USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > Commonplace-book of Richard Pratt of Lynn, Mass 1753-1775 > Part 1
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COMMONPLACE-BOOK
RICHARD PRATT OF
OF LYNN, MASS.
With Introduction and Notes by NATHAN M. HAWKES
wx , 1 Printed - not Published - for MICAJAH PRATT CLOUGH)
LYNN, MASS. THE NICHOLS PRESS -THOS. P. NICHOLS 1900
STORAGE-ITEM MAIN LIBRARY
LPA-A86A
U.B.C. LIBRARY
F 74 L98 P72 1900
THE LIBRARY
Tuum est
THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
U. B. C. LIBRARIES
F
74
L98
P72
1900
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from University of British Columbia Library
http://www.archive.org/details/commonplacebook00prat
THE BOOK
COMMONPLACE-BOOK
OF
RICHARD PRATT
OF LYNN, MASS.
With Introduction and Notes by NATHAN M. HAWKES
(200 copies Printed - not Published - for MICAJAH PRATT CLOUGH)
LYNN, MASS. THE NICHOLS PRESS -THOS. P. NICHOLS 1900
INTRODUCTION.
ALONZO LEWIS, in the first edition of the History of Lynn, published in 1829, relating his sources of informa- tion says: "I have also found a journal kept daily for forty-four years by Mr. Zaccheus Collins ; and another, for twenty years by Mr. Richard Pratt, in which they appear to have noticed everything remarkable during those long periods, and from which I have extracted many interesting particulars."
There ought to be many other such manuscripts in existence, illustrating the early days of Lynn. Mr. Lewis evidently did not find them. He styled those he had access to " Journals."
One of these so-called Journals is herein presented in fair type.
Mr. Richard Pratt prefaced the book, which is in his own handwriting, with the word "MEMORANDUM."
The name, "COMMONPLACE-BOOK," seems to be an appropriate title for it: ("A book in which things to be remembered are recorded." - Webster.)
The volume of the original manuscript is a folio, measuring about seven and a half inches in length, and six inches in width.
It is bound like the Bradford History, in parchment ; once white, but now grimy and showing its age, as all things old will.
The cover is stout and strong yet, but the paper is cracked and decaying. If its contents were worth pre-
+
Introduction.
serving, the time had arrived when it should be copied. Those interested, thought it advisable to transcribe its contents ; hence, this printed reproduction.
The custodian of the manuscript, Mr. Gilbert Hawkes, who is a great-grandson of the author, has kindly loaned it to us for local historic research. He received it from his aunt, Miss Cynthia Pratt, who, like the author, was a Lynn school teacher.
Richard Pratt was the son of Grover Pratt, of Malden, who came to Lynn and married Rebecca Lewis, February 17, 1725-6.
The home of Richard Pratt, where he jotted down the matters that seemed to him important, for the twenty years prior to the Revolution, was upon Broad Street, where, in later years his grandson, Micajah C. Pratt, built the brick shoe factory which still stands. About it was the garden, in the sowing of the seeds and the gathering of the fruit of which he evidently delighted.
He was born November 27, 1728, and married, Novem- ber 12, 1751, Rebecca Ingalls. He died April 25, 1816.
His " TEXTS PREACHED FROM," show that he was a constant attendant at the First Church, and the minute- ness of his vital statistics indicate that he must have held some recording office in church or parish.
Quite a number of pages at the end of the old book are taken up with figures such as a schoolmaster would have occasion to use, as interest tables, examples in mul- tiplication, weights and measures. These we have omitted as of no interest to the possible readers of the book, be- ' cause they will presumably be beyond school years.
We have also avoided copying the entries by later members of the family, though some of them are of interest
5
Introduction.
as treating of the affairs of the Friends' Society, to which these subsequent users of the book had become attached.
The manuscript is legibly and neatly written, and no attempt has been made to modernize the orthography. It is not to be taken for granted that our diarist did not know how to spell because he did not spell as we do. For example, he uses the word "goal." The dictionaries of that period give the definition of " goal," adding, "also a gaol or jail." He uses the word "pease," which is still given in our dictionaries, though "peas " is now, perhaps, commonly in vogue. We write the name of the ancient Lynnfield minister " Sparhawk." He calls him " Sparrow- hawk." In the Saxon tongue, "Sparrowhawk" and " Sparhawk " have the same meaning.
This may be a commonplace book in another sense than is intended by its title, inasmuch as it sets down and records, without rhetoric or sentiment, the things which came to the attention of a grave and clerkly man, who passed an uneventful life in the rural hamlet of Lynn nearly a century and a half ago.
Most of the important things (that is, important to anyone save the diarist and his kin) recorded therein were of events not happening on the soil of Lynn. But they reveal the fact that the pulse of our provincial life was in touch with the great world's affairs. Through almost all the period covered by this record, New England was harassed and drained of men and money by the French and Indian wars. It closes with the impending conflict with the Crown. Almost the last public event mentioned is the laconic entry, " 1775 April 19. General Gage's army marched out to Concord and began hostilities." The very last public event recorded, under date, "1775 May 27," is
6
Introduction.
the " Fight at Winnissimet," which, though not as important as Lexington or Bunker Hill, occurred nearer Lynn. Be- tween the above two recorded entries he writes under date, 1775 April 25. "I began to keep the school." After that, either the school or the clash of arms, or some other good reason, dried the ink on Mr. Pratt's quill, for he ceased to write of affairs and left his pages blank. His descendants in Lynn and elsewhere are numerous and re- spectable. A great-grandson, Sidney Bowne Pratt, out of a modest competency bequeathed to the Lynn Public Library (its first bequest) the sum of ten thousand dollars, and thus led the way for others to follow.
This book has been printed (not published) by the thoughtful liberality of Mr. Micajah Pratt Clough, a great- great-grandson of Mr. Richard Pratt. The introduction and notes are the tribute of another great-great-grandson.
A time-stained bit of paper, indorsed, "A Worthy Man's Character," written at the time of Mr. Pratt's death, has been preserved in his family all these years - almost a century.
Perhaps these imperfect reasons for putting this old manuscript in type may conclude by reciting the words then written : -
" At Lynn, Mr. Richard Pratt, aged LXXXVII. A man who justly sustained the character which entitles old age to the appellation of 'Honorable.' He was a firm friend to the Republican Institutions of his country, which he perceived naturally grew out of that 'Brotherly Equality ' guaranteed to all men by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He met death with that fortitude and trust in the mercy of God which may remind us of that most comfortable truth, ' Blessed are the Dead which die in the Lord.' - Rev. xiv: 13."
COMMONPLACE-BOOK OF
RICHARD PRATT.
TABLE FOR MEASURING. SOLIDS
(On inside cover of Diary.)
S
Inches 27 is a Square Quarter of a foot 216 is " £
66 half .. .. .. 1728 is " Foot Solid 864 is half a Foot Solid 432 is ₮ foot Solid
27648 is One Foot of Wood Measure 13824 is half a Foot 6912 is } of a foot
Tabitha Pratt Died June 23d, 1770 Nathanael Ingals Died Sept. 23d, 1772
Nathanael Pratt Died Sept. 30, 1773 Tabitha Alley Died Octr. 20, 1774 Grover Pratt Died Jany. 14, 1790 Rebecca wife of Richd. Pratt Died Sept. 27, 1806
MEMORANDUM
BEGAN IN AND FOR THE YEAR 1755.
Rebecca Pratt was born June 28th, 1753 Tabitha Pratt was born April 11th, 1755 Richard Pratt was born Novr. 15th, 1756 Elizabeth Pratt was born Sept. 7th, 1758 James Pratt was born March 2Ist, 1760 John Pratt was born April 10th, 1762 Mercy Pratt was born August 27th, 1764 Lewis Pratt was born May 9th, 1767 A Son Born & Died Novr. 23d, 1769 Nathan Grover Pratt was born Nov. 10th, 1770 Nathanael was born May 9, 1773 & Joseph Pratt
IO
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt.
BURIALS IN THE OLD PARISH IN LYNN
1755
Jan. 8. The Wife of Josiah Rhoads, & Henry Rhoads
Feb. 3. Jonathan Rhoads
9. Lieut. Saml. Stocker
15. Saml. Breed
22. Sarah Bartons Daughter
28. Nathan Breed
March 15. Elizabeth Norris
Apr.
2. Doctr. Henry Burchstead
3. Anna Atwell
8. Elijah Son to Thomas Stocker
May 13. Theophilus Farringtons Twin-child
14. Mary Farrington Mid-wife
19. Thomas Lewis Child
June 5. John Ingals Junr. Son
IO. William Barton
23. Joseph Masons Child a Daughter
26. Daniel Witt
29. Dorcas the Wife of Jonathan Mansfield
Aug. I. Joanna Mansfield. Joseph Newhalls Child
14. Mercy Potter
(?)
28. William Hill
Decr. 8. Nathaniel Tarbox Child
15. Saml. Hallowell, Senr. 1755 25 Burials 1756 Jan. 14. James Ingals
Feb. IO. Zaccheus Norwood
25. Widdow Larrabee
II
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt.
1756
March 15. Hiphsibah Wife to Edmond Lewis
(?) Jedediah Collins's Two Children
(?) Henry Blany
BIRTHS AND CHRISTNINGS IN YE OLD PARISH IN LYNN
1755
Feb. 2. Joel Son of Theophilus Breed Christned
IO. Benjn. Blany's Daughter Born -Chrd. Elizabeth Mar. 23
17. Edwd. Fullers Child Born Daughter, Christned March 2d.
March 5. Widdow Abigail Lewis Daughter Mary Born, Chrd. March 23d. & John Mower Jr. Son Born
1755 Apr. II. My Second Daughter Born Joseph Edmands 13
12. Moses Chadwell's -
Iay 12. Thos. Cox Daughter
14. Jacob Ingals Daughter
19. Thomas Lewis Son Still-born
Oct. 23. Ezra Newhall's Son Thomas.
CHRISTNED
Christned Mary 13
Apr. 27. Josiah Newhall's Son Nathl.
May 25. Ann
Thomas Cox's Hiphsebah
22. John Ingal's Son Ebenezer
June 22. Saml. Burrils Son,
& Henry Blanys Daugh. Lydia
Aug. 24. Allin Breeds Son Fredrk. Aug. 31. Saml. Hollowells Son
Henry Sept. 7. Abraham Gray's Daugh. Abigail & Ignatious Rhoads Daugr. Elizabeth
I 2
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt.
PUBLISHMENTS IN YE TOWN OF LYNN
1755
Jan. 26.
Abraham Smith of Reading to Mary Hawks
Feb. 2. Doctr. Jonathan Fuller to Mary Wimon
March 23. Ezra Newhall to Sarah Fuller
30. James Ramsdel to Meribah Johnson
Apr. 6. James Hill of Stonham to Rebecca Brient Benoney Wallos of Luninburg to Hannah Brown
13. James Firn to Elizabeth Tarbox
July
13. Jacob Walton to Elisabeth Wayt Residant in Lynn
Isaiah Briggs of Marblehead to Sarah Ingals
Aug. 10. Jeremiah Tarbox & Anna Cox
Nathaniel Ramsdil & Tabothy Ramsdil
Sept. 14. Nathan Newhall to Mary Farrington
21. Richard Sarle to Sarah Talburt
Octr. 5. Robert Gray to Anna Newhall
26. Josiah Breed to Mary Breed
Novr. 2. Thomas Norris to Martha Potter
9. Joseph Gray to Rebecca Farrington
23. Ebenr. Newhall & Mary Newhall Gidney Witt & Eliz. Cheever
Dec. 7. John Green & Jerusia Norwood
14. Nehemiah Lyndsey & Hulda Breed 1756
Feb. 22. Youing Flint to Pheba Wellmon
Apr. 25. Deacn. John Lewis to Jane Huntin
May 16. John Curtain & Martha Collins
I3
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt.
MARRAIGES IN YE TOWN OF LYNN
1755 Jan. Moses Hawks to Mary Riddan(1 )
March 6. Saml. Batchelor to Hannah Breed
II. Saml. Silsby to Breed
Apr. 10. Ezra Newhall to Sarah Fuller
15. Doctr. Jonathan Fuller to Mary Wimon
June 26. James Ramsdil to Merribah Johnson
Aug. 28.
Jeremy Tarbox to Anna Cox
Sept. 4.
Tos. Mason & Ann Skinner
Nov. 6.
Richard Sarle to Sarah Talburt
Dec. 4 .
Nathanael Ramsdil & Tabitha Ramsdil
II. Robert Gray to Anna Newhall
16. Isaiah Brigs to Sarah Ingals
18. Josiah Breed to Mary Breed
25. Thomas Norris to Martha Potter
30. Nehemiah Lindsey to Hulda Breed
1756 Feb. 17. Nathan Newhall to Mary Farrington
19. Jonathan Mansfield to Elizabeth Burch- stead
May 4. Joseph Gray to Rebecca Farrington
June Deacon Jno. Lewis to Jane Huntin
July I. Jno. Rich'ds To Catherine Burchstead
8. James Newhall to Barrot Aug. John Curtain to Martha Collings
(1) RIDDAN, the old-time way of spelling the name now written Raddin. The home of the Raddin family, in 1755, was in that part of Lynn now called North Saugus, and the house which was built by John Hawkes, the great-grandfather of the groom, and occupied by this wedded pair, still shelters some of the descendants of the builder.
14
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt.
OF REMARKS
1755
Feb. 4. Benjamin James Shop Burnt
March 5. Capt. Gally Died at Marblehead
Feb. 24. A Vessel Drove a-Shoar at ye Little's Beach Belonging to Salem
March 12. Training at Jonath Wayts to Inlist Soldiers
24. Training at Benjn. Bowdens to Inlist Soldiers
27. Anna Burchstead Remov'd to Boston
Apr. 5. A Ship From England Arrived at Boston with Officers, cloaths, & Money, for ye Soldiers
28. Snow
May
IO.
9. Dyed the Wife of Floyd Pratt of Malden Was Buried Isaac Larrabe of ye 3d Parrish in Lynn
20. The first Rain Fell after the Drougth I Set out Twelve Beach-Plum bushes
June
26. 16.
Skipper Gray Arrived with His first fair Skipper Gray Come in wth His 2d fair
July
I. Died Captn. Moses Calley of Marblehead
2. I Gathered Green Pease
Aug. 24 To Sept. I. Amos Breed, Nathan Breed Ignatious Rhoads, Caleb Downin & Abrm Gray - Children born
Sept. 6. The first Rain after a Long Drougth
Octr. 23. Died William Pratt Senr
30. A Considerable Snow Storm
15
Commonplacc-Book of Richard Pratt.
1755
Novr. 18. About 4 O'Clock in ye Morn was a Terri- ble Shock of an Earthquake. After which the same Day ye Reverend Mr. Nathanael Henchman Preach't a Lec- ture from Mathew 7 Chap(1)
22. In the Evening was a Considerable Shock of ye Earth
Decr. 9. Was a Whale taken up at Sea and Brought in To Kings-Beach abought 75 feet Long (2)
(1) This was the greatest earthquake ever known in New England. It was a part of the same series of convulsions which extended across the Atlantic, and on the first day of November had overthrown Lisbon, had buried Sir Henry Frank- land, the collector of Boston, in the ruins from which he was extricated by Agnes Surriage, the maid of the Marblehead Inn, whose story is one of the romantic happenings of our provincial history.
William Shirley, the English barrister, was Governor of Massachusetts, as he had been ten years before, when he organized the expedition of forty-three hundred volunteers, which sailed out of Boston in a hundred transports, under command of a fish merchant, down into the ice-bound north, to storm and capture the seemingly impregnable fortress, behind the stone walls of which the trained soldiers of France laughed at English fleets and armies.
Louisbourg had fallen then before the prowess of Massachusetts men-the great feat of arms which gave our fathers confidence and steadiness for the conflict with the Crown, of which there were even then distant rumblings.
In this year occurred the disastrous expedition of Braddock, in which the young Col. George Washington had a share.
Braddock's death made Shirley Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in America, and he was organizing new campaigns against the French and Indians, in which he relied upon New England provincial officers.
This was the year which saw the eviction of the French inhabitants of Nova Scotia, upon which Longfellow based his pathetic story of " Evangeline," though he distorted history in the telling, for those Acadians were anything but the gentle creatures he describes.
Franklin was experimenting with electricity, with his kite.
" The forces of Nature were conspiring to add to the wonderment of the hour."
(2) Of this whale, Alonzo Lewis says, "Dr. Henry Burchsted rode into his mouth, in a chair drawn by a horse ; and afterwards had two of his bones set up for gate posts, at his house on Essex street, where they stood for more than fifty years." James R. Newhall adds :
"Opposite the Doctor's house, the cot of Moll Pitcher, the celebrated fortune- teller, stood. And many were the sly inquiries, from strangers, for the place where the big whale bones were to be seen."
16
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt.
1756
Jan.
4. Died Hannah ye Wife of John Farrington
5. Took Moses Hart to board
8. Was a Publick Fast, on account of ye Earthquake
28. Ordination at Woburn
March
3. Moses Hart Went away from Boarding with me
20. I Set Cabbidg Stumps, Turnips, and Planted Pease
26. I Planted potatoes & Set Pease
John Williams was Inlisting Soldiers for Crown Point(1)
Apr. 25. Died Sarah Sarle of Marbld.
26. 8 Soldiers Imprest for Crown Pnt. 27 Day
29. Fast Day
CHRISTNINGS IN YE OLD PARISH IN LYNN
1756
Jan. 4. John Mansfield's Son, Cheever
March 21. Ralph Merrys John Iresons Son Edward
(1) "A scale of bounties had failed to induce much activity in enlistments, and the forces necessary for the campaign were gathering but slowly."
NOTE : " It is not unlikely that enlistments were impeded by a breach of faith with the New England troops, for they were detained at the eastward beyond their term of enlistment. Shirley remonstrated about it to Governor Lawrence of Nova Scotia."- Nar. and Crit. Ilist. Am., Vol. IV. p. 152.
Governor Livingston, in 1752, wrote :
" The New England colonies take the lead in all military matters .. .. In these governments lies the main strength of the British interests upon this continent."
I7
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt.
1756
May 17.
Isaac Meacham's Son John
June 13. Alen Newhall's Son, Daniel-Alen-Breed
July 4. John Lewis's
Septr. 26. Theophilus Farringtons Daughter Sarah
Octr.
3. Nathl. Fullers Son Samuel
IO. Moses Chadwel's Daughter Ruth
17. Elias Harts, Two Children, Elias, & Eliza- beth
Novr. 21. Edwd. Johnsons Daughter Bethiah
1757
Jany. 16. Joseph Grays Daughter Hannah Josiah Breeds Daughter Mehetabel
Feb. 6. Saml. Johnsons Son Joseph
20. Nehemiah Ramsdil's Son Nehemiah
July 17. James Newhalls Daughter Lois
3I. Benjn. Grays Daughter Deborah
BURIALS IN YE OLD PARISH IN LYNN
1756 Jonath Rhoads
Apr. May 7. Hannah ye Daughter of Jno. Ingals
I2. Nathanael Collings's Wife Thomas Stockers Child Daniel
July
13. John Work's Child, Ezra Mower & Hannah Mills - Nehemiah Ramsdil Jr. Eliz Rhoads
Aug. Septr. Ignatious Rhoads's Child a Daughter
18
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt.
1756
Septr. 16. Widdow Williams
23. Mary Wife to Capt. John Jenks
Octr. 3. Benjn. Coats Daughter
14. Lieut Moses Newhall's Daughter
17. Lieut Moses Newhalls Child
19.
Increase Newhall's Son John
20. James Son of Capt Jacob Newhall
22. Mathew Lindseys Child Still Born
24. Jonathan Newhalls Child
27. Ebenr. Ramsdil
28. Widdow Hannah Gray Eph Stockers Daughter Sarah
Novr. 2. Saml. Newhall
REMARKS
1756
May IO. I Remov'd Sage, Balm, &c.
22. Died Benjamin Alley
23. Arrived Skipper Gray wth his first fair
June 18. I Gathered Pease
July IO. John Lynds of Lyster fell of his Horse and Dyedin Malden in about 5 or 6 Hours
July 7. Septr. 19. Billah ye Negro Servant of Deacn. John Lewis was Buried 20. I went to work at Mr. Benjn. Grays
21. Ailie ye Daughter of Jeremiah Gray went to Nantucket with Mr. Huzza
19
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt.
1756
Septr. 21. Elias Harts Son Born Died Mary Wife to Captn. John Jenks
25. Nathl. Fullers Son Born
26. Arrived ye Schooner of wh. Robert Gray was Skipper, with ye News yt Skipper Gray was Drowned on ye 13th Instant
Octr. 8. Ye first Great Rain after a Long Drouth
14. Hannah Hawks Buried Quaker
16. Hannaniah Hutcherson's Child Buried
18. Nathl. Lewis Cut his foot at Jno. Newhalls
27. Six Persons Lay Dead 4 in ye Old Parish 2 in ye West Do 28. Was Buried widdow Allen Quaker
PUBLISHMENTS IN LYNN
1756
July 4. James Newhall & Lois Burrill
Sept. 12. Richd. Johnson & Lydia Batchelor
26. Gidney Witt to Hannah Hawks
Octr. 3. Benjn. Adams to Rebecca Nichols
IO. The Reverend Mr. Benjamin Adams and Mrs. Rebecca Nichols
17. Saml. Phillips to Sarah Ireson John Webber to Sarah Blyth
Novr.
Edmund Lewis to Hannah Fuller
Decr. 4. William Farrington to Sarah Stocker
26. Saml. Tarbox & Mary Alley
20
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt.
1757
Jan. 16. Joseph Newhall to & Mathew Newhall to Wright
Feb. 6. Benjn. Potter to Hannah Brown
20. John Hart to Lydia Curtis Saml. Sweetser off Stonham to Lydia Hawks
Mar. 20. George Oasland to Rebecca Baker
27. William Clark to Rebecca Burchstead
May I. Saml. Stocker to Priscilla Rhoads
OF MARRIAGES
1756
Sept. 16. James Newhall & Lois Burrill (1)
Octr. 21. Richd. Johnson & Lydia Batchelor
Novr. 18. Saml. Phillips & Sarah Ireson
25. Edmund Lewis & Hannah Fuller
1757
Feb. Begining, Wm. Farrington to Sarah Stocker Apr. Begining Benjamin Potter to Hanh. Brown Wm. Clark to Rebecca Burchstead May 25. Saml. Stocker to Priscilla Rhoads
(1) James Robinson Newhall, one of the Historians of Lynn, was the grandson of this couple. They lived in the house on the north side of Boston Street, at what Is now called Hudson Square. The house still stands, but has recently been removed to the rear, in a less conspicuous position.
Mr Newhall was known as " Squire Jim," from the fact of his having been com- milioned as one of the first Justices of the Peace in the County by John Hancock, first Governor of the Commonwealth.
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt. 2I
I757
Aug. 29. Ezra Breed to Hulda Breed Daniel Farrington to Abigail Breed
30. Tos. Williams to Anna Alley
Sept. 22. Nathaniel Lewis to Abigail Blany
Novr. 10. Jno. Richards to Eliz Alley
Decr. I. Benjn. Hudson to Anna Sweet
1758
July I6. Saml. Alley to Deborah Breed
Oct. 2. A. Wm. Hascel to Deliverance Breed
Novr. 16. Jno. Quiner to Priscilla Williams
27. Eleazer Collings Ingals to Elizh. Lewis
TEXTS OF SCRIPTURE PREACHED FROM
1756
Septr. 26. Eph. 6 - 28
Octr. 3. Do. IO. Do. 17. Prov. 13- 21
Novr. 21. Luke 13-8-9 25. I Sam. 7 - 9 to 13 28. Zeph'ah 3-6-7
Decr. 5. Luke 16- 19 to 29 I2. Do. 19. Heb. 10-31 26. Job 19 : 25, 6, & 7 16. Heb.
-
22
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt.
1757
Feb. 6. 20. Math. II - 21-22
I Corinth 15-57
Apr. 21. Exodus 17-7. Fast Day
24. 2 Corinth 5- 7
May 22. Psalm 77-9
29 40-1-2 Heb. II - 27
June 19. Psalm 25-5
26. John 5-40
OF REMARKS
1756
Novr. 3. A Considerable Snow Storm
4. Richd. Johnsons Daughter Born
14.
25.
Benjn. Downin's Wife Buried about ye 17 of Novr. Died Capt. Robert Parsimore of Marbld. Thanksgiving Day, a Storm of Rain Hlail & Snow
27. Soldiers returnd. from Lake George
Decr. 17. Wm. Richards Child Born. Snow Storm
18. A ship from London toed in to Boston from pig Rocks
20. A Snow Storm
23
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt.
1757 Jany. 30. Benjn. Blanys Son Born Ruth Chadwells Child Born Daughter
Apr. 8 & 9. Set out Hysop Sage, Garlick &c. Sow'd Turnips, Parsley, Set out Peech and Plumb Trees
I3. Sowed Pease
16. Sow'd Early Cabbedg Seed Joseph Williams Left Mr. Grays
26. Planted Potatoes
Saml. Derby's Two Sons born
29. Ditch't & mended ye Ditch Below ye Road
30. Sow'd barley & Parsnips
BURIALS IN YE OLD PARISH
1756
Novr. 12. Lieut Moses Newhalls Child and Esther Fullers Child
14. Jno. Mowers Jun. Son
15. Widdow Abigail Ramsdil
22. Widdow Abigail Mirake
24. Crispass Graves Junr.
29. Widdo Anna Grays Child
30. Thomas Bakers Child
Nathaniel Ramsdils Child
Burials 39 1756
24
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt.
1757
Feb. 7. Ephraim Stockers Daughter Lydia
27. Benjn. Blaneys Son
Apr. 28. Saml. Derby's Two Son's
24. Benj. Coats's Child
June 14. Trigoth Talburt's Son Enoch
Aug. 8. Henry Batchelor's Daughter Mary
2.4. Alen Breed
Sept. IO. Jonathan Blany
Octr. 2. Joseph Lindsey
Decr. 20. Elisabeth Ballord
28. Wm. Farringtons Child
29. Benj Tarbox's Child
Burials 13 1757
OF REMARKS
1757
May 9. The Pigeons Came in abundance (1)
IO. I Planted Potatoes & Beans
12. I Planted Squashes, Cucumbers, Carrots and Parsnips
14. Mended ye Ditch below ye Road Ye Widdow Mary Norwood was Buried
30. Training at Mrs. Norwoods to View Arms
June 6. I Mow'd English Grass below ye Road
IO. Set Early Cabedges below ye Road
(1) The wood-pigeon, a valuable food wild bird, which till within a generation was common. The carly settlers said that they passed in flocks so dense that they obscured the light of the sun. They are now rare, if not extinct, in this locality.
25
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt.
I757
June II. Set Do. in my Garden
20. Edmund Lewis's Son born
23. The first considerable Rain after a Sharpe drougth
July 8. Was a Considerable Shock of the Earth
18. I Mow'd 2d Crop Below ye Road
19. Reapt my Rye
28. Soed Rye
PUBLISHMENTS IN LYNN
1757
May 8. Col. James Frye to Mrs. Sarah Roby.
29. Nathl. Lewis to Abigail Blany Thomas Mansfield and Mary Hawks
MANSFIELD, THOMAS102 (Thomas+8, Daniel23, Daniel13, Andrew3, Robert1).
(See John T. Moulton's MS. Geneal. Mansfield family, upon this and two other Mansfield notes.)
. July 3. Josiah Rhoads & Mary Burril 3I. Daniel Farrington & Abigail Breed Ezra Breed & Hulda Breed
Aug. 7. Tos. Williams & Anna Alley
28. Jonath Howard & Tapley Sept. 25. John Richards & Elizabeth Alley
Novr. 6. Joseph Breed & Ruth Breed
Benjn. Hudson & Anna Sweet
26
Commonplace-Book of Richard Pratt.
1758
Jan.
I. Jno. Quinar & Priscilla Williams Henry Batchelor & Jerusia Breed
15. John Ramsdil to Martha Downin
22. John Aborne to Rebecca Bancroft James Green to Lydia Ramsdil
May 7. Samuel Tarbox to Mary Wheeler of Malden
July
2. Samuel Alley to Deborah Breed
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