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 7
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' When I was a boy, I had to study the Latin-grammar; but it was dull and I hated it. My father was anxious to send me to Col- lege, and therefore I studied the grammar till I could bear with it no longer; and going to my father, I told him I did not like study, and asked for some other employment. It was opposing his wishes, and he was quick in his answer. ' Well John,' said he, 'if Latin-gram- mar does not suit you, you may try ditching, perhaps that will; my meadow yonder needs a ditch, and you may put by Latin and try that.1
' This seemed a delightful change, and to the meadow I went .- But I soon found ditching harder than Latin, and the first forenoon was the longest I ever experienced. That day I eat the bread of la- bor, and glad was I when night came on. That night I made some comparison between Latin-grammar and ditching, but said not a word about it. I dug the next forenoon, and wanted to return to Latin at dinner, but it was humiliating, and I could not do it. At night toil conquered pride, and I told my father, one of the severest trials of my life, that, if he chose, I would go back to Latin-grammar. Ile was glad of it; and if I have since gained any distinction, it has been owing to the two days labor in that abominable ditch.'
He was prepared for College in the school of Mr. Joseph Marsh, then a distinguished instructer in this place; and was graduated at Harvard University, in 1755. After leaving College, he kept a school in the town of Worcester: studied law with Col. James Put -
nam, of the same place, and while engaged m tius study, wrote his famous letter, so prophetical of the greatness of his country.
In his profession he became early distinguished, and was appoint- ed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He was foremost among that band of patriots, who laid the foundation of the Independence of our Country. His conduct in the cause of Preston, with his friend Josiah Quincy, jr. would, of itself, have made his fame enduring .- He was a member of the first Congress, in 1:74, and was the bold adviser of the Declaration of Independence. He was chosen on the committee to draft that paper, and eloquently defended it. He was sent minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of France, the same to the United Provinces, and was many years the American Minister in France and England. In 1789, he was chosen Vice President of the U. S. and in 1797 was chosen President.
In 1817 he was chosen one of the electors for the choice of Presi- dent. In 1820, he was sent, by his native town, to the Convention for the purpose of amending the Constitution.
Hle was elected President of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; had been a member of various other societies, filled the most important stations in the gift of the people, and received the highest honors from our Universities and Colleges.
The latter part of his life was spent in private retirement. As an orator, he was one of the most powerful his country ever beheld. It was the remark of Thomas Jefferson, that on the subject of the Ju- dependence of the Colonies, John Adams, by his cloquence, "moved us from our seats." In learning, he was profound, and in religious knowledge, surpassed the Theologians of his age. He died* at 6 o'clock, P. M. on the 4th of July, 1826, mu the XCI. year of his age.
Jedidiah Adams, was graduated at Harvard University, 1733, and was, for many years, the worthy minister of a Church in Stoughton, where he was settled in 1745.
Zabdiel Adams, born 5th Nov. 1739. His father was uncle of John Adams, President of the United States. He was one of the students of Mr. Joseph Marsh, was graduated at Harvard Univer- sity in 1759, and ordained minister of Lunenburgh, on the 5th Sept. 1764. Hle continued many years an eminent minister of the Gospel. and died Ist March, 1801, aged 62.
John Quincy Adams, t son of John Adams, was graduated at Harvard
*The remarkable circumstance of his death, as well as that of his copatriot and friend. Thomas Jefferson, on the same day, are too well known to need further coma. k It may be worth while to mention, that previous to the fourth of July, he had been solicited to give a sentiment for his fellow townanen at that day's celebration. "I will give," said he, " Independence forever." On being asked if he would add any- thing, he answered, " not a syllable." This sentiment was drunk amidst the united. acclamations of his fellow townsmen, perhaps at the very moment when " his spirit was returning to God who gave it."
+Seven cities once contended for the birth place of Homer. Two towns have al- ready contended for the birth place of the honorable gentleman above named. The matter is, at present, very clearly understood ; but lest, hereafter, any doubts should arise on the subject, which seem likely enough to arise, I shall insert a letter, written by the late Hon. John Adams to the Rev. Peter Whitney, at a time when the point was undetermined. As to a quibble on the word Braintree, our friends of the old town will never descend to it.
.. DEAR SIR .-- John Quincy Adams was born in Braintree, now called Quincy. in
University, in 1787, and appointed Professor of Rhetoric and Ora- tory, in the same Institution in 1806. He was sent minister to sever- al of the Courts of Europe, filled other important offices in the Gov- ernment, was made Secretary of State by President Monroe, in 1817, and is now President of the United States.
Charles Adams, son of John Adams, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1789, engaged in the study and practice of law, in N. York, and shortly after died there.
Thomas Boylston Adams, son of John Adams, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1790, entered upon the practice of law, and was appointed Chief Justice for the Southern Circuit of the Court of Common Pleas.
George Washington Adams, son of John Quincy Adams, was grad- vated at Harvard University in 1821, engaged in the study and prac- tice of law, in Boston, and was chosen Representative to the General Court, from that city, in 1826.
Charles Adams, son of John Quincy Adams, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1825, now engaged in the study of Law in Washington.
Benjamin Beale, son of Capt. Benjamin Beale,'was graduated at Harvard University, in 1787, now a resident in France.
Gregory Baxter was graduated at Harvard University, in 1725.
John Bass was graduated at Harvard University in 1737. He was a man of great mathematical genius.
Lemuel Bryant was graduated at Harvard University, 1739; was ordained the sixth minister* of Braintree first Church, 4th Dec. 1749, and dismissed, Oct. 22, 1753.
John Lindall Borland was graduated at Harvard University in 1772. Francis Borland was graduated at Harvard University in 1774.
Ebenezer Brackett, son of James Brackett, born in 1773, was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1791, entered upon the practice of medicine in this place, and died here a few months after com- mencing his practice. He was a young man of great promise.
William Coddington, a distinguished person from Lincolnshire, England. He was engaged with others in the first settlement of this town; afterwards he became Governor of Rhode Island, and died in 1678, aged 78.
Joseph Cleverly, was graduated at Harvard University in 1733; for many years employed as a reader of the Church service, in the
the year 1767, in the white-house, near the foot of Penn's hill, which you, sir, once inhabited. . I had been attending Plymouth Court the whole week, under the greatest anxiety. Returning on Saturday afternoon from Plymouth, I met Dr. Tufts on Hing- ham Plain, between Dr. Shute's house and Mr. Cushing's tavern, who informed me that I had a son. He must, therefore, have been born Thursday or Friday. The next morning I carried him out to be baptized by Mr. Smith, of Weymouth, his grand- father. His great-grand-father, John Quincy, was then dying. His daughter, the child's grand-mother, requested me to call him John Quincy.
These minute details are not worth remembering, but as there seems to be a curiosity on the subject, you now have the truth.
Most respectfully,
Rev. PETER WHITNEY. Quincy, 2d March, 1825.
JOHN ADAMS."
*For more particular account of Congregational ministers. see account of that So" ciety.
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Episcopal Church, in this place. He died 16th March, 1802, aged 89. * " The simple monument of his name, his age and services is erected in the Episcopal Church-yard near the sanctuary, where he so long and faithfully presided."
Joseph Crosby was graduated at Harvard University in 1772; for some time a preacher of the Gospel, but never settled.
Ebenezer Crosby was graduated at Harvard University in 1777; practised medicine in New York, and became a Professor of medi- cine in a College in that State.
William Clark, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1759, for many years minister of an Episcopal Church in Dedham, and em- ployed also in supplying the church in this place. He died 4th Nov. 1815, aged 75 years, and lies buried in their church yard.t
Arthur St Clair, one of the distin uished Generals of the Revolu- tion, a resident here in 1763.
Richard Cranch was born in Kingsbridge, England, in October, 1726. His parents were Puritans. He came to Boston at the age of nineteen. In 1750, he left that place on account of the preva- lence of the small-pox, and came, out to what was then called the North Precinct of the town of Braintree, afterwards he removed to Weymouth, there married the daughter of Rev. William Smith, and soon returned to this place, where, with the exception of a few years, he spent the rest of his days.
He was a man of a strong and comprehensive mind. He was deep- ly read in almost every science, a great Theologian, and above all distinguished for the piety and purity of his life. He was repeatedly chosen a Representative to the General Assembly of the State, and several times a Senator. He was appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas, for Suffolk, and retained that office 'till the division of the county.
In 1780, he received an honorary degree of Master of Arts, from the University in Cambridge. He was also elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
His own death, and that of his excellent and amiable consort were not a little peculiar. §"It had been his earnest desire that he might not survive the death of his wife; and hers, that she might live to be-
*Report on the subject of Pews.
tThe following Latin inscription is carved on his stone.
In memoriam Reverendi Guliemus Clark, cujus cineres sub hoc lapide sunt depositi. Olim quibusdam annis apud Dedham minister Episcopalis, et pro annis pluribus ab officio sacerdoti per corporis infirmitates exclusus. Molestias varias et dolores per vitam sustinuit Providentiæ divina subinissus, et in spe ad vitam eternam resurrectionis beata. obiit Nov. die IV. A. D. MDCCCXV, ætatis sua LXXV.
Abi viator, Disce vivere, disce pati, disce mori. In Christo mea vita latet, mea gioria Christus, et illius tandem potentia omnipotenti resurgam.
For the benefit of the English reader, I have made the following translation. Sa- cred to the memory of the Rev. William Clark, whose ashes repose beneath this stone, formerly for some years an Episcopalian minister in Dedham, and by bodily infirmities, for a long time taken off from his ministerial duties. His various mala- dies and sufferings he endured in pious submission to divine Providence, and died in hope of a resurrection to a happy immortality, 5th Nov. 1815, aged 95. Go stran- ger, learn to live, to suffer and to die. My life is hid in Christ. He is my glory, and by his omnipotent power I shall awake.
¿He lived in the house then belonging to the Apthorp family, now the property of madam Hannah Miller.
¿See Whitney's sermon, at the interment of Richard Cranch and wife, p. 15.
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hold her dearest friend gathered in peace to the dust of his fathers." Richard Crauch died 16th of October, 1811; Mary Cranch, his wife. died 17th Oct. 1811; and were both buried on the same day.
William Cranch, son of Richard Cranch, was graduated at Har- vard University, in 1787. After leaving college he read law with Judge Dawes, of Boston; opened an office in this town, but remain- ed only a few months; afterwards he opened an office in Haverhill, where he continued till . 1794. He was then sworn into the Supreme Judicial Court, removed to Washington, and on the last day of the administration of President Adams, was admitted as a justice of the District Court of Columbia. On the death of the Chief Justice of that Court he was appointed to fill the vacant office. He is also vice President of the Columbian Institute.
Benjamin Clark Cutler, was graduated at Brown University, in 1892, now minister of the Episcopal Church in this town.
Henry Flynt, one of the first ministers of the Congregational Church in this place.
Moses Fiske, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1662, the third minister of the Congregational Church in this place.
Josiah Flynt, son of Henry Flynt, minister of this place, was grad- uated at Harvard University, in 1664, and afterwards ordained min- ister of Dorchester.
Henry Flynt, son of Mr. Josiah Flynt, minister of Dorchester, and grand-son of Henry Flynt, of this place, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1693, and Tutor and Fellow in the same for fifty years. He resided here many years before his death.
Thomas Greenleaf, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1784, entered upon the study and practice of law; was for many years Re- presentative to the General Court, from this town, and in the course of the administration of his excellency John Brooks, appointed a counsellor.
Thomas Greenleaf, jr. was graduated at Harvard University, in 1806, and for many years engaged in the practice of law in this place. He died 29th Sept. 1817, aged 29 years.
John Hancock, son of Rev. John Hancock, of Lexington, was the fifth minister of the Congregational Society in this place, and grad- uated at Harvard University, in 1719.
John Hancock, son of Rev. John Hancock of this place, was born in January, 1736, and graduated at Harvard University, in 1754. On the death of his uncle, Thomas Hancock, Esq. he inherited a considerable fortune and became an eminent merchant. In 1776, he was chosen a member of the House of Representatives, for Bos- ton. He was a member of the first Congress, in 1774, and in May '75, in the second congress, was chosen President in the place of Peyton Randolph, who was obliged to return home. As President of Congress, he was first to put his name to the ever memorable De- claration of our Independence. On the 12th of June, 1775, General Gage issued a Proclamation, promising pardon to all the rebels, ex- cept Samuel Adams and John Hancock, *" whose offences," are de- clared to be " of too flagitious a nature to admit of any other consid- eration than condign punishment."
*See Allen's Biography. p. 327
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He left Congress on account of his ill health, in Oct. 1777. When the present Constitution of Massachusetts was adopted, he was cho- sen first Governor in 1780, and continued in that office till he resign- ed in '85. In 1787, he was again chosen to the same office, where he remained till his death, Oct. 8, 1793, aged fifty-six years.
His administration was peculiarly popular. He addressed the legislative assembly with a power of eloquence seldom equalled. His conduct as President of Congress, was dignified and impartial. His fortune enabled him to be generous and charitable. He was a distinguished benefactor of Harvard University, and died as he had lived, beloved for his virtues and respected for his independent and honorable conduct.
Leonard Hoar, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1650, chosen President of the same in 1672, and died* here Nov. 28, 1675, aged 45.
William Hope was born in this place. His mother's name was Willard. His parents were both lost at sea. f" At the age of seven- teen, he went to London, and from thence to Amsterdam, where he became the greatest merchant and banker ever known before or since. In the war which ended in 1763, he was the agent and bank- er of the British Government. All the millions of money for the pay and subsistence of the army of Prince Ferdinand, passed through his hands. Such were the magnitude of his concerns, the grandeur and magnificence of his style of living, and the integrity of his char- acter, that he was visited and respected by Kings and Princes, Dukes and Lords, who made journeys on purpose to see and pay their res- pects to him."
Joseph Marsh, fourth minister of the Congregational Society in this town, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1705.
Ebenezer Miller, first minister of the Episcopal Church in this town, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1792.
Jonathan Mills was graduated at Harvard University in 1723, af- terwards a settled minister in Ware and other places.
John Marsh was graduated at Harvard University, in 1726.
Joseph Marsh, son of Rev. Joseph Marsh, born in 1710, was grad- uated at Harvard University, in 1728, and, for many years, was master of a Latin School in this place.
William Montague, at different periods between the years 1790 and 1800, a preacher in the Episcopal Church in this place.
Edward Miller was graduated at Harvard University in 1813:
*On his monument, in our grave yard, is the following curious inscription: Three precious friends under this tomb-stone lie,
Patterns to aged, youth and infancy.
A great mother, her learned son, with child,
The first and least went free, he was exil'd.
In love to Christ, this country, and dear friends,
He left his own, cross'd seas, and for amends
Was here extoll'd, envyed all in a breath,
His noble consort leaves, is drawn to death.
Strange changes may befall us ere we die,
Blest they who well arrive Eternity. God grant some names, O thou New England's Friend, Don't sooner fade than thine if times don't mend.
His aged and pious relict, the late Madam Usher, was buried in the same tomb, May 30, 1723 .- See Hancock's C. S. p. 25, note.
tSee Recollections of a Bostonian, published a few years ago in the Boston Centi-
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entered upon the practice of law in this town, and was afterward. sent Representative to the General Court of the State.
Jonathan Neal,* was graduated at Harvard University, in 1724.
Samuel Nightingale, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1734; was a Judge of one of the Courts of Rhode-Island, and Lieut- enant Governor of that State.
Joseph Pearse Palmer, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1771.
Thomas Phipps was graduated at Harvard University, in 1757 He entered upon the practice of medicine in this place in the year 1768, and continued an eminent physician till his death, 4th Nov. 1817. He died aged 85.
Thomas Phipps, son of Thomas Phipps, the successor of his father in the practice of physic in this place.
Edmund Quincyt came from England with the Rev. John Cotton. flying from civil and religious persecution, in the reign of Charles I. and arrived at Boston, Sept. 1633. He was elected in May, 1634, one of the first Representatives of Boston to the first General Court held in the province. He received a grant of land in this place, in 1635, and died soon after, aged 33.
Edmund Quincy, son of Edmund Quincy, was born in England, in 1627. Hle inherited and settled on his father's estate, at Mount Wollaston. He was a magistrate of the county, and Lient. Colonel of the Suffolk regiment. He died in 1697, having had two sons, Daniel and Edmund.
He was appointed by the Court, about the year 1690, on a com- mittee for substantiating the charges against Sir Edmund Andros .- His son Daniel died before his father, leaving one son Jolin.
John Quincy was born in 1689, was graduated at Harvard Uni- versity in 1708, and was one of the greatest public characters of that period. He held the office of Speaker of the House of Representa- tives, longer than any other person during the charter of William and Mary, and was Representative from Braintree, and member of the Executive Council of the Province forty successive years.
Edmund Quincy, the youngest son of Edmund Quincy, was born in Braintree, Oct. 1681; was graduated at Harvard University in 1699, and entered early into public life as representative of his na- tive town, and afterwards as member of the Executive Council. He held the commission of Judge of the Supreme Court of the Colony, from the year 1718 to his death. He was appointed by the General Court of Massachusetts, their agent at the Court of Great-Britain, to settle a controversy between the Province of Massachusetts Bay and that of New Hampshire, relative to their respective boundary lines. In Dec. 1737, he embarked for England on that mission .- He died in London soon after his arrival, of the small-pox, Feb. 23, 1738. Beside a donation of one thousand acres of land to his heirs, in the Town of Lenox, in the county of Berkshire, the Colony caus-
*This man was the great uncle of Mr. Joseph Bass, and as he thinks was once a preacher, but is not certain. The Neals were great landholders in this town many years ago. They owned all the land to a considerable extent both sides of the road from Mr. Boylston Adams' house to the brook towards Milton.
t This account of the Quincy family, I have taken chiefly from the " Life of Josiah Quincy, jun." by his son Josiah Quincy
ed a monument to be erected over his grave, in Bunhill Fields," Lon- don, at their expense.
Edmund Quincy, son of Edmund Quincy who died in London, was born in Braintree in 1703, was graduated at Harvard University in 1722. He was many years a merchant in Boston; afterwards re- sided on his paternal estate in Braintree, f was author of a " Treatise on Hemp Husbandry," published in 1765, and died an active magis- trate of the county of Suffolk, in July 1788, aged 85.
Josiah Quincy, youngest son of Edmund Quincy, who died in Lon- don, was born in Braintree, in 1709; was graduated at Harvard Uni- versity, in 1728, and entered into business as a merchant in Boston. In 1737, he accompanied his father to England, passed several years in Europe, at different periods of his life, and finally returned to America, in 1749. He was appointed, in 1755, by Gov. Shirley, joint commissioner with Thomas Pownall, afterwards Gov. Pownall, to negotiate with the Colonies of Pennsylvania and New York, for assistance in erecting a frontier barrier against the French, at Ti- conderoga. He retired from business in 1756, and resided in Brain- tree on a portion of his paternal estate, until his death, in 1784.
Edmund Quincy, eldest son of Josiah Quincy, was born in Brain- tree, Oct. 1733; was graduated at Harvard University in 1752; en- tered into business as a merchant in Boston, and visited England in 1760 and 1763. He was a zealous whig, and a political writer of that period, and, had his life been spared, he would, probably, have
*The following is the epitaph inscribed on his monument :
Edmundi Quincy armigeri, patria Nov-Angli Massachusettensis, viri, pietate. prudentia et bonis literis spectati, hic deposita sunt reliquia.
Qui variis ab ineunte ætate Muneribus in Re tam civili, quam militari a suis sibi commissis, (his præsertim Regi a conciliis -- Curie Suprema Judicatoria Justiciani et Militum Tribuni,) summa facultate et spectata Fide functas, Laudem merito adeptus est.
Re Patria sua publica postulante ad Aulam Britannicam legatus est profectus ut Jura suorum et commoda procuraret.
Variolis arreptus-morte præmatura obiit, et cum co emolumenta, qua in ejus le- gatione, summa cum spe reposita erant omnibus suis popularibus penitus desiderabilis, decessit, at nullis magis quam Patrio Senatui qui in amoris testimonium et gratitudinis, ejus Tumnlo hoc epitaphium inscribi curaverunt. Obiit Londini, Feb. 23, 1737, atat 57.
In English it runs thus : Here are deposited the remains of Edmund Quincy, Esq. native of the Massachusetts Bay, in New-England ; a gentleman of distinguished pi- ety, prudence and learning.
Who early merited praise for discharging, with the greatest ability and approved integrity, the various employments, both in the civil and military affairs, that his country entrusted him with, these especially, as one of his majesty's council-a Jus- tice of the Supreme Court of Judicature, and Colonel of a regiment of foot.
The public affairs of his country so requiring, he embarked their agent to the Court of Great Britain, in order to secure their rights and privileges.
Being seized with the small pox, he died a premature death, and with him the ad- vantages expected from his agency, with the greatest prospect of success ; he depari- ed the delight of his own people, but of none more than the Senate, who, as a testi- mony of their love and gratitude, have ordered this epitaph to be inscribed on his mon- ument. He died at London, Feb. 23, 1737, in the 57th year of his age.
+Opposite the place of Daniel Greenleaf, Esq. was once a beautiful cascade, built by Edmund Quincy. The land between the two hills, near the road, was somewhat excavated, which formed a pond, perhaps forty rods long, and ten wide. A dani was raised, on which bars were placed in the form of a grate, and through these the water was made to pass. Before it reached the stream below, it had formed itself into one entire sheet, which presented a very pleasing appearance. " I have often heard the sound of this water-fall." says Mr. Wilson Marsh, " at the distance of a mile
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