Genealogical register of Lexington families, from the first settlement of the town, Part 21

Author: Hudson, Charles, 1795-1881
Publication date: 1868
Publisher: Boston, Wiggin & Lunt
Number of Pages: 342


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lexington > Genealogical register of Lexington families, from the first settlement of the town > Part 21


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34


30-56 57


tEbenezer, bap. Aug. 19, 1750; m. Dee. 3, 1772, Doreas Munroe. William ?, bap. Dec. 29, 1751. 58 Mary, bap. July 13, 1760.


They buried two infant children, probably b. between William and Mary.


22-34-


ANDREW PARKER m. Nov. 29, 1759, Abigail Jennison of Weston. They made their peace with the ch. April 20, 1760. They removed about 1763 to Rutland, to the ch. of which place they were dismissed May 10, 1765. They had two children b. in Lexington.


34-59


Rhoda, b. June 19, 1760.


60 Abigail, bap. Feb. 7, 1762.


23-41-


JOSIAH PARKER In. Oet. 27, 1748, Mary Munroe of Weston, dan. of Benjamin Munroe, son of the original William of Lex. He must have left town about the time of his marriage, as his name disappears from the tax bills after that time.


23-43-


JOHN PARKER m. May 25, 1755, Lydia Moore, dau. of Thomas and Mary Moore of Lexington. They were admitted to the church Oct. 31, 1756. John Parker was an assessor, 1764, '65, '66, and '74. But he was most distinguished for the part he acted at the opening of the Revolution. He commanded the company of minute men who stood firmly at their post on the 19th of April, 1775, when ordered to disperse by the impetuous Pitcairn, backed up, as he was, by eight hundred British regulars. He must have been a man of admitted character, to have been selected to command that Spartan band, containing, as it did, within its ranks, several veteran soldiers, and even officers who had seen service upon the " tented field." It has been said that he had served in the French war; but I have failed to find his name upon the rolls. On the Common on that trying occasion, he showed great coolness and bravery, ordering his men to load their pieces, but not to fire unless fired upon. And in the very face of the British regulars, when some of his men seemed to falter, he announced in a firm voice, that he would cause the first man to be shot down, who should quit the ranks or leave his post without orders. And though eight of his men were killed in the morning, and several were severely wounded, true to the spirit of freedom, he collected his company and marched to meet the enemy on their return from Concord, and poured a deadly fire into their ranks. While his health was feeble, and the disease which proved fatal in Septem- ber of that year, was making a steady inroad upon his constitution, he obeyed the calls of patriotism, and marched with a portion of his eo. to Cambridge on the 6th of May, and with a still larger detachment of them on the 17th of June. But though he performed a noble part


53 55


22-28-


172


HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.


in the opening scene of that glorious struggle, he did not live to wit- ness its happy termination. He d. Sept. 17, 1775, aged 46. His wid. m. Nov. 5, 1778, Ephraim Pierce of Waltham.


There are some incidents connected with the character and acts of Capt. Parker which deserve mention. We have seen the efforts made by the town, in 1774 and 1775, to arm and equip her company of minute-men. We have the receipt of Capt. Parker for two druins received of the town, which we will give verbatim, with a fac-simile of his signature.


" Agreeable to the vote of the Town, I have received by the hands of the Selectmen the drums provided by the Town for the use of the Military Company in this town, until the further order of the town.


John Sashes


"Lexington, March 14, 1775."


There are two muskets, appropriate memorials of Capt. Parker, preserved in the State House, the gift of his grandson, Rev. Theodore Parker, to the State. On one is inscribed


" The First Fire Arm Captured in the War for Independence ; "


and on the other,


" This Firearm was used by Capt. John Parker in the Battle of Lexington, April 19th, 1775."


These relics were received by the State authorities with due cere- mony, and are conspicuously displayed in the Senate chamber for public view.


Lydia, b. Nov. 8, 1756; d. in Rox. about 1810, unm.


Anna. b. Jan. 11, 1759; m. March 16, 1780, Ephraim Pierce of Waltham.


+John, b. Feb. 14, 1761; m. Feb. 17, 1785, Hannah Stearns.


Isaac, b. May 11, 1763; moved to Charlestown, where he d.


Ruth, b. Dec. 7, 1765; m. Nov. 14, 1787, David Bent; moved to Nova Scotia.


Rebecca, b. June 28, 1768 ; m. Peter Clarke of Wat.


+Robert, b. April 15, 1771; m. Oct. 22, 1794, Elizabeth Simonds.


THADDEUS PARKER m. May 27, 1759, Mary Reed, dau. of Wil- liam and Abigail (Stone) Reed. He d. Feb. 10, 1789, aged 58; she d. Oct. 9, 1811, aged 73. She had the severe affliction of bury- ing her husband and four children, in the short period of about eighteen months. Thaddeus Parker was one of the selectmen, 1770, '71, '73, '77, -a period when the most important duties were devolved upon that board. He was a member of the Lex. co. which stood undismayed before the British on the 19th of April, 1775, and was subsequently in the service eight months.


44-68 A child born and died 1759.


69 Mary, b. Sept. 26, 1760; d. June 3, 1787.


701 Sarah, b. Aug. 24, 1762; d. Feb. 2, 1789.


43-61 62 63 64 65 66 67


23-44-


173


GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.


Betty, b. Aug. 28, 1764; d. Aug. 27, 1788.


71 72 Thaddeus, b. July 10, 1767 ; d. June 14, 1789.


73 Josiah, b. Sept. 19, 1770.


23-45-


JOSEPH PARKER m. July 5, 1759, Eunice Hobbs of Weston. After the birth of their first child, in 1760, they settled in Line. As most of their children were bap. in Lex. we will give their birth.


45-74 Susanna, b. Dee. 31, 1760. 75 Levi, b. April 16, 1762.


76 Lois, b. Oct. 4, 1763. 77 Aaron, b. Dec. 5, 1765.


78 Joseph, b. Nov. 17, 1767. 79 Jonathan, b. Oct. 17, 1769.


80 Elisha, b. Dec. 9, 1772; d. in 1773.


81 Elisha,


82 Rebecca, twins. b. Sept. 10, 1775.


27-50-


JONAS PARKER m. Aug. 15, 1776, Martha Hosley of Bill. They were ad. to the ch. Feb. 28, 1779. He d. July 14, 1783, and Martha his wid. administered on his estate.


Patty, bap. May 16, 1779. 84 Betty, bap. May 16, 1779.


John H., bap. Nov. 26, 1780. 86 Jonas, bap. March 2, 1783.


EBENEZER PARKER m. Dec. 3, 1772, Dorcas Munroe. He was a corporal in Capt. Parker's co. and was with them on the 19th of April, the 6th of May, and the 17th of June, 1775. Ile and his wife were dismissed to the ch. in Princeton, Nov. 9, 1788. They had three children bap. in Lex. viz. Abijah, bap. May 30, 1773; Quincy, bap. April 30, 1775; Lucy, bap. July 22, 1781.


43-63-


JOHN PARKER m. Feb. 7, 1784, Hannah Stearns, dau. of Benja- min and Hannah (Seger) Stearns, b. May 21, 1764. He d. Nov. 3, 1835, aged 74; she d. May 15, 1823, aged 59.


63-87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97


Mary, b. April 11, 1785 ; m. about 1816, Samuel Green, as his second wife,-he being the widower of her sister Hannah. She d. 1831. John. b. Oet. 12, 1786, m. Maria Green of West Camb. Lydia, b. April 2, 1789 ; d. April 25. 1791.


Hannah. b. March 15, 1791; in. March 25, 1811, Samuel Green of Brighton. She d. Dec. 1, 1815, in Vt., and he m. her sister Mary. Lydia, b. July 1, 1793 ; m. Isaac Herrick of Brighton and d. 1837. Rebecca, b. Dee. 10, 1795 ; d. Feb. 15, 1812, unm.


tIsaac, b. Nov. 5, 1798; m. 1829, Martha M. Miller.


Ruth, b. Nov. 12, 1800; d. Dec. 27, 1812.


Hiram S., b. Jan. 16, 1803; m. Nancy Leavitt of N. H.


Emily Ann, b. May 11, 1806 ; m. Charles Miller of Somerville. + Theodore, b. Aug. 24, 1810; m. Lydia D. Cabot in 1837.


43-67-


ROBERT PARKER m. Oct. 22. 1794. Elizabeth Simonds, dau. of Joshua and Martha (Bowers) Simonds, b. July 4, 1772. He d. Dec. 31, 1840, aged 70. She d. April 11, 1849, aged 77.


67-98 99 100 101 102


Mary, b. Dec. 26, 1794; m. April 11, 1822, Isaac W. Lawrence of West Camb. They have had four children.


Josiah, b. July 6, 1798 ; d. Dec. 25, 1840, unm.


Thomas, b. March 16, 1800; d. April 30, 1800.


Eliza Eleanor, b. Sept. 20, 1804; m. April 12, 1829, Nathan Rob- bins of West Camb. They have had seven children.


Almira, b Aug. 30, 1806; m. Oct. 1, 1837, Joshua Robbins of West Camb. They have had three children.


80


50-83 85 30-56-


174


HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.


103 104


Jonathan Simonds, b. Aug. 8, 1808; d. Feb. 13, 1813.


Jonathan Simonds, b. July 30, 1812; m. Dec. 29, 1835, Abigail Tuttle.


105


William Bowers, b. Jan. 13, 1817; m. Nov. 30, 1843, Elizabeth Garfield. He settled in Charlestown, and has had seven children.


63-93-


ISAAC PARKER m. 1829, Martha M. Miller, b. June 28, 1801, in Hillsborough, N. H. They settled in Waltham, but came to Lex. in 1832, and took up their abode on the old Parker Place in the south part of the town. Their first two children were born in Waltham.


Isaac Moore, b. Nov. 10, 1829.


93-106 107 Martha Ann, b. June 16, 1831; m. Oct. 28, 1855, William W. Durgee of York, Pa.


108 109


Frances Maria, b. Jan. 21, 1833.


Charles M., b. Feb. 15, 1835. He enlisted for three years and served in the 24th Reg. Mass. Vols. in the late war.


James Theodore, b. Sept. 18, 1837 ; d. April 2, 1838.


Emily R., b. April 7, 1839 ; d. Aug. 6, 1858.


110 111 112 Theodore James, b. April 21, 1841. 113 George E., b. Jan. 2, 1843; d. Oct. 6, 1857.


63-97-


THEODORE PARKER m. April 20, 1837, Lydia D. Cabot of Boston, dau. of John and Lydia (Dodge) Cabot, b. Sept. 12, 1813. They had no children. In 1830 he entered H. C., but owing to his limited pecuniary means, he was not able to incur the expense of a life at the college, but remained at home pursuing his studies through the winter, and then engaged himself as a teacher. Not residing at the college and attending the daily exercises, he did not take his degree ; though in 1840 he received from the University the honorary degree of A. M. Our limits will not permit us to give in detail the events of his laborious life. It is sufficient to say, that he raised himself to great distinction by his own unassisted industry and force of charac- ter. Without the usual advantages enjoyed by those who are des- tined to a literary life, by persevering industry he overcame all these disadvantages, and became a man of vast acquirements, pro- cured and mastered an extensive library, and died in the midst of life with a reputation which few men ever acquire.


Giving his mind to religious subjects, he entered the theological school at Cambridge in 1834, and after graduating, he was first settled at West Roxbury, and subsequently became pastor of the Twenty-eighth Congregational Society which worshiped at Music Hall in Boston. By that incessant labor, which few constitutions can endure, he became somewhat enfeebled, and a hemorrhage from the lungs required him to suspend all labor. By the advice of his physi- cian, and the entreaty of friends, he was induced to seek a more genial climate. In February, 1859, he embarked for the West Indies, where he remained for a time, when he sailed for the south of Europe. But neither medical skill, nor the balmy air of Italy, could stay the ravages of disease, and he d. at Florence, May 10, 1860. He was buried in a little Protestant cemetery outside the city walls. The grave is inclosed by a border of gray marble, and at the head is a plain stone of the same material, with this inscription :


THEODORE PARKER, Born at Lexington, Mass., United States of America, Aug. 24, 1810. Died at Florence, May 10, 1860.


175


GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.


The unsparing censure which has been heaped, and the unlimited praise which has been bestowed upon Mr. Parker, will justify us in saying a few words upon his character. The leading characteristic of the man was his thirst for knowledge. This manifested itself in his persistant industry from his boyhood to the day of his death. His love of books became almost a passion, and he made himself acquainted with various languages, that he might read the best authors in their native tongue. Few men under the circumstances in which he was placed, have ever performed more labor, or aecom- plished as much. His moral character, as seen by the world, was above reproach. But to judge the man aright, we must look beneath the surface, and see the motives by which he was actuated. And here we find a stern sense of justice tempered with merey, a strong love for the poor and down-trodden, and a warm sympathy for hu- manity, for whose elevation he was ready to spend, and be spent. And though he sometimes indulged in bitter denunciation, too com- mon among reformers, we shall generally find that it was prompted by a strong sense of wrong or injustice committed against those he was laboring to elevate and improve.


But it is with reference to his religious character that the people have been most divided. Though it is not the object of this work to decide upon matters of faith. we will glance at this subjeet with that freedom which Mr. Parker himself always exercised, and with such a spirit as he, if present, would approve. Born of a pious and devout mother, whose instructions sank deep into his tender heart, and liv- ing under the influences of religious institutions founded upon the broad basis of divine revelation, he early imbibed enlightened views of the character of our Heavenly Father, and of our duty to love and adore him. These views he cherished through life; so that we can with justiee pronounce him not only a moral but a devout man. But though we can endorse his moral and religious character, we are eon- strained to express our convietion that this character was the result of his early training and the natural goodness of his heart, rather than of his theological speculations. He was moral and devout in spite of his theory. This impression is strengthened by the fact that very many of those who embrace his speculations have but little sym- pathy with that devout spirit by which he was actuated.


That he was a man of extraordinary intellectual powers, all must admit. He had a keen perception of the evils which existed in society, but like many reformers had not constructive powers suffi- cient to supply the remedy. So in matters of faith, he could point out with a master's hand the incongruities of existing systems, but has never, as far as we can learn. been able to present a clear and well defined system of his own. We do not mean that he had no belief. He had certain doctrines which he inculcated with earnestness and in sineerity. But he has never, we believe, combined them so as to make a complete system, -one harmonious whole.


Thus much it seemed proper to say concerning one of the most distinguished men to whom Lexington has ever given birth. Mr. Parker has left a large number of ardent and devoted friends. They have erected a memorial stone in Lexington to his memory, on the spot where stood the old house in which he was born. The stone is of Concord granite, finished on all sides, three feet square, and three and a half feet high, resting on a base four feet square and one foot high. On the front face, in raised letters, is the simple inscription,


BIRTH- PLACE of THEODORE PARKER. 1810.


176


HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.


The farm has been in possession of the Parker family since 1712. The following engraving shows the house in which he was born, and the old belfry building which stood on the Common on the site of the present monument, in 1775, from which went forth those peals of alarm which called the patriots to arms on the morning of the 19th of April. The old belfry was procured by the family and removed to the Parker Place, where it is now standing.


67-104-


JONATHAN S. PARKER m. Dec. 29, 1835, Abigail Tuttle, dau. of David Tuttle. He d. July 5, 1859, and she d. April 4, 1860. He was captain of the Lex. artillery, and filled the most important town offices, -was treasurer five years, assessor four years, and selectman three years.


104-114 John Henry, b. Sept. 16, 1836; d. Sept. 12, 1855.


115 Elizabeth S., b. Sept. 30, 1838. 116 Esther T., b. Feb. 21, 1842. Abby M., b. April 23, 1847.


117 118 Georgiana T., b. Oct. 12, 1849.


119 Emma Frances, b. April 8, 1853. 120 Ellen Henry, b. June 28, 1858.


There was an OBADIAHI PARKER in town for a few years, who by his wife, Hepzibah, had at least two childen b, in Lex. Almira, b. April 16, 1802, d. Nov. 14, 1802; Almira, b. Nov. 9, 1803. Hle appears to have been a man of considerable talents. He was ap- pointed to pronounce an eulogy on Washington in 1800, whose death was noticed with appropriate solemnities. He opened a private school in Lex., which was quite popular. He visited New York, where for misconduct he found employment quite different from that of teaching the young.


177


GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.


JAMES PARKER, another school-teacher, m. in Lex. Nov. 2, 1842, Adaline Reed, dau. of Isaac and Elizabeth (Munroe) Reed, b. Jan. 10, 1812. Hle settled in Lex. They have one child, James Emery, b. Aug. 30, 1845.


PARKHURST .- JOHN PARKHURST of Lex. m. Sept. 15, 1763, Elizabeth Bowers of Billerica. He came to Lex. from Chelmsford, and was probably a descendant of Joseph Parkhurst, of that town, who had Joseph, b. 1661, and perhaps other sons. He was in the campaign of White Plains in 1776. He was selectman, 1791. He resided on the Concord road, and built the house occupied by the late Col. John Parkhurst Merriam. He had no children. He d. July 2, 1812. His will, dated June 4, 1812, mentions wife Elizabeth, John White of Gardner. John Muzzey, and John P. Merriam, John Peake Hunt of Jaffrey, N. H., brother Jonathan, and sisters Hannah Parker, Mary Colburn, and Elizabeth Baldwin. His wid. d. July 9, 1822, aged 83 years.


PEAKE .- Jonas Stone in 1754, gave notice as then required by law, that Philip Peake, a child from Boston, came to Lexington to reside in his family. There were other Peakes in town, but I know not their origin.


JOHN PEAKE m. March 21, 1776, Hitty Hastings. They were ad. to the ch. Nov. 29, 1778. Their first child b. and d. 1777. Mary, bap. Jan. 17, 1779; John, bap. July 1, 1781; Thomas, bap. Dec. 28, 1783; Sarah, bap. June 3, 1787; Hannah, bap. Dec. 26, 1790 ; Philip, bap. April 22, 1794 .- Philip d. at the age of 24. Mary m. Isaac Childs ; John in. and moved to Sudbury ; Sarah m. Nathan Priest of Jaffrey, N. H. Thomas m. Elizabeth -; r. Vt.


Joseph Mason m. Oct. 19, 1769, Elizabeth Peake, who was ad. to the ch. Oct. 13, 1765.


PENNY .- DAVID PENNY and Sally Smith, both of Lex., were m. Sept. 30, 1779. They had Sarah, b. Feb. 20, 1780; Polly, b. Feb. 20, 1782, d. Feb. 23, 1782 ; Jonathan, b. March 12, 1783, d. Dec. 5, 1783; Polly, b. Nov. 12, 1785, d. 1829; David, b. March 25, 1788, m. May 12, 1822, Mary F. Sherman, she d. 1852 ; Isaac, b. July 20, 1790, d. 1809; Samuel C., b. Dec. 13, 1793; Hannah, b. May 14, 1795, d. Feb. 21, 1860. David, sen., d. Jan. 1830. The absence of a record will prevent any fuller account of this family.


PERRY .- This name appears upon our records at different pe- riods, and yet we are not able to give a connected view of the fami- lies. JOHN PERRY, by his wife, Deborah, had the following children : John, b. Dec. 19, 1720; Thomas, b. Dec. 19, 1722; Joseph, b. Oet. 3, 1724; Millicent, b. May 10, 1726; Ebenezer and Jonathan, twins, b. July 17. 1728, Jonathan m. Jan. 27, 1760, Mary Blodgett ; Thad- deus, b. Dec. 26, 1730; Abigail, b. Aug. 10, 1735, m. Nov. 20, 1754, Abel Fox of Billerica. Deborah was ad. to the ch. June 29, 1735, and d. May 22, 1736. Thomas Perry was in the French war from Lex. in 1759 and 1762.


The name, which had faded out from the records, appeared again about 1800. NATHAN PERRY by his wife, Sally, had Sullivan B., b. Feb. 1802; Mary, b. Oct. 1, 1803; Sally. b. Aug. 30, 1804; Abijah H., b. Dec. 19, 1806 ; Thomas W., b. May 1, 1808, d. Nov. 9, 1821; Nahum S., b. March 28, 1810.


178


HISTORY OF LEXINGTON.


THE PHELPS FAMILY.


The early history of this family is but imperfectly known to us.


1


JONATHAN PHELPS came to this country early in the eighteenth century, and landed in Newport, R. I. From thence he came to Reading, Mass., where he reared a family of children. One of them (name unknown) came first to Beverly, and then to Salem, where he d. Dec. 1799, aged about 92. He had three sons, Jonathan, Henry, and William, and several daughters.


1- 2 2- 3


HENRY PHELPS was a shipmaster, from the port of Salem, and was lost at sea, 1786. He m. and had children.


HENRY PHELPS, son of the preceding, having bodily infirmities, which disqualified him from following his father's profession, fitted for college and entered Harvard, where he was graduated, 1788. He studied medicine, and settled in 1799, at Gloucester, as an apo- thecary and physician. He m. Mary Forbes, dau. of Peter Coffin, Esq., of Gloucester. He d. Feb. 18, 1852, aged 86, and hence was b. 1766. He acquired some practice as a doctor, but soon abandoned that branch of his business. He was many years postmaster, and the principal acting magistrate in the town. He continued to keep his shop till he was about eighty years of age. He had three wives and several children.


3- 4


WILLIAM DANE PHELPS, son of the foregoing, was b. at Glou- cester, Feb. 14, 1802 ; m. Mary Ann Cushing, dau. of Henry Cushing of Boston. She d. Dec. 16, 1831, and he m. May 18, 1834, Lusan- na T., dau. of Josiah and Sally (Wellington) Bryant of Lex. He came to Lex. to reside about the time of his second marriage.


Ilis profession has been that of a mariner. He commenced early as a cabin-boy, and has worked his way through the different grades to master-making many voyages to Europe and the Levant, around Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope, in command of some of the finest ships of the times. Ile was wrecked once while a boy at the Cape of Good Hope, and once when captain at the entrance of Ply- mouth Harbor in the winter of 1836; which was one of the most distressing shipwrecks known for many years on our coast. The cold was intense, and the ship was unmanageable in consequence of the ice which accumulated upon her. Part of the crew perished by the cold, and those who were saved were badly bruised and frozen. In one of his early voyages, when he was before the mast, he was left with seven others on a desert island in the Indian Ocean to pro- eure a cargo of sea elephant oil, and fur seal skins-the captain promising to return for them in nine months. But actuated probably by that thirst of gain which stifles every feeling of humanity, and believing that they could not subsist after the provision left with them was exhausted, and as the island was very rarely visited by voyagers, he thought he might touch there at a future day, and take his oil and furs without being troubled by having any men to pay off. But on his return twenty-eight months after, he found not only a full cargo of oil and furs, but his eight men all living. The island being in a high latitude, it was cold and desolate, not a tree or shrub sprang from its inhospitable bosom ; and consequently these poor dwellers thereon had no fuel of the ordinary kind, but were compelled to burn the blubber of the sea elephant. The interior of the island was composed of barren volcanie ridges, but the shores abounded with sea fowl, penguin, and marine animals. Their nine months' provi- sions became exhausted, and for the remainder of the time they


179


GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.


subsisted npon what the shore afforded, fish and fowls and their eggs. For clothing they supplied themselves with fur skins, and for shelter they sought the " caves and dens of the earth." After twenty-eight months, their unprincipled captain arrived-his being the first vessel which had been in sight for the whole period. He took his cargo and the men, who were glad to leave that inclement island. The subse- quent conduct of this brutal captain, fully justified the suspicion that he had hoped that they had all perished before his return.


During this voyage, which to young Phelps was extended to more than six years, he, by the force of circumstances, left the ship, and was obliged to take service under the flags of various nations, visiting most of the parts of the Pacific, and the then known parts of Aus- tralia and Van Dieman's land, and returned home by way of Cape Horn in 1823, in good health, with considerable experience, but with empty pockets.


In 1840, in command of a large ship, he commenced a series of trading voyages to California, remaining there till he had disposed of his cargo and procured a cargo of hides. These voyages were gen- erally of about three years' duration. San Francisco was then called Yerba Buena, and consisted of only three houses, where the famous city now stands. At that time the River Sacramento had never been visited from the sea, and Capt. Phelps with two of his boats and a part of his crew explored it about one hundred miles, and displayed the Stars and Stripes for the first time upon its placid waters. On his third voyage, the country was disturbed by the Mexican War, and being upon the coast he co-operated with Stockton and Fremont in various ways, and so contributed something to our gaining possession of the country. He visited the mines twice, handled some of the first specimens of gold, and returned home by the way of Panama, bringing some of the first specimens of gold, and reliable information in relation to the mines. The last voyage he performed was to California, the Sandwich Islands and China, and returned to New York in 1857. He has spent about forty years in a sea life, twenty-six of them in command of a ship. During that time, with one exception already mentioned, no Insurance Office has ever paid a dollar for damage to his ships or cargo; and with the same exception, he never lost a man by sickness or accident, until the last voyage, when two died of disease in China.




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