USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Groton > The early records of Groton, Massachusetts. 1662-1707 > Part 15
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There appeared vpo" this day at that place
Maj' Willard M' Rowlinson M' Web my selfe
The Busines coited to it was this: (by the whole Towne: it being declared that these were joyntely chosen by the sa")
That whereas by reason of some uncomfortable differences that had ben amongst them as aboute Church Government they had been hitherto hindred from goeing on with that worke of X [Christ], of coming into a Church way to enjoy all ordinances amongst them they Had now resolved to lay downe & to bury all former differences amongst them, & (had sent to the psons aboue mentioned, to be
191
APPENDIX.
as a counsell to them : to wch they) submitted themselues to them to be directed, according to the Rules of Gods word, in these fol- lowing pticulars.
I. To consider whither there may be found a competent num- ber amongst them, meetely qualified for the laying a foundation of a Church there: & In order therevnto to nofate such amongst them, as may come vpon Tryal to that end.
2. To putt them into that way of Tryal wch is according to the word, as according to web they might satisfy thems. one in an other, (& consequently in any others afterward as should desire to joyne with them.)
3. To give them advise from the Rule, for the both carrying on of matters in that p'patory worke, weh concerns the coming orderly into a Church state together, & so the after carrying on Church worke according to God.
The pceedings of the Counsel in order to the accomplshg these things, at that meeting was thus,
1. Together with the 7. wch had ben by ye consent of the whole towne formerly in nolation amongst thems. & had ben attempting to an agreement about Church worke, but hindred, by their disagre- mnt. 4, others were added as to stand in Nolation : for Tryall
so as there were now 11. who now come into Nolation viz. ye 6 Brethren amongst them in full fellowship, with mr. Willard & 4 others of ye towne
viz M' Willard. Jam : Parker. Jam. Fiske. g. Lawrence, G. Salter, G. Martin. Jo". Nutting. Wm Lakin. Elis Barnes. Rich. Holden. Mathias Fanmouth.
1. When these were pitched upon. These names were sent to the whole company of the Towne, being p'sent at a Tra"ying. to be ppounded to them, to see if any of these were under any offence amongst them, or any of them.
The Return was in the Neg.
2. These 11. being called before the Counsel, p'sented themselues & being Minded of the greatenes of yf worke, they were now to at- tend aboute, & som other things as referring to their owne spitual comfort and peace, & the hono' of X [Christ] & of ye Gosp. were desired to goe apte, & consider amongst themselues if they could agree aboute a way of their satisfying themselues each in other, as to the goeing on together in that worke & in case of agreem' to
192
APPENDIX.
come to vs, & make report of it, & of the way they had agreed upon.
in case otherwise, to let the counsel vnderstand wherein they dissagreed, & the grounds.
3. Vpon there Returne, they declared they had not agreed, nor were like to agree.
upon wch, much agitation passed that Euening & with som ad- vise, they were left to some further consideration of the matter betweene themselues, and to attend ag" together before the Coun- sel, next morning.
2 Ch. Vpon 11. of 3. 64. In the Morning they came before the counsel ag. & made the same report as before.
After much debate, and advise ag. Giuen vnto them, they being sent out ag. together. Returned to us There agreem' in these follow- ing pticulars.
1. That there be a visible pfession made (by each one vnto ye rest,) of his knowledge in all the fundam'al principles of the Chris- tian Religion nay [necessary ?] to salvation.
2. That each be of an apprued conversation.
3 That Conviction of sin be visible pfessed together with the meanes, and also thro God hath holp the soule vnto a Christ.
4 That all this be heild forth either before the whole Church (by who eu' shall after joyne to the church when once it be gathered) or else before the officer, & those y' the Church shall depute to- gether with ye officer.
5. That none shalbe p'ssed to give this manner of satisfaction be- fore the whole Congregation or Towne who is not hims. willing therevnto, but yt the satisfaction be taken onely before the Church.
These things being thus comfortably agreed vpon, &
The Counsell being by them desired either to take Tryal of them, or to afford there p'sence with them, in there Tryall each of other.
The Counsell upon consideration yt some of them could not stay so long upon it, at p'sent, & y' the worke was of Greate weight, & required deliberation &c. Advised, as followeth, in effect.
I. That these 11 doe set apte a sollemne day to humble them- selues before God, for there former miscarriages, & to entreat his p'sence with them in the greate worke they were aboute.
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APPENDIX.
2. That they together agree aboute the order of pceeding who to come vpo" Tryal by the rest, Ist: & who 24 & so on, to the last man.
3. That they attend the way, thems : had agreed vpon with each one, without ptiality.
4. That upon the day, they agree upon to that worke, they (after seeking of God,) doe goe abt it in the manner as afore s & if they thinke good to send to vs, & the Counsell would then attend them (if God will) at the time, & after yt is finished (as ye L : may helpe vs) give them som further advise as occasion may req. [require ?]
5. yt each one submit hims. to ye satisfaction of ye rest & be will- ing to sit by if ye rest be not satisfied with him.
6. yt in meane time they acquainte themselves familiarly each with other, to see how God may psuade them spits to a mutual closure.
The following petition and depositions are found among the Shattuck Manuscripts of the New England Historic, Gene- alogical Society.
To the Right .Hond' ble the Gory and Councell sitting in Boston
The Petition of Daniell Addams Humbly sheweth that yor Peti- tione' went out as a voluntear : upon the scout from Concord in company with some of Concord and some of Lancaster : and they comeing to Grauton yo' petitione' there killed an Indian : and hath rec'd no wages from the Country for any service that he hath done : notwithstanding he hath beene oute upon the same accot severall times both the Last summer and the Last winter and is now goeing out againe under the Command of Leift Curtis :
Yo' Petitione" therefore humbly requests the favor of your Hono's to consider the premises and to grant him an order to the Treasuro" for his satisfaction according as the Law allows in that case - so shall he be ever engaged to pray &c DANIELL 'ADDAMS
[Endorsed] "The Petition of Daniell Addams 21 Aprill 1676 "
Att Groton the 14th of march 1676 thire was Daniell Adams whoe was uary helpefull to the towne of groton with somo thers of Lankstar and the said Daniell adams did kill one Indan att M' Willards garason Witness JOHN CADYE And SAMUEL WOODS
194
APPENDIX.
we whoe see him fall to the graund and not Rise againe
As witness NICKCOLASS CADYE
Samuell Woodes of Grotten aged aboute forty yers of age witnis that he saw tooe indens standing upon Captine parkers Land at grotten and danill adams shote at tham and one of tham falle doune and the other ran away
17 : day of 2 : month : 1676 : the mark I' of SAMUEL WOODES
Alse Woods aged about forty yeares testifieth & saith ; that at Grooton upon the day that the moste of the towne was burnt by the Indians ; she heard severall say that Daniell Adams had killed an Indian ; and she went vp presently into M' Willards Garritt & saw two Indians stand over a dead Indian about halfe an hour then they carried him away & further saith not
The mark O of ALSE WOODS
The following instrument is recorded in the Middlesex Registry of Deeds at East Cambridge (IX. 27), and appears to have been prompted by the action of the town, taken De- cember 25, 1683, -as given on page 82 of this book. It was certainly to the credit of the early settlers that they recog- nized the right of the Indians to their native land, and were willing to extinguish it by purchase. This action on their part did not make their title to the land any clearer in a court of law, but it established a principle. During this time the impending fate of the Charter of Massachusetts was feared, if not known, and the colonists thought that their landed possessions might be forfeited to the Crown ; and this course, of buying the land from the Indians, might give them a title rivalling that of the King.
By referring to the proceedings at a town meeting held June 8, 1702, as given on page 123 of this book, it will be seen that other persons besides the committee, acting doubt- less on their own responsibility, had acquired nominal rights from the Indians.
Co all people to whom these p'sents shall come greeting know yee Indians to M' John Tom Dublit & his wife & their Eldest son little Grotton Jame ffox, alias Gasumbitt, M' Jacob alias Patatuck all
195
APPENDIX.
of Weymessit & Thomas Waban of Natick all of them Indians & Inhabitants as aforesd and within the Massachusetts Colony in New England for and in consideration of the full & just sum of twenty and eight pound ten shift. to me well and truly payd for 28 - 10 & security given to them according to law by Corporall John Page, Ens : Nathaniel Lawrence & John Parresh all of the Towne of Grotton. wch is to the full satisfaccon & content of the aforesd Indians and thereof and of every part thereof do acquitt, release and discharge ye sd John Page & Nathaniel Lawrence & John Parresh & their heyrs & Admin- istrators for ever by these p'sents. have granted, bargained & sold, aliened enfeoffed & confirmed, & by these p'sents do fully, sell freely clearly and absolutely grant, bargaine & sell, alien,
enfeofe & confirme to the now Inhabitants of the Towne of Grot- ton aforesd and to their heyrs & Associates forever All all that Plan- tation called
& every part of that Tract of land which is called Grot- Groton
ton plantation according to the full Extent of the bounds thereof, on both sides of Nashaway River, as it is granted to them by the honb'e Gen" Court of the Massachusetts Colony Co
have and to hold the aboys" Tract of land with all the priviledges & appurtenances to the same apperteyning or in any wise belonging to them the sª Inhabitants of the Town of Grotton & to their heyrs & Associates forever & to their & their only propper use and behoofe And they the sd M' John Tom Dublitt & his wife and their son the Eldest of them, little James ffox & Jacob Pataatuck & Thomas Waaban for themselvs, their heyrs & Adminis- trators do covenant, promise & grant to and with the aforesd John Page, Nathaniel Lawrence & John Parresh (as Trustees for & in be- halfe of the whole Inhabitants of the aforesd Towne of Grotton) & with their heyrs & Assigns forever, that they the sd M' John Tom Dublitt & his wife & their Eldest son & little James ffox, alias Gasumbitt & Jacob Patatuck & Thomas Waaban & each of them are the true and propper heyrs of the abouesd Tract of land as to all manner of Indian Title, that either is or may conceived to be. And that they have good right, full powr & lawfull Authority the p'mises to grant, bargaine & confirme to them the s4 Inhabitants of Grotton & to their heyrs, Associates & Assigns forever. And that they the sª Inhabitants of the Town of Grotton their heyrs Associ- ates & Assigns forever shall and may at all times & from time to time forever hereafter quietly and peaceably have, hold, occupy, possess & enjoy the s" whole Tract of land or plantation with all
habendum
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APPENDIX.
the priviledges, profitts & commodityes of the same without the law- full lett, hindrance, Eviction expulsion, sute, molestation or denyall of them the sd M' John Tom Dublitt & his wife & their Eldest son little James ffox, Jacob alias Patatuck & Thomas Waaban their heyrs or Executors, Administrators or Assigns of them or of either of them or of any other person or persons whatsoever whither In- dian or English claiming or having any right, title or Interest therein or thereunto by from or under them or either of them (as to Indian Title of land) or by any other lawfull ways or means what- soever.
In witness whereof, the sd M' John Indian & Tom Dublitt and his wife & their Eldest son little James ffox, Jacob alias Patatuck
& Thomas Waaban have affixed their hands & seals roth Janur 16$3 hereunto this tenth day of January, In the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred eighty & three, four, and in the thirty and five year of ye reigne of our sovereigne Lord King Charls the second
Read, signd, sealed & deliverd in ye presence of us
THO : HINCHMAN JOHN FFISKE
JONATH. DANFORTH Sen'
JAMES BROWN
JAMES RUMBLY MARSH CAPT C TOM his marke
his mark & seale + MR JOHN and seale TOM O DUBLITT bis mark and seale his E wife her mark & seale
LITTLE 2 JAMES his mark & seale
JACOB 8 PATATUCK his mark & seale THOMAS WARAN & seale
TOM S DUBLITTS SON & seale mark
Pompequoout, alias M' John, Thomas Neepamimp alias Dublitt & Sarah his wife. Pasumbitt, alias little James fox & Petatook alias Jacob Indians of Weymeset & Thomas Waban Indian of Natick, acknowledged the within written Instrument to be their Act & Deed
Jan. 11. 16834
Before PET: BULKELEY Assist.
Recorded. 17. 3. 1684
by THO : DANFORTH. R.
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APPENDIX.
The remaining documents in this Appendix are found among the Shattuck Manuscripts.
GROTON, July : 16. 1689
To the honred Gouner and councell and Representiues: thes Lins shew the Request of your humbell sarunts the in babtants of the towne of groton and ouer presant unsetled and almost des- tracted conditon ; we mack bold to troubell you once more ; crauing youer aduice and asistanc if it may be obtained that we may go on with ouer bisnes ; to gat in our haruest and do other nessary worke : the barer heare of James Knop and James Parker Jun' are fuly abell to aquaint the honred councell ouer conditon boath in miletary & other cases ; in the towne ; ouer ofesers are by the new choice James Parker sener cap® Jonas Prescot Lef John Lacken ensin. # order of the towne of groton JOSIAH PARKER, Clark
July. 17. 1689. The Commission offic's nominated as above are allowed & confirmed by ye Gov' & Counsell. and they do order Cap Prout to deliver unto James Knop and James Parker for ye use of sª Town forty pounds of powder and one hundred weight of Lead taking their bill to repay it again into ye stoar in some Con- venient time. & do also appoynt ye Major of ye Low! Regim of y Comd to order y^ Impressing of ten soldiers in a meet proportiõ out of ye seu'all companyes under his comand. to be sent as soone as may be for their releife.
By order of ye Gov' & Councill
ISA ADDINGTON, Sec"y.
[Endorsed] Groton military Officers.
Past. 17º July. 89.
To his Excellency S' William Phips Knight Cap" Generall and Gor- ernour in chiefe of their Majetes Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, and Hond Council and Representatives thereof now assembled in Generall Court sitting att Boston ffebruary 232 1692
The petition of John Paige of Groton for himself and in behalf of his son John Paige who was a souldier under the command of
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APPENDIX.
Major Wade in the Late Expedition to Canada against ye confiou enemy
Humbly Sheweth That yo' Petitio's son the sd John Paige att Canada received a Previous wound in his left arine, of which after his returne home he lay lame und' the Chyrurgeons hand for the Space of Twelve months and upwards, before he gatt cure, and ater he gatt cure was a twelve month more before he could doo or performe any reasonable bodily Labour to procure himself a Lively hood.
That yo' petition's sons cure came to Seaven pounds wch yor Peti- tio" undertooke the payment of to the Chyrurgeon, and of which he hath only recd from the country thirty shillings, wch was soe much allowd and ordered by the Comittee formerly appointed to Inspect ye affaires of Canada wounded men, his Son being att that time under cure, but not cured till a very Considerable time aft" and soe had said thirty shillings allowed him for payment of ye Chyrur- geon for what he had done to that time.
Now Forasmuch as yo' Petitio' hath formerly made Applycation to yo' Exly and. this hond Court referring to ye premisses Butt nothing hither haveing therein been done, yett hopes you will not deale by his son worse than by others of ye wounded men.
Yo' Petitio' Therefore for himself and in behalf of his said son humbly Entreats yo' Excly and this hon'd Court to take ye premisses into consideracoñ. and that you will please to allow and order unto yo' petition' the remainder of sd moneys for the cure of his son, as also that you will please to allow unto his son Such compensation for the loss of his time and for payment of his Dyatt during the continuance of his aforesd lameness. as to yo' wisdoms shall seeme most meet & requisite.
And yo' Petition' as ist duty bound Shall ever pray JOHN PAIGE
This may certifie that John Paige Sone of the petition' was under the hands of me Jonathan Prescott Chyrurgeon above a twelve months time, and that his cure pformed by me came to seaven pounds
JONATHAN PRESCOTT
voted that John Page Jun" son of the Petition' shall for the payment of the Chirurgion and Dyet Dureng the time of his Cure Receive
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APPENDIX.
out of the publicque treasury of this province Twelve pounds de- ducting out of sd suffie what he has all ready Reced : passed in the Affirmative by the House Re. NATH : BYFIELD Speaker
[Endorsed] John Paige of Groton his petition 1693 27 febr Vot4 in Council £. 12. to be pe deducting &c.
To the honourable his Majesties Justices of the Court of General Ses- sions of the Peace To be holden at Charlestown within and for y County of Middlesex on the Second Tuseday of March 1717/18
Whereas we the Subscribers Selectmen of Groton have been In- formed that ye Town of Groton hath been Presented by ye Grand Jury for want of a School Master which was to have been ans- wered ye Last Court but the Presentment aforesd being vari- ously Construed it was at Length ordered that ye Selectmen of Groton should be apprized thereof & Certify this Court how many families there is in our Town Now these are to Certify & Informe Your honours that there is not one hundred families which are Ratable or able To Contribute anything to ye Publick & we pre- sume the Grand Jury Niver Intended a Grammer Schoole by said Presentment. And Ever Since Said Court in December Last we have been Provided with a Schoole Master To Teach Children To read & Wright as the Law in this Case provides & Directs. Which Premises being Considered we hope Groton Will be Discharged from said Presentment. We have also appointed M' John Ames to present this to your honours To whom you may Give Credit
from yo! honours Humble Serv's
SIMON STONE JOHN SHEPLE
Selectmen of
S Groton.
JONATHAN BOIDEN RICHARD WARNER JOSEPII LAKIN
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APPENDIX.
FIRST PARISH MEETINGHOUSE, GROTON.
T HIS cut was taken from a drawing made in the year 1838, by John W. Barber, and originally appeared in his Historical Collections of Massachusetts. It represents the First Parish Meetinghouse before it was remodelled in the year 1839, at which time it was partially turned round, and the north end made the front, facing the west. The Academy building, on the right of the meetinghouse, was enlarged in the autumn of 1846, and subsequently burned July 4, 1868. The fence was built around the Common in front of the meetinghouse, in the au- tumn of 1842, the last post being placed at the north-west cor- ner on October 3 of that year. The trees within the enclosure were set out about the same time, excepting the row of elms on Main Street, which were transplanted in the year 1828.
The original sketch of this view and the engraving are now in the possession of Bradford Kingman, Esq., of Brookline, Mas- sachusetts, to whom I am indebted for the use of the cut.
INDEX.
PAGE
NAMES OF THE ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS
55, 56
NAMES OF THE EARLY SETTLERS
70
NAMES OF THE TOWN CLERKS
132
APPENDIX
187
NOTICES OF TOWN CLERKS.
PAGE
PAGE
JAMES BLANCHARD 114, 115, 116
JONATHAN MORSE 71
RICHARD BLOOD
24
JOHN PAGE 24
JAMES FISKE
12
JAMES PARKER
JOSEPH LAKIN 128
JOSIAH PARKER
54, 55 93
SAMUEL LAWRENCE 5
JONAS PRESCOTT
103, 115
WILLIAM LONGLEY 15,96
RICHARD SAWTELL
6
WILLIAM LONGLEY, JR. 106, 113
THOMAS TARBELL .
124. 125
,
JOHN MORSE 27,57
NAMES OF PERSONS HOLDING LAND-GRANTS.
PAGE
PAGE
TIMOTHY ALLEN 174
DANIEL METUP 146
ELLIS BARRON
165
JOHN MORSE 172
JOHN BARRON
185
JONATHAN MORSE . 170
NICHOLAS CADY
168
JOSEPH MORSE 177
CORNELIUS CHURCH 182
JACOB ONGE 178
SAMUEL CHURCH
183
JOHN PAGE 148
JOHN COLLES 183
ABRAHAM PARKER 171
JONATHAN CRISP 152
JAMES PARKER 153
WILLIAM ELLUEE 169
JOSEPHI PARKER
146
JOHN FARNSWORTH 182
DANIEL PEARSE 167
MATTHIAS FARNSWORTH 178
RALPH REED
1 59
JAMES FISKE
JAMES ROBERTS 160
CHRISTOPHER HALL
144
ALEXANDER ROUSE
184
GERSHOM HOBART 179
ZACHARY SAWTELL
171
JUSTINIAN HOLDEN 173
WALTER SKINNER 143
NICHOLAS HUTCHINS 183
SIMON STONE 174
JAMES KNAPP 164
THOMAS TARBELL 150
JOSEPH LAWRENCE 172
THOMAS TARBELL, JR. 176
PELEG LAWRENCE
183
SAMUEL WILLARD I So
WILLIAM MARTIN
175
SAMUEL WOODS
167, 185
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