USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > The history of Concord, Massachusetts > Part 18
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Before doing this, however, let us notice a few facts relative to the family record of our late host, Goodman Thomas Brooks ; for our tarry with him and his house- hold had been a delightful one, and we had received in our conversations with him much information that was useful.
Thomas Brooks, as we have stated, came to America from England in 1635, in the ship "Susan and Ellen," leaving London in company with Messrs. Buttrick and Bulkeley, May 9th. He was one of the earliest settlers at Concord, and through the long interim between then and now, the name has passed along, with here and there some one to make it exceptionally illustrious.
The common ancestor of the Brooks family in Concord,
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Shattuck says, was Capt. Thomas Brooks. But as Lin- coln, Acton, Bedford and Carlisle were once largely included in this township, some of the inhabitants who have borne the name in these towns may lay claim to the same honor as those living in Concord. Thomas was made a freeman in 1636. He was representative ten years. He died May 21, 1667; and his wife, Grace, died May 12, 1664. They left children as follows : Joshua, Caleb, Gershom, Mary, and probably, Thomas and John. Mary married Capt. Timothy Wheeler of Concord. Caleb sold his estate at Concord in 1670 and moved to Medford, and was the ancestor of Governor John Brooks and Hon. Peter C. Brooks. Joshua married Hannah, a daughter of Capt. Hugh Mason of Watertown, an officer of Philip's war fame, and was the ancestor of nearly all by the name of Brooks in Concord and Lincoln, among whom was the late Hon. George M. Brooks, a former Judge of Probate of Middlesex County and representative to Congress. The following are the only records among the town's vital statistics as late as 1654, relative to the Brooks family :
" Joseph the sonne of Henry Brooks was borne the 12 (2) 1641."
The next following record is "Grace, daughter or Joshua Brooks & Hannah his wife borne 10 March 16:61."
To return now to our narrative. In early times wedded life found much public favor, and was greatly encouraged, while an unmarried life was discouraged, as is indicated by the fact that almost from the beginning the colonists placed upon their town records or upon their statute books re- solves and enactments designed to make the married state easy and the unmarried state hard.
Bachelors were under a special surveillance, or "spying and tattling" of the constables and tything men ; and so a man might properly be said to gain his liberty instead of losing it by entering into the marriage state. As an induce- ment for one to marry sometimes a house lot was offered.
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In Eastham, Mass., it was ordered that " Every unmarried man in the township shall kill six blackbirds or three crows while he remains single ; as a penalty for not doing so he shall not be married until he obeys this order." In 1670, Thomas Tally, who had lived in Concord four years, was summoned into court to answer for not living with his wife. His defence was that she was in England, and that he had sent for her, and if she did not come he would go after her. This defence, however, was to no purpose, for the Grand Jury, before which he had been brought, banished him from its jurisdiction. Contracts relating to marriage were sometimes written out and signed by the contracting parties. One, which has been preserved and given in detail by the historian Walcott, is for substance that one was to give lands, and the other pounds, shillings and pence, and Robert Blood was to "stand good" for the ful- fillment of this pre-nuptial agreement.
In early times people were very cautious about " match making." Fines or the whipping post awaited the reck- less, and it was no safe thing to be imprudent in such a matter. The traveler Joslyn, speaking of an evening's courtship in Boston in 1663, said : " On the south there is a small but pleasant common where the Gallants, a little before sunset, walk with their marmalet Madams till the nine o'clock bell rings, then home to their respective habitations."
In 1672 Jonathan Coventry was indicted " for making a motion of marriage to Catherine Dudley without obtaining formal consent." In 1647, in Stratford, Will Colefoxe was fined 5 pounds for "laboring to inveigle the affection of Write, his daughter." The reason given for such careful- ness was " to prevent young folks from intangling them- selves by rash and inconsiderate contracts of marriage." If an engagement to marry was made and had been permitted by the father he could not without reason break it off. In Plymouth in 1661, Richard Taylor sued Ruth Whieldom's father; and it is said that another man sued the father for
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loss of time in courting. A person "jilted " was said to be "shabbed."
Marriage of old widowers was in vogue in the Massa- chusetts Bay Colony, as we infer from the correspondence and conduct of Judge Sewall, who married Hannah Hull of " Pine Tree Shilling " fame and received her weight in silver for dower. Having lived with his wife forty-three years and having had fourteen children, the Judge made the following entry in his diary after her death: " Wondering in my mind whether to live a married or a single life. Before his wife had been dead two months it is said he had " gazed admiringly at Widow Winthrope in her sley," and that he gave her as tokens of his admiration works entitled "Smoking Flax Inflamed" and "My Small Vial of Tears."
For two centuries the wedding bans were published three Sundays in the meeting house. Ministers were for- bidden to perform the marriage ceremony, but it was done by the magistrate or by some appointed by law for the pur- pose. The minister, however, sometimes preached a sermon on the occasion of an engagement on such a text as the prospective bride might select. One minister, it is said, preached on a text in Ephesians, showing that the married state was a warfare. In this case probably the minister selected his own text. The "coming out" or as it was sometimes called "the walking out" was considered an affair of importance, and Cotton Mather thought it ex- pedient for the "bridal couple to appear as such publicly with some dignity." It was quite customary for a long period for ministers' sons to marry ministers' daughters.
For many years "sack posset" was drank at weddings, but, it is said, "not with noisy revelry." "Bride cake" and " bride gloves" were sent by friends. Jewelry engraved with a skull and cross-bones has been known to be given to a bride who was in mourning for a deceased friend.
The garter of the bride was sometimes scrambled for to bring good luck.
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As the family had been unusually busy we had the fore- noon all to ourselves, and when the call came for dinner we were ready to leave our reflections and join the family below. While we were seated at the table Goodman But- trick surprised us by the announcement that it was "lecture day," and that the family that afternoon would attend ser- vice at the meeting house. We had heard of this mid-week meeting and knew that it was made much of, but were amazed at the importance which was actually attached to it, and we only needed an invitation to go with them to their little church home on the hill where we could observe for ourselves. On the way thither a Sunday stillness pervaded everything. No sound of work was heard anywhere, and even the chimneys were smokeless, showing how empty the houses were of inmates. As we fell in just before reaching the North bridge with the Brownes and Billingses they at once commenced talking about the last lecture, and the remarks made upon it showed a most commendable knowledge of the theology of the times, and evinced also a high type of intelligence. The discussion was clear, the language was concise and the logic convincing. In short, what we heard and saw on the way was ample evidence that there was with the average colonist an independence of reli- gious thinking which corresponded well with his robust self-reliance in coping with the obstacles to be met with in subduing a new country or the formidable ones which he afterwards met with from abroad. We found that his mind was by no means merely imitative, neither absorbent nor vacant, waiting to be filled with whatever a stronger might give it, but it was analytic and constructive and had an original and individual strength ; that where an acquired wisdom was wanting there was a supply of good common sense ; that he had as nice a discernment between the rea- sonable and the unreasonable as he did between the right and the wrong, and that these terms were with him practi- cally interchangeable. We found that the colonist firmly believed that he had a good foundation for the hope that
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was within him. That foundation he unswervingly believed, by the most concise rules of logic, the truest testimony of history, the fullest endorsement of conscience, the strength of divers providences in the shape of guidance and special deliverance, was God's word. Armed and aided by such Divine authority and by various spiritual quickenings and visitations he went forth to what he considered was his heaven directed mission. On the strength of his convic- tions he enacted such a code of rules for his civic procedure as he believed only supplemented that word, and embodied its pure principles and made it practicable for all secular purposes and such as he deemed necessary for its protection and unobstructed progress.
By the doing of these things he was able to succeed as a colonist where others in this country had failed, and by these things he endeavored to set up in each township a genuine theocracy with a government that would have God for its King, His word for its statute book and His Spirit for its sole Interpreter and Director.
As we drew near the meeting house we saw Parson Bulkeley and Major Simon Willard coming on foot over the Milldam path, and we learned after service that the former had been to administer spiritual consolation to an afflicted family up by the Darby bridge, where a child had died. As the family were poor, Mr. Bulkeley had taken with him Major Willard with the design of making some betterment in their material circumstances by bringing them nearer the central village, where the father could be fur- nished with work and the family could be looked after. The consideration of these two worthy magnates of the town for one of the poorer class was to us significant and suggested an inquiry as to the charities of the Concord colony : whereupon we discovered that there was a kindness of heart that suffered not the needy to be neglected and that contributions were taken occasionally in the meeting house for the worthy poor.
As the parish included the entire town, so the poor
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everywhere within its borders were subject to its material ministrations ; but it was only the deserving poor who were looked upon with complaisance, for idleness and wastefulness were utterly frowned upon. It is true the colonist was exceedingly saving because circumstances re- quired it : it was nevertheless a part of his religion to rec- ognize the claims of honest poverty upon his purse as well as upon his heart. His parsimony might lead him to deny himself luxuries, but not to deny his neighbors the neces- saries of life.
Goodman Richard Rice with whom we had been con- versing informed us that the funeral of the child was to take place on Saturday, and we resolved to attend. He also invited us to go home with him and accompany his family to the wedding next day. As it was our purpose to visit as many households as possible during our short stay in the settlement we accepted the invitation after having obtained the reluctant consent of the Buttricks.
As the minister approached the meeting house door all entered as quietly as if it were Sunday, or the Sabbath, as the settlers called the day, because they deemed that the word Sunday savored of Paganism in that it suggested sun worship ; and when once within, the service was conducted with all the seriousness and sanctity of the sacred day itself.
The lecture was as the name implies an instructive dis- course. The people were literally lectured with respect to their duty, and the subject had particular reference to their daily spiritual experience. At the close few lingered to talk for it was a work day and they hastened home to complete the unfinished task.
As Goodman Rice had but one horse we went on the "ride and tie" system, although as a matter of fact we our- selves rode the most of the way, our host insisting upon walking by our side.
CHAPTER XXIII.
A Wedding at the House of Goodman John Miles - Description of Bride's and Bridegroom's Dress - The Marriage Ceremony - Throwing the Garter - Situation of the Miles' Homestead - Historic Sketch of John Miles-Visit at the home of Thomas Flint Esquire, His Official Duties - As Assistant - As Commissioner - Early Colonial Law Books - Primitive Courts and Court Prac- tices - Talk Relative to Servants.
D URING the ride our conversation was about the river and its meadows, both of which subjects were interesting to us, inasmuch as the river meadows were found to be not only a means of reliance for food for the stock, but to some extent a quasi means of value or basis upon which to establish the "minister's rates," the division of upland, and rights in commonage, as of planting fields, public pastur- age, and the taking of timber trees from forest reservations.
Long before we had exhausted the subject of our con- versation we found ourselves at the Rice homestead, and as we entered the lane that led to it we saw that like others it had passed through the pioneer stage and that the log cabin of the first years had given place to a substantial frame structure, with commodious outbuildings.
We received as usual a hospitable welcome, and after supper gathered about the cheerful hearth and spent the evening in pleasant conversation upon things pertaining to the settlement of the town and its future prospects and the family history of our host, which history in brief outline is as follows :
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JI MN THURPIU .
JOHN TH
HELEN L. TFORCAU
MI NAY DL. THORCAO
SOPHIA F TUCECAU
?
FAT ER
GRAVE OF HENRY THOREAU.
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Richard Rice went to Concord at an early date, and first erected a small house at the center, near which he planted an orchard. He lived on the present Walden street, and his house came within the south quarter, but was considered in the territorial apportionment as in the east quarter. He had John Adams for a neighbor, and the two dwelt in the vicinity of the present almshouse.
In 1684, Richard Rice testified with William Buttrick and others as to the purchase of Concord territory from the Indians, giving his age at that time as 72. The name has long been familiar in Concord, and some bearing it have been conspicuous in the town's annals. The name was also a prominent one among the first settlers of Sudbury and Marlboro, and as these towns are in close proximity, it may be difficult to decide to which ancestor all of the descend- ants belong. Richard Rice died June 9, 1709, being accounted, the record alleges, more than one hundred years old.
After a night of refreshing rest we arose early, and spent the forenoon in strolling about the neighborhood, seeing new objects and gathering some additional data for future reference.
After dinner we prepared for the wedding, and as the time for a start to the Mileses drew near, plans were made for the conveyance of each member of the household. Goodman Rice and his wife were to go on horseback with the pillion ; another horse was provided for us, and it was left with the hired man to so seat the ox cart that it would accommodate all the rest. We drove out of the yard to- gether, but those on horseback soon outstripped the others, so that soon the rattle of the cart and the "gee-up and hish- haw" of John were no longer heard. A half hour more brought us into that part of the south quarter that has long been known as the "nine acres" and identified with the homesteads of some of the Wheelers and Mileses, and is situated at that corner of Concord which borders the Sud- bury town line.
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The house was illuminated for the occasion by the light of several fire-places and many candles. Some of the latter were in brightly burnished brass candlesticks, a part of which had been borrowed of the neighbors, others in the more common kind, while a half dozen were set in a candle beam. Goodman Miles met us in the yard, his man took our animals, and soon we were within, welcomed by a score or more, among whom were several of our new acquaintances. By early nightfall the guests had all come, and only awaited the arrival of Mr. Thomas Flint, whom the court had "appointed to join persons in marriage," no clergyman being permitted to do it.
And now as we wait, it is a good time to describe the dress. Both the bride and the groom were attired as richly as the law of the land with its limitations to vain display, and their moderate circumstances would allow. The bride wore a neatly-fitting gown of pale pink " cali- manco" (good substantial woolen material), beneath which was a white petticoat bordered with orris (fine lace) the edge of which just showed above a pair of high-heeled shoes, which were fastened at the instep with a bunch of ribbons. A sacque of blue, with "inkle," (a delicate braid), was characterized by a single slash in each sleeve, being all that the law would permit, and just showed the linen gar- ment beneath, which the law required should be sufficiently long to admit no undue exposure of the bare arms. Her hair was bedecked with a sprig of evergreen, in which was entwined a small cluster of bright berries of wild bitter sweet, making a contrast with her dark hair that was beautiful.
The bridegroom was correspondingly attired. His duffel coat stood out at the skirts in true colonial style, and upon its top rested a snow white ruff, which was starched with an excessive stiffness and tied at the front with tiny tas- seled strings. Beneath the coat was a silk and woolen waistcoat, and the small clothes, which were fastened at the knees with bright but not costly buckles to a pair of some-
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what gay stockings made up a costume which though not extravagantly expensive was picturesque.
Not long after the time set for the ceremony Mr. Flint drove into the yard, accompanied by a servant. As he entered the house he explained that his delay was occa- sioned by an afternoon call from one of the " Assistants" from Boston, who was on his way to Sudbury town to aid in settling an ecclesiastical dissension which had arisen there concerning a " stinting of the cow commons," which diffi- culty the colonial court had been called upon to adjust.
Soon the contracting parties "stood up," and the " Com- missioner," with a gravity of countenance commensurate with the solemnity of his sentences, spent a few moments in an attempt to impress all present with a true sense of the greatness of the event and the importance of entering upon the matrimonial state with a due regard to its sanctity and a resolve to live up to its requirements with an unswerving fidelity. He said, drawing closer to the bride, " Love is the sugar to sweeten every condition in the married state," and exhorted each to cultivate it and not let their ardor grow cold.
After this hortatory exercise he offered prayer ; and the parson, Peter Bulkeley, "improved the occasion" by saying some things corroborative of what had been said, and cautioned all to be circumspect and to cultivate those graces which would fit them for any condition.
After these things the main issue was attended to, and the couple were pronounced man and wife. Imme- diately after this, servants, some of them belonging to the neighbors, brought in the "sack posset," a beverage that was usually drank on marriage occasions, yet, as we were told, without " noisy revelry."
For edibles there was the usual country course for colonial times, conspicuous among which was the bride's cake. After the wedding meal was partaken of, merry- making was in order, which, as in modern times on similar
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occasions, was made up of such things as pertained to a pleasurable bantering of the bridegroom and bride.
Soon the "garter" by some mysterious agency was obtained and thrown out, and the scramble for it by the eager company indicated how much the person who finally possessed it prized the good luck it was supposed to bring.
During the evening while others were engaged in the fes- tivities, we sought an acquaintance with several families whom we had not before met, among whom were the Bloods and Healds from the extreme north quarter, and we accepted an invitation from Goodman Blood to visit him the following week. We were also introduced to Mr. Flint, and were soon engaged in an animated conversation concerning his large estate and his duties as a colonial official. As our interview was suddenly interrupted by the great commotion caused by casting the garter and the sub- sequent scramble for it, Mr. Flint kindly invited us home with him, that we might continue our talk in the quiet ride through the woods, and on the morrow look about his estate, see his family and become acquainted with that por- tion of the south quarter in which he dwelt. We accepted most gladly the invitation, and explanations having been made to the Rices and to Timothy Wheeler, we bade the Miles's good-night and departed, carrying with us the pleasantest of recollections.
It was with regret that we left the Miles domicile in the midst of the nuptial merry-making, for we were beginning to feel young again in the midst of so much hilarity and exuberance of spirit ; besides, we were feeling quite at home there, for everything we heard about the family had been fully corroborated by what we saw.
The house was the first one built upon the spot, and had been erected by John Miles, a pioneer grantee, who was in Concord in 1640. His first house lot which consisted of three acres was in the center, but later he left it and went to the " nine acres," where, with some of the Wheelers
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for neighbors, he opened a clearing and set up a home which has long been identified with his name.
The spot selected for his homestead was picturesque. It was in a close of nine acres, which in process of time came to be called the " nine acre corner," and the term is surely no misnomer, since the plot of land thus termed is literally cornered by two streams, the river and gulf brook. John Miles married for his first wife Sarah, who died in 1678, leaving one daughter, who married Edmund Wigley, and afterwards Joseph Lee. He married in his old age Susannah Redit. He left John, Samuel and Mary. John married Mary Prescott in 1702, and died October 23, 1725, leaving an estate of £1,768 and two sons, John and Jona- than, the latter being a graduate of Harvard College.
Samuel, son of the first John, was a deacon in the Con- cord Church, and died March 13, 1756, leaving as children Samuel, Joseph, Sarah, Ezekiel, Esther, Martha, Nathan, Reuben and Charles, the latter of whom was a captain in the Revolutionary war.
It was arranged beforehand that the servant who accom- panied Esquire Flint should remain over night with Mr. Miles' hired man that we might have the use of his horse.
The moon was low when the bars were dropped for our egress from the short lane that led out to the country road. The air was balmy and the night was still, save as when we neared the river was heard the quacking of a flock of be- lated ducks, who were taking advantage of the bright moon to move a little farther south before the Indian summer was over. Now and then there was also heard the soft tread of a surprised fox as he suddenly turned for a safe retreat upon hearing us. Once a buck stalked so near that our horses stopped ; and as we turned the bend of the pond and were about descending the hill, at a point where the evergreen tips almost came together over the road, there clumsily crossed our pathway a large, lumbering form, looking so unshapely as it loomed up in the shadows that Mr. Flint's horse, which was a little ahead of ours, for we
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were too timid to ride alongside, suddenly sheered and pranced, while ours almost unseated us.
Mr. Flint exclaimed that we had encountered a bear, but that bruin being without cubs was perfectly harmless, and our only fear need be for our horses, as the uncouth appearance of bears and their shambling gait was to them a matter of suspicion. Soon after this little episode we approached the Flint homestead, and knew by its looks that a warm welcome awaited us ; for, although the hour was late, there was a light in the front windows and the bright fire gleamed cheerily from the half-open door of the kitchen, where a servant stood looking and listening. Once within, we saw steaming upon the crane a large teakettle, and standing between the andirons, whose great brazen tops reflected the crackling flames, a skillet of broth. A beaker of hot cordial was at once offered us with a bowl of the broth, but we took only the latter, saying it would answer both for food and drink.
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