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 25
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334
FIRST PARISH CHURCH.
the way to heaven and escape the miseries of hell. - The Preacher next proceeded to answer the question under considera- tion affirmatively. He pointed it out as a first duty of Liberal Christians, to seek for more and more of Christian truth and to deepen faith in that already received. In this connection he met the objection - ' Is not the Gospel already known ; and even now -when it has been in the world for almost two thousand years - even now do you say we must seek for its meaning and search for its doctrines?' All of Christianity, it was urged in reply, pure Christianity, has not as yet been distinctly seen and recognised by the human soul. There is proof of this, it was argued at some length, in the very nature of Christian truth. That is absolute truth -truth as it lives in the mind of God; and if it be such, how can we deem that man has already fathomed its depths and read its whole signification ? That he has not done so, is farther seen in the fact, that Christianity has been corrupted - that a reformation became necessary ; and there is no test by which it can be shown that any reformers have, thus far, stopped at pre- cisely the right point. To this may be added another conclusive fact, brought out by a comparison of the promises of Jesus as to what his religion should accomplish with the existing moral condi- tion of Christendom. The amount of Christian truth and Christian faith in the world may be measured by the prevalence of the results Christ predicted. Apply this test, and it will hardly be contended the work of inquiry has been finished. This work then Liberal Christians are to prosecute. And whilst doing so, they should translate the truth they find into life and carry it out into action, - in relation to themselves as individuals, and to the age in which they live. The solemn fact, that each man has a soul to save or lose, has the fearful problem of existence to solve by his own experience, enforces the duty of making personal use of the teachings of the Saviour. And Liberal Christians owe much to the age and to society. They should breathe the spirit of a large and widespreading philanthropy - be among the foremost of reformers ; because if they hold to any thing in common, it is, that religion is a manifestation, in all life and all relations, of certain great Christian principles and a Christian spirit of humanity. The necessity for the cultivation of a more fervent spirit was next briefly touched upon ; and the discourse closed with an allusion to the former pastor of the Society, Rev. George Wadsworth Wells, as a rare example of the Liberal Christian, and the expression of the
335
TIIE OLD SIXTH MASSACHUSETTS.
wish that his memory -the memory of his fearless, yet humble, his free, yet obedient spirit - might be immortal among those to whom he so recently, and so faithfully ministered.
In the other exercises also reference was made to the late Pastor, showing how highly he was appreciated and how much beloved, by all who knew him, as a Christian man and a Christian minister. The call of Mr. Smith was very cordial. The house in which he is to preach is neat, and in good taste ; and the Society appears to be in a prosperous condition.
"The Monthly Miscellany of Religion and Letters " ( Boston), IX. 119-121, for August, 1843.
THE OLD SIXTH MASSACHUSETTS.
DURING the late Rebellion no regiment in the Union Army played a more conspicuous part than the Old Sixth Massa- chusetts, which was mainly a Middlesex County organization. Of all the regiments throughout the country to answer the President's call for troops, it was the first to reach Washington in the hour of peril. The timely arrival there of these soldiers turned the scale, and saved the city. It is now a source of local pride that Groton men had a hand in the events of that day, when they behaved so well and so worthily of their Revolutionary sires.
See the first volume (Number IX., pages 21, 22) of the Historical Series, for allusions to this regiment under its different designations, and to the Groton company serving therein. A regimental association is kept up, which meets from time to time in Groton, and the company association holds also annual reunions.
FIFTEEN SAID "HERE."
VETERANS OF COMPANY B, SIXTH REGIMENT, HOLD A REUNION AT GROTON.
Ar Groton Tuesday, in the town hall, the veteran association of Company B, Sixth regiment (nine months) volunteers had its fifth annual reunion. The day was the 32d anniversary of the battle of
336
THE OLD SIXTH MASSACHUSETTS.
" Deserted House," which was fought in Virginia, and the company was very much in that battle.
At Ir o'clock the business meeting was called to order by W. H. I. Hayes, who served three years in addition to the nine months' regular enlistment. All last year's officers were re-elected, as follows, the secretary casting one ballot for them : W. H. I. Hayes, Lowell, president ; vice president, C. W. Hildreth, Townsend ; secretary and treasurer, F. W. Cragin, Lowell ; executive committee, B. S. Gale, C. L. Nutting, John Condon, George Farnsworth, A. D. Turner, W. H. Souther, Kimball A. Stevens, W. H. Whitney, and II. P. Shattuck.
Col. Needham had dismissed the High school for the day, and the pupils in a body attended the public meeting, with many other people from Groton and other towns.
Gov. Greenhalge was expected to be present, but a telegram from his secretary informed the veterans that a bad cold prevented the Governor from venturing out.
At the dinner Rev. Mr. Hovey of Groton said grace, and the comrades partook of an elegant dinner given by the people of Groton and other towns. A roll call showed that of 77 original members only 15 were present, 41 dead and the others absent on duty.
President Hayes gave an historical address in which he described the part the company played in the battle of "Deserted House." Col. Daniel Needham followed, and F. M. Boutwell of Groton gave a history of the old company. Hon. Alfred S. Roe of Worcester gave a witty and interesting address, Rev. Joshua Young, D.D., read a poem, and Capt. M. P. Palmer of Groton spoke.
A vote of thanks was passed to the town for the use of the hall, to the W. R. Corps, and to all who contributed to make the reunion a success. The company was invited to have its next reunion in' Groton. Rev. Mr. Voorhees gave the benediction.
" Lowell Weekly Journal," Friday, February 1, 1895.
" THE OLD SIXTH."
MOST PICTURESQUE REUNION OF THEM ALL.
THEY THINK STATE SHOULD ERECT A BUTLER STATUE. - FOUR MEM-
BERS DIED LAST YEAR. - ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
GROTON, Mass., April 20. - The " Old Sixth " Regiment, Massa- chusetts Volunteers, held its 35th annual reunion in Town Hall
337
THE OLD SIXTH MASSACHUSETTS.
to-day, 115 members being present, with several times that number of friends and comrades of other regiments.
The town was in holiday costume, the veterans being met at the railroad station by the local Reception Committee and local brass band and escorted to the hall.
The morning meeting was given over to the business of the association. At 11 o'clock President J. R. Shattuck of Pepperell called the meeting to order, and Capt. D. C. Sisson, Secretary for the past 22 years, read the reports of the year, which showed that but four members of the association had died during the year.
The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : Presi- dent, Lieut. William H. Young, Company L, Chelsea ; First Vice President, Orick Look, Company K, Boston ; Second Vice Presi- dent, Capt. John F. Noyes, Company II, Lowell ; Secretary, Capt. D. C. Sisson, Company K, Chelsea ; Treasurer, H. Woodward, Company A, Somerville ; Finance Committee, Lieut. Joseph San- derson, Company K, Chelsea ; Henry Jones, Company L, Stoneham ; Capt. George V. Barrett, Company B, Ayer.
Letters of regret were read from Gen. Edward F. Jones of Bing- hamton, N. Y., the former Colonel of the Regiment, and Lieut. B. F. Watson of Boston, and Mrs. Lizzie Closson Rogers, a daughter of Col. Jones, and Daughter of the Regiment.
Major Marland, Company F, Caleb Sanders, Company I, and J. Crowley, Company C, were appointed a committee to see if the old flags presented to the regiment, the musket of C. A. Taylor, who was killed at Baltimore, and the drum of Major J. H. White, could not be given a place in the Governor's room at the State House.
On motion of Jeremiah Crowley, the following resolution was unanimously adopted :
"That it is the expressed opinion of the members of the Old Sixth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, that a statue of Gen. Butler should be erected at the expense of the State."
Mr. Crowley delivered an eloquent eulogy of Gen. Butler, and throughout the exercises the name of Butler was greeted with tre- mendous applause. Portraits of Col. Jones and Lieut. Watson were suspended in the meeting hall, as was also a pennant presented
338
CAPT. THOMAS LAWRENCE'S COMPANY.
to the regiment by Mary B. Shelburne of Westminster, Md., who was adopted as a comrade of the regiment at the reunion at Balti- more in 1880, which was inscribed: "To the Sixth Massachusetts Volunteers, First in the Field, Baltimore, April 19, 1861."
It was voted to hold the next annual meeting in Boston. The after-dinner exercises were opened with prayer by the venerable chaplain Rev. Mr. Babbidge of Pepperell, who is in his goth year. President Shattuck introduced as toastmaster Senator George J. Burns of Ayer, who paid an eloquent tribute to the services of the Old Sixth at Baltimore.
Speeches were made by Col. Parsons, the present Colonel of the Sixth Regiment, M. V. M., Rev. Endicott l'eabody of Groton, W. HI. 1. Hayes of Lowell, ex-Gov. Boutwell of Groton, Luther Conant of Acton, Rev. L. B. Voorhees of Groton and Maj. Hadley of Lowell.
Representative Hayes of Lowell voiced the sentiment of the meeting when he denounced the action of Congress in refusing to grant medals to the members of the Old Sixth as the first regiment to go to the front, a claim which he said could not be disputed.
He also denounced the remonstrants to the bill for the erection of a statue to Gen. Butler, many of whom he said during the war were for peace at any price.
"Boston Journal," Tuesday, April 21, 1896.
CAPT. THOMAS LAWRENCE'S COMPANY.
AMONG the Shattuck manuscripts in the library of the New England Historic Genealogical Society is a Billeting Roll of Captain Thomas Lawrence's Company, which was published in " The New-England Historical and Genealogical Register" (1 .. 352, 353) for July, 1896, where it is printed with no indi- cation that it was a Groton company. A Muster Roll of the same company is found in " Groton during the Indian Wars" (pages 163-165), but the minor details in the two lists are not identical. The company was raised during the French and Indian War mainly in Groton, though there were enlisted men from Pepperell and Westford, as well as officers. A copy of the Billeting Roll is as follows : ----
. .
CAPT. THOMAS LAWRENCE'S COMPANY.
339
BILLETING ROLL OF CAPT. LAWRENCE'S COMPANY, 1758.
A Billiting Roolle of Capt Thomas Laurance Company in Cor": Nichols Rigment 1758
Mens Names
when Commenced
Time Number what Ends of Days pr day
Total
sterling
old lenor
Moses Sawtell
march 29
may 25
58
6:4
1 :9:0
14 : 10 : 0
Dawid Shattuck
Dtº
58
1 : 9: 0
14 : 10 :0
Eleazer Parker
Dtº
58
1 : 9:0
14: 10:0
John Boydon
58
1 :9:0
14: 10:0
Simeon Foster
58
1:9:0
1.1 :10:0
Henery Woods
58
1:9:0
14:10:0
Ephraim Severance
Dtº
58
1 :9:0
14 : 10:0
Jonathan Shipley
Dtº
58
1 :9:0
14: 10:0
Eleazer Ames
Dtº.
58
1 :9:0
14:10:0
oliver Laken
Dt
53
1 :9:0
14: 10:0
Joseph Page Ju.
march ye 30
57
1 : 8: 6
14: 5:0
William Parker
57
1 : 8 :6
14: 5:0
James Fisk Ju!
Dt
57
1 :8:6
14: 5:0
Lemuel Sheple
Dt:
57
1 : 8 :6
14: 5:0
obediah Perry
Dtº
57
1 : 8 :6
14: 5:0
Joseph Sawtell
April. I.
55
1 : 7 : 6
13:15: 0
John Erven
Dtº
4.
52
1 : 6:0
13: 0:0
Nathaniel Lakin
5.
51
1 : 5 : 6
12: 15:0
oliver Farnsworth
7.
49
1 : 4: 6
12: 5:0
Stephen Peirce
De
49
1 : 4 :6
12: 5:0
David Shattuck Jus
49
1 :4:6
12:
5:0
Daniel Gilson
IO.
46
1 : 3:0
11 : 10:0
Simeon Nutting
46
1 :3:0
II : 10 :0
Simon Lakin
march. 30.
57
1 :8:6
14: 5:0
Silas Kemp
Dt:
57
1:8:6
14: 5:0
Isaac Nutting Ju?
:7
1 :8:6
14. 5:0
Jonathan Phelps
Dt?
57
1 : 8:6
144: 5:0
Nathan Wesson
57
1 : 8:6
14: 5:0
Thomas Shattuck
Dtº
31.
56
1:8:0
14: 0:0
Nathaniel Parker
April
3
53
1 :6:6
13: 5:0
Eleazer Spalden
Dtº
53
1 :6:6
13: 5:0
Stephen Foster
De
4.
52
1: 6:0
13: 0:0
Robert Blood
5
51
1 : 5 :6
12:15:0
William Farnsworth
Dtº
51
1 : 5 :6
12:15:0
58
1:9:0
14: 10: 0
Abel Sawtell
58
1:9:0
14:10:0
Joseph Kemp
Daniel Douglass
Dtº
52
1 :6:0
13: 0:0
1771
14:5:6
340
CAPT. THOMAS LAWRENCE'S COMPANY.
oliver Shattuck
Dtº
51
1 : 5 :6
¥12:15:0
Thomas Scott
51
1 : 5 :6
12: 15:0
Stephen Kemp
51
1 : 5:6
12: 15:0
John Chamberlain
Dtº IO
46
1 :3:0
11 : 10 : 0
Benjamin Nutting
April 3
53
1 : 6:6
13: 5:0
Oliver Wright
Dtº
7
49
1 : 4:6
12: 5:0
Josiah Butterfield
13
43
1 : 1 : 6
10:15:0
Archeles Addams
Dtº
10
46
·
1:3:0
11 : 10 :0
John Nutting
Dtº
13
43
1 : 1 :6
10: 15:0
Eleazer Fisk
Dtº
43
1 : 1 : 6
10: 15:0
Leonard Parker
1.4
42
1 : 1 :0
10:10:0
John Gragg
Dt"
26
30
0 : 15:0
7: 10:0
Benjamin Shattuck
25
31
0 : 15:6
7:15:0
Josiah Shipley
Dtº
3ª
0: 15:6
7:15:0
Benj Woods
may ye 2
24
0:12:0
6: 0:0
Oliver Parker
Dtº
24
0:12:0
6: 0:0
Joseph Hartwell
Dtº
24
0:12:0
6: 0:0
Simon Wheler
Dtº
24
0:12:0
6: 0:0
Benj" Farmer
Dtº
24
0 :12:0
6: 0:0
Moses Blood
Dt
24
0:12:0
6: 0:0
Ephraim Hall
Dtº
2.4
0:12:0
6: 0:0
Nehemiah Gould
Dtº
2.4
0:12:0
6: 0:0
1300
32: 10:0
Brought over
44: 5:6
Aarron Blood
march 31
56
1:8: 0
14: 0:0
Benjamin Richardson
Dtº
5
51
1 : 5 :6
12:15:0
Zachariah Willis
Dtº
10
46
1 :3:0
11 : 10:0
Joel Crosbey
14
42
1 : 1 :0
10:10:0
Simon Gilson
Dtº
43
1 : 1 : 6
LO : 15: 0
76: 15 :6
EPHRAIM WESSON Cap!
A few months after the date of the Billeting Roll, Captain Lawrence's company was destined to suffer. severely. On July 20, 1758, Colonel Nichols's regiment was waylaid at the Half-way Brook, between Fort Edward and Lake George, and met with sore disaster. More than twenty soldiers were slain in the skirmish, and most of them scalped by the savage allies of the French. The Groton company suffered more severely than any other in the regiment. The loss comprised Captain Thomas Lawfence; privates Abel Sawtell, Eleazer Ames, and Stephen Foster, all of Groton; Corporal Nehemiah Gould, of Groton Gore (sometimes spoken of as Township No. 1, and now lying mostly in Mason, New Hampshire); and Sergeant Oliver Wright, and Private Simon Wheeler, both of
341
CAPT. JAMES PARKER, JR.
Westford. Sergeant Oliver Lakin, of Groton, and Private Joel Crosby, of Westford, were reported as missing, though `one account says that Crosby was killed. It is known that Sergeant Lakin was taken prisoner during the action, and released from captivity the next year by paying a ransom.
An account of this fight is given in Lieutenant Samuel Thompson's Diary, printed in the Appendix to Reverend Samuel Sewall's History of Woburn (pages 547-558) ; and another account is found in Joseph Holt's Journal, printed in " The New England Historical and Genealogical Register " (X. 307-310) for October, 1856.
For many other facts connected with the company, see the Proceedings (second series, VI. 21-33) of the Massachusetts Historical Society for May, 1890.
CAPT. JAMES PARKER, JR.
AMONG the Suffolk County Court files are eleven manu- script papers relating to a dispute over some land among the descendants of James Parker, Jr., of Groton. They are num- bered 23,139, and a few of them give facts of genealogical value ; and for that reason such are here printed. The word "Nissatisick," mentioned in one of the depositions, is another form of Nissitissett, and probably refers to some place on the river of that name or in the immediate neighborhood.
Captain Parker was a son of an original proprietor of the town, and was born about the year 1653, perhaps at Billerica. The numerous families of the name in this neighborhood be- long to the same stock.
Reverend Caleb Trowbridge lived near the site of the High School, and the parcel of land in dispute lay, probably, on the village street to the northward, between his lot and the brook.
James Nutting Aged About Seventy four Years and William Lakin Aged Upwards of Sixty Years Testify and say that we the deponents Well knew Cap' James Parker late of Groton Deceased, and that
-
342
CAPT. JAMES PARKER, JR.
in his lifetime he was possessed of About fourteen Acres of Land Scituate in the Township of Groton, bounded Easterly on the high- way, Northerly & Westerly on the Lands of the Said James Nutting, and Southeasterly or thereabout on Land formerly M' Willards, Now in the Occupation or Improvement of M' Caleb Trowbridge Trowbridge [sic], And we know the Said James Parker dwelt upon and Improved Said Land many Years before & untill the time of his Death. Further we the Deponents Testify & say we knew Sundry of the Grandchildren of said James Parker deceased that were so reputed Viz' Mary, Sam', Phinehas, James and Rebecca Children of James Parker second son of said deceased. John, Elizebeth, Josiah, Sarah, Joshua, Susannah, Anne, William & Mary Children of Josiah Another of said deceased's Sons, James, Sam', John, Abigail & Jonathan Children of Sam' Parker another of the deceased's Sons. Elizebeth Daughter of Zechariah Another of the Sons of said deceased ; Abial Daughter of Joshua One of the Sons of the deceased, Eleazer, Zechariah, Anna & Mary Children of Eleazer Parker One of the sons of the deceased. Nathaniel, Joseph, Anna, Elizebeth, Abigail, Mary and Ruth Children of Anna Blood One of the Daughters of the deceased
MIDDEN SS. Groton May 14" 1729. The Deponents James Nutting & William Lakin Personally Appearing made Solemn Oath to the Truth of the Above Deposition being duely Examined and Cautioned to Testify the Whole Truth the adverse party being not present nor within twenty miles- (The Deponents dwelling more than Thirty miles from Court. )
Sworn before me BENJA PRESCOT Justice of the Peace A true copy Exam > SAMT PHIPPS Cler
[Indorsed] Nutting & Lakin's deposition Copy Exam (14)
MIDDEN SS. At His Majesty's Inferiour Court of Common Pleas · holden at Cambridge within & for the county of Middle on the Third Tuesday of May being the twentieth day of said Month Anno Domini One thousand Seven hundred and twenty nine, In the Second Year of his Majesty's Reign By His Majesty's Justices of said Court
George Herrington of Wattertown in the County of Middle yeoman, and Abial his wife, And in right of his said wife Plan"
343
CAPT. JAMES PARKER, JR.
V> Caleb Trowbridge of Groton in the County of Middle Clerk De- fendt, In a Plea of Trespass & Ejectment, For that the Defendt hath entered into & Illegally withholden from the Plant the Posses- sion of the One & thirtieth part of fourteen Acres of Land Scituate in Groton aforesaid more or less bounded Easterly on the highway, Northerly & Westerly on the Land of James Nutting, & South- erly on the Defend" own Land, Or however Otherwise butted or bounded, Now the Plan" in fact say, that James Parker late of Groton aforesaid yeoman Decd On the twenty fifth day of May Seventeen hundred was seized (Among other Lands) of the premises in fee, And by his last will & testament of that date, After debts, Legacies & other devices paid & Satisfied gave and devised to his Grand- children in these words, Item I give and bequeath to my Grandchil- dren all the rest of my Lands and Estate (of which the Plan" Averr the fourteen acres aforesaid to be part) in Houseing, Moveables and Whatsoever ellse equally Accordingly, at the Discretion of my Executor As by the said Will duely proved & approved in Court to be produced will Appear, And afterwards the said Testator dyed so seized of the said Premises leaveing behind him One & thirty Grand Children of whom the Plant. Abial was one, and by Law and according to the true Intent and Meaning of the said Will is Intituled to, and ought to hold in Comon with the other Grand Children, A One & thirtieth part of the said fourteen Acres but the Defend' (thô often requested) refuses to deliver the possession thereof unto the Plan" to the damage of the said George Herrington and Abial his Wife (as they say) the Sum of Twenty pounds &c, As ? the writ on file dated the fifth day of August Anno Domini Seventeen hundred twenty eight. This Action Commenced at a former Session of this Court, When it was Continued that so Capt Josiah Parker of Cambridge might be vouched in to defend this Suit, who at the next court appeared & was admitted defend' in the Room of M' Caleb Trowbridge the Original Defend' named in the writt And the Cause further Continued to this Term, the Parties Now Appearing, the Defend' as admitted pleaded not Guilty, Issue joyned, the writ, Plea, & papers as produced read, the case after a full hearing was Committed to a jury, who returned their verdict therein finding for the Plan' a two & thirtieth part of the fourteen Acres as sued for & cost of Court. It is therefore considered by the Court that the Plan' George Herrington shall Recover and have of the Defend' a two & thirtieth, part of the fourteen acres of Land . as sued for & cost of Court Taxed at
$
344
HENRY YEEND.
The Plant and Defend' Appealed from the Judgment of this court. to the Next Superior Court of Judicature to be holden for Middl* at Cambridge on the Last Tuesday of July next, and Entered into Recognizance pursuant to Law to prosecute their Appeal as afore- said with Effect
.1 .. .
Att SAMI. PHIPPS Cler
, A true Copy Exam ? SAMT PHIPPS Cler
[Indorsed] Judgment Copy Exam (2) Eighteen papers one pound nine shillings Sixpence
Attt SAML PHIPPS Cler
Eleazer Green and Joseph Parker both of Groton of lawful Age. testifie and say that they went out with Cap! Josiah Parker and George Herrington over Nashaway River and there heard y" said . Josiah Parker offer to ye said George Herrington sixty Acres of Land with a very good stream where there is now a very good corn mill and saw mill as his Wives Grand-child Portion which said Her- rington refused ; Said Parker offered him Land further up the River or one hundred Acres of Land at a place called Nissatisick which said Herrington also refus'd ; further we hear sª Parker tell s' Her- rington yt if there was any Land left after He had made up his Accompts, He should have his Part.
N B : According to y' best Remembrance this was said in ye year .+ 1713.
Sworn in Court July 31 1729 by Eleazer Green .. Att SAMT- TYLEY Cler
[Indorsed] Parker took ye Voir dire Oath :
HENRY YEEND.
In Charlestown, on Thursday evening [May 21], Mr. Henry Yeend, a native of Upton, county of Worcester, (Eng) aged 33. " Independent Chronicle " (Boston), May 25, 1812.
See the second volume (page 414) of the Historical Series for a reference to Mr. Yeend, who lived in Groton, and, on March 30, 1806, was married to Sarah Davis of this town. See also T. B. Wyman's Charlestown Genealogies (11. 1060).
FIRST PARISH MEETING-HOUSE, GROTON.
THis cut is taken from a drawing made in the year 1838 by John Warner Barber, and appeared originally in his Historical Collections of Massachusetts ( Worcester, 1839). It repre- sents the First Parish Meeting-house before it was remodelled in the year 1839, when it was partially turned round, and the north end made the front, facing the west. The Academy building on the extreme right was enlarged in the autumn of 1846, and afterward burned down on July 4, 1868. The fence was built around the Common in front of the Meeting-house in the autumn of 1842, the last post being placed at the north- west corner on October 3. The trees within the enclosure were set out about the same time, with the exception of the row of elms on Main Street, which were transplanted in 1828.
Among my earliest recollections is the time when Mr. Barber came to Groton in order to collect material for his sketch of the town. I remember distinctly that my father took him in a chaise and drove him around to see the place ; and being told, too, that the drawing of the Meeting-liouse and Common, which I then saw, would appear in the book.
346
MISS EMILY SEAVER.
THE MORSE AND SHATTUCK FAMILIES.
SOME facts of a genealogical interest are found in the Hon- orable Charles Hudson's History of Marlborough (page 416) concerning the family of Joseph Morse, who was among the earliest settlers of Groton. Joseph's wife was Susanna Shat- tuck ; and a brother Jonathan Morse (town-clerk of Groton, 1682-1686) married Abigail Shattuck, a sister of Susanna, both daughters of William Shattuck, who was the progenitor of all who have borne the name in this neighborhood. Sarah · Morse, a sister of Joseph and Jonathan, was the wife of Tim- othy Cooper, who was killed in the assault on Groton, made by the Indians, on March 2, 1676. Timothy Cooper and Sarah Morse were married on June 2, 1669 ; and they had four children.
In the same History (page 444) are items of genealogical interest concerning the family of William Shattuck, another early settler of the town, who is mentioned above. He was born at Watertown on September 11, 1670 ; and was married first, on March 19, 1687-88, to Hannah Underwood, and, secondly, on March 24, 1718-19, to Deliverance Pease.
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