USA > Massachusetts > Historical collections, being a general collection of interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c., relating to the history and antiquities of every town in Massachusetts, with geographical descriptions > Part 5
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In 1780, the present constitution of government of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts went into operation : it was formed by a convention of delegates appointed by the people for that purpose. John Hancock was elected the first governor, and held the office by annual election till 1785. The year 1786 is rendered memo- rable for Shay's Rebellion. This insurrection was caused chiefly by the oppressive debts contracted during the revolutionary war by individuals and corporations throughout the state, and by the state itself. After the insurgents had held conventions, interrupted the proceedings of the courts of justice in several counties, and collected a considerable armed force, and thus greatly alarmed the government and agitated the community, they were entirely put
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BARNSTABLE COUNTY.
down, and dispersed by the state troops under the command of Gen. Shepherd and Gen. Lincoln.
The Federal Constitution of the United States was adopted by the convention of Massachusetts in 1788, by a vote of 187 to 168, and the state was a firm supporter of the administration of Washington, the first President. The embargo laid upon American vessels in 1808, and other commercial restrictions, together with the war with Great Britain in 1812, bore with severity upon the extensive commercial interests of Massachusetts. Maine was a part of the state till 1820, and during the war of 1812 a portion of its territory was in the hands of the enemy. The war, and the acts of the national government during its continuance, were unpopular with the majority of the citizens of the state.
Massachusetts has ever been one of the most distinguished mem- bers of the American Confederacy. The spirit of her institutions has been transfused into many of her sister states, and she may justly claim an elevated rank among the members of this Union. During the great struggle of the Revolution, Massachusetts stood foremost : the powerful and efficient efforts of her patriots and statesmen, stand recorded on the pages of American history; and the mouldering bones of her sons, whitening the battle-fields of the Revolution show her devotion to the cause of civil liberty.
BARNSTABLE COUNTY.
THIS county is the easternmost land in Massachusetts, compre- hending the whole of the peninsula of Cape Cod, so named from the large number of codfish taken near it by one of its first discov- erers. It was incorporated in 1685. The shape of the peninsula is that of a man's arm bent inwards both at the elbow and wrist ; its whole length is 65 miles, and its average breadth about five. The basis of this peninsula, constituting almost the whole mass, is a body of fine yellow sand; above this, is a thin layer of coarser white sand ; and above this another layer of soil, gradually declin- ing from Barnstable to Truro, where it vanishes. In many parts of the county the traveller, while viewing the wide wastes of sand, is forcibly reminded of descriptions given of the deserts of Arabia. Notwithstanding the general barrenness of the soil, the inhabitants of this county are in as comfortable and even thrifty circumstances as in almost any section of this country. The inhabitants generally derive their subsistence from the fishing and coasting business,* and it may be said of the majority of the men who are born on the Cape, that in one sense " their home is on the ocean," and when with their families they are only on a visit, and to a great extent
* A very general prejudice has existed in the minds of many people living in the interior against the inhabitants of the Cape; this has arisen from the fact, that sea- men, as a class, have been considered as more addicted to vice than many others. This opinion, as far as it regards the inhabitants of this county, is erroneous ; and it may
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BARNSTABLE.
are dependent on Boston and other places for a large proportion of their meats and bread stuffs. The'county has but little wood, but it is well stored with peat. The manufacture of salt receives great attention ; about two millions of dollars are invested for this purpose. The tonnage of Barnstable district is 28,153 tons. Pop- ulation 31,109. The following is a list of the towns.
Barnstable,
Eastham,
Orleans, Wellfleet,
Brewster,
Falmouth,
Provincetown,
Yarmouth.
Chatham,
Harwich,
Sandwich,
Dennis,
Marshpee,
Truro,
BARNSTABLE.
BARNSTABLE is the county town of Barnstable county, and is a port of entry. It was incorporated September 3d, 1639. There is no particular account to be found of the first settlement of this town. Probably there was none made much before its incorpora- tion, as but two persons are named in the original grant. "The Indian name of the place appears to have been Mattacheese, Mat- tacheest, or Mattacheeset. Probably they are all the same name, which was given by the Indians to a tract of land which included Yarmouth, or at least a part of it; for in the grant of Yarmouth that place is said to have been called Mattacheeset. The church at Scituate being in a broken condition, the Rev. John Lothrop of that place removed with part of the church to Barnstable, in Octo- ber, 1639, the same year the town was granted by the Old Colony. It appears from the records which have been preserved, that all the south side of the town was amicably purchased of Wianno, and several other sachems, about 1650. There is reason to believe that all the north part was likewise purchased of the natives, although no record of it now remains.
The town of Barnstable extends across the peninsula of Cape Cod, which is here from five to nine miles wide, and its soil is better than most towns on the Cape. The land on the north side of the township is uneven, and in some places rocky. There is a line of hills extending east and west through the whole length of the town, the greatest height of which is about a mile from the harbor and marshes on the north side. South of this ridge the land is generally level to the sea. Barnstable harbor is formed by a neck of land (called Sandy Neck) which projects from the Sandwich line on the north shore, and runs east almost the whole length of the town. The neck is about half a mile wide ; the harbor is about a mile wide and four miles long. The tide rises in it from 10 to 14 feet. There is a bar at the entrance of the harbor which pre-
be safely stated, that in no part of the state are the people more moral, or the insti- tutions of morality and religion more regarded. The inhabitants of the Cape are literally more purely the descendants of the "pilgrim fathers" than any others in any part of the state, as very few foreign emigrants have settled among them.
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BARNSTABLE.
vents the entrance of very large ships. The principal village is situated in the north-east section of the town, on the main road. .
North western view of the Barnstable Court-House, and other buildings.
The above is a north-western view of the Barnstable court-house, (recently erected) and some other buildings in the vicinity. The Unitarian church is seen in the distance, standing on elevated ground. A newspaper is published in the village.
Hyannis is a village on the south side of the town, and contains two churches, one Baptist and one Universalist, and is five miles S. E. of Barnstable court-house, twenty-four from Falmouth, and thirty from Nantucket. It has a good harbor, and by an expensive breakwater, now constructing by the United States government, will become safe from all winds for all classes of vessels navigat- ing the sound and passing round the Cape. Oysterville is a settle- ment in the south-eastern part of the town, containing one or two churches and a postoffice. Besides these, there are two other small villages, one called Centerville, (formerly called by the Indian name Chequaket,) the other Cotuit, in the western part of the town, four miles southerly from the court-house. There are in the town eight houses of worship, two Orthodox, one Unitarian, two Methodist, one Baptist, one Universalist, and one for various denominations. The manufacture of salt was commenced here as early as 1779: it then sold for six dollars a bushel. In 1837, there were 27,125 bushels of salt made in the town. There are numerous ponds and extensive salt marshes. Between fifty and sixty sail of fishing vessels and coasting vessels belong to this town. Population 4,017. Distance thirty miles S. E. from Plymouth, sixty-five S. E. of Bos- ton, and 466 miles from Washington.
The Rev. John Lothrop was the first minister in this town, as
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BARNSTABLE.
has been stated; his successor was the Rev. Thomas Walley, who was ordained in 1663; the next was Rev. Jonathan Russell, who was ordained in 1683; Mr. Russell was succeeded by his son of the same name, who was ordained in 1712, and died in 1759. When the town was divided into two precincts, in 1719, Mr. Russell, then minister, being left to his own choice, chose the west precinct, commonly called Great Marshes, where he continued till his death. In 1725, the church in the east precinct was gathered, and the Rev. Joseph Greene was ordained. Mr. Greene was succeeded by Rev. Timothy Hilliard in 1771; who was succeeded by Rev. John Mellen Jr. in 1783. In the west church, Mr. Russell was succeeded by Rev. Oakes Shaw in 1760.
It has been stated "the West Barnstable church is the first inde- pendent Congregational church of that name in the world." It was organized in 1616, in England, principally through the instrumen- tality of Rev. Henry Jacob, who was chosen and constituted its first pastor.
"The foundation of this church was laid in the following manner : After solemn fasting and prayer, each made open confession of his faith in Jesus Christ ; and then, standing up together, they joined hands and solemnly covenanted with each other, in the presence of Almighty God, to walk together in all his ways, ordinances, &c. On account of the violence of the persecution with which this church was assailed, their pastor continued with them only eight years, and then fled to Virginia, in this country, where he soon after died. The church then chose as their second pastor Rev. John Lothrop, from whom descended most of the numerous families of this name scat- tered through our country. In 1632 Mr. Lothrop and the little band to whom he mi- nistered, when assembled for worship in a private building, were surprised by their persecutors, and only 18 of their number escaped, while 42 were apprehended and cast into prison. After being confined for two years, all were released upon bail, ex- cepting Mr. Lothrop, for whom no favor could be obtained. In the mean time his wife died, and his children left in needy and distressed circumstances. At length Mr. L., on condition of leaving the country, obtained his freedom. In 1634, with 34 of his church and congregation-all he could collect-he came to New England and set- tled in Scituate. At that time the churches at Plymouth, Duxbury and Marsh- field were all that existed in the country. In 1639, with a majority of his people and twenty-two male members of his church, he removed to Barnstable and commenced its settlement."
" A large rock is said to lie near the place, around which this colony used to transact their civil business and hold their public religious meetings. On that venerable and consecrated rock is believed to have been preached the first gospel sermon in this town ; and here the ordinances were first administered. * * * * * * *
* * The first public house of worship, it is supposed, was built soon after the settlement was commenced, and near the consecrated rock. This rock may be now seen lying by the side of the road between west and east parishes." * * * * " It is a fact probably known to but few in this country; that the first Baptist church in England under that name sprung up in the original Congregational church of West Barnstable ! From the researches of Mr. Pratt, it seems that one of the members of Mr. Lothrop's church, before they left England, and probably before Mr. L.'s imprisonment in 1632, brought a child to be re-baptized, A few of the church insisted on having it done, as- signing as a reason, their belief that the infant baptism of the child was not valid ; but when the vote was taken, a large majority voted against the innovation. Upon this, some of the more rigid, and a few others who had become dissatisfied about infant baptism, requested to be dismissed, that they might organize a separate church. They were accordingly dismissed ; and they chose Mr. Jacie as their minister. These two churches were on terms of Christian fellowship, and continued to commune together at the table of their common Lord."-Boston Recorder, Jan. 26, 1838.
James Otis, a distinguished patriot and statesman, was born in this town, (West Barnstable) Feb. 5th 1725, and graduated at Har- vard college in 1743.
1192470
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BARNSTABLE.
After pursuing the study of the law under Mr. Gridley, the first lawyer and civilian of his time, at the age of twenty-one he began the practice at Plymouth. In about two years he removed from this town to Boston, where he soon gained so high a reputation for integrity and talents, that his services were required in the most important causes. In 1761 he distinguished himself by pleading against the writs of assistance, which the officers of the customs had applied for to the judges of the supreme court. His anta- gonist was Mr. Gridley. He was in this or the following year chosen a member of the legislature of Massachusetts, in which body the powers of his eloquence, the keenness of his wit, the force of his arguments, and the resources of his intellect, gave him a most commanding influence. When the arbitrary claims of Great Britain were ad- vanced, he warmly engaged in defence of the colonies, and was the first champion of American freedom who had the courage to affix his name to a production that stood forth against the pretensions of the parent state. He was a member of the congress which was held at New York in 1765, in which year his Rights of the Colonies Vin- dicated, a pamphlet, occasioned by the stamp act, and which was considered as a master- piece both of good writing and of argument, was published in London. For the bold- ness of his opinions he was threatened with an arrest ; yet he continued to support the rights of his fellow-citizens. He resigned the office of judge advocate in 1767, and renounced all employment under an administration which had encroached upon the liberties of his country. His warm passions sometimes betrayed him into unguarded epithets, that gave his enemies an advantage, without benefit to the cause which lay nearest his heart. Being vilified in the public papers, he in return published some severe strictures on the conduct of the commissioners of the customs, and others of the ministerial party. A short time afterwards, on the evening of the fifth of September, 1769, he met Mr. John Robinson, one of the commissioners, in a public room, and an affray followed, in which he was assaulted by a number of ruffians, who left him and a young gentleman, who interposed in his defence, covered with wounds. The wounds were not mortal, but his usefulness was destroyed, for his reason was shaken from its throne, and the great man in ruins lived several years, the grief of his friends. In an interval of reason he forgave the men who had done him an irreparable injury, and relinquished the sum of five thousand pounds sterling, which Mr. Robinson had been by a civil process adjudged to pay, on his signing a humble acknowledgment. He lived to see, but not fully to enjoy, the independence of America, an event towards which his efforts had greatly contributed. At length, on the twenty-third of May, 1783, as he was leaning on his cane at the door of Mr. Osgood's house in Andover, he was struck by a flash of lightning ; his soul was instantly liberated from its shattered tene- ment, and sent into eternity. President Adams, then minister in France, wrote respecting him, " It was with very afflicting sentiments I learned the death of Mr. Otis, my worthy master. Extraordinary in death as in life, he has left a character that will never die, while the memory of the American revolution remains ; whose foundation he laid with an energy, and with those masterly abilities, which no other man possessed." He was highly distinguished by genius, eloquence, and learning, and no American, perhaps, had possessed more extensive information. Besides his legal and political knowledge, he was a complete master of classical literature. He published Rudiments of Latin Prosody, with a Dissertation on Letters, and the Power of Harmony in Poetic and Prosaic Composition, 12mo, 1760, which has been con- sidered the most clear and masterly treatise on the subject ; Vindication of the Con- duct of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts, 1762 ; The Rights of the Brit- ish Colonies Asserted, 1764; Considerations on behalf of the Colonists, 1765 .- Allen's Biog. Dictionary.
The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the town.
Here lieth the body of Mr. Joseph Green, the worthy pastor of this church. As a gentleman, a friend, a Christian, and minister, his character was greatly distinguished. His natural abilities were conspicuous, and much improved by study and application. In human and sacred literature he greatly excelled. His principles were evangelical and candid. In prayer and preaching his gifts were generally and justly admired. Temperance, purity, prudence, benevolence, resignation, devotion, and exemplary diligence in his Master's service, adorned his character. His mind was sedate, his temper placid, his affections and passions regulated by reason and religion ; his man- ner courteous, generous, and hospitable ; his conversation entertaining, instructive, and serious ; a dutiful son, an affectionate husband, and a tender parent ; a sincere friend and faithful minister ; greatly, and to the last, beloved and honored by his people.
.--- 4
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BREWSTER.
Born at Boston, 21 June, O. S. 1704 ; graduated at Harvard College, 1720 ; ordained 12 May, O. S. 1725 ; departed this life, in assured hope of a better, 4 October, N. S., 1770, in the 70 year of his age, and 46 of his ministry.
Think what the Christian minister should be, You've then his character, for such was he.
Rev. Oakes Shan, born at Bridgewater, 1736, graduated at Harvard College 1758, ordained in this place 1760, died 11th February, 1807. Benevolence, affection, and sincerity characterizel and endeared him in all the relations of social life. With unaffected piety and zeal, with unshaken constancy and fidelity, he discharged the various duties of the pastoral office. To perpetuate the remembrance of his virtues and talents, to prolong the influence of his character, and to testify their respect for his memory, this monument is gratefully erected by a bereaved and affectionate people.
BREWSTER.
E
South-eastern view of Brewster, (central part).
BREWSTER, formerly the first or North parish of Harwich, was in- corporated as a town in 1803, by the name of Brewster, in honora- ble remembrance of Elder Brewster, distinguished for his virtues: among the first settlers of Plymouth colony. The first church gathered here Oct. 16, 1700, and Rev. Nathaniel Stone was ordained their pastor on the same day. Mr. Stone died in 1755, and was succeeded by Rev. Isaiah Dunster. Mr. Dunster died in 1791, and was succeeded by Rev. John Simkins, who was ordained the same year. The first meeting-house built in this place stood about half a mile from the north shore.
The above is a south-eastern view of the central part of Brewster, showing the Congregational church, town-house, and some other buildings in the immediate vicinity. There are about ninety dwell- ing-houses within a mile from the Congregational church seen in the engraving. Besides the Congregational, there are two other churches in the village, one for Baptists, the other for Universalists ; a Methodist church is situated in the western part of the town. The factory village is situated about two miles westward of this
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CHATHAM.
place; it contains a cotton and several other mills, and, what is unusual on the Cape, are moved by water.
This town holds a central position with regard to the peninsula of Cape Cod, being about 36 miles from Provincetown at the lower or north end, and the same distance from Falmouth the S. W. ex- tremity. The face of the township is diversified by a mixture of hilly and level land. On some of these elevations over which the county road passes, the traveller has a fair view of the ocean on each side of the peninsula; to the northward he can discern the buildings in Eastham at the distance of 8 or 10 miles, and at cer- tain seasons the reflection of the sun upon the windows of the houses in Wellfleet and Truro is discernible, by the naked eye, at a distance of eighteen miles and upwards on the county road. North of the county road and bordering on the bay, which is the north boundary of the town, the soil may be considered in this region as good land; the other part of the town the soil is light and sandy. This town has 6 or 8 fishing and coasting vessels, and does something at the manufacture of salt. A large number of ship-masters (in common with other towns on Cape Cod) sailing to foreign ports belong here. From a number of ponds in this town, a never-failing stream of water is produced, on which are a cotton mill, carding mill, and several other manufacturing establishments. Population 1,534. Distance easterly from Barnstable 16 miles, 6 northerly from Chatham, and from Boston, by water, twenty-three leagues. :
CHATHAM.
THE Indian name for Chatham appears to have been Monnamoiet or Monamoy. In 1665 William Nickerson bought of the sachem of Monamoy a tract of land near Potanumaguut, bounded east by the Great Harbor. Nickerson also made other purchases of the natives of lands in the vicinity at various times. In 1665, Thomas Hinckley, John Freeman, Nathaniel Bacon, and their partners, obtained from the Plymouth colony court the grant of a right to purchase of the natives land at Monnamoit and places adjacent. This interfered with the property of Nickerson, who had made several of his purchases without authority from the court, which was necessary to make his title valid. Hinckley and his associates, however, in 1672, for a valuable consideration, conveyed to Nick- erson their grant, which made his title good, and was confirmed to his heirs by the legislature. The settlement of the village, or dis- trict of Monamoy, appears to have been made not long after the purchase was made. It was incorporated into a township by the legislature, by the name of Chatham, in 1712. In 1720 the church was first gathered, and Rev. Joseph Lord ordained; he was suc- ceeded by Rev. Stephen Emery in 1749. Mr. Emery was suc- ceeded by Rev. Thomas Roby, who was ordained in 1783, and dismissed by his request in 1795; the Rev. Ephraim Briggs was ordained the next year.
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CHATHAM.
The township consists of sand hills and ridges, with narrow val- leys, small depressions, ponds and swamps between them. The soil is rather better than most of the towns in this part of the Cape. Great Hill, in this town, is the first land made by seamen coming on this part of the coast; and from this place Nantucket is some- times seen. There are 4 churches in the town, 1 Orthodox, 1 Uni- versalist, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist.
North-western vien in Chatham.
The above shows the appearance of the principal village in Chatham, as it is seen from the ancient burying-ground, about two and a half miles distant. Immediately beyond the monuments is seen one of the numerous fresh-water ponds in this town. They are said to be about thirty in number. By a beneficent arrange- ment of Providence, these ponds, containing an article so necessary to life, are found in almost every part of the Cape. The Old Harbor is situated about two miles from the two light-houses seen in the engraving. The village at this place is rather smaller than the one represented, but the houses are larger. Chatham is said to be one of the wealthiest towns in the county. A large amount of shipping is owned by the inhabitants in other places. Forty years ago, large ships used to come into the harbor; but it now has become so injured by the sand bar which has been making, that only small craft enter. A large proportion of the people are engaged in the sea-faring business. In 1837, there were 22 vessels employed in the cod and mackerel fishery : 15,500 quintals of cod-fish were caught, valued at $46,500. Twelve hun- dred barrels of mackerel, valued at $9,600, were taken. There were 80 establishments for the manufacture of salt, and 27,400 bushels, valued at $8,220, were made. The central part of the town is about 22 miles easterly from Barnstable court-house, and 40 to Provincetown. Population 2,271.
The following, extracted from a description of Chatham pub- lished in 1802, shows the " bill of fare" of the inhabitants of that period.
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