USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections: containing I. The Reformation in France; the rise, progress and destruction of the Huguenot Church. Vol I > Part 11
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It appears that there were many families of these French Protestants that arrived at Boston in the summer of 1686.
* See Mass. Hist. Collections, vol. II, 3d series, pp. 61, 67, and 69; also, sce Weiss, vol. II, pp. 304-306. Letters of Daniel Bondet, their minister.
+ See Mass. Hist. Collections, vol. II, 3d series, pp. 67-69.
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EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
Dr. Snow, in his " History of Boston," remarks, in relation to these exiles who came to America : "Those who arrived here probably came in the summer of 1686, for contributions were taken on their behalf at Salem in September of that year." And the Rev. William Bentley, in his " Description of Salem," says : "In September, 1686, twenty-six pounds were contributed for the relief of the French Protestants who came to New England." " Whole families associated in Boston, but not any families at Salem." "The greater part went to the Southern States, particularly to South Carolina." And Mr. Snow further says: " And we also find in Cotton Mather's 'Manuscript Notes of Sermons,' under date of September 12, and October 7, 1686, minutes of discourses by a Mr. Laurie, from the tenor of which it is apparent that he was of the number."*
Also, Mrs. Sigourney, in her " Legends of Oxford," has the following :
"It was in the depth of the winter of 1686 that a ship, tossed by the contending storms, and repeatedly repulsed from the bleak New England coast, was seen slowly entering the harbor of Boston. It was thronged with Huguenot families, who, haggard from the sufferings of their protracted voyage, were eager to obtain repose."
As Mrs. Sigourney gives no authority for this statement as to time of this arrival, it is presumed to be a traditional report.
It is quite certain that during the year of 1686 several vessels arrived at the port of Boston, having as passengers, more or less in number of these French Protestants.
It is inferred from the evidence contained in the foregoing statements and quotations, and the following statement of Gabriel Bernon, that Isaac Bertrand du Tuffeau and some associates were the first of these French families that settled
* See Snow's History of Boston, p. 200; also, Mass. Hist. Soc. Collections, vol. VI, 1st series, p. 265, and also vol. II, 3d series, p. 68 ; also see Weiss' History of French Pro- testant Refugees, vol. I, pp. 331, 334, 344, and vol. II, same, pp. 305-306, 318.
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EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
at Oxford, and that from this nucleus was opened the way for others of these French families who were induced, by Messrs. Dudley and Stoughton, to join them to complete the . thirty families that were required by the condition in the grant :
"Mr. Bernon states that he was of one of the most ancient families in Rochelle, in France; that, upon the breach of the Edict of Nantes, to shun persecution, he fled to London ;* that, upon his arrival, Mr. Teffereau, Esq., Treasurer of the Protestant Church of France, presented him to the Honorable Society for Propagating the Gospel Among the Indians of New England; that Mr. Thompson, the President, offered to install him in the said Society, and offered him land in the government of the Massachusetts Bay ; whereupon, Isaac Bertrand du Tuffeau desired him to assist him to come over to New England to settle a plantation for their refuge, which he did, and furnished him means for beginning the settlement."
"That Du Tuffeau arrived in Boston with letters of credit from Major Thompson and himself, and delivered them to his Excellency, Joseph Dudley, and the Honorable William Stoughton, who granted to the said Du Tuffeau 750 acres of land for him (Bernon), at New Oxford, where he laid out or spent the money he had furnished him ; that by letters received from Du Tuffeau he was induced to remove to Boston, shipping himself, his family and servants, with some other families, and paid pas- sage for above forty persons ; that on their arrival at Boston, he pre- sented letters from Major Thompson to Dudley and Stoughton, who were pleased, besides the 750 acres that were granted to Bertrand du Tuffeau and to him, to grant him 1,750 acres more, and for a more authentic security, his Excellency was pleased to accompany him to Oxford, to put him into possession of the two thousand and five hundred acres."
* " Gabriel Bernon was born at Rochelle, in France, April 6, 1644. He was a man of large property, and hereditary register of Rochelle. On account of his religious opinions he was imprisoned two years in that place, and on his release went and lived about a year in Holland ; from thence he came to America (came, no doubt, via London, and thence to America). He lived first in Boston about ten years, and about same length of time at New- port and Narrangansett, and then removed to Providence, and died there, February 1, 1736, aged ninety-two. He was buried under the St. John's church, Providence, with unusual marks of respect. He had ten children by his first wife, eight of whom came to this country with him. By his second wife, Mary Harris, he had four children. While in Holland his daughter, Esther, married Adam Ap. Howell, a Welshman. She died a widow, October 20, 1746, aged sixty-nine. Esther, her daughter, married Judge James Helme ; died, March 22, 1764, aged forty-six. The Coddingtons, Whipples, Crawfords, Jenckes, Allens, and Tourtellot families of Rhode Island are connected with the Bernons." See vol. III, Rhode Island Hist. Soc. Collections, pp. 314-315; also, Arnold's History of Rhode Island, vol. II, p. 116.
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In corroboration of the fact of Mr. Bernon's interest in this plantation, that he erected on these lands the grist-mill, saw- mill, and wash-leather-mill, as before related. This was sub- sequently certified to by William Stoughton, Jeremiah Dumer, Rev. Increase Mather, Governor Usher, Nehemiah Walter, minister ; Charles Morton, minister ; Peter Daillie, minister of the French church ; Benjamin Faneuil, John Butcher, Jacques Mantier, James Beaudoin, Jacques Depau, J. Dupau, Captain Jermon, Andrew Sigourney, John Milleton, Peter Cantau, and several others, besides the widows of John Evans and John Johnson, killed by the Indians .*
" The oldest manuscript that I have seen," says Dr. Holmes, "relating to the settlement of the French colony at Oxford, is an original paper containing articles of agreement between Caleb Church, of Watertown, millwright, and Gabriel Bernon, of Boston, merchant, concluded in March, 1689, by which the said Church covenants and agrees to erect a corn or grist mill in the village of Oxford. This instrument was sealed and delivered in presence of J. Bertrand Du (obscure; no doubt Du Tuffeau), and Thomas Dudley."
"Church's acknowledgment of a receipt in full is signed at Boston, February 4, 1689-90, the witnesses to which were Peter Basset and Gabriel Dupont.
" The contract is endorsed, Contrat de M. Church pour le Moulin de New Oxford.
" We can clearly trace the French plantation down to the year 1696, at which time it was broken up by an incursion of the Indians."
There were killed by the Indians, at this time, John Evans, John Johnson, and his three children.
On this dispersion of this French colony from Oxford, it appears that many, if not most of them, returned to Boston.t
* See vol. II, 3d series Mass. Hist. Soc. Collections, pp. 67-69.
1 See vol. 11, 3d series Mass. Hist. Soc. Collections, p. 31. Dr. Holmes remarks, " that to the kindness of Mr. Andrew Sigourney, of Oxford, he was indebted for nearly all the valua- ble materials for his memoir relating to the French colony at Oxford. In aid of his inqui- rics he made a journey to Providence for the sole purpose of procuring for me the Bernon Papers, which he brought to me at Cambridge. These papers were in the possession of Philip Allen, Esq., of Providence, who married into the Bernon family, and who has since indulged me with the manuscripts to the extent of my wishes."
ORIGINAL DIVISION OF THE TOWN OF OXFORD
Thompson
Freak
Cox
Blackwell
Houghton
Oxford willadge
Blackwell
Quirebau
baug. ..
Dudley:
River.
.. ...
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EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
The first acts of importance of the grantees of Oxford and their associates, after providing the thirty families as perma- nent settlers for fulfilling the condition upon which the grant was made, was to appropriate the residue of these lands after setting apart the portion allowed for such settlers.
It has been a matter of some interest to know who were all the associates connected with the parties as grantees, viz. : Major Robert Thompson, William Stoughton, and Joseph Dudley. Much research has been had for the map said to have been made from the minutes of the first survey by John Gore, before referred to, and for a map of division, to which Dr. Abiel Holmes referred as having seen while writing his memoirs of this Huguenot settlement, but neither have been found ; and, furthermore, Dr. Holmes has not given the names of the associates, nor the exact description of the plan of division ; but, fortunately, in the month of October, 1872, when at the rooms of the Historical Society of New York, and in the course of some conversation with the Secretary, George H. Moore, Esq., he remarked that he had received from a friend in London a parchment deed of allotment of the lands in the grant for Oxford, Massa- chusetts, that had been discovered there about three months since.
On receiving and examining this parchment instrument, it was found to contain all the facts, supplying character of sur- vey, the form of plan, showing the exact division among the proprietors, with their names, and that set apart for the set- tlers, which, as copied, is as follows :
ALLOTMENTS OF LAND IN OXFORD.
(This is a curious document, made and entered into by the original grantees and their associates of this town, defining their rights as proprietors. It is elegantly executed, in the original, on parchment.)
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"To all to whom these presents shall come: Joseph Dudley, of Rox- bury, in the county of Suffolk, and William Stoughton, of Dorchester, in the said county, Esquires, Major Robert Thompson, of the city of London, merchant, and Daniel Cox, of the same, doctor of physic, and John Blackwell, of Boston, in ye said county of Suffolk, Esquires, send greeting; Whereas, his most gracious Majesty, James the Second, by the grace of God, of England, and Scotland, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc., by his grant, under the great scal of his Majesty's territory and dominion of New England, in America, thereunto affixed, and bearing date at Boston, the eleventh day of January, in the third year of his reign, by and with the consent of his Majesty's Council in New England, aforesaid, of his Majesty's special grace, hath given, granted, and ratified, and confirmed, unto the said Joseph Dudley, Wil- liam Stoughton, Robert Thompson, and Daniel Cox, Esqrs., all that tract of land called and known by the name of Oxford, situate, lying, and being in the Nipmuck country, in the county of Suffolk, within his Majesty's said territory and dominion of New England, in America, be- ginning at the south-west corner of Worcester town bounds, and running by a line of marked trees south one degree and ten minutes westerly, one thousand four hundred and forty rods, to a tree marked (S. D.), and is the north-most bounds of Manchang farm, and so continue by a line of marked trees, and said farm south fifteen degrees easterly, şix hun- dred and seventy-four rods to a walnut-tree, marked (S. D.), and is the south-west corner of Manchang, aforesaid; and from thence in south by a line of marked trees, west fifteen degrees southerly, fifteen hundred twenty-one rods; and from thence continues in length west five degrees southerly, eighteen hundred and nineteen rods, to a great heap of stones, and a stake in the middle; and is then in breadth, on the west end, by a line of marked trees, north nineteen hundred sixty-eight rods; and from thence in length, on the north side, east twelve degrees northerly, three thousand two hundred and sixteen rods to the south-west corner of the said Worcester town bounds. The whole contained within the said bounds, hills, valleys, swamps and marshes, being 41,245 acres, laid down according to the magnetical variations, being ten degrees thirty minutes from the north-westward, as by the return of the survey and plat thercof doth and may appear; together with all and singular the mesuages, tenements, edifices, buildings, trees, timber, woods, fields, foodings, pastures, marshes, moors, swamps, meadows, ponds, pools, rivers, rivulets, water and water-courses, fishing, fowling, hawkings, and huntings, and all other privileges, profits, benefits, advantages, heredita- ments and appurtenances whatsoever, doth said grant of land and prem- ises belonging, or in anywise appertaining. To have and to hold the said premises, with their and every of their appurtenances unto them, the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, Daniel
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EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
Cox, their heirs and assigns, to the sole and only proper use, benefit and behoof of them, their heirs and assigns forever ; yielding, rendering, and paying thenceforth, yearly, and every year on the Feast of the Annun- ciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, forever, unto his Majesty, his heirs and successors, the annual rent or sum of five pounds current money in New England, aforesaid, in licu and stead of all rents, services, dues, duties, and demands whatsoever, for the said grant of land and premises, as in and by the said grant, relation being thereunto had for better cer- tainty thereof, it doth or may more fully and at large appear. And, whereas, the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thomp- son, and Daniel Cox, had heretofore associated and taken unto themselves the fore-named John Blackwell, to become and equally to share with them in one full fifth part of the premises; the whole, in five equal parts, to be divided; to hold to him, the said John Blackwell, his heirs and assigns forever. And, whereas, the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, Daniel Cox, and John Blackwell have agreed upon disposing and allotting and setting out the whole premises, as hereinafter particularly expressed or mentioned : that is to say, one lesser tract, being part or parcel of the premises, and lying at or within the east end thereof; beginning at a pine-tree, standing at or upon the utmost part of the south-west angle of the town of Worcester, and thence to be set out by a straight line, running south, one degree and ten minutes west, as far as a tree marked (S. D.) being at or upon the utmost part of the north-west angle of Manchang, being fourteen hundred and forty perches; and thence meering on the easterly part of the premises by or with the lands of Manchang, aforesaid, south fifteen degrees east, at the whole length of Manchang lands, being six hundred seventy-four perches to a walnut-tree, marked (S.D.), which stands at or upon the outmost part of the south-most angle of the said Manchang lands; and from the said walnut-tree running by a straight line west, fifteen degrees south, nine hundred and ninety-six perches: that is to say, to a white-oak-tree, marked with the lot and the following, viz. : on the easterly side thereof (O. V.), signifying the extreme westerly bounds of Oxford village; on the westerly side thereof with (O.), signi- fying the easterly bounds of Oxford town, or the Grand Proprietors' lots; and on the north side thereof, with (D. B. S. C. T.), signifying that the dividing line between the said town and village is to be set out in the same course and order, due north for each of the said proprietors, that is to say : The first of the said lots to or for the said Joseph Dud- ley ; the second to or for the said John Blackwell; the fifth of the said lots, lying next to the said second, to or for the said William Stough- ton ; the fourth, lying next to the said fifth, to or for the said Daniel Cox; and the third of the said lots, lying next to the said fourth, to or for the said Robert Thompson, so that the said white-oak, so marked
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EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
and lettered as aforesaid, is to be the south-west angle of the said Oxford village, by running a straight line from the south due north two thou- sand one hundred eighty-one perches, which is to the northerly bounds of the said whole tract, and from the north end of the said line, by a straight line running east twelve degrees north, eight hundred and seventy-two perches to make a per-close at the fore-mentioned pine-tree, or south-west angle of Worcester, where this perambulation began, containing 11,245 acres of the premises granted as aforesaid, be the same more or less, and that the same shall be denominated and called Oxford Village, or the General Plantation, and shall be allotted or otherwise set out, and distributed to and amongst such per- sons and in such proportions or shares and places within the limits of the said village, as they, the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, Daniel Cox, and John Blackwell, or the major part of them, that shall from time to time be resident in New England, and the attorneys or agents of such as shall be authorized thereunto by the absentees, shall think fit by deeds under their respective hands and seals, to the use of such persons, their heirs and assigns forever, to hold to such respective persons, the planters thereof, their heirs and assigns, at and under such yearly quit rents, payable to them, the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, Daniel Cox, and John Blackwell, their heirs and assigns, as by them or the major part of them as aforesaid, shall be agreed, limited, and reserved, or mentioned in their respective grants thereof unto such planters ; provided always, and excepting and reserving out of the said village unto the parties to these presents, their heirs and assigns, a way of twenty perches in breadth, and two thousand one hundred eighty-one perches in length, from south to north, containing two hundred and sixty-five acres, be the same more or less, with the timber, trees, rivers, waters, appurtenances, and hereditaments, lying on or within the west side of the said Village or General Plantation : To lie in common and undivided unto and amongst the parties to these presents, to their heirs and assigns forever ; and the residue and remainder of the said whole tract so granted by his Majesty as aforesaid, unto the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, and Daniel Cox (lying west of the said Village or Gen- eral Plantation), shall be allotted, distributed, and set out in five equal parts, shares, or proportion, for quantity, according to the manner, order, or course of allotments aforesaid, and as hereinafter is more particularly mentioned ; and whereas, pursuant to and by the directions of the said Robert Thompson and Daniel Cox, they, the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, and John Blackwell, have caused a survey of the said whole tract of land so granted by his Majesty as aforesaid, to be as exactly as may be taken for ascertaining the bounds thereof, and a plat of the same to be drawn therein, as well as the said lesser tract,
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called Oxford Village, or the General Plantation, as five such parts of the residuc and remainder of the said whole premises, and cach of them, as are severally laid down, delineatcd, and bounded, and expressed by numbers or capital letters in the order or course aforesaid. And for as much as in regard of the uncertainty of the respective value or worth and goodness of each of the said respective lots, parts, sharcs, or propor- tions drawn and laid down as aforesaid; and for as much as the east end of each of them adjoins upon and meers with the common way laid down and taken out of the fore-mentioned Village or General Plantation already begun to be planted (by reason whereof they will each partake of the known benefit redounding to plantations by the neighborhood and coun- tenance of the first planters of such wilderness lands), it seems to be the most equal and indifferent way of laying out and dividing the same in order to the allotting thereof. Now, these presents witnesseth that the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, and Daniel Cox, by and with the consent and good liking of the said John Black- well (testified by his being party to these presents, and perfecting thereof under his hand and seal), and they, all for themselves severally and re- spectively, and for their several and respective heirs and assigns, do agree and declare that the names of them, the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, and Daniel Cox, in the fore-men- tioned grant named and used in trust, as well as for the said John Black- well, his heirs and assigns, for one full fifth part thereof, as for them, the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, and Daniel Cox, their several and respective heirs and assigns, for four other several and respective full fifth parts of the same. And they, the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, Daniel Cox, severally and respectively, do accordingly covenant, grant, and agree to and with the said John Blackwell, his heirs and assigns, and to and with each other of themselves, severally and respectively, and their several and respective heirs and assigns, by these presents, that the grant afore- mentioned, made by his Majesty, of all and singular the premises as aforesaid, and all other grants, conveyances, and assurances heretofore had, made, and executed of any premises, or that shall or may at any time hereafter be had, made, or executed by his Majesty, or by them, the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, and Daniel Cox, or any of them, or their or any of their heirs or assigns, or any others, shall be and cnure, and so shall be construed, deemed, taken, and adjudged in all times hereafter, to be and enure unto them, the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, Daniel Cox, and John Blackwell, severally and respectively as for one several fifth part of all and singular the premises to each of them severally and respect- ively, and to their and cvery and each of their several and respective heirs and assigns forever ; and that the said Joseph Dudley, William
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EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD.
Stoughton, Robert Thompson, and Daniel Cox, and the survivors or survivor of them and their heirs, and the heirs of the survivor of them, shall and will stand and be seized of and in the premises, and every part thereof, in manner and to the several uses, intents, and purposes, and under the conditions, provisions, exceptions, reservations, covenants and agreements in and by these presents set forth, limited, expressed, mentioned, or declared, according to the true intent and meaning of these presents, and to no other use, intent, or purpose whatsoever,-that is to say, the first lot, share, or proportion, as the same is in the fore-men- tioned plot expressed and laid down under the denomination of No. 1, containing one fifth part of all and singular the said last-mentioned bigger tract and premises, the whole thereof in five equal parts (for quantity), divided as aforesaid in severalty, to lie and begin at the fore-mentioned white-oak, lettered as aforesaid, being the south-west angle of the fore- mentioned common way, laid down and taken out of the said Village or General Plantation, and to be extended thence west fifteen degrees south by a straight line five hundred and twenty-five perches to the letter H, and thence by a straight line west, five degrees south, six hundred and twelve perches to the letter I, and thence to be continued by the same degrees, twelve hundred and seven perches to the utmost south-west angle of the whole tract to a stake driven in a heap of stones, and thence to run by a straight line due north, three hundred and eighty- nine perches, to the letter A on the west end, and from thence by straight line drawn east seven degrees and a half north, two thousand three hundred and forty-four perches to the letter A on the east end, viz. : to an oaken stake, square, driven in a meadow near the river that runs by and from the French houses, marked D on the south, and B on the north side of the said stake, and from the said letter A on the east end by a line drawn due south, three hundred and eighty-nine perches, to make a per-close thereof at the said white-oak, standing where the ad- measurement of the said first lot began, containing, in the said lot No. 1, six thousand acres, be the same more or less, to the use of him, the said Joseph Dudley, his heirs and assigns for ever. The second lot, or No. 2, to begin at the said square oak stake driven as aforesaid at the north end of the fore-mentioned three hundred and eighty-nine perches, at the letter A on the east end, and to be thence extended by a straight line due north, four hundred and forty-eight perches to the letter B at the said east end, to a stake driven near the north-east angle of Augutte- back Pond, and from thence by a straight line drawn west, nine degrees south, to the letter B on the west end, and from thence by a straight line to be drawn due south, three hundred and ninety-four perches and three quarters of a perch, to make a per-close with the first fore-mentioned lot No. 1, at the letter A on the west end, containing the like quantity of six thousand acres, be the same more or less, to the use of the said
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