USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Lancaster > The early records of Lancaster, Massachusetts. 1643-1725 > Part 13
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 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
Daniel Hudson, a brickmaker and bricklayer from Watertown, was admitted an inhabitant in 1664. When he made his will two years before his death, he was in pos- session of two house lots of twenty acres each, namely : the John Moore lot and Gibson's Hill, which last he pur- chased in 1670 of Major Simon Willard. In short, he owned the upland from the Rowlandson Garrison site to Mrs. Ware's corner, The exact position of his house is
----
135
MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725.
not discovered. He had at least five sons and five daugh- ters, and those surviving signed an agreement December 2d, 1697. from which are transcribed these provisions :
For our sisters' wearing clothes We mutualy agree to leave them undi- vided at present . . . . hoping that one of them namely : either Johanah or Ellizabeth may be yet alive : . . . also in case that either of our said sisters shall by God's goodnes be againe Reduced from Captivity, that then we do farther oblige ourselves as aforesaid to allow & pay unto either of them that so Returne her portion doubly.
John Skeath, "a cordwainer from Boston," married Sarah the daughter of Lawrence Waters. As he, in connection with his brother-in-law, Stepben Waters, owned lands in Lancaster, it seems not improbable that the victim recorded as John Scate, may have been his son John, born in 1659.
Mrs. Hannah Rugg had been widowed less than a year, and Joseph perhaps lived with his mother upon the John Rugg home lot which bordered the south side of the road that climbs George Hill, forty rods north of the school- house. The captive girl, Hannah, had not returned fifteen years later.
Jonathan Fairbanks was a son of that Jonas who was slain in the massacre of 1676, and dwelt somewhere near the southerly end of the George Hill range. From his inventory he seems to have been a blacksmith. Two chil- dren, the oldest and youngest, escaped capture. The two slain were under eight years of age. If the evidence of a gravestone in the old burial ground may be accepted, the boy Jonas lived four days after the Indian raid.
Ephraim Roper was the same who escaped from the Rowlandson garrison in the massacre of 1676, and was son of John Roper, killed that year. ITe was about fifty- three years of age, and had served as a soldier under Cap- tain Turner in Philip's war. Hannah was his second wife, and widow of Stephen Goble, hanged for murder in 1676. His house was garrisoned, situated on the George Ilill road a little west of the school-house, and probably on the north
136
ANNALS OF LANCASTER,
side of the way. An item in the bill of the administrator, Nathaniel Wilder, against Ephraim Roper's estate, was for the fee "pd to Jonathan Prescott for curing one of ye Daughters of y" said Dec" of a wound Received by y" Indians 7hr, 97," but whether this was Ruth, aged 16, or Bathsheba, the younger, is not intimated.
CASCOE BAY, yº 17 January 169819
The names of the Captiues Recd aboard the Province Gally from the Indians.
Mary ffarbankes of Lancaster Mary Glasser of Lancaster . The names of the Captiues yett in the Indians hands. Ephraim Ropper of Lancaster Gon to Allbanie. Hannah Rugg of Lancaster Gon to Allbanie. . [Massachusetts Archives, LXX, 398.]
To the Homble The It. Govr. Council and house of representatives in Gen !! Court assembled this 5th of June 1701.
The Petition of Capt". Thomas Brown humbly Shew" That yo' Pet. in the Month of Sept. 1697 when the Indians alarmed the Towne of Lancas- ter, was commanded by Maj: Tyng with a Company of Solders to pursue them, and in that pursuit and Expedition lost a very good horse of about Tenn pounds value and never yet had any satisfaction for the same. Yor Pet; hopes yor hon's will consider the premises, and recompence yo" pet, by allowing him the value of his loss, purely sustain" in the Countreys service, or wt othr compensation yor hon's shall see meet ;
[Massachusetts Archives, LXX, 327.] 1697. To the Rt. Honrable the Lieut Gour the Honed Councill & Repre- sentatives Convened in Genrall AAssembly at Boston October 13 1697
The Humble Petition of John Houghton in behalfe of the Inhabitants of the Towne of Lancaster Humbly Sheweth That florasmuch as the Righteous God hath permited the heathen Indian Enemyes to kill and de- stroy many of our people in a cruell & barbarous maner both formerly and lately to the great terror & amazement of those that survive & to our great Loss & Damage & especially in having our minister taken away by such a awfull stroke, we greatly feare we shall not prevaile with any to com & setle with us in the work of the ministrey because of the present troubles & also we being left few in number & brought very low by the long con- tinned troubles, all which is Ready to cause us to dispaire of any Longer Continuance in said Towne except we may have som encouragement & Relieffe. Which moveth yor petition' Humbly to Request your hon's to
-
I37
MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725.
consider our distressed condition & that our part of the tax last granted may be Remitted there being so many of the persons on whome it was levied & their estates destroyed & that we may be freed from paying taxes Whilest we Remaine under soch troubles, & that if we may be priited through Gods goodnes to continue there for the future we pray that we may have your hon's advise & help in the procuring & setlement of a min- ister, without which we cannot at present of ourselves do it, & that we may be supported with souldiers, for we are no longr able of ourselves to beare up under such a Wasting, & desolating War, all which being by your Honn considered, it is hoped you will se meet to grant our Request as above which will greatly encourage said Inhabitants & yor petition' as in duty bound shall pray &os
JOHN HOUGHTON.
[Endorsed.] In ye House of Representatives, Oct : 19: 1697 Recd. Read ye 26" Oct. 97. In ye house of Representatives Voted. That for encouraging & enabling ye said Towne to get a Minister: yt there be Twenty pounds payd out of ye publick Treasury of this prouince to ye minister y' shall be procured to live there for y" first year.
Sent up for Concurrance PENN TOWNSEND Speaker
In Council. 26" Oct. 1697, Voted a concurrance ISA ADDINGTON Secy
[Massachusetts Archives, XT, 125.]
1699. . Dec 12. Josiah Whitcomb on behalfe of Lancaster Informed the Court that they are provided with sufficient pound & stocks and weights and measures for which they stand pr'sented for ye want of; the Court accepting of his Information they are dismist he paying fees of Court. [Middlesex Court Records.]
In a note to "A Century Sermon," Reverend Timothy Harrington gives the names of three ministers who were temporarily in Lancaster between 1697 and 1701. They were : John Robinson, afterwards minister in Duxbury, 1702-1739, graduated at Harvard, 1695 ; Samuel Whitman graduated at Harvard, 1696, and a Mr. Jones. Harring- ton says : "Mr. Jones was invited to settle, but difficulties arising. his Ordination was prevented, and he removed." Joseph Willard, Esq., suggests that this may have been John Jones, graduated at Harvard, 1690. If so. he was never ordained elsewhere. Harrington adds : "In May 1701, Mr. Andrew Gardner was invited to preach, and in September following was invited to settle in the Ministry."
I38
ANNALS OF LANCASTER,
The following gives evidence that Mr. Gardner was at once placed in possession of his predecessor's house and lands :
March 218: 1701, Alice Whiting, "widow & Relict to the Reverend Mr John Whiting late minister of the Gospell at y" Town of Lancaster." in consideration of sixty pounds in money paid, sold to ---
Thomas Sawyer Juner and John Houghton Sent and to all and every the rest of the Inhabitants of said Lancaster . . . . my Dwelling house at said Lancaster with ten acres of upland adjoining to it lying on the west side of the River neer to sd Thomas Sawyers house and bounded northerly and southerly by two highwayes and westerly it comes to be nar- row neer to a point and easterly it is bounded by a little common upland that lyeth betwixt it and som medow of Thomas Sawyer Sent . . . . also about six acres of Interval Land more or less which said Inhabitants formerly purchased of Lieut. Jonathan Prescott: and is bounded by said Sawyers medow west, Sam" Prescotts Land north, the highway south, and at the eastward end it comes near to a point. All which house and land were formerly given by said Inhabitants of Lancaster to ye late reverend Mr John Whiting some time Pastor of y' Church of Christ there.
[Middlesex Registry.]
THE ADDITIONAL, GRANT.
1702, Nov. 6. A Petition of the Town of Lancaster, Praying Liberty to purchase of George Tahanto, Indian Sagamore, a Certain Tract of Land lying adjoining to the West end of sd Township betwixt that, and Wachusets Hills was sent up from the Representatives with the orders of that House in answer to the Same, That a committee be appointed by this Court to go upon and take a view of the Land petitioned for and to make their report to the next session of this Court. The Petitioners to defray the Charge of the said Committee. Which Petition and Order being read at the Board the said Order was Concurred with : and Collo. Tyng Major Thos Browne and Capt James Minott, with such others as the Representatives shall think fit to Name were appointed by this Board to be a Committee for the affair afforesaid.
[Massachusetts Records.]
The land thus petitioned for, had been bought and bond- ed more than a year before. The original petition has not been found. A copy of the Bond made by John Houghton is among the papers of Joseph Willard, Esq.
Know all men by these presents, that I, George Tahanto, Indian Sag- amore, for and in consideration of what money, namely, twelve pounds,
-
139
MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725.
was formerly paid to Sholan, my uncle, sometime sagamore of Nashuah, for the purchase of said township, and also forty six shillings formerly paid by Insigne John Moore and John Houghton of said Nashuah to James Wiser, alias Quenepenett, now deceased, but especially for and in consideration of eighteen pounds paid part, and the rest secured to be paid. by John Houghton and Nathaniel Wilder, their heirs, executors and assigns forever, a certain tract of land on the west side of the westward line of Nashuah township, adjoining to said line, and butts southerly for the most part on Nashuah river, bearing westerly towards Wachusett Hills, and runs northerly as far as Nashuah township, and which lands and meadows, be it more or less, to be to the said Insigne John Moore, John Houghton, and Nathaniel Wilder their heirs and assigns, to have and to hold forever. And I the said George Tahanto, do hereby promise and engage to procure an order from the honored General Court, for their allowance and confirmation of the sale of said lands as aforesaid, and also that I will show and mark out the bounds of said land in convenient time. not exceeding four months, and also to make such deeds and conveyances, as may be necessary for the confirmation of the premises, and that also I the said George Tahanto do by these presents fully ratify and confirm, all & every, the said township of Nashuah alias Lancaster to the inhabitants and proprictors thereof according as it was formerly granted to them or their ancestors by my uncle Sholan, and laid out to them by Ensign Thomas Noyes, and confirmed by the Hon. Gen- tral Court. For the performance of all the abovesaid, I, the said George Tahanto, have set my hand and seal. this twenty sixth day of June, in the 13th year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, William the Third over England, &c. King, Anno Domini, 1701.
i
GEORGE TAHANTO his 0 mark MARY AUNSOCAUMG her ) mark Signed and sealed in presence of JOHNWONSQUON his ) mark JOHN AQUITTICUS his | mark PETER PUCKATAUGH his P mark
. JONATHAN WILDER JOHN GUILD.
No action seems to have been taken by this committee, or by the general court until I711, and the bounds of the grant were finally settled in 1721, under which dates fur- ther records will be found.
LANCASTER DURING QUEEN ANNE'S WAR. 1701-1713.
1703. To his Excelley : Joseph Dudley Esqr : Capt : General and Governor in Chief in and over the Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New " England and Vice Admiral of the same. The Honoble: her Majties : Council of the si Province, and To the Houle House of Representa- tives convened in General Assembly for the sit Province.
The Humble Petition of several of the ffreeholders Proprietors & In- habitants of Lancaster within the sd Province, whose names are hereunto subscribed, Sheweth-That in or about the year 1653, The Inhabitants of the sd Town did agree amongst themselves to pay to and for the Use of the Minister of the sd Town the sum of Ten shillings a year in consider- ation of their home Lotts, and if that should fall short of a maintenance, then to make up the same by an equal Rate upon their Goods and other Improved Lands in such way and order as the Country rate was raised. Which way and method was equal so long as the Inhabitants of the sd Town continued upon their home Lotts. But now so it is may it please yor Excelles : and Honors : That several of the sd Inhabitants are re- moved from their home Lotts (which are left destitute & unimproved, & thereby disenabled to pay any rate att all) to their second Division of Lotts which pay no Rates, and the charge of the Maintenance of the sd Minister wholly falls upon yor Petitioners to their great wrong & damage. and if not timely remedied by yo" Excelle : & honr : will be a standing & intolerable inconvenience & matter of Division in theyr Town, for that they are not able to bear the Charge thereof. And for as much as the sd Town had never any settlement made by Law, but such an agreement as above sd which is neither binding nor equal and whereas sd Town cannot agree among themselves how to raise their ministers sallary, yor Petition- ers Therefore humbly pray That yor Excelly : & Honors will be pleased to take the Premises into yor serious Consideration : and settle the mainte- nauce of the minister of the sd Town in such methods & ways as to yor Excell 3 : and Honors, shall in yo" great wisdom seem to be most equal
F
14!
MASSACHUSETTS, 1643-1725.
just & Right & which may be binding upon them & their posterity for ever, and yor Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray &tra
BENJAMIN BELLOWS
NATHANIEL SAWYER
JOHN JOHNSON
JOSEPH WHELOCK
JOSEPH GLAZEAR
JOHN GLAZIER
SINON STERVENS
GEORGE GLAZIER
NATHANIEL WILDER
THOMAS ROSSE
PETER JOSLIN
SAMUEL. PRESCOTT
JOSIAH WHITE
EPHRAIM WILDER
SAMUELL BENNETT
NATHANIEL HUDSON
WILLIAM DIVOLL -
SAMUEL CARTER
JONATHAN WHITCOMB
DANIEL RUGE
CYPRIAN STEEVENS
[Endorsed.] In the House of Representatives, June 21 1703. Re- solved, That inasmuch, as the Inhabitants of the Town of Lancaster within mentioned were driven out by the Enemy, and the Place wholly Deserted : Their former Agreement for the maintenance of their Minister is now null and void, and they ought to Proceed to Levy their ministers Rate upon their Inhabitants in equall Proportion as the Law Directs. Sent up tor concurrence. JAMES CONVERSE Speaker.
die predict, In Council Read and past a concurrance ISA ADDINGTON Secty. In the House of Representatives. Sept: 7. 1703.
Upon the Reading and Considering of the Petition on the other side, ordered, That the ministers salary in the Town of Lancaster be Levyed, and Collected of the severali Inhabitants by the same Rules, and in the same Proportions with the Province Tax; for this present yeare.
Sent up for concurrence. JAMES CONVERSE Speaker.
[ Massachusetts Archives, XI, 183-4.]
The foregoing petition marks the beginning of an im- portant change in the growth of the town. In days of peace the movement of increase had been steadily west- ward. and even the bloody lesson of the massacre of 1676 had not availed to disturb the centre of population materi- ally : though a few families collected along the sunny side of the Wataquadock range, and on the hills east of Still River. But cach succeeding Indian raid emphasized more strongly the fact, that, in a military point of view, George Hill was a very unsafe position. A retrograde movement along the eastern highways took place, and, clustering
142
ANNALS OF LANCASTER,
about central garrisons, fast growing families shaped the little villages that in a generation or two were to be excised from the original grant as the townships of Harvard, Bol- ton and Berlin.
1703. To his Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq. Capt. Generall & Governour In Chiefe Sec tra: the Honrable Council & Representatives of her Majsties Province of Massachusetts Bay In New England Convened in Generall Assembley the thirteenth Day of August 1707.
The Petetion of Joseph Wilder of Lancaster Humbly Sheweth, That yor Petetioner In ye yeare 1703 being ordered by Capt Benjamin Willard to Provide twenty paire of good Snow Shoose for y" use of his souldiers which Accordingly was nineteen paire of them provided, four of which Coll Jonathan Tyng sent for & had them for ye expedition to Wenepissi- ockett : the others were Delivered by said Capt Willards order to his men & used by them In Scouting about ye frontiers. Your Petetioner Disburst Considerable of his owne money towards the procuring of these, to ye per- sons that made them, & is threatened to be sued for ye Remainder, & In case he should, must unavoidably pay it, which will be apparent wrong. Your Petetioner expected that Coll Tyng would have Taken care they should Long care now have been paid for, but hitherto never Received one peney. If Coll Tyng ever Received any pay for ye foure paire first delivered yet nothing hath been allowed to them that made them, but what your Petetioner disburst as abovesaid, which is greatly to theire wrong & Damage & if not in a short time Remedied Will proove a Greiv- ance. Your Petetion' therefore Humbly Prayes that your Excellency & Hon's would consider ye Premisses & order that your Petetion' may be paid out of the Publique Tresury what is Justly Due for said Snow Shoose which at foure shillings a paire as was then alowed amounts to ye sum of foure pound fifteene shillings that so ye persons concerned may be paid without further Trouble or delay, And your Petetioner as In Duty Bound Shall ever Pray &c trs :
JOSEPH WILDER.
In the House of Representatives
Nov : 4: 1707. Read & Comitted. 25 Read & Resolved That the sum of four Pounds and fifteen shillings be allowed & Paid out of the pablick Treasury to Joseph Wilder the Petitioner in full for the snow shoes above mentioned. Sent up for concurrence.
JOHN BURRELL Speaker
Nov: 26. 1707.
In Council Read & Concurrd
ISA ADDINGTON Secry.
-
143
MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725.
LANCASTER 7th Dcem 1703.
To Sargent Joseph Wilder. You are here by ordered by vertu of an order to me from his exell to teake care of ye solders now under my com- and in Lancaster and upon eny amurjences that eny towne be detrod by ye enemy you murst command all under my command in groton and per- sew after them according to your best understanding and keepe our solders in good order til further order from me or other of your Seupeirior ofesers. Your friend. BENIA WILLARD Capt.
and further you are here by ordered to prouide forthwith twenty pair of snow shoes. fail not.
Your friend
BENIA WILLARD Capt. ROXBURY. 24. Nov. 1707.
The above order was presentd to mee this day, and I do allow it to be in persuance of my orders to Captain Willard at the time.
J. DUDLEY.
[ Massachusetts Archives, LXXI, 378,1
Pursuant to coffiand from his Excellency bearing date April 15: 1704 for the Settleing of Garrisons in y: Towne of Lancaster & ordering men to ye Same, Wee the subscribers do hereby Direct & Comand you y? In- habitants of s1: Lancaster to Repaire to you! Severall Garrisons according to appointment as followeth & Attend you' Duties therein. Dat. 20th April 1704.
on ye east side of ye River ) Jolin Moore & Jonathan
Moore
Allowed a Garrison ye said pisons
John Moore Commander 1 2
Jonathan Moore
I
Wille Sawyer
I
Joseph Sawyer
Josiah Wheeler I
John Hinds 2
James Keyes I- 9
Bare Hill
John Priest Sent 2
John Priest Ju! I
Jolin Warner 3
Caleb Sawyer 2
James Atherton Se
I
James Atherton Ju! I-10
Simon Willard & Benjamin
Bellows allowed a Garrison
said Simon Willard Coffiand:
Benjamin Bellows
I
John Willard
Joshua Atherton
I
Henry Willard
James Houghton 3
Joseph Hutchins I
Jacob Houghton
Joseph Waters
Hezekiah Willard
I -- 12
Josiah Whetcomb sent allowed a
Garrison himselfe Comander 2
Josiah Whetcomb Ju" I
David Whetcomb 7
Hezekiah Whetcomb I
Henry Houghton I
Joho Wilder Ju' 8 James Smith
[Endorsed.]
I44
ANNALS OF LANCASTER,
Capt Thomas Wilder & John
Houghton sent. allowed a Gar ..
rison Cap: Wilder Comand --- 3
John Houghton S"
Thomas Sawyer Comander -- 3 M: Gardner 1
Jonas Houghton
Robert Houghton
7
.- John Rugg
John Harriss
Thos : Wilder
Daniell Kugg
Beatrix Pope Widow
Sam" Prescott
I- 9
John Houghton je
I
Joseph Houghton 1-15
Gamaliell Beaman 2
at y" Corne Mill
John Beaman sen!
I
James Snow S' 2
James Snow Ju" I
Jeremiah Willson
I
James Buttler
8
Ebenezer Prescott 1- 4
on ye West Side Penicook River Called y" Neck Serg' Josiah White a Garrison p'sons
Himselfe Comander 3
Joseph Wheelock
I
John Glazier
George Glazier I
Joseph Glazier
1- 7
Ensigne Peter Josllin a Garison
himselfe Comander
I
Wille Divoll
I
John Beaman Ju'
Ī
John Johnson
I
Cyprian Steevens
Simon Steevens I
Sam" Bennitt
Jonathan Whetcomb
JONATHAN TYNG. THO: BROWNE. JOHN LANE.
George Hervey I- 9
JERAPMEL BOWERS.
John Prescott Sen! I
John Prescott Ju! 1
John Keyes I
Leu: Nath" Wilder a Garison
himselfe Comander 3
Sam" Carter
Ephraim Wilder 1 Thomas Ross
John Carter 1- 7
[Copy of a document in possession of Dr. John S. H. Fogg of South Boston.]
The locations of these garrisons can be fixed approxi- mately only, by the known residences of the householders belonging to them,
on je west side Nashuway River M :. Andrew Gardner & Thomas Sawyer Jut a Garison
John Wilder j'
Jabez Fairbank Nath. Sawyer 1
145
MASSACHUSETTS. 1643-1725.
I. Those in John Moore's garrison lived on the Marl- borough road in the southeast part of Bolton, near the district now called Fryville. The graves of the brothers John and Jonathan Moore are in the burial ground on the old road to Hudson.
2. Those composing the Whitcomb garrison lived also in Bolton, toward the northeast corner. Families descend- ed from them resided there until recently.
3. The Priest garrison was at the easterly side of Bare Hill in Harvard.
4. The Josiah White garrison was upon the east side of the Neck, where Edward Houghton now lives.
5. Those belonging to Peter Joslin's garrison lived along the highway from the Sprague Bridge to the North Village. "Hervey" is an error for Hewes.
6. Those forming the Simon Willard garrison dwelt along the road through Still River village.
7. Capt. Thomas Wilder's garrison was on the Old Common north of the highway, and, according to Joseph Willard, Esquire, about twenty rods in rear of the house known as the Dr. David Steuart Robertson place.
8. The six men whose names are headed by that of Gamaliell Beman, had homes upon the east slope of Wata- quadock Hill. In the descriptions of their lands frequent mention is made of "the cold spring" and "the hill where Simon Pipo had a planting field."
9. Reverend Andrew Gardner lived by the well a few rods westerly from the house of the late Colonel Francis B. Fay : Samuel Prescott, across the road south ; Thomas Sawyer, where his venerable descendant, Mrs. Sally Case, resides : Nathaniel Sawyer and Jabez Fairbank, half a mile westerly in the Deer's Horns neighborhood.
TO. The Prescott garrison site is in Clinton, southeast of and very near the crossing of High and Water streets.
10
1
146
ANNALS OF LANCASTER,
JJ. Lieutenant Nathaniel Wilder's home was upon the slope of George Hill, next his father's home lot. His brother Ephraim lived near, and his brother-in-law, Sam- uel Carter, on the farm now owned by Frank D. Taylor. Thomas Ross lived half a mile north on the first lot of John Smith.
July 30 1704, Sab. morning or Monday morning Indians invaded Lan- caster Killed 2 or 3 persons burnt ye Meeting house and some other houses. [Journal of Reverend John Pike.]
This assault was made Monday, July 3Ist, very early in the morning. The casualties were : Lieutenant Nathaniel Wilder, mortally wounded near his own garrison ; he died the same day. Abraham How, Benjamin Hutchins and John Spalding, killed. The last was one of Captain Tyng's soldiers ; How and Hutchins were Marlborough men.
On Monday morning past, the enemy French and Indians. fell upon Lancaster, about four hundred of them, assaulted six garrisons at once, where the people defended themselves very well, until assistance came in from all parts, by the governors order, so that in the evening there were three hundred men in the town. And the enemy was beaten off with loss, . but are yet hovering on the head of those towns, to make some further impression, if not prevented.
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.