USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Chatham > History of Chatham, Massachusetts : formerly the Constablewick or Village of Monomoit ; with maps and illustrations and numerous genealogical notes > Part 9
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EARLIEST YEARS.
faction of the same, the Court doe allow unto them five pound ; and although they are well satisfyed that of right it belonges to each towne in this goverment to releive theire owne poor, gett forasmuch as the village of Mannamorett is in its infancye and therfore not soe able soe to doe as others, the Court doth therfore award the said naighborhood of Mannamoiett to pay unto the said Hedgis the sume of three pounds of the said five pound, in good currant coun- try pay, att prise currant, upon his demand, or in some short time after, and the remaining forty shillings to be payed by the Treasurer" [of the Colony. ]32 In the following March the village was relieved from paying even the three pounds, but was ordered to prepare a suitable place for the child and remove her thereto.
In 1680 Joseph Nickerson was elected grandjuryman from the new constablewick and the same year it was required to raise and pay into the Colony 2 pounds of the 160 pounds levied to meet Colony expenses that year. In 1681 William Nickerson was grandjuryman and JJohn Savage constable. Monomoit had to raise this year 2 pounds 10 shillings towards a total levy of 245 pounds for Colony purposes. At the JJuly Court this year it was ordered that " Mannamoyett and Middleberry, each of them, doe make choise of a fitt man to exercise theire men in armes, and to see theire men well provided with fixed armes and ammunition for theire respective places and to present to the next Court for aprobation.""33
About this time the village lost by death two of its lead- ing members, both sons-in-law of William Nickerson, Sen. The exact year in which Nathaniel Covell died is not cer- tain, but it was not far from 1682, in which year Robert Eldredge, his brother-in-law, died.44 Both were in the prime of life, and left large families.
32. Plym. Col. Rec. VI, 54.
33. Plym, Col. Rec., VI, 67.
34. Plym. Col. Wills IV, Pt. 4, 45; Mr. Covell died before 1685.
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HISTORY OF CHATHAM.
Nicholas Eldredge was the grandjuryman of the village in 1682 and it was required to raise 2 pounds, 10 shillings toward the Colony tax. In 1683 Robert Nickerson and William Nickerson both appear as constables, according to the Colony records, but probably this is a mistake, one of them, doubtless, being the grandjuryman. The village was to raise this year 2 pounds 4 shillings. In 1684 no grand- juryman is mentioned. Joseph Nickerson was constable and the quota of the place was the same as the preceding year. In 1685 Hugh Stewart was grandjuryman and Mono- moit was to raise three pounds 12 shillings and 8 pence. From this date until the local records begin in 1693 it is impossible to tell who were the officers of the place, as the records respecting them, after the division of the Colony into counties in 1685, were kept only at Barnstable, where they were destroyed by fire in 1827.
Mr. Stewart, who is mentioned as grandjuryman in 1685, had settled at Monomoit two years previously, having removed from Yarmouth. He was a man of substance and influence and his children became prominent in local affairs. He bought the farm of Thomas Crow, who returned to Yarmouth, his former home. Probably about the time of Mr. Stewart's coming, two other families became residents at Monomoit. Caleb Lumbert from Barnstable, settled prob- ably in the Red River Neck, and William Griffith" from Satuckett (West Brewster) bought a farm north of the Oys- ter pond. The latter was an energetic citizen, but of a roving disposition. These additions were soon offset by removals of some of the earlier settlers. Before 1686 John Downing and Teagne Jones had sold out and removed, the former to that part of Eastham now Orleans, the latter to Yarmouth. Mr. Elisha Iledge of Yarmouth, who purchased of them, did not settle, but sold to Lieut. Nicholas Eldredge in 1686.
35. The name In the town records is written William Grefeth. This has been misread by some as Willlam Groseth, by others as Willlam Gross.
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EARLIEST YEARS.
Edward Cottle, also, disappears about this time and later appears as a resident of Martha's Vineyard. John Savage, also, sold out and removed to Pamet (Truro), being one of the earliest proprietors there. His farm was bought by Mr. Samuel Smith of Eastham, who placed William Cahoon in charge. Before 1690 every one of the first five families, who had purchased farms of William Nickerson, Sen. had removed to other parts. On the other hand, between 1686 and 1690, William Mitchell and probably George Godfrey, Edward Small and Nathaniel Tomlon became residents. Mr. Godfrey was from Eastham, and Mr. Tomlon from Yarmouth.ª
All these carly settlers were tillers of the soil. They settled for the most part near the shore for convenience in getting shellfish and other fish for family use, but they devoted their lives to agriculture. In connection with this, some of them utilized the early forests for the production of tar, in which there was at that time a lively traffic. The capture of whales in a small way was, also, pursued. There was a substantial whale boat owned in the village at an carly date, the citizens holding it in shares.
About this time a native of London, Capt. JJames Forster, entered upon some kind of an enterprise at Monomoit, the nature of which we can only conjecture. He acquired Quit- nesset, now Morris Island, but was taken ill and died before his plans were complete. His will, dated February 11, 1686, was proved in July, 1686. He gave Quitnesset Island to his sister Elizabeth Wopshot, "the daughter of Elizabeth Torlton Lately Living in JJacobs Street in Southworke near London," but in case of her death without issue, it was to
36. The facts stated in the foregoing paragraph are gleaned chletly from the follow- Ing sources: Settlement of estate of Samuel Smith (Barnstable Probate Rec. ) ; Deed from Ellsha Iledge to Nicholas Eldredge dated Mar. 22, 1685-6 (certified copy In M. L. Luce papers) ; Files Superior Court of Judicature No. 8,436; Tisbury Town Records; Deed from Thomas Crow to Hugh Stewart a ted Ang. 13, 1683, (certified copy In M. L. Luce papers) ; Deed from William Griffith to Thomas Howes dated April 8, 1703, (certified copy in M. L. Luce papers) .
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HISTORY OF CHATHAM.
go to his mother Elizabeth, wife of Mr. John Torlton. Dr. Fuller of Plymouth attended him and the watchers in his illness were remembered in his will. The number of his servants indicates that he was a gentleman of means and breeding. Capt. John Thacher and Elisha Hedge, both of Yarmouth, were his executors. One of his creditors was the "widdow Eldred," who was doubtless the widow of Robert Eldredge." Quitnesset Island later came into the possession of Morris Farris, who lived there many years, and from whom its present name is derived. 38
These were the times in which pirates infested the seas. The Plymouth Court records, under date of October 28, 1684, say : "William Nicarson and Samuell Bryant being bound over to the Court to answare for carrying of from the Iland of Nantuckett John Grayham, a pirate that was there under theire custody, they heer appeering * * were cleared," no sufficient evidence being produced against them.39 On August 22, 1689, the Brig Merrimack of Newbury, Capt. John Kent, master, was captured by pirates in Martha's Vineyard Sound."
with Highonfon Monomoit had now been set- tled over twenty-five years. It was still but little more than a Nickerson neighborhood. During this period the founder and leader of the place had been preserved to guide its destinies, but henceforth it was to go forward without his counsel. The exact date of his death is not known. There is no settlement of his estate,
37. Barnstable Prob. Rec., 1, 1
38. "Morres Farls of full age testifieth & salth that some time about two years last September Thomas Doan and James Eldridge came over to my house on quenttnosset Island where was Judah Paddock, and I heard much discourse about Paddock releasing sd Doan * * . . *1
Date of testimony, Inly J, 1722. Flles Superior Court of Judicature, No. 16,846.
39. Plym. Col. Rec., VI, 145.
40. Coffin's Hist. of Newbury.
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EARLIEST YEARS.
but recitals in ancient deeds show that he must have died between Angust 30, 1689, and September 8, 1690.41
Several years before this time he had arranged his affairs so that the management of his domain should pass into the hands of his daughter, Sarah Covell, and his son, William Nickerson, Jr. As early as February 1685-6, he had con- veyed to the former all his property of every name and nature, but afterwards had changed his plans, and by deed dated December 2, 1687, had joined with his daughter in conveying to William Nickerson, Jr., the tract of land called Monamesset Neck and one half interest in all his other lands, both purchased and unpurchased, save only his home farm, to which his daughter retained exclusive title. 4
41. These facts appear from deeds, Willlam Nickerson Sen. and Sarah Covell to William Nickerson Jr (note 43) and Sarah Covell to Hugh Stewart dated Sept. 8, 1690, (certified copy in M. L. Luce papers.)
42. "To all people to whom these presents shall come, that William Nickerson Senr of Manamoy In ye Government of New Plymouth In New England, In America, weaver, Sendeth Greeting * * know ye yt 1 ye said William Nlekerson for and In considera- tion of ye sum of a hundred pounds to me in hand pald by my danghter Sarah Covel of Manamoy In ye Government aforesd * * * * by these presents do give, grant, bar- gain, seil, enfeoif, and confirm anto my daughter, ye sd Sarah Covel, her heirs and as- signs forever, All that my houses and lands purchassed or unpurchassed & meadows, salt and fresh, cattel, movables, Debts, lying & being in Manamoy or elsewhere."
To Have & To Hold * *
Dated Feb. 12 1685, acknowledged May 18, 1686, by Mr. Nickerson and Anne, his wife and recorded May 2. 1691. Witnesses, Hugh Steward, William Griffeth.
Files Superior Court of Judleature No. 2,605.
43. "To all Christian People to whom this present writing shall come, William Nick- erson Senr & Sarah Covel widow both of Monamoy in New England in the County of Barnstable Send Greeting; Know ye that we the sald William Nickerson Senr & Sarah Covel, widow, both of the aforesd Manamoy have sold unto William Nickerson Junr of sd Monamoy a neck of land Lying & being in ye sd Monamoy commonly called Manam- set butted & bounded as followeth : Beginning at the first salt pond upon the said neck next to Joseph Nickerson and from the head of the said pond it Rangeth by marked trees where there was a fence formeriy across the sald neck of land to the Bay willch Lyeth upon ye North west side of the sd Neck, where there Lyeth a parcel of stones by the water side where there was a stone wall formerly & from thence Rangeth Inward by the water all round the sald Neck till you come to the Salt Pond aforesd-all the upland within the sd bounds & also all the meadow Lands which is not Expressed in Joseph Nickerson's Deed-and also one-half of all the other of onr lands which Is not yet Disposed which the said William Nickerson Seur bought of Maltaquason & John Quason Indians both of sd Manamoy which Doth appear by a Deed from the sd Indians and also by another Deed which the sd William Nickerson Senr hath from Mr. Josialı Winslow, formerly Governonr of the Colony of New Plymouth & Nathaniel Bacon & John Freeman in the behalf of the Rest of their partners, and also liberty to purchase one
-(8)-
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HISTORY OF CHATHAM.
His age at the time of his death must have been not less than 85 years. Whether he survived his wife Anne or not is uncertain. She was living as late as May 18, 1686. Tra- dition says that he was buried on the hill above his house, by which is, doubtless, meant the hill at the head of Ryder's Cove, where many of the oldest settlers lie buried in unmarked graves. This hill he dedicated in his lifetime as a burial place and it was later given to the town by his daughter and sole owner of his home farm, Mrs. Covell.44
Respecting his life and character much might be written. Undoubtedly he was in many respects a remarkable man, -
half of all the rest of the Land which is not yet purchased as it was granted to the sd Willm Nickerson, Senr, by the Court, Excepting of the farm which the sd William Nickerson, Senr, liveth upon & the meadow thereunto belonging, bounded as followeth: Ontward from the uttermost corner of a pond called the pasture Pond and from thence straight ontward to the head of a cove called the Muddy Cove & from thence Inward to Joseph Nickerson's bounds and also the short neck, This jarm & ye meadow thereunto belonging is excepted out of this sale, but the above sd Manamesset neck of land & the one-half of all the Rest of our Lands which is purchased that is not yet disposed, npland or meadow lands, and allso the liberty to purchase the one-half of that which is yet to purchase, upland or meadow lands, as the liberty was Granted to the sd William Nicker- son, Senr, as is above sd, We, the sd William Nickerson, Seur, & Sarah Covel, widow, have sold unto William Nickerson, Junr, lor & In Consideration of fifty pounds to ns, the sd Willm Nickerson, Senr, & Sarah Covid, paid In hand."
To have and to hold * * * * (a right of way ont of Monamesset Neck is also granted). Dated Dec. 2, 1687, acknowledged Ang. 30, 1689 ; recorded in page 64 of Barnstable Co. Book of Records. Witnesses, William Mitchell, Win. Grilleth, Jun.
Files Superior Court of Judicature, No. 2605.
44. " A Record of the bounds of lands that was lait ont by Mr. William Nickerson, Sonr desesed/for a burying place, sd percall of land was alowed for that purpose forever and accordingly set out and alowed by Mrs. Sarah Covell widow, the bounds as fol- loweth:
bounded esterly npon a hay way that parts the land of Joseph Covell and the land that was Jeremiah nlekersons, the Hother bonnd is upon Joseph Covell tell it coms to the decent or brow of a hill as sd Joseph Covell dich now runs the wester bounds is upon the land that was ephraim Covell from dich to a rock lying on the Sonther sid of sd hill, the Souther bounds Is opon sd ephratm land to the first spielfied hay way which Is sd ephrahns known bonds, the reng is one the brow of the hill as sd Joseph Covells renges one the other sid." Town Records, 1715.
The hay way mentioned has disappeared, and if traditional accounts are true, only a small portion of the original aere lot has been fenced and preserved doring the last cen- inry. The remainder hns for years been cultivated by private individuals.
Respecting this burial hill there is a tradition that not long after the first settlement the Indians came to it one day and began digging without right. The men of the nelghi- borhood were away at the time, but the women were equal to the occasion. They rushed ont of doors, shouting: " Bring the guns! bring the guns!" and the frightened savages, expecting to see the men presently appear, fled precipitately.
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EARLIEST YEARS.
a man of large enterprises, of honorable intentions and strong religious convictions. He had the firm will and restless energy of the successful pioncer. In pursuing what he believed to be his rights, he was appalled by no difficulties and disheartened by no reverses. Drawn into the purchase of the Monomoit lands through a mistaken idea of the law, he looked behind the law to the equities of the case and strove long and earnestly to secure a favorable issue. The "purchasers or old comers," however, whose rights were affected, were the governing class in the Colony and they would brook no compromise that seemed fair to him. Hence the contest waxed warm. "For I desier not to wrong any man of ther just right nor I would not be wronged myselfe," was his expressed principle.$ Perhaps he laid too much stress on the latter half of this statement. At all events, he was en- gaged in much legal controversy outside of his land troubles, but his inclination to be contentions does not seem to have been transmitted to his descendants. Mr. Swift in his History of Yarmouth says of him: "He was still recognized as one of them by men of Chris- tian character and it does not appear that he was entirely at fault in all respects." Mr. Amos Otis says: "There is a remarkable parallelism between the character of Mr. Bachilor (Rev. Stephen) and that of Mr. William Nicker- son, the ancestor of the family of that name. Both were, or assumed to be, religious men : both were stifl-necked and wayward; both were often involved in difficulties; both were undertakers of new plantations and in both their families the same elannish spirit prevailed. Bachilor had more wives and Nickerson more law suits, the former under- took several plantations : the latter only one. "# Mr. Nickerson left numerous descendants, nearly all of whom
45. Files Superior Court of Judicature No. 392, which see for probable signature of Mr. Nickerson shown on page 92.
46. Otis, Genealogical Notes of Barnstable Familles, 1, 41.
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HISTORY OF CHATHAM.
were living in this part of the Cape. The family is still a large one in this vicinity. Its members have intermarried with all the older families and probably nine-tenths of the present residents of Chatham, the writer included, can trace their descent in some way from William Nickerson.
Mr. Nickerson died at the outbreak of a fresh Indian struggle, more widespread and threatening than the former one with King Philip, and destined to be longer and more bitter. This time the savages had the French as allies and the struggle continued with briet interruptions for more than twenty years. The Cape Indians remained faithful and valuable allies of the Colonists, but in spite of this the Cape towns were required to make unusual sacrifices. They were obliged to furnish their quota of men and, at the same time, to be on the watch for, and ready to resist, the approach of any French privateers, which might be upon the coast. When the war began in the summer of 1689, the Plymouth Colony took measures to raise a company to join with Massachusetts Bay in an expedition against the Eastern Indians and gave the command to Capt. Benjamin Church. The proportion of Monomoit for this company was one man and one arm. In the following October the "raters" of Monomoit were required to raise 7 pounds as its proportion towards the expenses of the war. In 1690 two men and one arm were required from Monomoit for the expedition against Canada and a further sum of 18 lbs. 8s. 9d. for war expenses. Capt. Church this year raised another company in the Colony to go against the Maine Indians. The names of those who went with him on his two expeditions are not preserved. They were probably Indians.47 On the Canada expedition with Sir William Phipps were Daniel Hamilton
47. "The Cape Indlans," according to Capt. Church, "were very bare; lying so long at Boston before they Inbarked, that they had Sold everything they could make a Peny of, some tylng Shot & Powder In the corners of their Blankets." This refers to the expedition of 1689. Church, History of the Eastern Expeditions, I, 61.
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EARLIEST YEARS.
later of Monomoit, and James Stewart and James Cahoon, who may have been residents there. The subsequent part of this contest belongs to the period covered by a succeeding chapter and will be considered therein.
In June, 1690, four citizens of Monomoit, William Nicker- son, Hugh Stewart, William Mitchell, and Nicholas Eldredge, appeared before the Plymouth Court and, on taking the oath, were admitted as freemen of the Colony. At the same time William Nickerson was appointed inspector of whales for the village."
As before stated, the growth of the place had been very gradual up to this time. In 1690 it was still one of the smallest places in the Colony. Only one other locality in Barnstable County was smaller, as appears by the follow- ing assessed valuation for that year : Barnstable 3000 lbs. ; Yarmouth 2777 Ibs. : Sandwich 2500 lbs. : Eastbam 2500 Ibs. ; Monomoit 505 lbs. ; Succonessett [Falmouth] 405 lbs." People were prevented from settling partly because there were no adequate church privileges and partly, no doubt, because the village was especially exposed to danger from the Indians. There were Indians on the west and north in the present Harwich and Brewster, and on the east in the present easterly portion of the town. It will be remembered that William Nickerson Sen. did not pur- chase all of Monomoit from the natives. That part east of a line from Frosttish Creek to the head of the Oyster Pond and thence to the Mill Pond, still remained in their posses- sion. Mr. Nickerson had authority from the Court to purchase it, if they would sell, but did not avail himself of his rights further than to secure the meadow about Tom's Neck, as heretofore stated. About 1690, however, the English began to enter this tract, which contained much desirable cleared land, well located near the water. William Nickerson, the son of the first settler, was prob-
48. Plym. Col Rec. V1,1251.
49. Plym. Col. Rec. VI, 251.
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HISTORY OF CHATHAM.
ably the first to enter. By deed, dated August 29, 1689, he purchased of three grandsons of Mattaquason, named apparently Dogamus, Richard Stephen, and Richard Morta- quit, the greater part of the land at Cotehpinieut Neck (Old Harbor) and by subsequent transactions extended his holdings westward to Frostfish Creek. Buildings were erected and the locality became his residence." Early in 1691 Mr. Samnel Smith of Eastham purchased of John Cousins, Indian, and his mother the territory owned by them at Tom's Neck, comprising a considerable part of the present village, Mrs. Covell also releasing to him her rights of purchase derived from her father.51
He must have erected dwellings soon after and either occupied them himself temporarily or spent much time there in supervision. In August, 1695, he was chosen by the village as commissioner to carry a list of its " rates " and an account of its "effects" to the shire town, an office for which he would scarcely have been selected, unless inti- mately connected with the village affairs.2 After his death
50 "Nathaniel Nickerson about 39 years of age testifieth and salth: When I was a little boy, my father Willlam Nickerson built a Dwelling house a Uttle distant from the now Dwelling house of my brother Thomas NIckerson Senr on som part of the land called Chotchpinacot on part of the lands which he my så father William Nickerson bonght of Dogamus & Richard & Mortaquit by one deed bearing date August 29th 1689 which sd lands to my knowledge by constantly observing the bounds thereof at all time & times heretofore since my thne by living a long time thereon by tines Is dis- tinctly buted & bounded from those lands In Chotchplnacot which Dogamus, Richard & Stephen Indlans mortgaged to Mr Sammel Smith by Deed of Mortgage baring date 14th day of August 1693 so that the land contained in sd mortgage deed has always been *
accounted to be out of the bonds which my sd father had by his above sd deed * * *
" Dated March 24, 1719-20. Fles Superior Court of Judleature, No. 13,780.
51. These two necks had been given many years before by Mattaquason to his two daughters, Cotebpinleut Neck to Sarab, wife of Stephen and mother of Dogamps. Stephen and Mortaguit, and Tom's Neck to - wife of Onssens or Cousins, and moth- er of John Cousins. Flles Superior Court of Judicature, Nos. 13,717 and 15,919; Chap. V, note 59.
52. Mr. Sammel Smith (he is styled "Mr." in the records) the son of Ralph Smith of Hingham, England, later of Hlugham and Eastham. Mass .. was baptized at Hing- ham, Mass., July 11, 1641, and married at Eastham Jan. 3, 1667, Mary, daughter of Gilles Hopkins, who came over with his father, Stephen Hopkins, in the Mayflower. He early engaged In the whale and mackerel fishery and was very successful; later he was a trader and innkeeper at Eastbam. His homestead was at Billingsgate. He owned at one time 400 acres in the South part of the town, known as the Smith purchase. This
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EARLIEST YEARS.
in 1697, his son John Smith and his son-in-law Daniel Ham- ilton came into possession of this tract.
he sold Nov. 1. 1681, to a large number of hls townsmen. lle held various local offices. Judge Samuel Sewall mentions him In his Dlary.
His interest In Monomoit began with the purchase of the farm of John Savage, which he evidently bought as an investment, placing William Cahoon in charge of it.
Ils deed of Tom's Neck From JJohn Cousins and his mother was dated Jan. 4, 1690 |-11 and was recorded May 6, 1691. In Book 1, follo 66 of Old Barnstable Deeds. It conveyed to him "All that our parcel of land lying & being at Monamoy at a place commonly known by the name of Toms Neck bounded Ins a white oak on the southeast side of said neck nigh the water side and to the water and from said white oak northwesterly across said neck to a white wood tree marked on the northerly side of a little swamp that bath a tresh pond in it and so on the same range to the cove called Toms Cove & so round sald neck by the water both meadow & upland until you come to or against the afore- named white oak tree with all privileges & emunities, ways & easements & appurte- nances thereto belongIng or any ways appuitaining with all woods standing or lying on sald bargalned premises with privilege of pasturing & feeding fat cattle on the rest of said neck not yet purchased."
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