USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Billerica > Historical memoir of Billerica, in Massachusetts. Containing notices of the principal events in the civil and ecclesiastical affairs of the town, from its first settlement to 1816 > Part 1
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Middlesex Co.
Gc 974.402 B49f
Gc 974.402 B49f 1149142
MIL.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
(Middle se
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01095 3989
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historicalmemoir00farm_0
. . AN
HISTORICAL
MEMOIR
OF
BILLERICA,
IN
MASSACHUSETTS.
CONTAINING
NOTICES OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS
IN THE
CIVIL AND ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS
OF THE TOWN,
FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT TO 1816.
BY JOHN FARMER,
Published by Request.
AMHERST, N. H. PRINTED BY R. BOYLSTON. 1810
٠٦٥
HISTORICAL MEMOIR:
BILLERICA, in the County of Middlesex, was known to the first European inhabitants by the name of Shawshin, which it probably received from its proximity to the river of this name. To the aboriginal inhabitants, it appears to have been known by the name of Shawshinock,* or Souhegenock, a name applied to the river Shawshin in an ancient plan. Its present name is derived from Billericay, in the county of Essex, in England, from whence it is sup- posed that several of the first inhabitants emigrated. By them it was written Billericay in the earliest records of the town. It is known that some of the first settlers were from Raleigh, a town contiguous to Billericay, in England, and this, with other circumstances, affords a presumption that several were actually from the latter place.t
A concise view of the legal origin of the town may be gratifying to the curious enquirer. The means of informa- tion on this subject must be derived from copies of original grants, which fortunately have been preserved. Nothing
* I'find in the records, " Shawshinock, or Billerica," and in an old plan' " Souhegenock river," which it is thought can be no other than Shawshin river.
+ BILLERICA was about the twelfth original town settled in the county of Middlesex. It is ranked among the "noted towns" of New-England, in Herman Molis' Folio Geography, printed in 1701. It is 18 miles north of Bofton, and is watered by Concord and Shawshin rivers, which run northeast- wardly into Merrimac river. The number of inhabitants at the commence- ment of the century might have been 870. The limits were then much more extensive than they are at present. It is now surrounded by Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Wilmington, Burlington, Bedford, Carlisle, all of which adjoin it. Anciently, it was bounded by Chelmsford, Andover, Woburn, Cambridge and Concord. From an ancient plan in my possession, apparently taken in confor- mity to the original grant to Cambridge, the length from Andover line to Concord was about I1 miles ; the greatest breadth from Shawshin to the mouth of Concord river, 62 miles, and the leaft breadth from Shawshin to Concord river 35 miles. The town, lying on both sides of Concord river, is at this time feven miles in length, and of various breadth, and contains about 17,000 acres.
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satisfactory occurs in history. In 1642, a grant of all the land* between Concord and Shawshin rivers, and extending to Merrimac river, was made by the General Court to the town of Cambridge, upon the condition "that they should erect a village there within five years, which should not ex- tend so as to prejudice the villages of Charlestown and Co- chittuate." From the nature of this grant, it appears proba- ble that this was the first within these limits, that was made by the General Court with a view of forming a township. The next year, a second grant was made, without the express condition of effecting a settlement as stipulated by the for- mer. Several years passed away, before the inhabitants of Cambridge availed themselves of the privileges conferred by these grants ._ The last undoubtedly retarded the settlement, as the town of Cambridge was exempted from the condition of forming a settlement within a limited time.
From the best evidence which can be obtained, it is infer- red that the first settlement was made about the year 1653. It was commenced by a number of respectable families ; some from Cambridge, but the greater part were originally from England. The following information respecting some of the most prominent characters among the early inhabitants is collected from authentic sources. Fohn Parker, supposed to have been born in England, was approved as clerk of the. writs, in this town, in December, 1657. He was one of the first selectmen, and continued in that office seven years. He died, 14 June, 1667. John Kittredge was an inhabitant as early as about 1659. From him, it is said, have descend- ed all of the name in New-England. Tradition informs us, " that he had knowledge of the healing art." This knowl- edge seems to have descended to his posterity in the eldest branch of his family. He died, 18 October, 1676, leaving" five sons. John Kittredge, his oldest son, was a physician in this town, and died, 27 April, 1714, at the age of 49. John Rogers was among the early inhabitants. He died, 25 January, 1686, leaving four sons. John Rogers, his oldest son, from whom are descended all of the name now in town, was killed by the Indians, in 1695. William French, born in England, in 1604, it seems was an inhabitant of Cam- bridge, but afterwards came to this town. He was a mili- tary officer, and frequently solemnized marriages. He died, 20 November, 1681, in his 78th year. John French, his son, was an inhabitant in 1659, and died in October, 1712,
* With the reservation of individual grants. See Appendix, article I.
aged about 78. George Farley, a resident at Woburn a few years after his emigration to this country, was one of the se- lectmen seven years. He died, 27 December, 1693. Ralph Hill, who died, 29 November, 1663, was an early inhabi- tant, and one of the selectmen two years. Three of his sons, Ralph, Jonathan and Nathaniel settled in this town at an early period. Ralph Hill, his eldest son, was one of the selectmen eleven years, and a deputy to the General Court in 1693 and 1694. He died, 2 May, 1695. Samuel Manning was selectman nine, and town clerk six years. In the years 1695 and 1696, he was elected a deputy to the General Court. He died, 22 February, 1711. Simon Crosby was one of the first innholders in town. 'The time when he first became an inhabitant does not appear. He was admitted a member of the church, 24 November, 1667, and consequently must have been an inhabitant about that time. In several town offices, he appears to have acquitted himself to general sat- isfaction. He died after the year 1714. Jonathan Dan- forth, brother to the honorable Thomas Danforth,* was a native of Framingham in England. He was distinguished among the first settlers of this town, and had a principal share in all its public transactions. He died, 7 September, 1712, aged 85. Jonathan Danforth, his son, died, 17 January, 1711, aged 53. Reverend Samuel Whiting was an inhabitant as early as 1658. He was son of reverend Samuel Whiting of Lynn, who married a daughter of the right honorable Oliver St. Johnt of England. It is presumed that she was his mother.# The time of his birth has not been ascertained. The records of Lynn have been examined for that purpose, but give no information. Considering the time he graduat- ed, it appears probable that he was born in England. Of the last two, a more particular account will be given under the ' respective years of their death. Thomas Richardson was from Woburn. He was accepted as an inhabitant, 26
* Judge Sullivan, in his history of Maine, page 385, says that Thomas Danforth of Cambridge "had two brothers, the one a clergyman of Rox- bury," and " the other brother was a minister in Billerica." The worthy author perhaps mistakes with respect to the last. I find no evidence of his being a minister, though it is apparent from his writings that he was a schol- ar, and might have had an acquaintance with the languages.
+ The family of St. John was very ancient, and derived their surname from a place called St. John, in Normandy, a late province of France.
# Elisabeth Whiting, wife of reverend Samuel Whiting, of Lynn, died March 3, 1677.
Reverend Samuel Whiting died, December 11, 1679 .- Lynn records. Bis life may be found in Mathers' Magnalia.
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August, 1667. He was a deputy to the General Court in 1703 and 1704. He died, 25 February, 1721. Edward Farmer was son of John Farmer of Anceley, in the county of Warwickshire, in England, from whence he emigrated to this country .* He had a considerable share in the public affairs of the town. He died, 27 March, 1727, aged about 87. Joseph Tompson was a selectman and town-clerk many years, a deacon of the church, an instructor of youth, a cap- tain of the militia company, and a deputy to the General Court in 1699, 1700 and 1701. He died, 13 October, 1732, aged 93, having survived all the original settlers of the town.
The progress of the settlement was not rapid. Being con- nected to Cambridge, and their local situation unfavorable to frequent intercourse with that place, the inhabitants of Bil- lerica, then Shawshin, early applied for separate privileges. So early as 1654, the inhabitants of Shawshin requested free- dom and iminunities from all public rates and charges at Cambridge. This request, resulting from the inconvenience of their situation and their local disadvantages with respect to Cambridge, appears to have received immediate attention. It was taken into consideration by the inhabitants of Cam- bridge, at a public meeting, 29 January, 1654. Four com- missioners, Henry Dunster, Richard Champney, Edward Goffe and John Bridge, were appointed to make such propo- sitions to the inhabitants of Shawshin, as they should con- ceive to be most " meet and equal." The following is the substance of the several propositions, submitted by the com- missioners to the people of Shawshin, which were readily accepted. 1. That all the lands, belonging to the place called Shawshin, shall be an entire township, or plantation, freed and acquitted from all manner of common charges, due or of right belonging to Cambridge, by virtue of any grant of that place to them by the General Court. 2. That the inhabit- ants of Cambridge, or their heirs and assigns, who may im- prove any lands they may possess in Shawshin, shall pay to the common charges in due proportion with the rest of the inhabitants. 3. That the inhabitants of Shawshin shall here- after acquit and discharge the town of Cambridge from all common charges, rates, duties, &c. 4. That whenever any of the inhabitants of Cambridge, shall alienate any of their interest in lands at Shawshin, the lands so alienated, shall be liable to taxation, in the same manner as if they had been
* Some letters of the reverend Thomas Muston of Wykin, his maternal uncle, to his friends in this country, have afforded me several interesting particolars.
granted by Shawshin. 5. No person, having land granted him, shall make any sale or gift, unless he shall make im- provemert by building and fencing. If any such improve- ments shall have been made and the person remove from his brethren, he shall not make sale, or gift, or any alienation thereof to any person, without the concurrence of the inhab- itants of Shawshin .* Immediately after the acceptance of these proposals, the inhabitants of Shawshin requested the General Court " to confirm and record the same."} Their request was granted, and on the 29th May, 1655, the town appears to have been incorporated.#
In 1656, the inhabitants of Shawshin, in answer to their petition, obtained from the General Court a grant of land, lying upon Concord river, near the farms of John and Rob- ert Blood.§ To this tract of land the court granted the name of Billerica. Whether the tract embraced by Shawshin grant, had previously received this name or not, is a subject of conjecture. It is certain however that this name is used in the records as early as 1654. In the same year that this grant was made, the Court granted the inhabitants of Biller- ica, 8000 acres of land, lying at Natticott, which was located, 24 April, 1657. About 6300 acres were situated on the east of Merrimac river and 1750 on the west side. The condi- tions of this grant were, " that the inhabitants of Cambridge should accept thereof, and disengage the lands desired at Bil- lerica ; and that the town of Billerica be settled with twen- ty families at least within three years, that the ordinances of God may be settled and encouraged in the said place of Billerica."li
The town was divided into lots by Jonathan Danforth, who was one of the committee for locating the house lots. These lots were most generally denominated ten, and five acre lots. A ten acre lot, or single share, contained 113 acres of upland and 12 acres of meadow. A five acre lot, or half of a single share, contained half the quantity of upland and six
The names of the persons who accepted these propositions, and who were perhaps all the inhabitants of the place at that time, were, Ralph Hill, Ralph Hill, Jr. William French, John Stearns, William Patten, George Farley, John Croe, James Parker, John Parker, Robert Parker, Jonathan Danforth and William Chamberlain.
+ The General Court confirmed their request May 23, 1655.
1 Massachusetts Register.
0 Sec Appendix, Art. III.
·Several subsequent grants were made to Billerica, which may be seen in the office of the Secretary of State. May 22, 1661, a grant of 4000 acres; May 27. 1663, 800 acres ; Oct. 9, 1667, 500 acres. Mafs. Records, pages 377> 421, 594
acres of meadow. There were intermediate lots granted, having regard to the same proportion of upland and meadow.
The inhabitants had previously adopted sach regulations, as they conceived were calculated to ensure their domestic tranquillity. One respecting the admission of future inhab- itants appears to have been rigidly adhered to. It was agreed that " all persons unknown to them, desirous of becoming inhabitants, should bring a certificate from the place whence they came, exhibiting such testimony as should be satisfac- tory to the town-that upon their admission as inhabitants, they should subscribe their names to all orders of the town, and bear their proportion of all public charges in church, town and commonweal." Among the other regulations which were subsequently adopted, were the following : Any person, not qualified by law, who should presume to give his voice or vote in any elections of the town, or interfere in any town affairs, was subject to a fine of five shillings to be levied by the constable. Any inhabitant or proprietor, who should bring in, or entertain in town any person as a ser- vant, should give bond to the constable to secure the town from all damage they might sustain by such servant. In case of refusal to give bond, a forfeiture of twenty shillings per week was incurred. No proprietor, possessing less than a ten acre privilege, should alienate any part of his right to any person without consent of the town. But a person hav- ing more than this proportion, might sell or dispose of a five acre privilege. Proprietors of not more than ten acre privi- leges could not, without permission of the town, dispose of their privilege to any person, not even to their children, with- out the town had refused to make them a grant.
In 1658, nineteen persons agreed with the reverend Samu- el Whiting, in reference to his settlement with them in the gospel ministry. They stipulated to give him and his heirs, a ten acre privilege, and a house comfortably finished with the accommodations belonging to it, if he should . continue with them during his life. They agreed to give him a salary of £.40 for the first two years, {.50 for the third, £ 60 for the fourth, and afterwards engaged to " better his maintenance as the Lord should better their estates." His stated salary af- ter the fourth year, was {.70. The inhabitants appear to have enjoyed the stated ministrations of the gospel, before they had erected a house of worship. Finding their numbers an- nually increasing, the town voted to build a meeting-house, 30 feet in length and 24 feet in width. This house, erected by John Parker, was completed about 1660. For several
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years, it was covered with thatch instead of shingles. It had no galleries till about 1679, when it was enlarged and repaired.
In 1660, the first selectmen were chosen, who were to con- duct the prudential affairs of the town. The number was five, the same as at the present time.
"The town being infested with wolves, the inhabitants or- dered that a bounty of 20 shillings should be paid to any per- son, either English or Indian, who should kill a wolf within the limits of the town and present the head thereof to the constable. In this manner these ferocious animals were prob- ably extirpated. The Indians as well as English received the bounty.
The south burial place was located in 1663. It originally contained half an acre, and was the gift of Ralph Hill, senior.
From good evidence, it appears that the church in this town was gathered in 1663, and reverend Samuel Whiting was ordained on the 11th of November in the same year. The precise day when the church was organized, cannot be positively ascertained from any records, which are known to exist. It is suspected however, and not without some de- gree of probability, that it might have been, 27 April, 1663 .* At this time, there appears from the town records to have been a council of elders and messengers from other churches, though we are not informed for what express purpose they were convened. It is worthy of remark that this church has never been vacant but once, during a period of more than one one hundred and fifty years. "From the earliest date of their connexion with a gospel minister to 1760, a friendly harmony has uniformly, or with very transient interruptions, subsisted between the church and people of God in this place, and those, who have successively ministered to them in holy things."}
In 1669, there were twelve baptisms in town, and eight persons admitted to full communion. In August, the same year, there was a contribution of six pounds for the relief of .
* The evidence that the church was gathered in 1663, rests on a charge in the town records, vol. I, page 50. The charge respecting the Elders and Mes- sengers from other churches, is made as follows: "27, 2, 1663, Charges, when ye councill of Elders and Messingers from other churches-[then follow a few characters, which are unintelligible] {1, 13, 6."
+ Dr. Cumings.
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the fleet, which had gone on an expedition to recover the island of St. Christopher from the French .*
A regard for purity of morals and an attention to religious duties, appear to have been characteristics of our ancestors. Within a few years after the town was settled, three persons were chosen "to examine the several families, and see whether their children and servants were taught in the prin- ciples of religion." In 1675, we find the selectmen of this town passing an order that all children and youth from eight years old and upwards, should be sent by their parents and masters to the reverend Mr. Whiting, to receive catechetical instruction at such times as should be appointed.
On the 2 August, 1675, Timothy Farley of this town, was killed at Quaboag, now Brookfield, in an engagement with the Indians.t Such was the gloomy aspect at this time, and the alarm and terror spread through the country by the rava- ges of the Indians, that the inhabitants of this town held a meeting on the 13 August, for the purpose of adopting measures for mutual defence and security. The following entry of their proceedings, is made in the records, which gives an idea of the danger, they apprehended from their subtle and powerful enemy. "The town, considering the Providence of God at the present, calling us to lay aside our ordinary occupations in providing for our creatures, and to take special care of our own lives, and the lives of our wives and children ; the enemy being near and the warning of God's Providence upon our neighbors being very solemn, do therefore, order and agree to prepare a place of safety for women and children ; and that persons and teams shall attend the said work until it be finished. An account of the whole charge being kept, shall be equally divided upon the inhabit- ants with other town charges." Soon after this meeting, the town received an order from the honorable council, to gather the several inhabitants into garrisons according to their best capacity. In obedience to this order, a meeting of the se- lectmen and committee of the militia, was holden for that pur- pose, 8 October, when several garrisons were formed, and suitabl- arrangements were made. On the 14th, the select- men and committee were met by Major Simon Willard, who approved their measures, and assisted them in instituting a
* These articles are derived from a MS. of Capt. Jonathan Danforth, re- ceived from Mrs. Hannah Rogers.
See Whitney's hiftory of the county of Worcester, article Brookfield.
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number of other garrisons in addition to those formed on the 8th. *
The excitement produced in the public mind at this period, by the predatory incursions of the Indians, caused many per- sons to leave their habitations, and seek refuge in the most compact part of the several towns. The settlements in the northerly part of this town on Concord river, were, from their situation, peculiarly exposed, and were deserted by the in- habitants, who were ordered to be entertained " in the body of the town." It is not known that this town received any essential injury during King Philips' war.
The number of families in town about this time, appears to have been forty-eight, and the number of dwelling-houses forty-seven. In 1679, there were sixty rateable estates, in- cluding non-residents. In a return, made in 1680, to a warrant from the deputy Governor, the town stated the number of families able to bear public charges to be fifty ; and of aged persons and poor, including widows, to be ten. A writing and reading school was at this time taught by Joseph Tompson. No grammar school was in town.
In 1684, Jonathan Danforth was chosen deputy to a " special General Court." This is the first notice we find on
* The following were the garrisons appointed at these meetings, with the in- habitants belonging to each.
I. Ralph Hills'-Nathaniel and Jonathan Hill, Thomas Dutton, jun. William French, William and Isaac Chamberlain. (5 houses.)
2. Thomas Fosters'- Joseph Foster, James Frost, Joseph French, Joseph Walk- er, Daniel Rogers, John Kittredge and Thomas Richardson. (6 houses.)
3. Simon Crosby's-Richard Daniel, William Hamlet, Jacob Hamlet, Jonathan Hides, Joseph Tompson and Peter Bracket. (7 families. ).
4. Rev. Samuel Whiting's-Thomas Dutton, sen. John Dutton, Daniel Shed, John Shed, John Durant, John Rogers, John Rogers, jr. Thomas and Nathan- iel Rogers. (6 fa.nilies.) This was " the main garrison and the last refuge in case of extremity."
5. Thomas Patten's-Golden More, Samuel Froft, John Kidder, Roger Tooth- aker and John frull, (5 families.)
6. James Patterson's-John Baldwin, Edward Farmer, Thomas Farmer, Hen- ry Jefts and John Jefts, (4 families.)
7. Jacob French's-John French, John Marshall, Thomas Ross, and William Chamberlain, jr (4 houses.)
8. Fames Kidder's-Daniel Shed, jr. Samuel Trull, John Bracket, and James Kidder, Jr. (4 families.)
9. Jonathan Danforth's-Samuel Manning, John Dunkin, and Jonathan Dan- forth, Jr.
10. Timothy Brooks'-Michael Bacon.
II. George Farley's house " to entertain as it may be capable."
12. Job Lane, from bis remote situation was allowed to fortify his own house, and " to have two soldiers if the country could spare them." The Masters of the several Garrisons were sergeant Ralph Hill, serg. Thomas Fos- ser, sorg. Joseph Tompson, Rev. Samuel Whiting, Thomas Patten, James Patterson, john Marshall, serg. James Kidder and Jonathan Danforth.
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the records of a deputy being chosen from this town. The inhabitants, it is probable, had been represented by non-resi : dent deputies, which was frequently practised under the old charter of the province. This practice was abolished in 1694, when an act passed the General Assembly, " restrain- ing towns from choosing any person to represent them in the General Court, other than freeholders and residents within such towns." It appears that previous to 1669, this town had been rspresented by Mr. Davie of Boston.
In this year, 1684, an Indian title of the township appears to have been obtained at four Indian meetings, though I have not been so fortunate as to find the existence of any instru- ment purporting to be an Indian deed. The consideration made to the Indians for their title cannot be ascertained, but the charges arising from making the purchase were fifteen shillings.
Though the inhabitants of this town lived in the vicinity of a considerable number of Indians, particularly their plantation at . Wamesit, and were for a long time exposed to their attacks, there appears no evidence of their being molested by them till the year 1692. On the first day of August, this year, they killed Ann Shed, wife of Zachary Shed, with two of her children, Hannah, aged 15, and Agnes, aged 2 years ; Joanna Dutton, aged 36, wife of Benjamin Dutton, and two of her children by a former husband, Mary Dunkin, aged 16, and Benoni Dunkin, aged 24 years. Tra- dition has preserved few, or no particulars of the manner in which these families were assaulted.
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