History of Newton, Massachusetts : town and city, from its earliest settlement to the present time, 1630-1880, Part 1

Author: Smith, S. F. (Samuel Francis), 1808-1895. 4n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Boston : American Logotype Co.
Number of Pages: 996


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > History of Newton, Massachusetts : town and city, from its earliest settlement to the present time, 1630-1880 > Part 1


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GENEALOGY COLLECTION


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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01067 4262


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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015


https://archive.org/details/historyofnewtonm00smit 1


S. F. Smith.


HISTORY


OF


NEWTON, ,


MASSACHUSETTS.


TOWN AND CITY


FROM ITS EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME. 1630-1880.


BY S. F. SMITH, D. D.


BOSTON :


THE


AMERICAN LOGOTYPE COMPANY.


1880.


Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1880 by THE AMERICAN LOGOTYPE COMPANY, In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.


LIBERTY AND UNION


FOUNDED


630 INCC


N


688.A CITY 1873


A


J. E. FARWELL & Co., Printers, 45 Pearl Street, Boston.


PREFACE.


1136520


THIS History had its origin in an article in the Warrant for the Town Meeting of March 6, 1865, which reads as follows: "To see if the Town will take action relative to the collection and pub- lication of its history from 1800 to the present time."


At that meeting, the subject was referred to a Committee of Three, to report at a subsequent meeting.


The Committee chosen were Messrs. George C. Rand, Seth Davis and J. N. Bacon. The Moderator, Hon. J. F. C. Hyde, and Mr. Isaac Hagar were afterwards added.


At the Town Meeting November 7, 1865, the Committee pre- sented the following Report :


" NEWTON, November 4, 1865 .- To the citizens of the Town of Newton,- The Committee appointed to consider the subject of the History of the Town of Newton have attended to that duty, and beg leave to report : That, in their opinion, it is expedient for the town to take immediate measures to procure to be written a History of the town, from 1800 down to the present time. More especially should this be done now, because now it is possible to give cor- rectly the portion which shall record the action of the town in respect to the war just closed. It is due to those sons of our town who have perilled their lives in support of our national integrity, that a lasting record of their lives of heroism and deeds of brav- ery should be made, while all the facts may be so truly gathered. Private munificence has built them a Monument of granite. Let public generosity enroll them upon the printed page, in words equally enduring.


" Your Committee therefore ask the adoption of the following Resolution :


iv


PREFACE.


" Resolved, That a Committee of Five be appointed, with full powers, to arrange for the writing of a History of the Town of Newton, and that the sum of five hundred dollars be appropriated by the town, and be paid by the Treasurer, whenever it may be required by said Committee, towards the expenditures hereby ren- dered necessary.


" All which is respectfully submitted by the Committee.


"GEORGE C. RAND, Chairman."


" Voted to accept the Report, and to adopt the Resolution.


" George C. Rand, Seth Davis, J. N. Bacon, Isaac Hagar, Otis Pettee and J. F. C. Hyde were chosen said Committee on the History of Newton."


The following was the later Committee, appointed by the city :


Aldermen J. Wesley Kimball, William P. Ellison ; Councilmen Nathan Mosman, William C. Strong, Edward W. Cate ; Ex-Mayor James F. C. Hyde ; Ex-Alderman George D. Eldridge.


The late Mr. Rand was deeply interested in the project ; he read portions of the manuscript, and, by his judicious suggestions in respect to its form and method, contributed his part towards making the book what it is. Other members of the Committee have been frequently consulted in the preparation of the volume, and have manifested throughout an intelligent and enlightened in- terest in its progress and success. Especial credit is due Alder- man Kimball for the zeal he has shown, as Chairman of the City Committee, in bringing about the publication of the book, so long deferred, and to Mr. Hyde for his careful examination and revision as the work was going through the press.


It has not been deemed necessary to reproduce the genealogical tables of Mr. Francis Jackson's work, inasmuch as most of the older families of the town are, doubtless, in possession of that volume, and more recent comers would feel little interest in them. The materials from which this work has been drawn are multiform. The author's long residence in the town, and familiar acquaintance with many of the actors in the early or intermediate history, or their immediate descendants, has supplied him with many items of


Y


PREFACE.


information, which have never before found their way into print. The manuscripts of Hon. William Jackson and Mr. Andrew Ward, the Genealogical Tables of various families, a multitude of town and family histories, out of which valuable facts have been gleaned, the Massachusetts Historical Collections and the volumes of the New England Historical and Genealogical Society, cata- logues, statistics, the newspapers of various towns and periods, especially the Newton Journal, the contributions to the history of the town in Mr. Francis Jackson's manual, the State archives, the Records and Reports of the town, the Records of the churches and of associations, and correspondence with numerous individuals, now or formerly residents of Newton, personal visits to every locality in the town, and a personal knowledge of many of the events and movements recorded, together with an acquaintance with the prin- cipal actors of later times for successive years, and a personal par- ticipation in some of the scenes,- these have furnished a mass of interesting matter, out of which it has been my aim, after diligent examination and inquiry, to select that which seemed most fitting, and to gather and preserve all that is reliable and valuable.


A larger number of biographical sketches would have been in- serted, if the size of the volume had not been limited. It will be noticed that those which have found place are, for obvious reasons, chiefly confined to the departed, and so selected as to represent the various portions of the town and various periods.


The labor and difficulties incident to such an undertaking are not easily estimated, except by those who have had experience of them. The materials of the work lie widely scattered, both in space and time. Matters of historic importance often demand in- vestigations which consume many days, and the results of such investigations, however protracted and difficult, may be expressed in a few lines. Differing accounts of an important transaction sometimes require the weighing of conflicting testimony, and the searching out of additional testimony, in order to ascertain the truth ; and, in such cases, the historian, though using the utmost


-


vi


PREFACE.


care, may occasionally err. Facts and circumstances important for him to know, though diligently sought, are sometimes sought in vain. Add to this, in judging of the completed work, persons who know well the affairs of their own little circle, or of their own immediate families, or matters in which they or their immediate ancestors have been actors, failing to find satisfaction on some point which they have, perhaps, unduly magnified, are apt to turn away, unjustly, as it would seem, disappointed. But it should be considered that the historian has to deal with the general features of public affairs, and not, mainly, with that which specifically in- terests individuals or lesser portions of the community ; that his facts are to be presented in their proper relations, and, in view of their comparative importance, in due proportions. To weigh, to judge and to determine, in every instance, with even-handed justice and without mistake, is a work of no small difficulty. To err in such an enterprise is no more than human. The tranquil flow of busy life may seem to throw a given space, geographically, into a position of inferior brilliancy, as compared with another, while its part in the entire landscape is equally honorable. The same princi- ple holds true in the narration of facts or events. The late Mr. Rand, with his habit of clear and orderly thought, laid much stress on a threefold division of the history of Newton, viz., its early history, its action in connection with the Revolution, and in connection with the war of the Rebellion.


The author is well aware that all human works are imperfect, and has no doubt that errors may have occurred in this work, grow- ing out of the defectiveness of information, and uncertainty and unreliableness of testimony. It is possible, also, that the volume may lie open to criticism in regard to the proportion given to the various matters introduced. But where the truth of history is concerned, and the demands of readers of differing tastes consid- ered, it is hoped that all may find something to praise, if, also, something to condemn.


CONTENTS.


PREFACE.


iii


CHAPTER I.


General Views .- Geological Features of Newton .-- Bridges .- Villages .- Ponds and Brooks .- " County Rock."-Health Statistics .- Scenery. . 13


CHAPTER II."


Early Boston .- The Fortification of Cambridge .- Origin of the House of Representa- tives .- The Acquisition of the Territory of Newton .- First Settlement .- Mr. Hooker's Company .- Accessions of Lands .- Boundary Lines. . 21


CHAPTER III.


First Settlers .- Settlers up to 1700 .- Statistics in 1645 .- Movements for an indepen- dent town. . 39


CHAPTER IV.


Extracts from Records of Cambridge .- Extracts from Colony Records .- Extracts from Records of New Cambridge .- Extracts from later Records of Newton. 44


CHAPTER V.


Looking towards Separation from Cambridge .- Petition for Freedom from church rates .- Petition to the General Court to be set off from Cambridge .- Protest of the Town. 57


CHAPTER VI.


First Selectmen chosen .- Date of the Incorporation of Newton .- Agreement between the Selectmen of Cambridge and Cambridge Village .- Order of the General Court. -Old and New Style .- The Name of Newton .- Dimensions and Contents of the Town .- Population .- Freeman's Oath. 72


CHAPTER VII.


Grants of Land .- Watertown's Grant to Newton .- Brookline owned by Boston .- Boston's Grant to Newton .- Boundary between Boston and Cambridge .- Between Cambridge and New Cambridge .- Distribution of Lands. 81


CHAPTER VIII.


The First Settlers. - Biographical Notices of First Settlers.


85


CHAPTER IX.


Special Grants of Land by the General Court .- Conveyances of Estates .- From


Proprietors' Records .- From Records of Suffolk County .- From Records of


Middlesex County.


104


CHAPTER X.


How the early Town of Newton was divided among its inhabitants.


.


115


CHAPTER XI.


Boundaries of Estates.


CHAPTER XII.


130


Roads and Streets of Newton .- From Watertown to Roxbury .- Roads to the Meeting- house .- To Roxbury .- From Watertown to Dedham .- From Brookline to the Lower Falls .- Road through the Fuller Farm. . 160


viii


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER XIII.


The Nonantum Indians .- Nonantum Hill .- The First Meeting .- Settlement at No- nantum .- Act of the British Parliament .- Settlement at Natick. . . 170


CHAPTER XIV.


1 Newton and the Indian Wars.


.


.


187


CHAPTER XV.


The First Church in Newton .- List of Members .- Death of Mr. Eliot .- Divisions .- Settlement of Mr. Hobart .- Indian War .- Mr. Hobart's Death .- Biography. 193


CHAPTER XVI.


English Oppression .- Sir Edmund Andros .- Events in Newton .- First Meeting- house .- Seating the Worshippers .- Second Meeting-house .- Noon Houscs .- The Stocks. . . 204


CHAPTER XVII.


New Difficulties .- Candidates .- Rev. John Cotton chosen Pastor .- Death of Mr. Cotton .- Whitefield's Visits to Newton .- The New Lights. 213


CHAPTER XVIII.


Location of the Meeting-house .- The Third Meeting-house .- Town Records. .


220


CHAPTER XIX.


Rev. Jonas Meriam, fourth Pastor .- Biographical Sketch .- The Slave .- New Church List .- Second Parish .- Pulpit Supplies. 226


CHAPTER XX.


Education in Newton before 1800 .- Grammar School in Cambridge .- Early movements in Newton .- First Schoolmaster .- Dissensions .- First School Committee .- Grammar School. · 235


CHAPTER XXI.


West Newton .- The Second Parish formed .- Ordination of Rev. Mr. Greenough .- Opposition .- Biography of Mr. Greenough .- The Meeting-house described .- Curious Document. 250 .


CHAPTER XXII.


Newton Upper Falls .- Early Settlement .- The Indian Deed .- Depositions of Early Residents .- Transfers of Property .- Kinds of Business .- Changes .- Newton Lower Falls. 259


CHAPTER XXIII.


. 273 The Newton Cemeteries .- The Old Cemetery .- Memorial Pillar .- Interesting Monu- ments .- West Parish Burying Ground .- South Burial Ground .- Lower Falls Ceme- tery .- Deaths in Newton .- Deaths in the West Parish.


CHAPTER XXIV.


The First Baptist Church .- Early Baptists in Newton .- The New Lights .- Church formed .- The Meeting-housc .- Rev. Caleb Blood, first Pastor .- Rev. Joseph Grafton .- Enlargement of the Meeting-house .- Pew Lots .- The Interior .- Ministerial Taxes. ·


287 CHAPTER XXV.


Freeholders in 1679 and 1798.


309


CHAPTER XXVI.


Newton in the Revolution .- Military Spirit .- The French War .- The Stamp Act .- Taxation .- Statue of George III .- Navigation Act .- Instructions to the Repre- sentative .- Letter to the Selectmen of Boston. 316


ix


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER XXVII.


Newton in the Revolution .- Further Measures .- The Boston Tea Party .- The Recon- struction Acts .- Gift of Mr. Pigeon .- Military Drill .- East and West Companies .- Alarm List .- Minute-men. 327


CHAPTER XXVIII.


Newton in the Revolution .- Michael Jackson's Bravery .- Soldiers for eight months .- Bunker Hill .- Troops in Cambridge .- Capt. Gardner .- Soldiers at Dorchester Heiglits .- Suspected Persons .- Loans .- Providential Event. 339


CHAPTER XXIX.


Newton in the Revolution .- The Die cast .- Bounties .- The Declaration of Indepen- dence .- Soldiers' Pay .- Spirit of the People .- Loans. 354


CHAPTER XXX.


Newton in the Revolution .- Instructions to the Representative .- Constitution of Massachusetts .- Finances .- The Revolution ended .- The Parole of Cornwallis .- Men who served in the War .- Newton Members of the Cincinnati. . 367


CHAPTER XXXI.


Newton and the Shays' Rebellion .- Instructions to the Representative .- Excessive Litigation .- The Courts Threatened .- Circular Letter .- Reply of Newton .- Loyalty to the United States .- First Elections in Newton. 386


CHAPTER XXXII.


The War of 1812 .- State of the Country .- Newton's Remonstrance .- President Jeffer- son's Reply to the Protest of Cambridge .- War Declared .- Gen. Hull's Surrender .- Naval Battles .- Rev. Mr. Grafton's Prayer .- Town Action. 397


CHAPTER XXXIII.


The First Parish .- Rev. Jonathan Homer .- Meeting-house, 1805 .- Biography of Dr. Homer .- Church Bell .- Letters of Dr. and Mrs. Homer .- Rev. James Bates .- Rev. William Bushnell .- Rev. Daniel L. Furber .- Twenty-fifth Anniversary .- Thir- tieth Anniversary .- Sabbath School .- Statistics. 408


CHAPTER XXXIV.


Education in Newton after 1800 .- School Wards .- Schools at the Upper Falls .- School Regulations .- Appropriations .- High Schools .- New School-houses .- High School at Newtonville .- Graduates .- Art Museum .- School-house Property. . . 436


CHAPTER XXXV.


West Newton .- New Meeting-house .- Rev. Mr. Gilbert .- Rev. Mr. Drummond .- Rey. George B. Little .- Rev. H. J. Patrick .- Sabbath School .- Statistics .- Baptist Church .- Unitarian Church .- Myrtle Baptist Church. 450


CHAPTER XXXVI.


Newton Upper Falls .- Factories .- Cotton Machinery .- "Religious Society."-Univer- salist Society .- Second Baptist Church .- Methodist Episcopal Church .- St. Mary's (Catholic) Church .- Newton Lower Falls .- St. Mary's (Episcopal) Church .-- Methodist Episcopal Church. . 461


CHAPTER XXXVII.


Division of the Town -The Five Wards .- Proposals to form two towns .- Territory set off to Waltham and Roxbury .- Petitions to the Legislature .- Harmony Restored. 483


X


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER XXXVIII.


First Baptist Church .- Colleague Pastor .- Death of Mr. Grafton .- Rev. F. A. Willard .- Later Pastors .- Statisties .- Sabbath School .- Bequests .- The Choir .- The Clock .- Chapel at Thompsonville .- Methodist Episcopal Church .- Unitarian Church. . 494


CHAPTER XXXIX.


· Provision for the Poor .- Almshouse purchased .- Rules of the House .- Removal .- The Kenriek Fund. 510


CHAPTER XL.


Newton and Temperanee .- First Movement .- Dr. Gilbert's Recollections .- Newton and Fire Companies .- Firewards ehosen .- Property of the Fire Department. 519


CHAPTER XLI.


Slave-holding in Newton .- Slavery in Massachusetts .- Slave Owners in Newton. 534 CHAPTER XLII.


Newton Theologieal Institution. - Origin .- The Mansion House .- First Anniversary .- Colby Hall .- Offieers of the Board and of the Institution .- Some of its fruits. 540


CHAPTER XLIII.


Newton Theologieal Institution .- Biographical Notices .- Irah Chase, D.D .- Henry J. Ripley, D.D .- Prof. J. D. Knowles .- Prof. Horatio B. Hackett .- Prof. Arthur S. Train .- Rev. R. E. Pattison .- Students and Alumni who took part in the War.


CHAPTER XLIV. . 555


North Village .- Paper-making .- Cheese-Cake Brook .- Cotton Warp .- Gas Manufac- ture .- "Tin Horn."-Ætna Mills .- Boston Manufacturing Company .-- The Bridge .- North Evangelieal Church. 576


CHAPTER XLV.


The Newton Cemetery .- The Beginning .- The Dedieation .- Statisties .- The Soldiers' Monument. . . . .


.


585


CHAPTER XLVI.


Newton in the War of the Rebellion -Town Action .- The Women of Newton .- Battles in which Newton Men were Engaged .- Unfurling the Flag .- The Slain in Battle .- Gen. A. B. Underwood .-- Newton's Dead in the War .- Battle of Gettys- burg described by a Participant. . . 597


CHAPTER XLVII.


Newton in the War of the Rebellion .- Soldiers for Various Periods .- Men Enlisted in the Navy .- Decoration Day. · . 630


CHAPTER XLVIII.


Newton in the War of the Rebellion .- Battles in which Regiments containing Newton's Soldiers took part -Battle of Lookout Mountain .- Reception after tlie War.


CHAPTER XLIX. . 650


. 663 Public Libraries in Newton .- West Parisli Social Library .- Adelphian Library .- West Newton Athenæum .- Newton Book Club .- Newton Library Association .-- Newton Free Library .- Newton Centre Library Association .- Newton Lower Falls Free Library -North Village Free Library.


CHAPTER L.


Newton .- Eliot Congregational Church -Methodist Episcopal Church .- Channing Church .- Baptist Church .- Graee Church .- Church of our Lady Help of Chris- tians .- Newton and Watertown Universalist Society. 683


xi


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER LI.


The Newtons of Later Growth .- Auburndale .- Evangelical Congregational Church .- Centenary Methodist Church .- Church of the Messiah .- St. Bernard's Church, West Newton .- Newtonville .- Central Congregational Church .- Swedenborgian Church .- Universalist Society .- Methodist Episcopal Church .- Newton High- lands .- Congregational Society .-- Chestnut Hill .- Unitarian Chapel. 702


CHAPTER LII.


Higher Education .- Mrs. Rowson's Female Academy .- Fuller Academy .- Academy at Newton Centre .- Lasell Female Seminary .- West Newton English and Classi- cal School. 718


CHAPTER LIII.


Newton a City .- Parks and Play Grounds .- Water Works .- Passage of the Boston Conduits through Newton .- Lake Cochituate Conduit .- Sudbury River Conduit .- Echo Bridge. 728


CHAPTER LIV.


Newton's Centennial.


.


738


CHAPTER LV.


Institutions and Societies .- Home for Orphan and Destitute Girls .- Home for Boys at Pine Farm .- Home for Missionaries' Children (Congregational) .- Home for Missionaries' Children (Baptist) .- West Newton Lyceum .- Newton Sunday School Union .- Musical Societies .- Other Associations. . 747


CHAPTER LVI.


Town Clerks of Newton .- Selectmen .- Representatives .- Annual Appropriations .- Population .- Statistical Items. 762


CHAPTER LVII.


Biographical Notices.


769


CHAPTER LVIII.


Reminiscences of Men and Things.


·


.


.


801


CHAPTER LIX.


Notices of Ex-Governor William Claflin .- Ex-Governor Alexander H. Rice .- Mayor J. F. C. Hyde .- Mayor Alden Speare .- Mayor William B. Fowle .- Mayor Royal M. Pulsifer .- Dr. S. F. Smith. 830


GENERAL INDEX.


835


INDEX OF NAMES.


842


HISTORY OF NEWTON.


CHAPTER I.


GENERAL VIEWS .- GEOLOGICAL FEATURES OF NEWTON .- BRIDGES. VILLAGES .- PONDS AND BROOKS .- "COUNTY ROCK."- HEALTH STATISTICS .- SCENERY.


THE general features of Newton are not without interest. Seven principal elevations mark its surface, like the seven hills of ancient Rome, with the difference that the seven hills of Newton are much more distinct than the seven hills of Rome ; - Nonantum Hill, Waban Hill, Chestnut Hill, Bald Pate, Oak Hill, Institution Hill and Mount Ida. Besides these more prominent hills, there are several lesser elevations. The high ground intersected by Boylston Street, near Newton Upper Falls, is worthy of a name; the same is true of the land on the William Wiswall farm [W. C. Strong] northwest of the house anciently owned by Dea. John Staples - which, indeed, is often known as Moffatt Hill. A small but beauti- ful pine-covered swell of ground on the estate of Mr. Charles S. Davis at Newton Centre, has at some periods borne the name of Mount Pleasant.


Newton has several plains of considerable extent, - the upper plain at the foot of Institution Hill ; the lower plain, so called by the fathers, north of the First Parish Church and intersected also by Centre Street ; the extensive plain on which much of Newton- ville is built, and the plain on which much of Newton Highlands is situated. Rarely is a portion of territory to be found, of equal extent, marked by a more beautifully diversified surface.


13


14


1


HISTORY OF NEWTON.


The geological features of the town are interesting and various. Conglomerate rock or amygdaloid is largely diffused, being found in great quantities in Newton Centre, East Newton and Chestnut Hill. Granite or sienite occurs in boulders and small ledges. Diorite or green-stone, with occasional porphyritic characteristics, is seen on the Valentine Road and elsewhere, seeming to be a por- tion of the ledge of similar formation which skirts Massachusetts Bay, and which can be traced through several of the adjacent towns by its occasional out-croppings. It ends in an abrupt cliff east of Valentine Street. There is a ledge of argillaceous slate on the grounds of the late Gardner Colby, Esq., of which the wall of his estate on Centre Street was built. There is a darker and more compact slate-stone, which splits into convenient sheets, near the estate of the Smallwoods at Newton Corner. Interesting boulders are a feature of the estate of Mr. Bishop, of Newton Centre, con- taining deposits of asbestos. In the woods near Thompsonville, a few hundred feet south from the road, and where a silver mine was reported to have been discovered in the autumn of 1877, the granite rocks are curiously split and cleft asunder ; and beautiful . quartz crystals and lumps of milky quartz are found. There are also deposits of mica, and very interesting specimens of carbonate of lime. The particles of silver are too minute to be of much value. A small amount of specular iron ore has also been found here, and traces of copper are sometimes detected. The beds of gravel and the indistinctly striated surface of the rocks in several places indi- cate glacial action. Bog iron ore exists in the wet grounds south of Bullough's Pond, and, fifty years ago, considerable quantities of it were carried to the iron furnaces of Easton, Mass., and else- where, to be manufactured.


There are nine bridges, crossing the Charles River, within the limits of the town, besides two railroad bridges : viz., at Nahanton Street (Kenrick's Bridge) ; Needham Avenue ; Elliot Street and Boylston Street, Upper Falls; Wales Street and Washington Street, Lower Falls ; Concord Street ; Auburn Street, near River- side ; and Bridge Street, North Village.


Newton numbers nine or ten villages which for two centuries seemed as distinct from one another as if they were separate towns. Only the town meetings brought the inhabitants together in one place as a united people. These villages are Newton, Newtonville, West Newton, Auburndale, Lower Falls, Upper Falls, Highlands,


15


PONDS IN NEWTON.


Newton Centre and North Village. Perhaps we should add, also, Riverside Their location depended, at first, on the water privi- leges along the Charles River, which flowed nearly around the town ; afterwards, the railroad centres created additional reasons for their several locations. As the population increases, and the interests of the people have become one under a city administration, these villages tend to be melted into continuity. The town, at the date of this publication, is blessed with nine post-offices and ten rail- road stations.


Of the natural features of Newton mention should be made both of its land and its water. Newton boasts of three large ponds, " Wiswall's," "Hammond's," and "Bullough's Pond," and a smaller collection of water denominated "Silver Lake."


We find the following statements in reference to the first and second :


" April 1, 1634 .- There is one thousand acres of land and a great pond (Wiswall's Pond) granted to John Haynes.


" Wiswall's Pond, near the Centre, and Hammond's Pond, at the easterly part of the town, were so called in remembrance of two of the early and prominent settlers of the town,- Thomas Wiswall, the first ruling elder of the church, and the first settler upon the banks of the one, and Thomas Hammond, the first settler upon the borders of the other. Wiswall came into the town in 1654, and died here in 1683. Hammond came in 1650, and died in 1675 ; both were pioneer settlers, and substantial pillars of the plantation. The descendants of both have been numerous in the town and the country, and highly respectable. For nearly two centuries, these ponds have been naturally and properly known by the name of Wiswall and Hammond ; they have become part and parcel of the historical facts of the place, and ought to be forever known by these names.




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