USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Billerica > Historical memoir of Billerica, in Massachusetts. Containing notices of the principal events in the civil and ecclesiastical affairs of the town, from its first settlement to 1816 > Part 2
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).
The second meeting-house, 44 feet in length and 40 feet in width, was erected, 16 July, 1694 .; The inhabitants had worshipped in the old one about thirty-four years.
On the 5 August, 1695, the Indians made a second irrup- tion on the inhabitants of this place. In the northerly part of the town, on the east of Concord river, lived several families, who, though without garrisons and in time of war, felt no apprehensions of danger. Their remoteness from the fron- tiers might have contributed to their apparent security. The
* See Appendix, article VIII.
+ October 23, 1693, the town agreed to build a new meetinghouse, and December 8, appointed a committee for that purpose. The following account of raising it, is left on record in the hand-writing of Dea. Jofeph Tompson, -" This service was attended by about 45 hands of our town the first day ; Some and the town came generally the second day, and some of other towns came to inspect us and several were helpful to us of other towns. The third day we concluded'our work with our towns' help. No considerable harm was done-not a bone broken. We had the help of our reverend pastor to desire God's blessing, and when we had finished our work, we concluded with a psalm of praise and returned thanks to God by our reverend pastor."
13
Indians came upon them suddenly in the day-time. They entered the house of John Rogers while he was sleeping, and discharged an arrow at him, which entered his neck and pierced the jugular vein. Awakened with this sudden and unexpected attack, he started up, seized the arrow, which he forcibly withdrew, and expired with the instrument of death in his hand. A woman being in the chamber, threw herself out of the window, and though severely wounded, effected her escape by concealing herself among some flags. A young woman was scalped and left for dead, but survived the pain- ful operation and lived for many years afterwards. A son and daughter of Mr. Rogers were taken prisoners. The family of John Levistone suffered most severely. His mother-in-law and five young children were killed, and his oldest daughter captured. Thomas Rogers and his oldest son were killed. Mary, the wife of Dr. Roger Toothaker, was killed, and Margaret, his youngest daughter, taken prisoner. Fifteen persons were killed or taken at this sur- prisal. After the most industrious examination of the rec- ords, I find the names of fourteen, which, with their several ages, will be added in a note .* Though the Indians were immediately pursued by the inhabitants of the centre of the town, yet so effectually had they taken precautions in their flight, that all efforts to find them were unavailing. . It is said they had even tied up the mouths of their dogs with wampum, from an apprehension that their barking would discover the direction they had taken. The shock given to the inhabitants by this melancholy event, was long had in painful remembrance. Through the lapse of years, it is difficult to give a very circumstantial account of it, and the few particulars I have collected, ought, perhaps, to receive some deductions from the brevity of human memory.f
The first bridge over Concord river, on the Boston road, was erected at, or near the fordway, some time previous to
* John Rogers, aged about 53, Thomas Rogers, about 48, Thomas Rogers, jun. aged 11, Daniel Rogers,* 12, Mary Rogers, * 27, Mary Toothaker, Margaret Toothaker,* 13, Widow Ross, perhaps 63. Alexander, five weeks, Margaret, 2 years, Mary 5, Thomas 6, Seth 8, and Sarah,* II, children of John Levis- tone. Those with a star were missing and supposed to be captured.
+ Governor Hutchinson in his History of Massachusetts, vol. 11, page 86, thus notices this transaction .- " In Auguft, they killed and took fifteen at Bil- lerica, and plundered the house of - Rogers." In the town records I find, " Aug. 5, 1695, this day received that awful ftroke by the enemy, when five- teen persons were flain-more sad than that we met with three years before." Dr. Cotton Mather published in 1698, " Decennium Lucruosum ; an hiftory of the remarkable occurrences of the long war with the Indians from 1688 to 1698." As this event falls within this period, some account of it in this work may possibly be given.
14
1658. In 1663, it was removed from this place at the expence of this town and Chelmsford. For many years after, it was supported by Groton, Chelmsford and this town .* It does not appear to have been removed again till about 1699, when the former bridge having been " carried away by a flood, a new one was erected considerably higher up the river." In consequence of this removal, it became necessary to alter the road between Chelmsford and this town. This was mutually done by a committee,t appointed by each town, who attended that service, 25 September, 1699.
In 1701, the boundaries between this town, and Chelms- ford and Concord were adjusted by a committee, appointed by the General Court at their session in May, 1700. The difficulties, which had for some time subsisted, were termin- ated by the ratification of the report of the committee.}
On the 4 April, 1707, the north burying ground was located. It is five rods on the road, and twenty rods in length.
July 7, 1707, the town made choice of reverend Samuel Ruggles to assist reverend Samuel Whiting in the ministry, for the term of one year. Before the expiration of the year, he received an invitation to settle as a colleague with rever- end Mr. Whiting. The town voted him £.100 settlement, and {.40 per annum during Mr. Whiting's life, and £.70 after his decease. He was ordained on the 19 May, 1708.
In 1708, a grant of land and other privileges, at the falls in Concord river, was made to Christopher Osgood, jun. of Andover, for the " erection of a grist-mill." The mill erected by him, was the first erected on Concord river, within the limits of the town. This grant embraces the place, where the valuable mills and factories are now situated, near the intersection of Concord river by the Middlesex Canal.
In 1712, died Capt. Jonathan Danforth, distinguished for his mathematical knowledge and extensive usefulness in this town. He was son of Nicholas Danforth, and brother to
* The country rate of these towns in 1663, which may give an idea of their relative importance at that time, was as follows .- Chelmsford f.18. 19. I. Billerica, £.13. 10. 2. Groton, {.6. 15. 7. They were all incorporated, May 29. 1655.
+ Jonathan Danforth, Edward Farmer and Samuel Manning, for Billerica, and Jerathmeel Bowers, Nathaniel Hill and Stephen Pierce, for Chelmsford. + See Appendix, Article XIV.
fl That he was son of Nicholas Danforth cannot admit of doubt, from the cir- cumstance that the record of it is made by the former. The evidence that he was brother to the Hon. Thomas Danforth of Cambridge and reverend Samuel Danforth of Roxbury, appears in Sullivan's Hist. Maine, page 385, which has Irgen already quoted, Allens' Biog. Dict. page 240, with documents in my pos- session, The Rev. John Elliot, D. D. in his Biog. Dict. observes that " the reverend Samuel Danforth canie to New England, 1634, with his father Nathan- iz! Danforth." If they were really brothers, why this difference of names }
15
reverend Samuel Danforth of Roxbury. He was born at Framingham, in the county of Suffolk, in England, 29 Feb- ruary, 1627, and probably emigrated to this country when young. His family connexions were highly respectable. From an original letter of Governor Belcher in my posses- sion to a son of Mr. Danforth, it appears that his family was related to the governor. When the settlement at Shaw- shin commenced, Mr. Danforth was among the first settlers. He was chosen one of the first selectmen, and continued in that office twenty-one years. The records were made by him for about twenty years. He was elected the first deputy to the General Court from this town on record. From his eminence in surveying, he was frequently employed in locat- ing new towns and settlements in the provinces of New- Hampshire and Massachusetts. The plans of his surveys were very numerous. There still remains a large number of them. He left two MS. folios, containing sermons and sketches of sermons, for many years, together with the bap- tisms and admissions to the church. From an idea that they possessed no intrinsic value, the far greater part of these valuable writings have been sacrificed to ignoble purposes. While Mr. Danforth was justly celebrated for his eminence and distinction in mathematical knowledge, by a cotemporary. the most important part of his character is not concealed from view. His piety gave him the lustre, which was most admired .*
On the 25 February, 1713, died reverend Samuel Whiting, having been a preacher in this place more than fifty years. Forty-nine years and three months had elapsed from his settlement. He was son of reverend Samuel Whiting, and was probably born before his father came to this country. He received his education at Harvard College, where he graduated in 1653. He came to this town, a few years after it was incorporated, as has been before observed. The
* A poem, on his death was written by J. D. v. D. M. who, from the ftyle, is supposed to have been his nephew, Rev. john Danforth of Dorchefter. The following extract, I received verbally from SAMUIL WHITING, Esq. and is all I have been able to obtain of it :
" He rode the circuit, chain'd great towns and farms, To good behaviour; and by well marked ftations, He fix'd their bounds for many generations. His art ne'er fail'd him, though the loadstone fail'd, When oft by mines and streams it was assail'd ;
All this is charming, but there's something higher, Gave him the lustre which we most admire."
Then followed an account of his piety, attention to religious deties, which are celebrated by the poet in the versification peculiar to that period.
16
fidelity, circumspection and diligence, with which he dis- charged the various duties of a private, social and ministe- rial nature, prove that he was actuated by a spirit of chris- tianity. The affection and benevolence of his people towards him, prove that they held his character in high estimation. In 1702 and 3, when sickness prevented him for several months, from attending to the duties of the sanctuary, their affection for him as upon other occasions, was manifested. They procured reverend John Fox to preach during his indisposition, and rewarded him at their own expence. In 1707, when the infirmities of age rendered him unable to dis- charge all the various duties of his sacred calling, reverend Samuel Ruggles was procured to assist him, and was ordain- ed his colleague the following year. It is not known that he published any thing .* He had ten children, but the great- er part died young. John Whiting, his second son, gradu- ated at Harvard College in 1685, and was ordained the second minister in Lancaster about the year 1691.t . In that town, he was slain by the Indians, 11 September, 1697, at the age of 33 years.}
About the year 1718, there appears to have been a com- pany of snow-shoe men formed in this town, and in several others in the vicinity. Their object was to repel the incur- sions of the Indians, and attack them in their quarters during the winter. Dr. Belknap, in his history of New- Hampshire, observes that this is called in the Council records an honorable service. The number belonging to this town was 19.||
· Mr. Whiting was one of the seventeen minifters, who bore teftimony a- gainft the settlement of. Mr. Davenport in the firft church in Bofton, and one of those, who presented an address to the General Court, in vindication of their conduct from the unjuft charge of innovation, &c. made againft them by a committee appointed by the house of deputies at their session in May, 167c. Vide Hutchinson's Hift. Mass. vol. I page 248-250. In a poem on his death, written about a century since, he has the following character.
" WHITING, we here beheld a ftarry light,
Burning in Christ's right hand and shining bright ;
Years seven times seven sent forth his precious rays,
Unto the gospel's profit and Jehovah's praise."
+ The Rev. Mr. Whitney, in his hiftory of the county of Worcester, says that he was probably settled in 1691.
# On the II September, 1697; the town of Lancafter was surprized by the Indians and twenty-one persons were killed, among whom, was the Rev. John Whiting, who being on some occasion at a distance from the garrison, the In- dians surprised and killed him. They indeed offered him quarter, but he chose rather to fight to the last, than resign himself to those whose tender mer- cies are cruelty. Rev. T. Harrington's Century Sermon, 1753.
|| This is the number I find upon an old paper, purporting to contain "a lift of the snow-shoe men in the towns of Billerica, Chelmsford and Dracut."
1
P
a S
1
t
t
E
17
In 1729, the inhabitants of the southerly part of the town petitioned for the privilege of being detached from Billerica, that they might be incorporated as a separate town. At a general town meeting, the subject of their peti- tion was taken into consideration, and a committee of eleven persons was chosen, who were empowered " to manage the affair and agree with the petitioners respecting the line." In September, the same year, this part of the town, with a part of Concord, was incorporated with the name of BEDFORD. Three years after this, the northerly part of the town peti- tioned to be set off as a township. A committee was chosen to view the land, who made a report at a subsequent meeting, when it was voted that the northerly and northeasterly part of the town be set off as a township, " granting two thirds of the land from Andover line to Billerica meeting-house, by a parallel line with said Andover, extending from Concord river to Wilmington line." On the 23 December, 1734, this tract of land was, by an act of the General Court, incor- porated by the name of TEWKSBURY.
In 1738, the third meeting-house, 60 feet in length and 46 in width, was built and consecrated to divine worship .*
In April, 1747, the town made choice of reverend John Chandler of Andover as an assistant with reverend Mr. Ruggles. They voted him £.600 old tenor, settlement, £.200 salary, of the same currency, during the life of Mr. Ruggles, and an addition of £.100 after his decease, with 20 cords of wood. On the 21 October following, a council of eight churches was convened for his ordination. On this occasion, reverend Daniel Rogers of Littleton, commenced with prayer, reverend James Chandler of Rowley, preached from John iii. 11 ;} reverend Samuel Phillips of Andover, gave the charge, and also added an exhortation to the people, in which, he pressed upon them the particular duties of a peo- ple towards their minister, and reverend Nicholas Bowes of Bedford, gave the right hand of fellowship.
The reverend Samuel Ruggles, second pastor of the church in this place, died, 1 March, 1749, at the age of 67,
* Sept. 15, 1737, " the town voted to build a new meeting-house for the public worship of GOD."
Nov. 28 " Voted to build said house, 60 feet in length and 46 in width."
March 7, 1738, " Voted to set said house about 37 feet north of the former one."
Town Records.
+ " Verily, verily I say unto thee, we speak that we do know; and testify that we have seen,"'
C
18
having been in the ministry forty years and nine months. He was son of Mr. Samuel Ruggles of Roxbury, and was born in that town on the 3 December 1681 .* He graduated at Harvard College in 1702.
In 1755, a considerable number of inhabitants in the south - west part of the town, applied to be set off as a township or district. Their application at this time was unsuccessful. Twenty-four years after this, having renewed their request, all the inhabitants, within certain defined limits, were, by vote of the town, set off as a township. The tract of land thus de- tached was incorporated, in 1780, as a district, with the name of CARLISLE, and on the 18 February, 1805, was invested with town privileges.
In 1760, an ecclesiastical council, composed of five church- es, was convened for the purpose of hearing the difficulties between the church and people in this place, and reverend John Chandler. Under the sanction of this council, the pastoral relation of Mr. Chandler to the church, was dissolv- ed on the 5 of June. This was the only vacancy, which had- occurred in the church, for almost a century from its organi- zation. From this time till the vacancy was filled by a suc- cessor, the pulpit was supplied with the labors of Messrs. Edward Brooks, Samuel Foxcroft, Job Whitney, Edward Perkins Sparhawk, Samuel Angier, Nathaniel Noyes, John Treadwell, William Whitwell and Benjamin Caryl.t The reverend Mr. Whitwell was chosen by the church and town to settle in the ministry, but on account of some divisions, they deemed it not prudent to proceed any further in reference to his settlement.
Thursday, the 2 October, 1760, was set apart as a day of fasting and prayer, to supplicate the throne of grace for divine direction in the choice of a minister. Reverend Messrs. Rogers, Spalding, Morrill and Sherman, of Littleton, Tewksbury, Wilmington and Woburn, were requested to assist in the public exercises of the day. The town having heard the gentlemen already mentioned, on the 17 May, 1762, chose reverend Benjamin Caryl to settle with them in the work of the ministry.# For some reasons, which are not mentioned, he did not comply with their request. On the 18 November, 1762, the church and town met in con-
MS. letter of Mr. Samuel Parker, Town Clerk of Roxbury, 1815.
+ Those in Italics were afterwards settled in the gospel ministry.
į The vote was determined by yeas and nays. Yeas 36, Nays 22: The town voted him f.160 settlement, and £.73 6. 8. annual salary.
19
junction, and made choice of reverend Henry Cumings of Hollis, in New-Hampshire, to settle with them in the gospel ministry. They voted a settlement of £.200, and an annual salary of {.80, with other privileges. He was ordained, 26 January, 1763. At this time the council was composed of ministers and delegates from seven Churches. Reverend Isaac Morrill of Wilmington, opened the solemnity with prayer, reverend Daniel Emerson of Hollis, preached from Heb. xiii. 17 ; reverend Daniel Rogers of Littleton, gave the charge, reverend Ebenezer Bridge of Chelmsford, the right hand of fellowship, and reverend Joseph Emerson of Pepperell made the concluding prayer.
On the 10 November, 1762, died reverend John Chandler, who sustained the pastoral relation about twelve years. He was a native of Andover, and graduated at Harvard College in 1743. His sermons were written in a neat style and dis- cover a benevolent spirit.
From this period to the commencement of the difficulties between this country and Great Britain, I do not find that any transaction, deserving particular notice, occurred. At an early stage of the opposition to the restrictions of the Brit- ish parliament, this town appeared an advocate for freedom, and during the important struggle for liberty and independ- ence, manifested a firm and unshaken spirit of resistance to all the encroachments of arbitrary power. As this was an interesting period in the affairs of the town, a few extracts from the records will be subjoined, in order to shew the spirit, which actuated the inhabitants on this memorable occasion.
On the 6 of June, a few days after the Boston Port Bill went into operation, this town held a meeting to consider the subject of a letter, which they had received from that devoted town. A committee was chosen, to deliberate and deter- mine upon proper measures in this emergency of public affairs, who reported an answer, which reflects much credit on the patriotism of the town. " We consider," say they, " the blow struck at Boston, as aimed at the province in general, and as a prelude to something further, equally vindictive, yet in store for this and the other colonies. As we have a fixed reliance on the virtue of our brethren in Boston to persevere in the noble cause of liberty, which they have hitherto maintained with such laudable fortitude and reso- lution, and viewing ourselves as bound to animate and en- courage them, we do hereby promise and declare our read- iness to support and strengthen them in any measures, that shall be judged expedient for our common safety and de-
20
fence-for defeating every vengeful machination of thoseg who would punish us for shewing ourselves men, and dragoon us into slavery, because we disdain patiently to take the yoke upon our necks at their bidding." Towards the conclusion of the report, they say, " It would be an indelible disgrace, and a violation of the sacred obligations, we are under to GOD, to our country, to ourselves and to posterity, for us tamely and pusillanimously, to give up those invaluable liber- ties and privileges, which our worthy ancestors purchased at such a vast expense of blood and treasure." Such was the language of freemen, contending for their dearest rights and privileges.
On the morning of the 19 April, 1775, the inhabitants of this town became early apprized of the motion of the British. A considerable number collected, and proceeded to Concord to oppose their progress, and were present in that memora- ble engagement. This town lost no one during the arduous conflict, but two of their citizens were wounded .*
In 1779, a delegate was chosen from this town to the. Convention, which convened at Cambridge, for the purpose of framing a Constitution, or form of government.
The town's quota of men, agreeably to a resolve of the General Court, passed, 30 June, 1781, for raising 2700 men, was thirteen.f
The valuation, in 1782, was £.4. 1. O.}
This town accepted the constitution of the United States by Col. William Tompson, their delegate to the Convention.I. The political character of the town has ever been decidedly federal.
For more than a century from 1692, it is believed, this. town annually chose a representative to the General Court. The first chosen after the constitution of Massachusetts went into operation, was Major Edward Farmer, who con- tinued in that office, with the exception of one yearg till 1795.
* John Nickles and Timothy Blanchard.
+ Resolves of General Court for 1781, page 47.
į Resolves of 6 March, 1782.
{ Massachusetts Gazette of February 8, 1788.
0 1787. when Col. William Tompson was chosen. EDWARD FARMER, Esq. died, 4 August, 1804, at the age of 70. In the line of his maternal ancestors, he descended from EDWARD JOHNSON of Woburn, the early historian of New - England. Possessing the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, he was placed by them in many responsible offices, which, without the advantages of education, he discharged to general acceptance, Hiszeal for the cause of Amer- ican freedom was a prominent trait in his character. It induced him to engage with ardor in the service of his country. "After the capture of Burgoyne, as
C
t
1
21
The number of polls in 1809, entitled this town to two representatives, who were accordingly chosen.
In 1797, a building for an academy was erected in this town, under the care and direction of Ebenezer Pemberton, A. M. who received considerable assistance by the donation of individuals. The academy was opened by Mr. Pember- ton for the reception of scholars the succeeding winter. Under his superintendance, with the assistance of Mr. Whiting, teacher of mathematics, this institution flourished for several years. It discontinued in the autumn of 1808.
In this year, the fourth meeting-house, 68 feet in length, and 51 in breadth, was erected .* It was dedicated to Christian worship, by appropriate religious exercises, on the 7 January, 1798. This respectable edifice is supposed to stand near the spot where the first meeting-house was erect- ed. Its situation is pleasant and delightful, and commands an extensive and beautiful prospect. Here has the church flourished under the auspices of learned and pious pastors, and here have successive generations repaired to offer the incense of devotion, and pay their weekly adorations to the Parent of all Gocd.
In 1807, died Deacon Joshua Abbot, at the age of 84, having enjoyed the confidence of his fellow townsmen through a long series of years. His voluntary contributions for public uses, entitle his memory to a liberal share of re- spect. In his last will and testament, he devised a sum to purchase a town clock, which was received in 1808, and made a bequest of $1400,t of which the interest is to be
which he was present, he returned to his native town, where he was chosen delegate to a Convention at Concord, and one of the Committee of Safety for 1779 and 1780. In the insurrection of 1786, he assisted in forming a compa- ny, and was one of the Justices, deputed to receive the oath of allegiance from the insurgents. The inhabitants of Billerica and the adjacent towns, paid par. ticular respect to his memory, an account of which, may be seen in the Boston Repertory of August 10, 1804. The successors of Edward Farmer, Esq. are, 1795 and 6, Jonathan Bowers, Esq ; 1797, not represented ; 1798, Jonathan Bowers, Esq. ; 1799, Major Oliver Crosby ; 1802, Jonathan Bowers, Esq .; 1803, James Abbot, Esq .; 1804, Major Oliver Crosby ; 1805, Col. John Par- ke: ; 1806, Joseph Locke, Esq .; 1809, Joseph Locke, Esq. and Capt. Dudley Walker ; 18:0, Josiah Crosby, Esq. who is the present representative.
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.