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 5
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 5
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1 6 8
Nathl. Billings, jun.
7 196 S.
1 13 6
John Billings,
6 185 S. 66
1
1 1
John Wheeler, 1 67 S.
George Wheeler,
24 434 S. near James Adams's
Edward Bulkeley,
11 183 S. new Meeting-house,
Samuel Stratten,
6 254 S. Alms-house,
Edmund Wigley,
4 31 S.
1 19 1
John Miles,
23 459 S. Josiah Davis's, 3 17
2
Thomas Dakin,
4 87 S.
1 12 10
James Hosmer,
4 164 S.
1
8 7
Samuel Wheeler,
5 21 S.
James Smedley,
9 287 S.
John Scotchford,
10 120 S. near Cyrus Stow's, 1 14 2.
Michael Wood,
13 230 S. Samuel Dennis's, 4 3 4
Samuel Hunt,
13 277 N.
Ephraim Flint,
750 E. in Lincoln.
It has already been intimated that additional grants of land were made to Concord about 1652. The following details relate to these and other grants.
" To the Honored Generall Court assembled at Boston. The returne of the nommber of acres of land granted as an addition to the Towne of Concord according to the order of the General Court in 1654.
" Whereas the Court was pleased to grannt to our Towne a village some fouer years since upon condition they should im- prove it before others, but neglecting theire opportunity, the plan- tation of Chelmsford have taken a good parte of the same, also Nattatawants [Tahattawan] having a plantation granted him which takes up a good some also, we whose names are subscribed have taken a survey of the rest remayning, and wee finde about seven
1 10 18
Thomas Gobble, S
1 360 S. Joseph Barrett's, 5 1 6
Nathaniel Billings, sen.
39
GENERAL HISTORY.
1654.]
thousand acres left out, of which Major Willard hath two thousand acres, except a little part of one end of his farme which lyes in the place or parcell of vacant land, that was since given to Shaw- shine, this tract of land being by the last Court granted to our Towne on this condition that at this Court we should acquaint the Court of the quantitye of what wee have.
" This is a true copie com- THO. BROOKS TIMOTHY WHEELER JOSEPH WHEELER
pared with original on file, as it was exhibited to the Generall Court may 1655 as attest.
GEORGE WHEELER
EDWARD RAWSON, Secretary.
GEORGE HEAWARD JOHN JONES."
At the same Court, on the 23d, May 1655 "Five thousand acres of Land were granted to the Inhabitants of Concord for feed- ing, according to their petition, provided it hinder not any former grants." This was all the tract of land described in the above return, excepting the farms belonging to Major Willard. When his farms were granted I have not been able to find out. One of them lay in the southeast part of the tract, and the other at the northeast. This distinguished individual had several subsequent grants. On the 6th of May, 1657, he had, " for services to the colony, 500 acres of land in any place where he can find it according to law ; " and 21st May, 1658, he had 500 acres more " on the south side of a river that runneth from Nashua to Merimack, between Lancas- ter and Groton, and is in satisfaction of a debt of £44" due from John, sagamore of Patucket. His execution to be given up. This farm was laid out in May, 1659, by Thomas Noyes.
The Praying Indians claimed some right to the land granted to Concord "for an enlargement to the towne;" in consid- eration of which, " the town of Concord doth give to them, the planters of Nashoba, fifteen pounds at six a penny, which giveth them full satisfaction. In witness whereof they doe set to their hands this 20 of the 10 mo. 1660." This agreement was signed by " Nassquaw, marchant Thomas [Thomas Waban], Wabatut, great James Natototos - a blind man, Pompant, and Gomgos," by their marks ; and John Thomas, and John Tahattawan, by their names ; and witnessed by Joseph Wheeler, John Shepard, and John Jones.1
1 Town Records. The compensation, mentioned in this agreement,
40
HISTORY OF CONCORD. [1667.
" At a Generall Court held at Boston the 11th of October, 1665. In answer to the peticion of Concord for an enlargement of their bounds, this court doe grant them a tract of land con- teyned in a plott returned to this court under the hand of En- signe Noyes, by estimation the whole being about five thousand acres, whereof the court reserveth two thousand acres to be layd out to either Indians or English, as this court shall see meete hereafter to dispose and grant, and the remaynder, being about three thousand acres, this court grant to Concord so as the same doe not abridge any former grant made by this court; and doe order Leift. Beers and Leift. Thomas Noyes to lay out the same and to make returne thereof to the next Court of Election. A true copie. Attest, EDw. RAWSON. Secr."
The following is a copy of the return made 25 May, 1667, and approved by the proper authorities. " We, Richard Beers of Watertown and Thomas Noyes of Sudbury, being appointed to lay out and measure to the inhabitants of Concord a tract or tracts of land next adjoining to their first grant; in order to which, we the above said, did lay out and measure unto the in- habitants of Concord their second grant, being five thousand acres of land granted in the year 1655, as also their grant of three thou- sand acres granted in the year 1665, next adjoining to their first grant, beginning at the southwest angle of their old bounds [near Maj. Hayward's], extending their said southerly line upon a norwest point, four degrees northerly (according to the Meridian compas) two miles and 280 rods ; there making a right angle on a bare hill, and from thence a line upon a northeast point 4 de- grees easterly, two miles one half and fifty rods, there meeting with Nashoba plantation line, running the line of the said planta- tion to their angle one mile one quarter and 60 rods, nearest hand upon an easterly point, there making a right angle, running a line, being the line of the Indian plantation, two miles one quar- ter and 60 rods, there being bounded by Chelmsford line and Bilrica line as is more plainly described by a plott ; in which plott is contained nine thousand and eight hundred acres of land,
was paid by Lt. Joseph Wheeler, for which the town granted him in 1660 a tract of land "lying between Chelmsford line and the line of Nashoba township, and joining to the further corner of the great pond." Nagog Pond appears to have been the southeast corner bound of this township.
41
GENERAL HISTORY.
1684.]
one thousand and eight hundred acres being formerly granted to Major Williard, the other eight thousand being granted to the inhabitants of Concord, and laid out the 5th May, 1666. Given under our hands.
RICHARD BEERS, THOMAS NOYES, Surveyors."
The town agreed 20th Jan. 1668, that these additional grants of land " shall lay for a free comon to the present householders of Concord, and such as shall hereafter be approved and allowed to be inhabitants ; except such parts of it as shall be thought mete to make farmes for the use and benefit of the towne." A full title was then acquired from the Indians, though it was thought proper in 1684, for reasons already mentioned, to obtain the following confirmatory deeds.
" To all people to whom these presents may come, greeting ; Know ye that we, Mary Neepanaum, John Speen and Sarah Speen, Dorothy Winnetow, Peter Muckquamuck, of Natick, and James Speen, and Elizabeth Speen, his wife of Waymeset, In- dians, for and in consideration of a valuable sum of money to us in hand payd by Capt. Timothy Wheeler, Henry Wooddis, James Blood, and John Flint, the receipt whereof we do by these presents acknowledge, and therewith to be fully satisfied and contented, have sold and by these presents do sell, alien, enfeofe, and confirm unto the said Capt. Timothy Wheeler, &c.1 of Con- cord in the county of Middlesex in ye Massachusetts Colony, in New England, for the use and behoof of themselves and the rest of the proprietors of the s'd town of Concord a certain tract or parcell of land conteyning by estimation a thousand acres, be the same more or less, and is situate, lying, and being within the last grant of land by the Generall Court to ye s'd town of Con- cord, and is bounded south-east by Sudbury, and the land of Stow alias Pompasitticutt, and norwest by the s'd Stow, running by them upon that line about a mile and a quarter, near to the hill by the Indians called Naauuhpavil ; and from thence by a streight line to the North River at the old bounds of ye s'd town of Concord, unto them the said Timothy Wheeler, &c. &c. to
1 Where "&c." occurs the parties and expressions are repeated.
6
42
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1684.
them, their heirs and successors for ever. And we the said Mary Neepanaum, &c. do hereby covenant and promise to and with the foresaid Timothy Wheeler, &c. &c. that we are the true pro- prietors of, and have good right and full power to grant, bargain, and sell, the above granted and bargained premises unto the said Timothy, &c. &c. and that the said Timothy, &c. &c. shall and may at all times and from time to time for ever hereafter have, hold, occupy, possess, and enjoy the above granted premises in full, be the same more or less, without any let, denial, or contra- diction of us the said Mary Neepanaum, &c. or any of us or any of our heirs, or any other person or persons whatever, lawfully claiming or having any right, title, or interest therein, or to or in any part or parcell thereof. In acknowledgement of this our act and deed, we have hereto put our hands and seals this fifth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty and four."
All the abovenamed Indians signed this deed - James Speen by writing his name, and the others by their marks, in presence of Moses Parker, Noah Brooks, Samuel Wheeler jr., Benjamin Bohow and Sarah Bohow (the two last of whom were Indians), and acknowledged " before Pet: Bulkeley, Assistant."
The foregoing deed applied to the south part of the tract. The same individuals, in behalf of Concord, bought of " John Thomas, and Naanoushqua, his wife; Tasunsquaw, the relict of Waban, diseased, and eldest daughter to Tahattawan, Sagamore, diseas- ed; Thomas Waban, her son ; Solomon Thomas ; John Nasqua ; James Casumpal, sen., and Sarah, his wife ; and Sarah, the rel- ict widow of Peter Conaway, Indians," for £21 ; by estimation, 8000 acres, lying in " the last grants of land by the General Court to the town of Concord, and is bounded southeast by the old bounds of the said town of Concord, easterly partly by Bilrerca, partly by a farm formerly layd out by Major Willard for himself, and partly by Chelmsford, till it meet with Nashoba line, and then westerly by the said Nashoba to the southeast corner of the said Nashoba, then northerly by the said Nashoba till it meets with Stow, and so bounded norwest by the said Stow, till it comes near to a hill by the Indians called Naaccuhpavil, and then run- ning upon a straight line to the North River, at the old bounds of the said town of Concord." This deed was executed and ac-
43
GENERAL HISTORY.
1668.]
knowledged in the same form as the preceding, on the 13th of Aug. 1684 ; and witnessed by Ebenezer Engoldsbey, Joseph Wooley, Joseph Shambery, and Andrew Pittemey.
These several grants were afterwards known as the "Town's New Grant," - the " Enlargement of the Town by the General Court," - and generally " Concord Village "; till after about seventy-five years they were in great part separated from Con- cord and incorporated as the town of Acton.
A company was incorporated, on the 5th March, 1658, " to erect one or more iron-works in Concord." These were built near the present Cotton Factory ; and operations were commenced in 1660. The " zinder holes and plates " were cast at Oliver Purchis's iron-works at Lynn, and put in by Joseph Jenks.
The company had permission, 30th May, 1660, " to digg iron ore without molestation in any land now in the Court's posses- sion." The southern grant to Major Willard, above mentioned, was subsequently sold to this company, and became known as the " Iron-work Farm." It lay partly in Concord, in Acton, and in Sudbury, as they are now bounded. Nathaniel Oliver, John Eyre, and Joseph Parsons, of Boston, sold one half of the whole property of this company, on the 23d May, 1684, then consisting of the iron-works and 1668 acres of land, to the Hon. Peter Bulke- ley of Concord, and James Russell of Charlestown, for £300.
In 1668 the town leased to Capt. Thomas Wheeler, for 20 years, 200 acres of upland near Mr. Silas Holden's present resi- dence, and 60 acres of meadow lying in several parcels on Nash- obah brook, on condition that he should keep, " except 12 Sab- bath days yearly," a herd of 50 cattle for Is. per head for the inhabitants, to be paid "one third part in wheat, one third part in rie or pease, and the other third part in Indian corn." They were to be constantly watched by a "herdsman," and kept in a yard at night to protect them from the wild beasts. Capt. Wheeler agreed to build a house "40 feet by 18, and 12 stud," covered with shingles, and to have a "pair of chimneys "; and a barn 40 by 24, and 12 high, to be left for the use of the town after the ex-piration of the lease.
Lieutenant Joseph Wheeler, by trading with the Nashobah Indians, became their creditor, aud petitioned the General Court, in 1662, for a grant of 200 acres of land at the southerly part of
44
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1668.
their plantation as payment for his debt ; but it was refused. In 1669, he, with several inhabitants of Concord, petitioned for a tract of land at Pompasitticutt ; and the Court appointed him, with John Haynes of Sudbury, William Kerley of Marlborough, James Parker of Groton, and John Moore of Lancaster, a com- mittee to view it and report at their next session. This report was made May 11, 1670; and it was found " to contain 10,000 acres of country land, whereof about 500 is meadow. The greater part of it is very mean land, but we judge there will be planting ground enough to accommodate 20 families. Also there is about 4000 acres more of land that is taken up in farmes, whereof about 500 acres is meadow. There is also the Indian plantation of Nashobah, that doth border on one side of this tract of land, that is exceedingly well meadowed, and they do make but little or no use of it." George Hayward, Joseph Wheeler, Thomas Wheeler, John Hayward, William Buttrick, Sydrach Hapgood, Stephen Hall, Edmund Wigley of Concord, and Joseph Newton and Richard Holdridge, petitioned for this tract of land; and it was granted to them " to make a village, provided the place be setteled with not less than ten famyles within three years, and that a pious, an able, and orthodox minister be maintained there." Daniel Gookin, Thomas Danforth, and Joseph Cook, were appoint- ed " to order the settlement of the village in all respects ; " and the various proceedings in relation to it resulted in the incor- poration of the town of Stow, May 16, 1683 ; 1 which has since been found able to accommodate more than twenty families !
1 Twelve " foundation lots," containing 50 acres of upland and 15 of meadow, were at first granted in the following order: - to the Minister, Boaz Brown, Gershom Heald, John Buttrick, Ephraim Hildreth, Thomas Stevens, Stephen Hall, Samuel Buttrick, Joseph Freeman, Joseph Darby, Thomas Gates, and Shadrach Hapgood. Others were afterwards granted. John Wetherby, Dec. 18, 1679. Richard Whitney, jr. do.
Richard Whitney, sen. June 3, 1680. Jabez Rutter, do. James Wheeler, April 8, 1681. Moses Whitney, do.
Henry Rand, Jan. 13, 1682. Isaac Heald, Jan. do.
Israel Heald, March 13, 1682.
Benj. Bosworth, Aug. 7, 1682.
Thomas Ward, Oct. 24, 1682.
Thomas Steevens, jr. June 17, 1684.
Boaz Brown, jr. do.
Samuel Hall, do.
Thomas Darby, June 17, 1684.
Mark Perkins, Jan. 1, 1685.
Richard Burke, sen. March 1, 1686. Roger Willis, do.
45
GENERAL HISTORY.
1668.]
In 1653, Concord subscribed £5 a year for 7 years, for Harvard College. - Thomas Brooks was appointed in 1654, to carry the law to prevent drunkenness among the Indians into effect. - The selectmen petitioned.to the County Court, in 1660, that sargeant Buss might keep an " ordinary " or tavern in Concord, they hav- ing " found much difficulty in procuring such an one as we could rest well satisfied in." - The town agreed in 1668, "that all the waste land should pay 2s 6d for every 100 acres for public charges." In 1672, seventeen articles of instruction were given to the selectmen by a committee, consisting of Nehemiah Hunt, John Flint, John Miles, William Hartwell, Thomas Wheeler, Joshua Brooks, Joseph Haywood, Gershom Brooks, Humphrey Barret, and John Billings ; from which the following items are extracted :- "3. That care be taken of the Books of Marters and other bookes, that belong to the Towne, that they be kept from abusive usage, and not be lent to persons more than one month at one time." -" 7. To take order that all corne fields be sufficiently fenced in season, the crane field and brickil field especially. - 8. That incorigment be given for the destroying of blackbirds and jaies." -" 11. To make a record of all the habi- tations that are priviledged with liberty at commons."-" 14. To take care that undesirable persons be not entertained ; so as to become inhabitants. - 15. To take care that persons do not overcharge their commons with cattle .- 16. That all persons that have taken the oath of fidelity be recorded."
Concord was presented in 1660 for not having a common house of entertainment, and ordered to get one before next Court under penalty of 2s 6d. Richard Temple recovered 20s dam- age of John Gobble for calling him a " Lying rascal."
Benj. Crane, Dec. 23, 1682.
Thomas Williams, do. Joseph Wheeler, April 19, 1683.
Stephen Handell, March 10, 1686.
Jabez Brown, June 15, 1683.
Benj. Crane.
These were the original inhabitants of Stow. Those in Italics went from Concord.
46
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1675.
CHAPTER IV.
PHILIP'S WAR. - State of the Country. - Garrison Houses. - Expedition to Brookfield. - Proceedings of Government; and of the Town. - Lancaster burnt. - Christian Indians in Concord. - Feelings towards the Indians. - Abraham and Isaac Shepherd killed. - Groton burnt. - People remove to Concord. - Proceedings of Government. - Sudbury Fight. - Henchman's Letters. - Soldiers at Concord. - Christian Indian Soldiers. - War Taxes.
WE are now to record the events of a most interesting period in the history of New England, remarkable for the occurrence of the most distressing Indian war that ever desolated the country. Though Concord suffered little in comparison with many other towns, yet the part her citizens took in this war is deserving of particular notice.
At this time the number of warriors in the five nations of Indians in the immediate vicinity of the English settlements, as has been noticed in the commencement of this history, was estimated at about 1800; the whole number of English inhabitants in New England at 120,000; and the effective military force of the four United Colonies at 16,000 ; of which Massachusetts had nearly three fourths. She had twelve troops of cavalry of 60 men each. The county of Middlesex then contained 17 incorporated towns,1 and its militia was embraced in one regiment. A majority of these towns were but recently settled by inhabitants living remote from each other, without even tolerably good roads to facilitate their intercourse.
Concord then contained a foot, and part of a horse company.2 In 1654, an expedition had been undertaken by the United Colo-
1 Charlestown, Watertown, Medford, Cambridge, Concord, Sudbury, Woburn, Reading, Malden, Lancaster, Chelmsford, Billerica, Groton, Marl- borough, Dunstable, Mendon, and Sherburne. Worcester County was not incorporated till 1731.
2 The former was organized in 1636, when Sergeant Willard was ap- pointed to exercise it. He was appointed Captain in 1646, and promoted to be Major in 1654. In 1662, the County Court made the following appoint- ments in this company. Timothy Wheeler, Captain ; Joseph Wheeler, Lieut. ; William Buss, Ensign ; Richard Rice, Thomas Bateman, and Thomas Wheeler, sen. Sergeants ; William Buttrick, Samuel Stratten, and John Scotchford, Corporals. The Horse Company was organized Oct. 13, 1669, embracing some soldiers in the adjoining towns. Thomas Wheele
47
GENERAL HISTORY.
1675.]
nies against Ninigret, principal Sachem of the Naraganset Indians, when 250 foot and 40 horsemen were raised and "sent fourth under the Christian and courageous Major Willard of Concord as commander in chief." 1 Several of the Concord troops accompa- nied liim ; and this was the first time that our early settlers were engaged in war.
At Wamesit (Lowell), Nashobah (easterly part of Littleton), Okommokamesit (Marlborough), and several other places near the frontier English settlements were incorporated Indian towns, contain- ing in 1676 about 500 inhabitants, including women and children, who had ostensibly embraced Christianity, and were friendly to the whites. At length jealousies arose among the unfriendly Indians against these and against the English ; and Philip, the bold chief of the Wampanoags at Mount Hope, determined to destroy their infant settlements, and exterminate the inhabitants. To aid him in this barbarous conspiracy, he endeavoured to obtain the alliance of all the neighbouring tribes ; and in most instances he effected his designs.
The government ordered that garrison-houses should be erected in the several towns, or that dwelling-houses already built should be fortified, which were to serve as a kind of fortress into which the inhabitants, by districts or companies, might collect at night, or in case of an attack. Houses were also erected for the accommoda- tion of military watches, which were maintained in each town to perform patrol duty, and forewarn the inhabitants of danger.
We have no other means than tradition to ascertain the number or situation of the garrison-houses in Concord. The house now occupied by Dr. Hurd was originally one; another stood near John Flint's ; another near Meriam's corner ; two others within the present limits of Bedford ; another near John Hosmer's; and another near Silas Holden's. An Indian fort was built near Nash- obah Hill in Littleton, then in Concord. These were not all. The number and situation varied, at different times, for the subse- quent twenty years.
was appointed first Captain ; Thomas Henchman, Lieut. ; and Henry Wood- house, Quarter Master. This was the second and western horse company in the county, and from it the present Concord Light Infantry descended.
1 Mather's Relation, p. 69. See Hoyt, Antiquarian Researches, p. 70.
48
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[1675.
Though several acts of hostility had been committed in Ply- mouth Colony, the Nipmuck Indians, residing near the centre of the present limits of Worcester county, had not fully united with Philip in his blood-thirsty designs of extermination. And since some of these were Praying Indians, the government flattered them- selves that they might be reclaimed and enlisted permanently on their side. Having professed friendship and promised fidelity to the English, a mission was sent forth to meet these Indians at Quabaug (Brookfield). Capt. Edward Hutchinson was commis- sioned to negotiate a treaty ; and Capt. Thomas Wheeler of Concord, with 20 or 25 of his company, was ordered to go with him, as a guard, and to assist in the objects of the expedition. . Two sons of old Robin Petuhanit of Grafton, Sampson and Jo- seph,1 and George Memecho, three Christian Indians, accompa- nied them as guides and interpreters. They marched from Cam- bridge to Sudbury, 28th July, 1675 ; and arrived at Brookfield Ist August, when they found the Indians were assembled about 10 miles distant. Four messengers were sent to acquaint them with the intentions of the English, but an alarm was raised, and the Indians assumed a warlike attitude. The messengers endeavoured to convince the Sachems of their peaceful intentions ; and they promised to meet the English the next morning a short distance from Brookfield. They doubted whether to proceed; yet, being urged to go by the inhabitants of Brookfield, they marched to the place assigned for holding the treaty. Finding no Indians there, the company continued their march, contrary to the advice of their guides, four or five miles further near to a swamp, when they were suddenly attacked by 200 or 300 Indians. Eight were killed by the first fire, and three wounded, among whom were Capt. Hutchin- son and Capt. Wheeler. Capt. Wheeler had two horses shot under him, and received a ball through his body. Seeing this, his son, whose arm was then fractured by a ball, dismounted, and placed his › wounded father upon his own horse ; and himself mounting another whose rider had been killed, they both escaped. The surviving
1 Sampson was afterwards killed near Wachusett. Joseph was taken and sold as a slave to go to the West Indies. His wife and two children, taken captive with him, were redeemed by the Rev. Mr. Eliot ; and she was employed two years after to teach a school among the Indians at Concord. She is represented as being a very sober, Christian woman. Gookin's MS.
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