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HISTORY OF THE EARLY
SETTLEMENT OF
BRIDGEWATER IN
PLYMOUTH ...
Nahum Mitchell
Library of
Dei
Viget
Sub numine
Princeton University.
William Watson Smith CLASS OF 1892 Memorial Fund
A/35.
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MITCHELL'S
HISTORY OF BRIDGEWATER,
MASSACHUSETTS.
RE-PRINTED IN FAC-SIMILE.
WITH AN INTRODUCTORY NOTE BY
EDWARD C. MITCHELL, D. D., President of Leland University, New Orleans, La.
PUBLISHED BY EDWARD ALDEN.
BRIDGEWATER, MASSACHUSETTS: HENRY T. PRATT, PRINTER. 1897.
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INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
It is now fifty-seven years since this History of Bridgewater was published. The original edition was not a large one, and was soon exhausted. It brought no possible pecuniary profit to its author, being sold (when not given away) at less than cost. He was quite content to be rewarded by the conscious- ness of having rendered a real service to his fellow-townsmen, at whose urgent request it was printed. The present re-print has been made through the enterprise of Mr. Edward Alden of Swampscott, a native of East Bridgewater, of the family of Thomas Russell Alden, son of "Isaac 25," (see page 88), and he has requested me as the eldest living descendant of the author, to furnish an introductory notice. The object of the present undertaking is to gratify a widely expressed wish on the part of those who have found it impossible to obtain copies of the original work. With this simple end in view, no correc- tion, alteration or addition has been attempted. To re-edit the work, or to bring down the genealogical history to the present date, would be a task of such magnitude as no one is yet prepared to attempt.
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The value of such a labor however cannot be overestimated. It is to be hoped that, at some time, a successor to the venera- ble author may arise, who combines the intellectual fitness and the literary leisure with the pecuniary means to build upon the foundation thus laid for the benefit of future generations.
In the meantime it would seem fitting to present, with this issue, some notice of the man to whom we are indebted for the original conception and early publication of the work.
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INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
It will be seen, by reference to the "Family Register" on page 257, that Nahum Mitchell was a descendant in the fourth degree, from Experience Mitchell, one of the Pilgrims and one of the original proprietors of Bridgewater. His grandfather was Colonel Edward Mitchell, commander of the third regiment of Plymouth County soldiers in the Revolutionary war (1776- 1779). Colonel Edward's mother was Alice Bradford, great- grand-daughter of Governor William Bradford of the Plymouth Colony.
Mr. Mitchell was fitted for college by Mr. Beza Hayward of Bridgewater, and graduated at Harvard College in 1789, being a classmate of John T. Kirkland, afterwards President of the college, and a college mate of John Quincy Adams. He read law with the Hon. John Davis, Judge of the District Court of Massachusetts, and commenced practice in East Bridgewater in 1792. From 1811 to 1821 inclusive he was Justice of the Cir- cuit Court of common pleas, being Chief Justice during the last two years. He was representative to the General Court from Bridgewater seven years, and representative in Congress from the Plymouth district for two years (1803-05); Senator from Plymouth county two years, 1813-1814 ; Member of the Goven- or's Council from 1814-20 inclusive; Treasurer of the Com- monwealth five years (1822-27); Representative from Boston to the General Court in 1839 and 1840. He was for some years librarian and treasurer of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and for several years President of the Plymouth County Bible Society.
That one so modest in self estimation and so quiet in habit, should have been called to so many public offices, illustrates the spirit of the times in which he lived. Then, in the "Old Colony," public service was regarded, not merely as a "public trust" but as a public benefaction and the persons fitted for it were sought for. They were not "office seekers."
Judge Mitchell lived to the age of eighty-four years, retaining to the last a high degree of mental and physical vigor. On the last day of his life, the first of August 1853, he went to Plym- outh to attend, by invitation, a celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the Embarkation of the Pilgrims. While walk- ing from the depot in Plymouth to the house of his grandson,
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INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
Mr. William Davis, he was stricken with paralysis, and died almost immediately.
At the Bi-Centennial Celebration of the incorporation of Bridgewater, which occurred three years after his death, the Hon. Aaron Hobart of East Bridgewater, delivered an address in his memory, the concluding words of which are as follows : "It has been said to be as difficult to compare great men as great rivers. Some we admire for one thing and some for another and we cannot bring them together to measure their difference. But, taking into account, as well as we may, all the various talents and acquirements that combine to make up the whole man, I think it may justly be said, without being invidious, that the old town of Bridgewater, though numbering among her sons many eminent men has never produced his superior. He has now passed away, full of years and full of honors ; but his genial face, his tall, erect, dignified person and elastic step will not soon fade from the memory of those who knew him. Nor will the remembrance of his life be limited to the days of his contemporaries. Another generation will keep his memory green."
The engraving which faces the title page of this volume was made from a portrait by Bass Otis, of Boston, a native of East Bridgewater. It well represents his appearance as remembered by the writer, who was twenty-four years of age at the time of his death. The plate, which was engraved by F. T. Stuart, formerly of East Bridgewater, has been in possession of the family about forty years, and has been furnished to Mr. Alden for this re-print.
A few years since there was found, among the papers of Judge Mitchell, the original deed of Massasoit (or Ousamequin as he then signed himself) by which he conveyed the territory of the town of Bridgewater to Miles Standish, Samuel Nash and Constant Southworth, the committee appointed by the orig- inal purchasers. A photographic fac-simile of this valuable document is in possession of Hon. Benjamin W. Harris, who has now deposited the original in the archives of the "Old Bridgewater Historical Society." A view of Sachem's Rock, where this deed was signed and delivered will be found on page 12 of this volume.
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INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
The public generally, and especially those related to the old town of Bridgewater are under real obligations to Mr. Edward Alden for having taken the pains and assumed the risk of pub- lishing this re-print, as well as for the insertion of the illustra- tions above referred to. There can be no doubt that his thoughtful endeavor thus to meet the wishes of his former townsmen and to extend the usefulness of the book will be gratefully appreciated.
It has been customary in this country to depreciate pride of ancestry. Our fathers have rightly taught us to estimate a man by what he is and not by what his grandfather was, but, after all there are lessons to be learned, from the lives of men who have preceeded us, which convey wisdom as well as inspiration. It would be difficult to find, among the pedigrees of European no- bility and royalty, a line reaching through seven or eight gener- ations, so unsullied in its record of moral purity and manly in- tegrity,-the only true patents of nobility-as is that which con- nects us with our Pilgrim Ancestors. Let us cherish their memory and emulate their virtues.
EDWARD CUSHING MITCHELL,
LELAND UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 6th, 1897.
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Nahummitchece
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HISTORY
OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF
BRIDGEWATER,
IN PLYMOUTH COUNTY,
MASSACHUSETTS,
INCLUDING AN EXTENSIVE
FAMILY REGISTER.
BY NAHUM MITCHELL.
BOSTON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR. BY KIDDER & WRIGHT, 32 CONGRESS STREET. 1840. REPRINTED BY HENRY T. PRATT, BRIDGEWATER, MASS. 1897.
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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1840, BY NAHUM MITCHELL,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.
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PREFACE.
MORE than twenty years ago I wrote a short account of the origin and first settlement of Bridgewater, which was published in the 7th vol. 2d series of the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society. In course of the requisite enquiries and researches it came in my way to acquire some distinct knowledge of the names and families of the original proprietors and early residents. To the stock of information thus obtained I subse- quently, from time to time, as opportunity presented, made con- siderable accessions till my manuscripts became numerous and somewhat particular. This becoming generally known to my friends in the town and vicinity, applications were frequently made to me for information as to the genealogy of particular families; and at length desires were strongly expressed that what I had collected in this way should be published. These solicitations have been repeated and multiplied for several years past, and have sometimes been met on my part with partial promises of compliance. Many causes have concurred to delay a final determination, and it is not without much hesitation, and some reluctance, that I have come at last to the conclusion to publish.
While many seem to care but little, and think less, about their own descent, or from whom they are sprung : there is, neverthe- less, in most of us a strong desire to know something of those who have preceded us on the same stage, and of the manner in which they have performed their respective parts. There is also an increasing attention to the biography of our fathers and the first planters of New England. Each one finds a pleasure in knowing something of his own particular ancestor, who first left
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PREFACE.
the old world and set his foot on the new ; and in being able to trace accurately his own descent from him. But the elements of such knowledge are fast fading away, and the difficulties of acquiring it, already great, are constantly increasing.
The principal purpose of the present publication is to afford the inhabitants of Bridgewater, and those who were born or early resided there, wherever they may now live, some knowledge of those from whom they are descended. and if possible to enable them to see every link of the chain connecting them with their first American ancestor. There are but few instances where it has been practicable to go beyond our own shores in search of European ancestry: and in many cases it has been difficult, and often impossible, to ascertain the first ancestor even in our own country. This has been the case especially where new families in later times came into the town from other distant places. And where any individual, with or without his family, has removed from the town, it has not generally been attempted to trace the descent any further. It would be not only difficult, but liable to much error. It must be observed, also, that as most of this work was prepared many years ago, the descent is not generally brought down much within the present century, and that therefore the younger families born since, and most of the numerous families, who have come into town within the last twenty or thirty years, will appear at all in the account here presented. It would have swelled the book, already large, to an unwieldy size. Having brought it down within the knowl- edge and memories of the present generation, they can continue it, each one for himself, if disposed. In giving dates, months and days are generally omitted, but can be supplied when neces- sary by a recurrence to the records. The insertion of them would have occupied much room without any adequate advantage.
Great as has been the labor of research and the care in com- piling this publication, there will still appear in it great deficien- cies. No notice will be found of many individual members, and even whole branches of many of the families. Some parents neglected altogether to have their children recorded. Others had it done partially, their younger children not being found on the record. These defects were to be supplied only, if at all, by resorting to other sources, many of which were not always to be relied on, and family traditions and recollections least of any.
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PREFACE.
All, who have been most conversant with investigations of this kind, have had frequent opportunity to test the truth of this last remark. These defects are much to be regretted, as they often occasion an apparent breach in the line of descent.
The first part of this work contains a short history of the original purchases, locations, and early settlement of the town, embracing much of the former account, with such additions as were thought to be generally interesting. There is great simi- larity in the general history and internal management of public affairs, in all our New England towns, the recital of which therefore, to most readers, would be but dull repetitions, and uninteresting details. Very little of this nature is here inserted ; and individual biography also, always a delicate subject, and often leading to invidious distinctions, has been for the most part avoided. Facts have been principally regarded, and the most seduously sought, both in the historical and genealogical department of the work.
The plan here adopted in presenting the genealogy of families may be objectionable ; but after a full examination of all the methods which have fallen under my notice, and after much consideration of the subject, this appeared the most simple and easy of comprehension. Every head of a family is numbered, the common ancestor being numbered one, expressed or under- stood, and after disposing of the daughters by showing who they married or otherwise, and such of the sons as had no families, or removed from town, then the first son who had a family is taken and numbered two, and then the next son, numbered three, and so on, proceeding with the family of each, as with that of the father; and this course is pursued through each generation. It will not therefore be expected always to find the son next in place immediately after the father, but he must be looked for often several numbers further on, and sometimes at a considerable distance. So in tracing back a descent the inner numbers within the parenthesis will direct where the father may be found, and being found the parenthesis there will direct where the grandfather will be found, and so on quite back to the common ancestor. A little use will render it familiar, and it is believed to be the simplest method, on the whole, which could have been adopted, especially in such numerous and ex- tended families as sometimes occur. It will often be found that
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PREFACE.
some of the children named are not afterwards noticed, which happens in cases only where no knowledge of them could be obtained. Female ancestors. if inhabitants of the town, will be ascertained generally by a recurrence to the respective families to which they belong.
Much labor and care have been bestowed to render the work correct, but after all it cannot be but many mistakes have been made. The genealogy in particular is peculiarly liable to them. In large families there are often the same christian names to be found in the different branches, and one may be often mis- taken for another, and in this way, among others, no doubt much confusion may have happened. Probable as it is, how- ever, that many errors will be detected, it is still hoped those partial friends who have been most solicitous for its publica- tion, and who anticipate both pleasure and profit from its peru- sal, may not be wholly disappointed. Having labored for their gratification, it will be gratifying in turn to find the labor has not been in vain.
In preparing the w rk the records of the town of Bridgewater. and of its several parishes and churches, have been the first and principal sources, whence the materials have been derived. The Old Colony and Plymouth county records have furnished also valuable information. Judge Davis' improved edition of Morton's New England Memorial, Farmer's Register, the Col. lections of the Mass. Hist. Society, and various local histories have also been advantageously consulted. But so many and so various have been the sources, both public and private, from which information and facts have been obtained, that it would be difficult, if recollected, to enumerate them. The loss of all the early records of Duxbury previous to 1654, which are said to have been burnt, is greatly to be regretted, as it was the parent town of Bridgewater, the first home and residence in this county of most of our fathers and original settlers in this then Plantation. It may well be supposed those records would have furnished us with much valuable information. The Colony records of births and deaths previous to 1647 are also lost, some of the first leaves by time or accident having been destroyed, which to the antiquarian is a deprivation much to be deplored.
Some remarks on the old and new style with regard to time are here subjoined as not perhaps inappropriate.
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PREFACE.
There was formerly among all nations, as well christian as pagan, a great diversity not only with regard to the commence- ment of the year, some adopting the autumnal and some the vernal equinox, some the winter and some the summer solstice, and others other periods of the year; but also as to the epoch's of the different eras, as the creation of the world, the deluge, the call of Abraham, and the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt, in sacred chronology, and the destruction of Troy, the building of Rome and other events, adopted among the ancient and eastern nations. There seemed to be no specific common standard.
When the computation of time by the Christian era com- menced, which was about the year 527, the year was made to commence on the 25th of March, supposed to be the day of the Annunciation of the Incarnation of Christ. This, known now by the name of the Old Style, continued in England and throughout all her dominions till 1752, when by an Act of Par- liament eleven days were stricken from the month of Septem- ber, calling the 3d the 14th, and one day added to February every 4th year, herein conforming to other nations, several of whom on the continent had, about 1582, adopted this computa- tion, for the purpose of correcting the error occasioned by the precession of the equinoxes ; and by the same act the ist day of January instead of the 25th of March was also established as the commencement of the year. In the interim, between the time of its adoption by other nations and 1752, when England adopted it, double dating from January ist to March 25th was frequently practised in England and her Colonies in order to correspond with the computation on the continent. Thus, for instance, February 8th, 1720-21, or 1720-1 was substituted for simply February 8, 1721, the last number being the true date, and if omitted might occasion an error of a year. This has been called the Gregorian year (Pope Gregory 13th having established it in 1582), or New Style, and is very necessary to be known and observed by all when consulting ancient dates and records. In this work ancient dates are generally made to conform to the New Style, double dating being rejected.
NAHUM MITCHELL.
BOSTON, MAY 7TH, 1840.
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CORRECTIONS.
Page 37. To the Senators there mentioned may be added the names of Hon. William Baylies, Aaron Hobart, Abel Kingman, and John A. Shaw.
Pvge 73. 1702, last line but one, for Ensign Mitchell's, read ·Ensign Mitchell's land.
Page 93. James Alger (s. of Thomas 12.) m. Olive, D. of Joseph Snell, 1781, and not Mehitabel Briggs of Nor- ton : this last was copied by mistake from Thomas 12, page 92.
Page 114. Joseph Beal 1752, finally removed to Plainfield, where he was Deacon, and the subject of the " Mountain Miller "; and Azariah was son of Jonathan 5. and not (of Samuel 1.).
Page 152. 8. Benjamin m. 1715, not 1755.
Page 157. Erskin, 2d line, Gain, not Gaius.
Page 161. No. 12. The title of Fudge prefixed to Abner Fobes should be General in both instances ; and Edward of Buckland had William, Sarah, and Abner who gra. Williams College 1820, and is preceptor of the Smith School in Boston, and writes his name Forbes. Also under No. 19, for Phres read Perez.
Page 162. Susanna, D. of Eliab Fobes, m. a King, partner of Thomas Fobes in Boston, and afterwards a Lamphear, who afterwards m Lucinda, D. of David Ames of Springfield: and Hannah m a Tucker. Susanna who m. a Hooper, and Hannah who m. a Macomber, belonged to some other family probably.
Page 163. No. 2. Polly Ford m. Abner Fobes, son of Benjamin, and not fudge (or General) Abner.
Page 167. 10. Simeon of - the of should be within the paren- thesis (s. of &c.
Page 169. James H. Gurney m. Delpha Stetson 1813, not Debo- rah Reed 1816.
Page 228. 7. Line 9, for New Bedford read Newport.
The reader is informed that besides the abbreviations noticed at the head of the Register, the initials only of the neighboring and adjoining towns are often used ; as A. for Abington, C. for Canton, E. for Easton, H. for Halifax, M. for Middleborough, P. for Pembroke, R. for Raynham, S. or St. for Stoughton, T. for Taunton, &c.
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HISTORY
OF THE
EARLY SETTLEMENT OF BRIDGEWATER.
ORIGINAL, GRANT'S, ADDITIONS, AND BOUNDARIES.
BRIDGEWATER was originally a plantation granted to Duxbury. When the township of Marshfield became a separate and dis- tinct corporation, Duxbury, from which Marshfield had been principally taken, applied to the Old Colony court, at Plymouth, for a grant of common land, or, as they expressed it, "an exten- sion to the westward," as a compensation for the great loss of territory they had thus sustained. We find in the records the following order of court relating to it : -
" March, 1642. It is concluded upon by the court, that the northerly bounds of Marshfield shall be, from the rock that is flat on the top, to the North River, by a north-west line from Green's Harbor Fresh, to the tree called Poole's and to take in Edward Bonpass' land; provided that Duxbury have enlarge- ment beyond Massachusetts' path, when they have viewed it."
Two years afterwards the court passed the following more explicit and definite order : -
"August, 1644. Upon the petition of Duxbury men it is
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HISTORY OF THE
thought good by the court, that there be a view taken of the lands described by them, namely, twelve miles up into the woods from Plymouth bounds at Jones' River ; and if it prove not prejudicial to the plantation to be erected at Teightaquid, (Titicut), nor to the meadows of Plymouth at Winnytuckquett, (Winnetuxet), it may be confirmed unto them ; provided, also, the herring or alewife river at Namassachusett shall be equally between the two towns of Duxbury and Marshfield."
The next year the grant was made and confirmed to them as follows : -
" 1645. The inhabitants of the town of Duxbury are granted a competent proportion of lands about Saughtuchquett (Sa- tucket), towards the west, for a plantation for thein, and to have it four miles every way from the place where they shall set up their centre ; provided it intrench not upon Winnytuckquett, formerly granted to Plymouth. And we have nominated Capt. Miles Standish, Mr. John Alden, George Soule, Constant South- worth, John Rogers, and William Brett, to be feofees in trust for the equal dividing and laying forth the said lands to the inhabitants."
How the town proceeded in dividing these lands among the inhabitants, or how, by whom, or when it was determined what residence or other circumstance should entitle any one to a share, no record informs us; we are only told in subsequent writings, and particularly in Gov. Hinckley's confirmation, that the inhabitants settled this matter "by an agreement among themselves." They were at first but fifty-four, each of whom had one share, and were denominated original proprietors. Their names are thus given on the town records : -
WILLIAM BRADFORD, EDWARD HALL,
WILLIAM MERRICK, NICHOLAS ROBBINS,
JOHN BRADFORD, THOMAS HAYWARD,
ABRAHAM PIERCE,
Mr. RALPH PARTRIDGE,
JOHN ROGERS, NATHANIEL WILLIS, JOHN WILLIS,
GEORGE PARTRIDGE, JOHN STARR, THOMAS BONNEY,
Mr. WILLIAM COLLIER, Mr. MILES STANDISH,
CHRISTOPHER WADSWORTH. LOVE BREWSTER,
JOHN PAYBODY, JOHN IRISH,
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EARLY SETTLEMENT OF BRIDGEWATER.
WILLIAM PAYBODY,
PHILIP DELANO,
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