USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > History of the town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts : from its earliest settlement to 1832; and of the adjoining towns, Bedford, Acton, Lincoln, and Carlisle; containing various notices of county and state history not before published. > Part 23
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > History of the town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts : from its earliest settlement to 1832 : and of the adjoining towns, Bedford, Acton, Lincoln, and Carlisle > Part 23
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Date.
Presidents.
Orators.
Premiums.
1820
Cyrus Baldwin, Esq.
No Address. $244
1821
Cyrus Baldwin, Esq.
Rufus Hosmer, Esq. 277
1822
David Lawrence, Esq.
Thomas G. Fessenden, Esq. 245
1823
Colonel Joseph Valentine.
Josiah Adams, Esq. 259
1824
Colonel Joseph Valentine.
Hon. Luke Fiske. 359
1825 Rufus Hosmer, Esq.
Rev. Charles Briggs. 540
1826
Benjamin Dix, Esq.
Rev. Ezekiel L. Bascom. 491
1827
Josiah Adams, Esq.
Hon. Edward Everett. 492
232
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
1828 Hon. Luke Fiske.
1829 Hon. Luke Fiske.
1830 Joseph Barrett, Esq.
1831 Elias Phinney, Esq.
Rev. Bernard Whitman. 496
John P. Robinson, Esq. 521
Elias Phinney, Esq. 541
John M. Cheney. 510
The Middlesex Mutual Fire Insurance Company was incorpo- rated March 3, and organized March 29, 1826. The Hon. Abiel Heywood was chosen President, and the Hon. Nathan Brooks, Secretary and Treasurer, who, with John Keyes, Daniel Shat- tuck, Elias Phinney of Lexington, and Daniel Richardson of Tyngsborough, have since been Directors. The other directors have been Samuel Burr, 1826 to 1830; Josiah Davis from 1830 ; Micah M. Rutter of East Sudbury, 1826 to 1828; Joshua Page of Bedford, 1826 to 1829 ; Rufus Hosmer of Stow, from 1829 ; and Charles Merriam of Weston, from 1830. The first policy was issued May 17, 1826; and the following table will show the amount of business in this excellent institution since that time.
Year End.
Policies.
Am't Insured.
Premium Notes.
Losses.
1827
440
$801,247
$41,276-41
$ 650.00
1828
226
387,871
22,177-47
100.00
1829
406
645,673
37,774.13
857-74
1830
590
857,700
53,173.80
2,924.50
1831
499
646,279
39,954.01
1,452.53
1832
508
708,064
45,184-85
3,150.75
OFFICIAL HISTORY .- Municipal Officers. - The Town Clerk, in addition to his ordinary duties, in early times, was generally authorized to issue summonses and writs of attachment, triable before a justice of the peace. There were also three officers, sometimes chosen by the town, and sometimes appointed by the County Court, called " Commissioners for the ending of small matters," whose powers were similar to those of justices of the peace. This Court somewhat resembled a city Police Court. At first 7 men were chosen " to manage the prudential affairs of the town," subsequently called Selectmen. About 1680 the num- ber was reduced to 5, and in 1770 to 3. They have acted as Overseers of the Poor and as Assessors, excepting from 1714 to 1725, when 5 overseers of the poor were chosen. Assessors were chosen separately in 1822, and 1825 to 1831. The office of Constable was considered very important in carly times. Dis- tinguished men in the town were chosen, and then obliged to serve
233
SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY.
or pay heavy penalties ; and they received a regular salary from the town. Prior to 1720, two were annually chosen, and three since then, with the exception of a few years. It was the custom till 1789, for them to perform the duty of collectors, which, at that time was made a separate office, and which, since 1792, has been filled by one person only, and that one generally, who agrees to collect the assessments at the lowest rate. The Treasurer's was a distinct office till 1824, when it was united with the collector's. Fence-Viewers, or Surveyors of Fences have been chosen from before the commencement of the last century ; the number vary- ing from 3 to 7. In 1697, seven Surveyors of Highways and Bridges were chosen ; in 1733, nine ; in 1750, twelve; in 1755, five ; recently eleven till 1831, when one only was chosen. The number of Tythingmen, considered, particularly in early times, an important office, has varied from 9 to 3; of Field-Drivers, or Haywards, from 2 to 6. One Sealer of Weights and Measures has always been chosen ; and from 1 to 3 Sealers of Leather till 1793, when the office ceased. From 2 to 3 Horse- Officers, or " persons to look after horses going at large on the common during Concord Court," were chosen from 1710 to 1802. From 1715 every man married in town during the year was chosen " to observe the law relating to swine," or to be Hog-reeves, as they were first called in 1721. Two to five Clerks of the Market were chosen from 1732 to 1800 ; two Surveyors of Flax from 1735 to 1737; two Deer-reeves, or deer-officers, from 1740 to 1797. Cullers of Staves and Shingles, or Surveyors of Lumber, were first chosen in 1752. Wardens, officers similar to Tythingmen, were chosen from '1761 to 1791. One Surveyor of Wheat and Flour from 1763 to 1767 ; four Fish-Officers since 1784; three or four Measurers of Wood since 1793; from 3 to 8 Firewards since 1797 ; one Pound-Keeper since 1800; a Cow-Pock Committee since 1812; and a School-Committee since 1800.
Town Clerks from the First Settlement of the Town.
Simon Willard 1635-1653
Thomas Brown 1704-1709
Robert Merriam
1654-1667
William Wilson
1710-1718
John Scotchford
1668 -1679 John Flint 1719-1730 John Flint
1680-1638
Samuel Heywood 1731 -1748
Thomas Brown
1639-1700
Ephraim Jones 1749-1754
Abraham Wood
1701-1703
Jonas Heywood
1755-1759
30
234
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Benjamin Brown Jonas Heywood
1760, 1761 Ephraim Wood 1771-1795
1762-1770
Abiel Heywood
1796-
Town Treasurers since 1700.
Jonathan Hubbard
1700-1708
John Beaton
1754-1770
John Heywood
1709-1714
Abijah Bond
1771-1781
Samuel Jones
1715-1722
Timothy Minott 1782 -1785
Samuel Chandler
1723-1727
Elnathan Jones
1786-1791
Samuel Merriam
1728-1733
Humphrey Barrett
1792-1795
Joseph Barrett
1734-1739
Samuel Jones
1796-1810
Ebenezer Hubbard
1740-1753
John Buttrick
1811-1824
Selectmen chosen since 1700.
Thomas Brown
1696-1709
Samuel Merriam 1727, 29, 35, 36, 59 John Jones 1730 -33, 35, 36, 39 -
[55, 60, 61, 65, 66
Stephen Hosmer
1700, 3, 29
Hugh Brooks 1730-1733
William Wilson
1700 -17, 22
Ephraim Brown
1730-1733
John Jones 1702, 4-6
Samuel Buttrick
1702
Nathaniel Ball
1734, 37, 38
Noah Brooks
1702, 4, 9
Joshua Brooks
1734, 49, 50
John Wheeler 1703, 1704
Joseph Wright 1736-1746
Jonathan Hubbard 1703
David Melvin 1736-38, 40, 43
John Heywood 1705-1708
Daniel Adams 1736-1738
Samuel Fletcher 1705-7,9-13
Chambers Russell 1739
Nathaniel Whittemore 1743 -46, [49, 50, 54
[27-29
Thomas Wheeler
1708
Jonathan Prescott 1709
Wm. Wheeler
1710 -13, 15, 18,
[19, 25, 26
Joseph Dakin 1710, 15-17
John Heald
1711-1715
Richard Parks
1714
Simon Dakin 1714
John Fassett 1714, 20-24
John Flint 1716-29, 41, 42, 59 Daniel Brooks 1716-19, 25-29 Samuel Chandler 1718-24, 30- [36,39
Samuel Heywood, 1720-23, 27,
[28,30-48
George Farrar 1723-1726
John Barker 1725, 1726 James Minott, Jr. 1727, 28, 35, 36, [40,47-49
Joshua Hubbard
1741
Samuel Minott
1747-1749
Ephraim Wood 1749, 1750
Simon Hunt 1749, 50, 54, 55, [63-66
Abishai Brown 1752, 1753
Ephraim Hartwell 1752, 1753
Thomas Brooks 1752, 1753
Stephen Hosmer, Jr. 1752-1759 Samuel Farrar 1754
James Barrett 1754, 55, 60, 61, 66 Thomas Jones 1756-1758
Charles Prescott 1756-58, 62, [65, 66
Thomas Barrett 1756-58, 62
Jonas Heywood 1755-59, 62, 70
Samuel Minott 1756-58,62 James Chandler 1759-61, 67-70 Benjamin Brown 1760,-1761
Abraham Wood
1700-1704
Joseph French
1700-1703
Ephraim Jones
1734, 43- 54
Benj. Whittemore 1707-24,
SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY.
235
Andrew Conant
1760, 1761 1762
Jacob Brown
1788-1795
Thomas Davis
Abiel Heywood
1796-
John Cuming
1763-1766
Roger Brown
1796-1800
Jonas Minott
1767-1770
Reuben Hunt
1797-1801
David Brown
1767-1770
Thomas Hubbard
1801-1503
Humphrey Barrett
1767-1770
Stephen Barrett
1802-1807
Ephraim Wood
1771-1795
Nathan Wood
1804-1810
John Flint
1771-1774
James Barrett
1808-1810
Timothy Wheeler
1771-1773
Nathan Barrett
1811-1821
Nathan Merriam
1774-1778
Thomas Wheeler
1811-1815
Nehemiah Hunt
1775-1728
Isaac Lee
1816-1821
John Buttrick
1779-1784
Jonathan Hildreth
1822-1829
George Minott
1779-1784
Cyrus Hubbard
1822-
Asa Brooks
1785-1795
Cyrus Stow
1830,
James Barrett
1785, 1786
Daniel Clark
1830-
Joseph Chandler
1787, 1796
Elisha Wheeler
1830,
Deputies and Representatives from the first Settlement of the Town.
7th December.
1659-1662
1636
Simon Willard.
1663-1666
April, 17th May, 26th Sept., 2d Nov.
1667
1637 Simon Willard.
1668, 1669
2d May, 6th Sept., 22d May.
1670
1671, 1672 Timothy Wheeler.
1638, 1639 § Thomas Flint, Simon Willard.
1673-1676 Peter Bulkeley. 1677 Thomas Brattle.
4th Sept., 13th May.
John Flint,
1639, 1640
§ Thomas Flint, Richard Griffin.
1678-1680
Thomas Brattle. Thomas Brattle. John Flint.
1640, 1641 S Thomas Flint, Simon Willard. Eth Sept., 10th May. 1642, 1643 Thomas Brooks. 7th March.
1683, 1684
Edward Oakes.
1685
Henry Woodhouse. Edward Oakes.
1644
Simon Willard. 29th May.
12th Feb.
1644
Thomas Brooks.
1689
1645, 1646
Simon Willard.
1647, 1648
Richard Griffin.
1649, 1650
1690
8th Oct., 10th Dec., 3d Feb., 14th April.
1651
1652, 1653
1654
1655 -1658
Simon Willard. Richard Griffin, Simon Willard. Simon Willard. S Simon Willard, Thomas Brooks. Robert Merriam.
1691
Thomas Brooks. Timothy Wheeler. John Smeadly. Timothy Wheeler. John Smeadly.
7th Oct., 2d June, 7th Oct.
1681
1682
1686
1687, 1688 (Andross' usurpation.) 9th May, 5th June, 5th Nov., 3d Dec.,
§ Simon Davis, Ebenezer Prout. 28th May. Simon Davis.
1690, 1691 Henry Woodhouse. 20th May. 1691 James Blood.
14th Oct., Eth Dec. Humphrey Barrett.
236
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
4th May.
1776
1692
Simon Davis.
1777-1780
8th June, under the new charter. S Jonathan Prescott, 1781
1692
2 Henry Woodhouse. 1782
1693-1695
Jonathan Prescott. 1783-1785
1696
Ephraim Flint.
1786
1697-1699
Jonathan Prescott.
1787
1700, 1701
James Minott.
1788-1791
1702
William Wilson.
1792-1796
1703, 1704
John Wheeler.
1797, 1798
1705
Simon Davis.
1799-1805
1706-1708
William Wilson.
1806
1709-1711
Benj. Whittemore.
1807
1714
Benj. Whittemore.
1808
1715-1718
William Wilson.
1809, 1810
1721
William Wilson.
1811
Tilly Merrick. Joseph Chandler, Stephen Barrett.
1722-1724
Benj. Whittemore.
1725
William Wilson.
1812
John White,
1726-1728
Samuel Chandler.
1813
Benjamin Prescott. Tilly Merrick. Jonas Lee.
1737, 1738
Samuel Chandler.
1815
Tilly Merrrick.
1740
Chambers Russell.
1816
1741-1744
James Minott.
1817
1745-1749
Ephraim Jones.
1818-1820
S Ephraim Jones,
1821, 1822
Chambers Russell.
1823-1825
1751, 1752
Chambers Russell.
1826
1753
Ephraim Jones.
1827 -1829
S Reuben Brown, Jr., Samuel Burr.
Reuben Brown, Jr.,
1758-1763
Charles Prescott.
1831
1765-1767
Charles Prescott.
1832
§ Joseph Barrett, John Keyes.
Assistants and Counsellors.
1642-1655
Thomas Flint.
1677-1685
Peter Bulkeley.
1654-1676
Simon Willard.
1746-1759
James Minott.
Senators.
1785-1793
Joseph Hosmer.
1823-1828 John Keyes.
1808-1812 John L. Tuttle. 1825-1832
Samuel Hoar, Jr.
Nathan Brooks was of the Council in 1829 and 1830, and of the Senate in 1831.
§ Joseph Hosmer, John Cuming. Joseph Hoster. David Brown. James Barrett. Joseph Barrett. James Barrett. Isaac Hubbard. Duncan Ingraham. Jonathan Fay. Ephraim Wood. Joseph Chandler. Jonas Lee, . Joseph Chandler. Joseph Chandler. Joseph Chandler, Jonas Lee.
Not represented. Francis Jarvis. Thomas Wheeler. John Keyes. Nathan Brooks. Not represented.
1754, 1755
Simon Hunt.
1756, 1757
James Barrett.
1830
1764
James Barrett.
Daniel Shattuck. Joseph Barrett.
1768-1775
James Barrett.
1814
1739
1750
John Flint.
1729-1736
James Minott.
Benj. Whittemore.
1719, 1720
1712, 1713
Jonathan Prescott.
237
SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY.
County Officers.
The Hon. Joseph Hosmer was sheriff from March, 1794, to 1808.
Gen. William Hildreth was sheriff from May 10, 1808, to 1813. He died September 5, 1813.
Samuel Bartlett, Esq. was chosen Register of Deeds in 1794, and removed to Cambridge.
The Hon. John L. Tuttle was chosen County Treasurer from 1808 to 1813 inclusive ; and the Hon. John Keyes since that time.
The Hon. Chambers Russell was judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas and of the Court of Vice-Admiralty, from 1747 to 1752.
Ephraim Wood, Esq., was appointed special judge of the Court of Common Pleas, March 12, 1785, and judge of the same court in 1797 ; and held the office till the new organiza- tion of that court in 1811.
The Hon. Abiel Heywood sustained the office of justice of the Court of Sessions, under its different modifications, from 1801 till the law organizing the Court of County Commissioners was passed.
The Hon. Nathan Brooks was appointed Master in Chancery for Middlesex June 29, 1827.
Attorneys and Counsellors at Law.
John Hoar, from 1660 to 1670. See notices of early families. Peter Bulkeley. See Biographical Notices of Native Graduates.
Daniel Bliss, son of the Rev. Daniel Bliss, noticed among the college graduates.
Jonathan Fay, son of Captain Jonathan Fay of Westborough, who was graduated at Harvard College in 1773, settled in Concord soon after, married Lucy Prescott, and died June 1, 1811, aged 59.
William Jones, from 1798 to 1801. See Native Graduates. John Merrick, from 1789 to 1794. See Native Graduates.
Thomas Heald was born in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, March 31, 1768, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1797. He read law with Jonathan Fay, Esq., was admitted to practice in Concord in 1800, and removed from Concord in 1813. He died at Blakeley, Alabama, in the summer of 1821, while holding the office of judge of one of the courts there.
238
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
John Leighton Tuttle was born in Littleton, graduated at Har- vard College in 1796, and commenced practice in Concord after the usual term of professional reading. While resident here he was Post-Master, County Treasurer, and Senator. He was ap- pointed, in 1812, Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the 9th regiment of Continental Infantry, and died at Watertown, near Sacket's Harbour, New York, July 23, 1813.
Samuel Hoar, Jr., has practised with distinguished success in the town since 1807. See College Graduates of Lincoln.
John Keyes was born in Westford, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1809, and admitted to the bar, in this county, in Sep- tember, 1812. He has been Post-Master and County Treasurer since 1813, was a delegate to the convention for amending the Constitution in 1820, and since a representative and senator in the General Court.
Nathan Brooks, since 1813. See College Graduates of Lincoln.
Elisha Fuller, son of the Rev. Timothy Fuller of Princeton, was graduated at Harvard College in 1815, admitted to the bar in 1823, and immediately after commenced practice in Concord. He removed to Lowell in June, 1831.
John M. Cheney opened an office in Concord in June, 1831. See Native Graduates.
Physicians.
Philip Reed died May 10, 1696. Little is known of him but his title.
Simon Davis, son of Lieutenant Simon Davis, born October 12, 1661, married Elizabeth Woodhouse, 1689, and lived where Mr. Hutchinson now lives in Carlisle. His practice was princi- pally in surgery. His son John, who died November 16, 1762, aged 73, practised in the same profession.
James Minott came to Concord about 1680, and died September 20, 1735, aged 83. See Genealogy.
Jonathan Prescott, born April 5, 1677, died October 28, 1729, aged 54. See Genealogy.
Joseph Lee, son of Joseph Lee, born in Concord October 16, 1680, died October 5, 1736, aged 56. He lived where Joseph Barrett, Esq., now lives. His son Joseph, who was born June 6, 1716, and died April 10, 1797, practised physic in the early part of his life, though his attention seems not to have been ex- clusively devoted to it.
239
SOCIAL AND OFFICIAL HISTORY.
Alexander Cuming came to Concord about 1726.
Edward Carrington. The records say, he was " born at Bar- badoes, came to Virginia, thence to Boston and Concord," where he died July 22, 1737, aged 24.
Ebenezer Hartshorn, probably son of Thomas Hartshorn, who was here before 1690, died January 29, 1781, aged 92.
John Prescott, went to Cuba. See Native Graduates and General History.
Abel Prescott, son of Dr. Jonathan Prescott, and brother of the preceding, was born April 7, 1718, and died October 24, 1805, aged 88. During a long period he enjoyed a most extensive professional patronage. His practice extended to nearly all the towns in the county. He lived in the house now owned by Captain Moore, just below the village. His son Benjamin studied physic, and commenced practice in Carlisle, but soon relinquished the profession.
John Cuming, died July 3, 1788, aged 60. See separate Bio- graphical Notices.
Timothy Minott, died July 25, 1804, aged 78. See Native Graduates.
Joseph Hunt, died May 27, 1812, aged 63. See Native Graduates.
Isaac Hurd, son of Benjamin Hurd of Charlestown, born July 27, 1756, and graduated at Harvard College in 1776. He commenced practice in Billerica in 1778, and came from thence to this town in 1789. His Address before the Humane Society, June 11, 1799, was published.
Abishai Brown, having acquired some skill while in the revo- lutionary army, had considerable practice as a surgeon after his return.
Abiel Heywood commenced practice in Concord in 1790. See Native Graduates.
Benjamin D. Bartlett, son of Samuel Bartlett, Esq., born in Concord, graduated at Harvard College in 1810, came to Con- cord in 1813, and removed to Bath, Maine, in 1816.
Josiah Bartlett, son of Dr. Josiah Bartlett, of Charlestown, born November 20, 1796, and graduated at Harvard College in 1816, and at the Medical School in 1819; came to Concord June 1, 1820.
.
240
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Dudley Smith, son of Dudley Smith, born at Gilsum, New Hampshire, September 15, 1799. He studied with Dr. Charles G. Adams of Keene, and Dr. Warren of Boston, was graduated at the Medical School, Dartmouth College, in 1825, and com- menced practice in Concord the same year. He removed to Lowell in 1832.
CHAPTER XVI.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF COLLEGE GRADUATES AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS BELONGING TO CONCORD.
[Considerable labor has been expended in compiling the following notes. It was intended that the list should be complete; but it is presumed that the College Catalogue contains other names of persons who were natives of Concord, but for want of authentic information they are not here given. Where no Col- lege is named, Harv 'd College is to be understood.]
1. JOHN BULLELEY, son of the Rev. Peter Bulkeley, was in the first class of graduates in 1642. He returned to England, and settled in the ministry at Fordham, but was ejected in 1662. He afterwards lived at Wapping in London, where he practised physic with goog success. He died in 1689, aged 70.
2. JOHN JONS, son of the Rev. John Jones, was graduated in 1643, and admited freeman in 1645. By an erroneous punctua- tion of Johnson"[History of New England, p. 165], this person has been considered as having returned to England ; but from the same author it appears, that he was " employed in the western parts of Nevis, one of the Summer Islands." This appears from the verses on his father, in which the author says,
" Leading thy son to land, yet more remote, To feed his flock upon this Western wast: Exhort him then Christ's kingdom to promote ; That he with thee of lasting joyes may tast." 1
3. SAMUEL STOW was son of Thomas Stow, one of the early settlers of Concord, and was graduated in 1645. He emigrated to Middleton, Connecticut, with two of his brothers, about 1650,
1 MS. Letter of John Farmer, Esq.
241
COLLEGE GRADUATES.
where he was a preacher about 10 years, though it does not ap- pear that he was ever ordained. He subsequently relinquished the profession, and lived a private but highly respected citizen there till his death. He gave a lot of land to the town for the benefit of education, which still bears his name.
4. GERSHOM BULKELEY, son of the Rev. Peter Bulkeley, was born in Concord in 1636, and graduated in 1655. He was or- dained at New London about 1660, from whence he removed, and was installed at Weathersfield in 1668. In 1676 he was dis- missed on account of ill health, and afterwards became one of the most distinguished physicians and surgeons of his time. He was wounded in a battle with the Indians near Wachusett, while in the army as a surgeon, in 1676. To him the epithet great was ap- plied on account of his eminent character. He died at Weathers- field, December 2, 1713, aged 77. On his monument is in- scribed, -" He was honorable in his descent, of rare abilities, extraordinary industry, excellent in learning, master of many lan- guages ; exquisite in his skill in divinity, phy ic, and law, and of a most exemplary and Christian life.
In certam spem beatæ resurrectionis reposi ıs."
He married Sarah, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Chauncy, Presi- dent of Harvard College, October 26, 1659, and had 4 sons. 1. Peter, lost at sea ; 2. Charles of New Lon on; 3. Edward, who married Dorothy Prescott of Concord, and d at Weathers- field ; and 4. John, who was graduated at H vard College in 1699, and was the first minister of Colchest r, Connecticut, father of the Hon. John Bulkeley, a physician & id judge of the Supreme Court. The numerous and respectable families, bearing the name in Connecticut and New York, have all descended from Edward and John. Stephen Bulkeley, Esq., one of the grand- sons of Edward, acquired a fortune in Charleston, South Carolina, and has recently purchased the estate in Hartford, on which the celebrated " charter oak " is situated.
5. SAMUEL WILLARD, one of the most eminent ministers in New England, was son of Major Simon Willard, and was born in Concord January 31, 1640. He was graduated in 1659, and or- dained at Groton in 1662, from whence he removed to Boston when that town was destroyed by the Indians in March 1676, and was installed, as colleague pastor with the Rev. Mr. Thacher,
31
242
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
over the Old South Church, April 10, 1678. He officiated as Vice-President of Harvard College, from September 6, 1701, till his death. He died September 12, 1707, aged 67. His son was Secretary of the province 39 years, and his grandson, Joseph Willard, D. D., LL. D., was President of Harvard College. The notices in Farmer's " Register," Allen's "Biog. Dict." Wis- ner's "History of the Old South Church," and other works, are so copious, that any further account here is unnecessary.
6. PETER BULKELEY, the youngest son of the Rev. Peter Bulkeley, was born August 12, 1643, and graduated in 1660. He settled in Concord, and, in 1673 and the four subsequent years, represented the town in the General Court. In February, 1676, he was chosen Speaker of the House of Deputies ; and in August of the same year was appointed, with the Hon. William Stoughton, agent to England on the complaints of Gorges and Mason, and reappointed in 1682. They sailed on the first mis- sion October 30, 1676. On the 27th of February, 1679, he was reappointed, by King Charles the Second, with Stoughton, as agent to England respecting the Narraganset country. They re- turned December 23, 1679. In 1677 he was chosen one of the Judges, or Court of Assistants, and re-elected eight years. He was also one of the Commissioners of the United Colonies the greater part of that time. On the Sth of October, 1635, he was appointed by King James the Second one of the Council, of which Joseph Dudley, Esq., was President, which constituted the government of the colonies after the charter was forfeited. In 1680 the militia in the county was divided into two regiments, and Major Peter Bulkeley appointed to command one of them. This was an office in those days of great distinction. In all these and other important offices, he acquitted himself with honor and gene- ral acceptance. He was one of 20 who, in 1683, made the " million purchase " in New Hampshire, and had several special grants of land for public services. He died May 24, 1688, aged 44 ; and " was buried," says Judge Sewall, "the 27th, because he could not be kept, word of which was sent to Bos- ton the same day to prevent any going in vain to his funeral."
He married Rebecca, only daughter of Lieutenant Joseplı Wheel- er, April 16, 1667, and had Edward, Joseph, John, and Rebecca ; the 1st and 3d died young. His widow married Jonathan Pres-
1
243
COLLEGE GRADUATES.
cott, and his daughter Jonathan Prescott, Jr. Joseph, born Sep- tember 7, 1670, held a captain's commission, and was engaged in the public service. He married widow Rebecca Minott, daughter of John Jones, 1696. She died July 17, 1712 ; leaving by him Rebecca, who married Joseph Hubbard, grandfather to Deacon Thomas Hubbard ; 2. Dorothy, who married Samuel Hunt ; 3. John, who held a Colonel's commission, and died in Groton, in December, 1772, aged 69, father to John, who was graduated at Harvard College in 1769, who was a lawyer, and died in Groton December 16, 1774, aged 26. Captain Joseph Bulke- ley married for a second wife Silence Jeffrey, in 1713, and had Jo- seph, Peter, Charles (whose descendants live in Littleton), and perhaps other children.
7. BENJAMIN ESTABROOK, son of the Rev. Joseph Estabrook, was born February 24, 1671, and graduated in 1690. He was invited, in 1692, to preach at Lexington, and was ordained first minister of that town October 21, 1696. He died July 22, 1697, aged 26. He married Abigail, daughter of the Rev. Samuel Willard.
8. JOSEPH SMITH was graduated in 1695, ordained in Middle- town, Connecticut, first minister of the " Upper Houses," Janu- ary 5, 1715, and died September 8, 1736, aged 62. His father's name was Thomas.
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