History of East Boston; with biographical sketches of its early proprietors, and an appendix, Part 5

Author: Sumner, William H. (William Hyslop), 1780-1861. cn
Publication date: 1858
Publisher: Boston, J. E. Tilton
Number of Pages: 883


USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > East Boston > History of East Boston; with biographical sketches of its early proprietors, and an appendix > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > East Boston > History of East Boston : with biographical sketches of its early proprietors, and an appendix. > Part 5


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That Noddle's Island had been inhabited some time before


1 Johnson (in his " Wonder-Working Providence," chap. 17), says: " The planters in Massachusetts bay at this time [1629] were William Blackstone at Shawmut (Boston), Thomas Walford at Mishawum (Charlestown), Samuel Maverick at Noddle's Island (East Boston), and David Thompson at Thomp- son's island, near Dorchester. How or when they came there is not known."


47


SIR WILLIAM BRERETON.


1629.]


the arrival of Governor Winthrop is presumed from the fact, that some of the passengers in the ship Mary and John, who wished to proceed from Nantasket, where they were put on shore, May 30, 1630, by Captain Squeb, to Charles river, where they were bound, obtained a boat of some who had staid in the country, at Noddle's Island and Charlestown, for trade with the natives. This must have been quite a large boat, as the party consisted of ten persons, who went to explore, and who took their goods with them in the boat. They also carried with them "an old planter," as they called him, who " had staid in the country and could speak something of the Indian language." From the fact that he is called an "old planter," and that he had acquired such a knowledge of the language as to make himself understood by the Indians, we infer that he must have been one of the settlers before spoken of at Noddle's Island or at Charlestown.1


From the above-mentioned facts the inference seems to be justifiable, that the name which superseded the one given to this Island by Sir William Brereton was derived from William Noddle, a probable early resident upon it. He seems to have been the Robinson Crusoe of the Island without his "man Friday," and to have cruised about in his little canoe until he found a watery grave.


No regard seems to have been given to the grant of the Ply- mouth Company to Robert Gorges, or to the title of Sir Wil- liam Brereton, who held under him, while at the same time great respect was paid to the latter person as a man. Leases were made under this grant, and families were sent over ; and Sir William himself was only prevented from coming by the breaking out of the civil wars, in which he distinguished him- self upon the popular side. As no compromise could be made with him, his claim and its litigation were bequeathed to pos-


1 On their way, the boat stopped at Charlestown, where they ate boiled bass at an Englishman's house, but had no bread to eat with it. They sent the old planter to the Indians, and he persuaded them to keep at a distance that night. The next morning the Indians appeared, and in a friendly manner sent some of their number holding out a bass, and our people sent a man with a bisquet; and so they exchanged, not only then but often afterward, " a bisquet for a bass."


48


HISTORY.


[1629-30.


terity. His son-in-law, Edward Lenthall, Esq., of the Inner Temple (who married Susannah, for whom the "lesser island " was named), in 1691 claimed the lands in the right of his wife, but the claim was disowned by the committee of the council.1 Hutchinson observes that the grant of the Council of Plymouth to Captain Robert Gorges was loose and uncertain, and no use was ever made of it.2 That his grant to Sir William Brereton also was directly disowned by the Massachusetts Company, the following record shows : -


"10th February, 1629-30. Motion was made on behalf of Sir William Brewerton (Brereton), who, by virtue of a late patent, pretends right and title to some part of the land within the company's privileges and plantation in New England ; yet, nevertheless, he intends not to contest with the company, but desires that a proportionable quantity of land might be allotted unto him for the accommodation of his people and servants, now to be sent over. Which request, the court taking into due consideration, do not think fit to enter in any particular capitu- lation with him therein, nor to set out any allotment of land for him, more than six hundred acres he is to have by virtue of his adventure in the joint-stock, nor to acknowledge any thing due unto him as of right, by virtue of his said patent, nor to give any consideration in case he should relinquish his pretended right, but they are well content he should join with them in the prosecution of this business, according to their charter, and do promise, in the mean time, that such servants as he shall send over to inhabit upon the plantation, shall receive all courteous respect, and be accommodated with land and what else shall be necessary, as other the servants of the company. Which answer was delivered unto those that were sent from him; and the court desired also that Capt. Waller and Mr. Eaton would signify the company's affection and due respect unto him, he having written to them about this business." 3


Capt. Robert Gorges, the brother of John, the grantor, and


1 Barry's Hist. Mass. Vol. I. p. 169.


? Hist. Mass. Bay, Vol. I. pp. 5 and 6.


3 Massachusetts Records, Vol. I. pp. 68, 69.


49


LIEUTENANT-GENERALS.


1623.]


the son of Sir Ferdinando, was a man of some eminence in that early period of the colonial history, if we may judge by his title ; for he was employed by the council in 1623, as lieuten- ant-general, to "restrain interlopers and regulate all affairs." He was the first person who bore that title in this country. We have no recollection of this title having been conferred on any person from that time until it was given to General Washing- ton, as commander-in-chief of the armies of the United States, in the quasi war with France in 1798; nor from that time until, by a late vote of congress (in 1855), the complimentary title of Brevet Lieut .- General was conferred upon Major-General Win- field Scott, the general in chief of the armies of the United States, for his gallant and distinguished conduct in the war with Mexico, as exhibited in the victories which he gained over the enemy. Thus we see, that, in the course of upwards of two centuries, there have been but three persons who have held that high military rank. The powers of the two latter officers, however, as commanders of the armies, were in wide contrast with those of the former, whose limited power as lieutenant- general was the very humble one of " restraining interlopers, and regulating all affairs!" Notwithstanding his high commission, and the extraordinary authority given by it, as his grant was not confirmed, he sacrificed his distinguished rank to interest, left the colony, and never returned to resume the duties of his office in restraining interlopers ; and it is not known who after- ward wore his epaulettes, or upon whom his responsible duties descended, or whether interlopers were ever afterward molested by so high a functionary. Not so with Sir William Brereton, the first grantee of Noddle's Island, and the major-general of Cheshire, Staffordshire, and Lancashire. Although he had so large a grant in this country, he never left England; for he valued his rank and military fame more than he did his exten- sive possessions in the new world, and his military honors at home were greater by far than any he could hope for here. His wonderful exploits are recorded in a valuable work, printed in London in 1647, and very rare in this country, written by John Vicars, and called " England's Worthies under whom all the Civil and Bloudy Warres since Anno 1642 to Anno 1647 are related." As Sir William has a particular claim upon our


5


50


HISTORY.


[1642.


attention, being so early and intimately connected with the Island, it is proper that some of his valiant deeds should here be noticed ; and for this reason, and as a matter of curiosity to the reader, we quote from the old book just mentioned. Here we find recorded in quaint language, that -


" This most valiant and successefull Patriot of his country was blessed by God with many memorable and famous Vic- tories over his Countrie's enemies, as first in the yeare 1642, In notably beating that Arch, Malignant enemy of those parts, Sir Thomas Aston, neere Namptwich, utterly routing all his forces, taking about 100 of his souldiers prisoners, with many horse and Armes, and making Sir Vincent Corbet fly in a panick feare for his life.


" 2. Hee beat him againe most soundly at Middlewich, where he took prisoners, Sir Edward Mosely, Colonel Ellis, divers Lieutenant-Colonells and Majors, 11 Captaines, most of all his field Officers, about 600 souldiers, 2 peeces of Ordnance, many Arms, all his bag and baggage, his Army wholly routed, and Middlewitch firmely possessed by this noble and victorious Com- mander.


"3. He also obtained a most famous Victory over the Earle of Northampton, who was slain in the fight, and divers other Commanders and Officers slain and taken prisoners.


" 4. He also bravely beat the E. of Darby at Stockton heath ; And Sir Vincent Corbet also a second time at Draighton in Shropshire, and took from him many prisoners, horse and Armes.


"5. And in the yeere 1643, he took Wolverhampton, and Whitchurch in Shropshire, by a terrible storme, Stafford Town and Castle also, and Eccleshall Castle, with all the Ordnance, Armes, and Ammunition in them, and much other rich prize and booty.


"6. He bravely beat the cowardly L. Capell at Lappington, and at Leighbridge, where he put him twice to retreat and rout, slew many of his men, and forced him to fly into Shrews- bury for shelter ; he also took Holt bridge by storm, a strong Garrison of the enemies ; with his taking of Wrexham, in Wales, Hawarden Castle, and Gusanna house, a strong Garrison of the enemies in Wales.


51


BRERETON'S VICTORIES.


1643.]


" 7. He won a most famous Victory of the Lord Capell and the Lord Byron at Namptwich Siege ; and Sir Thomas Aston also, where he routed all Byron's Irish forces, took Major-Gen- erall Gibson, Sir Francis Butler, and divers other eminent com- manders prisoners, together with 2000 common souldiers, and bloody Irish women, 6 peeces of Ordnance, above 20 carriages, all their bag and baggage, and where were slain in the fight about 300 of the enemies, and Byron himselfe forced to fly into Chester.


"8. He also beat the enemy sorely at Welshepoole in Mont- gomeryshire, together with Sir Marmaduke Langdale at Mal- passe in Cheshire, in August, 1644, where he slew and took many eminent Commanders and Officers, and brought them prisoners to Namptwich.


" 9. At Tarvin also he most magnanimously beat the enemy ;. and slew Col. Marrow, a most pestilent Atheistical Royalist ; and drove the enemy also out of Worrall Island, and settled firmly many Garrisons in those parts.


" 10. This most renowned Commander obtained a most glo- rious Victory over his enemies at Montgomery Castle, at the relieving of noble Sir Thomas Middletons forces besieged therein, where he put the enemy, being then very strong, to a totall rout and flight, took prisoners Major-Gen. Sir Thomas Tildsley, Major-Gen. Broughton, Lievtenant Col. Broughton, Major Williams, 19 Captaines, 23 Knights and Gentlemen, 33 Cornets and Ensignes, 57 Sergeants, 61 Corporals, 11 Drums, 5 Trumpets, 1480 common souldiers ; slew two Lievtenant- Colonels, 7 Captaines, with many other Officers, 500 common souldiers, and took their Armes and Ammunition, bag and bag- gage.


" 11. Hee also took the Town and Castle of Leverpoole, with all the Ordnance, Arms, and Ammunition therein ; and had singular good successe in preventing a dangerous designe of Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice to have passed their forces through Cheshire into Lancashire, against our Brethren of Scot- land in the north.


" 12. Hee also took the brave and strong Town and Castle of Shrewsbury, with all the Ordnance, Armes, and Ammunition therein, with very many riches, prisoners, and prizes.


52


HISTORY.


[1645.


" 13. Hee also routed the King's forces at Denbigh, in Anno 1645, and tooke 400 of the enemies prisoners, about 600 horse, and many of the enemies slain in the fight.


" 14. He also took the strong Castle of Beeston with all the Ordnance, Armes, and Ammunition therein ; and also took the strong and considerable Town and Castle of Westchester, by composition or treaty, with all the Ordnance, Armes, and Ammunition therein, which were very many, and much other rich prize.


" 15. He also took the Town of Leichfield, and obtained a most glorious Victory over the Lord Ashley, the last and greatest prop of the Kings party at Stow in the Woulds, where he routed the said Sir Iacob Ashleys whole Army, took the Lord Ashley himselfe prisoner, with divers other eminent Com- manders, about 1800 common souldiers, with all their Armes, Ammunition, bag and baggage.


" 16. After this hee took Titbury Castle, with all the Ord- nance, Armes, and Ammunition therein ; together with Dudley Castle also (a most strong and almost impregnable Castle, in the yeere 1646) with all the Ordnance, Armes, and Ammuni- tion therein also.


"17. And at last after a long Siege his valiant and Victo- rious forces took Leichfields strong close, where hee took pris- oners 7 Colonels, 6 Commissioners of Array, 2 Lievtenant- Colonels, 8 Majors, 32 Captaines, 15 Lievtenants, 8 Cornets, 9 Ensigns, 21 Esquires and Gentlemen of quality, 700 common souldiers, and all the Armes and Ammunition therein; And thus was a Speciall instrument of ending Victoriously those our unhappy and unholy Civill Wars."


Sir William was indeed a valiant knight; and perhaps it was fortunate that he did not come to this country and settle on that " bigger island " which for a little time bore his name ; for Winthrop and Standish, and their companions, would hardly have dared to have come into the vicinity of this renowned sol- dier in the "Bloudy Warres," through fear that, differences of opinion arising, they might be as "notably beaten " and " utterly routed " as " that arch malignant enemy, Sir Thomas Aston."


This " bigger island," which the famous Sir William named


53


GAME.


1628-9.]


for himself in 1628-9, was in the following year called Noddle's Island by Governor Winthrop, from its former probable occu- pant. It is also noted by that name on the 5th of July, 1631, in an enumeration of the islands in Boston harbor in the public records of Massachusetts.


It was then ordered "that all the Ilelands within the Lym- itts of this pattent, viz : Conant's Ileland, Noddle's Ileland, Thompson's Ileland, together with all other Ilelands within the lymits of our pattent, shall be appropriated to public benefits and uses, & to remaine in the power of the Governor & Assist- ants (for the time being), to be lett and disposed of by them to helpe towards publique charges, & that no prson whatso- ever shall make any use or benefitt of any of the said Ilelands by putting on Cattle, felling wood, raising slate, &c., without leave from the Governor & Assistants for the time being." 1


At this early period the Island was frequented by waterfowl, pigeons, and other edible birds, and on this account proved so attractive to the hunters that it was very soon found necessary to pass a law to protect the game which flocked thither in great numbers. This law or order, which may be interesting to sportsmen, was passed on the 3d of April, 1622, to the effect " that noe person whatsoever shall shoote att fowle upon Pullen poynte or Noddles Ileland, but that the said places shall be reserved for John Perkins to take fowle with netts."2 What a privilege ! None such is granted in these days. Whether the ducks or plover which two centuries afterward frequented the Island in great numbers were at that time so plenty as to be caught with nets, we are left in doubt, except from the terms of the statute. Be that as it may, the writer of this, a half cen- tury since, in a violent north-east storm, has known that kind of plover called dough-birds, from their superlative fatness, light upon the Island in such large flocks and in such a wearied condition, that it seemed as difficult for them to fly as it is for seals to run ; and Mr. Williams related to him, that in attempt- ing to rise on the wing they were chased by the men and boys and knocked down with clubs! None are now to be seen where once they were so abundant, and even the market offers


1 Mass. Records, Vol. I. p. 89.


2 Ibid. p. 94.


5ยช


54


HISTORY.


[1632.


but few at fifty cents apiece! It was remarked by him, that they flew by Boston in the month of August, and if the August storm passed and these birds were not seen upon the Island, but very few of them would be seen in the market that year. Often, as they flew over the Island in flocks, they were shot, and were sometimes so fat that their breasts would break open as they fell upon the ground. It is, however, more probable, that the fowl which Mr. Perkins had the exclusive privilege of catching with nets were the wild pigeons, which frequent the first clearings in the woods, rather than ducks or plover, which require no statute to prohibit their being caught in that man- ner. It however does not appear on the grant what considera- tion was paid for it, nor why Mr. Perkins should have had this exclusive privilege. But as the public always like a quid pro quo for all benefits received, it is not improbable that he was a progenitor of the same family which in our day have so dis- tinguished themselves by their munificent liberality to our chari- table public institutions. If so, the grant may be easily ac- counted for, as the grantors would have rested in security of getting a consideration in a full tithe of the earnings of his industry. Mr. Perkins, however, enjoyed this privilege but a short time, as the Island was soon afterward granted to Mr. Maverick for a special consideration, without any reservation of this right.


It appears that from the time of Mr. Perkins's grant down to the extensive improvements within the knowledge of the pres- ent generation, the Island has been a great resort for birds. This is shown in an anecdote in the journal of the Williams family, which, as illustrative of this fact, is here inserted, although it anticipates the chronological arrangement.


Says the journal, under date of the 2d of September, 1795 : " Tom (Williams) went out with his gun, and returned at one with six dozen birds, with the assistance of Harry ( Williams), who met him at the farm. He would not stay to dine, but took a new recruit of powder, and set off again. They returned at five, with three dozen more." 1


1 The writer here acknowledges his great indebtedness to the politeness of John Avery, Esq., of Lowell, for permission to examine, and make free use of,


55


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.


1633.]


Prior to 1633, the accounts of Noddle's Island are very meagre, but with that year commences a series of events which constitutes an uninterrupted narration, abounding in historical interest.


the manuscript Family Journal of the Williams Family, a narrative of daily occurrences on Noddle's Island beginning with the year 1793, now in the possession of Mr. Avery. From this valuable document much interesting matter has been obtained, which will be found scattered through the book. The volumes, which are large folio, thick and closely written, contain a full family history, facts, dates, incidents, memoranda of persons, places, and things on the Island and in the city. The narrative is full, going into every detail, and possesses great interest to the antiquary. The writer's access to these books is one of those fortuitous circumstances which seldom occur, and which he duly appreciates. The journal was continued after the family removed to Chelsea.


CHAPTER II.


SAMUEL MAVERICK, GRANTEE OF NODDLE'S ISLAND ; HIS ANCESTRY.


ON the 1st of April, 1633, the record states, that ---


" Noddle's Island is granted to Mr. Samuel Maverick, to enjoy to him and his heirs for ever, yielding and paying yearly at the General Court to the governor for the time being, either a fat wether, a fat hog, or 40s. in money, and shall give leave to Boston and Charlestown to fetch wood continually, as their need requires from the southern part of the said Island." 1 On the 7th of December, 1636, the jurisdiction of the Island was laid to Boston, and on the 13th of May, 1640, it was declared " that the flats round about Nodles Iland do belong to Nodles Iland to the ordinary lowe water marke." 2


The name of Maverick has been associated with the colonial history from its earliest dates, and especially with the history of Noddle's Island, the first grant of which, by the general court, was to Samuel Maverick, who had occupied it for several years previous. There were a number of persons in New England by the name of Maverick as early as 1630; and the names of the Rev. John Maverick, Samuel, Elias, Moses, and Antipas have come down to posterity. From circumstances hereafter to be named, it seems probable that they were all connected by family ties, although it is sometimes difficult to trace the pre- cise relationship. The early history of the family is involved in much obscurity, which is the more to be lamented as some of its members bore a conspicuous part in the affairs of the


1 Mass. Records, Vol. I. p. 104.


2 Ibid. p. 291.


57


REV. JOHN MAVERICK.


1630.]


colony.1 The direct narrative of this book has particular refer- ence to Samuel, the first grantee of Noddle's Island; but it has been thought proper to introduce all the information rela- tive to those of the name which a diligent search and patient . investigation could afford.


The fact that no previous attempt has been made to present a connected account of this family or of any of its members has induced the writer to make a thorough search among the early records of the colony ; and as the result of his labors, while many points remain unsettled, and some errors may have crept in through the well-known difficulties attending a search into old records, he is able to present a more connected and fuller history of the Mavericks than has before been published. As many disputed points are thus settled, and others are fairly stated, and some important facts recorded, it is hoped that the general reader will find much to interest, and the antiquarian some dates and items which will gratify his taste for the ancient and honorable.


The most prominent of any of the name was Samuel Mare- rick, the owner and first white inhabitant of Noddle's Island, a stanch Episcopalian and a firm royalist. Around him as a centre, we find others of the name among the first settlers in Massachusetts Bay ; and from these, probably, have originated the few families which have borne the name throughout the country. It is impossible, with one exception, to ascertain when these different Mavericks emigrated from England. This exception is the Rev. John Maverick, of Dorchester. Before going particularly into the life of Samuel Maverick, a few facts will be given, which have been collected concerning his father, " the godly Mr. Maverick," who was one of the original pastors of the first church in Dorchester.


The Rev. John Maverick was a minister of the established church, who resided about forty miles from Exeter, in Eng-


1 There was a Radford Maverick, vicar of Islington, England, in 1603, and R. Maverick, rector of Trusham, between 1586 and 1616 (Mass. Hist. Coll.) ; but it does not appear whether those of the name in this country were of this connection.


58


HISTORY. [1630.


land,1 and, judging from the scattered accounts which have come down to us, he was a godly man, a beloved pastor, and a safe and trustful guide in temporal and spiritual things. The first mention made of him is at the time the pious people assembled in the New Hospital, Plymouth, England, and were formed into a Congregational church. This was early in the year 1630; a year in which " it pleased God of his rich grace to transport over into the bay of the Massachusetts divers honor- able personages, and many worthy Christians."2


Preparations were then being made for a large emigration to New England, or more particularly to the Massachusetts col- ony, and Winthrop's fleet was getting in readiness as speedily as possible. Having decided to leave their native country for an unknown wilderness, or, more truly, compelled to leave, or else yield their freedom to worship God how and when they pleased, the preliminary arrangements were prosecuted with an earnestness of purpose and a religious feeling which made manifest their motives of action. The day of this meeting at the hospital was an important one to those who were incurring the frown of the government by thus assembling. A decisive step was then taken, which was to affect the whole future course of their lives, and, with the reverence peculiar to those days and too rare in these latter times, they looked to their spiritual lead- ers for direction in all things. A devout and earnest spirit characterized that meeting. Mr. White, an indefatigable pro- moter of the colony and a man eminent in his profession, preached in the forenoon. In the afternoon, the Rev. John Warham, a celebrated divine of Exeter, and Rev. John Mav- erick, who lived about forty miles from him, were chosen and ordained by the church as their clerical officers. The fact that Mr. White was present and cooperated with the others is good evidence that the two ministers then chosen were well qualified, and adapted for the important station they were to fill. They had both been ministers of the established church in England, and had, therefore, been ordained by some bishop, as none




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