USA > Massachusetts > History of the Military company of the Massachusetts, now called the Ancient and honorable artillery company of Massachusetts. 1637-1888, Vol. I > Part 56
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Edward Pell (1714). AUTHORITY: Boston Records. Gillam Phillips ( 1714). AUTHORITY : Boston Records.
John Wheelwright (1714). AUTHORITIES : Boston Records; Whitman's Ilist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842.
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erection of the new workhouse. The auditing committee, in 1750, state in their report that " Hon. John Wheelwright, Esq., has settled and transferred the several balances from the late treasurer Wadsworth's books into a set of new books for Mr. Jeffries," the new treasurer.
In 1728, he resided in Cold Lane, now Portland Street. His place of business was near Oliver's Dock. He often attended the selectmen and others in visiting the public schools. The last service he rendered the town, according to the records, is visiting the schools, June 27, 1759. He was appointed justice of the peace, Dec. 19, 1728; was a representative to the General Court from Boston, and one of his Majesty's council.
" A List of Soldiers under the fine of 6/ per diem for delinquency.
" Richard Bill [1707], Benjamin Pemberton [1707], John Ellis [1709], Samuel Gerrish [1709], Brattle Oliver [1709], James Smith Junr [1709], John Hunt [1709], Abiel Walley [1710], William Tidcomb [1710], Robert Calfe Jun [1710], George Robin- son [1710], Estes Hatch [1711], Daniel Goffe [1712], Joseph Essex [1712], Daniel Henchman [1712], James Alford [1713], Francis Parnell [1713], John Wheelwright [1714], Nathaniel Balston [1714], John Alford [1714], Gillam Phillips [1714], Benja- min Gerrish [1714], Samuel Holyoke [1714], Jonathan Barnard [1714]."
The records of the Artillery Company for 1714 are as follows : -
" April 5, 1714. Then the Rev. Mr. Joseph Sewall, of Boston, was chosen to preach the Election Sermon, and the present Commission officers are desired to manifest the same to him."
Rev. Joseph Sewall, who preached the Artillery election sermon in 1714, son of Samuel (1679) and Hannah (Hull) Sewall, of Boston, was born Aug. 15, 1688. His mother was a daughter of Capt. John Hull (1660), the mint-master. He graduated at Harvard College in 1707, and was ordained to the Christian ministry, as colleague with Rev. Ebenezer Pemberton, at the Old South Church, Sept. 16, 1713. He married, Oct. 29, 1713, Elizabeth, daughter of Hon. John Walley (1671). They had two sons, Samuel and Joseph. Samuel was the father of Samuel, born 1757 (Harv. Coll., 1776), who was the third chief-justice given by this family to our Supreme Court. Rev. Joseph Sewall was pastor of the Old South Church upwards of fifty years. He was assisted by Rev. Thomas Prince for forty years, and by Rev. Alexander Cumings for two years. He was chosen president of Harvard College in 1724, but declined the honor. He was a good scholar, faithful teacher, and painstaking pastor. He laid very great stress on the creed of his church, and Christianity consisted in its acceptance. He died June 27, 1769, in the eighty-first year of his age. His funeral sermon was delivered by Dr. Chauncy, and was printed.
1715-6. The officers elected were : Edward Martyn (1702), captain ; Thomas Smith (1702), lieutenant ; Adino Bulfinch (1702), ensign. Benjamin Bridge (1711) was first sergeant; Benjamin Gerrish (1714), second sergeant ; Daniel Henchman (1712), third sergeant ; James Alford (1713), fourth sergeant, and Nathaniel Balston (1714), clerk.
Rev. Joseph Sewall. AUTHORITIES : Eliot's Biog. Dict .; Sprague's Annals of American Pulpit; Chauncy's Funeral Sermon.
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March 2, 1712-3, the selectmen agreed to propose to the town their being concerned in the charge of a lighthouse. The proposal was made in town meeting, March 9, 1712-3, and Addington Davenport (1692), Isaiah Tay, Daniel Oliver, Thomas Cushing (1691), Oliver Noyes (1699), Joseph Wadsworth, and Edward Hutchinson (1702), with the selectmen, were appointed to consider what was proper to be done by the town. Aug. 4 following, William Paine (1691) and John Colman, son of William (1676), were desired by the selectmen to procure a draft of an act to lay before the General Court in regard to the erection and maintenance of a lighthouse by the town. An act was passed by the Legislature in May, 1715, locating a lighthouse upon the Great Brewster, and it was built at the expense of the province. March 14, 1714-5, the town voted that Addington Davenport, Esq. (1692), Major Thomas Fitch (1700), Mr. Elisha Cooke, Jr. (1699), Capt. Oliver Noyes (1699), and Capt. Samuel Keeling (1699), be a committee to consider the suppression of abuses to the inhabitants of this town by hucksters.
The only member of the Artillery Company recruited in 1715 was James Wright.
James Wright (1715) married Elizabeth -. They had James Wright (1736), born Oct. 23, 1703. Also, a James Wright married Susanna Nichols, Aug. 27, 1719. His name does not appear elsewhere in Boston Records.
The records of the Artillery Company for 1715 are as follows : -
"April 6, 1715. The Rev. Mr. Joseph Stevens of Charlestown was chosen to preach the Election Sermon and the present Commission officers were desired to request it of him. Accepted by him."
Rev. Joseph Stevens, the preacher of the Artillery sermon in 1715, was a son of Joseph and Mary (Ingalls) Stevens, of Andover. Joseph, Jr., was born June 20, 1682, and graduated at Harvard College in 1703. He was ordained pastor of the First Church in Charlestown, Oct. 13, 1713, and died of small-pox, Nov. 26, 1721.
1716-7. The officers elected were: Samuel Keeling (1699), captain ; Jonathan Pollard (1700), lieutenant; Richard Bill (1707), ensign. Edward Pell (1714) was first sergeant; Nathaniel Balston (1714), second sergeant; Jonathan Barnard (1714), third sergeant ; Gillam Phillips (1714), fourth sergeant, and Benjamin Hiller (1714), clerk.
Rev. Joseph Stevens, AUTHORITIES: Bud- ington's Hfist. of First Church; Wyman's Charles- town Genealogies and Estates.
" [1715] June 6. Mr. Stephens preaches the Artillery Sermon. Made a very good Discourse, from Isa II. 4. Gov. dines not publickly at the Dragon." - Sewall Papers, Vol. III., p. 47.
"[1721] Nov. 18. Went to the Funeral of the Rev. Mr. Joseph Stephens. The Sight was awfull to see the Father, and then the daughter underhand by four; and then his Sister caried to the Grave together. See the News-Letter." - Sewall Papers, Vol. III., p. 295.
"Charlestown, Nov 18. On Thursday the 16th in the Evening, Died here of the Small-Pox, after S Days Eruption, and in the 39th Year of his Age, the Rev'd and Excellent Mr. Joseph Stevens, M. A., a Pastor of this Church, a Fellow of the Corporation
and sometimes a Tutor of Harvard College in Cam- bridge; and was buried here this Evening, together with his only Daughter and Mrs Eliza. Foye, his wife's Sister, Deceased of the same Distemper and laid in the same Tomb. It is a most Deplorable and Publick Loss; and especially to this Town, and at such a sorrowful and awful conjunction. He was a Gentleman of very bright Abilities; acute and ready apprehension; easy Expression, Ingenious and Learned, Modest and Cheerful, Sincere and Free; of an excellent good Temper. Ife was Or- dained here October 13, 1713. In the Pulpit he was to us as a very lovely Song; and in his Life an amiable Example of the Doctrines he sweetly Rec- ommended. He was universally and greatly Be- lov'd; and now he is Dearly miss'd and lamented among us." - News-Letter, Nov. 20, 1721.
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The committee appointed in 1715 in relation to "hucksters," reported in 1716 that the best way to prevent the abuses complained of was for the town to set up a public market. Whereupon the same committee - five members of the Artillery Company, with Thomas Hutchinson, Esq. (1694), Adam Winthrop, Esq. (1692), and Mr. John White added -were appointed to make report in relation to the town setting up a public market, which report, after much consideration, was in 1718 disallowed.
The Artillery farm of one thousand acres, as laid out in 1673, is described on pages 221 and 222. It remained unoccupied by the Company for forty years. In 1702, the Company decided to lease it. That determination was confirmed by vote of the Company in 1703 and 1713.
"March 8 anno 1715/16" the following memorandum was inserted in the records : -
"The farm of 1000 acres described as on the other side' is this day let out by lease to Leonard. Whiting of Dunstable housewright for 11 years, and he is to build thereon, vizt, an house forty feet long, twenty feet wide, fifteen feet studd, chimnies etc. : a barn forty-five feet long, thirty wide, eleven stud, board and shingle it: To fence in fifty acres, break up thirty acres, plant an orchard with one hundred and twenty apple trees of one acre and pay one barrel [of] cyder annually to the Company in the month of October and at the end of the term to leave all in tenantable repair. -
" By the committee Collo Checkley [1678] Collo Savage [1699] Major Fitch [1700] Messers Thomas [1694] and Edward [1702] Hutchinson, Edward Martyn [1702] Thomas Smith [1702] and Adino Bulfinch [1702]
"The Articles of Agreement are Lodged with E. Martyn [1702]."
The mansion of Peter Sergeant, erected in 1679,2 was occupied by his widow until she married Simeon Stoddard (1675). Therefore, in 1716 the Provincial Legislature voted to purchase the mansion, and the heirs of Mr. Sergeant passed the deeds, on the 11th and 12th of April, 1716, to Jeremiah Allen (1694), the treasurer of the province ; to Jeremiah Dummer (1671), the treasurer of the county of Suffolk, and to Joseph Prout (1674), the treasurer of the town of Boston.
When the mansion-house became public property, it was a magnificent building. No pains had been spared to make it not only elegant, but also spacious and convenient. It stood somewhat back in its ample lot, and had the most pleasant and agreeable surroundings of any mansion in the town. It was of brick, three stories in height, with a high roof and lofty cupola, the whole being surmounted by an Indian chief, with a drawn bow and arrow, the handiwork of Deacon Shem Drowne, who made the grass- hopper on Faneuil Hall. The house was approached over a stone pavement and a high flight of massive stone steps, and through a magnificent door-way, which would compare well with those of the palaces of Europe. Trees of very large size and grand proportions shaded this princely home, and added much to its imposing appearance.
During the time of the provincial government, it seems to have been used by the Governors ; but after the expulsion of Gen. Gage, in 1776, it was converted into accom- modations for officers in the transaction of public business. In 1796, after the building of the State House on Beacon Street, the Province House was sold to John Peck ; but the bargain fell through, on account of inability of the purchaser to make payments ; and, in 1799, the whole estate was reconveyed to the State, and subsequently was granted by the State to the Massachusetts General Hospital, whose trustees, in 1817, leased it to David Greenough, Esq., for the term of ninety-nine years.
1 See page 222.
2 See page 251.
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Subsequent to the last-mentioned date, this aristocratic mansion was put to nearly all sorts of purposes. The stately trees were, soon after the property was leased to Mr. Greenough, cut down, and a row of brick houses and stores built upon the line of the street, excluding the house from view, until approached through a narrow archway, leading to its front door and to the houses which had been erected in the rear of the estate.
In 1851, the whole building was changed in appearance, its interior having been remodelled for the purpose of accommodating a company of vocalists ; and it was at this time that the outside was covered with a coat of yellowish mastic.
At half past five o'clock, on the 25th of October, 1864, the Province House was destroyed by fire, leaving only the walls standing. The fire originated in the upper story, and was supposed to be the work of an incendiary. For some years prior to its destruction, it was used as a place of entertainment. Extensive and. complete repairs were made, and the restored building is now occupied as a hotel, and is called the Boston Tavern.
The members of the Artillery Company recruited in 1716 were : William Downe, James Halsey, Thomas Jackson, William Pell, Ebenezer Thornton, Samuel Townsend.
William Downe (1716), shopkeeper, of Boston, son of William and Hannah (Appleton) Downe, was born in Boston, Feb. 2, 1676.1 A William Downe married, May 14, 1713, Rebecca Pierson. William Downe (1716) married (1) or (2), July 4, 1717, Sarah Danforth. William and Sarah Downe had seven children born in Boston.
He was a tithing-man in 1724; scavenger in 1726; elected assessor in 1728, but was excused ; auditor in 1730 and 1738; overseer of the poor from 1738 to 1751, when he declined to serve longer ; fireward in 1732 and 1746, and selectman from 1732 to 1735 inclusive. He also served on important committees, -as, examining the fortifications and batteries in 1746 ; considering the better security of the town ; getting the twelve gun- carriages, ordered by the town, made and finished, and providing hulks and fire-ships for the better protection of the town. In 1736, Capt. William Downe was one of the sub- scribers to Prince's Chronological History of New England. He was appointed a justice of the peace March 1, 1743-4.
He was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1719, ensign in 1725, lieuten- ant in 1727, and its captain in 1732 and 1744. His son, John, joined the Artillery Company in 1758. He was captain in the militia from 1733 to 1741-2, at least such is his title in the Boston Records. He was lieutenant-colonel of the Suffolk Regiment in 1742, and served eight years. He was also treasurer of the Artillery Company from May 1, 1738, probably until his decease. Capt. John Ballentine, Jr. (1694), and Joseph Hiller (1709), were his bondsmen as treasurer.
His integrity and ability are shown from the fact that, in the files of the probate office, he is mentioned many times as guardian, executor, etc. He is called, in the Boston Records, " shopkeeper " and " upholsterer." There was a William Downes, born Feb. 23, 1666, in Boston, called " pinmaker." He lived a few years earlier than Col. William (1716). The residence of the latter was at the North End, and partition of his estate
William Downe (1716). AUTHORITIES: Bos- ton Records; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Com- pany, Ed. I842; Savage's Gen. Dict.
1 The Boston Records give the birth date of William Downe (1716), son of William and Hannab
Downe, as Feb. 2, 1676. Ilis gravestone indicates that he was born in 1686. Records, as yet undis- covered, can alone give the explanation of these apparent inconsistencies.
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there was made between two of his grandchildren, Abigail and Rebecca Cheever, in 1766.
Mr. Whitman (1810) says Col. William Downe (1716) "died June 3, 1753, aged sixty-seven years."1 His widow, Sarah, administered on his estate. His son, William Downe, Esq., died in January, 1747-8.
In several town offices, " he was a faithful public servant, but he never had any office in the provincial government. Probably he was not ambitious, except to be useful, and it is but a just tribute to his memory to say he was a distinguished and good man in his sphere. A few years since, his gravestone, with those of his wife and children, side by side, in good order, struck the visitor with pleasant yet solemn veneration." They were situated, in 1870, in the rear part of the Granary Burial-Ground, but the ruthless hand of improvement has demolished them.
His first inventory amounted to £1,717 15s. ¿ d., including his mansion at the North End, and his warehouse, £733 ; silver, etc., £62 ; horse, chaise, saddle, and bridle, £17, and a negro boy, £40.
His second inventory amounted to £389 145. 8d., in which was included his farm at Lunenburg, where his oldest son lived, valued at £233 6s. 8d .; eighty acres of land at Lunenburg, £56, and forty-eight acres of woodland, £53 6s. 8d .; gold rings, gold buttons, etc., £9 145. 8d.
He died worth about ten thousand dollars, - a good fortune in those days.
James Halsey (1716), mathematical instrument maker, of Boston, son of Nathaniel and Hannah (Gross) Halsey, was born in Boston, April 10, 1695. He married, May 30, 1717, Anna Gurtridge, daughter of Walter Gurtridge. He was a founder of the New Brick Church in 1719, deacon of that church in 1735, and was the last ruling elder chosen by it. Possibly Mr. Halsey (1716) was not anxious to exercise the authority of the office, and seated himself with his family, for, Aug. 22, 1739, the church unanimously voted to " desire Mr. James Halsey [1716] to take his proper place in the elder's seat."
He was fourth sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1720. He was one of the bondsmen for Capt. Daniel Pecker (1718), town collector, to the amount of £11,626. Mr. Halsey (1716) was quite an owner of real estate, and experienced trouble by admitting tenants who had not been admitted as inhabitants of the town. In 1718 and 1725, he was elected to town office.
His will was proved Jan. 2, 1767.
Thomas Jackson (1716), of Boston, son of Thomas (1692) and Priscilla (Grafton) Jackson, was born in Boston, July 18, 1691. A Thomas Jackson married, Oct. 18, 1733, Ann Davis.
He was clerk of the Artillery Company in 1718.
James Halsey (1716). AUTHORITIES: Town Records; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842.
1 " Last Lords day died and yesterday was de- cently interred the remains of William Downe Esq- of this town in the 67 year of his age. Ile was a gentleman that for many years had served the town in various betrustments was one of his Majestys Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk and was honored with a Lieut Col commission in the
Regiment in this Town which he lately resigned In every betrustment and all the Offices he sustained he behaved to universal satisfaction In his com- mercial dealings he was strictly just and Equitable a Lover of piety and good men a strict observer of the Sabbath a friend of the poor always ready to distribute willing to Communicate His death is lamented as by his bereaved family so by all who knew him and were acquainted with him" - Bos- ton News-Letter, June 7, 1753.
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William Pell (1716), peruke-maker, of Boston, son of Edward and Elizabeth Pell, and brother of Capt. Edward (1714), was born in Boston, May 11, 1694. He married, May 3, 1726, Susanna Mountford, daughter of John (1697). He was clerk of the Artil- lery Company in 1719, and its third sergeant in 1720. In 1720, he was one of the remonstrants against the installation of Rev. Peter Thacher as pastor of the New North Church.
He was chosen a constable in March, 1725, but declined to serve, and paid the fine.
Ebenezer Thornton (1716), of Boston, son of Ensign Timothy (1691), was born in Boston. He was baptized at the First Church, Jan. 12, 1690-1. He married, May 15, 1721, Elizabeth, daughter of Capt. Thomas Gilbert. He was at first a trader in Boston, in company with his father. He removed to Watertown as early as 1738, where his wife died June 10, 1740, and he married Mary, widow of Matthias Coussens. He died June 20, 1750. He was constable of the town of Boston in 1719.
Mr. Thornton (1716) was not active in town matters, but March 29, 1734, he was elected one of a committee to consider the "fortifications," and report concerning their improvement, and the expense thereof, which the committee did, April 3 following. These fortifications were known as North Battery Wharf and Fort Hill.
Samuel Townsend (1716), of Boston, son of James and Rebecca (Moseley) Townsend, and grandson of James Townsend (1679), was born in Boston, Aug. 30, 1695. He died Aug. 20, 1720.
The record of the Artillery Company for 1716 is as follows : -
" April 24 1716. The Rev'd Mr. Joseph Baxter of Medfield was chosen to preach the Election Sermon, and the Commission officers were desired to request it of him. Accepted."
Rev. Joseph Baxter, who delivered the Artillery sermon in 1716, was a son of John and Hannah (White) Baxter, of Braintree. He was born June 4, 1676 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1693, and was ordained minister of Medfield, April 21, 1697. He continued in that relation until his decease, May 2, 1745.
1717-8. The officers elected were: Edward Hutchinson (1702), captain ; Nathaniel Oliver (1701), lieutenant ; John Greenough (1712), ensign. William Parkman (1711) was first sergeant; Wigglesworth Sweetser (1700), second sergeant ; James Gooch, Jr. (1714), third sergeant ; Benjamin Hiller (1714), fourth sergeant, and Benjamin Hiller (1714), clerk.
March 10, 1717-8, Timothy Clarke, Esq. (1702), Thomas Hutchinson, Esq. (1694), and Elisha Cooke, Esq. (1699), were chosen a committee "to Consider & make Enquiry abt Encourageing the bringing of Sea Coal into this Town."
William Pell (1716). AUTHORITY : Boston Records.
Ebenezer Thornton (1716). AUTHORITIES : Boston Records; Bond's Watertown, p. 602; Hurd's Hist, of Middlesex Co., Vol. III., P. 373.
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The new members of the Artillery Company recruited in 1717 were : Samuel Barrat, Ebenezer Bridge, Grafton Feveryear, John Gibbons, Benjamin Gray, James Hill, Joseph Hubbard, Ephraim Hunt.
Samuel Barrat (1717), son of William, of Boston, was born Feb. 8, 1670. He married, March 12, 1694, Sarah Manning. He was a tithing-man and a member of the militia of Boston in 1715, 1717, and 1718. In 1720, the town owned a small piece of ground " abutting on said Barretts house and land at the end of the highway there, abutting on the Mill Creek nigh the Water Mill." In 1728, the town voted that the committee for purchasing grain manage the building of the granary, "with Mr. David Farnum and Mr. Samuel Barrat [1717] being joined with them."
He was second sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1718, and lieutenant in 1722. He died July 22, 1733. The tomb of Samuel Barrat (1717), in the South burying- place, which he had permission to build in 1722, was No. 21.
Ebenezer Bridge (1717), blacksmith, of Boston, son of Samuel (1679), and brother of Ensign Benjamin (1711), was born in Boston, Aug. 2, 1687, and married, May 11, 1710, Mary Roberts, of Boston. He was clerk of the market in 1718, and in 1725 was elected constable, but paid the fine rather than serve. The selectmen, March 31, 1718, allowed Mr. Ebenezer Bridge (1717) to dig up the highway "in Beer Lane & a Cross Back Street," to James Howard's cellar. Beer Lane was " Bridge's Lane," and afterward Richmond Street. Back Street is now Salem Street. In 1729, Ebenezer Bridge (1717) erected a house near " Beerlane " (Bur-lane). He is repeatedly called a blacksmith ; was active in the militia, and became captain.
He was first sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1724, ensign in 1731, and lieutenant in 1738. Inventory of his estate was filed in 1747.
Grafton Feveryear (1717), barber and peruke-maker, of Boston, was a son of Edward and Mary (Hardy) Feveryear, of Salem. Grafton (1717), their first son, was born March 31, 1689, and married, March 14, 1711-2, Joanna Langdon. He served the town as clerk of the market in 1716, and as constable in 1722. The first and last recorded acts of Mr. Feveryear (1717) are his being a bondsman. In 1725, he was a bondsman in one hundred pounds for John Swinerton, a new inhabitant ; and Dec. 7, 1737, Rev. Joshua Gee and Grafton Feveryear (1717) gave bond (to warrant the town from any charge on his account) in behalf of James, a negro man, "lately manumitted by the order of the Great and General Court." Aug. 25, 1731, he was one of a com- mittee which petitioned the selectmen "in behalf of the North Church in Boston, for liberty to erect a small building fronting on Ship Street." He probably lived on Snow Hill, or Snow Hill Street, which ran "from Frary's corner in Prince Street to the old Ferry way near Hudson's Point."
He was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1721. His will, dated in 1751, was proved April 11, 1755.
Samuel Barrat (1717). AUTHORITIES : Bos- ton Records; New Eng. Ilist. and Gen. Reg., 1888, p. 263.
Ebenezer Bridge (1717). AUTHORITY: Bos- ton Records.
Grafton Feveryear (1717). AUTHORITIES : Boston Records; New Eng. Ilist. and Gcn. Reg., 1861, 1894.
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Jolin Gibbons (1717) was a merchant of Boston. He married Elizabeth Swan, Aug. 23, 1725.
When the Episcopalians resolved upon organizing a second church in Boston, a meeting was held Sept. 2, 1722, and a Mr. John Gibbins was chosen one of a committee to receive subscriptions for a building. This may have been Dr. John Gibbins (1711).
John Gibbons [1717] was second sergeant of the Company in 1720. Administra- tion was granted on his estate in October, 1725.
Benjamin Gray (1717) was a bookseller in Boston. He married Lydia, daughter of Rev. Thomas Bridge, who delivered the Artillery sermon in 1705. Mr. Gray (1717) does not appear to have held any office in the town. At a meeting of the selectmen, Sept. 25, 1728, they " Executed a Leace to Mr Jacob Wendall [1733] of Boston, merchant, of The Brick Shop or Tenement at the Head of the Dock in Boston now in possession of Benja Gray [1717] Bookseller for the term of Seven years from October I, next coming," at a rental of forty pounds per annum.
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