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 32
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William Nutting, the diarist, was a son of Lieutenant Wil- liam and Jane (Boynton) Nutting, and born at Groton, on July 10, 1752. He was married, first, at Groton, on Decem- ber 30, 1778, to Susanna French, of Dunstable (probably a daughter of Ebenezer French), who died on February 12,
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1800 ; and, secondly, at New Ipswich, New Hampshire, on September 4, 1800, to Mrs. Polly ( Barrett) Hubbard, youngest daughter of Deacon Thomas and Mary (Jones) Barrett, of Concord, and widow of David Hubbard, of New Ipswich. Mr. Nutting died at Groton, on April 18, 1832; and his ` widow on January 16, 1834, aged 76 years. His father died on June 2, 1776; and his mother, on December 30, 1779' married for a second husband Timothy Reed, of Dunstable, and died on February 7, 1803, in the 86th year of her age. See " Groton Epitaphs" (page 118), for the inscription on her grave-stone.
Mr. Nutting was a corporal in a company of minute-men, which marched from Groton to Cambridge after the Lexing- ton alarm, on April 19, 1775. On that memorable occasion there were two companies of minute-men, and two companies of militia, which entered the public service from Groton. During the latter part of the War, Mr. Nutting filled the position of constable, and in his journal there are some ref- erences to the duties of his office in connection with the army, which are printed at the end of this article under the sub-heading " Revolutionary Items."
These Note-books furnish many little items of local im- portance not recorded elsewhere, and for that reason they have some historical interest and value. The following en- tries, scattered throughout the Diary, in various instances give dates of death, not found in the town-records, which are very deficient during this period. Accompanying most of such entries is a rude attempt to represent an old-fashioned coffin by a heavy scrawl with a quill pen.
[Sept.] y" 24th [1778] my Grandmother Died in her 88th year
Mrs. Mary (Green) Nutting, daughter of John and Mary Green, and widow of Jonathan Nutting, who was born on November 3, 1690.
Tuesday ye 12th [Feb., 1782] Eber Parker was Buried
A son of Nathaniel and Eunice (Lakin) Parker, born on February 26, 1770.
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Mondy y: 9" [Sept., 1782 ] . .. . widow Joanna Blood Buried
Probably the widow of John Blood.
Mondy 3044 two Infants Buried (viz) Caleb Bloods & Jacob Gragg's.
One of these children was Levi, son of Caleb and Elizabeth (Farnsworth) Blood, born on September 14, 1782.
Saty [Feb. 22, 1783] I went Daniel Nutting &c; then attende ye funeral of Gabriel Lakin
Probably the son of William and Miriam Lakin, born on June 22, 1736.
Saty March 1" 1783 Deacon [James] Stone Buried
A son of John and Sarah Stone, born on January 23, 1701.
Monday 5th [May, 1783] Spent my Day after Rates attended ye Funeral of Cap! Sol" Woods.
The youngest son of Isaac and Abigail (Stevens) Woods, born on August 29, 1747.
Wed Oct: 8th 1783 D' Prescott's Daughter Nabby was Buried.
A daughter of Dr. Oliver and Lydia (Baldwin) Prescott, born on June 25, 1768, and died on October 6, 1783.
Friday JanY 9"h 1784 . . . . went to ye Funeral of ye wife of Cap! Amos Lawrence
She was Abigail Abbott, of Lincoln, who died on January 6, 1784. Her husband died on June 20, 1785 ; see below.
Monday y" 19th .... we went to y" funerall of Mary Morse.
Tues¥ 31" [Aug., 1784] . .. . attended y" Funeral of Col! Josiah Sartell afternoon.
In the carly part of the Revolution he was a member of the General Court. He died on August 30, the day before the funeral.
Thurs' 30'! [Sept., 1784] . .. . ME John Stone Buried
Tues" 21" [Dec., 1784] Jonas Greens Daughter Hannah aged 4 years & upwards was Buried, Died a [at ?] Jonas Bowers
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Monday ye 4" [April, 1785] . ... Me Blood Died about 3 º C! afternoon
Wedy [6] .... I attended ys funeral of m' Simon Blood's wife at 3, oClock Carried y: Corps on my Slay.
Mrs. Blood was the eldest daughter of Samuel and Anna (Williams) Shattuck, and born at Groton, on April 13, 1731.
Saty 284 [May, 1785] .... the wife of W" Hobart of Townsend was Buried to day.
Sund. 19" [June, 1785] Sam" Graggs Son Sam" was Buried 2 years & 8 months old
Wed‹ 22ª Cap! Amos Lawrence Buried in ye morning who Died monday Night very sudden
Youngest child of John and Anna (Tarbell) Lawrence, born on February 10, 1715-6; the father of Major Samuel Lawrence, and the grandfather of Amos and Abbott, of Bos- ton. He died on June 20.
Tuest 19 [July, 1785] Sam" Gragy came & Told me of ye Sudden & unexpected Death of his Father in' Jacob Gragg who Died about 1, o'Clock this morning.
Wed! 20th July .... m' Gragg Buried
Friday 14" [April, 1786]. ... attended y: funeral of Salla Childs's child (aged about 5 years
Fridy 144 [July, 1786] .... afternoon attended y: Funeral of m'. Nehemiah Lawrence
Second son of Amos and Abigail (Abbott) Lawrence, who died on July 13, 1786.
Wedy Novemb' 1st [1786] .... L' Abel Bancroft Buried afternoon
The second child of Benjamin and Alice (Tarbell) Ban- croft, who was born on May 28, 1758.
Tues! 21* Benj" Hobarts wife Buried in ys afternoon, I attended as a Bearer.
Lords day July 29"! [1787] .... m' Ramsdill who was killed with a cartwheel & y" wife of Amos Ames JE who died very Sud- denly, were both buried after meeting
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SatY 29th [Mar., 1788] .... Ens" Eben Lakin Buried
Fridy 26th [Sept., 1788] . . .. heard m' John Cummings is Dead Frid 214 [Nov., 1788] .... ye wife of m' Isaiah Edes Buried who died last Wed? very Suddenly in a fit of y Appoplexy.
Mr. Edes's second wife, who was " Widow Eunice Parker," a daughter of Jacob and Eunice (Lakin) Lakin. Her first husband was Captain Nathaniel Parker, who died on Novem- ber 24, 1773 ; and she was married to her second husband on January 19, 1780. See page 395 for other facts connected with Mr. Edes.
Mondo 5"! [Jan., 1789] . .. . M' Nehemiah Hobart Kill'd by a fall upon a Stick of wood &c (about sunset
Thurs! 8th . . . I attended y: funeral of m' Nehemiah Hobart
Second child of Shebuch and Martha (Prescott) Hobart, and born at Groton, on March 13, 1717.
Wedy April 1º [1789]. Went to Hollis, attended ye funeral of my Aunt Blood
Tues? 14th . Lem Bloods oldest Boy Drowned
Tues! 12th [May, 1789] .... Lem" Bloods Child Found in ye river about Sunset, who had been drowned 4 weeks
Wed? 13th S! Bloods Boy Buried 9 o'Clock in ye morning Tues¥ 17"! [Nov. 1789] . ... Robart Ames JE buried
Eldest child of Robert and Sarah (Woods) Ames, born on October 12, 1763.
Saty 5"h [Dec., 1789] .... my wife Carried Polly to ye Funeral of her Grandmother Danforth yesterday
Tues! 2ª [Feb., 1790] . .. . in ye afternoon attended ys Funeral of Cap! Oliver Parker who Died last Friday night very Sud- denly Sitting in his Chair, Complaining of Pain in his Stomack
TuesY 16"h [March, 1790] .... 2 funerals to day viz. a child of L' Elnathan Sartels, & one of Daniel Williams's Sons about 6 years old.
According to an inscription in the Burying Ground, Ede
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Sawtell, daughter of Lieutenant Elnathan and Ruth Sawtell, died on March 14, 1790, aged 2 years and 5 days.
Frid! 2ª [April, 1790] was 2 funerals y: widow Lawrence y" Mother John Lawrence aged 83 years, also ye widow Sawtell widow of Col' [Josiah] Sawtell aged about 80 years whose funeral I attended, after School - my Mother Reed came to y: funeral .
Perhaps Mrs. Lawrence was the widow of Nathaniel, who was married on February 4, 1728-9.
Colonel Sawtell's surname was frequently written Sartell.
Tues 6th afternoon I attended y" funeral of Dea" Benj" Bancrofts Mother aged near 90 years.
A daughter of John and Anna (Tarbell) Lawrence, who died on April 3, 1790, in the 88th year of her age.
TuesY 27th .... Levi went at noon to ye Funeral of his Grand- mother Pratt
Wedy 28th [July, 1790] .... Jacob Chase wife buried.
Thurs! 5th [Aug., 1790] .. . . a child of Tho! Trowbridge died this morning aged about 5 years
Fridy 6h. ... we attended ye funeral of Tho' Trowbridge's Child
Mond' 30'! . . . . Jacob Gragg Son of Sam" Gragg aged 3 years & 3 months was buried this afternoon
Wedy Sept: 18! [1790] . . . . a child of m' Melvins buried
Fridy 3ª [Sept., 1790] .... David Hazen buried a child 20 months old died with ye Dysentery
Sund: [Sept. 5] y& Widow Boyden buried
Sat! 30"! [April, 1791] .... m' Jon? Sheple's youngest child died 3 o clock afternoon
Monday 19th [Sept., 1791 ] .... afternoon we attended ye funeral of y" widow Margeret Gragg at her Son Sam" Gragg's - I watch't with ye Corps last night
Lords day Jany 1" 1792 .... y" widow Submit Woods was buried after meeting
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Saty 11" [Feb., 1792] M. James Blood Buried
TuesY 14"! [May, 1792] Jo' Sartel Jr wife buried
Thurs' 4'! [July, 1793] . . . . at 5, o,clock attended ye funeral of y: widow Meriam Lakin.
Lords day July 21* .... attended funeral of in' Fran Champney oldest child about 5 years old, they buried one younger last week, both dyed with ys Dysentery
Frid! 14 !! [Feb., 1794] Carried my wife & Polly to Dunstable & attended ys funeral of - Polly's Aunt Whiting formerly Re- beca Danforth
Mon2 10th [March, 1794] went to y" Funeral of m' Converse Rich- ardson.
He died on March 8, 1794, aged 62 years.
Thurs! 12"! [Feb., 1795] . .. . M! Jacob Gragg was buried I attendd y: funerall
Saty 21" . . afternoon attended ye funeral of L! Ben. Lawrences wife who died very Sudenly last wednesday evening
Sund: 29"! [March, 1795] . . . . attendd ys funeral of James Parker, son of Eleazer Parker after meeting
Thurs! 2! [April, 1795] Fast Day - I went to m' [Timothy] Big- low's & got his chaise-horse to go to ys Funeral of Pollys Grandfather, we went & attended accordingly ; which was attended by m' [Nathaniel] Lawrence as a minister - an elegant Supper was prepared & upwards of 50 people par- took of it
Sundy 5th [July, 1795] after meeting attended ye Funeral of a child of Cap' Samu" Tarbel
Mondy. 6th. . .. the widow Gragg the relict of Jacob Gragg was buried Saty Aug: 1" [1795] .... there has been 3 children buried to day y" widow Wood near D' Morse's had 2 children buried in I grave & Josiah Sartell buried their youngest child.
Tues! 15th [Sept., 1795] . ... we attended the funeral of Job Shat- tucks child
George Shattuck, born on April 1, 1792, and died on Sep- tember 12, 1795.
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Wed 16th .... I carried Polly afternoon to the funeral of Anna Wait daughter of L' Phin? Wait about 18 a Spritly youth cut off in ye bloom
A daughter of Phinehas, Jr., and Ede Wait, born on Jan- uary 26, 1778, and died on September 14, 1795.
Thurs! [Jan. 14, 1796] . I attended the Funeral of Nehemiah Trowbridge
A son of the Reverend Caleb and Hannah (Walter) Trow- bridge, born on October 14, 1722, and died on January II, 1796.
Mond 7th [March, 1796] .... afternoon attended y" funeral of Cap: Sam" Tarbell.
He died on March 4. See page 114 of this volume for a notice of his death.
Monday 28th . towards night carried my wife to m' Caleb Bloods to See the widow Colburn who is dangerously sick with y" Dropsy & consumption
Wed. 30th .... heard the widow Colburn Died this morning
Frid! April 1! [1796] the widow Colburn Buried
Mond! 234 [May, 1796] .... afternoon I attended the Funeral of Sam! Lawrence J' Son of Dea" Sam" Lawrence.
Second child of Samuel and Susanna (Parker) Lawrence, born on July 2, 1781, and died on May 21, 1796.
Frid! 16" [Sept., 1796] .... I attended ye funeral of an infant of Oliver Kemp's. there was also another buried at Levi Stones.
Tuesy 18th [Oct., 1796] ... . I attended ye funeral of Cap! Sheple Mond. 315! .. I went for D' Prescott for Ralph, about midnight.
Tuesy 1" [Nov. ] I went again for y" Doctor about break of Day & got him home before sunrise but no medicine, or phisic could remove the Dificulty under which ye poor little boy labourd, being as we suposed seized with canker & quinsy, stopage in his throat, & exceedingly distrest for breath, we sent for I): Morse, & m' Chaplin [the minister] who were
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both here when this dear child departed this life - which was about 8, in y evening - thus in a sudden manner, with short warning his soul has departed into the world of spirits, & his distresed, heartaking Parent, & mourning Brothers & Sisters.
Thursday 3ª Sister French, Sister Queen & my Mother Read came to mourn with us & the funeral was attended in the after- noon - when the remains of our dear departed son was committed to the silent grave
Sat¥ 5th .... at night I went into town, & carried' I p: womens gloves to Gardners & 3 p' mens De to David Moors's where we had in order for the funeral, but did not need them
At that period Major Thomas Gardner was a trader in Groton, and presumably David Moors was also.
Wed. 25"h [Jan., 1797] . . . m' Amos Davis's wife was Burried
Mon. 29th [May, 1797] carried my wife to m' Eben! Lewis's in y: morning to See David Parker who had been sick there 3 or 4 days- but we found him a lifeless Corps, he died about 1, in y night.
Tues! 30th .... attended the funeral of David Parker about noon
Friy 21"! [July, 1797]. . . . I rode in my Chaise to m' Jeremy Hobarts to the funeral of his Daughter Nabby who Died Sudenly at Charlestown, & bro! home to be buried.
A twin daughter of Jeremiah and Hannah (Green) Hobart, born on December 24, 1766.
M. 18th [Sept., 1797] . ... afternoon attended the funeral of m! Simon Blood
M 13" [Nov., 1797] . . . . attended y: funeral of Mary Benterodt at J: L: Parkers
F. Dec" 1" [1797.] we attended y: Funeral of L' Benja Lawrences wife at Peppril.
She was Sibyl, eldest daughter of Peter and Prudence (Lawrence) Parker, born on November 6, 1745, and died on November 28, 1797.
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Th. 84 [March, 1798] .... attended the funeral of widow Hartwel at her son Sam" Hartwel's carried my wife at ten o'clock, we assisted in conducting y: Funeral.
She was the eldest child of John and Sarah (Davis) Holden, born on September 5, 1717, and died on March 5, 1798.
W. 21 .... I attended the funeral of Ezra Farnsworth
A son of Ezra and Abigail (Pierce) Farnsworth, born on September 21, 1744, and died on March 19, 1798.
Th. 19"! [April, 1798] .... Nath' Lawrence, Son of Isaac Law- ren|ce] was buried at Dunstable
Thurs! 34 [May, 1798] . . . . L! Amos Lawrence was buried
Th. 28th [June, 1798] .... the children all went to the funeral of Job Shattucks Child afternoon
F. 20. [July, 1798] .... attended a funeral as a bearer at James Sheples his youngest son Isaac.
S. 15th [Sept., 1798] .... afternoon attended the funeral of James Sheples wife
Tu 18th went early to John Graggs, & found he was dead, he died with a Strange disorder & of but 24 hours continuance. I spent the chief of the day in assisting the widow in making preparations for the funeral
Th 20th I attended the Funeral of L' John Gragg in the afternoon as the conductor of the funeral
Th. 8th [Nov., 1798]. ... Asa Woods went afternoon to the Funeral of his Sister in law Polly Swallow at Dunstable - also Sam! Dunn son of Robert Dunn was buried in Dunstable this afternoon
Sund. 234 [Dec., 1798] I went with my son W" to meeting to Peppril, heard a Funeral Sermon, from these words in Zek? Run speak to that young man " which m' Bullard said he was requested to preach from to the youth, by the young man whose remains lay before them (it was Abel Boynton son of Cap! Abijah Boynton who Died in a fit of the lock
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Jaw occasioned by a wound in his hand by the splitting of a gun) who made him (the minister) promis to deliver a lengthy exhortation from him to his fellow youth (which he accordingly now deliverd) exhorting to all the Christian virtues, & exercise - there was a very great assembly - may the occasion be sanctified to them all.
Thy 3ª [Jan., 1799] . ... afternoon attended Funeral at J Lakin Parker's, of his Grandmother, who was in her 92ª year
Jacob Lakin Parker's grandmother was Eunice, second daughter of Josiah and Lucy Lakin, born on October 7, 1707, and died on January 1, 1799.
F. 26 [April, 1799] .... I went to Dunstable afternoon upon an express from my Mother, & my Father Reed Dead, who died about noon.
S. 28th attended meeting at Dunstable & the funeral of Father Read
William Nutting's mother married as her second husband, on December 30, 1779, Timothy Read, of Dunstable, who was born on March 21, 1714.
Tu. 14th [May, 1799] .... I attended the funeral of m' Josiah Hobart in the afternoon
Mond. 4th [Nov., 1799] heard of the Death of m' Sam" Robe who Died about II last night.
Wedy 12" [Feb., 1800] my Dearly beloved Wife Departed this life before Day, at about 5, 0, Clock in ye morning Her last words, uttered with a faultering voice, quoted from Scripture, " be Still & know that I am God." Seem'd intended for me.
Thy 13" was Spent in preparing for the aproaching Solemn Day, m' J L Parker & m' Joseph Stone were imploy'd in doing errends, James Queen went to Dunstable to notify our friends.
F. 14th .... a very Stormy Afternoon in which we follow'd the re- mains of my departed wife to the Silent Grave.
W. 2ª [April, 1800] Din'd with Sister Queen - then rode to John Woods's in Groton & attended the funeral of his oldest Son,
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a non compos - who was found dead in the waters near Sandy pond on monday last, Supposed to have been there, from last Thursday morning.
Perhaps this sister was the wife of James Queen, of Dunstable.
Thy 11 [Sept., 1800] I went to Theodore French's & recd his Clock of him in full of his note he had given me for keeping his mother (who is now dead,) -- She died y" 2 1" of Aug' last of a Palsey, or apoplexy lying in a stupd senseless poster 6 days.
F. 31: [July, 1801] .... in the afternoon with my family attendd the Funeral of Nath! Blanchard J: at J Lawrences
Mond. 24th [Aug., 1801] . .. . afternoon carried my wife & attended the Funeral of 1)" Bancrofts wife
Thuế 15th [Oct., 1801] .... attended the funeral of the only Son of John Lawrence 34 a child about 2 years old
TuesY 27th ... . let Danforth go to Brookline to m' Abijah Parkers to let him know that his Mother was dying-she died about II in the forenoon.
Thy. 29" !! . afternoon attended the funeral of m' Cockle - bro! her Mother the widow Mary Nutting home with us, to stay a while.
Th! 19"! [Nov., 1801] . . . . I carried my wife to the funeral of Solo- mon Frost at noon . .
M 26th [April, 1802] Jeremiah Chaplin was Buried in the afternoon I attended the funeral
W. 28th .... [My son] Danforth went with my old chais wheels to the Funeral of Tom Blood his corpse was carried thereon to the grave, he has been maintaind at the Town's expence by m' John Lawrence & his father for more than 50 years
Tu. 28 [Dec., 1802] .... I attnded a funeral at Lepears of an Englishman from Boston.
W. 2ª [Feb., 1803] I went to Hollis, at the desire of m' Silas Parker as a Bearer for his Mother whose corpse we bro! & buried in our burying yard.
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Mª 7th .... at ro, in the evening my Mother Died -in her 86th year.
She was Jane, eldest child of Daniel and Jemima (Brown) Boynton of Groton, whose first husband was Lieutenant William Nutting, and whose second was Timothy Read, of Dunstable. She was born on May 13, 1722.
F. 7th [Oct., 1803] a meloncolly day, our dear little Child in dis- tress - at 10, in the evening he departed this life.
S. 8h Sent David Hubbard on the grey colt, to New ipswich, to cary the news of his Brother's death to his brother & sister, Charles & Betsy who came home with him at night. Adah gillet was here all day making mourning
Sund. 9"! Our Son Tho? Barrett Nutting was buried, in the morn- ing before meeting, we had 6 sons, & 6 Daughters attended as mourners & one son & a daughter absent, viz, Eben! Hub- bard at Boston, & Susanna Nutting at Norway ; eastward.
This boy was born on March 18, 1802, and baptized on the following May 30. The step-children are included among the sons and daughters who attended the funeral as mourners.
Sund. 134 [Nov. 1803] . .. . we attended the Funeral of M' Edes after meeting
S. 20th Mr. Edes Buried
Mr. Edes's third wife, who was Mary Kemp, of Groton, to whom he was married on December 12, 1791. He died on November 17, only a few days after his wife's death.
S. 17" [Dec., 1803] . ... attended the Funeral of Rebecca Barron, at Cap! Job Shattuck's - She was a Pauper from Concord, supported by the Town -there was also another of the Town poor burried this afternoon from the house of m' John Jonson ; viz a son of m' Isaiah Holden, he was an Idiot. Wed. 18th [Jan., 1804] ... . Cap! Asa Lawrence was Buried.
The youngest son of Peleg and Ruth ( Brooks) Lawrence, born on June 14, 1737, and died on January 16, 1804. . He commanded a company of minute-men that marched from Groton to Cambridge, April 19, 1775, in which William Nutting, the writer of this diary, was a corporal.
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F. 27th [Jan., 1804] . . a messenger was sent to us from Concord informing that my wives Mother Barrett at Concord was Sick .... sat out for Concord .... to Mother Barretts about 3 in the morning & found her speechless with palsy.
Mª 30th Mother Barrett died in the morning 72 past 10.
W. Feb. 1" [1804] we attended the Funeral of Mother Barrett (aged 90
Th. 2! . .. . Brother Sam" Barrett Died in the evening at 10, oClock, in same house - & we staid to attend that funeral also.
The diarist married for his second wife, at New Ipswich, New Hampshire, on September 4, 1800, Mrs. Polly (Barrett) Hubbard, youngest daughter of Deacon Thomas and Mary (Jones) Barrett of Concord, and widow of David Hubbard, of New Ipswich ; and these references in the diary are to his mother-in-law Mary, who was born on March 23, 1715, and to his brother-in-law Samuel, born on June 14, 1749.
REVOLUTIONARY ITEMS.
The following memoranda, taken from the same Diary, may seem to a casual reader trivial and unimportant ; but every fact connected with the events of the Revolutionary period has some historical value, and, when relating to the town of Groton, is worthy of a place in this Series.
May 15th [1777] Training day ; 16 men drafted for 9 months. I paid my rates for Town & State yearly Tax to Oliver Fletcher Constable for 1776 3-2-9-0 also a rate for raising men &c a tax wholly on acc' of y's war - £5-5-1-1 to Ezekiel Fletcher Constable for 1777
[July] y: 23 y: Companies met in y" Trining field, to get one half y" men to go to Providence - Rhode island
Octo' I" 1777 Set out towards y" Northard Army S Expences while gone to ye Army &c 3- 11 - 10
Novem! 5th Came home from ye Army
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[July] y: 30th [1778] was alarm, men wanted to go to Rhode Island [Aug.] y: 22" was training to Raise men &c.
[Nov.] y: 16th the Comp" of metrosses met at y" meeting house.
W! [March] 31" [1779] y: Northend Comp'ny Chose Cap! Job Shattuck for their Cap! instead of Cap! Shattuck Blood.
[June] ye 13" [1780] Spent i day warning a Town meeting for y: Purpose of Raising men for ye Army
July 6th, 7th, & 8 !; I spent 3 days in warning a Town meeting for y purpose of Raising men for y: Army, & Raising money for y: 'Town.
Monday July y: 10"? 1780 the Town met for y" Above purposes. I spent 1/2 day.
July 315 1781. gave my Note to Thom's Wasson of Shirley for Sixty Dollars Silver --- endorst fifteen Dollars on sª Note. I paid Eight Dollars & 6 coppers. M' Gragg Paid 41/8 - S! Note is for a bounty to sª T. Wasson to engage him to go into y Army for 3 months for Class Nº 10. of Groton
Wed. 23ª [Oct., 1782] Training 2 companys.
Tues" 7"! [Oct., 1783] General Training Col! Woods' Regt the Metross Comp! Din'd at L! Abel Bancroft's expence 2/6 each at Dinner.
SatY 22ª [Feb. 1800] attended a meeting at the meeting house where m! Dana Dd an Oration on the Death of Washington - the Several Companies of Militia met &c &c.
GROTON LIBRARY.
At the present time, when the Groton Public Library building is approaching completion, the following entries in the Diary have considerable interest. They relate to an asso- ciation, formed near the end of the last century, for the pur- pose of furnishing its members with reading matter. It carried out the same object then which is now fulfilled by the public library. Mr. Nutting's brief allusions to the society
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comprise all that is known in regard to its origin. For many of its later years the library was kept in a book-case in Mr. George Brigham's harness-shop.
Mr. Butler, in his History, has the following reference to the organization : -
About the year 1796, a number of individuals associated for the purpose of establishing a Social Library. What the number of the associates was, or of the books with which they commenced, is not now known ; but they both must have been small, for in the year 1810, when they assumed a corporate form under the statute of March 3, 1798, there were less than forty members, and only one hundred and thirty volumes. This association never after received any material increase of members or addition to their books (page 225).
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