USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Historical sketch of the town of Weymouth, Massachusetts, from 1622-1884 > Part 4
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For many years the records are mainly taken up with domestic matters, regulations for cattle, running boun- dary lines with other and adjacent towns and between different estates, locating and improving the highways, and managing the town commons, which was a matter of no small moment in those days. The sexton's duties were prescribed and looked after, and all parish matters, neither few nor small, were transacted by the town in public meeting, since the town and precinct were one.
As early as 1667 there was found a necessity to en- large the capacity of the meeting-house, the seating showing a gradual increase in population. At the same time there was an increased call upon the town clerk in the matter of recording grants, and for copying, so large as to demand compensation, which was voted at the rate of one shilling for grants, six pence for a copy, and three shillings four pence for recording the assess- ors' rates.2
In 1668, Lieut. Holbrook was appointed with full powers to answer the "presentment" of the General Court in relation to the highways.
1 Town Records.
2 Town Records.
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SKETCH OF WEYMOUTH.
At the March meeting, 1669-70, a committee was chosen to procure a "new town book," upon which all of the affairs of the town should be correctly kept, and it is not at all unlikely that the oldest book of records now in possession of the town is the identical book pur- chased at this time, since in it are references to older books not now to be found.1
1 Town Records.
1408244
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SKETCH OF WEYMOUTHI.
CHAPTER II.
King Philip War - Company of Horse - Town Affairs - Sir Edmund Andros - Military Company - Canadian Expedition - Local Mat- ters -Town Boundaries-New Precinct - Dr. White -Town Regu- lations - Parsonage Property -Pigwacket Indians - Town Commons - Throat Distemper - French and Indian Wars - French Neutrals -Dr. Tufts - Highways - South Precinct.
KING PHILIP WAR. - During the period from 1651 to 1675 the town had been steadily growing in population and wealth, and laying the foundations of future prosperity, unconscious of the dark days before it. The people were upon, the shore of the bay, far removed from danger of savage beasts or men; but trouble was gathering, and the ill-feeling between the white settlers and the Indians on the southern borders had risen to that point that it needed but an event of small importance in itself to bring about an outburst of hostilities. Such an event happened in the mur- der of a white man by an Indian, and the execution of the offender. This was an opportunity too favorable to be resisted by the young braves, and the attack upon Swanzey, June 24, 1675, was the result.
Upon this practical declaration of war, sides were at once taken, the savages eagerly thirsting to obtain their long accumulation of revenge, while the colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay joined hands for mutual aid and defence. Troops were quickly mus- tered and took the field in hope of a speedy crushing of their terrible foe.
But they reckoned without their host. Philip of Pokanoket was no ordinary opponent, and the events of
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the following two years were such a record of horror as the settlements had never before seen and were never afterwards to know. All through the State, from Mas- sachusetts Bay to the Connecticut River, the Indians spread with the utmost rapidity, carrying terror and dismay into every household. They seemed to be ubi- .quitous, appearing in places widely distant at the same time, and only to burn and kill.
The history of this deplorable war is too well known to be repeated. More than a dozen towns were de- stroyed and half a million of money expended, while it is estimated that more than six hundred young men were slain or died in the service, or one in twenty of the producing citizens, and one family in every twenty was burned out. Contributions came in from various sources. Connecticut, which had escaped the ravages of the war, sent a thousand bushels of corn, and other places were equally prompt with their sorely needed aid. Even across the ocean friends appeared, and Ire- land sent forward a generous gift.
It will be sufficient to say that Weymouth was not the least among the sufferers. At the very beginning of hostilities (Feb. 12, 1675) an attack was made upon the town, and several houses burnt.1 At the call of the State the men of Weymouth responded heartily to defend their homes from the ravages of the destroyer, and in the return made by Capt. William Torrey, on behalf of the Committee of Militia of Wey- mouth, Dec. 1, 1675, appear the names of twelve volunteers, and nearly all of those names were of her known and honored citizens.2 In March following,
1 See N. E. Gen. Register, Vol. VII. p. 143.
2 Among the papers preserved in the archives at the State House, Bos- ton, is found the following (Vol. LXVIII. p. 77): " Dec. 1, 1675. These are to certify the honorable counsell that in observance of a warrant to me directed from the honorable Major, we have called together the soldiers
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the town was again attacked by a band of Indians who were on their way to Plymouth Colony, and seven houses and barns were burned;1 while in February pre- ceding several men had been killed in the town.2 So many men had been drawn away from the place for frontier service, that not enough remained for their own defence, and the exigency was so great that on the 26th of March, 1676, a petition was presented to the gov- ernor and council, signed by the same William Torrey, and on the same behalf, urging the recall of the men then on the frontier for the protection of their own homes. Then follow the names of these, ten in all, none of them belonging to the preceding list. These, too, were all young men of character and promise.3
last listed, and divided your arms and ammunition, and hope they will appear complete when they are called out upon service. We have also viewed the clothing, and have taken order for the supply of such as did desire it, but the most did refuse to be provided for, choosing rather to provide it themselves. The names of those that are provided for this service are as follows: Hezekiah King, Jonas Humphrey, Joseph Richards, · Allen Dugland, John Whitmarsh, Zachariah Gurney, John Reed, John Fford, John Lovill, Sen., William Mellis, John Burrell, Edward Kingman. William Torrey, in the name and by the order of the Committee of Militia for Weymouth."
New England Memorial, Nathaniel Morton, p. 437.
2 N. E. Gen. Register, Vol. VII. p. 343.
8 " To the honorable Governor and Counsel assembled at Boston:
" The humble request of the Committee of the Militia of Weymouth.
" Humbly showeth. that for as much as the numbers of men are far less than those of Hingham and no greater than those of Brantry and whereas we understand that both Hingham and Braintry have all, or very near all their men set at liberty from the country service to attend the defence of their towns and furthermore considering that our town by reason of the disadvantageous situation of it is more hardly defended than either of theirs, they being more plane and compact, therefore our hum- ble request to your Honors, is, that we having ten able men upon the country service at those Towns upon Connecticut river, may have them set at liberty and sent home by your Honors' order, because of the great want of men for our defense, especially at this time when we are in daily expectation of the enemy. The confidence and assurance which we have of your great care for our defence, both embolden us unto this request, which if you shall see meet in your pleasure to grant, it will be a great
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April 19, 1676, Sergt. Thomas Pratt was killed at Weymouth. And again the petition comes up from the distressed settlement, upon a demand for six more men by the State, representing in the most vivid colors the dangers of their position and the absolute necessity that the men should remain at home and defend their own firesides, " who when we are most are but a small company, and we have ten men out already and have the enemy appearing daily at our very doors, four killed already, all in danger wheresoever we go; in expecta- tion every day and hour of being assaulted, stand continu- ally upon our guard, whereby planting is obstructed and all things turning into confusion and destruction "; and in a postscript the writer, Capt. William Torrey, adds: " Just at this instant saw appearing of fire and smoke about the Town, whereby we certainly know that the enemy is very near us." 1
encouragement to us, but if otherwise. we shall humbly acquiese in your pleasure concerning it and pray as in duty we are bound ever.
" MARCH 28, 1676.
" William Torrey in the name of the Committee of the Militia of Way- mouth."
The names of the men are Joshua Phillips, John Arnold, John Record, Benjamin Pool, John Luddon, Abram Shaw, Robert Corbet, Isaac Cake- bread, Jeremiah Clothier, John Ashdown. Massachusetts Archives, Vol. LXVIII. p. 179 (State House).
1 " To the much honored Governor and Council now in Boston. The humble petition of the Committee of Militia for Waymouth.
" Humbly showeth, that your poor petitioners have this morning re- ceived a warrant from the honorable Major for the impressing of six able men fitted for service both with arms, ammunition, and provision, which we shall endeavor to do, and are in the execution of said warrant, but we most humbly beseech your honors to consider of our present distressed and distracted condition, who when we are most, are but a small com- pany, and we have ten men out already, and have the enemy appearing daily at our very doors, four killed by the enemy, already, all in danger wheresoever we go, unlike to have any help from any other, in expecta- tion every day and hour, of being assaulted, stand continually upon our guard, whereby planting is obstructed, and all things turning into con- fusion and destruction, not knowing how to dispose of our cattle, which
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A still later letter from the same hand continues the story of trouble and alarm, and it was only upon the death of Philip and the annihilation of his forces that the terror quieted and the settlement calmed down into its wonted peace. How many men were furnished by this town for service in this war it is impossible now to de- termine, as the records are very imperfect, and it is only by incidental mention in contemporaneous writings that most of the facts now known have been preserved. The twenty-nine men whose names are preserved were but a part of those who were thus engaged; others are known to have " fought in the bloody war." On Oct. 12, 1676, an abatement was made by the General Court in favor of Weymouth on account of its losses by the enemy, and ten days later the taxes of those persons " slayne in the war" were levied on the whole town.1
Later on, March 23, 1678, there is the petition of John Lovel, of Weymouth, to be paid for service in this
were wont to go into the woods, now cannot ; they will starve us, or we shall starve them, and this is a little of our deplorable condition.
" Wherefore our humble petition and request to your Honors, is, that if you cannot afford ns any help, for the preservation of our lives, which now are in danger (and which is the only thing we have care of), that you will please to pity us, and so far to lend an ear to our humble re- quest, as that our men now impressed, may be discharged and returned to us again, and we hope we shall respectfully acknowledge it, as a great favor and still remain your honors' humble servants.
" Wm. Torrey, in the name of, and by the order of the Committee of Militia for Weymouth.
"Just at this instant saw appearing of fire and smoke about the Town, whereby we certainly know that the enemy'is very near us."- Mass. Archives, Vol. LXVIII. p. 233 (State House).
" Besides thesc twenty-two men already enumerated in Mr. Torrey's let- ters there were William Read, James Stuart, John Hollis, Thomas Bay- lcy, Samuel White, Richard Adams, and Jacob Nash, and probably others.
"On the 24th May, 1676, Weymouth was assessed £254 13s. 4d., to Bos- ton's &£3,000. On the following June, Weymouth is credited by paying assignments, and is afterwards assessed for sundry accounts £37 2s. 6d." - G. M. Bodge, of Dorchester.
1 Records of the General Court, Vol. V. p. 124; and in Massachu- setts Archives, Vol. LXIX. p. 177 (State House).
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war; and Oct. 7, Richard Russ, also of Weymouth, a wounded soldier, was allowed forty shillings for his cure.1 A night-watch was also kept up in the town as late as the summer of that year, showing that the alarm had not wholly subsided.2
COMPANY OF HORSE. - In 1679, in the fall, a com- pany of horse was formed, which continued its organi- zation for a number of years; and a year later, by order of the General Court, the soldiers of Weymouth, with those of the other towns in Suffolk County, were organized into a regiment, under the command of Major William Stoughton, thus anticipating any occa- sion that might arise which should call for troops.3
TOWN AFFAIRS. - Nov. 26, 1683, an important change in the manner of choosing the selectmen was effected by a vote of the following import, "that after this year the selectmen shall be chosen by 'papers,' as the law provides," and this is the first appearance of the ballot in Weymouth.
At a meeting held on the second Tuesday of March, 1685-6, the following curious record occurs: "Ca- leb Littlefield, living in the house formerly Thomas White's, warned to leave town, not being an inhabitant, or bring security to the selectmen." He still remained in town, and a request was made to the General Court to enter a caution upon its records, that he or his may not become chargeable to the town, should they come to want. Such was the care taken that no unnecessary burden should be thrown upon the people. In the fol-
1 Massachusetts Archives, Vol. LXIX. pp. 188, 189 (State House); General Court Records, Vol. V. p. 206.
2 Town Records.
8 Records of the General Court, Vol. V. p. 294 (State House).
4 Town Records.
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lowing autumn it was voted " that the selectmen should have their dinners at the town's charge when they meet for business." 1
On March 7, 1691-2, after various changes in the time of holding the annual meetings, the town returned to the former eustom of holding two each year, one on the "last Second day of November, and . the other on the first Second day of March," which all of the inhabitants who were voters should be obliged to attend, under a penalty of eighteen pence for each absence.2
SIR EDMUND ANDROS. - The advent of Sir Edmund Andros as governor of the colony, in December, 1686, was the beginning of a series of important events bear- ing upon its politieal fortunes. Hitherto the colonies had been permitted a large degree of freedom in the management of their local affairs, and the governor seldom interfered; now, everything was to give way to the will of the executive, whose power was nearly absolute. Learning and religion were given the go-by in lack of the usual supports. Town meetings were only allowed for the choice of town officers, not for deliberation on important matters. The vote by ballot was rejected. Personal liberty and the ancient customs were disregarded. None could leave the country with- out special permit. Probate fees were inereased to an alarming degree. Oaths were administered on the Bible, to which Puritans would never eonsent. The Episcopal service, never before established in the col- ony, must have its place, and a meeting-house in Boston was demanded for the purpose. Heavy taxes were levied, which were generally refused. Writs of habeas corpus were withheld, and the laws of England denied
1 Town Records.
2 Town Records.
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to the people of the colony. Men were tried, fined, and imprisoned for refusal, until even the clergy coun- selled resistance. The rights of property were denied, and old grants must be renewed at a high rate of fees, while grants under the charter were declared void by its forfeiture. Indian deeds were worthless.
Lands had been held under grants from the General Court to the towns and from the towns to individuals. These were now declared to be " not worth a rush." Possession and use were pleaded in vain by the answer, " You use and possess for the king." The common law and the Bible were brought forward in testimony only to be scorned. All commons and lands reserved for the poor were given to favorites. Everything must minister to the power and the purse of the gov- ernor and his associates, while all opposers were treated as rebels; but the unyielding spirit of the stern old Puritans could not be subdued. Ministers preached sedition and resistance, and once, at least, put by Thanksgiving day. Desperate measures were pro- posed and a petition to the king prepared, with which Increase Mather was already on his way to England when the rebellion of 1688 broke forever the power of James, and with him went his rulers in the colonies.
Weymouth was not indifferent to these great move- ments, and May 20, 1689, a meeting was held in rela- tion to a new government, at which it was voted, "in concurrence with the representatives," "that the gov- ernor, deputy, and assistants chosen in 1636, with the deputies then sent by the several towns, should be the settled government of the colony." In other words, the vote was to restore the old order of things.1
When Sir Edmund Andros made his escape from the castle, Capt. Samuel White, of Weymouth, received a
Town Records.
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warrant from Governor Bradstreet and his council to pursue and bring him back again, which he did with his troop of fifty-two men, for which, with other services, he claimed seventy pounds, but was allowed only twen- ty-two pounds eight pence.1
MILITARY COMPANY. - June 24, 1689, the follow- ing officers were confirmed for the Weymouth and Hingham troops: Capt. Ephraim Hunt, Lieut. Jacob Nash, Ensign Richard Phillips.2 Capt. William Tor- rey had declined the command on account of the infirm- ities of age. This seems to have been a reorganiza- tion of the former company raised several years pre- vious, and which had been in service during the interval.
CANADIAN EXPEDITION. - In the Canadian expedi- tion of 1690, Weymouth was represented by Capt. Ephraim Hunt and others. For his services in this campaign, Capt. Hunt received from the General Court a grant of the territory now Ashfield.3
1 Massachusetts Archives, Vol. LXX. pp. 225, 226 (State House); General Court Records, Vol. VI. p. 372.
2 Massachusetts Archives, Vol. CVII. pp. 44, 149, 150, 172 (State House).
3 The following document was found among the papers of Capt. Ephraim Hunt: -
" Sam" Bedlam, Yeo. & Ebenezer Hunt, Gentle both of Weymouth, and Richard Faxon, Gentle, of Braintree.
" Whereas the Proprictor of No. 7 in a certain township (usually called Huntstown) granted by the General Court to the officers & Soldiers vnd" ye command of Capt. Ephraim Hunt (of Weymouth in ye Canada Expedi- tion in 1690) is delinquent in paying the lawful dues upon said land, and whereas the Propriet"s at a meeting held in Braintree April 4, 1743, chose the above named to collect all such dues; therefore said Bedlam Hunt & Faxon by virtue of their authority for £20.5. sell to Micah Hunt of Wey- mouth the above named } of Land No. 7 of the house Lots in the 1st Division of sd township.
" Dec. 25, 1744. Signed in presence of Joseph Melton, William Badlam acknowledged before Benja Dyer, J. P., Oct. 30, 1745."
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LOCAL MATTERS. - Nov. 27, 1693, the selectmen were ordered to " prepare and present to the Justices' Court in Boston, the laws and orders which concern the prudential affairs of the town"; and March 7, 1697-8, John Torrey, "to encourage his trade, shall have twelve poles of land next his father's, out of the town's commons, for a tan-yard, as long as he shall use it for that purpose." 1
In 1703, the town seems to have come under the dis- pleasure of the government for dereliction of military duty, his Excellency intimating to the council, Aug. 19, that Col. Hunt was in default in the levy of soldiers ordered from his regiment, none appearing from Weymouth and Hingham, and Col. Hobby was despatched with ten men of the troop of guards, with orders to make a draft of twenty men out of each of the said towns.2
TOWN BOUNDARIES. - From the earliest times, the boundaries between Weymouth and Abington on the south, and Braintree on the west, seem to have been in a very unsatisfactory condition. Committees were frequently appointed by Weymouth to run the lines with a committee of Braintree, but in nearly all cases the latter town refused to act; thus the matter remained unsettled, which was a source of much irritation and annoyance, until Weymouth appears to have lost patience, and ordered its selectmen, June 13, 1712, to prosecute the selectmen of Braintree for refusing to run the town line as the law provides, voting to stand by them in the business. Whether or not the matter ever came into court is uncertain, but it is quite true that down to the present time the line has never been satisfactorily determined.3
1 Town Records.
2 Records of the Council, Vol. III. p. 474 (State House) ..
3 Town Records.
1
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NEW PRECINCT. - In 1722 an important matter came up which threatened to seriously disturb the friendly relations that the two sections of the town held toward each other. With the increase of population, the settled portions of the town gradually extended until they covered more or less densely its entire terri- tory, verging in the north and south towards villages. The length of the town and its narrowness contributed to form it into distinct sections, with separate inter- ests and associations, and this naturally engendered a feeling of conflict, if not of hostility, when any ques- tions came up on which there could be a territorial dif- ference of opinion.
These opportunities often occurred, particularly in school and parish affairs. The former could more easily be adjusted, as schools could be supplied at mod- erate expense for all portions; but with regard to church and parish, the matter was more difficult to manage, since the church was already established, with its meeting-house located in the north part of the town, and a second church with its necessary expense would involve a burden too heavy for the abilities of the town to sustain. Yet the distance, some five or more miles for a large portion of the inhabitants, and the constantly occurring occasions of disagreement, finally brought the matter to a crisis, the south portion of the town coming to the determination to have its own church and meeting-house either by a new precinct or by a new town.
Accordingly, a petition signed by about forty of the inhabitants of the south part of the town was presented to the General Court, setting forth the difficulties of their position, and praying to be set off as a distinct town or precinct. The north part being in the majority, and disliking to be disturbed in its old-time arrange- ment, determined to oppose the movement and prevent,
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if possible, its consummation. A town meeting was called and a committee chosen to oppose the petition to the General Court. Attempts were made to accommo- date the difficulty by a proposed removal of the meet- ing-house to a more central locality, all of which failed. Notwithstanding the efforts of the town, as represented by its majority, the General Court, in the spring of 1723, recognizing the reasonableness of the request, granted it, and the South Precinct was organized with a territory covering more than half of the area of the town. But this did not heal the breach, as subsequent events proved, for there were yet continual sources of trouble and difficulty arising from the parsonage prop- erty which was in possession of the North Precinct, and which its people refused to relinquish.1
FISHERIES. - In the early days of the town no insig- nificant portion of the food supply came from the fish taken within or near its borders; and of these, the most dependence was placed upon the herring, or alewives, which were in the habit of running into the ponds that feed Back River, to spawn. For many years the sup- ply was doubtless sufficient for all, and there was little need of restriction or care lest that supply should fail. It was, therefore, unnecessary that the town should con- cern itself about the matter. But as the population increased, and the multiplying of mills upon the stream threatened to prevent the fish from ascending to the ponds, it was found necessary that the town should take some control of the matter and provide that proper care should be taken to preserve this important source of food.2
As early as 1648 mention is made of the " herringe broge," giving evidence that this fishery dates back to
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