USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Gloucester > Notes and additions to the history of Gloucester : second series > Part 1
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UMASS/AMHERST
312066 0005 5605 3
5
1883
DATE QUE
11:91 77553
UNIV. OF MASSACHUSETTS/AMHERST LIBRARY
F 74
G5
B183
NOTES AND ADDITIONS
TO THE
HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER.
SECOND SERIES.
BY JOHN J. BABSON.
0
WITH AN APPENDIX CONTAINING INDEXES TO PARTS I AND II.
Salem Press Publishing and Printing Company, The Salem Press. 1891.
NOTES AND ADDITIONS
TO THE
HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER.
SECOND SERIES.
BY JOHN J. BABSON.
WITH AN APPENDIX CONTAINING INDEXES TO PARTS I AND II.
Salem Press Publishing and Printing Company, The Salem Press. 1891.
NOTES AND ADDITIONS TO THE HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER.
SECOND SERIES.
THIE FIRST CHURCH.
REV. RICHARD BLYNMAN.
THE "yearly maintenance" of Rev. Richard Blynman, the first pastor of this church, was £40. The " History " notices his return to England and leaves him at Bristol in 1671. It appears by a letter from him to Rev. Increase Mather, at Boston (4 Mass. Hist. Coll., VIII, 330), that he he was living in 1678. In 1871 the name was still borne by a few res- idents of the city of Bristol.
REV. JOHN EMERSON.
The full date of birth of the children of Rev. John Emerson, not stated in the History, is here given : Ruth, Aug. 26, 1660; Martha, Nov. 28, 1662; Mary, March 7, 1665 ; Elizabeth, Aug. 25, 1667, died April 6, 1683 ; John, May 14, 1670 ; Dorothy, July 6, 1675 ; and Samuel, Nov. 20, 1678, who died Dec. 5, 1687. Of the son John, one regrets to learn that his conduet in the early part of his college career was not credit- able ; but he received his degree in 1689, and, for aught I know to the contrary; lived and died a respectable minister of the gospel (Sec. 4, Mass. Hist. Coll., VIII, 663). The Essex County Records contain the following deposition, relating to John Emerson, jr., which I here insert, as an interesting item in the family history of the second minister of the town.
"The Deposition of Joseph Allen, Esq., of full age, testifieth and saith, that he being present with Mr. John Emerson and his father at Gloucester, Mr. Emerson, Jr., declared himself that he would go for England, and was upon his removal when ye neighbors heard of it was
(1)
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HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER :
very much troubled ; insomuch that his father sent for him back again. When they were together the young man, among other discourse, told his father that he wanted wherewithal to live upon for a livelihood ; whereupon his father gave him a parcell of land lying nigh ye meeting house in Glosster and bounded it to him and gave him a deed at ye same time, and further declared that as long as he did help him in ye work of ye ministry he would give him ten pounds a year out of his salary. William Sargent Sen., testifieth ye same above written and further we say not.
Joseph Allen. William Sargant.
Sworn by both in Court at Ipswich, March 31, 1702."
The publication of the "Winthrop Papers" in 5 Mass. Hist. Coll., I, 437, brings to light the following letter from Rev. John Emerson, never before published. Wayt Winthrop, to whom it was addressed, was Wait Still, son of John Winthrop, governor of Connecticut. He was of the council of Sir Edmund Andros, and after the overthrow of the government of that oppressor in 1689, in which he heartily joined, he was made commander of the militia.
These for the Honorable Wayt Winthrop, Esqr., in Boston. GLOST. July 26, 1690.
HONOURED SIR,-May it please you to cast an aspect upon these few lines. They are to acquaint your honour with the sad and deplorable state & condition of our towne of Gloucester & also humbly to crave your helpe & succor in this our condition. Sir, the case that we have to spread before you is, that, whereas there is forty seaven of our souldiers under a presse, the case so stands with us that if they be not released I must needs tell you, & it is nothing but truth that I tell you, that we must all be forced to leave the towne, for we are not able to stay any longer after they are gone; but must of necessity be made a prey to the enemy. We shall not have men left to keepe up a watch, nor in any wise much lesse to withstand an enemy, which we are in every day & night in expectation to breake in upon us, by reason that we are a front towne upon the sea, & so good a harbor for shipping as I beleive there is not a better nor a bolder in all New England, by the report of the ablest seamen. Those that are under presse are above halfe of those that traine, as I am informed, &, besides, there will be noth- ing neare enough left to get in hay & harvest, so that we must of necessity be forced to kill our cattell, & our in great danger of being famished. Therefore my request to your selfe is that you will be pleased to release all these men that are under this last presse, there being already listed fiueteen volunteers for Canada, besides seaven that are pressed to the Indian wares. Therefore if you please not to releive us in releasing of these men, we must of necessity, as abovesayed, & the inhabitants due resolve upon it, to leave the towne rather than to live in continuall hazzard & feare of their lives, & to be exposed to all other calamitys. So having given you a true account how the case
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EARLY RECORDS.
stands with us, I leave it to further consideration & discretion, hoping you will please to grant my request in giving your assistance, &, with my service to you presented humbly take leave & remaine, Sir, Your affectionate kinsman & servant,
JOIN EMERSON.
Sir, I have often thought it a matter of great concernment, & for not only our safety but also the safety & good of the country, that there might be some battery or other defence here fortifyed with some great guns, for the ablest seamen doe all concurr that if this place be taken they will with ease stopp or take all shipps that either come in or goe out.
This letter is dated fourteen days before the departure from Boston of the fleet engaged in the unfortunate expedition under Sir William Phips against Canada in 1690; and the "presse" from which Mr. Emerson so earnestly pleads for release, was, without doubt, for soldiers for that ex- pedition. Let us see how completely facts justify the worthy pastor's intercession for his flock. In 1638 the town voted that every household- er, and young man upwards of twenty-one years of age, that was born in town, and county, should have six acres of land. According to the record, every man who is known to have been then an inhabitant except- ing two who were very poor, and one or two others who had just moved into town, received a grant of land. The number, excluding the minis- ter and his son, appears to have been just one hundred, of whom, in 1690, several were dead. We may therefore make a liberal allowance for young men under twenty-one capable of bearing arms, and for so- journers and others whose names had not yet got into the records, and still come to the conclusion that there could not have been in the town, in 1690, as many as ninety men fit for military duty. Moreover, the History shows (p. 214) that the number of persons assessed for a poll- tax in 1693 was only seventy-eight. I know not that information can anywhere be obtained concerning the number of Gloucester men that actually joined this ill-fated expedition to Canada, but that it included a very large proportion of the young and able-bodied men of the town there can be no doubt.
REV. JOHN WIIITE.
No records of this church previous to the ministry of Mr. White are now in existence, but it seems that he must have possessed such, for he begins his record of baptisms with those "baptised before 1703." His first entry in the records is here given :- " The Reverend Mr. John Emerson after more than fourty years spent in the ministry in this town of Gloucester left this life for a better Dec. 2, 1700 being about the 75 year of his age. And after about ten years spent in trouble from the
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HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER :
different apprehentions concerning a minister unworthy me, John White (who am less than the least of all that in a probationary way preached here ), was pitched upon and chosen by church and Town to be their spiritual pastor and guide, which solemn charge I had given me the 21st of April 1703 By the reverened Mr. Gerrish, pastor of the church at Wenham and the Rev. Mr. Wise gave the Right Hand of Fellowship."
The following were the male members of the church residing in town in 1703 :
Joseph Haskell, Deacon, James Parsons, Deacon, William Parsons, sen., James Davis, sen., William Haskell, sen., Benjamin Haskell, Timothy Day, Joseph Allen, James Sayward, Jeffrey Parsons, John Hadley, Nathaniel Coit, Humphrey Woodbury, Anthony Day, John Bray, John Parsons, James Davis, jun., Thomas Day, sen., Samuel Day, Morris Smith, Nathaniel Parsons.
Besides the above the following five male members were out of town : Mr. John Emerson, Thomas Millet, Samuel Allen, Jacob Davis, Samuel Webber.
Mr. White's daughter Mary, wife of Deacon David Allen, died Au- gust 29, 1765.
From the catalogue of the library of this "zealous, faithful and excel- lent divine," consisting of about fifty different works, I select the follow- ing of the value of four shillings and upwards : - Henry's Exposition, 5 vols., £6 6s 8d ; Heylin's Cosmography, £1 ; Burkett on the New Tes- tament, £1 5s Od ; Hildersham's Lectures, 14s ; Bishop Babington on the five books of Moses, 10s 4d; Perkins' Works, 18s; Willard's Body of Divinity, 15s ; Kendall on the Doctrine of the Reformed Churches, 4s ; Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity, 4s; Hildersham's 108 Lectures, 12s ; Cambridge Concordance, 5s 6d; Virgil in Usum Delphini, 4s; Cole's Dictionary, 6s. All the rest of his books did not amount in value to the list here given. The first one mentioned is, of course, the celebrated Exposition of the Old and New Testaments by Matthew Henry, an English divine. It is called a work of a practical and devotional rather than of a critical kind.
In the History, p. 231, it is stated that the town was presented at a Quarterly-Session Court in Salem for neglect to provide a school accord- ing to law. It seems that in 1711 it was again faulty in this particular and had again been complained of at Court. On the last occasion the minister intercedes for his people, in the letter here given. The "Com- modious School house" mentioned in it is that described in the History
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EARLY RECORDS.
p. 233, which cost twenty-four pounds fifteen shillings. "The present Expedition" to which he alludes is the unfortunate attempt against Can- ada.
Glouster, June 25, 1711.
May it please your Honours,
At this time I think it my duty to Intercede for our delinquent town. I have stired up the Town some years past to set up & maintain a publick School as the Law directs. They have complyed and have built a Commodious School house & for several years past have had a Grammar School Master. And to my certain knowledge the Reason why we are now destitute is not for want of caring for & seeking after one, but rather because at this juncture there is none to be had. The Selectmen desired me when I went to the Association Meeting to enquire after a suitable person but none could be found, & again when I went to Election, & there I enquired to no effect. Moreover Capt. Allen one of our Selectmen took a Journey to Cambridge & applyed himself to the President for direction & Assistance in this Matter. And the President told him that their was none at leasure till after Commencement, but Mr. President promised to supply our want then. Capt. Allen went down to Boston & enquired of Mr. Wadsworth but after all this care & Travail we happen at this Crisis to be destitute. Now may it please your Honours seeing that the Town has a due regard to learning and the Good Laws of the Province for in March last the Town Voated that they would have a Gram- mar School Master for this present year & have taken care for his support, I would humbly pray that your Honours would not rigourously axact upon us according to the Letter of the Law, & I dare promise that your Honours' Indulgence shall not be abused unto a negligence in this Matter. I will humbly offer some things to prevail with your Honours. The present Expedition is a Ileavy burden to us as well as to other Towns, for many that go not themselves contribute for the encouragement of such as serve, as also the Enemy make fearful depredations upon our poor fishermen at Cape Sables. Now how discouraging it would be, all Circumstances considered, for the Town at this Time to be fined for a delinqueney that cannot be prevented. I will leave to your Ion- ours Consideration, Wishing your Honours may at this time & from time to time be directed unto a prudent & faithfull Application & Administration of the Good Laws we are under.
Your Honours Humble & Obedient Servant, JOHN WHITE.
For the Hononrable Her Majestys Justices assembled in general Sessions of the Peace Att Salem.
REV. SAMUEL CHANDLER.1
In 1752 Mr. Chandler bought a lot on Middle St. and erected on it a gambrel-roofed house, still standing, which he owned and occupied till his death. He married Anna Peeker of Haverhill, Sept. 12, 1738. Her son Samuel married Elizabeth, daughter of Capt. Jonathan Parsons of Newburyport, probably in 1781, and died in 1787, leaving an only son, Samuel, born in 1782, who married Elizabeth Wyatt of Newport. He
1 See p. 327 of Ilistory.
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HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER :
was a shipmaster and lived in Medford. He was lost at sea in 1827, leaving a daughter Elizabeth who married Isaac A. Hatch of Bangor, and died in 1857, aged thirty-two.
A sermon delivered by Mr. Chandler on Thanksgiving day, Nov. 29, 1759, was printed. His text was Isaiah ix : 6. - "Ilis name shall be called Wonderful." A specimen of the style of this sermon is given in the following extract :
"Wonders are immersed in the deep. There is the ramble of Leviathan, the king over all the children of pride, who makes the sea boil like a pot. There dwelt the fish that arrested the fugitive prophet Jonah, confined him to a cabin until he was delivered up to justice. This is the habitation of cod fish, an unimpaired source of Treasure, a rich revenue, a wholesome repast, delicate diet; the reward of the dripping toils of the fishermen, who live in the spray and labor on the verge of the ocean. The Almighty monarch appoints the place of rendezvous for the scaly herds and finny tribes, parades them on the banks; and moved by his guidance they come volunteers to the hook and are drawn from their native element. His all-seeing eve penetrates the deep abyss. He saw the fish that swallowed the silver coin, sent Peter to the rock, and brought the will- ing subject to the hook, who resigned himself with his prize to be a tribute for his mas- ter. He feeds, leads and rules every inhabitant in the watery world."
Mr. Chandler kept a journal of which a few small annual volumes are preserved. Mingled with much that is unimportant, they contain many items that will be read with interest by all who take pleasure in getting an occasional glimpse of the life of past generations, as it exhibited itself on the spot on which we now dwell. From this journal I have been per- mitted to make some extracts which will be here presented in print; commencing with the first entry connecting Mr. Chandler with Glou- cester.
Feb. 9, 1751. Dr. Parsons & Capt. Jacob Parsons came to desire me to go to Gloucester to preach there.
Feb. 11. The committee from Cape Ann called again.
Feb. 21. I set out for Glocester ; Lodged at Mr. Wibirds with Mr. Wear; sat out next day.
Feb. 22. and dined at Mr. Whipple's, Hampton ; went over Alms- bury ferry lodged at Mr. Jewetts at Rowley.
Feb. 23. I dined at Ipswich at Mr. Emerson Cogswell ; I set out for Cape ann, mist my way after I got over the gt Bridge and went abt a mile out of my way ; got down to the Harbour just before sunset ; called at Capt. Jacob Parsons according to desire ; by Guess the first store I called at to enquire at was his, went in drank a dram there of old mans harnes ; he went with me to Mr. Whites where I Lodge.
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EARLY RECORDS.
Feb. 24. I preached at Glocester from Isai. lv. 1; afternoon from John v. 40 ; in the evening came in Deacon Stacy and one Mr. Chapman of Ipswich, a very talking old gentleman of near four score years, a Zealot he says he is abt 9 years old ; drank tea at noon at Mr. Stevens ; they dine.
Feb. 25. Mr. White and I walked up to Dea Allens, home to din- ner, then we walk down to the Harbour. Went first to Mr. Gibbs (he at Boston) she (they say) was the most desirous of my coming. Mr. White sd to her there was no need of the cantion he gave her. She sd she was not disappointed. She sd Mr. Sayward and others had spoken of me often at their House. I sd I did not apprehend I was under such disadvantages, if I had t'would have been a damp to me. We drank tea there and then went to Capt. Seargeants, drank a glass of wine and harne.
Feb. 26. Mr. White and I went to Dr. Plumers, dined there, kindly entertained ; after Dinner Dea Allen and the Dr went with us into the woods. I heard a spring bird sing.
Feb. 27. Snow in the morning, cleared up ; after dinner Mr. White and I went to Capt. Saunders and to Mr. Littlehales and to Deacon Warners and then to see Mrs. Denning, sick ; I prayed there, then back to the Deacons family meeting. I prayed and read a him, of Mr. Rede. Rev. iii. 17.
Feb. 28. was church meeting ; I went up the Hill while Mr. White went to meeting ; went to the Apostolic see & to the Burying place ; converse among the toombs ; home and read Mr. Durham upon Isai 1. iii. ; received a letter from Mr. Rogers of Ipswich, requesting help for the Sect.
March 1. after dinner Mr. White and I went to the harbour to Mr. Wm. Stevens ; he says he believes there is a good prospect if I tarry that the people will be united ; he seems cordial, we went to Capt. Elery's, were very kindly entertained, drank tea there. Mr. Stevens read my pa- pers of dismission in the evening. Dr. Parsons Dea Stacy and Mr. Woodward, a comtee of the chh chosen yesterday, came to my Lodging at Mr. Whites to treat with me and invited me to tarry with them three months ; informed me that twas the mind of the church to proceed to settlement ; I informed him of the situation of my affairs, the prospects of usefulness elsewhere, in the school and at Berierch, and could not engage so long a time, but in the case I engaged to supply them 3 Sab- baths next to come, & then I must return to York and be absent one
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HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER :
Sabbath, and then I would return here and give them a further an- swer.
March 2. We went to the Harbour to be shaved ; went into Nath'l. Allens, very kind ; his wife was Mr. Gee's daughter ; went to Mr. Wm. Stevens, none at home ; went to Mr. Jaquish, Schoolmaster, and home.
March 3. Very cold day ; I preached from 2 Cor. iii. 18., had great freedom and enlargement. Remarkable good attention; at noon we walked home ; in the evening Capt. Gibs and Mr. Witham came up to Mr. White's to see me; spent the evening there. Mr. White says I shall be the man if they are worthy of me.
March 4. Snow in the morning ; I tarried to dine at 11 o'clock ; got to Ipswich at 23 ; baited my horse at the Tavern ; stept over to Col. Eveleigh's ; to oats 2d. to a pair of yarn Gloves 18d; then set out for Rowley ; a very stormy snowy day. Lodged at Mr. Chandlers.
March 5. Very stormy ; I lay by at Mr. Chandlers.
March 6. after dinner I set out with uncle Chandler for Andover ; Col. Tenny and Mr. Chandler went with us to Fosters to break the way ; I got to Father's.
March 7. I visited at Mr. Philips-parish meeting.
March 8. I set out for Cape ann, dinner at Mr. Woods, lodged at Col. Eveleighs ; kindly entertained; very bad riding; the snow that fell Monday and Tuesday abt 15 inches deep.
March 9. rainy, foggy ; exceedingly bad riding. I got down to the Harbour abt 1 o'clock; dined at Capt. Nathl Allens ; then to my Qtrs at Mr. Whites.
March 10. Stormy, rain, but pretty full meeting ; I preached from Gen. xxviii. 2, and Matthew xxiv. 30-31; was sent for at noon to see Mrs. Perring ; she is dying ; I prayed with her ; drank a dish of tea at deacon Warner's he says they agreed to be silent as to commendation but the others sd oppose ; for that reason Mr. White was not at meet- ing. I Lodged at Mr. John Stevens ; kindly entertained.
March 11. Clear & pleasant; went to see the fort; dined at Capt. Gibs ; She gave me a cambric Handkerchief and 2 fans for my two daughters ; I visited at Mr. Wm. Stevens, & went again to Mr. John Stevens ; prayed with a little negro girl sick ; and to Capt. Jacob Park- ers ; and to Mr. Whites ; Dr. Plumer and wife there.
March 12. We went over the cut to deacon JJno. Parsons ; he con- fined with a cold. We dined at Dr. Williams ; Mr. Parsons of Byfield there ; then went to Capt. Princes ; his wife sick a bed; Mr. Parsons
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EARLY RECORDS.
prayed there. We attend the funeral of Mrs. Perring. Mr. Wm. Ste- vens spent the evening at Mr. White's.
March 13. Went down to be shaved; went to Capt. Elery's came home and went down to Lect. at 3, at the Harbour. I was much as- sisted ; found greater freedom than since I have been in town ; preached from Eph. v. 2; after meeting went with Mr. White to Mr. Wood- wards ; drank tea ; Even at Dea Stacys.
March 14. Went down to Mr. Sayers; to Sam Parsons ; afternoon I preached Mr. Rogers Leet. was very much confused ; supd at Mr. Rogers ; spent the evening at Mr. Wm. Allens.
March 15. Very rainy S. E. storm ; I was very dull ; went over to Deacon Stacy's ; he sick of Jaunders.
March 16. Went after Dinner to see Capt. Princes wife ; sick of fever and jaundus ; prayed there ; went to barbers ; paid me 8 Dollars for travailing expenses and 2 days of preaching, and they kept me and my Horse, £4 per week for my Board 8d a day for my Horse ; he sent my wife a Bilbo Handkerchief; then we called in at Mr. Allens, sail- maker.
March 17. I preached ; had great enlargement in prayer and preach- ing, freedom ; Mr. White administered the Sacrament; I partook ; at noon went to Mr. Woodwards ; drank tea.
March 18. Went with Mr. White in the shaise to Capt. Grovers ; drank tea at Saml Laightons and came home.
March 19. Went up in town, Mr. White and wife and I, to Capt. Elery's and then to Madam Allens ; there was one Mr. Davis and wife ; he is under great trouble of soul ; I went to Dr. Plumers and came to Mr. White and wife at Deacon Allens; drank tea ; then came home.
March 20. Went to Harbour to Mr. Stevens; to Barbers ; to old Mr. Stevens ; to Jas. Stevens ; he confind ; to Mrs. Perkins ; prayed there ; she is blind.
March 21. Provincial Fast ; Forenoon I prayed about 'an hour ; preached ; at noon I went to Mr. Jno Stevens, eat a piece of bread and handful plumbs ; afternoon Mr. White prayed half an hour; I preached (from Heb. ii. 4.).
March 22. Mr. John Stevens sent for me and Mr. White and Madam to dine ; I went forenoon to Dr. Withams & Mrs. Gibs & to Mr. Ste- vens ; there was Nathl Allen and wife and her sister Sally, Wm. Ste- vens and wife, Mrs. Elery, Wm. Allen's wife, Lucy Allen, Naby White ; had first boild beef and pork, bacon, then roast pork and
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HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER :
turkie ; then rise pudding and apple pie ; after dinner we went to see the sorrowful bereaved Mrs. Wallis.
March 23. Mr. White went to Squam ; I tarried at home and stud- ied ; Mrs. Norwood here.
March 24. I preached with much freedom; drank tea at noon at Capt. Gibs ; in the evening came in Capt. Grover and Dr. Plumer & wife ; very warm, pleasant.
March 25. I sat out for York, dined at Mr. Cogswell, at Ipswich ; went to Mr. Parsons at Byfield, and Lodged at my Brothers at New- bury ; in the morning I came from Mr. White's at 8 o'clock ; called at. Mr. Stevens ; he sent a Handkerchief to my wife; called at Jno Ste- vens and Mr. Woodward, and went to Deacon Parsons' (Wm.) to Breakfast ; he paid me 6 dollars ; Capt. Sargeant sent me a Pound of Tea and a dollar in it.
April 11. I set out in the morning for Ipswich, dined at Mr. Rog- ers and preached his Leet. visited Mr. Walley, very weak ; Lodged with Mr. Foxcroft, mintr. of Boston, at Mr. Rogers.
April 12. I set out after dining with Mr. Crocker for Cape Ann ; lodged at Mr. Jaquish, and drank tea at Deacon Wm. Parsons ; got to my Lodgings abt sunset.
April 13. I went to the Harbour to Capt Gibs ; dined there ; to Mr. Wm. Stevens and home.
April 14. I preached from Ps. cxliv. 15; afternoon Lam. iii. 24.
April 15. rainy Day ; I was at Home all day, except that I went to Deacon Stacy's.
April 16. I went with Mr. White and Madam to Capt. Corney's, and then to the widow Saunders, the Aged, and to the young widows -; Mr. Emerson Cogswell lodged with me.
April 17. I went to Ipswich, preached a Lect. for Mr. Walley, Lodged there ; was at Col. Barry's in the evening.
April 18. I came down to Mr. Jaques', preached his Leet. and came home over the ferry ; very windy this 2 days.
April 19. I went with Mr. White to Mr. Bradstreets at Squam ; came home abt sunset ; Mr. Wm. Stevens and wife and Mrs. Allen at Mr. Whites ; cold raw weather.
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