History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 129

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1226

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 129

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On June 2, 1763, Governor Francis Bernard sent a message to the General Court, expressing his wish that a census of the Province might be taken; but that body paid no heed to the suggestion. On January 19, 1764, he renewed the proposition, and apparently with better success ; for the Legislature, on February 2d, adopted an order carrying out his wishes. The popular heart, however, was not in the work, and no interest was taken in the measure. The people were suspicious of the rulers in England, and jealous of all political interference; and it is but natural that the census proceeded slowly. On March 5, 1765, an act was passed by the Gencral Court to carry into ef- fect an order which had previously been passed for numbering the people within the Province. This ac- tion shows that the Governor's pet scheme was not re- ceiving a warm support.

With these drawbacks, and under such conditions, the first census of the houses, families and number of people in the Province of Massachusetts Bay ever taken was finished in the year 1765. Singularly enough, there are now no returns of this enumeration among the Provincial or State Archives, where they were undoubtedly placed. How or when they disap- peared is a matter of conjecture; but probably they were lost amid the confusion that naturally prevailed during the Revolutionary period. Fortunately a copy of this census was found by the late Judge Samuel Dana, of Groton, among some papers of a deceased friend, which had then lately come into his posses- sion; and by him sent to the Columbian Centinel newspaper, where it was printed for the first time in the issue of August 17, 1822, more than half a cen- tury after the enumeration was made. From this source is derived all the information concerning the figures of the census of 1765; and the printed copy, in the absence of any other, is an authority second in importance only to the original manuscript returns. At that time the town of Groton had 1408 inhabit- ants.

Akin to this subject, there is in the Library of the Massachusetts Historical Society a memorandum- book, which contains some interesting facts con- nected directly or indirectly with the population of the Common wealth during the Revolutionary period. According to this authority the population of Groton in the year 1776 was 1639; the number of ratable polls in 1778 was 362, and the number in 1781 was 395.

In compliance with a resolution of Congress, an act was passed by the General Court of Massachu-

setts on July 2, 1784, requiring the assessors of towns to make certain returns, from which it appears that there were at that time 418 polls in Groton. This was the largest number returued by any town in the county, with the single exception of Cambridge, which had 457 polls; and after Groton caine Reading with 399 polls, and Woburn with 395, followed closely by Framingham witlı 389.

At the several decennial dates of the United States census, the population of Groton has been as follows: In the year 1790, 1,840; 1800, 1,802; 1810, 1,886; 1820, 1,897; 1830, 1,925; 1840, 2,139; 1850, 2,515; 1860, 3,193; 1870, 3,584, and 1880, 1,862. The town of Ayer was incorporated on February 14, 1871, and made up almost entirely from the territory of Gro- ton, which accounts for the great diminution in the population between the last two decennial periods, as given above. The new town started on its corpo- rate existence with a population nearly equal to that of the parent town, and, with all the vigor of youth, soon surpassed it in size.

The population of Groton, as taken by the State in the quinquennial years, has been as follows: In the year 1855, 2,745; 1865, 3,176; 1875, 1,908, and 1885, 1,987. By all the enumerations, National or State, made during the present century, it will be seen that there has been a steady increase in the population of the town, with the exception of the period between the years 1860 and 1865, when there was a slight decrease of seventeen inhabitants, and of the period between 1875 and 1880, when there was a falling off of forty-six inhabitants. The loss in the first instance was due, of course, to the disturbing effects of the Civil War.

The population of Ayer in the year 1885 was 2190 ; and if that village had not been separately incorpor- ated, the population of Groton would now be consid- erably more than 4000 inhabitants. According to the last State census there were thirty-two towns or cities in Middlesex County larger than Groton, and twenty-one towns smaller.

The original Groton Plantation, as grantcd- by the Gencral Court on May 25, 1655, has furnished the entire territory of Ayer; the whole of Pepperell, with the exception of a narrow strip lying along its north- ern boundary, which once belonged to the West Par- ish of Dunstable (Hollis); the whole of Shirley, with the exception of a small portion formerly known as "Stow Leg;" one-half of Dunstable; and has con- tributed more or less to form five other towns, namely, Harvard, Littleton and Westford (including a part of Forge Village), in Massachusetts, besides Nashua and Hollis, in New Hampshire. The total popula- tion of this territory is now more than 10,000 inhab- itants.

SUMMARY. - Population of Groton at Different Times .- Town incorporated on May 25, 1655; in Oc- tober, 1659, "vnpeopled;" in May, 1661, four or five families; in March, 1676, about 300 inhabitants; in

543

GROTON.

March, 1680, forty families ; in March, 1708, 67 polls; in March, 1765, 1408 inhabitants; in 1776, 1639 in- habitants : in 1778, 362 polls; in 1781, 395 polls, and in 1784, 418 polls.

Year.

Inhabitants.

Year.

Inhabitants.

1:90

1$40

1855

2745

1500

1802

1860

3193

1810

1886

1865

3176

1820

1897

1850

3584

1830

1925

1875

1908

18400

2139

1862

1550

2515

1885

1987

The approximate population of the town, under the national census of 1890, is 2071, though these figures are subject to change in the official count.

SLAVERY IN GROTON .- During a long period be- fore the Revolution, Groton had one element in her population which does not now exist, and which to-day has disappeared from almost the whole civilized world. At the beginning of the year 1755 there were fourteen negro slaves in town, seven men and seven women who were sixteen years old or upwards. At that time Townsend had three slaves, two men and one woman ; Shirley had one, a man ; and Pepperell made no return of having any. Westford had five, but the sex is not given. These facts are gathered from a census of negro slaves in Massachusetts, ordered by the Province, which is published in the third volume, second series, of the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society (pages 95-97).

William Banks, a negro or mulatto, was married at Groton on December 21, 1719, by Francis Fullam, a justice of peace, to Hannah Wansamug. William appears to have been a slave belonging to Eleazer Robbins, of Groton, and Hannah was an Indian, who is called in the records "late of Lancaster; " but un- fortunately the marriage was not a happy one. With all confidence in her husband, the wife bought his freedom, when he proved false to his plight and prom- ise, and deserted her. The story, told in her own words, is found in the Journal of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, June 13, 1724 (page 39):

" A Petition of Hannah Banks Indian, shewing that she bought of Eleazer Robbins of Groton his Servant Man's Time, and gave a Bond of 1. 15 for Payment of the saine, that afterwards she married the said Servant Man, who is since absconded, and the said Robbins hath put the said Bond in Suit, and cast the Petitioner into Prison in Boston, that the Principal Debt with the Charges hath arisen tol. 25 which Mr. Edward Buggles of Roxbury bath paid for her, praying this Court would please to enable the said Edward Ruggles to Sell such a part of her Land in Natick, as will satisfy him for his advance of said Twenty-Five Pounds. " Read and committed to the Committee for Petitions."

The following advertisement, not an unusual one for that period, appears in The Boston Evening- Post, July 30, 1739 :

PAY away from his Master, Mr. John Woods of Groton, on Thursday the 12th of this Instant July, a Negro Man Servant named Caesar, about 22 Years of Age, a pretty short well sett Fellow. He carried with him a Blue Coat and Jacket, a pair of Tow Breeches, a Castor Hat, Stockings and Shoes of his own, and a Blue Cloth Cout with flower'd Metal Buttons, a white Awer'd Jacket, a good Bever Hut, a Gray Wigg, and a pair of new Shoes of his Master's, with some other things. It is suspected there is some white Pervom that may be with him, or design to make Use of his Master's Apparel abore described.

Whoever shall take up the said Serrant, and bring him to his above-said Master in Groton, or be a Means of convicting any person or Confederate with said Servant as abore suspected, shall have Five Pounds Reward for each of them, and all necessary Charges paid.

Another advertisement appears in The Boston Gazette and Country Journal, June 13, 1774, as follows :

Ten Dollars Reward.

P. AN AWAY from the Subscriber, Joseph Moors, of Groton, in the County of Middlesex, and Province of Massachusetts-Bay, a Molatto Man Servant, named TITUS, about 20 Years of Age, of a mid- ling Stature, wears short curl'd Hair, has one of his Fore-Teeth broke ont, took with him a blue Surdan, a Snuff-coloured Coat, and a Pair of white wash'd Leather Breeches, a Pair of new Cow-Hide Pumps and a Furr'd Hat with large Brims, and sundry other Articles of Wearing Apparel .-- Whoever will take up said Servant and confine him in any of his Majesty's Goals, so that the Owner may have him again, shall have TEN DOLLARS Reward and all necessary Charges paid, by

JOSEPH MOORS.

AT All Masters of Vessels and others, are hereby Caution'd against Harbouring, Concealing, or carrying off said Servant, as they would thereby avoid the Penalty of the Law.

The following marriage is entered in the church rec- ords under the date December 28, 1742 : "Priamus (Capt Boydens Negro man servant [)] to Margrt. Mo- latto formerly servant to S. S. both of Groton." It is also recorded that Margaret, the servant of Samuel Scripture, Jr., was baptized on January 30, 1733-34, and that she owned the church covenant at the same time. The initials "S. S." stand for Samuel Scrip- ture. This negro couple was afterward blessed with a family of children, and they lived on the west side of the Nashua River, a short distance north of the county road to Townsend. His surname was Lew or Lue, and his given name became contracted into Pri- mus; and to this day the rise of ground, near the place where the Pepperell road leaves the main road, is known as Primus Hill, so called after him. Mr. Butler thinks that perhaps Margaret's name was Lew. See his History (page 454). Their oldest child, -Zelah, a corruption of Barzillai,-born at Groton on November 5, 1743, was a famous musician, who lived at Dracut aud the father of numerous children who were also musicians. He was a fifer in Captain John Ford's company of the twenty-seventh Massa- chusetts Regiment, in service at the siege of Boston, and was present at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

About the year 1740 there was a negro slave in Gro- ton by the name of Boad, who used to look after the cattle sent up to Groton Gore in the spring to be pas- tured during the summer. See " The Boundary Lines of Old Groton " (page 37). The church records con- tains the entry of the baptism of Hagar, a servant of William Green, on August 1, 1765.

Akin to the subject of slavery iu Groton is this item, from The Groton Landmark, November 14, 1885 :-

"Gov. Boutwell has in an old scrap-book the following interesting Memorandum :

"August, 1856.

"Noah Shattuck, esq., informs me that there were eleven slaves in Groton when slavery was abolished, and he mentioned the following names: Chloe Williams, Phillis Cutler, Phillis Sartell, Ichahod

544

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Davis, Fanny Borden and William Caso. Phineas Wait also owned one Have."

Noah Shattuck, a son of Job and Sarah (Hartwell) Shattuck, was born on Angust 30, 1772, and died on September 28, 1858.

The following entry is found in the town records, and refers to the last survivor of negro slavery within the limits of the town. "The institution was abolished by the adoption of the State Constitution in the year 1780, the courts holding that the Bill of Rights swept away the remnants of involuntary servitude:

" Phillis Walby, servant to Josiah Sawtell, Jun., deceased, died at Groton, aged 79, February -, 1821."

The following extract from the town records refers to Titus, who is advertised as a runaway in The Boston-Gazette, and Country Journal, June 13, 1774, as mentioned above. The advertiser was a son of Abraham Moors, the owner of Zebina, the slave- mother :

" Titus, a molato boy born of Zebinah, a negro slave to Mr. Abraham Moors, March -, 1751."

A LIST OF THE TOWN CLERKS (from the year 1662 to the present time, with the dates of their election and terms of service. In this list the years are given according to the new style of reckoning, and in spe- cifying dates, small fractions of years are overlooked. The town was attacked by the Indians in the spring of 1676, and abandoned by the inhabitants until March, 1678.

The earliest records of the town were written by Richard Sawtell, and begin on June 23, 1662, though his election as town clerk was not recorded until De- cember 24, 1662. During the period since that date there have been thirty-four town clerks, of whom five, namely, Jonathan Morse, William Longley, Jr., James Blanchard, Jonathan Sheple and Samuel Rockwood, died while in office-Longley being killed by the Indians on July 27, 1694. During the early part of 1682 Captain James Parker, Richard Blood and Jonas Prescott made entries in the records, though no one of them appears to have been at the time town clerk. Jonl- athan Morsc was the first who signed the records with his name, though the practice with him was not con- stant. William Longley, William Longley, Jr., and John Longley were representatives of three successive generations in the same family, being father, son and grandson. On December 9, 1687, William Longley, Jr., was chosen clerk, but he acted as such during only a part of the next town meeting on May 21, 1688, when he was followed by Josiah Parker, who made the entry for so much of that mceting as oc- curred after his election. Mr. Bingham, the present occupant, has filled the position for more than thirty- five years continuously-by far the longest term of service of any town clerk. Joseph Lakin, with a ree- ord of seventeen years, comes next to him in length of time. Of all the persons mentioned in the list, only the last three are now living, namely, Mr. Boutwell, Mr. Parker and Mr. Brigham ; and their combined

term of service covers just forty-four years. Since the death of Mr. Park, which took place on September 23, 1875, these three have been the only survivors. Mr. Butler died on October 7, 1854, and Mr. Boyn- ton on November 30, 1854-less than eight weeks apart.

Date of Election.

December 24, 1652, Richard Sawtell, 1662-1664.

January 27, 1665, Jamos Fisk, 1665.

December 2, 1665, William Longley, 1666, 1667.

December 11, 1667, John Page, 1668.

November 11, 1668, Richard Blood, 1669.

November 10, 1669, John Morse, 1670-1676. (Town abandoned during two years.)

1678, James Parker, 1678, 1679.

December 23, 1679, John Morse, 1680, 1681.

1682, Jonathan Morse (died July 31, 1686), 1682-1686.

December 10, 1686, Josiah Parker, 1686, 1687.

December 9, 1687, William Longley, Jr., 1688 (a short time only).

May 21, 1688, Josiah Parker, 1688-1691.

December 10, 1691, Jonas Prescott, 1692.

December 12, 1692, William Longley, Jr. (killed July 27, 1694), 1693- 1694.

March 4, 1695, James Blanchard, 1695.

March 3, 1696, Jonas Prescott, 1696.

December 10, 1696, James Blanchard (died Feb., 1704), 1697-1704.

March 8, 1704, Thomas Tarbell, 1704, 1705.

March 5, 1706, Joseph Lakin, 1706-1722.

March 5, 1723, John Longley, 1723-1726.

March 7, 1727, Joseph Lakin, 1727.

March 5, 1728, John Longley, 1728, 1729.

March 3, 1730, Jonathan Sheple, 1730.

March 2, 1731, Thomas Tarbell, Jr., 1731-1733.

March 5, 1734, Jonathan Sheple, 1734-1744.

March 5, 1745, Thomas Tarbell, Jr., 1745-1756.

March 1, 1757, Abel Lawrence, 1757-1764.

March 5, 1765, Oliver Prescott, 1765-1777.

March 3, 1778, Isaac Farnsworth, 1778-1781.

March 5, 1782, Abel Bancroft, 1782, 1783.

March 2, 1784, Jonatban Keep, 1784.

March 1, 1785, Abel Bancroft was chosen, but declined.

March 1, 1785, Isaac Farnsworth, 1785-1787. March 4, 1788, Nathaniel Sartel was chosen, but declined.

March 10, 1788, Joseph Shed, 1788-1794. March 3, 1795, Samuel Lawrence, 1795-1798.

March 5, 1799, Samuel Rockwood (died May 29, 1804), 1799-1804.

June 18, 1804, Oliver Prescott, Jr., 1804-1810.

March 5, 1811, Joseph Mansfield, 1811-1814.

March 7, 1815, Caleb Butler, 1815-1817. March 3, 1818, Joseph Mansfield, 1818. March 2, 1819, Noah Shattuck, 1819-1822.

March 3, 1823, Caleb Butler, 1823-1831.

March 6, 1832, John Boynton, 1832, 1833.

March 4, 1834, John Gray Park, 1834-1836.

March 6, 1837, John Boynton, 1837-1845.

March 3, 1846, Georgo Sowall Boutwell, 1846-1850.

March 4, 1851, John Warren Parker, 1851-1854.

March 5, 1855, George Dexter Brigham, 1855-

A LIST OF THE TREASURERS (so far as they are found in the town records, with the dates of their elcction and terms of service) .- Alden Warren served during twenty-four years, which is the longest term of any treasurer ; and next to him, in length of service, was Benjamin Bancroft, who filled the office for seventeen ycars. After him came Cal- vin Boynton, who served during sixteen years, and then Capt. Ephraim Sawtell, with a term of fifteen years. William Livermore, who was treasurer in 1845, is thic senior survivor ; and, with the exception of the brothers George and Walter Shattuck, all his successors are still alive.

545

GROTON.

Date of Election.

[March ?], 169;, Capt. Jas. Parker. March 1, 1703, " Samnill Woods trasewer "

March 7, 1710, Saminel Woods. March 6, 1:11, Samuel Woods. March 4, 1712, Jonathan Boiden. March 3, 1713, Jonathan Boiden. March 2, 1714, " Shebuall hobart " March 1, 1715, Shebnel Hobart. March 6, 1716, Jonathan Boiden. March 5, 1717, Jonathan Boiden. . March 4, 1718, John Longley. March 3, 1:19, John Longley. March 1, 17.0, John Longley. March 7, 1721, John Longley. March 6, 1722, John Longley. March 5, 1723, Thomas Lawrence. March 3, 1724, Thomas Lawrence. March 2, 1725, Thomas Lawrence. March 1, 1726, Thos. Lawrence, Sr March %, 1727, Thomas Lawrence. March 5, 1728, Thomas Lawrence. March 4, 1729, Samnel Tarbell. March 3, 1730, Samuel Tarbell. March 2, 1:31, Samnel Tarbell. March 7, 1732, "Justis Prescott." March 6, 1733, Benj. Prescott, Esq. March 5, 1734 (In the list of town .

officers chosen on this day the treasurer's name is omitted probably thrungh an oversight hut withont doubt it was Ben- jamin Prescott).

March 4, 1735, Benj. Prescott, Esq. March 2, 1:36, Benj. Prescott, Esq. March 7, 1737, Benj. Prescott, Esq. March 6, 1738, " Justice Sawtell." March 4, 1739, Nath. Sawtell, Esq. 1740 (no record is found). March 3, 1741, Nath. Sawtell, Esq. 1742 (no record is found). March 1, 1743, " Deacon Longley." March 6, 1744, Dea. John Longley March 5, 1745, Dea. John Longley March 3, 1746, Dea. John Longley March 3, 1747, Dea. John Longley March 1, 1:48, Dea, John Longl-y March 6, 1749, Dea. John Longley March 5, 1750, Capt. Eph. Sawtell March 5, 1751, Capt. Eph. sawtell March 3, 1752, Capt. Eph. S.wtell March 6, 1753, Capt. Eph. Sawtell March 5, 1754, Capt. Eph. Sawtell March 4, 1755, Capt. Eph. Sawtell March 2, 1756, Capt. Eph. Sawtell March 1, 1757, Capt. Eph. Sawtell March ", 1758, Capt. Eph. Sawtell March 6, 1750, Capt. Eph. Sawtell Marche 4, 1760, Capt. Eph. Sawtell March 3, 1761, Capt. Eph. Sawtell March 2, 1762, Capt. Eph. Sawtell March 1, 1763, Capt. Eph. Sawtell March 6, 1764, Capt. Eph. Sawtell March 5, 1765, Benjamin Baucroft March 4, 1766, Benjamin Bancroft March 3, 1767, Benjamin Baucroft March 1, 1768, Benjamin Bancroft March 7, 1769, Benjamiu Baucroft March 6, 1770, Beujamin Baucroft March 5, 1771, Benjamin Bancroft March 3, 1772, Beujamin Bancroft March 2, 1773, Benjamin Baucroft March 1, 1774, Dea. Benj. Bancroft March 7, 1775, Dea. Benj. Bancroft March 5, 1776, Des. Benj. Bancroft March 4, 1777, Dea. Benj. Bancroft 35-ii

Date of Flection. March 3, 1778, Dea. Benj. Baucroft March 2, 1779, Dea. Benj. Bancroft March 7, 1780, Dea. Beuj. Bancroft March 6, 1781, Dea. Benj. Bancroft March 5, 1782, Lieut. Jona. Keep. March 4, 1783, Lieut. Jona. Keep. March 2, 1784, Israel Hohart, Esq. March 1, 1785, Israel Hobart, Esq. March 7, 1786, Isaiah Edes. March 6, 1787, Isaiah Edes. March 4, 1788, Isaiah Edes. March 3, 1789, Isaiah Edes. March 2, 1790, Isaiah Edes. March 1, 1791, Isaiah Edes. March 6, 1792, Isaiah Edes. March 5, 1793, Isaiah Edes. March 4, 1794, Isaiah Edes. March 3, 1795, Isaiah Edes. March 1, 1796, Joseph Shed. March 7, 1797, Joseph Shed. March 6, 1798, Joseph Shed. March 5, 1799, Joseph Shed. March 4, 1800, Joseph Shed. March 3, 1801, Joseph Shed. March 2, 1802, Joseph Shed. March 1, 1803, Joseph Shed. March 6, 1804, Solomon Tarbell. March 5, 1805, Solomon Tarbell. March 4, 1806, Lient. Sol. Tarbell. March, 3, 1807, Lieut. Sol. Tarbell. March 1, 1808, Lieut. Sol. Tarbell. March 7, 1809, Lieut. Sol. Tarbell. March 6, 1810, Lieut. Sol. Tarhell. March 5, 1811, Lieut. Sol. Tarbell. March 3, 1812, Lieut. Sol. Tarbell. March 2, 1813, Lieut. Sol. Tarbell. April 4, 1814, Alpheus Richardson. March 7, 1815, Alpheus Richardson March 5, 1816, Calvin Boynton. March 4, 1817, Calvin Boyuton. March 3, 1818, Calvin Boyuton. March 2, 1819, Calvin Boynton. March 7, 182), Calviu Boynton. March 6, 1821, Calvin Boynton. March 5, 1822, Calvin Boyuion. March 3, 1823, Calvin Boynton. March 2, 1824, Calvin Boynton. March 1, 1825, Calvin Boynton. March 7, 1846, Calvin Boynton. March 6, 1827. Calvin Boynton. March 4, 1828, Calvin Boyuton. March 3, 1829, Calviu Boyutou. March 2, 1830, Calvin Boynton. March 1, 1831, Calvin Boyuton. Marclı 6, 1832, John Peabody. March 5, 1833, John Peabody. March 4, 1834, Johu l'eabody. March 3, 1835, John Peabody. March 1, 1836, John Peabody. March 6, 1837, John Peabody. March 6, 1838, John Peabody. March 5, 1839, Jolin Peabody. March 3, 1840, John Peabody. March 2, 1841, John Peahody. March 1, 1842, John Peabody. March 7, 1843, John Peabody. March 5, 1844, Dauiel Shattuck. March 4, 1845, Wm. Livermore, Jr March 3, 1846, George Shattuck. March 2, 1847, George Shattuck. March 6, 1848, George Shattuck. March 6, 1849, Walter Shattuck. Marchi 5, 1850), Walter Shattuck. March 4, 1851, Walter Shattuck. March 2, 1852, Walter Shattuck. March 1, 1853, Daniel Needham.

Date of Election.

March 6, 1834, Dauicl Needliam. March 5, 1855, Alden Warren. March 3, 1856, Alden Warren. Marclı 2, 1857, Alden Warren. March 1, 1858, Alden Warren. March 7, 1859, Aldeu Warren. March 5, 1860, Alden Warren. March 4, 1861, Alden Warren. March 3, 1862, Alden Warren. March 2, 1863, Aldeu Warren. March 7, 1864, Alden Warren. March 6, 1865, Alden Warren. March 5, 1866, Alden Warren. March 4, 1867, Alden Warren. March 2, 1868, Alden Warren. March 1, 1869, Alden Warren. March 7, 1870, Alden Warren. March 6, 1871, Alden Warren. March 4, 1872, Alden Warren.

Date of Election.

March 3, 1873, Alden Warren. March 2, 1874, Alden Warren. March 1, 1875, Alden Warren. March 6, 1876, Aldeu Warren. March 5, 1877, Alden Warren. March 4, 1878, Alden Warren. March 3, 1879, George S. Gates. March 1, 1880, George S. Gates. March 7, 1881, George S. Gates. April 3, 1882, George S. Gates. April 2, 1883, George S. Gates. April 7, 1884, George S. Gates. April 6, 1885, George S. Gates. April 5, 1886, George S. Gates. April 4, 1887, George S. Gates. April 2, 1888, George S. Gates. April 1, 1889, George S. Gates. April 7, 1890, George S. Gates.

THE OLD STORES AND THE POST-OFFICE OF GRO- TON .- Tradition has preserved little or nothing in re- gard to the earliest trading-stores of Groton. It is probable, however, that they were kept in dwell- ing-houses by the occupants, who sold articles in common use for the convenience of the neighbor- hood, and at the same time pursued their regular vocations.

Jonas Cutler was keeping a shop on the site of Mr. Gerrish's store before the Revolution, and the follow- ing notice, signed by him, appears in The Massachu- setts Gazette (Boston), November 28, 1768 :

"A THEFT.

" Whereas on the 19th or 20th Night of November Instant the Shop of the Subscriber was broke open in Groton, and from thence was stollen a large Sum of Cash, viz , four Half Johannes, two Guineas, two Half Ditto, One Pistole mill'd, nine Crowns, a Considerable Number of Dol- lars, with a considerable Quantity of small Silver & Copper, together with one Bever Hat, about fifteen Yards of Holland, eleven Bandannas, blue Ground with white, twelve red ditto with white, Part of a Piece of Silk Romails. 1 Pair black Worsted IIose, 1 strip'd Cap, 8 or 10 black barcelona Handkerchiefs, Part of a Piece of red silver'd Ribband, blue & white do, Part of three Pieces of black Sattin Ribband, part of three pieces of black Tafferty ditto, two bundles of Razors, Part of 2 Dozen Penknives, Part of 2 Dozen ditto with Seals, Part of 1 Dozen Snuff Boxes, Part of 3 Dozen Shoe Buckels, Part of several Groce of Buttons, one Piece of gellow [yellow ?] Ribband, with suudry Articles not yet known of --- Whoever will apprehend the said Thief or Thieves, so that he or they may be brought to Justice, shall receive TEN DOL- LARS Reward and all necessary Charges paid. JONAS CUTLER.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 129

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1226

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1226