The annals of Sudbury, Wayland and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts , Part 4

Author: Hudson, Alfred Sereno, 1839-1907
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: A. S. Hudson
Number of Pages: 504


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Maynard > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 4
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Sudbury > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 4
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 4
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Sudbury > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland, and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 4
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland, and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 4
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Maynard > The annals of Sudbury, Wayland, and Maynard, Middlesex County, Massachusetts > Part 4


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Besides the reservation of territory for common pas- turage, lands were laid out " for the use of the minis- try." Two such tracts were laid out on each side of the river, consisting of both meadow and upland, which were let out to individuals, the income derived therefrom going towards the ininister's salary. The lauds that were situated on the west side have passed from public to private possession, being sold in 1817 for $3200.98.


Between 1650 and 1675 the west side had rapid de- velopment. Prior to the beginning of this period the pioneer spirit of the settlers had led to a thorough exploration of this part of the town, and they had lo- cated by its hills and along its meadows and valleys, as if undaunted by distance from the meeting-house


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and mill, and indifferent to the perils of the wilder- ness. But although there was, to an extent, an occu- pation of the west part of the town from the very be- ginning of the settlement, yet the greater activity was for a tine on the east side; in that part was the cen- tralization of people, and things were more conven- ient and safe. Indeed, the settlers for a season may have regarded the west side as a wilderness country, destined long to remain in an unbroken state. The view westward from certain points along the first street was upon woody peaks and rocky hillsides. Beyond the valley of Lanham and Lowance towered Nobscot; its slope, thickly covered with forest, might look like an inhospitable waste; while the nearer eminence of Goodman's Hill, with its rough, rocky projections, may have had a broken and desolate as- pect. It is no wonder, then, that in the earlier ycars of the settlement we read of so many corn-fields on the east side of the river, and find parties desirous of obtaining new farms sccking them in a southerly rather than a westerly direction. But when absolutc wants were once met, and things essential to existence were provided ; when the settlers had acquired a bet- ter knowledge of the country and of the character of its native inhabitants, and a substantial causeway was made,-then began a greater development of the west part of the town.


The indications are that these things were accom- plished about the year 1650. At this time we begin to notice the mention of homesteads on the west side, and the construction of works for publie convenience. The lands first occupied, probably, were those near Lanham and Pantry, and along the meadows by the river course; while the more central portion, called, "Rocky Plain," was not taken till somewhat later. This is indicated, not only by the known locations of early homesteads, but by the locality of the west side cow common. These sections may have been first taken on account of the abundance of meadow land, and the existence of roads which had been made for the transportation of hay.


A prominent person who early located there was Walter Haynes. He had a house by the meadow margin, which, in 1676, was used as a garrison, and which early in town history was called " Mr. Haynes' old house." In 1646 he was granted liberty to run a fence "from his meadow, which lies on the west side of the river, across the highway to his fence of his upland at his new dwelling-house, provided that Walter Hayne do keep a gate at each side of his meadow for the passing of carts and the herds along the highway that his fence may not be prejudicial to the town." Both record and tradition indicate that John and Edmund Goodenow early had lands near the Gravel Pit, and also at or near the present Farr and Coolidge farms. By 1659, Thomas Noyes and Thomas Plympton had established houses on the west side,-the former on lands at Hop Brook, and the latter at Strawberry Bank. As early at least as


1654, Thomas Read was at Lanham; and by 1659 Peter Bent was there also.


Some public acts which indicate activity on the west side, as set forth by the records, are as follows : In 1654 it was ordered that Walter Hayne and John Stone " shall see to the fences of all the corn-fields on their side the river ;" and in 1659 a committee was appointed to look after the highways therc. The mention of bridges by 1641, the ferry of Mr. Noyes in 1642, and the contract for a cart-bridge in 1643, are all indications of early activity in the west part of the town. But the more important matters of a pub- lic nature were in connection with the laying out of new lands, the construction of important roads, and the erection of a mill.


LAYING OUT OF NEW LANDS .- In 1651, John Sherman and others were appointed to lay out the " New Grant Lands." After some delay the plan was adopted of dividing it into squadrons, the ar- rangement of which was as follows: "The south east was to be the first, the north east the second, the north west the third, and the south west the fourth." It was voted there should be a highway extending north and south, "30 rods wide in the new grant joining to the five miles first granted ;" also, " Voted that there should be a highway 30 rods wide, from south to north, parallel with the other said highway in the middle of the remaining tract of land."


These squadrons were subdivided into parcels of equal size, each containing one hundred and thirty acres, and were apportioned to the people by lot. It was voted that "the first lot drawn was to begin at the south side of the first squadron running east and west betwixt our highways; the second lot to be in the north side of the first, and so every lot following successively as they are drawn till we come to Con- cord line and so the first and second squadron."


This land, laid out so regularly, was good property. Some of the most substantial homesteads of the town have been, and still are, upon it. Persons by the name of Howe, Parmenter, Woodward, Moore, Browne, Walker, Noyes, Balcom, and Rice, of the older inhabitants, and, later, of Fairbanks, Stone, Willis, Smith, Hayden, Maynard, Perry, Bowker, Vose, Brigham, and others,-all had residences there. The possession of this new grant territory, and its early apportionment, would serve naturally to keep the people in town. It opened new resources to the settlers by its timber lands ; and the circuitous course of Wash Brook gave meadows and mill privileges which the people were not slow to improve. Prob- ably the earlier settlers of this tract went from the east side of the river as into a new country or wil- derness. There they erected garrisons; and that there were in this territory at least three of these houses indicates the exposed condition of the place at the time of its early occupation by the English. " Willis," the largest pond in town, a part of " Nob- scot," the highest hill, and the most extensive tim-


IS CONANT & BOLON


THE BROWN GARRISON HOUSE.


1


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ber tracts, are in this new grant. In it have been lo- cated no less than five saw or grist-mills. From this territory was taken part of the town of Maynard, and in it were located for ycars two out of five of the old. time district school-houses. The Wayside Inn and the Walker Garrison are still there; and although the stirring scenes of the old stage period, which gave liveliness to the one, and the dismal war days, which gave importance to the other, have passed away, yet there remains a thrift and prosperity about the sub- stantial farms of the ancient new grant lots that make this locality one of importance and interest.


THE THIRTY-ROD HIGHWAY. - While these new lands proved so beneficial to the town, the " Thirty- Rod Highway " in time caused considerable trouble. It was laid out for the accommodation of the owners of lots, and, as the name indicates, was thirty rods wide. The unnecessary width may be accounted for as we account for other wide roads of that day : land was plentiful, and the timber of so large a tract would be serviceable to the town.


But the width tended to cause disturbance. The land was sought for by various parties,-by abuttors on one or both sides, it may be; by those dwelling within the near neighborhood; and by such as de- sired it for an addition to their outlying lands, or a convenient annex to their farms. The result was that to protect it required considerable vigilance. En- croachments were made upon it, wood and timber were taken away, and at successive town-meeting, what to do with this Thirty-Rod Highway was an important matter of business. But at length it largely ceased to be public property. Piece after piece had been disposed of. Some of it had been purchased by pri- vate parties, some of it exchanged for lands used for other highways, and some of it may have been gained by right of possession.


But though so much of this road has ceased to be used by the public, there are parts still retained by the town and open to public use. The Dudley Road, about a quarter of a mile from the William Stone place, and which passes a small pond called the Horse Pond, tradition says, is a part of this way. From near the junction of this with the county road, a part of the Thirty-Rod Way runs south, and is still used as a way to Nobscot. On it, tradition also says, is the Small-Pox Burying-Ground, at Nobscot. A part of this road, as it runs east and west, is probably the present Boston and Berlin Road, or what was the " Old Lancaster Road." Other parts of this way may be old wood-paths that the Sudbury farmers still use and speak of as being a part of this ancient land- mark.


".OLD LANCASTER ROAD."-This road, which was at first called the "Road'to Nashuway," probably fol- lowed an ancient trail. In 1653 it was "agreed by the town that Lieutenant Goodenow and Ensign Noyes shall lay out the way with Nashuway men so far as it goes within our town bound." A record of


this road is on the town-book, and just following is this statement :


" This is a true copy of the commissioners appointed by the town taken from the original and examined by me.


" HUGH GRIFFIN."


This record which is among those for 1646, by the lapse of time has become so worn that parts are en- tirely gone. It is supposed, however, that some of the lost parts have been restored or supplied by the late Dr. Stearns. We will give the record, so far as it can be obtained from the town-book, and insert in brackets the words that have been supplied from other sources :


" We whose names are hereunto subscribed appoint[ed hy] Sudbury aud the town of Lancaster to lay out the high[way over the] river mea - dow in Sudbury near Lancaster to the [towu] bound according to the Court order, have agreed as follows [viz] That the highway beginning at the great river meadow [at the gravel] pitt shall run from thence [to the northiwest side of] Thom is Plympton's house, [and from thence] to timber swa[mp as] marked by 119 and so on to llaart Pond leaving the [rock] on the north side of the way and from thence to the ex - treme [Sudbury bounds] as we have now marked it the breadth of the way is to be the gravel pitt to the west end of Thomas Plymptou's lot and . . . rods wide all the way to the utinost of Sudbury bound and thence upon the common highway towards Lancaster through Sud[bury] therefore we have hereunto set our hand the 22nd day of this pres[ent month]


Date 1653


" EDMUND GOODENOW " THOMAS NOYES " WILLIAM KERLEY"


This road has for many years been a landmark iu Sudbury ; but the oldest inhabitant cannot remember when, in its entire lengtli, it was used as a highway. Parts of it were long since discontinued, and were either sold or reverted to the estates of former owners.


THE HOP-BROOK MILL .- In 1659 a mill was put up where the present Parmenter Mill stands in South Sudbury. This mill was erected by Thomas and Peter Noyes. In recognition of the serviceableness of their work to the community, the town made them a land grant, and favored them with such privileges as are set forth in the following record :


" Jan. 7th 1659. Granted unto Mr. Thomas Noyes and to Mr Peter Noyes for and in consideration of building a mill at Hop brook lay- ing and being on the west side of Sudbury great river below the cart way that leads to Ridge u. adow viz: fifty acres of upland and fif- teen acres of meadow without commonadge to the said meadow four acres of the said fifteen acres of meadow lying and being within the demised tracts of uplands; Also granted to the above named parties timber of any of Sudbury's common land, to build and maintain the said mill. Also the said Thomas and Peter Noyes do covenant with the town for the foregoing consideration, to build a sufficient mill to grind the town of Sudbury's corn ; the mill to be huilt below the cart way that now is leading to Ridge meadow, the said Grantees, their heirs and successors are to have nothing to do with the stream above four rods above the aforementioned cartway of said mill to be ready to grind the corn by the first of December next ensueing, and if the said grantees, their heirs or assigns shall damage the high- way over the brook, by huilding the said mill, they are to make tbe way as good as now it is, from time to time, that is to say, the above specified way, over the Mill brook of said Thomas Noyes and l'eter are also to leave a highway six rods wide joining to the brook from the east way that now is to the Widow Loker's nieadow." (Towu Records, vol. i.)


While the new mill was being built, a way was being made to it from the causeway, as we are in-


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SUDBURY.


formed by the following record, dated February 7, 1659 :


"We, the Selectmen of Sudbury, finding sundry inconveniences, by reason of bad and ill highways not being passable to meadow-lands and other towns, and finding the law doth commit the stating of the highways to the prudence of the selectmen of towns, we therefore, being met the day and year above written, on purpose to view the highways in the west side of Endbury river, and having taken pains to view them, do we say, conclude and jointly agree that tho high- way from the Gravel pits shall go through the land newly purchased of Lieut. Goodenow to that end, and from theuce dowu the brow of the hill the now passed highwny, unto the place where the new mill is building, that is to say, the way that is now in occupation, we mean the way that goeth to the south and Mr. Beisbeich his honse, we conclude and jointly agree, that the way to the meadows, as namely, the meadow of John Grout, Widow Goodenow, John May- bard, Lient. Goodenow, shall go as now it doth, that is to say, in the hollow to the said meadows, the highway to he six rods wide all along by the side of the said meadows."


In 1652 a contract was made for a new house of worship. This contract is on the Town Records, but has become considerably worn and defaced, so that parts are almost or quite unintelligible. There is, however, a copy in the "Stearns Collection," which, with some slight immaterial alterations, is as follows :


" The town agreed with Thomas Plympton Peter King & llugh Griffin to build a new meeting house which was to he torty feet long & twenty feet wide measuring from outside to outside, the studds were to be 6 inches by 4 to stand for a four foot clapboard. There were to be 4 tran- som windows five feet wide & 6 feet high, and in each gable end a clear- story wiudow, each window was to he 4 feet wide and 3 feet high. There were to be sufficient doiments across the house for galleries if there should afterward be a desire for galleries the beans to be 12 inches by 14 and the ground sills were to be of white oak 8 inches square. The posts were to be a foot square, and the 2 middle beams to be sinoothed on three sides and the lower corners to be run with a bowkell. They the said Plympton King & Gritlin aro to find timher to fell, hew, saw, cart, frame, carry to place & they are to level the ground and to find them sutficieut help to raise the house, they are to inclose the house with clap boards and to lyne the inside with cedar boards or otherwise with good spruce boards, & to be smoothied & over lapped and to be lyned up the windows, & they are to hang the doors so as to bolt. One of the doors on the inside is to be sett with a lock. They are to lay the sleep. ers of the doors with white oak or good swamp pine, & to floor the house with plank. They are to finish all the works but the seats, for which the town do covenant to give them . . . 5 pound 20 to be paid in march next in Indyan [corn] or cattle, 30 more to he paid in Sep' next to be paid in wheat, butter, or money & the rest to be paid as soon as the work is dono iu Indyan corn or cattle the corn to [be] muerchautable at the price current.


"Witness EDMD. GoonNow. " THOMAS NOYES."


The new building was to be erected on the site of the old one. The town ordered "that the car- peuters should provide 12 men to help them raise the meeting house," for which they were to be allowed half a crown a day. The roof was to be covered with thatch, aud the workmen were to have " the meadow afterwards the minister's to get their thatch upon." In 1654 a committee was appointed " to agree with somebody to fill the walls of the meeting house with tempered clay provided they do not exceed the sum of 5 pounds 10 shillings." The parties who were to build the house were employed " to build seats after the same fashion as in the old meeting house," and they were to have for every seat one shilling eight pence. The seats were to be made of white oak, " both posts and rails and benches."


But while the town was growing and increasing in strength, a controversy occurred which was of a somewhat serious character. Questions arose relat- ing to the division of the "two-mile grant," to the title of parties to certain lands, and to rights in the cast side cow common. The controversy concerning this latter subject was in relation to "sizing" or "stinting " the common. It was specified when this land was reserved, that it "should never be ceded or laid down, without the consent of every inhabitant and townsman that hath right in commonage ;" and the rule for pasturing cattle upon it was, "The in- habitants are to be limited in the putting in of cattle upon the said common, according to the quantity of meadow the said inhabitants are rated in upon the division of the meadows." The rule of allowance on this basis was as follows: "For every two acres of meadow one beast, that is either cow, ox, bull or steer, or heifer to go as one beast and a half, and every six sheep to go for one beast, and that all cattle under a year old shall go without sizing." The endeavor to define rights of commonage, or the relation of the in- dividual to this piece of town property, proved a difficult task. As might be expected among a people of positive natures, strong opinions were entertained, and decided attitudes were taken concerning a matter of individual rights. The affair was not wholly con- fined to the town in its social and civil relations, but the church became connected with it. The result was that a council was called to adjust ecclesiastical matters, and advice was also sought and obtained of the General Court.


In 1675 King Philip's War set in ; and Sudbury, on account of its frontier position, was badly harassed by the enemy. The principal means of defence in this war were the garrison-houses. Of these places we give the following information :


THE BROWN GARRISON .- This stood on the pres- ent estate of Luther Cutting, about a dozen rods southeasterly of his residence, or a few rods east of the Sudbury and Framingham road, and about a balf mile from the town's southern boundary. It had a gable roof, was made of wood, and lined with brick. It was demolished about thirty-five years ago, when in the possession of Mr. Conant.


THE WALKER GARRISON .- The Walker garrison- house is in the west part of the town, a little south of the Massachusetts Central Railroad, on the Willard Walker estate. This building is a curious structure, with massive chimney, large rooms and heavy framne- work. It is lined within the walls with upright plank fastened with wooden pins.


THE GOODNOW GARRISON .- This garrison stood & little southeasterly of the present Coolidge house, or a few rods northeast to east of the East Sudbury Railroad Station, and perhaps twenty or thirty rods from the South Sudbury and Wayland highway. A lane formerly went from the road to a point near the garrison.


THE PARMENTER GARRISON HOUSE.


See page 13.


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SUDBURY.


THE HAYNES GARRISON .- This garrison stood on the Water-Row Road, by the margin of the river meadow, a little northerly or northeasterly of the Luther Goodenow house. It was about an eighth of a mile from the Wayland and Sudbury Centre high - way, two or three rods from the road, and fronted south. In later years it was painted red. In 1876 it was still standing, but has since been demolished.


One of the buildings which common tradition says was a garrison, but whose name is unknown, stood near the Adam How place, about twenty-five rods northwest of the house. It was one story high, and had a room at each end. For a time it was owned and occupied by Abel Parmenter, and was torn down years ago. It is stated by tradition that, when the Wayside Inn was built, the workmen repaired to this house at night for safety.


The garrisons previously mentioned were named from their early occupants. Parmenter was the name of the first occupant of this house of whom we have any knowledge; if he was the first, then doubtless this house was formerly known as the Parmenter Garrison.


The other garrison, the name of which is unknown, was north of the Gulf Meadows, and on or near the present Dwier Farm (Bent place). Tradition con- cerning this one is less positive than concerning the other. An old inhabitant, once pointing towards the old Bent house, said, "There is where the people used to go when the Indians wereabout." It is quite evident that the Bent house was not a garrison, for that was built about a century ago; but across the road south westerly there are indications that some structure once stood, which may have been a garri- son.


THE BLOCK-HOUSE .- A block-house stood in the north part of the town, on the Israel Haynes farm. It was situated, perhaps, from thirty to fifty rods southwest of the house of Leander Haynes, on a slight rise of ground. It was small, perhaps fifteen feet square, more or less, and so strongly built that it was with difficulty taken to pieces. It was demol- ished about three-quarters of a century ago, when owned by Mr. Moses Haynes. Mr. Reuben Rice, of Concord, a relative of Mr. Haynes, when over ninety years of age, informed the writer that when it was torn down he chanced to be passing by, and looked ; for bullet-marks, and believed he found some. He stated there was no mistake about the house being used as a garrison.


Besides the garrison-houses, the town had a small force of militia. Says "The Old Petition :" "The strength of Our towne upon ye Enemy's approaching it, consisted of eighty fighting men." These men were able-bodied and strong for the work of war, liable to do duty for either country or town; while others, younger and less vigorous, could stand guard and do some light service. When the war was fairly begun, the town's force was replenished by outside


help. So that, with the people collected in garrisons, and the armed men able to fight in a sheitered place, a stout defence could be maintained against a con- siderably larger force.


At the beginning of the war the town of Sudbury was not attacked, as the Indians chiefly confined hos- tilities to the county of Plymouth, yet it was soon called upon to send aid to other places. November 22, 1675, a warrant came from Major Willard to John Grout, Josiah Haynes and Edmund Goodnow, who called themselves the "humble servants the militia of Sudbury," requiring the impressment of nine able men to the service of the country. They state to the Governor and Council that they have impressed the following men, namely : William Wade, Samuel Bush, John White, Jr., Thomas Rutter, Peter Noyes, Jr., James Smith, Dennis Headly, Mathew Gibbs, Jr., and Daniel Harrington; but that they wish to have them released. Joseph Graves, master of Harring- ton, states that his servant had not clothing fit for the service; that he was well clothed when he was im- pressed before, but that he wore his clothes out in that service, and could not get his wages to buy more. The service that he was formerly impressed for was the guarding of families in "Natick Bounds." One of those families is supposed to be that of Thomas Eames, which was attacked by the Indians near the outbreak of the war. A further reason for their re- lease from this service is found in the following ex- tracts from their petition : "Considering our condition as a frontier town, and several of our men being al- ready in the service, our town being very much scat- tered;" furthermore, that, several families being sickly, no use could be made of them for "watching, warding, scouting or impress, whereby the burden lies very hard on a few persons."


It was not long after hostilities began before the foe approached Sudbury. The first blow that fell on the town that has been noted by historians of that day was on March 10, 1676. Says Mather, "Mischief was done and several lives cut off by the Indians."




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