USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Sherborn > History of Sherburne, Mass. : from its incorporation, MDCLXXIV, to the end of the year MDCCCXXX : including that of Framingham and Holliston, so far as they were constituent parts of that town > Part 2
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LAWYERS .- The celebrated Fisher Ames commenced the practice of law in this town, but soon returned to his native Dedham.
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" A lawyer, by the name of Daniel Warren, came to Sherburne about A. D. 1812; but his fees were insuf- ficient for his maintenance, and he soon left the place. Since that the town has been wholly free from lawyers, and generally from lawsuits. Several young gentlemen of the green bag have inquired of the inhabitants, if it were
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
an eligible situation for one of that profession, and have been uniformly and truly assured, that it is an excellent place for a lawyer to starve in, but not one in which he can . gain a living. They have believed this and kept them- selves away." Thus writes a native of the town.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS .- There are two houses for public worship and a building for an Academy, near the centre of the town, and six school houses for the accommodation of the free schools, in the several districts. Further par- ticulars, resepcting the houses for worship, will be found in other parts of this pamphlet.
BURYING GROUNDS .- The old south burying ground is probably the oldest, in the town, as the first settlers lo- cated themselves in its immediate vicinity. It lies un- fenced in a pasture, is overun with whortleberry, fern and other bushes, and many of the gravestones are prostrated and exposed to the trampling of horses and cattle. A number of the stones have the following inscription ; " died in the memorable mortality, A.D. 1754." Though the dilapidated state of this repository cannot be suppos- sed to be injurious to the dead, it is calculated to wound the feelings of the living, who are possessed of com- mon humanity, and who may chance to discover it in their solitary rambles.
The Farm grave-yard is undoubtedly nearly, if not quite, as ancient as the Old South, as that part of the town be- gan to be settled almost as carly, as the south end. This was unused for many years, after a few had been de- posited in it, and was suffered to be overrun with wood. About forty years ago the inhabitants again began to 3
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appropriate it to the use, for which their ancestors design- ed it, and since that time it has been cleared, inclosed with a substantial stone wall, and now makes a very de- cent appearance. A number of the ancient graves are covered in their whole length, with rough stones, which is said to distinguish those, which contain the remains of persons, who died of the small pox.
The Central grave yard, near Mr. Joseph Sanger's store, is the third that was laid out. In this are deposit- ed the remains of the first four ministers of the place,- Gookin, Baker, Porter and Locke. 1 insert the follow- ing epitaphs, as curiosities ; one determining the time, when this ground was first used as a burying place, and both showing the quaintness of the style of writing, which was fashionable a century and half ago.
ELIZABETH
Daughter of Moses and Lydia Adams.
Born, Sept. ye 18, 1686. Died June ye
17, 1689. Her body was ye first grain sown in this ground.
Alone in empty bed it was laid down, With many saints to rise and take her crown.
Under this stone there lies the dust Of THOMAZIN COLLICUT, & just Besides her her Granddaughter dear, BETHIAH GOOKIN lieth here.
To threescore years & fourteen more The one attains, or seventy four.
August 22, 1692.
The other near thrice seven weeks Beholds the light, the Grave then seeks.
March ye Ist. 1693-4.
A grave stone, found near the dwelling house of Mr. Isaac Cozens, and preserved in a faced stone wall, which
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incloses his door yard, it is said was intended to be erect- ed in the central yard, in memory of the person whose name it bears ; but it was not procured till her friends had forgotten where they had laid her. It bears this in- scription.
Here lyes ye Body Of GRACE BULLEN Who Died August 11 1689 & in ye 26 Year of Her Age.
There is a burying yard on the north side of Brush bill, in which the first person interred was LUTHER PERRY, who died Feb. 22d. 1785.
The next ground appropriated to this use is the New South grave yard, in which Mrs. Hannah Ware and her infant child were first deposited. They died, March 2.d 1790.
The Western burying yard received for its first deposit, Mrs. Hannah Twitchel, who died Sept. 29, 1791.
In the. Plain burying yard Miss Rebecca Newell was the first, who was buried. She died, June 29, 1792.
CIVIL HISTORY .- The following is the Act of Incor- poration, transcribed from the Records of the General Court of Massachusetts. " At a General Court, held at Boston, May 27, 1674 .- In answer to the Petition of the Inhabitants and proprietors of Land near Bogestow, the Court granted the Petitioners the quantity of Six miles square, not exceeding eight miles in length, to take in as many Farms with the vacant Lands adjoining or inter-
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mixed therewith as that quantity of Land will admitt ; provided that none of the Farmers shall have any part of the aforesaid vacant Land now granted by this Court ;- but the said Land to be distributed amongst such other persons as will come to inhabit in the said Town as the major part of the Farmers think meet : provided that there be a Farm of 200 Acres of meet Land reserved, and by Captain Fisher laid out for a Farm for the Country; and that no Man shall have allotted above fifty Acres, till there be twenty new families settled there, and then the whole that is free to be disposed of as the major part of the Inhabitants, capable by law to vote, shall judge meet. And the name of the Town to be called Shearborn.
A true Coppy attested, EDWARD RAWSON, Secretary.
By a plan of the township, delineated on parchment, A. D. 1701, now in the possession of the town clerk, it ap- pears that Sherburne originally extended as far north, as Sudbury river, in Framingham, near the Old burying ground, including part of Great pond in that town, so cal- ed on the plan, now known by the name of Farm pond ; and the whole of Washacum pond. N.W. it was bounded by Sudbury river and Cold Spring brook, including that part of Hopkinton, called Maguncook, Magunkoog, or Maguncog, as the spelling is various, in Natick and Sherburne records. S. W. it extended to Deer brook, in- cluding part of what is now Milford, then Mendon ; and the whole of Holliston, as it was bounded previously to 1829. S. and E. the line, between it and Medway, Med- field and Dover, varied but little from that, which now separates it from these towns.
Natick, the aboriginal word for, a place of hills, em- braced, at that time, Peters and Brush hills, and that part
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
of Sherbarne, which is calgarly called Dirty Meadow .- These lands were purchased of the Natick tribe, in ex- change for their Magoncook lands and other considera- tions, as will be found in the sequel. It is also stated, in Worthington's History of Dedham, that three thousand four hundred acres, in the cast part of Sherburne, once be- longed to the grantces of that township, by a grant to them of five miles square, north of Charles river, A. D. 1636.
By the map, or plan, abovementioned, it is ascertained that the first inhabitants of Sherburne located themselves, at the southern extremity of the township, on the margins of Bogestow pond and Charles river. Here a stone house was erected, and occupied as a garrison house, on inter- vale land, which, by a late running of the boundary line, between this town and Medway, falls a few rods within the latter. This spot is one of the last, which would be chosen, in these days, for a fortified place, as it is com- pletely overlooked and commanded by a steep hill, within a few rods of it. This house has been taken down, with- in the memory of many now living.
Notwithstanding the unfavourable situation of this building, it seems to have been of no little importance to our ancestors, as a place of defence. When Medfield in- cluding what is now Medway, was nearly destroyed by the Indians, Feb. 21, 1676, it is said that a number of the inhabitants of that town fled to this garrison. Rev. Dr. Sanders of Medfield observes, in his Historical Ser- mon, that, " on the 6th of May following, the Indians met with a notorious repulse, at this stone house. On the 2d of July, there was near this a new conflict, in the · woods, and more execution was done upon the enemy." There was another garrison house, near Holbrook's mills, .and a third at Dirty meadow.
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
Though it is not known that any of the inhabitants were either killed, or captivated, or any of their property destroyed by the Indians, within the settlement ; they must have suffered many deaths in apprehension. Three of the adjoining towns were nearly depopulated ; name- ly, Medfield, Mendon and Sudbury ; and, in the last men- tioned, the brave Capt. Wadsworth, and his company were entirely cut off and sacrificed to savage barbarity. The Natick tribe also, adjacent to them, were suspected of being hostile, though without any real foundation for such suspicion.
Since writing the above, I have been made acquainted with a tradition, which is handed down very directly, that on the morning, on which Medfield was attacked by the Indians two brothers, Jonathan and Eleazer Wood of Sher- · burne, were sent to the former place, to fetch a pair of oxen. They entered the barn, where the beasts were kept, at day break, heard a noise in the barn, which they mistook for that of swine, let out the cattle, and, while in the act of yoking them, were assailed by a party of Indians, who rushed from the barn, knocked them on the head with their tomahawks and left them for dead.
After the Indians had completed their work of destruc- tion and retired to such a distance from the place, that the surviving English ventured to attend to the dead and wounded, the brothers were found. Jonathan had expired, but Eleazer was alive and survived several years. The former left a wife and children. the latter was afterwards married and had children.
A number of families, in the town, can trace their pedi- gree back .to those men. They owned the farm now be- longing to Major John Goulding.
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
1674-5, Jan. 4th, -Assembled for the ordering the af- fairs of Shearborn, Daniel Morse, George Fairbanks, Robert Badcock, Henry Adams, Thomas Holbrook, Ben -. jamin Bullard, John Hill, Henry Laland, Joseph Morse, Obediah Morse, Daniel Morse, jr. Jonathan Morse, John Perry, Jonathan - - -, [surname net legible. ] ·
Thom- as Kames is accepted as an inhabitant of Shearborn.
At this meeting Committees were appointed, to take a view of the Land for the laying out of the Courts grant ; to agree with Thomas Thurston, Surveyor, for the laying out that Tract of Land-and assist the measurer about laying out the Land, &c. Also, Henry Adams, Robert Badcock & Thomas Eames are required to treat with Capt. Gooken and whom it may concern else, for the purchasing of some Natick Land to the accommodating the Plantation, and to make return to the Company.
1675 .- March 8th-Assembled for the ordering the af- fairs of Sherborn. . " Voted to raise fifty shillings for the Surveyor for his work." (At this Meeting Committees were chosen) " to take a view where to add to the grants of Land what is yet wanting to make up the complement and to take a view of Natick Land, for the exchanging with them."
1676-7. - March 15th-Then was Obediah Morse chosen to keep the Records of Sherborn. It was the mind of the Inhabitants and their desire that Capt. Fish- er should be treated with, that He would be helpful, or undertake the settlement of the Plantation.
1677 .- 2d m. 13th day-Assembled to prepare for the exchange of Land between Natick and Sherborn, as en- couragement has been given at the Court by Mr. Eliot and Major Gookin.
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
3d mouth, 9th day-At a meeting of the lahabitants of Sherborn, The Committee chosen by the General Court being then with us-The Committee enquiring where was the place intended for a Meetinghouse. It was then voted and agreed on that the place intended for a Meetinghouse should be on a parcel of Land joining or bordering on the Land of Nicolas Wood and. Capt. Hull's Farm .- Capt. Hull's house is supposed to have stood a few rods West of Capt. James Bickford's.
Voted that propositions should be made to Maj. Goo- kin and Mr. Eliot . and to the Indians in referring to the exchange of Lands between Natick and Sherborn, as to give Fifty Pounds in current pay and as much Land as a Committee of the General Court shall think meet.
July 31 .- Voted and agreed to by all of us from this time to improve the Liberty of a Town in a Civil Body that the honored Court and Laws of our Country gives to us. At this meeting it was voted that Edward West, as. Sergeant, should take the care of the Military in Sher- born.
. 7 mo .- Voted If any of the Inhabitants shall neglect to attend Town meetings appointed and being warned of it, shall be under the penaltey of Ss. Id. for every such offence, to be for Town use.
'78-11 mo .- 1 day .- At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Sherburn 17 persons were present. It was voted that five men be chosen as Selectmen, Daniel Morse, sen. George Fairbanks, Edwd. West, Thomas Eames, Obe- diah Morse chosen to keep the Records or as a Clark. N. B. This was the first time the Town chose Select- men. Voted That the first second day of January should be from year to year held to be a public meeting for the public affairs of Sherburne.
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
1679 .- " For as much as for the further promulgation of the Gospel, the subdueing this part of the Earth among the rest given to the Sons of Adam, and the enlargement of the bounds of the habitations formerly designed by God for some of His people in this wilderness; It hath pleased the Lord to move and direct the much Honoured Gen. Court to grant a tract of land in the land adjoining to or near the place called Bogestow with the Farms there in laid as is judged a meet place for the erecting and settleing of a Town."
" We the persons whose names are next under written, for the pre- vention of questions and mistakes, disorders and contentions that might otherwise arise, do order and determine and resolve as fol- loweth."
1. " That all persons whatsoever, that shall receive lands by grant from the said Town now called Sherborne, shall become subject to all such Orders in every part and point of Town Government, as are at. present, or hereafter by the authority of the said Town shall be made and appointed for the ordering, regulating, or governing thereof : Pro- vided they be not repugnant to the Orders, or any Orders of the general Court from time to time. And that every such Grantee, shall for the firm engagement of himself and his successors, thereunto sub- scribe his name to our Town Book, or otherwise, his grant made to him shall be of none effect."
2. " That if questions, differences, or contentions should fall out or arise in any manner or way in our Society, or betwixt any party therein; that they shall really endeavour, to resolve and issue the same in the most practicable way and manner, by Refference, Arbitration, or some other like means before it shall come to any place of publick Ju- dicaturc except it be in our own Town."
3. " That we shall all of us in the said Town faithfully endeavour that only such shall be received to our society and Township as we may have sufficient satisfaction that they are honest, peaceable, and free from Scandal and erroneous opinions."
4. " That none of the inhabitants aforesaid or our successors at any time hereafter for the space of seven years from the date hereof upon any pretence whatsoever without the consent of the Selectmen for the time being first had and obtained, shall alienate, Let, assign or set over for the space of sven whole years any part or parcel of Land formerly granted to him or them by the Town, except to some formerly 4
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accepted of by our Society ; always provided that this shall in no sort prejudice or hinder any Heirs at common Law." (signed)
Edward West, Daniel Gookin, Ephraim Bullen, Benjamin Bullard, William Sheffield, Moses Adams, John Holbrook, Joseph Morse, Benj. Twitchell, Jonathan Whitney Jr. Thomas Holbrook, Joseph Twitchell, Eleazer Wood, Jonathan Morse, Abraham Cusanes, Thomas Holbrook Jr. John Death, Walter Shephard, William Rider, John Perry, Benoni Learned, Eleazer Fairbanks, Hopestill Lealand, Nathaniel Morse, Obediah Morse, Thomas Sawin, Wlliam Goddard, Thomas Breck, Benjamin Whitney, Ebenezer Lealand, Nathaniel Johnson, John Coolidge.
Mutilated Report of a Committee of the General Court.
2d. " As to the farmes adjacent we conceive all those, in Medfield bounds that were granted by this Court and received nothing frour Medfield, shall be accounted and liable to all charges and take up . priviledges in Sherborn : those in Natick bounds, all the Petitioners - Lands shall be accounted Inhabitants in; Sherborn : and all other · Farms that are nighest Sherborn Meetinghouse, shall be likewise in the bounds of Sherborn, and do duty and receive privelidges therein : but we doubt whether they be like to be a Town, if some considerable tract of Land be not procured from the Indians, either by exchange or purchase or both.
Your Honors humble Servants
DANIEL FISHER, RICHARD ELLICE, THOMAS THURSTON.
2-23 (77)
The Court approves of this Returne provided always, that the tract of waste Lands, situate and lying indifferently accommodable for Sud- bury and Marlborough as well as Sherborn and are now belonging to Thomas Danforth Esq. Dep. Governor, be excepted.
A true Coppy Attest EDWARD RAWSON, Secretary.
1679 .- Articles of agreement between Daniel Morse, - sen. Thomas Eames, Henry Lealand and Obediah Morse in behalf of the Town of Sherburne on the one part. Wabon, Pimbow, Thomas Tray, John Awonssamage sen. Peter Ephraim and Daniel [Takawombpait] on behalf of
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the Town of Natick on the other part, concluded and agreed upon this sixteenth day of April 1679.
Whereas, It hath pleased the general Court by their Order bearing date May 12th 1675 to give leave to the People of Sherborn to purchase by way of exchange, from the people of Natick, a quantity of Land belong- ing to Natick for their furtherance and promoting of Sler- borne Plantation.
2. The people of Sherburne above named in behalf of the rest, do desire about four Thousand Acres as it is Plotted, described and bounded on the Northeast with Natick : on the Southeast, South West and West by Sherborn, on the West, and Northwest with a Farm be- longing to Mr. Danforth.
3. In compensation for the same they agree to give by way of exchange the like quantity of Land be it 4000 Acres more or less, lying and being adjoining to Maugun- coog Indian Hill, which Land was granted unto Sher- born by the general Court of the Massachusetts; moreover they do promise and covenant to pay unto the persons above named, their Heirs or Assigns, the full and just quantity of 200 bushels of Indian Grain to be paid one half in hand or at demand, and the other half the last of March next ensuing. Moreover, they are willing, that Peter Ephraim do enjoy the Land he hath broken, up within that Tract of Land they are to have of Natick, at a place called Brush Hill, and to add thereunto so much more as may make the Lot 12 Acres, with an equal proportion of Meadow, to enjoy to him the said Peter Ephraim and his Heirs and Assigns forever; but to be under the government of the Township of Sherburne as the English Are.
4th, Also we agree & consent that on the Lands.we are
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
to have of Natick there be a Lot of Fifty Acres sett out where the Commissioners of the Colopies, Major Gookin and Mr. Eliott, and Indian Rulers shall choose within that Tract of Land, to be appropriated forever to the use of a free School for teaching the English and Indian Children there the English Tongue & other Sciences.
In witness whereof &c.
Witnessed by DANIEL GOOKIN, NATHL. GOOKIN, EDWD. WEST.
Signed as above.
Coppy attested by DANIEL GOOKIN, Senr. In answer to a motion in behalf of Sherborn Inhabi- tants this Court does ratify and allow of the exchange of Lands made as above said.
Attest, EDWARD RAWSON, Secretary. At the same General Court held at Boston 28th of May 1679.
We whose names are subscribed being appointed by the Genl. Court to consider the case referring to the petition of Sherborn about exchanging of Lands with the Indians and other things contained in that Petition in pursuant whereof & obedience whereunto being desired by Sher- born the I st. of the III. mo. 1677 when we expected major Gookin & Mr. Eleot with some Indians : but wait- ing some time only two Indians came with a paper from Mr. Eliot, by which we understood nothing was like to be done. But taking notice of the order referring to the purchasing the Plantation. We find there is but little or no Country Land near the place where they intend to sett their Meetinghouse.
'79 .- At a meetting of the Inhabitants of Sherburne
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
in reference to exchange of Land with Natick : for the paying of 200 bashels of Corn to boot &c .. 18 persons present.
Daniel Morse for his Farm do engage 25 bushels of Indian Corn this year. Thomas Eames and that Corner of the Town 25 bushels. Henry Lealand 25 bushels, others assisting him-and in case the other quarter cannot be defrayed, then Obediah Morse do engage for the other quarter upon the desire and promise others to bear him out in either Corn in wheat or money ; to be paid wheat at 5s. per bushel money at reasonable abatement." Ensign Bullen and Henry Lealand are chosen a Com- mittee with the Selectmen to grant home Lots to those that . are come amongst us.
Sherburne granteth to such as shall make a sawmill on a Brook about half a mile on this side the corner rock that was Natick bounds, the sum of 50 Acres of upland ·adjoining to that brook, and 3 or 4 Acres of Meadow if it may be found upon that Brook as may be convenient -also 10 acres of Swamp, the Cedar timber excepted. This Sawmill to be built by the end of 12 months, and be con- tinued three years, or as the Selectmen then in being and the owners shall agree. So the Land to be settled to the owners.
$79-9mo. 29-Thomas Sawin is accepted as one of -the new Inhabitants at Chestnut Brook to take up a first "Lot as may be convenient for building a Sawmill on it. This is where Mr. Galim Bullard now lives. The mill : stood a few rods below where Mr. Isaac Cozens's now : stands. Some of the timber, placed there by Sawin, yet .remains in the brook.
.. I here take the liberty to correct an error, in the His-
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toryof Natick. This Thomas Sawin purchased a tract of land at Natick, and the mill seats on the brook, which bears his name, and built the first corn mill there, in .1686. He, or his son John built a saw mill on Charles river, which was the second in that town, and which was after- wards moved up to the brook.
1679 .- Ensign . Saml. Bullen & George Fairbanks re- fusing to take the oath of Tytheinginen, the Selectmen in obedience to the Law do choose Thomas Holbrook to have inspection over those families at the widow Leland, Hopestill Lelands &c. 10 Families. And Joseph Mors: as tytheingman to inspect over Eleazer Fairbanks and 5 other Families. N. B .- No Officers of that discription have taken the Oaths of Office in this Town for many years past !
1680 .- June 2d-At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Sherburne to attend the consultation of the honord Com- mittee, Major Savage Mr .--- with the other Gent. of that Committee -- did then agree before them and engage to lay down of their lands for needful ,highways for the use of the Town, and to choose a Committee to lay them out.
October 12th .- Reckoned with Thomas Sawin for his work about the Meetinghouse For framing the Meeting- house and provideing Boards, Shingles and Clapboards, and making Windows and Doors according to bargain about the Meetinghouse. - - £. 50. 0. 0 For Boards and his work laying the Floor of do. 3. 0. 0
Daniel Morse, sen. John Hill, Benj. Bullard, John Death with the Selectmen are chosen to seat the Meet- ing when seats are made.
1681 .- July 4th-George Fairbanks proposed to re- sign up to the Town all his rights and Interests in
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Sherborn with all his former charges from the first pe- titioning provided they would free him from Sherburne. :
1681 .- 8 mo. 27-Voted by the Inhabitants that there shall be a division of so much of our common Land as is judged meet for a dividend by Daniel Morse, Thomas Holbrook, Jonathan Whitney, John Death and Joseph Morse, If our honored Committee approve of it. Also a Committee was chosen to acquaint the honored Com- mittee with the state of the Town as to the accommoda- tion of the new Inhabitants, and intreat their power and advice which way this Dividend shall be laid out. Also the Committee to obtain a Surrey to lay out this Land. Each man shall choose his Lot : and if 2, 3, 4 or more shall pitch upon one place, then they to draw Lots who shall have that Lot. Each Man that shall take up Land shall pay the charges of the laying out his Lot. If any Man do mislike his Lot : then he to choose his Lot out of any part of any of the Towns upland without circum- ference. -
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