USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Princeton > History of the town of Princeton in the county of Worcester and commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1759-1915, Volume I > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
It is only known that Mr. Plaisted failed to perform his agreements with the Government and in 1759 the Court ordered William Richardson, Esq., to take possession of the farm in the name of the Province, which was promptly done. Acting under direction of the Court, he reported in April, 1760, that he had leased the farm to Timothy Mossman, for one year, for the sum of six pounds. The lease was renewed the following year.
It may be surmised that but little, if any, of the land was under cultivation, yet this rental value (six pounds ster- ling) for fifteen hundred acres may be an interesting item for the present proprietors and residents of the village of East Princeton and its surrounding farms, formerly in- cluded within the bounds of " Old Potash." As early as 1754 there were two dwelling houses in the northerly part of this farm, but the occupants are unknown, although it is presumed that they were of the Mossman family.
Mr. Timothy Mossman, Senior, had been living on the farm previous to his lease from the Province, as appears by his petition to the Court in 1764, of which an abstract is given.
" Your petitioner Lived at Dorchester Canada (Ash-
51
The Farms Adjoining
burnham) and was drove off by the Indians, from that Town, and thereby I Lose'd my House, movcables, and Implements, and being impoverish'd sold my Lands there, I was put in possession of the Pottash farm by virtue of a Lease from Capt. Plaisted, where I did much Labour, in fencing improveing & makeing roads to the value of Two Hundred Pounds where also I met with Great sickness in my person & family and was further reduced by the Loss of the Possession of the Province Land as it became profitable." * He asked that his indebtedness of £12. to the Province might be " forgiven " and also for a grant of a small tract of Province land between Westminster and Leominster " that is useless to the Government " or for the sum of £200. The Court cancelled the debt but refused to give him either land or money.
This small indebtedness very likely represented two years unpaid rent of Potash farm.
Mr. Mossman had formerly lived at Sudbury, where he had brought up a large family.
As he was one of the early settlers of Princeton, it may not be out of place to insert here another petition of his, dated May 6, 1760.
"The petition of Timothy Mossman of Princetown So Called in the County of Worcester Humbley shewing
To your Honor: & Honours that his son Samuel Mossman was an Inlisted Soulger in the Seruis of the Gouernment in the Expedition against Canada in year 1759 under the Comand of Capt. Colt and in Collonel Abijah Wil- lards Regement and so it was that my Said Son was a grate part of the Sumer So much Indisposed that it Cost him Eightie pounds of his wages to get Nesecareys for his Comfort and some short time before the army was Dismissed he being so Verey weke and Low obtained Leue to Come home and was brought in a wagon to Albaney and he much Dificultey got ouer to Grenbush and was put into a barn where he Lay in a most Dredful Con- djton None aboute him Expecting his Life: one of his acquaintance Sending me word of my Said Sons Case I Imedetley send a man & horse vp to said Grenbush for his Relif and when he the Said man ariued at Grenbush he found my Son so Verry weke & Poor that he was obliged to tarey Some Days before he Dare Venture to Set out with him & after he set out they came but thre miles the first Day and with the Gratest Dificultey after be-
* Mass. Archives, Vol. XLVI, page 485.
52
History of Princeton
ing done 19 Days got home for which time and horse and Expences of Said man I payed 29 Dollars as pr account here with Exhibeted may apper be- sides all winter after being sik which surcumstances I would Humbley besech your Honor and Honours to take into your Compashonate Consideration and alow him said 29 Doolers which he actuley payed as aforesaid and make him shuch further allowance for his Loss of time and Sickness Since he Came home as you in your Grate wisdom and goodness Shall Judge proper as in Duty Bound Do Pray
Timothy Mossmann." 1
The thought of a man as sick as the one Mr. Mossman describes brought from Greenbush, N. Y., to Princeton on horseback, over the rough roads of a century ago, appeals very strongly to our " Compashonate Considera- tion," and it doubtless had its effect upon the Magistrates for the sum of £3.s4 was ordered to be paid Wm. Richard- son, Esq., for the petitioner.
Mr. Mossman and his sons subsequently owned land in Princeton, reference to which is made elsewhere in these pages.
In July, 1761, the authorities were notified of encroach- ments upon the farm as follows: -
" Since possession of said farm was taken by Wm. Richardson, Esq., appointed by the General Court in behalf of the Province, the proprietors of said Lancaster have laid out into Lots above two hundred & fifty acres of the Southerly part of said Tract of Province Land, and have cut and destroyed the Timber thereon, also the Tim- ber on other parts of said Land whereby considerable part of said fifteen hundred acres of Land is likely to be lost unless speedily prevented." (Court Records, Vol. XXIV, page 92.)
An investigation was ordered and the following report made Feb. 9, 1762 (Mass. Archives, Vol. 46, page 452), through Ezra Taylor, one of the Committee.
" On the 29th day of Last September I Repaired to said Farm with a Surveyor and Chainman, and have run the Lines Searchd up and Renewed the Bounds all Round said Farm And I find that in the originall Laying out of
1 Mass. Archives, Vol. LXXIX, page 151.
53
The Farms Adjoining
said Farm it was Run on upon a Prior Grant made to one Mr. Gardnier which will Take sixty four acres of said Farm. I allso find that the most valuable part of the Timber on said Farm is Cut of and appears to have been Cheifly Done within Two years Last past and I Cant find out any Person who has done it Except one Timothy Mossman, who was then in Possession of said Pottash farm (as he says) by Virtue of a Lease From William Richardson, Esq" as Agent for the Government and was allowed by him to Cut the Timber afore said, Supposeing it was on Land formerly called Mayhews Farms and not on Province Land.
And as to the Lotts which has been Laid out by the proprietors of Lancaster in said Province Land, it plainly appears To have been done without the Least Colour of Right for so doing:
But without Doubt have gone upon the supposition that the originall plans & bounds were Lost and that they might Hold the Land by Takeing Possession thereof." 1
Mr. Taylor reported the expense of this survey
Expenses of Surveyor and Chainman, 3 days. 23.9
Expense myself and horse, 3 days. 18.0
31.9
which sum was allowed by the Court.
What " Colour of Right " either Mr. Richardson or Mr. Mosman had to the timber on Mayhew's farm does not appear, although Mr. Plaisted who had purchased the latter farm in 1738 may possibly have leased or sold it to Mr. Mosman. (See Mayhews farm.)
The report of the Committee, as given above, resulted in an order Feb. II, 1762, authorizing the sale of the farm with other Province land, all described as follows, -
" 1430 acres partly in Princetown called the Potash farm, 502 acres in Princetown commonly called Great Watchusett, 80 acres lying west of Potash farm."
The sale was to take place in Boston, the Potash farm
1 Mass. Archives, Vol. XLVI, page 452.
54
History of Princeton
"to be set up at not less than £500." Wachusett "at not less than £50., and the 80 acre lot at not less than £Io." the purchaser " to have I year to pay the purchase money upon good security without interest."
An advertisement appears in the Boston Evening Post, May 10th, 17th, 24th, 1762, announcing the sale of these lands on " Thursday the Third Day of June next, at Three o'Clock Afternoon, at the Royal Exchange Tavern in King Street," and in February, 1763, the following report was presented to the General Court.
" The Committee appointed to make Sale of Certain Lands lying in the County of Worcester have Attended that Service, and made Sale of the same in the manner following vizt
The Potash Farm so-called sold to John Scott Merchant in Boston for. 670.
Watchusett Hill Sold to said Scott for. 65.
Also Eighty acres lying West of the Potash Farm sold to said Scott for. 12.10
"Received Earnest for the Potash Farm IO. Received do for Watchusett Hill 5 . Received do for Eighty Acres above mentioned 3.
To Cash paid Cap Stone for Expenses for house room etc. at the time of sale. . 1.4
18.
16.16
The ballance of the Cash received as Earnest for the above mentioned Lands being Sixteen pounds Sixteen Shillings your Committee have paid into the Province Treasury, and taken his Receipt for the same.
Your Committee beg leave further to report that no deed has as yet been given of said Lands or Bonds taken for the money; the reason is that the Bounds of said Lands were not properly Ascertained: Your Committee therefore pray the further direction of the Court in the Affair:
All of which is humbly submitted
pr order John Choate." 1
1 Court Records, Vol. XXIV, page 563.
-
ARY
VIEW OF WACHUSETT FROM NEAR THE RESIDENCE OF MR. THOMAS H. SKINNER
55
The Farms Adjoining
The Court ordered a new survey of the lands, but the sale to Mr. Scott amounted to nothing, no deed being given him, and nothing more is known of him in connection therewith, although in a few deeds the tract is referred to as "Mr. Scott's land." Mr. Scott was a Brazier of Boston, and had, subsequently, business transactions with Hon. Moses Gill.
The farm appears to have been an unprofitable and troublesome piece of property for the province, on account of the failure of Mr. Plaisted's schemes, the encroachments of Lancaster people and others, the loss of rental, and the unsuccessful bargain with Mr. Scott. If, however, the place could not be sold, it could be given away, which perhaps was the best plan to prevent further annoyance, and this method was adopted in 1764 by resolve of the General Court, as follows:
In the House of Representatives Jan'ry 26th, 1764. Resolved that the Tract of Land belonging to this Province Called the Potash farm Lying in Princetown District in the County of Worcester Bounded as followeth (vz) Easterly on Lancaster and Leominster, being at the South East Corner, being a Corner of a farm Called Britmans farm (written " Brightmores " in another record, but undoubtedly should be " Blagroves ") at a Heap of Stones, thence East 10 Degrees north 20 Rods to a great Rock in the Brook, Thence vp the said Brook one Hundred and thirty Rods to a Birch Tree on the Bank of the Brook, Thence North 19 Degrees west 274 Rods to a Heap of Stones Called the Squaw Cap, thence North 33 Degrees East 280 Rods to a Heap of stones, thence West 34 Degrees north 360 Rods to a pine Tree, thence west 9 Degrees north 31 Rods to a Heap of Stones, at a Line of a farm Laid out to the Heirs of the Revd Mr. Joseph Willard, thence South 5 Degrees East 69 Rods to a Heap of stones, a corner of said farm, thence west five Degrees south 170 Rods to a Heap of stones, Being the south west Corner of said farm, thence west 7 Degrees north 52 Rods to a Heap of Stones, thence south 27 Degrees East 102 Rods to a Chesnut Tree
56
History of Princeton
Being a Corner of a farm Laid out to Capt. Joseph Stevens, thence South by said farm 170 Rods to a Heap of stones, at Meahews farm (so called) thence south 56 Degrees East by said Meahews farm 330 Rods to a Black oak Tree, thence south 34 Degrees west 94 Rods to a Heap of Stones, thence Eastwardly 4 Rods to a Heape of stones, thence south 34 Degrees west 322 Rods to a Heap of stones, vpon the Line of Watertown farm, thence East 3 Degrees north 350 Rods to the Corner first mentioned - be and is Hereby granted to the Honble Timothy Ruggles Esq' his Heirs and assigns, for Ever, in Testimony of the greatfull sence this Court has of the Important services the grantee Rendered his Country Dureing the Late war more par- ticularly while Commander in Chief of the Troops of this Province furnished for the Reduction of Canada.
Provided that the grantee or his Heirs pay their Propor- tion of a Tax of Two pence pr acre for Three years, Laid by the Generall Court at their Sessions in Janry 1760, vpon all the vnimproved Lands in the District of Prince- town.
Sent vp for concurrence
Timº Ruggles Spk".
In Council Jan. 26, 1764. Read and Concurred A. Oliver Sec.
Consented to
Fra Bernard 1
Gen. Ruggles, long a resident of Hardwick was dis- tinguished not only in military but in civil life. It is stated that he " possessed powers of mind of a very high order," that as a lawyer he was an impressive pleader and in debate able and ingenious."
He attained high positions of honor and influence was chosen president of the Council, and at the time of the passage of the above resolve was Speaker of the House.
1 Court Records, Vol. 46, page 468.
57
The Farms Adjoining
His sympathies, however, were soon cast with the Loyal- ists, and at the evacuation of Boston in 1776, he accom- panied the royal troops to Halifax. His large estate was confiscated by the Government in 1779 and sold. From an account rendered in 1780, it appears that the sales of his real estate in Hardwick and Princeton amounted to £31,890. "Lawful money " (£1292.1.6 " Hard money") of this sum £5460. was received for about 600 acres of the Potash farm conveyed by deed Jan. 3, 1780 to David Osgood.
Gen. Ruggles had disposed of the larger portion of the farm in 1772 - to Elisha Gale 176 acres, to John Bowen 42 acres, to Joshua Sponer 550 acres, and to Nathan Billings 150 acres. Mr. Osgood, within a few years of his purchase, disposed of a considerable portion of the land to Messrs. Raymore, Richardson, Gale, Geary and others.
The whole territory is now subdivided into many thrifty farms, with the enterprising village of East Princeton and its various industries, but the name of "Potash farm " " Old Potash " and " Ruggles farm " are unfamiliar to the great majority of the inhabitants.
This somewhat extended account, probably embraces all the important facts that can be obtained concerning this once well-known locality.
Since writing the above the following items have been found.
It appears from depositions recorded with Worcester deeds that in 1764 Mr. Ruggles desired to perfect his title to this property and these fortunately give us some idea of the success of Mr. Plaisted's scheme. John Snow made oath that he had lived for thirty years in Lancaster addi- tional grant " and often laboured for one Francis Parker ye overseer or Pretended Artis for making Potash for one Capt. Thomas Plaisted. I never saw nor heard of but about three Quarters of a Hogshead of Potash that said Parker or any under him said Plaisted made on or about said Potash Farm so called, and said Parker Brought three Quarters of a Hogshead of Potash by my house it being the
58
History of Princeton
main road from said Potash Farm to Boston for Transpor- tation and said Parker shew it to me at my Door and that it appeared to me to be of a much Inferior Quality to what has been made in Lancaster and elsewhere since, that has taken a good market in England as I have been informed."
Reuben Rugg, who lived on " the only cart road from Plaisted's farm to Boston; said that it looked more like the Cinder from a Blacksmiths fire than Potash " and Phineas Willard gave similar testimony.
Wm. Richardson, Esq., declared that he understood from Capt. Plaisted's remarks that he never intended to fulfill his contract as to making Potash, but that he did intend to hold the lands.1
William Richardson, Esq., of Lancaster testified " 20 odd years ago & after the Great & General Court had granted 1500 acres to Capt. T. Plaisted upon certain conditions, Since known as Potash farm and now in Prince- town district - William Richardson kept a public house in Lancaster & ye ad Thomas Plaisted was often at his House & when speaking about ye Conditions of ad Grant & in particular about eight hundred Pounds that the Government was to lend him for some Time in Conversa- tion ad Plaisted declared that he had been to ye Province Treasurer for ye money but at that Time ye Treasurer could not attend upon him & told him he must call again, & ye s'd Plaisted said he never went again & in so doing he had nicked ye Province, by which ye ad William ye Depot from ad Declaration of ye ad Plaisted understood that he intended to hold ad Lands without fulfilling the Conditions of the Grant, & Mr Richardson appointed to take possession of the land & did so & leased it for 2 years & received the rent.
Feb. 7, 1764, by request of Timothy Ruggles."2
Mayhew's Farm. This tract was on the northerly side of Watertown farm, adjoining Capt. Stevens' and the Potash farms.
1 Worcester Deeds, Vol. XLIX, pages 256 and 484.
2 Worcester Registry Deeds, Vol. XLIX, page 256.
59
The Farms Adjoining
A petition was presented to the General Court, Dec. 30, 1730, by " Mr. Experience Mahew of Marthas Vineyard Clerk Setting forth his great Labours, & Services in con- verting the Indians to Christianity, & the disadvantages accruing to his own private Estate in attending that work and praying from this Court a Grant of some of the un- appropriated Lands of this Province in consideration of his said Services." (C. R., Vol. 15, page IIO.)
Unfortunately the original petition of Mr. Mayhew is missing from among the State papers (as are many others referred to in these pages). But the substance of the petition as given in the records of the General Court explains the basis of Mr. Mayhew's claim upon the gener- osity of the Province. He was then a minister of the Gospel among the Indians at Martha's Vineyard, as were his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather before him, and his own son after him, making in all a service of one hundred and sixty years in preaching to the Indians by the " five venerable Mayhews."
Rev. Experience Mayhew himself was engaged in this work for sixty four years, being at the time of his death, in 1758, 85 years old.
He was specially fitted for this service, having been familiar with the Indian language from his infancy.
Rev. Thomas Prince said of him " he has been all along accounted one of the greatest masters of it (the language) that hath been known among us."
He made a version of the Psalms and of the Gospel of John, and published also an account of the religious work among the Indian tribes of the Vineyard.
The reasonableness of his request was recognized by the Court and a tract of 200 acres of Province land was granted to him. A survey was made of land " one mile to the eastward of the great Wachusett Hill," adjoining Water- town Farm, and a plan thereof presented to the Court and confirmed in June, 1731. Mr. Mayhew sold the farm in 1738 for £125. to Thomas Plaisted, who, at that time was in possession of the adjoining Potash farm.
60
History of Princeton
Mr. Plaisted is said to have leased it to Mr. Mossman and very likely sold it to him but there is no record of any transfer by Mr. Plaisted, Mr. Mossman, or any one else. In 1776 it appears to have been in the possession of the Mossman family, Timothy Jr., selling at that time to Stephen Harrington forty acres described as "a part of Mayhew's farm " and Abel, Joshua & Samuel Mosman, brothers of Timothy Junior, also owned land adjoining, from which it may be inferred that the father in some way obtained possession of the farm and it was divided among the sons.
The name of " Mayhew's farm " was retained for many years in descriptions of this tract. The outline can readily be defined today.
Allen's Farms. These were the property of Rev. Benj. Allen of Bridgewater.
In a petition to the General Court in 1730 he set forth, as recorded in the Court Journal (the original petition is lost) that " he supported for many years in his house & at con- siderable charge Ruth Nusuck an Indian Squaw being old and sickly-in requital for which she conveyed to him by deed a tract of land 5 miles long & 3 miles broad, lying to the northward of Brookfield, most of which tract as the petitioner is informed is taken up by Grants of the Court & praying for an equivalent of land or otherwise relieved." (C. R., Vol. 14, page 354, 463; Vol. 15, page 34.)
In response the Court in July, 1730, granted him 200 acres of Province land, which in September following was increased by another grant of the same quantity making 400 acres in all.
Surveys were made and plans of the two tracts of land are preserved. One of these, often referred to in the town and other records as the Allen farm, embraced 229 acres lying westerly of the Watertown farms and Southwesterly of Wachusett hill.
The second piece containing 171 acres was in the South- easterly part of the town between Watertown and Blagrove farms.
61
The Farms Adjoining
Mr. Allen was a native of Tisbury, graduated at Yale College 1708 and was ordained in 1718 at Bridgewater where he was pastor ten or twelve years, but “ being an unsuccessful manager of his secular concerns, he fell into debt, and the parish after often relieving him became at last weary of it, and he was dismissed by an ecclesiastical council."
He was subsequently settled at Cape Elizabeth, Me., where he died, in 1754, at the age of 65.
While at the latter place, he sold, Jan. 5, 1736-7, the smaller of the two farms (stated as containing 169 acres) for £130. current money to Benjamin Houghton. (Mr. Houghton appears to have had some years after controversy concerning the boundaries of his farm with Joshua Wilder who owned land adjoining.)
The larger tract near the Watertown farm Mr. Allen sold in 1739 (then 231 acres) to Epes Sargent of Gloucester for £150. thus realizing from the entire grant the sum of £280. which it is hoped enabled him to keep out of debt. The last named farm was conveyed in 1771 for £230. to Rev. Timothy Fuller who already owned 500 acres adjoin- ing on the north, including Wachusett hill.
Willard's Farm. The Rev. Joseph Willard a graduate of Harvard College in 1715 was invited by the inhabitants of Rutland in 1721 to settle with them as their minister. He was then about twenty-one years old, and this was his first pastorate.
The young man found the place not so pleasant as he probably anticipated and was disheartened as seen by his letter, a copy of which is recorded on the book of the Pro- prietors of Rutland under date of October 19, 1722. He refers to the call of the town and adds " after serious con- sideration and humble addresses to heaven for direction I did accept, and accordingly began my building but have not been able to go on with it by reason of the people's backwardness and neglect of helping it forward by their work as they might have done, which, as also the removal of nigh or about two-thirds of the inhabitants out of the
62
History of Princeton
town, has Discoraged me from any further attempt towards building, and with the Concurance of several other things have altered my thoughts of settleing among you. I have therefore (Eying the Divine providence therein) thought it my duty to acquaint you with my purpose and design speedily to Remoue from you and desire you to Communicate this to the Inhabitants that they may timely seek out for some other person to labour in the work of the ministry among them."
The situation of the settlers in Rutland at this time was truly very discouraging and even serious, as they were living in constant fear of sudden incursions of the Indians whose ravages were causing consternation among the various settlements on the frontier.
With the assistance of the Government preparations were made to repel any attacks of the enemy, garrisons were established, scouts sent out to watch for the enemy, and a fort was ordered to be built about Mr. Willard's house. (A portion of this house was standing in 1885 in Rutland.) Notwithstanding this distressing condition of affairs Mr. Willard withdrew his resignation and in the fall of 1723 preparations were made for his installation as pastor of the church.
By August of that year, however, fear of the savages had so alarmed the inhabitants that out of some seventy-five families not over fifteen remained in the town. A few of these returned after peace was restored, but as late as 1727 there were only twenty-five families in the town, and the settlement was so retarded by these troubles that it was many years before much progress was made.
Note. In a petition to the General Court by Simon Davis in behalf of the town in 1727, he says, referring to the time of Mr. Willard's death,1 "it being a time of warr, many of the Inhabitants of the sd Town (who were in number Sixty Families then Setled) drew off and left their habitations, so that there were not above Fifteen Families remaining. But after ye peace with the Indians was concluded, several of them returned again, and are now grown to the number of Twenty Five Families or thereabout."
1 Mass. Archives, Vol. 113, page 732.
63
The Farms Adjoining
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.