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 8
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taken an active part in the American Revolution. His health de- clining under a pulmonary complaint, he sailed to the West Indies, and died at sea, March, 1768, aged 35.
Samuel Quincy, second son of Josiah Quincy, was graduated at. Harvard University in 1754; engaged in the study of the law, and became eminent in that profession. He was appointed Solicitor General of the Province, under the Crown, and held that office until the revolution. Influenced by his official duties and connexions, his political course was opposed to that of the other members of his fam- ily. He was appointed Attorney for the Crown, in the Island of An- tigua, which office he held till his death, iu 1789.
Josiah Quincy, jun. the youngest son of Josiah Quincy, was born in Boston, Feb. 23, 1744; received his instruction preparatory to entering the University in the school of Mr. Joseph Marsh, in this town. He was graduated at Harvard University in 1763. He en- tered upon the study of law with Oxenbridge Thatcher, Esq. of Bos- ton, and was afterwards eminent in the practice of it. He took a bold stand as a writer and an actor in the cause of freedom. In the case of Preston, in the Boston massacre, he shared an immortal fame with his co-patriot, John Adams. The labors of his profession wore upon his frame, and in Feb. 1773, he was obliged to leave home and take a voyage to the south. He returned, and in May, 1774, pub- lished " His observations on the Boston Port Bill." On the 20th Sept. 1774, he embarked, privately, at Salem, for England, in the cause of his country. Here he remained some time, and was re- turning home in 1775, with his heart and soul devoted to his country. That country he was never more permitted to reach. His health had been continually failing, and on the 26th of April, 1775, without hearing of the battle of Lexington, he died.
The inhabitants of Gloucester paid funeral honors to his remains. He was afterwards removed to this place, according to his wish, where a monument* was erected to his memory, and to that of his wife, by his only surviving child, Josiah Quincy.
He had lived for his country, and his last prayers were for its wel- fare. His name will be enrolled among those great spirits, who led the way in procuring the freedom of the civilized world.
"On one side of this monument is the following epitaph, written by John Quincy Adamıs:
Sacred to the memory of Josiah Quincy, jun. of Boston, barrister at law. Brilliant talents, uncominon eloquence, and indefatigable application raised him to the highest eminence in his profession. His early, enlightened, inflexible attachment to the cause of his country is attested by monuments inore durable than this, and transmitted to posterity by well known productions of his genius. He was born the 23d of Feb. 1744, and died the 26th of April, 1775. His mortal remains are here deposited, with those of Abigail, his wife, daughter of William Phillips, Esq. of Boston. Born 144th April, 1745 ; died 25th March, 1798.
Stranger! In contemplating this monument, the frail tribute of filial gratitude and affection --
Glows thy bold breast with patriotic flame ?
Let his example point the pathis of fame ;
Or seeks thy heart, averse from public strife,
The milder graces of domestic life ?
Her kindred virtues let thy soul revere,
And o'er the best of mothers drop a tear.
And on the other side is written, Josiah Quincy, jun. born 23d Feb. 1744, died 26th April, 1775. And Abigail Quincy, his wife, born 14th April, 1745, died 25th March. 1793. To their united and beloved memory this monument is erected by their ont surviving child.
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Josiah Quincy, son of Josiah Quincy, jun. was graduated at Har- vard University, in 1790; for many years member of Congress from Suffolk; member of the State Legislature, and Speaker of the House of Representatives; Judge of the Municipal Court in Boston, and now Mayor of the City of Boston.
Norton Quincy, son of John Quincy, was graduated at Harvard University, in 1736, and died here, Sept. 23d, 1801, aged 85.
Josiah Quincy, jun. son of Josiah Quincy, was graduated at Har- vard University in 1821, and now in the practice of law in Boston. He is one of the aids of Governor Lincoln, with the rank of Lieuten- ant Colonel.
Grindall Rawson was graduated at Harvard University in 1678; afterwards Secretary of State.
Edward Stedman, formerly a physician in this place.
Samuel Spear was graduated at Harvard University in 1714; af- terwards a settled minister.
Elisha Savil was graduated at Harvard University in 1743; prac- tised physic in this place, and died 1768 ..
William Thompson, first minister of the Congregational Society, in this town. From him is supposed to have descended Benj. Thomp- son, Count Rumford.
Henry Turner,* for many years a respectable physician in this place. He died Jan. 21, 1773, aged 84.
John Tileston, for many years master of the North Writing school, in Boston. He was born 31st Dec. 1734, and was a school-mate of President Adams, senior, who ever retained a respectful remem- brance of him. Upwards of seventy years of his life were devoted to the instruction of youth. His salary was continued to him to the day of his death, though he retired from his duties as a school-master, at the age of 85. He was remarkable for his modesty, industry and moral excellence. "Though not a great man, he was a very useful one, and deserves to be remembered among the worthies of his coun- try." He died 13th Oct. 1826, aged 92.1
Royall Tyler, a native of Boston, though many years a resident here. He was graduated at Harvard University in 1776. " He com- menced his public life as Aid de Camp to Gen. Lincoln, who com- manded the army that suppressed the rebellion of Shays, in 1786-7. During that campaign, Mr. Tyler was charged by Gen. Lincoln with a special mission to the Government of Vermont. About 1790, he removed to Vermont, and there became a distinguished lawyer. He was assistant Judge of the Supreme Court six years, and Chief Jus- tice of the same Court six more. He was a man of genius, a poet, an orator, a civilian, an crudite and accomplished scholar, and a gen- tleman of elegant and endearing manners." He died 16th Aug. 1826, aged 66.
Lewis Vassal, son of a Major Vassal,¿ who came over to this coun-
*Dr. Turner lived in the house of Mr. Benjamin Gay, and kept a tavern there for some time. This fact had not come to my knowledge when the list of taverns was printed on page 46. This must, therefore, be added, to make that list complete.
tSee notice of his life in Boston Centinel, 14th Oct. 1826.
#Major Vassal, who, I suppose, was the son of William Vassal, mentioned in Eliot's Biography, lived in the house of President Adams, and died there. Lewis, his son, . lived in the house of Mr. John Greenleaf, and lies buried in the Episcopal Church-yard, with his wife by his side.
try from the West Indies. Lewis Vassal was graduated at Harvard University in 1728; spent his life in this place, and died Sept. 15, 1743, aged 34.
John Vassal, son of Major Vassal, was graduated at Harvard Uni- versity in 1732, and became a merchant in Boston.
William Vassal, son of Major Vassal, was graduated at Harvard University in 1733; was afterwards High Sheriff, for the county of Middlesex .*
John Vassal was graduated at Harvard University in 1757.
Lewis Vassal was graduated at Harvard University in 1760.
Benjamin Vinton was graduated at Harvard University in 1796, and was, for many years, a respectable physician in this town.
John Wilson, born in England, was graduated at Harvard Univer- sity in 1705, and afterwards a physician in this place.
John Webb was graduated at Harvard University in 1708; settled in Boston at the New North Church, in 1714, died in 1750, aged 63. He was a man of considerable influence for his tine.
Nathan Webb was graduated at Harvard University in 1715, after- wards a settled minister.
Anthony Wibird, seventh minister of the Congregational Society in this place, was graduated at Harvard University in 1747.
Edward Winslow, for several years minister of the Epis. Church in this town.
Peter Whitney, eighth minister of the Congregational Society, was graduated at Harvard University in 1791.
Ebenezer Woodward, a practising physician in this place, was grad- uated at Dartmouth College in 1817.
George Whitney was graduated at Harvard University in 1824.1
It has been remarked that no single portion of our country, of so small an extent, has afforded so many distinguished men to adorn the annals of our history, as the Town of Quincy. In the hour of need, when ' men's souls were tried,' John Adams and Hancock and Quin- cy and Samuel Adams, whose ancestors were from here, were the champions of our liberty; and in after times, two Presidents of the nation were called hence, by the voice of the people. Since then it be true, that no condition, however humble, if adorned by a virtuous and enlightened mind, can prove an obstacle to individual eminence, how are we excited by those who have gone before us, to lay broad and deep the foundations of knowledge and virtue, that so others may continue to go forth from among us, to be the ornaments and pride of our land.
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*Mr. Wilson Marsh tells me, that he was once present at the execution of a man in Cambridge, which, he thinks, was under the superintendance of High Sheriff, William Vassal.
John and Lewis, the younger Vassals here mentioned, were probably sons, either of the merchant or the sheriff.
tIt is possible, after all the pains I have taken, that some who have graduated may not have been mentioned. If so. I hope any other cause may be found for the omis - sion, than intentional neglect.
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APPENDIX.
On Monday, June 11th, 1827, the corner stone of the "Adams 'l'emple," so called, for the use of the Congregational Society, in this place, was laid with proper solemnities. A prayer was offered by the Rev. Peter Whitney, Pastor of the Church; after which he commenced the following Address:
"MY CHRISTIAN FRIENDS,-In conformity to the wishes of that great benefactor ot us and of our country, the late President Adams, we are now erecting a temple for the worship of that incomprehensible Being, whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain. The foundation is already completed ; and having addressed our prayer to the holy Majesty of the universe for his blessing upon our undertaking, we now proceed to deposit, beneath this corner stone a silver plate, on which is engraved the inscription, which will be read by the Chairman of the Committee."
The Hon. Thomas Greenleaf, Chairman of the building commit- tee, then read the inscription on the plate, to be deposited in a lead box, together with the several deeds of land, presented to the town by the late President Adams. The following is the inscription:
" A temple for the public worship of God ; and for public instruction in the doctrines and duties of the Christian religion. Erected by the Congrega- tional Society in the Town of Quincy ; the stone taken from the granite quarries, given to the town by the Hon. John Adams, late President of the United States.
This stone was laid June 11th, 1827, in the fifty-first year of American Inde- pendence. The Rev. Peter Whitney, Pastor of the Society. John Quincy Adams, President of the United States. Levi Lincoln, Governor and Commander in Chief of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. John Whitney, Daniel Spear, John Souther, Selectmen of the Town of Quincy.
Building Committee .- Thomas Greenleaf, Chairman,-Noah Curtis, John Souther, Lemuel Brackett, Daniel Spear. Alexander Parris, Architect. William Wood, Master Builder. MEMORANDA. 'The population of the town estimated at 2000. That of the United States at 13,000,000. Engraved by Hazen Morse.
Mr Greenleaf made some interesting remarks, connected with the history of the place, and deposited the box; after which the Address was concluded, as follows:
"When ages after ages shall have passed away, when all, who are now liv- ing on earth, and successive generations for centuries to come, shall have finished their probation and gone to the unseen and eternal world, these walls
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of granite, we are about to erect, will stand, we trust, amidst the revolutions of time, a monument of the interest we felt for the worship of God, and for the accommodation of our successors on the stage of life, till the stones them- selves, of which it is to be constructed, shall be crumbling into dust.
"In this temple, when completed, may the truth, as it is in Jesus, be preach- ed in all its purity and simplicity. Here also may the prayers of devout and humble souls ascend with acceptance to the throne of everlasting mercy .- Here may affliction, in all its forms and degrees, find consolation and support under the weight of suffering. Here may sin be forever denounced, and the sinner encouraged to repent and live. And here may that faith, which looks beyond things seen and temporal, to those that are unseen and eternal ; which directs the aspirations of the soul to the presence and enjoyment of God in heaven, be animated and strengthened and confirmed. And here may many souls be trained up to join the spirits of the just made perfect in the devotions of a temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
" In looking forward to the period, when another temple shall rise upon the ruins of this, we are naturally led to reflect upon what will then be the state of society here ; how vastly improved ! how far surpassing us in intellectual and moral excellence, will be the generation then existing ! Our hearts re- joice in the contemplation of the increasing virtue and wisdom of the world ; and we would offer our prayers to God, that we may so finish our course on earth, as to enter on our immortal destiny with qualifications for ceaseless progress ; that, however improved our descendants may be, when these walls shall sink beneath the desolations of time, we may have reached a measure of improvement in that better world above, beyond what they shall have at- tained under all the advantages with which they may be favored. And with the numerous multitudes, who shall here be formed for glory and immortal- Ity, may we finally unite in ascribing thanksgiving and blessing, dominion and power, unto Him, who sitteth on the throne forever and ever."
QUINCY.
Interesting Reminiscences of Her History.
Thomas Morton and His Lewd Pranks.
The Origin of the Quincy Family.
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"Every descendant from the Pilgrim Fathers attaches a peculiar interest to the carly scenes In New England history. No spot on our "stern and rockbound coast" compasses more Incidents affecting New England character Chan Quincy; no locality has given birth to more men distinguished in American history. Within a radius of little more than one mile from the scene of the late railroad disaster at Wollaston, originated many of the events which have shaped American institutions and guided our Republic in its destiny to greatness unparalled. Just east of Wollaston station, on the shore of Quincy Bay, rises a beautiful hill, girt with a bell of woods and surmounted by a baronial-looking structure of brick and stone. This is Mount Wollaston, where Captain Wollaston, with some 30 adventurers, landed and began a settlement in 1625-five years be- Tore the settlement of Boston. At present this hill forms the residence and a portion of the farm of John Quincy Adams. At that Lime nearly the whole plam lying along the eastern border of the Old Colony Railroad, be- tween Quincy Centre and Neponset River, was cultivated as a corn field by a numerous and powerful tribe of Indians, known as the Massachusetts tribe. A small hill or hum- mock at the month of the Neponset River- pow the site of Colonel Dittmar's dualin works -marks the spot where Chicatawbut, the Famous chief of this tribe, made his home. This spot, and another about two miles to the southwest, at the Ledges, are, to this day. thickly strewn with clam sbolls and owner ralles of the two most populous Indian vil- lages on our coast. The plam referred to wemprising Mount Wollaston, was knownle the early settlers as the "Massachusetts farms." The present beautiful farm of flou .. Josiah Quincy occupies a contral position af these ancient fields.
THOMAS MORTON.
Unlike the colony at Plymouth, that at Mount Wollaston was far from select. When Captain Wollaston left the next year, a jolly pettifogger, Thomas Morton, soon managed to become the official head, Somarendal anton
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