Wayland Town (part 1 of 2)

By Rev. Josiah H. Temple

^NDER its present name, Wayland is one of the new towns he commonwealth. Under t k j former names, and by date of ' xLlr</ grant and settlement, it is one of our oldest plantations. Its territory embraces about two thirds of the lands originally granted by the General Court in the year 1637 as the townihip of Sudbury, - the name now applied to that part of the grant and subsequent additions which lie on the west side of the river. The village of Sudbury was laid out on the east side-; the meeting-house was built on this side, the corn-mill was here, the graveyard was here, and all tiie religious, civil, and educational interests centred here for a j)eriod of about ninety years. In 1780 the town was divided ; the new part retained the old name, and the old part took the name of East Sudbury. In 183.5 tiie name was changed to Wayland. It contains 10,0.j1 acres. The Sudbury River, which is the leading natural feature of the place, forms the westerly boundary for a distance of five miles and two hundred and fifty-one rods; runswiihin the town four miles and two hundred and thirty-one rods, making ils total lenglii between tlie south and north bounds ten miles ;ind one hmidred and sixty-two rods. The town is bounih'd on the north by Lincoln, east by Weston, soiilli by \:ituk It is a matter of inlcivst to know how, ai early date, the planters ])r()eeeded to organize settlement in the wilderness.

The first step was to get leave of the General Court to take uji land for a plantation. A petition was presented in the fall of 1637; and November 20, a committee was appointed to " set out a place for them by marks and bounds sufficient for fifty or sixty families, upon the river that runs to Concord." The township was laid out five miles square.

The next step was to purchase the land of the Indian proprietors. The first purchase appears to have been made in the spring of 1638, by George Mannings, as agent for the planters. The deed was in existence among the town papers as late as 1693, but Ciuiiiot now be found. The money was advanecd iiy ^liiiiiiiims and Brian Pendleton, and repaid by the settlrrs. On making a survey, ten years later, it was found that this deed did not cover the five miles square, as actually laid out ; and in 1648 two strips of land additional were bought of the Indian owner for five pounds. This land lay to the southward and westward of the original purchase. The last deed is preserved.

The third step was to lay out the village plot. This was done in the fall of 1638. The original plan, which was in existence in 1693, is lost. The following description is compiled from the boundaries and dimensions of lots recorded in the town book, aided by certain well-known natural marks at jjroMiincnt points, and the record of early liigii-

Thc plot took in an irrcgidar tract of land, whose extreme length was about one and one iialf miles ; the average breadth was less than half a mile ; tiie area was about 400 acres. The home-lots were staked out on two streets, known as the North Street and the South Street, corresponding in the main to highways now in existence. The number of house-lots provided for was fifty-four, each containing nominally four acres, but varying considerably to conform to the lay of the land.

Coming from Watertown, the travelled way at that date ran from the Alpheus Bigelow estate, over Pine Plain, as at present. The home-lots began at the middle of the plain, near the fork of the roads, twenty rods west of the house of James S. Draper. From this point the North Street ran, as now, by Clay-pit Hill and to the Training-Field, turning near the house of Abel Gleason, and thence bearing southwesterly as near the south margin of the ponds as the ground would admit, and sfi towards the town bridge. The South Street ran from the before-mentioned fork on Pine Plain, bearing southerly so as to strike the old mill-dam ; then turning northerly on the margin of the pond, crossing Mill Brook at \A' bale's Bridge ; then turning southerly and southwesterly, lending by the Parmenter estates and the house now owned by Alden "Wellington, formerly the Bridge Parsonage; then following nearly the present street by the cemetery, and uniting with the North Street some distance to the west of the residence of Charles A. Cutting. From a point near the old Parmenter tavern the South Street parted into two, the southerly branch running towards Bridle Point.

The majority of house-lots appear to have been located on the northerly side of the North Street and on the southerly side of the South Street. The space enclosed between the two streets was laid out into the meeting-house lot, the ox-pasture, the sheep-pasture, general planting-fields, and the training-place ; the latter, however, extended a considerable distance on the north side of the street.

All the original planters had lots assigned them in the village plot. And it is believed that all of them who came in 1638, 1639, and 1610, with families, built on their lots. But within three years individuals began to sell their homesteads to new-comers, and to build on the newly granted uplands at various desirable points. The reasons for selecting this as the village site were, conveniency of way to Watertown, the general lay of the land and the only available mill-seat, as well as proximity to the choicest river meadow. And it was the laying out of a new highway from the Alpheus Bigelow corner to Mr. Dunster's farm in 1643, and the simultaneous extension of the Bridle Point road southward to connect with this new highway, that attracted Edmund Eice (who first built on the North Street in 1639) and a few others to locate that year near "the spring"; and induced Parson Browne, two years later, to erect his dwelling-house on the peninsula south of Mill Brook.

The next step was to provide a corn-mill. It was set up in the spring of 1639 by Thomas Cakebread, and the stream on which it Avas placed was called Mill Brook, according to the custom of the times. Among the first public grants there was " given to Thomas Cakebread, for and in consideration of building a mill, 40 acres of upland now adjoining to the mill, .and a little piece of meadow downwards and a piece of meadow upwards, which may be 16 or 20 acres. Also there is given, in addition, for his accommodation of his estate, 30 acres of meadow and 40 acres of upland." Mr. Cakebread died January 4, 1642 - 43, and the mill was purchased or leased by John Grout, who subsequently married the widow, and came in possession of the entire mill property. It was held in the Grout family for two or three generations.

The next step was to apportion the meadows to the settlers. The home-lots, being of equal size, without regard to the pecuniary ability of the grantee, represented the common venture of the planters, and their civil and political equality, and were not taxed for ordinary town charges. The meadows represented individual estates, and were the basis of taxation, as they were the main source of income. In the act of November 20, 1637, it was provided that " the said persons appointed to set out the said plantation are directed so to set out the same as there may be 1,500 acres of meadow allowed to it, if it be there to be had with any conveniency, for the use of the town." And September 4, 1639, it is ordered, "that Peter Noyes, Edmund Browne, Edmund Rice fif ah. have commission to lay out lands to the present inhabitants, according to their estates and persons, and their abilities to improve their land."

The following rule of division of the meadows was adopted : " To every Mr. of a ff'amilie, 6 akers ; to every wiffe, 6^ akers; to every child, \\ akers; to every mare, cow, ox, or any other cattle that may amount to £20, or so much money, 3 akers." Under this order the meadows were allotted in three divisions, - the first under date of September 4, 1639 ; the second, April 20, 1640; the third, November 18, 1640. The following will indicate the comparative taxable estates of some of the leading planters : " To Mr. Edmund Browne, 75 acres of meadow ; to Mr. Peter Nojes, l-l acres ; Walter Haynes, 6;3i acres; Edmund Eice, 4;Jf acres; Thomas Brown, 34 J acres ; Joini Bent, 30 acres ; John Parmenter, 26i acres ; Edmund Goodnow, 24 acres; Henry Loker, 13 acres; Hugh Griffin, 10^ acres; William Brown, 8 J acres; John Rutter, 3 acres."

In connection witii the allotment of the meadows to the inhabitants, the town set apart certain lands, which were to be held sacred " for the use of the ministry." Two meadow-lots on the west and two on the east side of the river were thus " sequestered," and later two or more lots of upland on each side were added. These -lots, both meadow and upland, were let out to individuals, and the income u.sed for the support of the pastor. The west-side ministerial lands were sold in 1S17 for $3,200.96. The ujdands on the east side have been disposed of, but the two meadow-lots are still held by the First Parish.

Instead of each man cultivating his own separate field, the custom was adopted at the outset, and continued for two generations, to assign general planting-fields. These were located at convenient points, and the inhabitants living next to these points w-ere required to break up and utilize each his proper share, and each was required to make and keep in rejmir a part of the fence corresponding to his part of the field. At first four cornfields were laid out, soon after six, and in 1654 the number had increased to ten.

The earliest records name only " the highway." This was the road from the village over Pine Plain to Watertown. Every man in town was required "to come forth to the mending of the highway upon such time as they shall have lawful summons by the surveyors, or forfeit for eacii default 5 shillings." The rules for working tlie higliway were : " 1. The poorest man shall work one day; 2. for every 6 acres of meadow a man hath, he sliall w-ork one day." A road for the town's use, four rods wide, was established at the outset, " bet ween the meadows and the uplands," from Bridle Point to Concord line, and on the west side of the river there was a similar road six rods wide. In l(il3 the records name a way from Walertow^n to Mr. Dunsler's farm, which was laid out as a highway in KilO. As already slated, the South Street was extended across Mill Brook, just below the junction of Pine Brook, and so on the east side of the river to Edmund Eice's farm and the new highway. A foot and horse bridge across the river, at tiie point wdiere is now the Town Bridge, was built in 1640 ; the first cart-bridge was built in the fall of 1643. Where a town-way was laid across a man's homelot he was allowed to put in and maintain gates at both his bound-lines, and travellers were required to open and shut them as they passed.

Formalion of the Church. - No record of the first gathering of the church in this town can be found. But from the fact that Mr. Brown and the leading planters were made freemen IMay 13, 1640, it is certain that a church had been organized before that date. There are reasons for fixing the date March 1, 1640. The next February Mr. Browne is named as "our pastor," and tradition fixes his installation in August, 1640. His salary in 1643 was £30 ; in 164(3, £40 ; in 1647, £50, "one half of which shall be paid either in money, wheat, peas, butter, cheese, pork, beef, or hemp and flax ; and he shall be paid at every quarter's end."

The clny-pit and brick-kiln are named in the earliest town records. They were situated on the North Street, and on the east side of Mill Brook.

At this date it was ordered " that all hogs and pigs kept in this town, from the 24th of April to the Gth of Oct. that shall go about the town without yokes and rings, for every hog so found the owner shall forfeit 10 shillings, the complainant to have one-half tlie money, and the town the other half."

March 20, 1611. " It is agreed that every cart with 4 sufficient oxen & a man shall have for a day's Avork 5 shillings : that men shall take for mowing by the acre 14 pence for every acre, or one & twenty pence per day : that all carpenters, bricklayers, and thatchers shall have one & twenty pence for a day's work, and common labourers 18 pence a day : that all sawyers shall take for sawing of board 3.?. 4r/. the hundred, and for slit work they shall take 4«. 8^/. the hundred : that a yearly covenanted servant, tlie best of tiiem shall take but 5 lionnds for a year's .service, and ni;iid-servants, the best of them .shall take but 50 shillings : that none shall take above 6^/. a busiiel for the bringing up of corn from Watertown to Sudbury, and 20 shillings a tuun for any other goods."

Inid out and established " to be a cow common forever." This tract embraced the whole southeasterly corner of the original township. The north line ran from Mill Brook, near the present centre, to Weston ; the west line ran from Mill Brook, on a south-by-west line, to the south bounds of the five-miles grant, which it followed to Weston, " which land so granted for a cow common shall never be ceded or laid down without the consent of every inhabitant and townsman that hath right in commonage." " The inhabitants are to be limited or sized in the putting in of cattle upon the said common, according to the quantity of meadow the said inhabitants are stated in upon the division of the Meadows." This rule of sizing seems to be a simple and equitable one. But an attempt to define and enforce it ten years later came near breaking up the town and the church. These commons were (not without opposition) lotted out and distributed to the inhabitants, at three divisions, between the years 1705 and 1710.

Meeti i,r/-Hoiise. - Yi:hv\XAV\ 17, 164:2-43, "It is agreed between the townsmen on the one part, and John Rutter on the other part, that the said John shall fell, saw, hew & frame a house for a meeting-house, 30 foot long, 20 foot wide, 8 ft. between joints, 3 ft. between studs : Two cross dorments in the house, six clear story windows, 2 with 4 lights apiece and four with 3 lights apiece, and to intertie between the studs." The town agreed to draw all the timber to place, and help raise the house, and to pay said John for his work £6. Raising-day was set for May 16, and it was " ordered that every man who did not attend the raising of the meeting house should forfeit 2.S. 6r/. for his default." This contract included only the frame. The roof was covered with tiiatch, put on by the thatchers ; the body of the house was covered with oak cleft-boards or clapboards, 6 feet long, as indicated by the studding. The cost of the roof and clapboarding was £10. The floor was not laid till 1045. This house stood in the old cemetery.

Cemeleri/. - The custom of the times was to bury the dead close by the meeting-house. But the site of the meeting-house was not chosen till four years after the town was built ; and in the mean time eight of the settlers had died. The tradition is - and it corresponds with known facts - that these first dead were interred in the " old Indian burying-ground," now connected with the main part of the cemetery. The existence of gravestones there favors the tradition. The three flat stones lying near the centre of this old part probably mark the spot where Thomas King, his wife, and infant son were laid in the winter of 1642 - 43. The finding of skeletons at the southeasterly end, buried but a few feet below the surface, according to Indian custom, confirms the belief that this place was used by the natives for sepulture.

The pay of representative is given by the following extract : "Granted to Edmund Goodnow, for his service done at the Court as deputy, 6 acres of upland and 5 acres of meadow." In 1654 Edmund Rice was paid " £ 6 in wheat, delivered at John Bar- , meters, at 5,*. per bushel, for his service and charge as deputy this past year."

In 1651 a contract was made with Edmund Goodnow, that his son " should beat the drum twice every Lecture day, and twice every forenoon and twice every afternoon upon the Lord's day, to give notice what time to come to meeting ; for which the town agree to pay him 20 shillings a year."

January 26, 1645 - 46, the town granted to Richard Sanger one half acre of land to set his shop on; timber to build him a house; "and six acres of meadow, upon the condition that he stay amongst us and do our smith's work for four years.

Indian Owners. - The owner of tiie lands comprising the main part of the first five-miles grant was Caato, sometimes written, as it was pronounced. Carlo. His English name was Goodmans. He is mentioned in the colony records of 1637 ; and is then associated with the squaw sachem of Medford in the sale of " the weire at Concord, and all the planting ground which hath been formerly planted by the Indians there." This indicates that his tribal relations were with tlie Misticks rather than with the Nipnets. In our town records his name is uniformily written Goodmans. The larger purchase of lands of him in 1638, and the smaller one in 1648', have already been described. In relation to the latter the records designate it "the last purchase of lands of Goodmans."

ual home was near Grafton. The historian Hubbard speaks of him as " very familiar witli the whites." He was an attendant on the ministry of Mr. Browne, and was converted to a belief in the Christian religion by his preaching. Pie joined the Christian Indians at Natick, and became a prominent leader there. When the Society for Propagating the Gospel in New England made arrangements with schoolmaster Corlett of Cambridge to educate Indian youths in preparation for college, a son of Nataous was sent there for instruction. It appears tiiat there were charges connected with the tuition of this boy wliich the English society failed to pay; and Mr. Corlett obtained leave of the General Court " to purchase of Netus the Indian so much land as the said A^etus is possessed of according to law for the satisfaction of the debt." Tlie original amount due was £ 4 10.s.; interest and cliarges raised it to £7 10*. Under the court's order Edmund Rice, Sr., and Thomas Noyes laid out to said Corlett, from the lands of said Netus, a farm of 320 acres.

In 1674 Netus is described by Gookin as "among the good men and prudent, wiio were rulers at Natick." But a year after, on the breaking out of Philip's War, the Praying Indians were treated by the provincial authorities as " treacherous heathen " ; and some of them proved their iniieritance in our common human nature by returning to heathen customs. February 1, 1676, Netus headed a party of savages who attacked and destroyed the family of Thomas Eames of Framingham. He was killed the 27th of March following, at Marlborough, and soon after his scjuaw was sold into slavery.

The tiiird Indian proprietorship was situated in the soutluvesterly piirt of tlie town, mostly on the "New Grants." It was held by Tantamous, alias Jetliro, Jchojakcll, the Speene family, and otliers, and was pureh.is(>il by the town in i684. for £12.

Pelham's farm comprised " the Island," and was wholly within our town bounds. It was granted, September 4, 1639, to Herbert Pelliam, Esq., who put £100 into the common stock of the colony, and was one of the assistants to the governor. The farm was leased to tenants, and November 11, 1711, was sold by his heirs to Isaac Hunt and Samuel Stone, Jr.

Dunster's farm - granted in 1640 to Henry Dnnster, president of Harvard College - lay to the south and east of Mrs. Glover's, and was wholly within the present bounds of Wayland. June 24, 1059, Edmund Ptice and his son Benjamin bought this farm of the executors of Mr. Dunster's will.

Jennison's farm, of two hundred acres, lay on the south bounds of the town, extending from the Dunster farm to Weston line. This was granted in 1638 (laid out in 1646) to Captain William Jennison of Watertown, for service in the Pequot War. It was sold, April 8, 1657, to Edmund Piice.

Second Mcclijiij-IIoiise. - In the summer of 1653 a new meeting-house was built on the old spot. In size it was 40x25 feet, and 12 feet high. It had gable-ends, two pinnacles, two doors, four transom windows 6x5 feet, and a clearstory window in each gable-end 4x3 feet. Tlie outside was covered with clapboards four feet long. The roof was covered with thatch. Inside it had dorments across the house sufficient for galleries if needed, " the two middle beams to be smoothed on three sides, and the lower corners to be run with a bowkell." The walls were cased with smooth cedar boards up to the bottom of the windows, and from here to the beams were plastered with tempered clay. The seats were of white oak, " both posts and rails and benches."

MllUary. - May 13, 1640, " Mr. Brian Pendleton is desired to train the company at Sudbury, and Mr. Peter Noycs is appointed surveyor of arms there." The town's proportion of ])owder, " which they are to buy and pay for, is one barrel." September 27, 1642, Ancient (Ensign) Cakebread is appointed to lead the company. In 1648, and ai,'aiu in 1652, it is ordered that the meeting-house be used as a walrli-hniise. In lllliS tlie town sold a pi.rc (if meadow n.^ar tlie bnek-kilii, and six acres of upland to Katiiorn Read tor 1(1 in money, " to buy silk for a suitable flight of colours for the use of the military company."

Oil the breaking out of Philijj's War, in 1675, the only preparations for defence were the three west-side garrison-houses, and tiie meeting-house on the east side. The latter was not furtitied, but its position was strong. Early iu the summer Parson Browne, who lived on the southerly side of Mill Brook, began to build a stockade around his premises. In a letter dated September 26, 1675, addressed to the governor, he says : " I have been at a round charge to fortify my house, and excepting finishing the two flankers and my gate, have finished : Now without four liands I cannot well secure it, and if for want of hands I be beaten out, it will be very advantageous to the enemy, and a thorn to the town." The governor and council granted him the four men as guards, and he maintained them at his own expense. By order of the selectmen, all the families living in the south part of the town, antl above Mill Brook, fled to this stockade in case of imminent danger.

xVlarms were frequent. The woods were pestered with Indians. Smokes were seen on the hills, indicating the camps of the savages. Men were fired upon when passing from one place to another. The able-bodied men were pressed into the country's service, or were required for watching, warding, and scouting near home. ''At the request of Ensign Grout, Left. Eph"" Curtis was ordered, with such volunteers as would join him, to march into the woods, and endeavour to surprise, kill, and destroy any of our Indian enemy." November i'Z, 1675, Sudbury was ordered " to impress nine able-bodied men for the service of the country." The next February an order was issued dismissing all the garrison soldiers at Sudbury. March 22, this town was ordered to furnish six men and three horses "to garrison Brookfield." April 8, the selectmen petitioned the governor, " by reason of the approach of the Indian enemy near our town, that 20 men may be sent to be under the conduct of Lieut. Ephraim Curtis, to be improved as a scout, to range the woods, and be in readiness upon any occasion, if the enemy should set upon us. And we shall add unto the said scout so many men more out of our town, altho' we can hardly spare them and secure our garrisons."

But the Indian assault of April 21 came unexpectedly. The pastor's stockade and the west-side garrisons were well manned, and afforded protection to the inhabitants. The higli water alone saved the village, as the savages could cross only at the tiowu bridge. As soon, however, as Captain Wadsworth's force was defeated, a large body of Indians rushed across the river, and began the work of destruction near the bridge. At this juncture Captain Mason's Watertown company arrived ; and being joined by our townsmen made an attack and "drove near 200 Indians over the river and followed them, and went to see if we could relieve Capt. Wadsworth upon the Hill"; but they were driven back. Wiieu it was dark this company crossed the river again, and went to Mr. Noyes' mill, where they " found 13 or 14 of Capt. W.'s men who iiad escaped, some of them wounded, and brougiit them to the village On the next day iii the morning, so soon as it was light, we went to look for Concord men who were slain in the river meadow, and there we went in the cold water up to our knees, where we found 5, and brought them in canoes to the bridge-foot, and buried them there." These Concord men were buried on the east side of the river. A considerable number of the houses situated in the westerly part of the village were burnt.

Immediately after this affair the town bestirred itself and built a heavy stockade, with flankers, around the meeting-house. This fort stood till 16S1, when it was taken down and the logs used to repair the old pound.

&7w>/«. - The first mention of schools in the town records is under date of February 20, 1664 -65, when Mr. Thomas AValker petitioned for a grant of land " for his encouragement to keep a free school in Town."

In an official return made March 30, 1680, the selectmen say : " As for schools, though there be no stated school in this town, for that the inhabitants are so scattered in their dwellings that it cannot well be, yet such is the case by having two school dames on each side of the river that teacheth small children to spell and read, which is so managed by their parents and governours at home and prosecuted after such a sort as that the selectmen who distributed themselves did within three months last past so examine families children and youth, both as to good manners, orderly living, catechising and reading as that they returned from all parts a comfortable and good account of all those matters, j and render them growing in several families beyond expectation, rarely reprovable anywhere, encouraging in most places and in others very commendable, so as that the end is accomplished hitherto. And for teaching to write and cypher, here is Mr. Thomas Walker and two or three others about this town that do tcacli therein, and are ready to teach all others that need, if people will come or send them. And touching persons who live from under family government, or after a dissolute or disorderly manner to the dishonour of God and corrupting of youth, the selectmen do return their answer that they find none such amongst us."

In 1690 the town was presented for want of a school. October 2, 1692, John Long was chosen by the town as " a wrighteing schoolmaster to teach children to wright and cast acounte." Mr. Long continued in the service of the town till 1700, when Mr. Joseph Noyes was chosen grammar school master.

Up to 1714 no school-house had been built in town. Schools were kept in private houses ; and the records intimate that the meeting-house was sometimes used for school purposes. Near this date the west-side irdiabitants, having been granted the privilege of forming a new precinct, built a school-house at the Gravel Pits at their own charge. This was used by the people living on both sides of the river, for about ten years.

November 24', 1725, the town voted "that each Precinct be empowered to build each of them a school-house, out of the interest of the Bank money that is or should be in the Trustees' hands."

Li 1729 the East Precinct voted "to build a school-house 18 ft. wide by 22 ft. long and 8ft. between joints, with a good brick chimney and fire-place at one end, and. a place to hang a bell at the other end." For several years but one schoolmaster was employed, teaching six montlis in one house and six in tiie other.

Ill 1731 tiie town instructed their representative to move the General Court in behalf of the town, for a school farm in some of the una])propriated lands.

In May, 1740, the town granted £72, Old Tenor, for the sui)port of grammar scliools ; and voted tiiat the schools should be kept in Ihc four dill'i'ivnt (piarters of the town. This \\, is ihc nrigiii of tlic district system, the districts being known as tlie Northwest, Lanham, tlie Centre, and the Farm School. Williiu a few years school-houses were erected in the four ([uarters.

Mr. Edmund Brown, (lie lirsl ininislcr, died June 22, 167.S. He married, about Itilo, Anne, widow of John liOveran of Watertown. They left no cliildreu. .\ccording to Mather, "he was of those who were in the actual exercise of the ministry when he left England." Johnson speaks of him as " a godly and able minister of the word." He was much honored in social life, being on terms of intimacy with the family of Governor Leverett. He was a member of the Synod that established the Cambridge Platform, 1646 - 1648 ; and was on the council that met, October, 1657, to settle the difficulties in Rev. Mr. Stone's church at Hartford.

Besides large grants as an original proprietor of Sudbury, he received from the General Court several valuable meadows in Framingham. His landed estates, acquired by gift and purchase, could not have been less than three hundred acres. His house, called in his will Brunswick, that is, " mansion by the stream," was of ample dimensions, two stories high, and well furnished. His library comprised one hundred and eiglity volumes. He left the sum of £50 for establisiiing a grammar school in Sudbury, but by vote of the town in 1724 it was diverted to another purpose.

Rev. James Sherman succeeded Mr. Browne as pastor. He was settled in the winter of 1678-79 ; was dismissed May 22, 1705 ; died March 3, 1718. He was son of Rev. John Sherman of Watertown ; married Mary, daughter of Thomas Walker of Sudbury, and had two sons, John and Thomas. After leaving tlie ministry he practised medicine at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, and Salem, Massachusetts.

T/iird M('('/hiff-//oiise. - ln 1686 the town " voted, ordered and agreed to erect a meetinghouse, just like the new one in Dedham," at a cost of £200.

July 1, 1695, Edward Wright and John Goodnow were appointed a committee, and bought a bell of Mr. Caleb Hubbard, of Braiutree, for £27 in silver money ; and the selectmen were ordered to procure iialf a hundred of good Spanish iron for bolts and keys necessary for iiaiiging the bell, and a wheel- rope.

The Rev. Israel Loring, born at Tlingham (H. U. 1701), was ordained November 20, 1706. At this date tiie luunher of church-members was: males forly-diir, fciiialcs seventy-nine; Iota! one hiiii(hrd and twenty.

Imiiiciliatcly afler tlie setlh'ment of Mr. Loring a movement began, to divide the town into two precincts, for the purpose of supporting two cliurches. October 21, 1707, the inhabitants on tiic west side of the river sent a jielilion to the General Court, to be set off into a separate pre- cinct; not granted. In 1713 the east-side inhabitants proposed to move the meeting-house " as near as possible to the centre of the town " ; not accepted by the west-siders. In 1711 tiie west-side people petitioned the legislature " to be erected into a new township." Tin's was not granted; but October 28, it was ordered "that tiiere be a distinct Precinct and a meeting-house erected for the public worship of God, on tlie west side of Sudbury River." The formal organization of the "West Precinct took place December 18, 17;J1, when it was voted " to have the preaching of the of God amongst us"; and Mr. Minott was chosen to preach for six weeks. Tiie East Precinct was organized June 25, 1722, and at once proceeded to make the necessary provision for "their now settled minister Mr. Israel Loring." But they had been anticipated by the West Precinct, which on the 6th of June had voted " to give the Rev. Mr. Loring an invitation to come over and settle and be their minister," otieriug him £100 for his "settlement," etc. July 10, Mr. Loring writes : " To the inhabitants of the West Precinct in Sudbury : I accept of the kind invitation you have given me to come over and settle with you and be the minister of the Westerly Precinct." The next day, July 11, Mr. Loring announces by letter to the East Precinct his decision to leave them and settle on the west side. " Feb. 1 1 , 1728. The church met at my house, where, after the brethren on the east side had manifested their desire that the church might be divided into two churches, it was so voted by a majority." [Church Records, by J. Loring.)

Rev. William Cook was ordained as the successor of Mr. Loring, March 20, 1723. He was a native of Hadley; a graduate of Harvard in 1716, and librarian of that institution for a time. He was a fine scholar, and a man of ardent piety. He died November 12, 1760, aged sixty-six.

In 1725-26 a new meeting-house - the fourth - was built. It was located at what is now the Centre. The committee was instructed " to make it as near as they can like the new house in the West Precinct," - only the " steps " were to be " handsomer," - with the same number of pews.

Rev. Josiah Bridge, born at Lexington (H. U. 1758), was ordained November 4, 1761 ; died June 19, 1801, in the sixty-second year of his age and fortieth of his ministry. " He was a great and good minister."

their families as pioneers into most of the frontier settlements in Worcester and old Hampshire counties, and consequently felt a personal interest in the welfare and perils of these exposed towns. Many of our men did service in the so-called Father Ralle's War, 1723-26. Sergeant Daniel How and ten men joined Captain Samuel Wright's Rutland scout, and were out from November 10, 1723, to April 10, 1724. Sergeant William Brintnall, with seven men, was in service from August 1 7 to October 27, 1725. Four of our men joined the expedition to the West Indies in 1640.

On the breaking out of the French and Indian War of 1744 the Sudbury Troop, - forty-four men, - commanded by Captain Josiah Brown, contained representatives of most of our families, and was ordered in 1746 to the defence of Number Four. Our men were drafted for garrison duty at the forts in Hampshire County, and volunteered for service in the numerous expeditions of this war.

A similar record can be made of service in the last French and Indian war, ] 754 - 1763. Twenty-five men were out in the Crown Point expeditions of 1755. A larger number served in the campaigns of 1756. By a return dated April, 1757, it appears that there were on the Alarm List fortyseven men, and on the Active List seventy-four men, living on the east side of the river. To this is to be added the Troopers. Most of these men turned out on the "Alarm about Fort William Henry" in August. Lieutenant Samuel Curtis and eighteen men joined Captain Samuel Dakin's company, which marched on the Canada expedition May 24, 1758. Both these officers were killed at Half-way Brook, July 20 ; William Grout, Jonathan Patterson, and Nathaniel Moulton were reported missing ; Samuel Abbot died October 2. Nine of our men were with Captain John Nixon in the invasion of Canada, under General Amherst, in 1759.

The Revolution. - In March, 1775, the active militia of Sudbury was organized into the North Company, Captain Aaron Haynes, sixty men (west side); the East Company, Captain Joseph Smith, seventy-five men (east side); the Lanham Company, Captain Moses Stone, ninety-two men (both sides of the river); the Troop, Captain Isaac Loker, twenty-one men (both sides); the East Company of minute-men, Cajrtain Nathaniel Cudworth, forty men ; the West Company of Minute-men, Captain John Nixon, tifty-four men. All these companies marched to Concord on the memorable 19th of

April, and all took part in the cause of that day. The Troop and Captain Smithes company were out three days; Captain Stone's and Captain Haynes' companies were out four days ; the two minute companies were out five days.

Many of the officers and men immediately enlisted into the Continental service. Captain Nixon at once took out beating papers, and raised a regiment. Captain Nathainel Cudwortli was promoted to be major in Colonel Jonathan Brewer's regiment, his commission bearing date April M. Lieutenant Thaddeus Russell, of Cudworth's company, secured the re-enlistment of almost the entire East Sudbury company, was chosen captain, and reported for duty April 2-i, with forty-nine men ; his lieutenant was A^athaniel Jlaynard, his ensign was Nathaniel Reeves. Captain Aaron Haynes raised a company of forty-four men, and went into service May 8. Lieutenant David Moore, of Nixon's comp;uiy, enlisted a company of fifty-two men, and was cliosen captain. He was attaclied to Colonel Nixon's regiment. All of these companies enlisted for the eight months' service of 1775 ; all of them took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17; most of them remained in service, either continuously or with brief respites, through the various campaigns of the war.

March 3, 1777, the town voted " to give to each man that will enlist into the Coutitiental army for tiiree years, or during the war a bounty of £20."

Li 1778 four companies were in the service: Captain Jonatlian Rice's and Captain Asahel Wheeler's west-side men, and Ca|)tain Nathaniel Maynard's and Captain Isaac Cutting's east-side men, aggregating in all three hundred and twentyseven men.

for three years, or diirin- the edu- She also sustained her sol- came noisy and lifl.v-M.ven for three years. Thirty of tliese were IVimi llie east side of the river. Under ihi' secDiid cull for threje years' men, in 1780, tliirlv men enlisted, (jf whom eleven hailed from the

The difficulty of raising men at this lale dale in tlie war is seen from tlie foliowiiii;- p:iper: "In olx.jienec to tlie resolve (,f the (ienenl Ciurt id' Dee. :! last, f,,,- snpplung the delieieney u{ the state's (piota for the Continental army! we the subscribers do cerlify that the following persons have been enlisted and marched, and they liave been paid as follows : To John Dalrymple, "Wm. Dunn, John Ruck, Nahuni Haynes, Zachariah Robinson, and Oliver Robinson, each 900 pounds in money ; also a note signed by the Treasurer for 18 head of horned cattle which are to be calves this spring, and to be kept for and delivered to each of the above-named at the time of their being regularly discharged, or a sum of money equal to said cattle : Also tliere has been paid to Isaac Underwood and Jonas Underwood each the sum of 30 pounds hard money, and an obligation signed by the Treasurer for CO pounds in hard money, onehalf to be paid in one year, the other half in two years from date." June 18, 1781. Signed by the selectmen.

The total population of the to\ni was 2,160, which would give about five hundred ratable polls. The number of different men in actual service at some time during the war was not less than four hundred.

At the first town-meeting held in East Sudbury, April 21, 1780, the following officers were elected : Joseph Curtis, town clerk and treasurer; Captain Richard Heard, Joseph Curtis, Phinehas Glezen, Jacob Reeves, Captain Isaac Loker, selectmen ; Joseph Curtis, 'Williani Baldwin, Lieutenant Thomas Brintnall, assessois; Captain John Xoyes, Mr. Isaac Damon, collectors; AVilliam lialdwin. Lieutenant John Whitn(>y, Captain Isaac Loker, Lieutenant Jonathan Hoar, highway surveyors ; Phinehas Glezen, Lieutenant Jose])h Dudley, tithing-men; William Barker, Williaiti Dudley, fence-viewers ; Ezekiel Rice, fish-reeve ; Samuel Griffin, Nathaniel Reeves, field-drivers ; William Revis, hog-reeve ; Lieutenant Samuel Russell, sealer of leather. Captain Richard Heard was chosen representative. " Volnl, To pay Rev. ^^r. Bridge for six months' salary 37 pounds in silver money, or in common necessaries, 1,771' ])ounds. Granted 1,500 pounds for snppoit of the poor; 1,500 j)ounds for the sup- |)ort of llie (iiamniar school for the year ensuing ; 1,00(1 ponnds for the support of a reading and writing school the ])resrnt year."

In 17S5, the town (U'dered a new pair cd' stocks to be bnilt for the punishment of criminals. These were placed near the iiarting-lionse. (The last slocks, on the west side of the river, stood in the

In 1800 the old burving-ground was enlarged by the purchase of land of N'atlian and Lutlier Glezen; and in 1835 land was bought of "William Noyes' heirs, "to unite the cemetery with the old Indian Bury hig-G round." Also, on the same date, land was purchased of Joseph BuUard for a cemetery, south of the meeting-liouse. In 1871 the cemetery at Cochituate Village was laid out.

The road from the centre to the Zachariah Heard house was laid out. It was built by the residents on the farm, and was to be kept in good repair by them for ten years, they being exempted from highway taxes levied by the town during that time.

A " bridle-way " from Nathaniel Reeves' barn to Bridle Point was this year established. This had heretofore been the travelled way from the Centre to the farm, diverging to the left nearly opposite the Russell house, and passing thence to the Old Farm Bridge.

Rev. Joel Foster, the sixth pastor, was installed September 7, 1803. He was born at Statford, Connecticut, April 8, 175.3; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1777 ; ordained at New Salem, Massachusetts, June 9, 1779 ; dismissed January 21, 1803 ; died September il, lsl3.

In ISOi the old training-field, established in 1610, was sold to Nathau Glezen. It comprised about nine acres, now in the central part of Abel Glezen's farm.

The fifth meeting-house, now standing, was raised June 1, 1814, completed January 19, and dedicated January 24, 1S15. And on the same day the Rev. John B. Wight, seventh pastor, was ordained. He was born at Bristol, Rhode Island, May 7, 1790; graduated at Brown University, 1808, at the age of eighteen, with the highest honors of his class ; studied theology with Dr. Emmons of Franklin, and after a successful ministry of twentythree years, resigned in 1835. He now resides in town, honored and beloved by all, blessing by his cheerful presence and words of pious hope the present, as he has the two preceding generations.

September 28, 1836; dismissed September, 1838; died 1847. Rev. Edmund II. Sears, born at Sandisfield, 1810; graduated at Union College, 1834, Harvard Divinity School, 1837; ordained February 20, 1839 ; installed at Lancaster, December 23, 1840; returned to Wayland in 1847, preaching until 1865; died at Weston, January 16, 1876.

Rev. Samuel D. Bobbins, Harvard Divinity School, 1833; ordained at Lynn, November 13, 1833 ; dismissed. May, 1839 ; installed at Chelsea, 1839; dismissed, 1848; installed at Framingliam, 1854, dismissed February, 1S67; at Wayland from May, 1867, to May, 1873.

The Evangelical Congregational Church was organized May 21, 1828, and the chapel dedicated at the same time. The number of members at the start was eighteen ; two hundred and ninety-seyeu have since been added ; present number, ninetynine. The meeting-house was dedicated July 22, 1835. The pastors have been Rev. Levi Smith, Yale, 1818 ; ordained, January 21, 1829 ; dismissed, November 26, 1832 ; died at East Whidsor, Connecticut, January 15, 1854, aged sixtyfour. Rev. Lavius Hyde, Williams College, 1813; installed, July 22, 1835 ; dismissed, April 15, 1841 ; died at Vernon, Connecticut, April 2, 1865. Rev. John W. Allen, Bowdoin, 1834; installed, December 29, 1841 ; dismissed, April 16, 1849. Rev. Henry Allen, Dartmouth, 1849; ordained, September 30, 1852 ; dismissed, September 14, 1857. Rev. Adin H. Fletcher, installed, February 2, 1860; dismissed, January 21, 1862. Rev. Henry Bullard, Amherst, 1860; ordained, October 1, 1863 ; dismissed, September 1, 1868. Rev. Ellis R. Drake, Bowdoin, 1862 ; ordained, November 10, 1868; dismissed, July, 1871. Rev. Truman A. Merrill, Bangor Theological Semuiary, 1855; installed, July 30, 1873.

Cochiluate. - The first starting of this now flourishing village, which lies at the extreme southern border of the town, was about the year 1830, when Messrs. William and J. M. Bent commenced in a small way the manufacture of slioes. This firm have continued to the present time, and are the leading business house. Messrs. Thomas Bryant, and T. A. and H. C. Dean, are extensive manufacturers. The steady growtli of business is indicated by the following statistics : In 1837 the number of pairs of shoes manufactured was 29,660; value, $22,419 ; males employed, 31 ; females, 15. In 1865, capital invested, $ 17,850; value of manufactured goods, .$282,7(iO ; males employed, 182; females, 29. In 1875 the number of establishments was nine ; capital invested, $51,500; value of manufactured goods, $1,799,175; males employed, 431 ; females, 60.

A Wesleyan Methodist Church was erected here in 1850. A Methodist E^jiscopal society has since been organized. A new grammar-school house was built in 1773; attendance in 1878, forty-five. A system of water-supply, from Rice's Pond, has just been completed at an expense of $25,000.

In 1841 the Wayland Academy, a private institution, was opened, with Rev. Leonard P. Frost, principal ; Josiali Rutter, A. B., teacher of ancient languages ; Miss Aima P. Frost, preceptress ; Lewis Smith, teacher of vocal music ; F. F. Heard, teacher of instrumental music. Number of pupils in the fall term : girls, thirty-six ; boys, seventy-one; total, one hundred and seven.

Town Lihrary. - This town has the honor of establishing the first free public library in Massachusetts. Francis Wayland, D. D., president of Brown University, for whom the town was named, proposed to give $500 to his namesake, on condition that the town should appropriate an equal sum, the whole to be expended in founding a library, wliicli .«liould be free for the use and benefit of all llie inliabitants. At a meeting in 1818 the town accepted the gift on tlie terms proposed, and voted to raise tlie required amount. But as tliere was doubt about the right of tlie town to raise money by tax for sucli a purpose, a larger sum was raised by citizen subscriptions, and presciiliil to llic town for tliat object. In 1851 (lie toun insliiicted its re])rcscn(ative. Rev. -lolin I!. \Vii,'lil, lo ask for a special law to meet tlicir ease. iiiil liis active mind l,M,k a wi.lcran.l, as tl,c ivsiill lias shown, more heoelicent view; and he seeured Ihe enaetineiil nt a -eiieial hiu, inuhr uhieli live |,l,rarus have beel, la.-elv e^lahh^hi'd ihrmiull iheslale.

was opened for the delivery of books August 7, 1850. In 1863 Deacon James Draper gave §500 to the town as a permanent fund for tlie beni-fit of the library. The number of volumes now in the library is 7,485. A social library was established here soon after the Revolution, through the influence of Rev. Mr. Bridge. It contained over one hundred volumes of the best books then published, and for many years diffused useful information and mental cultivation among the proprietors. The remains of this library were transferred to the new free library.

War of 1812. - Volunteers who served three months in Boston Harbor : Abel Heard, James Draper, Rufus Goodnow. Drafted men : Reuben Slierman, Daniel Hoven, John Palmer; tlie last two procured substitutes, namely, Cephas ^loore and Jonas Abbot.

War of Ihe BeheJlioH. - Total number of men furnished to fill tlie town's quotas, one liundred and twenty-nine. Of this number seventy were residents, most of tliem natives, of tlie town. Of the above, twelve were killed in battle or died in the service. Two natives of the town enlisted from other places. Total amount raised by the town in its corporate capacity for recruiting jiurposes, $18,000. The Soldiers' Aid Society and the Soldiers' Relief Society contributed largely of clothing, medicines, etc.

The Massachusetts Central Railroad was chartered in 1869. Tiiis town subscribed for tliree hundred and twenty-five shares of the stock. This road, soon to be completed, passes through tlm centre village, and will place within easy reach of business men in Boston new and extensive territory for country residences, of surpassing scenic beauty.

No mention is made of any resident pliysician in the early records. Dr. Alcock of Roxbury, and Surgeon Avery of Dedham, were sent for in difficult cases, the latter as Lite as 1673. Tlie wife of John Loker, who was here in 16i0, acted as midwife, and prescribed for common complaints ; and the wife of Matthew (iibbs performed the same offices after 1655. It is believed that Rev. James Sherman had pursued medical studies and prescribed for bodily diseases.

Ebenezer Robie (now written Roby), M. D., born at Boston in 1701, graduated at Harvard in 1719, commenced practice here in 17'25, and continued till his death in 1772. He studied with the celebrated Dr. Boerhaave, and was eminent in his profession, as well as in general scholarship and Biblical criticism.

Dr. Ebenezer Roby, Jr., practised with his father, and till his death in 1786. Dr. Joseph Roby (son of Ebenezer, Jr.) was in practice here till ISUl. Dr. Nathan Rice, born atFramingham, settled in town in 1800, and continued in practice till his death in 1814. Dr. Ebenezer Ames, born at Marlborough, came to town in 1814, and was in practice till his death in 1861. Dr. Edward Frost, born at Frainingham, graduated at Harvard in 1823, was in practice here from 1830 till his death in 1838. Dr. Charles W. Barnes, born at Marlborough, was in practice here from 1860 to 1864. Dr. John McL. Hayward, born at Boston, graduated at Harvard Medical School in 1858, settled in town in 1874. Dr. Charles H. Boodey settled at Cochituate Village in 1876.

In the early times of the province men were appointed by the General Court, in the several towns, to perform specific duties combining the powers of counsel, judge, and jury. October 7, 1640, Mr. Peter Noyes, Walter Hayne, and John Parmenter were appointed to end small causes at Sudbury, under twenty shillings. ]\Ir. Noyes was reappointed in 16 H, 1643, and 1645, and in 1646 he was authorized to join people in marriage. Edmund Goodnow and Edmund Rice were appointed to end small causes in 1641, 1646, and 1648. Hugh Griffin was chosen cleric of the writs in 1645.

Among the early justices of tlie peace were William Jennison, from 1700 to 1731, afterwards judge of the court of common pleas, John N'oyes, William Baldwin, John Maynard, Jacob Reeves.

Edward Mellen (B. U. 1823), from 1830 to his death. May 31, 1875. Esquire Mellen was born at Westborough, September 26, 1802, and came to Wayland, November, 1S30. As a man he was distinguished for his geniality and public spirit. He took a leading interest in the public schools of the town, and in the public library. As a lawyer ' he was distinguished for his thorough knowledge - of the principles of law, and familiarity with the decisions of the courts. In 1847 he was made justice of the court of common pleas, and in 1855 was raised to the oifice of chief justice of the same court. In 1854 he received from his Alma Mater the degree of LL. D. After retiring from the judgeship he opened an office in Worcester, but retained his home in Wayland.

David Lee Child settled in town in 1853, and remained till his death in 1874. He was born at Boylston in 1794 ; graduated at Harvard in 1817 ; was distinguished in his profession, and as an earnest, consistent advocate of the cause of antislavery.

Gustavus A. Somerby was born at Exeter, New Hampshire, November 2, 1821. His parents removed to Boston wlien he was two years old. He attended school for a time at the academy in Holliston. Becoming an inmate of the home of Luther Glezen of Wayland, he was encouraged and assisted by Mr. Glezen to enter on the study of law with Esquire Mellen. An indefatigable student and reader of general literature, he early gave promise of the brilliant future that awaited him. On the appointment of Mr. Mellen as judge he occupied his office in this town for a few years, wiien he removed to Waltham, and was associated with Josiah Rutter, Esq. Subsequently he opened an office in Boston, where he continued till his deatii, July 24, 1879. He fell a victim to overwork in his muchloved profession.

in the construction of the Hoosac Tunnel. Edward Frost (H. U. 1850), civil engineer in charge of building the Massachusetts Central Railroad, etc. Edwin H. Heard (B. U. 1851), died while studying law. Joseph R. Draper (W. C. 1851), physician; resides at South Boston. Jarcd M. Heard (B. U. 1853), clergyman; ordained at Clinton, Massachusetts, August 25, 1858; settled at Fitchburg in 1863; died March -U, 1864. Edward T.^Damon (H. U. 1857), died in 1859 while a student at the Harvard Medical School. Frank AV. Draper (B. U. 1862), physician; resides in IJoston ; ni('dic:d examiner for Suffolk County. Joshua Mrllcn (15. 1'. 18(12), merchant ; resides in jioston. Anhur U. Bennett (W. C. isfi')), merchant ; resides in Boston. Among the natives of this town not included in (he foivgding lists, who deserve honorable mention, are Captain Ephraim Curtis and General Micah M. lintliT.

disc,nery of the motions of the Kipmug or Western Indians." His relation of this adventure, which was successfully performed, is preserved in the state archives. The next week he was sent by the governor and council " to the Indians at Meminimesset with letters and a message." His relation of this adventure is preserved. The following week he was employed as a guide t(j Ca])tain Hutchinson's and AVheeler's expedition (o treat with the Nipnets at Quaboag, and took part in the tragic events which make this expedition memorable. From this time till the clo.se of the war he was in command of various scouting parties nearer home. There are at baud materials for an interesting biography.

General Rutter was a descendant of John, who came over in the ship Confidence in the spring of 1638. This ancestor belonged to Pcuton, in County Hants, England; was a carjienter; built the first meeting-house in town, ami received three acres of meadow as an acknowledgment of some public service rendered the town.

Micah M. was born in 1779, and died in 1837. He was a man of great energy of character and public spirit, and was identified with all movements to promote the social, educational, and religious interests of his native place. He was sheriff for many years, passed through the various grades of military promotion, and was commissioned as major-general by (iovernor Lincoln. Yet with all the distracting respoiivilnliiies of public life he maintained a private character of great simplicity and devoutness of purpose. A short time before his death he remarked to the writer, at his own fireside, " ^i\ mother taught me the cradle hymn, 'Now I lay me,' when I was a cln'ld, and I have never failed, throughout a somewhat busy life, to rejieat it on retiring lo rest at niii'lit."

Source changes here: from History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, by Drake, Samuel Adams, published 1880; 11,578 words in this source stream.

Bt Bit. J08Iah H. Tbuplb

'°^^)E^t its present name, Wayliind is one of the new towns of ilie commonwealth. Under former names, and by date of griknt and settlement, it is one of our oldest plantations. Its territory embraces about two thirds of the lands originally granted by the General Court in the year 1637 as the township of Sudbury, - tlie name now applied to that part of the grant and subsequent additions which Ue on the west side of the river. The village of Sudbury was Uid out on the east side ; the meeting-hoose was built on this side, the corn-mill was here, the graveyard was here, and all the religious, dvil, and educational interests, centred here for a period of about ninety years. In 1780 the town was divided ; the new part retained the old name, and the old part took the name of East Sudbury. In 1835 the name was changed to Wayland. It contains 10,051 acres.. The Sudbury River, which is the leading natural feature of the place, forms the westerly boundary for a distance of five miles and two hundred and fifty -one rods ; runs within the town four miles and two hundred and thirty-one rods, making its total length between the south and north bounds ten miles and one hundred and 8ixty>two rods. The town is bounded on the north by Lincoln, east by Weston, south by Natick.'

The first step was to get leave of the Goienl Court to take np land for a plantation. A petition was presented in the fall of 1637; and November 20, a committee was appointed to " set out s place for them by marks and bounds sufficient for fifty or sixty families, upon the river that runs to Concord." The township was laid out fire miles square.

Tlie next step was to purchase the land of the Indbn proprietors. The first purchase appears to have been made in the spring of 1638, by George ^lunnings, as sgent for the planters. The deed was in existence among the town papers as late as 1693, but cannot now be found. The money wu advanced by IVIurmings and Brian Pendleton, and repaid by the settlers. On making a survey, tea years later, it was found that this deed did not cover the five miles square, as actually bid out; and in 1648 two strips of land additional were bought of the Indian owiter for five pounds. Hits land Iny to the southward and westward of tbe original purchase. The last deed is preserved.

The third step was to lay out tbe village plot. This was done in the f&tl of 1638. 'Hie original plan, w))ich teas in existence in 1693, is lost. Tbe folloiving description is compiled from the boundaries and dimensions of lots recorde<l in tlie town book, aided by certain well-known natural marks at prominent points, and the record of early highways.

The plot took in an irregular tract of land, whose extreme length was about one and one half miles ; the average brendth was less thon half a mile ; tlie area was about 400 acres. Hie home-lota wzre staked out on two streets^ known as tlie North Street and the South Street, corresponding in the main to high^-ays jiow in existence. The number of house-lots provided for was fifty-four, each containing nominally four acres, but varying considerably to conform to the lay of the land.

Coming from Watejrtown, the travelled way at that date ran from the Alpheus Bigelow estate, over Pine Plain, as at present. The home-lots began at the middle of the plain, near the fork of the roads, twentv rods west of the house of James S. Draper. From this point the North Street ran, as now, by Clay-pit Hill and to the Training-Field, turning near the house of Abel Gleason, and thence bearing southwesterly as near the south margin of the ponds as the ground would admit, and so towards the town bridge. The South Street ran from the before-mentioned fork on Pine Plain, bearing southerly so as to strike the old u\ill-dam ; then turning northerly on the margin of the pond, crossing Mill Brook at Whale's Bridge ; then turning southerly and southwesterly, leading by the Parmenter estates and the house now owned by Alden "Wellington, formerly the Bridge Parsonage ; then following nearly the present street by the cemetery, and uniting with the North Street some distance to the west of the residence of Charles A. Cutting. From a point near the old Parmenter tavern the South Street parted into two, the southerly branch running towards Bridle Point.

The majority of house-lots appear to have been located on the northerly side of the North Street and on the southerly side of the South Street. The siiace enclosed between the two streets was laid out into the meeting-house lot, the ox-pasture, the s|)eep-pasture, general planting-fields, and the training-place ; the latter, however, extended a considerable distance on the north side of the street.

All the original planter^ had lots assigned them in the vilhige plot. And it is believed that all of them who came in 1638, lG39,and 1610, with families, built on their lots. But within three years individuals began to sell their homesteads to new-comers, and to build on the newly granted uplands at various desirable points. The reasons for selecting this as the village site were, conveniency of way to Watertown, the general lay of the land and the ouly available mill-seat, as well as proximity to the choicest river meadow. And it was tlie laying out of a new highway from the Alpheus Bigelow comer to Mr. Dunster's farm in 1643> and the simultaneous extension of tlie Bridle Point road southward to connect with this new highway, that attracted Edmund Bice (who first built on the North Street in 1639) and a few others to locate tliat year near ''the spring"; and induced Parson Browne, two years later, to erect his dwelling-house on the peninsula south of Mill Brook.

The next step was to provide a corn-mill. It was set up in the spring of 1639 by Thomas Cakebread, and the stream on which it was placed was called Mill Brook, according to the custom of tlie times. Among the first public grants there was " given to Thomas Cakebread, for and in consideration of building a mill, 40 acres of upland now adjoining to the mill, and a little piece of meadow downwards and a piece of meadow upwards, which may be 16 or 20 acres. Also there is given, in addition, for his accommodation of his estate, SO acres of meadow and 40 acres of upland.'' Mr. Cakebread died January 4, 1642 :- 43, and the mill was purcliased or leased by John Grout, who subsequently married the widow, and came in possession of the entire mill property. It was held in the Grout family for two or three generations.

The next step was to apportion the meadows to the settlers. Tlie home-lots, being of equal size, without regard to the pecuniary ability of the grantee, represented the common venture of the planters, and their civil and political equality, and were not taxed for ordinary town charges. The meadows represented individual estates, and were the basis of taxation, as thev were the main source of income. In the act of November 20, 1637, it was provided that '' the said persons appointed to set out the said plantation are directed so to set out the same as there maj* be 1,500 acres of meadow allowed to it, if it be there to be had iiith any conveniency, for the use of the town.'' And September 4, 1639, it is ordered, ''^that Peter Noyes, Edmund Browne, Edmund Rice ef ah. have commission to lay out lands to the present inhabitants, according to their estates and persons, aiid their abilities to improve their land.''

The following rule of division of the meadows was adopted : " To every Mr. of a flamilie, 6 akers ; to every wiffe, 6 J akers ; to every child, \\ akers; to every mare, cow, ox, or any other cattle that may amount to £20, or so much money, 3 akers.'^ Under this order the meadows were allotted in three divisions, - the first under date of September 4, 1639 ; the second, April 20, 1640; the third, November 18, 1640. The following will indicate ibe comparative taxable estates of some of the leading planters: ''To^ Mr. Edmund Browne, 75 acres of meadow ; to Mr. Peter Noyes, 72 acres ; Walter Haynes, 6^\ acres; Edmund nice, 42} acres; Thomas Brown/ 34^ acres; John Bent, 30 acres; Jobii FiBtrmenter) 26| acres; Edmund Goodnow, 24 acres; Henry Lbker, 13 acres; Htigh Griffin, 10| acres ; WilHam Brown, 8^ acres ; John Butter, Sadtcs.''

In connection with the allotment of the meadows to tiie inhabitants, the town set apart certain lands, which were to be held $acred '' for the use of the ministty/^ Two meadow-lots on the west and two on the east side of the river were thus '* sequestered,'' and later two or more lots of upland on each side were added. These lots, both meadow and upland, were let out ta individuals, and the inooitae used for the support of the pastor. The west-side ministerial lands were sold in 1817 for $3^00.96. The uplands on the east side have be^ disposed of, btit^the two meadow-lots are still held by the First Parish.

Instead of each man cultivating his own sejMtxate field, the cnstom was adopted at the outset, and continued for two generations, to assign general planting-fields. These were located at conveni^t points, and the inhabitants living ne^^t to these points were required to break up and utilize each Us proper share, and each was required to make and keep in repair a part of the fence corresponding to his part of the field. At first four cornfields were laid out, soon after six, and in 1654 the number had increased to ten.

The earhest records name only "the highway." This was the road from the village over Pine Plain to Watertown. Every man in town was required ^'to come forth to the mending of the highway upon such time as they shall have lawful summons by the surveyors, or forfeit for each default 5 shillings.'' The rules for working the highway were : " !- The poorest man sliall work' one day ; 2. for every 6 acres of meadow a man hath, he shall work one day." A road for the town's use, four rods wide, was established at the outset, *' between the meadows and the uplands/' from Bridle Point to Concord line, and on the west side of the river there was a similar road six rod:9 wide. In 1643 the recotds name a way from Watertown to Mr. Dunster's farm, which was laid out as a highway in 1649. As alreadv stated, the South Street was extended across Mill Brook Just below the junction of Pin<^ Brook, and so on the east side of the river to Edmund Bice's farm and the new faigbwaj. A 'foot and horse bridge across the river, at the point where is now the Town Bridge, was built in 1640; the first eart-bridge was built in the fall of 1643. Where a'town-wav was hid across a man's homelot he wa3 allowed to put in and ihaintain gates at both his bound-lines, and travellers were required to open and shut them as they passed."

Formation of the Chnrck. - No record of the first gathering of the church in this town can^ be found. But from the fact that Mr. BroviiiaDd^ the leading planters were made freemen May 13, ' 1640, it is certain that a church had been oi*ganized before that date. There are reasons for fixing the date March 1, 1640. The next Febfuary Mr. Browne is named as '' our pastor," and tradition fixes his installation in August, 1640. Hil salary in 1643 was £30 ; in 1646, £40; in 1M7, £50, ''one half of which shall be paid either in money, wheat, peas, butter, cheese, pork, beef, or hemp and flax i and he shall be paid at every quarter's end.

The clay-pit and brick-kfln are named in the eariiest town records. Thev were situated on the North Street, and on the east side of Mill BrooL

In April, 1640, a considerable tract, lying be^ tween the streets, towards Mill Brook, was laid out as ''a common pasture for working oxen."

At this date it was ordered ** that all hogs and pigs kept in this town, from the 24th of April to the 6th of Oct. that shall go about the town without yokes and rings, for every hog so found the owner shall forfeit 10 shillings, the complainant to have one-half the money, and the town the other half."

March 29, 1641. " It is agreed that every cart with 4 sufficient oxen & a man shall have for a day's work 5 shillings: tliat men shall take for mowing by the acre 14 pence for every acre, or one & twenty pence per day : that all carpenters, bricklayers, and thatchers shall have one & twenty pence for a day's work, and common labourers 18 pence a day: that all sawyers shall take for sawing of board 3«. 4//. the hundred, and for slit woric they shall take 4#. 8rf. the hundred : that a yearly covenanted servant, the best of them shall take but 5 pounds for a year's service, and maid-servants, the best of them sliall take but 50 shillings : that none shall take above 6r/. a bushel for the bringing. up of com from Watertown to Sudbury, and 20 shillings a tunri for any other goods."

laid put and established '^ to be a cow common foFever/' This tract embraced the whole southeasterly comer of the original township. The north line ran from Mill Brook^ near the present centre, to Weston; the west line ran from Mill Brook, on a south-by- west line, to the squth bounds of the five-miles grant, which it followed to "Weston, '' which land so granted for a cow common shall never be ceded or laid down without the consent of every inhabitant and townsman tliat hath right in commonage.'' '' The inhabitants are to be limited or sized in the putting in of cattle upon tlie said common, according to the quantity of meadow the. said inhabitants i^re stated in upon the division of the Meadows.'' This rule of sizuig seem9 to be a simple and equitable one. But an attempt to define and enforce it ten years later came near breakiag up the town and the church. These commons were (not without opposition) lotted out and distributed to tlie inhabitants, at three divisions, between the years 1705 and 1710.

J/i»/i//^--^(? jwtf. - February 17, 1642-43, ''It is agreed between the townsmen on tlie one part, and John Butter on the other part, tliat tlie said John shall fell, saw, hew & frame a house for a meeting-house, 30 foot long, 20 foot wide, 8 ft. between joints, 3 ft. between studs: Two cross donnents in the house, six clear story wiudows, 2 with 4 lights apiece and four with 3 lights apiece, and to intertie between the studs." The town agreed to draw all the timber to place, and help raise the house, and to pay said John for his work £6. Raising-day was set for May 16, and it was *' ordered that every man who did not attend the rai:?ing of the meeting house should forfeit 2«. 6//. for his default." This contract included only the frame. The roof was covered with thatch, put on by the thatchers ; the body of the house was covered with oak cleft-boards or clapboanls, 6 feet long, as indicated by the studding. The cost of the roof and clapboarding was £10. Tlie floor was not laid till 1645. This house stood in the. old cemetery.

Cemetery. - The custom of the times was to bury the dead close by the meeting-house. But the site of the Meeting-house was nut chosen till four years, after the town was built; and in the mean time eight of the settlers had died. The tradition is - and it corresponds with known facts - that these first dead were interred in the " old Indian burying-ground," now connected with tlie main part of the cemetery. The existence of gravestones there favors the tradition. The three flat stones lying near the centre of this old part probably mark the spot where Thomas King, his wife, and infant son were laid in tlie winter of 1642 - 43* The finding of skeletons at the southeasterly end, buried but a few feet below the surface, accoriding to Indian custom, confirfns the belief t|iat this place was used by the natives for sepulture.

The pay of representative is given by the following extract: '^G ranted to Edmund Goodnow, for his service done at the Court as deputy, 6 ifcres of upland and 5 acres of meadow." In 16^4 Edmnnd Bice was paid '' £ 6 in wheat, delivered at John Par-.| meters, at 5 a. per bushel, for his service, and charge as deputy this past year.''

In 1651 a contract was made with Edmund Goodnow, that his son '^ should beat the drum twice every Lecture day, and .twice every forenoon and twice every afternoon upon the Lord's day, to give notice what time to come to meeting; for ., which the town agree to pay him 20 shillings a year."

January 26, 1645-46, the town granted to Bicliard Sanger one half acre of land to set his shop on ; timber to build him a house ; and tax acres of meadow, upon the condition that he stay amongst us and do our smith's work for four yeari, .

Indian Owners, - The- owner of the lands Comprising the main part of the first five-miles grant was Caato, sometimes written, as it was pronounced, Carto. His English name. was Goodmans. He b mentioned in the colony records of 1637: and is then associated with the squaw sachem of Medfoffl . in the sale of ^* the weire at Concord, and all the planting ground which hath been formeriy planted by the Indians there." Tliis indicates that his tribal relations were with the Misticks rather than . with the Nipnets. * In our town records his name is uniformily written Goodmans. The larger purchase of lands of him in 1638, and the smaller one! in 1648, have already been described. In relation to < the latter the records designate it *' the last purchase of lands of Goodmans."

Another Indian who lived in the southerly part of Wavland was Nataous, commonly called* William of Sudbury. . He was a Nipuet, whose .origi- lul home was near Grafton. The historian Hubbard speaks of him as /' very familiar with the whites/' ^. He was aii attendant on the ministry of Mf. Browne, and was converted to a belief in the Chri^ian litligioii by his preaching. He joined the Christiag' Indians at NiRick/and became ii projmiueut>|eader there. Wh)gu th^ 3ocicty for Propagating the pospel in New England made arrangements with fchooli^aster Corlet| of Cambridge to educate Indian . joutjis i^^ preparation Ibr college, a son of Natabu» waf sent there for instructioTii. It appears that, there were charges connected with the tuition of this boy which the Englisli ^iety failed to pay; and Sit: Corl^t obtained leave of the General Court ** to purchase of Netus the Indian so much land as the said Netus is possessed of according to hiw for the satisfaction of .the debt.'' The original* amount due was i^ 4 10«.; interestandcliai^es raised it to £7 10/. Under tlie court's order Edmund Bice, Sr., and Thomas Noyes laid out to said Corletti fron^ the htuds of siiid Xetus, a farm of 320 acres.

In 1674-: Netus is described by Gookin as ''among the good men and prudent, who were rulers at Natick." But a year after, on the breaking out of Philip^s War, thd Praying Indians were treated by the provincial autliorities as \' treacherous heathen"; and some of them proved their inheritance in. our common human nature. by returning to heathen customs.- February' 1, 1676, Netus head^ a party of savages who attacked and destroyed tlfe family of Thomas Eames of Framingr haip. He was killed the 27th of March following^ at Marlborough^ and soou after his squaw^was sold into slavery.

Pelham's.farm comprised ** the Isli^/' and was wholly within our towiL. bounds. It was^ granted, Septembers, 1639, to Herbert ^ellmm; £k|., who put £ 100 into the common stock of the colon?, and was one of the assistants to tlie governor. The farm was leased to tenants, and N^v^mber 11, 1711, was sold by Ms liein to Isaac Hunt and , Samuel Stone, Jr. , Dunster's farm - granted in- 1648 to Henry Dunster, president of Harvaid Cbll^ - .lay to the south and east of &Irs. Glover's/aiid was whoUj withjii the present bounds of AVayhind. June 24, 1659, Edmund Rice and /liis son Benjamin boi^t this farm of tl^e executors ol Mr. Duiister's will

Jennison's farm, of ti;ro hundred acres, lay on the south bounds of the town, extending from the Dunster fahn to Weston line. This was granted in 16S8 {laid out in 1646) to Ckptam WiUiam Jennison of IfTatertO^^n, for service in the Fequot -War. tt was sol^ April 8, 1657, to.EdmoDd

Second Sleeiiifff-HoHie. - 'lji tbe'' jammer of 1653 a new meethig-house^ was bailt.iOn the old spot. In size il^ was 40x25 feet, and 12 feet high. It had gable-ends, two pinoacles, two dbors, four transom windows 6x5 fe^,and a clearstory window in eacW.gable-end 4x8 Si<Bt The outside was covered with clapboards four feet long. The roof was covered with thatch. Ibside it had dorments 'across tlie 4iouse sofficioit for galleries Xf needed, ^' the two middle beaQis to be smoothed on three sides, and the. lower coniers to be ran with a bowkell.'^ The walls were cased with the southwesterly pgrt of the town, mostly on the- "New Grants." It was. held by Tantamous, alia^ Jethro, Jehojakell, the Speene family,^ and others, and was purchased by the town in 1684 for £12.

The noted Indian Bridge, a landmark often refi^rred tpiivthfe early records, was situated at an angle in West Brook, northerly from Pelham*s Poiid. There is now at the point a gravel bar, which affords a cros9ing-plnce for teams. No description of the bridsre is extant.

Tfi|C first gmnt'of lands, adjacent to Sudbnrv, to persotis of distinction, was made June 6, 1639, to Mrs. Elizabeth Glover, widow of Rev. Josse Glover. This comprised a farm of six hundred acres, lying ''witliout the bounds" of the town on the south; but by the adjustment of lines M'ith Framit^lum

The third Indian prciprietorship was situated in -smooth cedar boards *ip to the bottom of the windows, and from here to the beams. wpv6 plastered with tempered clay. The seato were of white oak, '' both posts and raib and benches.''

Military. - May 13, 1640; 'V^r. Brjsn Pendkton is, desired to train the comjianj at Sudbury, and Mr. Peter Noyes is appointed suprejor of arms there." The townS proportion of powder, '^ which they are to buy and pay for^ is ono'barreL'' September 27, 1642, Ancient (Ensgn) Cakebread is appointed to lead the company/ In 1648, and again in 1652, it is ordered tliat tbfyjneeting-house be used as a watch-house. In 16$H the town sold a piece jof meadow near th^ brick-kifn, ^nd lix acres of upland to Kathom Read" for it 6 in money, '' to buy silk for a suitable flight of colour* for the use of the military company."

On tlie breaking out of Philip's War, in 1676, the only preparations for defence were the three west-side garrison-houses, and the meeting-house on the east side. The latter was not fortified, but its position was strong. Early in the summer Parson Browne, who lived on the southerly side of Mill Brook, began to build a stockade around his premises. In a letter dated September i6, 1675, addressed to the govenior, he says : '^ I have been at a round charge to fortify my house, and excepting finishing the two flankers and my gate, have finished : Now without four hands I cannot well secure it, and if for want of hands I be beaten out, it will be very advantngeous to the enemy, and a thorn to the town.'' The governor and council granted him the four men as guards, and he maintained tliem at his own expense. By order of the selectmen, all the families living in the south part of the town, and above Mill Brook, fled to this stockade in case of imminent danger.

Alarms were frequent. The woods were pestered with Indians. Smokes were seen on the hills, indicating the camps of the savages. Men were fired upon when passing from one place to another. The able-bodied men were pressed into the country's service, or were required for watching, warding, and scouting near home. '' At the request of Ensign Grout, Left. Eph*" Curtis was ordered, with such volunteers as would join him, to march into the Moods, and endeavour to surprise, kill, and destroy any of our Indian enemy." November 22, 1675, Sudbury ii-as ordered *' to impress nine able-bodied men for the service of the country." The next February an order was issued dismissing all the garrison soldiers at Sudbury. March 22, this town was ordered to furnish six men and three horses "to garrison Brookfield." April 8, the selectmen petitioned the govenior, " by reason of the approach of the Indian enemy near our town, that 20 men nuiy be sent to be under the conduct of Lieut. Ephraim Curtis, to be unproved as a scout, to range the woods, and be in readiness upon any occasion, if the enemy should set upon us. And we shall add unto the said scout so many men more out of our town, altho' we can hardly spare them and secure our gnrrisons."

But the Indian assault of April 21 came unexpectedly. The pastor's sti)cknde and the ^'est-side | garrisons were well manned, and afibrded protection to the inhabitants. The high water alone saved the village, as the savages could cross only at the town bridge. As soon, however, as Captain Wadsworth's force was defeated, a large body of ludiaus rushed across the river, and began the work of destruction near the bridge. At this juncture Captain Mason's Watertown company arrived; and being joined by our townsmen made an attack and ''drove near 200 Indians over the river and followed them, and went to see if we could relieve Capt. Wadsworth upon the Hill"; but they were driven back. When it was dark this company crossed the river again, and went to. Mr. Noyes' mill, where they '' found 13 or 14 of Capt. W.'s men who had escaped, some of them wounded, and brought them to the village On the next day in the morning, so soon as it was light, we went to look for Concord men who were slain in the river meadow, and there we went in the cold water up to oar knees, where we found 5, and brought them in canoes to the bridge-foot, and buried them there.'' These Concord men were buried on the east side of the river. A considerable number of the houses situated in the westerly part of the village were burnt.

SchooU. - The first mention of schools in the town records is under date of February 20, 1661 - 65, when Itlr. Thomas Walker petitioned for a grant of land " for his encouragement to keep a free school in Town.''

In an official return made March SO, 1680, the selectmen say : '' As for schools, though there be no stated school in this town, for that the inliabitants are so scattered in their dwellings that it caimot well be, yet such is the case by having two school dames on each side of the river that teacheth smnll children to spell and read, which is so managed by their parents and govemours at home and prosecuted after such a sort as that the selectmen who distributed themselves did within three months last past so examine families children and youth, both as to good manners, orderly living, catechising and reading as tliat they returned from all parts a comfortable and good account of all those matters, and render them growing in se\'eral families beyond expectation, rarely reprovable anywhere, encouraging in most places and in others xtrs commendable, so as that the end is accomplished hitiierto. And for teaching to write and cypher, here is Mr. Tliomas Walker and two or three others about this town ihat do teach therein, and are retidy to teach all others that need, if people will come or send them. And touching persons who live from under family ffovemment, or after a dissolute or disorderly manner to the dishonour of Qod and corrupting of youth, the selectmen do return their answer tliat they find none such amongst us."

In 1690 the town was presented for want of a school. October 2, 1692, John Long was chosen by the town as '' a wrighteing schoolmaster to teach children to wright and cast acounte/' Mr. Long continued in the service of the town till 1700, when Mr. Joseph Noyes was chosen grammar school master.

Up to 1714 no school-house had been built in town. /Schools were kept in private houses ; and the records intimate tliat Ihe meeting-house was sometimes used for school purposes. Near this date the west-side inhabitants, having been granted the privilege of forming a new precinct, built a school-house at the Gravel Pits at their own charge. This, was used by the people living on both sides of the river, for about ten years.

November 24, 1725, the town voted ''that each Precinct be empowered to build each of them a school-house, out of the interest of the Bank money that is or should be in the Trustees' hands.''

In 1729 the East Precinct voted ''to build a school-house 18 ft. wide by 22 ft. long and 8ft. between joints, with a good brick chimney and fire-place at one end, and. a place to hang a bell at the other end." For several years but one schoolmaster was employed, teaching six months in one house and six in the other.

In 1734 the town instructed their representative to move the General Court in behalf of the town, for a school farm in some of the unappropriated lands.

In May, 1740, the town granted £72, Old Tenor, for the support of grammar schools ; and voted that the schools should be kept in the four different quarters of the town. This was the origin of the district system, the districts being known as the Northwest, Lanham, the Centre, and the Farm School. Within a few years school-houses were erected in the four quarters.

Mr. Edmund Brown, the first minister, died June 22, 1678. He married, about 1645, Anne, widow of John Loveran of Watertown. They left no children. According to Mather, "he was of

(hose who wefre in the actual exercise ofthe ministiy when he left Engbnd." Johusoh speaks* of him as " a godly and able minister of the word." He wis much honored in social life, being on terms of intimacy with the family of Governor Leverett. He was a member of the Synod that establbhed the Cambridge Phitform, 1646 - 1648 ; and was on the council tlmt met, October, 1657, to settle the difficulties in Rev. Mr. Stone's church at Hartford.

Besides brge grants as an original proprietor of Sudbury, he received from the General ODurt' severaLvaluable meadows in Framingham; His landed estates, acquired by gift and purchase, could not have been less than three hundred acres. His house, called in his will Brunswick, that is, " mansion by the stream,'^ was of ample dimensions, two stories higli, and well furnished. His library comprised one hundred and eighty volumes. He left the sum of £50 for establishing a grammar school in Sudbury, but by vote of the town in 1724 it was diverted to another purpose.

Bev. James Sherman succeeded Mr. Browne as pastor. He was settled in the winter of 1678-79 ; was dismissed May 22, 1705 ; died March S, 1718. He was son of Bev. John Sherman of Watertown ; married Mary, daughter of Thomas Walker df Sudbury, and had two sons, John and Tliomas. After leaving the ministry he practised medicine at Elizabethtoiiii, New Jersey, and Salem, Massachusetts.

Third Jleeting-honie. - In 1686 the town "voted, ordered and agreed to erect a meetinghouse, just like the new one in Dedham,'' at a cost of £200.

July 1, 1695, Edward Wright and John Goodnow were appointed a committee, and bought a bell of Mr. Caleb Hubbard, of Braintree, for £27 in silver money ; and the selectmen were ordered to procure half a hundred of good Spanish iron for bolts and keys necessary for hanging the bell^ and a wheel- rope.

The Bev; Israel Loring, bom at Hingham (H. U. 1701), was ordained November 20, 1706. At this date the number of church-members was : males forty-one, females seventy-nine; total one hundred and twenty.

Immediately ftfter the settlement of Mr. Loring a movement began, to divide tlic town into two precincts, for the purpose of supporting two churches. October 21, 1707, the inhabitants on the west side of the river sent a petition to the General Court, to be set off into a separate pre^ cinct; not granted. In 1713 the east-side inhabitants proposed to move the meeting-house *' as near as possible to the centre of the town '^ ; not accepted by the west-siders. In 1714 the west-side people petitioned the legislature '^to be erected into a new township/' This was not granted; but October ES^ it was ordered ** tliat there be a distinct Precinct and a meeting-house erected for the public worship of God^ on Uie west side of Sudbury Biver/' The formal organization of the "West Precinct took place December 18, 17iJ, ]Rhen.it was voted ''to have the preaching of the word of God amongst us''; and Mr. Minott was chosen to preach for six weeks. The East Precinct was oi^nized June 25, 1722, and at once proceeded to make the necessary provision for "their now settled minister Mr. Israel Loring.*' But they had been anticipated by tlie West Precinct, which on the 6th of June had voted '.' to give the Rev., Mr. Loring an invitation to come over and settle and be their minister," offering him £100 for his ''settlement,'' etc. July 10, Mr. Loring" writes: "To the inhabitants of the West Precinct in Sudbury : I accept of the kind invitation . you liave giv«n me to come over and settle with vou and be the minister of the Westerly Precinct." The next day, July 11, Mr. Loring announces by letter to the East Precinct his decision to leave themand settle on the west side. " Feb. 1 1 , 1723. The church met at my house, where, after the brethren on the east side had manifested their desire that tlie clmrch might be divided into two churches, it was so voted by a majority." [Church Hecords, by J. Loring.)

Bev. William Cook was ordained as the successor of Mr. Loring, March 20, 1 723. He was a native of Hadley ; a graduate of Harvard in 1716, and- librarian of that institution for a time. He was a fine scholar, and a man of ardent piety. He died November 12, 1760, aged sixty-six.

In 1725 - 26 a new meeting-house - the fourth - was built. . It was located at what is now the Centre. The committee was instructed " to make it as near as they can like the new house in the West .Precinct," - only the "steps" were to be "liaudsomer," - with the same number of pews.

Rev. Josiah Bridge, bom at Lexington (H. U. 1758), was ordained November 4, 1761; died June 19, 1801, in tlie sixty-second year of his age and fortieth of his ministry. " He was a great and good minister."

their families as pioneers into most of the frontier settlements in Worcester and old Hampshire counties, and consequently felt a personal interest in the welfare and perils of these exposed towns. Many of our men did service in the so-called Father RaUe's War, 1723 - 26. Sergeant Daniel How and ten men joined Captain Samuel Wright's Eutland scout, and were out from November 10, 1723, to April 10, 1724. Sergeant William Brintnall, with seven men, was in service from August 17 to October 27, 1725. Four of our men joined the expedition to the West Indies in 1640.

On the breaking out of the French and Indian War of 1744 the Sudbury Troop, - forty-four men, - commanded by Captain Josiah Brown, contained representatives of most of our families, and was ordered in 1746 to the defence of Number Four. Our men were drafted for garrison duty it the forts in Hampshire County, and voluntel^red for service in the numerous expeditions of this war.