USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > History of Chelmsford, Massachusetts > Part 55
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
Rev. John Eliot, called the Apostle to the Indians, visited the Pawtuckets every year. And here by the sound of the falling waters, this noble teacher assembled these children of the forest about him and attempted, with some success, to instil into their minds the principles of the Christian religion. *Court Records, Vol. 14, pp. 242, 243.
525
PAPERS BY MR. H. S. PERHAM
The English petitioned the General Court, May 19, 1653, for a "quantity of six miles square of upland and meadow, which parcel of land we do entreate may begin at Merimacke River at a necke of land next to Concord River-and so run up by Concord River south and west into the country to make up that circum- ference or quantity of land."*
But the faithful Eliot could not see the Pawtuckets wholly despoiled of their ancient possessions, and he forthwith filed a petition on behalf of the Indians. The General Court granted both petitions and appointed committees to lay them out. Gookin says that Wamesit (the Indian grant) contained about twenty-five hundred acres. Allen, the historian of Chelmsford, estimated that about one thousand acres were upon the east side of Concord River, and fifteen hundred on the west side.
The line between Pawtucket and Chelmsford was the occasion of some dispute and several changes were made. But from the description of the bounds as finally established in 1665,t the line may be determined approximately, especially the northern portion of it. Beginning at Merrimack River the line followed very nearly what is now the bed of the Old Middlesex Canal for some distance through Great Swamp, and then taking a more easterly direction over the ridge upon what is now the city farm, and across the River Meadows to Pawtucket stake at the Concord River.
A number of the early settlers of Chelmsford erected their dwellings near the northern end of this line and within the limits of the present City of Lowell. They were doubtless attracted to this quarter of the town, which was called the "north end" or the "neck," by its proximity to the river, and it is also not unlikely that more land may have been cleared of forest here by Indian fires. The latter view of the case is strengthened by the fact that we find some of them upon the very poorest land, upon what is now Stedman Street. Others located in the neighborhood of Baldwin, Westford, Pine and perhaps Parker Streets, and one, at least, at Middlesex Street.
Several roads and foot paths were laid out for the accommo- dation of this neighborhood, and from the description of these and the land grants to individuals, we learn the location of the dwellings.
The meeting-house at the centre of the town was the point from which all the main roads radiated. There is no record of the first one laid out to this section, but in a description of a land grant by the town of Chelmsford in 1659, the "Highway to the Merrimack River" is mentioned. It was undoubtedly the old road passing by the Golden Cove and Carolina Plain. The Lowell end is now Stedman Street. Originally, however, it turned to the right from Stedman Street, passing to the south of Mount
*Allen, p. 162.
tAllen, p. 166.
526
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
Pleasant, or Mount Misery,* as it was formerly called, and termin- ated at Poorman's Bridge, at Black Brook. In 1673 this road was extended to the river, corresponding to what is now Baldwin Street, to its termination at Westford Street, and from there below Mount Pleasant to Poorman's Bridge.
The following is the description given in the records (Book A, 1656, p. 117):
20:3:1673 Will underwood, Will Flecher and Abraham parker being A highway. apointed to lay out a high way for the inhabitants on other side of meremake do determin that it shall beegine att the Country way att pore mans bridge and so alonge bettwne the swamps and over Will Underwoods medow all along bowndid by marke treese on both sids and so runeth below mr hinchmans dame and so to the endian line to answer the Contry Rode att Meremake and on this side this is a trew retorne of the Comity as above datted and heare enterd by order of the Selectt men.
SAMLL ADAMS, Clerk.
Previous to this, in 1668, another road was laid out which is described as follows:
"There is a Highway Laid out of twelve rod wide beginning at the country Road on the East of Poor mans Bridge and so it extendeth itself over Black- brook into the woods."t
They are in the habit of defining the bounds of the highways, in that quarter of the city, more accurately to-day. But that no misapprehension should arise as to the width intended for this road, the following language was inserted in a subsequent record:
"always provided that the Highway over Black Brook on the farther side be twelve polls wide."#
I have seen no explanation of the object which they had in laying out a highway nearly two hundred feet wide. I think it may be accounted for by the fact that it passed into the Indians' grant where the possessors were indifferent as to the amount thus taken.
The point from which these several roads extended, as will be noticed, was Poorman's Bridge. And it is a singular fact that although this bridge must have been known by that name for a hundred and fifty years, the name is now so completely lost that I have been unable to find any person who ever heard of it. Several records appear upon the town books, from time to time, showing that Poorman's Bridge was a recognized public way.
In 1757 an article was inserted in the warrant for the town meeting as follows:
"At the desire of Saml. Chamberlain and others to see if the town will proceed and vote to make a bridge and casaway beyond and near Poorman's Bridge so called whare the water Flows the Country Rode at Every Freshet.''§
The town voted in accordance with this request.
*The marks of this ancient road from Stedman Street down to the swamp are plainly visible ' +Transcript, p. 40.
Transcript, p. 89.
§Book F, p. 118.
527
PAPERS BY MR. H. S. PERHAM
CHELMSFORD, July 30th, 1798.
Received of the Town of Chelmsford an order on the Treasurer of the said Town for the sum of thirty dollars Payable in sixty days which is in full of all Damage Sustained by me and my Brother by Reason of Poormans Bridge So called Braking down and leting several Barrels of Potash & other artacals into the Brook & in full of all demands of me and my brother against the Said Town
JAMES AIKENS*
From the evidence stated I conclude that Poorman's Bridge crossed Black Brook some distance south of Westford Street, and the road, twelve rods wide, crossed the land now belonging to the estate of the M. C. Pratt heirs. Mr. Sewall Bowers states that a road crossed there within his knowledge, and turned to the left into Pine Street. The foundations to a former bridge are still plainly to be seen.
There were several residences upon the road leading from the centre of Chelmsford to Merrimack River. Henry Boutel, or Bowtal as it is sometimes given in the records, lived upon what is now Stedman Street, near the present line between Chelmsford and Lowell. Anthony Harker and Thomas Sewell were both granted house lots in 1659, bounded by the highway to Merrimack River. I think that neither remained to become permanent residents, as I do not meet with their names upon the records except at a very early day.
It was a custom of early times, before the people had their lands enclosed with fences, for the town to establish ranges over which the cattle roamed in the care of a field driver, who protected them from wolves, and prevented them from straying and doing damage to growing crops. The range which accommodated this neighborhood is thus described:
"7: 1:71 [1671]. Its ordered concerning herding of cattell that from Cros Bridge to Henry boutells Shall bee one herd."
Cross Bridge is near the centre of the town on the North Chelmsford road. Three other herds were laid out at the same time for other sections of the town. Boutell came from Cam- bridge. Savage (Gen. Dict.) gives the name Bowtell or Boutwell. He married Elizabeth Bowers April 25, 1657. He returned again to Cambridge, where his will came to probate, June 21, 1681. The last clause reads:
"Moreover my will is that my beloved wife may have the use of my now dwelling house with the sixe acres adjoining to it during her naturall life but in case She see good to goe and live with her son bowers then to have halfe the rent the said hous and land produceth," etc.
A highway, which is marked in the margin "Country Way," meaning a road leading from town to town, was laid out in 1674. In the transcript made in 1742 it is marked "Dunstable Highway." The following description is given in the original record (Book A, 1656, p. 125):
*Book Q, p. 215.
528
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
Country Way. The 1 Day of January 1674. leften Thomas hinchman and liften Samuell Foster beeing Apointed by the towne to Joyne with leftenant Whealer and Abraham parker the comitty to lay out the Contry way from Donstable to Chelmsford thay Doe Joyntly Agree on both parties that the way shall in Chelmsford bowns beegine att mr Tings Farme and so to bee sixe polls wide and so to Continew as by marked treese Downe to Jerathmell bowers land and so to black brook into the Contry way that comes from merimack this is a trew Rettorne of the Comity as above Datted witt[n]is.
SAMUEL ADAMS Clerk
This corresponded to the road which passes from Dunstable through North Chelmsford towards the centre of the town till it comes to the north side of Drum Hill, swinging there to the left over an old road still open, for the greater part of the way, and coming out on Westford Street near the house of Sewall Bowers. The travel to Boston from Dunstable, and the towns above, passed over this road for many years, passing what is now the Chelmsford town farm and crossing the Concord River at Billerica.
The Sewall Bowers farm has been in the family possession as far back as the history of it is known. The dwelling is, I think, the oldest now standing in Lowell. It is said to be two hundred years old, which I think not improbable. Here lived Jerathmell Bowers (born May 2, 1650), one of the prominent men of the time. He probably came to Chelmsford with the family of Henry Boutell, who was his step-father. He was a son of George Bowers who was in Plymouth in 1639, and afterwards removed to Cambridge. (Savage.) He was the ancestor of those of that name in this vicinity. Jerathmell was a man of some wealth. He was chosen representative to the General Court, and, as captain in the military, performed good service against the Indians. Chief Justice Samuel Sewall made a tour of inspection through Middlesex County. In his diary he wrote:
"Monday, Oct. 26, 1702.
"Went to Chelmsford, by that time got there twas almost dark; Saw Capt. Bowers and his company; Gave a volley and Huzzas; Sup'd at Mr. Clark's. I and Col. Pierce in his study."*
This diary has been printed in the "Collections of the Massa- chusetts Historical Society." In the printed volume the name is Bowles but in the original manuscript it is Bowers. The Mr. Clark at whose house they supped, was the minister, Rev. Thomas Clark, an ancestor of Gov. John Hancock. Bowers removed to Groton a short time before his death, which occurred in 1724. His gravestone in Groton bears the following inscription, as given in "Groton Epitaphs," by Hon. Samuel A. Green:
Here Lyes ye Body of Capt JERATHMELL BOWERS Who Decd. April ye 23d 1724 in ye 78th Year of His Age.
*Sewall Papers, Vol. II, p. 67.
Battery Persone july s. Lieutenants Honile Parkert & Captains 0
1775 Walker acquaint their friends that' they
are well I sufficiently supply do with all Necefourres but fresh Provision, which They need daily in their present fondation, and which . Majort Moncrief has fundly promisede to convey upon Receipt Moses Parker
Bary amin Haber
LETTER SIGNED BY LIEUT. COL. PARKER AND CAPT. WALKER IN BOSTON PRISON. SEE PAGE 233
No. 31
529
PAPERS BY MR. H. S. PERHAM
His wife is buried in Chelmsford. Her epitaph reads as follows:
Here Lyes ye Body of Mrs. Elizabeth Bowers Wife to Capt Jerathmell Bowers Who Decd March 4th 1721 in ye 76 Year of Her Age.
Near it is: Nathaniel Bowers Son of Mr. Jerathmel & Ms Sarah Bowers Decd. Februry ye 27th 1726 Aged 4 years & 11 Mo.
The will of Jerathmell Bowers was lodged for probate June 10, 1724. He mentions three sons, Jonathan, Samuel and Jerathmeel; three daughters, Elizabeth Shed, Hannah Wilson and Mary Page; grandson, Jerathmeel Pearce, son of daughter Hannah; grandson Benjamin, son of son Jonathan, and children of son John, deceased. An administratrix was appointed Jan. 27, 1752, on estate of Jerathmael Bowers, and John Shed was appointed guardian of his son Jerathmal, in his third year. Jerathmael Bowers made his will Feb. 23, 1764, which was probated Sept. 18, 1764, and the widow, Elizabeth, appointed executrix. He mentions: Sons-Oliver of Chelmsford, and Charles of Charles- town; daughters-Lucy Colburn and Betty Peirce, both of Dunstable; grand-daughter, Sarah, wife of Simeon Butterfield of Merrimack, N. H. Jonathan Bowers made his will April 6, 1756, which was probated Nov. 29, 1756. He mentions five sons, Isaac, William, Benjamin, Francis and Luke; daughters, Mary and Hannah; son Jonathan of Litchfield, deceased, and that one's sons, Benjamin and Francis. No other estate of Bowers of Chelmsford was settled through the probate office, down to modern times .*
Jan. 2, 1683, Jerathmeel Bowers of Chelmsford, conveys to John Cooper, Jr., of Cambridge, six acres of land in Cambridge, with buildings, "sometime the dwelling of Henry Boutell, decd."t
Sept. 16, 1703, Capt. Jerathmeel Bowers, and Elizabeth, his wife, convey interest in Wamesit lands, north of Merrimack, to the Varnums.
Same parties to Sam. Sadey, cordwainer, Sept. 21, 1711. Capt. Bowers to son Jonathan, land in Chelmsford, 1710:
N. by land of Thos. Sewell. W. by John Spalding, Sr. S. by Capt. Bowers. E. by common.§
Capt. Bowers and Elizabeth to son Jerathmeel, Jan. 6, 1713:
N. upon county road. S. upon Jona. Bowers. W. upon Eben Parkhurst.
E. upon Capt. Bowers and a ditch. II
*Mr. George A. Gordon. +Lib. VIII, Fol. 526. ĮXIII, 736. §XVI, 239.
„XVI, 325.
530
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
Joseph Spalding, Sr., to Jerah. Bowers, Jr., land on Wamesit Neck, lot 16, 18 acres.
There were two footways laid out in this section, described as follows:
"By appointment of the townesmen ther is tew foott waies
A highway laid out through the land of John Wright the one begining at the still next to Jerathmell bowers and so to the cartt brige and then below the orchard to the land of Jonathan butterfeild and then close by the fence of John wright vp to the drift way and the other begining against John Sheplies and then straight to the drift way at Jonathan buterfilds barne by William underwood's and Jrathmell bowers and for partt of satisfaction hee hath taken apece of land about an acer and halfe bonendid North vp on the towne common east vp on the medow of John wright south vp on the lands of Jonathan Butterfeild and west upon land of John wright: Recorded by order of the Selectt men 21 7mo 1677."*
In the transcript which was made of the first two books of town records, the word still is given stile, but in the original it is plainly still. This, perhaps, explains why all roads tended to Jerathmell Bowers'. That "still" was the word intended, is made evident by the fact that in 1686, Oct. 5, Jerathmeel Bowers and John Fisk were licensed by the court to sell "strong waters." Sept. 4, 1688, Jerathmeel Bowers and Cornelius Waldo were licensed, and in 1687 Edward Spalding was appoinged "Gager."
John Fisk was a son of the minister, and Cornelius Waldo was deacon of the church and lived at the centre of the town. No stigma attached to that occupation in those times. The sentiment which then seems to have prevailed upon the temperance question was, that liquor was bad for the Indian but very good for the white man. An instance of the enforcement of the law against selling to Indians is given in the records, book 1656, p. 150:
"The 24 day of march 167g Abraham Parker senior with his tew sonnes Moses and Isack weare Acused for seling of strong lickers to severall endians Contrary to the law established they doe each of them freely Acknolige ther faults ther in and doe heare by bind them selves severaly unto the selectmen of Chelmsford never hear after to sell any more Stronge lickers to any Indians as wittness our hands the day above."
Mr. Sewall Bowers states that he found a circular space paved with stones, near his garden below his house, and opposite to it evidence of an old cellar. He called the paved space an Indian hearth. Is it not more likely that he has discovered the foundation of Jerathmell Bowers' "still"?
The description given of the two footways indicates that three of those whose names are there mentioned, viz: John Wright, John Shepley, and Jonathan Butterfield, were located on the east side of Black Brook, in the neighborhood of Pine and Parker Streets. In the description of the line between Pawtucket and Chelmsford, in 1665, Butterfield's highway is mentioned.
John Shipley, or Shepley, was one of the early settlers of Salem. In 1637 he was living in that part of Salem which became *Book 1656, p. 129.
531
PAPERS BY MR. H. S. PERHAM
Wenham. His wife was admitted into the church at Wenham Aug. 15, 1648. He disposed of his lands in Wenham to William Fiske (a brother to the minister), and removed, with his minister, Rev. John Fiske, to Chelmsford in 1655. Shipley had three children, John, born at Salem in 1637; Nathaniel, born in 1639; and Lydia born in 1641. They were baptised into the church at Chelmsford Dec. 1, 1656. John Shepley died Sept. 10, 1678, and his widow Ann July 11, 1685.
The second John Shepley removed, with his family, to Groton, where, with one exception, they were all massacred by the Indians. The inscription on the Shepley monument in Groton, says:
"The Indians massacred all the Sheples in Groton save a John Sheple, 16 years old who the[y] carried captive to Canada and kept him 4 years, after which he returned to Groton and from him descended all the Sheples or Shepleys in this vicinity."
John Shipley and Susannah, his wife, sold his "homestead lott & land" in Chelmsford, in 1698, to Jerathmel Bowers. The first John Shipley has, however, numerous descendants now living in this vicinity, through the marriage of his daughter, Lydia, to John Perham in 1664. John Perham settled upon the farm where I now live, in Chelmsford. I am of the eighth generation from John Shipley.
During the time of Indian troubles places of rendezvous were designated at which the people were to take refuge in case of alarm. In the "Settlement of the Garrison in the Wt Regiment of Middx .* March, 169}," there are nineteen garrison houses given for Chelmsford. The first on the list is "Jerathmiel Bowers and with him Jno. Wright, Ebenezer Wright, Joseph Wright, Jno. Shipley, Joseph Parker and their families-8 men." The last two on the list, which were doubtless on the north side of the river, were "Samuel Varnum and Jno. Whittaker, Jno. Walker, Ezra Colburn-10 men," and "Edward Colburn and with him Jno. Colburn-3 men."
John, Joseph and Ebenezer Wright were the sons of John Wright of Woburn. Ebenezer removed, later, to the part of town now in Westford. Hodgman (historian of Westford) says he lived upon what is now the Edwin Heyward farm, near Chamberlin's Corner.
John Wright remained at the neck. His wife was appointed to teach the children of the neighborhood. The order reads:
"Chelmsford Agust the 26th 1699 the selectmen of said Town Apointed Samuell Fletcher Junr Schoolmaster to Learne young persons to write: on the Day Above said Selectmen Apointed for Scooldames: Decon Fosters wife Jno. Wrights: Moses Baratts wife and Joshua Fletchers wife."t
Deacon Foster lived near the centre of the town, Moses Barrett upon South Row, and Joshua Fletcher in the Stony Brook neighborhood.
*The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, October, 1889.
+Book 1656, p. 189.
532
HISTORY OF CHELMSFORD
Jonathan Butterfield, whose barn is mentioned in the descrip- tion of the footway, was born in England .* He came to this country with his father Benjamin. In 1638 they were living in Charlestown; in 1640 at Woburn, where Jonathan's brothers, Nathaniel, Samuel and Joseph, were born. Benjamin Butter- field's name heads the list of petitioners for the Chelmsford grant in 1653. He died at Chelmsford March 2, 1687-8. His sons all lived and died in Chelmsford.
Samuel Butterfield, a son of Nathaniel, was a man of some prowess as an Indian fighter. He was taken prisoner by the Indians at Groton, in August, 1704, and remained a captive upwards of a year. ; His petition to the General Court after his release, sets forth that he was an inhabitant of Chelmsford sent by Capt. Jerathmel Bowers to Groton to help Col. Taylor, when the enemy came upon them. From some early accounts of the affair, it appears that Butterfield made a vigorous resistance, and before being captured, slew an Indian Sagamore "of great dexterity in war," in consequence of which the Indians proposed to inflict upon him a death by torture, but the squaw of the slain Indian interceded in his behalf and his life was spared.
John Shepley, then living in Groton, was paid four pounds for killing an Indian in the same engagement.
A Lieutenant Butterfield, while returning from Dunstable, two years later, was set upon by Indians. His horse was shot and his wife taken captive, "and Jo English, a friend Indian, in company ym, was at the same time slain."
Another resident of this section was Joseph "Parkis." He was a son of George Parkhurst, who came from England and settled at Watertown, an ancestor of a family which has always been prominent in Chelmsford. One of the footways passed through Joseph Parkhurst's land and he was granted an acre elsewhere in compensation. He was granted a "house lott fifteen acers west by town highway to the mill north by land of Thomas Sewell east by town common south by land of John Wright." The term "town common" meant land which had not been granted to individuals, and was held by the proprietors in common. Also, "Joseph Parkis is granted Tenn Rods of Land Lying by the swamp side against his house to make a garden and Well: and approved of by Henry Boutall and John Wright." Parkhurst (or son) later removed to the Stony Brook neighborhood, now in Westford, where he died.
William Underwood and John Spalding both had grants of land here, but it is uncertain where their dwellings were.
James Parker had a large grant of land near the Indian line. He was one of five brothers who came from Woburn to Chelmsford. He was admitted an inhabitant Feb. 1, 1656. He early removed to Groton, where he became the most influential inhabitant of
*The Butterfields of Middlesex, by George A. Gordon, A. M.
¡Groton during Indian Wars.
533
PAPERS BY MR. H. S. PERHAM
that town .* After the destruction of Groton by the Indians, in the spring of 1676, Parker again found an asylum among his old neighbors of Chelmsford, as we learn from a letter addressed by him to the governor and council at Boston, "From Mr. hinchmans ffarme ner meremack: 23: 1 mo. 1639."
James Richardson and Thomas Hinchman were near neigh- bors. They lived near the Indian line, as appears by the following description of land laid out to James Richardson: "48 acres . east by tree joining upon the Indian line there is a highwaie laid through the midst of the said Thomas [Hinchman] for the use of the said Thomas Hinchman's house." Richardson was a soldier against the Indians in King Philip's war. His good services were recognized by Captain Wheeler at the engagement at Brookfield, which will be mentioned later on.
In 1668 a highway was laid out in this section, described as follows (page 53, Transcript) :
Mr. Webbs Highway. "Mr. John Webb desiring a highway from his Farm over Merimack River to wards Chelmsford: The Selectmen con- sidering thereof: have apointed William Fletcher and James Parker to Lay out the Same, and the fore sd. William Fletcher and James Parker make there Return to the Selectmen that they have determined the fore sd. Way to begin at Merimack River where Mr. John Webb made his Wair: and so to be of a sufficient breadth for Carting: and to run through to the common."
This introduces us to John Webb, alias Evered, the first settler upon the north side of the river, and the man in whose honor the town of Dracut was named. Webb, or Evered, obtained his land by a grant from the General Court to the military officers, the record of which is as follows:t
"June 7 1659 laid out to Left. Peter Oliver Capt. James Oliver Capt. James Johnson and ensigne John Evered: 1000 acc: of land: in ye wildernesse on ye northerne side of Merimack river: lying about nahamkeage being bounded with merimack river on ye south and on ye west, the wilderness else wher surrounding according to marked trees: as by a platt taken of the same is demonstrated by Jonathan Danforth surveyr.'
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.