USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Scituate > History of Scituate, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1831 > Part 2
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DIVISION OF ' LANDS.
though as yet a Plymouth man) before 1633, and family tra- dition says in 1626 : we have no means of determining the num- ber of acres. Next to Humphrey Turner's farm was that of Mr John Lothrop, the Minister, consisting of 20 acres, and assigned him, February 20, 1634. Next in order and south- westerly, consisting of eight acres, was that of William Hatch ; but we believe his house was on the lot assigned him at Green- field lane. Next in order was a lot of twelve acres, assigned to Isaac Robinson. Here he built his house. And finally, John Hanmer's house lot, which brings us round the hills to the Herring brook. These lots extended from the hills to the "New Harbour Marshes."
We can form from the above statements a pretty distinct image of the village, as it appeared in 1633 and 34. Their houses were generally log houses, and covered with thatch cut from the sedges of the salt marshes. We now remark that, to complete this map of the settlement, we are to conceive of Isaac Stedman's house (notwithstanding he had a house lot on Kent street) standing twenty rods South-easterly of the Stockbridge mill dam, Mr William Vassall's " belle house" on the neck (Cushing place), Mr Thomas King's house near it on the South-west, and Resolved White's near it on the East. Then turning to the harbour, we are to conceive of a few " squatters " and principally fishermen. We find in Winthrop's History, "February 22, 1633, Ship William, Mr Travere, master, arrived at Plymouth with passengers and goods for the Bay. This ship came to set up a fishing stage at Scituate, and to trade." Then turning to the cliffs, we are to imagine them covered with corn, and William Gillson's windmill waving its arms upon the third cliff; and our image of the settlement is pretty complete, as it existed in the autumn of 1636 .*
In tracing the progress of the settlement we shall now pur- sue the
DIVISION OF LANDS.
Until Oct. 1636, all lands had been laid out by a Committee of the Court's appointing. The Town was then incorporated, and the purchasers and freemen were commissioned to dispose of the lands. This was done (in open meetings) until 1647.
* The venerable Timothy Hatherly, although in Scituate in 1634, being unmarried, had no house here until 1637, when he erected one on " farm neck" within the Conihassett grant.
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DIVISION OF LANDS.
A. D. 1647, Dec. 13th, those who were purchasers and free- men in 1636, voted to resign their power to the whole inhab- itants of the Town. From this time it was found difficult to lay out lands on any plan or principle which would give general satisfaction. The principles generally followed were to grant lands to the freemen, and to such as had built or owned a house previously to 1647. This state of things continued many years, until on the 7th March, 1670, a petition was addressed to the Court " craving their counsell and advice and helpe and assist- ance herein." This was opposed by other inhabitants, and the matter was heard and reheard before the Court, when they de- cided (June 16, 1671) that "the resignation of the freemen and purchasers was unwarrantable and invalid : but if they would lay downe their power it, did return unto the Courte." The Court proceeded to appoint a commission of eight persons cho- sen from both parties, with instructions to agree on some prin- ciples of dividing the Common lands, and present it to the Court for their approbation. These Commissioners were Capt. James Cudworth, Cornet Robert Stetson, Lieut. Isaac Buck, and Isaac Chittenden, on one part; and John Turner, sen. John Turner, jr. John Bryant, sen. and John Damon on the other part. They agreed ; that agreement was approved by the Court ; but the Town met and refused to ratify the agreement. The Assist- ants then drew up proposals, and came in person to present them in Town meeting. But these were not accepted. A. D. 1673, the Court voted " to leave the Town to their liberties in the pre- mises." Nov. 24th, 1673, the Town agreed, that a commit- tee of eight appointed by the Court, with four appointed by the Town, should have the sole management of dividing lands, and that what they should agree upon should be binding. The Court appointed Capt. James Cudworth, Cornet Robert Stet- son, Lieut. Isaac Buck, Michael .Peirce, John Bryant, sen. John Turner, jun. John Damon and Isaac Chittenden. The Town added Charles Stockbridge, Michael Pierce, John Cush- ing and Thomas Turner. The principles agreed on by this Committee were, I. " That none shall have any interest in the undivided lands, that is not an allowed and approved inhabitant of the Town of Scituate by acte of this committee." II. "All that had an ancient grant of land from the freemen before the surrender." That is, between 1636 and 1647. III. " All
the successors of such as had owned a house before 1647." IV. " The successors of such as had not received land from the freemen." By this, we understand, such as were inhabi- tants before 1647, who had not asked for a grant, while the
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ROADS.
freemen had the disposal of lands in town meeting. We find a list of 131 " allowed and approved inhabitants " by act of this committee, which henceforth had the sole management. (See List, hereafter.) We have already noticed the division of small lots by the Court, until 1636. We now remark that the last division made by the Court was in 1636, of " the greate lottes " so called. They consisted of 60 to 80 acres, and were laid out principally upon the N. River, from the " bell house necke " to the third Herring brook. From 1636 to 1647, no lands were laid out but by special act of the freemen. In 1647, the whole Town raised a committee and made divisions. In 1673,the joint committee of the Court and the Town, made large divi- sions of planting lands, and also of all the swamps, obliging each receiver to clear his part in a given time, or forfeit his grant. This was for the purpose of breaking up the haunts of wolves. In 1699 another considerable division was made. And in 1706 all the cedar swamps were divided by vote of the Town into 8 acre lots. Scit. Rec. Vol. 2.
ROADS.
We find no order of Court, and no record of any Jury to lay out the earliest roads. We conclude therefore that Kent street, and the road that runs parallel with Satuit or Stoney brook, and the road from the third cliff, running Westerly at the foot of Colman's hills, as also Meeting-house lane, Green- field lane, and the drift way, were established by mutual consent of the proprietors, when they laid out their village in house lots. Mr William Vassall was foreman of the first Jury for laying out roads. We have found no date of his appointment : but we can state for a certainty that it was as early as 1646. We find a record of the road laid out by that Jury, from Stock- bridge's Mill-dam, to "belle-house necke" and turning to the South-west, as the cartway now leads. It is described as beginning at Isaac Stedman's house, and Isaac Stedman, we know, had sold his house to George Russell, and removed to Boston in 1646. In 1653, Cornet Robert Stetson was foreman of a Jury for laying out roads : and we find on record several ways laid out, viz. the road from the third Herring brook near Hanover Corners to Scituate Harbour ; also the road from the " old mill" (so called at that time, and by which we understand Isaac Stedman's saw mill, at the place since called Stockbridge's mill) Northwesterly over Brushy hill towards Cohasset ; also a
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ROADS.
way from Isaac Buck's (near late Anthony Waterman's) West- ward to the way last mentioned : also a road from Stedman's or rather George Russell's mill, or "the old mill," to George Moore's bridge, and onward to the common lands : also a way from the road "a little above the second Herring brook " (now David Torrey's) down to the North River : and finally a way from the North River Bridge (then Barstow's bridge) to Hingham bounds. This was the Country road. In 1656, we find the following entry in the Colony records, "William Barstow of Scituate covenanted to make a good and sufficient bridge for horse and foot over the North River, a little above the third Herring brooke, at a place called 'stoney reache' and to lay out and cleare the way towards the bay as far as Hugh's cross brooke - to receive 12£ in current country pay." Previously, the crossing of the River had been at a ford a mile above, probably near where Curtis's Iron works now are. It was there that Gov. Winthrop was carried over upon a man's back, on his visit to Plymouth in 1632, (see land marks). A. D. 1658, the Colony Court deputed Mr Hatherly and Capt. Cudworth, with a third man to be chosen by these two, "to lay out a foote way from the upper Meeting-house at the North River in Scituate, up the sa River to the house of Robert Stetson." How it was rendered necessary to take such important steps to lay out a foot path, we have not discovered : probably some pro- prietors of lands had objected to persons crossing their fields : and we know that Cornet Stetson was a valuable man in the town, and must be accommodated ; and beside, several families in his neighbourhood could shorten the distance to meeting, and to the chief settlement in the Town, by a foot path nearer to the River than the road was laid out. The two gentlemen appointed by the Court, chose James Torrey, sen. as a third man. The path was laid out from the Westerly end of the Meeting-house to Cornet Stetson's, as follows- (we omit the ancient names that we may be understood) viz. crossing the brook that falls into Stoney Cove, about fifty rods below the present road, to Thomas Oldham's house, which stood between the road and King's landing -thence in a pretty direct line to the place afterwards called the Block-house -thence to the second Herring brook, crossing it "where the old bridge did lye," that is, as we understand, near the mouth of the second Herring brook -and thence to Wanton's ship yard-then turning "over William Randall's cart bridge in William Curtis's land" and passing over Dwelley's creek, where we believe there has been a foot bridge ever since-and thence over
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ROADS.
Gowen White's farm (now Ruggles') and Humphrey Johnson's (contiguous on the S. E.) to Robert Stetson's, now the resi- dence of Stephen and Charles Stetson.
January 16, 1694-5, we find the Selectmen proceeding to lay out roads, according to a "law of the Province." And they begin by renewing "several highways formerly laid out, but 'not found on the Town records." They renewed and estab- lished all the highways which we have described above, as having been used from 1633. They also established, by a new survey, the town landing at the mouth of the second Herring brook -viz. "4 rods upon the river and 8 rods up from the water side," and also the highway from thence "to the road that goeth up to John Palmer's." They also renewed the highway from the West end of "the new saw mill dam " (then Bryant's mill) Westward to Hooppole hill, and onward to Snappet. (Scit. Rec. Vol. 2. p. 11.) Again in 1703-4 nearly all the roads that are now used, in addition to those above described, were laid out : we can except one only, viz. the road from Mount Blue to Hingham, which was not made a public road until a period more than a half century later. We will now notice a few variations in our principal roads, from their first location. We can name no important variations in the road that leads from Hanover Corners to the Harbour, save one near the South Meeting-house, where it formerly passed in nearly a direct line from Job Randall's (now David Torrey's) to the Parsonage house, crossing the second Herring brook, about fifty rods below the mill. This was altered in 1704 to accommodate the South Meeting-house when built where it now stands : and one other variation, viz. from the place where the first Meeting-house of the South Parish stood, the road went nearly parallel with the present road, but a few rods farther East, passing Easterly of Deacon James Torrey's house, which stood near Hobart's landing gate, in the Neal field, so called. A variation also has taken place near Hicks's swamp recently, (1829), passing across a corner of the Clap farm, instead of making an angle by the hills. The road from Bryant's bridge on the second Herring brook, to Spring brook (near late James Torrey's) passed on the North side of Meeting- house hill, until 1704.
The Conihassett Partners kept no record of their highways until 1694. They renewed and established all the principal roads about that time, viz. the main street at the Harbour, from Buck's corner to Bound brook, where it lay within their terri- tory, from the bridge at the old Parsonage, to Farm neck and
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BRIDGES AND FERRIES.
Hooppole neck, &c. They surrendered their highways to the Town 1715. The highway over Mount Blue to Hingham was laid out 1801.
BRIDGES AND FERRIES.
The first bridge of which we have any notice, was a foot bridge over the creek at the Harbour, before 1633. The next was Mr Vassall's over Rotten marsh creek, before 1636: and shortly after Isaac Stedman's at the mill. Near the mouth of the second Herring brook, was a bridge called the old bridge in 1658. Bryant's bridge, on the second Herring brook above the mill, was not a cart bridge, we believe, until 1704. In 1656 Barstow's bridge over the North River, on Plymouth road, was erected .* In 1660, John Palmer covenanted with John Bryant and Humphrey Johnson, town agents, to build a log way and bridge, and cover it with gravel "from firm upland to firm upland," over the third Herring brook, where the bridge now lies, near Hanover Corners. George Moore's bridge is men- tioned in 1653. In 1670, the Town (having obtained permis- sion of Charles Stockbridge) voted "that the common roade shall pass over his mill dam." In 1682, the Colony Court ordered a cart bridge to be built over the North River at Barstow's bridge, at the expense of three Towns ; Scituate to pay £10, Duxbury £5, and Marshfield £5. In 1829, the Road Commissioners for the County, agreed to assess the County for one quarter of the expense of a Stone Bridge at this place. The bridge is now completed. The bridge at Bound brook was erected before 1656, probably by the Conihassett partners : and the bridge over Satuit brook, near the old Parsonage, was there in 1648. These we believe are all the bridges of any importance, named in our records before 1700.
In 1785, a subscription was raised to build a bridge across the North River, near John Stetson's, (the ancient Wanton place). The Town chose a Committee to consult with the subscribers, and to learn what kind of bridge was proposed, and how to be kept in repair. The Town then voted their consent, on condition that a sufficient draw be kept. The project then failed. It was revived again in 1827; but is not yet accomplished.
* William Barstow received £12 of the Colony for erecting the bridge, and from 1662 to 1682, £20 for keeping it in repair.
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MILLS.
In 1799, it was proposed by the Town, to build and maintain a bridge across North River at Oakman's ferry, jointly with Marshfield. A subscription of $370 was raised by way of encouraging the enterprise : but it was defeated by the refusal of Marshfield to accomplish its part. Subsequently, however, A. D. 1801, a Corporation erected Union Bridge with the privilege of taking toll. The income, we understand, has kept the bridge in repair, and paid an annual dividend of seven per cent. Little's Bridge, a toll bridge erected in 1825, crosses the North River three miles below Union Bridge, at a place called Doggett's ferry.
In 1637, two hundred acres of land were granted to Mr William Vassall, "on condition that he keepe a ferry against his farme-toll 1d for a man and 4d for a beast." This was called Doggett's in later times, as noticed above.
In 1638, the Court ordered a ferry to be kept near the mouth of the river, below "New Harbour Marshes." This is now called White's ferry. Jonathan Brewster of Duxbury was the first ferryman. In 1641 he sold the ferry privilege to Messrs. Barker and Howell for £60. In 1645 it was kept by Ralph Chapman, who petitioned the Court to excuse him, "as it would bring him to extreme poverty." The Court excused him, "except on special occasions, as bringing over the magistrates who dwell there." Since that time we believe the ferrying there has been a private concern, without any rates of toll established by law.
The "upper ferry " (now Union bridge) was first kept by Elisha Bisbe 1645 : it was afterwards kept by Oakman: and the last ferryman before the bridge was built, was John Tolman.
MILLS.
The first mill in the Town, was a wind mill, on the third cliff. It was erected by William Gillson in 1636, on the North-east part of the cliff. After his decease in 1639, it became the property of John Daman, his nephew.
The next was a saw mill, erected by Isaac Stedman, where the well known Stockbridge mills have since stood. We are without data as to the year when it was erected : but we find it mentioned in 1640-and in 1653 it is called "the old mill." (Scit. Rec. Vol. 2. p. 3.) It became the property of George Russell 1646. This was probably the first saw mill in the Colony.
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MILLS.
In 1653, James Torrey erected a "clothing mill" on the same brook as above, a half mile or more higher up. A century afterward Capt. John Clap had a grist mill and fulling mill in the same place : these had been Samuel Clap's (his father) in 1690.
In 1656, Cornet Robert Stetson, Mr Hatherly and Joseph Tilden erected a saw mill on the third Herring brook. Re- mains of the dam may now be seen, at the Bridge, near the house of the late Major Winslow. For this mill a very extensive tract was flowed, now called "the old Pond." We find the following act of the Town in 1673. "Whereas it is apprehended that the saw mill upon the 3d herring brooke will not stand longe, and when it is downe, the mill pond will be the occation of miring of many Cattell, for the preventing of which, and that improvement may be made therof for meadow, it is agreed and concluded that when the saw mill is down, and seases to be a mill there, that then the mill pond shall be divided unto the now proprietors of the Towne, or their successors, and by them to whom division is made, to be well and sufficiently fenced." In 1676 this mill was burnt by the Indians ; and soon after the pond was divided according to the above act.
In 1650, John Stockbridge erected a water grist mill on the first Herring brook. It became the property of his son Charles at his decease in 1657: and ever since has been in the posses- sion of the family. In 1673, the Town's committee of lands offered a premium of "30 acres of land to any person who, within 6 months, should erect a grist mill on the 3d Herring brook, and engage to tend the mill for fourteen years." Charles Stockbridge accepted the proposals : but changing his mind in part, he agreed with the committee to accept of ten acres, on condition that he be allowed to erect his mill "on the Cornet's old dam:" but changing his mind again, he erected his mills in 1674 a half mile below, and received his thirty acres. This mill afterward became the property, in part, of Capt. Jonah Stetson : hence its present name "Jonah's Mill."
The family of Bryant built a saw mill on the second Herring brook, on or before the year of 1690; and soon after a grist mill. In 1688, Benjamin Curtis built a saw mill on the third Herring brook, above "the Cornet's old pond ;" and afterward a grist mill : they were afterward the property in part, of Con- stant Clap and the Curtis family.
The family of Jacob, erected mills at Assinippi, vulgarly called Snappet, about 1730. They are now the property of the same family.
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MILLS.
There was a wind mill on the South Meeting-house hill in 1720 : and subsequently another, but it has not been used, save for a horse shed for many years : it was taken down 1830.
In 1702, the Town voted "to grant one acre of land to any man or men that shall see cause to sett up a good and sufficient windmill to grinde corne withall." (Scit. Rec. Vol. 3. p. 275). The mill was proposed for the North part of the town; but whether it was built we have not ascertained.
İn 1746, the Town granted to John Stetson, his heirs and assigns, liberty to "flow any part of the landing place, near Mr Ensign Otis's dwelling house, so long as he or they shall keep up the grist mill which he is about to build near the harbour."
In 1787, the Town granted leave to Amasa Bailey to erect a mill at the Gulph. In 1791, the Town granted leave to Elijah Turner to flow a part of the road, near John Hatch's, (South-east of White-oak plain), for the purpose of erecting a grist mill. It was afterward built on Marget's brook, or Slab brook.
In 1792, the Town granted liberty of erecting a grist mill at the mouth of the Gulph, to Elisha Doane of Cohasset.
In 1802, Jesse Dunbar, Esq. petitioned the Legislature for liberty to erect a dam across mill creek and main creek at the harbour, for the purpose of erecting a tide mill. The Town consented, on condition that a sluice or draw should be main- tained for the passage of vessels. This mill has proved a great public benefit in seasons of drought.
We will now state the whole number of mills in 1829. On Bound brook two grist mills and a carding mill: not to take into the account the large mill at the mouth of the gulph, which is owned in Cohasset. A tide mill at the Harbour. On the first Herring brook, a grist mill and a nail mill. On the second Herring brook, two grist mills, a saw mill and a shingle mill : and a saw mill on the East branch of the brook, erected 1831, by S. A. Turner, Esq. On the third Herring brook, are three grist mills, three saw mills, and a shingle mill, (erected 1826.) On Groundsell brook two saw mills owned by the family of Stockbridge. _ On Marget's or Slab brook one grist mill.
Within the territory which is now Hanover, the "Drinkwater Iron works" were erected by Mighill in 1710. This is a place on the stream which forms the southern border of the Town.
On the Indian head river Mr Bardin, an enterprising Scots- man, erected Iron works (now Curtis's Iron works) about 1730. A grist mill was early erected on Hugh's cross brook.
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THE NORTH RIVER.
NORTH RIVER.
This stream received its name before 1633, and probably from the circumstance that its general course 'is from south to north, or that it was farther north from Plymouth than South River in Marshfield, which meets the North River at its mouth. The North River is a very winding stream, flowing through extensive marshes, sometimes, as it were, sporting in the broad, meadows in the most fanciful meanders, and sometimes shooting away to the highlands which border the meadows. There is one reach which has long been called the "no gains" from the circumstance, that, after flowing from side to side, and almost turning backward for several times, it has in fact flowed several miles, and gained but a few rods in its direct progress to the sea. From the sea to the North River bridge on the Plymouth road, an air line would not exceed seven miles : while the line of the River amounts to eighteen miles.
The tide rises at the North River bridge from three to five feet : and there is a perceptible tide two miles higher up. It has three chief sources, the Namatakeese and Indian head, which flow from the Matakeeset Ponds in Pembroke, and the Drinkwater, which has its sources chiefly in Abington. The tributaries are the three Herring brooks on the Scituate side, and the Two Mile brook and the Rogers brook on the Marsh- field side. Wherever the River in its windings, touches the highlands, there is a ship-yard, a landing or a fishing station. To name them in order, we observe, that just by the bridge on the Plymouth road, is a ship-yard, which has been improved as such since 1699, Daniel Turner having been the first builder there that has come to our knowledge. A few rods below, on the Scituate side (now Hanover) is a ship-yard, first improved by the Barstows in 1690. Just below the third Herring brook, and scarce a mile below the bridge, on the Scituate side, is a ship-yard, first improved by the Palmers and Churches, as early as 1690 : now by Messrs. Copeland and Ford. Nearly opposite on the Pembroke side, at "the brickilns" so called, is a ship- yard, which has long been used by the Turners and Briggses. Nearly a mile below this on the Pembroke side is "Job's land- ing," so called from Job Randall jr., who we believe resided near the place. A little below on the Scituate side are "Cornet's rocks" in front of the ancient residence of Cornet Robert Stetson. A half mile below on the Marshfield side is " gravelly
20
NORTH RIVER.
beach," a principal station for the herring fishery: and we believe vessels have formerly been built here. A little below, and at an air-line distance of two miles nearly from North River bridge above named, is the ancient Wanton ship-yard, used by that family in 1660, and subsequently by the Stetsons, Delanos and Fosters. Here the largest ships have been built, and more in number probably than at any other station on the River. A half mile (or something less) below on the Scituate side, is the ancient ship-yard of Job Randall, used by him about 1690; and subsequently by the Prouteys, the Chittendens and Torreys ; and now by Messrs. Souther and Cudworth. A half mile lower on the Scituate side, is "the block house" where was a fort and a garrison in Philip's war. Here is a wharf and a ship-yard, which has been improved by the Jameses and Tildens for a century. Just above are " sunken rocks," on which vessels sometimes touch and are impeded. Just below, and at an air- line distance of a little more than three miles from North River bridge, is Union bridge. A half mile lower on the Scituate side, is King's landing. And about another half mile, on the same side, is Hobart's landing. Here we believe the first vessels were built; by Samuel House, as early as 1650; and soon after by Thomas Nichols : then by Israel Hobart in 1677 : by Jeremiah and Walter Hatch soon after. The family of Briggs also have built vessels here for near a century, and it is still improved by the latter family, Messrs. Cushing and Henry Briggs. Here the Ship Columbia, (Capt. Kendrick), was built by James Briggs, A. D. 1773. It was the first ship that visited the North West coast from this country. Capt. Kendrick explored the River Orregon, and named it from the name of his ship, which name will probably prevail henceforth. At the distance of another half mile below, is Little's bridge : at which point, we believe vessels have been built on the Marshfield side. The meadows above this station are of very various width, in few places exceeding a mile : but below, there is a wide expanse of marsh, anciently called the "New Harbour marshes." The scenery here is on a sublime scale, when viewed from Col- man's hills, or from the fourth cliff. The broad marshes are surrounded by a distant theatre of hills, and the River expands and embraces many islands in its bosom. Here it approaches the sea, as if to burst through the beach, but turns almost at right angles to the East, and runs parallel with the sea shore, for nearly three miles before it finds its out-let, leaving a beach next the sea of twenty rods width, composed chiefly of round and polished pebbles, excepting only the fourth cliff, a half
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