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 31
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370
MISS MARY E. NUTTING.
The following extracts, taken from "The Early Records of Groton, Massachusetts," undoubtedly refer to the same high- way : -
At a meeting of the select men January 10 1672 a commite chussen to meet with concord men chelmesford men and Robert blood to lay out the way to the bay betwene this and the spring wheir it is most passable and the commite are maior willard sergent parker James knop The maior hauing not tim to atend it Richard Blood is chussen by the towne in his roume at a towne meeting march 17 72-73 (pages 44, 45).
At a generall Town meeting febr 18 16So It was then agreed vpon and voted that the old Commitee chusen shold perfect their work in laying out the hye way to Concord (page 63).
MISS MARY E. NUTTING.
MARY ELIZA NUTTING, who wrote the account of the Nut- ting Family which was printed in the second volume (pages 259-262) of the Historical Series, died at Saint Margaret's Home in Boston, on October 23, 1889, after a surgical opera- tion. She was a native of Boston, and a proof-reader by occupation ; and in that capacity for twenty years was con- nected with " Littell's Living Age." She was an excellent classical scholar, and the author of several pamphlets, which displayed a good deal of critical learning. Two of them - " A Study of the Hexameter of Virgil," and "A Study of the Principal Latin Rhythms, other than the Hexameter "- appeared under the pseudonym of "Joseph W. Clough," both in the year 1879; and a third entitled " A Study of the First /Encid " was printed in 1884.
Miss Nutting was the second child of Samuel Sangor and Eliza Bartlett (Clough) Nutting, and born in Boston, on April 25, 1841. Her father was born in Newton, on March 7, 1822 ; and her grandfather, Buckley Prescott Nutting, was a native of Westford. She was a descendant of John Nutting, one of the early settlers of Groton, who was killed near his garrison house during an assault by the Indians, in March, 1676.
371
REV. GERSHOM HOBART.
At the County Court, held at Cambridge on October 6, 1663, according to the manuscript records (1. 254) now at East Cambridge, " John Nutting is allowed to be a Corporall of ye Military Company at Grotton." At the same Court on April 1, 1684,
Administration is granted to John & James Nutting on the Estate of their father John Nutting late of Groton decead. They bringing in a true Inventory & giving bond to respond s' Estate as the law directs (IV. 94).
REV. GERSHOM HOBART.
Ir is well known that the relations between the Reverend Gershom Hobart, third minister of Groton, and his parish- ioners, were anything but happy and harmonious ; but the records of his pastorate are very scanty and meagre. He was the first minister after the resettlement of the town in the spring of 1678, though not ordained until November 26, 1679. The cause of these troubles is now unknown in detail ; but probably the blame lay on both sides, - the parson was unyielding, and the people were exacting. It had some con- nection with the amount of the salary given to the minister, and with the mode of payment. At one time the case was carried to the County Court at Cambridge; and in the records of the session beginning on April 6, 1686, the fol- lowing entry is found : -
The Court being informed that by reason of some disagreemt among the Inhabitants of Grotton with reference to the allowance to be made to the Revd M' Gershom Hubberd their minister do order the annuall allowance of seventy pound as hath been formerly agreed & paid by y" together with accommodation of wood bee ordred & levied by the Select men & paym' made to their above named Minister, whereof One fourth shall be money untill in an orderly way some other provision be made & setled. And if any p'son be aggreived they may come to this court for reliefe (IV. 225).
372
JONATHAN SHEPLE'S PETITION.
Mr .. Hobart's first settlement as a minister was at Groton in the year 1678, though he graduated at Harvard College in the Class of 1667. During these years he lived for the most part at his father's home in Hingham, preaching at odd intervals, as the opportunity offered. The following allusion to him is found in Chief Justice Sewall's Diary : "Feb. 7. 76 [-77]. Went to ye 12 meeting at Mr Morse his House; where Mr Gershom Hobart spake well to James 1. ty." In early times the names of " Hobart " and " Hlub- bard " were often used interchangeably.
Mr. Hobart was married, on April 26, 1675, to Sarah, daughter of John and Sarah (Eliot) Aldis, of Dedham, who was born on June 9, 1652 ; and in the records of that town his name is written " Gershon Hubbard." He died at Groton, on December 18, 1707 ; and his widow at the same place, on April 14, 1712. They had a family of five children certainly, three boys and two girls, though the births of only the daughters are recorded in the town-book. The three sons were married, and left a numerous progeny at Groton.
JONATIIAN SHEPLE'S PETITION.
THE following petition of Jonathan Sheple, of Groton, found among the Archives (XIV. 1) at the State House, throws some light on social life in Massachusetts during the last century. From the earliest days of colonial history a law was in force punishing the neglect of divine worship on Sundays ; and Mr. Sheple, a young man under thirty years of age, had rendered himself amenable to its requirements. For an allusion to his offence, see the first volume of this His- torical Series (No. XVIII., page 22).
Province of the Massachusets Bay
To his Honour Spencer Phipps Esq' and Commander in Chief of sª Province To y" Honourable his Majesties Council and house of Representatives Assembled at Boston on January y" 6th 1757
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373
JONATHAN SHEPLE'S PETITION.
The Petition of Jonathan Sheple of Groton in The County of Middlesex Husbandman
Ilumbly Sheweth That Your poor Petitioner about four Years ago, was for A Considerable Time much Indispos! in body which brought on Gloomy Apprehensions of Mind : In The mean time I y" s" Sheple being Bereav'" of my wife [ &] having A Concern for his young tender Infant, which he was Obliged To put out To Nurse : being Almost Overbourn with his Sorrowful Circumstances & distring Situation ; Now may it Please Your Honour and Honours, your Petitioner Humbly begs leave to Inform you that Under These Unhappy Circumstances He had The misfortune, to be presented by ye Grand Jurey four times, for not attending ye publick worship of God, which Usualy he attended before & also has from that to the present time And now Even Thinks That no Consideration whatsoEver Unless unavoidably or Necessarily detaind by ye Providence of God & his incumbant duty in attending on y" Sick would Induce him to Such a future Neglect) And Acknowledges that He is not able to give any other reason for This his former neglect but Those above mentiond And would with Submission as A poor petitioner further inform your Honour & Honou: That while Labouring. under these Distressing troubles & greifs he had four Warrents Served on him and was Carried before one of his Majesties Justices of y" Peace, & Recogniz", In ye Sum of Three pounds Lawfull Money on Each warrent, also thro Some means or other Neglecting to Appear at Court to Defend his Cause or answer to his Accusation, the Event was that afterwards four Writts of Scire Facias were Issud out against him & his Bonds Men) Which he also Neglected to Accommodate affairs To ye forfiture wh yrof as was then Said. But before Judgm' was made up Coll Lawrance Inform him that he gave Intelligence to ye Honour !! Court of Sessions Concerning his difficult Circumstances & Situation, & told hi[m] That y" Honourb! Court did not See Good to make any abatement of Said forfiture of S! Bonds, Accordingly Judgm' was Entre against him for four times Three pounds besides y" Cost which amounted To more then Twenty four pounds in ye whole Nevertheless y" Honour"! Court was so kind & benevolent upon information of your Petitioner' Circumstances As to wait some time for yer fines & Cost afores" but this unhappy misfortune finaly obligd Your Petitioner Io Make Sale of his Dwelling plice & so paid ye whole of Said Demands being In-
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374
HION. JOSEPH B. VARNUM.
formed y' ye fines imposd upon him Were Twelve pounds, being Yet in ye hands of ye Clarke, Now may it please your Honour & Honours to take your poor Unhappy Petitioners Case into your [w]ise and Compassionate Consideration And Remit to him ye aforest Humble Petitioner ye before mentiond fines & Give Order for his Receving the same Accordingly Or otherwise Give your poor Petitioner Relief in The premises as in your Wisdom Goodness & Benevolence your Shall See Meet And Your Petitioner as in duty bound Shall Ever pr[ay]
his JONATHAN X SHEPLE Mark
In the House of Representatives Jan : TI. 1757.
Read and Ordered, that the Prayer of this Petition be granted ; and that the several fines mentioned therein be remitted to ye Pet! And that the Clerk of the Court of Gen' Sessions of ye peace for y" County of Middlesex be and he hereby is directed to pay the same accordingly.
Sent up for Concurrence. 'T. HUBBARD Spk'
In Council Jany 12. 1757 Read & Concur'd Thos CLARKE Dp" Secry
Consented to S Puirs
HON. JOSEPHI B. VARNUM.
MR. JOHN MARSHALL VARNUM, of Boston, has kindly given me the two following letters written from Groton to his grandfather, the Honorable Joseph Bradley Varnum, who was for many years a member of the National House of Repre- sentatives, and at one time Speaker, and who was afterward a United States Senator. These letters have some local interest, and show, moreover, that the people used to write to their Representatives at the National Capital on private affairs as well as on business of a public nature, just as they do now.
375
HION. JOSEPHE B. VARNUM.
GROTON Jan! 28. 1797
SIR
Cap! Aaron Stratton1 who heretofore resided at Littleton was an Officer in the Continental Army, & now resides in, or near Phil? was Admin' on the Estate of Sam! Gilbert, & by neglecting to dis- charge a judge against him as Admin' M' Tin". Hildreth now of Sterling formerly of Westford who was one of his Bondsmen has been compelled to pay the Judgment with Costs of Suit & is now entitled to recover from Cap! Stratton the amount of what he has paid, with Interest. M' Hildreth wishes to obtain satisfaction, & has desired me to enclose his papers to you, with a request that you would call on Cap' Stratton (supposing him to be personally known to you) for payment, and if he should neglect to pay, that you would employ some Attorney to collect the money for him. by the Copy of the Bond of Judgment you will see that M' Hildreth was a Bondsmen & obliged to pay the Judgment against Gilberts Estate. should any further evidence be wanted it can be produced at any time. M: Hildreth has enclosed you a Letter of Attº for you to do the business yourself, or substitute any other person.
I am Sir y!
Obed! Serv!
SAME DANA
Cole VARNUM
M: Hildreth says he will see you honorably requited for your attention to this business.
[Addressed] The Honble Joseph Bradley Varnum Esq! Kept in Congress Philadelphia
Major Samson Woods's letter, which follows, was written near the end of the War of 1812, during a period of great distress throughout New England, and while the Hartford Convention was in session.
GROTON Dember 234 1814
Honble Jos. B. VARNUM Esq
DEAR SIR
We the People are in a State of Suspense. We live between hope and fear. We hope for better times, but are afraid
1 The name of Aaron Stratton, of Littleton, appears in a list of letters advertised in " The Boston Evening-Post," July 13, 1772. as remaining in the Boston Post-office at that time, showing that he was a resident of Littleton before the Revolution.
376
THOMAS TARBELL ..
of worse -What the most of Men Call worse an taxes. If I am wanted to act the Soldier I am ready as I always have been. please to rite me if I am wanted. Inclosed is the Inspection Book of general Coburns B' for 1814- I am Dear Sir yours with Due Respects and Esteem
S WOODS HI. JOS B. VARNUM Esqr
[Addressed] Honorable Jos. B. VARNUM
City of Washington
THOMAS TARBELL.
AMONG the original proprietors of Groton were Thomas Tarbell and Thomas Tarbell, Jr., father and son. " The name, Thomas, is so frequent in the different families," says Mr. Butler, in his Ilistory, " that some confusion arises in tracing them all to Thomas, Sen., the original stock, from which they all undoubtedly sprung " (page 302). According to Lawrence Hammond's Diary, printed in the Proceedings (second series, VII. 170) of the Massachusetts Historical Society for January, 1892, " Old Goodm Tarbal " died in Charlestown, on June 11, 1678, and his son "Tho. Tarbal " at the same place, a few weeks earlier, on April 26. After the destruction of Groton by the Indians in 1676, the family removed to Charlestown, where these two representatives of the first and second gen- erations died two years later of small-pox. Administration on the estate of Thomas, Jr., was granted to his widow Anna, on December 18, 1678.
Thomas Tarbell of the third generation was born at Groton, on July 6, 1667, and died at Lexington, on Octo- ber 8, 1715, though Bond, in his History of Watertown (page 598), gives the date of death as January 24, 1717. lle was married, on December 1, 1686, to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Samuel and Alice Woods, of Groton; and they had ten children. He was lown clerk during the years 1704
377
THOMAS TARBELL.
and 1705. His epitaph in the Old Burying Ground at Lex- ington is as follows : -
HERE LYES THE BODY OF DEACO N
THOMAS TARBALL AGED 48 YEARS & 3 Mº DIED HR
OCTO Y 8 1715 He belonged to Groten
Thomas Tarbell of the fourth generation was the eldest child of Thomas and Elizabeth ( Woods) Tarbell, and born at Groton, on September 15, 1687. Ile was a brother of the three children who were carried off into captivity by the In- dians, on June 20, 1707. He was married, first, to Hannah -; and, secondly, on January 1, 1716-7, to Abigail, eldest daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Lakin) Parker. By the two wives there were twelve children, of whom Thomas, the only son and the youngest child of the first group, was married, on January 19, 1741-2, to Esther, eldest child of Nathaniel and Esther Smith, of Groton.
Thomas of the fourth generation, like his father, was town clerk during the years 1731-1734; and he served in the expedition against Port Royal in Nova Scotia. The follow- ing extract, taken from the printed Journal of the House of Representatives (pages 27, 28) for June 4, 1737, shows this fact : -
A Petition of Thomas Tarbell, Richard Rice, and sundry others in the publick Service Anno 1710, under the Command of the late General Nicholson, praying for a Grant of a Township, to be laid out upon the Way lately made between Lunenburgh and Northfield, in consideration of their Services and Sufferings when Port Royal (now Annapolis) was reduced and subjected to the Crown of Great Britain. Read, and Ordered, That the Petition be considered on Wednesday next the Sth. currant.
378
HIGHWAY TO CHELMSFORD.
HIGHWAY TO CHELMSFORD.
GROTON and Chelmsford were neighboring towns, and set- tled at the same time, but for some years their means of inter- communication were very limited. Originally, the road from Groton to Boston was by way of Chelmsford, and the bridge in Billerica over the Concord River, along the same thorough- fare, was built in part by Groton. See an article in the first volume (Number XIX., pages 8-13) of this Historical Series, entitled " Billerica Bridge."
The Reverend Wilkes Allen, in his History of Chelmsford, has the following : -
Road to Groton - 1663.
FOR many years the chief travel to Groton, was thro' this town. Hence a road was laid out by a joint committee of Groton and Chelmsford " beginning at Beaver brook-bridge, and running over the north side of Robin's Hill thro' Richard Hildrith's yard to the west end of Heart Pond, over the swamp to Thomas Chamberlin's meadow, and so on towards Groton on the east side of Tadmuck great meadows." The towns of Billerica, Chelmsford, Groton, Townsend, Dunstable & Dracut, unitedly built the great bridge over Concord river at Billerica, and for many years jointly main- tained it.
(Page 18.)
Presumably this statement is made, in the main, on the authority of the Chelmsford records ; but it is evident that Dracut and Townsend could not have taken any part in build- ing an early bridge, as they had not then been incorporated as towns.
The following reference to the Chelmsford highway is found in the printed edition of the Groton records: -
The Country hye way being determened betwen this towne and Chel[ms]ford by a commitey chosen Respectiuly by both towns hane agreed and according layd out thes country hye way from ye metting house place in the ould carte way to Chelmsford metting house sixe Rode in width from place to pla[ce ] this being testefyed
379
MIDDLESEX COUNTY BRIDGES.
vndr the hands [of] the commitey at a towne mee[ting] the 10 of July 65 and excepted by the towne may be suficente to sattesfy aney home it may heraftr concern
witnesse JAM FFISKE in the nam o[f] the towne (Page 14.)
MIDDLESEX COUNTY BRIDGES.
THE following paper is copied from the original report in the possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and found in a volume (page 60) of miscellaneous manuscripts marked on the back "Letters & Papers 1632-1678." It shows the early period when the inhabitants of Groton were taxed for the support of a county bridge. All the signatures at- tached to the paper are autographs ; and " Wipsuffridge," one of several forms of an Indian word, is now known as Marl- borough. In connection with the report, see the first volume of this Historical Series (Number XIX., pages 8-13) for an article entitled " Billerica Bridge."
May . 1 . 1660.
Wee of the Comitte for Bridges in the Countie of Midlsex at our Second meeting (by Order of the Countie Court) vpon the 17 day of the 2ª m? 1660: whose names are hervnder written. vpon farther Informacon ; Inquisicon ; disscussion and Consideracon hauc Cleerly Conceiued and Concluded ; That the Town of Con- cord haue no iust ground of Complaint or Allowance from the Countie in respect of their Bridges ; for the Reasons herafter Expressed.
I The three Bridges they soote and plead vpon are for their own proper ; Specal and perticuler Concernments for their Saw Mill ; Iron works and other occasions; and not necessarie for the Countie or Countrie ; and may at their pleasure be deserted.
2 If Any Argument be ; because they were made during the law for Kach Countie to make and maynteyn their own Bridges (which they were not Onely repayred or some Addicon) then all other Towns must bring in their Charges for the like and be Allowed for it.
380
MIDDLESEX COUNTY BRIDGES.
3 If the Argument be that their Burden is Aboue their Abilitie ; then other Towns burdens Compared with theirs ; Aduantages and disadvantages Considered ; they'! find no Ease at all. Inst Sudbury at 25€ charges yearly for repayring one peece of higway in the Countri rode beside all others of like nature.
4 Though Concord dispended vpon some of their Bridges Since the Order for Counti Bridges yet neither those Bridges nor any of them were undertaken By Order of the Countie as was Bille- rika and Mestick Bridges ; Therfore not to be charged on the Countie ; more then Sudbury ; Watert"; Redding and Some others ; who haue no Expectacon of personal profitts Comparable to Concord.
5 Wee are Credibly Informed that the way from Lancaster for whom and on whose Mocon it is Alledged that one of Concord Bridges was Erected at least in part ; is now found neerer by three or fowre miles then to come by Concord ; Allso A better way and such as needs no Bridge whensoeuer Lancaster Can pass from their own Town And Allso if the Countie or Countrie shall need A Bridge there ; that it may be built for Ten Pounds Charge ; neere Stones Farm in Wipsuffridge way.
yet for A Satisfactory Setlment with Concord and the rest of the Countie and for Auoyding all farther trouble to Courts and Countie wee think meete and conclude that the Twentie Pounds formerly granted to Concord be made vp Thirtie pounds (i e) Ten pounds more in respect of their charges of that nature be- yond some other Towns in the Countie ; which Ten pounds shall be raysed in proporcon on Charlst" Camb! Watert". Wooburne ; Redding Meadford and Maldon.
6 Wee Conceiue and Conclude that Billerica Bridge shall be So farr A Countie Bridge as to be vpholde by the Towns of Billerica ; Chelmsford and Groton and all such farmes as are there Granted when they shall be Improved (in proporcon to their Countrie rates)
7 Wee Conceiue that Mestick Bridge shold be vpholden by the Countrie ; or Else one half by the Town of Charlste and the other half by Cambridge ; Wooburne ; Redding Meadford and Maldon in proporcon as Aforesayd.
8 Wee Conceive & Conclude that the Towns of Concord ; Sudbury ; Lancaster ; Billerica Chelmsford and Groton shold be free from Charges to all Bridges Extant sane their own Bridges as before
381
LIST OF DEATHS.
Specified. as allso from such Bridge as shal be made in Wipsuf- fridge way aforesayd.
Lastly if this our returne be not Satisfactory wee haue Appointed Cap' Norton Cap! Mason and Joseph Hills on notice giuen them; to Attend any farther Agitacon respecting this thing.
At A meeting of the Comitte Appointed by the Francis Norton generall Court (i. e) Cap! Lusher Lieu! Clappe Deacon Parks it was Agreed and Ordered that Hugh mason the Conclusions Afore recited shall stand firme and be An Absolute and final determinacon in Edmund Goodenow respect of Concord & all other the Towns in the Countie of Midlsex and for the Town of Edward Conuers Concord Thomas Brooks and John Smedly doe bind themselues and Successors in one hundred Joseph Hills : Pounds to John Stedman Treas" of the Countie that their Inhabitants shall rest in the determi- naco Aforesayd which bond they shal be Accquitted of on Certifficate to the Treaser signified vnder the hands of their Select- men ; of their inhabitants acceptacon of the foresayd determinacon.
(witnes our hands Signed
William Park Joseph Hills: Thos Brooks Jonathan Danforth James Parker.
Eleazer Lusher Hugh mason John Smedly
Roger Clap
LIST OF DEATHS.
THE following list of Deaths is found in the " New-England Palladium " (Boston), and the "Daily Evening Transcript " (Boston), respectively, under the several dates as here given after each announcement.
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.
Friday, November 15, 1811.
·
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382
LIST OF DEATHS.
In Brookline, on Friday last, drowned, Mr Samuel Brown, of this town, aged 28, son of the late Aaron Brown, Esq. of Groton.
Tuesday, September 22, 1812.
[In Boston, ] On Saturday evening, Miss Anna Dana, aged 40, daughter of the late Hou. Samuel Dana, of Amherst, N. H. Funeral from the house of her sister, Brown, Groton, tomorrow, at 1o'clock, P. M. which her friends and relations are desired to attend.
Tuesday, December 24, 1811.
[In Boston,] On Friday, very suddenly, Mrs. Anna Mackay, wife of Mr. James Mackay, and eldest daughter of Mr. Abel Woods, of Groton, At. 39 years.
Tuesday, April 9, 1811.
In Groton, on Thursday last, Mrs Betsey Page, aged 22 years - Mr. William Lepear, Act 63.
Tuesday, June 18, 1811.
In Groton, on Saturday morning, Mrs. Eunice, wife of Mr. Jason Williams, aged 51.
Tuesday, July 16, 1811.
At Jerusalem, Palestine, April 25, PHILIP D. DICKSON, 26, for- merly of Groton, Mass.
"Daily Evening Transcript " ( Boston), June 29, 1853.
At Groton, Ist inst, MARY A, only daughter of Rufus and Abigail Moors, 17 yrs 10 mos.
May 5, 1853.
At East Salem, Washington Co, N. Y. April Ist, in his 88th year, EBENEZER HARRIS, a native of Brooklyn, Ct. His wife, with whom he had lived in the married state for 68 years, was a daughter of John Sawtell, of Groton, Mass, who fought at Bunker Hill.
May 9, 1853.
0
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1892.
HISTORICAL SERIES, VOL. III., No. IX.
WM. NUTTING'S DIARY.
THE Massachusetts Historical Society has recently re- ceived, through the kindness and courtesy of the Reverend John Keep Nutting, of Glenwood, Iowa, youngest child of the late Joseph Danforth and Lucinda (Keep) Nutting, of Groton, the Diary kept by his grandfather, William Nutting, during a period of more than a quarter of a century. It comprises about 75 small note-books, for the most part of 16 pages each, made by folding sheets of writing-paper, and containing the ordinary incidents of a well-to-do farmer's life in New England during the last century. The first entry in the Diary is dated May 5, 1777, and the last February 2, 1804 ; though the part from September 16, 1779, to March, 1780, is missing, and perhaps a few leaves elsewhere are gone. For certain extracts from this journal, see the first volume of the Historical Series (Number XIX. pages 13-16) ; and for a sketch of his eldest son, see pages 203 and 204 of this volume. See also the second volume (pages 259-262), for an article on the Nutting Family.
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