephraim Cary's straight to Edward Mitchell's, by his request, and thence straight to Timothy Hayward's and into the old way.

1757. - The road turned from a stake standing on the south side of the road, by Moses Bisbee's, south nine deg. east from the south-west corner of Charles Bisbee's house, and running ninety rods on the same point to Job Chamberlin's land, where it meets the road ; - this was done at the request of Moses Bisbee, Nathaniel Chamberlin, Isaac Lazell, Jr., Job Chamberlin, and Simeon Whitman,

Family Register

- a. before a date, stands for about - b. for born - d. for death or died - m. for married - s. for son - ss. for sons - w. (or wife - gra. for graduate or graduated - B. U. for Brown University - I), for daughter - Ds. for Daughters - H. U. lor Harvard University ^; added to a name or date of a birth, signifies that the person died in youth or without issue - W. B. for West Bridgewater - S. P. for South Parish of Bridgewater, now Bridgewater - E. B. for Kast Bridgewater - N. B. for North Bridgewater - Tit. for Titicut. Other abbreviations will occur, which being usual and common, need no explanation.

ALDEN. - Hon. John Alden arrived with the Pilgrims at Plymouth in the May Flower, 1620 ; was about 21 years old, and was one of the Governor's Assistants many years, and otherwise much employed and greatly distinguished in the infant colony ; he removed early to Duxbury, and was one of the original proprietors of Bridgewater, as we have already seen; he d. at Duxbury Sept. 12, 1687, ae. 88, of course was born 1599: he m. Priscilla, D. of Win. Mullens, 1623, and had John, Joseph, David, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Sarah, Ruth and Mary. - John was a captain, a mariner and master of a vessel, removed to Boston, m. Elizabeth, widow of Abiel Ewrill, and D. of Maj. Win. Phillips, 1660, and had John 1663, William 1669, Nathaniel 1670, Zechariah 1673, gra. H. U. 1692, Nathan 1677, and Henry, and also several Ds.; he d. 1702, she 1719; his will dated 1701. He was accused of witchcraft. - David and Jonathan remained at Duxbury, and had families there. - Elizabeth m. Wm. Paybody. - Sarah m. Alexander Standish. - Ruth m. John Bass, 1657. - Mary m. Thomas Delano.

2. Joseph, (2d son of Hon. John 1.) had his father's proprietary share in Bridgewater, and was an early settler here ; he m. Mary, D. of Moses Simmons, sometimes written Symonson ; and had Isaac, Joseph, John, and probably Elizabeth, who m, Benjamin Snow, 1691, and Mary who m. Samuel Allen, 1700; he d. 1697, se. a. 73.

Recompence Cary, 1727. - Mary m. John Webb, of Braintree, 1720, and d. 1772, se. 82. - Isaac lived a bachelor, and left a large real estate. - Mercy m. Zaccheus Packard, 1725. - Jemima m. Dea. Thomas Whitman, 1727.

5. John (s. of Joseph 2.) had his father's homestead in W. B., and sold it to Isaac Johnson a. 1700, and removed to Titicut in Middleborough ; m. Hannah, D. of Captain Ebenezer White, of Weymouth ; she was born 1683 ; he had David, who m. Judith Padelford, and was father of Solomon ; Priscilla, w. of Abraham Borden ; Thankful, w. of Francis Eaton ; Hannah, w. of Thomas Wood; Lydia, w. of Samuel Eddy, and afterwards of John Fuller ; Mary, w. of Noah Thomas ; Abigail, w. of Nathan Thomas ; Joseph, who m. Hannah Hall ; John, who first m. Lydia Lazell, and had Capt. John, of Fairhaven, and Nathan, and then m. Rebecca Weston, and d. April, 1821, a?. 102; Ebenezer, who at the age of 20 went to Cuba, and was taken prisoner and suffered hardships for 10 years, m. Anna Whitaker, and afterwards Rebecca Smith, and settled in Ashfield ; Noah born 1725, a Baptist minister, settled at Stafford 1755, and afterwards installed at Bellingham 1766, a member of the convention for forming the Constitution of Massachusetts in 1780, and also of the convention for adopting the Constitution of the United States in 1788, m. Joanna Vaughn, and had 3 ss. and several Ds., and d. 1797, a3. 71.

6. Capt. Ebenezer (s. of Isaac 3.) lived in E. B., and m. Anna. D. of Joseph Keith, 1717, and had Anna 1718, Susanna 1719. Abigail 1721, Nathan 1727, Ezra 1732. - Anna m. Eleazai Washburn, Susanna m. Ephraim Cary, Abigail m. Ebenezei Byram, Jr., Esq., all three m. together, at the same time, viz : - Nov. 22, 1738. - The mother d. 1775, se. 79, the father 1776, oa. 83, and was the last surviving member of the first church in East Bridgewater, gathered in 1724.

15. Jonathan (s. of John 7.) m. Experience, D. of Cornelius Washburn, 176G, and had Mehitabel 17C7, Isaac, John, Ezra, Daniel ; she d. 1775, and he in. Hannah, wid. of Thomas White, 1777, her maiden name Green, and had Cyrus, Samuel Green, Jonathan and Polly; she, the mother, d. 1811, se. 63; she m. White 1772 ; Jonathan, the father, d. 1825, a3. 93. - Mehitabel m. Henry Jackson 1786, and went to Minot. - Isaac m. Ruth, D. of Josiah Byram, 1794, and had Joanna, w. of Wm. Bird, m. 1818, Nabby and Lewis ; he d. 1832, sp. 60, and his wid. m. Alpheus Fobes. - John m. Deborah, D. of Benjamin Robinson, 1798, and had Benjamin, Mary, Alvina, Charles, and went to Minot. - Ezra m. Nabby, D. of Wm. Vinton, 1798, and had Edward V., who d. young at the south, and William V., who lives in Boston. - Capt. Cyrus m. Nabby K., Daughter of Capt. Daniel Kinsley, 1808, and had Mary K. 1809, Hannah G. 1811, and Nabby Vinton 1813, and then went to Minot. - Samuel G. m. Rhoda, D. of Benjamin Richards, 1804, and had Benjamin, Samuel G., and Bartlett R., and d. 1814, se. 36, Avas killed by the bursting of a cannon at Eastport in the last war. - Daniel and Jonathan went to the westward. - Polly m. Abel Barrel! 1810.

18. Samuel (s. of Samuel 10.) m. a Williams, and lived in a corner of Abington included in the north parish of Bridgewater ; had Daniel, Silas, Joseph, Samuel, Williams, Seth, Hosea, and Hannah w. of James Cary, m. 1798; d. 1816, a3. 81. - Daniel m. Sarah, D. of Jon'a. Cary, 1786, and had Otis, Daniel, Alpheus, and Sally, who m. Jon'a. Burr, of Worthington. Otis m. an Adams, Daniel m. Eunice, D. of Perez Southworth, 1815 ; he and Alpheus went to Randolph. - Silas and Joseph went to Jay. - Samuel m. Sally, D. of Mark Ford, 1799, and had Sanford, Mehitabel, Hannah, and Sally, w. of Sidney Howard, m. 1815. - Williams m. a Lynfield, and had Mary, Lavinia, and Clarissa. - Dea. Seth m. Harmony, D. of Perez Southworth, 1802, and removed to Stoughton. - Hosea m. Milly, D. of Wm. Edson, 1817. - Wicl. Sarah Alden m. Lazarus Beal, of Weymouth, 1809.

19. Josiah (s. of Samuel 10.) m. Bathsheba Jones, of Raynham, 1761, and had Elijah 1763, Hazael, Josiah. - Elijah m. Rebecca Fuller, of Kingston, 1783. - Josiah, and Elijah his son, went to Brimfield, now Wales. - Hazael m. Bethany Wilbor 1791. It appears also on record that Bethany Alclen m. Eliphalet White* of Raynham, 1791.

1780, Thomas 1782, Cyrus 1785, Eunice 1788, Seth, Bethiah, and Betsy ; he d. 1803, ae. 55. - Mehitabel m. Thomas Mitchell 1797. - Capt. Joseph, Jr., m. Polly, D. of Amos Hay ward, 1800. - -Daniel m. Joanna Tilson 1804, and went to Belchertown. - Thomas m. Matilda, D. of Daniel Copeland, 1815. - Cyrus and Seth were gra. B. U.; the former an attorney in Boston, now in Bristol co., the latter a minister at Marlboro'. - Eunice d. single. - Bethiah m. Alfred Arnold, of Greenwich* 1813. - Betsy m. Joseph Hooper, Jr.

1781, and had Ezra, Thomas Russell, both baptized 1800. James Sullivan 1804, one other*, and the mother d. 1814, se. 47; he m. Betsy, wid. of Benjamin Palmer, and D. of Daniel Willis, 1814, and had several children, and d. 1S27, se. 64. - Ezra m. Susan Dyer 1S13, and went to Abington. - Thomas R. m. Jane, D. of Matthew Allen, 1813, and afterwards Dorothy, D. of Stephen Hearsey, and d. 1835, se. 45. - James S. went to Weymouth.

26. Solomon (s. of David, and grandson of John 5.) m. Sarah Hall 1755, and had Sarah 1756, Solomon 1757, Noah, Alexander, Amasa, and three other Ds. - Solomon m. Patty King 1786, and had 2 ss., Solomon (a bachelor) and Lewis. - Noah m. Elizabeth Miller, of M., 1793, and had 2 ss., Noah and Hiram, and went to Illinois. - Alexander m. Lucy Leonard 1792, and went to Me. - Amasa m. Sally Hathaway, of M., 1799, and had 2 Ds. - Of the 4 Ds., one m. Elijah Alden ; one, Sarah m. Azel Shaw; one, Hannah, m. Seth Miller, Esq., 1796; and one m. Eliphalet White. - Noah Alden m. Vodicia Hayford 1804. - Elizabeth m. Soranus Shaw 1816.

27. Caleb (s. of Oliver 21.) m. Sally, D. of Benjamin Hayward, 1790, and had Oliver, Cromwell, Susan, Sally, Mehitabel, and Mary. - Oliver in. Melinda, D. of Edward Mitchell. - Cromwell m. Mary, D. of Joseph Hall. - Susan m. Samuel Sanger. - Sally m. Sidney Howard. - Mehitabel m. in Lancaster where she lives.

ALDRIDGE or ALDRICH. - 1. George and Catharine Aldrich, of Braintree, had John 1644, Sarah 1645, Peter 1648, Mercy 1650, Jacob 1652, Mattathias 1656.

6. Joseph, of Braintree, m. Patience Osbourne 1661, and had Joseph 1663. - John Aldridge, of Bridgewater, Avas a soldier at Roxbury, and d. there Feb. 1776. - There were also Nathan and Lydia Aldridge, in Bridgewater. - Josiah m. Sarah Baker 1753. - Joseph m. Elizabeth Andros, of T., 1754. - Benjamin m. Mary Shaw 1721. - Catharine m. Jacob Bump 1716. - Peter Aldridge was on the jury 1707. - Mary m. Joseph Newcomb 1768. - Daniel, of M., m. Keziah Pratt 1797. - Phebe m. David Vaughn, of M., 1802. - Polly m. Lot Pratt 17S7. - Eaton Aldridge m. Nabby, wid. of Otis Holmes, of T., and D. of Ezra Fobes, 1S07; she m. O. Holmes 1796.

ALGER. - Thomas Alger, from Taunton, (perhaps Easton now) settled in W. B. and m. Elizaheth, D. of Samuel Packard, 1065, and had Israel and Deliverance, and perhaps other children.

2. Israel, (s. of Thomes 1.) m. Patience, D. of Nathaniel Hayward, and had Israel 1089, Joseph 1694, Thomas 1697, Nathaniel 1700, John 1704. - Nathaniel went to Easton, was there in 1727 and 1729. - John d. 1730, and his brother Israel settled his estate.

3. Israel (s. of Israel 2.) m. Alice, D. of Joseph Hayward, and had Patience 1713; the mother d. 1716, and Patience was then called Alice to bear up her mother's name ; he then m. Su sanna, D. of William Snow, 1717, and had Israel, Daniel 1727, James 1729; the mother d. and he in. Rachel, D. of Thomas Wade, 1731, but had no children by her. - Alice, Israel, and Daniel were all baptized 1727. - Alice m. Shepard Fiske 1732.

John Johnson 1754, and had John 1755. - The father d., and the wid. and her father Johnson settled the estate 1756. - The wid. m. Ebenezer Pratt 1758.

12. Thomas (s. of Thomas 5.) m. Mehitabel Briggs, of Norton, and had James and Daniel both baptised 1766. - Daniel d. soon after the revolutionary war. - Thomas Alger d. 1793. - Wid. Alger d. 1795, se. 67.

16. Israel, Esq., (s. of Daniel 8.) lived within the limits of Easton ; m. Rachel, D, of George Howard, 1785, and had George, Israel, Barnard, Roland, Rachel, and several other Ds. - George m. Sally Lathrop 1814. - Israel gra. B. U. 1811, and settled in the ministry. - Barnard m. Betsy Lathrop 1810.

22. James (s. of Thomas 12.) m. Mehitabel Brings, of Norton, and had Daniel, James, and several Ds., one, Olive, m. Daniel Tyler, of Pittsfield, 1811. - Daniel m. Salome, D. of Joseph Keith, 1806, and had Emily Williams 1807, Daniel Francis 1810, James Newton 1812, Joseph Allen 1815, Eliza Sherman 181G, Merton, and George.

The name of Alger has been variously written ; sometimes Aulgar, Augur, Augre, Auger, Agur, Ager, Eager, and Agar, and were, perhaps, originally the same name. And although the family in Bridgewater have generally written it Alger, yet it was formerly invariably pronounced Auger. In Willis' History of Portland we find the names of Arthur and Andrew Alger, of Scarborough, in 1650 ; the latter is found on the court records as early as 1640. Both of these were killed in Philip's war 1675. It is remarkable that they were Avritten often in the same variable manner, Alger and Auger. There was also a Sampson Alger, written Auger, in Old York, made freeman at Rittery 1652. These three last have been mistaken by Farmer, in his Register, for Angier, and so was Thomas, ancestor of the Bridgewater family, on the Old Colony records as copied by Nichols, in consequence of being there written Auger, the u as generally written not being easily distinguishable from an n. - In Winthrop's Journal, p. 23d, we find " a vessel arrived from Bristol in 1631, and among the passengers the name of Augre appears. We find also the name of a Mr. Augur, at New Haven, 1667." The families of John and Hannah Aulgar, of John and Sarah Aulgar, and of Matthew and Martha Aulgar, appear from 1652 to 1682, on Boston records ; where also it appears John Alger m. Sarah Seely 1721. - Farmer's Register also gives the name of Nicholas Auger, a learned physician of New Haven, 1638, and his brothers, John and Robert ; taken from Dodd's East Haven Register. William Auger, or Agar, also was admitted freeman in Mass. 1631, and lived in Salem 1637, and d. 1654. Jonathan Ager or Auger was also of Salem in 1665. Jacob Auger was at Braintree 1689.

ALLEN. - Samuel Allen, of Braintree and his wife Ann, had Samuel 1632, Joseph, James, Sarah 1639, Mary and Abigail. His w. Ann d. 1641, and he had a 2d. w. Margaret; whether she was mother of any of the children is not known ; his will 1669, wherein the children are named in the above order. - Sarah m. Lieut. Josiah Standish. - Mary m. Nathaniel Greenwood 1655. - Abigail probably m. John Cary 1670.

1. Samuel Allen, a Deacon, and son of Samuel Allen above named, settled in E. 15. as early as 1660, and was the second town clerk, to whoin we arc much indebted for the fulness and perfection of the records; he m. Sarah, D. of George Partridge of Duxbury ; she was born 1639; they had Samuel 1660, Essiel 1663, Mehitabel 1665, Sarah 1667, Betliiah 1669, Nath'l. 1672, Ebenezer 1674, Josiah 1677, Elisha 1679, Nehemiah 1681. His will 1703; he d. 1703, 03. 71. - Mehitabel m. Isaac Alden 16S5. - Sarah m. Jonathan Cary, who d. about 1695, and she afterwards m. Benjamin Snow 1705. - Bethiah m. John Pryor.

2. Samuel (s. of Samuel 1.) m. Rebeckah, D. of John Cary, 16S5, and had Samuel 1686, Ephraim 16S9, Timothy 1691, Joseph 1693*, Mehitabel 1695. The mother d. 1697, and he m. Mary (D. perhaps of Joseph Alden,) 1700; and had Joseph 1701, Benjamin 1702, Mary 1704, Rebecca 1706, Matthew 1708, Seth 1710, and Abigail. His will 1736. - Timothy, Joseph and Benjamin perhaps, went to N. J. or elsewhere ; Mehitabel m. a Bushnell. - Mary m. Henry Kingman 1726. - Rebeckah m. John Kingman. - Abigail m. Shubael Waldo, of Windham, 1730. (There was a Samuel Allen who m. Jane Turner, of Weymouth, 1728, and d. 1750, and called Jr., probably the son ; there is no further record of him.) - Ephraim went to Berkley, and was a blacksmith.

3. Nathaniel (s. of Samuel 1.) m. Bethiah, D. probably of Nathaniel Conant, 1696, and lived at Conant's Bridge, and afterwards in S. B , and had Andrew 169S, Hannah 1700, James 1704. The mother d., and he had a 2d. wife Abigail, (it is Mary on the town records,) and had Abigail 1711, David 1713. - Andrew, Hannah and David, no account of, perhaps they went to the Cape.-rAbigail m. Nathaniel Carver 1736. - Perhaps there was another D. Mercy, who m. Moses Orcut 1739.

6. Elisha (s. of Samuel 1.) m. Mehitabel, D. of Nicholas Byram 1701, and had Elisha 1704, Japhet 1705, Matthew 1708, Samuel 1710, Mehitabel, Susanna, Mary, Silence. - Mehitabel m. Jonathan Alden, of Duxbury, 1731. - Susanna m. John Cary 1733. - Silence m. Edmund Jackson 1741. - (Qucre if it was not Elisha's D. Mary that m. Benjamin Vickery 1737, and not Josiah's above.) - Samuel probably m. Susanna, D. of David Perkins, 1733, and died 1737.

7. Nehemiah (s. of Samuel 1.) m. Sarah Wormel 1707, and had Alice 1707, Sarah 1710, Martha 1713, Nehemiah 1715*, Bethiah, Lydia. - Alice m. Arthur Latham 1733, and then Jonathan Allen, of Braintree, 1739. - Sarah m. Nath'l. Pratt, of Bridgewater, 1734. - Martha m. Dea. Jacob Hayward 1736. - Bethiah m. Micah Turner, of Weymouth. - Lydia m. Richard Vining, of Weymouth. - Jonathan Allen, of Braintree, m. Mary, D. of Capt. Chilton Latham, 1742, and had several Ds. m. here ; 2 m. Ramsdell's, and one m. Seth Hobart.

S. Benjamin (s. of Samuel 2%) m. Mehitabel, D. of Ephraim Cary, 1730, and had Benjamin, Ephraim, Hannah, Mehitabel 1737. - The father died, and his estate was settled among the children 1754. - Hannah m. John Edson 1751. - Mehitabel, the daughter, m. Benanuel Leach. - Mehitabel Allen, the widow, m. Caleb Washburn 1756. - Benjamin went to Kingston and m. a Delano, and was a Sergeant with Gen. Winslow, 1755, in seizing the neutral French at Nova Scotia, where he died ; he enlisted from Plymouth, where he was a tanner. - This family lived where Dexter Pratt now lives.

11. James (s. of Nathaniel 3.) there is no record, or tradition, rendering it certain that this man was the son of Nathaniel, but the age and birth make it probable, and leave but little doubt of it ; he m. Mary, D. of Daniel Packard, 1732, and had Nehemiah 1733, James 1735, Ruth 1738, Bethiah 1740*, Susanna 1742, Jesse 1744, Bethiah 1749, Caleb 1751, Silas 1754, Hannah 1756. - The father d. 1778, ae. 74. - Nehemiah went to Oakham. - Ruth m. Ichabod Packard 1757, and went to Oakham. - Susanna m. Capt. Jonathan Willis 1764. - Jesse m. Abigail, D. of Stoughton Willis, 1768, and went to Oakham, and had James and Chloe. - Bethiah m. George Black. - Caleb went to Conway. - Silas went to Heath. - Hannah m. Ebenezer Keith 1773. - Chloe Allen, of Oakham, m. Jonas Leonard 1804, and afterwards Gaius Conant - Salome Allen m. Calvin Waterman 1793.

13. John (s. of Ebenezer 4.) lived where Isaac Hobart lived, m. Lydia Kingman, 1733, and had Lydia, Deborah, John, Bethia*, Joshua*, all baptized in E. B 1748. - Lydia m. David Hatch. - John went to Maine. - Deborah m. John Hatch. - John Allen had a wife Alice, of Marshfield. - John Allen m. Sarah Campbell 1753.

15. James (s. of Ebenezer 4.) m. Bethiah, D. of John Kingman, 1730, and had Ebenezer 1737, Bethiah. - His wife died, and he m. wid. Ann, late wife of Joseph Pryor, 1742, her maiden name Moore, and had Hannah 1742*, James 1743*, Thankful 1740*. - Ebenezer Allen m. Mary Bradley, of Abington, 1757, and had James 1700, Mary 1 703. The parents both died 1703. - Bethiah m. Thomas Snell, Jr., 1755, who went to Maine. - Mary Allen m. Isaac Mehurin 1781.

Allen

Read, 1743, and had Abigail 1743, Nathan 1747*, Nathan 1749, Rebeckah 1751, Esther 1753, Philip 1757, Hannah 17G0, Philemon 1762. - Abigail m. James Thompson, of Halifax, 1705. - Rebeckah m. Levi Gilbert, of Brookfield, whither the family removed. - Esther m. Amasa Ross, of Brookfield. - Hannah m. John Bacheldor. - Sally Allen, of Brookfield, m. Daniel Snow, 3d, 1792. - There was a Mehitabel Allen, who d. 1776, ae. 13.

19. William (s. of Josiah 5.) m. Susanna, D. of Joseph Packard, 1748, and had Susanna 1750, William 1752, Rhoda 1754, Edward 1756, Elijah 1758, Abel 1760, Robert, Betty 1767. - He died, and the wid. Susanna m. Isaac Allen, and afterwards Dea. Othniel Gilbert, of Brookfield. - This family went to Brookfield, and afterwards further westward.

23. Ezra (s. of Capt. Matthew 9.) m. Phebe, D. of Ephraim Cary, 1761, and had Molly 1762, Zenas 1763, Phebe 1765, Ezra 1767, Asahel 1770, Samuel 1772, Bezaliel 1774, Alice 1776, Waldo 1778, Ethan 1780, Ambrose 1784. - The father d. 1795, 83. 55. - Molly m. William Brett 1782. - Zenas went to the westward. - Phebe d. single 1803. - Ezra went to the westward. - Asahel m. Rhoda Tilson 1794, and had several children, viz : Jason 1795*, Ethan 1797, Marven 1798, Alice 1802*, and then went to Benson, Vt. His son Ethan, gra. of Middlebury College, was an Episcopalian Clergyman at the city of Washington. - Samuel went westward. - Bezaliel m. Pamela Hall, of Raynham, and had several children, viz : Harriet*, d. 1807, se. 10 ; Almira*, d. 1829, se. 28 ; Bezaliel Cary, who was a physician, and went to the southward ; Pamela Hall d. 1834 ; Henry Clinton, who was educated at Brunswick, but did not graduate, began to preach, and d. 1831, se. 24 ; Evelina Augusta, m. a Hall, and lives in Boston ; Harriet Amanda, m. a Rainsford, and d. 1837, se. 24. - Alice m. Capt. Abisha Stetson 1796, and d. 1821, ae. 45. - Waldo and Ambrose went to the eastward. - Ethan d. 1802, se. 22. - The mother, wife of Bezaliel, d. 1831, 83. 62.

small pox 1789, ae. 54. - Oliver m. Susanna, D. of Samuel Whitman, 1790, and had several children, viz : James Seymour, Oliver, and a D. James S., s. of Oliver, m. Mary, D. of Nathan Mitchell, Esq., 1816, and died young, leaving only one child, a D. Mary; Oliver m. Rachel Wood, 1819. - James gra. 11. U. 1785, and died young and unmarried. - Benjamin m. Rehecca Clark 1795. - Galen (named of N. H.) m. Hannah Copeland 1797.

26. Capt. Jacoh (s. of Jacob 12.) m. Abigail, D. of Israel Bailey, 1762, and had Jacob 1763, Timothy 1764, Bailey 1766, Betty 1768, Jemima 1770, Jonathan 1773. Ward 1775*. - He commanded a company in the revolutionary Avar, and was killed at Saratoga, at the capture of Burgoyne, in 1777, a?. 38. - The wid. Abigail m. Isaac Lazell. - Jacob m. Susanna, D. of Ezra Alden, 1784, and went to Cummington. - Timothy m. Celia, D. of Nathan Whitman, 1788, and had twins, who both d. in infancy, and the mother d. also 1789, and then he m. wid. Betty, late Avifc of Joseph Keith, and D. of Anthony Sherman, 1791, and had several children, viz : Joseph 1792, Jennett 1794, Bailey 1796, Orra 1798*, Anthony Sherman 1S00, Timothy Wales 1801, Betsy Rogers 1803, Orra 1804, Dicy Hill 1807. He removed to Plymouth where his wife d., and he m. a 3d w.. and d. 1827. - Bailey (s. of Capt. Jacob) removed to the westward. - Betty m. Samuel Rogers 1790. - Jemima m. Elisha Bisbee, his 2d. wife. - Jonathan removed from town.

27. Joseph (s. of Micah 16.) m. Mehitabel, D. of Zebulon Gary, 1771, and had Zebulon, Josiah*, Joseph 1785, Daniel, Susanna, Mehitabel. - Joseph, the father, d. 1826, se. 84; the mother d. 1799, se. 48. - Zebulon m. Priscilla Atwood 1795, and removed to the westward. - Joseph d. 1828, se. 43. He m. Diana, D. of Lot Phillips, 1814, and has left children; his wid. m. Thos. Whitmarsh. - Susanna m. Thomas Snell 1792. - Mehitabel m. Ezra Phillips 1809, and d. young. - Daniel m. Priscilla Smith, of Middleborough, 1815, and d. young. - The whole family d. of consumption.

Pratt 1775. - The father d. 17S7, eb. 49.~The wid. m. Nehemiah Latham 1S01. - Matthew m. Jane, D. of Lemuel Keen, 1786, and bad several children, viz : Mehitahel, Bethiah, Jane, Huldah, Electa, Eliza, and d. 1803, a3. 44. - Hannah m. John Ramsdell 1784, father of Martin Ramsdell. - Molly m. Nathaniel Damon 178G. - Eunice m. Ezra Whitman 1795. - Samuel went to Boston, and afterwards to N. B. - Pratt m. Ann Stockbridge, and had several children, viz : .Samuel Barker, Patience Barker, Pratt 1801, and removed to the Cape. - By ram m. Elizabeth Child's 1786, and had Gapt. Seth, of Halifax, Byram, Robert, Samuel, and both d. 1833, he sc. 70, she 69. - Jane m. Thomas R. Alden 1813. - Huldah m. Thomas Barrell 1815. - Betsey (or Eliza) m. Noah Ramsdell 1818. - Electa m. a Slocum. - Mehitahel Allen m. John Clapp, of Roxbury, 1804.

29. Japhet (s. of Matthew 21.) m. Betty Thomas of Marshfield, 1761, (she was sister of Nathan Kingman's wife,) and had Sarah 1765, Laban 1766, Phebe 1768, Japhet 1771, Betty 1773, Jenny 1775, Lydia 1778*, and Isaac born at Tamworth, N. H., whither the family all removed.

30. William Allen (or Allan) m. Catharine Demsel 1756; their child d. 1757, and the mother d. 1757. - He then m. Hannah Copeland 1758, and had William 1759, Catharine 1760, David 1765. - He sold his estate to Hugh Orr, Esq., 1700. - This family lived in W. B., and had no connexion with the Allen family in this town. It was probably a Scotch family.

31. Eleazar Allen, of Rochester, m. Mary, D. of Anthony Sherman, and had Elisha, Zephaniah, Betty, and other Ds. - He d. and the wid. and children came to E. B. - Elisha settled in Maine. - Zephaniah never m. - Betty m. Nathan Bates, 1789.

East Bridgewater is principally indebted to the Allen family for the burying ground, meeting-house lot, and common or training-field, which were given by them.

AMES. - John and William Ames were sons of Richard Ames, of Bruton, Somersetshire, England ; the former settled in W. B., and the latter in Braintree, here in New England, as early as 1640.

1. John Ames above came from Duxbury to this town ; was an original proprietor here, and m. Elizabeth Hayward 1645; she was probably sister of Thomas Hayward ; they had no children, but he had a large estate which he gave by deeds in 1697 to his nephew John, son of his brother William, of Braintree, and to the sons of his said nephew. He d. a. 1698. - (William, of Braintree, d. 1654 ; his wife Hannah ; his children, according to Boston records, were Hannah 1641, Rebecca 1642, Lydia 1645, John 1647, Sarah 1650, Deliverence 1653. - Hannah m. John Hayden 1660, m. by Gov. Endicot.)

1705, Jonathan 1707, Deborah 1710, Daniel 1712, Benjamin 1715, Joshua 1718*. - His will 1755, p. 1756. - Elizabeth m. Joseph Bassett, at Boston, 1724. - Sarah m. Abiel Packard 1723. - Abigail m. Thomas Wade (his 2d or 3d wife) 1752, and d. 1789, ss. 84. - Deborah was never m.; Jonathan was to take care of her. - John m. Mehitabel, D. of Israel Packard, 1725, and had children, but left none ; Mehitabel, the wid., m. Samuel West 1727, and was dead 1752. - Benjamin refused executorship, and dates his refusal at Scituate. Jonathan executor alone.

1706, Sarah 1708, Hannah 1710. - He d. a. 1712. - David Packard guardian to Bethiah, and Nathaniel Ames to the rest. - Mary m. Joseph Alger 1719. - Martha m. Thomas Conant. - Bethiah m. Timothy Keith 1737. - Hannah m. Samuel Keith 1734.

5. Capt. Nathaniel (s. of John 2.) m. Susanna, D. of John Howard 1702, and had Nathaniel 1708, Susanna 1711, Seth 1713, Sarah 1716, Ann, Mary*. - Susanna m. a Tripp of Providence. - Sarah m. a Spaulding, of Killingsly. - Ann m. a Payne, an attorney. - Seth d. se. 25, at Guinea, supposed to have been poisoned by the ^negroes. - Seth Ames m. Elizabeth, D. of John Prince, of Rochester, 1734-. She afterwards m. Joshua Lazell, of M., 1742. - Nathaniel Ames m. Mary Lindsay 1734.

7. David (s. of John 2.) m. wid. Mary, late wife of Nathaniel Reynolds, and D. of Thomas Snell, 1722, and had David and Mary 1723, James 1725. - He d. 1726, she 1757. - Mary m. Zechariah Gurney 1754. - David left no posterity. - Mary, the wid's. will, dated 1755, p. 1757, mentions David, James, Mary Gurney, and Betty Ames, (perhaps James' wife.) She also mentions her sons Nathaniel, and Thomas Reynolds, and grand daughter Mary Reynolds. - Nathaniel Reynolds executor.

10. Benjamin (s. of John 3.) m. Dorcas, D. of Hezekiah Thayer, of Braintree, and had Joshua 1760. - Joshua m. Hannah," D. of Mark Ford, 1786, and had James 1787, David 1788, Hannah 1790, Betsy 1796. - Capt. David m. Lucinda, D. of Jonas Packard, 1815. - James a bachelor. - Betsy m. Zephaniah French 1816, and went to Albany. - Hannah m. John Talbot 1814, and went to N. Y. - (Benjamin Ames m. Hannah White 1793. Boston records.)

12. Dr. Nathaniel (s. of Nathaniel 5.) removed to Dedham, and m. two wives in succession by the name of Fisher, viz : - Mary; D. of Joshua Fisher, m. 1735, and Deborah, D. of Jeremiah Fisher, m. 1740. - By his first he had a son named Fisher, who died in infancy, but not till after his mother, ujton which the famous law suit took place, in which it was determined, for the first time, that the estate ascended to the father, as next of kin to his son, by the Province law, contrary to the English common law. By the last wife he had several children, viz : - Nathaniel 1741, Seth, Fisher 175S, Deborah and William; the two last died young. - William was lost at sea. - Nathaniel gra. H. U. 1761, was a physician, lived to old age, but left no children. - Seth gra. H. U. probably 1764, and was a physician, and d. 1778. - Fisher was the late Hon. Fisher Ames, of distinguished talents, who gra. H. U. 1774, m. Frances, D. of Col. John Worthington, and had several children, viz : John Worthington, Nathaniel, Hannah, Jeremiah Fisher, William, Seth, and Richard.

Dr. Eliot, in his biographical dictionary, deduces the late Hon. Fisher Ames' descent from the Rev. William Ames, son of the famous Dr. William Ames of England, author of " Medulla Theologise," and this is repeated in the preface to Fisher Ames' works ; but the account here given of the family, drawn from authentic sources, renders this supposition altogether improbable. Besides, William Ames of Braintree, the ancestor of this family, was married about 1640, and died at Braintree 1654, whereas the Rev. William Ames, son of the Franequar Professor, and who came to N. E. with his mother, was graduated at Cambridge, N. E., 1645, and returned to England and settled there at Wrentham in the ministry, and died there 1689, a?. 65. The family record /also, still 'preserved, deduces the Bridge water family, as here given, from Richard Ames, of* Bruton ; and hence perhaps the name of Richard appears among those of the Hon. Fisher Ames' children.

14. Solomon (s. of Thomas 0.) m. Susanna, D. of Samuel Keith, 1737, and had Simeon 1739, Solomon 1741, Jotham 1743. - Simeon and Solomon under guardianship 1757. - The mother, a wid., m. Isaac Swift 1749. - Solomon m. Eunice, wid. of Benjamin Sprague, and D. of Ephraim Holmes 1781, and d. 1814, leaving no children. - Jotham m. Keziah, wid. of David Howard, and d. of Thomas Ames, 1707. He afterwards in. Sarah Bryant 17SG, and d. at N. Y.

15. Joseph (s. of Thomas 0.) m. Susanna, D. of Nathaniel Littlefield, of Braintree, probably 1730, and had Phcbe 1737, Ebenezer 1739, Nathaniel 1741, Elijah 1743, Susanna 1744, Joseph 1747, Sarah, William 1752, Bethiah. - His w. d. and he m. Ruth, wid. of Israel Packard, and D. of Richard Field 1754, and had Zephaniah 1755. She d. and he m. Abihail, wid. of Jonathan Bosworth, late wid. of Israel Alger, Jr., and D. of Samuel Lathrop, 1708, and had Olive 1709, James 1771, and Fiske 1773. - Phebe m. Capt. Jonathan Howard 1750. - Nath'l. m. Mary, D. of Josiah Hill, 1783, and left no son. - Elijah m. Betty, D. of Isaac Johnson, 1709, and went to Pennsylvania. - Susanna m. Daniel Copeland 1704 - Sarah m. Josiah Williams 1778. - William went to Connecticut. - Bethiah m. Ephraim Fobes 1709. - Zephaniah, a bachelor. - Olive m. Joseph Alger 1785. - James m. Jenny Fenno, of Boston, 1794, and had Leonard 1797*, Franklin 1799, James 1803. Leonard was killed by the falling of a tree. Franklin m. Pollv, D. of Benjamin Keith, 1S21.

10. Ebenezer, (s. of Thomas 0.) m. Sarah, D. of Maj. Jona. Howard, and had Rufus 1739, Sarah 1741, Parmcnas 1743, Mary 1747. - He d. and his wid. m. Thomas Hooper. - Parmenas m. a Kinsley, and then Mehitabel, D. of Simeon Ames, and wid. of Daniel Harvey, 1804 ; and he and Rufus both lived in Easton. - Ebenezer Ames and wife dis. fin. W. B. eh. to Easton 1748. - Sarah Ames m. Josiah Williams, of Easton, 1763.

17. Nathan (s. of Thomas 6.) m. Elizabeth, (or Betty) D. of Eleazar Snow, 1751, and had Sarah 1752, Nathan 1753*, d. 1776. - The father died, and the mother then m. Wm. Tolman 1757, and afterwards Micah White. - Sarah m. Aaron Bozworth.

19. Jonathan (s. of Jonathan 8.) m. Deborah Pratt of Easton, 1780; she d. and he then m. Patience, D. of Caleb Sturtevant of Halifax, 1783, and had Jonathan 1784, Sarah 178(3, Lewis

1789, Theron 1792, Phebe 1975. - Abigail m. Oliver Bryant. - Sibil m. Capt. Jeremiah Beals. - Theron m. Patty, D. of Capt. Robert Packard, IS 16.

21. Noah (s. of Daniel 9.) m. Ruhama, D. of John French, 1778, and had one son John 1779, an only child, Avho m. Hannah, D. of Perez Southworth, 1802, and he and his father both went to Winthrop, Me. - John's children were Noah 1803, Ruhama French 1805, Franklin 1806, Mary 1809, Thomas Thompson 1811.

22. Daniel (s. of Daniel 9.) m. Mehitable, D. of Josiah Perkins, 1780, and had Benjamin 1781, Josiah 1783. - Benjamin m. Zelopha, D. of John French, 1803, and had Damaris 1804, Nancy 1806, Daniel French 1809. - Josiah Ames m. Prudence, D. of Capt. William Thayer, of Braintree, and went to Dracut, and had George 1813, Sarah Jones 1S15, Josiah 1817, Harriet 1819, and John 1S23.

Johnson 17GS, and had Bezer I7G9, Silvanus 1771, Cyrus and Huldah. - Silvanus and Cyrus went to the westward. - Silvanus the father gra. at Cambridge 17G7, was Rector of the Episcopal chinch at Taunton 1773, and d. young, and his wid. (Huldah) m. John Willis, Esq. 1784. - Silvanus m. Abigail D. of Thos. Johnson 1795. - Bezer m. Rebecca Joslyn, of Pembroke 1791, and had Bezer 1792, Nabby 1795, Diana 1796, Marcus 1798, Cyrus 1800, Philander 1803, Lydia 1805, Rebecca J. 1807, Charles H. 1812 ; he went to Mid'o. and afterwards to Milton, where he d. - Huldah m. Timo. Hayward 1792.

29. Ebenezer (s. of Joseph 15.) m. Jane D. of Dr. Abiel Howard 1763, and had Ambrose 1765, Charles 1767, Walter 1773. Wm. 1777, and Eben'r. - Ambrose removed to Greenfield. - Charles m. Rhoda D. of Dea. Elijah Snell 1789. - Walter m. Mehitabel Packard 1796. - Most of the family removed to the westward.

31. David (s. of Capt. John 25.) m. Rebeckah D. of Maj. Isaac Johnson 1781, and had Lucinda, Mary, Rebecca, Susanna, David, Abigail, Galen, Charlotte and John. - The first 6 bap. at W. B. May 5, 1795: he with his family removed to Springfield. Lucinda m. a Lamphear. - Mary, single. - Rebecca m. James

32. John (s. of Capt. John 25.) m. Deborah, D. of the Rev. Dr. Sanger, 1799, and removed to Sangersfield N. Y., and had Caroline Sanger 1800, Irene Freeman 1802, Christiana Sterling 1803.

33. Oliver (s. of Capt. John 25.) m. Susanna, D. of Oakes Angier Esq., and went to Easton and had Horatio, Oakes A., Angier*, Oliver, Sarah, William, Harriet, and John.

34. Dea. Josiah Eames (from Marshfield, a descendant of Anthony Eames probably), his wife was an Eames also : he came to N. B. 1770, and had a son Elisha. - Elisha m. Sarah, D. of Timothy Packard, and had Josiah 17S7, and Isaac 1789. - The mother d. 1790. - Josiah m. Rebecca, D. of Ephraim Noyes, 1808, and had Sarah 1812, Luther 1813. - Isaac m. Abby Hayward 1811. - This family went to Long Island. - Elisha m. Ann Mann, of St. 1791.

N. B. In the early records some of the family of Ames were sometimes written Eames ; but whether Anthony and others in Marshfield of the name of Eames, were of the same family with that of Ames in Bridgewater, is not ascertained. There was a John and Martha Ames, of Boston, whose children were William 1G56, Martha 1659; (Boston Records) ; he appears to have been cotemporary with William of Braintree and John of Bridgewater. There was also a Thomas Eames at Dedham who had John 1642, and Thomas Eames also of Sudbury J 676, and Anthony, John and Mark Eames at Hingham and Marshfield from 1637 to 1649.

ANGIER. - Edmund Angier, of Cambridge, 1636, freeman 1640, m. Ruth, D. of the Rev. Dr. William Ames, an English divine of great celebrity, the famous Franequar professor, and author of " Medulla Theologian," and had John 1645*, Ruth 1647, Ephraim, Samuel 1654, John 1656*. His w. d. 1656, and he m. Ann Pratt 1657, and had Edmund 1659, Hannah 1660, Mary 1663, John 1664, Nathaniel 1665, and Elizabeth. - There was also a John Angier gra. H. U. 1653 ; and Mr. John Angier, of Boston, bought a house of Wm. Aspinwall 1652 ; and John and Hannah Angier, of Boston, had a son John born 1652. - John Angier m. Elizabeth Worthylake 1713, and had John 1714, Robert 1717, and Elizabeth 1719. - (Boston records.)

2. Rev. Samuel (s. of Edmund 1.) gra. H. U. 1673, and settled in the ministrv at Rehoboth 1679, m. Hannah, D. of the Rev. Urian Oakes, Pres. of H. U. Sept. 2, 1680, and had Ames 1681, Hannah 1682, Ruth 1684*, Edmund 1685, Urian, Oakes, Samuel, Dorothy, Sarah, Eunice 1698, John 1701, Elizabeth, and Ruth 1705; he was dismissed on account of feeble health from Rehoboth, and afterwards was installed at Watertown 1697, and several of his youngest children were born there ; he d. 1719, an. 65, she d. 1714 at her son Ames' in Boston. - Ames gra. H. U. 1701, and m. Margaret McCarty, in Boston 1708, and had a s. William 1714, and d. in Eng. 1720. - Hannah d.

5. Oakes, Esq., (s. of Rev. John 3.) gra. H. U. 1764, read law with the elder President Adams, and settled as an attorney in W. B., and was eminent in his profession ; m. Susanna, D. of Col. Edward Howard 1774, and had Charles 1774, Mary 1776, John 1778, Sarah 1780, Susanna 1783, Oakes 1785. - He d. 1786, se. 41, and his wid. m. Jesse Fobes, 1792. - Charles gra. H. U. 1793, and m. Frances McClench, 1796, was an attorney, and d. young, leaving an only child, Susanna McClench Howard, born 1797; his wid m. Archelaus Lewis, Esq., of Falmouth, Me, and the D. m. a Flinn, of Boston. - Mary m. Dr. Hector Orr 1795. - Sarah m. Josiah W. Mitchell, Esq., of Freeport, Me. - Susanna m. Oliver Ames, of Easton, 1S03. - Oakes m. Frances, D. of John Hathaway, of Dighton, and was an attorney, first in Belfast, Me., and afterwards in Dighton, and d. leaving a s. John.

6. John (s. of Oakes 5.) m. Lavinia, D. of John Hathaway, of Dighton, and settled in Belfast, Me., as a merchant, and had Harriet Lavinia 1805*, John Francis Howard 1807, Charles Frederick 1810, George Christopher 1812, Harriet Lavinia 1S14, who m. James H. Mitchell 1S33, and Oakes 1816. - He d. Nov. 17, 1829, a?. 51. - John F. H. gra. Waterville College, and m. Jane, D. of Judge Win. Crosby, and settled as an attorney in Belfast. - Charles F. and Oakes settled as merchants in Belfast. - George C. gra. Brunswick College, and settled as an attorney in Bangor.