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 60
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
484
ROXBURY.
limits of the town, 6 Congregational, 2 Universalist, 1 Baptist, and 1 Episcopal. Population, 7,493. In Roxbury village there is an establishment for the manufacture of carpets, and another for the manufacture of India rubber cloths, &c., an article which it is be- lieved is destined to be one of very great importance.
The Rev. John Eliot, the celebrated missionary to the Indians, was nearly sixty years pastor to the church in this place. He is usually called " the Apostle of Indians." He was born in England, in 1604. The following biographical sketch is extracted from Al- len's Biographical Dictionary.
" His pious parents early imparted to him religious instruction, and it was not without effect. After receiving his education at the university of Cambridge, he was for some time the instructer of youth. In 1631 he came to this country, and arriving at Boston harbor November third, immediately joined the church in that town, and preached to them, as Mr. Wilson, their minister, was then in England. Here he was earnestly requested to remain, but he was settled as teacher of the church in Roxbury Novem- ber 5, 1632. In the following year Mr. Welde was ordained as his colleague, with the title of pastor. These two ministers lived together in much harmony. In 1637 they both opposed the wild notions of Mrs. Hutchinson, and were both witnesses against her at her trial. In 1639 they were appointed, with Mr. Richard Mather of Dorchester, to make a new version of the Psalms, which was printed in the following year. For tuneful poetry it would not perhaps yield the palm even to that of Sternhold and Hop- kins ; but it did not give perfect satisfaction. The reverend Mr. Shepard of Cambridge thus addressed the translators:
'Ye Roxbury poets, keep clear of the crime Of missing to give us very good rhyme ; And you of Dorchester, your verses lengthen, But with the text's own words you will them strengthen.'
The New England psalms were afterwards revised and improved by President Dunster, and they have passed through twenty editions. In 1641 Mr. Welde returned to Eng- land. Mr. Eliot's other colleagues in the ministry were the reverend Mr. Danforth and Mr. Walter.
" His benevolent labors were not confined to his own people. Having imbibed the true spirit of the gospel, his heart was touched with the wretched condition of the Indians, and he became eagerly desirous of making them acquainted with the glad tidings of salvation. There were, at the time when he began his missionary exertions, near twenty tribes of Indians within the limits of the English planters ; but they were very similar in manners, language, and religion. Having learned the barbarous dialect, he first preached to an assembly of Indians at Nonantum, in the present town of Newton, October 28, 1646.
" He was violently opposed by the sachems and pawaws, or priests, who were appre- hensive of losing their authority, if a new religion was introduced. When he was alone with them in the wilderness, they threatened him with every evil if he did not de- sist from his labors ; but he was a man not to be shaken in his purpose by the fear of danger. He said to them, 'I am about the work of the great God, and my God is with me; so that I neither fear you, nor all the sachems in the country ; I will go on, and do you touch me if you dare.' With a body capable of enduring fatigue, and a mind firm as the mountain oaks which surrounded his path, he went from place to place, relying for protection upon the great Head of the church, and declaring the salvation of the gospel to the children of darkness. His benevolent zeal prompted him to encounter with cheerfulness the most terrifying dangers, and to submit to the most incredible hardships. He says in a letter, 'I have not been dry, night or day, from the third day of the week unto the sixth ; but so travelled, and at night pull off my boots, wring my stockings, and on with them again, and so continue. But God steps in and helps. I. have considered the word of God, 1 Tim. ii. 3, Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.' He made a missionary tour every fortnight, planted a number of churches, and visited all the Indians in Massachusetts and Ply- mouth colonies, pursuing his way as far as Cape Cod.
" He made every exertion to promote the welfare of the Indian tribes ; he stimu- lated many servants of Jesus to engage in the missionary work; and although he
485
ROXBURY.
mourned over the stupidity of many, who preferred darkness to light, yet he lived to see twenty-four of the copper-colored aborigines fellow-preachers of the precious gospel of Christ. In 1661 he published the New Testament in the Indian language, and in a few years the whole Bible, and several other books, best adapted for the instruction of the natives. He possessed an influence over the Indians, which no other missionary could obtain. He was their shield in 1675, during Philip's war, when some of the people of Massachusetts, actuated by the most infuriate spirit, intended to have de- stroyed them. He suffered every abuse for his friendship to them, but nothing could quench the divine charity which glowed in his heart. His firmness, his zeal, his benevolence at this period increased the pure lustre of his character. When he reached the age of fourscore years, he offered to give up his salary, and desired to be liberated from the labors of his office, as teacher of the church at Roxbury. It was with joy that he received Mr. Walter as his colleague, in 1688. When he was bend- ing under his infirmities and could no longer visit the Indians, he persuaded a number of families to send their negro servants to him once a week, that he might instruct them in the truths of God. He died May 20, 1690, aged about eighty-six years, say- ing that all his labors were poor and small, and exhorting those who surrounded his bed to pray. His last words were, "welcome joy."
your Nere, but loving Brother John Eliot
Fac simile of the handwriting of the Rev. John Eliot, copied from an original letter in the possession , of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
Joseph Warren, a major-general in the American army, and a martyr to the cause of American freedom, was born in this town, in 1740, and graduated at Harvard college, in 1759.
" Directing his attention to medical studies, he in a few years became one of the most eminent physicians in Boston. But he lived at a period when greater objects claimed his attention than those which related particularly to his profession. His country needed his efforts, and his zeal and courage would not permit him to shrink from any labors or dangers. His eloquence and his talents as a writer were displayed on many occasions, from the year in which the stamp act was passed to the commencement of the war. He was a bold politician. While many were wavering with regard to the measures which should be adopted, he contended, that every kind of taxation, whether external or internal, was tyranny, and ought immediately to be resisted; and he believed that America was able to withstand any force that could be sent against her. From the year 1,768 he was a principal member of a secret meeting or caucus in Boston, which had great influence on the concerns of the country. With all his bold- ness, and decision, and zeal, he was circumspect and wise. In this assembly the plans of defence were matured. After the destruction of the tea, it was no longer kept secret. He was twice chosen the public orator of the town on the anniversary of the massacre, and his orations breathe the energy of a great and daring mind. It was he who, on the evening before the battle of Lexington, obtained information of the intend- ed expedition against Concord, and at ten o'clock at night despatched an express to Messrs. Hancock and Adams, who were at Lexington, to warn them of their danger. He himself on the next day, the memorable nineteenth of April, was very active. It is said in General Hcath's Memoirs that a ball took off part of his ear-lock. In the confused state of the army, which soon assembled at Cambridge, he had vast influence in preserving order among the troops. After the departure of Hancock to congress, he was chosen president of the provincial congress in his place. Four days previously to the battle of Bunker's or Breed's hill he received his commission of major general. When the intrenchments were made upon the fatal spot, to encourage the men within the lincs he went down from Cambridge and joined them as a volunteer on the event- ful day of the battle, June the seventeenth. Just as the retreat commenced, a ball struck him on the head, and he died in the trenches, aged thirty-five years. He was the first victim of rank that fell in the struggle with Great Britain. In the spring of 1776 his bones were taken up and entombed in Boston, on which occasion, as he had
e-
S
in
d
486
SHARON.
been grand master of the free-masons in America, a brother mason and an eloquent orator pronounced a funeral eulogy. With zeal in the cause of liberty, which blazed, Dr. Warren was yet judicious in counsel, and candid and generous towards those who had different sentiments respecting the controversy. His mind was vigorous, his disposition humane, and his manners affable and engaging. In his integrity and patriotism entire confidence was placed. To the most undaunted bravery he added the virtues of domestic life, the eloquence of an accomplished orator, and the wisdom of an able statesman. He published an oration in 1772, and another in 1775, com- memorative of the fifth of March, 1770."
William Heath, a major-general in the Revolutionary war, was born in this town, in 1737. He was brought up a farmer, and from his youth was remarkably fond of military exercises, and read whatever he could find on the subject. The following is from Alden's Collection.
" At the commencement of that contest which issued in the independence of the American states, the subject of this article was a colonel of the militia, and one of the committee of safety appointed by the provincial congress of Massachusetts. Soon after the war was begun, he received the commission of a brigadier-general in the army of the United States, and, the year following, he was promoted to the rank of a major-general. He continued in the public service of his country till the establish- ment of peace, and was appointed to various important stations and extensive com- mands.
" On the restoration of peace, he returned to his family, and employed himself in agricultural pursuits, and the various duties of private life and of such public offices as his fellow-citizens called him to fill. He was a member of the state convention which ratified the federal constitution, and gave his vote for its adoption. He was repeatedly elected to a seat in the senate and in the council of Massachusetts. In the year 1806, he was chosen, by the suffrages of the people, lieutenant governor of the commonwealth, but, being far advanced in age, did not accept the proffered honor. As judge of probate, he served his county, very acceptably, for many years, and till the close of life.
" In a domestic sphere, he was distinguished by his mild and amiable disposition and manners. Few men appeared more free from the influence of party spirit and ran- cor, or expressed their sentiments on public men and measures with more prudence, than General Heath. From his youth, he was a believer and public professor of the Christian religion, and adorned his profession by his exemplary life and conversation. After a few days of confinement with sickness, he died, on the 24th of January, 1814, meeting his dissolution with Christian fortitude, resignation, and hope."
SHARON.
THIS town, originally a part of Stoughton, was incorporated in 1765. This place was called Mashapoag by the Indians, and a principal branch of Neponset river rises in Mashapoag pond in this town. The church formerly denominated the second precinct in Stoughton was organized in 1741. Rev. Philip Curtis, their first minister, was ordained in 1743, and continued in the ministry more than fifty-four years. His successor was Rev. Jonathan Whitaker, who continued here nearly 17 years, and was dismissed in 1816. Rev. Samuel Brimblecom was the next minister; he continued about three years, and was afterwards installed at West- brook, Maine, a Universalist minister.
The following is a N. Eastern view of the central part of Sharon, showing one of the churches, the spire of another, (now erecting) and some of the buildings in the vicinity. The main road appears
487
STOUGHTON.
North-eastern vien in the central part of Sharon.
on the right, at the southern extremity of which is seen in the dis- tance one of the Blue Hills, which are the highest elevations in the limits of Norfolk county. The Boston and Providence railroad passes within about half a mile from the central part of the village., There are 3 churches, 2 Congregational and 1 Baptist. Popula- tion, 1,093. Distance, 8 miles from Dedham, 17 from Taunton, 24 from Providence, R. I., and 18 from Boston. The Sharon Cot- ton Factory Company was incorporated in 1811, with a capital of $100,000. In 1837, there were 2 cotton mills, spindles, 948; cot- ton goods manufactured, 179,077 yards, valued at. $22,760 22 ; one woollen mill, which manufactured 25,000 yards of cloth, val- ued at $12,500; there were 2,804 straw bonnets manufactured, valued at $4,451 50.
STOUGHTON.
STOUGHTON was originally a part of Dorchester, and embraced within its limits the present towns of Canton, Sharon, and Foxbo- rough. It was incorporated in 1726. A church was organized in 1744, and Rev. Jedediah Adams received the pastoral charge in 1746, and continued in the ministry fifty-three years. Dr. Rich- mond was ordained colleague pastor in 1792, and continued twen- ty-four years. He resigned in 1817, and was succeeded by Mr. Gay, who continued pastor about three years and a half, and resigned in 1822. Dr. Park, formerly a professor in Brown Uni- versity, was installed over the church and the society who usually worship with them. Mr. Stearns was ordained over the first parish, and continued upwards of three years, when he was dismissed. Rev. Mr. Ballou, an Universalist minister, is the stated preacher in the first parish.
The following is a S. Western view of the central part of Stough-
488
STOUGHTON.
SE Grown
South-western view of Stoughton, (central part.)
ton, showing two of the churches and some other buildings in the vicinity. There are 4 churches, 1 Universalist, 1 Congregational, 1 Methodist, and 1 Baptist. Population, 1,993. Distance, 10 miles from Dedham, and 17 from Boston. "A large quantity of gunpowder was made here during the Revolutionary war, from salt-petre, the produce of the towns in its vicinity." The Stough- ton woollen and cotton factory was incorporated in 1815, with a capital of $75,000. In 1837, there was one woollen mill, 2 sets of machinery ; 32,000 yards of satinet were manufactured, valued at $35,000; two cotton mills for the manufacture of thread and twine. There were 174,900 pairs of boots, and 53,250 of shoes, valued at $487,390; males employed, 495; females, 386.
There was formerly a village of praying Indians in the limits of this town. The following is Gookin's account of the place.
" The next town is Pakemitt or Punkapoag. The signification of the name is taken from a spring, that ariseth out of red earth. This town is situated south of Boston, about fourteen miles. There is a great mountain called the Blue Hill lieth north-east from it two miles; and the town of Dedham about three miles north-west from it. This is a small town, and hath not above twelve families in it, and so about sixty souls. This is the second praying town. The Indians that settled here removed from Neponset Mill. The quantity of land belonging to this village is about six thousand' acres ; and some of it is fertile, but not generally so good as in other towns. Here they worship God and keep the Sabbath, in the same manner as is done at Natick, before declared. They have a ruler, a constable, and a school-master. Their ruler's name is Ahawton ; an old and faithful friend to the English. Their teacher is Wil- liam Ahawton, his son; an ingenious person and pious man, and of good parts. Here was a very able teacher that died about three years since. His name was William Awinian. He was a very knowing person, and of great ability, and of genteel deportment, and spoke very good English. His death was a very great rebuke to this place. This town hath within this ten years lost by death several honest and able men ; and some have turned apostates, and removed from them; which dispen- sations of God have greatly damped the flourishing condition of this place. Here it was that Mr. John Eliot jun., before mentioned, preached a lecture once a fortnight, for sundry years, until his decease. In this village, besides their planting and keeping cattle and swine, and fishing in good ponds and upon Neponset river, which lieth near them ; they are also advantaged by a large cedar swamp; wherein such as are labo- rious and diligent do get many a pound, by cutting and preparing cedar shingles and clapboards, which sell well at Boston and other English towns adjacent."
1
489
WEYMOUTH. 1
WALPOLE.
THIS town was set off from Dedham in 1724, and incorporated the same year. The Rev. Philips Payson was settled here in 1730, and continued in the ministry more than forty-seven years. He educated four sons, all of whom settled in the ministry. Mr. Payson died in 1778, and was succeeded in 1783 by Rev. George Morey. Rev. John P. B. Storer was settled colleague pastor with Mr. Morey in 1826. The second church was formed about the time of the settlement of Mr. Storer, and Rev. Asahel Bigelow was ordained pastor in 1828.
Three considerable branches of Neponset river from Sharon, Foxborough, and Medfield unite in this town. There are 3 churches, 2 Congregational and 1 Methodist. Population, 1,592. Distance, 10 miles from Dedham, 21 from Providence, and 20 from Boston. In 1837, there were 3 cotton mills; spindles, 1,924; cotton consumed, 85,200 lbs .; cotton goods manufactured, 278,000 yards, valued at $46,500; males employed, 20 ; females, 39. Two woollen mills; 4 sets of machinery; wool consumed, 80,000 lbs .; cloth manufactured, 95,000 yards; value, $103,250; males em- ployed, 28; females, 25. Two paper-mills; stock manufactured, 155 tons ; value of paper, $12,000. Two air and cupola furnaces; iron castings made, 413 tons, valued at $41,300; hands employed, 26; capital invested, $12,000. The value of hoes manufactured, $5,000; hands employed, 7; capital invested, $10,000; straw bonnets manufactured, 9,669; value, $19,338; value of twine manufactured, $6,666.
WEYMOUTH.
THIS place, the Wessagusset of the Indians, is the oldest settle- ment in Massachusetts, except Plymouth. "In 1622, Thomas Weston, a merchant of good reputation in London, having pro- cured for himself a patent for a tract of land in Massachusetts Bay, sent two ships, with 50 or 60 men, at his own charge, to settle a plantation. Many of the adventurers being sick on their arrival at Plymouth, most of the company remained there during the greater part of the summer, and were treated with hospitality and kindness by the inhabitants. Some of their number, in the mean time, finding a place in the Bay of Massachusetts, named Wessa- gusset, which they judged convenient for a settlement, the whole company removed to it, and began a plantation." This was rather of a disorderly company, there being, as it is stated, "many of them rude and profane," and being badly governed, fell into disorder, and experienced much suffering from their extravagance and conduct towards the natives, such as taking their corn, &c. The Indians were so incensed against them that they entered into a conspiracy to destroy the whole company. This was prevented by the daring exploit of Capt. Standish, some account of which is
62
490
WEYMOUTH.
given on the 17th page of this work. Such, however, was the reduced state of the colony, and their danger from the natives, that it was deemed prudent to break up the settlement. It appears, however, there were a few inhabitants here in 1624, as it is stated " that the few inhabitants of Wessagusset receiving an accession to their number from Weymouth, in England, the town is sup- posed to have hence been called Weymouth." In 1635, a Mr. Hull and 21 families joined the settlement. Mr. Hull was a minister from England, and appears to have been their first preacher. This town was attacked by the Indians in Philip's war, in 1676, and 7 or 8 houses were burnt.
0
Northern vien of Weymouth Village.
The above is a view of the village of Weymouth, as seen from near the residence of Minot Thayer, Esq., whose house appears on the left of the engraving. The church appearing on the right is called the Union church ; this, with the house of Mr. Thayer, are within the limits of the town of Braintree. Ship-building, to some extent, is carried on in this place; vessels of 400 tons have been launched above the bridge, over Maniquot river. This village (about one third of which is in the limits of Braintree) is 15 miles from Dedham, 5 from Randolph, and 10 from Boston.
The surface of the town is undulating and stony, and the soil generally good. It has a good landing-place for vessels of light burthen; about 800 tons of shipping belong to the place, and it is estimated that about half a million of dollars' worth of boots and shoes are manufactured in the town. The "Union Bank " of Weymouth and Braintree, with a capital of $100,000, is located here. There are 3 houses of worship, 2 Congregational, and 1 Methodist. Population, 3,387. In 1837, there were 70,155 pairs of boots and 242,083 pairs of shoes manufactured in this town, the value of which was $427,679; males employed, 828; females, 519; value of leather tanned and curried, $42,500.
491
WRENTHAM.
WRENTHAM.
THIS town was originally included within the limits of Dedham, and was set off in 1661, when there were only sixteen families. It was incorporated in 1673. There was no church formed here till 1692, when Rev. Samuel Mann, the first minister, was ordained. Mr. Mann preached to the few families here in a comparative wilder- ness, but, in consequence of Philip's war, in 1676, they were obliged to abandon their settlements for more than four years. When they returned, they prevailed upon Mr. Mann to accompany them. He shared with them all their difficulties and privations, left a numerous posterity, and died in 1719, in the forty-ninth year of his ministry. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry Messenger, who continued in the ministry nearly 32 years. Rev. Joseph Bean was the next minister ; he was settled in 1750, and died in 1784, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. David Avery, who was dismissed in 1794, and died in Virginia. Rev. Elisha Fisk was his successor. The Second Church and Society in North Wrentham were formed previous to the instalment of Rev. John Cleveland, in 1798 ; he continued pastor for more than sixteen years in North Wrentham, and died in 1815, aged 65. He was succeeded by Mr. Field, who continued pastor about three years, and then resigned. Mr. Thatcher was his successor, and was ordained in 1823. In 1830, Mr. Thatcher and a part of the church seceded, and formed them- selves into "a distinct and separate church." The Baptist meeting-house was built in 1767; the north meeting-house was completed in 1804.
The first English inhabitant in Wrentham was one Mr. Shears. In Mr. Bean's Century Sermon, preached in 1773, it is stated that the town was named Wrentham, because some of the first settlers were from a town of that name in England. The first English person born in the town was Mehitabel Shears, daughter of Sam- uel Shears. The first person buried in the town was an infant son of John Ware, Feb. 10th, 1673. In Philip's war, after the inhabitants had left the town, the Indians burnt all the houses but two; these were saved, it is stated, on account of persons having the small-pox in them, of which fact the Indians, by some means, became acquainted. After the Indian war was over, the following persons had their names affixed to an instrument engaging to return.
Eleazer Metcalf,
Eleazer Gay, Daniel Whright,
Samuel Man,
John Ware,
Robert Ware,
William Mackneh,
Samuel Fisher,
Daniel Haws,
John Payne, Benjamin Rocket,
Nathaniel Ware, Cornelins Fisher, Michael Willson,
James Mosman, Joseph Kingsbury, Samuel Shears.
John Aldiss,
Wrentham is a pleasant village, consisting of about 40 or 50 dwelling-houses, a Congregational church, a bank, and an acade- my. In the cut the church is seen on the left; the Wren- tham Bank is the first building standing northward. Day's Academy, in this place, was incorporated in 1806. Population,
492
WRENTHAM.
Western view of the central part of Wrentham.
2,817. Distance, 15 miles from Dedham, and 27 from Boston. The central part of North Wrentham is about 4 miles distant from the place represented in the engraving. There are 4 churches in the limits of the town, 3 Congregational and 1 Baptist. In 1837, there were 4 cotton mills, 2,252 spindles; 315,000 yards of cotton goods manufactured; value, $68,000; males employed, 50; females, 38. One woollen mill; cloth manufactured, 12,745 yards; value, $12,745. Straw bonnets manufactured, 35,126; value, $77,815. Boots manufactured, 10,155 pairs; shoes, 150 pairs, valued at $18,675. Boots manufactured, 200; value, $8,000; hands employed, 13.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.