USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Dorchester > History of the town of Dorchester, Massachusetts > Part 13
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
1657. Selectmen-Roger Clap, Hopestill Foster, Mr. Jones, Nathaniel Patten and Edward Clap.
This year, at the request of Rev. John Eliot, of Roxbury, usually denominated the Apostle of the Indians, the town granted a piece of land at Pun- kapoag, containing about 6000 acres, for the use of the Indians at and about Punkapoag Pond ; also 500 acres to Roger Clap, supposed to be in West- field or that vicinity; and 1000 for the school of Dorchester. Previous to this, a part of the town records had been accidentally burnt in Thomas Mil- let's house.
The following document is on record, viz. " A memorandum that the Grand Jury were with us to speak with us about some things which they thought were liable to be presented, as namely this, that the catechising of children is neglected in our town."
" At a meeting of the Selectmen, 12: 4: 1657, Thos. Bird brought a note from Henry Woodward, Constable, and demanded twenty shillings for a wolf that his son Samuel Greenway killed within our bounds the 5 : 1: 57, which we do order that they shall be paid the next town rate." It was a common thing to pay for several wolves killed in one year. Anthony Fisher, Jr., received pay for three in 1665.
This year the town voted to add ten pounds in the next rate, to be paid in wheat, for the procuring and 'purchasing of " great guns " for the use of the town.
It appears that it had been the custom to lumber up the roads by manure, wood, timber, stones, build-
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
ing of hovels, styes for swine, saw-pits, clay-pits, &c., until the Selectmen took the matter in hand and ordered them cleared in six weeks' time, on penalty of 20s. 6d. to the offending parties.
Eleazer Mather, son of Rev. Richard, being about entering the ministry, labored in this town in con- nection with his father, and was allowed ten pounds for the same.
The following letter, in relation to the laying out of Punkapoag, will show the influence the writer had over the people of Dorchester.
" To his much honored and respected friend, Major Atherton, at his house in Dorchester, these p sent.
" Much honored and beloved in the Lord :
" Though our poore Indians are much molested in most places in their meetings in way of civilities, yet the Lord hath put it into your hearts to suffer us to meet quietly at Ponkipog, for wh I thank God, and am thankful to yourselfe and all the good peo- ple of Dorchester. And now that our meetings may be the more comfortable and p varable, my request is, yt you would please to further these two motions : first, yt you would please to make an order in your towne, and record it in your towne record, that you approve and allow ye Indians of Ponkipog there to sit downe and make a towne, and to inioy such accommodations as may be competent to maintain God's ordi- nances among them another day. My second request is, yt you would appoint fitting men, who may in a fitt season bound and lay out the same, and record yt alsoe. And thus commending you to the Lord, I rest,
Yours to serve in the service of Jesus Christ,
JOHN ELIOT."
1658. Selectmen-Humphrey Atherton, Roger Clap, Hopestill Foster, Mr. Jones and Mr. Patten.
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
This year it was voted by the General Court, that no persons should receive into their houses any stran- ger without the leave of the Selectmen, upon such penalty as the Selectmen "shall see good to lay upon them."
1659. Selectmen-Humphrey Atherton, Roger Clap, Hopestill Foster, Nathaniel Patten and Mr. Jones.
This year 400 acres of land were given by the proprietors for the use of the ministry.
The Selectmen issued their order in relation to the entertaining of strangers. It begins as follows :
" Whereas the General Court hath taken care what strangers shall reside in this jurisdiction, and how licensed, as by the law title 'strangers ' doth appear," &c. It then goes on to state that if any person in this town shall entertain any sojourner or inmate in his house above one week, without license from the Selectmen, he shall be fined. The first person who suffered under this order was " Angola the negro," who was ordered to " depart this town."
This law appears to have been enforced with considerable strictness.
" Thomas Meekins and James Minot did promise to set up a Fulling Mill upon Neponset river, by the first of December next."
The fifteenth of June, this year, was a day of hu- miliation in all the churches of this jurisdiction- " in behalf of our native country, the fears of com- motion and trouble in the country and Parliament ; rents and divisions in many of the churches, espe- cially in Hartford ; the hand of God against us in the
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
unseasonable wet and rain of last spring; and the sad face of things in regard of the rising genera- tion." Mr. Peletiah Glover preached in the morn- ing, from 2 Chron. vii. 14, 15, 16; Mr. Mather in the afternoon, from Hosea vi. 1."
The people of Hartford sent for Mr. Mather, with the elders of the church, to come to them and give counsel in relation to the differences in their church ; but they excused themselves " in regard to the diffi- culty of the journey unto the aged body " of Mr. Mather. The Hartford matter was subsequently settled in this vicinity-that place being so far from most of the churches whose counsel was desired in its settlement.
The 8th of December was kept as a day of thanks- giving.
1660. Selectmen-Humphrey Atherton, Roger Clap, Hopestill Foster, Nathaniel Patten and Mr. Jones.
The 22d of February was observed as a day of humiliation through the colony, in behalf of Eng- land, " they being at this time in such an unsettled way of government, being without Protector and without Parliament, only the power remaining in the army, and they also being divided."
The sabbath before this day of fasting, Jeremy Hawes, servant of Mr. Patten, and Thomas Lake, servant and kinsman of Thomas Lake, for bad be- havior in the meeting in the forenoon, were called before the assembly in the afternoon and publicly reproved.
The 25th of March, Mr. Mather made a report 17
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
unto the congregation, " of a sad accident that was fallen out at Hartford, viz. of a young man named Abraham Warner, about the age of twenty years, who being left of God, and prevailed with by Satan, drowned himself in the water, leaving behind him, in his brother's pocket, a writing to his father, wherein he does advise his father to look to the ways and walkings of his brother. Mr. Mather, upon this occasion, gave an exhortation, Ist, unto the children, to take heed of refusing instruction from their parents, and not to please themselves with this, that they were the children of godly parents, as it seems this young man was. And 2d, also unto pa- rents to look to the ways and walkings of their children and families, alledging the example of Eli," &c.
There was another day of fasting and humiliation on the 10th of June. Mr. Peletiah Glover preach- ed in the morning, from Zechariah i. 3; Mr. Ma- ther in the afternoon, from Ezekiel xxi. 27.
About this time the elders put the church in mind " of their slackness in coming to the contribution, and discharging their rates to the deacons."
The 9th of December was another day of humili- ation in the church of Dorchester, at the motion of Mr. Mather, on account of the troubles in England. Mr. Mather preached in the morning, from Tim. i. 1 and 2; Mr. Eliot, of Roxbury, in the afternoon, from Job iii. 25.
These occasions of humiliation and fasting - sometimes general and sometimes local-are men- tioned to show the feeling and tendency of the
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
times. An allusion to them all would occupy much space, and will therefore be omitted hereafter, ex- cepting in cases where something out of the com- mon course led to the appointment of the day. In some years there were four or five fast days, besides thanksgivings.
Roger Sumner was dismissed from the church, being about to remove to Lancaster with others and form a church there. When Lancaster was destroy- ed by the Indians, he returned to Milton, and was an important man there.
1661. Selectmen-Roger Clap, Hopestill Foster, Nathaniel Patten, Mr. Jones and William Sumner.
The death of Maj. Gen. Humphrey Atherton, this year, was a serious loss to the town. His energy of character, and firmness in all cases where great de- cision was required, made him a strong pillar in the youthful settlement. There is no doubt his death occurred on the 17th of September, instead of the 16th, as inscribed on his monument-probably soon after 12 o'clock at night on the 16th. Blake says, " He was killed by a fall from his horse at ye So. end of Boston, as he was coming homewards (I think in ye evening), his Horse either Running over or start- ing at a Cow that lay down in ye way." His great courage and presence of mind were strikingly exhi- bited when he was sent, with twenty men, to Pessa- cus, an Indian sachem, to demand the arrears to the colony, of three hundred fathom of wampum. Pessa- cus put him off for some time with dilatory answers, not suffering him to come into his presence. He finally led his men to the door of the wigwam, en-
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
tered himself with pistol in hand, leaving his men without, and seizing Pessacus by the hair of his head, drew him from the midst of a great number of his attendants, threatening, if any of them interfer- ed, that he would despatch him.
It will be seen, by the following entry, that the meeting-house was but a rude and humble building. On the 8th of September, of this year, after order- ing that Lieut. Clap and Ensign Foster should see the meeting-house repaired, the records say-" Also William Blake is appointed to warn Thomas An- drews to daub the meeting-house, or else to take the fine that is due for not * * * of him."
The 18th of June, of this year, Mr. Eleazer Ma- ther, son of the pastor of this church, was ordained minister of Northampton; and Dea. Edward Clap, Mr. Peletiah Glover and Thomas Tileston were cho- sen as messengers from the church to attend the or- dination-a journey of nearly as much importance as would now be one to New Orleans, and much more dangerous. Several persons removed from this town to Northampton, and formed the church there ; among them, William Clarke and Sarah his wife, Henry Woodward and Elizabeth his wife, and Henry Cunliffe and his wife Susanna.
1662. Selectmen-Roger Clap, Hopestill Foster, William Sumner, Mr. Jones and John Minot.
The Mr. Jones so often named as one of the selectmen, was undoubtedly Thomas, a wise and pru- dent man.
This year Milton was set off from Dorchester and incorporated as a township-Dorchester still hold-
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
ing the territory south thereof. The Indian name of Milton was Unquety, and it was frequently call- ed by that name long after it was set off as a town.
Goodman Mead had charge of the meeting-house in Dorchester, attended to the bell-ringing, clean- ing, &c .; and there not being sufficient cash in the treasury to pay him the three pounds due for that service the present year, Mr. Patten agreed to pay him twenty-six shillings and eight pence, and Ens. Foster the rest-both to be allowed the same out of the next town rate.
May 5, of this year-" It was voted whether An- thony Fisher should have four pounds allowed out of the town rate for killing six wolves ; the vote was affirmative."
The town had hitherto kept their powder at the house of Gen. Atherton, and he being dead, the Captain, Lieutenant and Ensign were appointed to take charge of the " ammunition that is in the house of Mrs. Atherton, and to remove it to some conve- nient place for the use of the town."
Nicholas Clap was appointed to see the windows of the meeting-house mended, and to provide lids or window leaves for the windows, and to pay the glazier.
The death of Sir Henry Vane, who was beheaded in England, June 14th of this year, was undoubt- edly strongly felt by his old friends and acquaint- ances in this town and vicinity. He was a great man in the colony, and belonged to the progressive party. He was impeached for " compassing and imagining the death of the king," Charles I. Not
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
a shadow of proof was brought to sustain the charge, yet he suffered the punishment of death.
1663. Selectmen-Roger Clap, Hopestill Foster, Mr. Jones, William Sumner and John Minot.
The town, for the first time, chose commissioners to try and issue small causes. Capt. Roger Clap, Lt. Hopestill Foster and William Sumner were cho- sen for this year. "Capt. Clap was authorised to join persons in marriage, and from this time forward many persons were married by him."
Daniel Ellis came to the selectmen, and "intreat- ed to be an inhabitant of Dorchester ; " but they would not accept of him as such, unless he brought sufficient security, " or to be in covenant for one year with some honest man."
Robert Stiles was obliged to pay the penalty for entertaining strangers contrary to law.
For many years it had been customary to vote £100 to pay Mr. Mather for his services as pastor and teacher ; but as he grew aged, he received as- sistance in the performance of his duties from Mr. Stoughton. Last year £95 was voted to Mr. Ma- ther, and 25 to Mr. Stoughton. This year, to the former, £80; to the latter, 50.
Great interest and distress were felt here and in all the towns in the Bay, on account of the affairs in England ; and fasts were held in Dorchester, Charlestown, Cambridge, Roxbury, Boston, Water- town, Dedham and Braintree, " seeking to God, by fasting and prayer, in behalf of the people of God."
A part of 1000 acres granted by the General Court, in 1659, in lieu of Thompson's Island, was laid out this year ; also 400 acres for the ministry.
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
1664. Selectmen-Roger Clap, Hopestill Foster, William Sumner, Mr. Jones and Anthony Fisher, jr.
This year William Stoughton sent a list of his landed property to the proprietors. He owned a large quantity in his own right, and had purchased of many persons who had left the town ; viz., Mr. Gilbert, Mr. Makepeace, Mrs. Knight, widow Smead, Mr. Jones, Mr. Flood, John Pope, Mr. Whitcomb, Mr. Miller, Mr. Butler, Mr. Dimmock, Mr. Hutch- inson, Edward Munnings, Mr. Holman and Richard Collicot-making about 325 acres. This, with what he inherited through his father, made the amount very large. His father, at the time of his death, was the owner of upwards of 5000 acres.
At a town meeting, April 1, 1664, "it was pro- posed to the town whether they were willing to have an Ordinary set up somewhere about or near the meeting-house." " The vote was negative."
A similar application was made soon after to the selectmen, with the same result; viz., Sept. 7, 1664 : " Whereas there was a motion made by. Nicholas Batten unto the Selectmen, for his wife's drawing and selling Cyder; We, the Selectmen, do not ap- prove of it."
At the same meeting Ensign Capen and William Sumner were appointed to get the burying place well and sufficiently fenced, and also to demand of John Blake the 20 shillings (not 20 pounds, as men- tioned in the 107th page of this work) left by his father for that purpose in his last will and testa- ment. The burying place here mentioned is the pre- sent one in the north part of the town. It was
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originally laid out five rods square. The south- west corner is the oldest part, and has been enlarg- ed several times. It is supposed that this ground, although not the most ancient, contains the oldest inscriptions in the United States, excepting, per- haps, a few in Jamestown, Va .; one being dated 1638, and others in 1644 and 1648.
April 3d, of this year, " Mr. Mather, after the evening exercises, did declare that Mr. Stoughton did intend the next Lord's day to preach again, at the motion of the messengers of the church, al- though he had not preached publicly full 14 sab- baths before."
Mr. Mather preached the election sermon this year, from Haggai ii. 4-" Yet now be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work, for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts." A very significant text for the occasion, and the discourse was probably a preliminary step in that onward march of events which finally caused the separation of the colony from the mother country.
The following important petition from the town, signed by nearly all the men in it, speaks for itself ; but a few remarks may help to understand its signi- ficance. The colony had no doubt greatly sympa- thised with Cromwell and his party, and were not a little disappointed at the accession of the undignifi- ed and lascivious Charles. It was with these feel- ings, and under the fear, likewise, that former rights and privileges might be curtailed upon the restora- tion of the Stuart family, that this document was sent to the General Court. It is undoubtedly in
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the hand writing of Richard Mather, and is drawn up with great care. It is here copied from the Ge- nealogical Register, Vol. V., page 393-the names, for convenience, being arranged alphabetically.
To the Honrd. Gournr. the Deputy Gournr. together with the rest of the honord. magistrates & house of Deputyes. As- sembled in Generall court at Boston this nineteenth day of October, 1664. The Petition off the Inhabitants of Dor- chester : Humbly sheweth :
First of all That wee doe acknowledge it with all Thankfull- ness to God & to yourselues, as a great mercy, that the Lord was pleased to put it into yor harts, in your late session to ex- presse & declare, That it is yor resolution (god assisting) to beare faith & true Alegiance vnto his majesteye, And to adhere vnto our Patent the dutyes and priuilidges thereof, soe dearly ob- tained & soe long enjoyed by vndoubted right in the sight of god & men : Likewise we doe acknowledg it a fauor from god in directing The Honrd Counsill in a late meeting of theers at Bos- ton to giue forth such a declaration wherin they doe recite the sence of sundry perticulers, what or power and priuilidges are granted to vs in the said patent, as this is one, that full power & authority is granted to this collonye for making and executing all lawes for the gourment of this people not repugnant to the lawes of England, Another is that it shall be lawfull for this gournmnt by all fitting meanes & if need bee by force of armes to deffend orselues against all such as shall attempt the detriment or anoyance of this plantation or the inhabitants thereof; some lawes they recite that are established & printed in relation to the former. i. e. to vphold & maintaine the said gouerment.
All which considered it is our humble request vnto this Honrd Court, That as you haue expressed & declared your resolution, to adhere to ye patent & ye privilidges thereof, for there may be a constancy therein & noe declining from the same, ffor you know how vncomfortable & dishonrable it would be first to ex- presse such a resolution as affore mentioned, & afterward to act 18
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contrary, wch wee hope is farre from your intention, And we pray god that such a thing may neuer bee. It is well known how his Royall majesty by letters to this collony doth confirme the said patent & charter, & promiseth that wee shall Injoy all the libertyes & priuilidges granted in & by the same, wch may be a further & great incouragmt to yorselues to adhere to your proffessed resolution, & to take courage by your authority & wisdome, that all the people within this jurisdiction may also doe the sanfe.
Next of all, full power being granted by the patent for mak- ing and executing all lawes not repugnant to the lawes of Eng- land, some one of the lawes here established being this : That noe injustice shall bee put vpon any church officer or member, In point of doctrine worship or Discipline, whether for substance or sircumstance besides the Institutions of the Lord Therfor it is our Humble request that the liberty of or churches & faithfull ministry in this collony may bee still continued, without the im- position of any such Injunction not ordained of god, wch con- sciences truly tender would be troubled withall, but that as hith- erto our churches & ministers haue bine freed from such human Inuentions & impositions, soe they may bee still, it being well knowne to the world that to be freed therefrom was one spetiall cause that moued many to remoue from their deare natiue coun- try Into this wilderness, & how lamentable & grieuous it would bee to be here burdened & encombered againe with such mat- ters is easy for any to Judge.
Thirdly, The patent expresly granting that the yeilding & pajng of the fifth part of the oare of gold & siluer shal be for & in respect of all dutyes & demands & seruices wtsoeuer, Therfore we humbly Intreat that the Inhabitants of this collony may not bee vrged & compelled to make any other paymts but what is by patent exspressed, vnto any person or persons wtso- euer but such as doe here reside & dwell, & are by the country chosen to labor amongst vs in this church and ciuil gouermt. for the low estate & condition whervnto the chardg of this wilder- ness worke & the afflicting prouidences of god haue brought
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
many vnto is known to bee such, that small portions & sallaryes euen much below there deserts are afforded to many that labor amongst vs both in church & common wealth, And therefore to impose further taxes & paiments on the country wch the patent requireth not but freeth vs from, seemeth to bee difficult vnrea- sonable if not impossible to bee borne, & therfor we humbly de- sire it may be preuented
Much honerd we haue none other on earth to flee vnto but yourselues into whose hands vnder god wee haue comitted the care & preseruation of all our pretious things, hoping that this great trust by god & his people by you shalbe duly obserued : we also engage orselfe to assist as we haue hitherto with or per- sons & estates so farre as the Lord shall enable vs. vnto whom we also pray for his spetiall guidance & grace to be with you in this soe great a work.
Andrews, Thomas, sen.
Clap, William, senr.
Andrew, Thomas, junr.
Cumin, David
Baall, ffrances
Curtis, Richard
Ball, Mathew
Dier, George
Baker, John
Davenport, Thomas, sen.
Baker, Richard
Davenport, Thomas, jun.
Bird, Thomas
Elder, Daniel
Burd, iosph
Euens, Mathias
Blackman, John
Euens, Richard
Blake, James Blake, Will
Foster, Hopestill, jr.
Boulton, Nicolas VR
Foster, Timothy
Bradley, William
Frances, Richard
Browne, Edmond
Gorge, Nickolas
Capen, Barnard
Gurnell, John Hall, Richard
Capen, John, Jr.
Hewens, Jacob
Capen, Samuell
Hawes, Eleazer
Clapp, Nicholas
Hawes, Jeremiah
Clap, Ebenezer
Hill, Jonathan
Clap, Edward Clap, Ezra
Hill, Samuel Hinshaw, Joshua
Clap, Increase
Homes, Nathanell
Clap, Nathaniell
How, Abraham
Clap, Nehemiah Clap, Samuel
Humfrey, Samuell
Hoss, Obadiah
Capen, John, sen.
Fisher, Anthony, sen.
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
Humfrey, James
Sauage, Edward
Joanes, Dauid
Searll, Robert
Jones, Isack
Smith, John X mark
Jones, Thomas
Swift, Obadiah
Lake, Thomas
Swift, Thomas
Leeds, Beniamin
Spur, Robert
Leeds, Rich
Stoughton, Will
Lyon, Peter
Sumner, William
Mather, Richard
Tappley, Clement O.
Mawdesley, Thomas
Tilston, Thomas
Maxfeild, Samuell
Tolman, Thomas
Maxfilld, Clement
Topliff, Samuell
Meed, Isreall
Trescot, Samuell
Mede, Gabriel
Triscote, William
Minot, George
Trot, Thomas
Naramoore, Thomas
Turenr, William
Paull, Samuel
Way, Henry
Pole, William
Way, Samuel
Pond, William
Weekes, Amiel
Pope, Thomas
Weekes, Joseph
Preston, Daniell
Weekes, William
Procer, Samvull
White, James
Robinson, James
Withington, Henry
Robinson, William
Withington, Richard
Rush, Jasper
Wiswell, Enoke
1665. Selectmen - Hopestill Foster, Anthony Fisher, sen., Thomas Jones, William Sumner and John Minot.
In July, Capt. Richard Davenport, commander of the Castle, was killed by lightning, and on the 10th of August Capt. Roger Clap was appointed by the General Court to supply his place. The fact may be found stated in Capt. Clap's Memoirs ; but he, with his characteristic modesty, does not name the person appointed. This office necessarily interfered with the town business in which heretofore he had been much engaged, and he was obliged to give up some of the latter.
Clement Maxfield appeared before the selectmen
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
and desired that his brother John, who had recently arrived from England, might live in the town, and continue with him, and he would secure the town from any damage during his residence here. The selectmen granted his request; also the like desire of Joseph Birch, that his brother Lewis might live with him until further order. But " a motion being made by the widow Hill in behalf of her son in law, lately come from Boggerstow, that he might inhabit amongst us," they could see no cause to grant it ; neither widow Hill nor any other person was allow- ed to entertain him, and the constable was notified to warn him to depart the town.
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