Topsfield Town (part 5 of 7)

A FARM pleasantly situated in Topsfield, on the main road leading from Salem to Boxford, about half a mile from the village and railroad depot. Said Farm consists of about seventy acres of land, suitably divided into tillage, mowing, pasture, and meadow land, and a valuable peat meadow ; a two-story house, in good repair, and a barn, 60 by 30 feet, with a cellar under a part of it; shoemaker's shop, grainery, and other out-buildings. The Farm is fenced with a good stone wall, and contains a variety of fruit trees. There are two wells of water - one at the house, the other at the barn.

Newspaper Items Relating To Topsyield Silas Lake

Said Farm will be sold on reasonable terms. For further particulars, inquire of the subscriber, on the premises. SILAS LAKE. Salem Glazetic, Feb. 5, 1856.

The following list of tax-payers in Topsfield comprises those who pay a tax of $20 and upwards. The rate of taxation is 60 cents on $100. The whole number of polls in the town ig 821. Poll tax, $1.50.

All the right and title that Mary J. Tucker and Arraur RB. DPuckER, minors, have in and to one undivided fourth part of all the Real Estate of which Joun Conant, late of Topsfield, yeoman, deceased, died seized.

Said estate consists of the Farm, containing about ninety acres of Jand, with a good dwelling house, barn and other buildings thereon, allin good repair. Said farm being well apportioned into tillage, pasturage, and wood land, the latter having a fine growth of oak and pine wood thereon.

For The Year Ioi

194 VITAL STATISTICS FOR IQIT. MARRIACES. IQIl, (Charles H. Langhill, (Fitchburg), son of Leonard and Annie (Fogo) Langhill. Mayy 1a | Blaabet "McFarland (Topsfield), dau. of William and Mary (Girvan) McFarland. : Harry W. Perkins (Topsfield), son of Justin W. and Emma F. (Scates) Perkins. yame: 3. Elsie V. Tarbox (Sharon), dau. of Horace W. and Lizzie E. (Lane) Tarbox. : Henry B. Northey (Salem), son of William and Margaret F. June 9, (Anthony) Northey. Jane B. Price (Topsfield), dau. of Richard and Mary E. (Phippen) Price. f Russell C. Smith (Lawrence), son of William S. and Ida (Blake) Smith. Bs Blaby, Bexouccn (Topsfield), dau. of Edward E, and Mary { (Andrews) Ferguson. William Scahill (Ipswich), son of Thomas and Cornelia (Senior) Scahill. Aug. 14. Sadie Campbell (Ipswich), dau. of Jack and Jessie (McDonald) Campbell. { Manuel F. Castle (Topsfield), son of Joseph and Frances (Terrera) Castle. Aug. 19. | Josie MacDougall (Topsfield), dau. of Murdock and Anna (Mac- Kenzic) MacDougall. Earl L. Brown (Topsfield), son of Clarence L. and Julia M. (Wotton) Brown. Aug. 28. Gertrude A. Young (Topsfield), dau. of Thomas J. and Almira A. (Bassett) Young. ( Horace E. Gibbs (Haverhill), son of Jacob S. and Roancy J. (Rowe) Gibbs. ot. 27: Lucy E. Frost (Haverhill), dau. of Leonard F. and Martha J. (Harris) Frost. DEATHS. 1Q1t, Jan. 10. Amanda D., wife of Edwin S. Clifford and dau. of Benjamin and Hulda (Damon) Pike, aged 72 yrs., 2 mos., 15 days. Jan. 19. Hazen Rogers, Jr., son of Hazen R. and Mary E. (Deickhoff) Wildes, aged to mos., 7 days. Feb. 24. Ann C., (Elliott) widow of Edward Heckman and dau. of Frederick

January. Legislative authority asked by Salem, Beverly and Peabody to take water from the Ipswichriver. Much opposition from Topsfield and other towns in the river valley.

landed from a balloon near the Methodist Church, where they afterwards attended service, it being Sunday morning, June 8, Carriage house and shed of Charles F. Jordan, Main St., destroyed by fire. The Methodist Church, about 25 feet distant, much endangered. Sept. 19-20. Annual cattle show and fair of the Essex County Agricultural Society held on the grounds of the Society.

For The Vear Ending Dec. 31, 1912

The membership of the society on December 31, 1912, was 242. Eleven new members have been elected and five have died during the year: - Maj. L. A. Abbott of Washington, D. C., Wellington Pool of Wenham, and Mrs. Harriett Fuller, Mrs. Mary S. Perkins and Mrs. Mary L. Nichols of Topsfield. Mrs. Nichols and Mrs. Fuller were charter members of the Society.

Volume 17 of the Historical Collections which was partly in type at the last annual meeting has not been completed although 142 pages have been printed. It is hoped that the printer may complete the volume before many weeks have passed. The principal contributions will be continuations of the Topsfield town records and newspaper items relating to Topsfield, the latter having been brought up to the year

1856. The receipt in April, of 29 shares of the stock of the United Shoe Machinery Company, the bequest of the late David Cummings of Boston, places our building fund at a respectable figure and at the November mecting of the Society it was voted to offer the sum of $1500. for the Capen

From a considerable collection of family papers preserved by the late J. Perkins Towne, copies have been secured sufficient in amount to occupy one hundred or more pages in a volume of our Historical Collections. Many of these Papers are of early date and of much historical value.

Towne Family Papers

The late Jacob Perkins Towne, for many years town elerk and church clerk in Topsfield, inherited a considerable collection of manuscripts relating to the Towne family and to local affairs which in turn passed into the possession of his nephew, Edward S. Towne. These manuscripts have been arranged and mounted in two folio volumes by Mr. Towne, and through hig courtesy it has been possible to make copies of a selection of the more important papers.

The Lineage of William Perkins of London merchant taylor by Katherine his first wife married May 22, 1608, which Katherine deceased Sept. 18, 1618

And by Mary his second wife daughter of mr. George Purchase of Thaxsted in the County of Essex being married March 80 1619, which Mary deceased Octob 29 lat ? 1639, when she had been married 20 years & 7 months.

sixth son, his mothers sixth child, ergo Edw. the Sixth Samuel Perkins bor June 13,1624 Hhizabeth « May 15 1629 ix autographo charissimi Patris, Manu, Kidwardi ihe lineage of William Perkins of Topsfield in New England (Son of William Perkins of London merchant taylor) by Elizabeth Wootton his wite, whom he married at Roxbury Aug. 30% 1636 on both sides took to wife Katherine my second daughter, the first which the merciful Providence of God, gave me opportunity to be disposed of in marriage. This marriage was accompanied with a daughter, dead born 15 months after their marriage, and with the birth of a second daughter named Elizabeth born the last of march or beginning of April Anno 1670, J being in England, and with a son named John, I being in England after their marriage

William my second son married Elizabeth Clarke daughter to Daniel Clarke of Topsfield, October 24, 1669, with consent of parents on both sides and before my return from England, was blest with a daughter named Elizabeth and, before my return the second time after their marriage with a daughter Mary and a son William at two births.

Elizabeth my eldest and first daughter was by Major Hathorn of and at Salem the last day of May, 1671, married to John Ramsdell of Lynn, with consent of parents on both sides, and had her marriage blest while I was in England with her first daughter named Elizabeth, and alter my second return from thence with a second daughter named Mary born the 26° of January 1574, all which children were baptized. God grant them the baptism of his Spirit also.

mr John Bradstreet, June 11, 1677 married Sarah Perkins my fourth daughter with the free consent and appointment of his father Symond Bradstrect Esq. by the ministry of his uncle Major General Dennison.

Thomas Fiske, son to Capt. Fiske of Wenham, married Rebeckah Perkins, my fifth and youngest daughter the 3¢ of November 1678 The Lord bless it to us all.

Tobijah Perkins, my second son took to wife Sarah Dennison, the 4" of November 1680, with the consent of both their parents at Major General Dennison's house. The Lord build them up and provide for the two younger sons also. : this cometh by the hand of Mt Perkins your neighbour, which I hope will find you with your little ones in health. I send you over [by] John Peirce, five pieces of good Red pennistone and [a] kittle and a barrel of good fine powder, with some other necefsarys, the God who sending them to you, I hope will alse convey them safe to you. Ag to your children craveing from beyond your will, I am not therein pleafed, but would have them all submit to their parents with all due obedience and would have you so Govern yourself as to be Father over them all in Righteousnefs. "I keep your Son Samuel at school, and Doubt not but he will be a good schollar. J have made provifsion after my Decease, for you and all yours in New England, and particularly for my nephew Samuel. so living or Dieing you shall as have found me your affectionate Brother. Humphry Beane Copied off by Samuel Clarke for his Friend Jacob Towne of Topsfield. AD. March 81, 1721,

Theafe preafents witnefseth y' J Jofeph Hale of Newbury in ye County of Efex in New England doe bind my felf my Heyers Executors or Adminiftrators, to Heugh frame and feat up, and doe all y° Carpenters woorke of a Houfe of : 25: foot Long and : 20 : foot wide and 14 foot {tud, for william Pearkins of Topsfield in y® above fd County at or bo fore y® firft of march next Infueing y® date heare of y® woork is to be compleatly finished, & y® aboue fd william Pearkins doe like so In gage my felf my heyers or Executors, to provid for y* above {fd Jefeph hale meat drink and Lodging all y® time y* y* above fd woork is doing, and Likewife to bring all y° Tymber into Place y' is needfull for y® building and to provide futch as thall be futable for y®° fame, and Likewife to provide Boards fhingles and nailes futable for y® woorke, In Confideration of Twenty feaven Poundes weh y® above fd william peareins have Given bill for y® payment of, and to y® suere performance of what is above written I the above fd Jofeph Hale doe feat to my hand and feale this: 16: of march: 1691 'The poasts are to be fplit and ftuds and

Bracket

Sir after our Refpects prsented to y® this is to Informe y® how it has fell out that John perkins has ftaid longer then y® time y® did apoint him, his father is very elle and lyse at y® piont of death, and [ did tell him I did beleve y® were fo much of a Ingenas man that in fuch a case y° would not take noe advantige of him nor take noe forfite of him in fuch a case as this is, and I did pefwaid him to stay a day or two longer and did pefume to fay I would itand and have him have Lese as y® provedance of God was in residing of his father. I pray blame him not but impute it to y" firind and fervant who will pay y® and if y° fee good to aske any thing when I fpeeke with y® fir the humbell petition of your frinds the Commitee of malitia of Topsfeild is that y® would be plafed to give John perkinns firtifackat how long he has ferved under yt Command and lett him returne againe forth with and next Monday theire is one lustey man apionted to come and ferve in his rome he has a famely and can not at prfent leave his faimeley fir I pray grant our request if his father did not lye evene at y° piont of death we fhould not a requested fuch athing, fir wee were not wiling to detaine him any longer thoe y° cafe is verey hard for him to Come not knowing when he will feo his father alive againe, so not trobling y° any fferder at pefent putting Confidance in y® that y® will not denie our request as y® Cafe is ever rest and remaine over oblidged ffrinds & farvanis. John Gould Cap* Thomas Baker Leut EKphraim Dorman Ens

Agreement Bepween Josiag Goodridge And John Perreins

-bis may Satisfy whome it may Concarne Articalls of A gremant be twene Josiah Guirede one the one part and m? Jola perkins one the other part: viz the said Gutredg doth ingage to go to the eastward and to Relac the said perkinsis brother - wilyam perkins: and to enter in his Room for thre months: and at the end of three months the said John perkins doth ingavo to releag the said Guttedg one the panelty of twalve pane a day : and the said John perkins doth ingage to paye to the said Gutredg at the end of thre months twanty five fhilens A month for all the thre months and the said perkins is to have the Cuntry wages: and no udvantidg is to be tacen for the failuer of a Relac for too or thre dais the pay is to be in cloth at 1acny pric: and the twalve pane a day befide Cuniry wages after the thre months is out.

Loving Coufin I take this time to write a few words to you to let you know that Iam well both in body and mind, and I hope thefe few unworthy lines will find you well alfo, I have got some good news to write to you, for it has pleafed God to give me a good hope through grace and not me onJy but many others in thefe parts and we hear from many other places that religion spreads we heard from Chelfea about three wecks ago and there was a reformation there Coufin Huldah and one of her suchters about eleven years old were converted and £ hope to hear that there is a reformation in the parts where you live. We read in the Scripture that the hour Cometh and now is that the dead shall hear the voyce of the son of god and they that hear shall live. I want to see you more than ever I did since I heard that you have known the resurrection power of Jefus in your soul. We live very happy lately forall denominations here meet together two or three times a week to worfhip God. May the God of peace rule in your heart and lead you into all truth is the sincere defire of your friend and well wif her

Gov. Jonathan Belcher appointed « Benjamin Towne Gentleman to be Ensign of the Military Company in Topsfield whereof Ivory Hovey is Captain in the Regiment of Militia within the County of Efsex whereof John Wainwright Efq. is Colonel."

Gov. J. Belcher appointed Benjamin Town, Gentleman, Lieutenant of the Foot Company of Militia within the Town of Topsfield under Captain John Wildes in third Regiment * * * whereof Thomas Berry is Colonel.

Gov. William Shirley appointed Benjamin Town, Gentleman, to be Lieutenant of the Foot Company in the Town of Topsfield under John Wildes, Captain, in third Regiment * * * whereof Thomas Berry is Colonel.

M* Jacob Towne Sir my Sarvice to you Hopeing you are well as Iam my Self I Had News that Samuel Cur. tis is Come Down to be publifhed and if he is I Wode Have you Send me word as Soon as you can if He is Down or if He ante Send me Word Whot He Seafe about you no What So no more at prefent but I remain your Humble Sarvant to Same

Sete " 5 Lig SETI phe Seabee' Saga lathe Ribas See Sie ROS BS OES BS abe tah bie Wee SLRS Se Oe Rcd ald Leste DE Ser Ke gel ace aS a aa Le er ee 2 aaa

Brother I have waited a great while for you to make up betwen us and you have not done it, and I now send to you once more and I entreet you as a Brother & frind to your self to send Somebody to do it betwen this and the first of Dec next or 1 will send a writ to you with out fail. I wrote to you laft I wold take anything for what was due but never heard a word from you, I am veary sorrey you put me and your sclf to trouble, but it is your own folt, and I do defier the wellfare of you & youres as

| To you my Loving Brother I send the you Hoping that they will find you in go left me and mine Thro the coodnefs of God an oppertunity to sen thefe Loines to you I

Con. THomAs Berry to Carr. Brwg. Townr, Sir I wrote a Month agoe about the Militia of your Renowing your Commifsion, which you have not been pleased to take Notice of, which I must Look upon as a great Contempt, and an abuse of the Favour of Respect which has been Shown you By your Friend my Duty To you.and. Love loping that these few Lins as they Leave me Blefsed be S are all Well at Present we Expect to goe from here in ember me to all That ask after me SO Desier your Prayers To God braft it. hoping you will do the same and to inform you that i have nothing Remarkable to send to you but To inform you that your Friends are in good health and that it is a general time of Health amongft us and I Do Lement the Lementtable Defeat that I Hear that our army met with of Lait Hopin that god will yet Smile upon our New England forefes and blefs and Profper them in all their Lawful undertaking and to you my Loving Brother I send Counfeling you to put your trust and Confidence In that god which is able and willing to save all thofe that put Their trust in him and I will yet Continue my earneft prayors to god For your and the Rest of my Brothers safe Return in Gods time, and I would Desire to be Remembered to the Rest of my Brothers and your Sifter Sarah my wife alfo Defires be Remembered to you and the Reft of her Brothers and to inform you that our Sifter is Removed from Fathers into andover and so no more at prefent but to Subferibe myself your Loving

[Written on the corner of the sheet] and I the subferiber alfo Do Defire to be Remembered to you and to the Reft of my friends and in Peticaler to Cap Ifrael

I do hereby Discharge Jacob Town from Cap Davis's Com? of Battocmen he being not fitt for Service given Under my Hand Octob® 27, 1758 | Dan! D' Normandie

Ever Honoured father and Mother our Duty to you and Love to all our brothers and fisters Hoping that thefe fue Lynds will find you in good Health as thay Leav us in blefsed be God for it brother Izra hath ben fick with the throat Diftemper and He is got fomthing betor and Doctor faid that the beft thing that Can be Don for Him is for fum of His frinds to Com and bring Him Home for if He fhould Citch Cold He night not ever Retura Home and He Defired fum of His brothers to Come and bring Him Home. I fupose that He will be on the Road a Coming Home as faft as He Can and J Hope that we {hall not tarrey Heare above fourteen or fitteen Days Longer The Men of Topsfield that are in our Company are well. Jabefh Towne is Dead and Dudley perkins. We Defire to be Remembered to all our frinds fo no more att prefent but we Remain your Dutifull fons until Dearth Lake george october the 10 AD 1758 Edmond and I Remember Jacob Towne our Love to Debbe Edmond Towne To Captin Beniamin Towne Living in Topsfield Delivor with Care and Speed

Ever Loving Brother after my Love to you bopine These fue Lines will find you in good helth I have had a Long Spell of weekness this Spring I was not able to do any work for seven week but throw the Goodness of God Tam got beter my famely have been very pour this spring you sent me a leter in which you tould me that you had taken up the bond at M* peals and say he demands twelve on the hundred send me word whether you pay so much and I would pray you to sever me from that note and you will oblige me. Give my Duty to father and mother and Love to all my Brothers Aand Sisters

The note is one pound eleven shilens & fouer peuce Due you tender him the money and demand the note before witneses or do that which father Chal think beft. I would have you come up this fall, |

Honoured Mother these few lines are to Let you Know that we are alla little about house at present Blessed be God for it and we hope to hear that you and all our frinds are well and we give our Duty to you and our Love to all our Brothers and sisters and our Love to Andrew and Joseph Remembers his Love to andrew and Mchetibel Remembers her Love to Andrew and I take this opertunity to let you know that I want to know whether you Intends to send your son Abel up to live with me for if you do I should be glad to know it as quick as Conveantly I can and I will de by him as we tolked of when I saw you our dacob hath got a sore head and your Daughter is of the mind that he wantes sum small cordil of his gramme before it will git well and if you will be pleasd to send sum present your Daughter will take it very thankful at your bands and so shall J and we would inform our sister Lidia Chapman that we Received her Letter by the hand of M* Richard Cree and if she sends us any other Letier we would have her git sum Comon Riter to Hite it for we are not skild in such high flown Riting and we would Informe you that it is a time of helth amongst us at present and if sisters Chapman or Luse will come up and stay with us a little while and cannot git them a horse to Ride up on I will send down one for them if they will send word by the Barer hereof so no moor at present but we Remain your Dutiful Children until Death part us Dated at Douglafs December y° 7" 1761 Joseph Cummings the Procet® of Divine Providence J Depend upon your Coming up to See us the Latter End of Sep' or the Begine:g of Oct. at furtheft: we got home Verey well the 24 Day we Came away from Topsfield give my Duty to Mother and my Love in Pertickerly to andrew and to all my Brothers and Sifters We Reed the Letter that J ofeph fent us Sop' the 15 Baring Date Aug* the 30% which we are obliged to him for Righting: and time and Paper Being So verey Sckars obligefs us to omitt Send him an An{wer at this time. Joseph Cummings Abigal Cummings Douglais, Sep* the 15 1762 P.S. Mehetabel Remembers her Love to Andrew [To] the Widow Lydia Chapman in Topsfield

Manifest

New-Encland Property all British, about 95 tons burthen, no guns, navigated with 8 Men, all Britifh, besides James Babfon Master for this present Voyage from S$! Eustatia & die. It is a good horse that never stumbles. Its neither rhyme nor reason. *This George of Green was that famous diver of Wekeficld who foaeht with

J talk of chalk and you of cheese Jack will never make a gentleman Little pitchers have big ears Like father, like son Much falls between the cup & the lip Many hands make light work Money makes the mare go Many talk of Robin Hood who never shot his bow Many words will not fill a bushel Nothing venture nothing have Need makes the old wife trot No longer pipe, no longer dance Near is my shirt but nearer my skin One bird in the hand is worth two in the bush Out of the frying pan into the fire One scabbed. sheep mars the whole flock. Qne man had better steal a horse, than another to look over the hedge. One swallow does not make summer. One good turn deserves another Penny wise and pound foolish Reckon not your chickens before they are hatched Robin Hood's pennyworth, lightly come, lightly go. Sue a beggar and catch a louse. Save a thief from hanging & he will cut your throat. Tis too late to spare when sll is spent The more haste the worse speed To cut large thongs out of another man's leather Too much of one thing is good for nothing The Tracey's have always the wind in their faces The younger brother the better gentleman. Tread on a worm & it will tur The receiver is as bad as the thief. Virtue which parleys is near a surrender. Well begun is half ended When vice goes before vengeance follows after When the stud's stolen shut the stable door What can we have of a cat but the skin ? Vhat is bred in the bone will never be out of the flesh.

Topflicld october the 8 A.D. 1766 thefe may Certifio all perfons whome it may Concern that Jacob Towne hath paid fufficent beveridge for making a Lite blue Coat and Jackit Lind with tamme ftuf and blue Horn buttons

Cousin Jacob Kimball After due fervis to you & yours I would Inform you that 1am under very poor furcuni- {tances on account of my helth for ten Days past I have not had but Little rest night nor day that whichI Labour under is Called Rumities Jam Seasd in my hip & thy & nie Leg & ancle y® greatese pain is in hip & ancle Sr I Have heard that Jacob Town that Lives near you has Skill in Such Disorders I pray you to go to him your Self & get Sumthing from him for that purpose if you get anything pray Rite how it muft be used fail not for ] am in great diftrefs in fo Doing you will Oblidge your poor uncle - - - Richard Kimball.

Ever Honoured Father and mother. after our Duty to you Hopeing that thefe few Lines will find you in as good Health as they Leave us at prefent Bleffed Be god for the Same, we Have nothing Strange to write to you. Itisa Time of Health among us at Prefent we would inform you that we are as we Hope we fhall Have a minifter in a Little time fettled In this place His name is Fitch & we Have given Him a Call But He has Not as yet gave his Anfwer J would Inform you that I Have Bought a farm & Have got a Houfe Raifd on it, I Defire you would fend up a Letter to Let us know How you Do Hor we Have Heard that Father is very poorly and weakly. Remember us to all our Friends, and to all that afk after us, we fhould Be very glad If Some cf our Brothers would Como up and fee us, and If they want Land Cheap and

Have a mind to buy Now is the time to Have it fo, Land that will make a good farm, And So No more at prefent But we Remain your Dutifull Children Till Death. Douglafs, November Jofeph Cummings 23- - 1768 Abagail Cummings [To] John Batcheller

Ever Honoured father and Mother. After our Duty to you, Hopeing that thefe few lines will find you in as good Health as they leave us at prefent, Blefsed be God for the Same. I would inform you that our family is well And it isa general Time of Health among us we met with a Bad Lofs Laft December our Cow by an aceident at m* goulds fhe Died in a Cart Wheel I would Have you fend us up a Letter when Zacceus or John gould fhall will come up which will Be foon, to Let us knew How all our friends Do. Remember us to all our friends I would Be very glad if Some of my Brothers would Come up and Carry mehitabel Down for fhe wants to Come Down to Live for we are fo poor and Low and Loofing our Cow that we fhall find it Hard to maintain all our family and if any of my Brothers will Come up this Spring they Shall Have Her one year or While She is 18 years old I would Have you fend word up By the goulds whether any of you will come up or no. & So no more at prefent But we Remain Your Dutiful Children till Death

After Our Duty to you & love to Brothers & Sisters Hopeing thefe few lines will find you in as good health as they leave us at profent Blefsed be God for the Same I would Inform you that we got Ilome well But found Ainos very lame of a Cut in his knee which was ent the

Tuefday before I got home he Had a very bad Sore and is not got Quite well yet tho he Begins to get about again The Reft of our family is well the Childrend Send Duty to you & love to their Uncles and Aunts Ido Intend to Come Down the laft of may If nothing happens to me more than I know of it is a general Time of Health among us & so no more at prefent But we Remain your Dutifull Children till Death Jofeph and Abigail Cummings

Cambridge May "11 1775 Loving Brother and Sifter thes Lines com to Inform you that I am well and all with me thanks be given to God for it Hoping you are well I Sente my horfe to your house and I pray you to Let Lu Jobn Noyes have him to Ride hom for he is my offc' and a man of honor, and if my Horse is not with you pray Let him have yours to Ride to his hous and you may Depend that he will not Rong your horse and do not fail him for he is going to in Lift more men for me and I wold Right more to you but time fails me from your Louing Brother William Rogers N. B. the Berer of this Leter to have the horfe. To Mr Jofeph Towne in Topffield

Lost yesterday By me the fubfcriber in Ipswich A Redish Coulered Coat it is Something fadeed and is full Trim?' with Moehair Buttons two of the Buttons is wore of upon the fore parts and one upon each Sleave whofoever will inform me where I may have it Shall Be rewarded for their trouble By me

I fhould have Seen you long ere this time but the perplexities of the times have yet prevented me. this will will be deliverd you by Cap* John Stayley Blackwell who is the miner you have heard M* Buntin and my Self so often speak of, he Comes down to Topsfeild to see the mines, and Examine them, therefore should be glad you would give him all the Afsistance in your Power to cet the Water out, and let him Examine the mine throughly you will treat him properly on my Account and you must not take him by his Drefs, as the Times makes it necef sary he is a Gentleman tho he appears in this Drefs, and I should be Glad that his coming down to Examine the Mine you will keep as much to your Selves as you can notwithstanding the Times are very hard I determine to Carry on the Mine as soon as pofsible Hands may be Got, that I can depend on, I detign to See you at Topsfeild as soon as I can, my Regards to your Wife & Children and all enquiring Freinds and Remain

Topsfield July ye 15, 1776 Rec* of Samuel Perkins the Sum of Six Pounds thirteen Shilling and fouer pence in full for hafe a turne in the Emrican Service.

| Topsfield August 234 1777 Rec* of Zebulun Perkins fifteen pounds as a fine for not Serving as a Soldier in the Contenantel army for Hight months when Drafted therefor. Steph" Perkins

I just now received a Letter from you by M® Israel Freeman who says he is willing to undertake to separate the ore that is got up and I am content he should if you like it I have told him that He may go and make Tryal of what he can do with the different parts of the Ore, that that lays upermost must be a good deal Sun burnt but that underneath will yield well, let him try the different parts and then we will come to some agreement with Him. m* Guild and I have appointed Several times to Come to Topsfeild but we have got an Order from the General to make a Quantity of Warlike Stores at our Furnace which has kept us much Confind but as soon as the weather will permit we fhall Sett off from home and hope to see you very soon |

My Son got home a Month ago after 4 month miferable hard ufsage has been very Ill since he Came home, but has now got better. my hearty Regards to your Wife and Daughter and to your Brother hoping this will find you all well and to all inquiring Freinds I remain

Honred mother I give my Dutey to you hoping thefe Lyns will find you in Helth as they Leve me at prefent Confidering my furcomftance at this Time I Do hereby Inform you that my Husband is in the armey at the wefttord and fince he went from me it has plefd God who is the orther of our Beinges and has an uncontroulebel Right To give and Take away at his sovrend will and Plafuer our moft Neareft Company in this world and he has Taken all my Children away from me By Deth and J am Left Childlefs at this Time But Defier your Praing for me also Give my Respects to all Inquiring frends so no more at present but I Remain your Dutefull Child Tell Deth

Topsfield November 27 Ad 1780 Deliverd to Jacob Towne Hight pare of ftockings for the ufe of the Army Topsfield March 16 Ad 1731 Received in full for the {tockings of Jacob Towne I fay Received by me 8.00 Dolars- Klisbeth Emersen

As an Opportunity now prefents, we moft cheerfully embrace it to tranfmit thefe Lines to you, thereby both to teftify our regard for & Friend{hip to you, & to acquaint you that we, through the goodness of the univerfal Benefactor of Mankind, are blefsed with Health & the Necefsaries & many of the comforts of Life, unfeignedly wishing thefe Lines may find you in the enjoyment of the fame Blefsines. we fhould be very glad to fee you here, & if you would take your Horfe & ride to H opkinton & fee us it would afford us no small pleafure. we fhould be glad alfo if you would write a Letter to us & leave it at wi Clark's directly, that it may be brought by the Bearer hereof our Children give their regards to you fono more at this time from your Friends & well-wifhers till Death

: Saturday 234 of November 1782 Jacob Towne of Topsfield Came to me and Informed me that his Brother William Perkins Departed this Life on Fryday so late that he Could not git prepared to bury him on Saterday and as the weather was warm it would be difficult to keep him till Monday, and defired me to grant him Liberty to bury his said Brother on the Lord's day for thefe Reafons Licence is hereby granted to the Said Jacob Towne to Solemnize the funeral of the said William Perkins on Lords day Evening tomorrow, after the

Samuel Spofford To Joseph Towne

Sir being Informed that you Intend Marrage to Mifs Patty Baker and have been publifhed to her as J have been before you but it is a matter Immeterial to me Not- With{tasiding I {till have the beft Right to her but if you will be fo kind as to meet me at Major Parles and be fo generous as to make me an offer what you will give or take and the Party that takes fhall Drop the whole affare and Never trouble the other more but if you will not meet me at that place and Settle the matter you may Relie upon it that I f hall Proceed and Shall Still be a thorn in your Side, but if you will Come we will Settle matters with out any troble I f hall Depend upon your Sending me anfwer what you will Do and In So Doing you will much Oblige your humble Servent Samuel Spofford* Rowley March y® 1: 1784 To Mr Joseph Towne.

The Petition of Jacob Towne of Topsfield, & others, humbly shews That in march anno Domini 1781 your petitioners were clafsed by the selectmen of Topsfield to procure a man to serve three years in the Continental army, agreeable to a refolve of the General Court of the Commonwealth; and Thomas Porter was appointed the head of our s* Clafs. at our first Clafs meeting s* Porter told the s* Clafs it was not beft to be in too great hafte to procure a man, that he the s* Porter would Clear the s* Clafs for three hundred hard Dollars; which promife of s* Porter satiffied the Class, and was the sole reafon that they then delayed procuring a man for the aforesaid service after a month or two had elapsed s¢ Porter told the s* Clafs He had procured them a man for the three years service, but they muft give him the s* Porter four hundred hard Dollars, for the men must be had, and were very hard to be found accordingly the Clafs, rather than be deficient in their duty, and their Country suffer by their neglect, Complyed with his extravagant demands, and all the money was advanced, or security given for the same on intereft by the middle of July 1781. From. thence your Petitioners were led to conclude, they were not be- surprize and great disappointment they find their exertions were dormant, their Country injured, while their money was applied to private emoluments, and themselves liable to a penalty for deficiency, which is imputable to the wilful negiect of the aforesaid Porter only. wherefore your petitioners would approach your Honours, as the guardians of the rights & the protectors of the property of the subject, as men formed Zor the extirpation of fraud, & Iniquity, and to promote jnftice, honefty and virtue of every J ne, and play us ut pou eagn ated in NOUN pain, to js dee proportion 'of Thirty- four Pe seven shillings with intereft for the same, which the aforesaid Clafs paid the af Por cer, on July aforesaid (more than the average price) and for the purpose aforesaid, and they in duty bound vill ever pray. 'Popsfic eld January, 1782. Jacob Towne John Cree 34 Thos Perkins Zeblun Perkins

Loving Brothers Ih hope Throue The Devine goodnefs of God you and ig xs are in helth all Tho I am in a pore Stat of helth and have bin so for sum Time not able to Do aney Worck my Breathrean I have Sum ney Disaereable News to Teh to you. Laft Week m* Hawood Was at Noah Curtifes in Royalstown and Curtis Bid him Tell me my Brother Benja was not worth one peney in the word m' Hawood Told him it Would be very Disaerable News to Tell me of Curtes said if it Was it Was 'True and He Was a Brother of his as Well as mine and further said my Brother Was once a man of a good Stat But Now is Worth nothing and further more Told mf' Hawood Benj* Was in the New Stat and I belevo in a Very pore Seeteuation Tis Cufed Will hath brought him to this and you in to Los and Trouble my Brothers i feal

Sorey for you and I Hope God Will give you Wifdom to behave Wifley under the froun of Providance I know not what further to Right to you for my bodey and mind is Very Week so as my hands Tremble as I Right my Brother it Doth Look Very Strange my brother Eli Never Let you know what Seeteuation Benja Was in if I Can git git so as to be able to Ride L shall Cum Down and See you ina Little While it is supposed it Will be for my helth to Ride I Do not knew but I shall go overand sce Eli give my Love to my Sifters and Cufsons So I Conelude Wifhing all fouer of my bratheran Contentednefs of mind under Crofses So I Remain your Loving Brother Tell Death

Abel Cummings To Zebulun Perkins

Loving uncul & Aunt After my Due Refpects to you I would In form you that we are all well and I Do Hope that Thefo hear few Lins Will find you so I have No News to Rite to you It is A general Time of Helth I hope that you Will be So ixind as to Weat upon me for I Find it Very Hard Setling the Debts I am A going to Pay the Ears of So as to Keep the Land I Will Settle With you as Soon as I Can Sir if you are Equanted With the People In Andever for thare Is one Samuel Clark Lieve thear That ows me & Sir If you Will Inquire after him and find ont Weather he is Worth any thing and Send me Word I will Reward you for it Money is Vary hard to be got but I Will Come Down and Settle With you as Soon as Pofable this M* Clark Is a Large Man Wito Lite Cullered Hair and About 30 years old so No more at Prefent but I Remain your Loving Cozen Till Death Abel Cummings

Pane

Yours of the 25 of June I Rec? by my Brother and Considered my Self highly favoured to Receive a Line from a perfon that has Discovered Every Mark of Friendship to me that any perfon Could I Should be happy to Converse with you face to face but Since we are at such a Distance I must Rest Contented to Make letters the Messenger of my Real friendship to an Absent friend. be pleas* to Give my best Regards to your parents and ail Friends. I Never Expect to be Honoured with your Company at the Eaftward :

Hood Sends her Regards to you and your parents. Having Nothing further to offer I Coclude Regarting it as a favour that you would write Every Oppr''' and Sir as you have ben Acquainted with my Ignorance before you will Not be Disapointed at the Incorectnefs of these Lines I wish you Heath and wealth and a Dwelling in the Smiles of Cheurfullnefs your Friend

Dear Sir I have made enquiry at the several Book- {tores relative to Books you mentioned. I found the price of Bailees Dictionary in the different Bookftores from 12/§ to 14/* Brooks Practice in 2 vol 20/ and at one ftore 1 vol the price 8/* Cullens practice of Phifick London Edition, 48/8 You may mention to Towne that I can have Rollens ancient Hiftory 10 vol for 50/* Gibbons Roman History 12 vol 8 vo £6-0-0 the Hiftory of England by Hume Smallet and others Down to the Concluiion of the late war 16 vol 8*° suppose they may be had £8-0-0 provided the other fett are taken with them.

Vaid 1/8° to Mr Jacob Kimball for seting &¢ shoes on the Mare D° a ballance to Simeon Renny Jun /7¢ to Salem 12/- D° to Betsy Roff 1/6 to Mr Kimball for a Bufhel of Rye bot this day of him paid to Betsy Roff 4/7 paid Mrs. Mary Wildes fora Dounghill Cock 1/0 paid Stephen Crea for Thref hing &c this day ballance 1/6 paid Ephraim Perkins 3/444 for half a bufhel of Rye bot 11 paid John Bradftrect Jun. 1/64 bein a Dallance which he over paid for Cinging Book paid Mrs. Cleveland 1/6 for making a Bonnet & 4 y* of Catgut paid Carlton 18/4 in full for the Mercury the last year ending Feb. 1, 1794, printed by A. Young of Boston paid Mr. Kimball for pint of W. I. Rum & + pt N.E. R. p* Jos. Andrews 6/5 for a bushel of Rye D» paid a ballance 2/0 to J. Andrews bot 8 lbs. of german Steel at 94 Lb, 6/7 p* Deacon Dodge 26/5 p* A. Smith of Ipswich /11 for a {crew pin to a Gun lock p* at the Probate office 9 / p? Eph. Perkins p* Jos. Andrews for Bushel Rye &c

De at Mr Mansfield's a Muslin Handkerchief, L. T. p? Young & Minns in full for the Mercury Bot of E. Larkin, Morfe's Gazetteer at Bb. Rufsel's, Correspondence between Adet & Pickering at John West's an Ink horn at Gridley & Nolen's a Jacket Pattern Bot 4 of Adams' Defence with Mr. Willes in equal halves p* John Conant in full fora Gridiron D° p* Mr 8. Willes in full for money borrowed p* Royal A. Meriam in full, 6/1 p* Amos Gallop for 334 lb beef at 44 11/2° p* Zeb Perkins in as ballance of accounts p* Z. Perkins for sawing this day p* Mr. Carleton (of Hamstead) in full for 4 barrels of Cyder Cash p* A. Porter 2/3 Cash p* Deacon 8. Dodge in p' fora Note of hand Cash p* Deacon Dodge in part for a Note of hand p* Jacob Clarke in full of all accounts Bot of J. Ramsdell two hen Turkies, p? in full Paid J. Andrews in part of the Town Tax p* D. Balch for peck lime 1/ & mending crack in Chimney 1/9# p* Elisha Perkins for 6 sheep in full p* Amos Foster for a Bushel of Rye ing Bock 0. 4, Mr. Awron Conant paid 6/3 for his his part of the Mercury the year past ending Feb. 24 Q.. 6. Nath' P, Averell paid for a finging Book 0.4. John Conant 2° paid for a finging Book QO. 4. Abraham Hobbs Jua. p* for finging Book 0, 4, Rec* 26 /5% for 42 feet of White Oak Timber LG, Rec* 23/2° for 38% feet of White Oak Timber 1.48, Mr A. Conant p*1/8 for his part of he Mercury one quarter Rec* of Eben Pope of Salem 1323 Dollars for Hay sold to him this day 13C &#? 4, 2. R. Perkins Jun. p* for a Calfskin QU: & for a Kip skin ay Mr P. Woodberry p* 4 dollars as ballance ot Acc® ee Mr Briggs p* 52/ for 80 feet of Timber ya Rec* of Roger Balch 7/ in full for two pigs he bot June 18 Oo Rec of P. Woodberry Six Dollars for half a Thoufand of Hogshead Staves 1. 16. Rec* of Thos. Kimball 6/ & 7 rec? 8/3 for about 24 feet of white oak Timber 0. 14. Rec* of P. Woodberry for 34 hundred of Hogshead Staves 1. 4. Capt. Jona. Peele p* for 64 ft of Bark 1. 10. Jos. Averell p? 2/ for his part of a quarter of a. Ticket. in . Hartford State House Lottery O.: 2:

Sastas Tinea

Rec@ at Carlton's 18/14 being the Sum due as aprize for a Quarter of a Ticket in Hartford State House Lottery No. 12795 - Belonging to S. Walles...J.lowne, 3°, J. Averell & J. Conant.

With pleasure I dedicate these few lines to you, flattering myself they will meet your approbation, especially that part which shall treat of my removal to Cambridge University.

At present my health* is not so good as I could wish; but perhaps owing to hard study. My mental powers being debilitated may excuse me from that accuracy which you might otherwise expect.

1 would inform: you that in the Last Wednesday of this month our clafs will have a public exhibition in the Chapel which is a customary, annual appointment for the Sophomore clafses.

As epistles are not commonly for the prefs, we write upon as many topics as fancy dictates. Great is the advantage put in our hands to get wisdom; but knowledge is not to be obtained only by close application and industry; but the application of four years runs almost im perceptibly away, and we scarcely know that we have learnt any thing; the comprehenfion or knowledge of one thing is only opening the door for the investigation of another, the more vacuums or windows to the field of science greater are the splendent refractions of light.

Lett I should not have room, to discust the first mentioned subject, I with pleasure resume the Theme. One of my clafs-mates is about removing to Cam bridge, and I expect, if life and health permit, to be his company.

We think it proper, together with judicious and friendly advice, to enter there at Commencement time. If this plan meets with succefs, I shall come home so as to enter at commencement,

Much more might be said; but perhaps not without impropriety, and intruding upon epistolary writing, I shall conclude by subscribing myself your friend.

to Inform you Iam well; & hope My lines will find you and your Connections the same; I have not been so happy as to Receive one line from you since I have been in this Country, though with pleafure I have written you a Number of letters but Still - the Regard I have for you

I Cannot Tax you with too much Unkindnefs for when I contemplate on your friendship in past times It makes Compensation for Future deficiency. Ihave Nothing of Importance Jo Inform You of at prefent.

As to my practice I have had & Continue to have Confiderable for a Young man & have had Very good succefs which seems to Surport my practice being in great hurry J must clofe Subscribing my self your friend and

Topffield June the 18 day 1795 Madam I take this oppertunity again to remind [you of] your Solemn promises & engagements relative to your marrying me which sd promises I shall insist of holding you to and should you atempt marriage with any other person I shall purfue the Stepts of the Laws of the Land have pointed out in fuch Cafes Yours &¢ Joseph Andrews to mrs Lydia Towne in Topsfield.

my most harty thanks for your Respect Shone in your faver of the 30 of Nov" by Willes which I view asa Singular Specimen of friendfhip which has very Little bean practised by any of my frinds in Topsfield, altho often requested | My famely is all, threw the goodnefs of the Divine Benediction, ina Tolerable good State of health and Desier to be remembered to you and to all Inquiring frinds I have set me up a New house, sence mr wildes was heer, and expect to remove into it Next Spring, and to begin again on an intire new farme and my Son Joseph will Live on the old farme (if this that has bean but 4 year occupied Can be Called old) and Carry it on at the halves, which half I hope will nearly furnish my famely with food, whilst I with my four youngest Sons shall indeaver to Bring to a Nother farme &c as to nuse, ] have nothing, as I know of, worth notising, except that grain has taken a sudden rice amongst us abeut one third as to the Jacobine party they are not very numerous hear, or if they are they are pretty still, there is Some in this State (viz) in Bennington, who Like other Children Crying for a Rattle have Blared out against their Rulers, in hopes to rest from thein if possible, what they esteem, the plaything of power & trust. But they have Bean pretty well whipt, and have Become Tolerabley Quiet again and I am in hopes if they Live to arive at the years of Disgrefsion. when the empier of reason shall take place, that they will then become good members of Societty notwithstanding their noisey nucious behaviour in their childhood, for which they was neither capable of hearing or giving aney reason for my part I am so willing to trust the government of the world in the hands of the Supream ruler of universal Nature, that I Do not at present wish to try to wrist it out of his hands, and I have so much Confidence in his abilities to teetch our Senetors wisdom, that I Do not think it worth while for me to intirpose from the Little Stock of knowledge that he has favered me with in the affair, either one way or the other. he has Conducted us threw a glorious revelution and has Brought us into the promised Land of peace & Liberty, and I Believe that he is about to Bring all the world into the Same Beatitude in his own time & way which, altho his way appear never so inconsistant to our Bliend reason, yet may be ferfectly Consistent with his Designs and I Believe that the Stone is pow Cut out of the mountain without hands, spoken of by Daniel and his Smitten the image upon his feet, By which the iron, the Clay, the Brafs, the Silver, and the gold (viz) all monarical and ecliesastical Terony will be Broken to peaces and Becom as the Chaff of the Summer Thrashing flore the wind Shall carry them all away that there shall be no place found for them

Give my Best regards to your parents and tell them that I have taken up with the Eleventh Commandment that the Negro 'Tought to the minister, which was thus the minister asked the Negro how maney commandments there was, his answare was, Eleven Sir. aye, replyd the other, what is the Eleventh, that is one I Never heard ot the Eleventh Commandment, Sir, is, miend your own Businefs.

So I Chuse to Do, and give my Self but Little Concernes about what pafses in the political world. 1 expect my Son Joseph* will be maried ina few days. give my Best regards to Dr Meriam, mr Willes, Joseph Dorman, and mr Cree, and tell mr Cree I thank him for his respects and hope he will accept of mine. write to me as often & as Large as you can and oblige your Sincear frind & well wisher

[On page 2] give my harty thanks to mr Charles Rogers for his Respect shown in writing me a few Lines and tell him that 1 Should a wrote to him now had I had Time But Now Wave it for the present, as I have Considerable part of what I intend to you

Ad, Towne Family Papers Samuel Bradstreet

Imports directly from the Manufacturers of London, Bristol, Birmingham and Sheffield, and has for Sale, by Wholefale cr Retail, as cheap as fold in Boston,

A great Variety of Hardware Goods, consisting of Briftol Crown Glafs of all fizes - -Brafs Kettles and Warming Pans - London and Bristol Pewter - Church Flaggons, Chriftening Bafons, Tankards and Cups- - Sbot and Lead - German and Englifh Steel - Smiths' Anvils and Vices - Sheet Iron - Seine Twin Tans, &e, &e.

I broke Open the feals with modesty and Decency and my greedy Eyes foon Devourd the Lines of profound wifdom there worthy to be Drawn in Letters of gold o thou Epitomy of Nature whofe Beauty exceeds that of owls of Batts of harpes and of all the Reft of winged monfters and if I furveay the morpelite animals, fuch as poine hedghogs monkeys apes and the Like I find they are mean compared with the and if I view the fifh that glide up and Down the tilver ftreams and cut the fooming waves In the anclantic ocean fuch as haddock phlace and flounders I fhould find them unclean Compared with the who can help admiring a creature whofe Beauty far luxpates all the Excrementious thrones of ternal mumies and whofe finiles far Exceeds the ugly erinnines of the Babboons Of bar. tarys methinks Nature hath Done lis work to pantilia in the form of your Beautifull Body and hath furnif hed your mind with Excelent Qualifications in arts and {cience and if you proceed Peradventure you will fhortly be ft

Loving coufin after my love to you I would inform you that I am well and hope these few lines will find you so I want to see more thanI ever did but dont know when I shall I have no news to write to you only Betty Sweat was married laft winter and moved to Wat hington the twenty fecond day of June remember me to my cousin foster tell her I want to see her very much write me a letter as soon as you can to let me know how you do so no more at prefent but I remain your coufin

An opportunity presenting I now embrace it to write 3 few lines to you hoping they may find you in good heaith as they at present leave me I have to inform you of the death of My father who died about three week past after a sicknefs of three weeks his disorder was the gravel

Rey. AsAneL Huntineton to JosEPH CREE. Topsfield 28 Augst, 1802 Sir I expect to complete the month at this houfe on Wedunesday next. On Thursday next I hope to be ready fo begin. the fehool near the meeting houfe if the committes pleefe.

Topsfield February : 2 1803 kind Sir JI now take this oppertuny to tell you of Ben grays be havers at School he Pushed our Polly up a ginft the foor Door & hurt hir very much in going out of the Door, Elisha Huntiton he laid him over the toop of the iner Door on his Bowels to Day noon. if their is not a meediat Stoop Putt to Such Behaver I foer murder must take Plais. he ought not for to be left in the School hong at noon. I See no beter way than the way you Did yefterday turn theas Large ones out of the School, from a friend J wifh you well mt Town if mine Donte behav

M* Towne many have thougt you could not work the following Sum that I understand M? T Cummings sent to you I think you Can work it and I would be very glad if you would be send me the work at large.

Suppose I exchange 4£ 10s 10¢ for 11 Crowns and 4 Dollars and at another time I have 4 Crowns and 3 Dollars for 1£ 15s each being of the same value with the first what is the value of a Crown and of a Dollar.

I take this opertunity to mention some few occurrancies. you see by the papers the turn the election took, but I hope the next as (Koster is expected every day to send in his Refignation) will terminate in favour of Timothy I expect prtly warm work this week and next relative to Princes Turnpike which will be vehemently opposed by Efsex Bridge and Salem Turnpike Corporations they looked on princes project as chymerical untill he had leave to bring in a bill and finding the sudden sale of the shares.

Princes Tumpike consists of 1000 shares which makes 100 000 Dollars 60 000 Dollars was subscribed in Boston in half a day and all the shares taken up in one day if he would have difposed of them Prefcot on saturday when he first understood the rapid sale of the shares in a very solemn manner moved for a reconsideration of a vote for giving leave to bring in a bill, or fora time to be afsigned for discussing of the propriety of giving leave to bring in a bill neither of which obtained. Thorndike seems violently agitated, but seems to be the agitation of defpair. the Boston seat I think will be unanimous in support of it particular will [it] be ably advocated by Mefsers Otis & Lowell the latter of whom I heard tell Prefcot, that had In general been pretty indifferent relative to the Transactions of the present sefsion but on this subject he was determined to exert all his tallants.

I have at several different times Conversed with Capt Prince and have twice seen his plan. he says he must vary it fifty or sixty rods to the eastward in order for better ground, and avoid Lynn ridge - the five last miles are the worst part of the way but practicable - the five first he says that 30 rods one way or the other out of a straight line would be impracticable.

you are hereby warned to meet at the usual Place of Parade in Topffield on wednesday the 19% at 10 of the clock A. M. with arms Complete for training as the law directs and thare wait further orders by order of Capt John Bradstreet Topffield

Topsfield Jan 25' 1804 Sir, The committee for visiting schools, have concluded to visit your school tomorrow at 8 o'clock P. M. I should have given you the notice a day or two sooner, but thro forgetfuinels I have neglected it. 'Yours respectfully A. Huntington. Mr' Jacob 'Towne 3?

gladly do I imbrace the present opportunity to send you A line to let you know that we are well, hope this will find youso. Ishould be very glad to once more Visit my fricnds at Topsfield, but age prevents me. I lately heard that my Brother Elijah was very sick and not likely to live. J want you should write to me and let me know wether he.is living or not, for I feel anxious to hear from him to know wether he is in the land of the living. I should be very glad to have you come and yisit me, if you ever have opportunity, Was I young as you are the length of the way would be no hindrance to me. I would soon see you, but old age deprives us of the pleasures of youth and we must submit to it. Please to remember my love and your Aunts to Sister Perkins. our Love to you all and wishes for your welfare this from your uncle

The fubscribers Respectfully informe their friends and the Publice that they have Constantly for Sale at there Shop in Perkins row So Called a quantity of Saddles and bridles Neatly ornimented which they offer for Sale Cheap for Cash or approved Credit for Ninety days

Cafh and the highest Price given for all kind of harnice Leather at there shop Also at there office upftairs over st Shop Commifsion given to quartermasters

Dear Sir Inclosed I send you a very rough draft of a bell I wish [you] to examine and alter and correct it and transcribe it, so as to have it ready for me when J come home. I did think of adding a sect" to provide a penalty but upon reflection I have thought it not best. Iam persuaded it would not pass & it would create some suspicion of bad design. I send you some papers which you may look over & hand some of them to my wife. There are many petitions presented respecting the sub. I hope your Pet® will come on soon. I understand by a letter from Mr Hurlbutt that you propose to have your Pet® is to be signed by the Committee of the morral evil J think that will do very well, I understand thore was to be 2 conven" on the subject today at Topsfield. I hope it will be or has been well attended especially by Topsfield men. Whatsuccess will attend the exertions is difficult to predict - I fear not great - there is a committee to whom all these are committed the comm? are Cleaveland & Adams of the Senate and Doolitle of Belchertown Levi Lincoln of Worcester and Knap of Nport on the part of the house no doubt the committee or majority of them would agree to an efficient report, but there is no probability of carrying any thing very important through the Court. there appears a very great hostillity to giving the Tything Men much power. If the collector of direct taxes has been to Topsfield I hope you took a memmorandum of my taxes as well as your own. I believe Exchecker bills may be bought at from 8 to 10 discount. More of this when I see you. Yours with much esteem. N. Cleaveland.

Subscription For A Bible For The Pulpit Towne Family Papers. Ag

Mess. John Hood William Perkins Phillip McKenzie and Doct Frederick Meriam were living and if a live where they lived Sir we have made some considerable inquiraes respecting the above named persons and can inform you that M* John Hood is a live and lives in Topsfield Massachusetts State. M* Phillip McKenzie was alive last September and was then living in the town of Waltham near Vergennes in the State of Vermont. M* Perkins is dead. we are of the opinion that you must have refference to Doct John Meriam, instead of Frederick Meriam, as there was a Doct John Meriam in Topsfield, but he is dead, he has been dead about three years. 'Their is no Doct Krederick Meriam in the 'Town nor never was.

I set out for the western contry 24 last May with my wife little waggon and two horses and arived at Philadelphia in nine days 321 miles stayed with Joseph four days then set out for Ohio and arived at Scipio in seventeen days 495 miles stayed with my children M. Ray and Hannah nine days July set out for Darby where br. Elisha's folks live and arived 10 in the morning 114 I was so sick while there that I never expected to get away but God was merciful and blessed the moans that woore used and I recovered so as to set out for home July 22"* and arived to my family in peace August 21% hOtibe one O'clock for which mercy I had great reason to be thankfull.

I was so weak when I set out for home that I could but just get into the waggon when T got home I was some better J have been worse and better several times since I have been at home, but have of late grown very weak and am now unable to walk the room without a stall I have a general weakness through my whole body and am affected with rheumatism and cholic pains so as not to be able to rest in bed but very little. I think I have no reason. to expect to,ever get so well as to visit my friend again in this world I desire to be resined and to acquiese in the will of God. I want you and your wife to come and seo us this fall if you would ever see me again. Please to give my love to your family all my Dear friends in Topstield particularly to Ephraim tell him that he must come and see me very soon if he would ever see me any more. I found my friends in Ohio enjoying a measure of health but not as healthy as our friends are in these eastern states. My family and our friends are generally well. I had ought to have written to you some time agoe but my poor health and other things have hindered. I do not think I have seen a day this week that I could have written before today my pains have mostly left me, I have but just strength enough to set and write I must draw to a close and subscribe my self your sincere friend [To] Jacob Towne Jacob Perkins

Dear Sir i have scent a few lines to you to inform you that i want you to Git me a Depersion for the year 1775 in December M' Pike told me that my Sister Hoobs would Be a Good witnefs for me i want you to Go to there Hous and See hir and fee if fhee Doant Rember that i went to Boston under Lt Rufus wheler was irom Byfild and my Brother Burbank went with me At the Same time and thomas Teney was in the fame Company Now you will Due well to fee what fister Hoobs and Brother Hoobs if thay or {hee Nowes Any thing Abott it Pleas to git all thay Now About it M* Nelson told me that Bill Leatherbee was out at the fame time and he Now Livs in ipswifeh if you Doant Git No Profit from Sister Hoobs Pleas to fee if you Can find him if he Dont Live two far of if there is Nothing to Be Got there then i would have you Call on Leatherbee and Git one from him or fee if he Noes of Anyone Siri have fcent you one Doller and wish you to feend them in a Leater to ine and {cend what the Caust is and i will fcend you the Money Pleas to Direct it to Rindge Post office if you can obtain Sister Hoobs Proof I would Not Look Any further Dere Sir Pleas to feend me as foon as Posile Sir Doont forgit the year December 1775

John Towne To Jacob Towne

Dear Sir after my respects to you I take this opportunity to write afew lines to you to let you know that through the Divine goodness of God I am well and in isual health and I hope that these may find you and your family injoying the same blessing. Sir Nathaniel Johnson Esq? informed me that you wished to know the names of the family of towns which moved from the town of Topsfield to the town of Greenwich and the time they moved and the time of their birth if known. Sir I can give you their names but the exact time when they moved from Topsfield to Greenwich or the exact time of their birth is unknown tome. Sirmy Grandfathers name was John Towne J think I have heard him say that he was born in the town of Topsfield about the year A. D. 1686 as near as I can recolect and that he was married about the year A. D. 1714 to a widow Abigail Towne of Topsfield aforesaid by whom he had five Children viz. Samuel who was born about the year A. D. 1715 the month and the day of this birth is not known to me Jonathan was born about the year A. D. 1718 the month and the day of this birth also is not known to me Abigail was born about the year A. D, 1721 the month and Day of her birth also is unknown to me. Catberine was born in November about the year A. D. 1726 the day uf the month unknown to me. John was born November 15'* about the year A. D.1780. my Aunt Abigail Towne died in Topsfield the time unknown to me my Grandmother Abigail Towne also died in Topsfield the time of her Death unknown to me. the Survivors of the family all moved from Topsfield to Greenwich in April about the year A. D, 17-49 according to the best of my information. Sir I have had no records to refer to my father once informed me that my said Grandfathers family were recorded in the record of births in the town of Topsfield it would be a great sat-

52 TOWNE FAMILY PAPERS. isfaction to me if you would examine your records of births & Deaths to see if you can find upon your towns records the family I have described and if you do you will give me great pleasure if you would write to me and give me the time of their births and Deaths as they stand upon your towns records. perhaps I bave not named them in succession which you will correct. Sir I am yours with Due respect.

The unders? having learned that the Lad* of the Cong! Chh & Soc. in T¢ have resolved to raise one thousand Doilars, or more, to be approp* to the purchase of a Chh. Organ, & being desirous to aid in the making of s* purchase, Hereby severally sub. the sums of money set opposite their respective names, & hereby severally agree to pay s* sums to the Treas. of the « Ladies Soc." connected with s? Chh & Soc., whenever & so soon as the amis subscribed hereto, or otherwise raised for the object & purpose aforesaid shall amt. to the sum of one thousand Dollars. Topsf* October 17" 1856.

Atten Seo Oh I Iter Ge Elt Ie Rit Ne Itn Tt Ote Pet

I have long desired to write you a few lines, thinking that perhaps you would like to hear from the Topsfield inen in the 23"* Regt, but could not get the time to write when I felt able, and as I have a few leisure moments at this time I thought to intrude myself upon your time for a friendly chat, and I hope to interest you by telling you

We In the 23" ave at present and have been since the 7 of May doing Provost duty in the City; the duty is not so laborious as some others, but is very tiresome and wears upon the men verry much, so that there are many at all times that are under the Dr* care.

The old (guxrd of the previous 24 hours) guard is then marched to their quarters and dismifsed after posting the new guard, which is divided into four districts and each district into four reliefs.

the second at 1 ocll, which is relieved by the third at 5, which is relieved by the first at 9 P. M. each standing four hours and being off eight.

The two reliefs that are not on guard being obliged to stop at their guard houses the whole eight hours excepting what time is given them to go to their quarters for their meals.

While the men are on guard they are not allowed to sit down, and must carry their musket either at Shoulder or Support, and in stormy weather at secure Arms.

This you will readily perceive is verry tiresome and there is no wonder that so few can stnnd to the duty long when we consider that it takes nearly half the Regt to stand each day and hence the men must go on every other day.

"After the old guard are dismifsed and have taken their breakfast, they must then clean their muskets and equipments, which takes the best part of the forenoon.

At 3 Oclk there is a drill of 14 hours, and at 5 dress parade, 1 hour, supper at 6, tattoo (roll call) at 74, and taps (put out the lights) at 9 Oclk when we must all retive for the night and quiet must reign supreme in all Co quarters. The evenings are spent in singing, talking, reading, writing, and in some places in card, checkquer, and chefs playing, the men trying to realize the truth of the old saying that " The Soldiers life is always gay."

Thus far ] have spoken of the duty of others, I will now speak but a few words for myself. Iam one of the Co cooks of which the Co has two, and I find quite enough to do to keep me buisey the most of the time, and perhaps I had better pafs over the part which I have to play, by refering you to your Good Wife, if you would know what a cooks work is. :

But I feel that there is much truith in the old saying that a mans work is from Sun to Sun, but a womans (cooks of course) work is never done.

of the Topsfield men have been sick, and out of the 18 who enlisted at Lynnfield but 5 remain and three of those are on the sick list and are about to be discharged, they are John Smith, Wm Janes, & E. Cummings, the last named was at the time of enlistment living with i le Peabody Esq. so that myself and J ohn Dudly are all that will remain and both of us have been in the Hospital, and I am not well yet, nor do I expect to be so long ag I have to stay here, but Dudly is very hearty and looks well.

We left Lynnfield (as you know). on the 11" of Nov. last and nothing of note happened to us untill we arrived at Annapolis, Md. if I except that we were well used in Boston, but badly used in N. Y. at which place we stoped 94 hours, and then after marching us all over the City the Authorities allowed us to go away tired and hungry, bub the good people of Jersey City on being made acquainted with the state of affairs, on our arrival at that place provided us with a bountiful coalation and we left that place in much better humor and spirits than when we arrived.

On our arrival at Philadelphia we found that there was a nice hot breakfast in waiting for us (it being about 3 Oclk. A. M.) with butiful Lady waters ready to serve us with everything that a hungry man could wish, nice cold meats different kinds, hot coffee & tea and nice warm buisket with good sweet butter & cheese, and then the Dutchmans desert, Sour Krout, sat in dishes every few feet the whole length of those extensive tables.

I was told that we were the 112" Regt who had eaten at this establishment since the war broke out, and not one of them had ever had to wait one moment and none had gone hungry away, and it is still kept open to feed the poor Soldier as he goes to the seat of war at the call of his Country and will continue open as long as the war lasts or there is a hungry Union Soldier, wholly by Volunteer contributions of ber loyal Citizens. Long may they live to enjoy that Peace for which we are now battling the foe to our common Country.

We left P. at 2 Oclk P. M. and arrived at the wharf of the Nayal Academy, Annapolis, at 10 Oclk. We were quartered in the Academy buildings about 15 hours, when we were removed to the College buildings where we stoped 24 hours and then took up the line of march for our camping ground, about three miles from the City. There we pitched our tents and remained 7 weeks & 2 days, when we ordered on board the Transports.

The 23"* we were ordered to go on board the Str Hussar & Sch Hilander, the right wing (4 Cos) on board the latter, to be towed by the former which had the Band & 5 left wing Cos. We wenton board on the 6 of Jan and at daylight on the 9*® we steamed off down the river into the Bay towards Ft Monroe. The sail was delightful, and about sunset on the 10% we droped anchor in Hampton roads.

But a storm that had been for a number of days brewing, broke upon us on the eveng of the 12" and at daylight the next morning it was s deemed prudent to cut the cable by which we were being towd and it was acdordingly done and the Steamer left us to the Mercy of the.

After being driven about by the wind and waves untill we were all tired of a seafaring life we at last came toan anchor just outside of Hatteras Inlet, and at the verry spot where, a few months before, Gen! Butler had landed his force. We anchored at 2 Oclk P. M.on the 14 and on the 16'" were towed into the inlet and there came to anchor.

In pafsing into the inlet we were fortunate enough to be just in season to save the lives of the Officers of the 9% N. J. Regt. by taking them out of the water into which they had been precipeted by the upsetting of the boat in which they were about to crofs the bar to go to their Ship, having left the Ship in the morning to report their safe arrival to Gen! Burnside, but sad to tell the Sergeon and Col were both dead before we could get them on board ihe Hilander.

After laying at Hatteras about 3 weeks and suffering for want of food & drink, and cold and storm, we left on 5** of Feb for Roanoke, where we arrived on the Eveng of the 6", and about 9 Oclk A. M. on the Chjthe Gunboats commenced the Bombardment which lasted (as I suppose you have read and know) untill dark.

The largest gun in the fleet, 112 pds, was carried amidships of a small Sloop and was in a swivel, and as the wind was off land she had a fair wind and done fearful execution, for she would sail down by the Fort and when just opposite would let fly one of those 112 1b shot or shell and keep right on her way untill she was out of danger, and then tack about and sail up by and give them another, and so she worked and not one shot hit her for the whole day.

The 234 were all landed about 10 Oclk P. M. and after wallowing throvngh marsh mud knee deep about 14 miles we came to an open field where the Division Bivoked for the night, and it rained the most of the night so that we were wet to our skins.

The next morning we took up the line of march in the following order. Mafs 25', 23"¢, 29%", 21°, 10" Conn and 51st N.Y. (Hawkins Zouaves), one Co from each Regt being left on board the Transports. After marebing 2 miles (the road having a semicircular direction), the 25 came upon the rebel pickets and drove them in when the firing became general.

The 25 engaged them in their cover and the 23 were ordered to file through the swamp and flank them on their left, and to do this we must pafs in front of their battery of 4 guns and all of their musketry, and it was while doing this that J. B. Lake was wounded, ang ) we we were through the swamp (which they had pronounced impassable) than they began to retreat, and when the Zouaves made that Gallant (?) Charge, that the papers had so much to say about, there was not a whole Rebel in the Fort or behind the brest works.

The 24 Mafs Reg* then came up with the 8*® Conn and gave chase and baggd the game (8862) and we who had done the fighting rested about an hour and then started off for the Barracks which we found atthe end of an 8 mile march. 'The Barracks consisted of about 100 log houses some 60 feet long by 15 wide, with smaller ones for Officers, &c. they were situated in the woods and were in two distinct camps, but were the most filthy habitations that I had ever sat my eyes upon, being almost alive with vermin.

On looking around the next day we found that besides the Prisoners & property above mentioned that had fallen into our hands, we had taken 84 cannon, 4500 stand of small armes, 8 forts, 4 batteries, and a vast amount of other property, all of which you probibly informed yourself at the time.

The Island contains about 600 inhabitants of the most wreched looking people that I had ever seen, and they soon came flocking into camp with potato pies é&c which our men were glad to get at any price.

The Island itself is low, damp, & swampey, just the place to kill human beings, and there is no wonder that the first settelers should allhave died, as you know it is a matter of history that Roanoke is the place where Raleigh attempted the first settlement in this Country.

After stopping on the Island 4 weeks (much longer than any of us wanted to stay) we again embarked on board the transports and in a few days found ourselves at anchor in the Neuse River, 15 miles below Newbern.

Aimee Marne Wore Ym Oer Ore Ert Ep I Enn Od

The 28 all got landed about 8 Oclk P. M. and then took up the line of march our rout lay through sand, mud swamps woods and water and on we trudged for 10 miles, every moment expecting to hear that those of our advance had engaged the enemy, but in this we were disappointed and began to think that they had escaped, for about 5 miles from where we landed we came to a deserted breastwork of about one mile in length.

Soon after we landed it commenced to rain, and the whole of that march was made through rain as well as mud, so that by the time we halted for the night we were wet through to our skins and covered with clay mud to our waists.

We came to a halt at 10 Oclk P. M. and having built fires and posted a guard we laid down around the fires and tried to sleep, but it rained so hard that sleep was out of the question, and we pafsed the night as best we could.

Early in the morning we were ordered into line and again started on the march, and in a short time we were filed into the woods to the left.

We had not gone far when I saw Lieut Col Merrit changing his coat (this was the last time I ever saw him) and he gave the Order " by the right fall into line." 'This brought the right of the 23" to rest on the left of the 27%, and when we were filing into line we could see (through the wood) the Enemies breastworks with their heads just above the top.

The sight was but for a moment, for the big gun from the Hilander had got into position and let fly a 12 shell which opened the ball, when a volly of Cannister, Shrapnel, Grape, Bomshells & Musketry burst upon us and the smoke and a thick fog which set in intirely hid them from our view, but although their pieces were aimed much too high to do us much damage, still at that discharge maney a poor fellow lost his life and many others were wounded, for it was at that discharge that Lieut Col Merrit was killed and Capt Sawyer lost his leg.

Col Kurtz was verey self Posessed and cool and for three hours all that he would say was '" Boys, load quick & aim low," and "lay flat down when you load, Boys."

Aiter laying a short time the musketry behind the breastwork in front and at our right intirely ceaced and it soon became evident from the repeated cheers on our left which we knew came from Gen! Reno' Brigade that we had gained the day, and on being ordered up we discovered that the enemy had wholy abandoned their work and were in full retreat towards Newbern.

We were then marched into the battery, and such a sight as there met our eyesI pray God it may never be my lot to witnefs again. the dead & wounded of both man & beast lay in heaps or were scattered all over the field; it was a sickeuing sight and we were not sorry that our Brigade (the 1°) were not ordered to stop on the field but on the contrary were ordered to march on Newbern, where it was supposed the Reb's would again make a stand, so off we started, and a march of two hours brought us in sight of the City, which we found to be on fire, for the rebels had tried to make astand but the presence of our gunboats had so frightened them that they tried to burn the City by setting fire to it ina Number of places and then run away; but in this they were foiled, for the crews from the gunboats went on shore, and, aided by the Negroes, succeded in extinguishing the flames.

We crofsed the Trent river in boats (the rebels having burnt the bridge) and marched through the City to that old encampment on the State Fair ground just above the City on the bank of the Neuse, which we found in much the same state and condition as those at Roanoke, save that here they had no Barracks but were all tents, and a more hungry and tired set of poor fellows I guefs you never saw.

After laying in camp a few days we were sent out about 8 miles on picket and there we spent the Spring untill the 8" day of May when we were so much reduced by exposure & sicknefs that we were ordered into the City to do Police duty and here we are.

Fruit is very plenty but appears to be a natural growth and I am told that there are but few graited trees of aney kinds and there is no one who understands grafting.

Vegetables of which they raise all the kinds that are raised North, and some others such as Sweet Potatoes, Peanuts, &c. are verry poor but verry readily bring bigh prices 'arming tools & stock, if I except the horses there 1s nothing else that a Northern Farmer would have on his farm. Why! such cows, not much larger than a yearling with us, and as poor as 'Jobs Turkey,' and here the shiftless fools think that 3 qts to a milking a " good mess," and if they have a cow that gives 4 or 5 qts they think she cant be beaten. Sheep can hardly stand alone, hogs, do, and they think a 200 lb Hog a wonder, and if an old Hog attains to the enormous size of 850 or 400 lbs he is a Miracle

To speak of the manners of the people here would be to talk of something that does not belong to the people of the South, for they have none, for if you ask how far it is

The Customs of the people show that they are far behind us in everything. In the Kitchen the old fashioned Dutch oven and baker supply the place of our beautiful cook stoves, and in their living & sitting rooms you will find the old open fireplace, and everything else in perfect keeping with the times when such things were used among our Grandparents.

The common donkey or tipeart is used for everything. I have Seen it used for a hearse and for carrages for mourners to ride in at funerals, and a few days ago there was a happy conple come into Town to ect married and

But the worst Custom or practice, and that which seems to prevale to a great extent among the females, is, Suuff dipping. Ido not believe there is a white woman in Newbern that is not addicted to this vile & dirty habit

The way it is performed is this, they take a small tough stick and after chewing it or rather one end of it to a broom they will dip it into the snuff-box and then rub it on their gums and then dip again and put it into their mouth and chew it untill the snuff is all gone and then dip and chew again, and so continue from morning to

_eveng, and one can hardly pafs a house where white people live without seeing that everlasting stick protruding from the mouth of some of the fair (7) daughters of the South.

But I find that I must close. Will you please excuse all mistakes, for Iam obliged to write amid noise and confusion and no doubt have made maney mistakes which I have not time to rectify.

The bearer, Solomon Averell, enrolled as a soldier in my company, having lost the use of the fore finger of his left hand, is in my opinion unfit to perform military duty, and I, therefore, shall make no objection to his being discharged.

This may Certify whome It may Concearn yt John pirkins a Soldier under y® Comand of Liuett Brackett was releaft out of his Majefties Servis y® 13 day of November and hath his Liberty to go home to Topftield as Ateft pr mee Thomas Butler Clerk of s¢ Company.