USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Groton > Groton historical series. A collection of papers relating to the history of the town of Groton, Massachusetts, Vol IV > Part 18
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MAJOR SAMUEL LAWRENCE.
battle of Rhode Island, during which time he was at home for only two brief furloughs. The first of these was in July, 1777, when, the regiment being again in Cambridge, he asked and obtained leave to go home for a few days for the express purpose of marrying Miss Susanna Parker, to whom he had been engaged for more than two years. The marriage took place at this time in compliance with the advice of Major Lawrence's mother, who said that if anything happened to Sam, Susan had better be his widow than his forlorn damsel - not a very cheerful reason for a wedding; nor was the ceremony concluded before the ringing of the bell gave the alarm calling all the soldiers to arms. Hardly were the young couple pro- nounced man and wife when they were separated, and within an hour the bridegroom was on his march again to Cambridge. The alarm proved to have been unnecessary, and his colonel granted the young soldier leave to return for a few days to provide for his bride's comfortable sojourn in his father's house. He was allowed another short furlough at the end of the year, the regiment being in winter quarters in Rhode Island. In September, 1778, imme- diately after the battle of Rhode Island, the last battle fought on New England soil, Major Lawrence resigned his commission and left the Army, returning home to his native town. Here he lived for nearly fifty years, rearing a large family, exercising a boundless hospitality (his daughters said they might as well keep a tavern), . interested in every undertaking for the growth and welfare of the town, and one of the trustees of the Groton (now Lawrence) Academy. It is a curious illustration of the way in which his mili- tary life was merged in that of a civilian that he was never called "Major," but always "Deacon " Lawrence, having been made a deacon of the church at the age of twenty-nine. The brief romance of his early life seemed to have quite faded with the light of com- mon day, and yet not wholly so, for with his Groton comrades he formed a club where the veterans met to recall the stirring events of their youth ; and as at the close of a wintry day we have seen the eastern hills all glowing with crimson splendor from the rays of the setting sun, so one last gleam gilded the last days of the good man's life. On the 17th of June, 1825, the corner-stone of Bunker Hill Monument was laid. General Lafayette, the idol of the American Army, was present by special invitation, having crossed the ocean in a vessel sent by the American Government to bring him, and Daniel Webster pronounced the oration. Seated before him were the veterans who had "toiled all night and fought
248
DR. NEHEMIAH ABBOTT.
all day" fifty years before, and among them Major, now Deacon, Lawrence. Into every human life comes at some time, sooner or later, one drop at least of perfect and unmixed happiness, and when Mr. Webster in the course of his oration (one of the three finest that he ever delivered) addressed these old soldiers, "And you, venerable men," and they rose by a common impulse to their feet, they tasted that perfect draught. It was too much bliss for the hero of this sketch, for he received the next day a paralytic stroke from which he never recovered, though he lived for more than two years.
See the second volume (page 86) of this Historical Series for some facts connected with the family of Major Lawrence's wife, where they appear under " PARKER."
DR. NEHEMIAH ABBOT.
AMOS LAWRENCE (b. 1716, d. 1785) married Abigail Abbot, and one of their four sons was Deacon Samuel Lawrence, mentioned on page 177; and hence later the surname was brought into the family as a given name. Deacon Lawrence, the executor of the estate advertised below, was a nephew of Dr. Nehemiah Abbot, who died on July 13, 1785, without children. He had a son born on December 16, 1792, whom he named "Abbott."
By order of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Middlesex,
Will be sold at Public Vendue, on Monday, the 10th day of January next, at two o'clock, P. M. at the House of OLIVER BARRON, Esq. Innholder in Chelmesford, in said county,
TI WO-THIRDS of the Real Estate of NEHEMIAH ABBOT, late of Chelmesford, Physician, deceased, lying near the Meeting-House in said town, for the payment of the debts of said deceased, and charges of sale. The conditions of sale may be seen at the time and place aforesaid, or by applying in Groton, to
SAMUEL LAWRANCE, Executor. Groton, December 6, 1790.
" Independent Chronicle : and the Universal Advertiser " ( Boston), Decem- ber 23, 1790.
:
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INSCRIBED POWDER-HORNS.
INSCRIBED POWDER-HORNS.
By Hon. SAMUEL A. GREEN, M.D., of Boston.
THE Groton Historical Society has lately received two old powder-horns which have some interesting associations connected with soldiers of the town. One of them has been cut off at the bottom since it was originally made, and bears an inscription as follows : ---
[SA]MVEL PARCE OF GROTON HIS-HORN-1747
The tradition in the family of the former owner is that the base of the horn was shot through by a bullet in one of the battles of the Revolution, after which the horn was somewhat shortened and again used for holding powder. Its appearance seems to confirm this account, as there are unmistakable traces of an injury on the edge of the base, which might have been made in that way. The horn is about thirteen inches long, and has upon it the rude draw- ings of two deer, and a part of a third one, of which the remainder was on the missing portion of the bottom.
The other horn is also about thirteen inches long, and has the following inscription : -
JOSIAH LAWRANCE 1747
and another hand has subsequently cut the name SAMUEL under that of JOSIAH. It has also the drawings of two deer, a moose (?) a horse, a child, and a gun.
On both these horns there is an attempt at some crude ornamen- tation around the names, resembling this : In both instances, probably, the carving was done with a jack- knife, and perhaps in camp when time hung heavy.
Mr. John Gilson, of Groton, owns another powder-horn found many years ago in his grandfather's house, which bears the follow- ing inscription :
NO. 4: JVNE y“. 19. 1746. WE. HAD. A. FIGHT. JVNE ye. 24. WE. HAD. A. FIG HIT. Att COLSPRING. &. AUGUST. y. 3. WE. HAD. A. FIGT. Att. No. 4
The horn is about fifteen inches long, and near the smaller end are the initials " [ H.," that stand probably for the name of some member of the Hobart or Hubbard family, which surnames were
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INSCRIBED POWDER-HORNS.
often used indiscriminately. The ornamentation around the writing and between the lines somewhat resembles this : 1111111111. " Number 4" is the old name of Charlestown, New Hampshire. In early times, before they received their present names, the four southerly townships, lying on the east bank of the Connecticut River, immediately north of the Massachusetts line, were numbered in geographical order, and designated by their numbers alone. At the present day these towns are known as follows : Township No .1, as Chesterfield ; No. 2, as Westmoreland ; No. 3, as Walpole ; and No. 4, as Charlestown.
[The initials " I. II." are those of Josiah Hobart, who had previously occupied the house where the powder-horn was found. The dwelling stood on the present Lowell road, less than a mile from the First Parish Meeting-house, and was taken down nearly a hundred years ago.]
The Boston Daily Advertiser, March 10, 1893, on its fourth page has a column headed " Hither and Yon," in which the writer men- tions four powder-horns for sale at that time in New York. He says : "The third [horn] comes from Massachusetts. It bears the name, in large characters, of 'Jonathan Clark Lewis, made by J. G., Feb. the 27, 1773,' and the motto : -
I, powder, with my brother ball, Most hero like doth conquer all.
It is curiously engraved with moose, fox, eagle, and a man snaring a deer."
In the issue of the same newspaper, March 13, the following communication appeared : -
To the Editor of The Advertiser : -- In the " Hither and Yon " column of yesterday's Advertiser there is an allusion to an engraved powder-horn bearing the inscription : "Jonathan Clark Lewis, made by J. G., Feb. the 27, 1773," which is offered for sale by a dealer in New York. It may interest some of your readers to know that Mr. Lewis was a trader at Groton, where he lived, and died on April 7, 1781, " in the 37th year of his age." He was English by birth, and his tombstone in the Groton burying-ground is one of the very few that have armorial bearings cut on them. There can be no doubt as to the identity of the man, as before the Revolution middle names were very uncommon. G.
Within the past twelve or thirteen years the subject of powder- horn inscriptions has been developed to an interesting degree by Mr. Rufus A. Grider, of Canajoharie, New York, who has made
1
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WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY.
careful drawings of more than four hundred inscribed horns. His collection of such representations is both unique and artistic, and should be published for the benefit of scholars, as it contains many hints and suggestions of an historical character not found else- where. Mr. Grider has made original researches along this line of study, which are worthy of high commendation. His pioneer labors in this direction justly entitle him to be regarded as the founder of a new antiquarian art.
"The New-England Historical and Genealogical Register " (1. 43-45) for January, 1896.
WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY.
ON June 28, 1895, the citizens of Groton were honored by a visit from the Worcester Society of Antiquity. Unfortu- nately the weather on that day was very unpropitious, and kept away from the reception many persons who had intended to be present on the occasion. In spite of the rain, however, a hearty welcome was given to the visitors, and the wish was often expressed that the trip at some future day might be repeated. The following extracts from the Worcester news- papers, giving an account of the excursion, as well as of the preliminary arrangements, for future reference deserve a per- manent record in the Historical Series. In reprinting them some slight inaccuracies in names have been corrected.
SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EXCURSION TO GROTON NEXT WEEK.
Tickets for the outing of the Society of Antiquity to Groton on Friday, June 28, can be procured of Walter Davidson, at the Barnard, Sumner, Putnam & Co. ; T. A. Dickinson, at the Society's building on Salisbury street and of any of the committee, Burton W. Potter, John C. Otis and F. L. Hutchins. The price is $1.50 for the round trip, including dinner at Groton. Should any desire a buss ride about the town it can be had by the payment of 25 cents additional.
Dr. S. A. Green, the historian of the town, has signified his inten- tion of joining the party, and the historical society has appointed a committee to entertain its visitors. These outings are arranged by the Society of Antiquity to foster a love of historic New Eng-
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WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY.
land and to encourage the preservation of historic landmarks, and the society invites all who take any interest in thus perpetuating the knowledge of the deeds of the forefathers, to accompany them upon this excursion to one of the most beautiful old towns in New England.
" Worcester Daily Spy," Friday, June 21, 1895.
WELCOMED BY GOV. BOUTWELL.
SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY VISITS POINTS OF INTEREST IN GROTON.
The Society of Antiquity held its annual field day yesterday in the form of an excursion to Groton. About 30 persons participated, a much smaller number than would have attended but for the unfa- vorable weather during the morning. The party left this city at 8.07, and arrived at Groton shortly after 9. These persons com- prised the party : President B. W. Potter, wife and daughter, Hon. Stephen Salisbury, L. A. Ely and wife, F. L. Hutchins, wife and son, Daniel Seagrave, S. T. Burgess, George Maynard, M. A. Maynard and wife, C. B. Eaton and wife, C. C. Baldwin, J. C. Otis and daughter, C. G. Wood and wife, Prof. Herbert E. Austin of the State normal school at Baltimore, A. P'. Rugg and others.
The party was met on its arrival at Groton by F. M. Boutwell, son of Hon. George S. Boutwell, and escorted to the vestry of the old First Unitarian church, which was built in 1755. It was re- modelled in 1839, and again in 1877, but many of the original features have been retained. At the vestry the excursionists were welcomed by the venerable
Ex-Gov. GEORGE S. BOUTWELL,
now in his 78th year, who represented the Groton historical society, a young organization of 150 members. The visitors were then escorted through the new Groton public library, a fine specimen of Greek architecture, in which the historical society has a large room devoted to relics. A visit was next paid to the hotel, which was built over to0 years ago, and has been continually occupied as a hotel ever since its erection. The old Dix mansion was also visited. It was formerly occupied as a store, but now as a dwelling-house by a granddaughter of Gen. Artemas Ward, of Shrewsbury.
Barges were then boarded for a drive around town. The Groton school, founded by Endicott Peabody, on the Eton, England, plan, was visited, and the birthplaces of Col. William Prescott and Abbott Lawrence were passed. The party was driven over the six-rods-
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WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY.
wide road, which was built before King Philip's war. Various other points of interest were visited, and then the party returned to the village and to the vestry of the old Congregational church, which was built in 1827.
Dinner was prepared by the ladies of that parish, and a dozen or more of the citizens of Groton dined with the visitors. In the absence of Dr. S. A. Green of Boston, president of the Groton historical society, Vice-President
F. M. BOUTWELL WELCOMED THE VISITORS
in behalf of that society, and President B. W. Potter responded for the visitors. Grace was said by Rev. Louis B. Voorhees of the Congregational church, formerly pastor of the Old South church of this city for a short time. President Potter presided over the after- dinner speeches, which were opened with a specially cordial and interesting off-hand talk by ex-Gov. Boutwell, who was followed by Hon. Stephen Salisbury, Capt. M. P. Palmer of Groton, A. P. Rugg and S. T. Burgess of this city, Miss Boutwell of Groton and Prof. H. E. Austin of Baltimore. Capt. Palmer of Groton stated the products of Groton to be apples, vegetables and hay, and another speaker stated that Capt. Palmer himself shipped 1800 barrels of apples last season. It was said that ex-Gov. Boutwell owns a 600-acre farm, of which two acres are this season devoted to asparagus.
After dinner the party visited the mansion house of ex-Gov. Boutwell, also the residence of Miss Abbot, the latter abounding with interesting relics. Before leaving Groton the party were pho- tographed on the steps of the Congregational church by Prof. Austin. The excursionists arrived home about 7 o'clock, pronouncing the field day the most successful in point of interest ever held by the society.
" Worcester Telegram," Saturday, June 29, 1895.
ANTIQUARIES OR HISTORIANS.
INTERESTING VISIT OF A PARTY FROM WORCESTER TO GROTON.
MANY MATTERS OF OLDEN TIME BROUGHT TO NOTICE.
The Worcester Society of Antiquity held its annual field day in Groton yesterday as guests of the Groton Historical society.
The visitors were shown the many historical places in Groton, and dinner was served by ladies of the Orthodox society and church, after which F. M. Boutwell, first vice-president in the ab-
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WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY.
sence of Dr. Samuel A. Green of Boston, president of the Groton Historical society, introduced Pres. Burton W. Potter of the An- tiquity society as toastmaster. Remarks were made by ex-Gov. Boutwell, Stephen Salisbury, president of the American Antiqua- rian society, Pres. Rugg of the common council, F. M. Boutwell, Rev. 1. B. Voorhees, A. S. Lowell and others. The party left this city at S.o7 and arrived at Groton shortly after 9. Among those who went were Senator Salisbury, A. P. Rugg, Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Potter and daughter, I. A. Ely and wife, S. A. Burgess and wife, C. W. Wood and wife, John C. Otis and daughter, M. A. Maynard and wife, A. S. Lowell and wife, George Maynard, Daniel Seagrave, C. B. Eaton and wife, Charles C. Baldwin, Salem Chamberlain, Corwin M. Thayer, E. F. Beede, and Prof. Herbert E. Austin of the State normal school at Baltimore.
Among the places of interest visited were the First Unitarian church built in 1755, remodeled in 1839 and again in 1877, but retaining many of the original features, the Dix mansion, the town hall, Lawrence Academy, the old hotel, public library, rooms of the Groton historical society and residences of ex-Gov. Boutwell, George E. H. Abbot and others. The party took barges, and were driven to Groton school, where an hour was spent about the beautiful grounds before the party returned to the village and to the vestry of the old Congregational church, which was built in 1827.
Before leaving Groton the party were photographed on the steps of the Congregational church by Prof. Austin. The excursionists arrived home about 7 o'clock.
Several private residences were freely thrown open, revealing a wonderful store of antiquarian material, and a surprising wealth of antique furniture, pictures, and ancient books. Mrs. Dix especially showed valuable ancient relics of her grandfather, Maj. Gen. Ward, of Shrewsbury, of revolutionary fame.
" Worcester Evening Post," Saturday, June 29, 1895.
According to the "Weekly Weather-crop Bulletin of the New England Weather Service " for the week ending Monday, July 1, 1895, - issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, but printed in Boston, - " At Groton, Mass., 2.74 inches of rain fell on the 28th" June, the day of the visit of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, as described above.
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THE OLD STAGE-COACHES OF GROTON.
THE OLD STAGE-COACHES OF GROTON.
THE following advertisement, taken from the " Columbian Centinel & Massachusetts Federalist" (Boston), December 3, 1803, will have some interest, as showing the fare at that time from Boston to Groton, and showing, too, that the drivers acted as expressmen. Although no one now remembers the line of stage-coaches then running, some persons may recall Dearborn Emerson, who was a resident of Groton, and a famous man in his day.
Boston, Groton, and Walpole Mail Stage.
T' HIES subscriber would inform the Public, that he runs a Line of Stages on the middle post-road from Boston to Walpole, ( N. I.) - that passes through Concord, Groton, New-Ipswich, Jeffery, Marlborough, Keene, and to Walpole, twice a week, which meets a Line of Stages that conveys Passengers, &c. on through Windsor to the Colleges, at Hanover, twice a week-viz -Leaves Mr. Wheelock's, sign of the Indian Queen, No. 8, Marlboro'-street, Boston, every Wednesday and Saturday, at 4 o'clock in the morning, and arrives at Concord by 8 o'clock, and Groton by 12 o'clock, noon, and at New-Ipswich by 6 o'clock in the evening, same day. Leaves New-Ipswich by 4 o'clock in the morning, every Thursday and Monday, and arrives at Keene, same days, by noon, and at Walpole by 6 o'clock in the evening same days. Returning-leaves Wal- pole every Wednesday and Saturday, at 4 o'clock in the morning, and arrives at Keene by 9 o'clock in the morning, and at New- Ipswich by 6 o'clock in the evening, same days. Leaves Newe- Ipswich every Monday and Thursday, at 4 o'clock in the morning, and arrives at Groton by 8 o'clock in the morning, at Concord by 12 o'clock, and at Boston by 7 o'clock in the evening, same days. As this rout will bring the Passenger to or from Boston to Hanover, in three days, and the most of the way a good Turnpike ; he flatters himself will gain the Travellers' attention. He returns his sincere thanks to his Customers, for their past favors, and solicits their continuance. The greatest attention will be paid to the transpor- tation of any Bundles, Letters, Packages, or any other business, in his Line, that his friends may favor him with.
I am the Public's humble serv't, DEARBORN EMERSON.
Groton, Nov. 24, 1803.
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MISS MARY S. BRAZER.
N. B. The fare from Boston to Concord is 6s-from do. to Groton, 125-to New-Ipswich 3dls .- to Marlboro', 4dls .- to Keene 4dls. 5octs .- and to Walpole 5dls. Way-Passengers 6cts. pr. mile ; 14 lbs. baggage per passenger gratis ; and 150 lbs. baggage equal to a passenger. The fare through is less than 6 ets per mile.
MISS MARY S. BRAZER.
IN Weathersfield, Vt. Miss Mary Saltonstall, eldest daughter of William F. Brazer, of Groton, Mass. aged 21. She was brought to her native place for interment. We are unwilling to let the death of this amiable young woman pass by unnoticed. She was one, whom it was impossible to know, without regarding with feelings of more than common interest ; and these feelings were not awakened alone by her modest and gentle manners, by her unvaried sweet- ness of temper, by her vivacity, frankness, and simplicity ; but by something there was about her, that spoke of inward purity, and betokened a heart alive with every amiable sensibility, and in uni- son with virtue, with benevolence, with piety. She has gone down to the grave in all her loveliness, with the dew of her youth, and all her youthful hopes and feelings fresh and fair upon her. Her countenance, on which so lately sat the bloom of health and beauty, has changed, and she has passed away. But not soon will her memory pass away, nor the mournful feelings which her early death has awakened. Her image and the remembrance of her virtues, will be long and fondly cherished by a large circle of affectionate relatives and attached friends. - And even they, who feel this bereavement most nearly, will be able, at length, to think of her, of her sisterly kindness, of her filial affection and duty, of her unaffected piety, and of all she did and desired to do, to render herself useful, with a soothing and delightful complacency. They will remember that the Saviour has said, " Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."
"Columbian Centinel" (Boston), October 7, 1829.
257
BENTLEY FAMILY.
BENTLEY FAMILY.
IN the " Boston Journal," August 1, 1896, there appeared an account of Sir John Bentley, who came to New England, in the summer of 1711, with the English fleet which put into Boston to make final preparations for the expedition against the French in Canada at that time. Soon after leaving port, and off the coast of Maine, the fleet encountered a terrific storm in which more than half the vessels were wrecked. Many lives were lost; and among them was Sir John, who before sailing had left in Boston a son Thomas, a sturdy lad of twelve years, in charge of a man named Wetheridge. When this son grew to man's estate, he married and was the father of thirteen children, of whom several died young, and were buried in the Copp's Hill Ground. According to the account printed in the Journal : -
The surviving son was Joshua, and in the directory of the town of Boston for the year 1789 may be seen his name and his occupa- tion, that of a surveyor of boards. He was an active patriot and was one of the men who rowed Paul Revere across the Charles on the night of that man's memorable ride through the country. Joshua lived to the age of 92 [95] and was buried at Groton, Mass. His son, John Bentley, was born in Boston in 1777, and was the father of the man who told this story. He was a hard-headed, practical man, who gained his livelihood by building ships. He lived in the North End of Boston the greater part of his life, and it was there that his son Thomas was born.
Joshua Bentley's youngest daughter, Susanna, was the wife of Captain Charles Woolley, of Newport, Rhode Island, and the mother of the late Charles Woolley, of Waltham, who died on October 30, 1886, at the age of eighty-four years. She married for her second husband David Child, of Groton, eldest son of Captain Abram Child. Iler father died at Groton, on April 15, 1819, aged 95 years.
See the first volume of the Historical Series, Number XIV. page 15, for references to the Bentley family ; also " Groton Epitaphs," page 181.
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BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.
BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.
GROTON MEN IN THE FIGHT.
ONE commissioned officer and ten enlisted men, residents of Groton, were either killed or mortally wounded at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The roll of honor comprises the names of Lieutenant Amaziah Fassett, who fell wounded and died a prisoner in Boston a few days later, on July 5; Sergeant Ben- jamin Prescott, eldest son of the Honorable James Prescott, and nephew of Colonel William Prescott, the commander on the American side; and Privates Abraham Blood, Chambers Corey, James Dodge, Peter Fisk, Stephen Foster, Simon Hobart, Jonathan Jenkins, Robert Parker, and Benjamin Woods.
This loss was the largest suffered by any one town in the battle, and shows the patriotic character of the citizens at that period. These soldiers were serving in five different companies of Colonel Prescott's regiment, and their names now appear on the bronze tablets which have been placed on Bunker Hill by the city of Boston in memory of the brave men who fell in that historic engagement.
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