USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Dracut > History of Dracut, Massachusetts, called by the Indians Augumtoocooke and before incorporation, the wildernesse north of the Merrimac. First permanment settlement in 1669 and incorporated as a town in 1701 > Part 6
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It may be added that the house was ceiled or wainscotted over the plastering with oak plank to make it bullet-proof. There was also a stockade made of logs standing upright and set in the ground with a gate which was closed at night. In time of alarm
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the settlers, with their families, would stay at this house for safety. Those were the times when men working in the field had their muskets at hand and who, on Sunday, carried them to church and stacked them near the door while the sentry kept watch from some elevated platform to give the alarm if the savages appeared.
In his search for early Dracut history Mr. A. C. Varnum has found traditions which, while they cannot be verified, are highly probable. He writes in his reminiscences: "At one time the garrison was surrounded by the Indians who had already got in- side of the stockade. Pursued by them into the house, the soldiers prepared to meet the invaders as best they could. The Indians killed the trumpeter who stationed himself at the door, but they were met with such spirit by the gallant defenders that not one of them went out of the fort alive. On another occasion the Indians planned an attack on the garrison. When they were first seen there was no one in the house but a woman and her children, the soldiers having gone out to make some investiga- tions. The woman who kept a sharp lookout, saw the enemy lurking around, and with great presence of mind put on the uniform of a 'Hussar' and taking a musket began walking back and forth in front of the house. In a short time she went out of sight and changed her uniform. All this time the Indians lay watching these movements supposing they had not been seen, but from what they saw imagined the fort was too strongly gar- risoned for a successful attack and so they withdrew and left the brave woman unmolested."
At the time of the demolition of the building, its value as a historical landmark was not appreciated. Fortunately an ex- cellent picture of the building was secured, but not until the wings, sheds and stockade had been removed.
In 1859 a writer in the Lowell Citizen says: "A party of men returning from the meadows where they had been after hay were waylaid and fired upon by the Indians at the fordway which is called Old Meadow Bridge." Taken by surprise some were killed and others wounded, but the name of only one has been preserved. Joseph Varnum was wounded but recovered and lived many years. No date is mentioned but as these attacks
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occurred usually during King Philip's war there can be little doubt of its being Joseph, son of Samuel Varnum who came from Ipswich.
After the close of Queen Anne's war a treaty of peace with the Indians was concluded at Portsmouth, but their treacherous nature rendered treaties unreliable. While with some tribes their honor or interest would incline them to peace, other tribes would disregard the agreement. In 1724 a party of Mohawks attacked Dunstable killing and carrying away the settlers as captives. Realizing their danger Chelmsford and Dracut sent men to aid their neighbors in defending their homes. Their leader, John Lovewell, with others, petitioned for a license to shoot the Indians. This was probably granted, as two Dracut men, Henry Coburn and John Varnum, served in Lovewell's first expedition, Varnum re-enlisted and served in a second expedition.
The settlements were constantly threatened by the Indians and they were obliged to depend largely on themselves for pro- tection. The petition to which reference has been made is as follows :
"The humble memorial of John Lovel, Josiah Farwell, Jona- than Robbins all of Dunstable sheweth, That your petitioners with near forty or fifty others are inclinable to range and to keep out in the woods for several months together, in order to kill and destroy their enemy Indians, provided they can meet with Incouragement suitable. And your petitioners are Im- ployed and desired by many others, Humbly to propose and submit to your Honors consideration, that if such soldiers may be allowed five shillings per day, in case they kill any enemy Indian and possess their scalp they will Imploy themselves in Indian hunting one whole year; and if within that time they do not kill any they are content to be allowed nothing for their time and trouble."
Reed's "Hildreth Family" records a muster roll of the company in His Majesty's service under the command of Eleazer Tyng. Ephraim Hildreth, rank, sergeant, residence Dracut. Entrance on the service June 10, 1725. Till what time in the service Nov 3 1725. Whole time in service 21 weeks."
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The English government did not recognize any rights which the Indians might have in the land and granted those lands without regard to any claims of former ownership. The grantees in the interest of peace in many cases purchased the land from the Indian claimant. The price paid was often small in propor- tion to later values, but it satisfied the Indians and made them more friendly disposed towards the white people. Mrs. Clarence G. Coburn has in her possession an old deed, found with other papers where for many years they had lain concealed in a secret drawer in an old desk, and brought to light in later years by the loosening of some of the ornamental work. The ink retains its color while the paper is yellow with age. Previous to the writing of the deed Webb prepared a paper which he presented to Bess, an Indian squaw, with the promise in case she signed it of tobacco and "duffill." This contract may be found in the first section of this chapter on Indian history.
Bess was the daughter of Passaconaway and wife of Nobb How or Numphow the Sagamore of Wamesit. The duffill men- tioned was a stout cloth which, like camlet, was in use and from references to it, it was probably cloth of a superior quality .* The poet Wadsworth, in the poem entitled "Goody Blake and Harry Gill," refers to "Good duffel gray and flannel fine."
The Richard Shatswell, whose name appears as one of the witnesses, came to this vicinity at an early date and purchased large tracts of land. He was contemporary with Tyng, Hench- man, Webb, Varnum and Coburn, and, in common with the first three named, had no intention to settle, but purchased for pur- poses of speculation. He came from Ipswich and sold land to Edward Coburn receiving in return Coburn's property at Ipswich. The great pine tree standing at the N. W. corner of Edward Tyng's grant was known as Setchel's pine. (See Early Grants.) His name appears spelled in different ways as, Shats- well, Shadswell, Satchel, Setchel, Sethell, Sachel, Stitchell, Chad- well and Chatswell. There is a meadow on Coburn's sawmill brook called "The Cathole." It is reasonable to infer that it was once the property of Chatswell, but in transferring it by deed to
*Webster's Dictionary defines it as "A kind of coarse woolen cloth having a thick nap or frieze."
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different parties the name became at length Cathole. The Samuel Varnum named was from Ipswich and the first of the name to settle in this vicinity.
The original deed is in possession of Mr. J. B. V. Coburn of Lowell and is a valuable relic, as it shows the actual marks made by the Indians and the signature of Daniel Gookin, who for many years was the agent in charge of the Indians and a re- liable historian. In an agreement between the inhabitants of Chelmsford and the Indians of Wamesit, in 1665, in relation to the divisional line, the name of "nobhow" appears as one who signed the paper for the Indians. It would appear from this transaction that Bess had an interest in the land north of the river, while her husband, Nob, had authority relating to land on the Concord river. It has already been stated that Bess Nob How or Numphow was the daughter of Passaconaway. Nona- toonamit or Nonatonemut was his son. The identity of the other signer is not so certain. Manumusett or Annaniange, as near as the name can be deciphered, may have been the same person as Unanquosett, another son of Passaconaway which is quite reason- able to suppose. The name of the third witness in full is Eliz- abeth Henry Nelson. She was a servant maid in the household of Captain Webb, and after his death she received a legacy with some wages due from his estate, for which she gave a receipt to Thomas Henchman the administrator.
Bess appears in later years as the sole grantor in a deed dated April 29, 1684, of which we give an abstract: "Old Bess Numphow widow (the relict of John Numphow of Waymesit deceased) now of Waymesit near Pawtucket, in consideration of a valuable sum of money to Samuel Sewell of Boston, Merchant a small tract of land between three and four hundred acres near Wekasook bounded by Merrimake River on the west, by Samuel Varnum southwardly and Eastwardly, by a farm that was Capt. Scarletts North westerly, containing the whole tract of land that Capt. John Hull Esq. deceased purchased of Thomas Hinchman."
The land thus conveyed is thought to have been the Westerly end of the Military grant, with a part of the Billerica grant, and extended from the river northward to Huckleberry hill. It was formerly owned by Capt. John Webb and from his estate it
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passed to Thomas Henchman who gave a title to Capt. John Hull father-in-law of Judge Sewell. The Sewells sold in 1715 to John Colburn who, in 1721, sold to John Littlehale. Later a portion of this property passed again to the Colburns. In 1755 on petition of the Littlehales to the General Court the homesteads and other lands were annexed to Dunstable and are now a part of the town of Tyngsboro.
Another old deed has reference to a portion of the town of Dracut. March 28, 1659, Nedacocket, an Indian, for a debt which he owed to Jeremiah Belcher amounting to 26 pounds sold "All my right of that land of mine which lyeth on the other side of Merrimac River Butting against Panteukit and so running along to Haverhillward as far as to old Williams Wig- wam and so up the country to a hill called Jeremys Hill with all the meadows." Old Will is mentioned on the records of Haver- hill as having a "planting ground" not far from Spicket River. As Jeremys hill is in the west part of Pelham above Gumpus a line drawn from a point "Haverhillward" to Jeremy's Hill and "Butting against Panteuket" would include the greater part of Dracut. But this would be done to satisfy the Indian, who supposed he had certain rights to the land. Jeremy, who is sup- posed to have dwelt near the hill in Pelham, which still bears his name, was a signer to this deed with Nedacockett. In 1710 Belcher's son, Jeremiah Belcher, Jr., petitioned the General Court for a grant of land on the right of his father, and the Court ordered the town of Dracut to lay out a tract of three hundred acres. This tract was an oblong 200 by 240 rods between Island and North ponds bounded on the northeast by the latter pond, and on the east by the line of the town. This would include Poplar hill which now lies at the northeastern corner of the town.
About thirty years after the actual settlement of the town another deed was recorded as follows:
"To all Christian people to whom this present deed may come.
Greeting
Know ye that I, Master John Thomas Sagamore Minister of Natick The right heir of the soille of Dracut for three hundred
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HISTORY OF DRACUT
pounds of silver to him in hand, well and truly paid, ye Minister of Natick John Thomas by John Colburne, Thomas Colburne, Robert Colburne, Daniel Colburne, Ezra Colburne, Joseph Col- burne, The Hannah Richardson, widow, Thomas Varnum John Varnum Joseph Varnum of Dracut near Chelmsford in the County aforesaid. Whereof the said John Thomas doth acknow- ledge doth release and discharge the said John, Thomas, Robert &c and doth freely bargain and convey to the above named John, Thomas, Robert &c Two or three thousand acres of land, be it more or less bounded on Merrimac River on ye South and on Master Sewalls farm on the west and so running a straight line to ye North Side of Lond Pond to a tree with stones by it and marked, and so running Nor East to a Brook called Beaver Brook and containing all the land that the above named Col- burns and Varnums possessed and running on Beaver Brook to a farm called Chelmsford land and so running west to a corner pine tree marked and then running South to another pine tree marked and thence running east to another corner bound and running south to Merrimac River at Pau-Tucket, and there bounded by a white oak tree to have and to hold to the said John Colburne, Thomas Colburne &c their heirs administrators and assigns forever. In witness whereof the said John Thomas has affixed his hand and seal hereunto set this seventh day of the fourth month called April in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and one, in the thirteenth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord King William. JOHN THOMAS his seal and mark."
By "Chelmsford land" reference is probably made to the 500 acres on the west of Beaver Brook including Pawtucket- ville known as The Indian Reservation which had been pur- chased by parties living in Chelmsford.
In 1629, John Wheelwright purchased of the Indians a large tract of land between the Piscataqua and Merrimack rivers, extending from the sea to "Pentucket Falls and from thence in a north west line twenty English miles into the woods." Whether or not this deed covered the soil of Dracut is uncertain, depending on whether Pentucket (crooked place) is meant the falls at Lawrence or Lowell. It is evident that Wheelwright laid
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no claim to the land bounding south on the Merrimack where towns were later laid out by authority of the General Court of Mass. In 1719 the grandson of Wheelwright sold to the settlers of Londonderry by virtue of this deed a tract of ten square miles bounding on the Dracut line.
Reference has been made to Bess, wife of Nob How, a daughter of Passaconaway who was at the head of a confederacy of several tribes which included the Wamesits and Pawtuckets. They were peaceful tribes and largely engaged in agriculture. On the South were the Pequots, who were the leaders in the war for the extermination of the white people in 1675 known as King Philip's war, on the east were the Tarratines, and on the west the Mohawks, all fierce warlike tribes who at intervals would attack the peaceful tribes for the purpose of plunder.
The purpose of the organization was defence against these tribes. King Philip endeavored to enlist these tribes to assist in the war, but they refused to join him. While Passaconaway had a residence at Pennacook Island and other homes on the Merrimack, the region in which Dracut is situated was included in his jurisdiction. In 1660, realizing that his days were numbered, he, according to custom, delivered a farewell address and conferred upon his son, Wannalancit, his authority as chief- tain, who in 1669, built a fort at Pawtucket for protection against his enemies the Mohawks.
This was the year in which Edward Colburn came to Dracut and purchased a garrison house near Varnum Avenue. Passaconaway had at least six children, among them Nanamoco- muck, a sagamore of the Wachusett tribe, which was about the vicinity of the Wachusett mountains, Unanunquosett, and Nona- tomenut, also Bess wife of Nob How, the two last named appear- ing on the Indian deed on another page and Wannalancit, who, as stated, succeeded his father.
Reference has been made in Mr. Wilson's article to an Indian ditch. In the history of Lowell there are also references to an Indian ditch which was between the settlements of the Wamesits on Concord River and the town of Chelmsford. These were shallow trenches resembling a furrow made by a plow and were designed to show the boundaries of their reservations. The ditch which evidently reached from Merrimack river to Long
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HISTORY OF DRACUT
Pond, marking the west bound of the Indian Reservation of 500 acres, has nearly disappeared by reason of cultivation of the land and other causes, but a few rods in length remains on a knoll a few rods from the Lowell General Hospital in a northerly direc- tion. As the knoll is not suitable for cultivation, this interesting relic has been preserved, the work of a race once the dwellers of this locality, but which long ago passed away to be succeeded by the white man.
DEACON GEORGE HOVEY
(See Page 400)
CHAPTER IV
EARLY GRANTS AND ALLOTMENTS OF RESERVED LAND
A LL references to the present territory of Dracut, when occu- pied by the Indians, are to the Willdernesse North of the Merrimack. The Indians kept no records and the ownership of the land was not individual but tribal. The governments of the old world claimed sovereignty by rights of discovery. The French possessed Canada; the Dutch, New York; the Swedes, Delaware; the Spaniards, Florida; and the English, New Eng- land and Virginia.
The first task of the settlers was to clear away the forests and disperse the wild beasts and Indians, which were the sole occupants of the land. Gradually removing from the seacoast, as new territory was required, they reached the Merrimack river and in 1653 the town of Chelmsford was incorporated.
The settlers of the new towns were in indigent circum- stances. Very little money was in circulation. They needed bridges, school buildings and houses of worship, and application was made to the Colonial authorities for assistance. As funds were needed "advances" so called, were made by men of financial ability and their loans to the treasury were repaid by liberal grants of land in the wilderness. Sometimes these grants were given to civil or military officials for services rendered. Again a grant would be made to assist a needy town. In this way a great part of the territory of Dracut was parcelled out before settlement. It is fortunate that records have been pre- served by which the ownership of all parts of Dracut may, in a general way, be found. It is sometimes difficult to locate the exact boundary lines, but distances from water courses, when given, assist in finding the locations, and very early deeds often refer to the lines in a manner intelligible to the student.
THE MILITARY GRANT
Four members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, for services rendered, received a grant of land. Re- taining the early spelling we find:
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HISTORY OF DRACUT
"June 7. 1659. Laid out to Left. peter Oliver: Capt. James Oliver: Capt. James Johnson and ensign John Evered one thousand acc. of land in ye wildernesse on ye Northerne side of merrimack River, Lying about Nahamkeage being bounded by merrimack Rivr on ye South and on ye west, the wildernesse else wher Surrounding according to marked trees as bye a plot taken of the same is demonstrated." John Evered for reasons unknown to ns adopted the name of Webb, by which name he is generally known. He, by deed dated June 7, 1664, became sole owner of this tract. The deed states that "we, Peter Oliver and Sarah his wife James olliver & mary his wife, & James Johnson and Abagail his wife for and in consideration of a Warehouse built on a parcle of Land on the Southerly part of the Dock called and known by the name of Peter olliver's Dock by John Evered, Aleus Web and by him Declard Long Sinse into their possession &c Have given unto the sd John Evered Aleus Webb all that our Several Parcels of Land being Two Hundred and Fifty Acres of upland & Meadow and in the whole containing seven hundred and Fifty acres be it more or less granted unto us severally and Layed out unto us in one peace."
This is dated "the 27 Day of June 1664 it being in the 15th year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles the Second By the Grace of God of England, Scotland France & Ireland King Defender of the faith."
"Nahamkeage" (variously spelled) meant "eel land" or fishing place, and was the Indian name for the region on and near the river above Pawtucket falls. The plan is on file in the State archives. and the location and bounds can be approximately given. As the site of the first settlement it possesses peculiar interest. The west bound commenced at the east channel of the river, or Wekasoak brook, as it was called, opposite Tyng's Island, now in possession of the Country Club. The line ran from this point about a mile in a northeasterly direction, crossing Scarlet's brook, thence in a southeasterly course 536 rods to a point near the junction of Westmeadow road with Varnum Avenue. Thence it must have run on or near Varnum Avenue 112 rods to an angle south of the Lowell General Hospital. From this point it turned 67 rods to the river, perhaps a few rods westerly of the
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mouth of Clay Pit brook crossing the east end of the Boulevard. With the liberal measurements of those days it is likely that these distances exceeded the recorded figures.
Another deed dated January 10, 1664, records the sale by John Evered alias Webb of Drawcutt on Merrimack in the County of Norfolk to Richard Shatswell and Samuel Varnum of Ipswich for £400 one half of the farm of Drawcutt aforesaid "except the fields and the houses, barnes structures edifices and buildings and the garden, the field mentioned to be called the upper field and three acres of the lower field below the log fence next the barne to containe 1100 acres."
Of the grantors and grantees in these two deeds we have little knowledge except Samuel Varnum, who became a settler. They appear to have been speculators, who for convenience erected buildings for shelter until they could dispose of their holdings. Varnum purchased as above recorded in 1664, but there is proof that he lived on the Chelmsford side of the river.
Four years later, Edward Colburne of Ipswich, a former neighbor of Samuel Varnum, purchased, Sept. 30, 1668, of John and Mary Webb for £1300 the remainder of their land, "Com- monly called and known by the name of Dracut on the Merri- mac." It was bounded by the Merrimack river on the south, by Richard Shatswell on the east, by Shatswell and Varnum on the northeast. Colburn was to pay "two thirds in wheat and malt and one third in beef, pork, and Indian corn." This transaction, like many others, was conducted by barter, owing to the scarcity of money. Varnum and Colburn became permanent residents upon the property, a part of which still remains in possession of their descendants.
THE BILLERICA GRANT-800 ACRES
Lying to the north of the military grant was a grant to the town of Billerica. This town had petitioned for aid, and in answer the court granted 4000 acres, of which 800 laid within the bounds of Dracut. The record of the laying out, June 6, 1663, gives the length of boundary lines and mentions ad- joining properties, Mr. Dummer's farm in Dunstable, Mr. Webb's farm, Long Pond, "Masenppet" pond, Tray Table Rock,
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etc., from which data the tract can be located. It included Lakeview Park and the easterly end of Willow Dale, the most of Huckleberry hill and extended northward to the southeast end of Long Pond. The easterly angle of the grant must have been between Totman and Mammoth roads. This tract was soon purchased by Webb and later by Edward Colburn and Samuel Varnum who became owners of the military grant, as Richard Shatswell sold his share to them.
THE BATTER GRANT
Edmond Batter was a prominent man in Salem, and apply- ing for a tract of land was given a location in the "Wilder- nesse." "3 m 1662 Layd out to Edmond Batter of Salem two hundred and fifty acres of land, more or lesse, in the Wildernesse on the north side of Merrimacke River and on the west of Beaver Brooke beginning at a place called Double Brooke Meadow, it Joynes to Beaver Brooke about sixty two poles, it lyeth forty two pole wide at the Southe end and so lyeth on both sides of Alewive Brooke and reacheth up to a great pond commonly called Long Pond wch lyeth in the way between Patucket & Jeremies Hill." As it reached from Long pond to Beaver brook it is easy to locate it.
There is no stream corresponding to Alewive brook, unless the branch of Double brook coming in from the west was so called. The tract probably laid on each side of Double brook covering desirable meadows. There are many references to this brook and it is often spelt "Dubble." The tract would lie west of what is now Collinsville and included the farm of Joseph P. Varnum.
GRANT TO JOHN MARTYN
"21 Oct 1663 In answer to the petition of John Martyn, the Court judgeth it meete to grant the petitioner 100 acres of upland, to be layd out lying next to Ensign John Evered alias Webb his land." "18 May 1664 Layd out to John Martyn of Chelmsford 100 acres of land, more or less, on the north of Merrimack river, bounded by the said river on the south 97 pole
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and by the Indian plantation on the east 143 pole and from thence it runs to Mr. Webbs farme, which lyne is 200 & 10 pole, bounded there by the wildernesse, and on the west side it is bounded by Mr. Webbs farme.
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