Groton historical series. A collection of papers relating to the history of the town of Groton, Massachusetts, Vol III, Part 14

Author: Green, Samuel A. (Samuel Abbott), 1830-1918
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Groton
Number of Pages: 1026


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Groton > Groton historical series. A collection of papers relating to the history of the town of Groton, Massachusetts, Vol III > Part 14


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 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39



1 55


GROTON DURING THE INDIAN WARS.


Last Tuesday was sev'night [July 5] about 30 or 40 of the Enemy, came upon a garrison'd House at the Out-skirts of Lunen- burgh, and two Soldiers posted there were both kill'd near the Garrison, one being knock'd on the Head, the other shot thro' the Body, as he was endeavouring to escape. The Master of the House, Mr. John Fitch, 'tis tho't was siez'd by them in the Field, as he was spreading Hay, and his Wife as she was bringing Water from a Spring, about 20 Rods Distance, a Pail and her Bonnet being found near the Path : The House they set on Fire and burnt it to the Ground, and the Body of of [sic] one of the slain Soldiers lay so near thereto, that the Head was burnt from the Shoulders. The neighbouring Towns being soon alarm'd, above 40 Men muster'd and got upon the Spot before Sundown, but the Enemy had with- drawn ; however they kept a strict Watch and Guard all Night, and just about the Dawn of the next Day they heard a Noise among the Bushes, which they suppos'd to be some of the Enemy that were left as Spies, who perceiving the Number that came against them, skulk'd away without being discover'd : Mr. Fitch, his Wife and 5 Children being missing, 'tis concluded they were taken Prisoners by the Enemy. The Bodies of the two Soldiers were found and buried.


Last Thursday a Man at Lunenbourg, was way-laid and shot at by some Indians, as was also another at Township No. 2 [West- minster]. but both happily escap'd.


Mr. Fitch lived in that part of Lunenburg afterward called Fitchburg, but, by a later act of incorporation, included within the limits of Ashby, at the time when the Indians burned his house and carried him and his family into captiv- ity, where they remained for one year. He was a resident of Fitchburg at the time of the incorporation of that town, which took its name from him, as he was then a prominent character in the neighborhood.


Mr. Torrey, in speaking of the attack, says : --


Fitch, accompanied by his wife and four children, and under the escort of his captors, was carried to Montreal. His habitation was at such a distance from the principal settlement, that the report of his capture was not spread till the following morning. It reached the middle of Lunenburg, however, long before the rising of the sun, and the alarm, (three muskets, heavily loaded, discharged


156


GROTON DURING THE INDIAN WARS.


with a certain interval between each report) was immediately fired. Soldiers arrived in an incredibly short period, from Groton, Lan- caster, and even from Westford. They immediately put themselves under the command of Major Hartwell, and started in pursuit. They had not proceeded far beyond the smoking ruins of the gar- rison, before they discovered a paper stuck in the bark of a tree. This contained a request, signed by Fitch, not to have his friends pursue him ; for the Indians had given him to understand what his destiny was to be if they were not molested ; but if they should be pursued, and likely to be overtaken, then they should forthwith kill him, together with his wife and children. The soldiers, on the receipt of this, returned (page 49).


I doubt very much the details of this account, as given in the extract from the History, where the information must have been gathered nearly a century after the event, when all the incidents had been twisted and warped by the repeated telling of the story. If such a message had been written by Fitch and affixed to a tree, as is stated, it would have been mentioned in some of the contemporary accounts printed in the newspapers. On the strength of this alarm, two days later, a party of thirty-two men was sent out from Groton on July 7, under the command of Captain Thomas Tarbell, who scouted in a northwesterly direction from the town, and was gone until July 13, but it did not succeed in finding the enemy. A list of these men is printed in " Groton during the Indian Wars " (pages 154, 155).


On July 28 of the same summer another alarm was given, when Captain Tarbell's services were again called into requi- sition, and he marched into the wilderness with thirty-six men, but returned the next day with no better luck than on the previous scout. A list of these men is also printed on page 155 of the work just quoted.


Among some manuscripts given to the Massachusetts His- torical Society, on May 14, 1891, is a list of another party that marched out from Groton in search of the enemy, on the same day as the one just mentioned (July 28). It was com- manded by Captain Samuel Tarbell, a brother of Thomas, and was gone for three days. There is now no evidence to show


1


157


GROTON DURING THE INDIAN WARS.


that these men on their march found any trace of Indians. The scouting party was as follows :-


A List of The Names of the men that ware ordered oute on a Scoute after the Enemy with me the Subscriber, by Major Lawrence - on y. 28% Day of July last Round Part of Townshend and Luenburg


Jonathan Bancroft


3 days


Jonathan Crese 2 days


Jonathan Farewell


3 days


Eleazer Tarbell


3 days


Nathan fish


3 days


Nathanil Smith 3 days


Ebenezer Sprague


3 days


Hezekiah Patterson


3 days


Caleb Holdin


3 days


Benjamin Davis


2 days


Amos Holdin


3 days


Samuel Nickols


2 days


Jacob Ames


2 days


Jonathan Sawtell


3 days


Jonathan Nutting


3 days


Oliver Farnsworth


3 days


Jonathan Page Ju!


3 days


Moses Wentworth


3 days


Jonathan Bennet


3 days


John Sawtell


3 days


Aaron Farnsworth


3 days


Scripture frost


2 days


Thomas Laughton


2 days


Jonathan Smith


3 days


Elisha Rockwood


2 days


Simeon Green


3 days


Joshua Tod


2 days


Zechariah Longley


3 days


38


38 .


.


38


SAMLL TARBELL Capt 3


(a; 2 / }' day 7: 18.0 79 days


II W:2d


MIDIY ss December 19'1 1748


then the above named Cap! Samuel Tarbell appeared and made oth that the aboue is a Just and true List of the men and time as aboue mentioned before me WILLIAM LAWRANCE Justice of Peace


76 ( 2 /6 9:10 0


Cap' Tarbell 3 days 9 6 9 19 6 . . 9.19 .6 Eleazer Tarbell & James Shattuck omitted in a - former Roll Each 17 / 6 1 . 15 O


£ 11 : 14 : 6


Ex [amined ]


Alow'd by the Comd' J OSBORNE


È J CHANDLER


158


THE AMES FAMILY.


this may Certifie whome it may Consarn that whareas the Inden Enemy in July Last Came to Lunenburg in the County of Worcester and the People there and in the neighbouring towns being there by Putt in to Grate Destress they haveing haneing [sic] but a fue soulders and maney of the Inhabitance Dayly Drawing of & as Co! Willard had Left this affair of my town with me I ordered the Capt within mentioned and men to Purform a scoute as within mentioned


WILLIAM LAWRANCE GROTON December 19th 1748 : [Indorsed] Capt Tarbell Scout July 1748 Warr! advis'd Jany 3. 1748


From time to time, as occasion required, many such scout- ing parties went out from Groton and other towns similarly situated, in order to reconnoitre the wilderness and protect the neighborhood. To a large degree they were made up of men used to hardships and fond of adventure, who were un- consciously training in a good school for future service in the defence of their country. Some of the most efficient soldiers during the Revolution thus took the first lessons of their military education at this period.


THE AMES FAMILY.


THE following memoranda of Amos Ames's family are taken from a detached sheet, which once may have belonged in a Bible. It is now in the possession of a grandson, William Ames, Esq., of Dedham, who has kindly given me some additional facts concerning the family.


Groton A mamrandom of the Baths of Amos Ames and Abigail his wife and thare Children Said Amos Born January ye 18 : 1734 old Stile Said Abigail his wife Born october ye 28 : 1733 old Stile Amos Ames thir Son Born April ye 15 : 1758 on a Satterday


[Went to Sullivan, Maine. ]


Moses Ames thire Son Born Nouember ye 14 : 1759 on a Weds- day


Simeon Ames thire Son Born September y" 25 : 1761 on a fryday


159


THE AMES FAMILY.


Abigail Ames thir Daughter Born November 28 1763 on a monday [Married to - Green, of Ashby. ]


Eli Ames thir Son Born may ye 4 : 1765 on a Sattarday


[Went to Virginia. ]


Peter Ames thire Son Born Nouember y" 7 : 1767 on a Sattarday Hannah Ames thir Daughter Born January y" 30 : 1770 on Tust- day.


[Married to Imlah Parker, on June 7, 1789.]


Bulkley Ames thir Son Born July ye 20 : 1772 on a tusday


Able Ames thir Son Born September ye 3 : 1774 on Satterday Departed this Life august ye 14 : 1775


Betsy Buckley Ames Daughter of Amos and abigail Ames Born December ye 10 1776 of a Monday [Married to William Livermore, April 21, 1799.]


Moses Ames Sun to Amos And Abigail Ames Died May 23th 1783 on A friday


Simeon Ames Sun to Amos and Abigail Ames Died September 25th 1784 on a Satterday


Sally Ames Daughter to Amos ames ju' Born January the 29 1784 Polly Ames his Daughter Born March 19 1786


Salle Departed this Life November ye 1 : 1809 aged 25 years and Nine months


Abigail Ames the wife of Amos Ames Departed this Life Avgvst ye 20 Day aged 77 years


Lived togather man and wife 52 years and ten months


Amos Ames and Abigail Bulkley were married at Groton, on October 27, 1757 ; and their three eldest children, Amos, Moses, and Simeon, were soldiers in the Revolution. During their service they were all captured and confined in a prison- ship at Halifax, from which two of them escaped ; and later the third was exchanged, - when they again enlisted in the army. Bulkley, another son, was a farmer living at the home- stead near Brown Loaf, and held at different times many offices of trust, having been one of the selectmen of the town · for seventeen years in succession. He was married, on Sep- tember 22, 1799, to Lydia, daughter of Ebenezer and Lydia (Wood ) Prescott, of Westford ; and they had three sons and one daughter. His wife was born on January 8, 1780, and died on February 23, 18448. The children were as follows :


160


OBITUARY NOTICE.


I. Asa, born on November 3, 1799 ; at the age of 21 went to Boston and became a stone-cutter ; and later went back to Groton, and lived on the farm formerly belonging to his uncle Peter ; died on April 14, 1846.


II. Simeon, born on August 14, 1803 ; lived at the home- stead, where he died on February 28, 1874. For other facts relating to Asa and Simeon, see the second volume (page 277) of this Historical Series.


III. William, born on August 6, 1807; went to Concord, at the age of 15, as an apprentice to Luke Rogers, a carpenter, and removed with Mr. Rogers to Boston in the year 1825; settled in Dedham about 1828, and served as journeyman with Jabez Coney, millwright, for a short time; was for several years a partner with Mr. Coney, and largely interested in the millwright and machinery business, superintending the con- struction of several factories and public buildings.


On October 28, 1832, Mr. Ames was married to Susan, daughter of Samuel and Ann (McFarlane) Lewis, of Ded- ham ; and they have had two sons and two daughters. He is still hale and hearty, and for one of his years remarkably vigorous. His wife was born at Dedham, on April 26, 1814, and died on February 13, 1880.


IV. Lydia Prescott, born on May 11, 1814; was married to Luther Fitch Potter, a trader of Groton, who removed many years ago to Cincinnati. For other facts concerning their family, see the second volume (page 301) of this Historical Series.


OBITUARY NOTICE.


THE following item appears in the " Columbian Centinel & Massachusetts Federalist " ( Boston), October 8, 1803 : -


At Groton, on the ist inst. Mrs. Lovina Tarbell, wife of Mr. Aber Tarbell, and daughter of Joshua Longley, Esq. of Shirley, Et. 22 years. - Having been in good health, and without any previous complaint, fell on the floor, and expired in a few minutes. Her death is severely felt in the family, and greatly lamented by her acquaintance.


161


LIST OF DEATHS.


LIST OF MARRIAGES.


[IN Boston, ] Mr. WILLIAM BLANCHARD, of Charlestown, to Miss LUCRETIA PARKER, of Groton.


" Columbian Centinel " (Boston), October 2, 1805.


At Pepperell, on Wednesday last [April 10], by the Rev. Mr. Bullard, James Brazer, esq of Groton, to Mrs. Hannah Pierce.


" New-England Palladium " (Boston), April 16, 1811.


[In Boston, ] Mr. EBENEZER DAY, to Miss ABIGAIL NUTTING, of Groton.


" Columbian Centinel " ( Boston), February 15, 181 5.


In Dunstable, Mass. Mr. Peter Blood to Mrs. Nabby Bancroft, of Groton.


" Columbian Centinel " ( Boston), March 24, 1819.


In Newburyport, [June 23,] Mr. John Belknap, of Boston, to Miss Mary Prescott, daughter of Dr. Oliver P'. [and a native of Groton.]


"Columbian Centinel " (Boston), June 25, 1825.


On Tuesday morning [September 16], by Rev. Mr. Sabine, Capt. William P. Foote, of Waterville, Me. to Miss Mary Adams Bright, of Bangor, formerly of Groton.


" Columbian Centinel " ( Boston), September 20, 1828.


LIST OF DEATHS.


IN Bangor, Eunice, daughter of widow Mary Bright, formerly of Groton, Mass. 42.


" Boston Daily Advertiser," February 17, 1838.


At Groton, yesterday, Aaron Brown, Esq. aged 58. The friends of his family are requested to attend the funeral, at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.


" New-England l'alladium " (Boston), November 15, 1811.


In Augusta, Me. James Child, Esq. 78. He was born in Groton, Ms. .


" Boston Daily Advertiser," April 4, 1840.


-


.


162


LIST OF DEATHIS.


In Stansted, Canada, 6th ult. Mr. Joel Davis, formerly of Groton, Ms. 59.


" Boston Daily Advertiser," March 12, 1845.


Mr. Davis was married, on April 7, 1808, to Betsey Stanley, of Groton.


At Belvidere, Ill. Mr William Fitch, formerly of Groton, 28. " Daily Centinel and Gazette " ( Boston), November 2, 1838.


In Groton, Ms. 25th inst. Miss Allina C. Gilbert, 33.


" Boston Daily Advertiser," April 27, 1840.


At Belvidere, Ill, Jan 5, THOMAS W. HARTWELL Esq, formerly of Groton, Mass, 38.


" Daily Evening Transcript " (Boston), January 21, 1848.


In Pepperell, Jan 14th, Mr Robinson Lakin, 83, a revolutionary soldier - he was a drummer in the company commanded by Capt John Nutting, in Col Wm Prescott's regiment, and was in the re- doubt on Bunker Hill when the attack was made by the British army. In this battle eight of said company were killed and eight wounded.


" Boston Daily Advertiser," February 27, 1838.


In Groton, Oct. 26, Ann Lucretia, only daughter of Rev. Dudley Phelps, 14 months.


" Boston Recorder," November 1, 1839.


[In New York,] 16th inst. Wm. Rockwood, youngest son of the late John Rockwood, formerly of Groton, Mass. 22.


" Boston Daily Advertiser," May 28, 1836.


In Groton, 31st ult. Miss Alice Tarbell, 54.


" Boston Daily Advertiser," June 6, 1836.


In Groton, 22d inst. Mrs. Achsa Watson, of this city, 55. " Boston Daily Advertiser," August 26, 1840.


In Groton, 7th inst. Mr. George B. Watson, of Boston, 22. " Boston Daily Advertiser," September 11, 1840.


GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1891.


HISTORICAL SERIES, VOL. III., No. V.


THE PHYSICIANS OF GROTON.


THE following sketches of Physicians are supplementary to those given in the first number of this volume, and should be arranged under different headings of that number. Dr. Hurd's sketch should be placed among the physicians now practising in Groton, and belongs on page 39; Dr. Balcom's among the natives of the town who have practised their profession else- where, and belongs on page 62; and the other three should appear in the Appendix, in their alphabetical order, among the scholars of Lawrence Academy who have afterward studied medicine.


DR. GEORGE PLATT HURD is a son of Theodore Clarence and Mary Elizabeth (Platt) Hurd, and was born at Newark, Delaware, on May 9, 1863. His father was a native of Newton, and during the War of the Rebellion served as a commissioned officer in Company F, Forty-fifth Regiment Massachusetts Militia, though at that time he was of Fra- mingham. While Mr. Ilurd was absent in the army, at the time of the son's birth, the mother was living with her father's family in Delaware. After the war Mr. Hurd became a resi- dent of Cambridge, where at the High School the son pur- sued his preparatory studies. In the autumn of 1882 he entered the Freshman class of Harvard College, but left the institution at the end of three years. He then took two full courses at the Dartmouth Medical School, where he graduated in June, 1887. During the ensuing winter he was at the Long


164


THE PHYSICIANS OF GROTON.


Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, New York; and later he was an assistant physician at the King's County Hospital in the same city. In the summer of 1889 he became the physician to the Middlesex County jail at East Cambridge ; and in July, 1891, he removed to Groton.


On January 3, 1891, Dr. Hurd was married in Nashua, New Hampshire, to Mrs. Addie Frances (Allison) Gough, daughter of Charles James and Frances (Ayer) Allison, of Haverhill, and widow of Francis Winslow Gough, of Hingham. Her first marriage took place at Ayer, on January 19, 1887.


DR. GEORGE FRANKLIN BALCOM is the eldest son of John and Sarah Jane (Kemp) Balcom, and was born at Groton, on February 27, 1846. He received his early education at Law- rence Academy, and pursued his professional studies in the office of the late Dr. Norman Smith, of Groton. He gradu- ated in the class of 1870 at Dartmouth College, where he attended two courses of lectures, though he passed his exam- inations in the autumn of 1869, at the end of the last course. Soon afterward he began the practice of medicine in Worces- ter, where, with the exception of the time spent out of the country in his studies, he has since remained. In the summer of 1871 he went abroad, and passed nearly a year in attending the hospitals of London, Edinburgh, and Dublin. For the last three years he has been a prominent member of the School Board in Worcester.


On December 12, 1872, Dr. Balcom was married in Worces- ter to Josephine, daughter of Wilder and Mary Ann (Blood) Wright; and they have had two children, Frank Annandale, born on October 6, 1873, and died on December 28, 1880 ; and Florence Houghton, born on July 17, 1877.


DR. ROYAL BULLARD BOYNTON is the youngest child of Isaac and Sibyl (Lawrence) Boynton, and was born at Pepperell, on February 7, 1826. He is descended from John Boynton, an early settler of Rowley, and on his mother's side from John Lawrence, an original proprietor of Groton. Ile was brought


165


THE PHYSICIANS OF GROTON.


up on his father's farm, doing the work which under such circumstances usually falls to the lot of a country lad; but the chief ambition of his boyhood was to become a physician. During the years 1848 and 1849 he attended school at Law- rence Academy, where he was preparing to enter an advanced class in college ; but while here he lost the use of his eyes, and was obliged to give up his plans. After studying dentistry for a short time in the office of Dr. Calvin C. Knowles, of Lowell, he began the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Nehemiah Cutter, of Pepperell, and in 1852 took his degree from the Vermont Medical College at Woodstock. Immediately after his graduation he settled in Pepperell, where he remained for three years, and then removed to Townsend. In 1862 he established himself at Mason Village (now Greenville), New Hampshire, where he remained for three years, and then removed to West Townsend, of which place he is still a resident. He has acquired a large practice, and is consulted by patients over a wide range of territory.


On November 12, 1863, Dr. Boynton was married to Hannah Josephine, daughter of George and Abby Hannah (Flagg) Taft, of Mason Village, New Hampshire.


DR. FRANKLIN G1 HUMISTON is a son of Amos and Betsey Philinda (Ensworth) Humiston, and was born at Owego, Tioga County, New York, on April 10, 1855. He fitted for college at Lawrence Academy, and graduated at Dartmouth College, in the class of 1882. During the first three years of his collegiate course, according to the several annual catalogues, he was of Shirley ; but during his Senior year was of Cam- bridge. On May 1, 1886, he took his degree of M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania, and began the practice of his profession at East Jaffrey, New Hampshire, where he still remains.


On November 3, 1886, Dr. Humiston was married to Car- rie Relief, daughter of Walter and Martha ( Adams ) Tarbell, of West Groton ; and they have three daughters.


A pathetic incident connected with his family history went


! This is not an initial letter, but simply a designation.


166


THE PHYSICIANS OF GROTON.


the rounds of the newspapers during the War of the Rebellion. His father, a native of the State of New York, enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth New York Volun- teers, and was killed on July 1, 1863, at the Battle of Gettys- burg. A day or two after the fight, amid the confusion and carnage of that bloody field, his unrecognized body was found leaning against a fence ; and clutched in his hand was a photo- graph of three little children. For the purposes of identifica- tion this simple fact was widely published in the newspapers at the time, and immediately touched a tender chord in the public mind; and by means of numerous reproductions of the picture scattered broadcast throughout the North, the identity of the father and children was established. Dr. Humiston, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was the eldest child shown in the photographie group.


DR. WILLIAM HUTCHINSON MERRILL is an only son of Luke Taylor and Nancy Elizabeth (Hutchinson) Merrill, and was born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 13, 1860. He received his early education at Lawrence Academy, and graduated at Yale College in the class of 1883. He studied medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York, where he took the degree of M.D. in 1887, and subse- quently passed two years as a junior assistant in the New York Hospital. He is now a resident of Pepperell, where he settled in the spring of 1891.


On May 14, 1891, Dr. Merrill was married in New York, to Anna Kinsman, younger daughter of the late Benjamin Kinsman and Anna Maria (Catlin) Phelps. For thirteen years her paternal grandfather was the minister of the Union Congregational Church in Groton, where he died on Sep- tember 24, 1849.


Through an oversight the name of Dr. A. B. Randall was omitted from the list of Dentists, printed in the first number (pages 65-70) of this volume. The following advertisement appears in "The Groton Gem," September, 1859, and fur- nishes all the information I have concerning him : -


167


THE PHYSICIANS OF GROTON.


DR. A. B. RANDALL,


Would respectfully intimate to the people OF GROTON, That he still remains among them and is prepared to


Practice all branches of his Profession,


in a manner which he trusts will give en- tire satisfaction. He is willing to compare his work and prices with any


DENTIST,


Here or elsewhere. Call and have your teeth examined. NO CHARGE FOR ADVICE.


The following facts relating to the Physicians of Groton, etc., are in addition to those given in the first number of this volume. The figures within brackets after the names indi- cate the pages of that number where the various references to the persons are found.


Dr. EPHRAIM WOOLSON [3] died at Hanover, New Hampshire, near the beginning of the year 1802. See "Columbian Centinel " (Boston), February 6, 1802, in the list of Deaths.


Mrs. NANCY (JONES) STIMSON [17] died at Hopkinton, on March 17, 1805.


Mrs. ELIZA DOANE [18] was a daughter of Isaiah Doane.


Dr. PETER PINEO [34] died at West Somerville, on September 10, 1891.


Dr. KENDALL DAVIS [34] was married, on April 14, 1831, to Jane Aun, youngest child of Isaac and Lydia (Keyes) Patten, of Westford. See Hodgman's History of that town (pages 392, 465, 466).


Dr. WILLIAM AMBROSE WEBSTER [36] was married, first, on August 27, 1851, to Mary Anne, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Watson) Kaine; and, secondly, to Marion Malvina, daughter of Aaron and Sally (McElroy) Ladd.


168


WAYSIDE MONUMENTS.


Dr. EBENEZER WILLIS [40] died at Ayer, on May 10, 1890.


Dr. WILLIAM CHAUNCY HALL NEEDHAM [62] was the eldest son (not child) of Colonel Needham.


Dr. LEWIS BENJAMIN ALLEN [65] was married to Emily Silvia Pinney.


Dr. JAMES DENNIS BROWN [68] was married, secondly, in Cam- bridge, on December 21, 1869.


Dr. JOHN LOCKE ALEXANDER [73] died at Belmont, on No- vember 9, 1890.


Dr. EBENEZER PARKER [8.4] was a son of Ebenezer and Sally (Tarbell) Parker.


Dr. AUGUSTUS PARKER [86] was married to Juliana, daughter of Josiah and Susanna (Carlton) Wilder.


According to Dr. Paige's History of Cambridge, there was a Dr. Ebenezer Perry living at Groton near the middle of the last century, who was married to Abigail Russell, of Cam- bridge. The reference is found in the last line on page 647 of the History.


WAYSIDE MONUMENTS.


PUBLIC tablets or monuments are often placed by the wayside to commemorate events of historical interest. In this way they become object-lessons to the passers, particu- larly to the young, who casily remember the inscriptions, and thus perpetuate in the neighborhood a knowledge of the facts. Under such circumstances it is highly important that the statements in all particular's should be critically correct, and based on historical accuracy. I am led to write these lines from seeing an inscription by the roadside in Pepperell, which is very misleading, as both the name of the man and the date of death as there given are wrong. It is found on a monument standing on the westerly side of the Nashua River, near Primus Hill, on the easterly side of the high- way to Pepperell, perhaps a hundred rods from the Great




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