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PROCEEDINGS OF THE TERCENTENARY ANNIVERSARY OF BARNSTABLE - MASSACHUSETTS 1639-1939
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01104 4416
PROCEEDINGS OF THE TERCENTENARY YEAR OF BARNSTABLE, MASSACHUSETTS
THE TERCENTENARY COMMITTEE-Front row, Miss M. Gen- ieve Leonard, Miss Evelyn Crosby, Mrs. Ora A. Hinckley, Mrs. Gladys P. Swift, Miss Elizabeth C. Jenkins. Rear row, Donald G. Trayser, Reg- inald F. Bolles, Chairman James F. McLaughlin, Alfred Crocker, Thom- as Qtis.
Report of Proceedings" of the
PAT
TERCENTENARY ANNIVERSARY of The Town of BARNSTABLE Massachusetts
TERCENTENARY ANNIVERSARY
1639
TOWN OF BARNSTABLE
1939
PUBLISHED BY THE BARNSTABLE TERCENTENARY COMMITTEE HYANNIS, MASSACHUSETTS 1940
COPYRIGHT, 1940, BY THE BARNSTABLE TERCENTENARY COMMITTEE HYANNIS, MASSACHUSETTS.
PRINTED BY F. B. & F. P. Goss HYANNIS, MASSACHUSETTS
1801713
THE TERCENTENARY COMMITTEE
JAMES F. MCLAUGHLIN, General Chairman
ELIZABETH C. JENKINS, Secretary
REGINALD F. BOLLES
ALFRED CROCKER
EVELYN CROSBY
ORA A. HINCKLEY
M. GENIEVE LEONARD
THOMAS OTIS
GLADYS P. SWIFT
DONALD G. TRAYSER
SUB-COMMITTEES
Banquet-MR. MCLAUGHLIN, MR. OTIS, MRS. SWIFT, MR. TRAYSER
Churches, Pageant-MISS JENKINS, CHAIRMAN
Entertainment of Visitors-MR. OTIS, CHAIRMAN
Fair-MRS. SWIFT, CHAIRMAN; MR. CROCKER, MR. MCLAUGHLIN, MR. TRAYSER
Libraries-MRS. HINCKLEY, CHAIRMAN
Memorial Tablets-MR. CROCKER, CHAIRMAN; MR. BOLLES, MISS CROSBY Publications-MR. TRAYSER, CHAIRMAN, MR. Mc- LAUGHLIN
With the Selectmen-CHESTER A. CROCKER, VICTOR F. ADAMS AND JAMES F. KENNEY, AND THE CITIZENS OF BARNSTABLE COOPERATING
THIS REPORT was edited, and fore- word written, by Donald G. Trayser. It was published in February, 1940, in an edition limited to one thousand copies
FOREWORD
THE COMMITTEE CHARGED with planning observance of the Tercentenary year of Barnstable's incorporation would be remiss did it not put into permanent form the proceedings of this observance. One hundred years ago, in 1839, a re- port was published of the Second Centennial celebration which remains for us a fascinating document, an invaluable historical record and a mirror of the devotion of the men and women of that day to their native town. Our townsmen of that year cautioned posterity to let no hundredth anni- versary pass without fitting observance. The sentiment was often voiced during the proceedings; once it was put into a toast proposed by John L. Dimmock at the Second Centen- nial banquet-
Our descendants in 1939-May they then as we do now-come from North, South, East and West, and celebrate our natal day with an honest pride and pleas- ure worthy of their ancestors.
That your Committee and the Inhabitants of Barnstable obeyed this injunction "with an honest pride and pleasure," this report is proof. It is brief in detail; more could have been written; less would fail to do justice to the events re- corded. Our forefathers, celebrating in 1839, left us their record; we, celebrating in 1939, leave this, our record, for those to come.
Our record begins with the annual town meeting held March 5, 1935, when it was voted:
To instruct the Moderator to appoint a Committee of ten townspeople to consider plans and methods for a proper observance of the Town's Tercentenary anni- versary in the year 1939, and to report its recommen- dations at the next annual town meeting.
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FOREWORD
The Moderator appointed the following citizens to the Com- mittee: Charles C. Paine, James F. Mclaughlin, Elizabeth C. Jenkins, Evelyn Crosby, Gladys P. Swift, Thomas Otis, Reginald F. Bolles, M. Genieve Leonard, Elizabeth C. Nye and Ora A. Hinckley. Subsequently, Miss Nye and Mr. Paine tendered their resignations and the Board of Select- men appointed in their stead Alfred Crocker and Donald G. Trayser. The Committee chose Mr. Mclaughlin chair- man and Miss Jenkins secretary. Thus constituted, the Com- mittee planned and executed the observance. A full report of preliminary plans was published in the annual town re- port for 1938; a brief summary of the carrying out of these plans is in the town report for 1939 and has been spread on the town books; the report at hand completes the record.
The broad general plan of the Committee was to arrange special church services and an historical pageant that would bring to remembrance the coming of our first settlers in 1639; to erect memorial tablets which would honor some of our town's worthy men and mark important historic sites; to publish an historical volume and such brochures and other material as might be possible; to emphasize in a ser- ies of Village Weeks the role played in the life of our town by our villages; and finally, to plan an event or series of events in which the inhabitants of Barnstable, gathered to- gether, should bring to a climax and to fitting close the Tercentenary celebration. For that climax and finale Mrs. Swift conceived the happy idea of reviving the old Barn- stable Fair-a beloved institution which every fall for more than three-quarters of a century brought to the fair grounds people from all Cape Cod. In the revival of the fair the Committee saw an opportunity for renewal of old friend- ships, for gaiety, for education, and a solution of the urgent problem of providing a setting for the Tercentenary ban- quet.
Such, in brief, were the plans. With the approaching sum- mer season came many happy portents for the success of
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FOREWORD
these plans. Happiest of all were the manifest willingness of our townspeople to cooperate, and the welcome message from overseas that the Mayor, Mr. Charles F. Dart, and the Mayoress, Mrs. Dart, would come from our mother town of Barnstaple, England, to celebrate with us the 300th birthday of Barnstable in New England.
The formal Tercentenary observance opened with the dedication of a granite tablet in the wall of the West Barn- stable cemetery in memory of Captain Percival. That cere- mony, held under the rays of a warm Fourth of July sun, was soon followed by the carefully planned and handsome- ly executed village celebration at Cotuit. From then on un- til late August scarcely a day passed without an address, a well-planned exhibit, the opening of an old house, that re- called to our own people and to our visitors something of interest in Barnstable's three hundred years-or a parade, sport contest, or social gathering, that brought them into gay and happy contact. Many of the exercises were held out- of-doors and as certainly as the time arrived, so would the day be clear and sunny. As the summer wore on, unfailing blue sky and warm sun smiled on each Tercentenary event. Twenty-five out-of-door programs, including the three days of the fair, and only one, the Communion Service of Sun- day, August 20th, needed to seek shelter !- and fittingly found it in the old West Parish meetinghouse. We have cause gratefully to remember the fortuitous "Tercentenary weather" of July and August, 1939.
The Mayor and the Mayoress came, and by their presence added interest and color to the Tercentenary observance. They arrived laden with handsome gifts from the 1000-year- old Barnstaple in Devonshire, and they departed with others, from its namesake, Barnstable, to the mother town. Of our guests may we simply say that they won all hearts; that their graciousness and goodwill is an unforgettable memory. Their departure in late August at the time of grave crisis across the Atlantic is the single note of sad- ness in our joyous celebration.
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Especially memorable events during the summer includ- ed the Lawyers' Day program, the pageant, the fair and the banquet. The fair awakened happy memories of fairs of other years. It was a friendly reunion shared by our townspeople with the people of all Cape Cod. Not a few of those attending earnestly expressed the hope that, once revived, it might renew its youthful vigor. The Committee here records that Mrs. Swift not only conceived the idea of the fair but executed it with noteworthy skill.
During the three days of the fair the Tercentenary ob- servance rose to its planned climax. The banquet, held in a large tent on the grounds, was a notable occasion. Instead of choosing one speaker to deliver a long oration the Com- mittee requested a group of distinguished men-most of them bound to our town by ties of nativity or summer resi- dence-to speak briefly. It is doubtful whether ever before that day had a more distinguished company than these four- teen speakers graced a banquet board in our town. The transcript of what they said is worthy; the spoken words lose some of their vitality in print, but let those who heard assure those who read, that the banquet program held a large audience engrossed for more than two hours on a warm August afternoon, and that none present doubted that they had participated in a significant occasion in Barn- stable's history.
The service in the East Parish meetinghouse on Sunday, August 27th, when Professor George Lyman Kittredge ad- dressed his fellow townsmen, brought the Tercentenary ob- servance of 1939 to a close.
Your Committee feels that in time to come this celebra- tion will mean many things to many people. It was a sum- mer long observance in which every village, and probably every citizen at one time or another, participated. To some the Tercentenary will recall the pleasant afternoons of memorial dedications; to others it will bring back scenes from Barnstable's yesterdays, spread in magic pageantry on the green slopes above Coggins Pond; to many others it will
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stir memories of the gaiety of the Tercentenary fair or of its brilliant climax, the banquet. Some, far away or unable to attend the celebration, have felt the significance of these three centuries in the life of the town as they have read the Tercentenary history. In our schools it has meant a kindling of interest in the past. Of all these threads and many others the larger fabric of our Tercentenary offering has been woven.
Now your Committee must pay its respect to the large number of townspeople and those residing elsewhere who have joined in sharing the burdens this observance entailed. In unity of purpose we found strength. Your Committee acknowledges the services of many; to countless others un- named we offer our gratitude.
With this report your Committee rests, its labors ended. We have laid the wreathes; we have made green the memo- ries of men and women who three centuries ago founded a new town beside the Great Marshes. Now, in valedictory, we echo the words of Toastmaster Benjamin F. Hallet, who on the morning after the Second Centennial wrote so ele- quently in The Barnstable Patriot: "The day [let us say, the year] has passed in all its brilliancy and beauty and gloriously animated spirit, in a manner worthy to make it the connecting link between the present and the past, and to be remembered until our posterity shall seek to emulate it at the end of another century."
We stand too near our Tercentenary to judge how well we have linked our town's worthy past with its living pres- ent, or to measure our observance in terms of success or failure. Those who come after us will measure its worth by the imprint it leaves on us individually and on our town's civic future. Have we not found in the past that which re- freshes our pride and gives us reason to look to the future with courage and faith as our town commences its fourth century? The Barnstable of 1939 is not the Barnstable of a century ago; nor will the Barnstable of 2039 be the Barn- stable we know. God grant that the year 2039 will find
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our citizens still cherishing the founders of their town, still ready to pause as we have paused, to gaze down the vista of the past before turning to the future.
From two events we shall long remember we, the Com- mittee, propose a toast to you, the citizens of Barnstable.
From the pageant ---
Out of past courage Courage for today.
From the banquet-
Long live Barnstable!
VII
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD
PART I: MEMORIAL TABLETS
(Names of speakers in italics.)
PAGE
CAPTAIN JOHN PERCIVAL -. E. Seymour Clark 2
THE REV. JOSEPH HULL-Davis G. Maraspin 9
FULLING MILL AT MARSTONS MILLS-Chester A. Crocker 14
FIRST SETTLERS OF COTUIT-Dr. A. Lawrence Lowell 23
FIRST SETTLERS OF OSTERVILLE-Victor F. Adams 30
FORTIFICATION HOUSE OF DEACON WM. CROCKER -Lauchlan M. Crocker 38
MAJOR MICAH HAMLIN-B. Nason Hamlin 42
ELDER THOMAS DIMMOCK-Henry B. L. Dimmick 47
THE REV. JOHN LOTHROP-The Rev. Donald Lothrop 51
FORTIFICATION HOUSE OF ELDER HENRY COBB -Richard Cobb 53
CAPTAIN JOHN GORHAM-Henry C. Kittredge 58
FIRST SETTLERS OF CENTERVILLE-Elisha B. Worrell 62
PART II: THE VILLAGE WEEKS
COTUIT WEEK 70
HYANNIS WEEK 80
CENTERVILLE WEEK 84
WEST BARNSTABLE WEEK 87
OSTERVILLE WEEK 89
BARNSTABLE VILLAGE WEEK 92
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PART III: LAWYERS' DAY PROGRAM
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS-John D. W. Bodfish 97
JAMES OTIS, PATRIOT AND LAWYER- Judge Daniel T. O'Connell 100
CHIEF JUSTICE LEMUEL SHAW- Dr. A. Lawrence Lowell 113
OTHER LEGAL LIGHTS OF BARNSTABLE- Henry A. Ellis 116
PART IV: GUESTS FROM BARNSTAPLE, ENGLAND
ARRIVAL IN THIS COUNTRY 121
PROCEEDINGS AT PUBLIC RECEPTION 123
EXCHANGE OF FELICITATIONS 132
RECEPTION BY TOWN OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION 135
GIFT TO ST. MARY'S CHURCH 136
PARTICIPATION IN TERCENTENARY PROGRAMS 137
DEPARTURE FROM THIS COUNTRY 139
PART V: CHURCH OBSERVANCE AND PAGEANT
PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNITED CHURCH COMMITTEE 143
PROCLAMATION OF TERCENTENARY SUNDAY 147
TERCENTENARY COMMUNION SERVICE- Sermon by Dr. Alfred R. Hussey 148
THE TERCENTENARY PAGEANT 154
PART VI: THE TERCENTENARY FAIR
REPORT OF FAIR COMMITTEE-Mrs. Gladys P. Swift 164
PROGRAM OF FAIR 166
PART VII: THE TERCENTENARY BANQUET
THE PROGRAM
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CONTENTS XV
OPENING REMARKS OF TOASTMASTER- Chester A. Crocker 179
REMARKS-Congressman Charles L. Gifford 181
Chief Justice Fred T. Field 183
Professor George Lyman Kittredge 185
Henry C. Kittredge 186
Dr. Thomas S. Gates 188
Dr. A. Lawrence Lowell 189
Professor Joseph H. Beale 190
Judge Frederic H. Chase 191
Judge Daniel T. O'Connell 193
Dr. John Edgar Park 195
Dr. ZeBarney T. Phillips 196
Joseph Crosby Lincoln 198
John C. Makepeace 200
Mayor Charles F. Dart 202
PART VIII: MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE-Ora A. Hinckley 208
LETTER TO COMMITTEE FROM THE SELECTMEN 209
REPORT OF PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE- Donald G. Trayser 210
PART I Memorial Tablets
The Memory of the First Settlers-Men and women worthy to be progenitors of a nation of freemen. In their frugal virtues and pious example, they have left us an inheritance richer than wealth, nobler than title.
-Toast given at Barnstable's Second Centennial in 1839.
ONE OF THE first decisions of the Tercentenary Commit- tee was that it should expend a substantial proportion of the funds alloted to it in raising suitable memorials to the first settlers and to places important in our town's history. The persons and places to be memorialized were chosen carefully. In years past some of our eminent forefathers, such as James Otis, the Patriot, Chief Justice Lemuel Shaw, and some important sites such as Sacrament Rock, had already been honored with tablets and markers. For its choice the Committee can only say it selected as wisely as it could. In several villages, namely, Cotuit, Osterville and Centerville, the Committee felt it more fitting to raise tab- lets to the early, unnamed settlers, rather than to single out individuals.
Two types of markers were used: bronze tablets on nat- ural boulders, and tablets of Acton granite. In all, twelve memorials were erected and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies. In most cases the memorial dedications were ar- ranged as the principal events of the various village weeks observed throughout the town. Speakers and those unveil- ing the memorials were either descendants of the pioneers honored or residents of those villages whose pioneers were remembered. The ceremonies were blessed by perfect weather. Some of the audiences were large, some small; all
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were composed of citizens earnestly offering silent homage to the memories of their forefathers. They were quiet cere- monies, but long to be remembered. Among all the public functions it sponsored the Committee feels that these cere- monies dedicating the memorial tablets and boulders held weekly during the summer season of 1939 yielded to none in their evocation of the true Tercentenary year spirit of reverence and gratitude to the men and women who made Barnstable.
Captain John Percival
A TABLET OF ACTON granite set in the north wall of the old West Barnstable Cemetery in honor of Captain John Per- cival was dedicated in ceremonies commencing at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4th. Its inscription reads :
In This Cemetery Lie The Mortal Remains Of Capt. John Percival
Known as "Mad Jack" Born Apr. 3, 1779 Died Sept. 17, 1862 In Command Of "Old Ironsides" On 52,279 Mile Voyage Around The World 1844 1846 Barnstable Tercentenary 1939
The program was opened before the large assembly with remarks by James F. Mclaughlin, chairman of the Ter- centenary Committee, who presented Chairman of the Se- lectmen Chester A. Crocker. Mr. Crocker introduced Miss Edith Baker, grand-niece of Captain Percival, who unveiled the tablet. Present, representing the Navy: Department, was a uniformed detail of the Naval Reserve under com- mand of Lt. Samuel Freedman of Chatham. The dedicatory
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MEMORIAL TABLETS
DEDICATION OF THE PERCIVAL TABLET-(Front row, left to right )-Alfred Crocker, Lt. Samuel Freedman, James F. Mclaughlin, Mrs. Ora A. Hinckley, Commodore E. Seymour Clark (the speaker), Miss Edith Baker, Selectman Chester A. Crocker, Miss Elizabeth C. Jenkins.
address was delivered by Commodore E. Seymour Clark of Sandwich, a student of Naval history and commodore of the Sea Scouts.
DEDICATORY ADDRESS DELIVERED AT UNVEILING OF THE TABLET IN MEMORY OF CAPTAIN JOHN PERCIVAL BY COMMODORE E. SEYMOUR CLARK
We are gathered here today to dedicate this granite mark- er to the memory of a native son, a public spirited citizen and an outstanding and distinguished officer of the United States Navy.
Captain John Percival was born in West Barnstable on Scorton Hill on April 3rd. 1779, the son of John and Mary Snow Percival. Like many other New England boys he left home at the early age of fourteen to follow a life on the sea. He started in as a cabin boy and cook, and in 1797 shipped as second mate on the ship "Thetis" out of Boston. While
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on this voyage to Lisbon the vessel was captured by the British and young Percival was sent to H.M.S. "Victory" of the Royal Navy, at that time flagship of Sir John Jervis. He served for some time aboard this British man-of-war as a maintopman and during this time formed a life-long friend- ship with Midshipman Isaac Coffin, who in later years became a distinguished admiral in the Royal Navy.
Later Percival was transferred to a British 18-gun brig and sent to Maderia as a member of a prize crew to capture a vessel laden with wheat. Upon arriving there he sighted the American merchant brig "Washington" at anchor just outside the harbor. By clever scheming one night he was able to escape from his vessel and after a row of twenty-one miles was picked up by the American vessel. From here he journeyed to the Dutch East Indies where he was taken captive again, but this time by the Dutch. After a short time he was able to escape and made his way back to the United States where he joined the Navy as a master's mate and was soon commissioned a midshipman. In 1800 due to a reduc- tion in the personnel of the Navy he was discharged and took up his service on the sea as the master of the merchant ship "'Hector" in the West Indies trade.
In 1809 he returned to service in the United States Navy, this time as a sailing master. During the blockade of New York in 1813 through a very clever trick he and lis crew of a small naval vessel were able to capture the British vessel "Beagle" which was on blockade duty in the lower harbor.
Percival then became sailing master of the U. S. S. 'Peacock" and served with distinction during her fight off the Florida coast with the "Epervier" on April 29, 1814. In recognition of his excellent work during this engagement he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. In 1825 he served as first lieutenant to the distinguished officer Commodore Isaac Hull on board the U. S. frigate "United States" of the Pacific fleet.
The following year Percival was given command of the U. S. S. "Dolphin," and from January 9th to May 11th, 1826, he visited the Sandwich Islands, the first United States naval vessel to call there. While there he did much to assist American whalemen, for the natives at that time were most unfriendly to visitors. On March 3, 1831, he was made a Commander in the navy and on December 8, 1841 was pro- moted to the high rank of captain, U. S. N.
From 1833 to 1835 Captain Percival commanded the U. S. S.
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MEMORIAL TABLETS
"Erie," and was engaged in putting down piracy and halting slave trade off the South American coast. Later he was sent to Boston and served there on shore duty. After this tour of duty he commanded the U. S. S. "Jaunita" and served in many exciting engagements with the pirates. Because of the way he handled himself and his crew during many most trying moments on board this vessel he completely won the affection of other officers and members of the crew.
One member of the crew in writing of one of the engage- ments of the "Jaunita" described Percival as being the most profane man in the U. S. Navy, but the most loved and most just. He would never give an officer an assignment that he was not willing to do himself.
One amusing incident in Captain Percival's life occurred while he was in command of a naval vessel anchored in a harbor during heavy weather. He was anxious to have a tug tow his vessel out of the harbor so that he could be on his way. The captain of the tug at this time signalled over the following message: "Unless the wind and tide abate. I can- not tow you through the strait." Percival, receiving the message and feeling that possibly the tug officer was trying to be funny in putting his message in this form, immediately sent a return message which read: "So long as you have wood and coal. you'll tow away g- d- your soul. "
Captain Percival's last cruise and the one for which we remember him the most was in command of the United States frigate "Constitution" or "Old Ironsides." This vessel was resting in a navy yard much in need of repair. Estimates on the work were so great in amount that the Navy Department had about decided not to go ahead with the repairs. Percival asked permission to plan out the repairs himself and to per- sonally supervise the work on the hull. This he was given permission to do and as a result of his personal supervision the vessel was put back into commission at a cost of only $10.000.
After repairs were made Percival was given command of her and from May, 1844, to September, 1846, he made a cruise of 55.000 miles around the world. making good will calls at twenty-six foreign ports. During this voyage he arranged treaties for this country, made trade agreements, and in general brought the peace and good will of the United States to many foreign lands. He was given a state dinner by the Sultan of Muscat, at which time he was presented with a jeweled hilt sword. At many other ports he was tend- ered high honors in recognition of his fine work. While on
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this voyage he had the ship's carpenter take on a supply of fine hard woods at Madagascar. Some of these were used in making an elaborate casket on Percival's orders by the ship's carpenter. This casket was brought back to this country filled with teas and silks from the Orient. Later, instead of keeping it to be buried in. Percival had it erected as a watering trough in front of his home in Dorchester.
In 1855 he was placed on the reserve list of the navy and went to Dorchester, there to live with his wife whom he had married in 1823, the daughter of a Dr. Pinkerton of Trenton, N. J.
After retirement he often visited West Barnstable as the guest of Mr. Charles Bursley, grandfather of Mr. John Burs- ley who is among us here today. The old captain was much interested in this old cemetery. the West Barnstable church and the school of this village. He paid for the erection of the granite wall around this cemetery.
On September 17, 1862. he died at his home in Dorchester and his body lies buried here at this spot.
In his will he left a fund for the Barnstable Agricultural Society. money for the church and a fund to be paid to school teachers of the West Barnstable Parish. These funds are still in existence and Mr. John Bursley of this village is custodian at the present time.
It is most fitting that the citizens of Barnstable at this time during their Tercentenary Celebration honor the memory of Captain John Percival by the erection of this granite mark- er and that we dedicate it at this old cemetery actually in the granite wall which he himself was responsible for having erected.
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