History of Billerica, Massachusetts, with a Genealogical register, Part 20

Author: Hazen, Henry Allen, 1832-1900
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Boston, A. Williams and Co.
Number of Pages: 600


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Billerica > History of Billerica, Massachusetts, with a Genealogical register > Part 20


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* Now, for ye easing some persons amongst us and proprietors with us (tho not inhabitants at p'sent), who complain of their burthen in ye former way, The Town do agree that for the space of three years next ensuing, from ye first of May last past, we will lay two third parts of our publiek charges in the town, both civill & ecclisiastical, vpon persons & estates in the town acording to the valluation of ye country rate, and the other third part vpon ye alotments or first grants, acording to ye first foundation order, whither persons be


2 Grants, I, 171.


.


188


HISTORY OF BILLERICA.


resident or not; and that after these three years be expired, the major part of the inhabitants, agreeing, may alter this way, which being orderly done and entered in their town book, this agreement shall be nullified ; otherwise the town shall continue in this way." The names of Hamlet and Kemp are not signed to this order. In November, 1685, the town agreed, "that from this day forward all priviledges shall cease to pay Towne charges."


The Cambridge "rights" to land in Billerica were not yet all purchased, and money received by the town was occasionally appro- priated for this purpose. In 1672 a rate for the same object was levied equal to half the minister's rate. For the "encouragement" of those who paid this tax leave was given to take cedar for a thousand shingles for each ten shillings paid, while those who refused were to be "abated" so much in the next division of land. As a farther measure of relief from the burden of Cambridge claims the selectmen were ordered, "29, 10m, 1673," in case they have any encouragement, " to petition ye generall Court for a further grant of lands, to help us cleare those entanglements." This they did in May, 1674, asking for one thousand acres in the wilderness, but receiving a negative. The petition was repeated the next year and encouragement given, as they had liberty "to find out a parcel of waste land and present to the next session of ys Courte, who will be ready to accommodate them so farr as may be done." But the disturbances of " Phillips War" probably delayed the matter, and it was not until 1681, October, that Billerica appears again at Court, describing "two parcels, one on the Souhegan and another next Nathaniel Walker's farm, north-west of Groaten," as suiting their needs. The magistrates " consent," but " the deputies consent not," and the town failed to obtain the aid it sought." Forty years later, 1716, November 12, the town voted, that "a petition be preferred to the General Court for the land that was asked for in the year 1676."; but the Court was still deaf to their appeal.


A record is found, "27, 11, 72," like many of similar tenor afterwards : "Simon Crosbee is chosen to keep a house of public entertainment." The price of corn was fixed, in 1672, thus : "the towne do order, that ye prise of corne for ye rates to be paid at this year (the court not having set ye same) shall be paid at : indian corne three shillings p bushell, and other graine atare prise ye Court set it at last year ; only in case that afterward it shall appear that indian corne is not worth four pence p bushell more than it was


189


GLEANINGS FROM THE RECORDS.


ye last year, in ye market in generall, then every man shall be responsible to their severall rates four pence p bush : and have it added to each man his just proportion ye next year." .


The brothers Champney had returned, after a few years' residence here, to Cambridge, and serious differences had arisen with them about taxes, the arrears amounting to £8. These were adjusted in 1673, the town accepting an offer from Daniel Champney, who " did tender to resigne up all future claims of priviledg in reference to what was granted to his father by our towne upon ye resignation of his lot of three hundred and fifty acres, sealed in our great deed, and to give ye towne a full title to that fifty acre lot that was by Cambridg granted to Thomas Bridge, and to pay ye towne in hand twenty shillings by Simon Crosbee & so quitt scores."


The " swineyards" were important officers in the early life of the town, and in 1674 a full page of record is devoted to rules by which they were to be governed. Yokes, to be sufficient, must be "in length perpendicular, three inches below the bottom sole and six inches above the cratch or upper sole, and three inches wide outside on each side of ye crosse peices." And every swine was to be "ringed in the Nose, either with one sufficient ring in ye middle of ye nose or else with two rings within half an inch one of ye other." The penalty for neglect was to be sixpence each, one-half of which the officer had for his trouble, and if he could not find the owner the animal was to be impounded and the officer had the whole fine.


Items concerning the "diet" and care of "old Stephen Fisher" recur often from 1668 to 1682; and aid was occasionally given to others. "17, 9m, 76. John Durrant's family being in an afflicted condition, it is agreed that they shall have some relief from the town, & do desire & order Samuel Manning to see to their necessityes & relieve their extremities, so farr as he can obtain anything suitable of ye neighbours," and those contributing were to receive an allowance in the next town rate.


The first record of tithing-men appears : -


"8, 8m, 77. Acording to ye order of ye generall Court, The Towne was divided in severall parts and tithing men appointed acording to law.


"Joseph Walker tithing man & vnder his care are Michael Bacon Serj. foster Thomas Richardson


Thomas Osban Joseph foster


Thomas Ross


Timoth : Brooks Obedia perry and their families.


Joseph french


Widdow kitteridge


190


HISTORY OF BİLLERİĆÁ.


"George ffarley tithing man & vnder his care


Job. laine Jonathn Hill


Nath. Hill Samuel farley


Serj Hill Lt. Wm ffrench


Willm Chamberline


And their families.


"Serj Tompson tithing man & vnder his care


Corp1. marshall Jacob Hamlet


Nathaniel Tay


Jacob french


Corporall french


Willm Hamlet


Peter Bracket


James ffrost


& their families.


Simon Crosbee


"Richard Hassell tithing man & vnder his inspection


ye Revernd. Mr. Whiting John Baldwin goldin more


Thomas pattin Daniel Shed Senr John Shed


John Rogers Sent


Samuel ffrost


and their familyes.


Jonathn Danforth


widdow kidder


"Samuel Manning tithing man & vnder his inspection


James paterson


Samuel Trull John Durrant


John Sanders


Daniel Shed Junr John Dunkin


Thomas wilkinson


John Trull John Rogers JunT


John Bracket


Henery Jeiff's Thomas Dutton Senr


and their families."


These groups of families are by neighborhood ; the first southeast of the village, the second southwest, the third east of and partly in the centre, the fourth in the centre, and the last north. The omission of Carrier, Daniel, Farmer, and Toothaker is worthy of note. Mr. Daniel had probably returned to England, and Mr. Farmer was in Woburn. Another list is given in 1679 in which Simon Crosby takes the place of Joseph Tompson and John Sheldon that of Richard Hassell, as tithing-men, and the names appear of James Butler, Edward Farmer, Peter Fassitt. George Grimes, Daniel Mackginnis, David Meades, John Stearns. Roger Toothaker, and John Whitticur. In 1682 the last list is given. James Frost and Jacob French take the place of the two last-named tithing-men ; and new names are those of Thomas Carrier, Benjamin Muzzy, and John Wilson. Tithing-men are mentioned occasionally, but their appointment and lists of families are not recorded.


An important early custom was the annual summons to brush- cutting by the highways. In 1677 the record mentions the summons by squadrons, the work being in charge of Sergeant Hill, Sergeant Foster, Corporal French, Sergeant Tompson, Jonathan Danforth, and Samuel Manning. Some names appear in this, but not in the tithing-men's list of same date, as Thomas Carrier and "his man John Levistone," Edmund Chamberline. Simon Black, Daniel Bly,


191


GLEANINGS FROM THE RECORDŚ.


Isaac and Samuel Stearns. The east squadron was to work one day at home and " ye 2nd day vp at towne." And the condition of things "at towne" is more vividly suggested by the fact that Danforth's men were to do their work "between his house and ye meeting house."


The "oath of fidelity" was administered as follows :-


"1666, April 23. before Capt Gookin


Peter Bracket.


Caleb Farley.


Henery Pellington.


John Bracket. John Rogers, Jun.


Jonathn Hill.


Thomas Patten. John Dunkin.


Peter Scott.


Roger Toothaker.


Hopestill Foster.


John Smith.


Daniel Shed, Junr.


Joseph Foster.


Samuel Kemp.


Aaron Jaquish. John Chamberlin.


John Poulter.


"4, 12m. 77. before their cheife officer


Jonathn Danforth Junt Samuel Stearns


Edward Tuder


James Kidder


Isaac Stearns


Joseph Walker


John Kidder


Thomas Rogers


John Durrant


Ephraim Kidder


Nathaniel Rogers


Isaac Fox


John Jeiff's Daniel Rogers


Timothy Brooks Junr


Thomas Wilkinson


John Shed


Nathaniel Tay


Thomas Dutton


Zachary Shed


John Sanders


John Dutton


Samuel Shed


Jacob Hamlet


Thomas Carrier


Samuel Farley


Isaac Chamberline


William Chamberline, jr


Edmond Chamberline


“8. 7m, 1681.


Mr Samuel Whiting Jun Samuel Manning Junr


Simon Crosbee Junr John Hinds


John Whittaker Junr Thomas Care


"18, 3m, 1685. before Jonath Danforth Sent


Mr. Oliver Whiting


John Manning


Nathaniel Stearns


George Browne


Caleb Farley Jun


Steven Kidder


John Baldwin Hugh Didson James Kittredge


Thomas ffrost


Nathaniel Patten Jacob French Jun


Thomas Crosbee


Nathan Shed


Thomas Ross


Joseph Ellice


Peter Frederick Subloon Samuel Danforth"


The following explains itself : -


"19, 1, 167% we received an order from ye selectmen of Cambridg to run ye bounds between us, on ye 29 day instant. The selectmen sent their order back again, and underwrit the same as followeth :


"'Gentm, if this your order had come to our hand one day sooner, our . towne might have had ye cognizance of it & have impowered us to have acted in it. All that we can say at present is this : That this time six years your selves sent to us to come down to you, to come to an agreement about


John Levistone John Lane


Enoch Kidder Abraham Chamberline


192


HISTORY OF BILLERICA.


it. We attended your order, and made two Journeys to you about it. We offered to chuse a committee of indifferent men to determine it (which was acording to our artickles of agreement), but you refused to act, for want of power from your towne. Wee have heard nothing from you since that time, tho we have expected it; for us to send to meet at ye line acording to your order is but loss of time, vntill we come to an agreement what to do and where to run. We are yet ready to wait upon you for an agreement about it, as soon as you please ; in ye mean time we remain your


Humble servnts.


JONATHAN DANFORTH, JOSEPH TOMPSON. SAMUEL MANNING.


Selectm. of Billerica.


"'Dated 20, 1m, 77-78.


"'Pray let us know your mind by a line or two from your selves.'"


The place which Harvard College had in the hearts and plans of the Colony is shown in a record, "20, 10m, 1678. Simon Crosbee was appointed to collect wt was yet behind to ye colledg contribution & to transmit it to ye colledg ouer seers, acording to ye order of ye gen1. Court." A letter, 3 dated "14, 8, 1678," illustrates the subject more fully : -


"Mr. laine : This day Mr. Whiting and the Selectmen made choice of yourself to returne an answr to ye Honrd generall Court, vpon ye 18th day of this instant, (which is acording to their order,) in reference to our contribution to ye colledge; and our Answer which we desire your self to returne is this : Wee have bin very diligent to gather what is at present to be had, and sent it into Mr. Manning, of Cambridg, acording to ye court order; and there yet remaines about six pound, 8 shill, 10 p; ye most of it we hope we shall get as soon as corne is marchantable; we have faire promises for it; but some psons that did contribute with us are gone to England and left no order for ye payment of it, therefore we question whither we shall ever get it; for those that yet are in this country (tho removed out of our towne), we shall do our utmost indeauor to gather ye same spedily as maybee; not further to add but or Humble service psented to ye'Hond Court, we take leave, earnestly praying for ye Lord's presence & blessing to bee with you in all yor weighty affairs.


"In ye name and by ye order of ye Reverend [Mr.] Samuel Whiting & ye rest of ye selectmen.


"JONATHAN DANFORTH."


It cost these plain farmers of Billerica something in their poverty to raise such a sum for the College. But they understood its impor- tance to them and their children, and cheerfully taxed themselves to do their part.


3 Loaned by George M. Elliott, of Lowell.


193


GLEANINGS FROM THE RECORDS.


In 1679 the government called upon the towns for a general statement of their condition. Billerica answered :-


"In observance of a warrant from ye Honrd Deputy Gount, bearing date the 30th, 10m, 1679, our answer is as followeth :


"As to a list of the number of males & rateable estate in our towne. wee have sent the list that was taken the last August, and returned from the commissioners meeting. As to the number of families, there is about fiuety that are able to bare vp publiek charges; there is more of the aged, that are Helpless, ye widdows & poor persons, that want releife, ten in number. which is all.


·· As to ye annual alowance to our reverend paster, our agreement is seventy pounds p anni, in Country pay. as for schools, we have no gramer schooles; ensigne Tompson is appointed to teach those to write & read that will come to him; also severall School Dames. As for tithing men, we haue fiue in number; their names are [as above], and all sworne to the faithful discharge of theire seruice acording to law. As for young psons and inmates, we know of none amongst us but are orderly. And Ensign Joseph Tompson is chosen to attend the Honourd Court. acording to said warrant."


The tax-list+ above mentioned exhibits the following names, polls, and amount of tax : -


No. polls.


Tax.


No. polls.


Tax.


Serj Hill


1 £0 7


6


Dan Mackginnis


1


£0 3 2


Nath Hill


-


3


0


Jam Paterson


-


3


0


Jonath Hill


2


6


Tho Pattin


1 5


0


Hen Jeiff's


6


0


Jno Rogers Sent


1 5 0


Michael Bacon


1


6


6


Jno Rogers Junr


1 4 6


Tim Brooks


4


6


Tho Rogers


1 2


0


James Butler


1


4


0


Tho Ross


1 5


0


Pet Bracket


1


3


0


Tho Richardson


1 5


0


John Bracket


1


3


0


Corp1 Shed


6


0


Simon Crosbee


Dan Shed Junr


1 4


0


Wm Chamberlain Sen 1


0


John Shed


1 2


0


Jno Chamberlain


1


1


8


Zack Shed


1 1


9


Wm Chamberlain jun


1


1


S


John Sanders


1 3


0


Tho: Carrier


9


0


John Sliildon


1


6


6


Mr. Daniel


0 10


Ens Tompson


1 4


0


Jonath Danforth


9 10


Nath Tay


1 4


0


Corp1 ffrench


3


0


Sam Trull


1 3


0


Jacob ffrench


1


5


4


James ffrost


1


3


()


Patrick ffacit


1


3


6


Serj ffoster


1


5


0


Sam ffrost


1


4


6


Georg ffarley Sam ffarley


1 4


6


James Kidder


7


4


3


0


Job Laine


13


0


Joseph Walker


5


0


Serjt Marshall


4


0


Tho Wilkinson


1 2 0


Sam1 Mañing


1


Sum total


£10 €


-


6


4 New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Vol. V, p. 173.


194


· HISTORY OF BILLERICA.


One other early list has by good chance been preserved, and for comparison here follows :- 5


·· Billerica.


" list of ye Number of Males and Rateable estate, taken by Lieft Tomp- son, Commssnr. & their Selectmen. ye 24 of August, 1688.


Henry Aldin, 1 pson & estate 01 11 S


john Kitterage, 1 pson & est 03 06


Michael Bacon, 3 pson & est 12 04 john Lane, 1 pson & estate 13 02


john Baldwin, 2 pson & est 07 07 john Levistone, 1 pson & est 04 00


jonath Baldwin, 1 pson & est 02 00


Peter Bracket, 1 pson & est 04 08


Sam1 Manning, Sen, 2 p & est 07 10 Sam1 Manning, Jun, 1 p & est 02 08 john Marshall, 2 pson & est 09 01


Simon Crosbe, 2 pson & est 11 09


Simon Crosbe Jun, 1 pson 01 08


Tho Crosbe, 1 pson 01 08


Willm Chamberlin, 1 pson 01 08


Edmund Chamberlin, 1 pson &


COW 01 11


Capt Danforth, 3 pson & est 12 01 jonath Danforth, Jun, 1 p & est 04 07


john Dunkin his estate 03 01


Tho Dutton, Sen, 1 p & est 03 01


Tho Dutton, Jun, his estate 04 06


john Dutton, 2 pson & estate 04 00


Joseph Ellice, 1 pson & est 03 06


john french his estate 02 10


jacob french, 3 pson & estate 12 00


Patrick Fassit, 2 pson & est 08 05


Stephe Farr, 1 pson & estate 3 02


Sam" frost, 2 pson & estate 7 03 james frost, 3 pson & estate 09 02


joseph foster, 1 pson & estate 06 03 Georg farlee, 1 pson & estate 06 04 Sam farlee his estate 02 05


Zach Shead, 1 pson & estate 03 02 Sam1 Shead, 1 pson & estate 02 02 john Sandern, 1 pson & estate 04 07 john Sheldin 2 pson & estate 08 04 Isack Starns, 1 pson & estate 04 04 Tho Starns, 1 pson & estate 02 11 Leift Tompson, 3 pson & est 09 05 Nath1 Tay, 1 pson & estate . 03 06 john Trull, 2 pson & estate 06 05 Sam1 Trull, 1 pson & estate 03 03


Edwd farmar, 2 pson & estate 08 11


joseph Walker, 1 pson & est john Wilson, 1 pson & estate 07 01 james Kitterage, 1 pson & est 02 03 Roburt Sharp, 1 pson & estate 03 01 Obe johnson, 1 pson & estate 02 03 john More, 1 pson 01 08


05 09


Left Hill, 3 pson & estate 12 04


Nath Hill, 4 pson & estate 13 00


Jonath Hill, 3 pson & estate 0 02


Georg Grimes, 1 pson & est 04 05 Abra Gorton, 1 pson & estate 03 01 Heny jeffeson, 2 psons & est 06 06


james Kidder, 1 pson & estate 03 05


Eaph Kidder, 1 pson & estate 02 07


John Parker, 1 p & one cow 01 11


Steph Kidder, 1 pson & estate 02 00


. Georg Smith, 1 pson & cow 01 11 Hugh Ditson, 1 pson 01 08


Enoch Kidder, 1 pson & est 02 07 Sum totall £19 11 05


8 d


james pattison, 2 pson & est 07 03 Benj Parker, I pson & estate 03 02 Tho Pattin, 4 pson & estate 13 09 Nath Page, 2 pson 08 09


Widdow Rogers, 1 pson & est 03 10 john Rogers, 2 pson & estate 08 00 Dani Rogers, 1 pson & estate 02 02 Nath Rogers, 1 pson & estate 03 06 Tho Richison, 1 pson & estate 07 06 Daniel Shead, 1 pson & estate 05 01 john Shead, 1 pson & estate 03 09


5 New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Vol. XXXI, p. 303.


195


GLEANINGS FROM THE RECORDS.


These lists afford interesting information and comparisons. The first includes forty-seven names and forty-five polls ; the later, seventy-three names and one hundred and three polls, marking the comparatively rapid progress of nine years. In 1679 it surprises us to find that, next to Mr. Lane and Captain Danforth, Thomas Carrier has the highest list. At that time Mr. Lane is the only person who pays more than half-a-pound; in 1688 Mr. Patten is highest, and there are eight who pay more than half-a-pound. The absence from the list, in 1679, of the names of Baldwin, Kittredge, and Stearns is observable, while that of 1688 adds, among others, Ditson, Dunkin, Dutton, Farmer, Grimes, Page, and Wilson.


In May, 1680, the selectmen order. the constable to "forbare sitting ye watch at ye present, and vntill there appeared more danger."


In November, 1680, Samuel Manning was granted six acres of swamp, on condition of his building "a good and sufficient Damm or Damms, to drowne that swamp commonly called the mill swamp." He was to raise the water "one foot higher than at present," and " to keep the said swamp vnder water two years together from the time of the first finishing of the same, and to maintain the wholl worke of damms, slewces, and water courses, for the space of seven years from ye first finishing, as aforesaid ; and to keep the same vnder water all the winter seasons," and to leave all in good repair at the end. This Mill Swamp was on Content Brook toward the outlet of Long Pond.


Another side of the life of those days is seen in the record, "16, 1, 1681," when James Speen, Indian, received £8 for four wolves' heads, brought to Constable Sheldon.


. The following curious record occurs : "8, 11m, 82. The select- men at the same time did order, that whereas Edmond Chamberlain, by order of ye County Court, * was ordered to submitt himselfe to ye gouerment of ye select of this towne, they do order him, ye said Edmond Chamberlain, to live with his master, Joseph Walker, for ye space of six moneths next ensuing, after the manner of a Journeyman, to attend family orders and gouerment therein acording to law. Also, not to make any bargain with any man without his master's approbation ; and at the end of six moneths, as aforesaid, to declare to the selectmen where he intends to reside and what courses of life he intends to lead, and his said master engageth to have a speciall inspection unto his sª seruant in ye interim, and to


-


196


HISTORY OF BILLERICA.


inform ye selectmen in case he cannot keep him to good order and diligence." We may hope that Chamberlain profited by such care.


In 1684 a measurement of Captain Gookin's farm proved that it contained one hundred and fifty acres more than the grant, which was five hundred acres. It was then owned by Robert Thompson, Esq., and the town sold him the excess on payment in his behalf, by William Stoughton, Esq., of £23 in silver. "18, 10m, 1684. Lt. Tompson laid out in money at Boston eighteen shillings. GP. for Roger Toothakar's family, for which hee bought 4 pair of shoes, one pound whalebone, 1 yard farrindine for caps, and one blue Apron."


In 1686, "Simon Crosbee, who formerly hath kept a house of publick entertainment, doth now refuse to hold it any longer, & Nathaniel Tay being desirous to take it up is alowed, by authority" of the selectmen, to do so. But Mr. Crosby did not long refuse to entertain the public, and in 1688 the selectmen at their meetings had " victuals and Drink" of him. His license as innkeeper is preserved at Cambridge, and he was commonly the early landlord of the town. The charges for which he received pay are now amusing and remind us of Falstaff's "intolerable deal of sack," including such items as "cydar 14P, liquour 2p"; "four suppers 16P, drink 8p"; "2 potts of cydar"; "a pot of rosted cyder"; "half a pint of rhum," and many like these. In January, 1692-3, a meeting was held with the County Commissioners, Major Thomas Henchman and Mr. Mather Johnson, for the inspection of the list. One day they had "eight diñers, besides our drink, 00-04-00." Another day : "we had drink before dinner, a pynt of rum, 00 - 01 ; a pot of cyder and jill of Rhum, 00-00-05, and six pots of cider, 00-01-00; and a dinner for eight persons, 8 pence per man, 00-05-04; and eight pots of cider, 00- 01 - 02." The list made up at this meeting included 111 oxen, valued at £2 per ox; 220 cows, valued £1, 10s., per cow ; 77 horses, at 40s. per horse, and 280 sheep, at £4 per score. The number of polls, besides the superannuated, was 92. assessed 108. each ; and " cituations & stock" were assessed "21, 05, 02."


This was the period of the witchcraft troubles and trials, to which, however, the Billerica Records make no allusion. The aid given to Toothaker's family betrays his neglect of them while engaged in the Salem fooleries ; and the deaths of Mrs. Rebecca Chamberline and John Durrent, "in ye prison at Cambridge," in September and October, 1692, suggest the inference of Mr. Farmer, that the charge on which they were imprisoned was probably witch-


197


GLEANINGS FROM THE RECORDS.


craft. A Billerica woman, whose later residence had been Andover, Mrs. Martha Carrier, became one of the most notable of the sufferers, being executed at the same time with the Rev. George Burroughs. Her bearing at the trial is distinguished by courage and good sense, and must challenge the admiration of those who examine the dreary literature of this terrible delusion. Her own child of eight testified, that her mother made her "touch the book; it was in Andrew Fuller's pasture, Elizabeth Johnson was there * her Aunt Toothaker and cousin, when she was baptized"; and Roger Toothaker bore swift witness in language too filthy for quotation. 6 That good men could trust such testimony, and rest such action upon it, is an unexplained marvel of human credulity.


The following official document belongs to this period : - 7


" To ye Constable of Billerica. Greeting :


" Wee command you to warn & give notice unto Capt. Danforth, John Rogers, [and others], that they and every one of them be and personally appear at, ye Court of Oyer & Terminer, to be held by adjournment at Salem, on Tuesday next, at Ten of ye Clock in ye morning, there to testify ye truth. to the best of their knowledge, on certain Indictments to be exhibited against Martha Carrier, of Andover. And hereof they nor you are to fail at your utmost peril; making return hereof vnder your hand. Dated in Salem, July 30, 1692, & in ye fourth year of our Reign. . .. STEPHEN SEWALL, CIK."


James Paterson was the constable, and endorses this return : " According to this warrant I have showed it to Capt. Danforth, and his answer is, that he can say nothing in ye case that is worth mentioning. I have warned John Rogers & he saith he will attend, if his garrison may [be] guarded in his absence. Billerica, August 1st, 92." Mr. Rogers had been near neighbor to Mrs. Carrier, who lived on the road to Wamesit, at North Billerica, but he does not seem to have been anxious to testify against her, and did not; and it is a pleasure to find that, unlike so many others, Mr. Danforth could "say nothing" in this case. This sad record is revived in 1710, when Mr. Carrier appealed to the authorities for payment of expenses he had incurred. At the demand of the sheriff he paid fifty shillings, and prison fees to the keeper, for his wife and four children, £4, 16s. His "humble request8 is that the Attainder may




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