USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Orleans > History of Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans, Barnstable Co., Mass from 1644-1844 > Part 2
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Eastham > History of Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans, Barnstable Co., Mass from 1644-1844 > Part 2
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Wellfleet > History of Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans, Barnstable Co., Mass from 1644-1844 > Part 2
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* * Winslow, Hazzard's Coll.
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the captain, saying he had much beaten the person for doing it, and had caused the women to make bread and bring them, according to their desire, seeming to be sorry, and glad to be reconciled. They now obtained the corn, which was the object of their visit, and returned home .*
An amicable trade was continued between them, and sup- plies of corn were purchased of them, whenever they were needed. The Plymouth colony repeatedly visited this place, for the purposes of trade, and maintained a friendly intercourse with the natives for twenty years, during which time no at- tempts were made to purchase the land or to begin a plantation at Nauset.
1640. This year, 'the purchasers, or old comers,'t of Plymouth colony obtained of the Court the grant of a tract of land, from the bounds of Yarmouth, three miles to the east- ward of Namskeket, and across the neck from sea to sea .- But it remained unimproved ; no township was begun.
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1643. Several members of the church of Plymouth be- came dissatisfied with their situation, notwithstanding the fa- vorable opinion which they had first conceived of the place. They had now discovered that they had built their town in
* Winslow's Relation.
" t The purchasers, or old comers, may need explanation. Phineas Pratt and oth- ers were called purchasers, or old comers. The Leyden company of Pilgrims, before they embarked for this country, formed a partnership in trade with London merchants, commonly called merchant adventurers. The connection was to con- tinue seven years, at the end of which time all the common property was to be di- vided. In 1626, the Colony of Plymouth bought out the interest of the adventur- ers, for £1800. Soon after, the Colony hired to Gov. Bradford and his eight as- sociates, the trade of the Colony for six years, they on their part undertaking to pay therefor the £1800 to the adventurers, and all the other debts of the Company, amounting to £2600 more; and also to bring over yearly £50 in hoes and shoes, and to sell corn for six shillings a bushel. Those who were engaged in this con- tract were called purchasers. The old comers were certain of those who came over in the three firat vessels, viz. the Mayflower, the Fortune and the Ann.
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When, in 1640, Gov. Bradford, in whose name the Patent from the Plymouth company in England had been taken out, surrendered that instrument to the body of freemen three tracts of land, the first comprehending Eastham, Orleans and Brews- ter, in the county of Barnstable ; the second, a part of New Bedford and Dart- mouth, in the county of Bristol; and the third, Swanzey and Rehoboth, in the same county; and Barrington, Warren, and perhaps Bristol, in Rhode Island, were in the surrender to these purchasers, or old comers. They were in all fifty.
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the neighborhood of one of the most barren parts of New England. Consequently, it was impossible that Plymouth should ever be raised into a flourishing and opulent capital. Many of their number had already left the town, and now a number of respectable members requested a dismission .- The whole body of the church began seriously to consider whether it would not be best to remove in a body to another place, than thus to be weakened by degrees. Many meet- ings were held by the church on this subject, and their views and opinions were very different. Some were for still re- maining together in Plymouth. Others were determined to remove, declaring that if the whole church would not go, they would go by themselves. But, notwithstanding these various opinions, brotherly love still continued among them.
At length, those who preferred staying at Plymouth, yield- ed to the sentiments of the others, and a removal was unani- mously agreed to, on the condition that a place might be found, which would conveniently receive the whole church, with the addition of such persons as might afterwards join them.
The place selected was Nauset, on Cape Cod ; and the purchase of the place was now made of the Indians, by the committee who came down to examine it. This territory, on further examination, disappointed their expectations, and they changed their resolution to remove in a body to this place. It was found to be fifty miles from the centre of the settlement, and inhabited only by savages .*
Its extent was too limited to be sufficient to accommodate the whole Society, much less capable of receiving increasing numbers ; and the harbor was incomparably less commodious than Plymouth.
1643. In a voyage to Cape Cod,t the Governor took . Squanto# with him, as an interpreter and pilot, where the lat- ter was seized with a fever, of which he died. This loss was severely felt, as his place could not be supplied. Although, on some occasions his conduct was somewhat exceptionable,
* Thacher's History of Plymouth. t Chatham. # An Indian.
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yet, as an interpreter and pilot, the English always found him faithful.
A short time previous to his death, he requested the Gov- ernor to pray that he might go to the Englishmen's God in heaven ; and he bequeathed his little property to his English friends, as remembrances of his love .*
1644. The church again sent a number of persons to ex- amine the territory more extensively.
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These were Thomas Prince, John Doane, Nicholas Snow, Josias Cook, Richard Higgins, John Smalley, and Edward Bangs, with the Governor, and many other members of the church. On examination, they judged that it was not capable of containing more than twenty or twenty-five fami- lies ; and consequently that it was not large enough to ac- commodate the whole church, much less to afford room for future increase. They however renewed their purchase of the natives. How much they paid for it is not known, but it is supposed to have been a valuable and honest considera- tion.
The lands which were bought of the natives were as fol- lows: A tract of land called Pochet, with two islands lying before Potanumaquiet, with a beach and a small island upon it ; also, all the land called Namskeket, extending northward to the bounds of the territory belonging to George the sa- chem, excepting a small island, which was purchased after- wards. These tracts were bought of the sachem of Mona- moyick, Mattaquason, and of George, probably the immedi- ate successor of Aspinet. They extended northward from the bounds of the territory claimed by Mattaquason, except- ing a small neck of land, lying by the harbor, t on the east side of the tract, which the purchasers stipulated to fence, that the Indians might use it as a corn field, and that they should have liberty to get shad and other fish in the cove,t and have a part of the blubber of whales that should be driv- en on shore, the proportion to be determined by the English. It was also asked who owned Billingsgate, which was un-
* Thacher's His. of Plymouth. + Nauset. '
# Town cove.
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derstood to be all the land north of the territory purchased of George the sachem. The Indians said, none owned it. Then, said the purchasers, that land is ours. They answer- ed, It is.
1644. This year the grant of Nauset was made by the Court, as follows: 'The Court doth grant unto the church of New Plymouth, or those that go to dwell at Nauset, all that tract of land lying between sea and sea, from the purchas- ers' bounds at Namskeket to the herring brook at Billingsgate, with the said herring brook, and all the meadows on both sides of said brook, with great bass pond there and all the meadows and islands within the said tract. Nathaniel Morton, Secretary of the Court.' *
It was concluded that the whole body should not remove from Plymouth, but liberty was given to those who desired, to go and begin a plantation at this place, they agreeing to pay for the purchase which had been made in the name of the whole church.
SOME NOTICE OF THE SEVEN FIRST SETTLERS OF EASTHAM, VIZ: THOMAS PRINCE, JOHN DOANE, NICHOLAS SNOW, JOSIAS COOK, RICHARD HIGGINS, JOHN SMALLEY, AND EDWARD BANGS.
These men, in April, 1644, having obtained possession of the grant of the Court, as above, and the right of this terri- tory from the Indians, came immediately to Nauset, with their families, and began the settlement.
The east side of the town still retains the name of Nauset.
Thomas Prince pitched his tent, and commenced the la- bor of cultivation on about two hundred acres of the richest land in the place. Some of the bounds to the farm, which
* Nauset records.
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were erected by Mr. Prince, or more probably by his son- in-law, Samuel Freeman, still remain. This farm extended from the bay to the Atlantic.
The house of Governor Prince stood about forty rods to the eastward of the road, on the farm of the late Samuel Freeman, Esq.
: These first settlers are said to have been among the most respectable inhabitants of Plymouth. Their departure from that place was deeply regretted by those who remained. But lamented as it was, at that time, it was productive of great good to the whole colony. It did not essentially injure that settlement, for their numbers were soon supplied by others ; and it contributed eventually to the settlement of all the low- er part of the county of Barnstable ; the consequence of which was, that the Indians, still a formidable body, were overawed, their good will obtained, and they were thereby prevented from joining in any hostile attempts against the English, in the wars which ensued soon afterwards with oth- er Indians.
THOMAS PRINCE, the distinguished leader in the settle- ment of this town, was born in England. He came to Ply- mouth in the ship Fortune, which arrived in 1621, being then in the twenty-second year of his age.
1624. He married Patience, the daughter of Elder Brewster.
1634. He was chosen Governor of the colony.
1635. His wife having died, he married Mary, the daughter of Mr. William Collier, of Duxbury. This year he was appointed an Assistant to the Governor.
1638. He was again chosen Governor of the colony.
1657. While residing in Eastham, he was the third time chosen Governor.
The law required that the Governor should live in Ply- mouth, but a dispensation by the Court was granted in his favor, and he continued, while holding this office, to reside here for seven years.
1665. He removed to Plymouth, and was not afterwards a citizen of Eastham.
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Governor Prince lived in the house in that town which was provided for him by the government, until his death, which was March 29th, 1678, in the seventy-eighth year of bis age.
The Governor's salary was £50 per annum.
He lived in rather troublesome times, and his administra- tion, it is said, was inauspicious and perplexing. Many un- happy jars and animosities prevailed in consequence of the measures which were pursued against the sectaries of that day, and especially against the Quakers. He had also to encoun- ter many difficulties with the Indians. But, amidst these va- rious perplexities, the government appears to have pursued a firm and steady course, with its most substantial interests in view. The Hon. John Davis says: ' If we except the la- mented departure in some things, from a just and prudent toleration on religious subjects, a critical and candid examin- ation of Governor Prince's conduct, during the eighteen suc- cessive years of his magistracy, will find, it is believed, little' to reprehend, and much to approve.'
He is particularly to be applauded for his solicitous atten- tion to the establishment of schools in the colony, and the cause of general education ; and in opposition to the clamors of the ignorant and selfish, he used his influence to procure means for the support of grammar schools. He was also a firm supporter of an educated and regular ministry. The friends of learning thought that no method would be more effectual in preventing the churches from being overwhelmed with igno- rance and fanaticism .*
He left seven daughters, all of whom were married while he lived. His son Thomas went to England, where he married and died young.
His appearance, it is said, was peculiarly dignified and striking. He was excellently qualified for the office of Goy- ernor, had a countenance full of majesty, and was therein a terror to evil doers.t
Governor Winslow. t Dr. Thacher.
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There is a pear tree now standing on the farm of Govern- or Prince, in this town, near the spot where his house stood, planted by himself, to which the following lines are address- ed, by Mr. Heman Doane, a descendant of Deacon John Doane, one of his companions :
Two hundred years have, on the wings of time, Passed, with their joys and woes, since thou, Old Tree ! Put forth thy first leaves in this foreign clime, Transplanted from the soil beyond the sea, Whence did our pious Pilgrim Fathers come, To found an empire in this western land, Where they and theirs might find a peaceful home - A safe retreat from persecution's hand. That exiled band long since have passed away, And still, Old Tree ! thou standest in the place Where Prince's hand did plant thee in his day - An undesigned memorial of his race And time - of those, our honored fathers, when They came from Plymouth o'er and settled here - Doane, Higgins, Snow, and other worthy men, Whose names their sons remember to revere. Full many a summer breeze and wintry blast Through those majestic boughs have waved and sighed, While centuries with their burdens by have passed, And generations have been born and died. And many a sister tree has had its birth, Performed its labors, and fulfilled its day ; And mighty kings and kingdoms of the earth Have lived and flourished, died and passed away. There didst thou stand in times of bloody strife, The youthful days of Boston's famous tree,- And when our patriot fathers sold their lives To buy their country's glorious liberty ! Old time has thinned thy boughs, Old Pilgrim Tree ! And bowed thee with the weight of many years ; Yet, mid the frosts of age, thy bloom we see, And yearly still thy mellow fruit appears. Venerable emblem of our sires of yore ! Like them thou hast performed life's labors well ; And when, like them, thy days are passed and o'er, These lines may help thy lengthened stories tell.
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This celebrated pear tree, planted by Governor Prince, in this place, two centuries ago, and which still annually yields its delicious fruit, down to the seventh generation, is surely a fit emblem of that church which was planted by him on the same soil, and at the same time. If the rich harvests of this old tree are computed to be thousands of bushels, so from that church, we may believe, that thousands of golden sheaves have been gathered into the garner of God, as well as many of the native tribe of Indians, who lived here. 'It is especially gratifying to know, that from this church first sounded out the words of life and salvation to many natives, whose bodies now sleep in the sands of the Cape, but whose spirits have gone to God who gave them, to swell the num- ber of the blood-washed throng.'
The next to Governor Prince, of the planters of Nauset, was Deacon John Doane. He came to Plymouth soon af- ter the settlement of that place, in one of the three first ships.
1633. He was chosen one of the Assistants to the Gov- ernor.
1636. ' It was ordered, that Mr. Ralph Smith, Mr. John Doane, and John Jenney for the town of Plymouth, with others for other towns, should be added to the Governor and Assistants, as a committee for the whole body of this colony, to meet together the fifteenth of November at Plymouth, and there to peruse all the laws and constitutions of the planta- tions within this government, so that those that are still fitting might be established ; and that those that time hath made un- necessary, might be rejected ; and others that were wanting, might be prepared, that so at the next Court they might be established.'
They assembled according to the order, and having read the combination, made at Cape Cod, the eleventh of Novem- ber, 1620, on board of the Mayflower, they performed the important work for which they were appointed. This was the first revision of the laws of the colony ; and to be ap- pointed one of the committee for this work was a mark of distinction, showing that Deacon Doane was respected for his wisdom and integrity.
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1642. He was again chosen as one of the Assistants to Governor Winslow. Before his removal to Eastham, he was one of the deacons of the church of Plymouth, and was a zealous supporter of the cause of religion. He still held this office in the church here, and was often chosen to offi- ces of trust and importance, both in the colony and in the town.
He was forty-nine years old when he came here, and liv- ed sixty years afterwards, when he died, in 1707, being one hundred and ten years old. Tradition says that he was rock- ed in a cradle several of his last years.
Deacon Doane took possession of about two hundred acres of land, north of the harbor, and erected stone monu- ments, as bounds to his farm, some of which are standing at the present day, having the initials of his name cut in them.
The spot where his house stood, is pointed out by his de- scendants, near the water, and the remains of the cellar are still visible.
Few men have lived so long and usefully, and been gath- ered to their fathers in peace, at such an age.
1663. John Doane, Jun., son of the former, was ap- pointed by the Court, a receiver of the excise, or duty, on the Cape Cod fisheries.
1662. He married Hannah Bangs, daughter of Edward Bangs, and was the father of Samuel Doane, who had three sons, Solomon, Noah and Simeon.
The sons of Simeon Doane were Deacon John Doane, Benjamin, Isaiah and Ephraim.
The sons of Deacon John Doane were Timothy, Heman, Simeon and John.
The sons of Benjamin Doane were Joseph and William.
The sons of Isaiah Doane were Freeman, Myrick and Heman. The descendants of the first settlers, through their various branches, are very numerous, many of whom remain in this and the neighboring towns, and others have removed to different parts of the conntry.
Doctor Daniel Doane was probably a brother of Deacon John Doane. He was the first physician of Eastham, and
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continued in the practice until near the time of his death, which was in 1712. Doctor David Doane was a son of the former, and succeeded him in the practice. He mar- ried Doretha Horton, on the 30th day of September, 1701. He had five children, Jonathan, Hannah, Keziah, John and Nathan.
Jonathan Doane, Esq., was the son of Doctor David Doane. He was the father of Sylvanus Doane, the father of Capt. Obadiah Doane.
EDWARD BANGS. In the earliest Plymouth records men- tion is frequently made of Edward Bangs, who was the first of the family that emigrated to this country. He is repeat- edly mentioned as serving on the grand jury, as an overseer or captain of the guard against the Indians, as an appraiser of lands, and as engaged in other public employments.
In 1623, a division of lands appears to have been made, and a record was made of their grounds who came over in the ship Ann ; among them is the name of Bangs, to whom four acres were assigned, which was a little more than the average quantity - some having six or eight acres, and some only one. 'This was probably owing to the number of which their respective families were composed.
The land assigned to Mr. Bangs was among those describ- ed as lying on the other side of the town, towards Eel river.
In 1627, at a public Court held the 22d of May, it was agreed to divide the stock by lot among the companies of the three ships. The whole were divided into twelve com- panies, and lots were drawn. Edward Bangs was in the twelfth, with ten other persons. To this lot fell the great white back cow, which was brought over in the Ann.
January 3d, 1627, a new division of lands, twenty acres to each person, (in addition to lands formerly divided,) was made. Six persons were appointed layers out, viz. William Bradford, Edward Winslow, John Howland, Francis Cook,. Joshua Pratt and Edward Bangs.
In 1633, we find him on the list of freemen of Plymouth. . In 1636, he was on a jury of trials.
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In 1640, ten acres of land were granted to him. .
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In 1641, fourscore acres of land were granted to him, on condition that he contribute one-sixteenth part towards build- ing a barque of forty or fifty tons. He was one of the pur- chasers or old comers.
In 1644, Edward Bangs was appointed, by the Court, an appraiser of land.
In the same year, he removed from Plymouth to Nauset, with his family.
In 1647, he was a deputy to the Colony Court ; also, a surveyor of highways in Nauset.
In 1650, a deputy to the Court.
In 1651, a surveyor of highways for Eastham.
In 1654, he was appointed, with others, to lay out a road from Sandwich to Plymouth. .
In 1657, he was licensed as a retailer in Eastham, mean- ing shop-keeper.
In 1663, he was a deputy to the Court ; also, in 1664. He died in Eastham, 1670.
Capt. Jonathan Bangs, son of the preceding, was probably born in Plymouth, and came here with his father, and other children.
He was married July 16th, 1664, to the daughter of Rev. John Mayo. He was twice chosen as a deputy to the Col- ony Court, and once to the General Court at Boston.
About 1674, with his family, he moved to Harwich, where be died in 1728, aged 88 years.
His wife Mary died in 1711, aged 66 years.
His son, Capt. Edward Bangs, was born in Eastham, Sept. 30th, 1665. He died in Harwich, May 22d, 1746, aged S1 ; his wife Ruth died June 22d, 1738, aged 64.
His son, Edward Bangs, was born in 1694, in Harwich, and died June 3d, 1755, aged 61 ; his wife Sarah died Au- gust 8th, 1727, aged 25. They had two sons, Elkanah and Benjamin.
Benjamin Bangs was born June 24th, 1721 ; married to Desire Dillingham, January 4th, 1749, by Rev. Isaiah Dun- ' ster ; and died Oct. 31st, 1769. His children were
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1st. Joshua, born March 26th, 1751 ; died February 3d, 1778.
2d. Isaac, born December 11th, 1752 ; died 1780, un- married.
3d. Edward, born Sept. 5th, 1756 ; married, 1788, to Hannah Lynde, by Rev. Mr. Bancroft of Worcester.
4th. Benjamin, born July 21st, 1758 ; died March 9th, 1814, aged 56 ; leaving five sons and two daughters, viz. Benjamin, Isaac, George, William and Jonathan, Desire and Nancy.
Elkanalı Bangs, the son of Edward, great-grandson of the first Edward, had four sons, viz. Deane, John D., Bela and Elkanah.
Deane married Eunice Sparrow of Eastham, and had five sons, Elkanah, Deane, Bela, Isaac Sparrow and Edward.
Elkanah married Reliance Berry, Sept. 5th, 1812, and had four sons, William Henry, Hiram Berry, Elkanah and George Franklin.
Elkanah Bangs, youngest son of Elkanah, married Sally Crosby, in 1791, and had six sons, Dillingham, Elkanab, Abraham, Elisha, Freeman and Henry.
Dillingham married Louisa Tilley ; Elkanah married Sal- ly Freeman ; Elisha married for his first wife, Martha Crock- er, for his second, Olive Snow, and for his third, Sarab H. Foster ; Freeman married Susan Griffeth ; Henry married Roxa Morse.
RICHARD HIGGINS was born in England, and came to Plymouth soon after that town was settled, as his name ap- pears in the list of freemen, 1633. He married Mary Yates of Plymouth. He was chosen deputy in 1649, 1661 and 1667, and was selectman three years. His son Jonathan was married to Elizabeth Rogers, 1660, and had eight chil- dren. From these have descended all the families of this name in this and other towns in the county, which have been numerous, and many of them distinguished as good men and worthy citizens.
NICHOLAS SNOW was born in England, and came here from Plymouth. He was a man of considerable distinction,
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and was employed in the public transactions of the colony. and of this town. He was a deputy, selectman seven years, and town clerk sixteen years. Died 1671. His wife died 1676. He had one share in the division of lands made 1623.
Mark Snow, his son, was married to Jane Prince, daugh- ter of the Governor, 1660, and had eight children. He succeeded his father as town clerk, in 1663, and held the office twelve years, and he was deputy three years.
Jabez Snow, his son, had five children. He was select- man and town clerk, and lieutenant of the military company. Died in December, 1690.
Thomas Snow, son of the last, married Hannah Sears, 1692. Their son Thomas was born 1693.
JOHN SMALLEY and JOSIAS COOK were of the first set- tlers of this place. Mr. Smalley's descendants are numer- ous in .Harwich. The name is now generally abbreviated, and written Small. No mention is made of him in the rec- ords of Plymouth, so that it cannot be ascertained when he came to this country.
JOSIAS COOK. The descendants of Mr. Cook are not nu- merous. Francis, John and Jacob Cook, were early settlers of the colony, and probably he was the son of one of them.
Francis Cook came in the Mayflower, and signed the com- pact in Cape Cod harbor. He had two shares in the divis- ion of lands.
1639. John Cook was chosen a deputy to the Court.
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