USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Charlestown > The history of Charlestown, Massachusetts > Part 6
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Mrs. Kempthorne,
10
13
Thomas Mousall,
32
John Mansfeild.
5
1
Ten Families, .
220
383
Widow Cole,
5
I
George Buncker,
52
9
Matthew Griffin,
14
23
Widow Amy Stowers,
12
2
Henry Salter,
7
1
Ten Families, .
233
40%
Richard Kettle,
26
3
William Bieknor,
13
2
Giles Fiffeild,
15
23
John Burrage,
25
43
John Scott,
19
3
Captain Francis Norton,
89
153
Ten Families, .
215
363
Edward Johnson,
22
4
Tho. Welsh,
30
5
Henery Harbert,
39
63
Mr. Thomas Shepheard,
42
73
John Lawrence,
14
23
James Peckar,
12
2
Ten Families,
339
593
William Goose,
5
1
7
1}
William Stitson,
54
93
Benjamine Switzer. .
20
2
George Blancheer,
26
4}
Ten Families,
234
41
.
37
63
Thomas Starr, ·
26
43
Thomas Adams,
·
10
1
Samuell Carter,
.
45
S
Peeter Nash,
8
13
Josuah Edmonds,
37
63
Widow Cartar,
13
4
Sollomon Phips,
51
9
William Johnson,
27
44
Widow Streeters Hous,
4
1
Sargt Cutters hous, .
10
13
Faithfull Rous, .
32
53
Mr. Nicholas Davison and farme
81
15
James Cary,
19
31
John Blancheer,
·
37
6
Richard Templar,
17
3
John Drinker,
19
3
Thomas Gould,
54
·
Robert Leach,
17
3
Samuell Blancheer, .
14
24
William Foster,
29
5
John March,
25
43
Natha : Smith's hous,
4
1
James Heyden,
.
19
3
Hadloks Hous, .
4
1
Daniel Edmonds,
26
43
Roger Spencer,
91
16
Mr. Richard Russell,
Isaak Cole,
10
2
Phillips' Estate,
.
20
John Phillips,
15
23
Thomas Brigden, Junior,
16
.
·
in
154
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
Wood
in
¡Acres.
Com-
mons.
[Wood
in
Acres.
Com-
mons.
John Harris,
15
23
Miles Nutt,
12
2
Aaron Ludkin,
10
14
Mathew Smith,
11
2
John Smith,
24
45
George Fowle,
59
10
Walther Allen,
34
5
Abraham Smith,
18
3
John Pentecost,
25
43
Richard Stowers,
32
53
Abram Bell, .
16
3
Joseph Slower,
4
1
Five Families, .
132
22}
Benjamine Lathrop,
16
3
John Dudly,
14
23
Richard Lowden,
36
6
Ten Families, .
194
333
Richard Austin,
7
1 33
Steeven Fosdike,
25
42
John Gould,
52
9
Deacon Robert Hale,
39
7
Mrs. Coytmore & hous,
28
5
Jonathan Wads's hous,
11
2
Mr. Morly,
20
3.4
John Martin,
10
2
Matthew Smith,
6
1
Thomas Jones, butcher,
32
53
Edward Wyer,
4
1
Ten Families,
263
453
Daniel King, .
4
1
William Syms,
41
7
John Foskit,
4
1
Thomas Filleborne, .
7
J
John Hamblton,
4
1
Widow Joana Larkin,
12
2
James Grant, .
4
1
Walter Edmonds,
39
7
James Davis,
4
1
Thomas Jenner,
9
14
lsaac Cole, Jun'r.,
4
1
Mr. Thomas Allen's,
14
23
Woory's hous,
4
1
Elder Greene,
28
5
John Trumble's hous,
4
1
Thomas Orto n,
20
3.3
Abram Jaquith's Hous,
4
1
John Cutler,
25
Daniel Shepherdson's "
4
1
Roger Els,
8
13
Hercules Corser,
1
1
Ten Families, .
203
353
Seventeen Families, .
92
203
1659. The County Court Records contain the following : -
" The wife of John Mansfield, being accused, and by her own confes- sion convicted, of exhorbitant carriages, and reproachful speeches, against authority, is sentenced to be whipt by the constable of Charlestown ten stripes, by warrant from Mr. Russell ; and if again she shall break out in the like manner, she is to be sent to the house of correction."
Thomas Welsh covenanted to keep the "lame girl," Hannah Martin, for five years, -" obliging himself to find and maintain her with meat, drink, and convenient apparel for the said term, and taking care that she may, as much as may be, enjoy the ben- efit of the ordinances."
1660. Josselyn, who was twice in this country, and published a narrative of his voyages, relates that it was reported in England
These following had not any lotts allowed them, but upon due consider- ation, when the whole towne met, it was agreed, that they should have as hereunder set down, - the number to begin where the others left and they amongst themselves to draw their lotts.
Wood
in
Arces.
Com-
mons.
Joseph Noyes,
11
2
Widow Alice Mousall,
36
6
Steeven Grover,
4
1
Alexander Bow,
4
1
-
Zachary Long,
22
155
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
that Charlestown had been taken by the Turks. He gives the ru- mor as follows : -
" June 20. That 18 Turksmen of war the 24 of Jan'y 1659-60 landed at a Town, called Kingsword (alluding to Charlestown) three miles from Boston, Killed 40, took Mr. Sims minister prisoner, wounded him, killed his wife and three of his little children, carried him away with 57 more, burnt the Town, carried them to Argier, their loss amounting to 12000 pound -the Turk demanding 8000 pound ransom to be paid within seven months."
Josselyn visited Charlestown, and mentions, in 1638, calling at Mr. Long's ordinary, and finding on the back side of it a rattle- snake, a yard and a half long, which he minutely describes. On his second visit (1663), he gave a brief description of the town :-
" The passage from Boston to Charlestown is by a ferry worth forty or fifty pounds a year and is a quarter of a mile over. The river Mistick runs through the right side of the Town, and by its near approach to Charles river in one place makes avery narrow neck, where stands most part of the Town, the market place not far from the water side is surrounded with houses, forth of which issue two streets orderly built and beautified with Orchards and Gardens, their meeting house stands on the north side of the market, having a little hill behind it ; there belongs to this Town one thousand and two hundred acres of arable, four hundrid head of cattle, and as many sheep, these also provide themselves farms in the country."
One thousand acres of land were laid out, by order of the Gen- eral Court, " for the use of the school of Charlestown," "in the wilderness, on the western side of Merrimack River, at a place commonly called by the Indians, Sodegonock."
1661. " Ordered that Thomas Brigden, senior, deliver the town buckets to any person or inhabitant of this town upon notice of fire within the town : provided the said Brigden takes care for the bringing them to the Meeting House again. And is to be satisfied for his pains and care therein."
1662. Soon after the restoration, Charles II. addressed a letter to the colonists, in which a right was assumed to interfere with the internal affairs of the colony. This letter was read in the town meetings. This circumstance was recorded as follows : - "At a general meeting of all the inhabitants of Charlestown the 6th day of October, 1662, the Kings Letter directed to the General Court was openly and deliberately read by Jacob Greene, then one of the constables of the town." Some feeling was manifested at Wo- burn on reading this letter. Isaac Cole refused to read it; and Edward Converse openly declared, that they "who brought the Kings letter to Woburn, brought popery thither." Both were summoned to answer for their conduct.
156
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
Mr. Long of this town, had his license renewed " for keeping a house of common entertainment and for retailing wine and strong waters, on condition that no strong waters be suffered to be tipled or drunk in or about any house or place of any such his retailing, nor sold to any but masters of families of good report, or travellers in their journey. Penalty, forfeit of license and &5."
Phineas Pratt, of this town, May 1662, presented a "narrative of the streights and hardships that the first planters of this colony underwent in their endeavors to plant themselves in Plymouth and since, whereof he was one." In answer to his petition the Court granted him three hundred acres. Mr. Pratt, in his old age, was assisted by the town and died April 19, 1680. His narrative can- not be found.
The following petition is in the hand writing of Francis Norton. (See page 86.) In answer to it, the Court, May 9, 1662, made the company a grant of one thousand acres of land : -
" To the Hond, Genll. Court now assembled at Boston.
The petition of the Artillery Company for the County of Middlesex. In most Humble wise sheweth ;
Whereas by the favourable allowance and grant of this Hon'd Court for Sundry years now past, your petitionors have had free liberty to meet together and exercise themselves for their instruction in the military art, wherein, while your petitioners haus sought yr owne profiting, their Llt me End haus been the service of the Lord and his people therein ; for fur- ther incouragement of which worke many of us expecting daly when we shall be called off the stage, and others take our places, who were not born. Soldiers no more than wee, and will yrfore stand in like need of Help for their instruction as those yt have b'en their predecessors, or els on neglect ye of, wee need not pesent to yor wisedome the Sad consequences yt will ensue ; Your petitioners do yrfore Humbly beg of this Court to grant to the said Society 1000 acres of land, to be layd out in such places, where it may be improved for the benefit of the sd Society ; the wch althouh to your petitioners it will be both travell and charge, yet being unfeignedly desirous yt so good an exercise should be continued, even when where they can be of no more use and service to God and his people in this world, they shall endeavour the improvement yrof, for the furtherance of the ends proposed and shall continue to pray that He, who is the Lord of Hosts, may be wth you and observe you in all ye weighty concernments for the furtherance of his glory and the peace of his people in these ends of the Earthı."
FRAN : N. in the name of the Rest."
1663. In answer to the petition of Captain Francis Norton and Nicholas Davison, in behalf of the inhabitants of this town, " they being straightened by parting with lands to accommodate Cambridge, Woburn and Malden," the General Court granted to the town five hundred acres of land. This was laid out " on the westward side of the bounds of Lancaster."
157
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
1666. There is much matter on the records, relative to the dealings of the fathers of the town with the rising generation; and especially relative to their behavior in the meeting house. At a general town meeting, January 1, the town voted to leave the sub- ject with the selectmen. The latter, January 12, passed the fol- lowing order :
" By the Selectmen, Whereas there are many complaints of the rnde and irreverent carriages of many of our youths especially in the times of the public ordinances of praying and preaching Lords Days which we conceive is heightened for want of due inspection and being and keeping in some certain appointed place or places. And we being called and en- couraged by all our householders to take care about them, that profane- ness may be prevented, and the government incumbent on governors of families not scandalized. We judge it our duty to commend it as our affectionate desire to all our inhabitants, concerned herein to further us with their cheerful endeavors, and that each person whom we nominate would in his term sit before the youths pew on Lords day during the morning and evening exercise. It being our joint expectation that all youths under fifteen years of age unless on grounded exemption by us, do con- stantly sit in some one of those three pews made purposely for them. It is our desire that all parents and governors will require their children and servants of the capacity aforesaid to sit and continue orderly in those pews except mr. Cheevers scholars, who are required to sit orderly and con- stantly in the pews appointed for them together. It is moreover com- mended to the conscientious care and endeavour of those that do sit before the youths pews Lords days to observe their carriage, and if any youth shall carry it rudely and irreverently to bring them before one of our ma- gistrates with convincing testimony that due course may be taken with them for the disconragement of them and any others of like profane behavior. We doubt not but we shall find our householders active herein that so guilt may not be contracted by personal or general default herein.
Ezekiel Cheever, the renowned schoolmaster of his day, had at this period the charge of the Town School. On the 3rd of No- vember he presented the following " motion" to the selectmen :
" First, that they would take care the school house be speedily amended because it is much out of repair.
"Secondly, that they would take care that his yearly salary be paid, the constables being much behind with him.
" Thirdly, putting them in mind of their promise at his first coming to town, viz. that no other schoolmaster should be suffered, or set up in the town so as he could teach the same, yet now Mr. Mansfield is suffered to teach and take away his scholars."
At this time Matthew Smith was employed as Town Messenger at thirty shillings a year ; and Thomas Brigden, senior, " to look unto the Meeting House and clear it, to ring the bell to meetings, and to keep out doggs in meeting time, and to receive four pounds yearly for his salary."
158
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
1667. The following agreement gives some idea of the price of carpenter work in the olden time : -
" This day an agreement made with Solomon Phipps to lay upon the roof of our meeting house, viz. upon one half of the house fifteen or six- teen thousand of good shingles : the said Phipps to find the shingles and lay them only ; and the selectmen are to find boards and nails sufficient for the work ; he is to finish the work by the last day of May next ensuing, and is to receive twenty-two shillings per thousand to be paid out of the next town rates by the constable ; only the selectmen do promise to give him twenty shillings in money over and above the bargain of 22s per thousand.'
1668. The records of this period indicate the jealousy of the fathers of the town respecting strangers, - citizens being often summoned before them for harboring inmates. Quaker preachers were disseminating their views in the towns; and the Baptists had organized a church here ; and hence this uncommon vigilance. One instance was the case of John Davis. He entertained Thomas Maul, a Quaker, who even began "to exercise his trade " of a tailor, without the consent of the selectmen. The latter called Davis to account for his hospitality ; who replied, that " he would not put him (Maul) out of his house, but would keep him with him, contrary to the mind and prohibition of the selectmen." A week later, Mr. Davis was again summoned before the select- men ; when he replied that "Mr. Maul had left that very morn- ing." He was fined eighteen shillings " for his untimely words spoken," "but especially for his entertaining " the tailor " six days after he was forbidden." Thomas Maul, the next year, at Salem, was sentenced to be whipped ten stripes for saying "that Mr. Higginson preached lies, and that his instruction was the doctrine of Devils." The selectmen continued to look sharp after Davis ; for a few months later he was again summoned before them, and " warned that he should not frequent ordinaries at any time for the future."
A petition was sent to the General Court, in the name of the Freemen, which shows the political spirit of the times. This year the Court determined to take the power of nominating military officers into its own hands; and hence the action of the town. Deacon Stitson and Captain Allen, who appeared in behalf of the frecmen, were two of the most respected citizens : -
" To the much Honoured the General Court assembled at Boston. The Humble petition of the freemen of Charlestown :
" Humbly sheweth That your petitioners having through the favour,
159
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
and blessing of God, lived under this Government, as tis now established, for many years, enjoying under the shadow thereof wonderful preservation, by the special presence of God with, and the care, and prudence of this honoured Court ; together with such priviledges, and immunities, which seem to be essential to the constituting of our freedom, (viz - a free, and inviolable choice of our heads, and rulers over, as well civil and ecclesi- astical, as military affairs,) and which hath rendered us the most happy people that we know of in the world.
" Now forasmuch as we are not conscious to our selves of any unfaith- fulness to the interests of this Commonwealth, and government, but we hope a studious care to maintain the good of the same, and that in partic- ular in the reference to our choice of military officers, hath from time to time been manifested ; The persons chosen having generally approved them selves faithful to their trust. We would not but with grief of heart receive that unwilcome account given us by our deputy, of the voting down soe considerable a part of our so long enjoyed liberty, at the last session of the general Court, viz, the choice of our military **** ** which as it seems to reflect unfaithfulness upon us, so (should it proceed) *
* under great discouragements.
" Your petitioners, therefore do humbly ** * entreat this honourable Court to take the premises into your serious consideration, that we may not loose that in a day, which as we humbly conceive, hath been so many years, enjoyed, as our undoubted right : but that the same being confirmed to us (as that which can have no dangerous consequences ; whilst our choice stands or falls, to the courts approbation or rejection) we may with all cheerful industry, not in this case only, but in all cases relating to the universal good of this government, be encourage to approve ourselves most faithful to the interest of the same."
And your petitioners shall ever pray &c, WILLLIAM STITSON ? in the name of the JOHN ALLEN $ freemen." 1
This petition was referred to a committee of three, who reported that the Freemen were "not rightly informed " so "earnestly," upon " slender ground, to assert that for an undoubted right which no-ways belongs to them, it being always in the Court's power to allow and confirm military officers." Heretofore the people had nominated them, and the County Court approved of the nomination ; the course now adopted was justified " as more agreeable to the Patent."
1669. A rate was made to support public worship. The min- isters, at first, were paid by the company. This practice, how- ever, continued but a few years, when the duty was put upon the towns. It does not appear from the Records of this town how the money was raised for this purpose; though the meeting house was paid for, and kept in repair, by a general rate. In other towns,2 it was raised, both by voluntary contributions and taxation. It is
1 The original, in the Mass. Archives, is imperfect.
2 Felt's MSS., Hist. Salem.
160
HISTORY OF CHARLESTOWN.
probable that such was the practice here, and that those who re- fused to contribute, were taxed. A citizen of Watertown, in 1643, on being rated for this cause, wrote a book against support- ing public worship by taxation ; wherein, " besides his arguments, which were naught, he cast reproach upon the elders."] He was fined ten pounds; not for his arguments, for " they were not worth the answering ; " 2 but for his speeches. No trace has been found of this dangerous book.3 The individual mentioned in the follow- ing vote was, probably, of those who refused to contribute : " 1667.25.9. John Gould appearing before the selectmen, being demanded whether he would pay any thing to the maintaining of ordinances for the time past, answered plainly that he was not will- ing to pay any thing for the time past."
The action of the towns on the subject of seating people in the meeting house, took place about this time. The formality of it in this town, and the wording of the votes, indicate something more than mere seating the people in pews. At " a general town meet- ing " February 26, 1667, it was " agreed by mutual vote," to choose a committee of five to join with the selectmen, " to consult and conclude of the way to bring in what may be sufficient to maintain ordinances comfortably amongst us, and that speedily to be done." Another vote indicates the nature of this business : - "Voted that the townsmen with the committee abovesaid, should have liberty to seat all the inhabitants in pews in the meeting house."
This committee matured their plan ; and, April 9, the selectmen appointed James Cary, recorder, and Richard Lowden, constable, to "give notice to each person and to shew them as near as may be verbally where they are appointed to sit, and to inform them how much they are seized to pay." A few months later, January 27, 1669, the selectmen ordered : --
" That Richard Lowden is and shall be impowered to ask and receive of all the inhabitants of this town all such sums as they are rated or pro- portioned to pay unto the maintenance of the ordinances amongst us : He being deputed by us to collect it, and to pay it to the deacons of the church. For his care and pains to have ten pounds paid by us for this year ensuing."
1 Winthrop, vol. ii. p. 93.
3 Savage in Winthrop, vol. ii. p. 93.
2 Hubbard, p. 412
NOTICE.
THE undersigned, a few years ago, prepared a series of commu- nications upon the history of Charlestown, intending them for the Bunker Hill Aurora; the advice of friends induced him to keep them, and add to them, until they will now appear in the more presumptive form of a volume. This work will be continued, so far as type and paper are concerned, as it has been commenced and as expeditiously as business engagements will permit, until the his- tory is brought down to the present time; but the number of en- gravings that will be given must depend upon the encouragement it meets with.
One great reason for choosing the mode of publication so much in favor with the public, - viz., in numbers, -is the hope that the early ones may fall into the hands of some persons who may have ancient family manuscripts, and be willing to loan them for the purpose of making this work more complete. Communica- tions of this nature will be gladly received. The undersigned is indebted to several for interesting papers and valuable assistance. Obligations like these will hereafter be specially acknowledged.
RICHARD FROTHINGHAM, JR.
November, 1845.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1845, BY RICHARD FROTHINGHAM, JR. in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
PRINTED BY I. R. BUTTS, 2 School Street, Boston.
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