USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Dorchester > Annals of the town of Dorchester > Part 2
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In some part of this Year the Town Chose 20 men to order ye affairs of ye Plantation ; and very many orders were made for ye disposal of small pieces of Land & Marsh &c., and a List of those that were to haue Land in ye Di- vision of ye Neck, & other Lands, consisting of about 104 Names.
1638.
Selectmen, Mr. Glover, Nathl. Duncan, Mr. Adderton, Mr. Jones, Ch. Gibson, Jos. Philips, Mr. Bates, Wm. Sumner, Nich. Upsall & John Capen.
Raters or Assessors, Mr. Bates, Roger Clap, Ch. Gibson, Barnabe Four, John Capen. And in ye latter part of ye vear were Chosen 7 men to order ye affairs of ye Planta- tion, for ye Remainder of ye year, for sometimes they Chose twice a year. About this time the Neck & ye three Divi- sions of ye Cow walk was laid out.
1639.
This year Thomsons Island was appropriated for ye bene- fit of a School, but afterward ye Town were Sued out of ve Possession of Sd Island, & ye Gen. Court Granted 1000 acres of wild land in lieu of it .*
This year was an order for Mounting ye Great Guns at Mr. Hawkins's or Rock-hill.
There is no Account of ye Selectmen this Year, Except y-e 7 men mentioned in ye latter end of ye last year were they, who were Mr. Glover, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Adderton, Mr. Jones, John Wiswell, John Pierce.
1640.
There is no Record of ye Selectmen this year, nor is there much business Recorded.
* See Appendix, Note F.
17
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
1641.
Selectmen, Nathl. Duncan, Sargent Atherton, Mr. Clark, Rich. Collicut, John Holland, Roger Clap, John Pierce.
This year Aug. 9, Died Mr. Jonathan Burr, Assistant to Mr. Richard Mather.
1642.
Selectmen, Mr. John Glover, Bro. Breck, Ens. Holman, Bro. Bates, Bro. Gibson, Bro. Upshall, Thos. Clark. Bay- liff, Geo. Procter.
This year it was ordered that every person that had any matter to offer to ye Town must first acquaint ye Selectmen with it, or else it was not to be debated on under a penalty ; agreeable to ye present Law requiring all ye matter of ye meeting to be expressed in ye warrant.
From 38 to 42, Mr. Nathl. Duncan & Serj. Hum. Ather- ton were Treasurers.
1643.
This year there is no Record of ye Officers, nor (I think) of any other thing, there being Several Pages missing in that place.
1644.
Selectmen, Mr. Glover, Mr. Patten, Mr. Howard, Thos. Wiswell, Nathl. Duncan, Mr. Atherton, Mr. Jones.
This year there was Wardens appointed to take care of & manage ye affairs of ye School ; they were to see that both ye Master & Schollar performed their Duty, & to Judge of & End any difference that might arise between Master & Schollar, or their Parents, according to Sundry Rules & Directions there set down. The first Wardens were Mr. Howard, Dea. Wiswell, & Mr. Atherton.
1645.
This year they agreed upon ye Building of a new Meet- ing-house, and Granted a Rate of £250; the Committee Mr. Glover, Nathl. Duncan, Mr. Atherton, Mr. Jones, 2*
13
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Dea. Wiswell, Dea. Clap & Mr. Howard ; Raters, Edwd. Breck, Wm. Sumner, Thos. Wiswell, William Blake & Roger Clap.
Selectmen for this year were Humphrey Atherton, Roger Clap, John Wiswell, Thos. Jones, Hopestill Foster, Geo. Weeks & Wm. Blake. Bayliff, Serjant Sumner.
This year was Composed and Recorded an Instrument called the Directory, wherein were many good orders & Rules which ye Inhabitants bound themselves to observe, in their orderly managing their Town Meetings : Some of which were, that althings should be aforehand prepared by se Selectmen, that all Votes of Importance should be first drawn in writing and have 2 or 3 distinct Readings, before v" Vote was called for. That every man should haue libertie to speak his mind meekly and without noise; that no man should speak when another was speaking ; that all men would Countenance & Encourage all ye Town Offi- cers in ye due Execution of their Offices, and not fault or Revile them for doing their Duty, &c. This Directory used to be Read at ye opening of ye Town Meetings after- wards, as ye Laws of Reformation are ordered to be Read
now. This year was also an Order made, that at all Town Meetings the Selectmen were to appoint one of themselues to be Moderator, near Conformable to ye present Law of the Province. There were also this year & before & after, divers orders about Fences, Cattle, Swine, Marking of Cat- tle. &c .. much like what ye Province Law now requireth : as also for manageing of Common Fields &c. which orders had penalties annexed, & men appointed to see them Exe- cuted. and ye fines destreined by ye Bayliff.
1646.
Selectmen, Mr. Glover, Mr. Jones, Edwd. Breck, John Wiswell. John Holland, Edward Clap & Wm. Clark.
1647. Selectmen, John Wiswell, Thos. Jones, Wm. Blake, Win. Clark, Joseph Farnworth, Wm. Sumner & Geo.
19
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Weeks. Raters, Nicholas Clap, Richard Baker & John Capen. Bayliff, John Kinsley.
1648.
Selectmen, Capt. Atherton, John Wiswell, John Glover, Roger Clap, & Thos. Jones. Bayliff, John Smith. Raters, Geo. Weeks, Hopestill Foster, & John Kinsley.
1649.
This year there is no Record of ye Town Officers to be found.
1650.
Selectmen, Mr. John Glover, Lievt. Clap, Ens. Foster, Serjant Clark & John Smith. Bayliff, James Humfrey. Raters, Mr. Jones, John Capen, Richard Baker.
1651.
Selectmen, Capt. Atherton, Wm. Blake Senr., Mr. James Bates, Mr. Jones, & Mr. Howard. Raters, John Capen, Thos. Dickerman, Wm. Sumner Senr. Bayliff, Richard Hall.
This Year the Bridge built over Neponsit River by Henry Whites.
1652.
Selectmen, Capt. Humphrey Atherton, Wm. Sumner Senr., Robt. Howard, Thos. Jones & Ensign Foster. Bayliff, Bro. Gurnet. Raters, Serjant Capen, Thos. Wis- well, Serj. Clark. This year was a Collection in Dor- chester, for ye maintenance of ye President, Fellows, & poor Schollars of Harvard Colledge. Robert Howard Chosen Clerk of ye Writs untill Dea. Wiswell's Return from England.
1653.
Selectmen, Capt. Humphrey Atherton, Richard Baker, Richard Leeds, Mr. Patten & Lievt. Clap. Bayliff, John Wales. Raters, Serj. Capen, John Minot & John Smith.
20
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
1654.
Selectmen, Lt. Roger Clap, Mr. Nathl. Patten, Dea. John Wiswell, Ens. Foster and Mr. Thos. Jones. Raters, Serj. Capen, John Minot, John Smith. Bayliff, Thos. Bird.
1655.
Selectmen, John Wiswell, Ens. Foster, Edwd. Breck. Nathl. Glover, & Nathl. Patten. Raters, John Smith, John Minot & Wm. Clark. Bayliff, Henry Garnsey.
1656.
Selectmen, Mr. Patten, Edwd. Breck, Ens. Foster, Mr. Jones, & Nathıl. Glover. Raters, Serjt. Capen, Wm. Clark & Robt. Badcock. Bayliff, Thos. Lake. This year Wm. Blake Sen. was Chosen Recorder for ye Town, & Clerk of ye Writs for ye County of Suffolk ; he was to haue 20s. per year, & be Ratefree.
1657.
Selectmen, Lt. Clap, Ens. Foster, Mr. Jones, Mr. Pat- ten & Edwd. Clap. Raters, Joseph Farnworth, Wm. Clark & Rich. Withington. Bayliff, Lawrence Smith. This Year there was also Two Constables Chosen, viz. John Capen & Wm. Trescott.
This Year ye Town at ye Request of ye Revd. Mr. John Eliot Granted Punkapuog Plantation for ye Indians, and appointed men to lay it out, not exceeding 6000 acres, and at ye same time 500 acres to Lt. Roger Clap, & 1000 acres to be laid out for ye School of Dorchester.
The Records of Births & Deaths that was before this Year is Sd to be accidentally burnt in Thomas Millet's house, and so are all lost, except a few Families that kept ye Account of their Childrens Births, entered them in ye next Book of ye Records of Births.
This Year there is Recorded 19 Births & 17 Deaths.
1658.
Selectmen, Majr. Atherton, Lt. Clap, Ens. Foster, Mr.
21
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Jones & Mr. Patten. Raters, John Capen, Wm. Sumner, & Wm. Robinson. Bayliff, Clement Maxfield. Consta- bles, James Blake & Hugh Batten.
This Year was an Order for all Persons to giue in Acct. of their Ratable Estate, & no person to Receive into Town any Stranger without acquainting ye Selectmen.
Births 31. Deaths 9.
1659.
Selectmen, Majr. Atherton, Lt. Clap, Ens. Foster, Mr. Patten, & Mr. Jones. Raters, Edward Breck, John Capen & Wm. Sumner. Bayliff, Jacob Hewins. Constables, Wm. Robinson & Wm. Pond. Births 18. Deaths 7. Geo. Weeks & Jos. Farnworth died this year. This Year was given ye 400 Acres of Land to ye use of ye Ministry, & 500 Acres to ye Non-Commoners.
1660.
Selectmen, Majr. Atherton, Lt. Clap, Ens. Foster, Mr. Patten & Mr. Jones. Raters, Wm. Sumner, John Capen, & Wm. Robinson. Bayliff, Thos. Andrews Senr. Con- stables, none. Births 29. Deaths 6.
In 1660 ye 3} Divisions, and ye 6 Divisions Laid out about this time.
1661.
Selectmen, Lt. Clap, Ens. Foster, Mr. Patten, Mr. Jones, & Wm. Sumner. Raters, Richard Baker, Wm. Robinson & John Minot. Bayliff, Wm. Turner. Con- stables, Thos. Tolman & Enoch Wiswell. Births 19. Deaths 7.
This year Died ye Honble. Major General Humphrey Atherton : upon whose Tomb is written as follows.
Here lies our Captain, & Majr. of Suffolk was withall ; A Godly Majestrate was he, & Major Generall,
Two Troops of Horses with him here came, such worth his loue did craue ;
Ten Companies of Foot also mourning march'd to his Graue.
22
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Let all that Read be sure to keep ye Faith as he hath done.
With Christ he liues now Crown'd, his name was Humphrey Atherton.
He Died ye 16th of Sepr. 1661.
Note by ye Records it was ye 17th day.
He was killed by a fall from his Horse at ye So end of Boston as he was coming homewards (I think in ye Even- ing) his Horse either Running over, or starting at a Cow that lay down in ye way.
1662.
Selectmen, Capt. Clap, Lt. Foster, Wm. Sumner, Mr. Jones, & John Minot. Raters, Serjt. Hall, Serjt. James Blake, & Wm. Pond. Bayliff, John Blackman. Con- stables, Nicholas Clap, Mr. James Minot. Births 23. Deaths 5. This year Milton was set off from Dorchester a Township by themselues .*
1663.
Selectmen, Capt. Clap, Lt. Foster, Mr. Jones, Wm. Sumner, & John Minot. Raters, John Capen, Daniel Preston & Lawrence Smith. Bayliffs no more. Cons. Richard Baker, & James Humfrey. This year they Chose Commissioners which had power by Law to try & Issue Small Causes, much as Justices now. The Commissioners Chosen this Year were, Capt. Clap, Lt. Foster, and Wm. Sumner. Deputies, Capt. Clap & Lt. Foster. This year Wm. Sumner was Chosen Clerk of ye Training-band. And this year Capt. Clap was authorized to Join Persons in marriage, and from this time forward many Persons were married by him. This year there is but 5 Births Recorded. Deaths 5. This year Died Mr. William Blake, who had been Clerk of ye Writs for ye County of Suffolk, & Re- corder for ye Town near 8 years. He was also Clerk of ye Training-band. He Died ye 25th of ye 8th mo. 1663, in ye 69th Year of his Age.
* See Appendix, Note G.
23
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
1664.
Selectmen, Capt. Clap, Lt. Foster, Mr. Jones, Wm. Sumner, & Anthony Fisher Senr. Raters, John Capen, John Minot & Richard Hall. Deputies, Capt. Roger Clap & Lt. Hopestill Foster. Commissioners to end small Causes, Capt. Roger Clap, Lt. Hopestill Foster, & Wm. Sumner Senr. Constables, Clement Maxfield and Richard Leeds. Births 18. Deaths 8.
This year Died Deacon Edwd. Clap, on ye 8th 11th month. He was brother to Capt. Roger Clap.
1665.
Selectmen, Lt. Hopestill Foster, Anthony Fisher Senr., Thomas Jones, Wm. Sumner & John Minot. Raters, Ens. Capen, Rich. Hall & Wm. Pond. Commissioners, Capt. Clap, Lt. Foster, Wm. Sumner. Deputies, Capt. Clap, Lt. Foster. Constables, Stephen Minot, Thomas Trott. Births 29. Deaths 5. This year Died Lawrence Smith, often Selectman &c. The Summer of this year Capt. Davenport, Capt. of ye Castle, was killed with Light- ning at ye Castle, which is within ye bounds of this Town ; and in ye month of August Capt. Roger Clap was appointed by ye General Court to Supply his place.
1666.
Selectmen, Capt. Foster, Wm. Sumner, John Minot, Anthony Fisher, & Dea. Capen. Raters, Serjt. Hall, Serjt. Clap, Serjt. James Blake. Deputies, Lt. Foster, Wm. Sumner. Commissioners, Lt. Foster, Wm. Sumner, Anthony Fisher. Constables, Daniel Preston, Henry Garnsey. Births 13. Deaths 6. This year died Elder Henry Withington, aged 79.
This year was a Vote that there should be a Recorder yearly Chosen at ye same time with ye Selectmen, and Deacon John Capen was Chosen Recorder for this year.
1667. Selectmen, John Minot, Wm. Sumner, Saml. Clap, John
24
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Capen Senr. & Ensign Hall. Raters, James Blake, Will. Pond, & Timo. Mather. Deputies, Capt. Foster, Wm. Sumner. Commissioners, Capt. Foster, Wm. Sumner and John Minot. Const. Joseph Holmes & Saml. Robinson. Recorder, John Capen Senr. Births 26. Deaths 5. This year Thos. Bird Senr. died, aged 54 years ; & Henry Way aged 84 years ; & Mr. Thos. Jones, often Selectman, died aged 75 years.
1668.
Selectmen, Capt. Foster, Lt. Capen, John Minot, Ens. Hall & Serjt. Samuel Clap. Recorder, Lt. John Capen. Raters, Wm. Sumner, Serjt. James Blake, & Serjt. Wm. Pond. Deputies, Capt. Foster & Wm. Sumner. Com- missioners, Capt. Foster, Wm. Sumner & John Minot. Constables, Timothy Mather and Jacob Hewins. Births 20. Deaths 5.
1669.
Selectmen, Capt. Foster, Serjt. Clap, Lt. Capen, Ens. Hall & James Blake. Raters, Mr. Timothy Mather, Ste- phen Minot & Daniel Preston. Recorder, Lt. Capen. Deputies, Capt. Foster & William Sumner. Comrs. Capt. Foster, Wm. Sumner, & John Minot. Constables, James White & Saml. Rigbee. Births 22. Deaths 6.
This year died ye Revd. Mr. Richard Mather, Teacher of this Church of Dorchester. Upon his Tomb is written as follows.
DOM : SACER.
Richardus Hic Dormit Matherus., (Sed nec Totus, nec mora Diuturna) Lætatus genuise Pares. Incertum est utrum Doctioran melior. Anima & Gloria non queunt Humari.
Divinely Rich & Learned Richard Mather ; Sons like him Prophets great, rejoyced this Father. Short time his Sleeping dust here's covered down, Not his ascended Spirit or Renown.
V. D. M. in Ang. 16 Ans. in Dorc. N. A. 34 Ans., Ob. Apr. 22, 1669. Æt. Sue 73.
.
25
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
1670.
Selectmen, Capt. Foster, Lt. Capen, Ens. Hall, Serjt. Clap, & Serjt. Blake. Recorder, John Capen Senr. Raters, Wm. Sumner, Wm. Pond & Daniel Preston. Deputies, Capt. Foster & Wm. Sumner. Commiss. Capt. Foster, Wm. Sumner & Lt. John Capen. Const. Thomas Davenport & Obediah Haws. Births 23. Deaths 4.
This year Squamaug Sachem of ye Massachusetts, Con- firmed unto Dorchester, ye Purchase of ye New-Grant (so called) that was before had from Josias Chickkatabut, in 1666, and engaged for a more full and ample Deed in 1669, but was Slain in ye wars by ye Mawhauks before it was accomplished, which Sd Squamaug gaue an ample Deed of : He Ruling as Sachem during ye minority of Jeremy Chickkatabut, Son of ye Sd Josias Chickkatabut : and a Rate of £28 to pay for it, Levyed on ye Proprietors.
1671.
Selectmen, Mr. Stoughton, Capt. Foster, Lt. Capen, Ens. Hall, William Sumner. Recorder, John Capen. Raters, Serjt. Pond, Serjt. Jas. Blake, Serjt. Preston. Deputies, Capt. Clap, Lt. John Capen. Commissioners, Capt. Foster, Lievt. Capen, Wm. Sumner. Constables. Nathl. Clap & Timothy Tilestone. Births 27. Deaths 5. This year Died Mr. Anthony Fisher, in ye 80th year of his age : and Mr. Nathanael Patten.
This year Jeremy Chickkatabut, son of Josias Chickkata- but, confirmed his uncles Squamaug Sale to ye Town of Dor- chester. This year ye Revd. Mr. Josiah Flint was ordained Pastor of this Church, Dec. 27th, in ye room of Mr. Mather Decd. This year died Elder Geo. Minot abt. ye 24th Dec.
1672.
Selectmen.
Votes. 29
Recorder, Lt. Capen Treasurer, Capt. Foster
Mr. Stoughton
Capt. Foster 24
Lt. Capen 29
Wm. Sumner
22
Serjt. Clap Raters S Serjt. Wiswell 2 Serjt. Preston
Ensign Hall 17
3
26
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Deputies L Capt. Hopestill Foster Wm. Sumner
Constables, Obediah Swift & Samuel Paul.
Births 14. Deaths but 3 Recorded. This year died Wm. Dier in ye 93d year of his age. This year ye Choice of Commissioners to end small causes ceased.
This year Mr. James Blake was ordained Deacon of this Church June 30th, 1672.
1673.
Selectmen, Mr. Stoughton, Capt. Foster, Lt. John Capen, Ensign Hall, & Wm. Sumner. Recorder, John Capen Senr. Raters, Serjt. Clap, Serjt. Blake & Serjt. Pond. Deputies, Capt. Clap, Capt. Foster. Afterwards in this year ye Court sent an order to choose another De- puty in ye Room of Capt. Clap, his presence being neces- sary at ye Castle because ye times were troublesome. The person Chose was Lt. John Capen. Constables, Amiel Weeks and Henry Leadbetter. Births 25. Deaths 6.
1674.
Selectmen, Mr. Stoughton, Capt. Foster, Lt. Capen, Wm. Sumner, & Ensign Hall. Recorder, Lt. John Capen. Raters, Serjt. Clap, Dea. Blake, & Serjt. Preston. Depu- ties, Capt. Hopestill Foster, & Lievt. John Capen. Con- stables, Thomas Pierce & John Capen Junr. Births 20. Deaths 4.
This year Died Mr. William Pole, of whom ye Records thus Speak. "Mr. William Pole, that sage, Reved. Pious man of God, departed this life Febr. 24th, 1674." He was Clerk of ye Writs & Regester of Births, Deaths & Mar- riages in Dorchester about 10 years ; and often Schoolmaster in Dorchester. Upon his Tomb it is thus written.
" The Epitaph of William Pole, which he himself made while he was yet living, in Remembrance of his own Death, and left it to be Engraven on his Tomb, so that being Dead he might warn Posterity.
" Or a Resemblance of a Dead man bespeaking ye Reader."
27
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
" Ho Passenger 'tis worth thy Pains to stay " And take a Dead mans Lesson by ye Way. " I was what now thou art, & thou shalt be " What I am now, what odds 'twixt me & thee !
" Now go thy way ; but stay, take one word more, " Thy Staff for ought thou know'st Stands next ye Door. " Death is ye Door, ye Door of Heaven or Hell :
" Be warn'd, be arm'd, Belieue, Repent, Farewell."
He Died Febr. 24th, 1674; Aged 81 years.
1675.
Selectmen, Lt. John Capen, Serjt. Clap, Dea. James Blake, Richard Withington, & Daniel Preston. Recorder, Lt. John Capen. Raters, Wm. Pond, Mr. Mather & Roger Billing. Deputies, Capt. Hopestill Foster & Lt. John Capen. Clerk of ye Writs, Wm. Weeks. Consta- bles, Isaac Jones & John Withington. Births 37. Deaths 13.
1676.
Selectmen, Lt. John Capen, Serjt. Clap, Dea. Blake, Danl. Preston & Richard Withington. Recorder, Lt. John Capen. Raters, Mr. Timothy Mather, Serjt. Pond & Serjt. Wiswell. Deputies, Capt. Foster & Lt. John Capen. Constables, John Bird & John Breck. Births 34. Deaths 28.
This year Died Capt. Hopestill Foster Octr. 15, so often Improved in ye Town & Countrys Service. About this Year the Meeting-house that now is was built, & about that time ye Elm Trees now about ye Meeting-house were set by Mr. Thos. Tilestone.
The work of ye Meeting-house was undertaken by Mr. Isaac Royal & performed, I think, for £200.
1677.
Selectmen, Lt. John Capen, Daniel Preston, Richard Withington, Serjt. Saml. Clap & Dea. James Blake. Re- corder, Lt. John Capen. Raters, Enoch Wiswell, John Breck & Saml. Robinson. Deputies, Lt. John Capen &
28
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
Dea. James Blake. Constables, James Bird & Thos. Tol- man Junr. Births 36. Deaths 12. This year Died Mr. William Weeks, who had been Clerk of ye Writs & Regis- ter of Births Marriages & Deaths for ye Town of Dorchester about 2 years : and Deacon James Blake was Chosen in his Room.
1678.
Selectmen, Lt. Capen, Dea. Blake, Serjt. Clap, Wm. Sumner, & Serjt. Preston. Recorder, Lt. Capen. Raters, Serjt. Wiswell, Serjt. Pond & John Breck. Deputies, Lt. John Capen & Wm. Sumner. Constables, John Tol- man & John Baker. Births 33. Deaths 30.
This Year Died Quartermaster John Smith ; and Agnes ye widow of Mr. Wm. Blake died July 22d.
1679.
Selectmen, Lt. John Capen, Wm. Sumner, Dea. Blake, Ens. Hall, & Serjt. Clap. Recorder, Lt. Capen. Raters, Serjt. Pond, Serjt. Wiswell & John Breck. Deputy, Wm. Sumner. Const. Hopestill Clap & Saml. Topliff. Births 29. Deaths 18. This year Novr. 24th Died Nicho- las Clap very suddenly in his Barn.
This year ye old Meeting-house sold for £10 to Isaac Royal.
1680.
Selectmen, Lt. Capen, Dea. Blake, Wm. Sumner, En- sign Richard Hall & Serjt. Samuel Clap. Recorder, Lt. Capen. Raters, Serjt. Wiswell, John Breck & Saml. Robinson. Deputy, Wm. Sumner. Bayliff, Clement Max- field. Constables, Saml. Capen, & James Foster. Births 35. Deaths 8.
This year Sepr. 16th Died ye Revd. Mr. Josiah Flint, who had been Pastor of this Church almost 9 years. Upon his Tomb is written as follows.
" Here lies Interred ye Corps of Mr. Josiah Flint, late Pastor to ye Church in Dorchester, Aged 35 years.
Deceased Sepr. 15th, 1680.
29
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
" A Man of God he was so great, so good, " His highest worth was hardly understood :
" So much of God & Christ in him did Dwell,
" In Grace & Holiness he did excell.
" An Honour & an ornament thereby, " Both to ye Churches & the Ministry.
" Most zealous in ye work of Reformation,
" To save this self destroying Generation.
" With Courage Stroue 'gainst all this peoples sin ;
" He spent his Strength, his Life, his Soul therein.
" Consum'd with holy zeal of God, for whom
" He liu'd, and dy'd a kind of Martyrdom. " If men will not lament, their Hearts not break,
" No wonder this lamenting Stone doth Speak.
" His Tomb-stone cries Repent, and Souls to saue " Doth Preach Repentance from his very Graue.
"'Gainst Sinners doth a lasting Record lye " This Monument to his Bless'd Memory.
"Psal. 112. 6. Prov. 10.7."
1681.
Selectmen, Dea. Blake, Serjt. Clap, Wilm. Sumner, Lt. Capen & Ens. Hall. Recorder, Dea. Blake. Raters, Serjt. Pond, Serjt. Wiswell & John Breck. Deputy, Wm. Sumner. Constables, John Payson, John Wales Senr. Births 27. Deaths 17.
This year Died Mr. John Foster, Son of Capt. Hopestill Foster ; School-master of Dorchester, and he that made the then Seal or Arms of ye Colony, namely an Indian with a Bow & Arrow &c.
Upon his Tomb or Grave Stone is written as follows.
" The " Ingenious " Mathematition & Printer " Mr. JOHN FOSTER. " Aged Thirty three years; Died Sepr. 9th " 1681 " Apr. 1682.
" I. M.
" J. F. " Astra Colis vivens, moriens Super ÆEthera Foster, " Scande Precor; Cælum Metiri disce Supremum : " Metior atque meum est Emit mihi divis Jesus : " Nec teneor quicquam nisi gratis Solvere." 3*
30
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
This year Febr. 6, 1681, James Blake Jun. was married to Hannah Macy.
1682.
Selectmen, James Blake, Serjt. Wiswell, Serjt. Clap, Timothy Tilestone, & Ensign Hall. Raters, Wm. Pond. Samuel Robinson & John Breck. Recorder, James Blake. Deputy, Dea. James Blake. Constables, Timothy Foster & Nehemiah Clap. Births 38. Deaths 12.
This year ye 28th of June the Revd. Mr. John Danforth was Ordained Pastor of this Church, in Room of Mr. Flint deceased.
1683.
Selectmen, Lt. Hall, Ens. Clap, James Blake, Enoch Wiswell & Timothy Tilestone. Recorder, James Blake. Collector of Ministers Rate, Capt. Capen. Raters. Wm. Pond, Saml. Robinson & John Breck. Deputy, James Blake Senr. Constables, Nathl. Glover and Joseph Leeds. Births 28. Deaths 19.
This year died Hannah the Wife of James Blake Junr. June Ist, & their Child Elizabeth ye Novr. before, being about 12 Days old.
1684.
Selectmen, Ensign Clap, Lt. Hall, Dea. Blake, Serjt. Wiswell & Wm. Sumner. Recorder, Dea. Blake. Raters, Win. Pond, Saml. Paul, John Breck. Dea. Blake, Col- lector of ye Minrs. Rate. Deputy, Wm. Sumner. Con- stables, Eben. Williams, Barnard Capen. Births 24. Deaths 8.
This year Died Mr. Timothy Mather Son of Mr. Richard Mather, Janr. 14th, by a fall from a Scaffold in ye Barn. Also Nehemiah Clap, Son to Dea. Edward Clap, & Bro- ther to Ezra Clap, & to Elder Blakes wife, died Apr. 2d this year: He was Edward Clap of Sudbury his Father. This year July Sth James Blake Junr. & Ruth Batchelder by Simon Broadstreet, Govr. were married.
31
ANNALS OF DORCHESTER.
1685.
Selectmen, Ens. Clap, James Blake, Enoch Wiswell, Lt. Hall, John Breck. Recorder, James Blake. Collector [or Rather Treasurer] Capt. Capen. Raters, Wm. Pond, Saml. Paul & Saml. Topliff. Deputy, Wm. Sumner. Constables, Hopestill Humfrey and Ebenezer Withington. Births 22. Deaths 4.
This year Sepr. 16 was born Hannah ye Daughter of James Blake Junr.
1686.
Selectmen, Saml. Clap, Lt. Hall, Wm. Sumner, Serjant Wiswell, John Breck. Recorder, Serjt. Wiswell. But Serjt. Wiswell Refusing both, John Withington was Chosen Selectman, & Saml. Clap Recorder. Raters, Serjt. Pond, Serjr. Tilestone, Samuel Topliff. Deputy, Wm. Sumner. Constables, Daniel Preston Junr., Preserved Capen. Births 25. Deaths 7.
This year Octr. 2d Died Hannah ye Daughter of James Blake Junr. This year Died Elder James Humfrey, whose Tomb was repaired by his Grandson Mr. Jonas Humfrey, & upon it is written as follows.
Here lyes Interred ye Body of Mr. James Humfrey, one of ye Ruling Elders of Dorchester, who departed this life May 12th, 1686, in ye 78th year of his age.
I nclos'd within this shrine is precious Dust And only waits for th' rising of ye Just. M ost usefull while he liu'd, adorn'd his Station, E uen to old age he Seru'd his Generation, S ince his Decease tho't of with Veneration.
How great a Blessing this Ruling Elder he U nto this Church & Town; & Pastors Three. MI ather he first did by him help Receive ; F lint did he next his burthen much Relieue ; R enowned Danforth he did assist with skill. E steemed high by all : Bear fruit untill Y ielding to Death his Glorious seat did fill.
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