USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Rehoboth > History of Rehoboth, Massachusetts; its history for 275 years, 1643-1918, in which is incorporated the vital parts of the original history of the town > Part 1
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GEN
ATTENTION: BARCODE IS LOCATED INSIDE BOOK
(Bristol Co)
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01145 7170
GENEAL~ GY COLLECTION
2
Geo. 26 Fillon
A History of Rehoboth Massachusetts
ITS HISTORY FOR 275 YEARS 1643-1918
IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE VITAL PARTS OF THE ORIGINAL HISTORY OF THE TOWN, PUBLISHED IN 1886, AND WRITTEN BY LEONARD BLISS, JR.
BY REV. GEORGE H. TILTON, A.M. FOUNDER OF THE REHOBOTH ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY MINISTER IN REHOBOTH, 1877-189]
REHOB
TOWN
MASS
NO
ANNAWAN
R
7, 1645. - +-
RATED
JUN
Rehoboth, the Lord hath made room for us .- GEN. 26 : 22.
BOSTON, MASS .: PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 1918
To open this book properly see page 410.
COPYRIGHT, 1918 BY GEORGE HENRY TILTON
LOUIS E. CROSSCUP CO., PRINTERS BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
1139160
Leonard Bliss, jo
TO THE PEOPLE OF REHOBOTH
WHOSE NOBLE ANCESTORS EXEMPLIFIED THE LARGE FREEDOM OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS AND WHOSE SONS AND DAUGHTERS ARE DOING BRAVELY THEIR PART IN THE WORLD'S WORK This History IS DEDICATED WITH THE SINCERE REGARDS OF THE AUTHOR
FOREWORD
LEONARD BLISS, Jr., published his "History of Rehoboth" in 1836. His special merit consisted in culling from the old town and proprietors' records and those of the Plymouth Colony the annals and documents which constitute the larger part of his book. "I designed the volume," he writes, "to be a collection of well authenticated facts." These were wisely edited and are the foundation facts upon which the present author and all who follow him must depend. To this gifted young writer we gladly acknowledge our obligation and avail ourselves freely of his material.
But in the four-score years and more since Bliss's book was issued much new material has come to light, and many important events have occurred, including those of the Civil War. The time seems ripe for supplementing the earlier history and for bringing all subsequent events down to the present time. The new history follows with Bliss the order of time in the early part: Blackstone and Roger Williams, pioneer dwellers in the old town, opened the way for the Hingham and Weymouth Colony under Samuel Newman in 1643-4. King Philip's War is given con- siderable space, as it had its beginning on the borders and its ending within the limits of Rehoboth and caused great distress to the inhabitants. The war of the Revolution is more fully set forth than in the older history and much new matter is introduced. Then follows an account of the old Militia of Bristol County and the soldiers of the Civil War. The history of each of the churches is given from its organization to the present time, or to its end in case of lapse. The early history of the Newman Church is closely identified with the progress of the town, as both were under one government down to 1759. The Palmer's River Church, formed in 1721, has a long and interesting record and is given ample space. The several Baptist Churches also, of which three were of the six-principle order, have been thoroughly studied and their merits fairly written.
Then follow chapters on Education, the Antiquarian Society, Agriculture, Native Trees, Cemeteries, and various miscellaneous topics of importance.
vi
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
The Biographical section of the book contains carefully written sketches of more than a hundred men and women, and special pains have been taken to enrich the family names with much genealogical material.
The ample illustrations throughout the volume, whether of persons and places, or maps, diagrams and facsimiles, speak for themselves and we trust will justify their presence in the book.
We would call attention to the three groups of fifty-one teachers, of which the town may well be proud.
The writer would acknowledge his great indebtedness to all who have assisted him in his exacting enterprise: to the historian, Hon. Thomas Williams Bicknell, formerly identified with the edu- cational affairs of the town, for many courtesies and for his sym- pathetic interest in every phase of the work; to Dr. Horace Everett Horton, in whose veins flows the blood of some of Rehoboth's best families, for his constant encouragement and for his helpful sugges- tions concerning affairs of the olden time; to Mrs. Abbie W. Marvel for securing names and sketches of teachers represented in groups, and for her unfailing efforts for the success of the book; and to Hon. Geo. N. Goff for the loan of old and valuable documents shedding light upon the past.
In regard to the spelling of proper names we have tried to fol- low the custom of the families referred to, but where they differ, who can steer a consistent course? In a single graveyard the name Pierce was written five different ways. Again we have Miller, Millerd and Millard; Read and Reed; Allen and Allyn, etc.
We trust the History may prove valuable for reference, as well as a souvenir companion for the fireside.
In concluding this preface, we take pleasure in acknowledging our great indebtedness to Marsden Jasiel Perry, successful banker and man of affairs, lover of Nature and patron of the fine arts, and distinguished collector of rare Shakesperiana, for generous financial aid in publishing the history of his native town. But for this timely help, with the world at war and expenses multiplied, the book could not have been issued without loss. To this worthy descendant of Anthony Perry is due peculiar honor for meeting two-fifths of the large expense of this History, thus affording com- fort and stimulus to the writer.
MARSDEN J. PERRY
S
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CONTENTS
PAGK
CHAPTER
INTRODUCTION
1
I. EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
5
William Blackstone 6
Roger Williams 12
Samuel Newman 18
Annals and Documents 18
II. KING PHILIP'S WAR
62
III. THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND EVENTS FOLLOWING 114
IV. THE BRISTOL COUNTY MILITIA 147
V. SOLDIERS OF THE CIVIL WAR
155
VI. THE CHURCHES OF REHOBOTH
Congregational Church
Oak Swamp Church
195
Hornbine Church
203
Annawan Church
207
Irons or Free Will Church
210
Methodist Episcopal Church Elder Peck's Church 215
212
VII. THE PROGRESS OF EDUCATION
216
VIII. THE TEACHERS OF REHOBOTH 225
IX. THE REHOBOTH ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY 234
X. REHOBOTH AGRICULTURE . 247
XI. NATIVE TREES
255
XII. REHOBOTH MANUFACTURES
265
The Village Yard
275
Burial Place Hill
284
Cole Brook and Joshua Pierce Yards
287
Stevens Corner
291
Briggs Corner . 293
295
XIV. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
XV. MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS
393
Rehoboth Roads
393
Silk Culture
395
The Annawan Club
396
The Goff Gathering Association
397
The Great Freshet
397
Rehoboth Detecting Society
398
Old Records . 399
Some Old Rehoboth Customs 403
Old Rehoboth Lists 408
A Voice from the Grave. 409
Notes 410
Rehoboth Men in the National Army, 1918 410
INDEX .
411
XIII. REHOBOTH CEMETERIES
275
Palmer's River
278
The Peck Yard
283
Smaller Yards .
305
vii
172
172
MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS
Facing page
GEO H. TILTON i -
L. BLISS, JR. iii
MARSDEN J. PERRY vi
MAP OF OLD REHOBOTH
xi
MAP OF BRISTOL COUNTY
1
STREETS OF REHOBOTH
3
IRONS MEETING-HOUSE
4
BLACKSTONE MONUMENT (two views) 12-13
GARRISON HOUSES
69
ASAHEL BLISS AND ANNAWAN ROCK. - WALTER BLISS FROST 82-3
FACSIMILE RECEIPTS. - WILLETT MONUMENT. 130-1
ELLERY L. GOFF .- FRANK H. HORTON 144-5
COL. LYNDAL BOWEN. - MAJOR GEO. W. BLISS 146-7
ANGLE-TREE MONUMENT. - MR. AND MRS. S. L. PEIRCE 154-5
FRANCIS A. BLISS. - WILLIAM H. LUTHER . 156-7
CAPT. CONSTANT S. HORTON. - LIEUT. AMOS M. BOWEN AND WM. M. P. BOWEN 168-9
HORNBINE CHURCH AND SCHOOL. - WILLIAM THATCHER. 202-3
REV. GEORGE H. HORTON. - WELCOME F. HORTON. 206-7
PUBLIC SCHOOL AT GOFF MEMORIAL HALL
216
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH; OLD PARSONAGE; PRESENT PARSONAGE .
THOMAS W. BICKNELL. - AMELIA D. (BLANDING) BICKNELL .
JOHN C. MARVEL. - FREDERICK W. MARVEL.
224-5
REHOBOTH TEACHERS, Group II. - CHARLES PERRY 228-9
REHOBOTH TEACHERS, Group III. - SCHOOLHOUSE AND VILLAGE 230-1
OLD GOFF INN
235
FIRST AND SECOND MEMORIAL HALLS. - VILLAGE SCENE AND FACTORY 236-7
ANTIQUARIAN RELICS. - MR. AND MRS. JOHN A. BUFFINTON 238-9
1 FLAX AND WOOL IMPLEMENTS 239
HON. DARIUS GOFF. - GEORGE N. GOFF AND MRS. GOFF. 242-3 WHEATON-HORTON GROUP. - FARM SCENES 248-9
HENRY T. HORTON. - JEREMIAH W. HORTON 250-1
WILLIAM W. BLANDING. - REUBEN BOWEN 252-3
LEWIS TAVERN AND GRANGE HALL. - GRENVILLE STEVENS 254-5
PLANTATION OF WHITE PINE (two views) 260-1
WILLIAM A. KING. - BENJAMIN PECK AND ORLEANS FACTORY 268-9
viii
217
220-1
REHOBOTH TEACHERS, Group I. - CHRISTOPHER C. VIALL. 226-7
ix
MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS
Facing page
GEORGE PEASE BAKER. - JOHN F. BAKER 306
ABBY M. BAKER. - ANNAWAN CLUB HOUSE AND HILL-CREST 307
JOHNSTONE BLACK. - DEACON AND MRS. GUSTAVUS A. REED 312-3 HANNAH T. (MUNROE) BLISS. - FREDERIC W. BLISS 318-9 DR. GEORGE D. BLISS. - THE COLES OF THREE GENERATIONS 320-1 LEONARD C. BLISS. - ELMER J. BLISS . 324-5
CHARLOTTE W. (PECK) BROWN. - WALTER DE F. BROWN 332-3 WILLIAM DEXTER BULLOCK. - GOV. JOHN W. DAVIS 338-9 G. HIRAM AND ARTHUR HAROLD GOFF. - ISAAC L. GOFF 350-1 HIRAM LAKE, M.D. - OLD HOUSES 359-60 CLARENCE A. MUNROE. - BENJ. F. MUNROE. 365-6
PHILIP A. MUNROE. - ADDISON P. MUNROE 366-7 DR. GEORGE PIERCE BAKER. - DRS. EDGAR AND ARTHUR R. PERRY . 372-3 PASCHAL E. WILMARTH. - JOHN F. MARVEL 391-2 FOLDING MAP last page
7
1
9 3 7
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69
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. 4
1 3
page 111 i =. =: -.
x1
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5
6
KEY TO MAP
Outer boundary = Rehoboth in its greatest extent.
ICH= Boundary of original Rehoboth, including Wannamoiset.
///11 =State line.
North Purchase, 1661; became Attleborough, including "The Gore," inc. 1694.
Attleborough Gore became Cumberland, R.I., 1747.
Seekonk set off from Rehoboth, 1812.
Pawtucket set off from Seekonk, 1828.
East Providence set off from Seekonk, 1862.
1 Blackstone.
2 Roger Williams' settlement in Seekonk, 1636.
Wannamoiset, ward of Rehoboth till 1667, after that a part of Swansea and Barrington till 1747, when it came into Rehoboth.
The Rehoboth of to-day and since 1812.
5 Seekonk at present and since 1862.
North Purchase, including Attleborough and "The Gore."
NOTE-North Attleborough was set off from Attleborough in 1887.
x
WRENTHAM.
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MANSFIELD
NORTON .
1661.
6.
ATTLEBOROUGH . 1694.
TAUNTON.
PAWTUCKET 1828.
5.
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REHOBOTH
DIGHTON.
PROVIDENCE
PROVIDENCE
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REHOBOTH
1812.
RIVER
REHOBOTH 1747.
MASS. STATE
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Frank W. Cole.CE.
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BLACKSTONE RIVER
PROVIDENCE R.I.
@SEEKONK 1812 TO 1862.
EAST
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SWANSEA.
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OUTLINE AND INDEX MAP OF
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INTRODUCTION
LD Rehoboth was one of the fairest districts of New England, bordered on the west by the beautiful Blackstone, called by the Indians "Pawtucket," which at last under the name of the Providence River mingles its waters with those of the blue Narragansett. Its inland surface is partly level and partly diversified by hills and valleys, streams and meadows, with forests of oak, maple, pine, and cedar. It is delightfully broken by elevations attractive to the eye; namely, Jacob's Hill, Rocky Hill, Long Hill, Great Meadow Hill, and Mt. Terrydiddle, which in turn command views of great loveliness. Its climate is unsurpassed in New England for its salubrity, compared by Pastor Rogerson to his native England for its pleasing variety, its general mildness and its healthfulness; and much of its soil is capable of large harvests in grain, vegetables and fruits.
Rehoboth was fortunate in the quality of its early settlers, who set a worthy example for those coming after them. The fruits of that historic tree were comely and wholesome. More things of note have occurred within the bounds of the old town than even its children dream of. They were strong men who won the victories of those early days, felling the dense forests, subduing the wild beasts, building homes and churches, erecting rude shops for the carpenter, the blacksmith, the wheelwright, the cooper, and the shoemaker, while at the same time wresting a living from the soil and the waters. In many things they led the way for other communities; for within the bounds of old Rehoboth was formed the first Baptist Church in Massachusetts, with its triumphant asser- tion of the principles of human liberty, the right to worship God ac- cording to one's own conscience. Here was the first example of free public schools, supported by a tax on all the inhabitants. Here Elder Samuel Peck illustrated the autonomy of the local church by organizing and maintaining a useful body of Christian believers for more than forty years. Here on the East Branch of Palmer's River, early in the eighteenth century, Ebenezer Peck erected his famous iron forging privilege which made the Meadow Hill region
1
2
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
an industrial center of forging and blacksmithing for a century. Still earlier, on the West Branch of the same stream, on Fairview Avenue, above Ash Street, Ezra Perry had his mill for turning the first bobbins for cotton-mills in the United States. On Cole Brook, in South Rehoboth, Joshua Pierce manufactured the first cast-iron plows made in New England, for which he made his own models which were cast in Albany, and at the same privilege he produced large lots of clothespins, which were shipped to New York and Albany. The first horse-pitchforks sold in New England were used by Rehoboth farmers, one of their number having the agency.
It was Rehoboth enterprise that built the Village cotton-mill as early as 1809, antedating the same industry in Fall River by several years, and two years later the Orleans Factory was in opera- tion. It was a Rehoboth mechanic and wheelwright, Dexter Wheeler, who built the Village mill and later constructed the ma- chinery for the "White" and "Troy" Mills of Fall River.
Rehoboth, whose name means enlargement, has produced men of large caliber who did large things: Benjamin West, noted astron- omer and mathematician; Simeon Martin, several times Gover- nor of Rhode Island and Major-General in the Revolution; Nathan Smith, M.D., founder of the Medical Department of Dartmouth College; Darius Goff, millionaire textile king; John W. Davis, twice Governor of Rhode Island; Edwin R. Bosworth, eminent contractor and builder; Horace Everett Horton, Agricultural Commissioner of the American Steel and Wire Company; and those valiant officers in the Civil War, Major Edward P. Brown and Captain Otis A. Baker.
Other men too, who were not born in this town, have as residents brightened its name. John Brown, Governor's assistant and fore- most man among the early proprietors ; Captain Thomas Willett, successor to Miles Standish and twice Mayor of New York; Ephraim Starkweather, Revolutionary soldier, honored teacher of youth, and confidential advisor of Governor John Hancock; David Benedict, distinguished historian of the Baptist denomina- tion; Leonard Bliss, Jr., gifted writer and historian; these and numerous other names adorn the annals of this venerable town whose history will be unfolded in the chapters that follow.
To know well the men and events of the town's early life "will help one better to love and appreciate the topographical features of forests and hills, the brooks and meadows, the long-travelled
Attleboro.
Perk St
Smith Street
Sla ler
Norton.
Fish
Street.
tural
Tremont
Agricultural Ave
Fairfield/
Menue.
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Street
Street
Avenue
Home Stead
Faitview
Francis Street
Avenue
Holmes St
Perryville
Avenue
Fairview
Avenue
Hill
Road
a- er
Pine Street
anfonts stree
Perrywin
Road
Winthrop Street
St
Hillsicle
Road
street
Salisbury Street
Pine Street
Miver
Street
B
state Road
nty
Street
Street
Winthrop
Vivilmarth R
[ocust st)
street
estrut st
Kelton
Street
erst
Chestnut
Moulton
Gotham Street
Reservoir
Street
Reed St/
Street
Street
Purchasest
st
Pleasant
Cedar
Hornbine
Street
Martin
Street
Baker Sta
Martin
pierce
Tone
Street
Street
Street
Street
Street
Davis
First'SE
-
--
Swansea
STREETS OF REHOBOTH, MASS. Scale, 1600 Feet to One Inch MARCH, 1912
b
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winter
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St
Drovicienco
Water
water
Brook
Street
chestnut
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Cedar
Villers
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Street
r
Watson It
Peckham St
Barney
Mason
Providence
Barney Lane
Pleasant
Spring
Street
Dighton
AUPHUS
Simmons
New Street
Broad
Street
Broad
Blandin
Reservoir Hos
Sum
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School
Baystate Road
Street
Anawen
Street
Carpenter
of
Avenue
Street
2-
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Allen's Lane.
Rocky
Street
Street
Ash
Reynolds
Pinest
Homestead
Avenue.
Fairview
Sprache
Road
Pech
Reynolds Ave.
Street
Deens
che ok, on els
ry.
gricul-
Tremont
Anewan
Taunton
Bliss
Street
Street
Reed Str
Wood
Street
4
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
roads that lead by the old homesteads, while one's imagination clothes them with incident and legend, and peoples them with the spirits of past years. One will more fully realize and enjoy the comforts of the present day as one compares them with the meager advantages of the olden time."
Rehoboth, encircled as she is by growing cities, is destined to be- come a vast market-garden, as well as a suburban home where families of wealth and refinement will delight to dwell.
-
THE IRONS MEETING-HOUSE, 1777 to 1837 In an Oak Grove, Briggs Corner. Drawn by Wm. Blanding, M.D.
CHAPTER I. EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
[IT may be of interest to note the meaning of certain Indian names referred to in this history : -
Seekonk (variously spelled): On or at the mouth of a stream (Tooker). Another interpretation is "Black Goose": seaki, black, and honk, goose (Williams).
Wannamoiset: At a good fishing place.
Pawtucket: The place of the great falls.
Massassoit (variously written): The great King; massa, great, and assot, king.
Osamequin (spelled variously): Another name for Massassoit.
The yellow feather; from ousa, yellow, and mequin, a feather.
Pokanoket: Cleared land or country.
Wampanoag: The people of the Eastland.
Sowams: The South country or Southward.
Wawepoonseag: The place where birds are snared or taken.
Kickemuit: At the great spring.
Touissett: At or about the old fields.
Shawmut: A spring of water.]
The old town of Rehoboth comprised in its greatest extent the present town, together with Seekonk, East Providence, Paw- tucket, Attleborough, North Attleborough, Cumberland, R.I., and that part of old Swansea (afterwards Barrington) which was called by the Indians Wannamoiset.
The first purchase of land for the settlement of the town was made of Massassoit in 1641: "a tract eight miles square" (really ten), and embraced what now constitutes the towns of Rehoboth, Seekonk, the First and Second Wards of Pawtucket, and East Providence.
The second purchase was a small tract known as Wannamoiset, which in 1645 became a possession of John Brown and a ward of Rehoboth. This tract was included in Swansea when that town was incorporated in 1667, but reverted to Rehoboth in 1747, at least the larger part of it, and the "Neck" is now known as Bul-
[5]
be- ere
ion the the ger
6
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
lock's Point. While Swansea embraced at first, besides the present town, Somerset, Barrington, and the greater part of Warren, there is no ground for the impression that it ever included within its bounds any part of Rehoboth beyond the scanty though some- what indefinite area of Wannamoiset.1
The third and last purchase was the "North Purchase" in 1661, now forming Attleborough and North Attleborough, Mass., and Cumberland, R.I. The North Purchase was incorporated into a separate town, by the name of Attleborough, in 1694; and this was subdivided in 1746-7, the "Gore" becoming Cumberland, while North Attleborough was set off in 1887.
The first white settler within the original limits of Rehoboth was William Blackstone. He lived in what is now the village of Lons- dale in Cumberland, R.I., on the river which bears his name, about three miles above Pawtucket.
He came to this country from England about the year 1625 and settled on the peninsula of Shawmut, now the city of Boston. All we know of him before this is that he was a nonconformist minis- ter of the established church in England; and that not willing to endure "the tyranny of the Lord-Bishops," he left the mother country and sought an asylum in the wilds of North America. He remained in quiet possession of his Shawmut estate until the arrival of Governor Winthrop and his company in June, 1630. They first located at Charlestown; but scarcity of water and sick- ness soon made them discontented and they began to scatter. Then "good William Blackstone, with true hospitality, came in their distress to tell them there was a fine spring of pure water at Shawmut and to invite them there" (S. A. Drake, "Around the
1 It is a mistake often made to suppose that the present towns of Swansea and Barrington were ever included within the limits of Rehoboth, although at first the land was held by her by police tenure (Bliss, p. 52). The early settlers had land interests in Sowams, including salt-meadows near Hundred Acre Cove, some of which are still owned by their descendants; the two places, however, are quite distinct (Bicknell's Sowams, p. 141). The only part of Sowams, afterwards Swansea and Barrington, ever claimed by Rehoboth was Wannamoiset. This tract of border land (with twelve acres at Wachemoquit) the town of Rehoboth authorized John Brown to purchase, which he did in 1645, for the sum of fifteen pounds. After 1667 it was included in old Swansea, afterwards Barrington, until 1747, when a line three miles in length was run directly northeast from the south end of Wannamoiset Neck (Bullock's Point) to a bound near Runen's River, and that line was extended three miles from the shore of the Bay, which brought the present towns of Barrington, Warren and Bristol into Rhode Island. Wannamoiset Neck, thus cut off, became a part of Rehoboth, remaining so until 1812, when Seekonk was set off and it was thenceforth included within that town until 1862, when it became a part of East Providence, R.I.
7
EARLY SETTLERS AND ANNALS
Hub," ch. II.). And they, "liking that plain neck that was then called Blackstone's Neck," accepted the invitation.
Blackstone's cottage stood near a spring on the south end of the peninsula on a point of land called Blackstone's Point. Here he cultivated a garden and planted an orchard, the first in New England. He was the first to take the freeman's oath, - May 18, 1631, -before the privilege was limited to church members.
In the year 1628 the settlers of Plymouth made a tax on all the plantations to support a campaign against one Morton of Merry Mount (now Wollaston), and Mr. Blackstone of Shawmut was taxed twelve shillings, which shows that his estate was considered of importance.
There is no reason to suspect any serious trouble between him and his neighbors, but Blackstone had no sympathy with their narrow and intolerant views of religion, and being fond of solitude he preferred to seek another retreat where he might enjoy his own opinions unmolested. The colonists recognized his right in the peninsula by setting off to him fifty acres, April 1, 1633. On Nov. 10, 1634, he sold his right and title to this land to the inhabi- tants of Boston, each one paying him six shillings and some of them more. A reservation of six acres out of the fifty was made for him where his house stood.
At a general meeting upon public notice it was agreed to make and assess "a rate of £30 to Mr. Blackstone," which sum was paid him for his lands, as will appear from the following deposition:
"The deposition of John Odlin, aged about eighty-two yeares, Robert Walker, aged about seventy-eight yeares, Francis Hudson, aged about sixty-eight yeares, and William Lytherland, aged about seventy-six yeares. These Deponents being ancient dwellers and inhabitants of the town of Boston in New-England, from the first planting and settling thereof, and continuing so at this day, do jointly testify and depose that in or about the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred thirty-and-four the then present inhabitants of said town of Boston (of whome the Honourable John Winthrop, Esq. Governour of the Colony was chiefe) did treate and agree with Mr. William Blackstone for the purchase of his estate and right in any lands lying within the said neck of land called Boston, and for said purchase agreed that every householder should pay six shillings, which was accordingly collected, none paying less, some considerably more than six shillings, and the said sume collected was delivered and paid to
S
d
nt
a
8
HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Mr. Blackstone to his full content and satisfaction, in consider- ation whereof hee sold unto the then inhabitants of said town and their heirs and assigns forever his whole right and interest in all and every of the lands lying within the said neck, reserving onely unto himselfe about six acres of land on the point commonly called Blackstone's Point, on part whereof his then dwelling house stood; after which purchase the town laid out a place for a trayning field; which ever since and now is used for that pur- pose, and for the feeding of cattell: Robert Walker and William Lytherland farther testify that Mr. Blackstone bought a stock of cows with the money hee received as above, and removed and dwelt near Providence, where hee lived till the day of his death.
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