USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Some account of the early history and present state of the town of Quincy, in the commonwealth of Massachusetts > Part 3
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
After which, we find the following: §" 25th March, 1673, Christo- pher Web. At a publick training day, it was voted, and passed in
* Goodman Neale's house stood on the land now in possession of Mrs. Arnold, and formerly the property of the late Joseph Neale Arnold. What is called Dorches- ter, in this vote, is now Milton.
+Tradition tells us, that the road leading from Mount Wollaston Farm into the woods, was once a cow-path ; and that Wollaston took this route to get timber and wood, which he found necessary for his convenience. Moreover, that the bridge, called Captain's bridge, derives its name from Wollaston, and was called Capt. Wollaston's bridge, within a century past.
į See Book A, p. 14.
5 See Book A. pp. 16-17.
the affirmative, that Christopher Web, jr. should, forthwith, goe and find out a tract of land, and by a sirvaer, lay out 6000 acres, which was the Generall Court's grant unto the Towne of Brantry, and shall inake a return of it in a platt, under the sirvaer's hand, to be well bounded with marked trees, with B set on the barke of the trees, and heapes of stones, or by digging a little square hole, that there may be markes upon every side, within 50 rods one of another; the said Web and partners being at all the charge; and this being sufficient- ly and well done, the Towne does allow the said Web and partners (1500,) one thousand, five hundred acres, for their pain and charge, in case it be look't out in a month's time, and layed out; the said Web is to give six week's work to the Towne; and the platt by the said Christopher Web, to be presented to the Honored Generall Court, to have it confirmed to be the Towne's of Brantry. It is not to be understood, that the said six thousand acres should be lay'd out within a month from the date specified, but within a twelve month. Josiah Chapin and Joseph Crosby are accepted by the said Christopher Web as equal partners, they being at equall charge, and these three persons are to have an equall part, in quantity and quali- ty, out of the 6000 acres."
Although lands had been taken up here, by authority from Boston. at an early period, yet all had not made a purchase of their respec- tive portions from the Indians, who laid claims to them. Accordingly. in 1665, the town of Braintree purchased all the right and title to these lands, from the Indian Chief, Wampatuck, and a deed of con- veyance was given under his hand; the first mention of which, we find made Oct. 7, 1679.
* " At a publick Towne meeting, voted, whereas the inhabitants of the Towne of Brantry, having purchased of Wampatuck alias Josiah. an Indian Sachem, all his right, title and interest, to all the lands within the Township of Brantry, as appears by a Deed, under the hand and seale of the said Josiah Sachem, and divers of his wise men, and, whereas, the greatest part of the Inhabitants have enjoyed the particular allottments and parcels of land they are possessed of, by virtue of former grants, and purchases made before the obtaining the said Deed, and which, of right, each person ought to enjoy ;-- therefore, for the avoiding future differences and troubles, any wise about or concerning the premises, it is hereby ordered, consented to, and agreed upon, by all the Inhabitants aforesaid, whatever land any person or persons of said Inhabitants, have or doe enjoy, by vir- tue of such grant or purchase, they shall, forever, enjoy the same as their own proper right, to them, their heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns forever: any thing in the said Deed to the contrary, not- withstanding." There seems, however, to have been some difficulty about these lands, which is not explained in the records.
"27th Oct. 1679.1 At a generall Towne meeting, the Towne made choice of Joseph Crosby, Caleb Hubart, and Christopher Webb, jr. to prosecute their interests to the lands purchased of Josiah Sach- em, by a treaty with Boston select-men; and in case they cannot
*See Book A, p. 26.
! Book A. p. 27
-
----
2.4
comply to bring the matter to a faire trial, as soon as they can with conveniency. But Capt. Richard Brackett and Edmund Quinsey assented not unto the vote."
Then again occurs the following vote.
* " It was voted, the same day, 5th March, 1682-3, that Captain Richard Brackett, Lieutenant Edmund Quinsey and Deacon Samuel Thompson, were chosen a committee to treat with Boston committee, about the common lands in controversie, and if they can obtain the six hundred acres, beyond the Mill Common and Cachacha land, for the Town of Brantry, then to have full power to issue the difference about the said lands."
But the most interesting document left to us, is the Indian Deed, respecting which, another vote is found. +" 17th July, 1683. At a publicke Towne meeting, it was voted, that the present select men, together with Caleb Hobart and Joseph Crosby, shall be a committee, and be impowered by the Towne of Brantry, to consider and act ac- cording to their best discretion, what may be most advisable, in or- der to a transmission of a authentic copie of the Deed from Josialı Sachem, according to his majestie's order: and also, to consider and to doe what may be most conducable for the Towne's safety, in all the premises, to doe in behalfe of the Towne, according to their best judgments; only the 'Towne to have a sight of what is sent."
This Deed, it was feared, had been lost; but it was, at last, dis- covered among some valuable papers, and Deeds, relating to the Mount Wollaston Farm, in the possession of Hon. John Quincy Ad- ams.
The Deed is well written, and seems to have been preserved with tolerable care. On the back of it is the following:
In the 17th reign of Charles II. Brantry Indian Deede, given 1665, Aug. 10. Take great care of it.
It begins thus:
To all Indian people to whom these presents shall come; Wam- patuck, alias, Josiah Sagamore, of Massachusetts, in Newengland, the Son of Chickatabut, deceased, sendeth, greeting. Know yoo that the said Wampatuck, being of full age and power, accord- ing to the order and custom of the natives, hath with the consent of his wise men, viz. Squamog, his brother Daniel, and old Ha- hatun, and William Mananiomott, Job Nassott, Manuntago, Wil- liam Nahanton. The abovesaid Wampatuck Sagamore, for di- vers goods and valuable reasons thereunto; and in special for and in consideration of twenty-one pounds, ten shillings in hand, payd by Samuel Basse, Thomas Faxon, Francis Eliot, William Needham, and William Savill, Henry Neale, Richard Thayer, Christopher Webb, all of Braintrey, in the county of Suffolk, in New-England, in the behalf of the Inhabitants of the Town of Braintrey, abovesaid, within themselves; whereof and wherewith the said Wampatuck doth acknowledge himself fully satisfied, contented and payd; thereof and of every part thereof doth exonerate, acquit and discharge the above- said Samuel Basse, Thomas Faxon, &c. with all the inhabitants of
*Book A, p. 29.
t Book A, of Records of Brantry, p. 29
-
the Town of Braintrey; them, their heirs, executors, administrators, and assignes, and every of them. And by these presents, have giv- en, granted, bargained, sold, enfeoffed and confirmed, and by these presents, do give, grant, bargain, sell, cafeoff, and confirm unto the said Samuel Basse, Thomas Faxon, &c. and with themselves, in the behalf of all the inhabitants of the Towne of Braintrey, them, their heirs and assignes, forever, all the East of lands within the bounde of Braintrey, abovesaid, be there more or lesse, being bounded on the sea side with the North East, and with Dorchester line on the North West, and by Waymouth line by the South East, and by Dor- chester line on the South West. Excepting Mr. Wilson's farme, Mr. Coddington's farme, Mr. Hough's Neck of land, Mr. Quinsey's farme, which lands were purchased by the above said men, of his predecessors, which the said Wampatuek doth hereby confirme, be- ing all the lands within the bounde of Braintrey, abovesaid, with all the trees, timber, wood, and underwood, standing, lying, growing thereon, together with all the meadow lands, swamps, ponds, rivers, and brooks, lying between the bounde of Dorchester and Waymouth, together with all privileges and appartenances belonging or any ways appertaining to the same, to the said Samuel Basse, Thomas Faxon, &c. in the behalfe and for the use of all the inhabitants of Braintrey, to them, their heirs and assignes, forever. To have and to hold the said bargained premises, as before buttelled and bounded, together with all deeds, evidences, writings and monuments, that concern the same, in particular, fair and uncancelled unto the said Samuel Basse, Thomas Faxon, &c. to the only and proper use of the inhabitants of the Towne of Braintrey, to them and to their heirs and assignes, for- ever. And the said Wampatuck, for himself, and for his heirs, and executors, administrators and assignes, doth covenant and grant with the full consent of his wise men, abovesaid, and with Samuel Basse, Thomas Faxon, &c. and with them, in the behalfe of the inhabitants of the Towne of Braintrey, aforesaid, to them, their heirs and as- signes, by these presents, that the said Wampatuck is the right own- er of the said bargained premises, and to every part thereof, unto the day of the date thereof, and hath himself full power and lawfull authority, to bargain, sell, convey and assure the same, in manney and form abovesaid. . And that the said Samuel Basse, Thomas Fax- on, &c. with the inhabitants of the Towne of Braintrey, shall forev- er, hereafter, peaceably and quietly enjoy, have and hold the said bargained, with the appurtenances thereof, as abovesaid, free and clear, and clearly acquitted from all former bargains, sales, gifts, and grants, joynture's tytles, dowrys, tytles of dowers, estates, mortgages, forfeitures, judgements, executions, and any other incumbrance what- ever; as, also, from all tytles of any person or persons, claiming any right or title, interest or propriety to the same, or any part of the same, in, from, or under him, the said Wampatuck, or any his prede- cessors. Excepting some lands abovesaid; whereby the said inhabi- tants of the Towne of Braintrey, their heirs or assignes, shall, or may be, hereafter, molested by either English or Indian person, or persons, or unlawfully hunted out of the possession, by, from or under him. And that the said Samuel Basse, Thomas Faxon, &c. or any other in the behalf of the inhabitants of Braintrey, aforesaid, shall
1
26
have free liberty to record and enroll the said bargained premises, or cause it to be enrolled according to the usual custom of recording tytles in such a case. Also the said Wampatuck reserveth liberty to hunt and fish, provided he do the English no harm. In the fifth day of August, one thousand, six hundred, and sixty-five,. and in the seventeenth year of the reign of our Lord and Sovereign, King Charles the second, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, Franco, and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c.
With some words in the original, Signed, sealed, and delivered , interlined, but here inserted in by turf* and twig.
? their proper places, viz. men in " the 3d line, Mr. Quinsey's farme [line 13th.
Josiah alias Wampatuck, his IO marke, his O seal.
In presence of
Roger Billing. Benjamin Thompson.
Daniel Squamog, his 7 marke and a seale.
Old Nahatun, his X marke and a seale.
Thomas Keyahgunsson, his - marke. Joseph Manunion, his E marke.
William Manunion, his W marke and a seale.
Job Noistenns, and a seale.
Thomas Weymous, his O marke.
Robert alias Mamuntago, his 8 marke and a seale.
William Hahatun, and his seale.
After the formation of the Church, of which, separate mention will be made, we find little of importance, except what has been already stated, down to the period of the formation of the second Parish .-- That part of the Town, now called Braintree, but first known as the The South Precinct, afterwards as the Middle Precinct, and called, also, Monatoquot, from a river of that name, was voted a distinct tParish, 3d Nov. 1708, and confirmed by the General Court, 5th Nov. follow- ing. The town of Randolph, formerly known as the New South Precinct, and afterwards as the South Precinct, was voted a distinct Parish, 13th March, 1726-7, and soon after confirmed by the General Court. This Parish was incorporated into a town, in 1793. As early as 1728, we find, that an attempt was made, though it. proved unsuccessful, to divide the town. The records contain the
* This was in conformity with the prevailing custom. Formerly, he who purchased a parcel of land, actually went on to the premises and took into his possession, a turf of the land and a twig of the trees growing thereon, delivered to him by the person from whom the land was bought.
+ The Rev. Mr. Hugh Adams was ordained the pastor of the Church there, Sept. 10, 1707, when the Church was also gathered; but removed Aug. 22, 1710. His successor, Rev. Mr. Samuel Niles, was ordained, May 23, 1711. The third Church of Christ was gathered, May 28, 1731. The Rev Mr. Elisha Eaton ordained pas- tor of it. June 2 following. See Hancock's Cent. Serm. p. 25, note.
following mention of it. Feb. 24, 1728. There was a meeting of the town of Braintrey, to receive the report of their Committee, to whom was referred the subject of dividing the town, who reported in favor, but they would not accept it."
In the progress of time, this became necessary. About 1790, those who formed the first parish, turned their attention seriously to the subject; and in 1792, were incorporated into a distinct town, by the name of Quincy. Rev. Anthony Wibird, then minister of the Congregational Society, was requested to give a name to the place. But he refusing, a similar request was made to the Hon. Richard Cranch, who recommended its being called Quincy, in honor of Col. John Quincy, who had been the owner of the Mount Wollaston Farm. which had given the first civilized name to the place.
Before leaving this division of our history, it may be proper to speak of those portions of the town, to which particular names have been appropriated.
The most important of these, considering its early history, is Ger- mantown. It derived its name from those who came over from dif- ferent parts of Germany, t and settled there. Previous to its receiv- ing this name, it was called Shed's-neck, probably, from a man of that name. It lies on the north-easterly part of the town, and in connexion with Hough's-neck forms a peninsula, which is joined to , the main land by the Mount Wollaston Farm. It is, for the most part, rather elevated in its situation, and has much valuable land. It contains, in particular, one excellent farm, at present, owned by Capt. Peter Bicknell, which, for many years, was considered the most valuable farm in town.
It is not to be concealed or denied, that much deception was prac- tised upon those who came over to this place. It was thought to be a desirable object to induce the manufacturers of glass, and the weav- ers, to emigrate to this country, and Germantown seemed a favora- ble spot for them. The overgrown state of the population in the old world, did not require much persuasion, to induce the laboring class- es to fly to a less populous land, and to one, too, which had already been associated in their minds with all that was delightful and hap- py. They were told, that here they should enjoy, unmolested, those rights, both civil and religious, around which their affections were entwined, and which, alone, served to render their homes dear to them.
They were given to understand, that they would be permitted to live as a separate community, and be responsible to the New-Eng- landers only for their honorable and peaceful conduct. As an addi- tional motive for their emigration, they were assured, that "cows and geese" could be got in abundance in the woods, and that their living would cost them little or nothing. In their sight, the sole object our
* Rec. Town Braintrey, Vol. A, p. 182.
¡A number of gentlemen, in Boston, endeavored to obtain a grant from Court, to establish a lottery in order to build a glass-house. The Court gave the grant, but the Governor refused to sanction it. At length the Governor was absent, the office of the Lieutenant Governor was vacated, and the president of the Council acted as Governor. He gave his sanction to the grant, and the glass-house was built. Men were sent for from Germany, and the place soon became a village.
people had, in inviting them over, was, that we might be instructed in those useful arts, of which, in our infant state, we were entirely ignorant. And so, perhaps, it was, but this will not authorize de- ception, or the violation of a sacred promise. Many came over, and established themselves here, and weaving and the making of glass were carried on with spirit. In addition to these, were a pottery and spermaceti works. For a long time, the novelty of the works drew visitors to the place, and all parties were mutually pleased.
Had they met with no discouragement, and been permitted to con- tinue, there is good reason to believe, the place would now have been thickly settled, and in a flourishing condition. But in a short time, the object was effected, and the emigrants were too prosperous. Continual impediments to their success were thrown in the way of the manufacturers, till they became disaffected. Most of them left entirely, and retired to a town, called Waldoborough,* and for many years, neither glass manufacturer, nor weaver, has been connected with Germantown.
The time when these men came over, I have not been able to as- certain, with exactness. "I was, a year or two since, (1827,") these · are the words of a gentleman, to whom I ani indebted for the mfor- mation; "at Waldoborough, where I met with a woman, 90 years old ; I inquired of her, 'if she could recollect the time when the glass-makers came over to Germantown?' ' Oli, perfectly,' she an- swered, 'I came with with them, and we had joyful doings, on our ar- rival. General Palmer and old Mr. Quincy roasted an ox for us, and such a merry time was never heard of, before or since.' Her age was then about eighteen."
From this we are to judge that they came about 1753. Mr. Dan- iel Crane, who died in the Alms-house in 1822, then 85 years old, thought he was fifteen, when they came. This nearly agrees with the old lady's account, and we are probably safe in settling the peri- od between 1750 and '60.1
Hough's-neck, a part of the town connected with Germantown, washed by the sea, so called from a man of that name, who once liv- cd there.
Knight's-neck, a part of the town, on the south-easterly side, to- wards Braintree, bordering on a branch of what is called Forc-river, so called from a man of that name. Here, in former times, (1635,) says Governor Winthrop, {" two carpenters, going to wash them- selves, were carried away with the tide, and drowned.
*It is commonly reported, that a man by the name of Waldo, after their disaffection. invited them to follow him to a Township, in his possession, at the eastward, and that there they became prosperous. That afterwards, the heirs of Waldo claimed the town- ship. The Germans considered ir theirs by possession, and, as their final resort, re- solved to shoot any one who should lay claim to it. This is report. Its truth may be doubted. It is, at least, true, that there was some difficulty, and that a reference was made for its settlement.
tThere was not a little of romance connected with some who came over here. A young woman had been engaged to one of her countrymen, who suddenly embarked for this place. Her parents had opposed the match, and their marriage was prevented. Finding that her lover had left the country, she followed him in the next vessel that sailed, and, on landing at Germantown, he was the first on the shore to meet her .- They were married, and their descendants are yet with us.
tWinthrop's Journal. p. 83.
-
-
The Farms, a part of the town, lying towards Nepossi river. probably, deriving its name from the circumstance that Quiney and Wilson had their farms in that direction. At a very early period this part of the town was called The Farms.
Squantum is a large tract of land, on the northerty part of the town, which may very properly be called a peninsular promontory . It is, in many parts, exceedingly rocky, though there is still much valuable land therc.
This place was, no doubt, the peculiar residence of the Indians, who dwelt in these parts. Near here, lived the famous Sagamore Chickatabat, whose authority is described by Hutchinson *" as ex- tending round the harbors of Boston, Charlestown, through Malden, Chelsea, Nantasket, Hingham, Weymouth, and Dorchester."
He was an interesting character. | Prince makes the following mention of him. į" April 15, Chickatabat comes to the Governor again, who puts him into a good new suit, from head to foot, and af- ter, sets meat before him; but he would not eat, till the Governor had given thanks; and after meat, desired him to do the like."
§" In 1633, a great mortality was caused among the Indians, by the small pox, when Chickatabat died, and many of his people."
|" His son Josiah, grandson Jeremy, and great-grandson Charles Josiah, succeeded in the humble sovereignty."
Among the conjectures, respecting the etymology of the word Massachusetts; the following, by Neal, gives the origin of the name to this place.
" The Sachem, or Sagamore, who governed the Indians in this part of the country, had his seat on a small hill, or upland, contain- ing, perhaps, an acre and a half, about two leagues to the southward of Boston, which hill, or hummock, is now in possession of Captain John Billings, T and lies in the shape of an arrow-head, which arrow - heads are called, in their language, mos, or mons, with an O nasal, and a hill in their language is Wetuset; hence, this great Sachem's seat was called Moswetuset, which signifies a hill in the shape of an arrow's head, and his subjects, the Moswetuset Indians, from whence, with a small variation of the word, the province received the name of Massachusett .** Now this arrow-head-hill is found to lie just about that distance south of Boston, near to Squantum, and is be- sides, still called Sachem's hill.
The most satisfactory account of the origin of the name of this place is that it was called thus from Squantum, the celebrated friend- ly Indian, long known and loved by the Plymouth settlers.
Here, for many years, was celebrated a Pilgrim Feast, to which people, from all parts of the State, resorted, and spent the day in so-
*Hutchinson, Vol. I. p. 75, note.
¡ There is a tradition, that, on a certain time, an inferior Sagamore, from Nantasket made war on this same Chickatabat, and that he came over here and fought him. He was routed, and in flying from his pursuer, attempted to cross a deep creek, but was so far spent, that he was drowned. From which circumstance, the creek has been called " Sagamore Creek," to this day. I believe this creek is in or near Milton.
#Prince, Vol. II. p. 26. § Winthrop's Journal, p. 56.
||Savage's Notes to Winthrop's Journal.
" This was the grandfather of the present John Billings.
* * Neal. Vol. H. p. 550.
.
cial gice, partaking of the produce of sea and shore, m memory of the Pilgrim Fathers, and their first landing at Plymouth. It has, however, been discontinued for some years past.
Bent's Point lies on the easterly part of the town, over against. Germantown, and may be considered, already, the most beautiful part of the town. It has been settled, within a few years past, by enterprizing men, mostly by such as have led a sea-faring life. The principal excitement to the settlement here, was given by Major Wil- liam Vinal. The place seemed to afford great conveniences for the curing of fish, and for ship-building, both of which have been car- ried on, though not to the extent at first anticipated.
The Point has already become a place of considerable business; and for the regularity of the buildings, and the taste displayed around them, is certainly not equalled by any other part of the town. The value of the place has increased much, since the opening of the Hingham Turnpike. During the greater part of the year, the Wey- mouth packets, which pass daily to and, from Boston, connect the place intimately with the city, so that it promises to become at no ve- ry distant period the most important part of the town.
This place has also been called Old Field's District, according to tradition, because, once it was about the only spot in town where corn was raised. By a particular vote of the inhabitants, it is hence- forth to be called Quincy Point. The name Bent's Point was de- rived from a family of that name, residing thereabouts.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
ALMOST the first subject, to which the minds of the early settlers of our country were turned, after they landed here, was the formation of a church. It was religion which first excited them to leave behind them their native shores, and to plant themselves in this land of pro- mise. To provide a covering from the storm, and a security against wild beasts, or men as wild, were matters of course to which neces- sity prompted them; but it was real principle, and that of no ordinary character, which led them, amidst poverty and distress, to rear tem- ples to the Most High, in the solitude of the wilderness .*
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.