USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Historical sketches of towns in Plymouth and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts > Part 8
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Historical sketches of towns in Plymouth and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts > Part 8
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This family have produced many distinguished charac- ters. They came originally from Barnstaple in Devonshire County, England. Amos Otis, Esq., of Yarmouthport is one of this family, and he has taken much pains to study the history of his native town, and the genealogies of the families that have dwelt there. Rev. Oakes Shaw, born in 1736, at Bridgewater, graduated H. C. in 1758, was or- dained here in 1760, and died in 1807. He was the father of the late Chief Justice Lemuel Shaw, L L. D.
The harbor of Barnstable on the north side of the Cape is good for vessels of light draught. Packets ply between
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BARNSTABLE.
this place and Boston, and steamers between here and the neighboring ports, as well as to Boston.
Hyannis is a flourishing village 4 miles south from the Court house, on the south shore of the Cape. It has a good harbor for all classes of vessels. There are other good harbors in the town, as at Oysterville, Centreville, Cotuit, &c. A branch of the Old Colony Railroad extends from Yarmouth, to Hyannisport.
Barnstable gentlemen who held the commissions of Gen- eral and field officers in the local militia of Barnstable County :
BRIGADIER GENERALS, Joseph Otis, Ebenezer Lothrop.
COLONELS, William Bassett, John Otis, James Otis, Joseph Otis, Ebenezer Lothrop, from July 12, 1796.
MAJORS, George Lewis, from July 1, 1781, Ebenezer Lothrop, from August 16, 1790, Nathaniel Jenkins, from May 20, 1806, Sylvanus B. Phinney, from July 27, 1830, to January 12, 1838.
The town of Barnstable furnished a part of Captain Michael Peirce's company in that bloody engagement with the Indians led by Comanchet March 26, 1676, and which, was fought on the bank of the river near the town of Paw- tucket, just within the limits of the State of Rhode Island. The names of those Barnstable men " who bravely fought and nobly fell" on that occasion, were Lieutenant Fuller, John Lewis, Samuel Linnet, Samuel Childs, and Samuel Bremen. Captain Michael Peirce was of Scituate. He was also slain.
An early writer speaking of this battle and the conduet of Captain Peirce's company, says "they fought until nearly every man fell, with a bravery like that at Therm- opylæ, and deserving as great success."
TOWN OFFICERS. - 1873-4.
Town Clerk and Treasurer -F. G. Kelley.
Selectmen, Assessors, Overseers of the Poor and Sur- veyors of Highways - Andrew Lovell, Samuel Snow, Levi L. Goodspeed.
School Committee - N. Hinckley, Chairman, O. N. Bearse, Nathan Edson, Zemira Kendrick, E. Scudder, F. G. Kelley, Samuel Snow, Daniel Scudder, Charles L. Bax- ter, Nelson G. Marchard, Horace Nickerson, M. H. Whel-
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HISTORY OF TOWNS.
den, F. B. Goss, L. L. Goodspeed, Joseph R. Hall, A. S. Crosby, Asa F. Bearse, George W. Doane.
Collector - James, Cornish.
Constables - William F. Jones, Thomas Harris, Chas. H. Denison, John B. Lovell, A. S. Crosby.
CHURCHES.
Congregational Church, Hyannis - Rev. E. Turner, Pastor.
Universalist Church, Hyannis - Rev. Rufus S. Pope, Pastor.
Baptist Church, Barnstable - Rev. Nathan Chapman, Pastor.
Methodist Episcopal Church, Barnstable - Rev. D. D. Cheney, Pastor.
Unitarian Church, Barnstable - Rev. Henry F. Edes, Pastor.
MASONIC. Orient Chapter of R. A. M., Hyannis- George J. Miller. H. P. ; Theophilus Bassett, K .; Oliver Hallett, S. ; Rufus Pope, C. II. ; John B. Baxter, P. S .; John W. Chapman, R. A. C. ; Albert Perry, M. 3rd V. ; William Childs, M. 2nd V, ; Alexander G. Cash, M. 1st V .; Alvin S. Hallett, Treas. ; Charles H. Nye, Sec. ; C. C. Crocker, Tyler. ; meetings Tuesday on or before Full Moon.
Fraternal A. F. and A. M. Lodge.
Charles W. Hinckley, W. M. ; Alexander G. Cash, S. W. ; Samuel M. Robinson, J. W. ; Zenas Marston, Treas. ; Oliver C. Hoxie, Secy. ; Joseph Lewis, S. D. ; Sturgis C. Baxter, J. D. ; Wendell L Ilinckley, S. S. ; Henry C. Lombard, J. S. ; Charles C. Crocker, Marshall ; R. S. Pope, Chaplain ; Heman I. Coleman, Tyler. Regular meetings first Monday in each month.
Mariners' Lodge, A. F. and A. M. of Cotuit Port.
John B. Baxter, W. M. ; Thomas Chatfield, S. W. ; Asa F. Bearse, J. W. ; Andrew Lovell, Treas ; John M. Handy, Secy. ; Bennett W. Dotridge, S. D. ; William Childs, J. D .; Franklin Canımett, S. S .; U. M. Hutchins, J. S. ; Sylvanus Porter, Marshall ; Alonzo W. Phinney, Chap- lain ; M. W. Dotridge, Tyler. Regular meetings first Wednesday in each month.
Orient Chapter organized September 9th, 1856.
Fraternal Lodge organized June 8th, 1801.
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WELLFLEET.
Mariners' Lodge, organized March 10, 1870.
James Otis Lodge - Mects Friday evening of each week at Masonic Hall.
Dawn of Truth Lodge - No. 70, I. O. G. T.
Meets at Union Hall, Wednesday evening of each week. Edward Hallett, W. C. T. ; Joseph N. Parker, Secretary.
WELLFLEET.
This town lies between Eastham and Truro, extending across the Cape. It was a part of Eastham till 1763, and usually called by the Indian name of Pononakanet. In the old records, it is called Billingsgate.
The act of incorporation by its present name is dated May 25, 1763. The village is on the west shore. The people of this town are principally engaged in fisheries, and the coast trade. In 1776, this town voted " That if the Honorable Continental Congress shall think proper, for the safety of the good people of the United Colonies, to declare said colonies independent we, the inhabitants of the town of Wellfleet, will support them with our lives and fortunes."
Some of the most prominent names in this town's his- tory are Knowles, Doane, Paine, Covel, Holbrook, Ham- blen, Waterman, Newcomb, Whitman, Higgins, Smith, Greenough, Young, Cole, Rich, Atwood, Cobb, Lewis, Arey, Freeman, Dyer, Gross, Hatch, Witherell. The first minister was Josiah Oakes, the second Isaiah Lewis, from Hingham. Rev. Levi Whitman was the third, ordained in 1785, and his successor was Rev. Timothy Davis, or- dained in 1808, suceeeded by Rev. Stephen Bailey about 1831. The population in 1870, was 2,135.
Early in the war of the Revolution the commissioned officers of the " train band," in Wellfleet were required to resign their positions in the militia, and their places, thus vacated, were filled by the choice of Elisha Cobb, Captain, Zoeth Smith, First Lieutenant, and William Chipman, Second Lieutenant. Captain Cobb was soon after pro- moted to Colonel of the regiment.
Officers in the local militia of Barnstable County in Wellfleet.
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HISTORY OF TOWNS.
COLONELS. Willard Knowles, Elisha Cobb, Joseph Hol- brook 3d, from March 10, 1825.
MAJORS. Elisha Doane, Hezekiah Doane, John With- erell, from December 1, 1797, to April 15, 1815.
TOWN OFFICERS. - 1873-4.
Town Clerk, and Treasurer - James T. Atwood.
Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor - B. S. Young, N. C. Nickerson, William Stone.
School Committee -T. W. Stone, H. P. Harriman, Richard K. Freeman, George T. Wyer, Albert Holbrook, Sylvester Hinckley.
Constables - R. C. Sparrow, James Graham.
Collector - Isaiah Barker.
Trial Justice - George T. Wyer.
CHURCHES.
Congregational Church - No settled Pastor.
Methodist Episcopal Church - Rev. Charles McRead- ing, Pastor.
TRURO.
The earliest English settlement within the limits of Truro, was commenced in or about the year 1700, or more than one hundred and seventy years since.
The Indian name was Pamet, but the English called it Dangerfield ; and when incorporated as a town, it received the name of Truro.
The purchase of the Indians was made about 1697, and the incorporation effected in 1709.
Rev. John Avery was the first minister settled here and he was ordained in 1711, and practised medicine also, and became greatly beloved by the people. He died in 1754, and was succeeded in the ministry, by Rev. Caleb Upham, who went to his rest in 1786. Rev Jude Damon was the next minister.
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TRURO.
The grave of Rev. Mr. Avery is marked by a stone bearing the following inscription :
" Here lic the remains of ye Reverend Mr, John Avery, who departed this life ye 23d of April 1754, in the 69th year of his age, and 44th of his ministry, the first pastor ordained in this place."
" In this dark cavern, or this lonesome grave, Here lies the honest pious virtuous friend, Him kind Heaven to us as Priest and Doctor gave, As such he lived, as such, we mourn his end."
The cod and mackerel fiishery has long been carried on by the people of this town, 63 vessels at one time having been employed in the business. Salt is made here to some extent.
In the early days of this town the lands were exposed to depredation from strangers, who used to come and steal timber, grass, &c. The owners of lands here came mostly from Eastham. Those first mentioned in the town Records are Thomas Paine, Jonathan Bangs, Steven Snow, Caleb Hopkins, Ephraim Doane, John Savage, Israel Cole, Con- stant Freeman, and Benjamin Small.
Thomas Paine was chosen, in 1701, agent of the pro- prietors, to purchase lands of the Indians, and give them a fair price therefor. Samuel Treat was admitted to citzen- ship in 1705.
The town was called Dangerfield in 1705. Lands were often appropriated for the support of the minister, after Rev. Mr. Avery came in 1710. The Paines have nearly always held the office of Town Clerk of Truro. The pres- ent population is 1,265.
Truro was within the limits of the 3d Regiment, 3d Bri- gade 5th Division Massachusetts Militia, and John C. Knowles of this town was the last that held the office of Major of that Regiment.
Truro is 8 miles from Provincetown, and 42 from Barn- stable.
Upon one of the highest elevations in town, was erected a church edifice, that could be seen for a great distance from almost every direction. It was of a style that long since passed away Churches of this style longest remain- ing were to be seen in some parts of New Hampshire, that at Lee being almost identical with it in size and form.
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HISTORY OF TOWNS.
TOWN OFFICRS. - 1873-4.
Town Clerk, and Treasurer - Samnel C. Paine.
Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor --- Smith R. Hopkins, Thomas H. Kenney, Ephraim Rich.
School Committee - Barnabas Paine, Robert W. Laird, Betsy H. Holsberry.
Constable - Lot Harding.
CHURCHES.
Congregational Church - Rev. Edward W. Noble, Pas- tor.
Methodist Episcopal Church - Rev. Isaac Sherman, Pastor.
Methodist Episcopal Church - Rev. George S. Macom- ber, Pastor.
PROVINCETOWN.
The earliest pilgrim birth occurred here, being that of Peregrine White, son of William and Susanna White, on board the Mayflower, November, 1620 -
" When bleak and wild by old Cape Cod, Blew the fierce November gale, Alone the little vessel roamed With a lingering stranger's sail."
That primitive son of New England lived 83 years, dy- ing at Marshfield, July 20, 1704. This hook of land then called only " Cape Cod," claims the honor of being the arm that first shielded the pilgrims, and " the holy ground," where first they trod. Here, too, the 100 passengers of the Mayflower, while she lay in the beautiful harbor, made and signed "a mutual covenant for the better ordering and preservation of this new colony in the northern parts of Virginia." This town, originally connected with Truro, was made a district in 1714, in the constablerick of that town. It was incorporated, by the name of Provincetown in 1727.
The first record in the oldest town book, is the following :
" Ezekiel Cushing, son to the Reverend Mr. Jeremiah and Hannah Cushing, was born 28th of April, 1698."
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PROVINCETOWN.
The next record is that of his wife's birth December 1, 1703. The handwriting is that of Mr. Cushing. He calls himself " Town Clerk." This first writing is the plainest and best in the book, as is often the case in town Regis- ters.
The town clerks, that successively subscribed their names after Mr. Cushing, are Samuel Smith, 1730 to '68 ; Richard Perry, 1771, acting clerk, Samuel Atwood, 1773 to '94 ; Josiah Nickerson, 1802; Elisha Dyer, from March, 1835.
The position of the place has ever rendered it very ad- vantagcous to the commercial interests of the country ; but its exposed condition in time of war was a great hindrance to its permanent settlement. At the time of its incor- poration the inhabitants were by law exempted from tax- ation ; so it flourished for ten or twelve years. Then it began to dwindle, so that, in 1748, only two or three fam- ilies remained. In 1755, it contained about ten dwellings. In my visit here in 1847, I conversed with an intelligent old lady, Mrs. Susanna (Bates) Cook, widow of Solomon Cook, Jr., and daughter of Reuben Bates of Scituate and his wife Mary (Hayden) daughter of Joseph Hayden. Mrs. Cook was then over 90 years old. She remembered the Battle of Lexington and Concord ; and how the wo- men cried and wrung their hands at the news, and the men of Scituate melted up their mackerel leads to make bullets. She had lived in Provincetown 70 years, and was there on a visit three years, before she settled there. She said the place then had no wharf. A house, covered with cedar bark, stood where the Bank is. It belonged to Nathan Atwood. Besides this there was no dwelling from Jesse Cook's present house to Truro. In 1776, there were but 36 families. She used to spin and weave, and send her cloth to Bridgewater to be stamped for ladies dresses. Seventy years ago there was but one vessel sent from here to the grand Banks, that is, the Swallow, owned by Sam- uel Ryder. The rest of the fishers were boats,
·
The first minister was Mr. Spear, who moved away with the rest in 1748. The next minister was Rev. Samuel Parker, ordained in 1774. His salary was £45, and was for twelve years paid him by the Government. At a town meeting 4 March, 1800, it was voted to give Mr. Parker $300 for the year's salary. A church was built in 1763. Mrs. Cook said the first Methodist minister came here about
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HISTORY OF TOWNS.
64 years ago, by a vessel, and preached at the house of Mr. Samuel Ryder, the same in which William Cook dwelt in 1847.
The first settled Methodist minister, Rev.Alexander Mc- Lane from Ludlow, came 48 years ago. He was popular and won over many who had previously been bitter op- ponents to join his church. Some of them had, a few years before, helped to destroy the frame of the first Methodist meeting house. The early Methodists here were compelled to pay Church rates for the support of Rev. Mr. Parker, al so much persecuted, that many of them removed to Maine. Samuel Ryder, Richard Ryder, Ebenezer Ryder, John Kinney, William Reade, Simeon Bates, Jesse Kilbourne, David Kilbourne, Solomon Collins, and Henry Atwood, all settled on the Penobscot river ; and Charles Atkins, with his wife (Ruth Kilbourne) and his son Charles with his wife (Rebacca Nickerson), settled at Mount . Vernon, in Kennebec County.
About 1811, the Methodists had increased so as to out- number the Orthodox, and so they voted themselves the old church edifice, and authorized Mr. McLane to preach therein, instead of Mr. Parker. The Sexton was a Meth- odist and he locked out the Orthodox party. Mr. Parker soon after died, and his heirs kept the Church Records.
However, Rev. Nathaniel Stone was engaged by the Orthodox Society in 1817, to preach at a salary of $500. The pastor in 1847, was Rev. Mr Myrick, and his flock was the smallest in town. The Union meeting house is sometimes occupied by the Univeralists. Their first min- ister was J. B. Dods. The Methodists are numerous and prominent. The town has grown fast in late years. I saw Mr. Jonathan Nickerson, who was Collector in 1812; and it is a fact worth recording, that he paid more tax in 1847, than the whole town paid in 1812.
Cranberries are raised here, and there are some good gardens. Muck from bogs is brought and mixed with the sand, making fertile garden plats.
There are several packets and steamers constantly com- ing and going. On the 15th day of July, 1873, the Old Colony Railroad was opened to this town, connecting it with Boston, which is 116 miles distant by land, and 50 miles by water.
Whale fishing and Codfishing have ever been the main resources of wealth to this people. The harbor is one of
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the finest in the world. Many of the old families here came originally from the upper Cape towns.
Excellent well water is obtained by digging deep, through the sand. The climate is not so cold in winter as inland, and the summers are cool. It is very conducive to lon- gevity. The color of the people is darker than inland, owing probably to the effect of more wind and less shade.
Population in 1855, 3,096, in 1870, 3,864.
TOWN OFFICRS. - 1873-4.
Town Clerk and Treasurer - Seth Smith, Jr.
Selectmen and Assessors - Silas S. Young, Artemas Paine, John Swift.
Overseers of the Poor - David Smith, Artemas Payne, Silas S. Young.
Collector - Henry W. Cowing.
Superintendent of Schools - B. F. Hutchinson.
School Committee - John M. Crocker, Horace A. Free- man, Mrs. H. A. Hutchinson, Mrs. Harriet Mitchell, Mercy M. Hopkins.
Chief Engineer Fire Department - John D. Hilliard.
Constables -J. Cook, John M. Carnes, E. J. Kill- bourn, R. D. Baxter.
CHURCHES.
Methodist Centenary Church - Rev. W. M. K. Bray, Pastor.
Methodist Church - Rev. J. H. James, Pastor.
Universnlist Church - Bev. S. L. Beal, Pastor.
Congregational Church - Rev. G. S. Blanchard, Pastor, Catholic Church - Rev. C. O'Connor, Pastor.
Fairbanks Lodge No. 12, I. O. G. T. - Josiah A. Small, W. C. T. ; Sarah Burt, W. V. T .; James A. Small, W. Sec.
Masonic -Joseph Warren Chapter. R. A. M.
Joseph P. Johnson, M. E. H. P .; Loring Young, E. K .; J. E. Rich, E. S. ; J. E. Bowley, Treas. ; H. S. Freeman, Secy. ; John W. Atwood, P. S .; J. S. Atwood, R. A. C .; J. F. Tobey, M. 3rd V. ; W. H. H. Weston, M. 2nd V. A. Smith, M. 1st V .; D. Ryder, Tyler.
King Hiram Lodge-E. P. Cook, W. M .; J. M. Crooker, S. W. ; A. P. Hannum, J. W .; A. L. Putnum,
.
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HISTORY OF TOWNS
Treas. ; R. W. Swift, Secy .; M. N. Gifford, S. D .; J. W. Whitcomb, J. D .; David Stull, S. S. ; H. A. Freeman, J. S .; M. Rogers, Tyler.
Marine Lodge, No. 96, I. O. of O. F. - Solomon D. Nickerson, N. G. ; James A. Small, V. T. ; Isaiah A. Small, Sec. ; A. T, Smith, Treasurer.
MARSHPEE.
Rev. Richard Bourne of Sandwich, the Indians' friend, procured this tract of country as a reservation for the na- tives. He first obtained a deed of it from Quachatisset and others, for the benefit of the Marshpee, or South Sea, Indians. His deed was so drawn that no part of the lands could be transferred to any white person, without the con- sent of all the Indians, and this deed was ratified by the Government at Plymouth. He afterwards formed a church among the Indians in 1670, and after his death in 1685, Simon Popmonet, one of the Indians succeeded as preacher at Marshpee, and continued there 40 years, when he was succeeded by Joseph Bourne, grandson of Richard.
The next minister was a native called Solomon Bryant, in 1742. Rev. Gideon Hawley was installed in 1758. The place was incorporated in 1834, as the " District of Marsh- pee." The inhabitants choose their own officers, and man- age their own affairs, with the aid of a commissioner ap- pointed by the State. It contains about 22 square miles, south of Sandwich, west of Barnstable, north of Vineyard Sound, and east of Falmouth.
TOWN OFFICERS. - 1873-4.
Town Clerk - George R. Coombs.
Selectmen - Darius Coombs, Walter R. Mingo, Silas Pells.
Treasurer - Virgil B. Collins.
School Committee - Walter R. Mingo, Watson Ham- mond, Silas Pells.
Overseers of the Poor and Surveyors of Highways-
Darius Coombs, Walter R. Mingo, Silas Pells.
Constables - Jacob Pocknett, Elijah W. Pocknett.
Collector - Darius Coombs.
CHURCHES.
Baptist Church - Rev. S. A. Blake, Pastor.
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CHATHAM.
CHATHAM.
Monomoyick, or Monomoy, was the Indian name of the locaity now called Chatham.
Mr. William Nickerson, under date of April 10, 1665, bought of the Indian Sachem John Quason, a tract of land near Potanumaquet, bounded east by the Great Harbor, south by a line which extends west by south into the woods from Weequaset to a pine tree marked on fonr sides, and north by a line extending to the further head of a pond to a place called Porchommock.
June 19th, 1672, Mattaquason and John Quason, Sachems of Monomoyick, for and in consideration of one shallop, ten coats of trucking cloth, six kettles, twelve axes, twelve hoes, twelve knives, forty shillings in wampum, a hat, and twelve shillings in money, sold to William Nickerson a tract of land and meadows at Monomoyick on the west side of Muddy Cove and extending southerly to Matcha- poxet Pond, thence by a creek to the sea, and extending easterly to Oyster Pond. March 20, 1678, and August 16, 1682, Nickerson bought more lands of the Indians. Mr. N.'s title to these lands was disputed, and he was obliged to compromise with others, who claimed under Colonial grants.
June 11, 1712, was the date of incorporation as a town by the name of Chatham.
Ministers of the gospel in Chatham : Rev. Jonathan Vickery commenced his labors in, or about, 1699, and was succeeded by Rev. Gershom Hall in 1703. Rev. John Latimer in 1707. Rev. Joseph Lord in 1719. Rev. M. Roby in 1783. Rev. Ephraim Briggs in 1796. Rev. Stet- son Raymond in 1817.
Mr. Raymond was a native of Middleborough, Mass., and graduated at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, in 1814. He was ordained in Chatham, April 9, 1817, and here continued in the pastorate of the Cong. church until June 24, 1829, when he removed to Assonet Village in Freetown, Mass., and became the pastor of the Congregational Church in that town, where he proved a very acceptable minister, and continued to dispense the word of God to that people until 1835, a period of about six years, when he removed to Bridgewater, Mass.
Mr. Raymond was a very worthy man and an excellent citizen, acquiring, as he deserved, that good name more to
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HISTORY OF TOWNS.
be desired than gold or silver, and his memory in that town still continues to be blest.
Mr. Raymond was succeeded at Chatham by Rev. Mr. Scovel who continued one year, Rev. Mr. Fletcher, and Rev. Mr. Stone, both for brief periods, and in 1834, by Rev. Isaac Briggs, and then by Rev. John A. Vinton.
The present population of Chatham is about 2,500.
Concerning one of the carly wars in which the country was engaged, we find the following pertaining to this town, it being the copy of an order from the Governor of the (then Province, now) State of Mass. and directed to Col- onel Otis, the commander of all the militia of the County of Barnstable, that were, then embodied as one regiment.
" Boston, January 26, 1711-12.
Upon application made to me setting forth the danger that the Village of Monamoy is in of the French privateers, and the weakness of the inhabitants to defend themselves, being so few, I do hereby decree, order and direct that no men of the foot company of the place be taken by impress for any service other than their own Village aforesaid, without my especial orders under my hand for so doing.". " This to continue until further orders."
(Signed), " J. Dudley."
" To the Hon. Colonel Otis, Barnstable,"
This was Colonel John Otis, who was born in 1657, and was a representative to the Colonial Court 20 years, Colonel of Barnstable county militia 18 years, Judge of the Pro- bate court 13 years, Chief Justice of the court of Com- mom Pleas, and a member of His Majesty's Council, 21 years. He died September 23, 1727.
His son Colonel James Otis, born in 1702, was also Col- onel of the Barnstable county militia. Joseph Otis born March 6, 1726, was Major, then Colonel, and then Briga- dier General of Barnstable County militia in the days of the war for independence. General Joseph Otis was a son of Colonel James, and grandson of Colonel John Otis.
Brigadier General Joseph Otis was a younger brother of the distinguished orator and patriot, James Otis Jr., who was born Feb. 5, 1725, and graduated at Harvard College in 1743, and also of Mercy Otis " the historian." She was born September 14, 1728, and became the wife of General James Warren of Plymouth ..
The militia of Barnstable County from about 1657 were
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CHATHAM.
a part of the Plymouth Colony regiment, one regiment then embracing all the militia of the colony, and thus con- tinned until 1685, when the colony was divided into three counties, and at the same time into three regiments, the militia of each county forming one. While a part of the colonial regiment their regimental commanders had been Josias Winslow of Marshfield, and William Bradford of Plymouth. The Barnstable regiment, while all the militia of the county remained in one, was successively commanded . by John Freeman, William Bassett, and John Otis.
As one regiment, it remained about 40 years, and was then divided into two, and subsequently into three. When made two regiments, Chatham fell within the limits of the second .*
In preparing for defence, the people of Chatham took " time by the forelock," and reorganized the militia January 12, 1775, when Lieutenant Benjamin Godfrey was promoted to Captain, Richard Sears chosen Lieutenant, and Joseph Crowell, Ensign. Captain Benjamin Godfrey commanded a company at the Bunker Hill battle, June 17, 1775. He was promoted to Colonel of the 2d Regiment in Barnsta- ble brigade, July 1, 1781, with Job Crocker of Eastham. as his Lieutenant Colonel, and William Gage Major.
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