USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Billerica > History of Billerica, Massachusetts, with a Genealogical register > Part 11
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8 Grants, II, 167.
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Crosby, upon bare Hill, and to make a Return of their Judgment concerning it." Their report is wanting, but we may conjecture that it favored the easier route, around the northerly slope of the hill, where the road has long been. The road north of Fox Hill, leading east from Long Street at Abot's bridge to the Davis place, was in early use, and doubtless continued as far as the Andover Road; but no description is found in the Records.
West of Concord River, the larger part of the land remained "common," until the great distribution soon after 1700, and the roads before that date were few and only incidentally appear in the Records. The earliest was, no doubt, the "treble-cove" road, beginning at the Fordway and running southwest on the line, substantially, of the present highway east of Gilson's Hill and northwest of Winning's Pond, and so towards Concord. It derived its name from the "treble-cove," a locality often named in the Records, and situated near the Carlisle line. This road is often called the "road to John Hill's," who doubtless lived near it.
The "rangeway" road, as its name indicates, followed the dividing line between the first and second ranges of lots in the great land division of 1708. The first range, bounding on Chelmsford line, was about half a mile in width, and the road still follows the line thus indicated.
A bridge over Concord River was an early necessity. The first bridge was at the Fordway, a half-mile above North Billerica. The date of its erection is not certain, but is probably indicated by the action of the General Court, 1657, May 15, when the importance to the country of bridges at Billerica and Mistick was affirmed, and assessment of expense, for building and maintaining them. upon adjoining towns and plantations was provided for. The bridge was in use in 1659, as William Haile's grant, which was near by and made in that year, mentions " ye great bridge." The "great comon field," which was divided in 1659 among the proprietors, is also described as lying on the east side of Concord River, below the great bridge.
This early bridge was, of course, rude and primitive and soon needed repairs. "25 : 7: 60. Ralph Hill jun' and James Kider are apoynted to join with Chelmsford in the repayring of ye bridge Leading to Chelmsford ; and they are to doe what work they, with the comitee of Chelmsford, shall judge meet to be done, and to Leuie the charges acording to the General Cort's order; and they
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have power given them to call in for helpe acordinge as they shall se meet, from time to time, till the work be done, provided they be such persons as are behinde in high way work, to the Number of 6 days of them that hath done ye moste." "1662, 4, 9," it was agreed that Thomas Foster should "goe to the great bridge" and "br Hill Senr, if James Kider could not go." John Parker was also requested "to goe to the work, if his ocations would give way," and a note was sent to Chelmsford "for their comittee to meet at the work."
In 1664, complaint was made to the Court at Charlestown of "great defect in Chelmsford Bridge," and the selectmen of the two towns were enjoined to take order for the repair thereof forthwith ;" and, November 29, the "Townsmen did choose Will' HIamlett to join with a man from Chelmsford to repayr the great Bridge."
In making these repairs, in 1662, Billerica furnished five hands and Chelmsford four, " a day in the water," charging 28. 6d. per day. Besides, there is a charge for two quarts of liquor, 4s., showing that one day's work would pay for a quart of liquor and a quarter. In 1665, the whole charge for previous repairs was "7p. 108. 6P.," of which Billerica paid "4P. 18. 6P." and Chelmsford "3P. 95." Groton does not seem to have been called upon at this time, but for the charge in 1665, Groton paid its proportion. "21p. 2sh. 2P." were raised on the county rate, Chelmsford paying "10P. 38.," Billerica, " 7P. 88: 4P.," and Groton, "3P. 148. 7P." It was to be expected, that a partnership like this would not long work smoothly ; and the following record will surprise no one.
"12 1m 1665. Whereas, the selectmen of Chelmsford (by writing vnder ther hands) have declared (to the selectmen of Billerica) their absolute refusall any longer to assist in maintenance of the great Bridge vpon Billerica riuer, as also giving Notice to them to repair the same acording to law. Hence the selectmen of Billerica (for ye preventing of dangers and hazards by travellers) do order that some of the plankes of that bridge be taken away, that so there may be no passing over it; and some provision made on each side the breach to give warning of the danger to any traveller." Whether any compromise of the difficulty was made, or the bridge continued impassable for two years, the Records do not tell us ; but a higher power interposed ; and, 1667, October 9, the General Court takes
9 Records. Vol. I (Reverse) p. 87.
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action as follows : "In answer to a motion made by the deputyes of Billerica & Chelmsford, in reference to the bridge over Billerica River, it is ordered by this Court * that the sajd bridge shall be repayred & vpholden by the tounes of Billerica, Chelmsford, & Groaten, and all such farmes as are there granted," and these towns were to be free from the maintenance of all other bridges, "except in their own bounds." 10
In execution of this order the County Court at Charlestown, 1667, December 17, "did nominate and empower Mr. John Webb, alias Evered, Mr. Thomas Hinksman, Mr. James Parker & Jonathan Danforth, to agree with some able and honest artificer for erecting a bridge over Billerica River, as speedily as might be."
This committee employed Job Lane to build the bridge, and the contract made with him is preserved.11 It was made, 1667, January 11, and the work was to be completed before the 29th of September following. The size of timbers and form of structure are minutely specified. The arches were to be sixteen feet wide, and the flooring of oak plank four inches thick. He was to receive in payment, "seven score and five pounds starling": ten in cash, ten in wheat, ten in malt, and the remainder in corn and cattle, not exceeding one-half in cattle, which must be under seven years old. If the parties could not agree. they were to be appraised by two men properly chosen, and the corne was to be good and merchantable at such rates as the country rate set. One half was to be paid at or before the first of May, and the balance within the next year. Payments were to be delivered at Capt. Adams's mill in Chelmsford, or in Billerica town. If Mr. Lane chose, Chelmsford or Groton payments might be delivered near the bridge until it was finished, and after that in Billerica.
Mr. Lane was distinguished as an "artificer." He paid for his large farm by the erection of a mansion for Fitz John Winthrop, at Norwich, Connecticut, and he built one of the College buildings at Cambridge.
In 1676, there was again complaint of the bridge, and united action of the towns in repairing it. After that, the bridge is hardly
10 Colonial Records. Vol. IV, Part ii, p. 356.
11 Among the valuable MSS. Lane Papers, now in the possession of Mrs. A. B. Cutler, of Bedford, a descendant. Mr. William H. Whitmore, of Boston, has given an account and abstract of these Lane Papers in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Vol. XI, pp. 102 and 231.
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mentioned until twenty years later, when it was carried away by a flood, a disaster which ended the existence of the Fordway bridge, after an existence of forty years. This, no doubt, happened shortly before the date of the following action. Clerk Joseph Tompson, without date, says ; "Received an order from Chelmsford, dated about the first of December, 1698, desiring of our selectmen, or Town, to send a person or persons empowered to join with them and Groton and Dunstable about the new building of a bridge over Concord riuer." The selectmen appointed Captain Danforth and Mr. Tompson to attend this meeting, on December 6, but, "Capt. Danforth, being presented with the selectmen's order, wholly refused. Joseph Tompson went alone." He met there Major Jonathan Tyng, for Dunstable ; [Thomas?] Williams and James Blanchard, for Groton ; and Major Thomas Hinchman, Solomon Keyes, Sen., and Cornet Nath : Hill. The result of the deliberations of this committee must have been, although our Records leave us to infer the fact, that the new bridge should be built farther up the river, at the "corner," where it has since stood. Groton, for some unexplained reason, refused to participate, and resort was again found necessary to the General Court, to bring this intractable town to terms. An act was passed, 1699, March 20, authorizing the Court of Sessions to assess and collect of Groton, "24P. 10sh.," and to pay it to "Major Hinksman, Major Ting, & Mr. John Lane, undertakers for the building of the bridge lately erected in Bilrica." There were good reasons why Billerica desired to change the location. With but one bridge over the Concord, it was important that it should be nearer the centre of the town, and not make so long a circuit necessary to reach the west part of it. In fact, it was for Billerica a question of removal, or the maintenance of two bridges ; while to the towns above the difference was trifling. This view prevailed, and the most important bridge in town found a location which has been so far permanent. How long the other towns were called upon to aid in its maintenance, I can not say, nor how many times it has been rebuilt. In 1737, the bridge fell down and was rebuilt after some discussion as to the location. In 1873, the old wooden bridge gave place to a handsome and light iron structure.
The ghost of the Fordway bridge did not, however, rest with perfect quiet. Ninety years later, in 1789, a subscription was made and committee appointed to build a bridge at the old place. The
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record of that committee is preserved.12 The first meeting was appointed by people in Chelmsford Neck, now Lowell and vicinity, and held, 1789, January 23, at the house of Isaac Sprake. Others were held at Jonathan Manning's and Esquire Barron's, and Aaron Chamberlin was moderator and William Manning clerk. A com- mittee was sent to Concord and Sudbury, who reported that "there was not much danger of opposition from those towns on account of flowing their meadows." It was found that the subscriptions amounted to £59, 10s., and the subscribers "voted to Go on and Build"; and a committee of nine was appointed to collect the subscriptions and carry on the work. March 3d appeared the selectmen of Billerica and sundry others, "and forbid our going on to build on perill of paying all Dammage that should arise therefrom to said Town." In April, a committee was sent to Woburn, doubtless to see if aid could be had there. They brought back unfavorable report, and, May 19, the meeting adjourned without day.
The Centre bridge was built in 1737. The vote for its erection was passed, 1736, November 16, and in 1738 the building committee received £95 from the treasurer, which was perhaps its entire cost. It was built "against the bridle way, betwixt Mr. Enoch Kidder and Oliver Whiting, Jun's. lotts."
Hill's bridge first appears in the following record, 1736, July 22 : "Whereas, a number of Persons in the neighboring Towns have Petitioned the General Sessions in Middx. for a highway from Westford meeting-house cross Concord River over Lt. JJoseph Hill's bridge to Lexington," a committee of five was chosen "to manage that affaire in the behalfe of the Town." Lieutenant Hill probably lived on the west side of Concord River near this bridge, which he may have built for his own convenience and that of the neighborhood. It would seem that the Court approved the petition, for, 1737, May 16, the town instructed the committee "to manage the affaire in Defense of the Town"; to proceed either by appeal from the Sessions, or by laying the matter before the General Court, or both. The town was soon called upon to pay £59, 10s., which implies that the case was decided in favor of the petitioners.
The Hill bridge contributes no other noticeable facts to the history, except an episode, which greatly stirred the town at the
12 Loaned to me by Miss Lucinda Manning, of Chelmsford. See MANNING, 11.
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time and lingers in the memory of the older inhabitants still. After the opening of the Middlesex turnpike, the Hill bridge and road crossing it fell into disuse and decay; and at last the bridge, falling, was for some time not rebuilt. But a demand arose for the rebuilding of the bridge and a straightening of the road leading to it, which had been somewhat devious. A route more direct and less hilly than the turnpike was sought, in this improvement, from Chelmsford and towns above to Lexington. Mrs. Joseph Foster gave the right of way through her land for some distance on the west side of the river, and others set about the work and built one of the abutments. But the majority of the people did not relish the proposed diversion of travel and business to a line so far from the centre of the town. When other means of opposition failed, some of the citizens, and, tradition affirms, some of the most respectable, determined to take the case into their own hands and proceeded to destroy the offensive abutment. The mob, for such it seems to have been, and perhaps the only mob known in the town, did its work thoroughly. Suits followed and were decided against the town, which was compelled to build the bridge and road and has since maintained it.
CHAPTER VII.
THE INDIANS AND WAMESIT.
THE Shawshin territory was a favorite resort of the red men. The Pawtucket tribe occupied the vicinity of the mouth of the Concord River, on both sides of it, as their headquarters. From this place they went forth ; to this they returned ; here they planted their corn. Wamesit, or Weymesit, was originally the name of the eastern angle, between the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, around Fort Hill and the modern "Belvidere" of Lowell. Here many, if not the majority, of the Indians lived, giving ancient Billerica a large Indian population, though the town never probably exercised civil jurisdiction over them. This Indian settlement confronted the fathers of Billerica as they looked northward. Their road down the Concord River was the road to Wamesit.
This Indian reservation, specifically granted by the General Court, was surveyed and described by Danforth in 1664, April, as follows :1
There is laid out unto the Indians, who are the inhabitants of Waymesick, fiue hundred acres of land on the east side of Concord Riner and joyning to the sajd riuer & to Merremack Riuer; it runnes upon Concord Riuer about one mile & three quarters, which reacheth to Bacon Brooke, & bounded by the sajd brooke on the south fower score poole; it runnes from the mouth of Concord Ryuer doune Merremacke Riuer two hundred & fifty poole, where it is bounded by a red oake marked; from thence it runnes according to the bound marke trees wth two angles, unto Bacon Brooke; all which doe more plainly appeare by plott of it under written. This fiue hundred acres is part of that three thousand wch was layd out to Mrs. Winthrop formerly, only in the returne of sajd three thousand there is mention made of one hundred acres allowed in that farme, in refference to land the Indians had improved wthin the bounds of it. This worke was done by the Comittee appointed to ye same by this Generall Court.
SYMON WILLARD.
JOHN PARKER. JONATHAN DANFORTH, Surveyor."
1 Colonial Records. Vol. IV, Part ii, p. 108.
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In place of this four hundred acres taken out of Mrs. Winthrop's farm, her heirs were granted six hundred acres elsewhere. The mouth of Bacon Brook. which bounded this Indian plantation south- erly, is a few rods south of the Salem Railroad bridge. The present boundary of Lowell on the cast of Concord River falls a little below the lines of the Indian survey. There is no evidence that these Pawtucket Indians were ever troublesome or unfriendly neighbors. In common with other tribes, their numbers had been greatly reduced by a desolating pestilence not long before the period of the English colonization ; and the wise and Christian missionary labors of Eliot and Gookin among them did not fail to bear important fruit. Had the Indian policy of the country been moulded in later years by the same spirit of benevolence and justice, the nation would have been saved much disaster, expense, and reproach.
John Eliot, pastor of Roxbury, 1632-90, began to devote himself to labors among the Indians about the time that the Shawshin settlement became a practical question. Beginning at Nonantum, now Natick, the success of his efforts encouraged their extension, and he soon sought out these Wamesit Indians. Passaconaway, the aged sachem, became friendly, if not Christian, and, in 1660, in a farewell speech to his children and people, he "warned them to take heed how they quarrelled with their English neighbors, for though they might do them some damage, yet it would prove the means of their own destruction." His death did not follow immediately, for. in 1662, he asked and received from the General Court a grant of land "about Naticot, above Mr. Brenton's lands, where it is free, a mile & a halfe on either side Merremacke River in breadth & three miles on either side in length." "Mr. Brenton's lands," here men- tioned, were the early grant of eight thousand acres to Billerica, which the town had sold to that gentleman, and this grant to the sachem was beyond the Souhegan, near Manchester.
In 1670, Wannalancet had succeeded his father as sachem, inheriting his peaceful spirit also. He yieldled to Eliot's faithful persuasions and avowed himself a Christian, 1674, May 5. The account given by Captain Daniel Gookin, of Wamesit and its population and the conversion of this chief, is interesting and important as a contemporary narrative, and I give it entire. It was written in 1674. and the writer is himself the " English magistrate" mentioned.2
2 Massachusetts Historical Collections. First Series. Vol. I, p. 186.
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"Wamesit is the fifth praying town; and this place is situate upon Merrimak river, being a neck of land where Concord river falleth into Merrimak river. It is about twenty miles from Boston. north north west, and within five miles of Billerica, and as much from Chelmsford, so that it hath Concord river upon the West Northwest, and Merrimak river upon the north north east. It hath about fifteen families, and consequently, as we compute, about seventy-five souls. The quantity of land belonging to it is about twenty-five hundred acres. The land is fertile and yieldeth plenty of corn. It is excellently accommodated with a fishing place, and there is taken variety of fish in their seasons, as salmon, shads, lamprey eels. sturgeon, bass, and divers others. There is a great confluence of Indians that usually resort to this place in the fishing seasons. Of these strange Indians, divers are vitious and wicked men and women, which Satan makes use of to obstruct the prosperity of religion here. The ruler of this people is called Numphow. He is one of the blood of their chief sachems. Their teacher is called Samuel, son to the ruler. a young man of good parts, and can speak, read and write English and Indian competently. He is one of those that was bred up at school, at the charge of the Corporation, for the Indians. These Indians, if they were diligent and industrious. - to which they have been frequently excited, -might get much by their fish, espe- cially fresh salmon, which are of esteem and good price at Boston in the season; and the Indians being stored with horses of a low price, might furnish the market fully, being at so small a distance. And divers other sort of fish they might salt or pickle. as sturgeon and bass, which would be much to their profit. But notwithstanding divers arguments used to persuade them and some orders made to encourage them, yet their idleness and improvidence doth hitherto prevail.
"At this place once a year, at the beginning of May, the English magistrate keeps his court, accompanied with Mr. Eliot, the minister; who at this time takes his opportunity to preach, not only to the inhabitants. but to as many of the strange Indians that can be persuaded to hear him ; of which sort, usually, in time of peace, there are considerable numbers at that season. And this place being an ancient and capital seat of Indians, they come to fish; and this good man takes this opportunity to spread the net of the gospel to fish for their souls. Here it may not be impertinent to give you the relation following. May 5, 1674, according to our usual custom, Mr. Eliot and myself took our journey to Wamesit, or Pawtuckett ; and arriving there that evening, Mr. Eliot preached to as many of them as could be got together out of Matt. xxii, 1-14, the parable of the marriage of the king's son. We met at the wigwam of one called Wannalancet. about two miles from the town, near Pawtuckett falls. and bordering upon Merrimak river. This person, Wannalancet, is the eldest son of old Passa- conaway, the chiefest sachem of Pawtuckett. He is a sober and grave person and of years between fifty and sixty. He hath been always loving and friendly to the English. Many endeavors have been used several years to gain this sachem to embrace the Christian religion; but he hath stood off from time to time and not yielded up himself personally, though for four years past he hath been willing to hear the word of God preached and to
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keep the Sabbath. A great reason that hath kept him off. I conceive, hath been the indisposition and averseness of sundry of his chief men and rela- tions to pray to God; which he foresaw would desert him in case he turned Christian. But at this time, May 6, 1674. it pleased God so to influence and overcome his heart. that it being proposed to him to give his answer coneerning praying to God. after some deliberation and serious pause. he stood up and made a speech to this effect: Sirs, You have been pleased for four years last past, in your abundant love, to apply yourselves partie- ularly unto me and my people, to exhort, press. and persuade us to pray to God. I am very thankful to you for your pains. I must acknowledge, said he. I have all my days used to pass in an old canoe (alluding to his frequent custom to pass in a canoe upon the river) and now you exhort me to change and leave my old canoe, and embark in a new canoe, to which I have hitherto been unwilling; but now I yield up myself to your advice, and enter into a new canoe, and do engage to pray to God hereafter.
"This his professed subjection was well pleasing to all that were present, of which there were some English persons of quality, as Mr. Richard Daniel, a gentleman that lived in Billerica, about six miles off; and Lieut. Henchman, a neighbor at Chelmsford; besides brother Eliot and myself, with sundry others. English and Indians. Mr. Daniel, before named. desired brother Eliot to tell this sachem from him, that it maybe while he went in his old canoe, he passed in a quiet stream: But the end thereof was death and destruction to soul and body. But now he went into a new canoe, perhaps he would meet with storms and trials; but yet he should be encouraged to persevere, for the end of his voyage would be everlasting rest .. Moreover, he and his people were exhorted by brother Eliot and myself, to go on and sanctify the sabbath, to hear the Word, and use the means that God hath appointed, and encourage their hearts in the Lord their God. Since that time. I hear this sachem doth persevere, and is a constant and diligent hearer of God's Word, and sanctitieth the Sabbath, though he doth travel to Wamesit meeting every Sabbath, which is above two miles; and though sundry of his people have deserted him since he subjected to the gospel. yet he continues and persists.
"In this town they observe the same civil and religious orders as in other towns, and have a constable and other officers. This people of Wamesit suffered more in the late war with the Mohawks than any other praying town of Indians, for divers of their people were slain; others, wounded ; and some carried into captivity ; which providence hath much hindered the prosperous estate of this place."
The picture of this faithful magistrate and friend of the Indians, accompanied by his " brother" Eliot, on this annual visit to Wamesit, dispensing justice and the Gospel to the red men there, is full of interest ; and the conversion of Wannalancet might furnish a painter with an attractive subject. Its interest to Billerica would be increased by the presence in it of Mr. Daniel, our "English gentleman," who
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